St Theodotus and St Rufina of Caesarea were husband and wife, martyrs in the persecutions of Aurelian, and parents of Saint Mamas. Born to patrician families in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor, they were devout Christians. When the persecutions of Christians began, Alexander, the magistrate of the city of Gangra, summoned them to trail because they refused to obey the imperial decree requiring all citizens to worship the pagan gods. Those who disobeyed would be tortured and put to death.
Since Theodotus was a noble, and Alexander could not torture or murder him because of that, so he sent him to the governor Faustus in Caesarea of Cappadocia. Faustus, who was notoriously ruthless, threw Theodotus into prison. Though pregnant, Rufina followed her husband into gaol. Fearing that he would not be able to withstand torture and would apostatise, Theodotus asked God to take his soul, a prayer which was granted. As a result of sorrow and the privations she experienced in prison, Saint Rufina gave birth prematurely. She prayed that God would permit her to follow her husband in death, and that He would also protect her child. Her prayer was also granted and Saint Mamas was raised by a pious woman named Ammia.
The prison, indeed, is the devil’s house as well, wherein he keeps his family. But you have come within its walls for the very purpose of trampling the wicked one under foot in his chosen abode.
Our Lady of the Founders – The Relic of the Girdle of Our Lady, Constantinople (5th Century) – 31 August:
St Aidan of Lindisfarne (Died 651) Apostle of Northumbria, Bishop, Monk, Missionary, Abbot, Ascetic.
St Raymond Nonnatus O.deM. (1204-1240) Religious Priest, Confessor, Cardinal, Friar of the Mercedarian Order. Beatified on 5 November 1625 by Pope Urban VIII and Canonised in 1657 by Pope Alexander VII. Raymond was delivered by Caesarean operation when his mother died during childbirth – hence the name: non natus = not born.
St Ammi of Caesarea St Aristides the Philosopher St Barbolenus of Bobbio St Bonajuncia OSM Confessor St Caesidius St Cuthburga of Wimborne St Cwenburgh of Wimborne
St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin and Penitent, Mystic, Visionary, Stigmatist (invisible), Apostle of the Poor. Also known as “St Rose of Saint Mary” – her Religious name.
St Adauctus AND St Felix of Rome (Died c303) St Agilus St Arsenius the Hermit St Boniface of Hadrumetum St Bononius of Lucedio Bl Bronislava of Poland Bl Edward Shelley Bl Ero di Armenteira Bl Eustáquio van Lieshout St Fantinus of San Mercurius
Saint Fiacre (Died 670) Priest, Abbot, Monk, Hermit, Apostle of charity, gardener.
St Gaudentia of Rome
Blessed Giovanni Giovenale Ancina CO (1545–1604) Bishop of Saluzzo, member of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Scholar, Musician and Composer, renowned Preacher Doctor of Medicine. Commonly known as Blessed Juvenal Ancina.
St Pammachius (c340 – 410) Senator, Monk, Apostle of Charity, friend of St Jerome and he was praised by St Augustine.
St Pelagius the Hermit St Peter of Trevi Bl Richard Flower Bl Richard Leigh Bl Richard Martin St Rumon of Tavistock St Sylvanus the Hermit St Thecla of Hadrumetum St Theodosius of Oria
Martyrs of Colonia Suffetulana – 60 Saints: A group of 60 Christians Martyred for destroying a statue of Hermes. They were Martyred in Colonia Suffetulana, Africa.
Our Morning Offering – 30 August – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin
Virginis Proles Anonymous Latin, 8th Century Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)
O Thou Thy Mother’s Maker, hail! Hail, Virgin-born! to Thee; Hear us, who on this day record Thy Virgin’s memory.
Oh, through her prayers our sins forgive, All good and gracious King ! So purified in heart may we Thy praise eternal sing.
All glory to the Father be; Praise to His only Son; With Thee, who dost from both proceed. While endless ages run.
This Hymn is used for Matins in the Common of Virgins in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Breviary. Verses 1, 4 and 5 above, are used for a Virgin who is not a Martyr.
Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin
“Apart from the cross there is no other ‘ladder’ by which we might get to Heaven.”
“Without the struggle of afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases.”
“If only we would learn how great it is to possess divine grace and how many riches it has within itself, how many joys and delights. We would devote all our concern, to winning for ourselves pains and afflictions, in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace.”
“We must not fail to help our neighbours, because in them we serve Jesus.”
St Adelphus St Adausia of Rome St Alberic of Bagno de Romagna St Basilia of Sirmium Bl Bronislava St Candida of Rome St Edwold the Hermit St Euthymius of Perugia St Maximian of Vercelli St Medericus St Nicaeus of Antioch St Paul of Antioch St Repositus of Velleianum Bl Richard Herst St Sabina of Troyes St Sator of Velleianum St Sebbe of Essex St Velleicus St Victor of La Chambon St Vitalis of Velleianum
Saint Hyacinth of Poland, the Apostle of the North, during the Siege of Kiev in 1240 by Mongols, went to save save the Blessed Sacrament from capture and desecration. He had removed the Sacred Host from the Tabernacle and was hurrying down the aisle when he heard a voice call, “Hyacinth, are you going to leave me here at the mercy of the Tartans?” The voice seemed to be coming from the statue of the Blessed Virgin on one of the side altars. Hyacinth stopped and turned his gaze toward the statue which was of alabaster, fairly large in size, and obviously much too weighty for one man to carry.
Then the voice spoke again: “Take me with you, Hyacinth, I will make the burden light.” So, holding the Blessed Sacrament in one hand, he picked up the statue with the other, and, to his surprise, found he could easily carry it. Leaving the church, he fled from the city, and saved the Blessed Sacrament and the statue of Our Lady from harm.
Eighty years later, the statue was returned to Kiev. The city became the center of great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and people gave the statue the name of Our Lady of Kiev.
The statue was later taken to a Dominican convent in Lwow in Poland. What has happened to it since the Communists took over Poland is unknown. Meanwhile, the icon known as The Virgin of Kyiv (created by a Byzantine artist about the year 1132) and the most famous icon in the world, is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and one of the original Four Fathers & Doctors of the Latin Church.
Bl Adelindis of Buchau St Agnes of Cologne St Alexander of Constantinople St Ambrose of Saintes
Blessed Angelo da Pesche d’Isernia TOR (c 1400-1460) Lay Franciscan Tertiary, Holy Beggar, gifted with the charism of levitation, Apostle of the poor, spiritual adviser.
Saint Poemen (meaning ‘Shepherd’), born in 340, is the most quoted Father in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
Poemen lived at a monastery in Scetis in Egypt, one of the earliest centres of Christian monasticism. In 407 AD the monastery was overrun by barbarian raiders, scattering the monks. Poemen and Anoub, along with a handful of monks, fled to Terenuthis, on the river Nile. After leaving Scetis, his group first lived in an abandoned pagan temple. The diaspora of monks resulting from these raids lead to Poemen and his group keeping alive the collective wisdom of the monks of Scetis by creating the bulk of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
Although noted for his strong discipline, (permitting himself and his brothers four hours of sleep a day and spending the rest of the time in chores, prayers or study) he was also tolerant of the weakness of others. One story recounts that some of the older monks approached Poemen for his advice on how to treat monks who fell asleep during their prayers. They were inclined to wake the sleeping monk, while Poemen took a more compassionate approach, advising, “For my part, when I have seen a brother who is dozing, I put his head on my knees and let him rest.” Poemen was typically opposed to giving excessively harsh penances —when a monk came to him who had committed a “great sin”, Poemen reduced his penance from three years to three days.
He once recalled a straying monk back to virtue by sending him a bottle of wine on the birth of a bastard child, in ‘celebration’, which struck the monk’s conscience so hard that he dismissed his mistress. Poemen was described as a charismatic speaker who taught more by example than by lecturing others. When a visiting monk asked him if he should assume a role of authority over the brothers he was living with, Poemen responded by saying, “No, be their example, not their legislator.” Judgment of others was also abhorrent to him. He once stated that, “A man may seem to be silent, but if his heart is condemning others, he is babbling incessantly.” He also urged frequent Communion for all.
He died in 450, of natural causes.
Selected sayings of Poemen
The beginning of evil is the lack of vigilance.
Silence is not a virtue when charity calls for speech.
A living faith consists of thinking little of self, and showing consideration for others.
Do not lay open your conscience to anyone whom you do not trust in your heart.
To instruct your neighbour is the same thing as reproving him.
If you take little account of yourself, you will have peace, wherever you live.
To throw yourself before God, not to measure your progress, to leave behind all self-will; these are the instruments for the work of the soul.
Give not your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.
If you are silent, you will possess peace wherever you live.
The nature of water is soft, and the nature of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above the stone, allowing the water to fall down drop by drop, it wears away the stone. So it is with the Word of God: it is soft and our heart is hard, but the man who hears the Word of God often opens his heart to the fear of God.
One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the celebration of St Joseph Calasantius (1557-1648) Spanish Confessor – Readings: Ps 33:12, Ps 33:2, Wis 10:10-14, Matt 18:1-5
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in their midst, and said, Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 18:1-5
REFLECTION – “Come,” said Christ to his apostles, “and learn from me” – not, to be sure, how to cast out demons with heavenly power, nor how to cleanse lepers, nor how to enlighten the blind, nor how to raise the dead… But you, he says, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart”. For this can be learned and practiced by everyone in general, whereas the works of signs and mighty deeds are neither always necessary and appropriate for everyone, nor are they bestowed on everyone.
Humility, then, is the teacher of all the virtues; it is the most firm foundation of the heavenly edifice; it is the Savior’s own magnificent gift. For a person may perform without danger of pride all the miracles that Christ worked if he strains after the meek Lord not because of his exalted signs but because of his patience and humility. But a person who itches to command unclean spirits, to bestow the gift of health on the sick, or to show some wondrous sign to the people is far from Christ even though he invokes the name of Christ in his displays, because by reason of his proud mind he does not follow the Teacher of humility.
Even when he was returning to his Father he prepared what I might call his testament, and he left this to his disciples: “A new commandment I give you,” he said, “that you love one another; as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” And immediately he added: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. He did not say: If you also perform signs and mighty deeds, but: “If you have love for one another.” Certainly no one can observe this but the gentle and the humble.
St John Cassian
PRAYER – O God, Who through St Joseph, Thy Confessor, did graciously will to provide Thy Church with a new method for the training of youth, in the spirit of understanding and holiness grant, we beseech Thee, that, following his example and through his intercession, we may live and teach so as to acquire an everlasting reward. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen
St Joseph Calasanz Sch.P. (1557-1648) Spanish Confessor, Priest, Teacher, Lawyer, Founder of the Pious Schools. Patron of all Schools, Colleges, all study institutions and of all students.
St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Archbishop and Church Father, Theologian, Preacher, Apostle of charity, Legislator, Administrator, Writer, Reformer.
St Carpophorus St David Lewis St Decuman St Ebbo of Sens St Etherius of Lyons St Euthalia of Leontini St Fortunatus of Potenza Bl Gabriel Mary St Gebhard of Constance St Giovanni of Pavia St Honoratus of Potenza St John of Pavia St Licerius of Couserans St Malrubius of Merns St Narnus of Bergamo St Phanurius St Poemen Bl Roger Cadwallador St Rufus of Capua St Sabinian of Potenza St Syagrius of Autun
Martyrs of Tomi – 5 Saints: A group of 17 Christians imprisoned and executed for their faith during the persecutions of Diocletian. They miraculously were unburned by fire and untouched by wild animals. We know the names and a few details on five of them – John, Mannea, Marcellinus, Peter and Serapion. They were tied to stakes and burned alive; they emerged unharmed – thrown to wild animals in the amphitheatre; the animals ignored them; they were beheaded in 304 in Tomi, Mesia (modern Costanza, Romania).
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 14 Beati: A group of fourteen missionaries and Japanese native Christians, who were Martyred together for their faith. They died on 16 August 1627 in Nagasaki, Japan and were Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX. • Blessed Antonius of Saint Francis • Blessed Bartolomé Díaz Laurel • Blessed Caius Akashi Jiemon • Blessed Francisca Pinzokere • Blessed Francisco of Saint Mary • Blessed Franciscus Kuhyoe • Blessed Leo Kurobyoe Nakamura • Blessed Lucas Tsuji Kyuemon • Blessed Ludovicus Matsuo Soyemon • Blessed Magdalena Kiyota • Blessed Maria Shobyoe • Blessed Michaël Koga Kizayemon • Blessed Thomas Sato Shin’emon • Blessed Tsuji Shobyoe
Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Joseph Calasanz/Calasantius (1557-1648) Spanish Confessor
“Like the saplings of plants, the young are easily influenced, as long as someone works to teach their souls. But if they are allowed to grow hard, we know well that the possibility of one day bending them, diminishes a great deal and is sometimes utterly lost.”
“Keep, O Lord, my heart at peace, always close to Thee. Thou Who calms the wild waves of the sea.”
“If, from the very earliest years, a child is instructed in both religion and letters, it can be reasonably hoped that his life will be happy.”
Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland– Our Lady of Czestochowa is a revered icon of the Virgin Mary housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland. Several Pontiffs have recognised the venerated icon, beginning with Pope Clement XI who issued a Canonical Coronation to the image on 8 September 1717 via the Vatican Chapter. Patron of Poland. According to tradition, the Icon of Jasna Góra (Bright Mountain) was painted by St Luke the Evangelist on a tabletop built by Jesus Himself and the Icon was discovered by St Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine and collector of Christian Relics, in the Holy Land.
St Pope Zephyrinus (died 217) Martyr, he was Bishop of Rome or Pope from 199 to his death in 217. He was born in Rome. He is known for combatting heresies and defending the Divinity of Christ.
St Jeanne Elisabeth des Bichier des Anges FC (1773-1838) (commonly referred to as St Elisabeth Bichier) and known as “the Good Sister” – Religious and co-Founder with Saint André Hubert Fournet (whom we celebrate on 13 May) of the Sisters of the Cross, Sisters of St Andrew, a religious congregation which was established for the care of the poor and the instruction of rural children in the Diocese of Poitiers in 1807. She also helped to inspire the founding of a community of Priests dedicated to Missionary service, the St Elisabeth died in 1838, at which time there were about 600 Daughters of the Cross serving in some 100 communities. She was Beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1934 and Canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1947.
Bl Jean Bassano Bl Jean of Caramola Bl Juan Urgel Bl Margaret of Faenza St Maximilian of Rome St Melchizedek the Patriarch St Orontius of Lecce St Pandwyna St Rufinus of Capua St Secundus the Theban St Victor of Caesarea St Victor the Martyr St Vyevain of York
Martyrs of Celano – 3 Saints: Three Christians, Constantius, Simplicius and Victorinus, Martyred in the same area at roughly the same time. They were Martyred in c 159 in the Marsica region of Italy. At some point their relics were interred under the main Altar of the San Giovanni Vecchio Church in the Collegiata di Celano and were authenticated in 1057 by Pope Stephen IX. The city was depopulated in 1222; when it was re-built, the relics were re-enshrined in the Church.
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
Bl Emilio Serrano Lizarralde Bl Francesc Casademunt Ribas Bl Josep Maria Tolaguera Oliva Bl Luis Valls Matamales Bl María de Los Ángeles Ginard Martí Bl Pere Sisterna Torrent
Miguel de Carvalho SJ, also known as Michael Carvalho, was born in Braga, in 1579, to a noble and wealthy family. In 1597, he joined the Society of Jess in. In 1602, he studied in Portuguese India. After completing his studies of philosophy and theology at St. Paul’s College in Goa, he was ordained to the priesthood. For several years, he was a professor of theology at the Academy. On 21 August 1621, he arrived in Japan where there was an increasing persecution of Catholics in social life. Hidetada Tokugawa, the second shōgun of the Tokugawa dynasty, issued a decree which banned the practice and teaching of the Christian faith, and under the threat of loss of life, all missionaries had to leave Japan. This decree started the bloody persecution of Christians, which lasted several decades.
Carvalho hid in plain view, disguised as a soldier for two years. When the local governor openly confessed that Carvalho was a missionary, and the actual purpose of his stay was to preach and convert the locals to Christianity, he was expelled from the island. With the help of fellow believers, he went to Nagasaki, where the Jesuit Provincial, Francisco Pacheco advised him to remain prudent in the implementation of the apostolate and directed him to care for a small group living in a suburban area. On 22 July 1623, as he returned from the pastoral ministry in Ōmura, Carvalho was arrested thanks to an accusation from an informant.
In the local prison, he joined Franciscan Luis Sotelo, Dominican Pedro Vásquez, and two Japanese Franciscans, Ludovicus Sasada and tertiary Ludovicus Baba. Miguel spent his time in captivity with the celebration of daily Mass and prayer. On 24 August, a death sentence was ordered, which was performed the next day in Ōmura. On 25 August 1624, Carvalho and his companions were burned at the stake.
The steadfastness and joy that he showed convicts in the face of martyrdom for the faith, aroused the admiration of his contemporaries. Carvalho was beatified by Pope Pius IX on 7 July 1867. The death of the martyrs is commemorated by an obelisk in Ōmura.
‘Thanks be to God, that joyous as I was in the flesh, I am now more joyous here.’
One Minute Reflection – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France – Readings: Ps 36:30-31, Ps 36:1, Wis 10:10-14, Luke 19:12-26
I say to you that to everyone who has shall be given; but from him who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away.
Luke 19:12-26
REFLECTION – What have we to offer God? Faith and love. That is where we find what God asks of us, as it is written: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul”. These are the offerings and these the gifts we should make to the Lord. And if we are to offer him these gifts with all our heart, then first of all we must get to know him. We must have drunk of the knowledge of his goodness from the deep waters of his well.
People who deny that salvation lay within the power of our freedom should be ashamed on hearing these words! Would God ask something from us if we weren't capable of responding to God's demand and giving him what he owed? For there is God's gift but also our contribution. For example, it was well within that man's power that one gold coin should make ten or five more; but that the man should possess that gold coin with which to produce ten more in the first place belonged to God. Once he had given God the ten gold coins he had made, the man received a new sort of gift: not money this time, but the power and sovereignty over ten cities.
In the same way, God asked Abraham to make an offering of his son, Isaac, on the mountain he would show him. And Abraham, without hesitation, offered his only son: he laid him on the altar and drew out his knife to slay him. But at once a voice restrained him and a ram was given him to be sacrificed in his son's place. So you see: what we offer God depends on us; but this offering is asked of us so that, in making our gift, we might witness to our love for God and faith in him.
Origen (c.185-253)
PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen
Quote of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France
The instructions which St Louis gave to the heir of his crown and which, he had constantly observed himself, testify to his great devotion and holiness. These were the last admonitions of the Holy King:
Love God, the Almighty, above all else.
Flee sin more quickly than you would a serpent.
Become not fainthearted, in adversity.
Become not elevated, in the days of prosperity.
Show the wounds of your soul frequently, to your spiritual physician and refuse no remedies, however bitter, to heal them.
Pray diligently.
Be compassionate and generous to the poor.
If your mind is harassed with doubt, consult a devout man.
Keep faithful and pious counsellors around you and dismiss those who are wicked.
All that is good hold fast: all that is bad discard.
Lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Listen not to calumniators and slanderers.
So long as you reign, leave not unpunished those who blaspheme God and the Saints.
First be grateful to God, then to men.
Love and protect justice and neither neglect nor despise the complaints of the needy.
In your own affairs, when they are not perfectly clear, speak and act against yourself.
Refund immediately the possessions of others.
Protect the clergy.
Love and honour your parents.
If you are obliged to war against Christians, spare the Churches and the Convents.
Endeavour to terminate all contentions with kindness.
Guard all your officials with a watchful eye.
Ever show due reverence to the Pope.
Overstep not the bounds of moderation in your expenses.
When I have departed, let prayers and Masses be said for the repose of my soul.
St Abban St Abyce St Agofridus of Lacroix Bl Antonio de Blanes
St Audoin/Ouen of Rouen (c605-684) Bishop, Confessor, Evangeliser and Missionary, French Official and Adviser, Writer, Peace-makers and Diplomat. Audoin was both Lord Chancellor of France and Officer of the Palace or Administrator.
St Emilie de Vialar (1797–1856) Religious Sister and Founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, Apostle of Charity .Her sanctity was officially recognised by the Church when she was Canonised on 24 June 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
St Eutychius of Troas St George Limniotes St Irchard
St Jeanne-Antide Thouret (1765-1826) French Religious and the Founder of the Thouret Sisters – renamed the Sisters of Divine Charity., Apostle of Charity and the Poor and helpless, Teacher. Thouret’s life was one of service to children and the ill across France in schools and hospitals – some of which her order established. This active apostolate did not cease when the French Revolution forced her into exile. She continued her work in both Switzerland and the Kingdom of Prussia. St Jeanne-Antide was Canonised on 14 January 1934 by Pope Pius XI.
St Patrick the Elder St Ptolemy of Nepi St Romanus of Nepi St Sandratus St Taziano of Claudiopolis
St George Limniotes, a martyr and hermit. Born in 635, he pursued the life of a hermit on Mount Olympus, near Constantinople. Like all hermits, he prayed, fasted, and practiced contemplation, his sanctity gaining him the love of the locals, who sought his counsel and prayers. During his life the heresy of Iconoclasm raged, and he fiercely defended icons and demolished the arguments of the Iconoclasts. For this, in the year 730, at age ninety-five, he was martyred. His murderers mutilated his face, cutting off his nose before they burnt him to death.
Manifestly he was assuredly saved who had been glorified in such a spectacle.
Saints Altigianus and Hilarinus, martyrs and monks of the French Burgundian monastery of Saint-Seine founded two centuries earlier by Saint Sequanus. The Moors who had invaded Spain in the early eighth century spread their conquest for a time into parts of France, and penetrated the country all the way to the Burgundian city of Autun. Their advance was not halted until 732, when the Frankish ruler Charles Martel defeated them between Poitiers and Tours. It was about this time that Altigianus and Hilarinus were slain with the sword by the Moors at or close to the Saint-Seine monastery, not far from Autun.
He was bathed with such a quantity of blood, that the people shouted out to him as he was returning, the testimony of his second baptism, “Saved and washed, saved and washed.”
St Andrew of Fiesole St Anthusa of Seleucia St Antoninus of Rome St Arnulf of Eynesbury St Athanasius of Tarsus Bl Bernard Perani St Dalmau Llebaría Torné St Epictetus of Ostia St Ethelgitha of Northumbria St Fabrician of Toledo St Felix of Ostia
Blessed Giacomo/James Bianconi OP (1220–1301) Confessor, Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Spiritual Advisor, founder and restorer of Convents and Churches. Pope Urban VIII Beatified the Blessed Giacomo in 1641.
St Joan Farriol Sabaté
St John Kemble (1599 – 1679) Martyr, Priest. Ordained in 1625, he returned to Monmouthshire and served more than 50 years as an itinerant Priest, winning admirers even among Protestants. After being dragged on a hurdle to Widemarsh Common, Kemble declared on the scaffold that he died for the religion that had made this country Christian and that he forgave all his enemies. He was then obliged to encourage the executioner, who had no stomach for his task.
St John Wall St Josep Roselló Sans St Julio Melgar Salgado St Maprilis of Ostia St Martial of Ostia St Maurus of Rheims St Narciso de Esténaga y Echevarría St Philibert of Toledo Bl Richard Kirkman St Saturninus of Ostia Bl Simeon Lukach St Sigfrid of Wearmouth St Symphorian of Autun
Blessed Timoteo da Monticchio OFM (1444-1503) Priest of the Order of the Friars Minor, he was endowed with mystical gifts, especially of the Blessed Virgin and of St Francis of Assisi. On 10 March 1870, his Beatification was confirmed by Pope Pius IX. His body is incorrupt.
St Thomas Percy St Timothy of Rome Bl William Lacey
Blessed William Lacey, was a martyr of England and a priest. Born in Horton, West Riding, Yorkshire, he married a widow and both his step-sons became Jesuits.
He distinguished himself as a lawyer and as an ardent Catholic, using his house as a refuge for the much-oppressed Catholics of the time, being one of those gentlemen whose house was open to priests that came from the colleges abroad. Having been advised by them that he could not in good conscience attend Protestant churches, his absence was noted and he was forced to give up his position. He was subject to repeated fines, until he had to leave his home and stay with friends, but never long in one place. For fourteen years he suffered persecution for his faith, which included imprisonment at Hull. After the death of his wife, he went abroad and arrived at Reims, 22 June 1580. On 25 September following he went on to Pont-à-Mousson, and thence to Rome, where he obtained a dispensation. The dispensation was necessary as Lacy had been married twice.
He arrived at Douai in 1577 and, after the transference of the English College to Reims, was ordained priest on Holy Saturday, 1579. On his return to England in August he seems to have found a refuge with Robert Dymoke, hereditary Champion of England (d. in Lincoln gaol for his faith, 11 Sept 1580), at Scrivelsby, Lincolnshire. He was eventually arrested, 8 August, 1582. After condemnation the two martyrs shared one cell in a turret till 10 August, when Blessed Richard was moved to an underground dungeon.
York’s ‘Tyburn’ at Knavesmire, where the martyrs were executed
He was executed at Knavesmaire, just outside of York with Blessed Richard Kirkman. They are both members of the 158 Douai Martyrs.
My son, my son, remember eternal life; look up to Heaven and see the One Who reigns there; life is not taken from thee, it is exchanged for a better one.
Siblings, and children of Almanzor, Muslim caliph of Lerida, Catalonia, Spain, during the Moorish Occupation in the 12th century. Saint Bernard converted and became a Benedictine Cistercian monk at Poblet, taking the name Bernard. He then converted his two sisters Gracia and Maria, and together they attempted to convert their other brother, Almanzor, who turned them over to Moorish authorities. They were martyred in 1180.
Saint Bernard
Saint Gracia
Saint Maria
The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths are not known. Bernard, Gracia and Maria are venerated as the patron saints of Alcira, Valencia, Spain.
Muslim army in Iberia
Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings.
The Apparition in County Mayo in Ireland of Our Lady of Knock is reported to have occurred on the evening of 21 August 1879, the Vigil of the Octave of the Feast of the Assumption. Those who witnessed the miracle, ranged in age from five years old to seventy five.
The Apparition was described as follows: “Our Lady was wearing a large, brilliant crown and clothed in white garments. On her right was Saint Joseph, his head inclined toward her and on her left Saint John the Evangelist. To the left of Saint John was an Altar on which stood a Crucifix and a lamb.”
Standing only a few feet off the ground, the Blessed Virgin wore a white cloak and was described by witnesses as being incredibly beautiful. She wore a bright golden crown and appeared to be praying with her eyes looking toward Heaven with her arms bend in front of her with her palms facing inward.”
Fifteen parishioners stood, before the Apparition, for two hours as they recited the Rosary. Although it was daylight when the Apparition began, the weather changed and it began to rain heavily. The area around the Apparition appeared unaffected, however, as the ground remained dry, as long as the vision lasted. Our Lady did not speak but the gable of the Church where the Apparition occured was covered with a cloud of light.
Saint Joseph, also wore white robes and stood on the Virgin’s right. He inclined his head respectfully toward the Blessed Virgin. Saint John the Evangelist wore a miter and appeared to be preaching as he held a book in his left hand.
Since then thousands of people have made pilgrimages to Knock to pray to Our Lady. Their prayerful, penitential and reverential spirit, has been commended again and again by visitors from other lands. No sign of commercialism detracts from the purely religious atmosphere of that hallowed spot. People from all walks of life kneel in humble supplication before the Shrine of Our Lady, fully confident that she has sanctified that spot by her appearance there.
Organised pilgrimages from various Diocese are conducted frequently to the Shrine The Holy Rosary comprises the main portion of the devotion – the Shrine is, therefore, appropriately called the Rosary Shrine. The “Knock Shrine Annual” relates many wonderful accounts of cures and conversions effected at the Shrine.
St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) – Mother, Widow, Foundress of the Congregation of the Visitation. Close friend of St Francis de Sales and St Vincent de Paul, both of whom guided and assisted her and her foundation, spiritually.
St Abraham of Smolensk (Died c 1222) Monk, Abbot, Priest, apostle of the poor, Preacher, Biblical scholar and spiritual adviser.
St Agapius of Edessa St Agathonicus of Constantinople St Anastasius Cornicularius St Aria of Rome St Avitus I of Clermont St Bassa of Edessa Bl Beatrice de Roelas St Bernhard of Lérida St Bernard de Alziva St Bonosus St Camerinus of Sardinia St Cameron St Cisellus of Sardinia St Cyriaca St Euprepius of Verona St Fidelis of Edessa Bl Gilbert of Valenciennes St Gracia of Lérida St Hardulph St Joseph Nien Vien Bl Ladislaus Findysz St Leontius the Elder St Luxorius of Sardinia St Maria of Lérida St Maximianus the Soldier St Maximilian of Antioch St Natale of Casale Monferrato St Paternus of Fondi St Privatus of Mende St Quadratus of Utica
St Sidonius Apollinaris (c 430 – 489) Bishop, Copnfessor, Poet, Diplomat, Writer, Scholar, Apostle of the poor and of exiles.
St Theogonius of Edessa St Zoticus the Philosopher
Saint Zacchaeus the Publican, also known as Zaccheo, whose name means “pure, innocent”, was a chief tax-collector at Jericho, who climbed a tree in order to see Jesus because he couldn’t see over the crowd. Jesus decided to go to the man’s house, and when the locals grumbled that Christ was friendly with sinners, Zacchaeus showed his conversion by making retribution to any he had harmed, and by giving largely to charity.
Jesus invites Zacchaeus to come down from the sycamore tree
Many things are reported of him after this, including that he married Saint Veronica, that he became bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and that he is Saint Amadour who was an early hermit in France. At Jericho there is a large, square tower, which by tradition is named the House of Zacchaeus.
Saint Amadour, also known as Amadour of Lucca, Amadour of Rocamadour, Amadoro, Amator, Amatore. In 1126 or 1162 (records vary), the body of this saint was found, possibly incorrupt, in a tomb with indications that the person had died about 1000 years earlier. No doubt for good reasons, people at the time decided that he was Saint Zacchaeus the Publican who changed his name when he converted to Christianity. Tradition records that he was a servant in the house of the Holy Family. He married St. Veronica, going with her to Gaul where they spread the Christian faith around Bordeaux. Amadour is also recorded as having gone to Rome to witness the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. He returned to Gaul and after the death of St. Veronica he became a hermit at Quircy, France, where he built a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
There is also a pilgrimage path closeby to his shrine, and some relics enshrined at the Saint Michelotto Franciscan convent.
St Bernard O.Cist. (1090-1153) Abbot of the Order of Citeaux (the Cistercians), Confessor, “Doctor Mellifluus” of the Church and the Last Father of the Church,“The Bard of Mary”- Theologian, Reformer, Writer, Mystic, Preacher, Mariologist, Advisor, Mediator, Poet. St Bernard, the Founding Abbot of Clairvaux Abbey in Burgundy, France, was one of the most commanding Church leaders in the first half of the twelfth century, as well as, one of the greatest spiritual masters of all time and the most powerful propagator of the Cistercian reform.
St Brogan St Burchard of Worms St Christopher of Cordoba St Cristòfol Baqués Almirall St Edbert of Northumbria Bl Georg Hafner Bl Gervais-Protais Brunel St Gobert of Apremont St Haduin of Le Mans St Heliodorus of Persia St Herbert Hoscam St Leovigild of Cordoba Bl Louis-François Lebrun St Lucius of Cyprus St Maximus of Chinon
Blessed Maria de Mattias ASC (1805-1866) Founder of the religious Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Mystic, Teacher, Preacher, Catechist
St Oswine of Deira (Died 651) King, Martyr, King of Deira in northern England.
Saint Sarah the Matriarch, also known as Sari, Sarai, Sara, the wife of the Patriarch Abraham and also his step-sister. Her name means ‘princess’. A pious woman, renowned for her hospitality and beauty, she was a convert from paganism, the first female convert to the faith of Abraham. With her husband she was a nomad in the desert of Canaan.
When Abraham goes down to Egypt because of the famine, he induces Sara, who though sixty-five years of age is very beautiful, to say that she is his sister; whereupon she is taken to wife by the King of Egypt, who, however, restores her after a Divine admonition. In a variant account, she is taken in similar circumstances by Abimelech, King of Gerara, and restored likewise to Abraham through a Divine intervention.
Sarai Is Taken to Pharaoh’s Palace
After having been barren till the age of ninety, Sara, in fulfilment of a Divine promise, gives birth to Isaac (A name which means ‘Laughter’). Later, through jealousy, she ill-treats her handmaiden Hagar the Egyptian, who had borne a child to Abraham, and finally she forces that latter to drive away the bond-woman and her son Ishmael. Sara lived to the age of one hundred and twenty-seven years, and at her death her husband mourned greatly and buried her in the cave of Macphelah in Hebron. This was the first land owned by the Israelites in Canaan, which became known as the Cave of the Patriarchs. Isaiah alludes to Sara as the mother of the chosen people, and St. Peter praises her submission to her husband. In Galatians Paul also uses her as an allegory of the new covenant.
“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother…Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise…Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.”
St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, Priest, Missionary, Founder, Preacher, Writer, Mystic, he founded the Congregation of Jesus (The Eudists) and Mary and the Order of Our Lady of Charity and was the Author of the propers for the Mass and Divine Office of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Known as “The Apostle of Two Hearts.” Beatified on 25 April 1909 by Pope Pius X and Canonised on 31 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
St Andrew the Tribune St Badulf of Ainay St Bertulf of Luxeuil St Calminius St Credan of Evesham St Donatus of Mount Jura St Elaphius of Châlons St Guenninus Bl Guerricus Bl Hugh Green
Blessed Jordan of Pisa OP (c 1255–1311) Dominican Friar, Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Founder of the Confraternity of the Holy Redeemer at Pisa, Visionary, Marian devotee, promoter and daring innovator of the vernacular Italian language as a ‘church’ language and a tool for evangelisation. On 23 August 1833, Blessed Jordan’s cultus was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI and in 1838 he was Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI.
St Julius of Rome
St Louis of Toulouse OFM (1274-1297) Prince and Bishop, Neapolitan Prince of the Capetian House of Anjou, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Apostle of Prayer, of Penance and of the poor and the sick. He had received the last sacraments on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and on the 19th of August, 1297, while pronouncing the holy name of Mary, he yielded his soul to God. Because of the many miracles that were wrought at his tomb, he was Canonised as early as 1317, during the lifetime of his mother.
St Magnus of Anagni St Magnus of Avignon St Magnus of Cuneo St Marianus of Entreaigues St Marinus of Besalu St Magino of Tarragona St Mochta St Namadia of Marsat St Rufinus of Mantua St Sarah the Matriarch St Sebaldus St Thecla of Caesarea St Timothy of Gaza
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 15 Beati: A group of missionaries and their laymen supporters who were executed for spreading Christianity in Japan. • Antonius Yamada • Bartholomaeus Mohyoe • Iacobus Matsuo Denji • Ioachim Díaz Hirayama • Ioannes Miyazaki Soemon • Ioannes Nagata Matashichi • Ioannes Yago • Laurentius Ikegami Rokusuke • Leo Sukeemon • Ludovic Frarijn • Marcus Takenoshita Shin’emon • Michaël Díaz Hori • Paulus Sankichi • Pedro de Zúñiga • Thomas Koyanagi They were beheaded on 19 August 1622 at Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Saints Florus and Laurus were twin brothers who worked as stonemasons. They were originally from Byzantium but settled in Ulpiana, Dardania, south of modern Pristina, Kosovo. They were educated in masonry by two men named Maximus and Proculus, who were Christians, and who were later sentenced to death for being so.
Novgorod icon of Sts. Florus and Laurus
Likaion, the prefect of the district, employed the brothers in the construction of a pagan temple. The brothers gave their salaries to the poor. When the son of a local pagan priest named Mamertin was blinded by a chip of stone from the saints’ temple, Florus and Laurus cured the boy after he converted to Christianity. Mamertin also converted to Christianity as a result of his son’s recovery.
After the temple was finished, the twins brought together many local Christians. The group smashed all of the statues of the pagan gods, and a cross was set up in the temple, then they spent the whole night in prayer within it. As a result of this action, the local authorities had 300 Christians, including Mamertin and Mamertin’s son, burned to death.
Florus and Laurus were executed differently; Likaion had them thrown down an empty well, which was then covered with earth. Many years later their relics were recovered and transferred to Constantinople.
See how you lie prostrate unto death, while John who was killed is alive. You have lost the purple that received its colour from dye, John is forever gloriously clothed with the radiant purple from his blood.
St Crispus of Rome St Daig Maccairaill Bl Domenico de Molinar St Eonus of Arles St Ernan St Evan of Ayrshire St Firminus of Metz St Florus of Illyria Bl Francus of Francavilla Bl Gaspar di Salamanca St Hermas of Rome St John of Rome St Juliana of Myra St Juliana of Stobylum St Laurus of Illyria St Leo of Myra Bl Leonard of Cava St Maximus of Illyria Bl Milo of Fontenelle St Polyaenus of Rome St Proculus of Illyria
Blessed Rinaldo of Concorezzo (c 1245 – 1321) Bishop of Vicenza from 1296 until his 1303 appointment as the Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia holding that until his death, Doctor of Canon Law, Papal envoy, Arbitrator and Peace-maker. Archbishop Rinaldo was also a close friend of Dante Alighieri.
St Ronan of Iona St Serapion of Rome
Massa Candida: Also known as Martyrs of Utica and the White Company: Three hundred 3rd century Christians at Carthage, who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them. They were forced to cast themselves into a pit of burning lime c 253 at Carthage, North Africa.
Happy, indeed, is she to whom it is given to share this sacred banquet, to cling with all her heart to Him whose beauty all the heavenly hosts admire unceasingly, whose love inflames our love, whose contemplation is our refreshment, whose graciousness is our joy, whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, whose remembrance brings a gentle light, whose fragrance will revive the dead, whose glorious vision will be the happiness of all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem
Victory of the King of France (Philip the Fair), imploring the help of Our Lady of Chartres (1304) – 17 August:
It was on this day in the year 1304 that “Philip the Fair” gained a signal victory over the Flemish after recommending himself to Our Lady of Chartres.
The eldest son of King Philip and Isabella of Aragon, he was nicknamed Philip the Fair while yet a Prince for his handsome features. He became King of France at only 17 years of age and married Joan of Navarre in 1284, which enlarged his Kingdom.
In the year 1302, Philip sent an inadequate army into Flanders to suppress the Flemish, who were making incursions into his realm at will. His army was soundly defeated at the Battle of the Golden Spurs. Philip responded by winning a naval victory over the Flemish at Zierichzee and then met the Flemish army at the Battle of Mons-en-Pevele, also known as Mons-en-Puelle, on 17 August 1304.
The battle was furious, lasting all day in extreme heat. Eventually the majority of the French army fled the field, leaving Philip alone with only ten Knights fighting desperately to save themselves and their King. Philip’s horse collapsed, having been killed under him and his life was in great danger of being lost. At that moment, while facing death and certain defeat in battle, Philip turned to the Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of Chartres, begging her assistance to save the day and his life.
Suddenly the French Knights, who had been fleeing the field, turned and saw the King’s Royal Standard still stood, and that he, himself, fought like a Knight of great renown amidst a sea of raging enemies. Racing to the scene with their swords and lances, they turned the Flemish and drove them from the field in what became a resounding victory for the King of France. The Battle of the Golden Spurs was well compensated.
In gratitude for this victory and favour of Our Lady of Chartres, King Philip went at once to do homage to the Virgin Mary at her Cathedral. He took off his own armour and gave it to the cathedral at the Altar. He also gave to it, in perpetuity, the land and lordship of Barrus, founded a daily Mass forever and left to this church ,all of the other accoutrements which he had worn on that day of victory. This feast is kept in the Church of Notre Dame, at Paris, on the following day, the 18th and the office is double. This armour is formerly exhibited in the church, on the Anniversary of the battle.
St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine
St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c 1269-1308) Augustinian Nun and Abbess, before becoming a nun, St Clare was a member of the Third Order of St Francis (Secular), Mystic, Penitent, Spiritual adviser.
St Donatus of Ripacandida St Drithelm St Elias the Younger Bl Enric Canadell Quintana Bl Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera St Pope Eusebius St Eusebius of Sicily
St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) “Apostle of Poland” and “Apostle of the North” also known as “the Polish St Dominic”– Religious Priest of the Order of Preachers, Confessor, Doctor of Law and Divinity, Missionary, Preacher, Miracle Worker, Mystic.
St Jeroen of Noordwijk St Juliana of Ptolemais St Leopoldina Naudet St Mamas Bl Marie-Élisabeth Turgeon St Michaël Kurobyoie St Myron of Cyzicus
St Nicolò Politi (1117-1167) Basilian Monk and Hermit. He was known for his miracles even during his childhood and was Venerated as a saint even before his death.
Bl Noël-Hilaire Le Conte St Paul of Ptolemais St Theodore of Grammont — Martyred in the Spanish Civil War: Bl Antoni Carmaniú Mercarder, Bl Facundo Escanciano Tejerina, Bl Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera, Bl Enric Canadell Quintana, Florencio López Egea and see below – Martyrs of Malaga – 8 beati: A priest and seven brothers, all members of the Hospitallers of Saint John of God, all martyred together in the Spanish Civil War.
Saint Eusebius (died 21 October 310) was the bishop of Rome from 18 April 309 until his exile on 17 August 310. Not much is known about Eusebius’s early life, but he was probably Greek. His reign was short. The Liberian Catalogue gives its duration as only four months, from 18 April to 17 August, 309 or 310.
We learn some details of his career from an epitaph for his tomb which Pope Damasus ordered. It appears that the grave internal dissentions caused in the Roman Church by the readmittance of the apostates (lapsi) during the persecution of Diocletian, and which had already arisen under Marcellus, continued under Eusebius. The latter maintained the attitude of the Roman Church, adopted after the Decian persecutions (250-51), that the apostates should not be forever debarred from ecclesiastical communion, but on the other hand, should be readmitted only after doing proper penance.
This view was opposed by a faction of Christians in Rome under the leadership of one Heraclius. It is likely that Heraclius and his supporters sought to compel by force their admittance to divine worship, which was resented by the faithful gathered in Rome about Eusebius. In consequence both Eusebius and Heraclius were exiled by Emperor Maxentius. Eusebius was deported to Sicily, where he died soon after. Miltiades ascended the papal throne, 2 July, 311. The body of his predecessor was brought back to Rome, probably in 311, and was placed in a separate cubiculum of the Catacomb of Callistus. His firm defense of ecclesiastical discipline and the banishment which he suffered therefore caused him to be venerated as a martyr, and in his epitaph Pope Damasus honours Eusebius with this title.
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