இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் மே 12

 Bl. Francis Patrizzi

Feastday: May 12

Death: 1328

Italian member of the Servite Order, also called Patrizi. Born in Siena, he joined the Servites after listening to a moving sermon delivered by Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni, whose eloquence was the final inspiration for Francis to enter the religious life. St. Philip Benizi himself received Francis into the Servites. As a Servite. Francis distinguished himself with his holiness and his remarkable ability to solve crises of various kinds through his personal mediation.

St. Leopold Mandic

Feastday: May 12

Birth: 1866

Death: 1942

Image of St. Leopold MandicSaint Leopold Bogdan Mandi? was born on May 12, 1866 and died on June 30, 1942. He was an ethnic Croat born in Herceg Novi, in Boka Kotorska (modern-day Montenegro), and died in Padua, Italy. Physically malformed and delicate, having a height of only 1.35m, with clumsy walk and stuttering, he developed tremendous spiritual strength. His feast is celebrated May 12.

Although he wanted to be a missionary in Eastern Europe, he spent almost all of his adult life in Italy, and lived in Padua from 1906 until the end of his life. He spent also one year in Italian prison during WWI, since he did not want to renounce his Croatian nationality. He also dreamed unceasingly about reuniting the Catholic and Orthodox churches and going to the Orient. He became known as Apostle of Confession and Apostle of Unity. He made a famous prayer that is the forerunner of today's Ecumenism.

Bogdan Mandi? was the twelfth child of Dragica Carevi? and Petar Antun Mandi?, owner of an Adriatic fishing fleet; they came from village of Zaku?ac (hinterland of city of Omiš, 28 km from Split). The origins of his family are noble; they came from Vrhbosna province in Bosnia.

He suffered from disabilities that would plague his speech and stature. The family eventually lost most of its wealth, and became more sympathetic to those who suffered in similar situations. In November of 1882 while he was 16, Bogdan went to Udine to enter the seminary of the Venetian Capuchins, and accepted the name "Leopold". Two years later he was put in the Bassano del Grappa friary, where he took the name Leopold. His first profession of vows were made a year later in May and a profession of perpetual vows 4 years latter in 1888.

In the mid-1880s, Croatian Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer began a movement which focused on unity and consecration of the cathedral of ?akovo and Srijem, a movement in which Leopold took interest in. On September 20, 1890, Leopold was ordained to the presbyterate at Venice at the age of 24.

Refusing to renounce his Croatian nationality during World War I, Leopold was forced to go to southern Italy. All this time Leopold held a hope that he would be able to return to his homeland and preach among his people, a feat that would be inhibited by his disabilities. On top of his physical deformities, he also suffered from stomach ailments, poor eyesight, and arthritis. Unsurprisingly, the Capuchin ministers declined these attempts due to his health.

While in Italy, Leopold's main vocation was confessions, which he did for 34 years. The Capuchin brothers often criticized Leopold for his approach to confession, calling him too lenient and compassionate. Leopold's compassion showed that he was more understanding and sympathetic to the people that came to him, and would treat them with great sensitivity. He was an outspoken on issues with children, and being pro-life and especially fond of expectant mothers and young children. He did great work in setting up orphanages for children without parents.

Leopold also had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary who he referred to as "my holy boss". He was known to pray the rosary quite often, and celebrated the eucharist daily at the side altar in the Little Office of the Virgin Mary. He would then visit the sick in nursing homes, hospitals and homes all over Padua. He visited the Capuchin infirmary to comfort the sick friars, giving them words of advice and reminding them to have faith.

Leopold suffererd from esophagus cancer, which would ultimately lead to his death at age 76. On July 30, 1942, while preparing for the liturgy, he collapsed on the floor. He was then brought to his cell, where he was given the last rites. Friars that had gathered at his bed sang "Salve Regina," and when they got to the words, "O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary," Leopold died.

During the bombing of World War II the church and part of the friary where Leopold lived were demolished, but Leopold's cell and confessional were left unharmed. Leopold had predicted this before his death, saying, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." Paul VI beatified Leopold on May 2, 1976. He was canonized by John Paul II during the Synod of Bishops on October 16, 1983. Leopold is hailed as the "Apostle of Unity."

St. Flavia Domitilla

Feastday: May 12

Death: 2nd century

Martyr with Euphrosyna and Theodora. She was related to Emperors Domitian and Titus and was a great-niece of St. Flavius Clemens. She was martyred with her two foster sisters. This cult was suppressed in 1969.

Saint Epiphanius of Salamis

Also known as

• Epiphanius of Constanzo

• Epiphanius of Constantia

• Epiphanius of Cyprus

• Epiphanus, Epifanio

• Oracle of Palestine

Profile

A Hellenized Jew, and convert to Christianity. Fluent in five languages, and extensively studied in theology and the classics. Monk in several communities in Egypt, returning to Palestine in 333. Priest. As a young man he founded a monastery at Eleutheropolis (Beth-Saddouk), and lived there as a monk for 30 years, serving as its superior. Bishop of Constantia and Metropolitan of Cyprus in 367 while remaining in his monastery. Fought Origenism and Arianism. Friend of Saint Jerome, but opponent of Saint John Chrystotom whom he found insufficiently orthodox. Brilliant speaker, he sometimes let his ability go to his head, and his confrontational approach got in the way of persuading his opponents. Doctor of the Church. He was an authority on Marian devotions, and his writings include a Bible dictionary, and The Medicine Box, a huge work which cataloged and refuted eighty heresies of his day.

Born

315 at Besanduk, near Eleutheropolis, Judea

Died

403 at sea of natural causes

Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Profile

Daughter of Count Egano Lambertini of Bologna and Castora Galuzzi. While still a child, she put together a little oratory in her house, and spent much time there in prayer. She felt drawn to religious life, and planned to become a nun. Student at Dominican Convent of Valdi-Pietra in Bologna, Italy, partly in preparation for religious life. Had a great devotion to Saint Agnes of Rome, of whom she may have had visions, to Mary as Queen of Angels, and to the Holy Eucharist. On 12 May 1333 she miraculously received her First Communion, and immediately after died in an ecstasy of love and joy.

Born

1322 at Bologna, Italy

Died

• Feast of the Ascension, 12 May 1333 Bologna, Italy

• relics at the Church of Saint Sigismund in Bologna

Beatified

20 December 1826 by Pope Leo XII (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

first communicants (named by Pope Saint Pius X)

Saint Pancras of Rome

 புனிதர் பங்க்ராஸ் 

(St. Pancras of Rome)

மறைசாட்சி:

(Martyr)

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 289

சின்னாடா

(Synnada)

இறப்பு: மே 12, 303-304 (வயது 14)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

(Eastern Orthodox Church)

முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:

சேன் பங்க்ராசியோ, ரோம், இத்தாலி

(San Pancrazio, Rome, Italy)

பாதுகாவல்:

குழந்தைகள், வேலைகள், ஆரோக்கியம் மற்றும் தசைப்பிடிப்பு, பொய் சாட்சிகள், தலைவலி மற்றும் பொய்யுரை ஆகியவற்றுக்கு எதிராக

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மே 12

புனிதர் பங்க்ராஸ், கிறிஸ்தவ விசுவாசத்திற்கு மனம் மாறிய ரோம பிரஜையாவர். அவர், தாம் கொண்ட கிறிஸ்தவ விசுவாசத்திற்காக தமது பதினான்கு வயதிலேயே தலை துண்டிக்கப்பட்டு மறை சாட்சியாக மரித்தார்.

புனிதர் பங்க்ராஸ், "சின்னாடா" (Synnada) எனும் நகரின் அருகே ரோம பிரஜைகளான பெற்றோருக்கு பிறந்தவர் ஆவார். இவரது தாயார் "சிரியாடா" (Cyriada) இவர் பிறந்தபோதே மரித்துப் போனார். இவரது தந்தை "க்ளயோனியஸ்" (Cleonius) இவருக்கு எட்டு வயதாகையில் மரித்தார். பங்க்ராஸின் மாமா "டயோனிசியஸ்" (Dionysius) இவரை வளர்த்தார்.

இருவரும் ரோமிலுள்ள "செலியியன்" (Caelian Hill) மலையில் வசிப்பதற்காக புலம்பெயர்ந்தனர். கிறிஸ்தவ மதத்திற்கு மனம் மாறிய இருவரும் விசுவாசம் மிக்கவர்களாக வாழ்ந்தனர். பங்க்ராஸ் தமது விசுவாசத்தில் தீவிர வைராக்கியம் கொண்டிருந்தார்.

ரோமப் பேரரசன் "டயக்ளீசியன்" (Emperor Diocletian) காலத்தில் சுமார் கி.பி. 303ம் வருடம் கிறிஸ்தவர்களை துன்புறுத்த தொடங்கினர். பங்க்ராஸும் அவரது மாமனும் கிறிஸ்தவ விசுவாசிகள் என்பதை அறிந்த அதிகாரிகள், இருவரையும் கொண்டுவந்து, ரோமானிய கடவுளர்களுக்கு தியாகம் ஒப்புவிக்க வற்புறுத்தினர். அவர்களின் விசுவாசம் கண்ட பேரரசன் "டயக்ளீசியன்", அவர்களுக்கு தேவையான செல்வமும், வசதிகளும் செய்து தருவதாக வாக்குறுதி அளித்தான். ஆனால், தமது விசுவாசத்தில் உறுதியாய் இருந்த அவர்களிருவரும் தீர்க்கமாக மறுத்துவிடவே, ஆத்திரமுற்ற பேரரசன், அவர்களிருவரையும் தலையை வெட்டி கொலை செய்ய உத்தரவிட்டான்.

கிறிஸ்துவின் மீது மிகுந்த பக்திகொண்ட பங்க்ராஸ், தனது 14ம் வயதிலேயே கொடிய சித்ரவதைக்கும், சாவுக்கும் உள்ளானார். 

ஐந்தாம் நூற்றாண்டில் இருந்தே பங்க்ராசின் பக்தி இருந்து வருகின்றது. இவரது பெயரில் அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்ட பேராலயம் (Basilica of Saint Pancras), திருத்தந்தை சைமச்சஸ் (Pope Symmachus) அவர்களால், (கி.பி. 498-514) பங்க்ராஸ் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள இடத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டது. இளைஞர் பங்க்ராஸ் இன்று எந்த அளவுக்கு சிறப்புப் பெற்றவரெனில், லண்டனில் புனித பங்க்ராஸ் பெயரில் தொடர்வண்டி நிலையம் ஒன்று இன்றும் காட்சியளிக்கிறது. புனிதர் பெரிய கிரகோரி (Pope Gregory the Great) மறைபரப்பு பணிக்கென இங்கிலாந்து சென்றபோது, இப்புனிதர் பெயரால் ஆசீர்வாதப்பர் சபைத் துறவிகளுக்கு துறவு மடம் கட்டினார். அப்போது இச்சபையை சேர்ந்த துறவியும் ஆயருமான அகஸ்டின் (Augustine) பதவிக்கு வந்தார். அப்போது அவர் அந்த நாட்டில் எழுப்பிய முதல் ஆலயத்திற்கு புனிதர் பங்க்ராஸ் பெயரை சூட்டினார்.

கர்தினால் வைஸ்மன் "பபியோலா" என்ற புனைப்பெயரில் எழுதிய பங்க்ராஸின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை முன்வைத்து எழுதினார். பங்க்ராஸின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றில் நமக்கு கிடைக்கும் தகவல் மிக மிக குறைந்ததே. ஆயினும், விசுவாசத்தில் வீரச்சாவு வரைக்கும் அவர் காட்டிய பற்றுறுதி, அன்று முதல் இன்று வரை ஓர் உயர்ந்த எடுத்துக்காட்டாக உள்ளது.

Also known as

Pancritas, Pancratius, Pancrazio, Pancracio, Pancrace

Profile

Fourteen-year-old orphan, brought to Rome by his uncle, Saint Dionysius. Convert to Christianity. Martyred with Saint Nereus, Saint Achilleus, and Saint Domitilla for publicly proclaiming his faith. Pope Saint Vitalian sent his relics from the cemetery of Calepodius in Rome to the British Isles as part of the evangelization of England, so they would have relics of the Church at large, and to install in altars in new churches. Saint Augustine of Canterbury dedicated the first church in England to Saint Pancras, and subsequent churches throughout England are similarly named for him.

Born

c.290 at Phrygia

Died

• beheaded c.304 on the Via Aurelia, Rome, Italy

• relics interred in the Saint Pancras church, Rome, but were destroyed in 1798

• his head is still in the basilica of Saint John Lateran

Patronage

• against cramps

• against false witness or perjury

• against headaches

• children

• oaths, treaties

• diocese of Albano, Italy

• 27 cities in Germany and Italy

Blessed Álvaro del Portillo Díez de Sollano

Profile

One of eight children. Joined Opus Dei in 1935. Engineering student. Member of the Saint Vicent de Paul Society, and taught catechism to children in in poor neighbourhoods where the Society worked. Priest, ordained on 25 June 1944 in Madrid, Spain. Assigned to work in Rome, Italy in 1946. Bishop of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei on 28 November 1982. Titular bishop of Vita on 7 December 1990.

Born

11 March 1914 in Madrid, Spain

Died

23 March 1994 in Rome, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

• 27 September 2014 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Madrid, Spain

• the beatification miracle involves the August 2003 healing of Chilean newborn Jose Ignacio Ureta Wilson; just a few days old, the boy suffered a 30-minute period of cardiac arrest and a major hemorrhage; his medical team thought the boy had died, but his parents prayed for healing through the intercession of the bishop, and Jose now lives a normal life

Saint Richrudis of Marchiennes

Also known as

Rictrude, Rictrudis

Profile

Born to the nobility, the daughter of Ernold. Married to the Frankish nobleman Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant. Her family objected to Adalbald's military incursions into their region, and endlessly opposed the marriage. Mother of four - Saint Eusebia of Hamage, Saint Clotsindis of Marchiennes, Saint Adalsindis of Hamay, and Saint Maurontius. The couple dedicated themselves and their fortunes to care for the poor and to religious projects including founding a Benedictine double monastery at Marchiennes, Flanders, Belgium. After Adalbald was murdered, she was pressured by the royal court to remarry. She refused, and with the help of her friend, Saint Amandus, she became a Benedictine nun at the Marchiennes monastery. Abbess there for forty years. Three of her children, Adalsindis, Clotsindis, and Maurontius, lived there in religious life during her time.

Born

612 in Gascony, France

Died

• 12 May 687 in Marchiennes, Belgium of natural causes

• relics translated to Paris, France

• relics destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution

Saint Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola

Also known as

Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola

Profile

Oldest of seven children born to Juan Miguel Cipitria and María Jesús Barriola. The family were weavers, and Juana learned the craft as a child. At age 18 she left home to work as a maid to a family in Burgos, Spain. Juana early felt a call to religious life, and on 8 December 1871 she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus to work for a Christian upbringing of children, and to improve the condition of woman in Salamanca, Spain. She took the name Mother Candida Maria de Jesus, and the Congregation received papal approval from Pope Leo XIII on 30 July 1901. Mother Candida based her spirituality on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Born

31 May 1845 in Andoáin, Guipúzcoa, Spain as Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola

Died

9 August 1912 in Salamanca, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

17 October 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI

Blessed Jane of Portugal

Also known as

Joan, Joana, Johanna

Profile

Princess, the daughter of Elizabeth and King Alphonsus V of Portugal. Entered a Dominican convent at Aveiro, Portual in 1473. The royal family objected to her taking vows because she might need to marry to insure the continuity of the royal bloodline. She agreed, fended off arranged marriages, and did not take vows until 1485 when the succession was secured.

Born

16 February 1452 at Lisbon, Portugal

Died

12 May 1490 in Aveiro, Portugal of natural causes

Beatified

31 December 1692 by Pope Innocent XII (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

diocese of Aveiro, Portugal

Saint Crispoldus

Also known as

Chrysopolitus, Crispoldo, Crispolito, Crispolto, Crispoltus, Cyspolitus

Profile

Bishop of Bettona, Italy where he was known as a miracle worker. May have been bishop of Nocera, Italy, too. Arrested by order of prefect Asterius in the late 3rd-century persecutions of emperor Maximian, ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods, and then tortured and killed with another Christian, named Barontius, when he refused to do so. Martyr.

Some sources list him as one of 70 Disciples, and say that he was sent by Saint Peter the Apostle to evangelize in Italy in 58, but it’s hard to reconcile that with his death 250 years later.

Died

• c.300 in Bettona, Italy

• church built on the site of the execution

• his sister, Tutela, and 12 other women were arrested and martyred for trying to give the two men a Christian burial

• relics enshrined in an urn in a chapel in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bettona in the 13th century

Patronage

Bettona, Italy

Saint Ethelhard of Canterbury

Also known as

• Aethelheard

• Aethilheard

• Aethelheard

• Aethilheard

• Ethelreard

Profile

Abbot, probably of Louth, Lincolnshire, England. May have been bishop of Winchester, England. Archbishop of Canterbury, England, consecrated on 21 July 793. Elected to the see at a time when Mercian King Offa was trying to weaken Canterbury's influence. Ethelhard had to flee from his see for a while, but when Cenwulf succeeded in Mercia, they worked together to restore the rights of Canterbury, a matter finally settled in 802. Had Offa succeeded, his policy would not only have affected the Church, it would have seriously slowed the unification of England. Ethelhard convened the synod of Clovesho in 803, which resulted in a requirement of a pledge obedience by new bishops to their superior.

Born

Louth, Lincolnshire, England

Died

• 12 May 805 at Canterbury, England of natural causes

• buried in the Canterbury cathedral

Saint Germanus of Constantinople

Profile

Son of a Senator Justinian of Constantinople. Priest. Bishop of Cyzicus. Attended the Synod of Constantinople in 712, and may have briefly agreed to the teaching of the Monothelite heresy supported by the emperor. Patriarch of Constantinople in 715. Opposed the Monothelites and then the iconoclasts and their mentor, emperor Leo the Isaurian. Forced to resign his position in 730 and sent into exile. Several of his writings, including homilies and hymns, have survived.

Born

c.640 in Constantinople

Died

12 May 733 at Platonium of natural causes

Saint Dominic de la Calzada

Also known as

• Dominic of the Causeway

• Dominic of Landeveien

• Domenico, Dominicus...

Profile

Feeling a call to religious life, Dominic tried to join the Benedictines at Valvanera, Spain, but was turned away. Hermit at Rioja, Spain at what is now the shrine La Calzada. To help pilgims to Compostela, Spain, and with the help of Saint John de Ortega he built by hand a causeway, bridge and hospice to make the travel easier. The location of his old hermitage is now a place of pilgrimage itself.

Born

Victoria, Biscay, Spain

Died

1109 of natural causes

Patronage

Spanish civil engineers

Blessed Lucien Galan

Also known as

Lucian, Luciano

Profile

Member of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Priest. Missionary to China, working the Xichang, Sichuan area. Imprisoned for this work in November 1950, he was exiled and arrived in Hong Kong in January 1952. He was reassigned to a mountainous area of Laos in 1956; in February 1960 he replaced Blessed René Dubroux who had been murdered in 1959. Parish priest of Blessed Thomas Khampheuane Inthirath, he was taking the boy to catechist training when the two were murdered. Martyr.

Born

9 December 1921 in Golinhac, Aveyron, France

Died

shot on 12 May 1968 on the highway in Houey Makchan, Paksong, Champasak, Laos

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Casto of Calvi

Also known as

Castus

Profile

Priest. Missionary bishop. Miracle worker and healer.

Lured to a location near Aquaviva in central Italy with a challenge by pagan priests to prove the power of Christianity over that of idols, Casto and Saint Cassio of Sinuessa were seized, beaten and then thrown into a fire. When they were unharmed, the pagans claimed the two were using magic, pulled them from the fire, dragged them to a pagan temple, and ordered them to offer incense to an idol; when all the pagan priests were in the temple, it collapsed, killing them all and leaving Casto and Cassius untouched. The two bishops were then dragged to Sinuessa where they were stoned and murdered. Martyr.

Died

• stabbed with a sword at Sinuessa, Latium (in modern Italy)

• relics interred in the cathedral of Calvi, Italy

Saint Achilleus of Terracina

Also known as

Achille, Achilles, Acilius, Aquileus

Profile

Soldier in the imperial Roman army, and a member of the Praetorian Guard. Convert to Christianity, baptized by Saint Peter the Apostle. Exiled for his faith to the island of Pontia, he suffered with Saint Flavia Domitilla, and was martyred with his brother Saint Nereus.

Died

beheaded in 98 on the Ardeatine road outside Rome, Italy

Representation

• with Saint Flavia Domitilla if Terracina

• with Saint Nereus of Terracina

• palm of martyrdom

• holding a church in his hands

Saint Cassio of Sinuessa

Also known as

Cassius

Profile

Priest. Missionary bishop.

Lured to a location near Aquaviva in central Italy with a challenge by pagan priests to prove the power of Christianity over that of idols, Cassio and Saint Casto of Calvi were seized, beaten and then thrown into a fire. When they were unharmed, the pagans claimed the two were using magic, pulled them from the fire, dragged them to a pagan temple, and ordered them to offer incense to an idol; when all the pagan priests were in the temple, it collapsed, killing them all and leaving Cassio and Casto untouched. The two bishops were then dragged to Sinuessa where they were stoned and murdered. Martyr.

Died

stabbed with a sword at Sinuessa, Latium (in modern Italy)

Blessed Ejëll Deda

Profile

Studied with the Franciscans, and then at the Shkodrë Pontifical Seminary. Ordained on 24 February 1943 as a priest in the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania. Vicar of his archdiocese. Arrested on 12 November 1947 and sentenced to 10 years in prison during the anti–Christian persecutions of the Communist government. Martyr.

Born

22 February 1917 in Shkodrë, Albania

Died

12 May 1948 in prison in Shkodrë, Albania

Beatified

• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed Dedë Malaj

Profile

Studied at the Pontifical French Seminary, and in Italy. Ordained on 20 December 1942 in Castel Gandolfo, Rome, Italy as a priest of the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania. Parish priest in the Buna Dajçit Coast area. Martyred in the Albanian Communist anti–Christian persecutions.

Born

16 November 1917 in Dushkul, Mali Shëngjinit, Lezhë, Albania

Died

shot on 12 May 1959 in Shkodrë, Albania

Beatified

• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Modoald of Trier

Also known as

Modoaldo, Modoaldus, Modowald, Modowandus, Modwald, Romoald, Romoaldus

Profile

Born to the nobility. Brother of Saint Severa of Saint Gemma. Uncle of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, Saint Begga of Ardenne and Saint Modesta of Trier. Counselor to King Dagobert I of the Franks. Bishop of Trier, Germany in 628. Attended the Council of Rheims. He spoke so strongly against the immorality of the Frankish royal court that King Dagobert was moved to personal conversion.

Born

Aquitaine, France

Died

• 640 in Trier, Germany of natural causes

• relics translated to Paderborn, Germany in 1107

Blessesd Juan de Segalars

Profile

Joined the Mercedarians in Barcelona, Spain. Prior of his house. General procurator of the Mercedarians in 1439. Attended the Council of Basel in 1439-1440. He several times visited the Vatican for consultation with the pope. Travelled to Tunis in North Africa in 1447 to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims; he survived, but the treasure he carried was lost, and he was unable to free the slaves.

Born

Barcelona, Spain

Died

• 24 October 1466 in Barcelona, Spain of natural causes

• buried near the main altar of the church of the Mercedarian convent in Barcelona

Blessed Thomas Khampheuane Inthirath

Profile

Teenaged layman in the apostolic vicariate of Pakse (in modern Laos). His father had served as catechist for his parish, and Thomas was studying to become a catechist himself. Martyr.

Born

May 1952 in Nong Sim, Champasak, Laos

Died

shot on 12 May 1968 om the highway in Houey Makchan, Paksong, Champasak, Laos

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Philip of Agira

Also known as

• Apostle of the Sicilians

• Philip of Aggira

• Philip of Agirone

• Philip of Agirya

• Philip of Argira

Profile

First Christian missionary to Sicily. Exorcist. Many stories grew up around him, all apparently legend.

Born

c.396 in Thrace

Died

c.453 in Agira, Sicily, Italy of natural causes

Patronage

• Agira, Sicily, Italy

• Zebbug, Malta

Saint Nereus of Terracina

12-may/

Profile

Soldier in the imperial Roman army, and a member of the Praetorian Guard. Convert to Christianity, baptized by Saint Peter the Apostle. Exiled for his faith to the island of Pontia, he suffered with Saint Flavia Domitilla, and was martyred with his brother Saint Achilleus.

Died

beheaded in 98 on the Ardeatine road outside Rome, Italy

Saint Erc Nasca of Tullylish

Also known as

• Erc Nasca de Talach-leis

• Erc Nasca of Tilaig Leis

• Erc Nasca of Tulach-lis

• Erc Nasca of Ui Eachach Uladh

• Erc Nasc, Earc, Ercus, Herc

Profile

Confessor of the faith in Ireland. His memorial is found on several calendars and martyrologies, but the details of his life have been lost.

Saint Diomma of Kildimo

Also known as

Diamma, Dimma, Dioma

Profile

Son of Cass. Spiritual teacher of Saint Declan of Ardmore and other Irish evangelists.

Born

Irish

Died

5th century of natural causes

Patronage

Kildimo, County Limerick, Ireland

Saint Dionysius of Asia

Profile

Uncle and guardian of Saint Pancras. In Rome, Italy the two converted to Christianity. Arrested for his faith during the persecutions of Diocletian, he died in a Roman prison. Martyr.

Born

Asia Minor

Died

304 in Rome, Italy

Saint Cyril of Galatz

Also known as

Cyril of Axiopolis

Profile

Martyred with six companion Christians. We know nothing else about them.

Died

3rd century Galatz (Axiopolis), Mesia (in modern Romania)

Saint Euphrosyna of Teracina

Profile

Foster sister of Saint Flavia Domitilla and Saint Theodora of Terracina. Exiled and then martyred with her.

Died

2nd-century Terracina, Italy

Saint Theodora of Terracina

Profile

Foster sister of Saint Flavia Domitilla and Saint Euphrosyna of Terracina. Exiled and then martyred with her.

Died

2nd-century Terracina, Italy

Saint Ephrem of Jerusalem

Also known as

Efrem

Profile

13th bishop of Jerusalem at the time of emperor Hadrian.

Saint Palladius of Rome

Profile

Martyred at age 14 in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

c.304 at Rome, Italy

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் மே 11

 Saint Ignatius of Laconi

 லாக்கோனி நகர் புனிதர் இக்னேஷியஸ் 

(St. Ignatius of Laconi)

கப்புச்சின் சபை துறவி:

(Capuchin Monk)

பிறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 10, 1701

லாக்கோனி, சார்டினியா 

(Laconi, Kingdom of Sardinia)

இறப்பு: மே 11, 1781 (வயது 79)

கக்ளியரி, சார்டினியா அரசு

(Cagliari, Kingdom of Sardinia)

அருளாளர் பட்டம்: ஜூன் 16, 1940 

திருத்தந்தை பன்னிரெண்டாம் பயஸ்

(Pope Pius XII)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: அக்டோபர் 21, 1951

திருத்தந்தை பன்னிரெண்டாம் பயஸ்

(Pope Pius XII)

பாதுகாவல்:

ஒரிஸ்டானோ (Oristano)

மாணவர்கள்

யாசகர்கள்

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மே 11

புனிதர் இக்னேஷியஸ், ஒரு சார்டினியன் கப்புச்சின் சபை துறவியும் கத்தோலிக்க புனிதரும் ஆவார். தமக்கு நேர்ந்த ஒரு தீவிர நோயின் காரணமாக தமது வாழ்க்கையை கடவுளுக்கு அர்ப்பணித்த இவர், சார்டினியாவிலுள்ள கப்புசின் துறவு மடத்தில் இணைந்து, குருத்துவம் பெறாத ஒரு துறவியானார். ஏழ்மை நிலையில் உள்ளவர்களிடம் அக்கறை காட்டியதாலும், அவரது எளிய மனப்பான்மையாலும், அவர் சார்டினியாவில் நன்கு அறியப்பட்டார். தாம் சந்தித்த எல்லா மக்களோடும் கலந்து, நோயுற்றவர்களிடம் தாராள மனப்பான்மையுடன் இருந்தார். ஆனால் அவர் தனது வாழ்நாளில், ஒரு வியக்கத்தக்க அற்புதங்கள் செய்பவர் என அறியப்பட்டார். மற்றும் அவர் தனது வாழ்நாள் முழுதும், 121 அற்புதங்களை நிகழ்த்தியதாக கூறப்பட்டது.

“வின்சென்ஸோ பெய்ஸ்” (Vincenzo Peis) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட புனிதர் இக்னேஷியஸ், கி.பி 1701ம் வருடம், டிசம்பர் மாதம், பத்தாம் நாளன்று, சார்டினியா (Sardinia) அரசிலுள்ள “லக்கோனி” (Laconi) நகரில் உள்ள ஒரு ஏழை விவசாயி குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தார். இவரது தந்தையார் பெயர், “மட்டியா பெய்ஸ் கடெல்லோ” (Mattia Peis Cadello) ஆகும். தாயாரின் பெயர், “அன்னா மரியா சன்னா கஸு” (Anna Maria Sanna Casu) ஆகும். இவரது திருமுழுக்குப் பெயர், “ஃபிரான்செஸ்கோ இக்னேஸியோ வின்சென்ஸோ” (Francesco Ignazio Vincenzo) ஆகும்.

தமது பெற்றோருக்கு உதவுவதற்காக வயல்வெளிகளில் உழைத்த வின்சென்ஸோ, தமது இள வயதில் தீவிர நோயால் தாக்குண்டு, மிகவும் வேதனை அடைந்தார். தமது நோய் குணமானதும் "கப்புச்சின் இளம் துறவியர் சபையில் சேர்ந்து (Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) தமது வாழ்வை இறைவனுக்கு அர்ப்பணிப்பதாக வேண்டிக்கொண்டார். இவரின் மன்றாட்டை இறைவன் கேட்டதால் இவர் பூரண குணமடைந்தார். நலமடைந்த இவர், தமது பெற்றோர் "ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன்" (Franciscans) சபையில் சேர்வதற்கு ஆட்சேபனை தெரிவித்ததால் தாம் இறைவனிடம் செய்த சத்தியத்தை மறந்துபோனார்.

அதன்பிறகு ஒருநாள் தனது 20ம் வயதில் குதிரை சவாரி செய்கையில் குதிரையின் மீதிருந்து கீழே விழுந்ததில் பலமாக அடிபட்டார். அப்போதுதான் அவர் இறைவனிடம் செய்த சத்தியத்தை மீண்டும் நினைவு கூர்ந்தார். மீண்டும் இறைவனிடம் இறைவேண்டல் செய்தார். இம்முறை, புனிதர் அசிசியின் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் (Saint Francis of Assisi) அவர்களை உதவிக்கு வேண்டி செபித்தார். ஆனால் தன் நோயை கண்டிப்பாக குணமாக்க வேண்டுமென்று செபிக்காமல், இறைவன் விரும்பினால் குணமாக்கட்டும் என்று செபித்தார். இம்முறை அவரது பெற்றோர் "ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன்" (Franciscans) சபையில் சேர்வதற்கு ஆட்சேபனை ஏதும் தெரிவிக்கவில்லை. இவர், “புனிதர் லாரன்சை” (St. Lawrence of Brindisi) தனது தனிப்பட்ட முன்மாதிரியாக எடுத்துக் கொண்டார்.

இக்னேஷியஸ் "கக்ளியரி" (Cagliari) என்னுமிடத்திலிருந்த கப்புச்சின் துறவற மடத்தில் இணைய அனுமதி வேண்டினார். ஆனால், இவரது பலவீனமான உடல்நிலை கண்ட துறவு மடத்தின் தலைமைப் பொருப்பிலிருந்தவர்கள் தயங்கினார்கள். செல்வாக்குடைய நண்பர் ஒருவரின் தலையீட்டால் இவருக்கு மடத்தில் அனுமதி கிட்டியது.

இக்னேஷியஸ் நாற்பது வருடங்களுக்கும் மேலாக தமது மடத்திலிருந்த துறவியருடன் நட்புடனும், சுமூகமான உறவுடனும், அனைவரையும் மகிழ்ச்சிப்படுத்தியும், உதவி செய்தும் வாழ்ந்தார். பிறருக்கு பணிவிடை செய்து வாழ்ந்தார். ஆனால் அவர் பிறரைப்பற்றி ஒரு சிறிய அளவில் கூட குறை கூறவில்லை. அவரின் உதடு கடுமையான சொற்களை ஒரு நாளும் உச்சரிக்கவில்லை. அவருக்கு வேலை பளு அதிகமானபோதும் பிறரிடம் அதை ஒப்படைக்காமல், புன்முறுவலுடன் செய்து முடிப்பார். 

தனது வாழ் நாட்களில் தனது உடலில் ஏற்பட்ட ஒவ்வொரு நோய்களையும் இறைவனிடம் இறைவேண்டுதல் செய்தே குணம் பெற்றார். தமது வாழ்வின் இறுதி இரண்டு வருட காலம் கண் பார்வையில்லாது வாழ்ந்தாலும் தமது அன்றாட பணிகளை செய்வதை தவிர்க்கவில்லை. இக்னேஷியஸ், கி.பி 1781ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், 11ம் நாளன்று, மாலை சுமார் மூன்று மணியளவில், “கக்ளியாரி” (Cagliari) நகரில் மரணமடைந்தார். www.stjck.blogspot.com

Also known as

Vincenzo Peis

Profile

Son of a poor farmer with seven children, Ignatius grew up in hard rural poverty, working the fields. At age 17, he became very ill, and promised to become a Franciscan if he was spared. When he was cured, his father convinced him to wait. At age 20 Ignatius was almost killed when he lost control of his horse; suddenly the horse stopped, and trotted on quietly. Ignatius was convinced God had saved his life again, and he decided to follow his religious vocation at once. He joined the Capuchin monastery of Saint Benedict at Buoncammino, Italy as a lay brother, taking his vows in 1722.

Worked fifteen years in his house's weaving shed, then spent forty years as part of a team who went house to house asking food and donations for the friars. People soon realized they received a gift in return from Brother Ignatius as he consoled the sick and the lonely, and cheered children of the street. He made peace between enemies, converted sinners, advised people in trouble.

People noticed Igantius would skip the house of a rich money-lender, a man who never forgave a debt, and who felt slighted because Ignatius passed his house. He complained to Brother Ignatius' superior, who knew nothing about the money-lender, and so sent Ignatius to the house. The saint returned with a large sack of food, but when the sack was emptied, blood dripped out. "This is the blood of the poor," Ignatius softly explained. "That is why I never ask for anything at that house."

Born

17 December 1701 at Laconi, Nuoro, Italy as Vincenzo Peis

Died

11 May 1781 in Cagliari, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

21 October 1951 by Pope Pius XII

Saint Matthêô Lê Van Gam

Addtional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Eldest son in a pious Christian family. Matthew briefly studied at the seminary at Lai Thieu in the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina (modern Vietnam), but being the first-born, family obligations caused him to return home. He married to a local girl, and was the father of four, two of whom were later murdered for being Christians. At one point he cheated on his wife; he repented, she forgave him, and he used the incident to re-examine his approach to his life and faith. He decided that the best thing would be become closer to the Church, to serve in his diocese, and to help the missionaries.

During the persecutions of emperor Thiêu Tri in 1846, Mattheo, a skilled sailor, smuggled a group of threatened seminarians out of the county to Malaysia. The authorities suspected him of smuggling contraband into the country, and increased their surveillance of him when he was at sea. Stopped on another run in July to saved some diocesan clergy, he managed to bribe some of the soldiers, but was arrested, beaten, whipped, and ordered to desecrate a cross to prove his renunciation of Christianity. When he refused, he was imprisoned for 10 months, regularly tortured, and eventually executed for the crime of helping the missionaries. Martyr.

Born

c.1813 in Gò Công, Biên Hòa, Vietnam

Died

beheaded on 11 May 1847 in Cho Ðui, Dong Nai, Vietnam; it took three blows to kill him

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Francis of Girolamo

 புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் டி கிரோலமோ 

(St. Francis de Girolamo)

குரு:

(Priest)

பிறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 17, 1642

குரோட்டக்லி, அபுலியா, நேப்பிள்ஸ் அரசு

(Grottaglie, Apulia, Kingdom of Naples)

இறப்பு: மே 11, 1716 (வயது 73)

நேப்பிள்ஸ், நேப்பிள்ஸ் அரசு

(Naples, Kingdom of Naples)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: மே 2, 1806

திருத்தந்தை ஏழாம் பயஸ்

(Pope Pius VII)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: மே 26, 1839

திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் கிரகோரி

(Pope Gregory XVI)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மே 11

பாதுகாவல்:

நேப்பிள்ஸ் (இணை பாதுகாவலர்)

Naples (co-patron)

புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் டி கிரோலமோ, இயேசு சபையைச் சேர்ந்த இத்தாலி நாட்டின் ஒரு ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க குரு ஆவார்.

புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் டி கிரோலமோ, பாவிகளை மனமாற்றுவதற்காகவும், ஏழைகளைச் சென்றடைவதற்கும் அயராது உழைத்தார். அநேக மக்களின் மனதை அதிக நம்பிக்கையுடன் வென்றார். தமது பெரும்பான்மையான காலத்தையும் சக்தியையும் நேபிள்ஸ் நாட்டிலேயே செலவிட்டதால், நேபிள்ஸ் () நாட்டின் அப்போஸ்தலர் என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறார்.

அவர் கி.பி. 1642ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 17ம் தேதியன்று, நேபிள்ஸ் (Kingdom of Naples) இராச்சியத்தின், "க்ரோட்டாக்லி" (Grottaglie) நகரில் வாழ்ந்திருந்த "ஜியோவானி லியோனார்டோ டி ஜெரோனிமோ" (Giovanni Leonardo di Geronimo) எனும் தந்தைக்கும், "ஜென்டிலெஸ்கா கிராவினா" (Gentilesca Gravina) எனும் தாயாருக்கும் பிறந்த பதினொரு குழந்தைகளில் மூத்தவராக பிறந்தார்.

தனது 12 வயதில் புதுநன்மை வாங்கிய பின்னர், அவர் தனது ஊரில் உள்ள "தியேட்டினைன்" சபை (House of the Theatines) குருக்களின் சமூகத்துடன் வாழச் சென்றார். அவர், சிறப்புமிக்க திறன்களை பெற்றவர் என்பதனை குருக்கள் தெளிவாகக் கண்டுகொண்டனர். மேலும் சபையில், மறைக்கல்வி கற்பித்தல் உள்ளிட்ட அநேக பொறுப்புக்களை அவரிடம் ஒப்படைக்கத் தொடங்கினர்.

சிவில் மற்றும் நியதிச் சட்டங்களை கற்பதற்காக நேபிள்ஸ் நகர் சென்ற ஃபிரான்சிஸ், கி.பி. 1666ம் ஆண்டில் அங்கேயே குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்றார். (24 வயதுகூட நிரம்பாத இளைஞராக இருந்த காரணத்தால், குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவிற்கு அவருக்கு சிறப்பு அனுமதி கிடைக்க வேண்டியிருந்தது). அவர் நேபிள்ஸில் உள்ள இயேசுசபையின் (Jesuit Order) ஒரு பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் ஐந்து ஆண்டுகள் கற்பிக்கும் பணியாற்றினார். அங்குள்ள மாணவர்கள் அவரை "தூய குரு" (The Holy Priest) என்று குறிப்பிட்டு அழைக்கத் தொடங்கினர்.

இயேசுசபையில் (Jesuit Order) சேர முடிவு செய்த ஃபிரான்சிஸ், அவரது மேலுள்ள உயர் குருக்களால் பல சிரமமான சோதனைகளுக்குள்ளானார். எவ்வாறாயினும், அவர் குருக்கள் அனைவரது மனதையும் கவர்ந்தார். மேலும் ஒரு பிரபலமான போதகருடன் மறைப்பணிகளுக்காக அனுப்பப்பட்டார். பின்னர் அவர் நேபிள்ஸ் நகருக்குத் திரும்பி, தமது கல்வியை முடித்து அங்குள்ள ஒரு தேவாலயத்தில் பணி நியமனம் மேற்றார்.

ஒரு மறைப்பணியாளராக ஜப்பான் நாட்டுக்குச் செல்ல ஃபிரான்சிஸ் தீவிரமாக விரும்பினார். அங்கு சென்று இறங்கிய ஒவ்வொரு மிஷனரியும் கொல்லப்பட்டதாக அங்கிருந்து வந்த அறிக்கைகள் தெரிவித்தன. அவர் நேபிள்ஸ் நகரிலேயே இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டது. எனவே அவர் மற்ற மறைப்பணியாளர்களுக்கு பயிற்சி அளிக்கத் தொடங்கினார்.

அவருடைய மறையுரைகளைக் கேட்க ஏராளமான மக்கள் கூடினர். மேலும் பலர் அவரை ஒப்புரவு அருட்சாதனத்திற்காக நாடினர். அவரது பரிந்துரை காரணமாக, அநேக அற்புதங்களும் அதிசயங்களும் நிகழ்ந்ததாக தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டன. ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் அவர் 400க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பாவிகளை மனம் மாற்றினார் என்று மதிப்பிடுகின்றனர். மருத்துவமனைகளில் உள்ள நோயாளிகளையும், சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த மரணதண்டனைக்கு காத்திருப்பவர்கள் உள்ளிட்ட கைதிகளையும் அவர் தவறாமல் பார்வையிடச் சென்றார். குற்றச் செயல்களுக்கு மோசமாக பெயர்பெற்ற பல இடங்களுக்கு - அவர்களுடைய சொந்த பிரதேசத்தில் கூட பாவிகளையும் குற்றவாளிகளையும் சந்திப்பதில் அவர் அச்சமின்றி இருந்தார். அவரது இம்முயற்சிகளுக்காக அவர் பல முறை தாக்கப்பட்டார்.

சில நேரங்களில் அவர் தெருவின் நடுவில் பிரசங்கிக்கத் தொடங்குவதற்கான தன்னிச்சையான வேட்கையை உணருவார். ஒரு இரவு, ஒரு புயல் காற்றின் நடுவில், இருண்ட சந்து ஒன்றில், யாருமற்ற  இடத்தில் பிரசங்கிக்க ஆரம்பிக்கும்படி  அழைக்கப்பட்டதாக அவர் உணர்ந்தார். மறுநாள், ஒரு திறந்த ஜன்னல் வழியாக அவரிடம் ஒப்புரவு பெறுவதற்காக ஒருவர் வந்தார்.

அவர் மாற்றிய மாற்றிய குற்றவாளிகளுள் மிகவும் பிரபலமானவர், ஒரு ஃபிரெஞ்சு பெண் ஆவார். தனது தந்தையை கொலை செய்துவிட்டு ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டுக்கு தப்பி ஓடினார். அங்கு அவர் ஒரு ஆணாக உடை அணிந்து இராணுவத்தில் சேர்ந்தார். அவர் ஃபிரான்சிஸிடமிருந்து ஆன்ம வழிநடத்துதலைத் வேண்டினார். மேலும் அவள் செய்த பாவங்களிலிருந்து மனந்திரும்பியது மட்டுமல்லாமல், ஒரு புனிதப் பெண்ணாகவும் பின்னர் அறியப்பட்டார்.

"ப்ளூரிடிஸ்" (Pleuritis) எனும் நோயால் தாக்குண்ட புனித பிரான்சிஸ் டி ஜிரோலாமோ, தனது 74 வயதில் மரித்தார். அவரது நினைவுச் சின்னங்கள் (மிச்சங்கள்) பேராலயத்தில் உள்ள நினைவுச் சின்னங்களை வைக்கும் பேழையில் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

Also known as

• Francis di Girolamo

• Francis de Geronimo

• Francis de Hieronymo

• Franciscus de Hieronymo

• Francis Jerome

• Francis of Jerome

Profile

Studied humanities and philosophy at the Jesuit college of Taranto, Italy at age 16; studied theology and canon law at the college of Gesu Vecchio. Ordained on 18 March 1666 at Naples, Italy, and served as a parish priest. Joined the Jesuits at age 28 on 1 July 1670. Rural missioner in and around Naples for 40 years.

Successful and effective preacher. Ministered in prisons, brothels, and galleys. Converted Moor and Turkish prisoners of war. Rescued chidren from dangerous and degrading situations. Opened a charity pawn shop. Organized laymen into a group called Oratio della Missione to help fellow Jesuit missioners. Numerous miraculous cures were attributed to him in and after his life. His coffin was thronged by the people of Naples during his funeral procession. A few of his letters have survived, but no sermons.

Born

17 December 1642 at Grottaglie, Apulia, near Taranto, Italy

Died

11 May 1716 at Naples, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

2 May 1806 by Pope Pius VII

Canonized

26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

Patronage

Grottaglie, Italy

Saint Gengulphus of Burgundy

Also known as

Gandoul, Gangloff, Gangolf, Gangolfo, Gangulf, Gangulfus, Gangulphus, Genf, Gengolfo, Gengou, Gengoul, Gengoux, Gengulf, Gigou, Gingolph, Golf, Gongolf

Profile

Born to wealthy Burgundian nobility, he became knight and courtier. Married a noble woman who proved frequently unfaithful. Ashamed of her actions, but not wishing her harm, Gengulphus became a hermit in his castle at Avallon, France, leaving his staff of servants to care for his wife. Murdered in his bed by his wife's lover. Especially admired in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Savoy.

Born

Burgundy, France

Died

760

Saint Mamertus of Vienne

Also known as

Mamertius, Mammertus

Profile

Well-educated, and probably born to the Gallic nobility. May have been married at one point. Archbishop of Vienne, France in 461. Known for his secular and theological learning, and for bringing back the faith to an indifferent region. Involved in a dispute with Pope Saint Hilarius in 463 about the privileges of the diocese of Arles, France. Brought back the tradition of rogation processions which soon gained papal approval and were used throughout Europe. Built a church in honor of Saint Ferreolus whose relics were discovered in his diocese. A miracle worker, he is reported to have ended an urban disaster - through prayer he stopped a fire that was destroying the city of Vienne one Easter night.

Born

near Lyons, France

Died

• c.477 at Vienne, France of natural causes

• interred in the cathedral of Orleans, France

• relics burned by Huguenots in the 16th century

Blessed Gjon Koda

Also known as

Brother Serafin

Profile

Franciscan Friar Minor. Priest, celebrating his first Mass on 30 July 1925. Vicar in Lezhë, Albania where he was arrested and tortured by Communist authorities; they tried to get him to say that his brother Franciscans gathered for political reasons and were plotting against the state. It was a lie, and Father Serafin refused to “confess” to save himself. Martyr.

Born

25 April 1893 in Janjevë (Janjevo), Lypjan, Serbia

Died

• nails driven through his throat on 11 May 1947 in Lezhë, Albania

• secretly buried nearby, his grave was re-discovered on 16 September 1994

• relics re-interred in the walls of the Franciscan church of in Lezhë

Beatified

• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed Gregory Celli of Verucchio

Also known as

• Gregory Celli

• Gregory of Verucchio

Profile

Augustinian monk in the monastery founded by his mother in Verucchio, Italy. For unknown (and apparently unjust) reasons that have not come down to us, he was dismissed by the Augustinians from the Order, but was immediately taken in by the Franciscans at Monte Carnerio.

Born

c.1225 at Verucchio, diocese of Rimini, Italy

Died

1343 at Franciscan monastery at Monte Carnerio, Rieti, Italy

Beatified

1769 (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

against drought

Blessed John Rochester

Additional Memorial

4 May (as one of the Carthusian Martyrs)

Profile

Son of John Rochester of Terling and Grisold of Bobbingworth. Carthusian choir monk at the London Charterhouse. Priest. Exiled by the government to the Charterhouse of Saint Michael at Hull, Yorkshire. Martyred with Blessed James Walworth for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church.

Born

c.1498 at Tealing, Essex, England

Died

hanged in chains from the battlements of York, England on 11 May 1537

Beatified

20 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

Saint Criotan of Macreddin

Also known as

• Criotan of Aghavannagh

• Criotan of Aghamanagh

• Criotan Mac Iolladon

• Chritoc, Chritocus, Credan, Credanus, Credin, Credus, Cridanus, Critanus, Mochritocus

Profile

Son of Illudion (Iladon, Lolladon). After inadvertently killing his father, Criotan withdrew from the world to live as a swineherd. Spiritual student of Saint Petroc. Monk. Travelled to Ireland to study with holy men in Ireland for 20 years, and then returned to Cornwall. Founded the church in Sancreed, Cornwall.

Born

6th century Cornwall, England

Died

7th century of natural causes

Blessed Gautier di Esterp

Also known as

• Gautier de Limousin

• Gualterio, Gualtiero, Walter

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Educated by the Augustinians at Dorat, France. Joined the Augustinians in Dorat. Priest. Abbot of the monastery of l'Esterp, Limousin, France where he served for 38 years. Known for love and support of his brother canons, and his charity to the poor.

Born

990 at Conflans Castle, Aquitaine (in modern France)

Died

• 11 May 1070 at the monastery of l'Esterp near Limoges in modern France

• interred in the church at the l'Esterp monastery

Blessed James Walworth

Additional Memorial

4 May (as one of the Carthusian Martyrs)

Profile

Carthusian priest and choir monk at the London Charterhouse. Exiled by the government to the Charterhouse of Saint Michael at Hull, Yorkshire. Martyred with Blessed John Rochester.

Born

English

Died

hanged in chains on 11 May 1537 from the battlements of York, England

Beatified

20 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

Saint Anthimus of Rome

Profile

Parish priest in Rome, Italy, noted for his conversions, including that of a Roman prefect. The official's change of faith brought Anthimus to the attention of Roman officials who condemned him to drown in the Tiber for his religion. Thrown in, he was rescued by an angel. Continuing his work, Anthimus was later recaptured and martyred.

Died

beheaded in 303 on the Via Salaria outside Rome, Italy

Saint Mozio of Constantinople

Also known as

Mocio

Profile

Born to a wealthy imperial Roman family. Priest. Ordered by governor Laodicio to make a sacrifice to the god Bacchus, Mozio refused; he was tortured by was not harmed by it and still refused to make the sacrifice. Martyr.

Born

Amphipolis, Macedonia

Died

• beheaded in 295 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)

• by 402 there was a church was built over his grave

Saint Mayeul

Also known as

Maiolus

Profile

Archdeacon of Macon, France. When he saw he was to be made bishop, he became a monk at Cluny Abbey. Chosen assistant abbot in 954, and then abbot in 965 much against his will. Mayeul was devoted to learning, and led his brothers by good example. Counselor to Emperor Otto I and Emperor Otto II. Otto II wanted to put him forth as papabile, but Mayeul would have none of it.

Born

c.906 at Avignon, France

Died

994 at Souvigny, France en route to Paris

Saint Anastasius of Lérida

Also known as

• Anastasius of Badalona

• Anastasi of...

Profile

Son of Lleida. Imperial Roman soldier. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Born

Lérida, Catalonia, Spain

Died

303 in Catalonia, Spain

Patronage

• Badalona, Spain

• Lérida, Spain

Blessed Vincent L'Hénoret

Profile

Member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Priest. Martyr.

Born

12 March 1921 in Pont-l'Abbé, Finistère, France

Died

11 May 1961 in Ban Ban, Xieng Khouang, Laos

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed Diego of Saldaña

Profile

Mercedarian. Founded the monastery of Conxo at Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and the convent of Monterrey in Verin, Spain. Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Died

1493 in Avila, Spain of natural causes

Saint Majolus of Cluny

Also known as

Maieul, Majodus, Mayeul

Profile

Priest. Monk at Cluny Abbey in France, taking the cowl partly to avoid becoming a bishop. Abbot of Cluny. Advisor to popes and emperors.

Born

c.906 in Avignon, France

Died

994 of natural causes

Saint Tudy

Also known as

Tegwin, Thetgo, Tudec, Tudinus, Tudi

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Spiritual student of Saint Brioc. Monk, hermit and missionary in Brittany. Abbot at Landevennec, Brittany. Founded monasteries. Missionary to Cornwall.

Born

at Brittany, France

Blessed Vivaldus

Also known as

Gualdo, Ubaldo

Profile

Franciscan tertiary. A close friend of Blessed Bartholomew Buonpedoni, he tended to Bartholomew and assisted in his twenty-year ministry to lepers.

Died

1300 of natural causes

Beatified

1909 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed)

Saint Evellius of Pisa

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Imperial advisor to emperor Nero. Converted to Christianity after witnessing the courage and faith of martyrs. He left the imperial court and fled Rome, but was captured and executed. Martyr.

Born

Pisa, Italy

Died

beheaded c.66 in Pisa, Italy

Saint Walbert of Hainault

Also known as

Vaubert

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Born to the nobility. Married to Saint Bertilia of Thuringia. Father of Saint Waltrude and Saint Aldegundis.

Born

Hainault (in modern Belgium)

Died

c.678

Saint Illuminatus of San Severino

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Benedictine monk at San Mariano Abbey, San Severino, Marches of Ancona, Italy.

Born

at San Severino, Marches of Ancona, Italy

Died

c.1000

Saint Possessor of Verdun

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Magistrate in Verdun, France. Bishop of Verdun in 470. Led his diocese during a period of constant invasion by and trouble with Franks, Vandals and Goths.

Died

c.485

Saint Fremund of Dunstable

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Hermit. Martyred by pagan Danish invaders.

Died

• 866

• relics enshrined in Dunstable, England

Saint Maiulo of Hadrumetum

Also known as

Maiolo

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Martyr.

Died

mauled by wild animals in 3rd century Hadrumetum, Libya

Saint Diocletius of Osimo

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

stoned to death in 303 in Osimo, Italy

Saint Florentius of Osimo

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

stoned to death in 303 in Osimo, Italy

Saint Maximus of Sabina

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

in 304 on the Via Salaria outside Rome, Italy

Saint Bassus of Sabina

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

in 304 on the Via Salaria outside Rome, Italy

Saint Fabius of Sabina

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

in 304 on the Via Salaria outside Rome, Italy

Saint Sisinius of Osimo

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Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

stoned to death in 303 in Osimo, Italy

Blessed Illuminatus

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Franciscan monk; spiritual student of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Died

c.1230 of natural causes

Saint Principia of Rome

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Nun in Rome, Italy. Spiritual student of Saint Marcella.

Died

c.420

Saint Gualberto

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Born to the early 7th century Frankish nobility. Married to Saint Bertilla.

Saint Bertilla

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Born to the early 7th century Frankish nobility. Married to Saint Gualberto.

Martyrs of Camerino

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An imperial Roman official, his wife, their children and servants, all of whom were converts and martyrs: Anastasius, Aradius, Callisto, Eufemia, Evodius, Felice, Primitiva, Theopista.

Died

• beheaded in 251 on the Via Lata, outside the east gate of Camerino, Italy

• relics in Camerino

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் மே 10

 St. Peter Van

Feastday: May 10

Death: 1857

Vietnamese martyr. A native catechist, he was arrested by authorities and beheaded. Pope John Paul II canonized him in 1988. 

The Vietnamese Martyrs (Vietnamese: Các Thánh Tử đạo Việt Nam; French: Martyrs du Viêt Nam), also known as the Martyrs of Annam, Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina, Martyrs of Indochina, or Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions (Anrê Dũng-Lạc và các bạn tử đạo), are saints on the General Roman Calendar who were canonized by Pope John Paul II. On June 19, 1988, thousands of overseas Vietnamese worldwide gathered at the Vatican for the Celebration of the Canonization of 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, an event chaired by Monsignor Tran Van Hoai. Their memorial is on November 24 (although several of these saints have another memorial, having been beatified and on the calendar prior to the canonization of the group).

St. Damien of Molokai

 புனிதர் தமியான் 

மதகுரு, மதபோதகர்:

(Religious Priest and Missionary)

பிறப்பு: ஜனவரி 3, 1840

ட்ரெமெலோ, ப்ரபன்ட், பெல்ஜியம்

(Tremelo, Brabant, Belgium)

இறப்பு: ஏப்ரல் 15, 1889 (வயது 49)

கலாவுபப்பா, மொலகாய், ஹவாயி

(Kalaupapa, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:  

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

கீழைக் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபைகள்

(Eastern Catholic Churches)

அமெரிக்க எப்பிஸ்கோப்பல் திருச்சபை

(Episcopal Church)

ஆங்கிலிக்கத்தின் சில பிரிவுகள்

(Some Churches of Anglican Communion)

லூதரன் தனிச்சபைகள் சில

(Individual Lutheran Churches)

அருளாளர் பட்டம்: ஜூன் 4, 1995

திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பவுல் 

(Pope John Paul II)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: அக்டோபர் 11, 2009

திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட்

(Pope Benedict XVI)

முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:

லுவென், பெல்ஜியம் (உடலின் மிச்சங்கள்)

(Leuven, Belgium (bodily relics)

மோலக்காய், ஹவாய் (அவரது கையின் மிச்சங்கள்)

(Molokaʻi, Hawaii (relics of his hand)

நினைவுத் திருவிழா: மே 10

பாதுகாவல்: தொழுநோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டோர்.

ஹவாயி இராச்சியத்தின் மோலக்காய் தீவில் தொழுநோயாளருக்குப் பணிபுரிந்து, தாமும் தொழுநோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட புனிதர் தமியான், "இயேசு மற்றும் மரியாளின் திருஇருதய சபை" (Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary) என்னும் கத்தோலிக்க துறவற சபையினைச் சார்ந்த துறவியும், குருவும் ஆவார்.

பிறப்பும் துறவறமும்:

தந்தை தமியான், கி.பி 1840ம் ஆண்டு, ஜனவரி மாதம், 3ம் நாளன்று பிறந்தார். அவர் பிறந்த இடம் பெல்ஜியம் நாட்டில் உள்ள “ட்ரெமெலோ” (Tremelo) என்னும் ஊர் ஆகும். அவருடைய இயற்பெயர் "ஜோசெஃப் டி வெய்ஸ்ட்டெர்' (Jozef De Veuster) ஆகும். அவர் "இயேசு மற்றும் மரியாள் ஆகியோரின் திரு இருதயங்களின் சபை" என்னும் துறவற சபையின் உறுப்பினராக இருந்தார். கிறிஸ்தவ சமயத்தைப் பரப்புவதில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தார்.

புனிதர் தமியான், "தொழுநோயாளரின் திருத்தூதர்" (The Apostle of the Lepers) என்னும் பெயராலும் அறியப்படுகிறார். மேலும் அவருக்கு, "தொழுநோய்த் துறவி" (Leper Priest) என்னும் பெயரும் உண்டு.

தமியானின் இளமைப் பருவம்:

"ஜோசெஃப் டி வேய்ஸ்ட்டர்" (Jozef De Veuster) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட தந்தை தமியான், பெல்ஜியம் நாட்டில் 'ஃப்ளேமிஷ்' (Flemish) மொழி பேசும் மக்கள் குழுவைச் சார்ந்த "ஜோவான்னெஸ் ஃப்ரான்சிஸ்கஸ் டி வெய்ஸ்ட்டர்" (Joannes Franciscus De Veuster) என்பவருக்கும் அவரது மனைவி "ஆனி-காதரின் வூட்டெர்ஸ்" (Anne-Catherine Wouters) என்பவருக்கும் ஏழாவது குழந்தையாகப் பிறந்தவர். அவரது தந்தை சோளம் வியாபாரியாக இருந்தார். அவர் "ப்ரேய்ன்-லெ-கோம்த்" (Braine-le-Comte) என்னும் இடத்தில் உள்ள கல்லூரியில் கல்வி பயின்றார்.

துறவு வாழ்க்கையைத் தழுவுதல்:

இயேசுவை நெருக்கமாகப் பின்செல்ல விரும்பி, துறவற வாழ்க்கையைத் தழுவ எண்ணிய தமியான், "இயேசு மற்றும் மரியா ஆகியோரின் திரு இருதயங்களின் சபை" என்னும் துறவறக் குழுவில் உறுப்பினராகச் சேர முன்வந்து, அச்சபைக்கான புகுமுகப் (Novitiate) பயிற்சி பெற்றார். அப்போது அவர் தேர்ந்துகொண்ட துறவறப் பெயர் "தமியானஸ்"ஆகும்.

அவருடைய குருத்துவப் படிப்புக் காலத்தின் போது அவர் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் மறைபரப்பாளர்களின் பாதுகாவலராகிய புனித ஃபிரான்சிஸ் சவேரியாரின் படத்தின் முன் அமர்ந்து, தாமும் ஒருநாள் நாடுகடந்து சென்று கிறிஸ்தவ மறைப்பணி புரிய இறைவன் அருளவேண்டும் என்று வேண்டுதல் செய்வது வழக்கம். மூன்று ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின் அவருடைய வேண்டுதல் கேட்கப்பட்டது. தமியானின் சகோதரர் "அருட்தந்தை பாம்ப்பில்" (Father Pamphile) அவர்கள் நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டதால் ஹவாயி இராச்சியத்துக்கு மறைப்பணியாளராகச் செல்ல இயலாமல் போயிற்று. அவருக்குப் பதிலாக, அவருடைய தம்பி தமியானை ஹவாயிக்கு மறைப்பணியாளராக அனுப்புவது என்று சபை முடிவுசெய்தது. அண்ணனுக்குக் கிடைக்காத பேறு தம்பிக்குக் கிடைத்தது.

ஹவாயிக்கு மறைப்பணியாற்றச் செல்லுதல்:

கி.பி 1864ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 19ம் நாள், தமியான் மறைப்பணியாளராக ஹவாயி நாட்டின் "ஹொனலூலு" (Honolulu Harbor) துறைமுகம் வந்திறங்கினார். அங்கு, இவர் நிறுவிய சபையினர் கட்டியிருந்த "அமைதியின் அன்னை பேராலயத்தில்" (Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace), கி.பி 1864ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், 21ம் நாளன்று, தமியான் குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார்.

கி.பி 1865ம் ஆண்டு, தமியானுக்கு ஹவாயியின் "வட கோஹலா" (Catholic Mission in North Kohala) பகுதியில் அமைந்திருந்த இயேசுவின் திரு இருதய ஆலய பொறுப்பு ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டது.

ஹவாயியில் மருத்துவ நெருக்கடி:

ஹவாயி இராச்சியத்தின் 'ஓவாஹூ' (Oahu) பகுதியில் பல பங்குகளில் மறைப்பணி செய்தார் தந்தை தமியான். அவ்வாறு அவர் பணியாற்றிக் கொண்டிருக்கையில் ஹவாயியின் மருத்துவ சேவை ஒரு பெரிய நெருக்கடியைச் சந்திக்கலாயிற்று. வெளிநாடுகளிலிருந்து வந்த வணிகர்களும் கடற்பயணிகளும் சுமந்துவந்த சில நோய்கள் அவர்கள் ஹவாயியின் ஆதி குடிமக்களோடு கொண்ட தொடர்பின் பயனாக அம்மக்கள் சிலரிடையே பரவின.

இதனால் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான ஹவாயி மக்கள் ஃபுளூ சளிக்காய்ச்சல், பால்வினை நோயாகிய மேகப்புண் (smallpox, cholera, influenza, syphilis, and whooping cough) போன்ற நோய்களுக்கு ஆளாகி இறந்தனர். இந்த நோய்கள் அப்பகுதிகளில் முன்னால் கண்டதில்லை. இவ்வாறு வந்து பரவிய நோய்களுள் ஒன்று "ஹான்சன் நோய்" (Hansen's disease) என்று அழைக்கப்படுகின்ற தொழுநோய்.

அச்சமயத்தில் தொழுநோய் மிகவும் பயங்கரமான தொற்றுநோயாகக் கருதப்பட்டது. ஆனால் 95% மனிதர்கள் அந்நோய்க் கிருமியைத் தடுக்கும் எதிர்ப்புச் சக்தி கொண்டுள்ளனர் என்று அறியப்பட்டது. தொழுநோய் என்பது குணப்படுத்த முடியாத நோய் என்றும் அக்காலத்தில் கருதப்பட்டது.

ஒதுக்கப்பட்டு வாழ்ந்த தொழுநோயாளருக்கு மக்கள் நல வாரியம் உணவும் பிற பொருள்களும் கொடுத்தது. ஆனால் நாள்கள் போகப்போக அம்மக்களின் நலனைக் கவனிக்க போதுமான ஆள்களோ பொருள்களோ அனுப்பப்படவில்லை.

தந்தை தமியான் தொழுநோயாளர் நடுவே பணி செய்ய முதல் ஆளாகப் போய்ச் சேர்ந்தார். ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட இடமாகிய கலாவுபப்பா தொழுநோயாளர் குடியிருப்பில் தமியான், கி.பி 1873ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், 10ம் நாள், சென்றடைந்தார். அங்கு வாழ்ந்த 816 தொழுநோயாளர் முன்னிலையில் 'ஆயர் மேக்ரே', தந்தை தமியானை அறிமுகம் செய்தார்.

தொழுநோயாளர் குடியிருப்பில் போய்ச் சேர்ந்த உடனேயே அங்கு வாழ்ந்த மக்களின் வாழ்க்கையை எப்படி முன்னேற்றுவது என்பது குறித்து தமியான் சிந்திக்கலானார். முதல் வேலையாக ஒரு கோவில் கட்டுவது என்று முடிவுசெய்து, கோவிலைக் கட்டி அதைப் புனித ஃபிலோமினாவுக்கு அர்ப்பணித்தார். ஆனால் அவரது பணி மறைசார்ந்த ஒன்றாக மட்டுமே இருக்கவில்லை.

தொழுநோயாளரின் புண்களைக் கட்டுவது, அவர்கள் வசதியாகத் தங்கியிருக்க வீடுகள் கட்டுவது, அவர்களுக்குத் தேவையான மரச்சாமான்களைச் செய்துகொடுப்பது, இறந்தோரை அடக்கம் செய்ய அடக்கப்பெட்டிகள் செய்வது, கல்லறைக் குழிகள் தோண்டுவது என்று பல பணிகளையும் தமியான் செய்யலானார்.

தந்தை தமியானுக்கும் தொழுநோய் தொற்றிவிட்டது. தமக்கும் தொழுநோய் வந்துவிட்டது என்று தெரிந்த பிறகு, தமியான் முன்னைப் போலவே ஊக்கத்தோடு தம் பணிகளில் ஈடுபட்டார்.

கி.பி 1889ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 15ம் தேதியன்று காலை 8 மணிக்குத் தந்தை தமியான் தொழுநோயால் இறந்தார். அப்போது அவருக்கு வயது 49.

Feastday: May 10

Patron: of people with leprosy

Birth: 1840

Death: 1889

Beatified: June 4th, 1995, Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Koekelberg), Brussels, by Pope John Paul II

Canonized: October 11th, 2009, Vatican City, by Pope Benedict XVI

The man who would become St. Damien of Molokai, was born in rural Belgium, on January 3, 1840. His name was Jozef De Veuster, and he was the youngest of seven children. Growing up on the farm, Jozef was prepared to take over for his family, but he did not want the responsibility. Instead, he wanted to follow his older brother and two sisters who took religious vows.

Jozef attended school until the age of 13 when his help was needed on the family farm full-time. He aided his family until he was old enough to enter the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He took the name Damien, after a sixth century martyr.

In 1864, Damien's brother who was also in the same order of religious, was ordered to Hawaii. But his brother became ill, so Br. Damien offered to go in his place.

The brothers worried that Br. Damien was too uneducated to become a priest, although he was not considered unintelligent. Br. Damien demonstrated his ability by quickly learning Latin from his brother. He was also devoted in prayer, Br. Damien prayed each day before an icon of Saint Francis Xavier to be sent on a mission.

Br. Damien arrived in Hawaii in March 1864, and was ordained as a priest on the island of Hawaii two months later. For nine years, he worked on the island as a priest, leading an important, yet undistinguished life.

In 1866, Hawaii established a leper colony on the Kalaupapa Peninsula. It was still mistakenly believed that leprosy was highly contagious. This belief resulted in the forced quarantine of leprosy patients.

These people still needed spiritual and medical care, so to Fr. Damien discerned his call to serve them. In 1873, Fr. Damien made the trip to be with these people in their colony.

Upon arrival, he found the colony was poorly maintained. Anarchy reigned among the people living there. Many patients required treatment but had nobody to care for them. Other patients took to drinking and became severe alcoholics. Every kind of immorality and misbehavior was on display in the lawless colony. There was no law or order.

Fr. Damien realized the people needed leadership, so he provided it. He asked people to come together to build houses and schools and eventually the parish church, St. Philomena. The church still stands today.

The sick were cared for and the dead buried. Order and routine made the colony livable. Fr. Damien personally provided much of the care the people needed.

He was supposed to only work in the colony for a time then he would be replaced by one of three other volunteers for the work. But the leper colony was to become his permanent home. After working with the people for a time Fr. Damien grew attached to the people and his work. He asked permission to stay at the colony to serve. His request was granted.

Leprosy is not as contagious as most people of the period assumed, however five percent of the human population is susceptible. The disease can also take several years to show symptoms.

Fr. Daminen became one of those people. He contracted leprosy in 1885, after several years of work. He realized he had the disease when he placed his foot into scalding water by accident, but felt no pain. This was a common way by which people discovered they were infected. Leprosy attacks nerve endings and a victim may hurt themselves but not feel any pain.

Fr. Damien continued his work, despite his illness, which slowly took over his body. He derived strength from prayer and devotion. He often went to the cemetery to pray the Rosary or spent time in the presence of the Eucharist. "It is at the foot of the altar that we find the strength we need in our isolation," he wrote.

By all accounts, Fr. Daminen was courageous, headstrong and resilient. His personal toughness served to inspire others. He was also reportedly very happy, a common phenomenon for those who pray and work hard to serve others and the Lord.

After sixteen years in the colony, Fr. Damien succumbed to leprosy on April 15, 1889. He was first buried nearby, then his remains were transferred to Belgium in 1936. His right hand was returned to Hawaii in 1995 to be reburied in his original grave at Molokai.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Brussels, Belgium on June 4, 1995. His sainthood was confirmed on October 11, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. His feast day is May 10.

The day of his passing, April 15, is a minor statewide holiday in Hawaii.

Saint Damien is the patron saint of people suffering from leprosy.

For other people with similar names, see Father Damien (disambiguation), Saint Damien (disambiguation), and Peter Damian.

Father Damien or Saint Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Saint Damien De Veuster (Dutch: Pater Damiaan or Heilige Damiaan van Molokai; 3 January 1840 – 15 April 1889),[2] born Jozef De Veuster, was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,[3] a missionary religious institute. He was recognized for his ministry, which he led from 1873 until his death in 1889, in the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi for people with leprosy (Hansen's disease), who lived in government-mandated medical quarantine in a settlement on the Kalaupapa Peninsula of Molokaʻi.[4]

During this time, he taught the Catholic faith to the people of Hawaii. Father Damien also cared for the patients and established leaders within the community to build houses, schools, roads, hospitals, and churches. He dressed residents' ulcers, built a reservoir, made coffins, dug graves, shared pipes, and ate poi with them, providing both medical and emotional support.

After eleven years caring for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of those in the leper colony, Father Damien contracted leprosy. He continued with his work despite the infection but finally succumbed to the disease on 15 April 1889. Father Damien also had tuberculosis which worsened his condition, but people think that the reason he volunteered in the first place was due to his illness of tuberculosis.[citation needed]

Father Damien has been described as a "martyr of charity".[5] Damien De Veuster is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. In the Anglican Communion and other Christian denominations, Damien is considered the spiritual patron for leprosy and outcasts. Father Damien Day, 15 April, the day of his death, is also a minor statewide holiday in Hawaii. Father Damien is the patron saint of the Diocese of Honolulu and of Hawaii.

Father Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 October 2009.[6][7] Libert H. Boeynaems, writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia, calls him "the Apostle of the Lepers."[8] Damien De Veuster's feast day is 10 May.

Saint John of Avila

Also known as

• Apostle of Andalusia

• Juan de Ávila Jijón

Profile

Born to a wealthy Castilian family with Jewish ancestry. Studied law at the University of Salamanca from age 14, and felt a call to religious life. Studied theology and philosophy at Alcala, Spain at age 17. Lawyer. Following the death of his parents, he liquidated most of his large fortune, and gave it to the poor. Ordained in 1525. He wanted to be a missionary in the West Indies and Mexico, but became a travelling preacher in Andalusia for 40 years, re-evangelizing a region previously ruled by the Moors. He spoke boldly against the sins of the ruling classes, made powerful enemies, and at one point was imprisoned in Seville, Spain by the Inquisition, accused of false teachings; the charges were dismissed, John was released, and his preaching became more popular than ever. Spiritual director of Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Francis Borgia, Saint John of God, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Peter of Alcántara, and Saint Louis of Granada. Writer whose works continue their influence today. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 October 2012.

Born

6 January 1499 at Almodovar del Campo (Ciudad Real), Toledo, New Castile, Spain

Died

• 10 May 1569 at Montilla, Provincia de Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain of natural causes

interred in the Basílica de San Juan de Ávila in Montilla

Canonized

31 May 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Patronage

• Andalusia, Spain

• Spain

• Spanish secular clergy

• World Youth Day 2011

Saint Joseph de Veuster

Also known as

• Apostle to the Lepers

• Damian de Veuster

• Father Damien

Additional Memorial

15 April (Father Damien Day in Hawaii)

Profile

Son of a small farmer. Studied at the college at Braine-le-Comte, Belgium. Joined the Picpus Fathers on 7 October 1860, taking the name Damien. Seminarian in Paris, France. Volunteered for missionary work while still in seminary, and was sent to Hawaii. Ordained in Honolulu on 24 May 1864. Missionary on islands where his single parish was the size of all of his native Belgium. Resident priest in the leper colony on Molokai where for years he worked alone to minister to the patients' spiritual and medical needs. His work turned a wretched dump for the unwanted into a real community with the best treatment of the day, and patients who lived strong spiritual lives. He contracted leprosy in 1885, and though severely crippled by the disease, Father Damien worked until the end.

Born

3 January 1840 on the family farm at Tremeloo, Belgium as Joseph de Veuster

Died

• 15 April 1889 at Molokai, Hawaii from leprosy

• buried next to Saint Philomena Church, Molokai, Hawaii

• interred in a basement chapel in the church of Saint Antonius, Leuven, Belgium in 1936

Canonized

11 October 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI

Patronage

• against leprosy

• lepers

Blessed Vasile Aftenie

Additional Memorial

2 June

Profile

Drafted into the army in 1917, Vasile fought in the front in Galacia and Italy in World War I. In 1918 he began studying law in Bucharest, Romania, but in 1919 gave into a call to the priesthood and began studying theology at the Pontifical Greek College of Saint Athanasius. Ordained a priest in the Romanian Greek-Catholic rite in Fagaras si Alba Iulia, Romania on 1 January 1926. Taught at the Theological Academy in Blaj, Romania from 1926 to 1934. Dean of the seminary in Bucharest in 1934. Cathedral canon in Blaj in 1937. Rector of the Theological Academy in 1939. Chosen auxiliary bishop of Fagaras si Alba Iulia, Romania and Titular Bishop of Ulpiana by Pope Pius XII on 12 April 1940. Apostolic administrator of Fagaras si Alba Iulia on 15 June 1941. Arrested on 28 October 1948 in the Communist persecutions, he was imprisoned first in the Dragoslavele work camp, and then in February 1949 placed in solitary confinement in the Caldarusani monastery outside Bucharest. Beginning on 10 May 1949, he was subjected to a year of repeated torture which left him mutilated and crippled, broken in his physical and mental health; his faith never flagged. Martyr.

Born

14 June 1899 in Lodroman, Valea Lungã, Alba, Romania

Died

• 10 May 1950 in the prison hospital in Vacaresti, Bucharest, Romania from the abuse from repeated torture sessions, possibly after being shot

• body burned by order of the Communist authorities, and the remains were buried in the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest

• a white marble grave stone was erected on his grave in 1990; it has become the site of pilgrimage

Beatified

2 June 2019 by Pope Francis

Blessed Ivan Merz

Also known as

John Merz

Profile

Educated in Banja Luka, briefly in a military academy, and in Vienna, Austria. Fought on the Italian front of World War I. After the war he studied again in Vienna, in Paris, France, and then taught French language and literature at the University of Zagreb, from which he received his Ph.D. in philosophy.

Though he decided to remain a layman in the world, Ivan took a vow of celibacy, and devoted his free time to the Church. He taught young Croatians, and spoke and wrote to evangelize all Croats. He worked for liturgical revival, and helped institute Catholic Action in Croatia.

Born

16 December 1896 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Died

• 10 May 1928 in Zagreb, Croatia of natural causes

• relics transferred to the Shrine of the Holy Heart in Zagreb on 16 December 1977

Beatified

22 June 2003 by Pope John Paul II in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Blessed Enrico Rebuschini

Profile

Second of five children born to an upper class family in the Lombard region of modern Italy. A pious young man and good student, he had a mystical outlook on things, and was subject to bouts of depression. At age 18 Enrico felt a call to the priesthood, but his family, especially his father strongly objected. However, they finally relented, and at 24 Enrico began his studies at the seminary in Como, Italy. He studied at the Lombard College and Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, and proved an able student, but a crushing bout of depression sent him back to his family home and finally to a nursing home for recovery.

When he was back on his feet and ready to return to his studies, Enrico re-examined his call to religious life, and, with the help of his confessor, decided to work with the Camillians, a congregation dedicated to the sick; he began his novitiate at age 27. With special dispensation from his bishop, the future Pope Saint Pius X, he was ordained a priest on 14 April 1889. He ministered to the sick in Verona, Italy from 1889 to 1899, making his solemn Camillian vows in 1891, and then served at the San Camillo di Cremona nursing home the rest of his life – almost 40 years. He served as treasurer of his community for 34 years, and superior for 11. Father Enrico’s life was one of prayer and service in the day to day needs of other people.

Born

28 April 1860 at Gravedona, Como, Italy

Died

10 May 1938 in Cremona, Italy of pneumonia

Beatified

4 May 1997 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Comgall of Bangor

Additional Memorial

6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

Profile

Son of Sedna. Soldier. Spiritual student of Saint Fintan of Clonenagh and Saint Kieran at Clonmacnoise. Friend of Saint Brendan, Saint Cormac, Saint Kevin of Glendalough and Finbarr of Moville. Ordained by Saint Lughaedh of Conmacnoise. Spiritual teacher of Saint Cronan Mochua. He and a few brother monks lived a very strict and austere life on an island on Lough Erne. Among other houses, he founded the monastery at Bangor, County Down, Ireland in 552 and served as its first abbot; at one point it housed 8,000 monks. Life there was harsh and adherence to the Rule strict, but the brothers were very close, and were encouraged to help and support each other. Spiritual teacher of Saint Blane, Saint Cainnech, Saint Columbanus, Saint Deicola, Saint Fintan of Doon, Saint Gall, Saint Lactali, Saint Lua of Limerick and Saint Mochoemoc. Missionary to Scotland and the Picts. A reported miracle worker, Comgall is said to have blinded a band of thieves as they approached the monastery, but restored eye sight to a penitent man. Received Holy Communion on his death bed from Saint Fiacra.

Born

c.510 Dalaradia, near Magheramorne, County Antrim, Ireland

Died

601 at Bangor Abbey, Ireland of natural causes

Canonized

1903 (cultus confirmed)

Saint Solange of Bourges

Also known as

• Solange of Berry

• Solange of Bourges of Genevieve du Berry

• Solangia...

Profile

Born to a family of poor vine dressers. Young virgin shepherdess who took a personal vow of chastity, devoting herself to God alone. When she said her prayers in the field, a star shone over her head. Reported to have the gift of healing, especially of animals. She was murdered by her landlord, Bernard, son of the Count of Poitiers, for resisting his sexual advances. Considered a martyr as she died insisting on her fidelity to Christ. Some of the early versions of her story include her carrying her severed head into a nearby village, and the head preaching to the people.

Born

863 at Villemont near Bourges, France

Died

stabbed with a hunting knife c.880 at Champ de Sainte Solange

Patronage

• Berry, France

• Bourges, France

• children

• drought relief

• for rain

• rape victims

• shepherdesses

• shepherds

Saint Catald of Taranto

Also known as

• Catald of Tarentum

• Catald of Rachau

• Cataldus, Cathal, Cattaldo, Cathaluds, Cathaldus, Cataldo

Profile

Student at the monastic school of Lismore, Waterford under Saint Carthage. Later a teacher there, and then headmaster. Pilgrim to the Holy Land. On his way home a storm shipwrecked him in Taranto, Italy. As he recovered, his holiness was such that he was chosen by the people to be their bishop. He lived the rest of his life in the region, teaching and caring for his parishioners. There are towns in Sicily and southern Italy named for him.

Born

7th century Munster, Ireland

Died

• c.685 in Taranto, Italy of natural causes

• relics discovered centuries after his death during a renovation of the cathedral following its damage by Saracens in 927

• relics translated on 10 May 1017

• remarkable cures reported almost immediately at his new tomb

Patronage

• against blindness

• against drought

• against epilepsy

• against hernias

• against paralysis

• against plague

• against storms

• blind people

• drought relief

• epileptics

• paralyzed people

• Massa Lubrense, Italy

• Taranto, Italy

Blessed Nicholas Albergati

Profile

Studied law. Carthusian monk in 1394. Prior of several Carthusian houses. Ordained in June 1404. Chosen as reluctant bishop of Bologna, Italy on 5 January 1417. Papal diplomat with missions to France and Lombardy, Italy. Archbishop of Bologna in 1418 against his will. Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on 24 May 1426. Known as a peacemaker. Mediated between the emperor and Pope Martin V, and the French king and Pope Eugene IV. Prominent in the Council of Basel and Council of Ferrara-Florence. Active in the negotiations that brought reunion of the Greek Church with Rome at Ferrara-Florence. Generous patron of learned men. Wrote several theological treatises, and encouraged academics. Chief penitentiary to Pope Eugene IV. Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in 1440.

Born

1373 at Bologna, Italy

Died

• 9 May 1443 at Siena, Italy of natural causes

• buried at the Carthusian monastery in Florence, Italy

Beatified

25 September 1744 by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

learning

Blessed Amalarius of Metz

Also known as

• Amalarius of Trier

• Fortunatus, Symphosius

Additional Memorials

• 29 April (Martyrologium Hieronymianum)

• 10 June (Trier, Germany)

Profile

Ninth-century liturgical writer. A pupil of Alcuin at Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany, he was bishop of Trier, Germany from 811 to 813, and later ambassador to Constantinople. He lived at a time when the liturgy was changing, when fusion of the Roman and Gallican uses was taking place, and he exercised a remarkable influence in introducing the present composite liturgy which has supplanted the ancient Roman Rite. The chief merit of his works is that they have preserved much accurate and valuable information on the state of the liturgy at the beginning of the ninth century and are therefore useful sources for the history of Latin rites.

Born

775 in Metz, Kingdom of the Franks (in modern France)

Died

c.853

Blessed Beatrix of Este the Elder

Profile

Born to the dynastic house of Este. Aunt of Blessed Beatrix of Este the Younger. Nun in the convent of Santa Margherita at Solarolo, Italy. Feeling a need for more seclusion, she took over a deserted monastery at Gemmola, Italy, and founded a new convent where she apparently spent the rest of her life.

Born

between 1200 and 1206 in the castle of d'Este, Italy

Died

• 10 May 1226 of natural causes at Gemmola, Italy

• interred in the church of Saint John the Baptist

• relics translated to the church of Saint Sophia in Padua, Italy in 1578

• tradition says that when anything important was about to befall the family of Este, Beatrix would turn in her grave, and the noise could be heard throughout the church

Beatified

19 November 1763 by Pope Clement XIII

Saint Aurelian of Limoges

Also known as

Aurélien Cotta

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Martial of Limoges. Priest. Second bishop of Limoges, France, succeeding Martial.

One legend says that Aurelian was a pagan priest who opposed the Christian evangelism of Saint Martial. Struck by lightning for his opposition, Aurelian died, but was brought back to life by the prayers of Saint Martial. Aurelian saw the error of his way, and converted to Christianity.

Died

• relics re-discovered in the Saint-Cessateur parish church outside the walls of Limoges, France

• relics re-enshrined at the Chapelle Saint-Aurelian, inside the city walls of Limoges in the late 15th century

• this was an area with many working butchers who chose Aurlian as their patron; the brotherhood still exists and still maintains the chapel that houses the relics

Patronage

butchers of Limoges, France

Blessed Miro of Canzo

Additional Memorials

• 2nd Friday in May

• 21 May on some calendars, possibly based on the first enshrinement of his relics

Profile

As a young man, Miro gave all that he owned to the poor and retired to live as a hermit around Lake Como, first near Canzo, then near Sorigo. He may have joined the Franciscan tertiaries, but records are scant and vary. For generations the people around the lake knew him for his piety and wisdom.

Born

c.1306 in Canzo, Lake Como, Italy

Died

• 1381 in Sorigo, Lake Como, Italy of natural causes

• buried in the church of San Michele in Sorigo; it was later renamed San Miro

• relics enshrined on 10 September 1452

• relics re-enshrined in 1837

• relics re-enshrined in 1932

Saint Frodoino of Novalesa

Profile

Born to the Frankish nobility, the son of Magafredo, Frodoino became an oblate, then a monk, and then on 10 February 773 he was chosen abbot at the monastery of Saints Peter and Andrew in Novalesa, Italy; he served as abbot for 43 years. Friend of Blessed Charlemagne who became a supporter of the abbey. Under Frodoino’s leadership, the house expanded and became a center of learning, known for its Scripture copyists and collection of holy relics, and he was personally known for his dignity and piety.

Born

latter 8th century

Died

816 of natural causes

Saint Calepodius of Rome

Also known as

Calepodio

Profile

Priest. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Alexander Severus. One of the Roman catacombs is named for him.

Died

• stabbed with a sword c.232 in Rome, Italy

• his body was dragged through the streets of Rome and then thrown into the River Tiber

• body later recovered and given proper burial by Pope Callistus I

• relics enshrined in the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome in the 10th century

• some relics enshrined in the church of Notre-Dame de Reims, Rheims, France

Saint Gordian the Judge

Also known as

• Gordian of Rome

• Gordianus...

Profile

Roman judge. Adult convert to Christianity. Tortured and martyred by order of the Roman prefect Apronianus during the persecutions of Julian the Apostate.

Died

• beheaded in 362 on the Latin Road outside Rome, Italy

• buried with Saint Epimachus in a crypt near Rome

• relics at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome, Italy, and at Kempten Abbey,Bavaria, Germany

Saint Alphius of Lentini

Also known as

Alfio

Profile

Brother of Saint Cyrinus and Saint Philadelphus. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Born

Sicily, Italy

Died

251 in Lentini, Sicily, Italy

Patronage

• Lentini, Sicily, Italy

• Trecastagni, Sicily, Italy

Saint Cyrinus of Lentini

Also known as

Cirino

Profile

Brother of Saint Alphius and Saint Philadelphus. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Born

Sicily

Died

251 in Lentini, Sicily, Italy

Patronage

• Lentini, Sicily, Italy

• Trecastagni, Sicily, Italy

Saint Philadelphus of Lentini

Profile

Brother of Saint Alphius and Saint Cyrinus. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Born

Sicily, Italy

Died

251 in Lentini, Sicily, Italy

Patronage

• Lentini, Sicily, Italy

• Trecastagni, Sicily, Italy

Blessed Giusto Santgelp

Profile

Born to the nobility. Secular Mercedarian knight. Ransomed 200 Christian slaves from the Saracens in Muslim occupied Granada, Spain in 1284.

Born

France

Died

Mercedarian convent of Saint Anthony the Abbot, Tarragona, Spain

Saint Palmatius of Rome

Profile

Roman imperial consul. Martyred with his wife, children and 42 members of his household, whose names have not come down to us, in the persecutions of Emperor Alexander Severus.

Died

• beheaded c.232 in Rome, Italy

• heads of all the martyrs were placed over the gates of Rome as a warning to other Christians

Saint Simplicius of Rome

Profile

Roman imperial senator. Martyred with 68 members of his household, whose names have not come down to us, in the persecutions of Emperor Alexander Severus.

Died

• beheaded c.232 in Rome, Italy

• heads of all the martyrs were placed over the gates of Rome as a warning to other Christians

Job

Profile

Old Testament Patriarch. The man "simple and upright and fearing God and avoiding evil" who figures in the canonical Old Testament Book of Job.

Patronage

• against abscesses

• against depression

• against ulcers

• ulcer sufferers

Saint Epimachus of Rome

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Died

• burned at the stake c.250 in Alexandria, Egypt

• relics transferred to a crypt near Rome, Italy

Saint Quartus of Capua

Profile

Martyr.

Born

Capua, Italy

Died

• martyred at Rome, Italy, date unknown

• relics enshrined at Capua, Italy

Saint Quintus of Capua

Profile

Martyr.

Born

Capua, Italy

Died

• martyred at Rome, Italy, date unknown

• relics enshrined at Capua, Italy

Saint Felix of Rome

Profile

Married to Saint Blanda of Rome. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Alexander Severus.

Died

• beheaded c.232 in Rome, Italy

• head placed over a gate into Rome as a warning to other Christians

Saint Blanda of Rome

Profile

Married to Saint Felix of Rome. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Alexander Severus.

Died

• beheaded c.232 in Rome, Italy

• head placed over a gate into Rome as a warning to other Christians

Blessed William of Pontoise

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May have been a Benedictine monk. Priest. Hermit at Pontoise, France.

Born

England

Died

c.1195 of natural causes

Blessed Antonio of Norcia

Profile

Lay Franciscan.

Died

c.1310 in Norcia, Italy of natural causes

Saint Dioscorides of Smyrna

Profile

Martyr.

Died

at Smyrna, Asia Minor

Saint Thecla

Profile

Martyr.