All Saints Day – (a Holy Day of Obligation) Instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown. It owes its origin in the Western Church to the dedication of the Roman Pantheon in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs by Pope Saint Boniface IV in 609, the anniversary of which was celebrated at Rome on 13 May. Pope Saint Gregory III Consecrated a Chapel in the Vatican Basilica in honour of All Saints, designating 1 November as their feast. Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to the whole Church. It has a Vigil and Octave and is a Holy Day of Obligation – the eve is popularly celebrated as Hallowe’en. Patronage – Arzignano, Italy. ABOUT: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/01/solemnity-of-all-saints-1-november/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/01/1-november-solemnity-of-all-saints/ AND: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/01/1-november-the-feast-of-all-the-saints/
Unsere Liebe Frau von Heede / Our Lady of Heede, Queen of the Universe , Queen of the Poor Souls in Purgatory (1937-1945) – 1 November
St Amabilis of Auvergne St Austremonius St Benignus of Dijon St Cadfan St Caesarius of Africa St Caesarius of Damascus St Ceitho St Cledwyn of Wales Bl Clemens Kyuemon St Cyrenia of Tarsus St Dacius of Damascus St Deborah the Prophetess St Dingad Bl Dionysius Fugixima St Floribert of Ghent St Gal of Clermont St Genesius of Lyon St Germanus of Montfort St Harold the King St James of Persia St John of Persia St Julian of Africa St Juliana of Tarsus St Lluís Estruch Vives St Marcel of Paris St Mary the Slave St Mathurin St Meigan St Nichole St Pabiali of Wales St Pere Josep Almató Ribera Auras St Peter Absalon Bl Peter Paul Navarra Bl Petrus Onizuka Sadayu St Rachel the Matriarch
Saint of the Day – 31 October – Blessed Christopher of Romagna OFM (Died 1272) Priest, Friar of the Order of Friars Minor during the life of St Francis, Missionary, sent by St Francis to preach against the heretic Albigensians in France.and Founder of Franciscan Monasteries there. Born in the late 12th Century in the Romagna region of Italy and died in 1272 in Cahors, France, of natural causes. He was Beatified in 1905 by Pope Pius X. Also known as – Christophe de Romagne.
A Franciscan Friar – unknown name
Christopher had been a Priest for many years when the grace of God impelled him to ask our holy Father St Francis, for the Habit. In 1219 Blessed Christopher of Romagnola was sent to Guienne, in southern France, to establish the Order in those parts. He was a man full of holy simplicity and sincere love for the poor and the unfortunate. He took great pleasure in caring for the many persons who were afflicted with leprosy in those days and were outcasts of society.
Christopher was very severe with himself. He wore an iron shirt for a long time, and always a belt having sharp points. He ate but once a day even in his advanced age. He built a small cell for himself of branches and sticks and covered it with straw. But in spite of these rigorous penances, he was always cheerful of countenance and pleasant in his dealings with others.
The pleasant demeanor by which Blessed Christopher gained the hearts of so many sinners, was a virtue he had learned from St Francis. Father Christopher had seen how St Francis of Assisi dealt with his fellowmen, especially with poor sinners.
Portrait of an unknown Franciscan Friar
As in all things else, so in this matter, St Francis kept before his mind the example of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who always received sinners with kindness.
Realising the value of time, Blessed Christopher of Romagna never wasted a moment, always busily occupied in prayer, meditation, manual labour, care of the garden, or other work that benefitted his brethren. His kindness and affability attracted many sinners, whom he succeeded in converting. God frequently favoured him with extraordinary inspirations and so, it was revealed to him, that St Francis was about to die. He hastened from France to Italy and arrived at the Portiuncula shortly before the death of St Francis. He had the consolation of receiving the Saint’s last blessing.
When Christopher arrived at the age of nearly one hundred years, his earthly sojourn came to an end. While earnestly exhorting the brethren gathered about his deathbed, he surrendered his soul to God in the year 1272. In death Blessed Christopher of Romagna looked more like a person who had fallen asleep, than like a dead person. An unusual concourse of people assembled for his burial which took place in Cahors, France. Many miracles occurred after his death; and his cult as Blessed was approved in 1905. He was buried there at the Franciscan Monastery. Sadly his relics were destroyed by the Huguenots in 1580 when they burned down the Monastery
Vigil of All Saints Day or All Hallow’s Eve: Eve of the Feast of All Hallows, that is, All Saints Day. Halloween is a day on which many quaint customs are revived. It is popular in the United States and Scotland and in the US has become the second largest secular holiday of the year.
St Ampliatus St Antoninus of Milan St Apelles of Eraclea Sintica St Arnulf of Novalesa St Begu of Hackness Blessed Christopher of Romagna OFM (Died 1272) Priest St Epimachus of Melusio St Erth of Cornwall
Bl Irene Stefani St Jesús Miquel Girbau St Lucilla of Rome Bl Maria de Requesens St Narcissus St Notburga of Cologne St Quentin St Stachys of Constantinople
St Wolfgang of Regensburg (c 934 –994) “The Great Almoner,” Bishop, Monk, Missionary, Ascetic, Apostle of Charity. He is regarded as one of the three great German saints of the 10th century, the other two being Saint Ulrich and Saint Conrad of Constance. He was Canonised in 1052 by Pope Leo IX. St Wolfgang’s life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-saint-wolfgang-of-regensburg-c-934-994/
St Germanus of Capua (Died c 541) Bishop of Capua, Italy, Confessor, Papal Legate. St Germanus was a close friend of St Benedict of Nursia. The Roman Martyrology states: St Germanus, Bishop and Confessor, a man of great sanctity, whose soul, at the hour of death, was seen by St Benedict taken to heaven by angels. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-saint-germanus-of-capua-died-c-541/
St Herbert of Tours Bl Jean-Michel Langevin Bl John Slade St Lucanus of Lagny St Marcellus the Centurion St Marcian of Syracuse St Maximus of Cumae St Nanterius of Saint-Mihiel Bl Raymond of Cardona St Saturninus of Cagliari St Serapion of Antioch St Talarica of Scotland Bl Terrence Albert O’Brien St Theonestus of Philippi (Died 425) Bishop, Martyr St Zenobia of Aegea St Zenobius of Aegea
Martyrs in Africa: A group of 100 to 200 Christians murdered in the early persecutions and about whom we know nothing except that they died for their faith.
Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Achahildis (Died c 970) Married Laywoman, Apostle of the poor, Miracle-worker, she built the Church in Wendelstein, Germany. Born in Luxembourg and died in c 970 of natural causes in Wendelstein. Also known as – Achatia, Lady Atzin, Atzia, Atza, Reinilda of Luxembourg.
Born into a noble family, she was the sister of Saint Cunégundes. She married Thietmar and the couple were blessed with 5 children.
Achahildis was known for her charity towards the poor. She founded the Wendelstein Church south of Nuremberg in Germany where she is still venerated.
The legend says that having discovered that a servant had stolen and killed geese, she forgave her and brought the geese back to life, including the one that had been cooked. During one of pregnancies, Achahildis developed an appetite for cherries in winter and a cherry tree in her garden bore ripe fruit to her great delight. The cherry tree was considered a tree of paradise . Based on these miracles that have been passed down, Achahildis is depicted with either three geese or a goose leg and a cherry tree with ripe red fruit.
Achahildis died in c 970 and was interred at the Church in Wendelstein, Germany that she had founded. Her tomb re-discovered in 1447 and many miracles, especially of children, were reported at her tomb. Today there is a Chapel dedicated to her in Wendelstein.
St Colman of Kilmacduagh St Dodone of Wallers-en-Fagne St Donatus of Corfu St Ermelinda of Meldaert St Eusebia of Bergamo St Felician of Carthage St Abraham of Rostov St Achahildis of Wendelstein (Died c 970) Married Laywoman. and mother. St Anne of Mount Olympus St Honoratus of Vercelli St John of Autun St Kennera St Mary of Edessa St Narcissus of Gerona
St Sigolinus of Stavelot St Stephen of Cajazzo St Terence of Metz St Theodore of Vienne St Zenobius of Sidon
Martyrs of Douai – (160 Saints and Beati): 160 Priests, Laymen and Religious who studied at the English College in Douai, France, then returned to minister to covert Catholics in England during a period of government persecution of the Church and were murdered for their work.
Martyrs of Lucania – (4 Saints): A group of Christians executed together for their faith. Only their names have survived – Felician, Hyacinth, Lucius and Quintus. Their Martyrdom occurred in Lucania, southern Italy.
Quote of the Day – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
“The Patron Saint of the Impossible:” This practice is thought to stem from the belief that few Christians invoked St Jude in prayer, due to their misplaced fear of praying to Christ’s betrayer, Judas Iscariot, the two names being so similar. Being so seldom invoked and reverenced, St Jude was and is, ready and waiting to hear the prayers of those who call upon him. Ironically, he is probably the Apostle who is the most frequently invoked in prayer and the most memorialised in Churches, with Statues and stained glass windows or other artworks. The ignored St Jude, thus became more eager to assist anyone who sought his intercession and aid, to the point of interceding in the most dire of circumstances. And so, the Title, “The Saint of Impossible Causes, for the Hopeless and the Desperate,” remains, to our benefit with the glorious Saint Jude. St Bernard and St Bridget too, both had visions from God, asking each to accept St Jude as “The Patron Saint of the Impossible.” Today, more than ever before, the merits of the beloved Saint Jude Thaddeus is being revived in people’s minds and hearts. In return, he is proving himself to be more than an ordinary advocate, taking special delight in coming to the aid of persons in desperate need.
Prayer to St Jude Patron of Impossible Causes
It is a beautiful tradition, associated with prayer to St Jude, to leave a copy of the prayer in a Church or before his Statue, Image or Shrine, for someone else, who is in great need, to find.
Most holy Apostle, St Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honours and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless causes, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Help me, I implore you, by that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulation and sufferings, particularly ………………… (state request) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed St Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favour, to always honour you as my special and powerful patron and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen
Saint of the Day – 27 October – Saint Odrian (c Died 563) Bishop of Waterford, Ireland, Abbot, Missionary. Born in County Meath, Ireland and died in c 563 at Iona Abbey, Scotland. Patronages – Silversmiths, the City and Diocese of Waterford, Ireland, Also known as – Odrioan of Waterford, Odrian of Iona, Otteran, Odhran, Odran, Oran, Oterano.
Odrian lived for over forty years in the area now known as Silvermines, in County Tipperary, Ireland, building a Church there in 520. According to Irish tradition, Odrian also served as Abbot of Meath and founded Lattreagh Monastery – images of the ruins below. He became one of the first Bishops of Waterford, Ireland. Waterford was part of an ancient deanery system at the time, ruled by an Abbot Bishop.
In 563, he was among the twelve who accompanied St Columba to the Scottish island of Iona, where he died and was buried. Columba is said to have seen devils and angels fight over Odran’s soul before it ascended into Heaven.
The oldest remaining Church on Iona is dedicated to Saint Odrian, see below. The surrounding cemetery is called Reilig Odhráin in his memory.
St Odrian is the Patron Saint of the Parish of Silvermines, County Tipperary. He was chosen by the Vikings as Patron of the City of Waterford in 1096 and later chosen as Patron of the Diocese. Below is St Odrian’s Well, Oranmore, County Galway.
Saint of the Day – 26 October – Saint Cedd (Died 664) Bishop, Monk , Missionary, Evangelist, Founder of Monasteries and many Churches. Born inNorthumbria, England and died on 26 October 664 at Lastingham, Yorkshire, England of the plague. Patronages – of Interpreters, Essex and Lastingham, England. Also known as – Cedda, Cedde, Ceddus, Ceddi, Ceadwalla.
Cedd was the chief Evangelist of the Middle Angles and East Saxons in England and a significant participant in the Council of Whitby, a Council which resolved important differences within the Church in Ireland and England. The little that is known of St Cedd’s life, comes to us mainly from the writing of the Venerable St Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People.
St Cedd, the eldest of four brothers, was born in 620 into a noble Northumbrian family at the beginning of the 7th century. With his siblings, Cynebil, Caelin and St (Ceadda) Chad (who became the first Bishop of York and then Bishop of Lichfield) he entered the school at Lindisfarne Priory at an early ae and learned the ways of the Irish Monks under Bishop St Aidan. St Aidan was well known for his personal austerity and disregard for the trappings of wealth and power. St Bede several times, stresses that Cedd and Chad absorbed St Aidan’s example and traditions. They were eventually sent to Ireland for further study and all four subsequently became Priests.
In 653, Peada, King of the Middle Angles, asked Aidan’s successor at Lindisfarne, St Finan (of Lindisfarne), for a Bishop for his region and St Finan chose four Monks, including Cedd, from Lindisfarne to evangelise Peada’s people. After making some conversions, Cedd returned to Lindisfarne to report to Finan. In recognition of his success, St Finan Consecrated him Bishop, calling in two other Irish Bishops to assist at the rite. Cedd was appointed Bishop of the East Saxons. As a result, he is generally listed among the Bishops of London.
St Bede’s record makes clear that Cedd demanded personal commitment and that he was unafraid to confront the powerful. He excommunicated a noble ,who was in an unlawful marriage and forbade Christians to accept the man’s hospitality. According to St Bede, when King Sigeberht continued to visit the man’s home, Cedd went to the house to denounce the King, foretelling that he would die in that house. St Bede asserts that the King’s subsequent murder (in 660) was his penance for defying Cedd’s injunction.
Cedd founded three Monasteries of his own, the best known being Lastingham, where he became the first Abbot and he died of the Plague in 664. St Bede has a beautiful story of Cedd’s founding of Lastingham, of how Cedd spent forty days in prayer and fasting in a remote spot given to him by King Ethelwald, to purify the site, although urgent royal business took him away after 30 days and Cynibil, his brother Bishop, took over the fast for him.
In 664, Cedd was present at the Council of Whitby and was a member of the Irish party, those wishing to retain the Irish date for Easter. But when the Council decided in favour of the Roman date, Cedd accepted the decision, not wanting to cause any further disunity in the Churches.
After the Council of Whitby, a Plague struck England,and Cedd was among those who died from the Plague. At the news of his death, thirty Monks came from London to spend their lives where their Founder had died. But they, too, caught the Plague and were buried near the little Chapel that had been erected in Cedd’s memory.
Cedd was the second Bishop of the City of London; the first was Mellitus, who came with St Augustine and later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Mellitus was driven from the See by the King of the East Saxons in 616 and London was without a Bishop until Cedd’s arrival about 654.
St Adalgott of Einsiedeln St St Alanus of Quimper St Albinus of Buraburg
St Alfred the Great (849-899) King of Wessex, Confessor, Scholar, Writer and Translator, negotiator. He administered justice with insight and fairness, protected the poor, and encouraged art and the crafts. He tried in all that he did, to rule as a model Christian King. For all this, he alone among the rulers of England is called “the Great.” This Great Saint’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/saint-of-the-day-26-october-saint-alfred-the-great-849-899/
St Alorus of Quimper St Amandus of Strasburg St Amandus of Worms St Aneurin St Aptonius of Angouleme St Arnold of Queralt St Bean of Mortlach St Bernard de Figuerols
St Eadfrid St Eata of Hexham St Felicissimus of Carthage St Fulk of Piacenza St Gaudiosus of Salerno St Gibitrudis St Gwinoc St Humbert St Lucian St Marcian St Quadragesimus of Policastro St Rogatian of Carthage St Rusticus of Narbonne St Sigibald of Metz
Saints of the Day – 25 October – Saint Chrysanthus and Saint Daria (Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple Died in c 282, by being buried alive by stones and sand in a sandpit off the Salarian Way, Rome, Italy. Also known as – Crisaunt, Crescentius, Crisanto, Dariasus. Their names appear in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum, an early martyrs list and a Church in their honour was built over their grave in Rome.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome, the holy Martyrs, Chrysanthus and his wife, Daria. After many sufferings endured for Christ, under the Prefect Celerinus, they were ordered by the Emperor Numerian, to be thrown into a sandpit on the Salarian Way, where, being overwhelmed with earth and stones, they were buried alive.”
Chrysanthus was the only son of a of an Egyptian patrician, named Polemius or Poleon, who lived in the reign of Numerian. Polemius moved from Alexandria to Rome and Chrysanthus was educated in the finest manner of the era. His superior intelligence was quickly appreciated. Convinced of the vanity of idol-worship, he undertook every means at his disposal to learn the truth and deliver his soul from the doubts afflicting him.
An elderly gentlemen was pointed out to him as a sage and Chrysanthus went to him with his questions. The old man, who was a Christian Priest named Carpophorus,.had no difficulty in opening the eyes of the young man. Chrysanthus instantly embraced the truth with ardour and became an apostle.
His father, at first astonished, became irritated and decided to bring his son back, from what he called his superstitions and errors. No means were effectual for this purpose. Thus, influenced by his associates, the father locked him in his palace and sent a courtesan to seduce his purity.
When the first one did not succeed, others were commissioned for the infamous task and finally a vestal Virgin, Daria, priestess of an idol regarded as the Empire’s bulwark, attempted every artifice to corrupt the young Christian. Instead, she herself became the conquest of grace. The two Christians saw themselves united by the bonds of faith, hope and charity and determined to add to these holy chains, those of a virginal marriage. This decision brought about liberty for Chrysanthus and gave him the means to continue his preaching of Christ.
Many conversions among the officers of the Roman society, with which he was already familiar, were the fruit of the apostolate of the young spouses, including that of the tribune Claudius, with his household and seventy soldiers. For this betrayal, the Emperor had Claudius drowned, his sons beheaded and his wife hanged at the gallows.
But complaints began to be addressed to the Prefect of Rome, who arrested the young couple. After enduring torments, Chrysanthus was shut up in the Mamertine prison and Daria was sent to a house of ill fame. But the Lord watched over both of them, as He had done over many others and they surmounted their trials, intact and pure. To be done with them, the irritated Emperor had them buried alive. It appears this torment was chosen in order to inflict on Daria, the death reserved for unfaithful vestals.
In the ninth Century, the principal relics of Chrysanthus and Daria were brought to the Church of Chrysanthus and Daria, Bad Münstereifel, Germany. This is the Church below which contains a beautiful Statue of St Daria.
St Cyrinus of Rome St Dulcardus St Fronto of Périgueux St Fructus of Segovia
St Gaudentius of Brescia (Died 410) Bishop, renowned Preacher, Theologian, Diplomatic Mediator, The Roman Martyrology states today: “In Brescia, Saint Gaudentius, Bishop, who, Ordained by Saint Ambrose, shone among the prelates of his time for doctrine and virtue, instructed his people with words and writings and founded a Basilica which he called the ‘Council of Saints.‘” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/25/saint-of-the-day-25-october-st-gaudentius-of-brescia-died-410/
St George of Périgueux St Goeznoveus of Leon St Guesnoveus Bl Henry of Segusio St Hilary of Javols St Hilary of Mende St Hildemarca of Fecamp St Januarius of Sassari St Lucius of Rome St Lupus of Bayeux St Mark of Rome
Saint of the Day – 24 October – Saint Martin of Vertou (527–601) Abbot, Hermit, Founder of Vertou Abbey and the Evangelist of the region around Nantes, Miracle-worker. Born in 527 at Nantes, France and died in 601 at Durieu, France of natural causes. Also known as – the Apostle of the Herbauges.
Martin was born into a wealthy family well-known in the region. He was distinguished by his virtue, learning and talent. He was Ordained Deacon by Saint Felix, Bishop of Nantes, who also made him Archdeacon of the Church of Nantes and charged him with converting the inhabitants of the Town and the surrounding area.
In about 577, he withdrew to Dumen forest at Brittany, to live as a Hermit. . There his obvious sanctity attracted so many followers that he was forced to found Vertou Abbey near Nantes whre he served as its first Abbot. Tradition says he was led to the site of the Monastery by an Angel.
Later Martin founded Saint Jouin-de-Marne Abbey, the Convent at Durieu and assisted in the founding of further houses.
It was at Durieu Abbey, where Martin died in 601 at the age of seventy-four.
There is a wonderful miracle told of him – he planted his pilgrim’s staff in the middle of the Abbey courtyard at Vertou and it took root, growing into a yew tree, which appears on the arms of the commune of Vertou.
Martin is greatly honoured and venerated for many miracles in Nantes and the beautiful Cathedral below is dedicated to him.
Saint Raphael the Archangel The Feast day of Saint Raphael was included for the first time in the General Roman Calendar in 1921, for celebration on 24 October. With the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, the Feast was transferred to September 29 for celebration together with Archangels Saints Michael and Gabriel. St Raphael: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-raphael-the-archangel/
Beata Vergine delle Grazie / The Blessed Virgin of Grace, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (1479) – Fourth Sunday of October:
Bl Amado García Sánchez St Audactus of Thibiuca St Cadfarch St Ciriacus of Hierapolis St Claudian of Hierapolis St Ebregislus of Cologne St Felix of Thibiuca St Fortunatus of Thibiuca St Fromundus of Coutances St Maglorius of Wales St Marcius of Monte Cassino St Martin of Vertou (527–601) Abbot, Hermit
St Senoch St Senócus of Tours St Septimus of Thibiuca
Martyrs of Ephesus – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. All we know about them are the names Mark, Sotericus and Valentina. They were stoned to death near Ephesus, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey). Their relics are enshrined on the island of Tasos.
Saint of the Day – 23 October – Blessed Severinus Boethius (c 475-524) Martyr, Layman, Roman Statesman and Philosopher, Theologian, Writer, Rhetorician, often styled “The Last of the Romans”, regarded by tradition as a Christian Martyr, Born in c 475-480 at Rome, Italy as Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius and died in 524-525 at Pavia, Italy. Also known as – Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius, The Last of the Romans, Severino Boezio.
Blessed Severinus Boethius was one of those rare minds that can assimilate knowledge and pass it on in an understandable form. He planned to translate the whole of Plato and Aristotle into Latin, to share the Greek wisdom with his contemporaries. He also wrote a treatise on the Trinity which , is considered a major work of Western Theology. He wrote extensively on matters concerning music, mathematics,and Theology. Although his translations were unfinished following an untimely death, it is largely due to them that the works of Aristotle survived.
He was born when Odoacer, the Ostrogoth, had become Ruler of Italy and when Boethius was thirteen, Odoacer was overthrown by Theodoric. He was left an orphan at an early age and was educated by the pious and noble-minded Symmachus, whose daughter, Rusticana, he married. Severinus entered public life in the footsteps of his father and in 510 was made Consul by Theodoric.
Theodoric began to suspect that certain of his nobles were plotting with the Emperor in Constantinople, to overthrow his government and Albinus, an Ex-consul and friend of Boethius,, was charged with treason. Boethius, defended Albinus in Court but was himself accused, of being part of the plot and imprisoned. It was in prison that he wrote his best known work. He found no defenders, even among his friends and not even his father-in-law, Symmachus, stood up for his innocence.
Boethius was cruelly tortured and died a violent death. He was buried in the Cathedral at Ticinium and his relics are now in the Church of St Peter at Pavia.
Tradition began very early to represent Boethius as a Martyr for the Christian Faith. It was believed that among the accusations brought against him, was devotion to the Catholic Church, which at that time, was championed by the Emperor Justin against the Arian Theodoric. In the eighth century this tradition had assumed definite shape and in many place,s Boethius was honoured as a Martyr and his feast observed on the twenty-third of October.
The reflective manner in which he faced death was an inspiration to others and his works were one of the important sources of writings throughout the Middle Ages. He died in the year 524 and was Beatified in 1883 by Pope Leo XIII .
Saint of the Day – 22 October – Saint Melanius (Died 314) Bishop of Rouen, Confessor, Miracle-worker, Hermit. Born c 229 near Cardiff, Wales and died on 11 November 314 in Hericourt, France of natural causes. Also known as – Mellon, Mallone, Mallonous, Mello, Mellonin, Mellouns, Mellonius.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rouen, St Melanius, Bishop, who was Ordained by Pope St Stephen I and sent to Rouen to preach the Gospel.”
Melanius was the son of local Welsh pagan nobility. He was sent to Rome to accompany the tribute due from his Province to the Roman Emperor.
Whilst in Rome Melanius was converted to Christianity by Pope Stephen 1, who Ordained him Priest and later Consecrated him Bishop. Pope Stephen then sent him to be the Bishop of Rouen in France. In 311, after a long Episcopate, he retired to a Hermit’s cell at a place called Hericourt, where he died
History records that whilst Bishop of Rouen ,Melanius performed many miracles including an exorcism where he cast out devils in their often depicted form – as monkeys!
Melanius was buried at Rouen but, towards the end of the 8th Century, his remains were translated to a Church in Pontoise to protect them from Norse invaders. They remained there until they were lost or destroyed, during the French Revolution.
Both the Village of St Mellons and the Church, in Cardiff are dedicated to Melanius of Rouen. A fair is held on 22 October, his Feast Day in the Village of St Mellons. In Hericourt, where our Saint had lived the last few years as a Hermit, there is now a Church dedicated to him and another in Thiédeville and Plomelin, Brittany.
Saint of the Day – 21 October – Saint Ursula and Companions: (Died c 238) Virgin Martyrs. Died on 21 October 238 in Cologne, Germany. Patronages – British Virgin Islands, Catholic education (especially of girls), Cologne, Germany, of a holy death, students, school children, teachers, University of Paris.
St Ursula and Her Companions, Virgin Martyrs By Father Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
St Ursula by Bernardo Cavalino
To-day we commemorate the festival of St Ursula and her Companions. Although her life and Martyrdom are variously described, by different historians, we cannot, therefor,e conclude, with some heretical writers, that she never existed and that all that has been told of her, are fables; for, although historians differ in some points, yet all unanimously declare that St Ursula and her Companions sacrificed their lives for their faith and, in defence of their Virginity. The short sketch we give of this Saint is partly taken from the works of the celebrated Cardinal Cesare Baronius (1538-1607), the Historian and partly from the Roman Breviary.
The Roman General, Maximus, surnamed Flavius Magnus Clemens, who commanded the Imperial armies in Britain, caused himself, in 383, to be proclaimed Emperor by his soldiers, while the lawful Emperor Gratian was still alive. After this, he crossed the sea, landed on the shores of France, took possession of a large portion of it, drove the inhabitants away and occupied the land with his soldiers, among whom, he divided the conquered towns and villages.
Conanus, a tributary King in Great Britain, who commanded one part of the army of this new Emperor, advised him to bring, from England, Virgins, who might be given in marriage to the new inhabitants of the conquered land, in order to keep them in obedience and fidelity to their master. Maximus, pleased with this advice, sent an embassy to Britain and stating his reasons, demanded a great number of maidens. The Britons hesitated not to consent to the new Emperor’s demand because many of his soldiers were Britons and because, Maximus had given them considerable property. They, therefore, assembled the desired number of Virgins, placed them in several boats and sent them to France. The noblest among them was Ursula, daughter of the King of Wales, who was to become the spouse of Conanus.
By Moretto, 1530
The wisdom of the Almighty, however, had decreed otherwise; for, whilst the ships sailed from England to France, contrary winds arose, which drove them all to the shores of Germany. It is believed that they went up the Rhine and landed in the neighbourhood of Cologne.
Hans Memling, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula
At that period, the wild Huns happened to be there, whom the Emperor Gratian had called to his aid against Maximus, who resided for some time at Treves. When these heathens beheld this large number of Virgins, they forced them to land and would have sacrificed them to their lust. Ursula, however, the Christian heroine, exhorted all, rather to suffer the most bitter death than consent to evil. All followed her admonition and courageously resisted the savages, who, in their furious rage, killed the defenceless Virgins with swords, arrows and clubs. Only one of the maidens, Cordula, had escaped and concealed herself during the massacre but repenting of her timidity, she revealed herself on the following day and last of all, she received the Crown of Martyrdom.
The Martyrdom of St Ursula by Nat Lamina
The bodies of the holy Virgins were buried, with great solemnities, by the inhabitants of Cologne. Their memory, however,and the veneration with which they were regarded, were not confined within the walls of this town but spread over the whole Christian world.
St Ursula encouraged and exhorted her companions to preserve their purity and to give up lif, rather than lose it. Heed it well, the Saint’s advice and exhort others to preserve purity.
Who, therefore, are those that tempt others to violate it? St Bonaventure says: “The mouth of him who tempts others to impurity, is the mouth of a devil!” Hence, those who tempt to impurity are incarnate devils or the devil speaks through their mouths. How senseless are you, therefore, when you listen to them and follow their advice. St Ursula and her Companions did not listen to the savage Huns and followed them not. Thus must you act and neither listen to them, nor obey them who would tempt you to the least sin against purity. “Shun and abhor,” says St Nilus, “all those who would prevent you from the practice of virtue and who tempt you to violate the laws of God and to sin against purity.” Detest them as you would the Evil One himself; for, in truth, “There is no difference between an evil spirit and a human being tempting you to impurity,” says St Cyril of Alexandria.
Bartholomeo Cavarozzi – St Ursula with Pope Symmachus and St Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Ursula and Companions: (Died c 238) Legendary Princess, the daughter of a Christian British King and Saint Daria. She travelled Europe in company of either 11 or 11,000 fellow maidens; the 11,000 number probably resulted from a misreading of the term “11M” which indicated 11 Martyrs, but which a copyist took for a Roman numeral. Ursula and her company were tortured to death to get them to renounce their faith, and old paintings of them show many of the women being killed in various painful ways. Namesake for the Ursuline Order, founded for the education of young Catholic girls and women. There are other Saints closely associated with Ursula and her story – travelling companions who were Martyred with her. They are: Antonia of Cologne Cesarius of Cologne Cyriacus of Cologne Daria Fiolanus of Lucca Ignatius of Cologne James of Antioch Mauritius of Cologne Pontius of Cologne Sulpitius of Ravenna Vincent of Cologne Travelling companion, but escaped the massacre: • Cunera led by a dove to the lost tomb of Ursula: • Cunibert of Cologne.
St Agatho the Hermit St Asterius of Périgord St Asterius of Rome St Berthold of Parma St Celina of Meaux St Cilinia St Condedus St Domnolus of Pouilly St Finian Munnu St Gebizo Bl Hilarion of Moglena St Hugh of Ambronay Bl Imana of Loss Bl Iulianus Nakaura St John of Bridlington St Letizia St Maurontus of Marseilles St Malchus of Syria
Saint of the Day – 20 October – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor, Priest, Theologian, Scholastic Philosopher, Physicist, Teacher, Philosopher, Apostle of Charity – Patron of Poland and Lithuania.
St John Cantius, Confessor From the Liturgical Year, 1903
Kenty, the humble village of Silesia which witnessed the birth of St John, owes its celebrity entirely to him. The Canonisation of this holy Priest, who, in the fifteenth century, had illustrated the University of Cracow by his virtues and science, was the last hope of expiring Poland. It took place in the year 1767. Two years earlier, it was at the request of this heroic nation that Clement XIII had issued the first Decree sanctioning the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. When enrolling John Cantius among the Saints, the magnanimous Pontiff expressed, in moving terms, the gratitude of the Church towards that unfortunate people and rendered to it, before shamefully forgetful Europe, a supreme homage (Bulla Canonisationis). Five years later Poland was dismembered.
John was born at Kenty, a town in the Diocese of Cracow and hence, his surname Cantius. His parents were pious and honourable persons, by name Stanislaus and Anna. From his very infancy, his sweetness of disposition, innocence and gravity, gave promise of very great virtue. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Cracow and, taking all his degrees, proceeded to professor and doctor. He taught sacred science for many years, enlightening the minds of his pupils and enkindling in them, the flame of piety, no less by his deeds, than by his words.
When he was Ordained Priest, he relaxed nothing of his zeal for study, but increased his ardour for Christian perfection. Grieving exceeingly, over the offences everywhere committed against God, he strove to make satisfaction on his own behalf and that of the people, by daily offering the unbloody Sacrifice with many tears. For several years he had charge of the Parish of Ukusi, which he administered in an exemplary manner but, fearing the responsibility of the cure of souls, he resigned his post and, at the request of the University, resumed the professor’s chair.
Whatever time remained over from his studies, he devoted partly to the good of his neighbour, especially by holy preaching; partly to prayer, in which he is said to have been sometimes favoured with heavenly visions and communications. He was so affected by the Passion of Christ, that he would spend whole nights without sleep, in the contemplation of it and, in order the better to cultivate this devotion, he undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While there, in his eagerness for Martyrdom he boldly preached Christ Crucified, even to the Turks. Four times he went to Rome on foot and carrying his own baggage, to visit the threshold of the Apostles, in order to honour the Apostolic See, to which he was earnestly devoted and also, (as he used to say), to save himself from Purgatory, by means of the indulgences there daily to be gained. On one of these journeys he was robbed by brigands. When asked by them whether he had anything more, he replied in the negative but afterwards, remembering that he had some gold pieces sewed into his cloak, he called back the robbers, who had taken to flight and offered them the money. Astonished at the holy man’s sincerity and generosity, they restored all they had taken from him!
After St Augustine’s example, he had verses inscribed on the walls in his house, warning others, as well as himself, to respect the reputation of their neighbours. He fed the hungry from his own table and clothed the naked, not only with garments, bought for the purpose but even with his own clothes and shoes; on these occasions hewould lower his cloak to the ground, so as not to be seen walking home barefoot. He took very little sleep and that, on the ground. His clothing was only sufficient to cover him,and his food to keep him alive. He preserved his virginal purity, like a lily among thorns, by using a rough hair-shirt, disciplines and fasting and, for about thirty-five years before his death, he abstained entirely from flesh-meat.
At length, full of days and of merits, he prepared himself long and diligently for death, which he felt drawing near and that nothing might be a hindrance to him, he distributed all that remained in his house, to the poor. Then, strengthened with the Sacraments of the Church and desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ, he passed to Heaven on Christmas Eve. He worked many miracles both in life and after death. His body was carried to St Anne’s, the Church of the University and there, honourably interred. The people’s veneration for the Saint and the crowds visiting his tomb, increased daily and he is honoured as one of the chief Patrons of Poland and Lithuania. As new miracles continued to be wrought, Pope Clement XIII. solemnly enrolled him among the Saints, on the 17th of August, in the year 1767.
Mater Admirabilis / Mother Most Admirable (1844) – 20 October:
Mater Admirabilis is a fresco depicting the Virgin Mary, in the Monastery of the Trinità dei Monti, in Rome. It was painted by a young French artist, Pauline Perdrau and has been associated with several miracles.
In 1844, a generation after the Society of the Sacred Heart was founded, Pauline Perdrau, a young novice, took it upon herself to produce a fresco of the Virgin Mary on a wall in a recreational area of the convent, Trinità dei Monti in Rome. As a child, Pauline had had a favourite pink dress, so she chose to paint Mary as a young woman in a rose-coloured dress rather than a matronly Madonna in blue. The lily at Mary’s side represented her purity; the distaff and spindle, her love of work; a book, her dedication to study. Unfortunately, although Pauline put herself wholeheartedly into her task, her inexperience with the technique of fresco did not produce the beautiful soft painting for which she had hoped. The too vivid colours, had to be hidden behind a drape. Pope Pius IX, upon visiting the Convent on 20 October 1846, requested that the curtain be removed. Seeing the fresco of our Lady, its colours inexplicably softened, he exclaimed, “Mater Admirabilis!” Miracles soon began with the cure of a missionary Priest who had completely lost the power of speech. Permission was given to offer Mass before the miraculous picture and to celebrate the Feast of Mater Admirabilis on 20 October.
Blessed James Strepar OFM (c 1340-1409) Archbishop of Halicz, Poland from 1392 until his death Religious Priest of the Order of Friars Minor, Missionary. St Pius X proclaimed Blessed James, along with St Anthony of Padua, the Patrons of the Conventual Franciscan Order of Krakow Province. He was given the title of “Protector of the Kingdom, Defender and Guardian of the Homeland,” for his exceptional merits, including civil ones. Such was he considered by all. He was Canonised by by Pope Pius VI on 11 September 1791. His body is incorrupt. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/20/saint-of-the-day-20-october-blessed-james-strepar-ofm-c-1340-1409/
St Leopardo of Osimo St Lucas Alonso Gorda St Martha of Cologne St Maximus of Aquila St Orora St Saula of Cologne St Sindulphus of Rheims St Usthazanes St Vitalis of Salzburg
Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor
“Truly, matters in the world, are in a bad state but if you and I begin, in earnest, to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.”
“Our Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, has His Hands full of graces and He is ready to bestow them on anyone, who asks for them”
“No tongue is able to declare the greatness of the love which Jesus bears to every soul and, therefore, this Spouse, when He would leave this earth, in order that His absence might not cause us to forget Him, left us, as a memorial, this Blessed Sacrament, in which He Himself remained; for He would not, that there should be any other pledge to keep alive, our remembrance of Him, than He Himself!”
Saint of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Mystic, Ecstatic, Writer, Preacher, Reformer, Hermit, Apostle of Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, the Passion and Charity, Miracle-worker. Patronages – Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Brazil (named by Pope Pius IX in 1862), Estremadura Spain, night watchmen.
St Peter of Alcantara, Confessor By Father Francis Xavier Weninger (1860-1946)
St Peter was born in the year 1499, at Alcantara, in Spain. He became celebrated for his great piety and the austerity of his life and in order to distinguish him from other Saints of the same name, received the surname, “of Alcantara.”
Besides other signs of future holiness, Peter, when only seven years of age, evinced so great a love for prayer that he sometimes forgot to eat and drink. During the time of his studies, he kept his innocence unspotted in the midst of many dangers, by making prayer, the holy Sacraments and penances, its guardians. When hardly sixteen years old, he secretly left his father’s house and entered the Franciscan Order, in which he soon became a model of all virtues. After having finished his novitiate, he was charged with different functions, all of which he discharged most successfully. The office of preacher was the most agreeable to him. An incredible number of hardened sinners were converted by his sermons, in which he treated of penance and a reform of life.
The fame of his virtues and holiness gave additional weight to every word he uttered. Especially admirable, were the untiring zeal with which he practised all manner of bodily austerities and his continual communion with God in prayer. His whole life was one of extraordinary and almost unexampled mortification. He guarded his eyes so closely that he not only never looked on a woman’s face but knew his brethren only by their voices and, after a long sojourn in the Monastery, could not tell whether the choir and the dormitory were vaulted or covered with boards.
The cell he chose for his dwelling was so narrow that it was more like a tomb than the abode of a living human being and so low that he could not stand upright in it. He kept an almost continual fast and hardly partook, every third day, of some undressed herbs, bread and water. It even happened that during eight days he took no food whatever. He scourged himself twice daily with iron chains. He wore, day and night, a penitential instrument made of tin, pierced like a grater. For forty years, he allowed himself only one hour and a half of sleep at night and this, not lying down but kneeling, or standing with his head leaning against a board. The remainder of the night he occupied in prayer and meditation. As long as he lived in the order, he went barefoot and bareheaded, even in the coldest season. His clothing consisted of his habit and a short cloak, made of rough sack-cloth. He seemed to have made a comtract with his body, never in this world, to allow it any peace or comfort.
His union with God in prayer had reached so high a degree that he was often seen in ecstacy, or raised high in the air and surrounded by a heavenly brightness. The power of his holy prayers was experienced, not only by many hardened sinners but also by many sick, for whom he obtained health and strength. The inhabitants of the City of Albuquerque, ascribed to him their deliverance from the pestilence, for, as soon as Peter had called upon the Divine Mercy, the pestilence, which had most fearfully ravaged the City, disappeared.
The love of God, which filled the heart of the Saint, manifested itself in his intercourse and conversation with men, whom he endeavoured to inflame with the same love. This appeared in all his actions but especially, at the time of Holy Mass, when he stood like a Seraph before the Altar, his face burning and tears streaming from his eyes. When meditating on the Passion and Death of our Saviour, he was frequently so deeply touched, in his inmost heart that for hours, he was like one dead. His devotion to God would sometimes burn his heart so intensely, that to moderate his emotion, he would go into the fields to breathe more freely.
Having reached his fortieth year, he was chosen Provincial but endeavoured to refuse the dignity and when compelled by obedience to accept it, he regarded it as an opportunity to do good to those under his charge. God admonished him to restore the primitive observance in the Order, according to the Rule and spirit of St Francis. Although he could not but foresee, the many and great difficulties which he would encounter in this undertaking, still, trusting in God, he went courageously to work after having obtained the sanction of the Pope.
The Almighty visibly aided His faithful servant, for, in six years, the Saint had founded nine Monasteries, in which the mortification and the perfect poverty, which St Francis especially cherished, were observed in all the rigour of the first Rule. In the course of time, this renewed Order was disseminated throughout all Spain, to the great joy of the Saint. This and other labours which he performed, to the honoir and glory of God, made him greatly esteemed by everyone.
St Teresa, who lived at that period, asked his advice in her cares and doubts, whenever she had occasion and called him a Saint while he was yet upon earth. St Francis Borgia entertained great friendship for him and the praise of his great virtues resounded throughout all Spain. The Emperor Charles V. desired to make him his Confessor but the humble servant of the Almighty knew how to say so much of his incapacity for this office, that the Emperor abandoned the idea, to the Saint’s great joy. This became a new incentive for him to devote himself entirely to the service of God and the welfare of those in his care.
St Teresa of Jesus with St Peter of Alcantara
He had reached his 63rd year, more by a miracle than in a natural way, when he was visited by Providence with a severe illness, which soon left no hope of his recovery, as his body was entirely wasted away by the severity of his life, his painful journeys and his uninterrupted labours. He himself, was informed from on high, of his approaching end and he received the last Sacraments, with so deep a devotion that the eyes of all present were filled with tears. After this he fell into a rapture, in which the Divine Mother and St John the Evangelist, appeared to him and assured him of his salvation. Hence, regaining consciousness, he cheerfully recited the words of the Psalmist: “I have rejoiced in those things which have been said to me; We shall go into the house of the Lord.” Having said this, he calmly gave his soul into the keeping of his Creator, in the year of Our Lord 1562.
St Teresa, who has written much in his praise, says among other things: “He died as he had lived, a Saint and I have, after his death, received many graces from God, through his intercession. I have often seen him in great glory and when I saw him the first time, he said to me: ‘O happy penance, which has obtained so great a glory for me!‘” The Roman Breviary testifies that, St Teresa, although, at the time of his death, far from him, saw his soul gloriously ascend into Heaven.
The biographers of St Peter, relate many and great miracles which he wrought, while he was still living. In the Breviary, we read, among other things, the following. “He crossed rapid rivers with dry feet. In times of great poverty, he fed his brethren with food which he received from Heaven. The staff which he placed in the ground, immediately became a budding fig-tree. Once, in the night-time, when he sought shelter from a snow-storm in a roofless house, the snow remained hanging in the air, above it and thus, formed a roof to protect him from being buried in the snow.” St Peter of Alcantara, pray for Holy Mother Church and for all her faithful Amen, amen!
St Altinus St Aquilinus of Evreux St Asterius of Ostia St Beronicus of Antioch St Desiderius of Longoret St Ednoth St Ethbin St Eusterius of Salerno St Frideswide St Laura of Cordoba St Lucius of Rome St Lupus of Soissons St Pelagia of Antioch
St Asclepiades of Antioch St Athenodorus St Brothen Bl Burchard I St Cadwaladr of Brittany Bl Domenico of Perpignano St Eutychius of Pozzuoli St Gwen St Gwen of Tagarth St Gwendoline
Bl Margherita Tornielli St Monon of Nassogne St Proculus of Pozzuoli Bl Theobald of Narbonna St Tryphonia of Rome
Martyrs of Africa – 9 Saints: A group of Christians Martryed together in Africa. The only details that have survived are the names – Beresus, Dasius, Faustinus, Leucius, Lucius, Martialis, Victoricus, Victrix and Viktor. They were martyred in c.300 in Africa.
Saint of the Day – 17 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque VHM (1647-1690) Virgin, Nun of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Mystic, Visionary and Saint and Apostle of the Sacred Heart.
St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) From Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 1894
Saint Margaret Mary, a soul of divine predilection, was born at Terreau in Burgundy, on 22 July 1647. During her infancy, she showed a wonderfully sensitive revulsion to the very idea of sin and, while still a young child, always recited the entire Rosary everyday. She lost her father at the age of eight years and her mother placed her with the Poor Clares. She was often sick and for four years was bedridden, losing almost entirely the use of her members. She made a vow to Our Lady to become one of her daughters if she cured her and was suddenly entirely well.
She was of a happy temperament and her heart became easily attached to human affections. God began her purification when the charge of her mother’s house was confided to persons who reduced the family to a sort of servitude. Margaret Mary turned to God for strength and consolation when she was accused of various crimes she had not committed. In short, the Saint of the Sacred Heart learned to suffer for Christ, with patience, what innocence can suffer in such situations.
She desired to be a religious but her mother could not bear to hear a word of that desire. Finally, God came to her assistance through a Franciscan Priest, who told her brother that he would answer to God for the vocation of his sister. In 1671 she entered the Order of the Visitation of Mary, at Paray-le-Monial and was professed the following year. She followed all the practices of the Monastery in perfect obedience, spending as much time as she could in the Chapel with her Lord. After sanctifying her by many trials, Jesus appeared to her in numerous visions, displaying to her, His Sacred Heart, sometimes burning as a furnace and sometimes, torn and bleeding on account of the coldness and sins of men. “Behold this Heart which has so loved men and been so little loved by them in return!“
In 1675, she was told by Our Lord that she, with the aid of Father Claude de la Colombiere of the Society of Jesus, was to be His instrument for instituting the Feast of the Sacred Heart and for spreading the devotion everywhere. This was not accomplished without great sufferings. The good Jesuit did all in his power to make known and loved the Heart of Jesus but when it seemed all obstacles were about to disappear, his Superiors sent him to England. He returned to France exhausted and soon died.
Saint Margaret Mary was for a time Mistress of Novices and in this office, exercised a true apostolate, working to win for the Heart of Jesus, the hearts of the young girls who were aspiring to religious consecration. She was persecuted when she sent one of them home, not having seen in her the indications of a genuine vocation – the family attempted to have her deposed. She remained in the charge but was deprived of Holy Communion on the First Friday of the month. This practice was one of Our Lord’s specific requests – for souls who Communicate Nine First Fridays in succession, He promised the most wonderful graces. The demons also persecuted her visibly, nonetheless, her entire Community and later the entire Universal Church, was finally won over to devotion to the Divine Heart of Jesus.
The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary and to those Devoted to His Sacred Heart:
I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will establish peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of Nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
St Margaret Mary Alacoque VHM (1647-1690) Virgin, Nun of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Mystic, Visionary and Saint and Apostle of the Sacred Heart. Her feast day was moved to after Vatican II and prior to that was 17 October the date of her death. Beatified on 18 September 1864 by Pope Blessed Pius IX and Canonised on 13 May 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. Biography here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/saint-of-the-day-16-october-st-margaret-mary-alacoque-1647-1690-v-h-m/
St Ethelbert of Eastry St Ethelred of Eastry St Florentius of Orange Bl Gilbert the Theologian St Heron of Antioch Bl Jacques Burin St John the Short/Dwarf St Louthiern St Mamelta of Persia St Nothelm of Canterbury St Richard Gwyn St Rudolph of Gubbio St Rufus of Rome St Serafino of Montegranaro St Solina of Chartres St Zosimus of Rome
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them that have survived are their names – Alexander, Marianus and Victor. 303 in Nicomedia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of Valenciennes -5 Beati: A group of Ursuline nuns Martyred in the persecutions of the French Revolution. • Hyacinthe-Augustine-Gabrielle Bourla • Jeanne-Reine Prin • Louise-Joseph Vanot • Marie-Geneviève-Joseph Ducrez • Marie-Madeleine-Joseph Déjardins
Martyrs of Volitani: A group of Martyrs who were praised by Saint Augustine of Hippo. In Volitani, proconsular Africa (in modern Tunisia).
St Amandus of Limoges St Ambrose of Cahors St Balderic St Baldwin St Bertrand of Comminges St Bolonia St Conogon of Quimper St Dulcidius of Agen St Eliphius of Toul St Eremberta of Wierre St Florentinus of Trier
Bl Gerald of Fossanuova St Junian St Lull St Magnobodus of Angers St Martinian of Mauretania St Mummolinus St Saturian of Mauretania St Silvanus of Ahun St Victor of Cologne St Vitalis of Noirmoutier
Martyrs in Africa – 220 Saints: A group of 220 Christians Martyrs about whom we know nothing but that they died for their faith.
Martyrs of North Africa – 365 Saints: A group of 365 Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of the Vandal king Genseric. The only details that have survived are the names of two of the Martyrs – Nereus and Saturninus. 450 in North Africa.
Saint of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Practical Considerations On the Life of Saint Teresa By Fr Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
I. Teresa began in early youth, after the teachings of her pious parents, to read devout books. From this, she first drew the spirit of piety. No sooner, however, had she become interested in reading worldly books, than she grew, from day-to-day, more indolent in the service of God and she returned, not to her first fervour, until she had cast aside those works and again resumed her pious reading – a proof of the great benefit we may derive from devout books and of the harm which worldly writings may do us. Oh! that those, who desire to, live piously, may understand this and conform their lives to it. Oh! that all Christians would guide their children, from their early youth, to the reading of devout books!
II. Teresa, after the death of her mother, chose the Blessed Virgin to be another mother to her, and sought and found, in her, comfort and assistance in all her needs. Thrugh her intercession and that of St Joseph, she received the grace of being constant in her reform. Love Mary as your mother – seek, with filial trust, consolation and assistance from her. St Joseph should be one of your principal Patrons, as his intercession is very powerful with the Almighty and, especially, as he has now been solemnly declared the Patron Saint of the Universal Church.
III. The sight of the wounded Jesus, filled the heart of St Teresa with great contrition for her former indifferent life. It inflamed her with true love of God and kept her, until her end, in these sentiments. Consider frequently how your Saviour suffered for your sake and repent of your sins sincerely, as they were the cause of Christ’s bitter Passion. Love your Redeemer with all the strength of your heart and make the resolution to serve Him in future most fervently.
IV. Teresa saw the place in hell which would have been hers, if she had not discontinued her idle discourses and her indifference in the worship of the Most High. Hence, she often gave humble thanks to God that He had not condemned her and she learned, by it, how hurtful even a menial sin can become, since it may lead us gradually to the path of everlasting perdition. You have still more reason to give thanks to God that He did not call you away, from this mortal life, in your sin. How long would you already have been in hell? If idle, empty conversation would have led Teresa gradually into hell, what may you not have to fear, if you do not abstain from so much sinful talking, in which you indulge? Learn also that you should not esteem a venial sin, however small it appears to you, as trifling, for, it may slowly lead you to damnation!
V. Many other lessons, which the life of St Teresa contains, I leave to yourself to consider. One thing only I request of you. Call to mind frequently the words which the Saint uttered in her ecstasy: “Only one God! Only one death! Only one soul! Love this only God and do not offend Him. Take earnest care of your only, your precious, your immortal soul. ‘Keep thyself, therefore and thy soul, carefully.’ (Deut., iv.)”
St Callistus of Huesca St Cannatus of Marseilles Bl Cipriano Alguacil Torredenaida St Euthymius the Younger St Fortunatus of Rome Bl Josefa Martínez Pérez St Leonard of Vandoeuvre Bl Narcis Basté y Basté Bl Pere Verdaguer Saurina Bl Ramón Esteban Bou Pascual St Sabinus of Catania St Severus of Trier
Martyrs of Cologne: A group of 360 Christian soldiers Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. They were Martyred in 303 outside the city walls of Cologne, Germany.
Saint of the Day – 14 October – St Burchard of Wurzburg (Died c752) The First Bishop of Wurzburg, Confessor, Monk, Missionary, English disciple of St Boniface to Germany. Born in an unknown date and location in England and died on 9 February in c 752 in Wurzburg, Germany of natural causes. Also known as – Burkard or Burkhard, Burcard. Additional memorial – 9 February, the day of his death.
The Roman Martyrology states : “In Würzburg in Austrasia, in Germany, St Burcard, a Bishop, who, originally from England, was Ordained by St.Boniface, as the first Bishop of this City.”
In about the year 732, Saint Boniface, standing in need of fellow-labourers, powerful in words and works, in the vast harvest which he had on his hands in Germany, invited from England, Saint Lullus and Saint Burchard, who seem, by this circumstance, to have come from the Kingdom of West-Sussex. They were both persons of an apostolic spirit.
Saint Boniface consecrated Saint Burchard, with his own hands, as the first Bishop of Wurzburg in Franconia, where Saint Kilian had preached the word of life and suffered Martyrdom about fifty years before.
This whole country was converted to Christ, by Burchard’s work. After labouring for twenty years, Burchard exhausted his strength and with the consent of King Pepin and by the approbation of Saint Lullus, (Saint Boniface being gone to preach in Friesland), he resigned his Bishopric to Megingand, a Monk of Fritzlar, and a disciple of Saint Wigbert.
Burchard retiring into solitude in that part of his Diocese called Hohenburg, where he spent the remaining part of his life with six fervent Monks or clergymen, in watching, fasting, and incessant prayer. He died on the 9th of February 752 and was buried near the relics of Saint Kilian at mount Saint Mary’s or Old Wurtzburg, where he had built a Monastery under the invocation of Saint Andrew.
St Burchard’s Abbey c 1400
In 752, out of veneration for his sanctity, King Pepin,declared the Bishops of Wurtzburg as Dukes of Franconia, with all civil jurisdiction. The Emperor Henry IV. alienated several parts of Franconia but the Bishops of Wurzburg retained the sovereignty of this extensive Diocese.
On 14 October 983, Hugh, Bishop of Wurzburg and Chancellor to the Emperor Otho IV. authorised by an order of Pope Benedict VII, made a very solemn translation of Burchard’s relics. This day, on which this ceremony was performed, has been regarded as St Burchard’s principal festival.
Engraving by Johann Salver
The life of Saint Burchard was written by an anonymous author above two hundred years after his death and again, by Egilward, a Monk of Wurzburg. – Excerpted from Father Alban Butler (1710–1773) English Priest and Hagiographer (Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Principal Saints, 1866).
The Statue of St Burchard on Wurzburg’s Old Bridge
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.