St Anastasius of Córdoba St Burchard of Meissen St Caomhán of Inisheer St Castora Gabrielli St Cearan the Devout Bl Constance de Castro St Cyprien St Cyriacus of Zeganea St Davnet St Digna of Córdoba St Dogmael of Wales St Elgar of Bardsey
St Nennus of Arran Bl Peter de Bustamante St Protus of Aquileia St Quintian St Richard of Saint Vannes St Rufinus of Soissons St Thecla St Theopista St Valerius of Soissons Bl Walter Eustace
Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – The Memorial of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
“When it is dark, we do not see how dusty and dirty our house is. Only when the place is flooded with sunlight, do we realise its awful condition. So, we need the light of God’s grace to show us the real state of our soul and to induce us to clean up our hearts!”
“Charity is the soul of faith and makes it alive; without love, faith dies!”
“Christ acts like a loving mother. To induce us to follow Him, He gives us Himself as an example and promises us a reward in His kingdom.”
Lord Jesus, Bind Me to Yourself
Lord Jesus, bind me to Yourself and to my neighbour, with love. May my heart not be turned away from You. May my soul not be deceived, nor my talent or mind, enticed by allurements of error, so that I may never distance myself from Your love. Thus may I love my neighbour as myself, with strength, wisdom and gentleness, with Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection –13 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Memorial of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19
“I have come, not toabolishbut to fulfil.” … Matthew 5:17
REFLECTION – “In Him, the promise made through the shadows of prophecy, stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law. He is the One Who teaches the Truth of prophecy, through His Presence and makes obedience to the commandments possible, through grace. In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No-one should be ashamed of the Cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed. No-one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice, no-one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death. Christ has taken on Himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature. If then, we are steadfast in our faith in Him and in our love for Him, we win the victory that He has won, we receive what He has promised. When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears – “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” … St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from Sermo 51).
PRAYER – May the solemn feast of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, make Thy Church rejoice, O God, so that, ever sustained by spiritual help, she may deserve to reap everlasting joy. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect). MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.
Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Eulogius of Alexandria (Died c 607) Archbishop of Alexandria from 580 until his death, Confessor, Abbot, Defender of the True Faith against the heresy of Monophysitism (the denial of the two natures of Jesus), great friend and correspondent of St Gregory the Great. Born in Syrian and died in c607 of natural causes. Also known as – Eulogio.
Eulogius was a successful combatant of the heretical errors then current in Egypt, notably the various phases of Monophysitism. He was a warm friend of St Gregory the Great, corresponded with him,and received from that Pope, many flattering expressions of esteem and admiration. Among other merits the Pope makes special mention of his defence of the primacy of the Roman See.
Eulogius refuted the Novatians, some communities of which ancient sect still existed in his Diocese and vindicated the hypostatic union of the two natures in Christ, against both Nestorius and Eutyches.
The Venerable Cardinal Cesare Baronius (1538-1607), the Historian, says that Gregory wished Eulogius to survive him, recognising in him, the voice of truth.
It has been rightly said, that he restored, for a brief period to the Church of Alexandria, that life and youthful vigour characteristic of those Churches only, which remain closely united to Rome.
Besides the above works and a commentary against the various sects of the Monophysite, he left eleven discourses in defence of Leo I and the Council of Chalcedon, also a work against the Agnoetae, submitted by him before publication to St Gregory I, who, after some observations, authorised it unchanged. With exception of one sermon and a few fragments, all the writings of Eulogius have perished.
Bl Achilleo of Alexandria Bl Alfonso Gomez de Encinas Bl Anthony of Ilbenstadt St Aquilina of Syria St Aventino of Arbusto St Damhnade St Diodorus of Emesa St Eulogius of Alexandria (Died c 607) Archbishop of Alexandria, Confessor, Abbot, Defender of the True Faith against heresies. St Fandilas of Penamelaria St Felicula of Rome St Fortunatus of North Africa
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux (Died 1138) – was the elder brother of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. He was a Soldier. When he was wounded in combat at the siege of Grancy, Gerard resolved to become a Monk. He became a Benedictine Cistercian Monk at Citeaux. He worked with Saint Bernard at Clairvaux and became his closest confidant. He died in 1138 of natural causes.
St Lucian of North Africa St Mac Nissi of Clonmacno St Maximus of Cravagliana St Nicolas Bùi Ðuc The St Peregrinus of Amiterno St Rambert St Salmodio Bl Servatius Scharff St Thecla
St Amphion of Nicomedia Bl Antonio de Pietra St Arsenius of Konev St Christian O’Morgair of Clogher St Chrodobald of Marchiennes St Cominus Bl Conrad of Maleville St Cunera St Cuniald St Cyrinus of Antwerp St Eskil St Galen of Armenia St Gerebald of Châlons-sur-Seine St Geslar Blessed Guy Vignotelli of Cortona OFM (c 1185-1245) Priest of the Friars Minor, Hermit, Miracle-worker.
St Pope Leo III (c 750-816) Bishop of Rome and Ruler of the Papal States from 26 December 795 to his death. Defender of the City ad peoples of Rome and of the Church. Peacemaker and restorer of Churches and Monasteries, Patron of the Arts and Apostle of the poor. Know as “Charlemagne’s Pope” His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/12/saint-of-the-day-12-june-st-pope-leo-iii-c-750-816/
Bl Mercedes Maria of Jesus St Odulf of Utrecht St Olympius of AEnos St Onuphrius of Egypt Bl Pelagia Leonti of Milazzo St Peter of Mount Athos St Placid of Val d’Ocre Bl Stanislaw Kubista Bl Stefan Grelewski Bl Stefan Kielman St Ternan of Culross St Valerius of Armenia
Martyrs of Bologna: Three Christians who were martyred at different times and places, but whose relics have been collected and enshrined together – Celsus, Dionysius, and Marcellinus. Their relics were enshrined in churches in Bologna and Rome in Italy.
Martyrs of Rome: Four members of the Imperial Roman nobility. They were all soldiers, one or more may have been officers, and all were Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian – Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius. They were martyred in 304 outside Rome, Italy and buried along the Aurelian Way.
Three Holy Exiles: Three Christian men who became Benedictine Monks at the Saint James Abbey in Regensburg, Germany, then Hermits at Griestatten and whose lives and piety are celebrated together. – Marinus, Vimius and Zimius.
Saint of the Day – 11 June – St Parisius ECMC (c 1160-1267) Priest and Monk of the Camaldolese Hermits of Mount Corona, Spiritual Director, Reformer, Miracle-worker during his life and after his death. Born in c 1160 at Treviso or Bologna, Italy (records vary) and died on 11 June 1267 of natural causes, aged 108! Also known as – Parisio. Patronage: Treviso.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Treviso, Saint Parisio, Priest of the Camaldolese Order, who for seventy-seven years took care of the spiritual direction of the Nuns with healthy advice, dying at the age of one hundred and eight.”
Parisiu is one of the longest-lived saints known, he lived 108 years and being from the fourteenth century, it was undoubtedly a record, taking into account the average lifespan of the time, which was just over 40 years. St Parius is an example of humble and loving service for the glory of God!
At around 12 years of age, Parisius entered the Camaldolese Monastery in Bologna. He lived in the Bolognese Monastery for 24 years, leading an exemplary life, until the Prior General of the Camaldolese, assigned him as Director and Confessor to the Camaldolese female Monastery of St Cristina, near Treviso, which, at the time needed a guiding hand in many areas. It was 1187, and he was 36 years old when he was entrusted with that delicate task of reform – he would remain away from his Bologna for 80 years, until his death.
He dedicated himself humbly and subtleness to his task and, at the same time, to the care of the sick and the pilgrims of the Hospice of All Saints, annexed to the Monastery.
He was practically detached from the religious practices of the community of origin but remained faithful to all the Rules, religious obligations and penances, of his Camaldolese Order, which the Founder, St Romualdo had instituted. The fidelity with which he applied himself, even during illnesses and in very advanced old age, was regarded with veneration by the Nuns and Monks of his Order, despite the fact that Bishop Alberto Ricco (1255-1274) had dispensed him from the need to practice the rigid Rule.
Under his direction and spiritual guidance, the Monastery of St Cristina of Treviso acquired a reputation for widespread holiness, so much so, that in 1196 some devout people wanted to erect another Camaldolese female Monastery in Bologna, dedicated to St Mary of Bethlehem, placing it under the guidance of the Abbess of St Cristina of Treviso and the spiritual direction of Father Parisius. Parisius himself, 18 years later, when he judged that the new Monastery could manage itself, favoured its detachment in 1214.
He lived holy and pious life, forming generations of Camaldolese Nuns in religious life and died at the age of 108 on 11 June 1267. Just a month later, in July 1267, the Diocesan process began which ended with the Episcopal Canonisation (in use at the time) on 25 November 1268, by the Bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Alberto Rich.
The City of Treviso had always been devoted to our Saint Parisius, even during his life. After his death, the Officials of the City, annually, solemnly attended his Feast Day celebration of the Holy Mass on the tomb of the Saint, in the Church of St Cristina which, over time, also took the name of St Parisius.
His name was also adopted by the new Monastery, built following the destruction of the old one, which took place in 1355. From the time of the Napoleonic suppression, the Relics of the Camaldolese Saint, whom Treviso venerates as Co-patron, were placed in the City Cathedral. Cesare Baronio, author of the ‘Roman Martyrology’ in the sixteenth century, inserted his memory on the date of 11 June.
Bl Kasper of Grimbergen St Maximus of Naples St Parisius ECMC (c 1160-1267) Priest and Monk of the Camaldolese Hermits of Mount Corona. St Paula Frasinetti St Riagail of Bangor Bl Stephen Bandelli OP St Tochumra of Kilmore St Tochumra of Tuam
Martyrs of Tavira – 7 Beati: Members of the Knights of Santiago de Castilla. During the re-conquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims by Christian forces, in a period of truce between the armies, the group was allowed to leave the Portuguese camp to hunt. Near Tavira, Portugal, he and his companions were ambushed and killed by a Muslim force. Making a reprisal attack, the Portuguese army took the city of Tavira. The murdered knights were considered to be martyrs as they died in an action defending the faith. They were – • Blessed Alvarus Garcia • Blessed Beltrão de Caia • Blessed Damião Vaz • Blessed Estêvão Vasques • Blessed Garcia Roiz • Blessed Mendus Valle • Blessed Pedro Rodrigues They were martyred in 1242 outside Tavira, Faro, Portugal. Their relics are enshrined under the altar of Saint Barnabas in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels (modern Santa Maria do Castelo) in Tavria
Mercedarian Martyrs of Damietta: Three Mercedarian lay knights who worked to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims. During the 7th Crusade, a plague swept through the Christian army and these knights volunteered to work with the sick. During this work they were captured by Muslims and ordered to convert to Islam; they refused. They were tortured, taken to Damietta, Egypt where they were murdered for their faith. They were thrown from a tower in the mid-13th century in Damietta, Egypt.
Saint of the Day – 10 June – St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Queen Consort of Scotland. Born as an English Princess in c 1045 in Hungary and died on 16 November 1093 at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, four days after her husband and son died in defence of the Castle. Patronages – against the death of children, for students in their studies, parents of large families, queens, widows, of Scotland and of Dunfermline, Scotland. Additional Memorial – 16 June in Scotland. Also known as Margaret of Wessex. Margaret was Canonised in 1251 by Pope Innocent IV.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Scotland, St Margaret, Queen, celebrated for her love of the poor and of her own voluntary poverty.”
St Margaret of Scotland By Fr Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
“St Margaret, Queen of Scotland, was descended by her father’s side from royalty, by her mother’s side, from imperial blood. She was born in Hungary at the time of the holy King St Stephen, at whose Court her father, Edward and her mother, Agatha resided. Her after life proved how piously she had been educated. Edward was the rightful heir to the English crown, but the power of his enemies had deprived him of it. After his death, Agatha resolved to go to England with Prince Edgar and the two Princesses Margaret and Christine, as she had been made to hope that Edgar would be placed upon the throne. A heavy storm arose when they were at sea and drove their ship to Scotland. The reigning King Malcolm, received and entertained them most kindly and making the acquaintance of the beautiful and virtuous Princess Margaret, he asked her hand in marriage. Agatha gladly consented and Margaret was obedient to her mother’s wishes. The wedding was celebrated; and Margaret, in the 24th year of her age, was crowned Queen of Scotland.
She reigned for 30 years and became famed for her wisdom and piety. On the spot where she had been crowned, she had a magnificent Church built in honour of the Holy Trinity, in order that her own and her husband’s souls might not be lost and in case she should have male heirs, she might have grace, to educate them in such a manner, that they would not sacrifice eternal life for temporal goods. She also built or restored several other Churches and Monasteries and provided them with all things necessary, She desired to have every article used in Church, most splendid and was, therefore, constantly occupied with her maids of honour, in working for the Churches.
Her conduct towards the King, her husband, was exemplary and by it, she caused him to lead a Christian life. She changed everything at the Court, in such a way, that her husband was royally served and was honoured by his subjects, with increased respect. She exhorted him particularly to be impartial in the administration of justice; to be kind and liberal to the poor but above all, to be zealous for the true faith and to uproot many abuses which had crept into his kingdom. Following her counsel, the King assembled the Bishops and represented to them, those abuses which he wished them to abolish – which was accordingly done. The Queen herself was a bright light of Christian virtues to all.
In the midst of regal splendour, she led a very austere life and was so assiduous in her prayers, that she gave to them even a part of the night. The reading of devout books was her greatest delight,and she led others to it also. To the word of God she listened with avidity and joy. She observed the prescribed fasts and besides, kept a strict abstinence of forty days before Christmas, even when she was sick. She evinced a more than motherly heart towards the poor and needy. Incredible is the amount of alms which she gave with her own hands to the poor, for whose benefit she founded many charitable institutions. She valued neither her own clothing, nor her magnificent jewels ,where the poor were concerned. Almost daily did she wash the feet of some and provide them with money Nine little orphans were at her Court, to whom she often gave food with her own hands. Three hundred poor were daily fed in the Royal hall, where she and the King frequently served them at table and at times ,kissed their feet.
The Almighty, who seldom fails to reward such deeds of kindness, even, in this life, blessed the pious Queen with many children, whom she most carefully educated. She was not content with merely giving them to the care of such, as were famed for piety and learning but, she also taught them herself, as well in reading and writing,as in virtue and the fear if God. She reproved them for the smallest faults and never allowed one to pass unpunished. One of the best admonitions which she gave them was as follows: “My children, love and fear God; for they who fear God, have not to fear death and they who love God with their whole heart, will not only be happy for the short space of time we live on this earth but, will be eternally blessed in the life to come.” She also taught them to behave most respectfully and reverentially in Church and was in this, as in all other things, a bright example to them. She would not suffer one to address a single unnecessary word to another in Church: ” For,” said she, “the Church is a place to pray and weep over our sins.”
After the pious Queen had, for many years, taken the utmost care of the education of her children and great solicitude for the welfare of the land, God revealed to her the day of her death. For nearly half a year, she suffered from a very painful sickness, which she bore with perfect submission to the divine will, manifesting an invincible patience. Having cleansed her conscience by a general confession, she told her Confessor, that she would not live much longer but that he would survive her some years. She then requested him, first, that he would remember her in saying Mass as long as he lived and secondly, that he would take all possible pains in the further instruction of her children. Four days before her death, the King was murdered, at the siege of the castle of Allwick. One of the royal Princes arrived to inform his mother of the sad news. She asked him, before he had time to speak, how her husband was but he, seeing how ill she was, would have concealed the fact from her, fearing rightly, that agitation and grief would shorten her days. She, however, said: “My son, I know the worst but request you, by the love you owe me as your mother, to acquaint me with the whole occurrence.“
These words obliged the Prince to speak. Having given her an account of the melancholy event, the Christian heroine raised her heart and eyes to Heaven and exclaimed: “I praise Thee and give thanks to Thee, O great God, that it has pleased Thee to send me this great cross before my end, in order that by patiently bearing it, I may pay the debt I still owe Thee on account of my sins.” Soon after, she repeated the most fervent exercises of virtue and said at last: “Jesus Christ! Thou Who hast given life to the world by Thy death, release me from the bonds of the flesh and take my soul into everlasting joy.”
Having pronounced these words, she ended her holy life. Her face, which from austere fasting and long sickness, was emaciated and pale, shone, soon after her death, with a wonderful beauty. The many and great miracles which God wrought in favour of those who invoked the holy Queen, prove how powerful, is her intercession at the Throne of the Almighty.”
St Margaret’s Memorial Church is the home of a precious first-class Relic of St Margaret of Scotland. This Relic (a shoulder bone of the Saint) was returned to Dunfermline on the Feast Day of St Margaret in 2008 after appropriate negotiation with Church authorities by Father David Barr, Parish Priest at the time. The relic had been in the care of the Ursuline Sisters (based in Edinburgh) for some 145 years prior to this but was now returned home. The transfer of a reliquary holding the relic was made during the solemn celebration of Mass in St Margaret’s by Cardinal Keith O’Brien together with Father Barr.
St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Queen consort of Scotland, Wife and Mother, Apostle of the poor, Reformer. Saint Margaret’s name signifies “pearl” “a fitting name,” says Bishop Turgot, her Confessor and her first Biographer, “for one such as she.” Her soul was like a precious pearl. A life spent amidst the luxury of a Royal Court never dimmed its lustre, or stole it away from Him who had bought it with His Blood. Pope Innocent IV Canonised St Margaret in 1250 in recognition of her personal holiness, fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church, work for Ecclesiastical reform and charity. In 1693 Pope Innocent XII moved her feast day to 10 June but it was changed after Vatican II to 16 November. Wonderful St Margaret: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/16/saint-of-the-day-16-november-st-margaret-of-scotland-1045-1093-queen/
Bl Amata of San Sisto St Amantius of Tivoli St Asterius of Petra St Bardo of Mainz
St Caerealis of Tivoli St Censurius of Auxerre St Crispulus of Rome Bl Elisabeth Hernden Bl Elizabeth Guillen St Evermund of Fontenay St Faustina of Cyzicus Bl Gerlac of Obermarchtal St Getulius of Tivoli
Bl José Manuel Claramonte Agut St Landericus of Novalese St Landericus of Paris Bl Mary Magdalene of Carpi St Maurinus of Cologne St Primitivus of Tivoli St Restitutus of Rome Bl Thomas Green St Timothy of Prusa Bl Walter Pierson St Zachary of Nicomedia
Martyrs of North Africa – 17 Saints: A group of seventeen Christians Martyred together in North Africa; the only surviving details are two of their names – Aresius and Rogatius. Both the precise location in North Africa and the date are unknown.
Martyrs of the Aurelian Way – 23 Saints: A group of 23 Martyrs who died together in the persecutions of Aurelian. The only details that survive are three of their names – Basilides, Mandal and Tripos. c.270-275 on the Aurelian Way, Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 9 June – St Baithen of Iona (c 536-c 599) Abbot, the disciple and first successor of St Columba, an Irish Monk, especially selected by St Columba, as one of the band of Missionaries who set sail for Scotland in 563. St Baithen of Iona is generally known as Baithen Mor, to distinguish him from eight other Saints of the same name — the affix mor meaning “the Great.” This holy man was closely related to the great St Columba. They were the sons of two brothers and consequently, first cousins. Born in c 536 in Ireland and died in c 599 of natural causes . Patronage – of Tibohin, in Elphin, Ireland. Also known as – Baithéne mac Brénaind, Baithen Mor, Baithen the Great, Baithin, Boethen, Baoithin, Baithenus, Comin, Cominus.We have no images of our Saint, those below, in the main, are images of Monks of Iona.
Baithen was born in around 536, the son of Brenaron. He was an ardent disciple of St Columba and was appointed Abbot of Tiree Island, a Monastery founded by St Comgall of Bangor. St Adamnan, in recording the death of St Columba, tells us that the dying words of the Apostle of Iona, as he was transcribing the fifty-third Psalm, were: “I must stop here, let Baithen write what follows.”
Baithen had been looked on as the most likely successor of St Columba and so it happened, that on the death of that great Apostle, the Monks unanimously confirmed the choice of their Founder. St Baithen was in high esteem as a wise counsellor and his advice was sought by many Irish Saints.
According to his Acts, from the time he was a child, Baithen had been educated by St Columba. Under his holy discipline, he learned how to wage a perpetual war with idleness. As his years advanced, he grew stronger and more perfect, in the exercise of all good works. However, being a junior, by several years, he used to be always along with Columba because they were close in consanguinity and friendship, as they were thoroughly allied in the practice of holy works.
Baithen was always either reading, or praying, or serving his neighbour. Sometimes, for the latter purpose, his devotions were occasionally interrupted. When he used to eat, he was wont to say, “Deus in adjutorium meum intende,” “O God, come to my aid” between every two morsels. His devotions were so continually practised, that even when he was travelling, or working, or eating, or conversing with anyone, this holy man would still be communing with God and, under his tunic, his hands were often clasped in prayer, without anyone present knowing it. When he gathered corn along with the Monks, he held one hand up beseeching God, while the other hand was gathering the corn, as is contained in his Latin Acts, where we are informed, he would not brush away the troublesome midges from his face but rather suffer the bites and discomfort as a penance.
St Adamnan, the Biographer of St Columba, tells many interesting incidents in the life of Baithen but the mere fact of being the immediate successor of St Columba, by the express wish of that holy Apostle, is almost sufficient to attest to his great worth. The “Martyrology of Donegal” records the two following anecdotes.
Baithen also served as Prior over a Monastery connected to Iona on the Island of Tiree. The name of the place where his Monastery was located on Tiree, was Mag Luinge or Campus Luinge. The Monastery was a house for penitents from Iona. Some historians have thought that it may have supplied food to Iona.
St Adamnan also recorded a story about a voyage he took to the island, when Columba first told a Monk who was heading to Tiree, that he should not sail directly from Iona to Tiree because a great whale would frighten him but this monk did not listen to his advice and took the direct route. A huge whale came out of the water and almost destroyed the boat, which was, terrofying! When Baithen departed the following day to Tiree, Columba told him about the whale, and Baithen responded that both he and the whale were in God’s power, to which Columba responded “Go in peace, your faith in Christ will shield you from danger.” And so Baithen then took the direct route and the whale came out of the water which terrified all in the boat, except Baithen, who instead blessed the sea and the whale. The whale immediately departed, descending into the depths.
Iona todat
Baithen wrote a life of his master and some Irish poems, which are now lost but which were seen by St Adamnan. He only ruled Iona for three years, as his death took place in the year 600, though the “Annals of Ulster” give the date as 598. Perhaps the true year may be 599. Some writers assert that St. Baithen of Iona is the Patron of Ennisboyne, County Wicklow but this is owing to a confusion with St Baoithin, or Baithin mac Findech, whose feast is commemorated on 22 May. St Bathen is, however, the official Patron of Tibohin, in Elphin, Ireland.
Madonna, Madre delle Grazie / Our Lady, Mother of Grace (1610) (Also known as Our Lady of the Bowed Head) – 9 June:
Among the many miraculous images of the Mother of God through which she deigns to grant her favours, there is one in the Monastery church of the Carmelites in Vienna, entitled the Mother of Grace. In 1610 a Carmelite, Dominic of Jesus-Mary, found among the votaries of an old Altar in the Monastery Church of Maria della Scala in Rome and oil painting of the Mother of God, dust-covered and somewhat torn, which grieved him. Taking it into his hands, he shook the dust off it and kneeling down venerated it with great devotion. He had the picture renovated and placed it on the shelf in his cell, where he made it the object of his love and supplications, in favour of those who came to him in their necessities and afflictions. One night, while he was praying fervently before the picture, he noticed that some dust had settled on it. Having nothing but his course woolen handkerchief he dusted it with that and apologised:
“O pure and holiest Virgin, nothing in the whole world is worthy of touching your holy face but since I have nothing but this coarse handkerchief, deign to accept my good will.”
Fearing he was under an illusion, Dominic became troubled but Mary assured him that his requests would be heard, he could ask of her with full confidence, any favour he might desire. He fell upon his knees and offered himself entirely to the service of Jesus and Mary and asked for the deliverance of one of is benefactor’s souls in purgatory. Mary told him to offer several Masses and other good works. A short time later, when he was again praying before the image, Mary appeared to him bearing the soul of his benefactor to Heaven. Dominic begged that all who venerated Mary in this image of Our Lady of Grace might obtain all they requested. In reply the Virgin gave him this assurance:
“All those who devoutly venerate me in this picture and take refuge with me, will have their requests granted and I will obtain for them many graces but especially, will I hear their prayers for the relief and deliverance of the souls in Purgatory.”
Dominic soon after placed the image in the Church of Maria Della Scala, so that more devotees of Mary could venerate it. Many wonderful favours were obtained by those who honored and invoked Mary here. Reproductions were made of Our Lady of Grace and sent to different parts of the world. After the death of Dominic the original painting was given to Prince Maximilian of Bavaria. He gave it to the discalced Carmelites in Munich in 1631; they gave it to Emperor Ferdinand II of Austria and his wife Eleanore. After Ferdinand’s death, Eleanore entered the Carmelite Convent in Vienna and took the picture with her. During the succeeding years the image was transferred to various places. Today it is in the Monastery Church of Vienna in Doabling. On 27 September 1931, it was solemnly crowned by Pope Pius XI – its 300th anniversary of arrival in Vienna. To his great surprise, the face of the Mother of God appeared to take on life and smiling sweetly at him, she bowed her head, which thereafter remained inclined.
The Carmelite Monastery Church of Vienna in dsDoabling.
St Comus of Scotland St Cumian of Bobbio St Cyrus Bl Diana d’Andalo OP St Diomedes of Tarsus St Felicianus Bl Henry the Shoemaker St Julian of Mesopotamia St Luciano Verdejo Acuña St Maximian of Syracuse St Pelagia of Antioch St Primus St Richard of Andria Bl Robert Salt Bl Sylvester Ventura St Valerius of Milan St Vincent of Agen
Martyrs of Arbil – 5 Saints: Five nuns who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Tamsabur for refusing to renounce Christianity for sun-worship – Amai, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Tecla. They were beheaded on 31 May 347 at Arbil, Assyria (in modern Kurdistan, Iraq).
Saint of the Day – 8 June – St Gildard of Rouen (c 456-c 545) Bishop of Rouen from 488 until his death in c 545, France, Confessor * Twin Brother of St Medard Also known as – Gildardus, Godard.
The Roman Martyrology states of St Medard and his twin brother, St Gildard, today: “At Soissons, in France, the birthday of St Gildard, Bishop of Rouen, whose life and precios death are illustrated by glorios miracles – at Rouen, St Gildard, Bishop, twin brother of St Medard,who was born with his brother on the same day, Consecrated Bishops at the same time and being taken away from this life, also on the same day, they entered Heaven together!”
St Medard left and Gildard, right
Gildard assisted at the first Council of Orleans in 511 and governed the See of Rouen with great zeal during the space of around fifteen years, although dates are rather uncertain.
He was buried at St Mary’s in Rouen, which is since called St Gildard’s, or in French St Godard’s. His remains were removed to the Abbey of St Medard in Soissons precisely because of the ibling connection; – when the Monks of St Medard discovered this link, they argued successfully with Charles the Bald, that the brothers be reunited in death. Gildard’s body was, therefore, translated to St Medard’s at Soissons and still remains there, lying in peace, side-by-side with his twin brother. And it is from here that the cult of the twin Saints spread.
That he was twin brother of St Medard was unknown to Saints Fortunatus, Gregory of Tours and other Catholic writers.
But, there are many Churches, Convents, a Museum and more named for the two Saints in France both individually and severally.
St Anne Mary Taigi St Bron of Cassel St Calliope St Clodulf of Metz Bl Engelbert of Schäftlarn St Eustadiola of Moyen-Moutier St Fortunato of Fano St Gildard of Rouen (c 456-c 545Bishop, Confessor * Twin Brother of St Medard below Bl Giorgio Porta Bl Giselbert of Cappenberg St Heraclius of Sens Bl István Sándor
Bl John Davy OC (Died 1537) Deacon Martyr Bl essedJohn Rainuzzi Bl Maddallena of the Conception Bl Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan St Maximinus of Aix
St Medard (c 456-545) Bishop and Convessor * Twin Brother of St Gildard above About this iluustrious Saint: https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/08/saint-of-the-day-8-june-saint-medard-c-456-545-bishop/ The Roman Martyrology states of St Medard and his twin brother, St Gildard, today: “At Soissons, in France, the birthday of St Medard, Bishop of Novon, whose life and precios death are illustrated by glorious miracles – at Rouen, St Gildard, Bishop, twin brother of St Medard,who was born with his brother on the same day, Consecrated Bishops at the same time and being taken away from this life, also on the same day, they entered Heaven together!”
St Melania the Elder St Muirchu St Pacificus of Cerano Bl Peter de Amer Bl Robert of Frassinoro St Sallustian St Syra of Troyes St Victorinus of Camerino
Saint of the Day – 7 June – Saint Deochar OSB (Died 847) Monk, Abbot, Hermit, Disciple and Spiritual Student of St Alcuin, Founder of a Monastery and first Abbot in Herrieden, in modern Bavaria, Germany, Royal Messenger and as such, translated the Relics of the great St Boniface to Fulda, Germany. Born in the late 8th century, probably in Bavaria, Germany and died in 847 at his Abbey of Herriedon, Germany of natural causes. Patronages – of the blind and of those with eye diseases. Also known as – Deocarus, Deotker, Dietger, Gottlief, Theotgar, Theutger.
Deochar was a disciple of the blessed Alcuin at the Court of Emperor Charlemagne. He retired to solitude in Haserode (later Herrieden) as a Hermit. In around 782, Charlemagne built him a Chapel and later a Benedictine Monastery on the site opposite the Church in Herrieden, which Church, is dedicated to him today. Here, Deochare became a Monk and the first Abbot. In 793 King Charles visited Deochar and in 796 ,he sent his Court theologian, Alcuin to settle the Abbot’s difficulties with some of his Monks.
Since 802, Deochar was also a Royal Messenger and, therefore, in 819, he was involved, in the transfer of the Relics of the great St Boniface to Fulda. The first image above depicts this event.
In 829, Deochar headed the list of signatories to the Synod of Mainz, being an authority on Sacred Scripture and on the monastic rule,
He died at an advanced age and received his final resting place in a Shrine in the Collegiate Church of St Vitus and St Deochar in Hasareoda / Herrieden. In 1316. a part of his Relics was transferred by King Ludwig as the spoils of victory, to the Chapel in the Church of St Lorenz in Nuremberg, now named after Deochar. In 1845 they came to Eichstätt . The part of the Relics brought by King Ludwig to his residence, the Alter Hof in Munich, was destroyed in World War II.
High grave, 1482, in the Blasisus Chapel of the Basilica of St Vitus and St Deocar in Herrieden
St Deochar’s Patronage of the blind relates to a famous miracle which occurred due to his prayer on behalf of a blind boy child, who was immediately cured.
St Aventinus of Larboust Bl Basilissa Fernandez St Colman of Dromore Bl Demosthenes Ranzi St Deochar OSB (Died 847) Monk, Abbot, Hermit St Gotteschalk St Justus of Condat St Landulf of Yariglia St Lycarion of Egypt
Venerable Matt Talbot (1856 – 1925) (born Matthew Talbot) – Layman, Ascetic, Mystic – known as the “Saint in Overalls” and “the Workers’ Saint” disciple of Eucharistic Adoration and the Blessed Virgin – Patron of Struggling and Recovering Addicts and Alcoholics and many addiction treatment programs, retreats and centres throughout the world bear his name. The Matt Talbot Story: https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/07/saint-of-the-day-7-june-venerable-matt-talbot-ofs/
St Meriadoc I of Vannes St Meriadoc II of Vannes St Odo of Massay St Potamiaena of Alexandria the Younger St Quirinus of Cluny
St Robert of Newminster O.Cist. (c 1100–1159) English Priest, Abbot, Apostle of the poor, Miracle-worker. He was one of the Monks who founded Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, England, another at Newminster, Northumbria and 3 other Monasteries Robert ruled and directed the Monks at Newminster for 21 years. St Robert’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/saint-of-the-day-7-june-saint-robert-newminster-o-cist-c-1100-1159/
St Sergius of Cluny St Vulflagius of Abbeville
Martyrs of Africa – 7 Saints: A group of seven Christians who were Martyred together. No details about them have survived except the names – Donata, Evasius, Guirillus, Januaria, Privata, Spisinna, Victurus. The precise location in Africa and date are unknown.
Martyred in Córdoba, Spain: Habentius of Córdoba Jeremiah of Córdoba Peter of Córdoba Sabinian of Córdoba Wallabonsus of Córdoba Wistremundus of Córdoba
Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – Pentecost Monday and the Memorial of St Norbert (c 1080-1134) Bishop, Confessor, Founder of the Premonstratensian or the Norbertine Canons and Sisters, “Defender of the Eucharist” and “Apostle of the Eucharist,” Exorcist, Reformer, Preacher
On the day of his ordination, St Norbert said:
“O Priest! You are not of yourself because you are of God. You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are not your own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not yourself because you are the mediator between God and man. You are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you? Nothing and everything. O Priest! Take care, lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you: ‘He saved others, himself he cannot save!”
“You will never enjoy the sweetness of a quiet prayer, unless you shut your mind, to all worldly desires and temporal affairs.”
St Norbert (c 1080-1134)
Why is St Norbert Patron of Expectant Mothers & Infertile Married Couples?
A pious woman once approached St Norbert asking whether she and her husband ought to separate and enter Monasteries because they lived in an infertile marriage. St Norbert prophesied that they would be blessed with children, the first of whom would be dedicated to God. This child, Nicholas, did indeed become a Norbertine at Prémontré. St Norbert is traditionally invoked for a safe childbirth too. The Norbertine Canonesses at Doksany (Czech Republic) in modern times, promote this devotion to St Norbert as ‘Patron of Infertile Couples and Endangered Pregnancies’ and report hundreds of families now blessed with children, the Sisters, having well over 3,000 spiritual children as of 2012. It would be wonderful to find an updated figure 10 hears later.
A Prayer to St Norbert for a Safe Childbirth
St Norbert, great and faithful servant of God! You venerated the holy and miraculous birth of our Saviour, Whom, His Mother, the purest Virgin Mary, conceived without the loss of her virginity and gave birth, ever remaining a virgin. You connected the origin of the Premonstratensian Order with the day of the Birth of Jesus Christ. I humbly pray to you, St Norbert, as a great protector, so that God will give me the grace, through your intercession, to give birth to this conceived child. And so, that He will give me also, the grace that this child will join the Church of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism and that he/she will serve Almighty God the whole of his/her life so that in the end we both will reach eternal salvation. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever. Amen.
(Translated from The Little Hours, 1749, by one of our Norbertine Sisters at Doksany)
Saint of the Day – 6 June – Saint Bertrand of Aquileia (c 1260– 1350) Bishop of Aquileia, Martyr, Confessor, Lawyer, Teacher, Papal Chaplain and Legate, Reformer. Apostle of the poor, Social Reformer, Founder of Monasteries and Protector of the Monks. Born in c 1260 at Saint-Geniès, Quercy, Aquitaine, France and died on 6 June 1350 by being murdered at San Giogio Richionvelda, for his stand, in protecting his people and his Diocese, against feudal rebels. Patronage – Aquileia, Italy. Also known as – Bertrando, Bertrichramnus, Bertram.
Bertrand initially practised as a Lawyer and after further studies, he was Ordained as a Priest and in 1316 became the Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Angouleme and in 1318, a Canon of Saint Felice in Toulouse and then the Archdeacon of Noyon, France and a Papal Chaplain. At the same time, Bertrand continued to teach Law at the University of Toulouse.
Whilst compiling information for the Canonisation of St Thomas Aquinas, he was appointed as a Papal Legate.
On 4 July 1334, he was Consecrated as the Bishop of Aquileia in Italy where he ministered until his death.
As Bishop, Bertrand was noted for his austere lifestyle and works of charity for the poor. He founded Monasteries to promote learning and encouraged the work of the Benedictines, Franciscans and He worked for the moral reform in his Diocese and supported the olive and wool trade in his region, as a way to improve the lives of his people. Bertrand convened a Council of Bishops in Udine, Italy in 1335 and again, in 1339, one in Aquileia.
These Councils were followed by four Synods, in which he processed reforms in the religious life of his Diocese and established norms against the heresies which had spread in its lands.
Bertrand was also a patron of the arts – in 1334, he established the University of Cividale and restored the Udine Cathedral.
Bertrand took a strong stand against the feudal noble rebels of the region. He devoted himself to suppressing the power and the autonomies gained by the Friulian feudal lords in opposition and against the Church. They, discontented by his policies, formed an alliance against him. Bertrand, as the Papal Legate, attempted to find a diplomatic solution to their problems but once any possibility of a military victory waned, the rebels set a plot against the aged Bishop, who was assassinated by Enrico da Spilimbergo at San Giorgio della Richinvelda on 6 June 1350.
Bertrand was murdered for defending the rights of the Church and is thus considered a Martyr.
The Martyrdom of St Bertrand
He was buried in Udine, Italy and later, his Relics were enshrined in the Undine Cathedral. Bertrand was Canonised by Pope Clement XIII in 1760 and appointed Patron of Aquileia where the Basilica is dedicated to him.
St Norbert (c 1080-1134) Bishop, Confessor, Founder of the Premonstratensian or the Norbertine Canons and Sisters, “Defender of the Eucharist” and “Apostle of the Eucharist,” Exorcist, Reformer, Preacher His amazing life: https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/06/saint-of-the-day-6-june-st-norbert/
St Agobard of Lyon St Alexander of Fiesole St Alexander of Noyon St Amantius of Noyon St Anoub of Skete St Artemius of Rome St Bazalota of Abyssinia St Bertrand of Aquileia (c 1260– 1350) Bishop Martyr Confessor St Candida of Rome St Ceratius of Grenoble St Claudius of Besançon St Cocca St Colmán of Orkney Bl Daniel of Bergamo St Euphemia of Abyssinia St Eustorgius II of Milan Bl Falco of La Cava Bl Gilbert of Neufontaines St Grazia of Germagno St Gudwall Bl Gundisalvus of Azebeyro St Hilarion the Younger
Marytrs of Tarsus: A group of 20 Martyrs who were Martyred together during the persecutions of Diocletian. They were martyred in Tarsus (in modern Turkey).
Mercedarian Fathers of Avignon: Several Mercedarians from the Santa Maria Convent of Avignon, France who worked with plague victims in that city and died of the disease themselves. They died in Avignon, France of plague and are remembered together today for their great charity and commitment to their people.
St Adalar of Erfurt Bl Adalbert Radiouski Bl Adam Arakawa St Austrebertus of Vienne St Claudius of Egypt and Companions St Ðaminh Huyen St Ðaminh Toai St Dorotheus of Tyre St Elleher St Eoban of Utrecht St Eutichius of Como St Evasius of Africa St Felix of Fritzlar
Blessed Ferdinand of Portugal (1402-1443) “The Holy Prince.” Blessed Ferdinand spent as much time as he could in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament especially during the Easter Triduum when his habit was to be constantly in adoration, from Holy Thursday to Easter. He was the youngest of the “Illustrious Generation” of 15th-century Portuguese Princes of the House of Aviz and lay Master of the Knightly Order of Aviz. About Blessed Ferdinand: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/05/saint-of-the-day-5-june-blessed-ferdinand-of-portugal-1402-1443-the-holy-prince/
St Franco of Assergi St Genesius, Count of Clermont St Gregory of Lilybaeum St Gundekar St Hadulph St Luke Loan Bl Meinwerk of Paderborn St Privatus of Africa St Sanctius of Córdoba St Tudno of Caernarvon St Waccar
Martyrs of Caesarea: A group of Christians who converted together, were imprisoned together, tortured together, and martyred together. We know nothing more about them but their names – Cyria, Marcia, Valeria and Zenaides. Died Caesarea, Palestine, date unknown.
Martyrs of Egypt: A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Galerius Maximian. The only other information was have is three of their names – Apollonius, Marcian and Nicanor. Died in Egypt, date unknown.
Martyrs of Perugia: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than their names – Cyriacus, Faustinus, Florentius, Julian and Marcellinus. Died beheaded in 250 in Perugia, Italy
Martyrs of Rome: 26 Christians Martyred together. We have no details about them but their names – Candida, Castula, Fappa, Felician, Felicitas (2 of), Felicula, Fortunatus, Gagus, Gregor, Hilarius, Ingenuus, Juliana, Martialis, Maurus, Mustilus, Nicander, Prima, Rogata, Rutianus, Sacrinus, Saturnin, Secundian, Secundus, Urbicus, Victurus. Died • Rome, Italy, date unknown • relics transferred to Antwerp, Belgium, date unknown.
Saint of the Day – 4 June – Saint Petroc of Cornwall (Died c 594) Confessor, Abbot, Missionary, Miracle-worker, Founder of Monasteries and Churches, Prince. Petroc also had a great affinity with all animals and had a permanet wolf companion. Born in Wales mid to late Wales and died at Treravel, Padstow, Cornwall (in modern England) of natural causes whilst travelling. Patronages – • Bodmin, Cornwall • Caernarfonshire, Wales • Cornwall, England • Devon, England • Exeter, Devonshire, England • Hollacombe, Devonshire, England • Little Petherick, Cornwall • Nansfenten, Cornwall • Llanbedrog, Wales • Lydford, Devonshire, England • Newton Saint Petrock, Devonshire, England • Padstow, Cornwall • Saint-Méen, France • South Brent, Devonshire, England • Trevalga, Cornwall • West Anstey, Devonshire, England. Also known as – Petrock, Pedrog, Perreuse, Perreux, Petrocus, Petrox.
The most venerated Saint in Cornwall, who is considered to be one of the main Apostles of the region, is St Petroc, who together with the Archangel St Michael and St.Piran, has, for many centuries been the Patron Saint of Cornwall.
An early manuscript describes Petroc as “handsome, courteous in speech, prudent, modest, burning with unceasing love, always ready for all good works for the Church.”
A great deal is known about St Petroc, there having been two ‘Lives of Petroc‘ written in the middle ages and discovered in comparatively recent times in a library in Paris. A translation of the text of ‘The Vita Petroci,‘ written in the 12th century, was published in 1930, called ‘St Petroc, Abbot and Confessor.‘
He was the younger son of King Glywys in Wales. On his father’s death, he was offered the Crown of part of the Kingdom but Petroc wanted to study for a religious life and went to Ireland with a small band of followers.
Having been educated in an Irish Monastery, the major seats of learning in those days ‘Vita Petroci’ describes their stay in Ireland. They then set pit to spread the good news of the Gospel. The winds and tides brought them to the Padstow estuary. Almost immediately, Petroc began to build at the top of the creek, first a Church, and then other buildings, in imitation of the Irish Monasteries, to make a complete Monastery with a school, infirmary, library, farm and cells for the Monks. Having established the Monastery and Church here, Petroc travelled widely, founding many Churches, first in Little Petherick and Bodmin and then in many parts of England, Wales and Brittany.
The Celtic King Constantine, ruled this area at that time and was converted to Christianity by Petroc, when the Saint rescued the deer that the King was hunting. There are many legends and tales about him of miracles, healings, wonderful miracles involving animals and the banishing of demons.
After about 30 years evangelising the region, Petroc travelled to Rome and Brittany. He returned to Britain and as he reached Newton Saint Petroc (in Devon), it began to rain. Petroc predicted it would soon stop but it rained unceasingly, for three days. As a self-imposed penance for presuming to predict God’s weather, Petroc made a penitent pilgrimage on bare feet, returning initially to Rome, then to Jerusalem, then to India where he lived seven years on an island in the Indian Ocean.
When he finally returned to Cornwall, Petroc moved still deeper into the Cornish countryside, where he discovered St Guron living in a humble cell. Guron gave up his hermitage and moved south, allowing Petroc, with the backing of King Constantine, to establish a second large Monastery called Bothmena (Bodmin – the Abode of Monks).
Bodmin Abbey Church
Petroc eventually died at Treravel, while travelling between Little Petherick and Padstow and was buried at Padstow. The Monks there later removed themselves, along with Petroc’s relics, to Bodmin, where his beautiful Norman casket Reliquary can still be seen today.
St Petroc gave his name to Padstow (Petroc’s – stow) and to Little Petherick [between Padstow and Wadebridge]. He was the Founder of Bodmin, which, for some time was an Abbey-Bishopric and remained the religious capital of Cornwall up to the end of the Middle Ages.
St Francis Caracciolo CRM (1563-1608) Priest, Co-Founder of the Congregation of the Clerics Regular Minor with Venerable John Augustine (1551-1587) the “Adorno Fathers,” Confessor, Apostle of the Eucharistic Adoration. His body was given enough preparation for a long journey to Naples. Truly, God has left His own sign on him. When the body was lanced, the blood spouted a red and scented fluid and his vital organs were incorrupt. Around his heart were printed the words of the Psalm: “The zeal of your house consumes me” (Ps 69:10). Wow!: https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/04/saint-of-the-day-4-june-saint-francis-caracciolo-crm-1563-1608/
St Aldegrin of Baume St Alexander of Verona St Alonio St Aretius of Rome Bl Boniface of Villers St Breaca of Cornwall St Buriana of Cornwall St Christa of Sicily St Clateus of Brescia St Cornelius McConchailleach St Croidan St Cyrinus of Aquileia St Dacian of Rome St Degan St Edfrith of Lindisfarne St Elsiar of Lavedan St Ernin of Cluain Bl Francis Ronci Bl Margaret of Vau-le-Duc St Medan Bl Menda Isategui St Metrophanes of Byzantium St Nennoc St Nicolo of Sardinia St Optatus of Milevis
St Petroc of Cornwall (Died c 594) Abbot St Quirinus of Croatia St Quirinus of Tivoli St Rutilus of Sabaria Saturnina of Arras St Trano of Sardinia St St Walter of Fontenelle Walter of Serviliano
Martyrs of Cilicia – 13 Saints: A group of 13 Christians who were Martyred together. The only details about them that have survived are their names – • Cama• Christa• Crescentia• Eiagonus• Expergentus• Fortunus• Italius • Jucundian• Julia• Momna• Philip• Rustulus• Saturnin They were martyred in in Cilicia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey), date unknown
Martyrs of Nyon – 41 Saints: A group of 41 Christians Martyred together for refusing to sacrifice to imperial Roman idols. We know the names of some but no other details. • Amatus• Attalus• Camasus• Cirinus• Dinocus• Ebustus• Euticus• Eutychius • Fortunius• Galdunus• Julia• Quirinus• Rusticus• Saturnina• Saturninus • Silvius• Uinnita• Zoticus Martyred by being beheaded in Noviodunum (modern Nyon, Switzerland).
Saint of the Day – 3 June – Saint Adam of Guglionesi OSB (c 990-1072) Confessor, Benedictine Monk, Abbot, Social Reformer, Peace-maker and may have been a Priest. Hermit. Born in c 990 in Petazio (modern Petacciato), Italy and,died in 1072 in the Saint Paul Monastery in Petacciato, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – Guglionesi, Italy, Also known as – Adam the Abbot, Adamo Abate, Adamo… Adão…
Unfortunately, despite the fact that St Adam is the Patron Saint of the industrious Town of Guglionesi in the Province of Campobasso in Molise, the texts in hagiography say almost nothing about him.
The only certain information that we have of this Saint, defined as a ‘Confessor,’ is the date of the translation of his relics which took place in Guglionesi, on 3 June 1102.
The Bollandists (Society of Belgian Jesuits that in 1600, co-ordinated by Jean Bolland, from whom they took their name, compiled the ‘Acta Sanctorum’) report this event of the translation of the relics. But they give no further information regarding the time in which our Saint lived, the holiness of his life, the activity carried out by the holy ‘confessor.’ Confessor, a term that initially also included Martyrs, then was reserved for Saints and Blessed who, although not Martyrs, have testified (confessed) by their lives, in word and deed, their faith in Christ the Saviour.
Elsewhere it is recorded that Adam was the Abbot of the Monastery of Santa Maria in the Italian Tremiti Islands. He attended the Council of Melfi on 21 August 1059
Adam worked zealously to unify the people of southern Italy in order to reduce inter-city warring. In 1071, after many years of toil, he retired to spend his remaining months as a prayerful Hermit, at the Monastery of Saint Paul in Petacciato, Italy,.where he died.
The Bollandists do record the story of his relics. They say, that, for a long time, his tomb was kept about a mile from the Town and that the Archpriest Benedict of Guglionesi, had a vision, wherein an Angel instructed him to arrange for the translation of the relics to the City of Guglionesi.
This transfer of the relics took place on the night of 2 June 1102, with the participation of Bishops, Priests and armed men. Legend says, that the oxen pulling the transport cart became thirsty, pawed the road with one hoof and springs erupted from the ground. The next day they were enshrined and in 1153 they were re-enshrined re-enshrined in a gilded bronze bust Reliquary.
In 1456, on the night of the Feast of Corpus Christi, St Adam’s relics were stolen by French supporters of King Charles VIII and taken to Campobasso, Italy where they planned to melt the Reliquary for the precious metal but, the presence of the relics made them hesitate. The City was miraculously besieged by storms until they returned the Reliquary to Guglionesi! An additional Memorial is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in October to mark this return of the stolen relics.
St Adam of Guglionesi OSB (c 990-1072) Abbot St Albert of Como St Athanasius of Traiannos St Auditus of Braga Bl Beatrice Bicchieri St Caecilius of Carthage
Bl Charles-René Collas du Bignon St Clotilde of France St Conus of Lucania St Cronan the Tanner St Davinus of Lucca Bl Diego Oddi Bl Francis Ingleby St Gausmarus of Savigny St Genesius of Clermont St Glunshallaich St Hilary of Carcassone St Isaac of Córdoba
St Laurentinus of Arezzo St Liphardus of Orléans St Morand of Cluny St Moses of Arabia St Oliva of Anagni St Paula of Nicomedia St Pergentinus of Arezzo St Phaolô Vu Van Duong St Urbicius
Dominicans Martyred in China
Martyrs of Africa – 156 Saints: 156 Christians Martyred together in Africa, date unknown; the only other information to survive are some of their names – • Abidianus• Demetria• Donatus• Gagus• Januaria• Juliana• Nepor• Papocinicus• Quirinus• Quirus Martyrs of Byzantium – 5 saints: A group of Christians, possibly related by marriage, who were martyred together. They were – • Claudius• Dionysius• Hypatius• Lucillian• Paul They were Martyred in 273 in Byzantium.
Martyrs of Rome – 8 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together. We know nothing else about them but the names – • Amasius• Emerita• Erasmus• Lucianus• Orasus• Satuaucnus• Septiminus• Servulus They were Martyred in Rome, Italy, date unknown.
Martyrs of Rome – 86 Saints: 85+ Christians Martyred together in Rome, Italy, date unknown. The only details that have survived are some of their names – • Apinus • Apronus • Aurelius • Avidus • Cassianus • Criscens • Cyprus • Domitius • Donata • Donatus • Emeritus • Extricatus • Exuperia • Faustina • Felicitas • Felix • Flavia • Florus • Fortunata • Fortunatus • Fructus • Gagia • Gagus • Gallicia • Gorgonia • Honorata • Januaria • Januarius • Justa • Justus • Libosus • Luca • Lucia • Matrona • Matura • Mesomus • Metuana • Nabor • Neptunalis • Obercus • Paula • Peter • Pompanus • Possemus • Prisca • Procula • Publius • Quintus • Rogatian • Romanus • Rufina • Saturnin • Saturnus • Secundus • Severa • Severus • Sextus • Silvana • Silvanus • Sinereus • Tertula • Titonia • Toga • Urban • Valeria • Veneria • Veranus • Victor • Victoria • Victorinus • Victuria • Victurina • Virianus • Weneria • Zetula. They were Martyred in Rome date unknown.
Martyrs of Uganda (Memorial) – 22 Saints: Twenty-two (22) young Ugandan converts Martyred in the persecutions of King Mwanga. They are – • Achileo Kiwanuka • Adolofu Mukasa Ludigo • Ambrosio Kibuuka • Anatoli Kiriggwajjo • Anderea Kaggwa • Antanansio Bazzekuketta • Bruno Sserunkuuma • Charles Lwanga • Denis Ssebuggwawo • Gonzaga Gonza • Gyavire • James Buzabaliao • John Maria Muzeyi • Joseph Mukasa • Kizito • Lukka Baanabakintu • Matiya Mulumba • Mbaga Tuzinde • Mugagga • Mukasa Kiriwawanvu • Nowa Mawaggali • Ponsiano Ngondwe The Lives and Martyrdom of the Ugandan Martyrs: https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/03/saints-of-the-day-3-june-uganda-martyrs-or-st-charles-lwanga-companions/
Saint of the Day – 2 June – Saint Guido of Acqui (c 1004-1070) Bishop of Acqu in north-west Italy from 1034 until his death, zealous Reformer both in the lives of his clergy and his people. He built the Cathedral of Acqui amongst other religious buildings, including a Convent for Nuns. He donated his personal inheritance to the upkeep of the Diocese, the poor and for his building projects. Born in c 1004 in Acqui, Italy and died on 2 June 1070 of natural causes after 36 years as the Bishop of his home town, of which he is the Patron. Patronages – against famine, Diocese of Acqui, Italy, Acqui Terme, Italy. Also known as – Guy, Guisto, Guy, Vido, Wido.
Guido was born around 1004 to a noble family of the area of Acqui, the Counts of Acquesana, in Melazzo where the family’s wealth was concentrated.
He completed his education, by now an orphan, in Bologna. Guido was elected as the Bishop of Acqui in March 1034, aged just 30 years. His career was marked by reform in the areas of the Liturgy, the teaching of his flock and increasing their devotion and morality.
He was generous in donating his own money and possessions to the Diocese, in part to remove the economic pressures which had led to widespread corruption and, in part, to support new projects . The latter included the promotion of the education of young women and the foundation of the Convent of Santa Maria De Campis.
Under his government, too, Acqui Cathedral was erected, dedicated to the Madonna Assunta and consecrated on 13 November 1067.
Guido died on 2 June 1070. His remains are preserved in the Cathedral which he founded. His feast day is recorded in the Martyrologium Romanum as 2 June, the anniversary of his death . In Acqui, however, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of July. He was Canonised in 1853 by Pope Blessed Pius IX .
St Photinus of Lyons St Rogate Bl Sadoc of Sandomierz St Stephen of Sweden
Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne: A group of 48 Christians from the areas of Vienne and Lyon, France, who were attacked by a pagan mob, arrested and tried for their faith, and murdered in the persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. A letter describing their fate, possibly written by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, was sent to the churches in the Middle East. Only a few names and details of their lives have survived; some of them have separate entries on this date – • Alexander of Vienne • Attalus of Pergamos • Biblis of Lyons • Blandina the Slave • Cominus of Lugdunum • Epagathus of Lugdunum • Maturus the Novice • Photinus of Lyons • Ponticus of Lugdunum • Sanctius of Vienne • Vettius of Lugdunum They were martyred in assorted ways on on various during 177.
Martyrs of Sandomierz: A group of 49 Dominicans, some of whom received the habit from Saint Dominic de Guzman himself. They worked separately and together to bring the faith and establish the Dominican Order in Poland, basing their operations in and around Sandomierz. In 1260 they were all Martyred by the Tartars as they were singing the Salve Regina at Compline; the custom of singing the Salve Regina at the deathbed of Dominicans, stems from this incident. We know a few details about a few of the martyrs, but most survive only as names – • Zadok• Andrea, chaplain• James, novice master• Malachi, convent preacher • Paul, vicar• Peter, guardian of the garden• Simone, penitentiaryfriars • Abel, Barnabas, Bartholomew, Clemente, Elia, John, Luke, Matthew, Philip deacons• Giuseppe, Joachim, Stefanosub-deacons• Abraham, Basil, Moses, Taddeoclerics• Aaron, Benedict, David, Dominico, Mattia, Mauro, Michele, Onofrio, Timothyprofessed students• Christopher, Donato, Feliciano, Gervasio, Gordian, John, Mark, Medardo, Valentinonovices• Daniele, Isaiah, Macario, Raffaele, Tobialay brothers• Cyril, tailor• Jeremiah, shoemaker • Thomas, organist They were martyred in 1260 at Sandomierz, Poland and Beatified on 18 October 1807 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation).
Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – The Memorial of St Angela Merici (1474-1540)
“Keep to the ancient way and custom of the Church, established and confirmed, by so many Saints, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And live a new life!”
“Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary, for the work to which you are called. He Who called you, will not desert you but the moment you are in need, He will stretch out His Saving Hand.”
Saint of the Day – 1 June – Saint Angelica de Merici TOSF (1474-1540) Virgin, Founder the Company of St Ursula, later called the Ursulines, Third Order Franciscan, Mystic, Apostle of the poor, sick and needy, Teacher, Penitent and Ascetic. Patronages – sickness, handicapped people, loss of parents, courage,
Angela de Merici was born of virtuous parents at Decenzano, a town in the Diocese of Verona, near lake Benago, in the Venetian territory. From her earliest years, she kept the strictest guard over the lily of her virginity, which she had resolved should never be taken from her. She had a thorough contempt for those outward deckings, on which so many women set their hearts. She purposely disfigured the beauty of her features and hair, that she might find no favour, save with the Spouse of our souls.
Whilst yet in the bloom of youth, she lost her parents, whereupon, she sought to retire into a desert, that she might lead a life of penance. Being prevented by an uncle, she fulfilled, at home, what she was not permitted to do in a wilderness. She frequently wore a hairshirt and took the discipline. She never ate flesh-meat, except in case of sickness, she never tasted wine, except on the Feasts of our Lord’s Nativity and Resurrection and, at times, would pass whole days without taking any food at all.
She spent much time in prayer and exceedingly little in sleep and that little, on the ground. The devil having once appeared to her in the form of an angel of light, she at once detected his craft, and put him to flight. At length, having resigned her right to the fortune left her by her parents, she embraced the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis, received the habit and united evangelical poverty, to the merit of virginity.
She showed her neighbour every kind office in her power and gave to the poor a portion of her own food, which she procured by begging. She gladly served the sick. She gained the reputation of great sanctity in several places, which she visited, either that she might comfort the afflicted, or obtain pardon for criminals, or reconcile them that were at variance, or reclaim sinners from the sink of crime.
She had a singular hungering after the Bread of Angels, which she frequently received and such was the vehemence of her love of God, that she was often in a state of ecstacy. She visited the Holy Places of Palestine with extraordinary devotion. During her pilgrimage, she lost her sight on landing on the isle of Candia but recovered it when leaving. She also miraculously escaped shipwreck and falling into the hands of barbarians. She went to Rome, during the Pontificate of Pope Clement the Seventh, in order to venerate the firm Rock of the Church and to gain the great Jubilee Indulgence. The Pope having had an interview with her, he at once discovered her sanctity and spoke of her to others in terms of highest praise, nor would he have allowed her to leave the City, had he not been convinced that heaven called her elsewhere.
Having returned to Brescia, she took a house near the Church of Saint Afra. There, by God’s command, which was made known to her by a voice from heaven and by a vision, she instituted a new society of Virgins under a special discipline and holy rules, which she herself drew up. She put her Institute under the title and patronage of Saint Ursula, the brave leader of the army of virgins.
She also foretold,, shortly before her death, that this Institute would last to the end of the world. At length, being close upon seventy years of age, laden with merit, she took her flight to Heaven and in the year 1540, on 27 January 27. Her corpse was kept for thirty days before being put in the grave and preserved the flexibility and appearance of a living body. It was laid in the Church of Saint Afra, amidst the many other Relics wherewith that Church is enriched.
Many miracles were wrought at her tomb. The rumour of these miracles spread not only through Brescia and Decenzano but also in other places. The name of Blessed was soon given to Angela and her image used, to be put on the Altars of St Charles Borromeo. A few years after Angela’s death, it was affirmed, that she was worthy of Canonisation. Clement the Thirteenth ratified and confirmed the devotion thus paid her by the Faithful, which had already received the approbation of several Bishops and the encouragement of several Indults of Sovereign Pontiffs. Finally, after several new miracles had been juridically proved, Pius the Seventh enroled Angela in the list of holy Virgins, in the solemn Canonisation celebrated in the Vatican Basilica, on the 24th of May, in the year 1807.
“Angela realised the whole meaning of her beautiful name. In a mortal body, she possessed the purity of the blessed Spirits and imitated their celestial energy by the vigorous practice of every virtue. This heroine of grace, trampled beneath her feet, everything that could impede her heavenward march.” – Abbot Dom Prosper Guéranger OSB (1805-1875)
St Agapetus of Ruthenia Bl Alfonso Navarrete Benito Bl Arnald Arench Bl Arnold of Geertruidenberg St Atto of Oca St Candida of Whitchurch St Caprasius of Lérins St Clarus of Aquitaine St Claudius of Vienne Bl Conrad of Hesse St Conrad of Trier St Crescentinus St Cronan of Lismore St Damian of Scotland St Dionysius of Ruthenia St Donatus of Lucania St Felinus of Perugia Bl Ferdinand Ayala St Firmus St Fortunatus of Spoleto Bl Gaius Xeymon St Gaudentius of Ossero St Giuse Túc St Gratian of Perugia Bl Herculanus of Piegare St Iñigo of Oña St Ischryrion and Companions Bl James of Strepar St Jean-Baptiste-Ignace-Pierre Vernoy de Montjournal Bl John Pelingotto Bl John Storey St Juventius Bl Leo Tanaka St Melosa St Pamphilus of Alexandria St Peter of Pisa St Porphyrius of Alexandria St Proculus of Bologna St Proculus the Soldier St Ronan St Secundus of Amelia St Seleucus of Alexandria St Simeon of Syracuse St Telga of Denbighshire St Thecla of Antioch
Blessed Teobaldo Roggeri (c 1100-1150) Layman Shoemaker, Porter, Apostle of the poor and needy, Penitent, Pilgrim. The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “In Alba in Piedmont, Blessed Teobaldo, who, driven by love for poverty, gave all his possessions to a widow and became a porter out of a spirit of humility, to carry the burdens of others on himself.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/01/saint-of-the-day-1-june-blessed-teobaldo-roggeri-c-1100-1150/
St Thespesius of Cappadocia St Wistan of Evesham St Zosimus of Antioch
Martyrs of Alexandria – 5 Saints: A group five of imperial Roman soldiers assigned to guard a group of Egyptian Christians who were imprisoned for their faith in the persecutions of Decius. During their trial, they encouraged the prisoners not to apostatize. This exposed them as Christians, were promptly arrested and executed. Martyrs. Their names are – Ammon, Ingen, Ptolomy, Theophilis and Zeno. They were beheaded in 249 at Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Caesarea – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Galerius. We know little more about them than the name – Paul, Valens and Valerius. They diedf in 309 at Caesarea, Palestine.
Martyrs of Lycopolis – 6 Saints: Five foot soldiers and their commander who were Martyred for their faith by order of the imperial Roman prefect Arriano during the persecutions of Decius. In Lycopolis, Egypt.
Martyrs of Rome – 6 Saints: A group of spiritual students of Saint Justin Martyr who died with him and about whom we know nothing else but their names – Carito, Caritone, Evelpisto, Ierace, Liberiano and Peone. In Rome, Italy.
Saint of the Day – 31 May – Blessed James Salomoni OP (1231-1314) Priest of the Order of Preachers, “Father of the Poor,” “Apostle of the Afflicted,” Miracle-worker graced with the ability to cure sickness. Born as Giacomo Salomoni in 1231 at Venice, Italy and died on 31 March 1314 of cancer at Forli, Italy. Patronages – cancer patients, of the sick. Also known as James the Venetian, Giacomo Salomonio, surname spelled variously as Salomone, Salomonelli, Salomonius,
James was born in Venice, in 1231, the only child of noble parents. His father died when he was very young and his mother became a Cistercian nun, leaving him to the care of his grandmother. She did well by her orphaned grandson and James became a good and studious boy, who responded eagerly to any spiritual suggestions.
Under the direction of a Cistercian Monk, he learned to meditate and on the Monk’s counsel, James became a Dominican at the Convent of Sts John and Paul, in Venice, as soon as he was old enough. He gave most of his money to the poor and arrived at the Convent with just enough left, to buy a few books. Seeing that one of the Lay Brothers there was in need of clothing, he gave his final small sum to the him and entered empty-handed.
James wore the Dominican habit with dignity and piety, if not with any worldly distinction, for sixty-six years. He was humble and good and obedient and there was nothing spectacular about his spirituality. He was well-known for his direction of souls but he fled, even from the distinction this work brought him.
Even his retiring habits did not protect him, for the people of Venice beat a path to his door. In self -defence, he transferred to another house, that of Forli. This was a house of strict observance and very poor. Nothing could suit him better. For the remainder of his life he worked and prayed in Forli, going out to visit the sick in the hospitals and spending long hours in the Confessional. His charity to the poor and the sick gave the name ” Father of the Poor.”
God granted James the grace of miracles during his lifetime. Once, while he was hearing the confession of a pious woman, she saw the Holy Spirit, in the form of a white dove, sitting on his shoulder and whispering into his ear. Another time, a young girl was cured through his prayer for her, of a terrible cancer on her leg.
James was himself afflicted with cancer, during the last four years of his life. At his death, the cancerous wound on his chest disappeared, leaving only a faint scar and from it arose a fragrant aroma.
He died on 31 May 1314, in his eighty-third year. His relics now lie in the Basilica of Sts John and Paul in Venice.
Devotion to Blessed James has been approved and encouraged by several Popes. In 1526 he was officiallt Beatified by Pope Clement VII
Prayer
O BLESSED JAMES, during your life you received, with utmost tenderness, those who came to you with their afflictions of body and soul, consoling them even to the point of working miracles on their behalf. Now that you are in Heaven, listen to my poor prayers and out of your goodness, help me in my needs with your unfailing intercession.
(Here state your intentions)
Obtain for me, I beg you, the grace to imitate your virtues, especially your generous love of God and neighbour, your profound humility, your tender devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Obtain for me too, patience in adversity, fortitude in suffering and preserve me from those dreadful ills against which you are invoked as a special protector.
May your assistance help me to live a holy life on earth, so that I may deserve to be with you some day in the glory of Heaven. AMEN
AnaStpaul 
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