Saint Anthony the Abbot
Also known as
• Abba Antonius
• Anthony of Egypt
• Anthony of the Desert
• Anthony the Anchorite
• Anthony the Great
• Anthony the Hermit
• Antonio Abate
• Father of Cenobites
• Father of All Monks
• Father of Western Monasticism
Profile
Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, Anthony insured that his sister completed her education, then he sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an empty sepulchre. At age 35 he moved to the desert to live alone; he lived 20 years in an abandoned fort.
Anthony barricaded the place for solitude, but admirers and would-be students broke in. He miraculously healed people, and agreed to be the spiritual counselor of others. His recommendation was to base life on the Gospel. Word spread, and so many disciples arrived that Anthony founded two monasteries on the Nile, one at Pispir, one at Arsinoe. Many of those who lived near him supported themselves by making baskets and brushes, and from that came his patronage of those trades.
Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria, Egypt to fight Arianism, and to comfort the victims of the persecutions of Maximinus. At some point in his life, he met with his sister again. She, too, had withdrawn from the world, and directed a community of nuns. Anthony retired to the desert, living in a cave on Mount Colzim.
Descriptions paint him as uniformly modest and courteous. His example led many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. Late in life Anthony became a close friend of Saint Paul the Hermit, and he buried the aged anchorite, leading to his patronage of gravediggers. His biography was written by his friend Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.
His relationship with pigs and patronage of swineherds is a little complicated. Skin diseases were sometimes treated with applications of pork fat, which reduced inflammation and itching. As Anthony's intervention aided in the same conditions, he was shown in art accompanied by a pig. People who saw the art work, but did not have it explained, thought there was a direct connection between Anthony and pigs - and people who worked with swine took him as their patron.
Born
251 at Heracleus, Egypt
Died
• 356 at Mount Colzim of natural causes
• relics near Vienne, France
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(ஜனவரி 17)
✠ புனிதர் வனத்து அந்தோனியார் ✠
(St. Antony the Great)
வணக்கத்துக்குரியர்; துறவிகளின் தந்தை;
கடவுளை கைகளில் ஏந்தியவர்:
(Venerable; God-bearing; Father of Monasticism)
பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 251
ஹெராகிளியோபோலிஸ் மேக்னா,எகிப்து
(Herakleopolis Magna, Egypt)
இறப்பு: கி.பி. 356
கோல்சிம் மலை, எகிப்து
(Mount Colzim, Egypt)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
காப்டிக் மரபுவழி திருச்சபை
(Coptic Orthodox Church)
கிழக்கு அஸ்ஸிரியன் திருச்சபை
(Assyrian Church of the East)
கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை
(Eastern Orthodox Church)
ஓரியண்ட்டல் திருச்சபை
(Oriental Orthodox Churches)
ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்
(Anglicanism)
முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:
புனித வனத்து அந்தோனியார் மடம், எகிப்து
(Monastery of St. Anthony, Egypt)
புனித அந்தோனியார் திருத்தலம், மாரம்பாடி, தமிழ்நாடு
(St. Anthony Shrine, Marambadi, Tamil Nadu, India)
புனித அன்டோய்ன்-அய்'அப்பாயே, ஃபிரான்ஸ்
(Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, France)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஜனவரி 17
பாதுகாவல்:
தோல் நோய்கள், கூடை நெய்வோர், சவக்கிடங்கு தோண்டுவோர்
(Skin diseases, basket makers, Gravediggers)
புனித வனத்து அந்தோனியார் (Anthony of the Desert) எகிப்து நாட்டின் கிறிஸ்தவ துறவியும் தமது மரணத்தின் பின்னர் புனிதராகவும் மதிக்கப்பட்டவரும் ஆவார். இவர், தமக்குப் பின்வந்த அனைத்து துறவிகளின் தந்தை (Father of All Monks) என்றும் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார்.
இவர் பின்வரும் பல்வேறு பட்டப்பெயர்களால் அழைக்கப்படுகிறார்:
"பெரிய அந்தோனியார்" (Anthony the Great)
"எகிப்தின் அந்தோனியார்" (Anthony of Egypt)
"மடாதிபதி அந்தோனியார்" (Anthony the Abbot)
"பாலைவனத்து அந்தோனியார்" (Anthony of the Desert)
“துறவி அந்தோனியார்" (Anthony the Anchorite)
"அலெக்சான்றியாவின் அதனாசியஸ்" (Athanasius of Alexandria) எழுதிய அந்தோனியாரின் சரிதம், அதன் லத்தீன் மொழியாக்கம் மூலம், முக்கியமாக மேற்கத்திய ஐரோப்பிய நாடுகளில் கிறிஸ்தவ துறவறத்தின் கருவினை பரப்புவதில் உதவியது.
புனித வனத்து அந்தோனியார், எகிப்து நாட்டிலுள்ள "கோமா” (Coma) என்னும் சிற்றூரில் மிக வசதி படைத்த செல்வம் மிக்க குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தார். சுமார் பதினெட்டு வயதில் பெற்றோர்களை இழந்தார். இதனால் தம்முடைய திருமணமாகாத உடன்பிறந்த சகோதரியை கவனிக்கும் பொறுப்பை ஏற்றார்.
தினம் தவறாது திருப்பலியில் பங்கெடுத்தார். சிறிது காலத்திலேயே ஆண்டவர் இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவின் நற்செய்தி அறிவுரையான, "உமக்கு இன்னும் ஒன்று குறைபடுகிறது. உமக்குள்ள யாவற்றையும் விற்று ஏழைகளுக்கு கொடும்; அப்போது விண்ணகத்தில் நீர் செல்வராய் இருப்பீர். பின்பு வந்து என்னைப் பின்பற்றும்." (லூக் 18:22) என்பதை பின்செல்ல முடிவெடுத்தார்.
பின்னர், தன் சொத்துக்கள் செல்வங்கள் அனைத்தையும் ஏழைகளுக்கு பகிர்ந்து கொடுத்துவிட்டு, தமது சகோதரியை கிறிஸ்தவ கன்னியர் குழுவொன்றில் விட்டார். பின்னர், இயேசுவைத் தேடி தனிமையில் வனத்திற்கு சென்று தவ வாழ்வு வாழ்ந்தார். பாலைவனத்தில் சிறிய இல்லம் ஒன்றை அமைத்து கடுமையான வாழ்வு வாழ்ந்தார். ஏறக்குறைய 20 ஆண்டுகள் காட்டிலும் பாலைவனத்திலும் வாழ்ந்தார்.
பின்னர் இவர் அரசர் “மாக்சிமினஸ் டாஸா” (Maciminus Daza) என்பவருடன் இணைந்து கிறிஸ்தவ மக்களுக்கு பல அறிவுரைகளை வழங்கினார். அரசர் மாக்சிமீனுசின் ஆலோசகராகவும் பணியாற்றினார். துறவிகள் பலரின் வாழ்வுக்கு வழிகாட்டினார். இவர் வாழ்ந்த வாழ்க்கையை கண்ட பல இளைஞர்கள் இவரைப் பின்பற்றி குருவானார்கள். இவர் தன்னை பின்பற்றிய மற்ற துறவிகளையும் பாலைவனத்தில் கதவு இல்லாமல் அமைக்கப்பட்ட குடிசைகளில் வாழ வைத்தார்.
இவர் தன்னுடன் வாழ்ந்த அனைத்து குருக்களுக்கும் இறைவன் தனக்களித்த அன்பை வாரி வழங்கி தந்தையாய் இருந்தார். தனது துறவிகளுக்காக எதிரிகளால் பலமுறை வேதனைக்குட்படுத்தப்பட்டார். “டையோக்ளேசியன்” (Diocletian) என்ற அரசன் கிறிஸ்தவர்களை துன்புறுத்தியபோது உறுதியுடன் நம்பிக்கையை அறிக்கையிடுமாறு புனித அந்தோனியார் அவர்களை ஊக்குவித்தார். “ஆரியன்” (Arians) ஆதரவாளர்களுக்கு எதிராக போராடிய அத்தனாசியுசுக்கு துணை நின்றார்.
கரடுமுரடான கட்டாந்தரையில் படுத்து உறங்கி உப்பும், ரொட்டித் துண்டும் உண்டு உடலை ஒருத்து வாழ்ந்தார்.
புனிதரின் பக்தி முயற்சியை முறியடிக்க சாத்தான் பல வகைகளில் சோதித்தான் முடிவு தோல்வியே. அந்தோனியார் பல மீயியற்கை சோதனைகளை எதிர்கொண்டார், பல முறை சாத்தான் அவரை சோதித்தது. ஒரு முறை சாத்தான் பெண் வேடமிட்டு வந்து சோதிக்க சிலுவை அடையாளத்தால் அவனை முறியடித்தார், மறுமுறை தங்க, வெள்ளிக்கட்டிகளை பாதையில் இட்டு பொருளாசையால் சோதிக்க, அந்தோனியார் அதை ஒரு பொருட்டாய் மதிக்காமல் இயேசுவின் பெயரால் விரட்டியடித்தார். சிலுவை அடையாளத்தினாலும், இயேசுவின் பெயராலும், செபத்தாலுமே, பேய்களை எல்லாம் சிதறடித்தார்.
இறுதிக்காலம்:
தமது இறுதிக்காலம் நெருங்கியதை உணர்ந்த வனத்து அந்தோனியார், தமது சீடர்கள் அனைவரையும் "புனித மகாரியஸ்" (Saint Macarius) என்ற துறவியைப் பின்செல்ல அறிவுறுத்தினார். தமது அங்கி ஒன்றினை "புனித அதனாசியஸ்" (Saint Athanasius) என்பவருக்கு அளிக்கும்படி அறிவுறுத்தினார். மற்றொரு அங்கியினை தமது சீடர்களில் ஒருவரான "புனித செராபியனுக்கு" (Saint Serapion) அளிக்கும்படி அறிவுறுத்தினார்.
கி.பி 356ம் ஆண்டு இறந்த அவரது விருப்பப்படி அவரது சீடர் துறவிகளைத் தவிர வேறு எவருக்கும் தெரியாமல் அவரது கல்லறை இரகசியமாக மறைக்கப்பட்டது. கல்லறை வெளிப்படையாக இருந்திருந்தால் மக்கள் தம் கல்லறையையே பெரிதாக எண்ணி, படைத்த இறைவனை மறந்துவிடுவார்கள் என்று அவர் கருதியதே இதற்கு காரணம்.
அனேகமாக, இவர் தமது தாய்மொழியான "காப்டிக்" (Coptic) மொழியையே பேசினார். ஆனால் அவரது கற்பித்தல் யாவும் கிரேக்க மொழியாக்கத்திலேயே பரவின. இவரது சரித்திரம் "புனிதர் அதனாஸியசால்" (Saint Athanasius) எழுதப்பட்டன. "புனிதர் பெரிய அந்தோனியாரின் சரித்திரம்" (Life of Saint Anthony the Great) என்று தலைப்பிடப்பட்டது. இப்புனிதர் தாமாக துறவு மடம் எதுவும் நிறுவவோ அமைக்கவோ இல்லையென்றாலும், அவரைச்சுற்றி ஒரு சமூகம், அவரையும் அவரது துறவறத்தையும் அவரது தனிமைப்படுத்தப்பட்ட வாழ்க்கையையும் முன்னுதாரணமாக எடுத்துக்கொண்டு வளர்ந்தது. புனிதர் அதனாஸியஸ் எழுதிய இவரது சரிதம், இவரது கொள்கைகளை பரப்புவதில் மிகவும் உதவியாக இருந்தது.
Blessed Teresio Olivelli
Also known as
Agostino Gracchi (alias used when in the Italian Resistance)
Profile
Son of Domenico Olivelli and Clelia Invernizzi, Teresio grew up in a very religious family. His maternal uncle, Father Rocco Invernizzi, was the boy’s spiritual teacher and director. His family moved to Pavia, Italy in 1926. Studied at Ghislieri College and then in 1934 at the law school at the University of Pavia, graduating there with honors in 1938. Member of Catholic Action and a Fascist student group. Professor of administrative law at the University of Turin, Italy; there he began a personal ministry of caring for the poor and orphaned. He wrote a number of articles on the law, social conditions and current events, and won an oratory competition in Trieste, Italy with a thesis on human dignities for all people, regardless of race.
He volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Studied in Berlin, Germany from 1939 to 1941, and spoke fluent German. Volunteered to fight on the Russian front in 1941, but was injured by frostbite. His experiences in war turned him against Fascism, and he refused to swear allegiance to the Italian Social Republic government in 1943. For this, he was deported to Innsbruck, Austria on 9 September 1943, but managed to return to Milan, Italy on 20 October 1943. There he founded an underground newspaper that promoted Christianity and Christian alteratives to Facism. Due to acts like the deportation of Jews, Teresio gave up all thoughts of reconciliation with Facism, and began fighting in the Italian Resistance. Arrested on 27 April 1944 in Milan, he was imprisoned in a series of prisons, and routinely tortured by the Nazis, he was known for sharing his meagre rations with other prisoners, and treating their injuries. At one point he was imprisoned with and befriended Blessed Odoardo Focherini. Beaten to death for trying to defend a Ukranian prisoner. Posthumously awarded the Medal of Military Valor.
Born
7 January 1916 at Bellagio, Como, Italy
Died
• beaten to death by a guard on 12 January 1945 at Hersbruck, Nürnberger Land, Germany
• cremated at the Hersbruck camp and his ashes dumped in a common grave
Venerated
• 14 December 2015 by Pope Francis (decree of heroic virtues)
• 16 June 2017 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)
Beatified
• 3 February 2018 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at Palazzetto di Vigevano, Vigevano, Italy presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Rosalina of Villeneuve
Also known as
Roseline, Roselyne, Rosalinde
Profile
Born to an ancient and noble family; daughter of Count Arnaud. As a child, Rosalina was noted for her charity to the poor, often slipping away to give food to beggars outside the family castle. Her father, seeing that she was giving away expensive meals, ordered her to stop. Saddened, she obeyed for about a week, but the sight of the beggars at the castle door was too much for her. Late one night, she filled her apron with food, and started toward the doors. Her father caught her, and demanded to know what she carried; when she opened the apron, it was filled with roses. He immediately ordered the cooks to feed everyone at the door.
She became a Carthusian nun, entering the monastery of Bertrand in the diocese of Gap, France. Prioress of Celle-Roubaud in Provence, France. Her mother joined the order with her, and her brother built a church for their house.
Rosalina had frequent visions, the gift of reading hearts, and other mystical phenomena. Her brother Hélian fought and was captured in the Crusades. Legend says he was freed from his chains and led safely home across the seas by a vision of Rosalina who appeared to him in a cloud of roses.
Born
1267 in a castle at Villeneuve, France
Died
• tomb of Blessed Rosalina of Villeneuve
• 17 January 1329
• buried at Celle-Roubaud, Provence, France
• body incorrupt
• relics translated in 1607 to a chapel devoted to her
• tomb became a scene for miracles
Beatified
1851 by Pope Blessed Pius IX (cultus confirmed)
Patronage
Draguignan, France
Saint Jenaro Sánchez DelGadillo
Additional Memorial
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Profile
Seminarian at Guadalajara, Mexico. Ordained in 1911. Priest at several parishes, including Tecolotlan, Jalisco. Noted for his combination of pastoral work with his parishioners and the sick, and for his organzational and administrative skills. When anti-religious laws were promulgated, he celebrated Mass in private homes. Arrested on 17 January 1927 while preparing to celebrate Mass on a farm. Martyr.
Born
19 September 1886 at Zapopán, diocese of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
• hanged from a mesquite tree on 17 January 1927 at Tecolotlan, Jalisco, Mexico
• corpse mutilated and left hanging as a warning
• relics translated to Cocula, Jalisco in 1934
Canonized
21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee of Mexico
Blessed Enrico Comentina
Also known as
• Enrico of Asti
• Henry...
Profile
Born to the nobility. Papal auditor. Bishop of Negroponte. Papal legate in Asia Minor where he worked for the union of Greek and Latin Churches. Patriarch of Constantinople in 1339. Negotiated an alliance between King Hugh IV of Cyprus and the Knights Hospitaler against the Turks in 1342. Pope Clement VI appointed him papal legate in the crusade against Smyrna. Martyred while celebrating Mass.
Died
• beheaded on 17 January 1345 in Smyrna, Turkey
• re-interred in the church of San Francesco in Asti, Italy in 1392
• during the transport, the urn containing his relics was miraculously saved from being lost in a storm; this led to him being known as a "saint of the water", and his patronage when water needs to be controlled, either more or less
• re-interred under the altar in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Asti in 1801
Blessed Gamelbert of Michaelsbuch
Profile
Born to a wealthy family, and may have been a member of the nobility. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. Parish priest in Michaelsbuch, Germany for over 50 years. Founded the Benedictine Metten Abbey in Bavaria, Germany. Uncle of its first abbot, Blessed Utto of Metten.
Born
720 in Bavaria (in modern Germany)
Died
c.802 of natural causes
Beatified
25 August 1909 by Pope Saint Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Our Lady of Pontmain
Date of Occurrence
17 January 1871
Status
approval of diocesan bishop
Description
During the Franco-Prussian War, German troops approached the town of Pontmain, France and the villagers there prayed for protection. On the evening of 17 January 1871, Mary appeared in the sky for several minutes over the town. She wore a dark blue dress covered in stars, carried a crucifix, and below her were the words Pray please. God will hear you soon. My son lets Himself be touched. That night the German army was ordered to withdraw, and an armistice ending the war was signed eleven days later on 28 January.
#நம்பிக்கையின்_அன்னை
(#ourladyofhope #ourladyofpontmain)
ஜனவரி 17
1871ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜெர்மனிக்கும் பிரான்சுக்கும் இடையே கடுமையான போர் நடந்தது.
அதே ஆண்டு ஜனவரி 17-ஆம் நாள் ஜெர்மன் நாட்டுப் படை பிரான்ஸ் நாட்டைத் தாக்க வந்தபோது, போன்ட்மெயின் (Pontmain)எந்த இடத்தில் இருந்த மக்கள் பாதுகாப்பதற்காக விண்ணை நோக்கி மன்றாடினார்கள். அப்பொழுது மேகங்கள் நடுவே கையில் திருச்சிலுவையுடன், விண்மீன்கள் பொறிக்கப்பட்ட அடர் ஊதா நிற உடையில் புனித கன்னி மரியா தோன்றினார்.
அவரைக் கண்டதும் மக்களெல்லாம் மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியடைந்தார்கள். பின்னர் மரியா அவர்களிடம், "நீங்கள் தொடர்ந்து மன்றாடுங்கள். அப்பொழுது என் மகன் உங்களுடைய வேண்டுதலைக் கேட்டு உங்களுக்குப் பதில் அளிப்பார்" என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு மறைந்தார்.
இதனால் மக்கள் இயேசுவிடம் நம்பிக்கையோடு மன்றாடினார்கள். அவர்களுடைய மன்றாட்டின் பயனாக ஜெர்மன் நாட்டுப் படை ஜனவரி 28 ஆம் நாள் பிரான்சிஸிலிருந்து பின்வாங்கியது.
இச்செய்தியை அறிந்த மக்கள் இயேசுவையும் புனித கன்னி மரியாவையும் போற்றிப் புகழ்ந்தார்கள்.
.
Saint Sulpicius of Bourges
Also known as
• Pius of Bourges
• Sulpice of Bourges
• Sulpicius the Pious
Profile
Born wealthy. Decided young to live celibately, and devoted himself to charity. Bishop of Bourges, France in 624. Spiritual teacher of Saint Remaclus. He became known for his personal piety and austerity, and such a good example that he is reported to have converted his entire diocese. Fought for the rights of his people against King Dagobert's minister, Lullo. Attended the Council of Clichy in 627. Late in life he resigned his see to devote himself to prayer and service to the poor.
Died
647 of natural causes
Saint Julian Sabas the Elder
Also known as
Julian the Ascetic
Additional Memorials
• 24 January (Greek Church)
• 18 October (Greek Menaea)
Profile
Hermit in a cave in Mesopotamia on the banks of the Euphrates near Edessa, and then on Mount Sinai. Legend says he ate only once a week. Ministered to and encourged Christians persecuted by Julian the Apostate. Enemies proclaimed that Julian was a follower of Arianism. He travelled to Antioch in 372, made several public speeches against the heresy - then returned to his cave where he lived the rest of his life. A brief biography of Julian was written by Saint John Chrystostom.
Born
Mesopotamian
Died
377 of natural causes
Blessed Beatrix of Cappenberg
Profile
Born to the nobility, she was Countess of Cappenberg in modern Germany. Sister of Blessed Godfrey of Cappenberg and Blessed Otto of Cappenberg. When the family turned their estate over to the Premonstratensians and turned the castle lands into a monastery, Beatrix became a Premonstratensian nun there.
Born
c.1100 in Cappenger castle, Cappenberg, Selm, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Saint Nennius
Also known as
Nennidhius, Ninnidh, Ninnaid
Additional Memorial
6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland
Profile
Born to the Irish nobility, Ninnian was early drawn to religious life. Spiritual student of Saint Fiechus of Leinster and of Saint Finnian of Clonard. Hermit on Inis-muighe-samb in Lake Erne. His reputation for learning and personal piety attracted many spiritual students to the island.
Born
Irish
Saint Neosnadia
Profile
Fifth-century woman. Several ancient chapels and churches in the area of Poitiers, France are dedicated to her, and some art-work associates her with sheep, wool and spinning, but no certain information about her has survived.
Born
near Loudon, diocese of Poitiers, France
Saint Mildgytha
Also known as
Mildgith, Milgitha, Milgithe, Mildgyth
Profile
Born a princess, the daughter of Merewalh, King of Mercia, and Saint Ebbe in Thanet. Sister of Saint Milburga and Saint Mildred of Thanet. Benedictine nun, receiving the veil from her mother at Minster on the Isle of Thanet. Abbess of a Northumbrian convent.
Died
c.676 of natural causes
Saint Richimir
Also known as
Richimirus, Rigomer
Profile
Benedictine monk. With a group of disciple brother monks, and with the support of the bishop of Le Mans, France, he founded the Benedictine monastery now known as Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois in the Loire Valley of France, and served as its first abbot.
Died
c.715 of natural causes
Saint Molaise by Kilmolash
Also known as
• Molaise of Devenish
• Laserian
Profile
Priest in Kilmolash, Ireland who helped convert the people in the Inishlounaght region.
Born
c.500 in Ireland
Died
c.560 in Ireland of natural causes
Blessed Joseph of Freising
Profile
Benedictine monk. Founded the monastery of Saint Zeno at Isen, Bavaria, Germany in 752. Bishop of Freising (near Munich), Germany in 764.
Died
• 764 of natural causes
• relics at the monastery at Isen, Germany
Saint Marcellus of Die
Also known as
Marcelo
Profile
Bishop of Die, province of Lugdunense, Gaul (in modern France). Exiled by Arian king Eurico for defending orthodox Christianity.
Died
510 of natural causes
Saint Meleusippus
Profile
Triplet brother of Saint Speusippus and Saint Eleusippus; grandson of Saint Leonilla. Martyred by Marcus Aurelius. An extraordinary series of legends grew up around the family over the years.
Died
Langres, France
Saint Eleusippus
Profile
Triplet brother of Saint Speusippus and Saint Meleusippus; grandson of Saint Leonilla. Martyred by Marcus Aurelius. An extraordinary series of legends grew up around the family over the years.
Died
Langres, France
Saint Speusippus
Profile
Triplet brother of Saint Eleusippus and Saint Meleusippus; grandson of Saint Leonilla. Martyred by Marcus Aurelius. An extraordinary series of legends grew up around the family over the years.
Died
Langres, France
Saint Anthony of Rome
Profile
Benedictine monk at Saint Andrew's monastery on the Coelian Hill, Rome, Italy under abbot Saint Gregory the Great who later wrote about him. Miracle worker.
Died
c.590 of natural causes
Saint John of Rome
Profile
Benedictine monk at Saint Andrew's monastery on the Coelian Hill, Rome, Italy under abbot Saint Gregory the Great who later wrote about him. Miracle worker.
Died
c.590 of natural causes
Saint Achillas of Sketis
Also known as
• Achilleus
• one of the Flowers of the Desert
Profile
Fourth century desert hermit in Egypt for decades. Friend of Saint Amoes of Sketis.
Saint Leonilla
Profile
Grandmother of Saint Speusippus, Saint Eleusippus and Saint Meleusippus. Martyred by Marcus Aurelius. An extraordinary series of legends grew up around the family over the years.
Died
Langres, France
Saint Merulus of Rome
Profile
Benedictine monk at Saint Andrew's monastery on the Coelian Hill, Rome, Italy under abbot Saint Gregory the Great who later wrote about him. Miracle worker.
Died
c.590 of natural causes
Saint Amoes of Sketis
Also known as
one of the Flowers of the Desert
Profile
Fourth century desert hermit in Egypt for decades. Friend of Saint Achillas of Sketis
Saint Pior
Profile
Hermit in a cave in the Baid desert on the Nile in Egypt. Spiritual student of Saint Anthony the Abbot.
Died
395 of natural causes
Saint Genulfus
Also known as
Genou
Profile
Third century monk at Celle-sur-Naton, France.
Saint Genitus
Profile
Third century monk at Celle-sur-Naton, France.
Bl. Gonzalo de Amarante
It must be confessed that many of the incidents recorded in the life of Blessed Gonzalo (Gundisalvus), a Portuguese of high family, are not of a nature to inspire confidence in the sobriety of his biographers judgment. At the very outset we are told that when carried to the font the infant fixed his eyes on the crucifix with a look of extraordinary love. Then, when he had grown up and been ordained a priest, he is said to have resigned his rich benefice to his nephew and to have spent fourteen years upon a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On his return, being repulsed by his nephew, who set the dogs on him as a vagrant, he was supernaturally directed to enter that Order in which the Office began and ended with the Ave Maria. He accordingly became a Dominican, but what was allowed by his superiors to live as a hermit, during which time he built, largely with his own hands, a bridge over the river Tamega. When the laborers whom he persuaded to help him had no wine to drink, and he was afraid that they would go on strike, he betook himself to prayer; and then, on his hitting the rock with his stick, an abundant supply of excellent wine spouted forth from a fissure. Again, when provisions failed, he went to the riverside to summon the fishes, who came at his call and jumped out of the river, competing for the privilege of being eaten in so worthy a cause. Similarly, we read that "when he was preaching to the people, desiring to make them understand the effects of the Church's censures upon the soul, he excommunicated a basket of bread, and the loaves at once became black and corrupt. Then, to show that the Church can restore to her communion those who humble acknowledge their fault, he removed the excommunication, and the loaves recovered their whiteness and their wholesome savor". It is to be feared that legend has played a considerable part in filling in the rather obscure outlines of the biography. Blessed Gonzalo died on January 10, but his feast is kept on this day by the Dominicans, his cultus having been approved in 1560. His feast day is January 17th.
Bl. Gregory Khomyshyn
Gregory Khomyshyn was a Greek Catholic. He was ordained on November 18, 1893. Studied theology at Vienna, Austria from 1894 to 1899. Rector of the seminary in Lviv, Ukraine in 1902. Bishop of Stanislaviv (modern Ivano-Frankivsk), Ukraine on 6 May 1904. Arrested for his faith in 1939. Arrested again in April 1945; deported to Kiev, Ukraine. Died in prison. One of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe
