St. Basil and Companions
Feastday: March 4
Death: 4th century
Martyred bishop, with Agathodorus, Elpidius, Ephraem, lftherius, Eugene, Arcadius, Capito, and Nestor. These prelates served as bishops. Nestor and Arcadius were rnartyred on Cyprus. The others died in the Crimean area and elsewhere in southern Russia.
St. Lucius I
Feastday: March 4
Lucius I, a Roman, was elected Pope to succeed Pope St. Cornelius on June 25, 253, and ruled only eighteen months. He was exiled briefly during the persecution of Emperor Gallus, but was allowed to return to Rome. A letter of St. Cyprian praises him for condemning the Novatians for their refusal of the sacraments to those who had fallen but were penitent. He did not suffer martyrdom, as a erroneously stated in the Liber Pontificalis, but died probably on March 4 in Rome and was buried in St. Callistus' catacomb. The remains after an early translation were transferred to the church of St. Cecilia, where they now lie, by order of Clement VIII. His feast day is March 4th.
Pope Lucius I was the bishop of Rome from 25 June 253 to his death on 5 March 254. He was banished soon after his consecration, but gained permission to return. He was mistakenly classified as a martyr in the persecution by Emperor Valerian, which did not begin until after Lucius' death.
Life
Lucius was born in Rome. Nothing is known about his family except his father's name, Porphyrianus. He was elected probably on 25 June 253. His election took place during the persecution which caused the banishment of his predecessor, Cornelius, and he also was banished soon after his consecration, but succeeded in gaining permission to return.[1]
Lucius is praised in several letters of Cyprian (see Epist. lxviii. 5) for condemning the Novationists for their refusal to readmit to communion Christians who repented for having lapsed under persecution.
Veneration
Lucius I's feast day is 5 March, on which date he is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology in the following terms: "In the cemetery of Callistus on the Via Appia, Rome, burial of Saint Lucius, Pope, successor of Saint Cornelius. For his faith in Christ he suffered exile and acted as an outstanding confessor of the faith, with moderation and prudence, in the difficult times that were his."[2]
His feast did not appear in the Tridentine Calendar of Pope Pius V. In 1602, it was inserted under the date of 4 March, into the General Roman Calendar. With the insertion in 1621 on the same date of the feast of Saint Casimir, the celebration of Pope Lucius was reduced to a commemoration within Saint Casimir's Mass. In the 1969 revision Pope Lucius's feast was omitted from the General Roman Calendar, partly because of the baselessness of the title of "martyr" with which he had previously been honoured,[3] and was moved in the Roman Martyrology to the day of his death.
In spite of what is mistakenly stated in the Liber Pontificalis, he did not in fact suffer martyrdom.[4] The persecution of Valerian in which he was said to have been martyred is known to have started later than March 254, when Pope Lucius died.
Tomb
Lucius I's tombstone is still extant in the catacomb of Callixtus. His relics were later brought to the church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, along with the relics of Cecilia and others. His head is preserved in a reliquary in St. Ansgar's Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark. This relic was brought to Roskilde around the year 1100, after Lucius had been declared patron saint of the Danish region Zealand. According to tradition, there had been demons at large at the Isefjord at Roskilde city,[5] and as they declared that they feared nothing but Lucius' skull, this had to be brought to Denmark, whereupon peace took reign of the fjord again.[6] After the Reformation, the skull was taken to the exhibition rooms of king Frederik III in Copenhagen, where it was on exhibit along with the petrified embryo a woman had carried inside her for 28 years, as well as other monstrosities the king had collected. The skull remained in Roskilde Cathedral until 1908, when it was moved to Saint Ansgar's Cathedral while the property of Copenhagen's National museum.
Pope Lucius' head is among the few relics to have survived the Reformation in Denmark. However the Norwegian researcher Øystein Morten[7] started wondering if Lucius' skull might have been mixed up with the skull of the Norwegian king Sigurd the Crusader (1090–1130). This skull had also been kept in the Danish National Museum collection in the 1800s until it was donated to Oslo University in 1867. Danish experts from the National Museum then studied the skull, using carbon dating which concluded that the skull belonged to a man who lived between AD 340 and 431, nearly 100 years after the death of Lucius in 254. So the skull in question never belonged to Lucius, who died around AD 254. The results also rule out that it may have belonged to the King Sigurd
Saint Casimir of Poland
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(மார்ச் 4)
✠ போலந்து நாட்டு புனிதர் கசிமீர் ✠
(St. Casimir of Poland)
போலந்து இளவரசர், ஒப்புரவாளர்:
(Prince of the Kingdom of Poland and Confessor)
பிறப்பு: அக்டோபர் 3, 1458
வாவெல், க்ரகோவ், போலந்து அரசு
(Wawel, Kraków, Kingdom of Poland)
இறப்பு: மார்ச் 4, 1484 (வயது 25)
க்ரோட்னோ, லித்துவானிய பிரபுக்கள் மாளிகை
(Grodno, Grand Duchy of Lithuania)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: கி.பி. 1602
திருத்தந்தை எட்டாம் கிளமென்ட்
(Pope Clement VIII)
பாதுகாவல்: லித்துவானியா (Lithuania), போலந்து (Poland), ரஷியா (Russia)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மார்ச் 4
"கசிமீர் ஜகியல்லோன்" (Casimir Jagiellon) என்ற முழுப்பெயர் கொண்ட போலந்து நாட்டு புனிதர் கசிமீர், போலந்து நாட்டின் இளவரசரும் (Prince of the Kingdom of Poland), லித்துவானிய பிரபுவும் (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) ஆவார்.
இவர், போலந்து அரசரும், லித்துவானியா கோமகனுமான (King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania) "நான்காம் கசிமீரி'ன்" (Casimir IV) குழந்தை ஆவார். இவருடைய தாயார், ஹங்கேரியின் அரசியான “எலிசபெத் ஹப்ஸ்பர்க்” (Queen Elisabeth Habsburg of Hungary) ஆவார். இவருடைய பெற்றோரின் மூன்று குழந்தைகளில், இவர் இரண்டாவது குழந்தையாக பிறந்தார். அரசி எலிசபெத், பிள்ளைகளின் வளர்ப்பில் ஆர்வம் காட்டிய ஒரு அன்பான தாயாக இருந்தார்.
தமது ஒன்பது வயதிலிருந்தே, கசிமீரும் அவரது சகோதரரான “விளாடிஸ்லாஸ்” (Vladislaus) இருவரும் போலிஷ் மத குருவான "ஜான் ட்ளுகோஸ்" (John Dlugosz) என்பவரிடம் கல்வி கற்றனர். இவரும் இவரது சகோதரர்களும் இலத்தீன், ஜெர்மன், சட்டம், சரித்திரம், அணியிலக்கணம் மற்றும் பண்டைய இலக்கியம் ஆகியன கற்றனர். அவர் நெறிமுறைகள், அறநெறி மற்றும் சமய பக்தி ஆகியவற்றை வலியுறுத்தும் ஒரு கடுமையும் கண்டிப்புமான, மற்றும் பழமைவாத ஆசிரியராக இருந்தார். இளவரசர்கள் இருவரும், தங்கள் தந்தையால் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட உடல் ரீதியான தண்டனைக்கும் உட்பட்டனர். கி.பி. 1469ம் ஆண்டு, போலந்துக்குத் திரும்பும் தன் தந்தைக்கு வாழ்த்துக்களை வழங்குவதற்கு கசிமீர் ஆற்றிய உரையிலிருந்து அவரது நாவன்மையை கண்டு, "ஜான் ட்ளுகோஸ்" (John Dlugosz) வியந்தார். கசிமீர், பெரும் கல்வியாளரும் ராஜதந்திரியுமான "ஜோஹன்னாஸ்" (Johannes Longinus) என்பவரிடமும் கல்வி கற்றார்.
கி.பி. 1471ம் ஆண்டு, இவரது மூத்த சகோதரர் "விளாடிஸ்லாஸ்" (Vladislaus) "போஹெமியா" அரசராக (King of Bohemia) தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டார். ஆகவே, தமது பதின்மூன்று வயதில் கசிமிர், விளாடிஸ்லாஸின் வெளிப்படையான வாரிசானார். ஆனால், பொஹேமிய பிரபுக்கள் சிலர் விளாடிஸ்லாஸுக்கு எதிராக "மத்தியாஸ் கொர்வினஸ்" (Matthias Corvinus) என்பவரை ஆதரித்தனர். இதற்கு மாறாக வேறு சில பொஹேமிய பிரபுக்கள் இரகசியமாக அவரை எதிர்த்தனர். இதனால் அரசர் 4ம் கசிமீர் விளாடிஸ்லாஸுக்கு பதிலாக கசிமீரை ஹங்கேரி நாட்டுக்கு அரசனாக முடிசூட்ட முடிவு செய்தார்.
இவரது மூத்த சகோதரர் இரண்டாம் விளாடிஸ்லாஸ் பொஹேமியா நாட்டை ஆள, கசிமிர் போலந்து மற்றும் லித்துவானியா நாடுகளின் வெளிப்படையான வாரிசானார்.
இதனால் இவருக்கு எதிராக மத்தியாஸ் கோர்வினஸ் (Matthias Corvinus) செயல்பட்டான். ஏனென்றால், தானும் அரசராக வேண்டுமென்று மத்தியாஸ் ஆசை கொண்டான். இவன் கசிமீர் அரசராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட நாளிலிருந்தே மிகவும் தொல்லை கொடுத்துக்கொண்டே இருந்தான். அவர் செய்த அனைத்துப் பணிகளுக்கும் தடைவிதித்துக் கொண்டே எதையும் செய்யவிடாமல் தடுத்தான். இதனால் ஒரு பக்கம் கசிமீர் மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைந்தார்.
வரும் தடைகள் அனைத்திற்கும் கடவுளுக்கு நன்றி கூறிக்கொண்டே இருந்தார். அரசர் பதவியிலிருந்து விலகிச் சென்று, இறைவனை பிடித்துகொள்ள கடவுள் செய்யும் உதவிகளை நினைத்து, இடைவிடாது இறைவேண்டல் செய்து நன்றி கூறினார்.
கி.பி. 1481ம் ஆண்டு, இவர் பேரரசர் மூன்றாம் ஃபிரடெரிக்கின் (Emperor Frederick III) மகளான “குனிகுண்டை” (Kunigunde of Austria) இளவரசர் கசிமீருக்கு திருமணம் செய்துவைக்க இவரது தந்தையார் முயன்றார். திருமண வாழ்க்கையையும் பாலியல் உறவுகளையும் வெறுத்துவந்த இளவரசர் கசிமீர், அடிக்கடி நடந்த இதுபோன்ற திருமண ஏற்பாடுகளை நிராகரித்தார். திருமணத்திற்கு பதிலாக கற்பு என்னும் வார்த்தைப்ப்பாட்டை எடுத்துகொண்டார். தாம் தமது மரணத்தை நெருங்குவதை இவர் உணர்ந்திருந்தார். இவர் லிட்டவுனிலிருந்த வில்னா (Wilna) என்ற ஊரிலிருந்த கல்லூரியில் அமைந்திருந்த பேராலயத்தில் தனது இறுதி நாட்களைக் கழித்தார்.
இவர் இறந்த பிறகு அங்கேதான் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டார். சில ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து இவரின் உடல் வில்னாவில் உள்ள செயிண்ட் பீட்டர் பவுல் பேராலயத்திற்கு மாற்றப்பட்டது.
இவர், தான் இறக்கும் வரை கிறிஸ்தவப் புண்ணியங்களில் சிறப்பாக, கற்பு நெறியிலும், ஏழை எளியவர்க்கு இரங்கி அன்பு செய்வதிலும் சிறந்து விளங்கினார். திருமறையைப் பரப்புவதில் ஆர்வமிக்கவராய் திகழ்ந்தார். தூய நற்கருணைமீது பக்தியும், கன்னிமரியின்மீது பற்றுதலும் கொண்டு வாழ்ந்தார்.
Also known as
• Casimir of Cracow
• Kazimieras, Kazimierz, Kazimir
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Fifteenth century Polish prince, the younger son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria. Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1471; third in line for the throne. Lived a highly disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer, dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy. He had a great devotion to Mary, supported the poor, and lived a virtuous life amid the dissolute court.
Hungarian nobles prevailed upon Casimir's father to send his 15-year-old son to be their king; Casimir obeyed, taking the crown, but refusing to exercise power. His army was outnumbered, his troops deserting because they were not paid. Casimir returned home, and was a conscientious objector from that time on.
He returned to prayer and study, maintained his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor's daughter. Reigned briefly as king during his father's absence.
Born
3 October 1458 in Wawel, Kraków, Poland
Died
• 4 March 1484 at Grondo, Grand Duchy of Lithuania (in modern Belarus) of tuberculosis
• buried in the Chapel of Saint Casimir, cathedral of Vilnius, Lithuania
Canonized
• 1522 by Pope Adrian VI
• 1602 by Pope Clement VIII
Patronage
• against plague
• bachelors
• kings
• princes
• single laymen
• Lithuania (proclaimed by Pope Urban VIII in 1636
• Poland
• Grodno, Belarus, diocese of
Blessed Giovanni Fausti
Also known as
Gjon Fausti
Profile
Eldest of twelve brothers in his family. Studied at the Inter-Brescia seminary where he became friends with the future Pope Paul VI. Graduated from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy in 1922, and was ordained as a priest on 9 July 1922. Taught philosophy at the Inter-Brescia seminary in 1923. Joined the Jesuits in Gorizia, Italy in 1924. Chair of the philosophy department in Scutari, Albania from 1929 to 1932. Chair of the department of philosophy in Mantua, Italy and leader of the Jesuits there in 1932. Father Gjon suffered from lengthy health problems which required regular treatment and reduction in his work schedule from 1932 to 1936, but on 2 February 1936 he made his solemn profession in the Jesuits and returned to full-time adminstration, teaching and ministry. Rector of the Pontifical Seminary of Scutari and its adjoining Xaverian college in July 1942. Worked to start a Christian-Muslim dialogue in Albania. Transferred to Tirana, Albania in 1943 where he worked to help and protect all Albanians in the privations and persecutions of World War II. Vice-provincial of the Jesuits in Albania in 1945. Arrested by the Communist regime on 31 December 1945, and in a show trial, was sentenced to death for being a spy for the Vatican and a traitor to Albania. Martyr.
Born
19 October 1899 in Brozzo, Marcheno, Val Trompia, Brescia, Italy
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the cemetery in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shén Shtjefnit, Shkodér, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Kolé Shllaku
Also known as
Brother Gjon
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Son of Loros and Maré Ashtés. Studied at Franciscan schools, and became a Franciscan Friar Minor novice on 4 October 1922, making his perpetual vows on 13 September 1928 and taking the name Gjon. Studied theology in the Netherlands. Ordained a priest on 15 March 1931. Studied science, history and philosophy in Louvain, Belgium. Received a doctorate in philosophy from the Sorbonne University in Paris, France in 1937. Back in Albania he taught philosophy and French at a number of levels, and served as a spiritual director to many of his students. An open anti-Fascist, he was forced to flee to Yugoslavia when the Italians invaded Albania. Returning home, he ministered to those suffering in the privations of World War II, and continued to speak against Fascism and Communism. Helped found the Christian Democrats in Albania which led to his arrest by the Communist regime that took power after World War II; he was arrested in a class room in the middle of a lecture. He spent several months being tortured in prison, was finally given a show trial, found guilty of treason against the Communist government, and on 22 February 1946 he was sentenced to death. Martyr.
Born
27 July 1907 in Shkodré, Albania
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the cemetery in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shén Shtjefnit, Shkodér, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Qerim Sadiku
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Qerim served in the Albanian gendarmerie in the reign of Zog I, rising to the rank of lieutenant. During World War II, he ran a shop and avoided politics. He married Marije Vata in September 1944. After the war, when the Communists took over Albania, Querim was known to be anti–Communist, pro-Albanian nationalist, and a very pious Catholic, spending much time in prayer and none in violence. He was arrested on 3 December 1945 for opposing the mandatory, one-party-only vote, and for being a member of the Albanian Union, which the Communists considered violent fascists. After a show trial, Qerim was sentenced to death. Martyr. His only child was born six months after his death.
Born
18 February 1919 in Vudanje, Yugoslavia (modern Vuthaj, Shkodrë, Albania)
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the Varrezat e Rrmajit cemetery on the Rruga Hile Mosi in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Saint Adrian of Nicomedia
Also known as
Hadrian
Additional Memorial
8 September (translation of relics)
Profile
Pagan officer and body guard at the imperial court of Nicomedia. Adrian was so impressed by the strength and faith shown by persecuted Christians that he declared himself a Christian, though he had not even been baptized. He was immediately arrested and tortured. He and fellow prisoners were tended by his wife, Saint Natalia until they were executed.
Died
• thrown to a lion, which refused to touch him
• legs broken with an anvil, and then hacked to pieces with a sword on 4 March 304
• body burned, but when a storm extinguished the fire his wife salvaged his dismembered hand as a relic, and took it to Argyropolis near Constantinople
• other relics at Grammont (Geertsbergen), Belgium
Patronage
• against epilepsy
• against plague
• arms dealers
• butchers
• epileptics
• prison guards
• soldiers
• Flanders, Belgium
• Germany
Blessed Daniel Dajani
Profile
Feeling an early call to the priesthood, Daniel entered the Pontifical Seminary in Scutari, Albania at age 12. He joined the Jesuits in Gorizia, Albania on 8 July 1926, and made his final profession on 2 February 1942. He studied philosophy in Chieri, Italy from 1931 to 1933, and then returned to Albania in 1935 to teach Latin in the seminary. Ordained a priest on 15 July 1938. In 1940 he resumed teaching at the Scutari seminary, worked parish missions and conducted religious education in mountain parishes. Rector of Saverjane College and the Pontifical Seminary in 1944. Arrested by Communist authorities on 31 December 1945, accused of being part of the leadership of the anti–Communist Albanian Union. Father Daniel had nothing to do with the group, but following a show trial, he was executed. Martyr.
Born
2 December 1906 in Blinisht, Zadrima, Lezhë, Albania
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the cemetery in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Zoltán Lajos Meszlényi
Profile
Second of five children in a devoutly Catholic family; his father was a school teacher and principal. Graduated from a Benedictine high school in Esztergom, Hungary in 1909. With the support of Cardinal Kolos Vaszary, Zoltán then a studied in Rome, Italy at the Collegium Germanico-Hungaricum and Pontifical Gregorian University where he earned a doctorates in philosophy in 1912, theology in 1913 and a degree in canon law. Forced to leave Italy at the start of World War II, he finished his studies in Innsbruck, Austria, and was ordained there on on 28 October 1915.
Chaplain of Komárom, Hungary. Assigned several administrative tasks and positions at the archdiocese office Esztergom from 1917 to 1937. Auxiliary Bishop of Esztergom, Hungary and Titular Bishop of Sinope on 22 September 1937. Worked to keep the see functioning as the archbishop and other officers were imprisoned in the anti–Christian persecutions of the Hungaian Communists. On 29 June 1950 it was Zoltán’s turn; he was imprisoned, isolated, tortured, starved, abused, and set to forced labour until his health was finally destroyed. Martyr.
Born
2 January 1892 in Hatvan, Heves, Hungary
Died
4 March 1951 in Kistarcsa, Gödölloi, Hungary
Beatified
• 1 November 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition Mass celebrated in the cathedral of Esztergom, Hungary
Saint Peter of Pappacarbone
Also known as
• Peter of Cava
• Peter of La Cava
• Peter I of Cava
Profile
Born to the Salerno nobility; relative of Saint Alferius of La Cava. Benedictine monk at Cava, Italy while still a young man; his abbot was Saint Leo of La Cava. Lived for a while as a hermit, and then was assigned to Cluny Abbey from 1062 to 1068. Bishop of Policastro, Italy in 1079; after two years of service, he resigned the see and returned to Cava where he served as co-adjutor abbot with Saint Leo. He was chosen abbot and tried to introduce the Cluniac reform, but was so strict that he caused strife in the house. He withdrew from office for a while, and even formed a house in the Cilento region of Italy. However, he was later recalled to La Cava and served decades as abbot with a much more fatherly attitude. During his time he brought in over 3,000 monks who then went out to found other houses and spread the Faith.
Born
in Salerno, Italy
Died
1123 of natural causes
Canonized
1893 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)
Patronage
Policastro, Italy
Blessed Placide Viel
Also known as
• Eulalie Victoire Jacqueline Viel
• Eulalie-Victoire Viel
• Placida Viel
Profile
One of eight children of a farm family. Niece of Saint Marie Madeleine Postel. Joined the Sisters of the Christian Schools at age 18, taking the name Placide. She had little education, and studied for a while at Argentan, France. Worked in school administration, founded new convents, and served as novice mistress. Assistant-general of the Sisters at 26, an appointment that caused great resentment among her sisters. Mother-general of the order at age 31 on the death of her aunt. Directed the institute, orphanages, nursery and elementary schools for the next 30 years, opening 36 schools for the poor in Normandy. Obtained papal authority for the order in 1859 from Pope Pius IX. Worked herself to death organizing relief during the Franco-Prussian War in 1877.
Born
26 September 1815 at Quettehou, Normandy, France as Eulalie Victoire Jacqueline Viel
Died
4 March 1877 at Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, France of natural causes
Beatified
6 May 1951 by Pope Pius XII
Blessed Gjelosh Lulashi
Profile
A lifelong layman in the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania, Gjelosh was educated by Franciscans, and studied at the Shkodër Seminary. He was a soldier, worked as a secretary, and was a member of the anti–Communist group, Albanian Union. Gjelosh was arrested on 3 December 1945 accused of treason for not supporting Communism, and of being a Vatican spy for remaining a devout Catholic. He was given a show trial on 22 February 1946, convicted, and sentenced to death. Martyr.
Born
2 September 1925 in Shosh, Shkodré, Albania
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the cemetery in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shén Shtjefnit, Shkodér, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Mark Çuni
Profile
Mark was a 3rd year seminarian at the Albanian Pontifical Seminary in the archdiocese of Shkodër-Pult, Albania. For his adherence to his faith, he was arrested by Communist authorities on 7 December 1945, imprisoned in Shkodër for several months, sentenced to death on 22 February 1946, and then executed. Martyr.
Born
30 September 1919 in Ranza Bushat, Shkodër, Albania
Died
• shot by a machine-gun squad at 6am on 4 March 1946 at the Varrezat e Rrmajit cemetery on the Rruga Hile Mosi in Shkodrë, Albania
• the body was left laying outside for a day to show the locals what would happen to those who opposed the Communists
• buried with other martyrs in a mass grave near the nearby river bed on the night of 5 March; rubbish bins were stacked on the grave to conceal it
Beatified
• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Saint Giovanni Antonio Farina
#புனித_ஜோகன்னஸ்_அன்டனியூஸ்_ஃபரினா (1803-1888)
மார்ச் 04
இவர் (#JohannesAntoniusFarina) இத்தாலியைச் சார்ந்தவர்; இவரது பெற்றோர் பேத்ரோ, பிரான்சிஸ்கா என்பவராவர்.
வளரும்போதே கடவுள்மீது ஆழமான பற்றுக்கொண்டிருந்த இவர் பின்னாளில் குருமடத்தில் சேர்ந்து குருவாக அருள்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார்.
பலருக்குத் தாம் படித்த இடத்திலேயே பணிபுரியும் வாய்ப்புக் கிடைக்காது; ஆனால் இவருக்குத் தான் படித்த குருமடத்திலேயே பேராசிரியராகப் பணிபுரியும் வாய்ப்புக் கிடைத்தது. தனக்குக் கிடைத்த இவ்வரிய வாய்ப்பினை இவர் நல்லமுறையில் பயன்படுத்தி, மிகச் சிறப்பான முறையில் பணிசெய்தார்.
இந்நிலையில் இவர் 1850 ஆம் ஆண்டு திரிவிசோ நகரின் ஆயராகத் திருப்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார். ஏழைகள் மீது மிகுந்த கரிசனையும் அன்பும் கொண்டிருந்த இவர், கல்வியின் இன்றியாமையாமை மக்கள் நடுவில் தொடர்ந்து வலியுறுத்தி வந்தார்.
இவர்தான் பிற்காலத்தில் திருத்தந்தையான பத்தாம் பயஸை 1858 ஆம் ஆண்டு குருவாக அருள்பொழிவு செய்தார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
1860 ஆம் ஆண்டு இவர் வின்சென்சா நகரின் ஆயராகத் திருப்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார். அங்கேயும் இவர் மிகச் சிறந்த முறையில் பணி செய்து 1888 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறையடி சேர்ந்தார். இவருக்கு 2014 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்களால் புனிதர் பட்டம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது.
Also known as
Johannes Antonius Farina
Profile
Son of Pedro and Francisca Bellame. Studied at the seminary in Vicenza, Italy, and taught there while still a student. Ordained on 15 January 1827. Founder of the Institute of the Sisters Teachers of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart in 1836; they are dedicated to teaching the poor. Bishop of Treviso, Italy on 20 September 1850. Ordained the future Pope Saint Pius X on 18 September 1858. Bishop of Vicenza on 28 September 1860, a seat he held until his death.
Born
11 January 1803 in Gambellara, Vincenza province, Italy
Died
4 March 1888 from a stroke at Vicenza, Italy
Canonized
23 November 2014 by Pope Francis
Blessed Nicholas Horner
Additional Memorial
22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
Profile
Lifelong layman; tailor by trade. An informal but enthusiastic evangelist for Catholicism. While in London, England seeking treatment for a leg wound, he was imprisoned in Newgate for the crime of harbouring priests; the chains and lack of medical care led to amputation of the injured leg. His friends petitioned for his release, which was granted, and Nicholas resumed work as a tailor at Smithfield, London. Arrested again for harbouring priests, he was thrown into Bridewell prison, tried for the crime of making clothes for a priest, and sentenced to death. Martyr.
Born
Grantley, Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 4 March 1590 in front of his home on Fetter Lane, Smithfield, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Blessed Marie-Louise-élisabeth de Lamoignon de Dolé de Champlâtreux
Also known as
• Mère Saint-Louis
• Mother Saint Louis
Profile
Married. Widow. On 25 May 1803 she founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Louis in Vannes, France for the education of poor and abandoned girls.
Born
3 October 1763 in Paris, France
Died
4 March 1825 in Vannes, Morbihan, France
Beatification
27 November 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Pere Roca Toscas
Profile
Drawn to religious life in his early teens. Had a great love of literature, especially Catalan, and wrote poetry. Professed cleric in the Sons of the Holy Family. Entered the seminary in Barcelona, Spain, but it was closed at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Captured, tortured and executed for trying to protect a church's icons. Martyr of the Spanish Civil War.
Born
7 October 1916 in Mura, Barcelona, Spain
Died
• shot on 4 March 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain
• body dumped into a mass grave and remains never identified
Beatified
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
Blessed Humbert III of Savoy
Profile
Son of Count Amadeus III of Savoy and Matilda of Vienna. Educated by Blessed Amadeus of Lausanne. Count of Savoy from age 13 when his father died. Married several times; widower several times. Joined the Carthusian monastery at Haute-Combe, but was obliged to resume political charge of the Savoy. Eventually assumed a Cistercian habit.
Born
1136 at Avigliana, Italy
Died
1189 at Chambéry, France
Beatified
1838 by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmed)
Blessed Christopher Bales
Also known as
• Christopher Bayles
• Christopher Evers
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Educated at Rome, Italy and Rheims, France. Ordained at Douai, France in 1587. Returned to England in 1588 to minister to covert Catholics, using the name Christopher Evers. Arrested and martyred for the crime of priesthood.
Born
Coniscliffe, Durham, England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 4 March 1590 in Fleet Street, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Appian of Comacchio
Also known as
Apianus, Appianus
Profile
Benedictine monk at the abbey of Saint Peter of Ciel d'Oro, Pavia, Italy. Steward of his house's goods. Hermit at Comacchio, Italy where he evangelized the area.
Born
8th century in Liguria, Italy
Died
• c.800 at Comacchio, Italy of natural causes
• following miracles at his grave, his relics were translated to the church of San Appian in Comacchio
• during an attempted theft of the relics, their transport would not go past the church of San Maurus, so the relics were re-enshrined there
Saint Paolo of Brescia
Also known as
Paul, Paolino
Profile
Brother of Saint Gaudenzio of Brescia. Priest. Tenth bishop of the diocese of Brescia, Italy, serving in the early 5th century.
Died
• 5th century of natural causes
• relics re-interred in the basilica of Sant'Eusebio al Goletto
• relics re-interred in the church of San Pietro in Oliveto, Italy on 3 March 1498
• relics re-interred in the church of Sant'Agata in 1798
Blessed Pedro Ruiz Ortega
Profile
Professed cleric in the Sons of the Holy Family. Seminarian. When the persecutions of the Spanish Civil War began, he tried to flee to Rome, Italy to continue his studies. However, he was imprisoned and executed for his faith. Martyr.
Born
14 January 1912 in Vilviestre de Muñó, Burgos, Spain
Died
• 4 March 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain
• body has not been located
Beatified
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
Blessed Rupert of Ottobeuren
Profile
Benedictine monk. Abbot of the run down abbey of Ottobeuren. Under his leadership, the house had a resurgence, and both the place and Rupert became known for their piety.
Born
latter 12th century
Died
• 13th century of natural causes
• relics enshrined a chapel devoted to him at the Ottobeuren monastery
Saint Adrian of May
Also known as
Odhren
Profile
May have been a member of the Hungarian royal family. Missionary bishop on the isle of May in the Firth of Forth off the western coast of Britain. Martyred with fellow missionaries by Danish invaders. May have evangelized in Ireland. May have been bishop of Saint Andrews; records are unclear. Leader of a group of martyrs killed by pagan Dane.
Born
at Pannonia, Hungary
Died
c.875
Blessed Mieczyslaw Bohatkiewicz
Also known as
Miecislao Bohatkiewicz
Profile
Priest in the diocese of Pinsk, Belarus. Martyred in the Nazi persecution of Christians.
Born
1 January 1904 in Kriukai (a.k.a. Krykaly), Marijampole rajonas, Lithuania
Died
4 March 1942 in Berezovichi (a.k.a. Berezwecz), Hrodzyenskaya voblasts', Belarus
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Wladyslaw Mackowiak
Also known as
Ladislao Mackowiak
Profile
Priest in the diocese of Vilnius, Lithuania. Martyred in the Nazi persecution of Christians.
Born
14 November 1910 in Sytki, Podlaskie, Poland
Died
4 March 1942 in Berezovichi (a.k.a. Berezwecz), Hrodzyenskaya voblasts', Belarus
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Stanislaw Pyrtek
Also known as
Stanislao Pyrtek
Profile
Priest in the diocese of Vilnius, Lithuania. Martyred in the Nazi persecution of Christians.
Born
21 March 1913 in Bystra Podhalanska, Malopolskie, Poland
Died
4 March 1942 in Berezovichi (a.k.a. Berezwecz), Hrodzyenskaya voblasts', Belarus
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Felix of Rhuys
Profile
Hermit on Ouessant Island, France. Benedictine monk at Saint Benoit sur Loire monastery, Fleury-sur-Loire, France. Assigned to restore the great Rhuys abbey which had been founded by Saint Gildas the Wise and later destroyed by the Normans.
Born
near Quimper, Brittany (part of modern France)
Died
1038 of natural causes
Blessed Alexander Blake
Additional Memorial
4 May as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland and Wales
Profile
Layman. Condemned for harboring priests. Martyr.
Born
England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 4 March 1590 in Gray's Inn Lane, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Basinus of Trier
Also known as
Basino, Basinos
Profile
Seventh-century benedictine monk. Abbot of Saint Maximinus monastery in Trier, Germany. Bishop of Trier. Assisted English missionaries in the area, including Saint Willibrord of Echternach.
Born
in Lorraine, France
Died
c.705 of natural causes
Saint Leonard of Avranches
Profile
Known initially for his powerful build, fiery temper, and bullying demeanor. In later life he reformed, took his religion seriously, spent 30 years as bishop of Avranches, France, and was proclaimed a saint by the parishioners in his see.
Died
c.614 of natural causes
Saint Philip of Cluain-Bainbh
Also known as
• Philip of Clocharbainni
• Philip of Clogher
• Moggrudo, Moggrudonis, Mogrado, Mogrudo
Profile
Bishop of Cluain-Bainbh, Ireland.
Saint Gaius of Nicomedia
Also known as
Caius
Profile
Officer in the Roman emperor's palace. Martyred with 27 companions.
Died
drowned c.254 at Nicomedia (modern Izmit, Turkey)
Saint Owen
Also known as
Ouini, Owin
Profile
Steward in the household of Saint Etheldreda. Monk at Lastingham, England, and then near Lichfield, England. Spiritual student of Saint Chad.
Died
c.680 of natural causes
Saint Arcadius of Cyprus
Profile
Fourth century missionary bishop who evangelized in Cyprus. Martyr.
Saint Nestor the Martyr
Profile
Fourth century missionary bishop who evangelized in Cyprus. Martyr.
Martyrs on the Appian Way
Profile
Group of 900 martyrs buried in the catacombs of Saint Callistus on the Appian Way, Rome, Italy.
Died
c.260
Martyrs of Nicomedia
Profile
A group of 20 Christians murdered together for their faith. The only details about them to survive are three of their names - Archelaus, Cyrillos and Photius.
Died
Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)
Martyrs of the Crimea
Profile
A group of 4th century missionary bishops who evangelized in the Crimea and southern Russia, and we martyred for their work. We know little else beyond the names - Aetherius, Agathodorus, Basil, Elpidius, Ephrem, Eugene and Gapito.
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(மார்ச் 4)
✠ அசிசியின் புனிதர் சில்வெஸ்டர் ✠
(St. Sylvester of Assisi)
கடவுளின் ஊழியர்/ ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபையின் முதல் குரு:
(The Servant of God/ First Priest in the Franciscan Order)
பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1175
அசிசி
(Assisi)
இறப்பு: மார்ச் 6, 1240
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மார்ச் 4
கடவுளின் ஊழியர் (The Servant of God) என்றழைக்கப்படும் அசிசியின் புனிதர் சில்வெஸ்டர், பன்னிரெண்டாம் நூற்றாண்டின் இறுதியில், பெருஜியா மாகாணத்திலுள்ள (Province of Perugia) ஊம்ப்ரியா (Umbria region) பிராந்தியத்தின் அசிசி (Assisi) நகரில் பிறந்தவர் ஆவார்.
சில்வெஸ்டர், நகரின் பிரபுக்கள் குடும்பங்களின் சந்ததியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் ஆவார். புனிதர் கிளாராவின் (St. Clare of Assisi) தந்தையான “ஃபேவரோன் டி மொநேல்டோ’வின்” (Favarone di Monaldo) சகோதரரான, “ரோசன் டி மொநேல்டோ” (Rosone di Monaldo), சில்வெஸ்டரின் தந்தையார் ஆவார்.
புனிதர் ஃ பிரான்சிஸின் (St. Francis of Assisi) முதல் 12 சீடர்களில் சில்வெஸ்டர் ஒருவர் ஆவார். இவரே ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபையின் முதல் குருவும் ஆவார். குருத்துவம் பெற்ற சில்வெஸ்டர், அசிசி நகரின் “சேன் ரூஃபினோ” (Cathedral of San Rufino) தேவாலயத்தில் பொறுப்பேற்றார்.
அவருடைய வாழ்க்கையின் மாற்றம் கி.பி. 1209ம் ஆண்டில் தொடங்கியது. சில்வெஸ்டர் ஒருமுறை, தேவாலயம் ஒன்றினை மறுசீரமைப்பு செய்யும் பணிகளுக்காக, ஃபிரான்சிஸுக்கு செங்கற்களை விற்றதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. ஃபிரான்சிஸ், தமது குடும்பத்தின் வியத்தகு மறுமலர்ச்சிக்கு பின்னர், அசிசி நகரின் புறநகர்ப் பகுதிகளிலுள்ள சீர்கேடுற்ற நிலையிலிருந்த தேவாலயங்கள் மற்றும் சிற்றாலயங்களை சீரமைக்கும் சீரிய பணிகளில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தார். சிறிது காலம் கழித்து, உள்ளூர் பிரபுவான “பெர்னார்ட்” (Bernard of Quintavalle), ஃபிரான்சிசையும் அவரது வாழ்க்கை முறையையும் பின்பற்ற தீர்மானித்து ஃபிரான்சிஸின் பின்சென்றதைக் கண்டார். மற்றும் “பெர்னார்ட்” ஃபிரான்சிஸுடன் சேர்ந்து, பெர்னார்டின் செல்வத்தை ஏழைகளுக்கு விநியோகித்ததைக் கண்டார். பேராசைக்கு இரையாக விழுந்த சில்வெஸ்டர், தாம் முன்னர் விற்ற தமது செங்கற்களுக்கு மிகவும் குறைந்த அளவு பணமே தரப்பட்டதாக புகார் கூறினார். தமக்கு நஷ்ட ஈடாக இன்னும் அதிக பணம் வேண்டுமென்று கேட்டார்.
ஃபிரான்சிஸ் கடமைப்பட்டிருந்தாலும், அவர் கை நிறைய கொடுத்த பணம், பின்னர் சில்வெஸ்டரை குற்ற உணர்வுகளால் நிரப்பியது. அவர் தம்முள் இருந்த பேராசை குணங்களைக் கண்டுணர்ந்து, வருத்தப்பட்டார். தமது சொத்துக்களை விற்ற சில்வெஸ்டர், ஃபிரான்சிஸ் மற்றும் அவரது துணைவர்களுடன் இணைந்து, ஒரு தவ வாழ்க்கையை தொடங்கினார். பழமையான சகோதரத்துவ ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் இயக்கத்தின் முதல் குருவான சில்வெஸ்டர், ஒரு புனிதமான மற்றும் பிரார்த்தனை செய்யும் மனிதராகவும், ஃபிரான்சிஸின் விருப்பமானவராகவும் ஆனார். எளிமை மற்றும் தியானம் ஆகியவற்றை கடுமையாக கடைபிடித்தார். சில்வெஸ்டர், ஃபிரான்சிஸின் பயணங்களில் ஒரு துணைவராக ஆனார். ஃபிரான்சிஸ், ஆலோசனைகளுக்கும் சில்வெஸ்டரையே நாடினார்.
பிரார்த்தனைக்குத் தம்மை அர்ப்பணிப்பதைவிட, மறைபிரசங்கிப்பதற்காக வெளியே செல்வதன்மூலம் கடவுளுக்குச் சேவை செய்ய வேண்டும் என்ற பதிலையே சில்வெஸ்டரும், புனிதர் கிளாராவும் (St. Clare of Assisi) ஃபிரான்சிஸின் வினவலுக்கு பதிலாக ஆனார்கள். இருவரும் கடவுளின் சித்தத்தை அறிந்துகொள்வதற்காக தொடர் பிரார்த்தனைகளை செய்தனர்.
ஒருமுறை, நகரில் சிவில் யுத்தம் வெடித்துச் சிதறிப்போயிருந்த சமயத்தில், பிசாசுகளை நகரை விட்டு வெளியேற்றுமாறு ஃபிரான்சிஸ் சில்வெஸ்டருக்கு கட்டளையிட்டார். சில்வெஸ்டர், நகர நுழைவாயிலில் நின்றுகொண்டு, "சர்வ வல்லமையுள்ள கடவுளின் பெயரால், அவருடைய ஊழியரான ஃபிரான்சிஸின் கட்டளையின்பேரில் அனைத்து தீய பிசாசுகளையும் இங்கிருந்து துரத்துகிறேன்” என்றார். பிசாசுகள் நகரைவிட்டு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றன. நகரத்திற்கு சமாதானம் திரும்பியது.
புனிதர் “பொனவேன்சுர்” (St. Bonaventure), ஒரு சிறப்பான வழியில், சில்வெஸ்டர் பிரான்சிஸைக் குறித்த தரிசனங்களைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறார்.
ஃபிரான்சிஸ் மரித்ததன் பின்னர், பதினாலு வருடங்கள் வாழ்ந்திருந்த சில்வெஸ்டர், கி.பி. 1240ம் ஆண்டு, அசிசி நகரில் மரித்தார். அவருடைய உடல், “ஃபிரான்சிஸ் பேராலயத்தில்” (Basilica of St. Francis) அவருக்கு அருகாமையிலேயே அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டது.
