St. Heron
Feastday: December 14
Death: 250
Egyptian martyr with Arseinus, Dioscorus, and Isidore. Dioscorus, a young boy, was scourged and then set free. The others were burned at the stake in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Bartholomew Buonpedoni
Feastday: December 14
Death: 1300
Leper priest and Franciscan tertiary. Born in San Germiniano, Italy, Bartholomew worked as a servant for the Benedictines in Pisa. He became a Franciscan tertiary and at the age ofthirty was ordained a priest. He served the village of Peccioli, Italy, until he was discovered to have leprosy. He then ministered to the lepers of the region, serving them for twenty years.
St. Jucundus
Feastday: December 14
Author and Publisher - Catholic Online
An army of barbarians ravaging part of Gaul plundered the city of Rheims. Nicasius, the Bishop, had foretold this calamity to his flock in consequence of a vision, and urged them to prepare for the visitation by works of penance. When he saw the enemy at the gates and in the streets, forgetting himself and solicitous only for his spiritual children, he went from door to door encouraging all to patience and constancy. When the people asked him whether they should yield or fight to the end he, knowing that the city must fall, replied, "Let us abide the mercy of God and pray for our enemies. I am ready to give myself for my people." Standing at the door of his church, in endeavoring to save the lives of some, he exposed himself to the swords of the infidels, who cut off his head. St. Florentius, his deacon, and St. Jucundus, his lector, were massacred by his side. His sister, St. Eutropia, seeing herself spared in order that hers might be another fate, threw herself upon her brother's murderer and kicked and scratched him till she too was cut down and killed. Feast day - December 14.
St. Heron
Feastday: December 14
Death: 250
Egyptian martyr with Arseinus, Dioscorus, and Isidore. Dioscorus, a young boy, was scourged and then set free. The others were burned at the stake in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Fingar
Feastday: December 14
Death: 5th century
Martyr of Cornwall, England, with Phiala, his sister, and companions. Irish by birth, the martyrs were slain at Hoyle, near Penzance, by pagans.
Saint Ia of Cornwall (also known as Eia, Hia or Hya) was an evangelist and martyr of the 5th or 6th centuries in Cornwall. She is said to have been an Irish princess, the sister of Erc of Slane and a student of Saint Baricus.
Legend
Ia went to the seashore to depart for Cornwall from her native Ireland along with other saints. Finding that they had gone without her, fearing that she was too young for such a hazardous journey, she was grief-stricken and began to pray. As she prayed, she noticed a small leaf floating on the water and touched it with a rod to see if it would sink. As she watched, it grew bigger and bigger. Trusting God, she embarked upon the leaf and was carried across the Irish Sea.[1] She reached Cornwall before the others, where she joined Saint Gwinear and Felec of Cornwall.
Legend holds that they had up to 777 companions.[2] She is said to have founded an oratory in a clearing in a wood on the site of the existing Parish Church that is dedicated to her.[1] Ia was martyred under "King Teudar"[3] (i.e., Tewdwr Mawr of Penwith) on the River Hayle and buried at what is now St Ives, where St Ia's Church—of which she is now the patron saint—was erected over her grave. The town built up around it. Her feast day is 3 February.
A now ruined chapel near Troon was dedicated to her.[4] The church of Plouyé in Brittany was probably dedicated originally to this saint.[5] John Leland gives details from a Latin hagiography of Ia, which is no longer extant.
St. Spyridon of Tremithius
Feastday: December 14
Patron: of Potters, Corfu
Birth: 270
Death: 348
A native of Cyprus, St. Spyridon was a sheep farmer who had been tortured during the persecutions of Diocletian. Famed for this knowledge of the Bible, Spyridon was married and had children at the time of his elevation to the see of Tremithius. Legends say that he attended the Council of Nicaea (321), but his name is not on the official list of attending bishops. He attended the Council of Sardica (c. 343), at which Constantius requested the condemnation of Athanasius of Alexandria. Spyridon died c. 348.
"Spiridion" redirects here. For the genus of annelid, see Spiridion (annelid).
Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous also sometimes written Saint Spiridon (Greek: Ἅγιος Σπυρίδων; c. 270 – 348) is a saint honoured in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
Life
Spyridon was born in Askeia, in Cyprus. He worked as a shepherd and was known for his great piety. He married and had one daughter, Irene. Upon the death of his wife, Spyridon entered a monastery, and their daughter, a convent.
Spyridon eventually became Bishop of Trimythous, or Tremithous (today called Tremetousia), in the district of Larnaca. He took part in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325), where he was instrumental in countering the theological arguments of Arius and his followers.
He reportedly converted a pagan philosopher to Christianity by using a potsherd to illustrate how one single entity (a piece of pottery) could be composed of three unique entities (fire, water and clay); a metaphor for the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
As soon as Spyridon finished speaking, the shard is said to have miraculously burst into flame, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in his hand (other accounts of this event say that it was a brick he held in his hand).
After the council, Saint Spyridon returned to his diocese in Tremithous. He later fell into disfavor during the persecutions of the emperor Maximinus, but died peacefully in old age.
Spyridon was popular in Byzantine literature. A poem, now lost, was dedicated to him by his pupil Triphyllios. It inspired two 7th-century vitae, one by Theodore of Paphos (c. 655) and another possibly by Leontios of Neapolis. The former was used by Simeon Metaphrastes. Arabic and Georgian hagiographies also survive.[1]
Relics
When the Arabs took Cyprus, Spyridon's body was disinterred and taken to Constantinople. The relics were found to be incorrupt, and contained a sprig of basil, the "royal plant," both of which were taken as a sign of divine confirmation of his sanctity.
When, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, Spyridon's relics were removed again; this time, to the island of Corfu by a Corfiote monk called Kalohairetis (Καλοχαιρέτης), where they remain to this day, in Saint Spyridon Church.
The relics are taken in procession every Palm Sunday and on other special occasions, for veneration by the faithful. All Philharmonics of Corfu, including the Philharmonic Society of Corfu take part in these ceremonial events. The relic of his right hand was located in Rome in the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, to which it was given by Pope Clement VIII to Cardinal Cesare of Baronio of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. There it remained until 1986 when the right arm of Saint Spyridon was brought back to Kerkyra.
Patron saint
Spyridon is the patron saint of potters (from the miracle of the potsherd, above) and of the island of Corfu where he is called "Αγιος Σπυρίδων ο πολιούχος", "Saint Spyridon, the Keeper of the City", for the miracle of expelling the plague (πανούκλη) from the island.
It is believed by the faithful that the plague, on its way out of the island, scratched one of the fortification stones of the old citadel (Palaio Frourio) to indicate its fury for being expelled. This scratch is still shown to visitors.
Icon showing Saint Spyridon (center, front) silencing Arius (right, with hands over his mouth) during the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325.
St. Spyridon is also believed to have saved the island at the second great siege of Corfu which took place in 1716. At that time the Turkish army and naval force led by the great Sultan Achmet III appeared in Butrinto opposite Corfu.
On July 8 the Turkish fleet carrying 33,000 men sailed to Corfu from Butrinto and established a beachhead in Ipsos the same day the Venetian fleet encountered the Turkish fleet off the channel of Corfu and defeated it in the ensuing naval battle. On July 19 the Turkish army reached the hills of the town and laid siege to the city. After repeated failed attempts and heavy fighting, the Turks were forced to raise the siege which had lasted 22 days.
There were also rumors spreading among the Turks that some of their soldiers saw St. Spyridon as a monk threatening them with a lit torch and that helped increase their panic. This victory over the Ottomans, therefore, was attributed not only to the leadership of Count Schulenburg who commanded the stubborn defense of the island against the Ottomans but also to the miraculous intervention of St. Spyridon.
After the victorious outcome of the battle, Venice honored Schulenburg and the Corfiotes for successfully defending the island. The great composer Vivaldi was commissioned to write an opera, Juditha triumphans, in celebration of the victory.
Feast day
Recognizing St. Spyridon's role in the defense of the island, Venice legislated the annual "Litany of St. Spyridon" on August 11 as a commemoration of the event. His feast day is celebrated in the East on the Saturday before Great Lent (known as "Cheesefare Saturday") and December 12. For those Eastern Churches that follow the traditional Julian Calendar, December 12 falls on December 25 of the modern Gregorian Calendar. In the West he is commemorated on December 14.
Other
St. Spyridon is also the patron saint of the Tolstoy family. Andrei Tolstoy (fl. 15th century) chose St. Spyridon as the family's saint and he remains so in both branches. The Grand Prince of Muscovy Basil II (1425–1462) apparently gave a gold cross containing relics of the saint to Andrei. This reliquary survives and is held by the senior member of the Tolstoy family, now Nikolai Tolstoy.
Saint John of the Cross
✠ சிலுவையின் புனிதர் யோவான் ✠
(St. John of the Cross)
நிறுவனர், குரு, மறைவல்லுநர்:
(Religious Founder, Priest and Doctor of the Church)
பிறப்பு: ஜூன் 24, 1542
ஃபோண்டிவேரோஸ், அவிலா, ஸ்பெயின்
(Fontiveros, Ávila, Spain)
இறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 14, 1591 (வயது 49)
ஊபெதா, ஜயென், ஸ்பெயின்
(Úbeda, Jaén, Spain)
ஏற்கும் சபை/ சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்
(Anglican Communion)
லூத்தரன் திருச்சபை
(Lutheran Church)
அருளாளர் பட்டம்: ஜனவரி 25, 1675
திருத்தந்தை பத்தாம் கிளமன்ட்
(Pope Clement X)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: டிசம்பர் 27, 1726
திருத்தந்தை பதின்மூன்றாம் பெனடிக்ட்
(Pope Benedict XIII)
முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:
செகோவியா, ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டில் உள்ள சிலுவையின் புனித யோவானின் கல்லறை
(Tomb of Saint John of the Cross, Segovia, Spain)
நினைவுத் திருவிழா: டிசம்பர் 14
பாதுகாவல்:
தியான வாழ்வு, ஆழ்ந்த சிந்தனை, மறையியலாளர்கள், மறைமெய்ம்மையியல், ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டு கவிஞர்கள்
சிலுவையின் புனிதர் யோவான், ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்கத் திருச்சபையின் முப்பத்தியாறு மறைவல்லுனர்களுள் ஒருவர். கத்தோலிக்க மறுமலர்ச்சியில் பெரும் பங்கு வகித்த ஸ்பேனிஷ் மறையியலாளரான இவர், கார்மேல் சபைத் துறவியும் (Carmelite friar) குருவும் ஆவார். சிறந்த எழுத்தாளரும் கவிஞருமான இவரது படைப்புகள் ஸ்பேனிஷ் இலக்கியத்தில் முதன்மை இடம் பெற்றுள்ளன.
கார்மேல் சபையைச் சீர்திருத்திய இவர், புனிதர் அவிலாவின் தெரேசாவோடு இணைந்து பெண்களுக்கான கார்மேல் சபையை உருவாக்குவதில் பெரும் பங்காற்றினார். திருத்தந்தை பதின்மூன்றாம் பெனடிக்ட், கி.பி. 1726ம் ஆண்டு, இவருக்கு புனிதர் பட்டமளித்தார்.
“ஜுவான் டி யேப்ஸ் எ அல்வேரெஸ்” (Juan de Yepes y Álvarez) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இவர், ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டின் அவிலா எனும் நகருக்கு அருகே, யூத மதத்திலிருந்து கிறிஸ்தவர்களாக மாறியவர்களின் வழித்தோன்றல்களின் குடும்பமொன்றில் பிறந்தவராவார். அவிலாவில் பட்டு வியாபாரம் செய்து வந்த பெரும் செல்வந்தர் ஒருவருக்கு அவரது வியாபாரத்தில் கணக்கு வழக்கு பார்த்து வந்த “கொன்ஸாலோ” (Gonzalo) இவரது தந்தை ஆவார். ஒரு அனாதைப் பெண்ணான “கேட்டலினா” (Catalina) என்பவரை மணந்த “கொன்ஸாலோ” யோவான் பிறந்து மூன்று வயதே ஆன நிலையில் கி.பி. 1545ம் ஆண்டு, மரித்துப் போனார். இரண்டு வருடங்களின் பின்னர் யோவானின் மூத்த சகோதரரான லூயிஸும் மரித்துப் போனார்.
வாழ வழியறியாத 'கேட்டலினா' தமது இன்னொரு மகனான ஃபிரான்ஸிஸ்கோவையும், யோவானையும் அழைத்துக்கொண்டு கி.பி. 1548ம் ஆண்டு “அரேவாலோ” (Arévalo) என்னும் நகருக்குச் சென்றார். பின்னர் அங்கிருந்து கி.பி. 1551ம் ஆண்டு “மெதீனா” (Medina) சென்றார். அங்கே அவர் நெசவுத் தொழில் செய்தார்.
யோவான் மெதீனா நகரிலேயே ஆரம்பக் கல்வி கற்க ஆரம்பித்தார். அன்றாட உணவுக்கும் உடைக்கும் கஷ்டப்பட்டனர். கல்வி கற்கும்போதே அருகாமையுலுள்ள அகஸ்தீனிய துறவுச் சகோதரியரின் (Augustinian nuns) துறவு மடத்தில் உதவியாளராக பணி புரிந்தார். வளர்ந்து வந்த யோவான், அப்போது இரண்டொரு வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னரே புனித லயோலா இன்னாசியாரால் (St. Ignatius of Loyola) தொடங்கப்பட்டிருந்த புதிய சமூகமான இயேசு சபையின் பள்ளியில் “மனித நேய” கல்வி பயின்றபடியே அங்குள்ள மருத்துவமனையில் பணி புரிந்தார்.
கி.பி. 1563ம் ஆண்டு, "மத்தியாசின் புனிதர் யோவான்" (John of St. Matthias) என்று பெயர் மாற்றம் செய்தபடி கார்மேல் சபையில் இணைந்தார். கி.பி. 1564ம் ஆண்டு, “சலமான்கா” (Salamanca) பயணித்த அவர், அங்கேயுள்ள பல்கலையில் இறையியலும் தத்துவமும் பயின்றார். கி.பி. 1567ம் ஆண்டு, குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்ற யோவான், மிகவும் கடுமையான சட்ட திட்டங்களைக் கொண்ட 'கார்த்தூசியன்' (Carthusian) சபையில் இணையும் தமது விருப்பத்தை வெளியிட்டார். ஆனால், கி.பி. 1567ம் ஆண்டு, மெதீனாவுக்கு அவர் மேற்கொண்ட பயணம் இவ்விருப்பத்தை மாற்றியது. அங்கே அவர் கார்மேல் சபைத் துறவியான “இயேசுவின் தெரெசா”வைச் (Teresa of Jesus) சந்தித்தார். தெரேசாவுடன் இணைந்து பல துறவு மடங்களை தோற்றுவிக்க உதவினார்.
கி.பி. 1568ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், 28ம் நாளன்று, தமது பெயரை “சிலுவையின் யோவான்” (John of the Cross) என்று மாற்றிக்கொண்டார். கி.பி. 1574 அல்லது 1577ம் ஆண்டு, ஒருநாள் அவிலாவிலுள்ள துறவு மடத்தில் யோவான் செபித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தபோது, சிலுவையில் அறையப்பட்டிருந்த இயேசுவின் திருக்காட்சியைக் கண்டார். இக்காட்சியை அவர் ஒரு ஓவியமாக வரைந்தார். அவ்வோவியம் மிகவும் பிரபலமானது.
கி.பி. 1591ம் ஆண்டு, அக்கி என்னும் தோல் நோயால் (Erysipelas) பாதிக்கப்பட்ட யோவான், 'உபேடா' (Úbeda) என்னும் இடத்திலுள்ள துறவு மடத்திற்கு சிகிச்சைக்காக சென்றார். அங்கே அவரது நிலை மோசமானது. கி.பி. 1591ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 14ம் நாளன்று, அவர் மரித்தார்.
Also known as
• Doctor of Mystical Theology
• John della Croce
• John de la Croix
• John de la Cruz
• John vom Kreuz
• Juan de Santa María de Yepes
• Johannes av Korset
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Born in poverty. Cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina del Campo, Spain. Carmelite lay brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived more strictly than the Rule required. Studied at Salamanca, Spain. Carmelite priest, ordained in 1567 at age 25. Persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order, he took the name John of the Cross. Master of novices. Spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa's convent. His reforms did not set well with some of his brothers, and he was ordered to return to Medina del Campo. He refused, and was imprisoned at Toledo, Spain, escaping after nine months. Vicar-general of Andalusia, Spain. His reforms revitalized the Order. Great contemplative and spiritual writer. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on 24 August 1926.
Born
24 June 1542 at Fontiveros, Spain as Juan de Santa María de Yepes
Died
• 14 December 1591 at Ubeda, Andalusia, Spain of natural causes
• relics at the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Segovia, Spain
Canonized
27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
Patronage
• contemplative life, contemplatives
• mystical theology, mystics
• Spanish poets
• World Youth Day 2011
• Segovia, Spain
• Ta' Xbiex, Malta
Blessed János Brenner
Also known as
• Brother Anasztáz
• Brother Anastasius
• The Hungarian Tarcisius
Profile
As a child, János attended schools run by Cistercians until the schools were nationalized by the post-World War II communist government. He felt drawn to the Cistercians, and entered as a novice in Zirc, Hungary in 1950, taking the name Brother Anasztáz. But a few months later the communists began suppressing religious orders and houses, and Brother Anastasius had to continue his vocation from private residences, and then from the seminary where he studied for the priesthood; he continued his Cistercian training via correspondence. Cistercian friar. Ordained a priest in the diocese of Szombathely, Hungary in 1955. Noted for his youth mininstry, which drew the ire of the atheist government. His bishop offered to move him somewhere safer and out of the limelight, but Father János declined. On the night of 14 December 1957, Father Brenner received a request to give last rites to a sick person; it was a lie, meant to draw him out where he could be ambushed and murdered. Martyr.
Born
17 December 1931 in Szombathely, Vas, Hungary
Died
• stabbed 32 times during the night of 14–15 December 1957 in a wooded area of Zsida, Szengotthárd, Vas, Hungary
• when he was found in the morning, he was still holding the Eucharist from his sick call kit
• the Chapel of the Good Pastor was built in 1989 on the spot where he died; it has the surplice he was wearing when he was murdered
Beatified
• 1 May 2018 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at Emlékmu-domb (Monument Hill), Szombathely, Hungary, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Mary Frances Schervier
Also known as
Franziska Schervier
Profile
Daughter of Johann Heinrich Schervier, a wealthy needle-factory owner and vice-mayor of Aachen, Germany, and Maria Louise Migeon; god-daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria. She ran her father's household at age 16 after the death of her mother and two older sisters to tuberculosis, and had a reputation for generosity to the poor. In 1844 she became a Secular Franciscan, and in 1845 she and four companions established a religious community devoted to caring for the poor. This group, Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis, was approved by their bishop on 2 July 1851.
Their first community in the United States was founded 1858, and Mother Frances visited in 1863 to help her sisters nurse wounded Civil War soldiers. She visited the United States again in 1868, encouraging Philip Hoever in his establishment of the Brothers of the Poor of Saint Francis, and overseeing the foundation of several hospitals.
Mother Frances was cured of asthma in 1870 by making a pilgrimage to the healing waters of Lourdes. At her death, there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide, and the numbers continue to grow as they operate hospitals and homes for the aged.
Born
3 January 1819 at Aachen, Germany
Died
14 December 1876 at Aachen Germany of natural causes
Beatified
28 April 1974 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy
Saint Venantius Fortunatus
Also known as
Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus
Profile
Born to a pagan family, Venantius converted to Christianity when still quite young. He grew up in Aquileia, Italy, and studied grammar, rhetoric, and law at Ravenna, Italy. While a student he became nearly blind, but recovered his sight by anointing his eyes with oil from a lamp that burned before the altar of Saint Martin of Tours. In gratitude to Saint Martin, he made a pilgrimage to Tours via the area of modern Germany, making the journey from about 565 to 567. In Tours he became a close friend of the bishop. Lived in the Loire Valley for while, then settled near Poitiers, France. During his travels he often paid for his supper by reciting poetry, singing, or making up rhymes on the spot. From 567 to 587 he counseled a local community of nuns on matters spiritual and financial. Priest. Advisor and secretary of Queen Saint Radegunde, wife of King Clotaire I. Bishop of Poitiers c.600.
A wanderer up to then, when Venantius became a bishop he became a model of temperance and stability, and was known for his love of food and friends and joy. He wrote hymns, essays, funeral elegies, homilies, and metrical lives of the saints including Saint Martin of Tours (which runs to 2,243 hexameter lines), Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Germanus of Paris, Saint Albinus of Angers, Saint Paternus of Avranches, Saint Marcellus of Paris, and Saint Radegunde. His poetry and songs often concerned daily life and work and people and politics, and have become a valuable resource for historians of the era. He is considered the last of the Gallic Latin poets, and one of the first Christian poets to write works devoted to Mary.
Born
c.535 at Treviso, Italy
Died
c.605 at Poitiers, Gaul (in modern France) of natural causes
Works
• Hail to Thee, Festival Day
• Praise the Savior, Now and Ever
• See The Destined Day Arise
• The Royal Banners Forward Go
• Welcome, Happy Morning
Saint Yusuf Jurj Kassab al-Hardini
புனிதர் நிமதுல்லா யூஸ்ஸேஃப் கஸ்ஸாப் அல்-ஹர்டினி
(St. Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini)
துறவி, மதகுரு மற்றும் ஒப்புரவாளர் :
(Monk, Priest, and Confessor)
பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1808
ஹர்தின், வட கவர்னோரெட், லெபனான்
(Hardine, North Governorate, Lebanon)
இறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 14, 1858
புனிதர்கள் ஸிப்ரியான் மற்றும் ஜஸ்டினா துறவு இல்லம், க்ஃபிஃபன், பெட்ரௌன் ஜில்லா, லெபனான்
(Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina Kfifan, Batroun District, Lebanon)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: மே 10, 1998
திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பால்
(Pope John Paul II)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: மே 16, 2004
திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பால்
(Pope John Paul II)
முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:
புனிதர்கள் ஸிப்ரியான் மற்றும் ஜஸ்டினா துறவு இல்லம், க்ஃபிஃபன், பெட்ரௌன் ஜில்லா, லெபனான்
(Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina Kfifan, Batroun District, Lebanon)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: டிசம்பர் 14
பாதுகாவல்:
பெய்ரூட், லெபனான்
(Beirut, Lebanon)
"யூஸ்ஸேஃப் கஸ்ஸாப்" (Youssef Kassab) என்ற இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட "புனிதர் நிமதுல்லா யூஸ்ஸேஃப் கஸ்ஸாப் அல்-ஹர்டினி" ஒரு லெபனான் தேசத்து துறவியும் (Lebanese monk), மத குருவும், "மரோனைட்" திருச்சபையின் அறிஞரும் (Scholar of the Maronite Church) ஆவார். இவர் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் புனிதர் ஆவார்.
கி.பி. 1808ம் ஆண்டு, லெபனான் நாட்டின் ஹர்தின், வட கவர்னோரெட் என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்த இவரது தந்தை பெயர் “ஜார்ஜ் கஸ்ஸாப்” (George Kassab) ஆகும். "மரோனைட்" திருச்சபையின் ஒரு மத குருவின் மகளான “மரியம் ராட்” (Marium Raad) இவரது தாயார் ஆவார். இத்தம்பதியினருக்கு பிறந்த ஏழு குழந்தைகளில் ஒருவர்தான் யூஸ்ஸேஃப் கஸ்ஸாப்.
இவர், தமது ஆரம்ப கல்வியை "ஹௌப்" (Houb) என்ற இடத்திலுள்ள 'லெபனீய மரோனைட் திருச்சபை' நடத்திய "புனிதர் அந்தோனியார் துறவு மடத்தில்" (Monastery of St. Anthony) பயின்றார்.
கி.பி. 1822ம் ஆண்டு, ஆரம்ப கல்வியை பூர்த்தி செய்த இவர், துறவறப் புகுநிலையின் கல்வி (Novitiate) கற்பதற்காக "கோஸயா" (Qozhaya) என்ற இடத்திலுள்ள "புனிதர் அந்தோனியார் துறவு மடத்தில்" சேர்ந்தார். கி.பி. 1828ம் ஆண்டு அக்கல்வியைப் பூர்த்தி செய்த இவர், "நிமதுல்லா" என்ற பெயரை தமது துறவு பெயராக பெற்றார். இப்பெயரிலேயே நாம் தற்போது இவரை அறிகிறோம்.
இவரது ஆரம்ப கால துறவு வாழ்க்கையில் துறவு மடாதிபதி இவருக்கு புத்தகங்களை பிணைக்கும் (Binding Books) பணிகளை ஒதுக்கினார். அத்துடன், செபம் மற்றும் ஒருத்தல்களிலேயே இவர் காலம் கழித்தார். பல வேளைகளில், துறவு மடத்தின் ஆலயத்தில் முழு இரவுகளையும் நற்கருணை ஆராதனையில் கழித்தார்.
நிமதுல்லா தமது மத பணிகளின் சத்தியப் பிரமாண வாக்குகளை கி.பி. 1830ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், 14ம் தேதியன்று ஏற்றார். அதன் பிறகு, குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவிற்கான உயர்கல்வி கற்க "க்ஃபிஃபன்" என்ற இடத்திலுள்ள "புனிதர்கள் சிப்ரியான் மற்றும் ஜாஸ்டினா" துறவு மடத்திற்கு (Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan) அனுப்பப்பட்டார். கி.பி. 1833ம் ஆண்டு, கிறிஸ்துமஸ் தினத்தன்று குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்ற இவர், குருத்துவ மாணவர்களுக்கு கல்வி கற்பிக்கும் பணியில் அமர்த்தப்பட்டார். அத்துடன் குருத்துவ மாணவர்களின் இயக்குனராகவும் நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்.
ஒரு துறவியாக, நிமதுல்லா தமது வாழ்நாள் முழுதும் செபத்திலும் தாம் சார்ந்திருந்த சபையின் சேவையிலுமே கழித்தார். தமது பின்வந்த துறவியருக்கு பொறுமை மற்றும் சகிப்புத்தன்மையில் முன்மாதிரியாக விளங்கினார்.
கி.பி. 1858ம் ஆண்டு, நோயில் வீழ்ந்த நியமதுல்லா இரண்டு வாரகால ஜூரத்தின் பின்னர் மரித்தார். இவரது உடல் மறு அடக்கத்திற்காக தோண்டி எடுக்கப்பட்டபோது, அது கெடாமல் முழுமையாக இருக்கக் கண்டு, அவரது சக துறவிகள் வியந்துபோயினர். இவரால் பற்பல அற்புதங்கள் நிகழ்ந்ததாக நம்பப்படுகின்றது.
Also known as
• Nimatullah al-Hardini
• Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini
Profile
Educated by the monks of San Antonio Aban. Lebanese Maronite monk in Batrun, Lebanon in 1828, taking the name Father Nimatullah. Worked as a bookbinder of religious works for his house. Ordained in 1833. Spiritual director and novice master in his house, and chosen to be part of the General Council of the Maronite Order. Spiritual teacher of Saint Charbel Mahklouf. Know for the zeal of his faith, his devotion to Christ and Mary, and his deep prayer life.
Born
1808 in Hardine, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
Died
• 14 December 1858 in Kfifan, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
• incorrupt remains at the monastery at Kfifan
Canonized
16 May 2004 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Nicasius of Rheims
Profile
Brother of Saint Eutropia. Bishop of Rheims, France, and founder of its basilica. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, an invasion he saw in a vision.
Died
• beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France in the doorway of his church, trying to slow the barbarians so his parishioners could escape
• buried at the church of the Saint-Nicaise monastery
• the monastery was destroyed during the French Revolution, and his remaining relics re-located to the cathedral of Rheim
Patronage
• against eye disease
• against mice
• Rheims, France
Blessed John Discalceat
Also known as
• John Descalzo
• John Discalceatus
Profile
Stone mason. Franciscan. Priest. Pastor of Saint Gregoire, Rennes, France, where he attended to his duties barefooted. Had a special ministry to the sick and the poor.
Born
c.1278 in Saint-Vougay, Finistère, diocese of Saint Paul-de-Lon, Brittany, France
Died
• 15 December 1349 of plague at Saint John's monastery, Quimper, Finistère, Brittany, France
• buried in the chapel of San Antonio at his monastery
• his tomb became known as a place of healing miracles, especially for head pain
Beatified
4 April 1989 by Pope John Paul II (cultus confirmation)
Saint Agnellus of Naples
#புனித_ஆக்னலூஸ் (-596)
டிசம்பர் 14
இவர் (#St_AgnellusOfNepals) இத்தாலியைச் சார்ந்தவர்.
தனது வாழ்வை ஒரு துறவியாகத் தொடங்கிய இவர், இறைவன்மீது ஆழமான நம்பிக்கை கொண்டு வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்.
ஒருமுறை மூர் இனத்தவர் இத்தாலியின்மீது படையெடுத்து வந்தபோது, இவர் தன்னுடைய கையில் வைத்திருந்த சிலுவையைக் கொண்டு எதிரிகளை விரட்டி அடித்தார். இதனால் இவருக்கு மக்கள் நடுவில் மிகுந்த மதிப்பு ஏற்பட்டது.
சாதாரண ஒரு துறவியாக இருந்த இவர், தனது முன்மாதிரியான வாழ்க்கையால் மடத்தின் தலைவரானார்.
இப்படி இறைவன்மீது மிகுந்த பற்றுக்கொண்டு, பலருக்கும் முன்மாதிரியாய் வாழ்ந்த இவர், 596 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்.
Profile
Hermit near Naples, Italy. Monk. Abbot of San Gaudioso monastery at Abtini, Italy. Reported to be a miraculous protector of Naples during the Saracen invasions, turning aside invaders by showing the cross.
Born
535 in Naples, Italy
Died
14 December 596 in Naples, Italy of natural causes
Patronage
• against invaders
• Naples, Italy
Blessed Castino
Also known as
Castissimo
Profile
Franciscan friar and missionary. In the latter 13th century, he and Blessed Cesorio da Spira were sent by Saint Francis of Assisi to spread the Franciscan Order into Germany. Near Munich, he took over an old chapel dedicated to Saint James and used it as the base for his preaching in the region. He founded a convent near it for those who felt called to Franciscan life. When the Poor Clares arrived in the area, he turned it over to them for their work, and founded another convent for the friars.
Died
1292 of natural causes
Saint Viator of Bergamo
Also known as
• Viater of Bergamo
• Viateur of Bergamo
Profile
Disciple of the Apostles. Bishop of Bergamo, Italy.
Died
c.78
Patronage
catechists
Blessed Buenaventura Bonaccorsi
Also known as
• Buenaventura of Pistoia
• Bonaventura...
Profile
Experienced a conversion experience after hearing Saint Philip Benizi preach in Pistoia, Italy. Joined the Servites and worked as a peace-maker between the warring factions and city-states of Italy.
Died
1315 at Orvieto, Tuscany, Italy
Blessed Protasi Cubells Minguell
Profile
Member of the Hospitallers of Saint John of God. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
Born
27 December 1880 in Coll de Nargó, Lleida, Spain
Died
14 December 1936 in Barcelona, Spain
Beatified
25 October 1992 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed William de Rovira
Profile
Mercedarian monk at the monastery of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Tortosa, Spain. Noted for his zealous faith and observance of the Rule of his Order, and his deep prayer life.
Saint John Bread-and-Water
Also known as
John Pan y Agua
Profile
Benedictine Cistercian lay-brother at Sangra menia abbey, Spain. Received his nickname due to his life-long bread-and-water fast.
Died
c.1150 of natural causes
Saint Eutropia of Rheims
Profile
Sister of Saint Nicasius. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France. She attacked her brother's murderer, and was immediately killed.
Died
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
Saint Matronianus of Milan
Also known as
Matronian
Profile
Hermit.
Born
Milan, Italy
Died
relics enshrined by Saint Ambrose of Milan in the church of San Nazario
Saint Folcuino of Therouanne
Also known as
Folquin
Profile
Bishop in the area of Thérouanne, northern France for 39 years.
Died
c.955 in Morini, France
Saint Abundius of Spain
Profile
Martyr.
Died
• 283 in Spain
• first burned at the stake, but when the flames would not touch him he was beheaded
Saint Justus of Spain
Profile
Martyr.
Died
• 283 in Spain
• first burned at the stake, but when the flames would not touch him he was beheaded
Saint Florentius of Rheims
Profile
Deacon. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France.
Died
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
Saint Jucundus of Rheims
Profile
Lector. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France.
Died
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
Saint Pompeius of Pavia
Profile
Bishop of Pavia, Italy. Some records indicate his martyrdom, others not.
Died
c.290
Martyrs of Alexandria
Profile
A group of Egyptian Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Decius - Arsenius, Dioscurus, Heron and Isidore.
Died
burned to death in 250 at Alexandria, Egypt
Martyrs of Apollonia
Profile
Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. The only surviving details are three names - Callinicus, Leucio and Tirso.
Died
Apollonia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)
Martyrs of Ashkelon
Profile
Several pilgrims from Egypt to Cilicia (in modern Turkey) who planned to minister to fellow Christians suffering in the persecutions of emperor Maximinus. They were arrested, torture, mutilated and then imprisoned in Ashkelon. Some were ordered to forced labour in the mines, but we have the names of three who were martyred by order of governor Firmilian - Ares, Elijah and Promo.
Died
burned at the stake or beheaded at the gates of Ashkelon c.308
Martyrs of Hayle
Profile
Several Christians, including a brother and sister, who were martyred together by pagans. The only other information to survive are the names of the two siblings - Fingar and Phiala.
Died
5th century at Hayle, Cornwall, England
Martyrs of Syria
Profile
Three Christians who were martyred together. Known to Saint John Chrysostom who preached on their feast day, and left us the only details we have - their names - Drusus, Theodore and Zosimus.
Died
date unknown, in Syria, possibly in Antioch
