Saint of the Day – 11 June – Saint Blitharius (7th Century) Priest, Hermit , Missionary in Ireland and France, as a disciple of St Fursey (Died c648) He became a renowned and fervent Preacher and Evangeliser. Born in Scotland and died in the late 7th century in Sézanne, France, Also known as – Blitarius, Blitario, Blier. Additional Memorial – 17 June in the Diocese of Troyes.
St Fursey and his Companions journey of evangelisation in England and France
Born in Scotland, Blitharius embarked on a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of St Fursey, an Irish Monk revered for his sanctity and wisdom. Under his guidance, Blitharius was Ordained a Priest and began a journey through Ireland and France, spreading the message of the Gospel and inspiring the faithful with his preaching.
Between 640 and 644, Blitharius’ life took a decisive turn. Attracted by quiet and solitude, he settled in Verzeracus, France, where he built a small shelter which became his hermitage. In this ascetic refuge, Blitharius dedicated his whole life to prayer, fasting and mortification of the body, offering himself to God as a “victim” as a sign of absolute devotion.
Blitharius’ ermitic life was characterised by rigid discipline and profound austerity. He deprived himself of all material comforts, eating only herbs and roots and spending his days in prayer and meditation.
His fame for sanctity spread rapidly, attracting pilgrims from all over the region who sought his spiritual counsel and blessing.
After a life devoted to prayer and mortification, Blitharius left this world to jo enter his eternal home. His body was buried in Sézanne, where his tomb became a place of pilgrimage for the faithful who venerated his memory.
In 1568, Saint Blitharius’ Relics were translated to the Collegiate Church of Broyes in the Marne. However, during the Wars of Religion in France in 1568, Calvinists burned the Relics, destroying this precious tangible link to the Saint.
The Feast of Saint Blitharius was always celebrated on J11une 11. However, in the Proper of Troyes, his Feast was moved to 17 June, a date which is still commemorated there today.
St Bardo (c981-c1053) Archbishop of Mainz from 1031 until 1051, the Abbot of Werden from 1030 until 1031 and the Abbot of Hersfeld in 1031. Ascetic, renowned for his piety and devotion, for his care and love of the poor, renowned Preacher, called “The Chrysostom” of his time. Born in c981 in Oppershofen, Germany and died on 10 or 11 June in 1051 or 1053 (records vary) in Oberdorla near Mühlhausen in Thuringia, of natural causes. Patronage – of Oppershofen “The Chrysostom” of his time: https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/11/saint-of-the-day-11june-saint-bardo-of-mainz-c981-c1053-archbishop-the-chrysostom-of-his-time/
St Herebald of Bretagne Bl Hugh of Marchiennes Bl Jean de Bracq
Bl Kasper of Grimbergen
St Parisius ECMC (c1160-1267) Priest and Monk of the Camaldolese Hermits of Mount Corona, Spiritual Director, Reformer, Miracle-worker during his life and after his death. A very long life of humble and loving service, for the glory of God!: The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Treviso, Saint Parisio, Priest of the Camaldolese Order, who for seventy-seven years took care of the spiritual direction of the Nuns with healthy advice, dying at the age of one hundred and eight.” https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/11/saint-of-the-day-11-june-st-parisius-ecmc-c-1160-1267-a-very-long-life-of-humble-and-loving-service-for-the-glory-of-god/
St Rembert (c830-888) Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, Missionary, Miracle-worker, Founder of Churches and Monasteries, Disciple of St Ansgar (801-865) “The Apostle of the North.” The Roman Martyrology reads : “In Bremen in Saxony, in today’s Germany, Saint Rembert, Bishop of Hamburg and Bremen, who, a faithful disciple of Saint Ansgar and his successor, extended his ministry to the regions of Denmark and Sweden and, at the time of the invasions of the Normans, he took care of the ransom of the Christian prisoners.” A True Shepherd: https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/11/saint-of-the-day-11-june-st-rembert-of-hamburg-c830-888-archbishop/
St Riagail (Died c881) Abbot of Bangor Monastery Bl Stephen Bandelli OP St Tochumra of Kilmore St Tochumra of Tuam
Martyrs of Tavira – 7 Beati: Members of the Knights of Santiago de Castilla. During the re-conquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims by Christian forces, in a period of truce between the armies, the group was allowed to leave the Portuguese camp to hunt. Near Tavira, Portugal, he and his companions were ambushed and killed by a Muslim force. Making a reprisal attack, the Portuguese army took the city of Tavira. The murdered knights were considered to be martyrs as they died in an action defending the faith. They were – Blessed Alvarus Garcia, Blessed Beltrão de Caia, Blessed Damião Vaz, Blessed Estêvão Vasques, Blessed Garcia Roiz, Blessed Mendus Valle, Blessed Pedro Rodrigues’ They were Martyred in 1242 outside Tavira, Faro, Portugal. Their relics are enshrined under the altar of Saint Barnabas in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels (modern Santa Maria do Castelo) in Tavria, Portugal.
Mercedarian Martyrs of Damietta: Three Mercedarian Lay Knights who worked to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims. During the 7th Crusade, a plague swept through the Christian army and these knights volunteered to work with the sick. During this work they were captured by Muslims and ordered to convert to Islam; they refused. They were tortured, taken to Damietta, Egypt where they were murdered for their faith. They were thrown from a tower in the mid-13th century in Damietta, Egypt.
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