St. Macarius the Wonder-Worker
Feastday: April 1
Abbot and victim of persecution by Iconoclast heretics. He was born Christopher at Constantinople. and became a monk at Pelekete Monastery, taking the name Macanus. Elected abbot, he was called the Wonder-Worker because of his prodigious miracles. Two Iconoclast emperors of Constantinople exiled him. Emperor Leo V banished him for a time and then Emperor Michael II sent him to Aphusia Island on the coast of Bythinia, where he died on August 18.
St. Dodolinus
Feastday: April 1
Death: 7th century
The bishop of Vienne, in Dauphine, France. No details of his ministry have survived.
St. Walericus
Feastday: April 1
Death: 622
Benedictine abbot, also called Valery. He served under St. Columbanus at the famed monastery of Luxeuil, in France, and was the founder of the monastic community of Leuconay, on the Somme River.
Saint Ludovico Pavoni
Also known as
Ludovic Pavoni
Profile
Trained in theology by the Dominican Father Carlo Ferrari, future bishop of Brescia, Italy. Ordained in 1807. Founded an Oratory for Christian education of poor boys in Brescia. Secretary to bishop Gabrio Nava in 1812.
Rector of Saint Barnabas church in 1818 where soon after he founded an orphanage and associated trade school, basing his work on the idea that improving social conditions will improve the spiritual life, and improving the spiritual life will improve social conditions. In 1821 the school became the Institute of Saint Barnabas. Along with carpentry, silversmithing, blacksmithing, shoemaking, agriculture, and tool and dye makers, the school stressed the trades of printing and publishing. In 1823 Ludivico established The Publishing House of the Institute of Saint Barnabas; it exists today under the name Ancora. That same year, the school began taking in deaf and mute students.
In 1825 he founded a religious congregation of priests and brothers to run the school; it became the Sons of Mary Immaculate (Pavoniani or Pavonians). Pope Gregory XVI authorized it for Brescia in 1843, and on 8 December 1847, Ludovico and the first members made their religious profession. Today there are 210 members in Brazil, Colombia, Eritrea, Germany, Italy and Spain, and they still publish books.
On 24 March 1849, Brescia was in rebellion against the Austrians. Both sides were ready to pillage the city and Father Ludovico led his boys to safety at Saiano, seven miles away. He died a week later as Brescia was in flames, but his boys were safe.
Born
11 September 1784 at Brescia, Italy
Died
Palm Sunday, 1 April 1849 at Saianco, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
• 14 April 2002 by Pope John Paul II
• the beatification miracle involved the 1909 cure of Maria Stevani from typhoid fever
Canonized
16 October 2016 by Pope Francis
Patronage
Sons of Mary Immaculate
Saint Mary of Egypt
Also known as
Maria Aegyptica
Profile
Beautiful, spoiled, cynical, disenchanted, rich child who was the center of her family's pride, and who repaid them by running away at age 12. She ran to Alexandria, Egypt where she worked as a dancer, singer, and prostitute for 17 years. Around age 30, Mary took ship on a pilgrimage to Palestine, hoping to ply her trade among the pilgrims, and then in Jerusalem.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross she moved with the crowds to the church, looking for customers. At the church door she found herself invisibliy repelled, unable to open the door; she was overcome with remorse for her life and exclusion from the Church. She repented, and asked for Our Lady‘s guidance; a voice told that to find rest, she should cross the Jordan River. The next day Mary crossed the river, wandered into the desert, and took up the life of a hermit for nearly 50 years as penance.
She lived on herbs, berries, and whatever came to hand. She met Saint Zosimus of Palestine. She once told him to come back exactly one year from that day; when he did, he found she had died. With the help of a lion, Zosimus dug her grave; he later wrote a biography of her, and her life was a popular story in the Middle Ages.
Born
c.344 in Egypt
Died
• c.421 in the desert near the River Jordan of natural causes
• relics at Rome, Naples, and Cremona in Italy, and in Antwerp, Belgium
Patronage
• against sexual temptation
• penitent women
• reformed prostitutes
Saint Melito of Sardis
Also known as
• Melito of Asia
• Meliton, Melitone, Melitus
Profile
Bishop of Sardis, Lydia (part of modern Turkey). Ecclesiastical writer; he wrote an Apology (defense of Christianity) addressed to emperor Marcus Aurelius. Almost nothing else is known about his life.
Died
• c.180 of natural causes
• interred at Sardis, Lydia (part of modern Turkey)
Saint Hugh of Grenoble
Also known as
Hugh of Châteauneuf
Additional Memorial
22 April (Carthusian Order)
Profile
Son of a soldier named Odilo, a man known for his Christian life, and who later became a Cistercian monk; his mother was known for her life of prayer and alms-giving. Uncle of Saint Hugh of Bonnevaux. Hugh was an exceptionally good student as a child. Canon in the cathedral of Valence, France at age 25. Bishop of Grenoble, France in 1080 at age 27, consecrated by Pope Gregory VII; he served there for 52 years. He went to Grenoble as a reformer, but after two years, convinced that he had not improved the lives or the holiness of his clergy, he resigned and retired to become a Benedictine monk at Chaise-Dieu in Auvergne, France; after a year of this, Pope Gregory ordered him back to Grenoble. This time his work and his example paid off - large crowds attended his preaching, his clergy brought new zeal to their ministry, the poor were cared for, and religious life had a new start in his diocese. He gave land to Saint Bruno for La Grande Chartruse abbey, and helped him found the Carthusians. Gave both his mother and his 100 year old father their Last Rites. A frequent sufferer of head pain and headaches, which led to his patronage of the problem.
Born
1053 at Chateauneuf, Dauphiné, France
Died
• 1 April 1132 in Grenoble, France of natural causes
• interred in Saint Mary's Cathedral, Grenoble
• relics burned by the Huguenots in the 15th century
Canonized
22 April 1134 by Pope Innocent II during the Council of Pisa
Patronage
• against headache
• Grenoble, France
Blessed Anacleto González Flores
Also known as
Anaclete Gonzales Flores
Profile
Second of twelve children born to Valentín González Sanitiz and Maria Flores Navaho. He entered seminary, was an excellent student, but realized that he did not have a call to the priesthood and dropped out. Lawyer in the archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico. Married to María Concepción Guerrero, they had two children. He attended Mass daily, visited prisoners, and taught catechism. Leader in the Catholic Association of Mexican Youth (AJCM). Founded the magazine La Palabra to speak out against the anti-Catholic actions of the government. Founded the Popular Union to organize peaceful opposition to the Calle government's anti-Catholic actions. When official oppression escalated to murder, Anacleto began writing and speaking out against the government, urging people to support and aid the rebels in what became known as the Cristero War. Looking for a way to crack down on the Catholic leadership, officials arrested Anacleto on a false charge of murdering an American, Edgar Wilkens. Gonzales was tortured, mutilated and finally executed. Martyr.
Born
13 July 1888 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
shot by a firing squad on 1 April 1927 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Beatified
• 20 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins in a soccer stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico
Saint Celsus of Armagh
Also known as
• Cellach Mac Aodh
• Cellach Mc Aedh
• Cellach of Armagh
• Ceilach, Ceillach, Celestinus, Celsus, Keilach, Kelly
Profile
Son of Áed mac Máele Ísu meic Amalgada of the Clann Sínnaig. Benedictine monk. May have been a monk at Glastonbury. Teacher at Oxford, England. Last hereditary archbishop of Armagh, Ireland in 1106. Built a reputation as a reformer and able administrator. Travelled throughout Ireland, preaching reform and ensuring discipline. Helped preside at the Synod of Rath Bresail in 1111, which helped align the Irish church administration with the rest of Europe. Rebuilt the Armagh cathedral. Founded the monastery of Kells. Peacemaker between warring Irish kings and chieftains. Worked with, and ordained his friend Saint Malachy O'More. From his deathbed, he appointed Malachy as Archbishop of Armagh, ending the tradition of hereditary succession to the see.
Born
c.1080 in Ireland
Died
• 1 April 1129 at Ardpatrick, Munster, Ireland of natural causes
• buried in Lismore, Ireland
Saint Tewdrig ap Teithfallt
Also known as
• Tewdrig ap LLywarch
• Tewdrig of Tintern
• Theodoricus, Theodoric, Teudrig, Tewdric, Tudric
Profile
Born a prince, the son of King Ceithfalt of Morganwg; he became king upon his father‘s death. A great supporter of the Church, Tewdrig abdicated in favour of his son Meurig, and then retired to live as a prayerful hermit at Tintern, Montmouthsire, Wales. When the pagan Saxons led by Ceolwulf invaded the region, Tewdrig left his hermitage, took up arms again, led his troops into battle, defeated the Saxons at Pont-y-Saeson, but died from wounds received in the fight. Considered a martyr as he died defending his Christian realm from pagans.
Born
5th to 6th century
Died
• the area of Mathern, Wales of wounds received in battle, possibly a head wound based on descriptions of his skull seen in 1615
• a church named Marthyr Tewdrig was built over the grave, and the town of Mathern grew up around it
Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez
Profile
After studying at the concilar seminary of Guadalajara, Mexico from 1917 to 1921, Luis suffered doubts about his vocation and put off further studies. He worked as a teacher, but also conducted free classes for poor boys. One of the founders of the Catholic Youth Association of Mexico, Luis spent more and more time in prayer, meditation and Eucharistic adoration. In 1926, about the time Luis was considering a return to the seminary, anti–Christian persecutions began as part of the Mexican Revolution, which led to his arrest and execution. Martyr.
Born
9 December 1899 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
• shot by a firing squad on 1 April 1927 in the prison court yard in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• relics enshrined in the Madonna of Guadalupe chapel of the parish church of San Giuseppe ad Analco
Beatified
20 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Giuseppe Girotti
Profile
Dominican priest, making his religious profession in 1923 and being ordained on 3 August 1930. Studied at the école Biblique in Jerusalem. Taught scriptural studies at the Dominican Theological Seminary at Turin, Italy. Arrested by Nazi authorities on 19 August 1944 for arranging hideouts and escape routes for Jews, and shuffled from one concentration camp to another before his death. He spent his time ministering to other prisoners. Martyr.
Born
19 July 1905 in Alba, Cuneo, Italy
Died
1 April 1945 in concentration camp at Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany
Beatified
• 26 April 2014 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition was celebrated at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Alba, Cuneo, Italy, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Blessed Hugh of Bonnevaux
Profile
Nephew of Saint Hugh of Grenoble. Cistercian Bendictine monk at Mezieres Abbey, joining the Order in 1138. Abbot at Leoncel, France in 1163. Monk at Bonnevaux Abbey in 1169. Noted for gifts of spiritual discernment and for his ministry as an exorcist. Mediated the conflict between Pope Alexander III and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1177.
Born
c.1120 at Châteauneuf d'Isère, Valence, Drôme, France
Died
• 1194 of natural causes
• interred in the church in Bonnevaux Abbey
• miracles reported at his grave
• grave disturbed during the Reformation
• relics re-interred in 1743
• relics moved to a new chapel in 1966
Beatified
9 December 1903 by Pope Saint Pius X
Patronage
diocese of Valence, France
Blessed Zofia Czeska-Maciejowska
Also known as
Sofia Czeska-Maciejowska
Profile
Married young, and widowed young. Founded the Congregation of the Virgins of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dedicated to caring for and the education poor and orphaned girls.
Born
1584 in Budziszowice, Kazimierski, Poland
Died
1 April 1650 in Kraków, Poland of natural causes
Beatified
• 9 June 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Amato at the Sanktuarium Bozego Milosierdzia, Kraków-Lagiewniki, Poland
Blessed Ramón Vargas González
Profile
The son of a physician, Ramón’s family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico when the boy was nine years old. Member of the Catholic Youth Association of Mexico. Noted for his ministry to the poor. Imprisoned and executed in the Mexican Revolution.
Born
22 January 1905 in Ahualulco de Mercado, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
• shot by a firing squad on 1 April 1927 in the prison court yard in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• he was making the sign of the cross as he was shot
• relics enshrined in the parish church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Ahualulco de Mercato, Mexico
Beatified
20 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Jorge Vargas González
Profile
The son of a physician, Jorge's family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico when the boy was fifteen years old. As a young man he worked for the local hydroelectric company. Martyred in the Mexican Revolution.
Born
28 September 1899 in Ahualulco de Mercado, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
• shot by a firing squad on 1 April 1927 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• relics enshrined in the parish church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Ahualulco de Mercato, Mexico
Beatified
20 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Vinebault
Also known as
Vinebaldo, Vinebaldus, Guenebert
Profile
Shepherd at Villeneuve-la-Lionne, near the Ferté-Gaucher in Brie Champagne, France. Attended school in Ferté-Gaucher. Miracle worker.
Died
• early 13th century of natural causes
• a healing spring was reported to have emerged from his gravesite, and it became a place of pilgrimage
• when anti–Christian French Revolutionaries mocked the saint by washing their clothes in the healing waters, the spring dried up
Blessed Nicolò of Noto
Also known as
• Nicolò of Arco
• Nicolò of Arcu
• Nicola, Nicholas
Profile
Born to the Italian nobility, part of the family of the Counts of Isimbard. Cistercian monk at the monastery of Santa Maria dell'Arco in modern Noto Antica, Italy. Miracle worker.
Died
• c.1220 in Noto (modern Noto Antica), Sicily, Italy of natural causes
• relics enshrined in a silver reliquary in the Cistercian church in Noto, Italy
Saint Valéry of Leucone
Also known as
• Valery of Leuconay
• Gualaric, Valarico, Valerico, Valerio, Walaric, Walarich, Walarico, Waleric, Walerico, Walericus, Walric
Profile
Monk at Luxeuil Abbey. Founded the monastery of Leuconay, France. The town of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme was named for him.
Died
c.622
Representation
monk in a white habit holding a staff
Saint Fricor
Also known as
• Adrian, Frechor, Frechorius, Frichor, Fricoraeus
• Apostle of Picardy
Profile
Monk. Spiritual student of Saint Columba of Iona. Missionary to the Picardy region of northern France in 622 where he worked with Saint Caidoc. They converted many, including Saint Richarius of Celles who then protected them from local pagans.
Born
Irish
Died
• c.630 in Centula (modern St-Riquier), France
• relics in the parish of Saint-Riquier near Amiens, France
Saint Prudentius of Atina
Profile
Tenth bishop of Atina, Italy from 288 to 313. When Prudentius tried to destroy a statue of the goddess Juno, local pagans killed him in the street in front of Juno's temple. Martyr.
Died
• 28 March 313 in Atina
• buried by his killers near the temple of Juno in Atina as a sign of the triumph of the pagans over the Christian
• body recovered and re-interred at the parish church of Saint Peter by local Christians on 1 April 313
Saint Caidoc
Also known as
• Cadoc, Cadou, Caidocus, Caidos
• Apostle of Picardy
Profile
Monk. Spiritual student of Saint Columba of Iona. Missionary to the Picardy region of northern France in 622 where he worked with Saint Fricor. They converted many, including Saint Richarius of Celles who then protected them from local pagans.
Born
Irish
Died
• c.630 in Centula (modern St-Riquier), France
• relics in the parish of Saint-Riquier near Amiens, France
Saint Agape of Thessalonica
Also known as
Acapis
Profile
Sister of Saint Chionia and Saint Irene. Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by Emperor Diocletian. She was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods; she refused. Martyr.
Born
3rd century in Thessalonica, Macedonia
Died
burned alive in 304
Blessed Alexander of Sicily
Profile
Joined the Mercedarians in Palermo, Sicily. Worked at the convent in Bonaria, Italy. Sent to north Africa to ransom Christians imprisoned by Muslims, he was imprisoned and then executed for his faith as a public amusement. Martyr.
Died
burned to death 1317 in front of the palace of King Muley Moamet in Tunis, Tunisia
Blessed John Bretton
Additional Memorial
22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
Profile
Married layman. Father. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I for remaining loyal to the Catholic Church.
Born
c.1527 in West Bretton, West Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged on 1 April 1598 in York, North Yorkshire, England
Beatified
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Gilbert de Moray
Also known as
Gilbert of Caithness
Profile
Son of Duke William de Moravia. Bishop of Caithness, Scotland for 20 years, during which he built the cathedral there. Fierce proponent of Scottish independence, often opposing the archbishop of York, England in matters that he thought would reduce that independence.
Died
1245 of natural causes
Patronage
Caithness, Scotland
Saint Chionia of Thessalonica
Also known as
Cionia, Quionia
Profile
Sister of Saint Agape and Saint Irene. Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by Emperor Diocletian. She was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods; she refused. Martyr.
Born
3rd century in Thessalonica, Macedonia
Died
burned alive in 304
Saint Jacoba of Rome
Also known as
Iaquelina, Jakelina
Profile
Born to the nobility, the sister of the Duke of Apulia. To avoid marriage and live a life devoted to God, she disguised herself in men’s clothes, fled the house, and spent her life as a pilgrim to holy sites.
Saint Venantius of Spalato
Also known as
• Venantius of Split
• Venanzio of...
Profile
Bishop in the Dalmatia region of modern Croatia. Martyred with several Christian companions.
Died
• c.255 in Spalato, Dalmatia (modern Split, Croatia)
• relics brought to the Lateran Basilica, Rome, Italy in 641
Blessed Marcelle
Also known as
Marcella
Profile
Born to a farm family, Marcelle was a pious 10th century goatherd. We know nothing else about her, but the Benedictines in Chauriat who knew her, built a church in her honour in 976.
Born
Chauriat, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Blessed Gerard of Sassoferrato
Also known as
Girard
Profile
Camaldolese novice at age nine at Holy Cross abbey in Sassoferrato, Italy. Parish priest at Sassoferrato.
Born
1280
Died
18 November 1367 of natural causes
Blessed Bernhardin of Noto
Also known as
Bernardo
Profile
Franciscan friar at the monastery in Noto, Italy. All other information about him was lost when the monastery was destroyed by earthquake in 1693.
Died
Noto Antica, Sicily, Italy
Blessed Antonius of Noto
Also known as
Antonio
Profile
Franciscan friar at the monastery in Noto, Italy. All other information about him was lost when the monastery was destroyed by earthquake in 1693.
Died
Noto Antica, Sicily, Italy
Saint Theodora of Rome
Profile
Sister of Saint Hermes of Rome whom she visited and supported when Hermes was in prison. Martyr.
Died
c.125 in Rome, Italy
Saint Leucone of Troyes
Also known as
Leuçon
Profile
Zealous evangelizing bishop of Troyes, France for five years. Founded Notre-Dame-des-Nonnains abbey in Troyes.
Died
c.656 of natural causes
Blessed Abraham of Bulgaria
Profile
Muslim layman merchant, known for his charity. Convert to Christianity. For this, he was arrested, tortured and executed. Martyr.
Died
c.1229
Saint Berhard of Amiens
Also known as
Beherond
Profile
Seventh century bishop of Amiens, France. Close friend of Saint Valéry of Leucone.
Died
644
Saint Dodolinus of Vienne
Also known as
Dodolino, Dodoleno, Dodolenus, Dodolin
Profile
Seventh century bishop of Vienne, France.
Saint Stephen of Alexandria
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Alexandria, Egypt, date unknown
Saint Victor of Alexandria
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Alexandria, Egypt, date unknown
Saint Anastasio
Profile
Martyr.
Died
• on the Adriatic coast of modern Croatia
• relics translated to Rome, Italy
Saint Castus of Heraclea
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Heraclea, Thrace (in modern Turkey)
Saint Victor of Heraclea
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Heraclea, Thrace (in modern Turkey)
Saint Irenaeus of Armenia
Profile
Martyr.
Born
Armenian
Saint Quintian of Armenia
Profile
Martyr.
Born
Armenian
Martyrs of Dalmatia and Istria
Profile
A group of Christians martyrs who died at various locations in Dalamtia and Istria (in modern Croatia, whose relics were later taken to Rome, Italy, and who are remembered together. We know the names Anastasio, Antiochiano, Asterius, Gaiano, Mauro, Paoliniano, Septimius, Telio and Venantius.
Died
• on the Adriatic coast of modern Croatia
• relics translated to Rome, Italy
Martyrs of Thessalonica
Profile
A group of Christians martyred. We know nothing about them but the names Alexander, Dionysius, Ingenianus, Panterus, Parthenius and Saturninus.
Died
Thessalonica, Greece, date unknown