இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஏப்ரல் 17

St. Anicetus

† இன்றைய புனிதர் †

(ஏப்ரல் 17)

✠ புனிதர் அனிசேட்டஸ் ✠

(St. Anicetus)

11ம் திருத்தந்தை:

(11th Pope)

இயற்பெயர்: அனிசேட்டஸ்

பிறப்பு: உறுதியாகத் தெரியவில்லை

இறப்பு: கிபி சுமார் ஏப்ரல் 20, 167

ரோம், ரோமப் பேரரசு

(Rome, Roman Empire)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஏப்ரல் 17

திருத்தந்தை புனிதர் அனிசேட்டஸ் (Pope Saint Anicetus), ரோம் நகர ஆயராகவும், கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் திருத்தந்தையாகவும், கி.பி. சுமார் 150ம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து 167ம் ஆண்டு வரை பணிபுரிந்தார். இவர் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் 11ம் திருத்தந்தை ஆவார். லூயி டுக்கேன் (Louis Duchesne) என்னும் வரலாற்றாசிரியர் கருத்துப்படி, முதல் இரண்டு நூற்றாண்டுகளில் நிகழ்ந்த திருச்சபை வரலாற்றுச் செய்திகளைத் துல்லியமாகக் கால வரையறை செய்வது மிகக் கடினம்.

அனிசேட்டஸ் பண்டைய சிரியா நாட்டில் ஏமெசா (Emesa) என்னும் நகரில் பிறந்தார். ஏமெசா இன்று ஹோம்ஸ் (Homs) என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறது. மரபுப்படி, அனிசேட்டசின் தந்தை, இன்றைய சுவிட்சர்லாந்து பகுதியிலிருந்து சிரியா நாட்டுக்குப் பெயர்ந்துசென்றவர் ஆவார்.

ஞானக்கொள்கைக்கு எதிர்ப்பு:

அனிசேட்டஸ் உரோமைக்கு ஏன் வந்தார் என்பது பற்றித் தெளிவில்லை. ஒருவேளை அவர் ஞானக்கொள்கை (Marcionism and Gnosticism) என்னும் தப்பறையை எதிர்த்ததால் கீழைத் திருச்சபையை விட்டு உரோமைக்குச் செல்லும் கட்டாயம் எழுந்திருக்கலாம்.

அந்நாட்களில் உரோமையில் மார்சியோன் (Marcion of Sinope) என்பவர் ஞானக்கொள்கையைப் (Marcionism) பரப்பிவந்தார். அதை அனிசேட்டஸ் எதிர்த்தார். உரோமையில் புனித ஜஸ்டின் நிறுவியிருந்த கல்விக்கூடம் இந்த எதிர்ப்பில் அவருக்குத் துணையாக இருந்தது. திருத்தூதர்களிடமிருந்து பெறப்பட்ட கத்தோலிக்க கிறித்தவ கொள்கையின் பெயரால் அவர் ஞானக்கொள்கை போன்ற தவறான மெய்யியல் அணுகுமுறைகளை எதிர்த்துப் போராடினார்.

குருக்கள் நீண்ட முடி வளர்க்க தடை:

"திருத்தந்தையர் நூல்" (Liber Pontificalis) என்னும் ஏட்டின்படி, கத்தோலிக்க குருக்கள் நீண்ட முடி வளர்த்தலாகாது என்று அனிசேட்டஸ் தடைவிதித்தார். இது ஒருவேளை ஞானக்கொள்கையினர் நீண்ட முடி வளர்த்ததால் அவர்களிடமிருந்து கிறித்தவப் பணியாளர்களை வேறுபடுத்தும் நோக்கத்துடன் நிகழ்ந்திருக்கலாம்.

புனித பொலிக்கார்ப்போடு (Polycarp of Smyrna) சந்திப்பு:

ஸ்மிர்னா (Smirna) நகரத்தின் ஆயரும் 80 வயது நிரம்பியவருமான புனித பொலிக்கார்ப்பு ஆசிய சபைகளின் தூதுவராக உரோமைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டு, அங்கே திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டசை சந்தித்துப் பேசினார். புனித பொலிக்கார்ப்பு நற்செய்தியாளராகிய புனித யோவானின் சீடராக இருந்தார் என்பது மரபு. ஒருவேளை அவர் குரு யோவான் (John the Presbyter) என்பவரின் சீடராக இருந்திருக்கலாம் என்று சில அறிஞர் கருதுகின்றனர்.

பொலிக்கார்ப்பின் சீடராக இருந்த புனித லியோன் நகர இஞ்ஞாசியார் இத்தகவலைத் தருகிறார்.

இயேசுவின் உயிர்த்தெழுதல் கொண்டாடப்பட வேண்டிய நாள்:

பொலிக்கார்ப்பு கீழைத் திருச்சபையிலிருந்து திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டசைத் தேடி உரோமைக்கு வந்தது இயேசுவின் உயிர்த்தெழுதலை எந்த நாளில் கொண்டாடுவது என்பது பற்றித் தெளிவுபெறுவதற்கு ஆகும். பொலிக்கார்ப்பும் அவர் தலைமை வகித்த ஆசிய நாட்டு ஸ்மிர்னா பகுதியும் இயேசுவின் உயிர்த்தெழுதலை நிசான் மாதத்தின் 14ஆம் நாள் கொண்டாடினர். அந்நாளில்தான் யூதர்கள் பாஸ்கா விழாவைக் கொண்டாடுவது வழக்கம். ஆனால் நிசான் மாதத்தின் 14ஆம் நாள் வாரத்தின் ஏதாவது ஒரு நாளாக இருக்கலாம். அது ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையாக எல்லா ஆண்டுகளிலும் இராது. எனவே இந்நிலைப்பாடு "பதினான்காம் நாள் கொள்கை" என்னும் பெயர் பெற்றது.

இவ்வாறு கொண்டாடும் பழக்கம் திருத்தூதர் காலத்திலிருந்தே பெறப்பட்டது என்றும், குறிப்பாக, யோவான் (திருத்துதர் அல்லது குரு) சமூகத்தில் அவ்வழக்கம் நிலவியது என்றும் கீழைச் சபை வாதாடியது.

ஆனால் உரோமைத் திருச்சபை இயேசுவின் உயிர்த்தெழுதல் விழாவை ஆண்டுதோறும் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைதான் கொண்டாடியது. ஏனென்றால் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை இயேசு உயிர்த்தெழுந்ததால் அது "ஆண்டவரின் நாள்" (Day of the Lord) என்று அழைக்கப்பட்டதோடு கிறித்தவர்களின் பாஸ்கா விழாவாகவும் மாறியிருந்தது. நிசான் மாதத்தின் 14ஆம் நாள் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையாக இருந்தால் அன்று உயிர்த்தெழுதல் விழாக் கொண்டாடப்படும். அவ்வாறு இல்லாவிடின், நிசான் 14ஆம் நாளுக்குப் பின் வருகிற முதல் ஞாயிறு உயிர்த்தெழுதல் ஞாயிறு ஆகும்.

ஆண்டுதோறும் இயேசுவின் உயிர்த்தெழுதல் விழாவை நிசான் மாதம் 14ஆம் நாள் கொண்டாடுவதா, அல்லது நிசான் 14ஆம் நாளை அடுத்துவரும் ஞாயிறன்று அவ்விழாவைக் கொண்டாடுவதா என்பது பற்றி அனிசேட்டசுக்கும் பொலிக்கார்ப்புக்கும் இடையே ஒத்த கருத்து உருவாகவில்லை. இருந்தாலும் திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டஸ் உரோமைத் திருச்சபையின் வழக்கத்தைக் கீழைச் சபையின்மீது திணிக்க விரும்பவில்லை. எனவே இரு சபைகளும் தம் மரபுக்கு ஏற்ப உயிர்த்தெழுதல் விழாவைக் கொண்டாடி வரலாயின.

பிற்காலத்தில் உயிர்த்தெழுதல் விழாவை எந்த நாளில் கொண்டாடுவது என்பது பற்றிய விவாதம் மீண்டும் எழுந்தது.

வரலாற்றாசிரியர் ஹெகேசிப்பஸ் (Hegesippus) உரோமை வருகை:

பண்டைய கிறித்தவ வரலாற்றாசிரியர் ஹெகேசிப்பஸ் (Hegesippus) என்பவரும் திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டசைச் சந்திக்க உரோமை சென்றார். உரோமைப் பீடம் தொடக்க காலத்திலிருந்தே முதன்மை பெற்றதற்கு இதுவும் ஒரு அடையாளமாகக் கொள்ளப்படுகிறது.

மொந்தானியக் கொள்கை (Montanism) கண்டிக்கப்படுதல்:

திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டஸ் மொந்தானியக் கொள்கையைக் கண்டனம் செய்தார். கீழைத் திருச்சபையில் மொந்தானுஸ் (Montanus) என்பவர் கிபி இரண்டாம் நூற்றாண்டின் நடுப்பகுதியில் "புதிய இறைவாக்கு இயக்கம்" (New Prophecy) என்றொரு போக்கினைத் தோற்றுவித்தார். தாம் தூய ஆவியால் தூண்டப்பட்டு இறைவாக்கு உரைத்ததாகவும், கடுமையான அறநெறி நடத்தையே கடவுளுக்கு உகந்தது என்றும் அவர் போதித்தார். கிறித்தவக் கொள்கைக்கு எதிராக அவர் போதித்தார் என்று அனிசேட்டஸ் மொந்தானியக் கொள்கையை (Montanism) கண்டனம் செய்தார்.

இறப்பு:

திருத்தந்தை அனிசேட்டஸ் ரோமப் பேரரசன் லூசியஸ் வேர்சஸ் (Lucius Verus) என்பவரின் ஆட்சியில் கிறித்தவ நம்பிக்கையின் பொருட்டுக் கொல்லப்பட்டார் என்பது மரபு. ஆனால் இதற்கு வரலாற்று ஆதாரம் இல்லை. ஏப்ரல் மாதம் 16, 17, 20 ஆகிய நாள்கள் அவரது இறப்பு நாளாகக் குறிக்கப்படுகின்றன. இருப்பினும், ஏப்ரல் 20ம் நாள் அவர் இறந்ததாகக் கொண்டு அன்று அவருடைய திருவிழா கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. பழைய வழக்கப்படி, ஏப்ரல் 17ம் நாள் அவர் திருநாள் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது.

Feastday: April 17

Anicetus was a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155 and actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism. His pontificate saw the appearance of the controversy between East and West over the date of Easter. St. Polycarp, a disciple of John, is reported to have visited him in Rome about the dispute, which was to accelerate and grow more heated over the following centuries.

Not to be confused with Pope Anacletus.

Pope Anicetus was the eleventh bishop of Rome from c. 157 to his death in April 168.[3] According to the Annuario Pontificio, the start of his papacy may have been 153. Anicetus actively opposed Gnosticism and Marcionism. He welcomed Polycarp of Smyrna to Rome to discuss the Easter controversy.

Biography

According to the Liber Pontificalis, Anicetus was a Syrian from the city of Emesa (modern-day Homs).[4]

According to Irenaeus, it was during his pontificate that the aged Polycarp of Smyrna, a disciple of John the Evangelist, visited Rome to discuss the celebration of Pasch with Anicetus. Polycarp and his Church of Smyrna celebrated the crucifixion on the fourteenth day of Nisan, which coincides with Pesach (or Passover) regardless of which day of the week upon this date fell, while the Roman Church celebrated the Pasch on Sunday—the weekday of Jesus's resurrection. The two did not agree on a common date, but Anicetus conceded to Polycarp and the Church of Smyrna the ability to retain the date to which they were accustomed. The controversy was to grow heated in the following centuries.[5]

The Christian historian Hegesippus also visited Rome during Anicetus's pontificate. This visit is often cited as a sign of the early importance of the Roman See.[5]

Anicetus actively opposed the Gnostics and Marcionism.[6] The Liber Pontificalis records that Anicetus decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair (perhaps because the Gnostics wore long hair).[4]

According to church tradition, Anicetus suffered martyrdom during the reign of Emperor Lucius Verus, but there are no historical grounds for this account.[7] 16, 17 and 20 April are all cited as the date of his death, but 20 April is currently celebrated as his feast day.[1] Before 1970, the date chosen was 17 April.[7] The Liber Pontificalis states he was buried in the cemetery of Callistus

 St. Mappalicus

Feastday: April 17

Martyr of Africa with seventeen companions at Carthage. He and his companions were tortured and martyred for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods during the persecutions of Emperor Trajanus Decius. They were praised by St. Cyprian.

St. Stephen Harding

Feastday: April 17

Patron: of Saint Robert of Molesme

Death: 1134

Stephen Harding was born in Dorset, England. He was a speaker of English, Norman French, and Latin. He was placed in the abbey of Sherbourne at a young age, but eventually put aside the cowl and became a travelling scholar. He eventually moved to the abbey of Molesme in Burgundy, under the abbot Saint Robert of Molesme (c. 1027 - 1111).

When Robert left Molesme to avoid its corruption and laxity, Stephen and Saint Alberic went with him. Unlike Alberic, Stephen was not ordered to return, and he remained in solitude with Robert. When twenty-one monks deserted Molesme to join Robert, Harding, and Alberic, the three leaders formed a new monastery at Citeaux.

Robert was initially abbot at Citeaux, returning to Molesme after a year. Alberic then took over, serving as abbot until his death in 1108. Stephen Harding, the youngest of the three men, became the third abbot of Citeaux. As abbot, Stephen Harding guided the new monastery over a period of great growth. Bernard of Clairvaux came to visit in 1112 and brought with him his followers. Between 1112 and 1119, a dozen new Cistercian houses were founded to contain the monks coming to the new movement. In 1119, Stephen wrote the Carta Caritatis, ('Charter of Love') an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles.

Stephen served the house at Citeaux for twenty-five years. While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian belief and its rapid growth in the 12th century was due to the leadership of Stephen Harding. In 1133, he resigned the head of the order, due to age and disability. He died the following year.

His feast day in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints is March 28. The north aisle of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate church in London, U.K. was formerly a chapel dedicated to him (it became the Musicians' Chapel in the 20th century).

In Hungary, in the village Apátistvánfalva there is a Catholic Baroque Church estd. by 1785, the patron saint of which is Stephen Harding. The village, and the vicinity Vendvidékwas at one time under Cistercian lordship.

For other people named Stephen Harding, see Stephen Harding (disambiguation).

Stephen Harding (French: Étienne Harding) (c. 1060 – 28 March 1134) was an English-born monk and abbot, who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order. He is honoured as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Life

Harding was born in Sherborne, Dorset, in the Kingdom of England, and spoke English, Norman, French, and Latin. He was placed in Sherborne Abbey at a young age and educated at Sherborne,[1] but eventually left the monastery and became a travelling scholar, journeying with one devout companion into Scotland and afterwards to Paris and then to Rome. He eventually moved to Molesme Abbey in Burgundy, which at that time was little more than "a collection of huts".[2] The Abbot was Robert of Molesme (c. 1027–1111). While in Molesme Abbey he seems to have assumed the name Stephen.[3]

When Robert left Molesme to avoid what he perceived to be the abbey's increasing wealth and overly strong connections to the aristocracy, Harding and Alberic of Cîteaux went with him. Seeing no hope of a sufficient reformation in Molesme, in 1098, Robert appointed another abbot for the abbey and then, with Alberic, Harding, and twenty-one other monks, received permission from Hugh, the Archbishop of Lyons and legate of the Holy See, to found a new monastery in Citeaux, a marshy wilderness five leagues from Dijon. There, they formed a new, more austere monastery.[4] Eudes, afterwards Duke of Burgundy, built them a little church which was placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, as all the churches of the Cistercians from that time have been. The Cistercians wore white, in honor of the Virgin Mary, in contrast to the traditional black habit of the Benedictines.

Bernard and Stephen

Stephen became the third abbot of Cîteaux. However, very few were joining the community and the monks were suffering from hunger and sickness.[5] In 1112, Bernard of Clairvaux entered the community, bringing with him thirty companions.[6] Between 1112 and 1119, a dozen new Cistercian houses were founded to accommodate those joining the young order. Harding's organisational skills were exceptional; he instituted the system of general chapters and regular visitations. In 1119, he received official approbation for the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles.[6]

Stephen Harding served Cîteaux Abbey as abbot for twenty-five years. While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian thought and its rapid growth in the 12th century were certainly due in some part to Harding's leadership. Insisting on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life, he was largely responsible for the severity of Cistercian architecture and the simple beauty of the Order's liturgy and music.[7] He was an accomplished scribe; his highest achievement is considered to be the famous Harding Bible. In 1133, he resigned as head of the order because of age and infirmity.[6] He died on 28 March 1134,[6] and was buried in the tomb of Alberic, his predecessor, in the cloisters at Cîteaux.[7] Stephen was largely responsible for the severity of Cistercian architecture because he was an adherer of simplicity in all aspects of monastic life.[3]

His feast was celebrated on 28 March until 1683 and then moved to 17 April, where it remained until the liturgical reforms following Vatican II. In a joint commemoration with Robert of Molesme and Alberic, the first two abbots of Cîteaux, the Roman Catholic Church today celebrates Stephen Harding's feast day on 26 January.

 

St. Fortunatus & Marcian

Feastday: April 17

Death: unknown

Martyrs of Antioch, in Syria, or of an African location.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Also known as

• Catherine Tekakwitha

• Lily of the Mohawks

• Tegakouita, Tegakwitha

Additional Memorial

14 July (United States)

Profile

Daughter of a Christian Algonquin woman captured by Iroquois and married to a non-Christian Mohawk chief. Orphaned during a smallpox epidemic, which left her with a scarred face and impaired eyesight. Converted and baptized in 1676 by Father Jacques de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary. Shunned and abused by relatives for her faith. Escaped through 200 miles of wilderness to the Christian Native American village of Sault-Sainte-Marie. Took a vow of chastity in 1679. Known for spirituality and austere lifestyle. Miracle worker. Her grave became a pilgrimage site and place of miracles for Christian Native Americans and French colonists. First Native American proposed for canonization, her cause was started in 1884 under Pope Leo XIII. The Tekakwitha Conference, an international association of Native American Catholics and those in ministry with them, was named for her.

Born

1656 at Osserneon (Auriesville), modern New York, USA

Died

17 April 1680 at Caughnawaga, Canada of natural causes

Canonized

• 21 October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI

• the canonization miracle involved the cure of a boy suffering from a flesh-eating bacteria

Patronage

• ecologists, environmentalists

• ecology, environment

• environmentalism

• exiles

• against the loss of parents

• orphans

• people ridiculed for their piety

• Native Americans

• diocese of Gallup, New Mexico

Saint Robert of Molesme

Also known as

Robert of Cîteaux

Additional Memorial

26 January as one of the Founders of the Cistercians

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Benedictine monk in 1044. Prior of Moutiers-la-Celle Abbey. Abbot of Saint-Michel-de-Tonnerre, but considered it to have lax standards. Prior of Saint-Ayeul Abbey. In 1075, in an attempt to return to a simpler form of Benedictine life requested by a group of hermits from the forests around Colan, France, he helped found the monastery at Molesme, Burgundy. The group, especially Robert, gained a reputation for piety, which led to bequests of cash, which led to an increase in size of the monastery, which led to internal difficulties, and suddenly there were many brothers that objected to the severe life practised by the founders. Robert twice left to live on his own, but was ordered back to his position by the pope. In early 1098 Robert, Saint Stephen Harding, Saint Alberic of Citeaux and 18 other monks left Molesme, and on 21 March they founded the monastery of Cîteaux near Dijon, France, with the goal of living strictly by the Benedictine Rule, strict vows of poverty, and frequent retreats; Robert served as the first abbot. However, with conditions deteriorating at the Molesme house he was re-assigned as abbot there in 1100 with a mandate to reform; he lived and worked there the rest of his life. Traditionally considered one of the founders of the Cistercians, the reform that developed at Citeaux.

Born

1027 near Troyes, Champagne (in modern France)

Died

21 March 1110 of natural causes

Canonized

1222 by Pope Honorius III

Saint Robert of Chaise-Dieu

Also known as

• Robert de Turlande

• Robert of Casa Dei

Profile

Born to the nobility, related to Saint Gerald of Aurillac. Studied at the Church of Saint-Julien in Brioude, France. Ordained in 1026. Canon of Saint Julian where he founded a hospice for the poor. Monk at Cluny under the direction of Saint Odilo. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. Retired to Brioude near Auvergne where he attracted so many followers that he was forced to found the great Benedictine abbey of Casa Dei (House of God) or Chaise-Dieu (Chair of God) with 300 monks. Spiritual teacher of Saint Adelemus.

Born

• 11th century at Auvergne, France

• his mother went into labour while out in the forests near the family castle; locals thought this meant that the baby would become a hermit

Died

• 17 April 1067 of natural causes

• interred at Chaise-Dieu

• relics burned by Huguenots

Canonized

• 1070 by Pope Alexander II

• 1095 by Pope Blessed Urban II

• 1351 by Pope Clement VI

Blessed Mariana of Jesus

Also known as

• Lily of Madrid

• Mariana Navarra de Guevara

• Mary Ann of Jesus Navarro

• Maria Ana de Jesus Navarro de Guevara

Profile

Known as a pious youth. At age 23 she turned down a marriage proposal and instead became a Discalced Mercedarian nun at Madrid, Spain. Noted for her life of penance, devotion to the Eucharist, and intense prayer life. Ordered by her superiors to write her spiritual biography.

Born

17 January 1565 at Madrid, Spain as Mariana Navarra de Guevara

Died

• 17 April 1624 of natural causes at Madrid, Spain

• body found incorrupt

Beatified

18 April 1783 by Pope Pius VI in Rome, Italy

Patronage

Madrid, Spain

Blessed Henry Heath

Also known as

Paul of Saint Magdalene

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

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

Profile

Raised in a Protestant family, Henry became a minister in the Church of England. Convert to Catholicism. Joined the Franciscan Friars Minor Recollects, taking the name Paul of Saint Magdalene. Priest. Imprisoned, tortured and eventually executed in the persecutions of King Charles I for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.

Born

c.1599-1600 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

Died

hanged on 17 April 1643 in Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Landericus of Soignies

Also known as

• Landericus of Meaux

• Landry, Landricus, Landrich, Landerico

Profile

Eldest son of Saint Madelgarus and Saint Waldetrudis. Soldier. Priest. Bishop of Meaux, France from 641 to 650. Benedictine abbot in Soignies, Belgium. Abbot of Hautmont, France.

Born

France

Died

• 7th century in Soignies, France of natural causes

• relics rest in the Church of Saint-Vincent in Soignies

Blessed James of Cerqueto

Additional Memorial

31 October (Augustinians)

Profile

Augustinian friar and hermit at Cerqueto, Italy. Known as a preacher and miracle worker. It was his prayers that secured permission for the Augustinians to wear white habits in tribute to Mary.

Born

1285 at Cerqueto in Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Died

• 17 April 1366 in the Church of Saint Augustine in Perugia, Italy of natural causes

• due to the number of miracles at his grave, he was re-interred in a 1754

Beatified

10 June 1895 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Ambrose of Massa

Also known as

Ambrogio da Massa

Profile

Parish priest in Maremma region of Tuscany, Italy. After hearing the preaching of Blessed Moricus, an early companion of Saint Francis of Assisi, Ambrose was drawn to the religious life. Joined the Franciscans in 1225 and devoted himself to charity and penance.

Born

Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy

Died

17 April 1240 in Orvieto, Italy

Saint Donnan of Eigg

Also known as

Dounan, Donan, Donnanus, Domnanus

Profile

Monk of Iona Abbey with Saint Columba of Iona. Founded a monastery on the Island of Eigg off the west coast of Scotland. He and 52 brother monks were massacred by pagan raiders.

Died

stabbed to death by sword on Easter Sunday in 618 on Eigg Island, Scotland

Canonized

11 July 1898 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Saint Pantagathus of Vienne

Also known as

Pantagathe of Vienne

Profile

Born to the nobility. Well-educated, he served as a diplomat and courtier to King Clovis I. Priest. Bishop of Vienne, France c.536. Attended the Council of Orléans.

Born

475

Died

• 540 of natural causes

• relics interred at the cathedral of Vienne, France

Saint Wando of Fontenelle

Also known as

• Vando of Fontenelle

• Wando von Fontenelle

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot of Fontenelle, France. Due to a false accusation, he was exiled to Troyes, France; reinstated when his innocence was proven.

Died

c.756 at Fontenelle, France of natural causes

Saint Arnoald of Metz

Also known as

Arnoaldus

Profile

Married. Father of Saint Arnulf of Metz. Bishop of Metz, France c.602.

Born

c.560 in Austrasia (modern Lorraine, France)

Died

c.611 in Metz, France of natural causes

Saint Isidore of Cordoba

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Elias of Cordoba. Martyr. Saint Eulogius of Cordoba witnessed the murder and wrote an account of it.

Died

martyred by Moors in 856 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Innocent of Tortona

Profile

Confessor of the faith, imprisoned and scourged in the Diocletian persecution. Priest. Bishop of Tortona, Italy in 326.

Born

in Tortona, Italy

Died

c.350

Saint Paulus of Cordoba

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Elias of Cordoba. Martyr. Saint Eulogius of Cordoba witnessed the murder and wrote an account of it.

Died

martyred by Moors in 856 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Elias of Cordoba

Profile

Priest. Martyr. Saint Eulogius of Cordoba witnessed the murder and wrote an account of it.

Born

Portuguese

Died

martyred by Moors in 856 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Hermogenes of Melitene

Profile

Servant to a deacon, Saint Peter, with whom he was martyred.

Died

Melitene, Armenia

Saint Usthazade

Profile

Eunuch in the royal court of Persia. Tutor to Shapur II who had Usthazade executed at the start of his persecution of Christians. Martyr.

Died

c.341 in Persia

Blessed Gervinus of Aldenberg

Profile

Benedictine monk at Saint-Winnoc. Hermit at Münster in Aldenberg, Germany. Abbot there in 1095.

Died

1117

Saint Fortunatus of North Africa

Profile

Martyr.

Saint Villicus of Metz

Profile

Bishop of Metz, France from 543 to 568.

Died

568

Saint Peter of Melitene

Profile

Deacon. Martyr.

Died

Melitene, Armenia

Saint Peter of Antioch

Profile

Priest. Martyr.

Died

in Antioch

Saint Marcian of North Africa

Profile

Martyr.