St. Agatha Lin
புனித_ஆகத்தா_லின் (1817-1858)
பிப்ரவரி 18
இவர் (#StAgatha_Lin) சீனாவைச் சார்ந்தவர். இறைவன்மீது ஆழமான நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்த ஒரு கத்தோலிக்க குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்த இவர், தனது பெற்றோரைப் போன்றே இறை நம்பிக்கையில் வளர்ந்து வந்தார்.
இவர் சிறுவயது முதலே தன்னை ஆண்டவருக்கு அர்ப்பணித்து வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். சிசிலி நகர்ப் புனித ஆகத்தாவைத் தன் முன்மாதிரியாகக் கொண்ட இவர் வாழ்ந்த காலத்தில், சீனாவில் கிறிஸ்தவர்களுக்கு எதிரான அடக்குமுறைகள் மிகுதியாக இருந்தன. அந்நிலையிலும் இவரும் இவரது பெற்றோரும் ஆண்டவர் இயேசுவில் உறுதியாக இருந்தார்கள்.
ஒருமுறை எதிரிகள் இவரது தந்தையைப் பிடித்துக்கொண்டு போய், சிறையில் அடைத்து வைத்துப் பலவாறாகச் சித்திரவதை செய்து அனுப்பி வைத்தனர். அப்போதும் இவர் இயேசுவில் நம்பிக்கையோடு இருந்தார்.
இவர் வளர்ந்து பெரியவரான போது ஆசிரியராகி மாணவர்களுக்கு அடிப்படைக் கல்வியையும் மறைக்கல்வியையும் கற்றுக் கொடுத்தார். இதனால் பலரும் இயேசுவின் மீது நம்பிக்கை கொண்டார்கள். இச்செய்தியை அறிந்த எதிரிகள் இவரைக் கைது செய்து துன்புறுத்தினார்கள். மேலும் இவரை 1858 ஆம் ஆண்டு தலைவெட்டிக் கொன்று போட்டார்கள்.
இவருக்கு 1909 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை பத்தாம் பயஸ் அவர்களால் அருளாளர் பட்டமும், 2000 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான்பால் அவர்களால் புனிதர் பட்டமும் அளிக்கப்பட்டன.
Feastday: February 18
Birth: 1817
Death: 1858
Chinese martyr. She was born in 1817 at Ma-Tchang, China. A teacher at a Christian school, Agatha was beheaded for the faith in Mao-kin on January 28, 1858. She was beatified on May 2, 1909.
This article is about the Catholic martyrs of the 17th to 20th centuries. For other Christian martyrs in China, see Chinese Martyrs.
The Martyr Saints of China (traditional Chinese: 中華殉道聖人; simplified Chinese: 中华殉道圣人; pinyin: Zhōnghuá xùndào shèngrén), or Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, are 120 saints of the Catholic Church. The 87 Chinese Catholics and 33 Western missionaries[1] from the mid-17th century to 1930 were martyred because of their ministry and, in some cases, for their refusal to apostatize.
Many died in the Boxer Rebellion, in which anti-colonial peasant rebels slaughtered 30,000 Chinese converts to Christianity along with missionaries and other foreigners.
In the ordinary form of the Latin Rite, they are remembered with an optional memorial on 9 July.
St. Charalampias
Feastday: February 18
Death: 203
Martyr of Magnesia, in Asia Minor, with companions. He was a priest taken in the persecution of Emperor Septimius Severus. He was martyred with two soldiers and three women.
St. Lucius
Feastday: February 18
Death: unknown
African martyr with Classicus, Fructulus, Maximus, Rutulus, Secundinus, and Silvanus
Bl. Martin
Feastday: February 18
Martyr of China, a native Chinese who sheltered Blessed John Peter Neel. Martin was beheaded and beatified in 1909.
St. Maximus
Feastday: February 18
Death: 295
Martyr with Alexander, Claudius, Cutias, and Praepedigna. Nothing can be documented about their sufferings under Emperor Diocletian.
Fra Angelico
Feastday: February 18
Patron: of Artists
Birth: 1395
Death: 1455
Fra Angelico was an Italian painter of the early Renaissance who combined the life of a devout friar with that of an accomplished painter. He was called Angelico (Italian for "angelic") and Beato (Italian for "blessed") because the paintings he did were of calm, religious subjects and because of his extraordinary personal piety. Originally named Guido di Pietro, Angelico was born in Vicchio, Tuscany. He entered a Dominican convent in Fiesole in 1418 and about 1425 became a friar using the name Giovanni da Fiesole. Although his teacher is unknown, he apparently began his career as an illuminator of missals and other religious books. He began to paint altarpieces and other panels; among his important early works are the MADONNA OF THE STAR (1428?-1433, San Marco, Florence) and CHRIST IN GLORY SURROUNDED BY SAINTS AND ANGELS (National Gallery, London), which depicts more than 250 distinct figures. Among other works of that period are two of the CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN (San Marco and Louvre, Paris) and THE DEPOSITION and THE LAST JUDGMENT (San Marco). His mature style is first seen in the MADONNA OF THE LINEN WEAVERS (1433, San Marco), which features a border with 12 music-making angels. In 1436 the Dominicans of Fiesole moved to the convent of San Marco in Florence, which had recently been rebuilt by Michelozzo. Angelico, sometimes aided by assistants, painted many frescoes for the cloister, chapter house, and entrances to the 20 cells on the upper corridors. The most impressive of these are THE CRUCIFIXION, CHRIST AS A PILGRIM, AND TRANSFIGURATION. His altarpiece for San Marco (1439) is one of the first representations of what is known as a Sacred Conversation: the Madonna flanked by angels and saints who seem to share a common space. In 1445 Angelico was summoned to Rome by Pope Eugenius IV to paint frescoes for the now destroyed Chapel of the Sacrament in the Vatican. In 1447, with his pupil Benozzo Gozzoli, he painted frescoes for the chapel of Pope Nicholas in the Vatican, are SCENES FROM THE LIVES OF SAINTS STEPHEN AND LAWRENCE (1447-1449), probably painted from his designs by assistants. From 1449-1452 Angelico was prior of his convent in Fiesole. He died in the Dominican convent in Rome on March 18, 1455. Angelico combined the influence of the elegantly decorative Gothic style of Gentile da Fabriano with the more realistic style of such Renaissance masters as the painter Masaccio and the sculptors Donatello and Ghiberti, all of whom worked in Florence. Angelico was also aware of the theories of perspective proposed by Leon Battista Alberti. Angelico's representation of devout facial expressions and his use of color to heighten emotion are particularly effective. His skill in creating monumental figures, representing motion, and suggesting deep space through the use of linear perspective, especially in the Roman frescoes, mark him as one of the foremost painters of the Renaissance.
Fra Angelico (born Guido di Pietro; c. 1395[2] – February 18, 1455) was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance, described by Vasari in his Lives of the Artists as having "a rare and perfect talent".[3] He earned his reputation primarily for the series of frescoes he made for his own friary, San Marco, in Florence.[4]
He was known to contemporaries as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole (Brother John of Fiesole) and Fra Giovanni Angelico (Angelic Brother John). In modern Italian he is called Beato Angelico (Blessed Angelic One);[5] the common English name Fra Angelico means the "Angelic friar".
In 1982, Pope John Paul II proclaimed his beatification[6] in recognition of the holiness of his life, thereby making the title of "Blessed" official. Fiesole is sometimes misinterpreted as being part of his formal name, but it was merely the name of the town where he took his vows as a Dominican friar,[7] and was used by contemporaries to separate him from others who were also known as Fra Giovanni. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology[8] as Beatus Ioannes Faesulanus, cognomento Angelicus—"Blessed Giovanni of Fiesole, surnamed 'the Angelic' ".
Vasari wrote of Fra Angelico that "it is impossible to bestow too much praise on this holy father, who was so humble and modest in all that he did and said and whose pictures were painted with such facility and piety
St. Flavian of Constantinople
Feastday: February 18
Death: 449
Patriarch of Constantinople from 446 or 447, succeeding St. Proclus. Refusing to give Emperor Theodosius II a bribe upon becoming patriarch and making the emperor's sister Pulcherius a deaconess, Flavian received hostile treatment from the imperial court. Flavian also started the condemnation of Eutyches, who began the heresy of Monophysitism. This led to his being deposed and exiled at the so-called "Robber Synod" at Ephesus in 449, whereupon the famous "Tome" of dogmatic letters of Pope Leo I the Great was ignored. Appealing to the Pope, Flavian was beaten so mercilessly that he was mortally wounded and died three days later in exile. He was proclaimed a saint and martyr by the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Feastday: February 18
Patron: of the Press industry, media, literature, congregations
Birth: 1805
Death: 1871
Beatified: February 8 1986, Kottayam by Pope John Paul II
Canonized: November 23 2014, Rome by Pope Francis
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was an Indian Catholic priest, an educator, a social reformer, and now a saint. He was canonized by Pope Francis on November 23, 2014.
Kuriakose was born on February 10, 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala, in southwestern India, to Christian parents. His family belonged to an ancient community of Christians popularly known as Saint Thomas Christians. The community is descended from Christians baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle in the 1st Century AD. He attended school in his local village and was educated in language and science.
Before he became a Carmelite priest, Kuriakose was an educator and social reformer. He initiated reforms in his local society, and started schools in the communities of Mannanam and Arpookara. He recognized that children needed to be fed in order to learn, so he instituted a midday meal to feed the children.
In 1846, he established St. Joseph's printing press in Mannanam, which was the third such press in Kerala, and the first purchased without foreign help. Using the press, he began printing the Nasrani Deepika, a religious newspaper. The press would go on to print the Deepika, starting in 1885, which is now one of the oldest continually published newspapers in India. The paper is published in the Malayalam, which is widely spoken in the region with about 37 million native speakers.
Kuriakose took vows in the Carmelite tradition along with ten other priests on December 8, 1855. He took the name, Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family. He governed a series of monasteries in the region as the prior general from 1856 until his passing in 1871. He established seven monasteries during his tenure.
During his life, Kuriakose was a prolific writer who kept a chronicle of events in his monastery as well as a record of what was happening in society around him. He wrote several spiritual works, including poetry.
Kuriakose passed away on January 3, 1871, at age 66. His last words suffice as a homily: "Why are you sad? All God's people must die someday. My hour has come. By the grace of God, I prepared myself for it since long. My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in my mind and to honor them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I can tell you with confidence that I have never lost the baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our little Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Always rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy Family reign in your hearts. Don't be sad about my dying. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God is all powerful and His blessings are countless. God will provide you with a new Prior who will be a source of blessing for the Congregation as well as for you. Hold fast to the constitution, the rules of our elders and that of the Church. Love our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with all your heart. Draw the waters of eternal life from that fountain as in the words of the Prophet Elijah. All the members of the congregation, especially elders must be charitable to one another. If you do so, God will be glorified by the congregation and which will be flourished day after day. Your charity will bring salvation to souls."
After his passing, a many miracles were attributed to his intercession. St. John Paul, then Pope John Paul II, declared him venerable on April 7, 1984. He was beatified on February 8, 1986 during a papal visit to India. His second miracle, required for canonization, was formally acknowledged by Pope Francis on April 3, 2014, who decreed Kuriakose should be canonized. The canonization took place the following November.
His feast day is January 3 in the Syro-Malabar Church, and February 18 in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church. He remains well-known and popular in India.
Marth Mariam and Infant Jesus, accompanied by John the Baptist from Peshitta. Painting of Ravi Varma found at Mannanam.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, C.M.I. (10 February 1805 – 3 January 1871) was an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic priest, philosopher and social reformer.[1][2] He is the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin and belongs to the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic Church based in the state of Kerala.[3][4] He was the co-founder and first Prior General of the first congregation for men in the Syro-Malabar Church, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.), and of a similar one for women, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (C.M.C.). He is a pioneer in many fields.
Early life
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala in a Nasrani Christian family as the son of Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil. Nasranis are Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syriac Christians) who are the ancient Christians of Kerala baptised by Thomas the Apostle in the first century. The name Kuriakose is derived from the Syriac Aramaic name ܩܘܪܝܩܘܣ (Quriaqos).[5] He was baptised on 17 February 1805 at St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chennamkary. On 8 September 1805, Chavara was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary's Church, Vechoor.[6] The Chavara family has derived from the ancient Nasrani family Meenappally in Kainakary.
In his childhood, Kuriakose attended the village school. There he studied language and elementary sciences. He entered the seminary in 1818 in Pallipuram where Palackal Thoma Malpan was the Rector. He was ordained a priest on 29 November 1829 and celebrated first Holy Qurbana at St. Andrew's Catholic Forane Church Arthunkal Alappuzha. His special intention during the first Holy Qurabana was the realization of the religious institute which was being contemplated by Palackal Thomas Malpan, Porukara Thomas Kathanar, Brother Jacob Kaniathara and himself.[7]
Later life
Kuriakose Elias Chavara joined with two other priests, Palackal Thoma Malpan and Porukara Thoma Kathanar to lead a monastic life. The name of the community they founded was Servants of Mary Immaculate. The foundation for the first monastery at Mannanam was laid on 11 May 1831 by Porukara Thomas Kathanar. Palackal Malpan and Porukara Kathanar died in 1841 and 1846 respectively. On 8 December 1855, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and ten other priests took vows in the Carmelite tradition. He was nominated as the Prior General of Mannanam monastery. The congregation became affiliated as a Third Order institute of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. From that point on they used the postnominal initials of T.O.C.D.[8]
Social reformer
Kuriakose Elias Chavara initiated reforms in the Kerala society much before Narayana Guru(1853) Chattambi Swamikal(1853) and Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi(1854).[9][10] Though he hailed from a Syriac Christian family,[11] which occupied a higher social status, he played a major role in educating and uplifting people especially of the lower ranks of society.[2]
Education
Kuriakose Chavara started an institution for Sanskrit studies at Mannanam in 1846.[citation needed] A tutor belonging to the Variar community was brought from Thrissur, to teach at this Sanskrit institution. After establishing the Sanskrit institution in Mannanam, Chavara took the initiative to start a school in a nearby village called Arpookara. On this Parappurath Varkey wrote in the Chronicles of the Mannanam monastery: “While the work on the Mannanam School began, a place on the Arpookara Thuruthumali hill was located to build a Chapel and school for the converts from the Pulaya caste."[12] Chavara was the first Indian who not only dared to admit the untouchables to schools but also provided them with Sanskrit education which was forbidden to the lower castes, thereby challenging social bans based on caste, as early as the former part of the 19th century.[13]
It was during this time Bishop Bernadine Baccinelly issued a circular in 1856 which would act as the root cause of tremendous growth of education and hundred percent literacy in Kerala. Kuriakose Chavara was the motivator for such a movement and he successfully convinced Bishop Bernadine to issue a circular, apparently as an order. It was a warning circular which stated, “each parish should establish educational institutions, or else they will be debarred from the communion”.[citation needed] The schools in Kerala are commonly called Pallikudams (school attached to Church (Palli)) because of this circular.[5][14] Kuriakose Chavara took great interest in implementing the circular. He delegated the members of his Congregation to ensure the implementation of the order in the circular and to actively take up educational activities. Each monastery was to oversee these activities of the parish churches in its neighbourhood.[15][14]
Midday Meal
Kuriakose Chavara knew that the schools he started in Mannanam and Arpookara would be successful if the poor students especially dalits were given midday meals.[2] It was his original idea. It inspired Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to recommend this to King for being implemented in all government run schools.[10] This practice is continued even today in queens government schools in India.
Pidiyari
Kuriakose Chavara started a charity practice known as Pidiyari (a handful of rice) to encourage people to make daily small donations to help the needy.[16] The Pidyari scheme supported the Midday meal Kuriakose Chavara popularized in schools[17] The Pidiyari scheme was implemented in the following way: Participants would daily set aside a small quantity of rice in a special collection pot. The rice collected would be brought to Church during the weekends and was used to feed the poor, especially students for midday meal.[16] A pious organization was formed by Kuriakose Chavara called “Unnimishihayude Dharma Sabha” who took care of the Pidiyaricollection.[2]
Printing Press
Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph's Press at Mannanam[18] in 1846, which was the third printing press in Kerala and the first press founded by a Malayali without the help of foreigners.[9][19] From this printing press came the oldest existing Malayalam newspaper in circulation Nasrani Deepika.[9][20]
Service to the Church
Kuriakose Elias Chavara introduced retreat preaching for the laity for the first time in the Kerala Church. He popularised devotions and piety exercises such as rosary, way of the cross and eucharistic adoration. He was the Vicar General of Syriac Rite Catholics[9][21] in 1861 in order to counter the influence of Mar Thomas Rochos on Saint Thomas Christians.[22]
Congregations Founded
CMI Congregation
In co-operation with Palackal Thoma Malpan and Thoma Porukara, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded an Indian religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara took religious vows on 8 December 1855 and took the name of Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family.[23]
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the Prior General of all the monasteries of the congregation from 1856 till his death in 1871.He was commonly called under the name 'Common Prior'.[23] The activities of the members of CMI congregation under the leadership of Chavara created huge transformation in the society. This made priests and people to request Chavara to open religious houses in their area. He established seven new monasteries besides Mannanam. They are Koonammavu-1857, Elthuruth-(St. Aloysius College, Thrissur)1858, Plasnal-1858, Vazhakulam-1859, Pulincunnu-1861, Ambazhakad-1868, and Mutholy-1870. In 1864, The Vicar Apostolic transferred St.Chavara to Koonammavu Monastery.[24][23]
Carmelite Congregation for Women
In 1866, 13 February, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded the first Carmelite convent for women at Koonamavu under the name 'Third Order of Carmelites Discalced' which would later become CMC and CTC Congregation in Syro Malabar Church and Latin Church respectively.[25] While CMC congregation acknowledges and upholds the role of Kuriakose Chavara in their foundation, CTC congregation denies any role for him and considers Mother Eliswa as the foundress.[26]
Kuriakose Chavara hoped and prayed for the establishment of a religious congregation for women in the apostolic Church of St. Thomas. According to Kuriakose Chavara the lack of convents was a 'pathetic situation,' which led to deep sorrow within him.[27] He conceived the convent as a house of sanctity where the girls could learn spiritual matters, grow up as good Christians and work for the intellectual development and education of women to achieve social welfare.[28]
Leopold Beccaro – who was a close associate and confessor of Kuriakose Chavara – with whom Eliswa had communicated her desire to lead a life of chastity, during her meetings with him for confession and spiritual direction, wrote in Italian in his personal diary on 3 January 1871, the day of the death of Chavara: “The founder and the first prior of the Tertiaries of the Discalced Carmelites in Malabar, who with extreme fatigue has founded the monastery of the sisters [e fondato con somme fatiche il monastero delle Monache]...”[29] Again, in another important document, a short biography of Chavara written by Beccaro himself, we come across the following affirmative statements: “Among these, specially, [he] earnestly desired to bring into existence an abode of virtues for the girls of Malayalam and a convent of sisters for learning doctrines and traditions of the Catholic religion as well as to make them grow as good Christian children...[30] It is a fact known to all that even after the starting of the convent, he showed great fervour and interest to conduct everything in order and with virtues...” These two statements made by Beccaro give credence to the fact that Chavara had not only a deep and long-lasting desire to establish a convent for sisters, but had also made every effort, including the spiritual and administrative guidance in the realization of the project.[31]
Writings
All the literary works of Kuriakose Chavara were written between 1829 and 1870. The literary writings of Kuriakose Chavara are unique in two aspects. First, it reflects the religious spiritualism of Christianity. Second, even after a century after the Kuriakose Chavara wrote, there are limited number of literary works with reference to Christianity.[32]
Prior Mango
Prior Mango (പ്രിയോർ മാങ്ങ) is a variety of mango which Kuriakose Chavara popularised. It is named after him who was endearingly called “Prior” based on his position as the Prior or head of the religious congregation.[33] At Mannanam monastery there was a mango tree which was planted and taken care of by Kuriakose Chavara. He sent the mango seedlings to monasteries and convents and told the members: Please plant the sapling of this sweet mango, which I name it as ‘Dukran’(Orma = memory) in each of our monastery. "This is to make you realize that myself and all men are weak and faltering and don’t have long life even as these mango trees which give sweet fruits."[41][42] In a letter he wrote : " This Mango-tree (1870) and its seedlings leave a loving patrimonial memory for us"[43] It is because of the association of Carmelite Prior Kuriakose Chavara that this variety of mango came to be known all over Kerala as "Priormavu" (the mango tree of the Prior). Prior Mango is considered as one of the premium variety of mangoes in Kerala and is often exported to its neighbouring south Indian states.[44] He also planted prior mango tree in koonammav at St: philominas churuch backyard the tree is still remaining here and giving fruit to all season.
Death
Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on 3 January 1871, aged 66, at Koonammavu. He was buried in St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu[9][21] His body was later moved to St. Joseph's Monastery Church in Mannanam.[45][46]His memorial is celebrated on 3 January as per the Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar.[47] whereas his memorial is celebrated on 18 February as per the Roman Liturgical Calendar of the Latin Rite.
The following were the last words of Kuriakose Chavara: “Why are you sad? All God’s people must die some day. My hour has come. By the grace of God, I prepared myself for it since long.” Showing a picture of the Holy Family, he continued, "My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in my mind and to honour them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I can tell you with confidence that I have never lost the baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our little Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Always rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy Family reign in your hearts. Don’t be sad about my dying. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God is all powerful and His blessings are countless. God will provide you with a new Prior who will be a source of blessing for the Congregation as well as for you. Hold fast to the constitution, the rules of our elders and that of the Church. Love our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with all your heart. Draw the waters of eternal life from that fountain as in the words of the Prophet Elijah. All the members of the congregation, especially elders must be charitable to one another. If you do so, God will be glorified by the congregation and which will be flourished day after day. Your charity will bring salvation to souls."[48]
Miracles
Scores of miraculous favours were reported by the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, who later became the first saint of India, has testified in 1936 that Kuriakose Elias Chavara had appeared to her twice during her illness and relieved her suffering. Alphonsa had a holy relic of Chavra's hair which was taken by one of his disciples Varkey Muttathupadathu and which she believed allowed her to pray to Kuriakose Chavara and receive miraculous cure. The relic is now preserved in Mannanam.[49]
Beatification
The miracle which Rome approved for the beatification of Kuriakose Chavara was the cure of the congenial deformity of the legs (clubfoot) of Joseph Mathew Pennaparambil happened in April 1960.[50] Joseph was born club-footed with congenial deformity of both the legs. On hearing that many miracles have happened through the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara, Joseph and his family started praying. They prayed almost a month. One day when Joseph and his sister were walking back from school, she asked him to pray to Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara for the cure of his legs and asked him to recite 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory be to the Father. As they walked reciting prayers suddenly Joseph's leg started shivering. Joseph pressed his right leg to the ground and he could now walk properly with right leg. They continued their prayers and on 30 April 1960, while Joseph and his sister was on the way to elder brother's house, the left leg too became normal. Since then he could walk normally. Joseph believes that it was the intercession Kuriakose Chavara which resulted in the miracle. Rome approved the miracle which led to the beatification of Kuriakose Chavara as Blessed in 1986.[51]
Canonization
The miracle which was approved for canonization of Kuriakose Chavara to sainthood was the instantaneous, total and stable cure of the congenital squint (alternating esotropia) in both eyes of Maria Jose Kottarathil, a Catholic girl of age 9 from Pala in Kottayam District of Kerala State in India.[51] Even though Maria was suggested to have surgery by five doctors, Maria and her family decided to pray to Kuriakose Chavara. On 12 October 2007, Maria visited the room and tomb of Kuriakose Chavara at Mannanam with her parents. On 16 October 2007, the squint eyes disappeared. The miracle was approved by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on 18 March 2014 which lead to the canonization.[52]
Chronicle of Canonization
The official canonization process of Kuriakose Chavara started in 1955, Mar Mathew Kavukattu, arch-bishop of Changanacherry, received instructions from Rome to start diocese-level procedure towards the canonisation. On 7 April 1984, Pope John Paul II approved Kuriakose Elias Chavara's practice of heroic virtues and declared him Venerable.[53] Kuriakose Elias Chavara was beatified at Kottayam on 8 February 1986 by Pope John Paul II in the course of a papal visit to India.[53]
On 3 April 2014, Pope Francis authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decrees concerning the miracle attributed to Kuriakose Kathanar's intercession.[54] This confirmed Pope's approval of Kuriakose Elias Chavara's canonisation.[55] On 23 November 2014, he was canonised at Saint Peter's Square by Pope Francis along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal.[56] Pope Francis stated that "Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both active and contemplative, who generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim “sanctification of oneself and the salvation of others.
Saint Jean-François-Régis Clet
Profile
Tenth of fifteen children; his father was a farmer and merchant, and the boy was named after Saint John Francis Regis. He was raised in a pious family; one brother became a priest, one sister a nun. Studied at the Jesuit Royal College at Grenoble, France. Joined the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in Lyons, France on 6 March 1769, making his final vows in 1771. Ordained in 1773. Professor of moral theology at the Vincentian seminary in Annecy, France. Nicknamed "the walking library" due to his encyclopedic knowledge. Rector of Annecy in 1786. Director of novices in Paris in 1788. Director of the internal seminary at mother-house of the Congregation of the Lazarists in Paris, France. His community was disbanded, and their house destroyed by the French Revolutionists. Missionary to China in 1791. Assigned to Kiang-si in October 1792, the only European in the area; in 28 years of work, he never mastered the language. In 1793 Clet moved to Hou-Kouang in the Hopei Province where he served as superior of an international group of Vincentian missioners scattered over a very large territory; his pastoral area covered 270,000 square miles. In 1811 government anti-Christian persecutions intensified; the missionaries were accused of inciting rebellion, and had to pursue their work while on the run, often hiding in the mountains. On 16 June 1819, with a bounty on his head, Francis was betrayed by a Christian schoolmaster whose behavior the missionary had tried to correct. Force marched hundreds of miles in chains to trial. On 1 January 1820 he was found guilty of deceiving the Chinese people by preaching Christianity. Martyr.
Born
1748 at Grenoble, France
Died
• slowly strangled to death with a rope while tied on a cross on 18 February 1820 at Au-tshung-fu, China
• buried on Red Mountain by local Christians
• re-interred at the Vincentian motherhouse, Paris, France
• relics moved to Saint Lazare church, Paris
Canonized
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Theotonius of Coimbra
Also known as
Teotonio
Profile
Nephew of the bishop of Coimbra, Portugal. Educated at the University of Coimbra. Parish priest, assigned to Viseu, Portugal. His powerful and outspoken preaching against vice gained him a great reputation, the animosity of the ruling class, and the affection of the king and queen. Counselor to the throne. Rebuked the queen for adultery, and refused a bishopric from her, seeing it as an attempt to buy his affection. He was once asked by the queen to shorten a Mass so she could attend to other business; he send back word that he answered to true sovereigns, and the queen was free to stay or go as she liked.
Theotinus had a great devotion to the poor, and to souls in purgatory. Each Friday he combined these devotions by singing a Solemn Mass for the dead, leading a large procession to the cemetery to pray for the local dead, collecting alms there, and distributing the money to the local poor.
Twice a pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Augustinian Canon Regular, which order he helped bring to Portugal in 1131, entering the monastery at Coimbra. Spent his last 30 years there as monk and prior. Devoted to the daily offices, never allowing the monks to hurry through them. King Alphonsus attributed his victories to the prayers of Theotonius and his brothers, and in gratitude, free all his Mozarabic Christian captives. First Portuguese saints canonized by the modern method.
Born
1086 at Gonfeo, Spain
Died
1166 of natural causes
Canonized
• 1167 by the Portguese bishops
• cultus confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV
Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra
Also known as
• George Kashira
• George Kaszyra
• Juryj Kašyra
• Giorgio, Jerzy, Yuri
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Profile
Raised in an Orthodox family, George converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 at age 18. He joined the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in 1924 in Druya, Belarus, and made his profession on 2 August 1929. He studied theology and philosophy in Rome, Italy, then at the seminary of Vilnius, Lithuania. Ordained a priest on 20 June 1935. He taught catechism in Druja, and in the seminary in Vilnius.
In 1938, Polish authorities ordered Father George to end his pastoral work in western Belarus; he moved to the monastery of Rasno in eastern Belarus and continued his work. In 1940, Soviet authorities, in line with their atheist ideology, kicked him out of the monastery; Father George travelled the area of Belarus and Lithuania, staying at assorted monasteries and continuing his work. On 18 February 1943 the occupation Nazis accused him of helping the partisans, and with several other Catholics, he was locked in the basement of a church which was then set on fire, killing them all. Martyr.
Born
4 April 1904 in Aleksandravele, Vilniaus rajonas, Lithuania
Died
burned alive on 18 February 1943 in Rositsa (Rosica), Vitebskaya voblasts', Belarus
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Tarasius of Constantinople
Also known as
Tarasio, Tarasios
Additional Memorial
25 February (Byzantine Rite)
Profile
Born to the Byzantine nobility. Consul and then Secretary of State to Emperor Constantine IV and Empress Irene. Though a courtier in the most political of empires, he led the life of a monk. Unanimously chosen Patriarch of Constantinople; Tarasius said that he could not accept such a trust when his see was cut off from full commuion with Rome, which had happened under his predecessor. He convoked a Council on 1 August 786 to settle the dispute of the use of holy images, but Iconoclasts rioted, and the Council was reconvened in 787 in Nicea; the Council determined that the Church was in favour of images, and the Pope approved. Tarasius lived an ascetic life, eating simply and little, sleeping little, reading, praying, working for the Church. When the emperor put away his wife and got a priest to “marry” him to a servant, Tarasius condemned the action and was briefly imprisoned for his defiance.
Born
c.750 at Constantinople
Died
• 25 February 806 of natural causes
• relics preserved in the church of San Zaccaria, Venice, Italy
Saint Simon
எருசலேம் நகர் புனிதர் சிமியோன்
(St. Simeon of Jerusalem)
ஆயர் மற்றும் மறைசாட்சி:
(Bishop and Martyr)
பிறப்பு: தெரியவில்லை
கலிலேயா, யூதேயா பிராந்தியம்
(Galilee, Judaea Province)
இறப்பு: கி.பி. 107 அல்லது கி.பி. 117
ஜெருசலேம், யூதேயா பிராந்தியம்
(Jerusalem, Judaea Province)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை
(Eastern Orthodox Church)
லூதரன் திருச்சபை
(Lutheran Church)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 18
புனிதர் சிமியோன், ஒரு யூத கிறிஸ்தவ தலைவரும் (Jewish Christian Leader), பெரும்பாலான கிறிஸ்தவ பாரம்பரியங்களின்படி, ஜெருசலேம் நகரின் இரண்டாவது ஆயரும் ஆவார்.
புனிதர் யூசேபியஸ் (St. Eusebius of Caesarea) இங்கே ஆயர்களின் அட்டவணையைத் தருகின்றார். அகில உலக பாரம்பரியங்களின்படி, "ஆண்டவரின் சகோதரர் எனப்படும் புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ்" (Saint James the Just, the "brother of the Lord) ஜெருசலேம் நகரின் முதலாவது ஆயராவார். புனிதர் ஜேம்சை ஜெருசலேமின் முதலாவது ஆயராக நியமனம் செய்தது, அப்போஸ்தலர்கள் புனிதர் பேதுருவும் புனிதர் யோவானும் (Apostles St. Peter and St. John) ஆவர் என்று புனிதர் யூசேபியஸ் கூறுகிறார்.
புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ் மறைசாட்சியாக மரித்ததன் பிறகு, ஜெருசலேமின் வெற்றிக்குப் பிறகு, புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸின் பின்வருபவராக புனிதர் சிமியோன் ஜெருசலேமின் ஆயராக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டார்.
புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ் மறைசாட்சியாக மரித்து, ஜெருசலேம் வெற்றிபெற்றதும் பல்வேறு திசைகளிலிருந்தும் அப்போது உயிருடனிருந்த ஆண்டவரின் சீடர்களும் அப்போஸ்தலர்களும் ஜேம்சுக்குப் பிறகு ஜெருசலேமின் ஆயராக பொறுப்பேற்கப் போவது யார் என்று ஆலோசனை செய்வதற்காக ஜெருசலேம் நகரில் ஒன்றுகூடினர். அவர்களது ஆலோசனையின் முடிவில், சிமியோனை ஒருமனதாக தேர்வு செய்தனர்.
கி.பி. சுமார் 107 அல்லது 117ம் ஆண்டு, ரோமப் பேரரசன் "ட்ராஜன்" (Roman emperor Trajan) என்பவரது கட்டளைப்படி, பண்டைய ரோம் நாட்டில் ஏகாதிபத்திய அதிகாரம் கொண்ட ஆளுநராக இருந்த "டிபேரியஸ்" (Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes) என்பவன் சிமியோனை சிலுவையில் அறைந்து கொன்றான்.
Also known as
Simeon
Profile
A relative of Jesus, possibly a first cousin. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, and was one of the 72 disciples. He was present at the Ascension, and is one of the brethren of Christ mentioned in Acts who was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost. Reported to have been at the martyrdom of Saint James the Lesser, he was chosen to succeed James as bishop of Jerusalem where he served for over 40 years. In 66, before the city fell to the Romans, the Christians received a divine warning, and evacuated to nearby Pella with Simon as their leader. In the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem, Simon led the Christians back to the city where they flourished, performed miracles, and converted many. Simon was eventually arrested, tortured and martyred for the twin crimes of being Jewish and Christian during the persecutions of Trajan.
Died
crucified in 106
Saint Angilbert of Centula
புனித ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் Angelbert
பிறப்பு
750
இறப்பு
18 பிப்ரவரி 814,
ரிக்குயர் Riquier, பிரான்சு
இவர் பிரெஞ்சு நாட்டை பாதுகாக்கும் போர்படையில் பணிபுரிந்தவர். அப்போது டெனிஸ் Danes என்பவன் பிரெஞ்சு நாட்டின் ஆற்றங்கரை ஒன்றில் தங்கி, அந்நாட்டிற்கு எதிராகப் போர் புரிந்தான். அவனை எதிர்த்து ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் போரிட வேண்டியிருந்தது. அச்சமயத்தில் அவர் புனித ரிக்குயர் என்ற புனிதரின் கல்லறைக்குச் சென்று இப்போரில்தான் டெனிஸ்சிற்கு எதிராக வெற்றிபெற்றால் தான் ஓர் துறவியாகிறேன் என்று செபித்தார். பிறகு இடி, மின்னல் புயல் என்று பாராமல் திடீரென்று டெனிஸ் படையெடுத்தான். ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் அவனை எதிர்த்து போரிட்டு தன் படையுடன் வெற்றி பெற்றார்.
அவர் பெற்ற வெற்றியானது, அந்நாட்டை எவ்விதத்திலும் பாதிக்காமல் காப்பாற்றப்பட்டது. இதன் விளைவாக கடவுள் இவரின் மன்றாட்டை ஏற்று வெற்றிப் பெறச் செய்ததால் செயிண்ட் ரிக்குயிர் அவர்களின் துறவற இல்லத்திற்குச் சென்று துறவியானார். பின்னர் அச்சபையின் மடாதிபதி பொறுப்பையும் ஏற்று மிகச் சிறப்பாக அச்சபையை வழிநடத்தினார். இவர் தன் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் இடைவிடாது இரவும் பகலும் செபம் செய்து திருப்பாடல்களைப்பாடி இறைவனை போற்றி புகழ்ந்து இறைவழியில் தன் சபையை வழிநடத்தினார்.
அதன்பிறகு இவர் 24 மணிநேரமும் துறவிகள் கட்டாயமாக செபம் செய்ய வேண்டுமென்பதை வலியுறுத்தினார். கடுமையான விதிமுறை கடைப்பிடிக்கச் செய்தார். புனித கன்னிமரியாள், சூசையப்பர் இவர்களின் செப வாழ்வை வாழ தன் சபைத் துறவிகளிடத்தில் வலியுறுத்தினார்
புனிதர் ஆங்கில்பெர்ட், “நார்தும்ப்ரியா’வைச்” (Northumbria) சேர்ந்த பிரபல ஆங்கிலேய அறிஞரும், கவிஞரும், ஆசிரியருமான “அல்குயின்” (Alcuin) என்பவரிடம் கல்வி கற்ற ஒரு உன்னதமான ஃபிரான்கிஷ் கவிஞர் ஆவார். இவர், “ஃபிராங்க்ஸ்” (Franks) மற்றும் “லொம்பார்ட்ஸ்” (Lombards) அரசனும், கி.பி. 800ம் ஆண்டுமுதல் தூய ரோமப் பேரரசருமான (Holy Roman Emperor) “சார்ல்மக்ன்” (Charlemagne) என்றழைக்கப்படும் “முதலாம் சார்லசின்” (Charles I) மருமகனும், அவரது அரசவையில் பணியாற்றிய அரசு செயலாளரும், ராஜதந்திரியுமாவார்.
அரசன் முதலாம் சார்லசால் (Charles I) வளர்க்கப்பட்ட ஆங்கில்பெர்ட், அரண்மனை பள்ளியிலேயே கல்வியும் கற்றார். பிரபல ஆங்கிலேய அறிஞர் “அல்குயின்” (Alcuin) மாணவரான இவர், பின்னாளில் அவரது நண்பருமானார். அரசன் முதலாம் சார்லஸ், தமது இளைய மகனான “பெபின்” (Pepin) என்பவரை “லொம்பார்ட்ஸ்” (King of the Lombards) அரசனாக பதவியேற்க இத்தாலி அனுப்பினார். அப்போது, அவருக்கு துணையாகவும், அரசவையின் உயர் நிர்வாகியாகவும் ஆங்கில்பெர்ட்டை உடன் அனுப்பினார். அரசன் பெபினின் நண்பராகவும், ஆலோசகராகவும் இத்தாலியின் ஆட்சியிலும், அரசாங்கத்திலும் உதவினார். இவர், மேற்கு ஜெர்மனியின் (Western Germany) “ஃபிரான்க்ஃபர்ட்” (Frankfurt) நகரில் நடந்த ஆலோசனை சபையின் (Synod) அறிக்கைகளை (Document on Iconoclasm) திருத்தந்தை முதலாம் அட்ரியானிடம் (Pope Adrian I) கையளித்தார். பின்னர், கி.பி. 792, 794, மற்றும் 796ம் ஆண்டுகளின் நடந்த மூன்று முக்கிய வெளிநாட்டு தூதரகங்களுக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டார். ஒரு சமயம், அவர் கடல் மாகாணங்களில் ஒரு அதிகாரியாகவும் பணியாற்றினார். அவர் கி.பி. 800ம் ஆண்டு, முதலாம் சார்லசுடன் ரோமுக்குச் சென்றார். கி.பி. 811ம் ஆண்டு, “சார்ல்மக்ன்” (Charlemagne) என்றழைக்கப்படும் தூய ரோமப் பேரரசர் (Holy Roman Emperor) “முதலாம் சார்லசின்” (Charles I) சொத்து உரிமை ஏற்பாடுகளான மரண சாசனத்தை (Testament of Charlemagne) நேரில் பார்த்த பதினோரு சாட்சிகளின் இவரும் ஒருவராவார்.
முதலாம் சார்லசின் மகளான “பெர்த்தா’வுக்கும்” (Bertha) ஆங்கில்பெர்ட்டுக்குமான உறவுகளைப் பற்றின வெவ்வேறு மரபுகள் உள்ளன. அவர்கள் திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார்கள் என்று ஒரு மரபும், இல்லையென்று பிறிதொன்றும் கூறுகின்றன. எவ்வாறாயினும், அவர்களுக்கு இரண்டு மகன்களும் ஒரு மகளும் பிறந்தனர். அதிலொருவர், ஒன்பதாம் நூற்றாண்டின் மத்தியில் பிரபலமான “நிதார்ட்” (Nithard) ஆவார். பின்னர், பெர்த்தா, பிரபுவான “இரண்டாம் ஹெல்கௌட்” (Helgaud II, count of Ponthieu) என்பவரை திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார். திருமணத்தின் கட்டுப்பாடுகள் மற்றும் சட்டபூர்வமான அர்த்தங்கள் மத்திய காலங்களில் கடுமையாக போட்டியிட்டன. பெர்த்தா மற்றும் ஆங்கிள்ட்பெர்ட், திருச்சபைகள் நடத்தும் புனிதமான திருமண அருட்சாதன யோசனைக்கு எவ்வாறு எதிர்ப்புத் தெரிவிப்பது என்பதற்கான ஒரு எடுத்துக்காட்டு ஆவர். மறுபுறம், சார்ல்மக்ன் தனது மகள்களுக்கான தகுதிவாய்ந்த திருமணங்களை எதிர்த்து நின்றார் என்று, சில வரலாற்றாசிரியர்கள் யூகிக்கின்றனர். திருமண ஏற்பாடுகளின் அரசியல் வாய்ப்புகள் இருந்தாலும், சார்ல்மக்ன் மகள்களில் யாரும் திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளவில்லை.
கி.பி. 790ம் ஆண்டு, அவர் தமது பரபரப்பான அரசியல் வாழ்க்கையிலிருந்து ஓய்வு பெற்று, “சென்டுலும் மடாலயம்” (Abbey of Centulum) என்றழைக்கப்படும் “தூய ரிச்சாரியஸ் துறவு மடம்” (Monastery of St Richarius) சென்றார். கி.பி. 794ம் ஆண்டு, மடாதிபதியாக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டார். அவர் மடாலயத்தை மீண்டும் கட்டியெழுப்பினார் மற்றும் 200 பாகங்களுடன் கூடிய ஒரு நூலகத்தையும் அதற்கு வழங்கினார். உள்ளூர் சிறுவர்களுக்காக ஒரு பள்ளியையும் நிறுவி நடத்தினார்.
அவரது லத்தீன் கவிதைகள், அரச குடும்பங்களுடன் நெருங்கிய உறவை அனுபவிக்கும் உலகின் மனிதனின் கலாச்சாரம் மற்றும் சுவைகளை வெளிப்படுத்துகின்றன.
Also known as
Homer
Profile
Raised at the court of Charlemagne, and became his friend and confidante. Studied under Alcuin. Nicknamed "Homer" because of his Latin poetry. Married to Charlemagne's daughter Bertha. With her permission he turned to religious life when prayers for a successful resistance to a Danish invasion were answered and a storm scattered the Danish fleet; Bertha became a nun. Benedictine monk. Court chaplain, privy councilor, and diplomat. As a reward for his help in court, Charlemagne gave Angilbert the abbey of Saint Riquier in Centula where he served as abbot. He established a library at Centula, and introduced continuous chanting in the abbey using 300 monks and 100 boys in relays. Executor of the emperor's will.
Born
c.740
Died
18 February 814 of natural causes
Saint Colman of Lindisfarne
Also known as
Colman of Mayo
Profile
Spiritual student and disciple of Saint Columba. Monk at Iona. Bishop of Lindisfarne, England in 661. Friend of king Oswy of Northumbria. Defended Celtic church practices against Saint Eilfrid and Saint Agilbert at the Synod of Whitby, and when King Oswy insisted on the use of Latin rites, Colman refused, resigned his see, and in 664 led a group of dissident Irish and English monks first to Scotland, then to the Isle of Innishboffin, and then to Mayo, Ireland. Founded the abbey and diocese of Mayo. One of the great heroes of the faith about whom the Venerable Bede wrote.
Born
c.605 at Connaught, Ireland
Died
8 August 676 at Inishboffin abbey of natural causes
Blessed John Pibush
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Son of Thomas and Jane Pibush. Educated at Rheims, France beginning 4 August 1580. Deacon in 1586. Ordained on 14 March 1587. Returned to England as missioner on 14 January 1588. Arrested at Morton-in-Marsh, Gloucester, England in 1593 for the crime of priesthood. Spent a year in Gatehouse prison, Westminster. Returned to Gloucester, he escaped on 19 February 1594; he was captured the next day at Matson. Sent back to Westminster, he was convicted on 1 July 1595 for the treason of Catholic priesthood. He spent over five years in Queen's Bench prison awaiting execution, ministering to fellow prisoners whenever he could.
Born
at Thirsk, Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged on 18 February 1601 at Saint Thomas's Waterings, Camberwell, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Sadoth of Seleucia
Also known as
Sadosh, Sadot, Sadota, Sahdost, Schadost, Schiadustes, Shahdost, Zadok
Profile
Deacon in service to Saint Barbasymas in the diocese of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. Attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. After Saint Barbasymas was martyred, Sadoth was chosen the new bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. He and his priests went into hiding, covertly ministering to his flock. The forces of King Shapur returned to Seleucia, and Sadoth was arrested along with 128 of his priests, deacons and nuns. Most were immediately executed, but Sadoth and some companions were imprisoned, repeatedly tortured, and offered relief if they would obey the king and worship the sun; they refused.
Died
beheaded c.342 outside the walls of Seleucia, Mesopotamia
Saint Gertrude Caterina Comensoli
Profile
One of a family of eleven children. Member of the Society of Saint Angela Merici. Founder of the Institute of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament on 15 December 1882.
Born
18 January 1847 in Biennio, Brescia, Italy
Died
18 February 1903 in Bergamo, Italy of natural causes
Canonized
• 26 April 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI
• her canonization miracle involved the cure of 4 year old Vasco Ricchini of life threatening meningitis in 2001 through the prayers of the Sacramentine Sisters for her intercession
Blessed William Harrington
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
After meeting Saint Edmund Campion, William travelled to Rheims, France were he studied for the priesthood. Ordained in 1592, he returned to England to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested in 1593, he was held for several months before being executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.
Born
Felixkirk, Borth Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 18 February 1594 at Tyburn, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Jean-Pierre Néel
Also known as
• John Néel
• John Peter Néel
Profile
Jesuit priest. Missionary to Kuy-tsheu, China in 1858. Arrested, tortured and martyred with three of his converts.
Born
18 October 1832 in Soleymieux, Sainte-Catherine-sur-Riviere, France
Died
dragged by his hair by a horse, then beheaded at Kuy-tsheu (Kai-chou), China on 18 February 1862
Canonized
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Helladius of Toledo
Also known as
Eladio, Eladius
Profile
Minister in the court of Visigoth kings in Toledo, Spain, his heart was in the nearby abbey of Agali. He eventually resigned his position and became a monk there. Abbot in 605. Archbishop of Toledo in 615.
Born
at Toledo, Spain
Died
632 of natural causes
Saint Ioannes Zhang Tianshen
Also known as
• John Zhang Tianshen
• Ruowang
Profile
Married layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyr.
Born
c.1805 in Jiashanlong, Kaiyang City, Guizhou, China
Died
beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China
Canonized
1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II
Saint Martinus Wu Xuesheng
Also known as
Mading, Martin
Profile
Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyred for sheltering Blessed John Peter Neel.
Born
c.1817 in Chuchangbo, Qingzhen, Guizhou, China
Died
beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China
Canonized
1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II
Saint Ioannes Chen Xianheng
Also known as
• John Chen Xianheng
• Ruowang
Profile
Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyr.
Born
c.1820 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Died
beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China
Canonized
1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II
Saint Constance of Vercelli
Profile
Nun. Sister of Saint Costanzo, bishop of Piedmont, Italy. We know little else about her.
Died
• early 6th century
• relics re-discovered in the 16th century reconstruction of the basilica of Eusebius of Vercelli, interred in the foundations with a placque naming and praising her
Blessed Matthew Malaventino
Profile
Mercedarian friar assigned to ransom Christians from slavery in Muslim north Africa. Along the way, he preached Christianity until he was seized and murdered. Martyr.
Died
thrown off a mountain
Saint Esuperia of Vercelli
Profile
Nun. Sister of Saint Costanzo, bishop of Piedmont, Italy. We know little else about her.
Died
• early 6th century
• relics re-discovered in the 16th century reconstruction of the basilica of Eusebius of Vercelli, interred in the foundations with a placque naming and praising her
Saint Leo of Patera
Profile
Martyred for protesting a pagan festival being held near the grave of Saint Paregorius.
Died
260 at Patara, Lycia
Saint Paregorius of Patara
Profile
Martyr.
Died
260 at Patara, Lycia
Saint Ethelina
Also known as
Eudelme
Profile
No information has survived.
Patronage
Little Sodbury, England
Martyrs in North Africa
Profile
Group of Christians who were martyred together, date unknown. We know nothing else but seven of their names - Classicus, Fructulus, Lucius, Maximus, Rutulus, Secundinus and Silvanus.
Born
African
Died
North Africa
Martyrs of Rome
Profile
A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know nothing else but their names - Alexander, Claudius, Cutias, Maximus and Praepedigna.
Died
295 in Rome, Italy
