✠ ஒப்புரவாளர் புனிதர் எட்வர்ட் ✠(St. Edward the Confessor) அக்டோபர் 13

† இன்றைய புனிதர் †

(அக்டோபர் 13)

✠ ஒப்புரவாளர் புனிதர் எட்வர்ட் ✠

(St. Edward the Confessor)

இங்கிலாந்து அரசர்/ ஒப்புரவாளர்:

(King of England, Confessor)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

ஆங்கிலேய திருச்சபை

(Church of England)

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

(Eastern Orthodox Church)

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்

(Anglican Communion)

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1003

இஸ்லிப், ஆக்ஸ்ஃபோர்ட்ஷைர், இங்கிலாந்து

(Islip, Oxfordshire, England)

இறப்பு: ஜனவரி 5, 1066 (வயது 63)

லண்டன், இங்கிலாந்து

(London, England)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 7, 1161

திருத்தந்தை மூன்றாம் அலெக்சாண்டர்

(Pope Alexander III)

பாதுகாவல்:

கடினமான திருமணங்கள், இங்கிலாந்து, இங்கிலாந்து அரச குடும்பம், அரசர்கள்

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: அக்டோபர் 13

புனிதர் எட்வர்ட், கி.பி. 1042ம் ஆண்டு முதல், 1066ம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கிடையே இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டை ஆண்ட "ஆங்கிலோ-சாக்ஸன்" (Anglo-Saxon kings of England) அரச வம்சத்தைச் சேர்ந்த கடைசி அரசராவார்.

இவர், "ஈதல்ரெட்” மற்றும் “எம்மா" (Ethelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy) ஆகியோரின் புதல்வராவார். ஈதல்ரெட்'டின் ஏழாவது புதல்வரான இவர், ஈதல்ரெட்'டின் இரண்டாவது மனைவியான எம்மா'வின் தலைமகனாவார். 

இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டில் அரசராக முடிசூட்டப்பட்ட இவரது ஆட்சியில் மக்கள் மகிழ்ச்சியாகவும் அமைதியாகவும் வாழ்ந்தார்கள். இவர் இளமையில் மிகவும் துன்பப்பட்டவர். இங்கிலாந்திலிருந்து நாடு கடத்தப்பட்டு ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டிற்கு போய் நார்மண்டி மாகாணத்தில் சுமார் இருபத்தைந்து ஆண்டு காலம் வாழ்ந்தார்.

அரசரான போது இவருக்கு வயது 40. செபித்து பிற சிநேகச் செயல்கள் செய்வார். மக்களை சாந்தத்துடனும் நீதியுடனும் விவேகத்துடனும் ஆண்டு வந்தார். கைவிடப்பட்டு சந்நியாச மடங்கள் திரும்பவும் தொடங்கப்பட்டன. மக்களுக்கு நல்ல கல்விப் பயிற்சி அளிக்கப்பட்டது. நியாயமான ஒரு அரசரை எதிரிகள் தாக்கியபோது முதன்முறை இவர் உதவிக்குச் சென்றார் 23 ஆண்டுகளாக நாட்டை ஆண்டார். நாடு செழித்தோங்கியது. அநியாயமாக யாரும் தண்டிக்கப் பட்டதில்லை. தேவையற்ற வரிகளைத் தள்ளிவிட்டார். மக்கள் இவரை தெய்வமாக போற்றினார்கள். தம் நாட்டுக்கு வர இருந்த தீமைகளை இவர் முன்னறிவித்தார். "நாட்டில் தீமை அதிகரித்து நிரம்பி வழியும் போது கடவுள் கோபத்துடன் தீய சக்திகளை நம் நாட்டு மக்களிடையே அனுப்புவார். அவை மக்களை கடுமையாக தண்டித்து உபாதிக்கும். பச்சைக்கிளை தாய் மரத்திலிருந்து பிரிந்து மூன்று பர்லாங்கு தூரம் கொண்டு செல்லும், என்றாலும் இறுதியில் இறக்கம் நிறைந்த கடவுள் மரத்துடன் அதை இணைத்து விடுவார். பின் அது செழித்து ஓங்கி கனி தரும்" என்று அவர் முன்னறிவித்தது பின்னர் நிறைவேறலாயிற்று.

இவரது ஆட்சிக்காலத்தில், இங்கிலாந்தின் "ரோமநீஸ்க் திருச்சபையின்" (Romanesque church in England) "வெஸ்ட்மின்ஸ்டர் மடாலய"த்தின் (Westminster Abbey) கட்டுமானப் பணிகளின் மீது அதீத அக்கறை இருந்தது வெளிப்படையாக தெரிந்தது. கி.பி. 1042ம் ஆண்டு முதல், 1052ம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கிடையே, "அரச அடக்க தேவாலயமாக" தொடங்கப்பட்ட இதன் கட்டுமானப் பணிகள், இவரது மரணத்தின் பின்பே, கி.பி. சுமார் 1090ம் ஆண்டு, நிறைவடைந்தன.

எட்வர்ட், இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டை ஆண்ட "ஆங்கிலோ-சாக்ஸன்" (Anglo-Saxon) வம்சத்தின் ஒரே புனிதர் ஆவார்.

*SAINT OF THE DAY* 

Feast Day: October 13

*St. Edward*

King St. Edward was one of the best loved of all the English kings. He lived in the eleventh century. Because of enemies in his own country, he had to live in Normandy, France, from the time he was ten until he was forty. However, when he came back to rule, all the people welcomed him with great joy.

St. Edward was a tall, well-built man, but he was never healthy. Still he was able to rule his country well and keep peace most of the time. This was because he trusted in God and held firm when necessary. King Edward went to daily Mass. He was a gentle, kind man who never spoke sternly. To poor people and foreigners, he showed special charity. He also helped monks in every way he could. It was his justice to everyone and his love for God's Church that made St. Edward so popular with the English people. They would cheer him as he rode out of the castle.

Although he was a king with great power, St. Edward showed his honesty by the way he kept his word-to God and to people. While he was still living in Normandy, he had made a promise to God. He said that if his family would see better times, he would go on a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb in Rome. After he was made king, he wanted to keep his vow. But the nobles knew that there would be no one to keep the peace among the warlike people in the land. So, although they admired his devotion, they did not want him to go. The whole matter was brought to the pope, St. Leo IX. He decided that the king could stay home. He said that King Edward was to give to the poor the money he would have spent on the trip. He also was to build or repair a monastery in honor of St. Peter. Obediently, the king carried out the pope's decision. He died in 1066 and was buried in the marvelous monastery he had rebuilt. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Alexander III in 1161.

புனித ஆரிலேக் ஜெரால்டு St. Gerald of Aurillacநினைவுத்திருநாள்: அக்டோபர் 13

இன்றைய புனிதர் : 

(13-10-2020)

புனித ஆரிலேக் ஜெரால்டு 

St. Gerald of Aurillac

நினைவுத்திருநாள்: அக்டோபர் 13

பிறப்பு : 855, அரிலேக், பிரான்ஸ்

இறப்பு : 13 அக்டோபர் 909, செனெசாக் Cenezac, பிரான்ஸ்

பாதுகாவல்: ஊனமுற்றோர், தனிமையில் வாழ்வோர்

இவர் ஓர் செல்வந்தராக வாழ்ந்துள்ளார் என்றும், துறவியாகாமலே, துறவியைப் போலவே தன் வாழ்நாள் முழுதும் வாழ்ந்துள்ளார் என்றும் கூறப்படுகின்றது. இவரது முகத்தில் பெரிய முகப்பரு ஒன்று காணப்பட்டது. நாளடைவில் அம்முகப்பருவால் அவர் பார்வையை இழந்தார். இவர் ஏழைகளின் மேல் இரக்கமும், கருணையும் கொண்டு வாழ்ந்தார். குருவாக வேண்டுமென்று மிகவும் ஆசைக்கொண்டார். ஆனால் தன் உடல்குறை காரணமாக அவ்வாசை நிறைவேறாமல் போனது. ஜெரால்டு தனது நில புலன்களை விற்று, அவற்றை திருத்தந்தையிடம் கொடுத்து, ஏழை மக்களுக்கு உதவும்படியாக கூறினார். விசுவாசம் ஒன்றே போதுமென்று இறை நம்பிக்கையில் தன் வாழ்வை வாழ்ந்தார். தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் இறைப்பணியை செய்தார். 

சிறப்பான முறையில் மறைப்பணியை ஆற்றினார். கற்பு என்ற வார்த்தைப்பாட்டை தானாகவே எடுத்துக்கொண்டார். திருமண வாழ்வில் ஈடுபடாமல், துறவி போலவே வாழ்ந்து மடங்களை நிறுவினார். அம்மடங்களில் இடைவிடாமல் வழிபாடு வைத்தும், ஆராதனை வைத்தும் செபித்தார். நாளடைவில் இவரின் மடமானது யாத்திரை தளமாக மாறியது. அதில் பெற்ற பணங்களைக் கொண்டு உரோம் நகர திருச்சபைக்கு உதவினார். பிறகு திருத்தந்தையின் ஒப்புதல் பெற்று தனது மடத்தை மதச்சார்பற்ற சபையாக (Secular) மாற்றினார். பலர் இம்மடத்தில் சேரவே, பல நாடுகளுக்கு சென்று மறைபரப்பு பணியை ஆற்றினார். இவர் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதுமே பக்தியையும், நேர்மையையும் தன்னகத்தே கொண்டு வாழ்ந்தார். 

செபம்:

என்றும் வாழ்பவரே! சாதி மதம் இனம் கடந்து பணிபுரியும் மதச்சார்பற்ற துறவற சபையினரை வழிநடத்தும். இவர்களை காணும் மக்கள் அத்துறவிகள் உம்மைக் காண வரம் அருளும். உம்மீது நம்பிக்கையின்றி வாழும் மக்களை உம்பால் ஈர்ந்து, நம்பிக்கையில் வளரவும், வாழவும் உறுதிப்படுத்தியருளும்.

---JDH---தெய்வீக குணமளிக்கும் இயேசு /திண்டுக்கல்.

Saint of the Day : (13-10-2020)

Saint Gerald of Aurillac

Only a little is known of the life of Saint Gerald of Aurillac, owing to the times in which he lived in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. Only one written record of his life exists and no primary sources are known.

The only known reference to him is via a book written by Odo of Cluny who lived from 879-942 and who never met Gerald. Odo however wrote that he did extensive research into Gerald's life and concluded that he was in fact, a saint.

During the course of his investigation into Gerald's life, Odo confessed that there were many reasons to doubt Gerald's sainthood. Chief among them was that Gerald was not a member of an established order of clergy, but rather lived his life as a wealthy, lay noble.

Gerald was known for being chronically ill throughout his life, possibly suffering from severe acne which left his face scarred and he became blind in his later years.

Despite these physical concerns, Gerald was regarded as a kind and merciful noble, showing mercy to convicts and kindness to the poor. His desire was to become a monk, however his noble obligations made such a transition difficult.

Motivated by faith, Gerald sought to donate his lands to the Pope, but was dissuaded by his friend, Bishop Gausbert of Rodez, who persuaded him that he could do the most good by living a pious life in private and serving the needs of his people in public. Gerald did so.

Gerald shaved a small spot on his head as well as his beard, and concealed his private devotion to the Church so that he could retain public credibility and authority. During his time, Papal authority was waning and secular forces conspired to consolidate power away from the lesser nobility.

Gerald also took a private vow of chastity. He never married and produced no children. He spent considerable time in daily, devotional prayer.

Eventually, Gerald was able to make a pilgrimage to Rome and donate some of his lands to the Church. He also established a church and a monastery on his lands, which he deliberately established in such a way as to make the monastery independent of all control except Rome's.

Gerald was a model noble, bridging the gap between religious virtue and secular authority. He showed others that it is possible to wield power and wealth while living a pious and righteous life. The skeptical Odo eventually concluded that Gerald had in fact, become a saint upon his death.

Born : 

855 in Aurillac, France

Died : 

 909 at Cenezac, France

• buried in his abbey in Aurillac, France

Patronage : 

bachelors

• counts

• disabled, handicapped of physically challenged people

• Aurillac, France

• Upper Auvergne, France

---JDH---Jesus the Divine Healer---

St. Seraphinus October 12

 St. Seraphinus

Feastday: October 12

Death: 1604

Author and Publisher - Catholic Online

Capuchin and spiritual advisor, also called Seraphino. Born at Montegranaro, Italy, in 1540, he worked as a shepherd in his youth and was reportedly much abused by his older brother. At the age of sixteen he entered the Capuchins as a lay brother at Ascoli Piceno, earning a reputation for his holiness. He was graced with considerable spiritual gifts and wisdom, as well as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Seraphinus gave counsel to ecclesiastical and secular leaders. He was canonized in 1767.

St. Amicus October 12

 St. Amicus

Feastday: October 12

Death: 773

A French knight, companion of Amelius, Charlemagne's champion. These knights took part in Charlemagne's campaign against the Lombards in northern Italy. In Mortara, Lombardy, Amicus and Amelius are venerated as martyrs.

Bl. Camillus Constanzi October 12

 Bl. Camillus Constanzi

Feastday: October 12

Death: 1622

A martyr of Japan. Originally from Italy, Camillus was a Jesuit missionary in Japan who was banished from the islands when the anti-Christian persecutions began. Despite the dangers, he returned to his flock and was roasted over a slow fire on September 16.

St. Cosmas of Maiuma October 12

 St. Cosmas of Maiuma

Feastday: October 12

Patron: of Hymnographers

Death: 8th Century

Image of St. Cosmas of MaiumaOrphaned in his childhood, Cosmas was adopted by the Syrian father of Saint John of Damascus. Cosmas and his brother by adoption, John, are said to have been educated together by an elderly monk. Subsequently the two young men left Damascus to enter the Monastery of Saint Sabas, near Jerusalem. In 743, Cosmas became bishop of Majuma, Palestine (near Gaza City). Cosmas was to be remembered as a great ecclesiastical poet, many of whose compositions became a permanent part of the Byzantine liturgy. For example, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth "odes" used for the Byzantine Rite's Holy Saturday office of Orthros (the eastern equivalent of Matins, the first "hour" of the Divine Office) are attributed to Cosmas. These texts express awe in contemplating the humble entombment of the Son of God, depicting Christ's death and burial as a triumph over death and hell: "Truly, hell was pierced and destroyed by the divine fire when it received in its heart him who was pierced in his side with a spear for our salvation." The ninth "ode" constitutes a dialogue between Christ in death and his grieving Mother.

For the 3rd-century martyr named Cosmas, see Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Saint Cosmas of Maiuma, also called Cosmas Hagiopolites ("of the Holy City"), Cosmas of Jerusalem, or Cosmas the Melodist, or Cosmas the Poet (d. 773 or 794),[1] was a bishop and an important hymnographer of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Life

Saint Cosmas (Greek: Κοσμάς) was probably born in Damascus, but he was orphaned at a young age. He was adopted by Sergius, the father of St. John of Damascus (ca.676 - 749), and became John's foster-brother. The teacher of the two boys was an elderly Calabrian monk, also named Cosmas (known as "Cosmas the Monk" to distinguish him), who had been freed from slavery to the Saracens by St. John's father.[2] John and Cosmas went from Damascus to Jerusalem, where both became monks in the Lavra (monastery) of St. Sabbas the Sanctified near that city.[3] Together they helped defend the Church against the heresy of iconoclasm.

Cosmas left the monastery in 743 when he was appointed Bishop of Maiuma, the port of ancient Gaza.[3] He outlived St. John by many years and died in great old age.

Works

As a learned prose-author, Cosmas wrote commentaries, or scholia, on the poems of St. Gregory of Nazianzus. He is regarded with great admiration as a poet. St. Cosmas and St. John of Damascus are considered to be the best representatives of the later Greek classical hymnography, the most characteristic examples of which are the artistic liturgical chants known as "canons". They worked together on developing the Octoechos.[2]

Saint Cosmas has been called "a vessel of divine grace" and "the glory of the Church."[4] He composed the solemn canons for Matins of Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, the Triodes (canons with only three Canticles) which are chanted during Holy Week, the first canon of the Nativity (based on a Nativity sermon by St. Gregory the Theologian), and is known for his finest work, "Canon for Christmas Day".[3] Altogether, fourteen canons are attributed to him in the liturgical books of the Orthodox Church.[5] His most well-known composition is "More honourable than the cherubim…" (which is included in the Axion Estin), sung regularly at Matins, the Divine Liturgy and other services.

The hymns of St. Cosmas were originally intended for the Divine Services of the Church of Jerusalem, but through the influence of Constantinople their use became universal in the Orthodox Church. It is not certain, however, that all the hymns ascribed to Cosmas in the liturgical books were really his compositions, especially as his teacher of the same name was also a hymn writer.[2]

The Eastern Orthodox Church observes his feast on October 14 (for those Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian Calendar, October 14 falls on October 27 of the Gregorian Calendar).

See also

Sts. Cosmas and Damian, 3rd-century martyrs

St. Domnina of Anazarbus October 12

 St. Domnina of Anazarbus

Feastday: October 12

Death: 286

Martyr who died in the prison of Anazarbus, under the Roman prefect Lysias.

Saint Domnina is venerated as a Christian martyr by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.[1] According to tradition, she was a native of Cilicia who was imprisoned at Anazarbus and repeatedly beaten on the order of the Roman prefect Lysias (or Licius).[1] She was then burned with fire.[1] She died in prison.[1]

According to one source, “The Roman Martyrologist must have used a corrupt manuscript in which Lycia was substituted for Lysias, as he places St. Domnina’s martyrdom in the Province of that name.”[2]

St. Edistius October 12

 St. Edistius

Feastday: October 12

Death: 60

A martyr of Ravenna, Italy, who suffered under co-Emperor Diocletian. The Acts of this martyrdom are not extant.

"Saint Orestes" redirects here. For another person, see Orestes of Cappadocia.

Saint Edistus (Italian: Sant'Edisto) (also known as Aristus, Orestes, Horestes) is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. His legend states that he was martyred on the Via Laurentina and his passio places his martyrdom during the reign of Nero, on October 12, 60 AD.[1]

His companions are named as Thermantia (Termanzia), Christina, his servant Victoria, and the priest Priscus.[1]

Veneration

During the papacy of Gregory the Great, there existed at San Paolo fuori le Mura a monastery dedicated to Edistus. In the seventh century, his relics, as well as those belonging to Christina and Victoria, were still venerated there. The sepulcher of Edistus was located at the sixteenth milestone of the Via Ardeatina. A church in honor of him existed there, which was restored during the papacy of Adrian I (772-795). There also existed a papal estate (domusculta) there called Sancti Edisti.[1][2]

He is patron of an old church on the Monte Soratte, near which a town, Sant'Oreste, is named after him. The first mention of Sant’Oreste is made by Benedict of Soracte in his Chronicon in 747 AD, in which he mentions Curtis Sancii Heristi.[3] One source states that the toponym derives from the family of the Aristi or Edisti. A member of this family was martyred for his faith around 68 AD. Linguistic corruptions transformed the name from Sanctus Edistus to Sanctus Heristus, Santo Resto, San Tresto, Sant'Oreste.[3]

Mount Soratte seen from Via Flaminia.

According to the legendary account of his martyrdom, he was a soldier who had been christened by Saint Peter. At a site called Laurento, a sandpit (arenario), Edistus participated in a mass at which Priscus was officiating. Thermantia, Christina, and the servant Victoria were present. When they were discovered by the authorities, they were buried alive in the same sandpit, with the exception of Victoria, who managed to escape, but who was later killed in a nearby forest.[1][4]

A church and village grew on the site of sandpit. This was the curtis Sancti Heristi. The village later moved to the slopes of Mount Soratte for better defense against raiders. This became the Castrum Sancti Heristi, later Sant'Oreste. The Romanesque church of Sant'Edisto still exists.[1]

St. Eustace October 12

 St. Eustace

Feastday: October 12

Death: unknown

An obscure saint, possibly a Syrian priest or an Egyptian martyr.

St. Evagrius October 12

St. Evagrius

Feastday: October 12

Death: unknown

A Martyr with Priscian and companions in Rome or in Syria.

St. Felix and Cyprian October 12

 St. Felix and Cyprian

Feastday: October 12

Death: 484

Martyred bishops of Africa who were driven out into the Sahara Desert by the Vandals' King Hunneric, an Arian. They were reportedly accompanied by almost five thousand Catholics. Their trials and tribulations were recorded by Victor of Utica, a contemporary.

St. Fiace October 12

 St. Fiace

Feastday: October 12

Death: 5th century

An Irish bishop sometimes listed as Fiech. A disciple of St. Patrick, he wrote a hymn in St. Patrick's honor.

St. Heribert of Cologne October 12

 St. Heribert of Cologne

Feastday: October 12

Patron: of Rain

Birth: 970

Death: 1021

Archbishop of Cologne, Germany, and chancellor of Emperor Otto III . He was born in Worms, where he was ordained after being educated by the Benedictines of Gorze in Lorraine, France. Serving Otto III, Heribert was made an archbishop on 998. Heribert accompanied Otto to Italy in 1002, and brought the emperor's body back to Aachen when Otto died. He also served Emperor St. Henry. Heribert built the monastery of Deutz, on the Rhine and performed miracles, includ­ing ending a drought. He is thus invoked for rains. He died in Cologne on March 16, and was buried at Deutz. Heribert was canonized by Pope St. Gregory VII about 1074. Feast day: March 16. Herlindis  With Relindis, Benedictine abbesses, the daughters of Count Adelard, who built them a convent at Maaseik on the Meuse, Belgium. These saints were friends of Sts. Willibrord and Boniface.

Heribert of Cologne (c. 970 – 16 March 1021), also known as Saint Heribert, was a German Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Cologne from 999 until his death.[1] He also served as the Chancellor for the Emperor Otto III since 994. He also collaborated with Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor with whom relations were strained though were strengthened over time.[2]

Heribert's canonization was confirmed around 1075.[1]

Heribert was born around 970 in Worms to Count Hugo and Tietwista. On the maternal side his half-brother was Heinrich who was the Bishop of Würzburg and his brother was Earl Getseman Vingngau.[1]

He was educated in the school at the Worms Cathedral and at the Benedictine Gorze convent in Lorraine. Heribert studied alongside Bruno de Carinthia who was the future Pope Gregory V.[1] He wanted to become a Benedictine monk but his father disapproved of that path and Heribert no longer pursued it. He returned to the Worms Cathedral to serve as its provost and received his ordination to the priesthood in 994 from Bishop Holdebold. The Bishop of Worms wanted Heribert to be his successor though the emperor took notice of him and planned to bring him as an advisor to his court.[2]

The Emperor Otto III appointed him in 994 as the Italian chancellor and in 998 for the German kingdom. He held the latter position until Otto III's death. He had accompanied the emperor to Rome in 996 and again in 997 and was still on the peninsula when word came that he had been chosen as the Archbishop of Cologne. In Benevento he received investiture and the pallium from the new Pope Sylvester II on 9 July 999 and on the following Christmas received his episcopal consecration at Cologne in the archdiocesan cathedral.[1]

In 1002 he was present at the deathbed of Otto III at Paterno. While returning to his homeland to Aachen with the Emperor's remains and the imperial insignia he was captured at the behest of the future Saint Heinrich II whom he had first opposed but later served. Once the latter was made king in 1002 he acknowledged him as such and served as his collaborator and still as chancellor.[1] The pair's relations were not the best though the new emperor came to respect his abilities and the rift between them turned into a friendship.[2] In 1003 he founded the Deutz convent on the Rhine. Heribert often sent alms to the poor and sent alms to priests to distribute to the poor.

Heribert died on 16 March 1021 in his archdiocese and was buried at his convent church after their transferal on 30 August 1147.[1] Heribert contracted a fever while on a pastoral visitation and hurried back to Cologne to recover where he died within the week.[2]

Canonization

Heribert was honoured as a saint during his lifetime and was canonized in about 1075. His reported miracles included ending a drought; he is thus invoked for beneficial rains.

His relics were kept in the convent church at Deutz in a golden casket which is now preserved in the parish church of "Neu-St.Heribert" in Köln-Deutz.[3].

Bl. Maria Teresa Fasce October 12

 Bl. Maria Teresa Fasce

Feastday: October 12

Birth: 1881

Death: 1947

Beatified: 12 October 1997 by Pope John Paul II

Maria Terese of Cascia was born in Torriglia, a small town near Genoa, Italy in 1881 to a middle-class family. Her parents had her baptized with the name Maria, but throughout her life, she was called "Marietta."

Although Marietta lost her mother when she was eight, she was well looked after by her older sister. Religious values were taught at home and Marietta was enrolled in school where she did well. Marietta was lively and vivacious, and she responded well to instruction.

In Genoa, she attended the Augustinian parish of Our Lady of Consolation, a place where she would be greatly inspired to her life's vocation as a nun. Marietta met her confessor there, Father Mariono Ferriello, who encouraged her to pursue her vocation. Marietta was also taught catechism there along with signing. She also learned extensively about St. Augustine, whose spirituality greatly influenced her.

The singular event, which influenced Marietta the most, however, was the canonization of St. Rita of Cascia. Pope Leo XIII canonized St. Rita on May 24, 1900. Along with the canonization, there were lectures, liturgical celebrations, and other events celebrating the life of St. Rita. This influenced Marietta to live a religious life.

Marietta had been contemplating a religious lifestyle for some time, but the canonization of St. Rita compelled her to announce her intentions to her family, who took the news badly. Marietta's brothers were particularly negative about her decision. Still, Marietta was undeterred and she felt absolutely sure she wanted to enter the convent.

Marietta applied for admission to a Ligurian Augustinian monastery, but she was rejected, news which shocked and surprised her. The monastery's abbess, Mother Giuseppina Gattarelli, explained she felt that Marietta, accustomed to life in the city, would not be able to handle the spartan rigors of a rural monastery. Still, Marietta was tenacious; she reapplied and was accepted in 1906.

Thus, in 1906, Marietta began her religious career.

On Christmas night of 1906, Marietta was given her habit and one year later she took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The name, "Teresa Eletta" was given to her.

Unfortunately for Marietta (now Maria Teresa Eletta) she discovered a monastery in crisis. A group of seven young sisters from Visso who were much more relaxed in their practice than the older sisters created a generational crisis. The levity and laughter did little to promote Maria's spiritual growth and disappointment and doubt began to develop in her mind. In June of 1910, Maria Theresa left the monastery to reexamine her decision.

However, Maria returned in May of 1911, more confirmed than ever. The following March, she made her solemn profession of the vows. She promptly protested the situation at the monastery by writing letters to the superiors. Impressed with her alacrity, she was soon appointed to Mistress of Novices in 1914. In 1917, she became Vicar, and in 1920 her sisters unanimously elected her Abbess. She would hold that position until her death in 1947.

Maria Teresa was remembered as a strict, but practical woman who was also very sweet to her community. She made clear to all that Jesus wants active, hard working brides, and that being such would be their duty. She rigidly observed the Augustinian Rule.

Despite her rigidity, her community remembered her for her great tenderness and friendliness. She was not considered a dictator, but a genuine spiritual leader with great charisma.

Maria Terese was also known for her great stamina. As abbess, she directed the construction of a new church for Saint Rita and a girl's orphanage. This project consumed much of her tenure, and in fact, the church was not completed until several months after her death.

Maria Terese also spent much of her time in illness, suffering from painful afflictions. She suffered with a malignant tumor on her right breast and was compelled to undergo two surgeries. She referred to her tumor as "her treasure" and explained that it was the most beautiful gift which Jesus had given to her. She also suffered from asthma, diabetes, and circulatory problems which caused great pain in her feet. She became very overweight and had difficulty walking. Later in her tenure, her sisters had to carry her in a chair.

Despite her pain, she never complained about her illness and she never slowed the pace of her activity. Her condition has been compared to the suffering of Christ, which like Jesus, she bore with patience and reverence.

Maria Terese died on January 18, 1947. She was laid to rest in a crypt next to her beloved St. Rita. Pope John Paul beautified her in July 1997.

Augustinians celebrate her feast day on October 12.

St. Maximilian of Lorch October 12

 St. Maximilian of Lorch

Feastday: October 12

Death: 288

 

Martyred bishop of Lorch. He was born at Cilli, modem Steiermark, in Styria, Austria, and disposed of his wealth to make a pilgrimage to Rome. Pope Sixtus II sent him to Lorch, near Passau, where he served two decades as a missionary bishop. He was then beheaded by command of the Roman Prefect Numerian at the gate of Cilli for refusing to sacrifice to the gods.

 

For other saints of the same name, see Maximilian.

Depiction of Maximilian of Lorch on a vitrail of the parish church in Aigen, Upper Austria

Grave of Saint Maximilian in Celje, Slovenia

Saint Maximilian of Lorch (also: Maximilian of Celeia, Latin: Maximilianus) (died 12 October 288)[1] was a missionary in the Roman province of Noricum. He was martyred in AD 288.[2]

Maximilian was born in Celeia in the Roman province of Noricum (in present-day Slovenia). As an adult he made a pilgrimage to Rome.[2] Pope Sixtus II sent him to Lauriacum (Lorch) in the Roman province of Noricum, where he worked as a missionary during the latter half of the third century.[2] He founded the church of Lorch. Maximilian was beheaded by the Roman Prefect of Emperor Numerian after refusing to abandon Christianity and sacrifice to the pagan gods. He is remembered on 12 October (and in some locations on 29 October).[2]

His cult dates at least from the eighth century. In that century, Saint Rupert built a church in his honour at Bischofshofen in the Salzach valley, and brought his relics there. They were later transferred to Passau in 985.[2]