இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் பெப்ரவரி 19

 Blessed Alvarez of Cordova

Also known as

• Alvarez of Zamora

• Albaro, Alvaro

Profile

Alvarez joined the Dominicans at Cordova, Spain in 1368. Renowned and well-travelled preacher, well known in Andalusia and Italy. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Preached Crusade. Personal confessor, spiritual guide and political advisor to Queen Catherine. In charge of the education of young King John II. Opposed the Avignon pope Peter de Luna. Reformed many of the practices common at court.

Founded Escalaceli (Ladder of Heaven), a Dominican house of strict observance in the mountains around Cordova; it became a well known center of piety and learning. Alvarez spent his days there preaching, teaching, begging alms in the street, and spending his nights in prayer. In the gardens of the house he set up a series of oratories with images of the Holy Lands and Passion, similar to modern Stations of the Cross.

There are many wonderful stories attatched to Alvarez, which include:

• Angels are reported to have helped built Escalaceli, moving stone and wooden building materials to the site during the night, placing them where workmen could easily get them during the day.

• Once when the entire food stocks for the house consisted of a single head of lettuce, he gathered all the brothers at table, gave thanks for the meal, and sent the porter to the door; the porter found a stanger leading a mule loaded with food. After unloading the mule, the stranger and the animal disappeared.

• Alvarez once found a beggar dying alone in the street. He wrapped the poor man in his own cloak, and carried him back to Escalaceli. When he arrived at the house and unwrapped the cloak, instead of man, he found a crucifix. It still hangs in Escalaceli.

• A bell in the chapel with Alvarez's relics rings by itself just before the death of anyone in the house.

• Attempts were made to move Alvarez's relics to Cordova, but each try led to violent storms that kept the travellers bottled up until they gave up their task, leave the bones where they are.

Born

Lisbon, Portugal or Cordova, Spain (sources vary)

Died

c.1430 at Escalaceli near Cordova, Spain of natural causes, and buried there

Beatified

22 September 1741 by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmed)

Saint Conrad of Piacenza

பியாசென்சா நகர் புனிதர் கான்ராட் 

ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் மூன்றாம் நிலை துறவி, யாத்திரீகர்:

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1290

கலேண்டாஸ்கோ நகர், தூய ரோம பேரரசு

இறப்பு: ஃபெப்ரவரி 19, 1351

நோடோ, சிசிலி அரசு

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: கி.பி. 1515

திருத்தந்தை பத்தாம் லியோ

புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஜூன் 2, 1625

திருத்தந்தை எட்டாம் அர்பன்

முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:

புனித நிக்கோலஸ் பேராலயம், நோடோ,

சிராகஸ் பிராந்தியம், இத்தாலி

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 19

பாதுகாவல்:

குடலிறக்க நோய்கள் குணமாதல், கலேண்டாஸ்கோ, நோடோ

புனிதர் கான்ராட், செய்த பிழைக்கு மனம் வருந்தும் – வருத்தம் தெரிவிக்கும், "புனிதர் ஃபிரான்ஸிசின் மூன்றாம் நிலை துறவற சபையின் (Third Order of St. Francis), இத்தாலி நாட்டின் துறவியாவார்.

"கொர்ராடோ கான்ஃபலோனியேரி" (Corrado Confalonieri) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இவர், நகரின் முக்கிய பிரபுக்கள் குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர் ஆவார். தம்மைப் போன்றே பிரபுக்கள் குடும்பமொன்றில் பிறந்த இளம் பெண்ணான "எஃப்ரோஸின்" (Ephrosyne) என்பவரை தமது இளம் வயதிலேயே திருமணம் செய்துகொண்டார். எல்லா இளைஞர்களைப் போலவே வாழ்க்கை இனிமையாக சென்றது.

ஒருநாள் தமது வீட்டின் அதிகார வரம்புக்குள்ளேயே வழக்கமான பொழுதுபோக்கு அம்சமாக இவர் விளையாடும் வேட்டையின்போது, புதர்களினூடே இருக்கும் ஜீவராசிகள் வெளிவரும் என்பதற்காக, தமக்கு துணையாக வந்த பணியாளர்களிடம் பக்கத்திலுள்ள புதர்களுக்கு தீமூட்ட சொன்னார். எதிர்பாராவிதமாக காற்று திசை மாறி வீசவே, சிறு தீ பக்கத்திலுள்ள வயல்வெளிகளுக்கு பரவி, பின்னர் அருகாமையிலுள்ள காட்டில் பரவியது. அங்கிருந்து உடனேயே தப்பி ஓடினார் கொர்ராடோ.

ஒன்றுமறியா அப்பாவியான விவசாயி ஒருவர் குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டு சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். குற்றத்தை ஒப்புக்கொள்ளும்படி துன்புறுத்தப்பட்டார். பின்னர் மரண தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டார்.

கொர்ராடோ பகிரங்கமாக தமது தவறை ஒப்புக்கொண்டார். அப்பாவி விவசாயியின் உயிரைக் காப்பாற்றினார். ஏற்பட்ட நஷ்டங்களுக்கு நஷ்டஈடாக அவரது சொத்துக்கள் அனைத்தையும் நகர நிர்வாகம் பறிமுதல் செய்துகொண்டது.

திடீரென ஏழ்மை நிலைமைக்கு தள்ளப்பட்டதாலும், கொர்ராடோ'வின் கோழைத்தனத்துக்கு ஈடு செய்யும் சுய தண்டனை முயற்சியாகவும் கொர்ராடோ'வும் அவரது மனைவியும் இந்நிகழ்வில் ஆண்டவரின் கைகளைக் கண்டனர். இதன் விளைவாக, கி.பி. 1315ம் ஆண்டு, கொர்ராடோ'வும் அவரது மனைவியும் பிரிய முடிவு செய்தனர்.

கொர்ராடோ மூன்றாம் நிலை ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் (Franciscan tertiaries) துறவியர் சபையில் இணைந்தார். "எஃப்ரோஸின்" “எளிய கிளாராவின் சபை” (Order of Poor Clares) எனும் பெண்களுக்கான துறவியர் இல்லத்தில் இணைந்து துறவியானார். தூய்மைக்கான கொர்ராடோ'வின் கீர்த்தி வேகமாக பரவியது. அவரைக் காண வரும் மக்கள் கூட்டம் அதிகமாக அதிகமாக அவரது தனிமை அழிக்கப்பட்டது. இதன் காரணமாக தமது யாத்திரையைத் தொடங்கினார். முதலில் ரோம் நகருக்கு சென்ற அவர், அங்கிருந்து புனித பூமிக்கும், மால்ட்டாவுக்கும் சென்றார். அதன் பிறகு சுமார் கி.பி. 1340ம் ஆண்டு, சிசிலியிலுள்ள ஒரு தொலைவான இடமான "பலெர்மோ'வுக்கு" (Palermo) சென்ற கொர்ராடோ, 11 வருடங்கள் தமக்காகவும் உலகத்துக்காகவும் செபத்தில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தார்.

செபமும் தவமுமே அவரைச் சூழ்ந்திருந்த தூண்டுதல்களுக்கு பதில் என்பதை கண்டறிந்த கான்ராட், தாம் ஏற்கனவே தீர்க்கதரிசனமாக கூறியபடியே, கி.பி. 1351ம் ஆண்டு, ஃபெப்ரவரி மாதம், 19ம் தேதியன்று, சிலுவையாண்டவரின் முன்னே முழங்கால்படியிட்டு செபிக்கையில் மரணமடைந்தார். அவருடைய உடல், அவரது வேண்டுகோளின்படி, நகரிலுள்ள தூய நிக்கோலஸ் (Church of St. Nicholas) தேவாலயத்தில் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டது.

Also known as

• Conrad of Noto

• Conrad Confalonieri

• Corrado, Currau, Kerrew

Profile

Born to the nobility. Married to Euphrosyne, the daughter of a nobleman; the two led a pious life in the world. One day while hunting, Conrad ordered attendants to set fire to some brush in order to flush out the game. A strong wind carried the flames to nearby fields, forests, towns and villages, and Conrad fled in panic. An innocent peasant was imprisoned, tortured into a confession and condemned to death for the fire. Remorseful, Conrad stepped forward to confess, saving the man. He then paid for the damaged property, selling nearly all he owned in order to raise the cash.

Conrad and his wife saw the hand of God in the dramatic events, and chose to give the poor everything they had left. They then separated, she to a Poor Clare monastery, he to a group of Franciscan tertiary hermits. Conrad lived such a life of piety that his reputation for holiness spread quickly. He had the gift of healing. Visitors destroyed his solitude, so he fled to a the valley of Noto, Italy in Sicily where he lived 36 years in prayer as a hermit.

Legend says that when the Bishop of Syracuse visited him, the bishop asked if Conrad had anything to offers guests. Conrad said he would check in his cell. He returned carrying newly made cakes, which the bishop accepted as a miracle. Conrad returned the bishop's visit, and made a general confession to him. As he arrived, he was surrounded by fluttering birds, who escorted him back to Noto.

Born

c.1290 at Piacenza, Italy

Died

• 19 February 1351 at Noto, Sicily of natural causes while kneeling before a crucifix

• body found incorrupt in 1485

Canonized

• relics formally enshrined in 1485, indicating a local cultus

• in 1515 Pope Leo X approved the celebration of his feast by the town of Noto, Italy

• in 1625 Pope Urban VIII approved celebration by all Franciscans

Saint Quodvultdeus

Additional Memorials

• 8 January (calendar of Carthage)

• 28 November (as one of the Martyrs of North Africa)

Profile

Fifth century North African church father. Known to have been living in Carthage c.407. Deacon c.421. Friend, spiritual student and correspondent with Saint Augustine of Hippo who dedicated some of his writings to Quodvultdeus. Bishop of Carthage. When Carthage was invaded by Arian Vandals under Genseric, Quodvultdeus and the bulk of his priests were loaded onto non-seaworthy ships and sent into exile, and an Arian patriarch was installed as bishop. Though they should have sank, the ship carried the Quodvultdeus and his men to safety to Naples. Quodvultdeus continued his ministry, fought the Pelagian heresy in Campagna, but never made it back to North Africa. The Arians would not permit a Catholic bishop to be appointed to Carthage for the next 15 years.

Born

late 4th century

Died

c.450 in Naples, Italy

Blessed John Sullivan

Profile

Son of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and raised in the Church of Ireland; his mother was Catholic. Successful barrister in Dublin, Ireland. When his father died in 1885, he inherited the family fortune, quit his career, travelled, and became known as the best dressed man in Dublin.

During his travels he spent several months at an Orthodox monastery, and considered joining the Orthodox Church and the brotherhood, but upon his return to Ireland he converted to Catholicism, joining the Church in 1896. Joined the Jesuits on 7 September 1900. Ordained on 28 July 1907. Professor at Clongowes Wood College where he was considered an indifferent teacher but received the gift of miraculous healing. Visited thousands of the sick in hospital, their homes and at the school.

Born

8 May 1861 in Dublin, Ireland

Died

19 February 1933 at Saint Vincent's Nursing Home in Dublin, Ireland of natural causes

Beatified

• 13 May 2017 by Pope Francis

• the beatification miracle involved the healing of a young boy named Michael Collins; Michael was paralyzed; Father John healed him by touching his leg and praying over him for two hours

• beatification recognition celebrated in the Saint Francis Xavier Church, Dublin, Ireland, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Barbatus of Benevento

பெனவெண்ட்டோ நகர் புனிதர் பார்பட்டஸ் 

பெனவெண்ட்டோ நகர் ஆயர்:

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 610

வண்டனோ, செர்ரேட்டோ சன்னிடா, இத்தாலி

இறப்பு: ஃபெப்ரவரி 19, 682

பெனவெண்ட்டோ, இத்தாலி

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 19

பாதுகாவல்:

பெனவெண்ட்டோ

புனிதர் பார்பட்டஸ், கி.பி. 663ம் ஆண்டு முதல், 682ம் ஆண்டு வரை “பெனவெண்ட்டோ” மறை மாவட்டத்தின் (Bishop of Benevento) ஆயராக பணியாற்றியவர் ஆவார். ஆயர் "ஹில்டேர்ப்ரண்ட்" (Hildebrand) என்பவருக்குப் பிறகு ஆயராக பதவியேற்ற இவர், "மோனோதெளிட்டஸ்" (Monothelites) என்பவ்ருக்கெதிராக திருத்தந்தை அகதோ'வால் (Pope Agatho) கி.பி. 680 மற்றும் 681ம் ஆண்டுகளில் நடத்தப்பட்ட மூன்றாம் கான்ஸ்டண்டினோபில் பேரவையில் (Third Council of Constantinople) உதவிகள் புரிய அழைக்கப்பட்டு அதில் பங்கேற்றார்.

பின்னாளில் எழுதப்பட்ட இவரது புனித வாழ்க்கையின்படி, இவர் கிறிஸ்தவ கல்வி கற்றார். சிறந்த வகையில் கிறிஸ்தவ நூல்களைக் கற்பதில் காலத்தை செலவிட்டார். விரைவிலேயே குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்ற இவர், உள்ளூர் ஆயரால் மறை போதகராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்.

அக்காலத்தில், பெனவெண்ட்டோ நகர மக்கள் "பாகனிசம்" (Paganism) என்று சொல்லப்படும் பல தெய்வ வணக்கம் செலுத்தும் வழக்கம் கொண்டவர்களாயிருந்தனர். அவர்கள் தங்க விரியன் பாம்பு மற்றும் உள்ளூர் மரம் ஒன்றினை பூஜிக்கும் வழக்கம் கொண்டிருந்தனர். இவற்றை பார்பட்டஸ் தீவிரமாக எதிர்த்தார். உள்ளூர் "லொம்பார்ட்" (Lombard) இன இளவரசனான "முதலாம் ரோமுவால்ட்" (Romuald I) உட்பட இவ்வழக்கங்களில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தனர். பார்பட்டஸ் தொடர்ந்து தமது மறை போதனைகளை செய்துகொண்டிருந்தார்.

நகர மக்களிடம், தாங்கள் இப்பழக்க வழக்கங்களை கைவிடவில்லையெனில், பெரும் சோதனைகளை சந்திக்க நேரிடும் என்றும், கிழக்கு ரோமப் பேரரசன் இரண்டாம் காண்ஸ்டன்ஸ் (East Roman Emperor Constans II) மற்றும் அவரது இராணுவத்தினரால் துன்புருவீர்கள் என்றும் பார்பட்டஸ் எச்சரித்தார். அவர் தீர்க்கதரிசனமாக முன்மொழிந்தது போலவே கிழக்கு ரோமப் பேரரசனின் படைகள் பெனவெண்ட்டோ நகரை முற்றுகையிட்டன. பல்வேறு கஷ்ட நஷ்டங்களால் துன்புற்ற மக்கள், பார்பட்டஸ் எதிர்த்த பழக்க வழக்கங்கள் அத்தனையையும் துறந்தனர். அவர்கள் பூஜித்த உள்ளூர் மரத்தை பார்பட்டஸ் வெட்டி வீழ்த்தினார். தங்க விரியன் பாம்பினை தீயிலிட்டு உருக்கினார். பின்னர், பார்பட்டஸ் முன்மொழிந்தபடியே “காண்ஸ்டன்ஸ்” படைகள் தோல்வியுற்று பின்வாங்கின.

பெனவெண்ட்டோ நகர ஆயராக இருந்த "ஹில்டேப்ரென்ட்" (Hildebrand) “காண்ஸ்டன்ஸ்” படைகளின் முற்றுகையின்போது மரணமடைந்தார். முற்றுகையாளர்கள் பின்வாங்கிச் சென்றதன் பின்னர், கி.பி. 633ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், பத்தாம் நாள், பார்பட்டஸ் ஆயராக அருட்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார். இந்த சந்தர்ப்பத்தினை சரியாக பயன்படுத்திக்கொண்ட பார்பட்டஸ், உள்ளூர் "லொம்பார்ட்" (Lombard) இன இளவரசனும் உள்ளூர் மக்களும் மறைத்து வைத்திருந்த "பாகனிச" (Paganism) பொருட்கள் அனைத்தையும் அழித்தார்.

திருத்தந்தை அகதோ'வால் (Pope Agatho) கி.பி. 680 மற்றும் 681ம் ஆண்டுகளில் நடத்தப்பட்ட “மூன்றாம் கான்ஸ்டண்டினோபில் பேரவையில்” (Third Council of Constantinople) உதவிகள் புரிந்த இவர், பேரவை முடிந்த சிறிது காலத்திலேயே, திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் லியோவின் (Pope St. Leo II) ஆட்சி காலத்தில், தமது சுமார் எழுபது வயதில் மரணமடைந்தார்.

Also known as

Barbas, Barbato

Profile

Priest at an early age. Fiery preacher whose flock turned on him because of his zeal; he finally resigned his parish and returned home. There he fought against a resurgent paganism involving the worship of a golden viper and animal skin hung in a tree. For unrelated reasons, the army of Emperor Constans, besieged Benevento; the locals soon listened to the preacher, renounced their errors, and stopped their idolatrous practices. Barbatus assured them that the siege would end; it did. The saint cut down the tree with his own hand, and melted down the golden viper to make a chalice for the altar. Bishop on 10 March 663. Eradicated superstition in the state. Assisted in a council called by Pope Agatho at Rome, Italy in 680. Attended the Sixth General Council held at Constantinople against the Monothelites in 681.

Born

c.610 at Benevento, Italy

Died

29 February 682 at Benevento, Italy of natural causes

Blessed Józef Zaplata

Also known as

prisoner P22099

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Born to a poor farm family, and never made it past elementary school. Served in the army. Joined the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1927, making his first profession on 8 September 1928 and his solemn vows on 10 March 1938 in Poznan, Poland. Served in the office of the archbishop of Poznan. Sacristan of the church of Saint Elizabeth in Lwów, Poland (modern Lviv, Ukraine). Arrested by the Gestapo, he was deported and imprisoned at the concentration camps of Mauthausen, then Gusen and finally Dachau. He contracted a fatal case of typhus when he volunteered to care for other prisoners who were suffering from the disease. Martyr.

Born

5 March 1904 in Jerka, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Died

19 February 1945 at the Nazi concentration camp Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany of typhus and abuse

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Elizabeth of Mantua

Also known as

• Elizabeth Batholomea Picenardi

• Elisabeth Picenardi of Mantua

• Bartolomea Picenardi

• Elisabetta...

Profile

Born wealthy. Received some formal education, instruction in meditation by her mother, and was taught Latin by her father so she could read the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her mother died when Elizabeth was young, and she and a sister joined the third order of the Servites. Elizabeth was noted for her holiness, humility and gentleness, and she attracted many other young women to the Servites, many of whom formed a community under Elizabeth's direction.

Born

1428 at Mantua, Italy

Died

• 19 February 1468 of natural causes

• miracles reported at her tomb

Beatified

10 November 1804 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation)

Blessed Frederick of Hirsau

Profile

Born to the Swabian nobility. Benedictine monk at Einsideln, Germany. First abbot of the reconstructed Hirsau monastery in the Black Forest area on 7 March 1066. During his short abbacy, the house began its rise to become famed for the piety and learning of its brothers. However, Frederick's insistence on strict adherence to the Benedictine Rule caused some of the monks to slander him and have him deposed in 1069. He stayed on for a while as a monk, but eventually retired to Ebersberg monastery near Heidelberg, Germany.

Born

early 11th century Swabia (in modern Germany)

Died

8 May 1071 at the Ebersburg monastery near Heidelberg, Germany of natural causes

Saint Boniface of Lausanne

Also known as

• Boniface of Brussels

• Boniface of Losanna

• Bonifacio...

Profile

Educated at the Universities of Paris, France. Cistercian monk at Cambre Abbey near Brussels, Belgium. Noted for his learning, he taught at universities in Paris, France from 1222 to 1229, and then in Cologne, Germany from 1229 to 1231. Bishop of Lausanne, Switzerland in 1231. One of the bishops at the First Council of Lyon. In his later years he retired to his old monastery of Cambre to spend his latter days as a prayerful monk.

Born

1183 in Brussels, Belgium

Died

1260 at La Cambre Abbey, Brussels, Belgium of natural causes

Canonized

1702 by Pope Clement XI

Saint Lucia Yi Zhenmei

Also known as

Luqi, Lucy

Profile

Lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. She was the youngest child in her family, and grew up loving to read and learn; her mother taught her to spin. She served as a catechist in her parish; her priest asked her to use that experence to teach in the local school. When the family moved so her brother could study medicine, her new priest asked her to continue teaching, and to include adult women, as well. When her mother died, Lucia decided to support the work of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, which led to her death with them. One of the Martyrs of Guizhou.

Born

17 January 1815 in Mainyang, Sichuan, China

Died

beheaded on 19 January 1862 by Kaiyang, Guizhou, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Cumiano of Bobbio

Also known as

Cuimino, Cumino, Cummiano

Profile

Monk at the monastery of San Colombano in Bobbio, Italy. He was known for his personal piety, as a peacemaker, and for his devotion to the Rule of his Order; he set a proper example Christian life, and served as counselor to many in the region during the time of the Lombard Kingdom.

Born

7th century Ireland

Died

• c.735 of natural causes

• buried in the lower church in Bobbio, Italy in a sepulcher built by King Liutprand who greatly admired Cumiano's piety

Canonized

by Pope Leo XII (cultus confirmation and extension to the diocese of Bobbio, Italy)

Saint Mansuetus of Milan

Also known as

• Mansuetus Savelli

• Mansueto...

Additional Memorial

2 September (Ambrosian Rite)

Profile

Born to the Italian nobility. Archbishop of Milan, Italy c.672. He revitalized the faith in his diocese, and wrote a treatise against the heresy of Monothelitism.

Born

Rome, Italy

Died

c.690

Saint Beatus of Liébana

Also known as

• Beatus of Valcavado

• Beato, Bie

Profile

Monk at Saint Martin's monastery, Liébana, Spain. Wrote and preached against the Adoptionist heresy, and worked to bring it's believers back to orthodox Christianity; co-author of Liber Adversus Elipandum as part of the work. When the Adoptionist heresy lost momentum, Beatus retired to the monastery of Valcavado to pray and write scripture commentaries and hymns.

Born

8th century

Died

798 of natural causes

Saint Proclus of Bisignano

Also known as

Prodo

Profile

As a young layman, he lived a very ascetic life, spending his days roaming from town to town in order to worship in all the churches he could find. Monk. Known for his extensive learning and knowledge, his wide reading, and his ability to speak on many topics.

Died

c.970 in Bisignano, Calabria, Italy

Saint Auxibius of Soli

Also known as

• Auxibius of Cyprus

• Ausibio...

Profile

Convert, baptized by Saint Mark the Evangelist. Bishop of Soli, Cyprus, ordained by Saint Paul the Apostle.

Died

1st century of natural causes

Saint George of Lodève

Profile

Benedictine monk at Saint-Foi-de-Conques, Rouergue. The monastery was destroyed by Norsemen in 862, and George fled to Vabres in the diocese of Rodez, France. In his later years he was elected bishop of Lodève, France.

Born

at Rodez, France

Died

c.884 of natural causes

Saint Dositeus

Profile

Dositeus was a layman who served as a page to a senior army officer. During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a painting of Hell caused him to re-evaluate his life and led to his becoming a monk in Palestine. He devoted himself so completely to giving up a worldly life that he destroyed his health, and died soon after entering the monastery.

Saint Zambdas of Jerusalem

Profile

Bishop of Jerusalem in the late 3rd and early 4th century. Legend says he is the one who brought the Theban Legion to Christianity. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

c.304 of natural causes

Saint Odran

Also known as

Odhran

Profile

Saint Patrick's chariot driver. Legend says that one day on the road, he spotted what appeared to be an ambush. He traded places with Patrick without telling him why, and died from the attack meant for his passenger.

Died

c.452

Saint Belina of Troyes

புனித_பெலினா (- 1153)

பிப்ரவரி 19 

இவர் (#StBelinaOfTroyes) பிரான்சில் உள்ள ட்ராய்ஸ் என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்தவர். 

இவரது பெற்றோர் இறைவன்மீது மிகுந்த பற்றுக்கொண்டவர்கள். அதனால் இவரும் இறைவன்மீது மிகுந்த பற்றுக்கொண்டு வளர்ந்து வந்தார். 

சிறு வயதில் தன் குடும்பத்திற்குரிய ஆடுகளை மேய்த்து, குடும்பத்திற்கு மிகவும் உறுதியான இருந்தார்.

ஒருநாள் இவரது பகுதியில் நிலக்கிழாராக இருந்த பேட்டர்ன் (Paterne) என்பவன், இவர் ஆடு மேய்த்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் போது, இவரிடம் வந்து, தன் இச்சையைத் தீர்த்துக் கொள்ள முயன்றான். அதற்கு இவர் மறுப்புத் தெரிவித்ததால், அவன் இவரைத் தலை வெட்டிக் கொன்று போட்டான். 

இவர் கொல்லப்பட்ட ஆண்டு கி.பி 1153. இவருக்கு 1203 ஆம் ஆண்டு, திருத்தந்தை மூன்றாம் இன்னோசென்ட் அவர்களால் புனிதர் பட்டம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது.

Profile

A peasant girl who died fighting off a rape by the feudal lord of her district.

Born

Troyes, France

Died

1135 near Troyes, France

Canonized

1203 by Pope Innocent III

Martyrs of Palestine

Profile

An unknown number of monks and lay people massacred together for their faith by Saracens led by Mundhir III.

Died

c.509 in Palestine

Saint Gabinus

Also known as

Gabins

Profile

Member of the imperial Roman nobility. Brother of Pope Caius. Father of Saint Susanna. Relative of the emperor Diocletian. Martyr.

Died

c.295

Saint Conon of Alexandria

Profile

Sixth century monk in the monastery of Pentucla in Palestine. Abbot of his house.

Died

555 of natural causes

Saint Publius of North Africa

Profile

Saint Publius of Sbeitla, also known as Publius of Numidia. Here's a profile of him:

Life and Martyrdom:

Saint Publius lived in Sbeitla, an ancient Roman city in present-day Tunisia, during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries AD.

He was a devout Christian and held a position of leadership in the local Christian community.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, a brutal persecution of Christians was launched in 303 AD. Publius and his companions were arrested and accused of their faith.

Refusing to renounce their beliefs, they were subjected to various forms of torture and ultimately killed, most likely in 304 AD.

Veneration:

Saint Publius and his companions are venerated as martyrs in the Catholic Church.

Their feast day is celebrated on February 19th, as you mentioned.

They are considered patron saints of Sbeitla and the surrounding region.

Saint Julian the Martyr

Profile

1. Julian of Nicopolis: This Julian, sometimes called Julian the Egyptian, was martyred in Nicopolis, Egypt (now part of North Africa) in 311 AD. He refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods and was beheaded.

2. Julian of Alexandria: This Julian lived in Alexandria, Egypt, during the Diocletianic Persecution and was martyred in 309 AD. He died by fire after refusing to renounce his faith.

3. Julian of Antinoe: This Julian's story is intertwined with St. Basilissa. As devout Christians, they lived with mutual consent in perpetual chastity and dedicated their lives to charity. Both faced martyrdom, possibly in the 4th century, but details are uncertain.

4. Other Saint Julians: Several other St. Julians were martyred in Africa on various dates, celebrated on February 19th.

Saint Valerius of Antibes

Profile

Bishop of Antibes, France.

While specific details about his life are uncertain, historical records suggest he lived around the 5th century AD.

He served as the Bishop of Antibes, France, during a period when Christianity was establishing itself in the region.

• He is believed to have passed away around 450 AD.

Saint Marcellus of North Africa

Profile

Saint Marcellus of Tingitana: This Marcellus, also from Tangier, is documented in some hagiographies but details about his life and martyrdom are lacking. His feast day is February 19th.

Saint Baoithin

Profile

Son of Cuana. also known as Baoithin of Tibohin

Patronage

Tibohin, Ireland

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் பெப்ரவரி 18

 

 St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara 

Born 10 February 1805

Kainakary, Kuttanad, Kingdom of Travancore, British Raj (now in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India)

Died 3 January 1871 (aged 65)

Koonammavu, Kingdom of Cochin, British Raj (now in Ernakulam, Kerala, India)

Venerated in Catholic Church

Beatified 8 February 1986, Kottayam by Pope John Paul II

Canonized 23 November 2014, Rome by Pope Francis

Major shrine St. Joseph's Church, Mannanam, St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu

Feast 18 February (Roman Latin Catholic Church) 3 January (Syro-Malabar Church)

Attributes Catholic saint, founder and social reformer

Patronage Press industry, media, literature, congregations

Influences Palackal Thoma

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was an Indian Catholic priest, an educator, a social reformer, and now a saint. He was canonized by Pope Francis on November 23, 2014.

Kuriakose was born on February 10, 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala, in southwestern India, to Christian parents. His family belonged to an ancient community of Christians popularly known as Saint Thomas Christians. The community is descended from Christians baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle in the 1st Century AD. He attended school in his local village and was educated in language and science.

Before he became a Carmelite priest, Kuriakose was an educator and social reformer. He initiated reforms in his local society, and started schools in the communities of Mannanam and Arpookara. He recognized that children needed to be fed in order to learn, so he instituted a midday meal to feed the children.

In 1846, he established St. Joseph's printing press in Mannanam, which was the third such press in Kerala, and the first purchased without foreign help. Using the press, he began printing the Nasrani Deepika, a religious newspaper. The press would go on to print the Deepika, starting in 1885, which is now one of the oldest continually published newspapers in India. The paper is published in the Malayalam, which is widely spoken in the region with about 37 million native speakers.

Kuriakose took vows in the Carmelite tradition along with ten other priests on December 8, 1855. He took the name, Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family. He governed a series of monasteries in the region as the prior general from 1856 until his passing in 1871. He established seven monasteries during his tenure.

During his life, Kuriakose was a prolific writer who kept a chronicle of events in his monastery as well as a record of what was happening in society around him. He wrote several spiritual works, including poetry.

Kuriakose passed away on January 3, 1871, at age 66. His last words suffice as a homily: "Why are you sad? All God's people must die someday. My hour has come. By the grace of God, I prepared myself for it since long. My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in my mind and to honor them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I can tell you with confidence that I have never lost the baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our little Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Always rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy Family reign in your hearts. Don't be sad about my dying. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God is all powerful and His blessings are countless. God will provide you with a new Prior who will be a source of blessing for the Congregation as well as for you. Hold fast to the constitution, the rules of our elders and that of the Church. Love our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with all your heart. Draw the waters of eternal life from that fountain as in the words of the Prophet Elijah. All the members of the congregation, especially elders must be charitable to one another. If you do so, God will be glorified by the congregation and which will be flourished day after day. Your charity will bring salvation to souls."

After his passing, a many miracles were attributed to his intercession. St. John Paul, then Pope John Paul II, declared him venerable on April 7, 1984. He was beatified on February 8, 1986 during a papal visit to India. His second miracle, required for canonization, was formally acknowledged by Pope Francis on April 3, 2014, who decreed Kuriakose should be canonized. The canonization took place the following November.

His feast day is January 3 in the Syro-Malabar Church, and February 18 in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church. He remains well-known and popular in India.

Marth Mariam and Infant Jesus, accompanied by John the Baptist from Peshitta. Painting of Ravi Varma found at Mannanam.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara, C.M.I. (10 February 1805 – 3 January 1871) was an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic priest, philosopher and social reformer.[1][2] He is the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin and a member of the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic church.[3][4] He was the co-founder and first Prior General of the first congregation for men in the Syro-Malabar Church, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.), and of a similar one for women, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (C.M.C.). He is a pioneer in many fields.

Early life

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala in a Nasrani Christian family as the son of Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil. Nasranis are Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syriac Christians) who trace their lineage to the ancient Christians of Kerala baptised by Thomas the Apostle. The name Kuriakose is derived from the Syriac Aramaic name ܩܘܪܝܩܘܣ (Quriaqos).[5] He was baptised on 17 February 1805 at St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chennamkary. On 8 September 1805, Chavara was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary's Church, Vechoor.[6] The Chavara family has derived from the ancient Nasrani family Meenappally in Kainakary.

In his childhood, Kuriakose attended the village school. There he studied language and elementary sciences. He entered the seminary in 1818 in Pallipuram where Palackal Thoma Malpan was the Rector. He was ordained a priest on 29 November 1829 and celebrated first Holy Qurbana at St. Andrew's Catholic Forane Church Arthunkal Alappuzha. His special intention during the first Holy Qurabana was the realization of the religious institute which was being contemplated by Palackal Thomas Malpan, Porukara Thomas Kathanar, Brother Jacob Kaniathara and himself.[7]

Later life

Kuriakose Elias Chavara joined with two other priests, Palackal Thoma Malpan and Porukara Thoma Kathanar to lead a monastic life. The name of the community they founded was Servants of Mary Immaculate. The foundation for the first monastery at Mannanam was laid on 11 May 1831 by Porukara Thomas Kathanar. Palackal Malpan and Porukara Kathanar died in 1841 and 1846 respectively. On 8 December 1855, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and ten other priests took vows in the Carmelite tradition. He was nominated as the Prior General of Mannanam monastery. The congregation became affiliated as a Third Order institute of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. From that point on they used the postnominal initials of T.O.C.D.[8]

Social reformer

Kuriakose Elias Chavara initiated reforms in the Kerala society much before Narayana Guru(1853) Chattambi Swamikal(1853) and Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi(1854).[9][10] Though he hailed from a Syriac Christian family,[11] which occupied a higher social status, he played a major role in educating and uplifting people especially of the lower ranks of society.[2]

Education

Kuriakose Chavara started an institution for Sanskrit studies at Mannanam in 1846.[citation needed] A tutor belonging to the Variar community was brought from Thrissur, to teach at this Sanskrit institution. After establishing the Sanskrit institution in Mannanam, Chavara took the initiative to start a school in a nearby village called Arpookara. On this Parappurath Varkey wrote in the Chronicles of the Mannanam monastery: “While the work on the Mannanam School began, a place on the Arpookara Thuruthumali hill was located to build a Chapel and school for the converts from the Pulaya caste."[12] Chavara was the first Indian who not only dared to admit the untouchables to schools but also provided them with Sanskrit education which was forbidden to the lower castes, thereby challenging social bans based on caste, as early as the former part of the 19th century.[13]

It was during this time Bishop Bernadine Baccinelly issued a circular in 1856 which would act as the root cause of tremendous growth of education and hundred percent literacy in Kerala. Kuriakose Chavara was the motivator for such a movement and he successfully convinced Bishop Bernadine to issue a circular, apparently as an order. It was a warning circular which stated, “each parish should establish educational institutions, or else they will be debarred from the communion”.[citation needed] The schools in Kerala are commonly called Pallikudams (school attached to Church (Palli)) because of this circular.[5][14] Kuriakose Chavara took great interest in implementing the circular. He delegated the members of his Congregation to ensure the implementation of the order in the circular and to actively take up educational activities. Each monastery was to oversee these activities of the parish churches in its neighbourhood.[15][14]

Midday Meal

Kuriakose Chavara knew that the schools he started in Mannanam and Arpookara would be successful if the poor students especially dalits were given midday meals.[2] It was his original idea. It inspired Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to recommend this to King for being implemented in all government run schools.[10] This practice is continued even today in queens government schools in India.

Pidiyari

Kuriakose Chavara started a charity practice known as Pidiyari (a handful of rice) to encourage people to make daily small donations to help the needy.[16] The Pidyari scheme supported the Midday meal Kuriakose Chavara popularized in schools[17] The Pidiyari scheme was implemented in the following way: Participants would daily set aside a small quantity of rice in a special collection pot. The rice collected would be brought to Church during the weekends and was used to feed the poor, especially students for midday meal.[16] A pious organization was formed by Kuriakose Chavara called “Unnimishihayude Dharma Sabha” who took care of the Pidiyaricollection.[2]

Printing Press

Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph's Press at Mannanam[18] in 1846, which was the third printing press in Kerala and the first press founded by a Malayali without the help of foreigners.[9][19] From this printing press came the oldest existing Malayalam newspaper in circulation Nasrani Deepika.[9][20]

Service to the Church

Kuriakose Elias Chavara introduced retreat preaching for the laity for the first time in the Kerala Church. He popularised devotions and piety exercises such as rosary, way of the cross and eucharistic adoration. He was the Vicar General of Syriac Rite Catholics[9][21] in 1861 in order to counter the influence of Mar Thomas Rochos on Saint Thomas Christians.[22]

Congregations Founded

CMI Congregation

In co-operation with Palackal Thoma Malpan and Thoma Porukara, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded an Indian religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara took religious vows on 8 December 1855 and took the name of Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family.[23]

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the Prior General of all the monasteries of the congregation from 1856 till his death in 1871.He was commonly called under the name 'Common Prior'.[23] The activities of the members of CMI congregation under the leadership of Chavara created huge transformation in the society. This made priests and people to request Chavara to open religious houses in their area. He established seven new monasteries besides Mannanam. They are Koonammavu-1857, Elthuruth-(St. Aloysius College, Thrissur)1858, Plasnal-1858, Vazhakulam-1859, Pulincunnu-1861, Ambazhakad-1868, and Mutholy-1870. In 1864, The Vicar Apostolic transferred St.Chavara to Koonammavu Monastery.[24][23]

Carmelite Congregation for Women

In 1866, 13 February, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded the first Carmelite convent for women at Koonamavu under the name 'Third Order of Carmelites Discalced' which would later become CMC and CTC Congregation in Syro Malabar Church and Latin Church respectively.[25] While CMC congregation acknowledges and upholds the role of Kuriakose Chavara in their foundation, CTC congregation denies any role for him and considers Mother Eliswa as the foundress.[26]

Kuriakose Chavara hoped and prayed for the establishment of a religious congregation for women in the apostolic Church of St. Thomas. According to Kuriakose Chavara the lack of convents was a 'pathetic situation,' which led to deep sorrow within him.[27] He conceived the convent as a house of sanctity where the girls could learn spiritual matters, grow up as good Christians and work for the intellectual development and education of women to achieve social welfare.[28]

Leopold Beccaro – who was a close associate and confessor of Kuriakose Chavara – with whom Eliswa had communicated her desire to lead a life of chastity, during her meetings with him for confession and spiritual direction, wrote in Italian in his personal diary on 3 January 1871, the day of the death of Chavara: “The founder and the first prior of the Tertiaries of the Discalced Carmelites in Malabar, who with extreme fatigue has founded the monastery of the sisters [e fondato con somme fatiche il monastero delle Monache]...”[29] Again, in another important document, a short biography of Chavara written by Beccaro himself, we come across the following affirmative statements: “Among these, specially, [he] earnestly desired to bring into existence an abode of virtues for the girls of Malayalam and a convent of sisters for learning doctrines and traditions of the Catholic religion as well as to make them grow as good Christian children...[30] It is a fact known to all that even after the starting of the convent, he showed great fervour and interest to conduct everything in order and with virtues...” These two statements made by Beccaro give credence to the fact that Chavara had not only a deep and long-lasting desire to establish a convent for sisters, but had also made every effort, including the spiritual and administrative guidance in the realization of the project.[31]

Writings

All the literary works of Kuriakose Chavara were written between 1829 and 1870. The literary writings of Kuriakose Chavara are unique in two aspects. First, it reflects the religious spiritualism of Christianity. Second, even after a century after the Kuriakose Chavara wrote, there are limited number of literary works with reference to Christianity.[32]

Death

Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on 3 January 1871, aged 66, at Koonammavu. He was buried in St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu[9][21] His body was later moved to St. Joseph's Monastery Church in Mannanam.[45][46] His memorial is celebrated on 3 January as per the Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar.[47] whereas his memorial is celebrated on 18 February as per the Roman Liturgical Calendar of the Latin Rite.

The following were the last words of Kuriakose Chavara: “Why are you sad? All God’s people must die some day. My hour has come. By the grace of God, I prepared myself for it since long.” Showing a picture of the Holy Family, he continued, "My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in my mind and to honour them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I can tell you with confidence that I have never lost the baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our little Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Always rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy Family reign in your hearts. Don’t be sad about my dying. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God is all powerful and His blessings are countless. God will provide you with a new Prior who will be a source of blessing for the Congregation as well as for you. Hold fast to the constitution, the rules of our elders and that of the Church. Love our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with all your heart. Draw the waters of eternal life from that fountain as in the words of the Prophet Elijah. All the members of the congregation, especially elders must be charitable to one another. If you do so, God will be glorified by the congregation and which will be flourished day after day. Your charity will bring salvation to souls."[48]

Miracles

Scores of miraculous favours were reported by the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, who later became the first saint of India, has testified in 1936 that Kuriakose Elias Chavara had appeared to her twice during her illness and relieved her suffering. Alphonsa had a holy relic of Chavra's hair which was taken by one of his disciples Varkey Muttathupadathu and which she believed allowed her to pray to Kuriakose Chavara and receive miraculous cure. The relic is now preserved in Mannanam.[49]

Beatification

The miracle which Rome approved for the beatification of Kuriakose Chavara was the cure of the congenial deformity of the legs (clubfoot) of Joseph Mathew Pennaparambil happened in April 1960.[50] Joseph was born club-footed with congenial deformity of both the legs. On hearing that many miracles have happened through the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara, Joseph and his family started praying. They prayed almost a month. One day when Joseph and his sister were walking back from school, she asked him to pray to Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara for the cure of his legs and asked him to recite 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory be to the Father. As they walked reciting prayers suddenly Joseph's leg started shivering. Joseph pressed his right leg to the ground and he could now walk properly with right leg. They continued their prayers and on 30 April 1960, while Joseph and his sister was on the way to elder brother's house, the left leg too became normal. Since then he could walk normally. Joseph believes that it was the intercession Kuriakose Chavara which resulted in the miracle. Rome approved the miracle which led to the beatification of Kuriakose Chavara as Blessed in 1986.[51]

Canonization

The miracle which was approved for canonization of Kuriakose Chavara to sainthood was the instantaneous, total and stable cure of the congenital squint (alternating esotropia) in both eyes of Maria Jose Kottarathil, a Catholic girl of age 9 from Pala in Kottayam District of Kerala State in India.[51] Even though Maria was suggested to have surgery by five doctors, Maria and her family decided to pray to Kuriakose Chavara. On 12 October 2007, Maria visited the room and tomb of Kuriakose Chavara at Mannanam with her parents. On 16 October 2007, the squint eyes disappeared. The miracle was approved by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on 18 March 2014 which lead to the canonization.[52]

Chronicle of Canonization

The official canonization process of Kuriakose Chavara started in 1955, Mar Mathew Kavukattu, arch-bishop of Changanacherry, received instructions from Rome to start diocese-level procedure towards the canonisation. On 7 April 1984, Pope John Paul II approved Kuriakose Elias Chavara's practice of heroic virtues and declared him Venerable.[53] Kuriakose Elias Chavara was beatified at Kottayam on 8 February 1986 by Pope John Paul II in the course of a papal visit to India.[53]

On 3 April 2014, Pope Francis authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decrees concerning the miracle attributed to Kuriakose Kathanar's intercession.[54] This confirmed Pope's approval of Kuriakose Elias Chavara's canonisation.[55] On 23 November 2014, he was canonised at Saint Peter's Square by Pope Francis along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal.[56] Pope Francis stated that "Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both active and contemplative, who generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim “sanctification of oneself and the salvation of others

St. Flavian of Constantinople

Patriarch of Constantinople, Martyr

Died 449

Hypaepa, Lydia, Asia Minor

Venerated in Eastern Orthodox Church

Catholic Church

Canonized 451 by Council of Chalcedon

Major shrine Relics venerated in Italy

Feast February 18

Patriarch of Constantinople from 446 or 447, succeeding St. Proclus. Refusing to give Em­peror Theodosius II a bribe upon becoming patriarch and making the emperor's sister Pulcherius a deaconess, Flavian received hostile treat­ment from the imperial court. Flavian also started the condemnation of Eutyches, who began the heresy of Monophysitism. This led to his being deposed and exiled at the so-called "Robber Synod" at Ephesus in 449, whereupon the famous "Tome" of dogmatic letters of Pope Leo I the Great was ignored. Appealing to the Pope, Flavian was beaten so mercilessly that he was mortally wounded and died three days later in exile. He was proclaimed a saint and martyr by the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

St. Agatha Lin

புனித_ஆகத்தா_லின் (1817-1858)

பிப்ரவரி 18

இவர்‌ (#StAgatha_Lin) சீனாவைச் சார்ந்தவர். இறைவன்மீது ஆழமான நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்த ஒரு கத்தோலிக்க குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்த இவர், தனது பெற்றோரைப் போன்றே இறை நம்பிக்கையில் வளர்ந்து வந்தார். 

இவர் சிறுவயது முதலே தன்னை ஆண்டவருக்கு அர்ப்பணித்து வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். சிசிலி நகர்ப் புனித ஆகத்தாவைத் தன் முன்மாதிரியாகக் கொண்ட இவர் வாழ்ந்த காலத்தில், சீனாவில் கிறிஸ்தவர்களுக்கு எதிரான அடக்குமுறைகள் மிகுதியாக இருந்தன. அந்நிலையிலும் இவரும் இவரது பெற்றோரும் ஆண்டவர் இயேசுவில் உறுதியாக இருந்தார்கள்.

ஒருமுறை எதிரிகள் இவரது தந்தையைப் பிடித்துக்கொண்டு போய், சிறையில் அடைத்து வைத்துப் பலவாறாகச் சித்திரவதை செய்து அனுப்பி வைத்தனர். அப்போதும் இவர் இயேசுவில் நம்பிக்கையோடு இருந்தார்.

இவர் வளர்ந்து பெரியவரான போது ஆசிரியராகி மாணவர்களுக்கு அடிப்படைக் கல்வியையும் மறைக்கல்வியையும் கற்றுக் கொடுத்தார். இதனால் பலரும் இயேசுவின் மீது நம்பிக்கை கொண்டார்கள். இச்செய்தியை அறிந்த எதிரிகள் இவரைக் கைது செய்து துன்புறுத்தினார்கள்.‌ மேலும் இவரை 1858 ஆம் ஆண்டு தலைவெட்டிக் கொன்று போட்டார்கள்.

இவருக்கு 1909 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை பத்தாம் பயஸ் அவர்களால் அருளாளர் பட்டமும், 2000 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான்பால் அவர்களால் புனிதர் பட்டமும் அளிக்கப்பட்டன.

Born 1817

Died 1858 (aged 40–41)

China

Venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church (United States)

Beatified May 2, 1909, Saint Peter's Basilica, Kingdom of Italy by Pope Pius X

Canonized October 1, 2000, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II

Feast February 18

February 19 Episcopal Church (United States)

Chinese martyr. She was born in 1817 at Ma-Tchang, China. A teacher at a Christian school, Agatha was beheaded for the faith in Mao-kin on January 28, 1858. She was beatified on May 2, 1909.

This article is about the Catholic martyrs of the 17th to 20th centuries. For other Christian martyrs in China, see Chinese Martyrs.

The Martyr Saints of China (traditional Chinese: 中華殉道聖人; simplified Chinese: 中华殉道圣人; pinyin: Zhōnghuá xùndào shèngrén), or Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, are 120 saints of the Catholic Church. The 87 Chinese Catholics and 33 Western missionaries[1] from the mid-17th century to 1930 were martyred because of their ministry and, in some cases, for their refusal to apostatize.

Many died in the Boxer Rebellion, in which anti-Western peasant rebels slaughtered 30,000 Chinese converts to Christianity along with missionaries and other foreigners.

In the ordinary form of the Latin Rite, they are remembered with an optional memorial on 9 July.

Saint Jean-François-Régis Clet

Profile

Tenth of fifteen children; his father was a farmer and merchant, and the boy was named after Saint John Francis Regis. He was raised in a pious family; one brother became a priest, one sister a nun. Studied at the Jesuit Royal College at Grenoble, France. Joined the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in Lyons, France on 6 March 1769, making his final vows in 1771. Ordained in 1773. Professor of moral theology at the Vincentian seminary in Annecy, France. Nicknamed "the walking library" due to his encyclopedic knowledge. Rector of Annecy in 1786. Director of novices in Paris in 1788. Director of the internal seminary at mother-house of the Congregation of the Lazarists in Paris, France. His community was disbanded, and their house destroyed by the French Revolutionists. Missionary to China in 1791. Assigned to Kiang-si in October 1792, the only European in the area; in 28 years of work, he never mastered the language. In 1793 Clet moved to Hou-Kouang in the Hopei Province where he served as superior of an international group of Vincentian missioners scattered over a very large territory; his pastoral area covered 270,000 square miles. In 1811 government anti-Christian persecutions intensified; the missionaries were accused of inciting rebellion, and had to pursue their work while on the run, often hiding in the mountains. On 16 June 1819, with a bounty on his head, Francis was betrayed by a Christian schoolmaster whose behavior the missionary had tried to correct. Force marched hundreds of miles in chains to trial. On 1 January 1820 he was found guilty of deceiving the Chinese people by preaching Christianity. Martyr.

Born

1748 at Grenoble, France

Died

• slowly strangled to death with a rope while tied on a cross on 18 February 1820 at Au-tshung-fu, China

• buried on Red Mountain by local Christians

• re-interred at the Vincentian motherhouse, Paris, France

• relics moved to Saint Lazare church, Paris

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Theotonius of Coimbra

Also known as

Teotonio

Profile

Nephew of the bishop of Coimbra, Portugal. Educated at the University of Coimbra. Parish priest, assigned to Viseu, Portugal. His powerful and outspoken preaching against vice gained him a great reputation, the animosity of the ruling class, and the affection of the king and queen. Counselor to the throne. Rebuked the queen for adultery, and refused a bishopric from her, seeing it as an attempt to buy his affection. He was once asked by the queen to shorten a Mass so she could attend to other business; he send back word that he answered to true sovereigns, and the queen was free to stay or go as she liked.

Theotinus had a great devotion to the poor, and to souls in purgatory. Each Friday he combined these devotions by singing a Solemn Mass for the dead, leading a large procession to the cemetery to pray for the local dead, collecting alms there, and distributing the money to the local poor.

Twice a pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Augustinian Canon Regular, which order he helped bring to Portugal in 1131, entering the monastery at Coimbra. Spent his last 30 years there as monk and prior. Devoted to the daily offices, never allowing the monks to hurry through them. King Alphonsus attributed his victories to the prayers of Theotonius and his brothers, and in gratitude, free all his Mozarabic Christian captives. First Portuguese saints canonized by the modern method.

Born

1086 at Gonfeo, Spain

Died

1166 of natural causes

Canonized

• 1167 by the Portguese bishops

• cultus confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV

Blessed Fra Angelico

Also known as

• Angelico of Fiesole

• Beato Angelico

• Fra Giovanni

• Giovanni da Fiesole

• Guido di Pietro

• John of Fiesole

• Painter of the Angels

Profile

Joined the Dominicans in Fiesole, Italy in 1407, taking the name Fra Giovanna. He was taught to illuminate missals and manuscripts, and immediately exhibited a natural talent as an artist. Today his works can be seen in the Italian cities Cortona, Fiesole, Florence, and in the Vatican. His dedication to religious art earned him the title Angelico.

Born

1387 in Vicchio di Mugello near Florence, Italy as Guido di Pietro

Died

18 February 1455 in the Dominican convent in Rome, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

3 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Geltrude Caterina Comensoli

Profile

One of a family of eleven children; her father worked an iron forge, and her mother was a seamstress. Caterina joined the Sisters of Charity in Lovere, Bergamo, Italy in 1862, but she became seriously ill and had to return to her family. When recovered, she stayed in lay life, working as a domestic servant for a parish priest in Chiari, Italy, and then for the Countess Fé-Vitali.

In 1878, Caterina made a private vow of chastity, and began teaching children in Capriate San Gervasio, Italy. On 15 December 1882, she founded the Institute of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (Sacramentine Sisters); she took the name Sister Gertrude. Her initial plan was that the Sisters would be devoted to Eucharistic adoration; at the recommendation of Pope Leo XIII, they also worked in the world as teachers of young, factory-working women.

Born

18 January 1847 in Biennio, Brescia, Italy as Caterina

Died

18 February 1903 in Bergamo, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

• 26 April 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI

• her canonization miracle involved the cure of 4 year old Vasco Ricchini of life threatening meningitis in 2001 through the prayers of the Sacramentine Sisters for her intercession

Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra

Also known as

• George Kashira

• George Kaszyra

• Juryj Kašyra

• Giorgio, Jerzy, Yuri

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Raised in an Orthodox family, George converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 at age 18. He joined the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in 1924 in Druya, Belarus, and made his profession on 2 August 1929. He studied theology and philosophy in Rome, Italy, then at the seminary of Vilnius, Lithuania. Ordained a priest on 20 June 1935. He taught catechism in Druja, and in the seminary in Vilnius.

In 1938, Polish authorities ordered Father George to end his pastoral work in western Belarus; he moved to the monastery of Rasno in eastern Belarus and continued his work. In 1940, Soviet authorities, in line with their atheist ideology, kicked him out of the monastery; Father George travelled the area of Belarus and Lithuania, staying at assorted monasteries and continuing his work. On 18 February 1943 the occupation Nazis accused him of helping the partisans, and with several other Catholics, he was locked in the basement of a church which was then set on fire, killing them all. Martyr.

Born

4 April 1904 in Aleksandravele, Vilniaus rajonas, Lithuania

Died

burned alive on 18 February 1943 in Rositsa (Rosica), Vitebskaya voblasts', Belarus

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Tarasius of Constantinople

Also known as

• Father of the Poor

• Taraisius, Tarasio, Tarasios, Tharasius

Additional Memorial

25 February (Byzantine Rite)

Profile

Born to the Byzantine nobility. Consul and then Secretary of State to Emperor Constantine IV and Empress Irene. Though a courtier in the most political of empires, he led the life of a monk. Unanimously chosen Patriarch of Constantinople; Tarasius said that he could not accept such a trust when his see was cut off from full commuion with Rome, which had happened under his predecessor. He convoked a Council on 1 August 786 to settle the dispute of the use of holy images, but Iconoclasts rioted, and the Council was reconvened in 787 in Nicea; the Council determined that the Church was in favour of images, and the Pope approved. Tarasius lived an ascetic life, eating simply and little, sleeping little, reading, praying, working for the Church. When the emperor put away his wife and got a priest to “marry” him to a servant, Tarasius condemned the action and was briefly imprisoned for his defiance.

Born

c.750 at Constantinople

Died

• 25 February 806 of natural causes

• relics preserved in the church of San Zaccaria, Venice, Italy

Saint Simon of Jerusalem

எருசலேம் நகர் புனிதர் சிமியோன் 

ஆயர் மற்றும் மறைசாட்சி:

பிறப்பு: தெரியவில்லை

கலிலேயா, யூதேயா பிராந்தியம்

இறப்பு: கி.பி. 107 அல்லது கி.பி. 117

ஜெருசலேம், யூதேயா பிராந்தியம்

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

லூதரன் திருச்சபை

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 18

புனிதர் சிமியோன், ஒரு யூத கிறிஸ்தவ தலைவரும் (Jewish Christian Leader), பெரும்பாலான கிறிஸ்தவ பாரம்பரியங்களின்படி, ஜெருசலேம் நகரின் இரண்டாவது ஆயரும் ஆவார்.

புனிதர் யூசேபியஸ் (St. Eusebius of Caesarea) இங்கே ஆயர்களின் அட்டவணையைத் தருகின்றார். அகில உலக பாரம்பரியங்களின்படி, "ஆண்டவரின் சகோதரர் எனப்படும் புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ்" (Saint James the Just, the "brother of the Lord) ஜெருசலேம் நகரின் முதலாவது ஆயராவார். புனிதர் ஜேம்சை ஜெருசலேமின் முதலாவது ஆயராக நியமனம் செய்தது, அப்போஸ்தலர்கள் புனிதர் பேதுருவும் புனிதர் யோவானும் (Apostles St. Peter and St. John) ஆவர் என்று புனிதர் யூசேபியஸ் கூறுகிறார்.

புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ் மறைசாட்சியாக மரித்ததன் பிறகு, ஜெருசலேமின் வெற்றிக்குப் பிறகு, புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸின் பின்வருபவராக புனிதர் சிமியோன் ஜெருசலேமின் ஆயராக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டார்.

புனிதர் ஜேம்ஸ் மறைசாட்சியாக மரித்து, ஜெருசலேம் வெற்றிபெற்றதும் பல்வேறு திசைகளிலிருந்தும் அப்போது உயிருடனிருந்த ஆண்டவரின் சீடர்களும் அப்போஸ்தலர்களும் ஜேம்சுக்குப் பிறகு ஜெருசலேமின் ஆயராக பொறுப்பேற்கப் போவது யார் என்று ஆலோசனை செய்வதற்காக ஜெருசலேம் நகரில் ஒன்றுகூடினர். அவர்களது ஆலோசனையின் முடிவில், சிமியோனை ஒருமனதாக தேர்வு செய்தனர்.

கி.பி. சுமார் 107 அல்லது 117ம் ஆண்டு, ரோமப் பேரரசன் "ட்ராஜன்" (Roman emperor Trajan) என்பவரது கட்டளைப்படி, பண்டைய ரோம் நாட்டில் ஏகாதிபத்திய அதிகாரம் கொண்ட ஆளுநராக இருந்த "டிபேரியஸ்" (Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes) என்பவன் சிமியோனை சிலுவையில் அறைந்து கொன்றான்.

Also known as

Simeon

Profile

A relative of Jesus, possibly a first cousin. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, and was one of the 72 disciples. He was present at the Ascension, and is one of the brethren of Christ mentioned in Acts who was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost. Reported to have been at the martyrdom of Saint James the Lesser, he was chosen to succeed James as bishop of Jerusalem where he served for over 40 years. In 66, before the city fell to the Romans, the Christians received a divine warning, and evacuated to nearby Pella with Simon as their leader. In the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem, Simon led the Christians back to the city where they flourished, performed miracles, and converted many. Simon was eventually arrested, tortured and martyred for the twin crimes of being Jewish and Christian during the persecutions of Trajan.

Died

crucified in 106

Saint Colman of Lindisfarne

Also known as

Colman of Mayo

Profile

Spiritual student and disciple of Saint Columba. Monk at Iona. Bishop of Lindisfarne, England in 661. Friend of king Oswy of Northumbria. Defended Celtic church practices against Saint Eilfrid and Saint Agilbert at the Synod of Whitby, and when King Oswy insisted on the use of Latin rites, Colman refused, resigned his see, and in 664 led a group of dissident Irish and English monks first to Scotland, then to the Isle of Innishboffin, and then to Mayo, Ireland. Founded the abbey and diocese of Mayo. One of the great heroes of the faith about whom the Venerable Bede wrote.

Born

c.605 at Connaught, Ireland

Died

8 August 676 at Inishboffin abbey of natural causes

Saint Angilbert of Centula

புனித ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் Angelbert

பிறப்பு 

750

இறப்பு 

18 பிப்ரவரி 814, 

ரிக்குயர் Riquier, பிரான்சு

இவர் பிரெஞ்சு நாட்டை பாதுகாக்கும் போர்படையில் பணிபுரிந்தவர். அப்போது டெனிஸ் Danes என்பவன் பிரெஞ்சு நாட்டின் ஆற்றங்கரை ஒன்றில் தங்கி, அந்நாட்டிற்கு எதிராகப் போர் புரிந்தான். அவனை எதிர்த்து ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் போரிட வேண்டியிருந்தது. அச்சமயத்தில் அவர் புனித ரிக்குயர் என்ற புனிதரின் கல்லறைக்குச் சென்று இப்போரில்தான் டெனிஸ்சிற்கு எதிராக வெற்றிபெற்றால் தான் ஓர் துறவியாகிறேன் என்று செபித்தார். பிறகு இடி, மின்னல் புயல் என்று பாராமல் திடீரென்று டெனிஸ் படையெடுத்தான். ஆன்கெல்பெர்ட் அவனை எதிர்த்து போரிட்டு தன் படையுடன் வெற்றி பெற்றார். 

அவர் பெற்ற வெற்றியானது, அந்நாட்டை எவ்விதத்திலும் பாதிக்காமல் காப்பாற்றப்பட்டது. இதன் விளைவாக கடவுள் இவரின் மன்றாட்டை ஏற்று வெற்றிப் பெறச் செய்ததால் செயிண்ட் ரிக்குயிர் அவர்களின் துறவற இல்லத்திற்குச் சென்று துறவியானார். பின்னர் அச்சபையின் மடாதிபதி பொறுப்பையும் ஏற்று மிகச் சிறப்பாக அச்சபையை வழிநடத்தினார். இவர் தன் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் இடைவிடாது இரவும் பகலும் செபம் செய்து திருப்பாடல்களைப்பாடி இறைவனை போற்றி புகழ்ந்து இறைவழியில் தன் சபையை வழிநடத்தினார். 

அதன்பிறகு இவர் 24 மணிநேரமும் துறவிகள் கட்டாயமாக செபம் செய்ய வேண்டுமென்பதை வலியுறுத்தினார். கடுமையான விதிமுறை கடைப்பிடிக்கச் செய்தார். புனித கன்னிமரியாள், சூசையப்பர் இவர்களின் செப வாழ்வை வாழ தன் சபைத் துறவிகளிடத்தில் வலியுறுத்தினார்

புனிதர் ஆங்கில்பெர்ட், “நார்தும்ப்ரியா’வைச்” (Northumbria) சேர்ந்த பிரபல ஆங்கிலேய அறிஞரும், கவிஞரும், ஆசிரியருமான “அல்குயின்” (Alcuin) என்பவரிடம் கல்வி கற்ற ஒரு உன்னதமான ஃபிரான்கிஷ் கவிஞர் ஆவார். இவர், “ஃபிராங்க்ஸ்” (Franks) மற்றும் “லொம்பார்ட்ஸ்” (Lombards) அரசனும், கி.பி. 800ம் ஆண்டுமுதல் தூய ரோமப் பேரரசருமான (Holy Roman Emperor) “சார்ல்மக்ன்” (Charlemagne) என்றழைக்கப்படும் “முதலாம் சார்லசின்” (Charles I) மருமகனும், அவரது அரசவையில் பணியாற்றிய அரசு செயலாளரும், ராஜதந்திரியுமாவார்.

அரசன் முதலாம் சார்லசால் (Charles I) வளர்க்கப்பட்ட ஆங்கில்பெர்ட், அரண்மனை பள்ளியிலேயே கல்வியும் கற்றார். பிரபல ஆங்கிலேய அறிஞர் “அல்குயின்” (Alcuin) மாணவரான இவர், பின்னாளில் அவரது நண்பருமானார். அரசன் முதலாம் சார்லஸ், தமது இளைய மகனான “பெபின்” (Pepin) என்பவரை “லொம்பார்ட்ஸ்” (King of the Lombards) அரசனாக பதவியேற்க இத்தாலி அனுப்பினார். அப்போது, அவருக்கு துணையாகவும், அரசவையின் உயர் நிர்வாகியாகவும் ஆங்கில்பெர்ட்டை உடன் அனுப்பினார். அரசன் பெபினின் நண்பராகவும், ஆலோசகராகவும் இத்தாலியின் ஆட்சியிலும், அரசாங்கத்திலும் உதவினார். இவர், மேற்கு ஜெர்மனியின் (Western Germany) “ஃபிரான்க்ஃபர்ட்” (Frankfurt) நகரில் நடந்த ஆலோசனை சபையின் (Synod) அறிக்கைகளை (Document on Iconoclasm) திருத்தந்தை முதலாம் அட்ரியானிடம் (Pope Adrian I) கையளித்தார். பின்னர், கி.பி. 792, 794, மற்றும் 796ம் ஆண்டுகளின் நடந்த மூன்று முக்கிய வெளிநாட்டு தூதரகங்களுக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டார். ஒரு சமயம், அவர் கடல் மாகாணங்களில் ஒரு அதிகாரியாகவும் பணியாற்றினார். அவர் கி.பி. 800ம் ஆண்டு, முதலாம் சார்லசுடன் ரோமுக்குச் சென்றார். கி.பி. 811ம் ஆண்டு, “சார்ல்மக்ன்” (Charlemagne) என்றழைக்கப்படும் தூய ரோமப் பேரரசர் (Holy Roman Emperor) “முதலாம் சார்லசின்” (Charles I) சொத்து உரிமை ஏற்பாடுகளான மரண சாசனத்தை (Testament of Charlemagne) நேரில் பார்த்த பதினோரு சாட்சிகளின் இவரும் ஒருவராவார்.

முதலாம் சார்லசின் மகளான “பெர்த்தா’வுக்கும்” (Bertha) ஆங்கில்பெர்ட்டுக்குமான உறவுகளைப் பற்றின வெவ்வேறு மரபுகள் உள்ளன. அவர்கள் திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார்கள் என்று ஒரு மரபும், இல்லையென்று பிறிதொன்றும் கூறுகின்றன. எவ்வாறாயினும், அவர்களுக்கு இரண்டு மகன்களும் ஒரு மகளும் பிறந்தனர். அதிலொருவர், ஒன்பதாம் நூற்றாண்டின் மத்தியில் பிரபலமான “நிதார்ட்” (Nithard) ஆவார். பின்னர், பெர்த்தா, பிரபுவான “இரண்டாம் ஹெல்கௌட்” (Helgaud II, count of Ponthieu) என்பவரை திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார். திருமணத்தின் கட்டுப்பாடுகள் மற்றும் சட்டபூர்வமான அர்த்தங்கள் மத்திய காலங்களில் கடுமையாக போட்டியிட்டன. பெர்த்தா மற்றும் ஆங்கிள்ட்பெர்ட், திருச்சபைகள் நடத்தும் புனிதமான திருமண அருட்சாதன யோசனைக்கு எவ்வாறு எதிர்ப்புத் தெரிவிப்பது என்பதற்கான ஒரு எடுத்துக்காட்டு ஆவர். மறுபுறம், சார்ல்மக்ன் தனது மகள்களுக்கான தகுதிவாய்ந்த திருமணங்களை எதிர்த்து நின்றார் என்று, சில வரலாற்றாசிரியர்கள் யூகிக்கின்றனர். திருமண ஏற்பாடுகளின் அரசியல் வாய்ப்புகள் இருந்தாலும், சார்ல்மக்ன் மகள்களில் யாரும் திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளவில்லை.

கி.பி. 790ம் ஆண்டு, அவர் தமது பரபரப்பான அரசியல் வாழ்க்கையிலிருந்து ஓய்வு பெற்று, “சென்டுலும் மடாலயம்” (Abbey of Centulum) என்றழைக்கப்படும் “தூய ரிச்சாரியஸ் துறவு மடம்” (Monastery of St Richarius) சென்றார். கி.பி. 794ம் ஆண்டு, மடாதிபதியாக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டார். அவர் மடாலயத்தை மீண்டும் கட்டியெழுப்பினார் மற்றும் 200 பாகங்களுடன் கூடிய ஒரு நூலகத்தையும் அதற்கு வழங்கினார். உள்ளூர் சிறுவர்களுக்காக ஒரு பள்ளியையும் நிறுவி நடத்தினார்.

அவரது லத்தீன் கவிதைகள், அரச குடும்பங்களுடன் நெருங்கிய உறவை அனுபவிக்கும் உலகின் மனிதனின் கலாச்சாரம் மற்றும் சுவைகளை வெளிப்படுத்துகின்றன.

Also known as

Homer

Profile

Raised at the court of Charlemagne, and became his friend and confidante. Studied under Blessed Alcuin. Nicknamed "Homer" because of his Latin poetry. Married to Charlemagne's daughter Bertha. With her permission he turned to religious life when prayers for a successful resistance to a Danish invasion were answered and a storm scattered the Danish fleet; Bertha became a nun. Benedictine monk. Court chaplain, privy councilor, and diplomat. As a reward for his help in court, Charlemagne gave Angilbert the abbey of Saint Riquier in Centula where he served as abbot. He established a library at Centula, and introduced continuous chanting in the abbey using 300 monks and 100 boys in relays. Executor of the emperor's will.

Born

c.740

Died

18 February 814 of natural causes

Blessed John Pibush

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Son of Thomas and Jane Pibush. Educated at Rheims, France beginning 4 August 1580. Deacon in 1586. Ordained on 14 March 1587. Returned to England as missioner on 14 January 1588. Arrested at Morton-in-Marsh, Gloucester, England in 1593 for the crime of priesthood. Spent a year in Gatehouse prison, Westminster. Returned to Gloucester, he escaped on 19 February 1594; he was captured the next day at Matson. Sent back to Westminster, he was convicted on 1 July 1595 for the treason of Catholic priesthood. He spent over five years in Queen’s Bench prison awaiting execution, ministering to fellow prisoners whenever he could.

Born

at Thirsk, Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged on 18 February 1601 at Saint Thomas's Waterings, Camberwell, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Saint Sadoth of Seleucia

Also known as

Sadosh, Sadot, Sadota, Sahdost, Schadost, Schiadustes, Shahdost, Zadok

Profile

Deacon in service to Saint Barbasymas in the diocese of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. Attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. After Saint Barbasymas was martyred, Sadoth was chosen the new bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. He and his priests went into hiding, covertly ministering to his flock. The forces of King Shapur returned to Seleucia, and Sadoth was arrested along with 128 of his priests, deacons and nuns. Most were immediately executed, but Sadoth and some companions were imprisoned, repeatedly tortured, and offered relief if they would obey the king and worship the sun; they refused.

Died

beheaded c.342 outside the walls of Seleucia, Mesopotamia

Our Lady of Laon

Profile

This commemorates the founding of Our Lady of Laon cathedral in Picardy, France by Saint Remigius of Rheims c.500. It was a place noted for miracles, including the image of a bleeding crucifix appearing on the church steeple.

Legend says that when the stone was being hauled to the construction site, one of the loads was so heavy that the oxen could not move it any further; a huge ox suddenly appeared, helped the team move the stone to the site, and then disappeared; 16 of the gargoyles carved on the building are bulls in memory of the work the animals did.

Blessed William Harrington

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

After meeting Saint Edmund Campion, William travelled to Rheims, France were he studied for the priesthood. Ordained in 1592, he returned to England to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested in 1593, he was held for several months before being executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.

Born

Felixkirk, Borth Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 18 February 1594 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Saint Jean-Pierre Néel

Also known as

• John Néel

• John Peter Néel

Profile

Jesuit priest. Missionary to Kuy-tsheu, China in 1858. Arrested, tortured and martyred with three of his converts.

Born

18 October 1832 in Soleymieux, Sainte-Catherine-sur-Riviere, France

Died

dragged by his hair by a horse, then beheaded at Kuy-tsheu (Kai-chou), China on 18 February 1862

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Helladius of Toledo

Also known as

Eladio, Eladius, Elladio, Heladio

Profile

Minister in the court of Visigoth kings in Toledo, Spain, his heart was in the nearby abbey of Agali. He eventually resigned his position and became a monk there. Abbot in 605. Archbishop of Toledo in 615.

Born

at Toledo, Spain

Died

632 of natural causes

Saint Ioannes Zhang Tianshen

Also known as

• John Zhang Tianshen

• Ruowang

Profile

Married layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyr.

Born

c.1805 in Jiashanlong, Kaiyang City, Guizhou, China

Died

beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II

Saint Martinus Wu Xuesheng

Also known as

Mading, Martin

Profile

Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyred for sheltering Blessed John Peter Neel.

Born

c.1817 in Chuchangbo, Qingzhen, Guizhou, China

Died

beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II

Saint Ioannes Chen Xianheng

Also known as

• John Chen Xianheng

• Ruowang

Profile

Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Guizhou, China. Convert. Catechist. Martyr.

Born

c.1820 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Died

beheaded on 18 February 1862 at Kaiyang, Guizhou, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by PopeJohn Paul II

Saint Constance of Vercelli

Profile

Nun. Sister of Saint Costanzo, bishop of Piedmont, Italy. We know little else about her.

Died

• early 6th century

• relics re-discovered in the 16th century reconstruction of the basilica of Eusebius of Vercelli, interred in the foundations with a placque naming and praising her

        

Blessed Matthew Malaventino

Profile

Mercedarian friar assigned to ransom Christians from slavery in Muslim north Africa. Along the way, he preached Christianity until he was seized and murdered. Martyr.

Died

thrown off a mountain

Saint Esuperia of Vercelli

Profile

Nun. Sister of Saint Costanzo, bishop of Piedmont, Italy. We know little else about her.

Died

• early 6th century

• relics re-discovered in the 16th century reconstruction of the basilica of Eusebius of Vercelli, interred in the foundations with a placque naming and praising her

Saint Maonacan of Athleague

Also known as

Maenucan, Manchan, Mancheanus, Manchán, Moenagain

Profile

Founded a church in Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland, helping to spread the faith in its early days on the island.

Died

6th century

Saint Leo of Patera

Profile

Martyred for protesting a pagan festival being held near the grave of Saint Paregorius.

Died

260 at Patara, Lycia

Saint Ethelina

Also known as

Eudelme

Profile

No information has survived.

Saint Paregorius of Patara

Profile

Martyr.

Died

260 at Patara, Lycia

Martyrs in North Africa

Profile

Group of Christians who were martyred together, date unknown. We know nothing else but seven of their names - Classicus, Fructulus, Lucius, Maximus, Rutulus, Secundinus and Silvanus.

Born

African

Died

North Africa

Martyrs of Rome

Profile

A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know nothing else but their names - Alexander, Claudius, Cutias, Maximus and Praepedigna.

Died

295 in Rome, Italy