SAINT of the DAY – Page 92

Nossa Senhora do Português / Our Lady of the Portuguese, Diu, India (1546) and Memorials of the Saints – 11 November

Posted on November 11, 2021November 10, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Nossa Senhora do Português / Our Lady of the Portuguese, Diu, India (1546) – 11 November:

The Abbot Orsini wrote: “On this day, about the year 1546, the Portuguese gained a great victory over the infidels, who had been before the castle of Die, in the East Indies, for the space of seven months and who would have carried it by storm, if Our Lady had not appeared upon the walls – which caused so great terror in the enemy’s camp, that the siege was at once raised.”

The Portuguese began building the stronghold of Diu, their symbol of Portuguese influence and authority in the region, protecting their lucrative trade with India, on 20 November 1535 and finished the work a short time later, on 29 February of the following year. The fort was circular in shape, having walls 6 metres high and 3.50 metres thick, made of solid stone and lime. There was a deep ditch immediately before these stout walls and the fort had three triangular shaped bastions. Manned with a garrison of three hundred and fifty men, it was further supported by a fleet of eleven ships. Manuel De Souza was named the fort’s first Captain.
It was not long before the Portuguese came under siege, as a powerful Ottoman fleet made up of 72 ships laid siege to the stronghold in September of 1538. The Turks arrived with an army of at least 20,000 men, far more than the 400 or so Portuguese who made up the entire garrison.
There were many pitched battles after an intense bombardment and as time wore on the Portuguese suffered from an acute shortage of men and ammunition and a lack of adequate nutrition, bringing scurvy and great suffering to the remaining defenders.
The defenders were at their last extreme and the fort had less than 40 men left alive when the siege suddenly ended. Modern history records that, “for unknown reasons” the savage Turks gave up the siege and sailed away for no reason. It was obvious to the battle hardened Turkish troops, that the defence was about to collapse and that victory was at hand, so there must have been a reason that they fled. The Portuguese defenders could have said that the victory was the result of their gallantry defending the fort and to the grim determination with which they held the bastions against every manner of assault. Instead, however, the Portuguese recalled that Our Lady appeared on the battlements herself, as had recently happened at the Siege of Rhodes and that it was their fear of her ,that the Turks ran for their lives.
In 1546 there was a second assault on Diu that began on the eve of Easter and this time the Portuguese thwarted the efforts of the Turks to capture the fort in a pitched battle recorded as one of the greatest ever fought by the Portuguese troops in India. The siege had continued uninterrupted from 20 April 1546 until 7 November, when a Portuguese fleet finally arrived on the scene under Viceroy Juan de Castro.
The Portuguese success in Diu confirmed Portuguese dominion and their hold over the region. Contemporary accounts, of course, do not mention the miraculous intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the siege, even though it was recorded that she appeared on the ramparts holding a lance in her hand to defend the fort from the enemy, for the ‘City of Men’ cannot accept the glories of God!

St Martin of Tours (c 316-397) (Memorial) “Martin the Merciful,” Bishop, Confessor, Miracle-Worker.
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/11/saint-of-the-day-11-november-st-martin-of-tours-c-316-397/

Bl Alicia Maria jadwiga Kotowska
St Bartholomew of Rossano (c 970-c 1065) Abbot Confessor
St Bertuin of Malonne
St Cynfran of Wales
St Isidre Costa Hons
Bl Josaphat Chichkov
Bl Kamen Vitchev

Blessed (Luigia) Vincenza Maria Poloni (1802-1855) Nun and Co-Founder of Sisters of Mercy of Verona,.Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/11/our-morning-offering-11-november-in-the-name-of-the-father-son-and-holy-spirit/

St Marina of Omura
St Menas Kallikelados
St Mennas of Santomenna
St Mercurius the Soldier
Bl Pavel Dzjidzjov
St Rhediw
St Theodore the Studite
St Turibius of Palencia
St Veranus of Lyon
St Veranus of Vence
Blessed Vincent Eugene Bossilkoff
—
Martyrs of Torredembarra: Members of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Discalced Carmelites, and Carmelite Tertiaries of Education who were martyred together in the Spanish Civil War.
• Blessed Bonaventura Toldrà Rodon
• Blessed Damián Rodríguez Pablo
• Blessed Felipe Arce Fernández
• Blessed Frederíc Vila Bartolì
• Blessed Isidre Tarsá Giribets
• Blessed Joan Roca Vilardell
• Blessed José Alberich Lluch
• Blessed Josep Boschdemont Mitjavila
• Blessed Josep Maria Bru Ralduá
• Blessed Julio Alameda Camarero
• Blessed Lluís Domingo Oliva
• Blessed Mariano Navarro Blasco
• Blessed Miquel Saludes Ciuret
• Blessed Pedro de Eriz Eguiluz
They were martured on 11 November 1936 in Torredembarra, Tarragona, Spain, Beatification celebrated in Tarragona, Spain.

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 10 November – Saint Justus of Canterbury (Died 627)

Posted on November 10, 2021November 9, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 10 November – Saint Justus of Canterbury (Died 627) the Fourth Archbishop of Canterbury, also Bishop of Rochester, Missionary sent by St Gregory the Great to join St Augustine of Canterbury in the conversion of England.

The Roman Martyrology states: “In England, St Justus, Bishop, who was sent by Pope Gregory with St Augustine, St Mellitus and others, to preach the Gospel in that country. There he went to his repose in the Lord, celebrated for sanctity,“

For the particulars of his life we are almost entirely dependent on Venerable Bede’s “Historia Ecclesiastica.“

Justus was one of the second band of Missionaries sent by St Gregory the Great, the company which arrived in 601 to reinforce St Augustine and which conveyed the relics, books, sacred vessels and other gifts sent by the Pope.

It is not certain whether he was a secular Priest or a Monk. St Bede is silent on the point and only later monastic writers from Canterbury ,claim him as one of their own Order.

In 604 he was Consecrated by St Augustine as first Bishop of Rochester, on which occasion, King Ethelbert bestowed on the new See, by charter, a territory called Priestfield and other lands. Ethelbert also built Justus a Cathedral Church in Rochester; the foundations of a nave and chancel partly underneath the present-day Rochester Cathedral may date from that time.

After the death of Augustine, Justus joined with the new Archbishop, St Laurence and with St Mellitus of London, in addressing letters to the recalcitrant Irish Bishops urging the native Church to adopt the Roman method of calculating the date of Easter but without effect. In 614, Justus attended the Council of Paris, held by the Frankish King, Chlothar II, together with Peter, the Abbot of Sts Peter and Paul Monastery in Canterbury,

During the heathen reaction which followed the death of Ethelbert, Justus was expelled from his See and took refuge in Gaul for a year, after which he was recalled by Eadbald who had been converted by St Laurence.

On the death of St Mellitus (24 April, 624) who had succeeded St Laurence as the Archbishop, Justus was elected to the vacant primacy. The letter which Pope Boniface addressed to him when sending him the Pallium is preserved by Venerable St Bede. He was already an old man and little is recorded of his Archiepiscopate except that he Consecrated Romanus as Bishop of Rochester and St Paulinus as Bishop for the North.

His anniversary was kept at Canterbury on 10 November but there is uncertainty as to the year of his death, although 627, the commonly received date, would appear to be correct, especially as it fits in with the period of three years usually assigned by the chroniclers to his Archiepiscopate.

He was buried with his predecessors at St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury and is commemorated in the English supplement to the Missal and Breviary on 10 November. In the 1090s, his remains were translated, to a Shrine beside the high Altar of St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury. At about the same time, a Life was written by the Monk Goscelin of Saint-Bertin, as well as a poem by another Monk and writer, Reginald of Canterbury.

Statue of St Justus at Rochester Cathedral

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of the Turning Eyes, Rottweil, Germany (1643) and Memorials of the Saints – 10 November

Posted on November 10, 2021November 9, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Muttergottes von der Augenwende / Our Lady of the Turning Eyes, Rottweil, Germany (1643) – 10 November:

In 1643 the City of Rottweil was under siege by French troops during the Thirty Years’ War. As cited in the original Dominican document, 300 citizens of the Town ceaselessly prayed the Rosary at a Statue of the Madonna and Child at the Dominican church. On 10 November 1643 witnesses saw the Statue turn pale and raise its eyes toward heaven then back to the City. Some claimed to have heard it speak. Both Catholics and non-Catholics witnessed the event. Fifteen days later, the Statue’s face turned reddish and the eyes moved again while shedding tears. At the same time, the French and Saxe-Weimar troops were defeated by Bavarian troops in the Battle of Tuttlingen. The victory was attributed to the intercession of Mary.
The Statue remained in the Church until 1802 following the secularisation of Germany, when the Monastery was dissolved and the Church was seized by the Kingdom of Württemberg. At this time the Statue was transferred to the City’s main Church, the Holy Cross Münster. A solemn procession was held to relocate the Statue on 29 December of that year. The Dominican Church later became the Town’s Protestant church, the Predigerkirche.

St Pope Leo the Great (c 400 – 461) Father & Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – Benedict XVI said that Leo’s papacy “…was undoubtedly one of the most important in the Church’s history.”
His Feast day – 11 April (pre-1969 calendar).
About:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/10/saint-of-the-day-10-november-st-pope-leo-i-doctor-of-the-church-c-400-461/

St Aedh Mac Bricc

St Andrew Avellino (1521 – 1608) Theatine Priest, Confessor, Canon and Civil Lawyer, Reformer, Founder of many new Theatine houses, Preacher, Spiritual Advisor.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/10/saint-of-the-day-10-november-st-andrew-avellino-cr-1521-1608/

St Anianus the Deacon
St Baudolino
St Demetrius of Antioch
St Elaeth the King
St Eustosius of Antioch
St Grellen
St Guerembaldus
St Hadelin of Sees
Bl Joaquín Piña Piazuelo
St John of Ratzenburg
St Joseph the Martyr
St Justus of Canterbury (Died 627) Archbishop

St Leo of Melun
St Monitor of Orleans
St Narses of Subagord
St Nonnus of Heliopolis
St Orestes of Cappadocia
St Probus of Ravenna
St Theoctiste of Lesbos
St Tryphaena of Iconium
St Tryphosa of Iconium
—
Martyred Sisters Adorers – 23 beati: 23 nuns, all members of the Sisters Adorers, Handmaids of Charity and of the Blessed Sacrament who were martyred together in the Spanish Civil War.
• Blessed Aurea González
• Blessed Belarmina Pérez Martínez
• Blessed Cecilia Iglesias del Campo
• Blessed Concepción Vázquez Areas
• Blessed Dionisia Rodríguez De Anta
• Blessed Emilia Echevarría Fernández
• Blessed Felipa Gutierrez Garay
• Blessed Francisca Pérez de Labeaga García
• Blessed Josepa Boix Rieras
• Blessed Lucía González García
• Blessed Luisa Pérez Adriá
• Blessed Magdalena Pérez
• Blessed Manuela Arriola Uranda
• Blessed María Dolores Hernández San Torcuato
• Blessed María Dolores Monzón Rosales
• Blessed María García Ferreiro
• Blessed Maria Mercè Tuñi Ustech
• Blessed María Zenona Aranzábal de Barrutia
• Blessed Prima de Ipiña Malzárraga
• Blessed Purificación Martínez Vera
• Blessed Rosa López Brochier
• Blessed Sinforosa Díaz Fernández
• Blessed Teresa Vives Missé
They were martyred on 10 November 1936 in Madrid, Spain.

Martyrs of Agde – 3 saints: A group of Christians who were tortured and martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only about them to survive are the names – Florentia, Modestus and Tiberius. Martyred c 303 in Agde, France.

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 November – ‘ … The true Temple, also contains buyers and sellers … ‘

Posted on November 9, 2021November 9, 2021 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 9 November – “Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” –Feast Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour in the Lateran and the Memorial of Blessed Gabriel Ferretti OFM (1385-1456) – Gospel: John 2:13-22

“He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area… ” – John 2:15

REFLECTION – “The Apostle Paul says: “The Temple of God, which you are, is holy” (1 Cor 3:17), that is to say – all you who believe in Christ, believing even to loving. … All who thus believe are the living stones of which God’s temple is built (1 Pt 2:5), they are like the imperishable wood of which the Ark was built that the flood could not overwhelm (Gn 6:14). This temple – the people of God, human persons themselves – is the place where God answers those who pray. People who pray to God outside this temple cannot have their prayers, for the peace of the Jerusalem above answered, even though they are answered regarding particular material things that God grants, even to pagans. … But it is an altogether different thing to have one’s prayers answered in the matter of eternal life. This is only granted to those who pray inside God’s temple.

For someone who prays within God’s Temple prays within the peace of the Church, in the unity of Christ’s Body, since the Body of Christ is built up of the multitude of believers spread over all the world. … And someone who prays in the peace of the Church, prays “in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23) of which the former Temple was only a symbol.

In fact, it was for our instruction that our Lord cast out of the temple those men who were only seeking their own interest and who only went there to buy and sell. If that first temple had to undergo this purification, then it is clear, that the Body of Christ too, the true Temple, also contains buyers and sellers among those who pray there, that is to say, people only seeking “their own interests and not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil 2,21). … But the time will come when the Lord will cast out all those sinners.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, North Africa, Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church (Sermon on Psalm 130, # 1-2)

PRAYER – Almighty God, as we recall with joy, the Dedication of this house of Yours on each recurring anniversary, listen to Your people’s prayer and grant that our worship here may be a sincere and holy service, honouring Your Name and bringing us the fullness of redemption. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.

franciscan OFM, INCORRUPTIBLES, MYSTICS, QUOTES "CARPE DIEM" - Seize the Day

Saint of the Day – 9 November – Blessed Gabriel Ferretti OFM (1385-1456)

Posted on November 9, 2021November 8, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 9 November – Blessed Gabriel Ferretti OFM (1385-1456) Priest, Friar of the Order of Friars Minor,, Provincial Superior, Mystic. renowned missionary Preacher. He was zealous in the restoration and establishment of new Convents. Born in 1385 at Ancona, Italy and died on 12 November 1456 in Ancona, Piceno, Italy of natural causes. He was an ancestor to both Cardinal Gabriele Ferretti and Blessed Pope Pius IX, having been descended from a long noble lineage. Patronage – Ancona. His body is incorrupt.

Gabriel was born in 1385 and belonged to the ancient ducal family of the Ferretti. His devout parents raised him in the fear of God and in his eighteenth year he entered the Franciscan Order. His efforts at acquiring virtue won for him so great a degree of the respect and confidence of his brethren that, shortly after his Ordination to the Priesthood, when he was only twenty-five years old, he was appointed to preach missions in the March of Ancona. For fifteen years he devoted himself to this important task with blessed success.

He was then assigned to the office of Guardian of the Convent of Ancona and later he was elected Provincial of the Province of the March. In both offices he was careful to guide his subjects well. He shirked no labour and he could be very severe if it was necessary to correct an evil. He achieved the greatest results, however, by his own bright example of virtue, which induced weak and lax characters to exert themselves manfully in observing the rule.

His reputation for preaching to the masses was noted to the point, where Giacomo della Marca – who was preaching in Bosnia – asked for his help in that task. But the Ancona council in their deliberations on 22 February 1438 passed a resolution asking Pope Eugene IV to ensure the Friar remained in Ancona, due to all his good works. The Pope accepted this request, which meant that Gabriel could not go to Bosnia to aid his friend.

The following incident is proof of his great humility and piety. Once while he was journeying to Assisi, he went into the Franciscan Church at Foligno to pray. The Sacristan, who took him for a Brother, bade him serve the Mass of a Priest who had just gone to the Altar. The humble Provincial obeyed but when the guardian of the Convent recognised the venerable Superior of the Province of the March, in the server, he severely reproached the Sacristan. Father Gabriel defended the Sacristan, saying:

“To serve Mass is a great privilege. The Angels would consider themselves honoured. So do not blame the Brother for conferring that honour on me!”

Gabriel’s zeal to promote the interests of the Order was as great as his humility. At San Severino he restored a Convent that had fallen into ruin. At Osimo he built a new Convent. The Convent at Ancona he enlarged, in order to accommodate the great number of novices attracted to it by the fame of his sanctity.

Blessed Gabriel Ferretti possessed an ardent love of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and he unwittingly gave expression to it, in all his sermons. Frequently he was favoured with visions of Our Lord and of the Blessed Virgin.

Rich in virtue and merits, Blessed Gabriel Ferretti died on 12 November 1456, in the Convent at Ancona, assisted in his last hour by the servant of God Gregory of Alba, and St James of the March. The latter delivered his funeral oration. To this day his body is incorrupt and the many miracles wrought through his intercession have increased the devotion of the faithful to him. On 19 September 1753 Pope Benedict XIV solemnly confirmed his veneration.

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, franciscan OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of the Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran, Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena / Our Lady of Almudena, Madrid, Spain (712) and Memorials of the Saints – 9 November

Posted on November 9, 2021November 8, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran (Feast):

The oldest and first in rank of the four Basilicas of Rome. The name is derived from the Laterani family, on the site of whose Palace the Basilica stands. King Constantine presented this Palace to the Church. Its annual celebration throughout the Latin Church is a sign of love and unity with the Papacy and Pope.
The original Church building, probably adapted from the hall of the palace, was dedicated to the Saviour and from its splendour was known as the Basilica Aurea. Though several times destroyed and rebuilt, the Basilica retained its ancient form, being divided by rows of columns into aisles and having an atrium with colonnades. The restoration of the 17th century changed its appearance. A Monastery was formerly between the Basilica and the City wall of which the cloister still remains. The original apse survived until 1878, when it was destroyed and a deeper apse built. The ancient mosaics have been preserved The high Altar, which is of wood and is believed to have been used by Saint Peter, is now encased in marble. In the upper part of the baldachinum are the heads of the Apostles, Peter and Paul. The Baptistery is an octagonal edifice with porphyry columns. The font is of green basalt. This Basilica has been the Cathedral of Rome since the 4th century.

More here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/09/feast-of-the-dedication-of-the-basilica-of-saint-john-lateran-9-november/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/09/feast-of-the-dedication-of-st-john-lateran-9-november/

Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena / Our Lady of Almudena, Madrid, Spain (712) – 9 Novemnber:

The Virgin of Almudena is a medieval icon of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. The image is the advocation of the Virgin that serves as a Patroness of Madrid, Spain.
Intriguingly, however, its name derives from the Arabic term of Al Mudayna, or the citadel. There are various legends regarding the Statue. One of the historical legends is that in 712, prior to the capture of the Town by the advancing Muslim forces, the inhabitants of the Town secreted the image of the Virgin, for its own protection, inside the walls surrounding the town. In the 11th century, when Madrid was reconquered by the King Alfonso VI of Castile, the Christian soldiers endeavoured to find the Statue. After days of prayer, the spot on the wall hiding the icon crumbled, revealing the Statue. Another legend is that as Christian soldiers approached the Town, they had a vision of Mary imploring them to allow her to lead them into the City. Again the miraculous crumbling of the wall occurred, with the Statue showing an entry route through the walls.
The Cathedral of Madrid is dedicated to this advocation of the Virgin and her feast day, 9 November, is a major holiday in Madrid. Below is this beautiful Cathedral.

St Agrippinus of Naples
St Alexander of Salonica
St Aurelius of Riditio
St Benignus of Armagh
St Eustolia
St Francisco José Marín López de Arroyave
Blessed Gabriel Ferretti OFM (1385-1456) Priest
Bl George Napper
Bl Gratia of Cattaro
Bl Helen of Hungary
Bl Henryk Hlebowicz
St Jane of Segna

Blessed Ludovico Morbioli (1433-1485) Penitent, Preacher, Ascetic.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/09/saint-of-the-day-9-november-blessed-ludovico-morbioli-1433-1485/

St Justo Juanes Santos
St Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi
St Luis Morbioli
St María de la Salud Baldoví Trull
Bl María del Carmen of the Child Jesus
St Pabo
St Sopatra
St Theodore Stratelates
St Ursinus of Bourges
St Valentín Gil Arribas
St Vitonus of Verdun
—
Martyrs of Constantinople – 3 saints: A group of ten Catholic Christians who tried to defend an image of Jesus over the Brazen Gate of Constantinople from an attack by Iconoclasts during the persecutions of emperor Leo the Isaurian. The group of was seized by soldiers, condemned by judges for opposing the emperor, and martyred. The only details that have survived are three of their names – Julian, Marcian and Maria. They were martyred in 730 at Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey).

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Anastasio Garzón González
• Blessed Francisco José Marín López de Arroyave
• Blessed Justo Juanes Santos
• Blessed María de la Salud Baldoví Trull
• Blessed Valentín Gil Arribas

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 November – Saint Willehad of Bremen (Died 789)

Posted on November 8, 2021November 7, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 8 November – Saint Willehad of Bremen (Died 789) First Bishop of Bremen, Germany, Confessor, Benedictine Monk and Priest, a friend of Blessed Alcuin of York, disciple of St Boniface, Missionary. Born in the 8th Century in Northumbria, England and died in 789 in Bremen, Germany of natural causes. Patronage – Saxony. Also known as – Willihad.

The Roman Martyrology states: “At Bremen, St Willehad, first Bishop of that City, who, in conjunction with St Boniface, whose disciple he was, spread the Gospel in Friesland and Saxony.“

Willehad was born in Northumbria and probably received his education at York under Bishop Ecgbert. He was Ordained after his education, and about the year 766, he went to Frisia, to continue the missionary work of St Boniface who had been Martyred by the Frisians in 754. At an assembly in Paderborn in 777, Saxony was divided into missionary zones. The zone between the Weser and the Elbe, called Wigmodia, was given to Willehad.

From 780 Willehad preached in the region of the lower Weser River on commission from Charlemagne. He barely escaped with his life when the Frisians wanted to kill him and he returned to the area around Utrecht. Once again, he and his fellow missionaries barely escaped with their lives, when the local pagans wanted to kill them for destroying some temples. Finally, in 780, Charlemagne sent him to evangelise the Saxons. He preached to them for two years but, in 782, the Saxons under Widukind, rebelled against Charlemagne and Willehad was forced to flee to Frisia. He took the opportunity to travel to Rome, where he reported to Pope Adrian I on his work.

Upon his return from Rome, Willehad retired for a time to the Monastery of Echternach, in present-day Luxembourg. He spent two years there reassembling his missionary team.

After Charlemagne’s conquest of the Saxons, Willehad preached in the region around the lower Elbe and the lower Weser. In 787 Willehad was Consecrated Bishop and that part of Saxony and Friesland, near the mouth of the Weser, was assigned to him for his Diocese. He chose as his seat, the City of Bremen, which is mentioned for the first time in documents of 782 and built a Cathedral there. Praised for its beauty by Ansgar, it was dedicated in 789.

Willehad died in Blexen-upon-Weser, today a part of Nordenham. He is buried in the City’s Cathedral, which he Consecrated shortly before his death on 8 November 789. Bishop St Ansgar compiled a life of Willehad and the preface which he wrote was considered a masterpiece for that age. In 860, a sick girl from Wege travelled to his grave. There, she was cured by a miracle. This was the first time the small village was mentioned in any historical documents.

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Octave Day of All Saints, Notre-Dame de Bellefontaine / Our Lady of the Blessed Fountain, Bellefontaine, France (12th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 8 November

Posted on November 8, 2021November 7, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Octave Day of All Saints

Notre-Dame de Bellefontaine / Our Lady of the Blessed Fountain, Bellefontaine, France (12th Century) – 8 November:

According to tradition it was sometime in the 13th century when a man, who was hunting near the Benedictine Abbey, severely injured his hand. The injury was so severe, that the man feared that he might lose his life from the loss of blood which would not cease. Having with him a bowl, he filled it with fresh water he found nearby and placed his hand in it as he prayed devotedly to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intervention The man’s faith was rewarded, as the hunter looked at his hand to witness the wound miraculously close as if he had never been injured at all.
In recognition of the miracle, he later returned to site, bringing with him, a Statue of the Blessed Virgin. When the news of the miracle became widely known. it attracted many pilgrims from all over Europe. Thus, starting in the 13th century, the Statue of the Virgin was venerated under the title of Notre-Dame-de-Bellefontaine. A small Chapel was also built around the Statue of the Virgin Mary.
Shortly before the coming of the French Revolution, a Church was built, whose care was entrusted to a local hermit. The Statue of the Blessed Virgin miraculously escaped the revolutionary turmoil and the place remained a place of celebration for the faithful of the two neighbouring counties. The nearby Benedictine Abbey, which had been founded at the end of the eleventh century, was plundered and confiscated by the state during the Revolution and then sold in the year 1791. In 1794 some of the buildings were set ablaze and the rest of the Abbey left in ruins. Some of the property was purchased on 17 january 1817, by a Trappist Monk, Urban Guillet and it once again became a flourishing Monastery.

The pool from which the hunter obtained the water still exists and is now protected behind a metal grate. There is also a modern Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in a grotto nearby, as the original Statue disappeared during the fighting and chaos of World War I. Its current whereabouts is unknown.

The Abbey Church with the new Statue above the Altar.

St Adeodatus I, Pope
St Clair of Tours
St Cybi of Caenarvon
St Drouet

Blessed John Duns Scotus OFM (c 1265-1308) Doctor Subtilis (Subtle Doctor) Franciscan Priest and Friar, Theologian, Philosopher, Lecturer – known as “The minstrel of the Word Incarnate” and “Defender of Mary’s Immaculate Conception”.
Blessed John Duns Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-blessed-john-duns-scotus-ofm-c-1265-1308/

St Elizabeth of the Trinity O.Carm (1880-1906) Virgin, Carmelite Nun, Mystic, Writer, gifted Pianist.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-st-elizabeth-of-the-trinity-o-c-d-1880-1906/

St Gervadius
St Giuse Nguyen Ðình Nghi

St Godfrey of Amiens OSB (1066–1115) Bishop of Amiens, Reformer, Apostle of Prayer and Charity, Penitent.
About St Godfrey:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-saint-godfrey-of-amiens-osb-1066-1115/

St Gregory of Einsiedeln
St John Baptist Con
Bl Maria Crucified Satellico
St Martinô Tho
St Martinô Ta Ðuc Thinh
St Maurus of Verdun
St Moroc of Scotland
St Phaolô Nguyen Ngân
St Tysilio of Wales
St Willehad of Bremen (Died 789) Bishop Confessor
St Wiomad of Trèves
—
All Deceased Dominicans

All Saints of the Diocese of Evry: A regional memorial of all the saints and beati of the calendar who have a connection to the Diocese of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
• Blessed Isabella of France, founded the Longchamp monastery
• Blessed Nicolas Gaudreau, pastor of Vert-le-Petit
• Blessed Pierre Bonse, pastor of Massy
• Our Lady of Good Guard, patron saint of the diocese, venerated in Longpont-sur-Orge, France
• Saint Corbinian, born in Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon
• Saint Denis of Paris, evangelizer of part of Essonne and revered ni Longpont-sur-Orge
• Saint Eloi, who lived in Chilly-Mazarin
• Saint Germain of Paris
• Saint William of Bourges, son of Count Baldwin IV of Corbeil
• Saint William of Aebelholt, pastor of Brunoy
• Saint Wulfran of Sens, born in Milly-la-Forêt
• Blessed Nativelle, vicar of Longjumeau
• Blessed René Le Bris, pastor of Bris-sous-Forges
• Saint Spire of Bayeux, whose relics are in Corbeil in the cathedral that bears his name
All Saints of Wales

Augustinian Martyrs of Spain

Four Crowned Martyrs: Saint Castorus, Saint Claudius, Saint Nicostratus and Saint Simpronian. Skilled stone carvers in the 3rd century quarries. Martyred when they refused to carve an idol of Aesculapius for Diocletian. They were drowned in the River Sava in 305. Patronages – against fever, cattle, sculptors, stone masons, stonecutters.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War
• BlessedAntolín Pablos Villanueva
• BlessedLaureano Pérez Carrascal
• BlessedManuel Sanz Domínguez
• BlessedMaximino Serrano Sáiz

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 7 November – Saint Engelbert of Cologne (c 1185-1225)

Posted on November 7, 2021November 6, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 7 November – Saint Engelbert of Cologne (c 1185-1225) Archbishop Martyr, Count, Guardian and Chancellor of the Empire on behalf of the young King, protector of the Monasteries and religious Orders, Apostle of the poor. Born in .1185 at Berg in modern Germany and died by being stabbed to death on the evening of 7 November 1225 near Schwelm, Germany, by a member of his own family.. Also known as – Engelbert of Berg.

Engelbert, was born in Berg around the year 1185 to Engelbert, Count of Berg and Margaret, daughter of the Count of Gelderland. He studied at the Cathedral school of Cologne and, while still a boy, was made administrator of the Churches of St George and St Severin at Cologne and of St Mary’s at Aachen, as it was a common in the Church at the time, to appoint the children of nobles to such positions.

In 1199, he was elected administrator of the Cathedral at Cologne. He led a worldly life and in the conflict between two Archbishops, Adolf and Bruno, he sided with his cousin Adolf and waged war for him. Consequently, he was excommunicated by the Pope along with his cousin. After his submission, he was reinstated in 1208 and, to atone for his sin, joined the Crusade against the Albigenses in 1212. On 29 February 1216, the chapter of the Cathedral elected him Archbishop by a unanimous vote.

The mendicant orders of the Franciscans and the Dominicans, settled in his realm while he was Archbishop. He was well disposed towards the Monasteries and insisted on strict religious observance in them. Ecclesiastical affairs were regulated in provincial synods. He was considered a friend of the clergy and a helper of the poor.

Engelbert exerted a strong influence in the affairs of the Empire. Emperor Frederick II, who had taken up his residence permanently in Sicily, gave Germany to his son, Henry VII, then still a minor and in 1221 appointed Engelbert Guardian of the King and administrator of the Empire. When the young King reached the age of twelve, he was crowned at Aachen by Engelbert, who loved him as his own son and honoured him as his sovereign. Engelbert watched over the young King’s education and governed the Empire in his name, careful to secure peace, both within and without of the realm.

Engelbert’s devotion to duty, and his obedience to the Pope and to the Emperor, were eventually the cause of his ruin. Many of the nobility feared, rather than loved him and he was obliged to surround himself with bodyguards. The greatest danger came from his relatives who were jealous of his position.

His cousin, Count Frederick of Isenberg, the secular administrator for the Nuns of Essen, had grievously oppressed that Abbey. Pope Honorius III and the Emperor, urged Engelbert to protect the Nuns and their rights. Frederick wished to forestall the Archbishop and his wife incited him to murder. On 7 November 1225, as he was journeying from Soest to Schwelm to Consecrate a Church, Engelbert was attacked on a dark evening by Frederick and his associates, was wounded in the thigh, torn from his horse and killed. His body was covered with forty-seven wounds. It was placed on a dung-cart and brought to Cologne four days later. King Henry wept bitterly over the remains, put Frederick under the ban of the Empire and saw him broken on the wheel a year later at Cologne. Frederick died contrite, having acknowledged and confessed his guilt.

Engelbert’s body was placed in the old Cathedral of Cologne on 24 February 1226, by Cardinal Conrad von Urach, the Papal Legate. The latter also declared him a Martyr, although a formal canonisation did not take place. In the Martyrology, Engelbert is commemorated on 7 November as a Martyr. and Saint. A Convent for Nuns was erected at the place of his death.

“True Guardian of the King,
thy exalted traits do honour
to our Emperor;
Chancellor whose like
has never been.” – Walther von der Vogelweide, Poet, writing about Engelbert

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers, Onze Liewe Vrou van Scherpenheuvel / Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Belgium (17th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 7 November

Posted on November 7, 2021November 6, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers: “Fountain of all holiness, you stirred up in our holy brothers and sisters an extraordinary love of truth, conformity to Christ crucified, and a thirst for the salvation of souls: may we imitate them in offering you thanks on account of the way of life they gave us.” — From the Intercessions at Lauds for the feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers.
Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-feast-of-all-dominican-saints/

Onze Liewe Vrou van Scherpenheuvel / Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel
Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Belgium (17th Century) – Commemorated on the First Sunday after the Feast of All Saints

For many years the Marian cult on the Scherpenheuvel (“Sharp Hill”) centred at an oak tree on top of the hill. According to the foundation legend, a shepherd noticed that the image had fallen to the ground and decided to take it home. When he had lifted it, he discovered he was unable to move. As the herd did not return in the evening, his master became concerned and went to look for the shepherd. Only by restoring the Statue to its original place in the oak tree, could the master release the shepherd, thereby discovering the spiritual importance of the site.
The inhabitants of the nearby Town of Zichem would frequent the site in the second half of the sixteenth century whenever they were in need of the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
After an official enquiry in 1604 Mathias Hovius, Archbishop of Mechelen, approved the cult of Scherpenheuvel . The approval was accompanied by the publication of a collection of miracles ascribed to the intercession of the Virgin of Scherpenheuvel, issued in Dutch, French and Spanish. An English translation followed in 1606. Philip Numan, who had authored the collection, produced two more editions (1605 and 1606) as well as three more collections (1613-1614, 1617 and 1617-1618) in short succession. Latin versions were later published too. According to these publications, close to 700 miracles were credited to the intercession of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, in the course of the seventeenth century. The Latin collections, in particular, caused a lot of controversy among theologians, with Calvinist authors ridiculing the whole idea of miraculous intercession by the Saints.
Meanwhile, it had been decided in 1602, to remove the Statue from the oak tree and house it in a small wooden Chapel nearby. Within the year, the Chapel proved too small and was replaced by a modest stone edifice. Its foundation stone was laid on 13 July 1603 by Count Frederik van den Bergh on behalf of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. From that point on, the Archdukes showed great interest in the development of the Shrine. Attributing the recent relief of the besieged Town of ‘s-Hertogenbosch to the intercession of the Virgin, Albert and Isabella made their first pilgrimage to Scherpenheuvel on 20 November 1603. It would soon become a yearly pilgrimage that took place in May or June and lasted the nine days of a novena.

Under the patronage of the Archdukes, the emerging Shrine was raised to the status of a Town in 1605 and of an independent Parish in 1610. Their support helped to ensure the grant of a Papal Indulgence on 16 September 1606, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Shortly after reaching a cease-fire with the United Provinces, on 28 August 1607, Albert and Isabella announced that they would build a vast Church and surround it with a planned and fortified Town. The foundation stone of the third and present Church was laid by them in person, on 2 July 1609, the Feast of the Visitation.

The iconographical decoration of the Basilica is particularly rich. The recurrent use of the number seven (in the shape of the Church and the Town, the number of Altars outside and inside, the shape of the stars on the dome) recalls the cult of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin.
The image of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel was solemnly crowned by Cardinal Victor-Auguste-Isidor Deschamps on behalf of the Blessed Pope Pius IX on 25 August 1872.
Fifty years later, on 2 May 1922, Pope Pius XI raised the Shrine to the status of a Minor Basilica.
On 2 February 2011, Pope Benedict XVI dedicated that year’s Golden Rose to the Basilica. It was ceremoniously presented by the Papal Nuncio Monsigneur Giacinto Berloco on 15 May 2011 with grand Pontifical ceremony.
The pilgrimage season runs from 1 May to the first week of November. In 2010 almost 1200 groups of pilgrims visited the Shrine, with parties travelling from as far as Soest in the Netherlands and Fulda in Germany.

St Achillas
St Amarand
St Amaranthus

Blessed Anthony Baldinucci SJ (1665-1717) Priest of the Society of Jesus, Preacher, Writer and Missionary.
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/saint-of-the-day-blessed-anthony-baldinucci-s-j-1665-1717/

St Athenodorus of Neo-Caesarea
St Auctus of Amphipolis
St Baud of Tours
St Blinlivet
St Congar
St Engelbert of Cologne (c 1185-1225) Archbishop Martyr
St Ernest of Mecca
St Florentius of Strasburg
St Gebetrude of Remiremont
St Herculanus of Perugia
St Hesychius of Mytilene
St Hieron of Mytilene
St Hyacinth Castañeda Puchasons
St Lazarus the Stylite
St Nicander of Mytilene
St Peter Ou
St Prosdocimus of Padua
St Prosdocimus of Rieti
St Raverranus of Séez
St Rufus of Metz
St Taurion of Amphipolis
St Thessalonica of Amphipolis
St Tremorus of Brittany
St Vincent Liem

St Vincenzo Grossi (1845-1917) Priest and Founder of the Daughters of the Oratory, Spiritual Director, Apostle of the Holy Eucharist and of Charity, renowned Preacher
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-saint-vincenzo-grossi-1845-1917/

St Willibrord (c 658 – 739) “Apostle to the Frisians,” Bishop, Missionary.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-st-willibrord-c-658-739-apostle-to-the-frisians/

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Alfredo Fanjul Acebal
• Blessed Andrés Francisco Simón Gómez
• Blessed Isabelino Carmona Fernández
• Blessed José Delgado Pérez
• Blessed José Vega Riaño
• Blessed Juan Mendibelzúa Ocerín
• Blessed Manuel Marín Pérez
• Blessed Serviliano Riaño Herrero
• Blessed Vicente Rodríguez Fernández

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 6 November – Saint Winnoc of Wormhoult (Died 716/717)

Posted on November 6, 2021November 5, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 6 November – Saint Winnoc of Wormhoult (Died 716/717) Abbot, miracle-worker. Born in the 7th Century in Wales and died on 6 November in 716 or 717 at Wormhoult, Belgium of natural causes. Patronages – against fever, against whooping cough, millers. Also known as – Winnoc of Flanders, Winnoc of Wormhoudt, Vinocus, Vinnoco, Winnow, Winoc, Winocus, Winok, Wunnoc, Winnok. Additional Memorials – 18 September (translation of relics) and 20 February (exaltation of Saint Winnoc).

The Roman Martyrology states today: “In the territory of Thérouanne in Austrasia, in today’s France, Saint Vinnoco, Abbot, who, of Breton origin, was welcomed by Saint Bertino among the Monks of Sithieu and then founded, with the work of his own hands, the Monastery of Wormhoudt.“

Winnoc is generally called a Breton but the Bollandist, Charles de Smedt shows, that he was more probably of Welsh origin. He is said to have been of noble birth, of the same house as the Kings of Domnonia. Some sources state that Winnoc’s father was Saint Judicael. He may have been raised and educated in Brittany, since his family had fled there to escape the Saxons. He is said to have founded the Church and parish of St Winnow in Cornwall, although this toponym may be connected with Saint Winwaloe.

Winnoc came to Flanders, to the Monastery of Saint-Omer, then ruled by St Bertin, with three companions and was soon sent to found, at Wormhoult, a dependent cell or priory. It is not known what rule, Columbanian or Benedictine, was followed ,at this time, in the two Monasteries.

When enfeebled by old age, St Winnoc received supernatural assistance in the task of grinding grain for his brethren and the poor. The mill ground the grain automatically due to the intercession of the Saint’s prayers. A Monk who, out of curiosity, came to see how the old man did so much work, was struck blind but healed by the Saint’s intercession. Many other miracles followed his death, which occurred on 6 November 716 or 717 (we only know the year from a fourteenth century tradition).

The popularity of St Winnoc’s cultus is attested by the frequent insertion of his name in liturgical documents and the numerous translations of his relics as well as the four hagiographies written of his life. He was originally buried at Wormhoult but his relics were translated to Bergues-Saint-Winnoc in 899. It is said that people who stood along the route taken by the Monks were reported to have been cured of many illnesses, especially coughs and fevers. His relics were invoked against drought. The Monastery was burned by Protestants in 1558. Some of Winnoc’s relics were destroyed.

His feast is kept on 6 November, that of his translation on 18 September; a third, the Exaltation of St Winnoc, on 20 February.

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JESUIT SJ, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN POETRY, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MODESTY, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – Jesuits

Posted on November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – The Memorial of All Jesuit Saints and Blesseds

“Hate what the world seeks
and seek, what it avoids.”

“God’s love calls us to move beyond fear.
We ask God for the courage
to abandon ourselves unreservedly,
so that we might be moulded
by God’s grace,
even as we cannot see
where that path may lead us.”

“Act as if everything depended on you;
trust as if everything depended on God.”

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

I Beg of You, My Lord
By St Peter Faber (1506-1546)

I beg of You, my Lord,
to remove anything which separates
me from You
and You from me.
Remove anything that makes me unworthy
of Your sight,
Your control,
Your reprehension;
of Your speech and conversation,
of Your benevolence and love.
Cast from me every evil
that stands in the way of my seeing You,
hearing, tasting, savouring and touching You,
fearing and being mindful of You,
knowing, trusting, loving and possessing You;
being conscious of Your Presence
and, as far as may be, enjoying You.
This is what I ask for myself
and earnestly desire from You.
Amen

“What a tragedy,
how many souls
are being shut out of heaven
and falling into hell,
thanks to you!”

St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552)

“This death … has already levelled
his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world,
that at my death,
I may live to God?”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

“We ought to instruct with meekness
those whom heresy has made bitter and suspicious
and has estranged from orthodox Catholics,
… Thus, by whole-hearted charity and goodwill,
we may win them over to us in the Lord.”

St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1397)
Doctor of the Church

“We … are under an obligation
to be the light of the world
by the modesty of our behaviour,
the fervour of our charity,
the innocence of our lives
and the example of our virtues.
Thus shall we be able
to raise the lowered prestige
of the Catholic Church
and, to build up again,
the ruins that others by their vices have caused.
Others, by their wickedness,
have branded the Catholic Faith
with a mark of shame,
we must strive,
with all our strength, to cleanse it
from its ignominy
and to restore it
to its pristine glory!”

The Burning Babe,

As I in hoary winter’s night
stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat
which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view
what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright
did in the air appear;
Who, scorchëd with excessive heat,
such floods of tears did shed
As though His floods should quench His flames
which with His tears were fed.
Alas, quoth He but newly born in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts
or feel my fire but I!
My faultless breast the furnace is,
the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire and sighs the smoke,
the ashes shame and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on
and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought
are men’s defiled souls,
For which, as now on fire I am
to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood.
With this He vanished out of sight
and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I called unto mind
that it was Christmas day.

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)
Priest and Martyr

“When He takes away
what He once lent us,
His purpose is to
store our treasure elsewhere,
more safely and bestow on us,
those very blessings,
that we ourselves
would most choose to have.”
(From A Letter to His Mother)

St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)

“The Catholic religion was the religion of your forefathers
and the only one Jesus Christ founded; –
the one which He promised would endure
till the end of time.
It is in the Catholic religion alone
that you can save your soul.”

“How long are you going to be deaf to His call?
Or are you going to lose your soul,
which Jesus Christ bought at the price
of His Precious Blood?”

St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640)

“… Make use of Our Lord
as an armour which covers [us] all about,
by means of which [we] shall resist
every device of [our] enemies.
You shall then be my Strength, O my God!
You shall be my Guide,
my Director,
my Counsellor,
my Patience,
my Knowledge,
my Peace,
my Justice
and my Prudence.”

“He promises to be [our] strength,
in proportion to the trust
which [we] place in Him.”

St Claude de la Colombiere SJ (1641-1682)
“Apostle of the Sacred Heart”

The May Magnificat
By Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

May is Mary’s month and I
Muse at that and wonder why:
Her feasts follow reason,
Dated due to season-

Candlemas, Lady Day:
But the Lady Month, May,
Why fasten that upon her,
With a feasting in her honour?
Ask of her, the mighty Mother:
Her reply puts this other
Question: What is Spring?
Growth in everything-
All things rising, all things sizing
Mary sees, sympathising
With that world of good,
Nature’s motherhood.

Well but there was more than this:
Spring’s universal bliss
Much, had much to say
To offering Mary May.

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 November – Saint Bertille (c 629-c 703)

Posted on November 5, 2021November 4, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 5 November – Saint Bertille (c 629-c 703) Virgin, Abbess, spiritual student of St Ouen (also known as St Audoin). Born at Soissons, France and died in c 703 of natural causes. Also known as – Bertilla.

St Bertille was born of one of the most illustrious families in the territory of Soissons, in the reign of Dagobert I and by her piety, acquired the true nobility of the children of God. From her infancy she preferred the love of God to that of creatures, shunned as much as possible, the company and amusements of the world and employed her time in serious duties and chiefly in holy prayer.

As she grew up, by relishing daily more and more. the sweetness of conversing with God, she learned perfectly, to despise the world and earnestly desired to renounce it. Not daring to discover this inclination to her parents, she first opened herself to St Ouen, by whom she was encouraged in her resolution. Self-love early disguises itself in every shape and the devil often transforms himself into an angel of light. Not to be deceived through precipitation and rashness in so important a choice as that of a state of life, impartial advice, prayer, careful self-examination and mature deliberation are necessary. These means having been employed, the saint’s parents were made acquainted with her desire, which God inclined them not to oppose. They conducted her to Jouarre, great Monastery in Brie, four leagues from Meaux, founded not long before, about the year 630, by Ado, the elder brother of St. Ouen, who took the monastic habit there with many other young noblemen and established a nunnery in the neighbourhood, which became the principal house.

St Thelchildes, a Virgin of noble descent, who seems to have been educated or first professed in the Monastery of Faremoutier, was the first Abbess of Jouarre and governed that house until about the year 660. By her and her religious community, St Bertille was received with great joy and trained in the strictest practice of monastic perfection. Our saint, looking upon this solitude as a secure harbour, never ceased to return thanks to God for His infinite mercy in having drawn her out of the tempestuous ocean of the world but was persuaded she could never deserve to become the spouse of Jesus Christ ,unless she endeavoured to follow Him in the path of humiliation and self-denial. By her perfect submission to all her sisters she seemed everyone’s servant and in her whole conduct, was a model of humility, obedience, regularity and devotion. Though she was yet young, her prudence and virtue appeared consummate and the care of entertaining strangers, of the sick and of the children that were educated in the Monastery was successfully committed to her. In all these employments she had acquitted herself with great charity and edification when she was chosen Prioress to assist the Abbess in her administration. In this office, her tender devotion, her habitual sense of the divine presence and her other virtues, shone forth with new lustre and had a wonderful influence on the direction of the whole community.

When St Bathildes, wife of Clovis II, munificently refounded the Abbey of Chelles, which St Clotildis had instituted near the Marne, four leagues from Paris, she desired St Thelchildes to furnish this new community with a small colony of the most experienced and virtuous Nuns of Jouarre, who might direct the novices in the rule of monastic perfection. Bertille was sent at the head of this holy company and was appointed the first Abbess of Chelles, in 646, or thereabouts. The reputation of the sanctity and prudence of our saint and the excellent discipline which she established in this house, drew several foreign princesses to desire admittance. Among others Bede mentions Hereswith, Queen of the East-Angles. She was daughter of Hereic, brother or brother-in-law to St Edwin, King of Northumberland and married the religious King Annas, with whose consent she renounced the world and, passing into France, in 646, became a Nun at Chelles. Queen Bathildes, after the death of her husband in 655, was left Regent of the Kingdom during the minority of her son Clotaire III but as soon as he was of age to govern, in 665, she retired to Chelies, took the religious habit from the hands of St Bertille, obeyed her as if she had been the last sister in the house and passed to the glory of the Angels in 680. In this numerous family of holy Queens, Princesses and Virgins, no contests arose but those of humility and charity. The holy Abbess, who saw two great Queens everyday at her feet, seemed the most humble and the most fervent among her sisters and showed, by her conduct, that no-one commands well or with safety, who has not first learned and is not always ready,, to obey well.

St Bertille governed this great Monastery for the space of forty six years with equal vigour and discretion. In her old age, far from abating her fervour, she strove daily to redouble it both in her penances and in her devotions. In these holy dispositions of fervour the saint closed her penitential life in around 703. (Rev Alban Butler).

JESUIT SJ, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of the Holy Relics, Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa / Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Monte Sião, Brazil (1939) and Memorials of the Saints

Posted on November 5, 2021November 4, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Holy Relics:
About: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-5-november/

Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa / Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Monte Sião, Brazil (1939) – 5 November now moved to 27 November:

The first Church in Monte Sião appeared in 1849, dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, built by the founder of the place, Antonio Bernardes de Souza. The official Consecration of the Church took place on 13 April 1850. In the Parish of Father Luigi Cocoresi, from 1883 to 1890, more precisely in 1881, the Chapel was replaced by the Parish Church, built on top of in in the same square. The new Church was also built of clay based on strips of sawn wood.
In the parish administration of Fr. José Eugênio de Faria – Fr Zequinha – in 1934, the construction of the current Mother Church began, which is located in the same place as the previous otwo
The Church’s architecture resembles the style of Roman art from the 12th century and the main Altar is entirely carved in wood, where the centenary image of the Patron Saint, the Blessed Mother, can be seen. The image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which adorns the main Altar, was brought to Monte Sião around 1860 and came from Portugal, through a Portuguese farmer, Mr João Pereira Batista Machado, who would have funded both its acquisition and the transportation. The image arrived at the Port of Rio de Janeiro and was brought to the City on the back of animals, inside a cargo jack and wrapped in dry corn husk.

In 1937, at the request of the Bishop, the image was removed from the Altar and sent to a Chapel in the countryside, claiming that the Statue looked too modern.
The faithful greatly missed the Statue in the Igreja Matriz. It was then, that between 1937 and 1939, the City of Monte Sião was inflicted by a period of great drought. There was rain in every other City but not there. The people then associated the lack of rain with the absence of the Statue of their Patron and went to intercede with the Parish Priest, to bring the Statue back. On 5 November 1939, the Statue was allowed to return. The day was sunny and a procession was held to honour the Patroness.
When the Statue reached the City, the first drops began to fall and then a heavy rain, soaking everyone. This was called the rain miracle and after that, everything went smoothly. The Statue underwent a restoration in the year 2015, which returned all the original features to the image, which had been lost with previous restorations.
Although the Feast was 5 November it was moved to co-incide with the official Feast of the Miraculous Medal, 27 November, which is a local public holiday, when it is celebrated after a Novena between 18 and 26 November, with a Mass in honour of the Patron , the Blessed Maria of the Miraculous Medal.

All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus:

The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, was Founded in 1534 by Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) at Montmartre, Paris, France. A body of clerics regular organised for Apostolic work, following a religious rule and relying on alms for their support. It was the chief instrument of the Catholic Reformation. Pope Paul III approved the new rule in 1540 and Ignatius was elected the first general of the order in 1541. The constitutions, drafted by him and based on his Spiritual Exercises were adopted in 1558. It was the first order which enjoined by its constitutions devotion to the cause of education. The ministry of the Society consists chiefly in preaching. teaching catechism. administering the sacraments. conducting missions in parishes, taking care of parishes. organising pious confraternities, teaching in schools of every grade, writing books, pamphlets, periodical articles, going on foreign missions and special missions when ordered by the current Holy Father, to whom they take a vow of total obedience. Our current Holy Father, Pope Francis is a Jesuit and has jokingly wondered aloud who is boss of whom in his Order. The general resides at Rome, Italy and has a council of assistants. The motto of the Society is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the greater glory of God).
All Jesuit Saints and Blesseds:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/05/feast-of-all-the-saints-and-blesseds-of-the-society-of-jesus/

St Augustine of Terracina
Bl Bernhard Lichtenberg
St Bertille (c 629-c 703) Abbess
St Canonica
St Comasia
St Ðaminh Mau
St Dominator of Brescia
St Elizabeth
St Domninus the Physician
St Epistemis
St Eusebius of Terracina
St Felix of Terracina
St Fibitius
St Galation
St Gerald of Beziers
Bl Gomidas Keumurjian
Bl Gregory Lakota
St Guetnoco
St Guido Maria Conforti
St St Hermenegild
St Idda
St Juan Antoni Burró Mas
St Juan Duarte Martín
St Kanten
St Kea
St Laetus of Orleans
St Magnus of Milan
St Mamete
St Marco of Troia
Bl María del Carmen Viel Ferrando
Bl Simon Ballachi
St Spinulus of Moyen-Moûtier
St Sylvanus of Syria
St Zachary
—
Martyrs of Caesarea Maritima – 4 saints: Four young Christian men who were martyred together in the persecutions of Maximian – Aussenzius, Philotheus, Timothy and Theotimus. They were martyred in the arena at Caesarea Maritima, Palestine.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Juan Antoni Burró Mas
• Blessed Juan Duarte Martín
• Blessed María del Carmen Viel Ferrando

GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo

Posted on November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – The Memorial of St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

“God wishes us not to rest
upon anything
but His infinite goodness;
do not let us
expect anything –
hope anything,
or desire anything
but from Him
and let us put our trust
and confidence in Him alone.”

“We must keep ourselves
in the presence of God
as much as possible
and have no other view
or end, in all our actions
but the divine honour.”

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-november-the-memorial-of-st-charles-borromeo-1538-1584/

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 4 November – Your Instrument – Prayer of St Charles Borromeo

Posted on November 4, 2021November 2, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 November – The Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Thy Instrument
By St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Almighty God,
Thou hast generously made known
to human beings,
the Mysteries of Thine Life
through Jesus Christ
Thy Son in the Holy Ghost.
Enlighten my mind
to know these Mysteries
which Thy Church
treasures and teaches.
Move my heart to love them
and my will, to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability
to teach this Faith to others,
without pride,
without ostentation
and without personal gain.
Let me realise that,
I am simply Thy instrument,
for bringing others to the knowledge
of the wonders Thou hast done
for all Thy creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task
Thou hast entrusted to me.
Amen

CHILDREN / YOUTH, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 4 November – Saint Emeric of Hungary (c 1007-1031)

Posted on November 4, 2021November 3, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 4 November – Saint Emeric of Hungary (c 1007-1031) Confessor, Prince and Heir to the Hungarian Throne, Son of St Stephen, the first King of Hungary, Married but lived in continence with his wife, having vowed his virginity to God. Born in c 1007 in Veszprém, Hungary and died by being killed by a boar while hunting on 2 September 1031 in Hungary, aged 24. Patronages – Youth, Hungarian Americans. Also known as – Emerick, Emmerich, Emmericus, Henricus, Henry. Additional Memorial – 5 November the date of his Canonisation.

Emeric is believed to have been the second son of Saint Stephen I. Named after his maternal Uncle St Henry II, the Holy Roman Emperor, he was the only one of Stephen’s sons who reached adulthood.

Emeric was educated in a strict and ascetic spirit by the Benedictine Monk from Venice, St Gerard Sagredo (980-1046), from the age of 15 to 23. He was intended to be the next Monarch of Hungary and his father wrote his Admonitions to prepare him for this task – here: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-st-stephens-letter-to-st-emeric/

St Stephen here: https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-st-stephen-of-hungary-c-975-038-apostle-of-hungary/ and St Gerard here: https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-saint-gerard-sagredo-osb-980-1046-bishop-and-martyr-the-apostle-of-hungary/

Emeric married a Byzantine Princess but according to a biography written between 1109 and 1116, he lived during marriage in perfect chastity, collaborating with his father King Stephen in the conversion of his subjects.

The succession plans of Emeric’s father could never be fulfilled, for on 2 September 1031, at age 24, Emeric was killed by a boar while hunting. It is believed that this happened in Hegyközszentimre (presently Sântimreu, Romania). He was buried in the Székesfehérvár Basilica. Several wondrous healings and conversions happened at his grave. On 5 November 1083 King Ladislaus I translated Emeric’s relics in a large ceremony. Emeric was Canonised for his pious life and purity, along with his father and Bishop Gerard by Pope Gregory VII.

On the 900th Anniversary of the death of Prince Emeric, a National Memorial Year was organised in 1930–1931 and the village of Pestszentimre was named after him. The Church in the district also bears the name of the Saint-Prince and the first public Statue of the district depicts Saint Emeric. The Saint Emeric Memorial Year proclaimed for 1930–1931 moved the whole country and the settlements around Pest, which are now parts of Budapest. The two-year event series was such an important event that Pestszentimre, which belongs to the 18th District today, took the name of our first King’s, St. Stephen’s, son. The settlement had previously been called Soroksárpéteri.

St Emeric’s Church in the Town named for him

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Santa Maria alla Porta Luigi / Our Lady of Port Louis, Milan and Memorials of the Saints – 4 November

Posted on November 4, 2021November 3, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Santa Maria alla Porta Luigi / Our Lady of Port Louis, Milan, Italy – 4 November:

The ancient City of Milan, Italy, has had three completely different systems of walls defending the City throughout the ages. The oldest walls were Roman, built in the Republican and Imperial eras. The second wall was built in the 12th century, shortly after the City was razed by Frederick Barbarossa. The third, and final wall system was built in the 16th century by the Spanish rulers of Milan. Even though in most places there is little left of the walls, the gates, or “ports” contributed to the layout of the City as the streets passed through the gates from a central hub. The Roman gates were Porta Romana, Porta Ticinese, Porta Vercellina and so on, with each wall having gates with a variety of names. None of them, however, has had the name of Porta Luigi There is no Church in Milan to St. Louis and I can find no reference to this feast of Mary, that was once famous enough to have a date on the calendar. (https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-port-louis.html).

I (Ana) have found a Church called “Santa Maria alla Porta” (Holy Mary at the Gate), see below, which dates from very early times, certainly before the 12th Century. Although a Church already stood in the same Milanese location since before the year 1105, the present Church was erected in 1652 under Spanish rule.

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) Archbishop of Milan (Memorial)
About St Charles:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/saint-of-the-day-st-charles-borromeo-1538-1584/
And on the 400th Anniversary of St Charles’s Canonisation: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/pope-benedict-xvi-on-the-commemoration-of-the-fourth-centenary-of-the-canonisation-of-st-charles-borromeo-1538-1584-4-november-2010/

St Agricola of Bologna
St Amandus of Avignon
St Amandus of Rodez
St Birstan
St Clarus the Hermit
St Clether
St Emeric of Hungary (c 1007-1031) Confessor, Prince and heir to the Hungarian Throne, Son of St Stephen, King of Hungary

St Felix of Valois (1127 – 1212) Priest, Confessor, Hermit, Co-Founder of the Trinitarians.
His Feast day should be 20 November by order of Pope Innocent XI (General Roman Calendar 1679-1969).
About St Felix:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/04/saint-of-the-day-4-november-st-felix-of-valois-1127-1212/

Bl Frances d’Amboise
St Gerard de Bazonches
St Gregory of Burtscheid
Bl Helen Enselmini
Bl Henry of Zweifalten
St Hermas of Myra
Bl Joan Antoni Burró Mas
St Joannicus of Mount Olympus
St John Zedazneli
St Modesta of Trier
St Nicander of Lycia
St Patrobas
St Perpète
St Philologus
St Pierius
St Proculus of Autun
Bl Teresa Manganiello
St Vitalis of Bologna

PATRONAGE - OF DOGS and against DOG BITES and/or RABIES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 3 November – Saint Hubert of Liege (c 656-727) the “Apostle of the Ardennes,”

Posted on November 3, 2021November 2, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 3 November – Saint Hubert of Liege (c 656-727) the first Bishop of Maastricht, the “Apostle of the Ardennes,” spiritual student of Saint Lambert of Maastricht (c 635-c 700), excellent Preacher and devoted to the needs of the poor, widower and father to St Floribert of Liege. Born in c 656 at Maastricht, Netherlands and died on 30 May 727 at Fura (modern Tervueren), Brabant, Belgium of natural causes. Patronages – against dog bite, against hydrophobia, against mad dogs, against rabie. of archers, dogs, forest workers, furriers, hunters, huntsmen, hunting, Liege, Belgium, machinists, mathematician, metal workers, opticians, precision instrument makers, the Town of Saint-Hubert, Belgium, smelters, trappers . Also known as – Apostle of the Ardennes, Hubert the Hunter, Hubertus… Additional Memorial – 30 May (translation of relics).

Hubert likely was born in Toulouse about the year 656, the eldest son of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine. As a youth, Hubert was sent to the Court of Theuderic III at Paris, where his charm and agreeable manner ,led to his investment with the dignity of “Count of the Palace.” Hubert was a hunting enthusiast and spent a great deal of time in learning the skills of the sport.

About 682, Hubert married Floribanne, daughter of Dagobert, Count of Leuven. Their son, Floribert of Liège later would become Bishop of Liège and a Saint, in the footsteps of his father. Hubert soon followed his noble peers to the Austrasian Court and was warmly welcomed by Pepin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace, who entitled him, almost immediately, Grand Master of the household.

Hubert’s wife had died giving birth to their son Floribert and his grief prompted him to retreat from the Court. He withdrew into the forests of the Ardennes and gave himself up entirely to hunting.

On a Good Friday morning, while the faithful were in Church, Hubert was hunting in the forest. As he pursued a magnificent stag or hart, the animal turned and Hubert was astounded to see a Crucifix floating between its antlers. He heard a Voice saying: “Hubert unless thou turnest to the Lord and leadest a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into Hell.” Hubert dismounted and prostrated himself and after asking “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” he wasitold, “Go and seek Lambert and he will instruct you.“

Hubert set out immediately for Maastricht, to meet Lambert, a Bishop who received him kindly and became his spiritual director. Hubert renounced all his very considerable honours and gave up his birthright to the Aquitaine to his younger brother, Odo, whom he made guardian of his infant son, Floribert. Having distributed all his personal wealth among the poor, he studied for the Priesthood, was Ordained and soon after, became one of St Lambert’s assistants in the administration of his Diocese. By the advice of St Lambert, Hubert made a pilgrimage to Rome in 708 but during his absence, Lambert was assassinated by the followers of Pepin. According to the hagiographies of Hubert, this act was simultaneously revealed to the Pope in a vision, together with an injunction to appoint Hubert Bishop of Maastricht.

Saint Hubert being Consecrated Bishop by Pope Sergius I

Hubert distributed his episcopal revenues among the poor, was diligent in fasting and prayer and became well known for his eloquence in the pulpit. In 720, in obedience to a vision, Hubert translated St Lambert’s remains from Maastricht to Liège with great pomp and ceremony, with several neighbouring Bishops assisting. A Basilica to enshrine the elics was built upon the site of Lambert’s Martyrdom and was Consecrated as a Cathedral the following year, the See being removed from Maastricht to Liège, then only a small village. This laid the foundation of the future greatness of Liège, of which Lambert is honoured as Patron and Hubert as Founder and first Bishop.

Th removal of St Lambert to the Cathedral of Lieges by Rogier van der Weyden

Hubert actively evangelised among pagans in the extensive Ardennes forests and in Toxandria, a district stretching from near Tongeren to the confluence of the rivers Waal and the Rhine.

Hubert died peacefully in a place called Fura, located 30 miles from Liège on 30 May 727 or 728. Initially he was buried in the collegiate St.Peter’s Church, Liège but his relics were exhumed in 825 and translated to the Benedictine Abbey of Amdain, the present-day Saint-Hubert, Belgium in the Ardennes. The Abbey became a holy destination for pilgrims, until Hubert’s coffin disappeared during the Reformation.

Hubert was widely venerated in the Middle Ages and partly because of his noble birth, several military orders were named after him – the Bavarian, the Bohemian International Order of St. Hubert and that of the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne.

Hubert, along with St Quirinus of Neuss, St Cornelius and St Anthony, was venerated as one of the Four Holy Marshals (Vier Marschälle Gottes) in the Rhineland. The St Hubertus Order, a chivalric order, was founded in 1444 .

Following Lamberts’ assassination, Hubert becomes Bishop of Maastricht, then of Liége but he was known as the Apostle of the Ardennes throughout his life, venturing much into the Forest and gaining the trust and the faith, of its people. Hubert became an important reference and intercessor, whenever matters of the Ardennes Forest and any other forest, are being discussed or considered in need of assistance.

The true meaning of the Jägermeister logo takes after the story of Saint Hubert’s vision. The Rrademark story of the Company is below, along with the logo:

“Only a legendary stag’s head would suffice, one with a Cross between its antlers. The stag that appeared to a wild hunter and converted him to Christianity. The same hunter who would later become the Patron Saint of all hunters – Saint Hubert. This stag remains today, as it always has been, the Jägermeister trademark. A symbol of the preservation of our quality and tradition.”

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT

Notre-Dame des Miracles et Vertus / Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues, Rennes, France (14th Century) and Memorials of the Saints

Posted on November 3, 2021November 2, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Notre-Dame des Miracles et Vertus / Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues, Rennes, France (14th Century) – 3 November:

The Statue of Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues, often simply called Our Lady of Miracles, is a depiction of Virgin and Child. Installed in 1876, it replaces the original Statue venerated since the fourteenth century and destroyed during the French Revolution. The original Statue was first mentioned in the fourteenth century , as part of a miracle that would have occurred during a siege of the City. It is created in 1445 and her hands were restored in 1522.

The English, having made a mine to ignite the Town, it is said that the candles in the Chapel were found miraculously alight; t he bells rung of themselves and the image of the Blessed Virgin was seen to stretch out its arms towards the middle of the Chapel where the mine had been concealed, which by that means, was discovered. The people rushed to the spot and so the plot was uncovred and the entire Town saved through the intervention of Our Lady of Rennes. Great was the rejoicing and deep the gratitude of the people.
Known today as the Basilica of Saint Sauveur in Rennes, it is located in the heart of historic Rennes, which was once the capital of Brittany. It is situated at the termination of Saint-Sauveur Street on which its façade faces.
As the original Gothic Church partially collapsed in the year 1682, the Classical style Church that can currently be seen, was constructed beginning in 1703 and Consecrated in August of 1719.

In the year 1793, during the French Revolution, the Church was made into a Temple of Reason and the miraculous Statue of Our Lady was destroyed. It was not until 1802, after the end of the Terror, that the Church was opened again to worship. The Church was made into a minor Basilica in 1916 by Pope Benedict XV.
In 1634, the miracle of Our Lady’s intervention against the English invaders, was officially recognised by the Bishop of Rennes, Pierre Cornulier.
There are many more miracles attributed to Our Lady, including the miraculous cure of Magdalene Morice in the year 1761. She had gangrene in her right foot which was instantly healed on Easter Sunday.
The Statue of Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues currently displayed at the Basilica was placed there in February of 1876.
In 1684 a boy of eleven left home for the City of Rennes in the hopes of enrolling at the Jesuit College of Thomas a Becket. The young Louis-Marie was an intelligent boy who was taken under the guidance of the Jesuit Priest, and it was at Rennes that he began to consider a possible vocation to the Priesthood. It was here, at the Shrine of Our Lady at Rennes, that Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort made the final decision to become a Priest.

St Martin de Porres OP (1579-1639) (Optional Memorial) “Saint of the Broom,” Dominican lay Brother, Miracle-worker, Apostle of Charity, Mystic.
Full biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/03/saint-of-the-day-3-november-st-martin-de-porres-o-p-saint-of-the-broom/

St Acepsimas
St Acheric of Vosges
Bl Alphais of Cudot
Bl Berardo dei Marsi
Bl Berchtold of Engelberg
St Caesarius
St Cecilio Manrique Arnáiz
St Clydog
St Cristiolus
St Domnus of Vienne
St Elerius
St Englatius
St Florus of Lodeve
St Francisco Colom González
St Gaudiosus of Tarazona
St Germanus
St Guenhael
St Hermengaudius of Urgell
St Hilary of Viterbo
St Hubert of Liege (c 656-727) Bishop, the “Apostle of the Ardennes”
Bl Ida of Toggenburg
St José Llorach Bretó
St José Ruiz de la Torre
St Libertine of Agrigento
Bl Lorenzo Moreno Nicolás

St Malachy O’More of Armagh (1094 – 1148) Bishop, Abbot, Confessor, Reformer, Miracle-Worker, Primate of Ireland, gifted with the charism of Propjecy.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/03/saint-of-the-day-3-november-st-malachy-of-armagh-1094-1148/

St Papulus
St Pierre-François Néron
St Pirmin
St Quartus
St Rumwold of Buckingham
St Sylvia of Rome
St Theophilus
St Valentine of Viterbo
St Valentinian
St Vitalis
St William of Vosges
St Winifred of Wales
St Wulganus

Innumerable Martyrs of Saragossa: A large group of Christians martyred in Zaragoza, Spain by Dacian during the persecutions of Diocletian. Dacian ordered all Christians of the city into exile under pain of death; when they were assembled to leave, Dacian ordered imperial soldiers to massacre the lot of them. They were martyred in 304.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Cecilio Manrique Arnáiz
• Blessed Francisco Colom González
• Blessed José Llorach Bretó
• Blessed José Ruiz de la Torre

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 2 November – St Victorinus of Pettau (Died c 304)

Posted on November 2, 2021November 1, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 2 November – St Victorinus of Pettau (Died c 304) Bishop Martyr, learned Exegetists on both the Old and the New Testament, ecclesiastical writer, theologian. Born in the 3rd Century in Greece and died in 303 or 304 (records vary), he suffered Martyrdom probably in 303, under Diocletian. Also known as – Victorinus Petravionensis, Victorinus von Pettau, Victorinus Pictaviensis, Victorinus of Patawii, Victorinus of Petta, Victorinus of Ptuj. Victorin… Additional Memorial – 12 November on some calendars.

Born probably in Byzantine Greece or in Poetovio with rather mixed population, due to its military character, Victorinus spoke Greek better than Latin, which explains why, in St Jerome’s opinion, his works written in the latter tongue were more remarkable for their content than for their style. Bishop of the City of Pettau, he was the first theologian to use Latin for his exegesis.

His works are mainly exegetical. Victorinus composed commentaries on various books of Sacred Scripture, such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Ecclesiastes, the Canticle of Canticles, St Matthew and the Apocalypse, besides treatises against the heresies of his time. All that has survived is his Commentary on Apocalypse and the short tract On the construction of the world (De fabrica mundi). Some believe he is also the author of two poems, “De Jesu Christo” and “De Pascha,” although this is contested.

Like many of his contemporaries he shared the errors of the Millenarians and for this reason his works were ranked with the apocrypha by Pope Gelasius. Nevertheless, by contrast, St Jerome gives him an honourable place in his catalogue of ecclesiastical writers. St Jerome cites the opinion of Victorinus in some of his works but considered him to have been affected by the opinions of the Chiliasts or Millenarians (they believed that Christ would return to the earth to rule for a thousand years..)

According to Saint Jerome, Victorinus died a Martyr in 304.

MARIAN TITLES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY SOULS

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls Day, Notre-Dame D’Emminont / Our Lady of Emminont. Abbeville, France (12th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 2 November

Posted on November 2, 2021November 1, 2021 by AnaStpaul

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls Day (Commemoration): Commemoration of the faithful departed in Purgatory. Abbot Odilo of Cluny instituted it in the Monasteries of his congregation in 998, other religious orders took up the observance and it was adopted by various Diocese and gradually by the whole Church. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy on this day and Pope Benedict XV granted to all Priests, the privilege of saying three Masses of requiem –
• one for the souls in Purgatory
• one for the intention of the Holy Father
• one for the Priest’s intentions
If the feast should fall on Sunday it is kept on 3 November.
Patronage: Monselice, Italy

Details here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/02/commemoration-of-all-souls-day-2-november/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/the-commemoration-of-all-the-holy-souls-in-purgatory-2-november/

Notre-Dame D’Emminont / Our Lady of Emminont. Abbeville, France (12th Century) – 2 November:

The Shrine to Our Lady of Emminont, or Notre-Dame D’Emminont, is near Abbeville in France. It is much visited by pilgrims devoted to the Mother of God who at their prayers and petitions, still performs many miracles and favours for her people.

The relics of Saint Wulfram (also spelled Wulfran or Vulfran) of Sens, who died in 656, were brought to the Shrine in the year 1058. Until that time, the Church had been known as the Collegiate Church of Our Lady in Abbeville but after the relics of Saint Wulfram were interred there, the Church was rededicated in Saint Wulfram’s honour. The Church retains that name to this day.

Franciscan Friars, well-versed in wood carving, cared for the Shrine. They were consulted in 1510 concerning work on the Cathedral of Amiens. In richness of detail, Abbeville surpasses many other Cathedrals. The nave was built between the years 1488 to 1539 and the small choir between 1661 and 1663. The construction was paid for by the King of France, and Count of Ponthieu and the faithful of Abbeville. The Church is much smaller than it was originally intended to be, as the initial blueprint for the Church was never completed. The nave is quite short, has only two bays and the choir is extremely small. Still, the façade is a superb masterpiece of the flamboyant Gothic style.
During the French Revolution the Church of Saint Wulfram was profaned and given the name of a “Temple of Reason” by the unreasoning revolutionaries who sought to destroy the immutable God by demolishing priceless monuments and artifacts and even, the glory of their own history.
The Town of Abbeville was heavily bombed by the German’s during World War II, so that much of what is seen there today is of fairly modern origin. The Church was also damaged, but efforts were made to restore it to its former grandeur.
The list of favours granted by Our Lady of Emminont, is indeed very long. It includes miraculous cures, astounding spiritual and temporal favours and streams of graces and blessings.

St Ambrose of Agaune
St Ambrose of Agaune
St Amicus of Fonte Avellana
St Amicus of Rambone
St Baya of Scotland
St Domninus of Grenoble
St Erc of Slane
St Eustochium of Tarsus
St George of Vienne
Bl John Bodey
St Jorandus of Kergrist
St Justus of Trieste

Blessed Pius of St Aloysius CP (1868-1889) Passionist Seminarian died aged 21.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/02/saint-of-the-day-2-november-blessed-pius-of-st-aloysius-cp-1868-1889/

St Marcian of Chalcis
Bl Margaret of Lorraine
St Mateo López y López
St Maura of Scotland
St Theodotus of Laodicea
St Victorinus of Pettau (Died c 304) Bishop Martyr

St Willebald of Bavaria
—
Martyrs of Isfahan – 5+ saints: Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus were Persian priests who were imprisoned, tortured, interrogated and martyred in the persecutions of king Sapor II of Persia; he considered any Christian to be a Roman spy and anti-Persian. The three were brought back to life, miraculously healed, freed from their chains and began preaching Christianity, miraculously healing Sapor II in the process. This defiance enraged Sapor so much that he ordered them executed again; they were thrown into a cauldron of molten lead but walked out unharmed. This miracle brought one of the torturers, Aphthonius, to convert; he was immediately martyred. Other attempts were made to kill them, and they emerged each time unharmed. Senator Elpidiphorus led a group speaking in favour of the Christians for their courage and faith; he was immediately executed. In the end the original three Christians were burned to death. Martyrs all – Acindynus, Anempodistus, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus and Pegasius.
They were born in Persia and Died:
• c.350 in Isfahan, Persia
• relics transferred to Constantinople and enshrined in a church dedicated to them
• some relics taken to France in 1204 during the 4th Crusade
• relics in France were lost when hidden from anti-Christian forces in the French Revolution
• relics in France re-discovered in 1892 in Grozon.

Martyrs of Sebaste – 10 saints: A group of ten soldiers in the imperial Roman army of Emperor Licinius Licinianus who were executed together for refusing to burn incense as a sacrifice to the emperor. The only details that have survived are five of their names – Agapius, Cartherius, Eudoxius, Styriacus and Tobias. They were burned at the stake in 315 in Sebaste (in modern Turkey).

franciscan OFM, PATRONAGE-INFERTILITY & SAFE CHILDBIRTH, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 1 November – Blessed Ranieri Rasini OFM (c 1250-1304)

Posted on November 1, 2021November 1, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 1 November – Blessed Ranieri Rasini OFM (c 1250-1304) Lay Friar of the Order of Friars Minor, Porter and beggar. He assisted all who came to Frairy in whatever way possible. The poor were his special friends, sharing what little was available with them. Born in c 1250 in Sansepolcro, Umbria, Italy and died on 1 November 1304 in Sansepolcro, Umbria of natural causes. Patronage – women in labour. Also known as – Ranieri of Aretino, Ranieri of Arezzo, Ranieri of Borgo, Ranieri of Sansepolcro, Raniero, Ranie.

Ranieri spent his life in the fulfillment of the humble duties of porter and beggar, thus entering, truly poor among the poor, in contact with the humble and simple people and with all those in need, who found some food at the door of the Convent.

Sister Death caught him in the cellar, where he was performing his service for the table of the brother Friars.

Ranieri was immediately venerated as a saint by the people of the City. Thus, a few days after his death, the City governors, which had taken steps to have the body embalmed and to collect the testimonies of the miracles attributed to the blessed, had a monumental Altar erected in honour of Ranieri. On the Altar, still existing in the Church of St Francis, we read: “In the year of the Lord 1304, on the Feast of All Saints, the saint Ranieri migrated to the Lord. In that year ,the City had this Altar made for the honour of God and for the magnificence of this saint. Amen” (original in Latin).

Among the miracles attributed to Ranieri after his death there is also the resurrection of two children, for which the Blessed is now invoked by women in labour.

The devotion paid to Blessed Ranieri was recognised by Pope Pius VII in 1802. The celebrations in honour of Blessed Ranieri occurs on 31 October due to his feast day occuring on the solemnity of All Saints. The body of the blessed is kept in the crypt of the Church of St Frances in Sansepolcro.

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Solemnity of All Saints, Virgen de la Palma / Our Lady of the Palm, Algeciras, Spain (1755) and Memorials of the Saints – 1 November

Posted on November 1, 2021October 31, 2021 by AnaStpaul

All Saints Day (Solemnity) – (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/

Virgen de la Palma / Our Lady of the Palm, Algeciras, Spain (1755) – 1 November:

The Church of Our Lady of the Palm preceded by many years, the miracle which made it famous. The miracle for which it is best remembered, took place during an earthquake and a tidal wave on the 1November, 1755. There had been an extremely strong earthquake on that day that was reported to have been felt throughout all of Europe. Algeciras is a seaport of Spain exposed to the Atlantic Ocean in the Province of Cadiz and was directly in the path of the tidal wave, said to be more than 90 feet high. The recently reported tsunamis in Asia pales in comparison to that wave. Lisbon, with 275,000 inhabitants, lost 90,000 people and had 85% of its buildings destroyed by the wave. The water penetrated as much as 8 kilometers inland, mainly striking Portugal, Spain, and Africa.
The townspeople of Algeciras were in terror and were on the point of abandoning the Town when two unidentified men – thought later to be the Patron Saints of the City – closed the water gates and urged the people to go to the Capuchin Church of Our Lady of the Palm. Here a Mass was in progress. The Priest calmly finished the Mass, seized a banner with a picture of Our Lady on it and went out into the street where the wall of water was already advancing upon them. He planted the banner in the street almost in the shadow of the great wave and called out in a loud voice, “Thus far, my Mother.”
The water advanced as far as the banner and then miraculously stopped its forward progression, even though, up until that point, it had destroyed everything in its path. Then, as the Priest walked boldly forward toward the wall of water with the banner in his upraised hand, that gigantic wave receded from him and turned away from the face of Mary to return placidly to the ocean.
An anniversary procession was established, along with a confraternity of Our Lady of the Palm. With the exception of 1837, when there was a Civil War, the procession is held annually. The Rosary is recited along the route of the tidal wave and prayers of thanksgiving said.
Many years after the first miracle, another storm caused the people to remember Our Lady of the Palm. Ships were wrecked in the harbour and the ocean was violently disturbed. The people demanded a procession of Our Lady of the Palm and when the procession was finished, the storm abated. Hail Glorious and Blessed Mother, where is our faith today!

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 Jerome Hermosilla
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
Blessed Ranieri Rasini OFM (c 1250-1304 Lay Friar of the Order of Friars Minor
St Ruth the Matriarch
St Salaun of Leseven
St Severinus of Tivoli
St Valentin Faustino Berri Ochoa
St Vigor of Bayeux

DOCTORS, / SURGEONS / MIDWIVES., SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 October – St Foillan of Fosses (Died 655)

Posted on October 31, 2021October 30, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 31 October – St Foillan of Fosses (Died 655) Bishop, Martyr, Missionary, Abbot. Born in the 7th Century in Ireland and died by murder on 31 October 655 in the forest near Nivelles, Belgium, Patronages – children’s nurses, dentists, Fosses, Belgium, surgeons, truss makers, Diocese of Mechelen and Tournai., Belgium. Also known as – Faelan, Faillan, Faolan, Feuillien, Foalan, Foelan. Additional Memorial – 5 November in the Diocese of Mechelen and Tournai.

Foillan was one of the numerous Irish missionaries who, in the course of the seventh century, evangelised in Europe, bringing the liturgy and sacred vessels, founding prosperous Monasteries and sharing considerably in the propagation of the Faith in these countries. Foillan played a significant part in Frankish ecclesiastical history, as shown by his share in the direction of Nivelles and by the foundation of the Monastery of Fosses-la-Ville.

Foillan was born in Ireland early in the seventh century and was the brother of Saints Ultan and Fursey, the latter a famous Missionary who preached the Faith to the Irish, the Anglo-Saxons and the Franks. Foillan, probably in company with Ultan, went with his brother Fursey, when the latter, fleeing from his country then devastated by foreign invaders, retired to a lonely islands. Fursey soon went among the Anglo Saxons and built a Monastery at Burgh Castle (Cnoberesburg) in Suffolk, between 634 and 650.

Seized again with the desire for solitude, Fursey left the Monastery in the care of Foillan, who remained at the head of the community and had the happiness of once more seeing his brother Fursey, who, having since gone to the kingdom of the Franks, came to visit him about 650. Soon a disastrous war broke out between Penda, the Mercian Chief and Ana, King of the Eastern Anglo-Saxons. Ana, having been put to flight, the Monastery of Cnoberesburg fell into the hand of the enemies. It was pillaged,and its Abbot, Foillan, barely escaped death. He hastened to ransom the captive Monks, recovered the relics, put the holy books and objects of veneration on board ship and departed for the country of the Franks, where his brother Fursey was buried. He and his companions, were well received at Péronne by Erconwald, Mayor of the Palace. But soon, for some unknown reason, Foillan and his companions left Péronne and went to Nivelles, a Monastery founded by St Ita and St Gertrude, wife and daughter of Duke Pepin I.

Foillan, like so many other Irishmen who went to the Continent in the seventh century, was invested with episcopal dignity, having doubtless been a monastic Bishop at Cnoberesburg. He was, therefore ,of great assistance in the organisation of worship and the holy books and relics, which he brought, were great; treasures for St Ita and St Gertrude. As the Monastery of Nivelles was under Irish discipline, the companions of Foillan were well received and lived, side by side, with the holy women, occupying themselves with the details of worship under the general direction of the Abbess. Through the liberality of Ita, Foillan was enabled to build a Monastery at Fosses, not far from Nivelles, in the Province of Namur.

After the death of Ita in 652, Foillan came one day to Nivelles and sang Mass, on the eve of the feast of St Quentin. The ceremony being finished, he resumed his journey, doubtless undertaken in the interests of his Monastery. In the forest of Senege the Saint and his companions fell into a trap set by bandits who inhabited that solitary place. They were slain, stripped, and their bodies concealed. But they were recovered by St Gertrude and when she had taken some relics of the Saint, his body was borne to the Monastery of Fosses, where it was buried in 655.

It is not surprising, after his death and because of his work in the area, that St Foillan should be honoured and venerated both at Nivelles and Fosses and, to find at Le Roeulx (Belgium) a Monastery bearing his name. As late as the twelfth century the veneration in which he was held, inspired Philippe Le Harvengt, Abbot of Bonne-Espérance, to compose a lengthy biography of the Saint. He is the Patron of Fosses, near Charieroi. In the Diocese of Namur his feast is celebrated on 31 October, in the Dioceses of Mechlin and Tournai on 5 November.

CHRIST the KING, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Solemnity of Christ the King, Vigil of All Saints Day, Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Río Blanco, Argentina and Memorials of the Saints – 31 October

Posted on October 31, 2021October 31, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Solemnity of Christ the King – Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost – https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/25/25-november-the-solemnity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-king-of-the-universe/

Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.

Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Río Blanco y Paypaya de Jujuy / Our Lady of the Rosary of Rio Blanco (of the White River) and Paypaya, Argentina , 17th Century – 31 October:

In the Province of Jujuy, Our Lady of the Rosary is the main Patron, who was added the title of “Paypaya and White River.” Local tradition tells that the Virgin defended the City from attacks by the Indians.
The most beautiful devotion is the procession which takes place on 31 October, the day on which the image is removed from its precious altar next to the nave of the Cathedral of Jujuy and is taken to the Sanctuary of the White River…The people displaying their deep religious faith, expressed in their great devotion to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of White River and Paypaya,” the history refers to the colonial era of the mid-seventeenth century.
Entering through the side entrance of the court, located next to the Cathedral of San Salvador de Jujuy, in the centre of the long nave, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary of White River and Paypaya, a clothed image 60 cm. height. There is another Statue is in the Chapel of the City of Rio Blanco.

Commemoration of All Holy Relics (Dominicans)
—

St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617) Spanish Lay Brother of the Society of Jesus, Doorkeeper, Mystic, Visionary, Apostle of Charity and of Prayer, Spiritual Adviser.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-st-alphonsus-rodriguez-sj-1532-1617/

St Ampliatus
St Antoninus of Milan
St Apelles of Eraclea Sintica
St Arnulf of Novalesa
St Begu of Hackness
Bl Christopher of Romagna
Bl Dominic Collins
St Epimachus of Melusio
St Erth of Cornwall
St Foillan of Fosses (Died 655) Bishop Martyr, Missionary, Abbot
Bl Irene Stefani
St Jesús Miquel Girbau
Bl Leon Nowakowski
St Lucilla of Rome
Bl Maria de Requesens
Bl Modesta Moro Briz
St Narcissus
St Notburga of Cologne
St Quentin
Bl Pilar Isabel Sánchez Suárez
St Stachys of Constantinople

Blessed Thomas Bellacci TOSF (1370-1447) Lay Friar and Third Order Franciscan, Penitent, Confessor, renowned Missionary Preacher, Papal Legate, Novice Master and Vicar General of the Order.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-blessed-thomas-bellacci-tosf-1370-1447/

St Urban

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.
St Wolfgang’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-saint-wolfgang-of-regensburg-c-934-994/

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 October – Saint Gerard of Potenza (Died 1119)

Posted on October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 30 October – Saint Gerard of Potenza (Died 1119) Bishop of Potenza, miracle-worker. Born at Piancenza, Italy and died on 30 October 1119 of natural causes in the same City. Patronage – Potenza. Diocese and the City if Potenza. Additional Memorial 30 May – translation of his relics.

Gerard was a native of Piacenza and, having moved to Potenza, he was chosen as Bishop for his virtues and his thaumaturgical activity. Died after just eight years of episcopate, his successor Manfredo wrote a Life of the Saint leading to his Canonisation by Pope Callistus II.

Gerard, was a descendant of the noble and illustrious La Porta family and was Bishop of this City from 1111 to 1119. He was a man of culture and solid piety. After spending his youth in Southern Italy, like so many other noble souls of his time, either in search of solitude or to be closer to the embarkation points of the Crusaders, on their way to the holy places.

When he arrived in Potenza, Gerard saw a vast field of apostolate opening up, especially among the youth. Opening the treasures of his culture and goodness to everyone, he attracted the sympathy and love of all the people.

On the death of the Bishop, the clergy and people elected him as their new Bishop and shepherd. He was consecrated Bishop in Acerenza. The dignity achieved, did not change the austerity of his life or the simplicity of his manners. Manfred, his Biographer and later successor in the episcopal role, describes this period of his life thus – “Honoured by pontifical glory, he appeared humbler, more meek, more humble, more benign, more diligent, in the exercise of the virtues.“

The Lord was pleased to make the holiness of His servant while still alive ,shine forth, with numerous miraculous signs, such as the changing of water into wine. Just a year after his death, the Pontiff of Rome Callistus II proclaimed his holiness.

The bones of St Gerard rest under the Altar dedicated to him ,in the Cathedral Church of Potenza. The Saint is honoured, in a particular way, on 30 October, the day of his death and on 30 May in memory of the translation of his bones to the new Cathedral, made by Bishop Oberto in 1250.

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Piemonte, Italy – 16th Century and Memorials of the Saints – 30 October

Posted on October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Piemonte, Italy – 16th Century – 30 October:

Our Lady of Mond0vi, also known as the Madonna della Mondovi, is located at Vicoforte, in Piedmont, Italy. There a picture was found upon which a tile-maker had painted and placed on a brick pillar which he had erected for that purpose. This pillar has since been enclosed in a Church which was built in the year 1645 at the behest of Maria Cristina of France. The request was made in memory of the miraculous rescue of a child from the river, which took place in 1644 through the invocation of the image of the Blessed Virgin. Since that time there have been many miracles which have been wrought and continue to attract a great concourse of people.

The peasant folk especially venerated Our Lady at this Shrine and obtained numerous favours in answer to their prayers.
The Church was enlarged in 1779 and equipped with a Baptistery in 1807. Inside, enriched with precious furnishings donated by the Savoy Princes and frescoes by Bartolomeo Guidobono and others. On the Altar, the miraculous image of the Blessed Mother is kept. The original image has been almost completely repainted in twentieth-century restorations.

St Angelo of Acri OFM Cap (1669-1739) Priest of the Franciscan Capuchins, Confessor, Preacher, Missionary, Evangeliser, Miracle-Worker, Apostle of Charity and Mercy to the sick, Mystic with the gifts of prophecy, bi-location, visions and the ability to see into men’s souls in Confession. His body is incorrupt and is enshrined in in the Basilica dedicated to him in Acri.
The Story of St Angelo:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-st-angelo-of-acri-ofm-cap/

St Arilda
St Asterius of Amasea

Blessed Benvenuta Bojani OP (1254-1292) Member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Mystic, Repentant. miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-blessed-benvenuta-bojani-op-1254-1292/

St Egelnoth the Good
St Eutropia of North Africa
St Gerard of Potenza

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 Matyrology 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 Oleksa Zarytsky (1912-1963) Martyr
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

Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Abraham Kidunaia (c 296-c 366)

Posted on October 29, 2021October 28, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Abraham Kidunaia (c 296-c 366) Priest, Confessor, Hermit, Missionary. Born in c 296 at Edessa, Osrhoene, Mesopotamia (in modern Syria) and died in c 366 at Edessa, Osrhoene, Mesopotamia (in modern Syria) of natural causes. The Vita of St Abraham was written by his friend, St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church. Also known as – Abraham the Great of Kidunja, Abraham of Edessa, Abraham of Kidunja, Abrhahn of Kidunaja.

Abraham Kidunaia was born to a wealthy family during the third century. After receiving an excellent education, Abraham was encouraged to get married. He followed the wishes of his parents but after the wedding ceremony, he told his bride his desire to remain a virgin and dedicate his life to God. His bride accepted this resolution and Abraham retired to a hermitage near Edessa, a City near Mesopotamia.

Ten years after he retreated from the world, his parents died and left a great amount of wealth to Abraham. As soon as he was aware of this, he asked a friend to distribute the sum to charitable causes. Through actions like this and his deep prayer life, Abraham became known throughout the region as a holy man and many came to him for guidance.

His reputation even came to the ears of the Bishop, and when Edessa became poisoned with sin and idolatry, Abraham was Ordained and asked to go to the City preaching reform. Abraham was greatly distressed by this, but obeyed the wishes of the Bishop.

When Abraham arrived in Edessa, none of the residents would listen to his words. Needless to say, the infuriated inhabitants beat him and expelled him from their midst. In the morning he was back, praying in his Church and from there went out to preach again to the the people, urging them to give up their superstitions and abominations. This time, he was stoned and left for dead but recovering, again returned and bearing insults, isolation and mistreatment, he persevered. After three years, the inhabitants of Beth-Kiduna realised that there was something to this man’s meekness and patience, and began to listen to him.

Eventually, through constant prayer, Abraham converted them. After baptising and confirming the many converts in the region, Abraham passed his apostolic work onto another. Abraham returned to his hermitage to continue his life of solitary prayer.

He lived for many years until his death at the age of seventy,.around the year 366 Abraham had lived a life of faithful service to God.

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Piedmont, Italy, (3rd Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 29 October

Posted on October 29, 2021October 28, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Piedmont, Italy (3rd Century) – 29 October:

This image, of cedar wood, six feet high, is in a Chapel which Saint Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli (c 283-371), caused to be built. He often retired there during the troubles caused by the Arians.
The Sanctuary of the black Virgin of Oropa, high in the Alps north of Biella, is traditionally associated with Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, who died in 371 but the circumstances of the story are anachronistic. Yet the Shrine is certainly an old one, and throughout the Middle Ages was associated with a Community of Canon Regulars.
The vast range of buildings there today were begun by the Dukes of Savoy, early in the seventeenth century and form one of the most complete pilgrimage centres in the world (there is even a theatre). It is recorded that here in 1895, contemplating the space and beauty of the mountains, Marconi heard the first call to his life’s work.

The black cedar-wood Statue has been crowned four times, the last time in 1920 – the three superimposed diadems (the fourth is represented by a halo of twelve stars) can hardly be said to add to the beauty of the image.

The Statue wearing the 4 Crowns (offered by the local townspeople) in 1620, 1720 and 1820, respectively.

Discovery of the Statue of Our Lady of Oropa at Jerusalem – Saint Eusebius who had been exiled to Syria because of his differences with the Arians, died in the year c 371. While in exile, the Emperor Constantine permitted him some freedom. Eusebius discovered among some ruins in Jerusalem three Statues of Our Lady. On his triumphant return after the Arians had been temporarily overthrown, he gave two of the Statues away . The third he kept for himself, placing it in a little hermitage at Oropa which he often visited.
In the 5th and 6th centuries when Arianism again reared its ugly head, the faithful Catholics took refuge at the Shrine of Our Lady of Oropa.
At one time it was decided to transport the Statue to another place. As the procession marched along, the Statue became so heavy that the men who carried it could not move on. Only when they decided to take Our Lady back to her original Shrine at Oropa were they able to move.

The last addition to the sanctuary was the Upper Basilica, a monumental Church built between 1885 and 1960 due to the large number of pilgrims visiting Oropa. It can hold 3000 people and its dome is 80 metres high.

In 1617, the complex of the Sacro Monte di Oropa (literally Sacred Mount of Oropa) was built not far from the Sanctuary. It is a devotional path now composed of twelve Chapels (plus another seven nearby) containing groups of Statues representing scenes from the story of the Virgin Mary’s life.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Oropa is a beautiful one and thousands of pilgrims today make their way there as they have done over the centuries.
The Holy See asked the authorities in 1856 to make a list of the miracles recorded at the Shrine. It is long and impressive. Then, as now, Our Lady of Oropa has a way with her Divine Son.

St Abraham Kidunaia (c 296-c 366) Priest, Hermit. The Vita of St Abraham was written by his friend, St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church.
St Abraham of Rostov
St Achahildis of Wendelstein
St Anne of Mount Olympus

Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano (1971 –1990) Laywoman, Died of cancer aged 18.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-blessed-chiara-luce-badano-1971-1990/

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 Gaetano Errico (1791-1860) Priest, Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1836, Teacher, Confessor, Apostle of Charity, Eucharistic Adorer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-st-gaetano-errico-1791-1860/

St Honoratus of Vercelli
St John of Autun
St Kennera
St Mary of Edessa
St Narcissus of Gerona

St Narcissus of Jerusalem (c 99-c 215) Bishop of Jerusalem, miracle-worker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-st-narcissus-of-jerusalem-c-99-c-215/

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.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Arsenio Merino Miguel
• Blessed Benito Paradela Novoa
• Blessed Joaquina Rey Aguirre
• Blessed José Ruiz Bruixola
• Blessed Maurilio Tobar González
• Blessed Ponciano Nieto Asensio
• Blessed Victoria Arregui Guinea

	Santas e Santos do d… on Nuestra Señora de la Palabra /…
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	moinillon on Quote/s of the Day – 29 Decemb…
	Santo Aelredus dari… on Saint of the Day – 12 Ja…
	emmepostma on Saint of the Day – 3 Dec…

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St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552)

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1397)Doctor of the Church

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)Priest and Martyr

St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)

St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640)

St Claude de la Colombiere SJ (1641-1682)“Apostle of the Sacred Heart”

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St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

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St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1397)
Doctor of the Church

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)
Priest and Martyr

St Claude de la Colombiere SJ (1641-1682)
“Apostle of the Sacred Heart”