இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஜீன் 5

 Saint Boniface

புனிதர் போனிஃபாஸ் ✠

( St. Boniface )

ஆயர்/ மறைசாட்சி :

பிறப்பு : 675

டெவன், இங்கிலாந்து

இறப்பு : 5 ஜூன் 754 (அகவை 79)

ஃப்ரிஸியா (Frisia)

ஏற்கும் சமயம் :

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் திருச்சபை

லூதரன் திருச்சபை

நினைவுத் திருநாள் : ஜூன் 5

வின்ஃப்ரிட் அல்லது வின்ஃப்ரித் (Winfrid, Wynfrith) என்பது இவரது திருமுழுக்கு பெயர் ஆகும். இவரது ஐந்தாம் வயதில் துறவிகள் சிலர் இவரது குடும்பத்தை சந்திக்க வந்தனர். அப்போது வின்ஃப்ரிட், தாமும் ஓர் துறவியாக வேண்டுமென்று ஆசைபட்டார். தமது 7ம் வயதில் வீட்டின் அருகிலிருந்த ஒரு துறவற மடத்தில் சேர்ந்து கல்வி கற்றார்.

சிறந்த அறிவாளியும், புனிதருமான துறவி ஒருவர், இவருக்கு கல்வி கற்றுக் கொடுத்தார். வின்ஃப்ரிட் (போனிஃபாஸ்) தமது படிப்பை முடித்தபின் அதே பள்ளியில் ஆசிரியராக பணியாற்றினார். அப்போது முதன்முதலாக இலத்தின் இலக்கணத்தை ஆங்கிலேயருக்கெனத் தயாரித்தார்.

பின்னர் தமது 30ம் வயதில் குருவாக திருநிலைப் படுத்தப்பட்டார். அதன் பின் வின்ஃப்ரிட் (போனிஃபாஸ்) ஜெர்மனி நாட்டில் மறைபரப்பு பணிக்கு இறைவன் தம்மை அழைப்பதாக உணர்ந்தார். இதனால் 716 ல் ஜெர்மனி வந்தார். பின்னர் அங்கு மறைபரப்பு பணிக்கான சூழ்நிலை இல்லை என்பதால், மீண்டும் தாயகம் திரும்பினார்.

திருத்தந்தையின் ஆசீரோடு போனால் பயன் உண்டு என்று நினைத்து, உரோமை சென்றார். திருத்தந்தை இவரது பெயரை "போனிஃபாஸ்" என்று மாற்றினார். புதிய பெயருடன் ஜெர்மனியில் உள்ள ஹெஸ் (Hess) என்ற பகுதிக்கு சென்றார். அவர் சென்ற நேரத்தில் கொடிய அரசன் ராட்போர்ட் என்பவன் இறந்தான். அவனை அடுத்து வந்த அரசன் இவரிடம் அதிக அன்பு காட்டினார். இதனால் 3 ஆண்டுகள் பிரிஸ்லாந்தில் கடுமையாக உழைத்து மறைபரப்பு பணியை ஆற்றினார்.

இவரின் புனிதமான பணியை பார்த்த குருக்கள் இவரை ஆயராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்க முடிவு செய்தனர். ஆனால் போனிஃபாஸ் அதை ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளவில்லை. இதனால் இவர் 722ல் உரோமுக்கு செல்ல இவருக்கு கட்டளை பிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டது. அங்கே அவர் ஆயர் பதவிக்கு உயர்த்தப்பட்டார். இவருக்கு மறைபரப்பு பணியை ஜெர்மனி முழுவதும் பரப்ப பொறுப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டது. திருத்தந்தை, அரசன் சார்லஸ் மார்ட்டலுக்கு (Charles Martel) கொடுத்தனுப்பிய பரிந்துரைக் கடிதம் இதற்கு மிக உதவியாக இருந்தது.

இதன் அடிப்படையில் ஜெர்மனி முழுவதும் இருந்த மூட நம்பிக்கைகளையும், தவறான கொள்கைகளையும் கூண்டோடு அழிக்க அவருக்கு துணிச்சல் ஏற்பட்டது. ஒருமுறை மக்கள் அனைவரையும் ஒன்றாக கூட்டி, அவர்கள் தெய்வமாக வழிபட்டு வந்த ஒரு வளர்ந்த மரத்தின் முன் நிற்க வைத்து, அம்மரத்தை ஒரு கோடாரி வைத்து வெட்டினார். அம்மரம் 4 துண்டுகளாக பிரிந்து விழுந்தது. இதனால் கடவுளின் சினம் பேராபத்துடன் வரப்போகிறது என்று அம்மக்கள் கதிகலங்கினர்.

எந்த வித ஆபத்தும் இல்லாமற் போகவே, அவர்கள் நம்பிய தெய்வங்கள் பயனற்றவை என்ற முடிவுக்கு வந்தனர். அதன்பின் அவர்கள் கடவுள் ஒருவரே என்பதை உணர்ந்தனர். அம்மக்களை மனமாற்றியபின் அவர் அங்கிருந்து துரிஞ்சியா பகுதிக்கு மறைபரப்பு பணிக்கு சென்றார். அங்கிருந்த மக்கள் குருக்களுக்கு பல தொல்லைகளை கொடுத்தனர்.

இதனால் இங்கிலாந்திலிருந்து ஏராளமான துறவிகளையும், கன்னியர்களையும் அழைத்து வந்தார். 731ல் திருத்தந்தை 2ம் கிரகோரி இறந்தார். அதன்பின் வந்த திருத்தந்தை 3ம் கிரகோரி, போனிஃபாசுக்கு கூடுதல் அதிகாரங்களை வழங்கி, மறைபரப்பு பணியை திறம்பட தொடர ஊக்கமூட்டினார்.

741ல் மன்னன் சார்லஸ் மார்ட்டலுக்குப் பின், அவரின் மகன்கள் பெப்பின், கார்ல்மென் ஆட்சிக்கு வந்தனர். இவர்களும் போனிஃபாசுக்கு பல சலுகைகளை வழங்கினர். அப்போது இருமுறை ஆயர் பேரவைகளை கூட்டினார். அதன்வழியாக திருச்சபையில் இருந்த பலதரப்பட்ட ஊழல்களை களைந்தார். திருச்சபையில் புதிய இரத்தத்தைப் பாய்ச்சினார். மைன்ஸ்-ஐ (Mainz) தலைநகராகக் கொண்டு, அவர் கர்தினால்களின் அதிகாரங்களுடன் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டார். போனிஃபாசுக்கு மறைபரப்பு பணிக்கு மிக உதவியாய் இருந்த மன்னன் கார்லமென் காலமானார். இதனால் மனமுடைந்த போனிஃபாஸ் துறவுமடம் போக விரும்பி, அங்கு தனிமையை நாடினார். அப்போது அரசன் பெப்பின் இரு நாடுகளையும் ஒன்றிணைத்தான்.

இப்பணி போனிஃபாசுக்கு தன் பணியை எளிதாக ஆற்ற மிகவும் உதவியாயிருந்தது. ஆயர் அப்போது வயது முதிர்ந்தவராக இருந்தார். இதனால் எல்லா விதங்களிலும் தனக்கு உதவியாக இருந்த "லல்" (Lall) என்பவரிடம் தன் பொறுப்புகள் அனைத்தையும் ஒப்படைத்தார்.

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பின்னர் தன் கையால் முதன்முதலாக திருமுழுக்கு பெற்ற பிரீஸ்லாந்து மக்களிடையே சென்று மறைபரப்பு பணியை தொடர்ந்தார். பிரிஸ்லாந்தின் வடகிழக்கு பகுதியில் இருள் மங்கிக்கிடந்தது. அம்மக்கள் ஆயரில்லா ஆடுகளை போல இருந்தனர். அப்போது தமது 73ம் வயதில் அம்மக்களை ஒன்றாக கூட்டி கிறிஸ்து உயிர்ப்பு விழாவிற்கு அடுத்த ஞாயிறன்று ஞானஸ்நானம், உறுதிபூசுதல் கொடுக்க "டொக்கு" என்ற இடத்தில் ஏற்பாடு செய்தார். புதிய கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் வருகைக்காக தம் குடிசையில் காத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் போது, சில முரடர்களால் தாக்கப்பட்டார். ஆயரின் உடன் பணியாளர்கள் அவரை காப்பாற்ற முயன்றனர்.

ஆனால் "கிறிஸ்துவுக்காக உயிரைக் கொடுப்போம்" என்று ஆயர் போனிஃபாஸ் கூறும் போதே, முதல் அடி அவர் மேல் விழ, ஆயரின் உயிர் பிரிந்தது. அவரோடு இணைத்து உடன் இருந்தவர்களும் கொல்லப்பட்டனர். இன்று இத்தனை நூற்றாண்டுகளாக ஜெர்மனியும், ஃபிரான்சும் ஆழமான விசுவாசமுள்ள நாடுகளாக காட்சியளிக்கின்றன என்றால் அதற்கு அடித்தளமிட்டவர், இரத்தம் சிந்தி உரமிட்டவர் புனித போனிஃபாஸ் என்பதை எவராலும் மறக்க இயலாது.

Also known as

• Apostle of Germany

• Boniface of Crediton

• Boniface of Mainz

• Winfrid, Winfried, Wynfrith

Profile

Educated at the Benedictine monastery at Exeter, England. Benedictine monk at Exeter. Missionary to Germany from 719, assisted by Saint Albinus, Saint Abel, and Saint Agatha. They destroyed idols and pagan temples, and then built churches on the sites. Bishop. Archbishop of Mainz. Reformed the churches in his see, and built religious houses in Germany. Ordained Saint Sola. Founded or restored the dioceses of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Franconia. Evangelized in Holland, but was set upon by a troop of pagans, and he and 52 of his new flock, including Saint Adaler and Saint Eoban were martyred.

Once in Saxony, Boniface encountered a tribe worshiping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree. Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took up an axe, and without a word he hacked down the six foot wide wooden god. Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, "How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he." The crowd's reaction was mixed, but some conversions were begun.

One tradition about Saint Boniface says that he used the customs of the locals to help convert them. There was a game in which they threw sticks called kegels at smaller sticks called heides. Boniface bought religion to the game, having the heides represent demons, and knocking them down showing purity of spirit.

Born

c.673-680 at Crediton, Devonshire, England

Died

• martyred 5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Nederlands)

• interred at monastery at Fulda, Germany

Patronage

• brewers

• file cutters

• tailors

• Germany

• archdiocese of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, Canada

• diocese of Fulda, Germany

Blessed Meinwerk of Paderborn

Also known as

• Meginwerk

• Builder Bishop (nickname referring to the number of construction projects)

Profile

Son of Imad, Count of Tesiterbant and Radichen, he was born to the Immedinger nobility; related to the Saxon royal family. Studied in the German cities of Halberstadt and Hildesheim; schoolmate of Saint Bernward of Hildesheim. Priest. Canon at Halberstadt. Chaplain at the court of Otto III. Bishop of Paderborn, Germany, consecrated on 13 March 1009; he served for 27 years during which he was known for founding monasteries and other construction works. He divided the diocese into parishes, helped build many of the parish churches, and travelled throughout the region, insisting on adherence to discipline by priests and monks. He brought in teachers in agriculture, mathematics and the sciences to teach the laity in the cathedral school. Travelled to Rome, Italy for the coronation of Henry II.

Died

• 1036 of natural causes

• buried in the crypt of the church at Abdinghof Abbey

• relics enshrined in Abdinghof on 25 April 1376

• relics transferred to Busdorf, Germany in 1803 when Abdinghof was secularized

Blessed Ferdinand of Portugal

Also known as

Ferdinand the Prince

Profile

A prince, the son of King John I of Portugal. He grew up in the royal court, but spent his free time in prayer and helping the poor. Though a layman, he was offered a cardinalate by Pope Eugene IV; he declined. In 1437, with his brother Henry, he commanded an expedition to Morocco against the Moors. The Portuguese were defeated at Tangiers; Ferdinand offered himself as a hostage to secure the cession of Ceuta to the Moors. Ferdinand was thrown into a dungeon at Fez, Morroco where he survived five years of abuse and torture. The writer Calderon made him the hero of the drama, El Principe Constante.

Born

1402 at Santarem, Portugal

Died

• 1443 in prison in Fez, Morocco of maltreatment

• interred in the royal crypt at Batalha

Beatified

1470 by Pope Paul II

Saint Franco of Assergi

Profile

Benedictine monk at the monastery of San Giovannia Battista at Lucoli, Italy for 20 years. Lived for several years as a hermit near the monastery. Hermit in the mountains of Assergi, Italy.

In addition to his reknown for being pious and prayerful, there is a healing spring in the mountains that emerged when Franco prayed for a water supply. He is reported to have rescued a baby in swaddling clothes from a wolf. When he found that he was drawing too much attention (and company) from the locals, he moved into a cave with a mother bear and three cubs, and was left alone.

Born

at Castel Regni, Abruzzi, Italy

Died

c.1275 of natural causes

Canonized

1757 by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmation)

Patronage

Assergi, Italy

Saint Ðaminh Huyen

Also known as

Dominic

Additional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Married layman in the apostolic vicariage of Central Tonkin (in modern Vietnam). Fisherman by trade. Father. Imprisoned, tortured and executed in the persecutions of emperor Tu Duc. He spent his time in prison encouraging other prisoners to keep their faith. Martyr.

Born

c.1817 in Ðong Thành, Thái Bình, Vietnam

Died

burned alive on 5 June 1862 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Ðaminh Toai

Also known as

Dominic

Additional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Married layman in the apostolic vicariage of Central Tonkin (in modern Vietnam). Fisherman by trade. Father. Imprisoned, tortured and executed in the persecutions of emperor Tu Duc. He spent his time in prison encouraging other prisoners to keep their faith. Martyr.

Born

c.1811 in Ðong Thành, Thái Bình, Vietnam

Died

burned alive on 5 June 1862 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Malgorzata Szewczyk

Also known as

Sister Lucja

Profile

Founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sorrowful Mother of God - Seraphic Sisters. Cared for sick pilgrims in the Holy Lands for two years.

Born

c.1828 in Szepetówka, Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine

Died

5 June 1905 in Nieszawa, Aleksandrów, Poland

Beatified

• 9 June 2013 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Amato at the Sanktuarium Bozego Milosierdzia, Kraków-Lagiewniki, Poland

Saint Illidius of Clermont

Also known as

Allyre, Alyre, Allirol, Allirand, Allirot, Illide, Illidio, Ilidius

Profile

Fourth Bishop of Clermont (formerly Averna), Auvergne, France. He worked to establish Clermont as a center of religious teaching and devotion in the region. Cured the daughter of the Emperor Maximus at Trier (in modern Germany). Highly venerated by Saint Gregory of Tours. The petrified mineral springs and Benedictine abbey in Clermont are named for him.

Died

• 5 June 385 of natural causes

• relics at the ancient Benedictine abbey of Saint Allyre in the suburb of Clermont, France

Patronage

Clermont, France

Saint Eutichius of Como

Also known as

Eutichio

Profile

Hermit. Priest. Bishop of Como, Italy in 525. He had such a dedication to the contemplative prayer life that he led his diocese from a hermitage outside the city.

Born

482

Died

• 5 June 539 in Como, Italy of natural causes

• buried in the basilica of San Abbondio

• relics transferred to a raised sarcophagus behind the high altar at the church of Saint George in Como

• relics later moved to a side chapel of the church

Saint Dorotheus of Tyre

Also known as

Doroteo

Profile

Priest, scholar, and author at Tyre, Lebanon. Driven into exile during the persecutions of Diocletian, but later returned. Bishop of Tyre. Attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. Driven into exile at Odyssopolis, Thrace by Julian the Apostate. There the 107 year old priest was arrested, beaten, and murdered for his faith. Martyr.

Born

c.255

Died

martyred c.362

Blessed Adalbert Radiouski

Also known as

Albert

Profile

Premonstratensian monk. Canon and then prior of the Premonstratensian monastery of Saint Vincent in Wroclaw, Poland where he insisted on proper monastic discipline. He took to the streets to defend his house against attacks by Protestants.

Born

15th century in Poland

Died

• 1527 in Wroclaw, Poland

• relics enshrined in the Premonstratensian monastery of Saint Vincent in Wroclaw

Saint Genesius, Count of Clermont

Profile

Born to the nobility, the son of Audastrius and Tranquilla. Miracle worker in his youth, restoring sight to the blind, healing the lame. Built and richly endowed several churches and religious houses. Friend of Saint Bonitus, Bishop of Clermont, and of Saint Meneleus, Abbot of Menat.

Died

• 725 of natural causes

• buried at Combronde

Saint Luke Loan

Also known as

Luca Vu Bá Loan

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of West Tonkin (modern Vietnam). Arrested and martyred in one of the waves of anti-Christianity.

Born

c.1756 at Phú Ða, Vietnam

Died

beheaded on 5 June 1840 in Hanoi, Vietnam

Beatified

5 June 1986 by Pope John Paul II (decree de signis)

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Sanctius of Córdoba

Also known as

Sancho, Sancius, Sancio

Profile

Lifelong layman and Christian. Captured by the Moors as a prisoner of war, he was taken to Córdoba, Spain, educated at the Moorish court, and enrolled in the guards of the Emir. Martyred when he refused to convert to Islam.

Born

in Albi, France

Died

impaled in 851 at Córdoba, Spain

Blessed Adam Arakawa

Profile

Married layman catechist martyr in the diocese of Funai, Japan.

Born

c.1551 in Arima, Hyogo, Japan

Died

5 June 1614 in Shiki, Amakusa, Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI

Saint Eobán of Utrecht

Also known as

Eobáno, Eobánus

Profile

Benedictine monk. Priest. Evangelized Freisland with Saint Boniface and Saint Willibrord of Echternach. Appointed bishop of Utrecht, Netherlands by Saint Boniface. Martyr.

Born

Ireland

Died

martyred 5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Netherlands)

Saint Adaler of Erfurt

Also known as

Adelario, Adolar

Profile

Evangelized Freisland with Saint Boniface. Martyr.

Born

Irish

Died

5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (in modern Netherlands)

Saint Claudius of Egypt and Companions

Profile

Born to the nobility, he was martyred with 194 fellow Christians; no other information about him, and none of the names of his companions have come down to us.

Died

Egypt

Saint Gregorio of Lilybaeum

Profile

Priest. Bishop of Lilybaeum, Sicily (modern Marsala). Martyred in the persecutions of Tircano.

Died

beheaded, date and location unknown

Saint Hadulph

Also known as

Hathawulf

Profile

Benedictine monk. Travelled, worked and martyred with Saint Boniface.

Died

5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Netherlands)

Saint Austrebertus of Vienne

Profile

Bishop of Vienne, France from 726 till 742. Supported the missionary work of Saint Boniface.

Died

742

Saint Waccar

Profile

Benedictine monk. Travelled, worked and martyred with Saint Boniface.

Died

martyred 5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Nederlands)

Saint Gundekar

Profile

Benedictine monk. Travelled, worked and martyred with Saint Boniface.

Died

5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Nederlands)

Saint Elleher

Profile

Benedictine monk. Travelled, worked and martyred with Saint Boniface.

Died

5 June 754 at Dokkum, Freisland (modern Nederlands)

Saint Tudno of Caernarvon

Profile

Llandudno in Wales is named after him.

Died

6th century

Saint Felix of Fritzlar

Profile

Monk at Fritzlar, Germany. Martyred by a pagan mob.

Died

c.790

Saint Privatus of Africa

Profile

Martyr.

Died

somewhere in Africa, date unknown

Saint Evasius of Africa

Profile

Martyr.

Died

somewhere in Africa, date unknown

Martyrs of Caesarea

Profile

A group of Christians who converted together, were imprisoned together, tortured together, and martyred together. We know nothing more about them but their names - Cyria, Marcia, Valeria and Zenaides.

Died

Caesarea, Palestine, date unknown

Martyrs of Egypt

Profile

A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Galerius Maximian. The only other information was have is three of their names - Apollonius, Marcian and Nicanor.

Died

in Egypt, date unknown

Martyrs of Perugia

Profile

A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than their names - Cyriacus, Faustinus, Florentius, Julian and Marcellinus.

Died

beheaded in 250 in Perugia, Italy

Martyrs of Rome

Profile

26 Christians martyred together. We have no details about them but their names – Candida, Castula, Fappa, Felician, Felicitas (2 of), Felicula, Fortunatus, Gagus, Gregor, Hilarius, Ingenuus, Juliana, Martialis, Maurus, Mustilus, Nicander, Prima, Rogata, Rutianus, Sacrinus, Saturnin, Secundian, Secundus, Urbicus, Victurus

Died

• Rome, Italy, date unknown

• relics transferred to Antwerp, Belgium, date unknown

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஜீன் 4

 St. Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad

Feastday: June 4

Patron: Bridgettines, Nun, Nursing

Birth: June 4, 1870

Death: April 24, 1957

Beatified: April 9, 2000, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II

Canonized: June 5, 2016, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope Francis

The Servant of God was born in the little village of Faglavik, in the province of Alvsborg, on the 4 June 1870, the fifth of thirteen children born to Augusto Roberto Hesselblad and Cajsa Pettesdotter Dag. The following month she was baptized and received into the Reformed Church of Sweden in her parish in Hundene. Her childhood was lived out in various places, since economic difficulties forced the family to move on several occasions.

In 1886, in order to make a living and to support her family, she went to work first of all in Karlosborg and then in the United States of America. She went to nursing school at the Roosevelt hospital in New York and dedicated herself to home care of the sick. This meant that she continually had to make many sacrifices, which did not do her health any good, but certainly helped her soul to flourish. The contact she had with so many sick catholics and her thirst for truth helped to keep alive in her heart her search for the true flock of Christ. Through prayer, personal study and a deep daughterly devotion to the Mother of the Redeemer, she was decisively led to the Catholic Church and, on the 15 August 1902, in the Convent of the Visitation in Washington, she received conditional baptism from Fr. Giovani Giorgio Hagen, S.J., who also became her spiritual director. Looking back on that moment of grace, she wrote, "In an instant the love of God was poured over me. I understood that I could respond to that love only through sacrifice and a love prepared to suffer for His glory and for the Church. Without hesitation I offered Him my life, and my will to follow Him on the Way of the Cross." Two days later she was nourished by the Eucharist, and then she left for Europe.

In Rome she received the Sacrament of Confirmation and she clearly perceived that she was to dedicate herself to the unity of Christians. She also visited the church and house of Saint Bridget of Sweden (+ 1373), and came away with a deep and lasting impression: "It is in this place that I want you to serve me." She returned to the United States but, her poor health notwithstanding, she left everything and on 25 March 1904 she settled in Rome at the Casa di Santa Brigida, receiving a wonderful welcome from the Carmelite Nuns who lived there. In silence and in prayer she made great progress in her knowledge and love of Christ, fostered devotion to Saint Bridget and Saint Catherine of Sweden, and nourished a growing concern for her people and the Church. In 1906 Pope Saint Pius X allowed her to take the habit of the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of Saint Bridget and profess vows as a spiritual daughter of the Swedish saint. In the years that followed she strove to bring back to Rome the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, and to that end she visited the few existing Brigettine monasteries in Europe, an experience that brought joys, disappointments and no concrete help. Her dream of bringing to birth a Brigettine community in Rome that was made up of members coming from monasteries of ancient observance, was not realized. However Divine Providence, in ways that were quite unexpected, enabled a new branch to grow from the ancient Brigettine trunk. In fact, on the 9 November 1911, the Servant of God welcomed three young English postulants and refounded the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of Saint Bridget, whose particular mission was to pray and work, especially for the unity of Scandinavian Christians with the Catholic Church.

In 1931 she experienced the great joy of receiving the Holy See's permission to have permanent use of the church and house of Saint Bridget in Rome. These became the centre of activity for the Order which, driven on by its missionary zeal, also established foundations in India (1937). During and after the Second World War, the Servant of God performed great works of charity on behalf of the poor and those who suffered because of racial laws; she promoted a movement for peace that involved catholics and non-catholics; she multiplied her ecumenical endeavours and for many people who belonged to other religions or other christian confessions, she was part of their journey towards the Catholic Church.

From the very beginning of her Foundation she was particularly attentive to the formation of her spiritual daughters, for whom she was both a mother and a guide. She implored them to live in close union with God, to have a fervent desire to be conformed to our Divine Saviour, to possess a great love for the Church and the Roman Pontiff, and to pray constantly that there be only one flock and one shepherd, adding, "This is the prime goal of our vocation." She also devoted herself to fostering a unity of spirit within the Order. "The Lord has called us from different nations," she wrote, "but we must be united with one heart and one soul. In the divine Heart of Jesus we will always meet one another and there we seek our strength to face the difficulties of life. May we be strengthened to practice the beautiful virtues of charity, humility and patience. Then our religious life will be the antechamber to Heaven." On other occasions she said, "Our religious houses must be formed after the example of Nazareth: prayer, work, sacrifice. The human heart can aspire to nothing greater."

Throughout her life she remained faithful to what she had written in 1904: "Dear Lord, I do not ask to see the path. In darkness, in anguish and in fear, I will hang on tightly to your hand and I will close my eyes, so that you know how much trust I place in you, Spouse of my soul." Hope in God and in His providence supported her in every moment, especially in times of testing, solitude and the cross. She put the things of Heaven before the things of earth, God's will before her own, the good of her neighbour before her own benefit.

Contemplating the infinite love of the Son of God, who sacrificed Himself for our salvation, she fed the flame of love in her heart, as manifested by the goodness of her works. Repeatedly to her daughters she said, "We must nourish a great love for God and our neighbors; a strong love, an ardent love, a love that burns away imperfections, a love that gently bears an act of impatience, or a bitter word, a love that lets an inadvertence or act of neglect pass without comment, a love that lends itself readily to an act of charity." The Servant of God was like a garden in which the sun of charity brought to bloom the flowers of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. She was filled with care and concern for her Sisters, for the poor, the sick, the persecuted Jewish people, for priests, for the children to whom she taught Christian doctrine, for her family and for the people of Sweden and Rome. She was a humble Sister and most obliging to all who sought her help. She always felt a sense of duty and great joy in sharing with others the gifts she had received from the Lord, and this she did with gentleness, graciousness and simplicity. She was prudent in her work for the Kingdom of God, in her speaking, acting, advising and correcting. She had great respect for the religious freedom of non-christians and non-catholics, whom she received gladly under her roof. She practiced justice towards God and neighbour, temperance, self-control, reserve, detachment from the honours and things of the world, humility, chastity, obedience, fortitude in tribulation, perseverance in her praise and service of God, faithfulness to her religious consecration.

She walked with God, clinging to the cross of Christ, who was her companion from the days of her youth. "For me," she said, "the way of the Cross has been the most beautiful of all because on this path I have met and known my Lord and Saviour." Unremittingly her physical suffering went hand in hand with her moral suffering. The cross became particularly heavy and painful during the final years of her life, when the Holy See prepared the Canonical Visit of her Order as her health got progressively worse. In prayer and peaceful submission to God's will she prepared herself for the final meeting with the Divine Spouse, who called her to Himself in the early hours of 24 April 1957.

The reputation for holiness which surrounded her in life increased after her death, and almost immediately the Vicariate of Rome began the cause for Beatification.

Saint Petroc

✠ புனிதர் பெட்ராக் ✠

(St. Petroc)

மடாதிபதி:

(Abbot)

பிறப்பு: வேல்ஸ் (Wales)

இறப்பு: கி.பி. 564

டிரரேவேல், பேட்ஸ்டோவ், கோர்ன்வால், இங்கிலாந்து

(Treravel, Padstow, Cornwall, England)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்

(Anglican Communion)

முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:

புனித பெட்ராக் தேவாலயம், போட்மின், கோர்ன்வால், இங்கிலாந்து

(St Petroc's Church, Bodmin, Cornwall, England)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஜூன் 4

பாதுகாவல்:

டேவோன் (Devon), கோர்ன்வால் (Cornwall)

புனிதர் பெட்ராக், ஒரு பிரிட்டிஷ் இளவரசரும், கிறிஸ்தவ புனிதரும் ஆவார். அனேகமாக தெற்கு வேல்ஸ் (South Wales) பிராந்தியத்தில் பிறந்த இவர், ஆரம்பத்தில் இங்கிலாந்தின் "டேவோன்" (Devon) மற்றும் "கோர்ன்வால்" (Cornwall) ஆகிய பகுதிகளில் மறை போதனை நிகழ்த்தினார்.

"க்ளிவிஸ்" (Glywys of Glywysing) எனும் அரசனின் மகனாகப் பிறந்த இவர், அயர்லாந்தில் (Ireland) கல்வி கற்றார். பின்னாளில், அங்கேயே புனிதர் கெவின் (Saint Kevin) என்பவருக்கு ஆசிரியராக பணியாற்றியுள்ளார்.

தம்மை ஆன்மீகத்தில் மென்மேலும் செம்மைப்படுத்தும் நோக்கமாக அவர் ரோம் நகருக்கு புனித யாத்திரை சென்றார். "கோர்ன்வால்" (Cornwall) நகருக்கு திரும்பிய இவர், தாமே நிறுவிய துறவு மடத்தில் தம்மைத்தாமே அடைத்துக்கொண்டார். "போட்மின்" (Bodmin) பகுதியில் இரண்டாவது துறவு மடத்தினை கட்டிய இவர், அங்கேயே பெரிய தேவாலயம் ஒன்றினையும் கட்டினார்.

பெட்ராக், "லிட்டில் பேதேறிக் மற்றும் போட்மின்"(Little Petherick and Bodmin) ஆகிய பகுதிகளிலும் பிரிட்டன், வேல்ஸ் மற்றும் பிரிட்டனி (Britain, Wales and Brittany) ஆகிய மாநிலங்களின் பல பகுதிகளிலும் தேவாலயங்களை கட்டினார்.

மான் வேட்டையாடிய மன்னன் "கான்ஸ்டன்டைன்" (Constantine of Cornwall) என்பவரிடமிருந்து ஒரு மானை இவர் காப்பாற்றியதனால் மன்னன் கிறிஸ்தவ மதத்திற்கு மனம் மாறியதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.

சுமார் முப்பது வருடங்களின் பின்னர் "பிரிட்டனி" (Brittany) வழியாக ரோம் நகருக்கு யாத்திரை சென்ற புனிதர் பெட்ராக், "லிட்டில் பெதேரிக்" (Little Petherick) எனும் இடத்தினருகேயுள்ள "டிரரேவேல்" (Treravel) எனுமிடத்தில் மரணம் அடைந்தார்.

Also known as

Petrock, Pedrog, Perreuse, Perreux, Petrocus, Petrox

Profile

Younger son of King Glywys. On his father's death, the people of Glywysing called for Petroc to take the crown of one the country's sub-divisions, but Petroc wanted a religious life, and went to study in Ireland.

Several years later he returned to Britain, landing on the River Camel in Cornwall. Directed by Saint Samson to the hermitage of Saint Wethnoc. Wethnoc agreed to give his cell to Petroc in order that he could found a monastery on the site.

After 30 years as abbot, Petroc made a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. On his return, just as he reached Newton Saint Petroc, it began to rain. Petroc predicted it would soon stop, but it rained for three days. In penance for presuming to predict God's weather, Petroc returned to Rome, then to Jerusalem, then to India where he lived seven years on an island in the Indian Ocean.

Petroc returned to Britain with a wolf companion he had met in India. Founded churches at Saint Petrox and Llanbedrog. In Cornwall, with the help of Saint Wethnoc and Saint Samson, he defeated a mighty serpent that King Teudar of Penwith had used to devour his enemies. He then left his monastery at Llanwethinoc to live as a hermit in the woods at Nanceventon, some fellow monks following his example at Vallis Fontis. While in the wilderness, a hunted deer sought shelter in Saint Petroc's cell. Petroc protected it from the hunter, King Constantine of Dumnonia, and converted the king to Christianity in the bargain.

Petroc later moved deep into the Cornish countryside, encountering the hermit Saint Guron. Guron moved south allowing Petroc, with the backing of King Constantine, to establish a monastery called Bothmena (the Abode of Monks) at the site of the hermitage.

Died

• c.594 at Treravel, Padstow, Cornwall (in modern England) of natural causes while on the road

• buried at Padstow

• relics stolen in 1177 and given to the Abbey of Saint Meen

• relics later returned to the Bothmena monastery

• relics destroyed during the English Reformation

Saint Filippo Smaldone

† இன்றைய புனிதர் †

(ஜூன் 4)

✠ புனிதர் ஃபிலிப்போ ஸ்மால்டோன் ✠

(St. Filippo Smaldone)

குரு, நிறுவனர்:

பிறப்பு: ஜூலை 27, 1848

நேபிள்ஸ், இரண்டு சிசிலிகளின் இராச்சியம்

(Naples, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies)

இறப்பு: ஜூன் 4, 1923 (வயது 74)

லெக்ஸ், இத்தாலி இராச்சியம்

(Lecce, Kingdom of Italy)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

முக்திப்பேறு பட்டம்: மே 12, 1996

திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பவுல்

(Pope John Paul II)

நியமனம்: அக்டோபர் 15, 2006

திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட்

(Pope Benedict XVI)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஜூன் 4

பாதுகாவல்:

திருஇருதய சலேசியன் அருட்சகோதரியர்

(Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts)

காது கேளாத மக்கள்

வாய் பேச இயலாத மக்கள்

புனிதர் ஃபிலிப்போ ஸ்மால்டோன், ஒரு இத்தாலிய ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க குருவும், "திருஇருதய சலேசியன் அருட்சகோதரியர்" (Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts) சபையின் நிறுவனரும் ஆவார். ஸ்மால்டோன் தனது வாழ்நாளில் காது கேளாதோருடனான விரிவான பணிகளுக்காக மிகவும் பிரபலமானவர். அருட்தந்தை ஸ்மால்டோன் ஒரு திறமையான போதகராக இருந்தார். அவர் அனாதைகள் மற்றும் ஊமை மக்களை சரியான முறையில் கவனிப்பதிலும், பராமரிப்பதிலும் அர்ப்பணிப்புடன் அறியப்பட்டார். இது அவருக்கு குடிமை அங்கீகாரத்தைப் பெற்றது.

ஃபிலிப்போ ஸ்மால்டோன், கி.பி. 1848ம் ஆண்டில் நேபிள்ஸ் (Naples) நகரில் வசித்துவந்த அன்டோனியோ ஸ்மால்டோன் (Antonio Smaldone) மற்றும் மரியா கான்செட்டா டி லூகா (Maria Concetta De Luca) ஆகியோரது ஏழு குழந்தைகளில் முதல் குழந்தையாகப் பிறந்தார். அவர் கி.பி. 1858ல், தனது முதல் நற்கருணை (First Communion) பெற்ற இவர், கி.பி. 1862ம் ஆண்டு, தனது உறுதிப்பூசுதல் (Confirmation) அருட்பிரசாதத்தையும் பெற்றார்.

தமது படிப்புக்காக அப்போஸ்தலப் பணிகளை கைவிட விரும்பாத இவர், இளம் சபைக்கான தேர்வில் கிட்டத்தட்ட தோல்வியடைந்தார். நேபிள்ஸ் கார்டினல் பேராயர் (Cardinal Archbishop of Naples)  வணக்கத்துக்குரிய சிஸ்டோ ரியாரியோ ஸ்ஃபோர்ஸ் (Venerable Sisto Riario Sforz)  அனுமதியுடன் கி.பி. 1876ம் ஆண்டில் அவர் நேபிள்ஸுக்குத் திரும்பினார். ரோசானோ-கரியாட்டி (Archdiocese of Rossano-Cariat) மறைமாவட்டத்தில் கல்வி கற்ற காலத்திற்குப் பிறகு, அவர் கி.பி. 1870ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூலை மாதம், 31ம் தேதியன்று, ஒரு துணை திருத்தொண்டராக (Subdeacon) நியமிக்கப்பட்டார். கி.பி. 1871ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 27ம் தேதியன்று, ஒரு திருத்தொண்டராக அருட்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார்.

ஸ்மால்டோன், கி.பி. 1871ம் ஆண்டு, செப்டம்பர் மாதம், 23ம் நாளன்று, குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்றார். தனது இறையியல் கல்வியின்போது நேபிள்ஸின் காது கேளாத மக்களுக்கு உதவுவதற்கான முயற்சிகளைத் தொடங்கினார். மேலும் நோயுற்றவர்களுடன் பணியாற்றினார். ஆனால் ஒரு கட்டத்தில் தனது ஊமையாக இருந்த மாணவர்கள் மீது விரக்தியடைந்த இவர், மனச்சோர்வடைந்தார். வெளிநாட்டு மறைப்பணிகளுக்குச் செல்வதற்காக கற்பித்தல் பணியை கைவிட அனுமதி கேட்டார். ஆனால் அவரை சமாதானப்படுத்திய அவரது ஆன்மீக இயக்குனர், அவரை அங்கேயே நிலைத்திருக்கவும், தனது வேலையைத் தொடரவும் அறிவுறுத்தினார்.

கி.பி. 1884ம் ஆண்டில், அவர் வாழ்ந்த பகுதி, காலரா நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டபோது, அந்நோயால் தாக்குண்ட ஸ்மால்டோன் கிட்டத்தட்ட இறக்கும் நிலைக்குப் போய் உயிர் பிழைத்தார். மேலும், அன்னை மரியாளின் கருணையாலேயே தாம் உயிர் பிழைத்ததாக உறுதியாக நம்பினார். கி.பி. 1885ம் ஆண்டில், மார்ச் மாதம், 25ம் நாளன்று, காது கேளாதோர் மற்றும் வாய் பேச இயலாதோருக்காக "லெஸ்" (Lecce) நகரில், தந்தை லோரென்சோ அப்பிசெல்லா மற்றும் பல கன்னியாஸ்திரிகளின் உதவியுடன் ஒரு சபையை நிறுவினார். அதனை தனது பராமரிப்பில் வைத்திருந்த அவர், கி.பி. 1897ம் ஆண்டில் ரோம் (Rome) மற்றும் பாரி (Bari) இரண்டு நகரங்களிலும் தனது சபையின் பல கிளைகளைத் திறந்தார். கி.பி. 1912ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 18ம் தேதி, அவரது சபை, ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபையுடன் (The Order of Friars Minor) ஒருங்கிணைக்கப்பட்டது. கி.பி. 1915ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், 30ம் தேதி, திருத்தந்தை பதினைந்தாம் பெனடிக்ட் (Pope Benedict XV) அவர்களிடமிருந்து பாராட்டுக்கான ஆணையை பெற்ற இவரது சபை, கி.பி. 1925ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், 21ம் தேதி, ஸ்மால்டோன் இறந்த பின்னர் திருத்தந்தை பதினோராம் பயஸ் (Pope Pius XI) அவர்களிடமிருந்து முழு அங்கீகாரத்தையும் பெற்றது.

ஸ்மால்டோன், நற்கருணை பக்தியை பரப்பும் நோக்கில், "நற்கருணை ஆராதனைக்கான குருக்களின் குழு" (Eucharistic League of Priest Adorers) மற்றும், "நற்கருணை ஆராதனைக்கான மகளிர் குழு" (Eucharistic League of Women Adorers) ஆகிய இரண்டு குழுக்களை நிறுவினார். தூய ஃபிரான்சிஸ் டி சலேஸ் மறைப்பணியாளர்களின் (Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales) தலைமைப் பொறுப்பில் அவர் ஒரு குறுகிய காலத்திற்கு பணியாற்றினார். அவரை லெஸ் பேராலயத்தில் பொறுப்பாளராக நியமனம் செய்த திருச்சபை அதிகாரிகளைப் போலவே, குடிமை அதிகாரிகளும் அவரைப் பாராட்டி அங்கீகரித்தனர். கி.பி. 1880ம் ஆண்டில், மிலன் (Milan) நகரில் நடந்த காது கேளாதோருக்கான ஆசிரியர்களின் மாநாட்டில் ஒரு நிபுணராக பங்கேற்க அனுப்பப்பட்டார்.

நீரிழிவு தொடர்பான சிக்கல்களாலும், இருதய நோய்களாலும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த ஸ்மால்டோன், கி.பி. 1923ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், 4ம் தேதி, இரவு 9:00 மணிக்கு  இறந்தார். அவரது மீபொருட்கள், பின்னர் 1942ம் ஆண்டு, சபையின் தலைமை இல்லத்திற்கு மாற்றப்பட்டன. 2005ம் ஆண்டில், இவரது சபையின் கிளைகள், ருவாண்டா (Rwanda), மால்டோவா (Moldova) போன்ற நாடுகளில் 398 மறைப்பணியாளர்களுடன், மொத்தம் 40 இல்லங்கள் இருந்தன.

Profile

While in seminary, Filippo worked extensively with deaf-mutes in Naples, Italy. Ordained in 1871. While working with plague victims, he contracted the disease himself, but was miraculously cured through the intervention of Our Lady of Pompei. At one point, depressed over the frustration of his mute students, he asked to give up his teaching, and to work in the foreign missions; his spiritual advisor convinced him to stay, and Filippo threw himself into the work. In March 1885, with the help of Father Lorenzo Apicelia and several nuns he had trained, he founded a school for deaf-mutes in Lecce, Italy; it became the mother-house of the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts. Father Filippo soon expanded the work of his schools to include blind, orphaned, or abandoned children. Served as confessor and spiritual director to priests, seminarians, and several religious communities. Founded the Eucharistic League of Priest Adorers and Eucharistic League of Women Adorers. Superior of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales. Canon of the Lecce cathedral. Recognized and commended by civil authorities for his good works.

Born

27 July 1848 in Naples, Italy

Died

4 June 1923 in Lecce, Italy from a combination of diabetes and a heart condition

Canonized

15 October 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI

Blessed Stanislaw Kostka Starowieyski

Also known as

prisoner 26711

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Graduated high school in 1914. Studied law at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, but his studies were interrupted by the start of World War I. Soldier and officer in the Austrian army, he fought on the eastern front and in Italy. Helped found the Polish army in 1918. Fought in the Polish-Ukrainian War of 1918-1919, defending the citadel of Lviv. Fought in the Polish-Russian war of 1920, rising to the rank of captain and receiving decorations for bravery. A near fatal bout of dysentery ended his military career in 1920.

Returning to civilian life with exceptional organization and people skills, he studied agriculture, and in 1921 took over management of the 1,000 acre Zamosc farms in Labunie, Poland; he was known for insuring his people were paid fairly, and had medical coverage. Married to Maria Theresa Szeptycka in 1921. The family went to daily Mass, and spent largely on charity, food for the poor, and Catholic social activities. Not content with checkbook-charity, he visited and helped the poor and orphans regardless of nationality or religion. He supported the Marian Congregation, Catholic Action, pilgrimages to Jasna Gora, and the study of Catholic social doctrine. Worked to create better working conditions and cooperation between farms to promote agricultural production. Vice-president of Catholic Action in 1932; president of the Diocesan Institute of Catholic Action in Lublin, Poland in 1935. He declined an offer to run for the Polish senate in 1935. Honorary papal chamberlain to Pope Pius XI.

Arrested with his brother Marian by invading Russian troops in November 1939; they escaped in Debiny Laszczowskiej, but Marian was re-captured, sent to the Russian interior, and was never heard from again. Stanislaw was captured by German troops and sent to the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, Germany for the crime of being a Catholic leader. Martyr.

Born

11 May 1895 in Ustrobna, Podkarpackie, Poland

Died

13 April 1941 in Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage

Catholic Action in Poland

Saint Francis Caracciolo

புனித பிரான்ஸ் கராசியோலா ✠

( St. Francis Caracciolo )

பிறப்பு : 13 அக்டோபர் 1563

வில்லா சாந்தா மரியா (Santa Maria), நேப்பிள்ஸ் பேரரசு

இறப்பு : 4 ஜூன் 1608 ( அகவை 44 )

நேயாப்பல் (Neapel)

அருளாளர் பட்டம் : ஜூன் 4, 1769

திருத்தந்தை பதினான்காம் கிளேமன்ட்

புனிதர் பட்டம் : மே 24, 1807

திருத்தந்தை ஏழாம் பயஸ்

நினைவுத் திருநாள் : ஜுன் 4

பாதுகாவல் : 

நேப்பிள்ஸ் (இத்தாலி) ,இத்தாலிய சமையல்காரர்கள்

புனித பிரான்ஸ் கராசியோலா, பிறந்த சில நாட்களிலேயே தோல் நோய்க்கு ஆளானார். இதனால் பலமுறை மக்களால் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டார். இவர் புரிந்த கடுந்தவத்தினாலும், ஜெபத்தினாலும் இவரது நோய் குணமாகியது. நோயாளிகளை பராமரிக்கும் பணியை இவர் சிறுவயதிலேயே மிக ஆர்வத்தோடு செய்துவந்தார்.

அப்போது பணியாற்றும் போது ஒருநாள், தான் ஓர் குருவாக வேண்டுமென்ற எண்ணம் மனதிற்குள் உதிக்கவே 1587ம் தன் ஆசையை நிறைவேற்றி குருவானார். குருவான பிறகும் தொடர்ந்து நோயாளிகளை கவனிக்கும் பொறுப்பும், இறக்கும் தருவாயில் உள்ளவர்களை, அமைதியான மரணமடைய தயாரிக்கும் பொறுப்பும், இவருக்கு அளிக்கப்படவே, அப்பணியை இவர் மிகுந்த ஆர்வத்துடனும், புனிதத்துடனும் செய்தார். அதோடு மனநோயாளிகளையும் கவனித்து ஆறுதல் அளித்து வந்தார்.

இவரது பணி மிகவும் வளர்ச்சியடையவே நோயாளிகளின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரித்து பெரிய குழுவாக காட்சியளித்தது. எனவே அவர்களைக் கொண்டு ஏழைகளை பராமரிப்பதற்கென ஒரு சபையைத் தொடங்கினார். 1588ம் ஆண்டு அச்சபை துறவற சபையாக, திருத்தந்தை 5ம் சிக்ஸ்டஸ் (Pope Sixtus V) அவர்களால் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டது.

அச்சபையை தொடர்ந்து, மிகப் பொறுப்போடு கவனிக்க ஜியோவானி அடோர்னோ (Giovanni Adorno) என்பவரை சபைத்தலைவராக தேர்ந்தெடுத்தார். 1593ம் ஆண்டு வரை அவர் பணியாற்றி இறந்துவிடவே, பிரான்ஸ் கராசியோலா சபைத்தலைவர் பொறுப்பை ஏற்றார். பின்னர் அவர் அச்சபைக்கு "ஏழைகளின் நண்பர்" என்று பெயரிட்டார்.

மிக விரைவாக அச்சபை ஸ்பெயின் மற்றும் மற்ற ஐரோப்பிய நாடுகளில் பரவியது. இவர் தனது துறவற குழுமங்களை பார்வையிட அடிக்கடி ஏராளமான பயணங்களை மேற்கொண்டார். இதனால் மீண்டும் நோய்தாக்கப்பட்டு தன் 44ம் வயதில் இறந்தார்.

Also known as

• Ascanio Pisquizio

• Francesco Caracciolo

Profile

Born to the nobility; related to Saint Thomas Aquinas and to the princes of Naples. Enjoyed hunting. Cured of a leprous-like disease at age 22, he took the cure as a miraculous sign for his life. He sold his goods, gave the money to the poor, and went to study theology in Naples, Italy in 1585. Ordained in 1587. Joined the Contraternity of the Bianchi della Giustizia (the White Robes of Justice) whose ministry was with condemned prisoners. With John Augustine Adorno, he founded the Congregation of the Minor Clerks Regular with a ministry to the sick and to prisoners; they received approval from Pope Sixtus V on 1 July 1588, Pope Gregory XIV on 18 February 1591, and Pope Clement VIII on 1 June 1592. Chosen superior of the Congregation at Naples on 9 March 1593; he made sure to daily perform the most menial tasks of the house. Established Congregation houses in Rome, Madrid, Valladolid, and Alcala. Noted for his work for the poor, and as a miracle worker and prophet; he was a popular preacher, and cured by blessing the sick with the sign of the cross. Pope Paul V wished to make him a bishop, but he repeatedly refused, citing the Congregation's vow not to seek any high position in the Church. Near the end of his life he resigned his duties and spent his remaining time as prayerful prior and novice master at Santa Maria Maggiore.

Born

13 October 1563 at his family's castle at Villa Santa Maria, Abruzzi, Italy as Ascanio Pisquizio

Died

• 4 June 1608 at Agnone, Italy of a fever

• relics at Naples, Italy and San Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome, Italy

Beatified

4 June 1769 by Pope Clement XIV

Canonized

24 May 1807 by Pope Pius VII

Patronage

• Association of Italian Cooks (chosen in 1996)

• Naples, Italy (chosen in 1838)

Saint Pacificus of Cerano

Also known as

• Pacifico Ramati

• Pacificus of Ceredano

• Pacificus Ramota

Profile

Pacificus was orphaned very young. Educated at the Benedictine monastery in Novara, Italy. Joined the Friars Minor in 1445. Received a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris, France, and was considered one of the most learned men of his day. Ordained in 1452. Preached missions throughout Italy from 1452 through 1471. Sent by Pope Sixtus IV to Sardinia as an evangelist and reformer. Founded a monastery in Vigevano, Italy and used it as a base for his teaching and preaching. In 1480 he was sent to Sardinia to preach the Franciscan Crusade to Turkey.

Born

c.1424 at Cerano, Novara, Lombardy, Italy

Died

• 14 June 1482 in Sassari, Sardinia, Italy of natural causes

• relics at Cerano, Italy

Beatified

7 July 1745 by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

Cerano, Italy

Blessed Francesco Pianzola

Also known as

• Francis Pianzola

• Apostle of Lomellina

Profile

Born to a farming family. Studied at the seminary of Vigevano, Italy, and was ordained on 16 March 1907. He became an itinerant preacher, ministering to the poor, to children at their homes, to farm workers in the fields, to young women in the factories. Founded the Suore Missionarie dell'Immacolata, Regina della Pace (Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate, Queen of Peace) based in Mortara, Italy; the Sisters continued the work of taking Christ to the poor, the humble, the workers.

Born

5 October 1881 in Sartirana Lomellina, Pavia, Italy

Died

• 4 June 1943 at the General House of the Sisters in Mortara, Pavia, Italy of natural causes

• interred at the General House of the Sisters

Beatified

• 4 October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI

• beatification recognition celebrated at the cathedral in Vigevano, Italy by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins

Saint Optatus of Milevis

Also known as

Optate, Ottato

Profile

Raised a pagan. Rhetorician. Convert to Christianity. Lived through the persecutions of Diocletian and Julian the Apostate. Late fourth century bishop of Milevis, Numidia (modern Algeria). Wrote against the Donatists.

Died

interred in the cemetery of Saint Callistus, Rome, Italy

Blessed José María Gran Cirera

Profile

A member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, making his profession on 8 September 1969. Ordained a priest in Valladolid, Spain on 9 June 1972. In 1975 he was sent to minister in Guatemala where he worked with the poorest people until murdered by the military. Martyr.

Born

27 April 1945 in Barcelona, Spain

Died

shot on 4 June 1980 in Xeixojbitz, Quiché, Guatemala

Beatified

• 23 April 2021 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala

Blessed Antoni Zawistowski

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Priest in the archdiocese of Lublin, Poland. Professor of theology and vice-rector of the Metropolitan Seminary in Lublin. Imprisoned in the Nazis concentration camp of Dachau in November 1939 for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.

Born

10 November 1882 in Strumiany, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Died

4 June 1942 in Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany of overwork, abuse and neglect

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Quirinus of Sescia

† இன்றைய புனிதர் †

(ஜூன் 4)

✠ புனிதர் குயிரினஸ் ✠

(St. Quirinus of Sescia)

ஆயர், மறைசாட்சி:

(Bishop and martyr)

பிறப்பு: தெரியவில்லை

இறப்பு: கி.பி. 309

சபரியா, பன்னோனியா, ரோம பேரரசு

(Sabaria, Pannonia, Roman Empire)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:

சேன் செபஸ்டினோ பேராலயம், ஃபுயோரி லெ முரா, ரோம், இத்தாலி

(Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori le mura, Rome, Italy)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஜூன் 4

பாதுகாவல்:

சிசக், குரோஷியா

(Sisak, Croatia)

புனிதர் குயிரினஸ், குரோஷியா (Croatia) நாட்டின் "சேசியா" (Sescia) மறைமாவட்டத்தின் ஆதிகால ஆயர் ஆவார். இது, தற்போதைய "சிசக்" (Sisak) மறைமாவட்டம் ஆகும். இவர், "செசரியாவின் யூசிபியஸ்" (Eusebius of Caesarea) மூலமாக குறிப்பிடப்படுகிறார்.

இவர், கி.பி. 309ம் ஆண்டு, "டயக்லேஷியன்" துன்புருத்தல்களின்போது (Persecutions of Diocletian) கொல்லப்பட்டதாக ஒரு நம்ப இயலாத குறிப்பும் உள்ளது. தப்பி ஓட முயன்ற குயிரினஸ், கைது செய்யப்பட்டு சிறையிலடைக்கப்பட்டார். சிறையில், தமது சிறை அதிகாரியான "மார்செல்லஸ்" (Marcellus) என்பவனை கிறிஸ்தவ மதத்திற்கு மனம் மாற்றினார். 

மூன்று நாட்களின் பின்னர், "பன்னோனியா பிறிம்" மாநில ஆளுநரான (The Governor of Pannonia Prim) "அமன்ஷியஸ்" (Amantius) என்பவன் "சபரியா" (Sabaria) என்ற இடத்திற்கு கொண்டுசெல்ல உத்தரவிட்டான். இந்த இடம் தற்போது ஹங்கேரி நாட்டிலுள்ள "ச்ஸோம்பதெளி" (Present-day Szombathely, Hungary) ஆகும். அங்கே அவருடைய விசுவாசத்தைக் கெடுக்கும் முயற்சிகள் நடந்தன. பின்னர், ஆயரது கழுத்தில் ஒரு மைல்கல்லை கட்டி, உள்ளூரிலுள்ள "ஜியோன்ஜியோஸ்" (Gyöngyös River) ஆற்றில் எறிந்தனர்.

உள்ளூரான "சவரியாவின்" (Savaria) கிறிஸ்தவர்கள் அவரது உடலை மீட்டு "ஸ்காரபடியஸ்" (Scarabateus) என அறியப்படும் வாயிற்கதவருகே அடக்கம் செய்தனர்.

Also known as

• Quirinus of Siscia

• Kvirin, Quirino

Profile

Bishop of Sescia (modern Sisak), Croatia. During the persecution of Galerius, he was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods; he declined. Imprisoned, severely beaten, and martyred. While in prison he converted his jailer, Marcellus.

Died

drowned in the River Raab with a millstone around his neck c.308

Patronage

• against evil spirits

• obsession

• possessed people

• Sisak, Croatia

Blessed Francis Ronci

Also known as

Francesco

Profile

Member of the Holy Spirit Community of Maiella (Celestines). Spiritual student of Saint Peter Celestine. Priest. Assisted Saint Peter at the hermitages of Orfente and Morrone. Prior of the Celestine monastery of the Holy Spirit in Maiella, Italy in 1285. First general of the Celestines, a post he held until his death. Created cardinal–priest of San Lorenzo in Damaso by Pope Celestine V on 18 September 1294.

Born

1223 in Abri, Italy

Died

13 October 1294 in Sulmona, Italy of natural causes

Blessed Domingo del Barrio Batz

Profile

Married layman of the diocese of Quiché, Guatemala. Worked as a sacristan for Blessed José María Gran Cirera in the parish of San Gaspar di Chajul, and was murdered with him. Martyr.

Born

26 January 1951 in Ilom, Quiché, Guatemala

Died

shot on 4 June 1980 in Xeixojbitz, Quiché, Guatemala

Beatified

• 23 April 2021 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala

Saint Metrophanes of Byzantium

Profile

Son of Dometius, a convert, priest and bishop of Constantinople around the fourth century; nephew of Emperor Probus. Bishop of Constantinople following his father and older brother in the position. Metrophanes' reputation for profound holiness and virtue is believed to have convinced Emperor Constantine the Great to make Constantinople the capital of the Empire.

Died

325 of natural causes

Saint Buriana of Cornwall

Also known as

Burian, Buryan

Profile

Sixth-century anchoress in Cornwall. The town of Saint Buryan, whose parish church served as her base, is named after her. May have been the daughter of an Irish king, and some writers says she travelled to Cornwall as a missionary to Cornish. One legend tells how she cured the paralysed son of King Geraint of Dumnonia, a miracle that brought many locals to the faith.

Born

Ireland

Blessed Margaret of Vau-le-Duc

Also known as

Margarita, Margherita, Marguerite

Profile

Daughter of Duke Henry II of Brabant. Cistercian nun. Abbess at Vau-le-Duc, Brabant (in modern Belgium), an abbey founded by her father.

Died

1277 of natural causes

Beatified

considered beata by her order from the time of her death

Saint Cornelius McConchailleach

Also known as

Cornelius Mac Conchailleadh

Profile

Joined the Augustinians at Armagh, Ireland in 1140. Abbot in 1151. Archbishop of Armagh in 1174. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy; died on his way home.

Born

Ireland

Died

1176 in Canbery, Savoy, France of natural causes

Saint Aldegrin of Baume

Also known as

Adalgrim, Adalgrin, Adegrin, Aldegrim

Profile

After a life as a knight, Aldegrin felt a call to religious life, and became a Benedictine monk at Baume Abbey. Spiritual student of Saint Odo of Cluny. Spent his latter years of his life as a hermit near Baume.

Died

939 of natural causes

Saint Walter of Fontenelle

Profile

Benedictine monk and then abbot of the monastery at Fontenelle, France, a noted spiritual center. Recognized by Pope Innocent II for this holiness and zeal to spread the Faith.

Born

England

Died

1150 of natural causes

Saint Walter of Serviliano

Profile

Benedictine hermit. Abbot. Founded the monastery of Serviliano in the Marches of Ancona, Italy, and served as its first abbot. The house became a leader in the resurgence of the Faith during that period.

Died

1250 of natural causes

Saint Nennoc

Also known as

Gwengustle, Nennoca, Nennocha, Nenoc, Nenooc, Ninnoc, Ninnocha

Profile

Daughter of Saint Brychan of Brycheiniog. Nun who followed Saint Germanus of Auxerre to France. Abbess of one or more convents in Brittany.

Born

Britain

Died

c.467 of natural causes

Saint Breaca of Cornwall

Also known as

Branca, Banka, Breague

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Brigid of Ireland. Missionary to Cornwall, England c.460. Worked with Saint Crewanna and Saint Elwin.

Born

5th-century in East Meath, Ireland

Saint Cyrinus of Aquileia

Also known as

Cirino

Profile

One of a group of approximately 200 Christians martyred together. His is the only name that has come down to us, and we have no further details about him.

Died

Aquileia, Italy

Saint Saturnina of Arras

Also known as

Saturnine

Profile

Virgin-martyr.

Born

German

Died

near Arras, France, date unknown

Saint Edfrith of Lindisfarne

Also known as

Edfrid, Eadfrith

Profile

Bishop of Lindisfarne, England. He illuminated the Lindisfarne Gospels in honour of Saint Cuthbert.

Died

721

Saint Ernin of Cluain

Also known as

Ernineus

Profile

Son of Craskin. Though he is mentioned in several martyrologies, menologies and writings, no details about him have survived.

Died

634

Saint Alonio

Also known as

Alonium, Halonium

Profile

Hermit in the Egyptian desert noted by other monks, abbots and hermits for his wisdom and clear thinking.

Born

late 4th century

Died

5th century

Saint Aretius of Rome

Also known as

Arecius, Aregius

Profile

Martyr.

Died

• Rome, Italy, date unknown

• buried in the catacombs on the Appian Way

Saint Rutilus of Sabaria

Profile

One of a group of martyrs, and the only one whose name has come down to us.

Died

martyred in Sabaria, Pannonia (in modern Hungary)

Blessed Menda Isategui

Profile

Mercedarian nun at the monastery of Santa Maria della Pieta in Marquina, Spain for 80 years. Had the gift of healing by prayer, and of inedia.

Blessed Boniface of Villers

Profile

Cistercian monk. Prior of the abbey in Villers, Belgium.

Died

c.1280 of natural causes

Saint Dacian of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

• Rome, Italy, date unknown

• buried in the catacombs on the Appian Way

Saint Trano of Sardinia

Profile

Hermit.

Saint Quirinus of Tivoli

Profile

Martyr. No reliable information has survived.

Died

Tivoli, Italy, date unknown

Saint Clateus of Brescia

Profile

Bishop of Brescia, Italy. Martyred in the persecutions of Nero.

Died

64

Saint Elsiar of Lavedan

Profile

Monk at Saint-Savin, Lavedan, France.

Died

c.1050 of natural causes

Saint Christa of Sicily

Profile

Martyr.

Died

Sicily, Italy, date unknown

Saint Alexander of Verona

Profile

Eighth century bishop of Verona, Italy.

Saint Degan

Also known as

Dagan

Profile

Sixth century spiritual student of Saint Petroc in Cornwall.

Saint Croidan

Profile

Sixth century spiritual student of Saint Petroc in Cornwall.

Saint Medan

Profile

Sixth century spiritual student of Saint Petroc in Cornwall.

Martyrs of Cilicia

Profile

A group of 13 Christians who were martyred together. The only details about them that have survived are their names –

• Cama

• Christa

• Crescentia

• Eiagonus

• Expergentus

• Fortunus

• Italius

• Jucundian

• Julia

• Momna

• Philip

• Rustulus

• Saturnin

Died

in Cilicia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey), date unknown

Martyrs of Nyon

Profile

A group of 41 Christians martyred together for refusing to sacrifice to imperial Roman idols. We know the names of some, but no other details.

• Amatus

• Attalus

• Camasus

• Cirinus

• Dinocus

• Ebustus

• Euticus

• Eutychius

• Fortunius

• Galdunus

• Julia

• Quirinus

• Rusticus

• Saturnina

• Saturninus

• Silvius

• Uinnita

• Zoticus

Died

beheaded in Noviodunum (modern Nyon, Switzerland)

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஜீன் 3

 

Saint Kevin of Glendalough

Also known as

• Kevin of Glen da locha

• Caoimhghin, Coemgen, Coemgenus, Comegen, Keivin

Profile

Son of Coemlog and Coemell, Leinster nobility. Baptized by Saint Cronan of Roscrea, and educated by Saint Petroc of Cornwall from age seven. Lived with monks from age 12. Studied for the priesthood in Cell na Manach (Killnamanagh). Student of Saint Eonagh. Priest, ordained by bishop Lugidus. Monk. Acquaintance of Saint Comgall, Saint Columba, Saint Cannich, and Saint Kieran of Clonmacnois.

Following his ordination, he lived as a hermit for seven years into a cave at Glendalough, a Bronze Age tomb now known as Saint Kevin's Bed, to which he was reportedly led by an angel. He wore skins, ate the nettles and herbs that came to hand, and spent his time in prayer. Word of his holiness spread, and he attracted followers, including Saint Moling. Founded the monastery at Glendalough, which included relics brought back during a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. This house, in turn, founded several others, and around it grew a town which became a see city, though now subsumed into the archdiocese of Dublin. Served as abbot for several years. When he saw that the monastery was well-established, he withdrew to live as a hermit. Four years later, however, he returned to Glendalough at the entreaty of his monk, and served as abbot until his death at age 120. King Colman of Ui Faelain entrusted Kevin with raising his son.

Noted as a man who did not always like the company of men - but was at home with the animals, as some of the legends surrounding him show.

During a drought, Kevin fed his monks with salmon, a symbol of wisdom, brought to him by an otter. When one of the monks considered making gloves out of the otter's pelt, it left and never returned.

Once during Lent, while he held his arms outstretched in prayer, a blackbird laid an egg in the Kevin's hand. He remained in that position until the baby bird hatched.

A cow which habitually licked Kevin's clothes while the saint was in prayer gave as much milk as 50 other cows.

Lacking milk to feed the son of King Colman, Kevin prayed for help. A doe arrived to provide for the baby. When the doe was later killed by a wolf, Kevin chastised the killer; the wolf then provided the milk herself.

A young man with severe epilepsy received a vision that he would be cured by eating an apple. There were, however, no apple trees about. Kevin, seeing the lad's need, ordered a willow to produce apples; twenty yellow apples appeared on the tree.

In his old age, King O'Tool of Glendalough made a pet of a goose. As time passed, the goose also became aged and weak, and finally unable to fly. Hearing of Kevin's sanctity and power, the pagan king sent for him, and asked that he make the beloved goose young. Kevin asked for a payment of whatever land the goose would fly over. As the goose could no longer take flight, O'Toole agreed. When Kevin touched the bird, it grew young, and flew over the entire valley that was used to found the monastery of Glendalough.

A boar was being chased by a group of hunters with their dogs. It ran to where Kevin sat praying under a tree, and cowered beside him for protection. When the dogs saw the saint in prayer, they laid on their stomachs, and would not approach the boar. When the hunters decided they would ignore the man and kill the boar, a flock of birds settled in the tree above the praying saint. The hunters took this as a sign, and left man and beast alone.

Born

c.498 at the Fort of the White Fountain, Leinster, Ireland

Died

3 June 618 of natural causes

Canonized

1903 (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

• blackbirds

• Ireland

• archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland

• Glendalough, Ireland

Martyrs of Uganda

புனித சார்லஸ் லுவாங்கா 

( St. Charles Lwanga )

மறைசாட்சி/ ஆப்ரிக்க இளைஞர்களின் பாதுகாவலர் :

பிறப்பு :1860 அல்லது 1865

உகாண்டா, ஆப்ரிக்கா

இறப்பு : ஜூன் 3, 1886

ஆப்ரிக்கா

முத்திபேறு பட்டம்: 1920

திருத்தந்தை பதினைந்தாம் பெனடிக்ட்

புனிதர் பட்டம்: 18 அக்டோபர் 1964

திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பவுல்

நினைவுத் திருநாள் : ஜுன் 3

"வெள்ளைக் குருக்கள்" என்றழைக்கப்படும் துறவற சபையினர் ஆப்ரிக்காவில் நைல் நதி மேற்குப்பகுதியில் வாழ்ந்து வந்து மக்களிடையே 1878ல் மறைபரப்புப்பணியில் இறங்கினர். 1879ம் ஆண்டு பெரிய சனிக்கிழமையன்று முதன்முதலாக சிலர் திருமுழுக்கு பெற்றனர். இவர்களில் சிலர் இஸ்லாம் மறையிலிருந்து புரோட்டஸ்டாண்டு சபைக்கு மாறி, அதிலிருந்து கத்தோலிக்கரானவர்கள்.

கத்தோலிக்க மெய்மறை மிக விரைவாக பரவுகிறதென்பதை உணர்ந்த இஸ்லாமியரின் தூண்டுதலால் 1886ல் முவாஷ்கா (Muwashka) என்ற அரசன் கத்தோலிக்கர்களைத் துன்புறுத்த ஏவிவிட்டான்.

சார்லஸ் லுவாங்காவும் அவரின் தோழர்களும் அரச அவையில் பணிபுரிந்து வந்தனர். இவர்கள் எல்லாரும் 13-30 வயதுக்குட்பட்ட இளைஞர்கள். முவாஷ்கா ஓரின சேர்க்கைக்கு அடிமைப்பட்டவனாக இருந்தான். அவன் அரச அலுவல் புரிந்தவர்களைக் கெடுக்க சூழ்ச்சி செய்தபோது, சார்லஸ் தம் தோழர்களிடம், "இது தீமையானது, கொடுமையானது" என்று அறிவுரை கூறி ஓரின சேர்க்கையில் ஈடுபடாமல் காப்பாற்றி வந்தார். சார்லஸ் தான் புதிதாக பெற்றுக்கொண்ட விசுவாசத்திற்காக நமுகொஸ்கோ (Namukosco) என்ற இடத்தில் நெருப்பிலிடப்பட்டு கொல்லப்பட்டார்.

சார்லஸின் அறிவுரைப்படி மற்ற இளைஞர்கள் தங்கள் புனிதத்தில் நிலைத்து நின்றனர். 13 வயதான சிறு பெண் தனது கற்புக்காக மற்றவர்களைப்போல உயிரைத் தியாகம் செய்தார். இந்த வேதகலாபனை முடிந்த மறு ஆண்டிலேயே ஆப்பிரிக்காவின் இந்தப் பகுதியில் மறைபரப்பு பணி மிக விரைவாக பரவியது. ஆப்பிரிக்காவில் இந்த மறைசாட்சிகளின் இரத்தம் சிந்தப்பட்டதன் பயனாக ஒரு புதுயுகம் தோன்றிவிட்டது. முழுமையான சுதந்திரம் பெற்று மகிழும் ஆப்பிரிக்காவாக பொலிவுடன் வளர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது. இவர்களின் வேதனையில் புதிய யுகத்தை சார்ந்த ஆப்பிரிக்கா மக்களின் ஆன்மீக மேம்பாட்டுக்கான பாடங்கள் பல மிளிர்கின்றன.

மறைசாட்சிகள் தூண்களில் கட்டப்பட்டனர். சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டனர். சாட்டையடி பட்டனர். ஈட்டிகளால் குத்தப்பட்டனர், சுட்டெரிக்கப்பட்டனர். தலை வெட்டப்பட்டனர். இப்படி இருந்தும் ஆப்பிரிக்காவில் கிறிஸ்தவர்கள் பலுகிப் பெருகினர்.

For those of us who think that the faithand zeal of the early Christians died out as the Church grew more safe and powerful through the centuries, the martyrs of Uganda are a reminder that persecution of Christians continues in modern times, even to the present day.

The Society of Missionaries of Africa(known as the White Fathers) had only been in Uganda for 6 years and yet they had built up a community of converts whose faith would outshine their own. The earliest converts were soon instructing and leading new converts that the White Fatherscouldn't reach. Many of these converts lived and taught at King Mwanga's court.

King Mwanga was a violent ruler and pedophile who forced himself on the young boys and men who served him as pages and attendants. The Christians at Mwanga's court who tried to protect the pages from King Mwanga.

The leader of the small community of 200 Christians, was the chief steward of Mwanga's court, a twenty-five-year-old Catholic named JosephMkasa (or Mukasa).

When Mwanga killed a Protestant missionary and his companions, Joseph Mkasa confronted Mwanga and condemned his action. Mwanga had always liked Joseph but when Joseph dared to demand that Mwanga change his lifestyle, Mwanga forgot their long friendship. After striking Joseph with a spear, Mwanga ordered him killed. When the executioners tried to tie Joseph's hands, he told them, "A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die." He forgave Mwanga with all his heart but made one final plea for his repentance before he was beheaded and then burned on November 15, 1885.

Charles Lwanga took over the instruction and leadership of the Christian community at court -- and the charge of keeping the young boys and men out of Mwanga's hands. Perhaps Joseph's plea for repentance had had some affect on Mwanga because the persecution died down for six months.

Anger and suspicion must have been simmering in Mwanga, however. In May 1886 he called one of his pages named Mwafu and asked what the page had been doing that kept him away from Mwanga. When the page replied that he had been receiving religious instruction from Denis Sebuggwawo, Mwanga's temper boiled over. He had Denis brought to him and killed him himself by thrusting a spear through his throat.

He then ordered that the royal compound be sealed and guarded so that no one could escape and summoned the country's executioners. Knowing what was coming, Charles Lwanga baptized four catechumens that night, including a thirteen-year-old named Kizito. The next morning Mwanga brought his whole court before him and separated the Christians from the rest by saying, "Those who do not pray stand by me, those who do pray stand over there." He demanded of the fifteen boys and young men (all under 25) if they were Christians and intended to remain Christians. When they answered "Yes" with strength and courage Mwanga condemned them to death.

He commanded that the group be taken on a 37 mile trek to the place of execution at Namugongo. The chief executioner begged one of the boys, his own son, Mabaga, to escape and hide but Mbaga refused. The cruelly-bound prisoners passed the home of the White Fathers on their way to execution. Father Lourdel remembered thirteen-year-old Kizito laughing and chattering. Lourdel almost fainted at the courage and joy these condemned converts, his friends, showed on their way to martyrdom. Three of these faithful were killed on road.

A Christian soldier named JamesBuzabaliawo was brought before the king. When Mwanga ordered him to be killed with the rest, James said, "Goodbye, then. I am going to Heaven, and I will pray to God for you." When a griefstricken Father Lourdel raised his hand in absolutionas James passed, James lifted his own tied hands and pointed up to show that he knew he was going to heaven and would meet Father Lourdel there. With a smile he said to Lourdel, "Why are you so sad? This nothing to the joys you have taught us to look forwalso condemned were Andrew Kagwa, a Kigowa chief, who had converted his wife and several others, and Matthias Murumba (or Kalemba) an assistant judge. The chief counsellor was so furious with Andrew that he proclaimed he wouldn't eat until he knew Andrew was dead. When the executioners hesitated Andrew egged them on by saying, "Don't keep your counsellor hungry -- kill me." When the same counsellor described what he was going to do with Matthias, he added, "No doubt his god will rescue him." "Yes," Matthias replied, "God will rescue me. But you will not see how he does it, because he will take my soul and leave you only my body." Matthias was cut up on the road and left to die -- it took him at least three days.

The original caravan reached Namugongo and the survivors were kept imprisoned for seven days. On June 3, they were brought out, wrapped in reed mats, and placed on the pyre. Mbaga was killed first by order of his father, the chief executioner, who had tried one last time to change his son's mind. The rest were burned to death. Thirteen Catholics and eleven Protestants died. They died calling on the name of Jesus and proclaiming, "You can burn our bodies, but you cannot harm our souls."

When the White Fathers were expelled from the country, the new Christians carried on their work, translating and printing the catechism into their natively language and giving secretinstruction on the faith. Without priests, liturgy, and sacraments their faith, intelligence, courage, and wisdom kept the Catholic Church alive and growing in Uganda. When the White Fathers returned after King Mwanga's death, they found five hundred Christians and one thousand catchumens waiting for them. The twenty-two Catholic martyrs of the Uganda persecution were canonized.

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Profile

Twenty-two (22) Ugandan converts martyred in the persecutions of King Mwanga. They are -

• Achileo Kiwanuka • Adolofu Mukasa Ludigo

• Ambrosio Kibuuka • Anatoli Kiriggwajjo

• Anderea Kaggwa • Antanansio Bazzekuketta

• Bruno Sserunkuuma • Charles Lwanga

• Denis Ssebuggwawo • Gonzaga Gonza

• Gyavire • James Buzabaliao

• John Maria Muzeyi • Joseph Mukasa

• Kizito • Lukka Baanabakintu

• Matiya Mulumba • Mbaga Tuzinde

• Mugagga • Mukasa Kiriwawanvu

• Nowa Mawaggali • Ponsiano Ngondwe

Patronage

archdiocese of Accra, Ghana

Saint John Grande

Also known as

• John the Great Sinner

• Juan Grande Pecador

• Juan Grande Román

• Juan Grande

• Juan Pecador

Profile

Raised in a solidly Christian family, John was a choir boy from age 7 to 12. He was apprenticed in the linen business in Seville, Spain from age 15, and then returned to Carmona, Spain to start his own shop. At age 19 he left business behind, gave away his possessions, and became a hermit at Marcena. Referred to himself not just as Juan Grande, his given name, but Juan Grande Pecador (John the Great Sinner).

Worked in prisons and hospitals in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. With the aid of a wealthy couple in the area, he founded and managed the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candlemas) at Jerez. He affiliated the place with the Order of Hospitallers, handing it over to Saint John of God, and joining the Order himself at Granada, Spain in 1574. During an outbreak of the plague in 1574, he organized a group to help tend to victims; they were very successful. At the request of the Archbishop of Seville, Spain he completely reformed the Church's health care system in the diocese, improving efficiency and services.

John was blessed with mystical gifts, and predicted the fall of the Spanish Armada. He ran afoul of many in authority, chastising officials and those who ran charities when they lived well, and those they were supposed to serve continued to suffer. Arranged anonymous dowries for poor girls so they could marry and avoid lives on the street. He fed and clothed prisoners and refugees, and died tending to plague victims.

Born

6 March 1546 at Carmona, Andalusia, Spain

Died

• 3 June 1600 at Jerez, Spain of plague

• relics at the diocesan Shrine of Saint John Grande, Saint John Grande Hospital, Jerez

Canonized

2 June 1996 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage

diocese of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

Blessed Adam of Guglionesi

Also known as

• Adam the Abbot

• Adamo, Adão

Additional Memorial

2nd Sunday in October (return of stolen relics)

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot of the monastery of Santa Maria to the Italian Tremiti Islands. Attended the council of Melfi on 21 August 1059. Worked to unify the people of southern Italy as a way reduce into-city warring. Retired in 1071 to spend his remaining months as a prayerful hermit at the monastery of Saint Paul in Petacciato, Italy.

Born

c.990 in Petazio (modern Petacciato), Italy

Died

• 1072 in the Saint Paul monastery in Petacciato, Italy of natural causes

• Archpriest Benedict of Guglionesi, Italy had a dream of an angel who told him to bring Abbot Adam’s relics to Guglionesi

• relics taken to Gulionesi on 2 June 1102; legend says that the oxen pulling the transport cart became thirsty, pawed the road with one hoof, and springs erupted from the ground

• relics enshrined on 3 June 1102 in Guglionesi

• relics re-enshrined in a gilded bronze bust reliquary in 1153

• reliquary stolen by French supporters of King Charles VIII on the night of the feast of Corpus Christi in 1496 and taken to Campobasso, Italy where they planned to melt it for the prescious metal; the presence of relics made them hesitate, and the city was beseiged by storms until they returned the reliquary to Guglionesi

• reliquary was one of several stolen on the night of 2 June 1885

• relics returned in 1886 re-enshrined in a silver bust

• relics enshrined in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Guglionesi

Patronage

Guglionesi, Italy

Saint Clotilde

Also known as

Chlodechildis, Chrodechildis, Clothilde, Clotichilda, Clotild, Clotilda, Croctild, Crotildes, Hlodihildi, Hlotild, HroÞihildi, Rotilde

Profile

Born a princess, the daughter of King Chilperic of Burgundy. Married young to King Clovis of the Salian Franks while he was still a pagan; she brought him to the faith. Queen. Mother of three sons. Led her husband to Christianity in 496. Widow. Following Clovis's death in 511, her sons fought for years over the kingdom. To escape the constant murder and intrigue, she retired to Tours, France where she spent her remaining 34 years caring for the poor and sick.

Born

475 at Lyons, France

Died

• 545 at Tours, France of natural causes

• buried in the church of Saint Genevieve, Paris, France

Patronage

• against death of children

• adopted children

• brides

• disappointing children

• exiles, people in exile

• parenthood

• parents of large families

• queens

• widows

Blessed Diego Oddi

Also known as

• Giuseppi Oddi

• José Oddi

Profile

Son of Vicenzo Oddi and Bernardina Pasquali; raised in a poor but pious farm family. He had little education, but learned as much about the faith as he could. About age 20 he felt a call to the religious life, but his family strongly objected. He met Blessed Mariano da Roccacasale while making a pilgrimage to Rome, and was inspired by his example to become a Franciscan lay brother. He spent the rest of his life in the same monastery, known for his life of simple service, his sunny temperament, and his obvious deep faith.

Born

6 June 1839 in Vallinfreda, Italy as Giuseppi Oddi

Died

3 June 1919 in Bellegra, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

3 October 1999 by Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy

Saint Genesius, Bishop of Clermont

Also known as

Genesio

Profile

Descendant of a senatorial family of Auvergne, France. Following a liberal education, he renounced the world for the Church. Archdeacon of Clermont, France under Bishop Proculus. Bishop of Clermont in 656. Founded a hospital at Clermont, the Abbey of Manlieu, the church of Saint Symphorian, and the convent at Chantoin. Fearing for his own soul, he made a secret pilgrimage to Rome, Italy in 661. His bereaved flock sent a deputation to the Vatican; they located Genesius and convinced him to return.

Died

• 662 of natural causes

• buried in Saint Symphorian's church at Clermont, France

• it is now known as Saint Genesius's church

Saint Liphardus of Orleans

Also known as

Lifard, Lifardo, Lifardus, Lifart, Lifhard, Lifhart, Liphard, Liphart, Lyphard

Profile

A prominent lawyer in Orleans, France. He gave it all up to devote himself to prayer as a cave-dwelling hermit. At the age of fifty he and Saint Urbicius founded and entered a monastery of Meung-sur-Loire, France, and served as its abbot.

Died

c.550

Saint Auditus of Braga

Also known as

Audito, Ouvido, Ovid, Ovidio, Ovidius

Profile

Imperial Roman citizen. Auditus was chosen 3rd bishop of Braga, Portugal by Pope Clement I in 95. Baptized Saint Marina. Martyr.

Born

Sicily

Died

• 135 in Braga, Portugal

• interred in the cathedral of Braga

• at the base of his sepulchre are two small holes where, traditionally, people put their fingers before putting them in their ears when asking for the intercession of Auditus for the petitioner’s auditory problems

Patronage

• against auditory diseases

• deaf people

Saint Phaolô Vu Van Ðuong

Also known as

Peter Ðong

Additional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Married layman and father in the apostolic vicariate of Central Tonkin (modern Vietnam). During the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc, he was ordered to step on a crucifix to show his contempt for Christianity; he refused. Imprisoned, tortured and executed. Martyr.

Born

c.1792 in Vuc Ðuong, Hung Yên, Vietnam

Died

beheaded on 3 June 1862 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Francis Ingleby

Also known as

Francesco

Additional Memorial

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales

Profile

Studied at Rheims, France. Ordained on 21 March 1581, he returned to England in April 1581 to minister to covert Catholics during a period of official persecution. Imprisoned and executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.

Born

c.1550 in the Ripley, Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 3 June 1586 in York, North Yorkshire, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Charles-René Collas du Bignon

Profile

Priest in the Society of Saint Sulpice. Superior of the minor seminary of Bourges, France. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions of the French Revolution.

Born

25 August 1743 in Mayenne, France

Died

3 June 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés docked off-shore of Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France as a consequence of abuse, neglect and infected open sores

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Conus of Lucania

Also known as

Cono

Profile

Benedictine monk in at Santa Maria dei Codossa monastery near Lucania, Italy.

Born

late 12th century in Diano, Italy

Died

• early 13th century at Cadossa, Italy of natural causes

• relics enshrined in Lucania, Italy

• when the Cadonna monastery was closed in 1261, the relics were transferred to Diano, Italy

Canonized

27 April 1871 by Pope Pius IX

Patronage

• Diano, Italy

• Teggiano, Italy

Saint Davinus of Lucca

Also known as

• Davinus of Armenia

• Davino...

Profile

Layman who sold all that he owned, gave the money to the poor, and set out as a mendicant pilgrim to Rome, Italy and Compostella, Spain. He depended on the hospitality of strangers who uniformly recognized his personal piety and strong prayer life.

Born

in Armenia

Died

3 June 1051 in Lucca, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

by Pope Alexander III

Saint Morand of Cluny

Also known as

Morando, Morandus

Profile

Monk of Cluny. Founded the monastery of Saint Christopher at Altkirch, France. Lived the whole of each Lent on a single bunch of grapes, leading to his patronage of people in the grape and wine trade.

Patronage

vintners, wine growers, wine makers

Saint Isaac of Cordoba

Profile

Though Christian, his knowledge of Arabic allowed him to acquire the position of notary in the Moorish government of the day. He resigned to become a monk at Tabanos. Pulled into public religious debate at Cordoba, Spain, he denounced Mohammed, and was martyred.

Born

c.825 at Cordoba, Spain

Died

beheaded in 852 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Paula of Nicomedia

Profile

Consecrated virgin. Cared for Saint Lucillian of Byzantium, Saint Claudius of Byzantium, Saint Dionysius of Byzantium, Saint Hypatius of Byzantium, and Saint Paul of Byzantium while they were in prison. Arrested, tortured and martyred for helping Christians.

Born

Nicomedia

Died

beheaded in 273 in Constantinople

Saint Caecilius of Carthage

Also known as

Caecilian, Cecilio, Ceciliano

Profile

Third century priest in Carthage, North Africa. He converted Saint Cyprian of Carthage to Christianity. Cyprian so revered Caecilius that he took his name, and looked after his family after the priest's death.

Blessed Beatrice Bicchieri

Profile

Married to Gioachino de Ivachi. Widow. Joined the Dominicans in 1270. Founded a Domincan convent in Vercelli, Italy, and served as its first abbess. Known for her deep prayer life and her dedication to penance.

Died

1320 in Vercelli, Italy

Saint Athanasius of Traiannos

Profile

Wandering monk. Settling in Traiannos, Greece c.908, he worked as a calligrapher and copied manuscripts of the Bible and Church Fathers.

Born

Asia Minor

Died

933 of natural causes

Saint Glunshallaich

Also known as

Glunshalaich

Profile

Seventh century convert, led to the faith by Saint Kevin of Glendalough; noted for a life of penance.

Born

Irish

Died

buried with Saint Kevin at Glendalough, Ireland

Saint Hilary of Carcassone

Also known as

Ilario

Profile

Fourth century bishop of Carcassonne, France. Worked to keep his flock adhering to orthodox Christianity in the face of the Arianism being spread by the Goths.

Saint Albert of Como

Also known as

Aribert, Adalbert, Adelbert

Profile

Hermit at Rho, Italy. Benedictine monk at San Carpofero monastery in Como, Italy. Abbot of his house. Bishop of Como.

Died

c.1092 of natural causes

Saint Urbicius

Profile

With Saint Liphardus of Orleans, he founded and entered a monastery of Meung-sur-Loire, France. Served as its second abbot.

Died

late 6th century

Saint Laurentinus of Arezzo

Profile

Brother of Saint Pergentinus of Arezzo. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Died

251 in Arezzo, Italy

Saint Pergentinus of Arezzo

Profile

Brother of Saint Laurentinus of Arezzo. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Died

251 in Arezzo, Italy

Blessed Gausmarus of Savigny

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot at Saint Martin of Savigny from 954 to 984.

Died

984

Saint Cronan the Tanner

Also known as

Cronanus

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Kevin of Glendalough.

Died

617

Saint Oliva of Anagni

Profile

Nun at Anagni, Italy.

Saint Moses of Arabia

Profile

Arab missionary bishop to the nomadic tribes in the Syro-Arabian desert.

Died

372

Martyrs of Africa

Profile

156 Christians martyred together in Africa, date unknown; the only other information to survive are some of their names -

• Abidianus

• Demetria

• Donatus

• Gagus

• Januaria 

• Juliana

• Nepor

• Papocinicus

• Quirinus

• Quirus

Martyrs of Byzantium

Profile

A group of Christians, possibly related by marriage, who were martyred together. They were -

• Claudius

• Dionysius

• Hypatius

• Lucillian

• Paul

Died

273 in Byzantium

Martyrs of Rome

Profile

A group of Christians martyred together. We know nothing else about them but the names –

• Amasius

• Emerita

• Erasmus

• Lucianus

• Orasus

• Satuaucnus

• Septiminus

• Servulus

Died

Rome, Italy, date unknown

Martyrs of Rome

Profile

85+ Christians martyred together in Rome, Italy, date unknown. The only details that have survived are some of their names –

• Apinus • Apronus • Aurelius • Avidus • Cassianus • Criscens • Cyprus • Domitius • Donata • Donatus • Emeritus • Extricatus • Exuperia • Faustina • Felicitas • Felix • Flavia • Florus • Fortunata • Fortunatus • Fructus • Gagia • Gagus • Gallicia • Gorgonia • Honorata • Januaria • Januarius • Justa • Justus • Libosus • Luca • Lucia • Matrona • Matura • Mesomus • Metuana • Nabor • Neptunalis • Obercus • Paula • Peter • Pompanus • Possemus • Prisca • Procula • Publius • Quintus • Rogatian • Romanus • Rufina • Saturnin • Saturnus • Secundus • Severa • Severus • Sextus • Silvana • Silvanus • Sinereus • Tertula • Titonia • Toga • Urban • Valeria • Veneria • Veranus • Victor • Victoria • Victorinus • Victuria • Victurina • Virianus • Weneria • Zetula •

Died

Rome, Italy, date unknown