Saint of the Day – 10 June – St Asterius (Died c364) Bishop of Petra, in Arabia and Confessor, Defender of the true Faith against the heresy of the Arians, surviving banishment and persecution to protect St Athanasius and the holy Church.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Petra, in Arabia, St Asterius, a Bishop, who suffered much from the Arians for the Catholic Faith. He was banished, by the Emperor Constantius, to Africa where he died a glorious Confessor.”
In 343, Emperor Constantius II an Arian sympathiser, convened the Council of Sardica to resolve the theological controversies which were desiccating the Church. Among the participants was Asterius, sent by the Arians to accuse Saint Athanasius, a staunch defender of orthodox doctrine.
However, during the work of the Council, Asterius had the opportunity to witness, first-hand, the machinations and falsehoods of the heretics. In an act of extraordinary moral and spiritual integrity, he decided to abandon the Arian and instead, he supported and agreed with Saint Athanasius, publicly denouncing the Arians’ perfidy.
Asterius’ choice did not fail to provoke harsh reactions from the Arians, who threatened and persecuted him. But his faith was unshakable. Despite intimidation and obstacles, he remained faithful to his principles, demonstrating extraordinary courage. His testimony became a symbol of resistance against doctrinal oppression and a shining example for all those who were called to defend the truth of the Faith.
The date of Saint Asterius’ death is uncertain,but it is assumed to have occurred around the middle of the 4th Century.
St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Queen consort of Scotland, Wife and Mother, Apostle of the poor, Reformer. Saint Margaret’s name signifies “pearl” “a fitting name,” says Bishop Turgot, her Confessor and her first Biographer, “for one such as she.” Her soul was like a precious pearl. A life spent amidst the luxury of a Royal Court never dimmed its lustre, or stole it away from Him who had bought it with His Blood. Pope Innocent IV Canonised St Margaret in 1250 in recognition of her personal holiness, fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church, work for Ecclesiastical reform and charity. In 1693 Pope Innocent XII moved her feast day to 10 June but it was changed after Vatican II to 16 November. Illustrious St Margaret: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/16/saint-of-the-day-16-november-st-margaret-of-scotland-1045-1093-queen/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/10/saint-of-the-day-10-june-st-margaret-of-scotland-1045-1093/
Bl Amata of San Sisto St Amantius of Tivoli St Asterius (Died c364) Bishop of Petraand Confessor St Bardo of Mainz
St Caerealis of Tivoli St Censurius of Auxerre (Died 486) Bishop St Crispulus of Rome
Blessed Diana d’Andalo OP (1201-1236) Virgin, Nun of the Order of Preachers Beatified on 8 August 1888 by Pope Leo XII. The Roman Martyrology states: “In Bologna, blessed Diana d’Andalò, Virgin, who, having overcome all the impediments posed by her family, took a vow of cloistered life in the hands of Saint Dominic himself, entering the Monastery of Saint Agnes, which she founded.” Her Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/10/saint-of-the-day-10june-blessed-diana-dandalo-op-1201-1236-virgin/
Bl Elisabeth Hernden Bl Elizabeth Guillen St Evermund of Fontenay St Faustina of Cyzicus Bl Gerlac of Obermarchtal St Getulius of Tivoli
St Maurinus of Cologne (9th Century) Abbot, Martyr. St Maurinus . His Relics are kept in a Romanesque casket, a true masterpiece of goldsmith’s craft, dated around 1180. In 1922, it was brought back to the Church of St Pantaleone, from the Chapel of St Maria alla Schnurgasse. Since the 12th Century the Feast of St Maurinud is celebrated throughout the Diocese of Cologne on 10 June and in the Universal Church. His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/10/saint-of-the-day-10-june-saint-maurinus-of-cologne-9th-century-abbot-martyr/
St Primitivus of Tivoli St Restitutus of Rome Bl Thomas Green St Timothy of Prusa Bl Walter Pierson St Zachary of Nicomedia
Martyrs of North Africa – 17 Saints: A group of seventeen Christians Martyred together in North Africa; the only surviving details are two of their names – Aresius and Rogatius. Both the precise location in North Africa and the date are unknown.
Martyrs of the Aurelian Way – 23 Saints: A group of 23 Martyrs who died together in the persecutions of Aurelian. The only details that survive are three of their names – Basilides, Mandal and Tripos. c.270-275 on the Aurelian Way, Rome, Italy.
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