St. Dominic Savio
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(மே 6)
✠ புனிதர் டோமினிக் சாவியோ ✠
(St. Dominic Savio)
ஒப்புரவாளர்:
(Confessor)
பிறப்பு: ஏப்ரல் 2, 1842
சான் ஜியோவன்னி, ரிவா ப்ரெஸோ சியரி,
பைட்மான்ட், இத்தாலி
(San Giovanni, Riva presso Chieri, Piedmont, Italy)
இறப்பு: மார்ச் 9, 1857 (வயது 14)
மொன்டொனியோ, பைட்மான்ட், இத்தாலி
(Mondonio, Piedmont, Italy)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
எபிஸ்கோபல் திருச்சபை
(Episcopal Church)
அருளாளர் பட்டம்: மார்ச் 5, 1950
திருத்தந்தை 12ம் பயஸ்
(Pope Pius XII)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஜூன் 12, 1954
திருத்தந்தை 12ம் பயஸ்
(Pope Pius XII)
முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:
கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் சகாய அன்னை பேராலயம்,
தூரின், இத்தாலி
(The Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin)
நினைவுத் திருவிழா: மே 6
பாதுகாவல்:
பீடச்சிறார், பாடகர் குழுச் சிறார், இளம் குற்றவாளிகள்,
தவறுதலாக குற்றம் சுமத்தப்பட்டோர்
புனிதர் டோமினிக் சாவியோ, இத்தாலியைச் சார்ந்த புனித ஜான் போஸ்கோவின் வளரிளம் பருவ மாணவர்களில் ஒருவர் ஆவார். இவர் குருவாகும் ஆசையில் படித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தபோது தமது 14ம் வயதில் “நுரையீரல் அழற்சி” (Pleurisy) நோய் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு இறந்தார்.
பதினான்கு வயதே நிரம்பிய டோமினிக் சாவியோவின், தீரம் நிறைந்த அன்றாடப் புண்ணிய வாழ்வே இவரைப் புனிதர் நிலைக்கு உயர்த்தியது. கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையில் மறைசாட்சியாக இறக்காத புனிதர்களில் இவரே மிகவும் இளையவர்.
தொடக்க காலம்:
வீட்டு வாழ்வு:
டோமினிக் சாவியோ, 1842ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 2ம் தேதியன்று, வட இத்தாலியின் “பியெட்மோன்ட்” (Piedmont) பிராந்தியத்திலுள்ள “சியரி” (Chieri) நகரின் அருகேயுள்ள “ரிவா” (Riva) எனும் கிராமத்தில் பிறந்தார். இவர் சிறுவயதில் இருந்தே இயேசுவிடமும், அன்னை மரியாளிடமும் மிகுந்த பக்தி கொண்டிருந்தார். இவரது குடும்பமும் சூழ்நிலையும் இவரை புனிதத்தில் வளர்த்தன. இவரது பெற்றோர் இவரை கிறிஸ்தவ மதிப்பீடுகளில் வளர்ப்பதில் அதிக ஆர்வம் காட்டினர்.
நான்கு வயதிலேயே தனியாக செபிக்கும் திறமை பெற்றிருந்த சாவியோ, தான் முதல் நற்கருணை பெற்ற நாளைப் பற்றிக் குறிப்பிடும்போது, "என் வாழ்வின் மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியானதும் அற்புதமானதுமான நாள் அது" என்கிறார். இவர் ஆலயத்தின் பீடச் சிறுவர்கள் குழுவில் இணைந்து திருப்பலியில் குருக்களுக்கு உதவி செய்தார்; அதிகாலை 5 மணிக்கே ஆலயம் சென்றுவிடும் வழக்கத்தைக் கொண்டிருந்தார். மழையிலும், குளிரிலும் இவர் ஆலயத்திற்கு தவறாமல் சென்றார்.
ஆரட்டரியில்:
12 வயதில் கடவுளின் அழைப்பை உணர்ந்து, புனிதர் ஜான் போஸ்கோ (Saint John Bosco) நடத்திய ஆரட்டரியில் சாவியோ சேர்ந்தார். 1854ம் ஆண்டு, அக்டோபர் மாதம், முதல் திங்கட் கிழமை, தனது தந்தையுடன் புனிதர் ஜான் போஸ்கோவை சந்தித்த இவர், “நான் தைக்கப்படாத துணியாக இருக்கிறேன், என்னை இயேசுவுக்கு உகந்த நல்ல சட்டையாகத் தைப்பது உங்கள் பணி” என்று அவரிடம் கூறினார்.
கெட்ட வார்த்தைகள் பேசிய சிறுவர்களை சாவியோ கண்டித்து திருத்தினார்; சண்டையிட்டுக் கொண்ட சிறார்களுக்கிடையே சமாதானம் செய்துவைத்தார். தீய வழிகளில் இருந்து விலகி, களங்கமற்ற தூய்மையான புண்ணிய வாழ்வு வாழ்ந்தார். தனது செயல்கள் அனைத்தையும் இறைவனின் புகழ்ச்சிக்காகவே செய்து வந்தார்.
குருத்துவ படிப்பு:
இறுதியில் சாவியோ குரு மடத்தில் சேர்ந்தார். ‘பாவம் செய்வதை விட சாவதே மேல்’ என்பது இவரது விருதுவாக்கு ஆகும். 14ம் வயதில் இவருக்கு உடல் நலம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டதால் மிகவும் பலவீனம் அடைந்தார். 1857ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 9ம் தேதி, விண்ணகக் காட்சியால் பரவசம் அடைந்து, “ஆகா, எவ்வளவு இன்பம் நிறைந்த அற்புத காட்சி!” என்று கூறியவாறே டோமினிக் சாவியோ உயிர் துறந்தார்.
டோமினிக் சாவியோ மரித்ததும் புனிதர் ஜான் போஸ்கோ இவரது வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை புத்தகமாக எழுதினார். அது இவரது புனிதர் பட்டமளிப்பு நடவடிக்கைகளில் முக்கிய ஆதாரமாக விளங்கியது.
புனிதர் பட்டம்:
சாவியோவின் புனிதர் பட்டத்திற்கான நடவடிக்கைகளைத் தொடங்கிவைத்த திருத்தந்தை 10ம் பயஸ் (Pope Saint Pius X), “தோமினிக் என்னும் இளைஞர், திருமுழுக்கில் பெற்ற புனிதத்தைப் பழுதின்றி காப்பாற்றிக் கொண்டவர்" என்று இவரைப் புகழ்கின்றார்.
1933ல் இவருக்கு வணக்கத்திற்குரியவர் பட்டம் வழங்கிய திருத்தந்தை 11ம் பயஸ் (Pope Pius XI), “தூய்மை, பக்தி, ஆன்மீகத் தாகம் ஆகியவற்றின் ஆற்றலால் சாவியோவின் கிறிஸ்தவ வாழ்வு நமக்கு முன்மாதிரியாக உள்ளது” என்று கூறுகிறார்.
திருத்தந்தை 12ம் பயஸ் (Pope Pius XII), டோமினிக் சாவியோவுக்கு 1950ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 5ம் நாளன்று, அருளாளர் பட்டமும், 1954ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், 12ம் தேதியன்று, புனிதர் பட்டமும் வழங்கி உரை நிகழ்த்தியபோது, “இளைஞர்கள் சாவியோவின் வழிகளைப் பின்பற்ற வேண்டும். தீய சக்திகளின் தாக்கங்களைப் புறக்கணித்து, தூய்மையில் நிலைத்து நின்ற சாவியோவின் புனித வாழ்க்கை இளைஞர்களுக்கு சிறந்த எடுத்துக்காட்டு” என்று கூறினார்.
Feastday: May 6
Patron: of choirboys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents
Birth: April 2, 1842
Death: March 9, 1857
Beatified: March 5, 1950 by Pope Pius XII
Canonized: June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius XII
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Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842 in the village of Riva in northern Italy. His father was a blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. He had nine brothers and sisters. His family was poor but hardworking. They were devout and pious Catholics.
When he was just two years old, Dominic's family returned to their native village of Castlenuovo d'Asti, (Today, Castlenuovo Don Bosco) near the birthplace of John Bosco. Bosco would himself later be canonized as a Saint by the Church and became a major influence on the life of Dominic.
As a small child, Dominic loved the Lord and His Church. He was very devout in practicing his Catholic faith. For example, he said grace before every meal and refused to eat with those who did not. He was always quick to encourage others to pray.
Dominic attended Church regularly with his mother and was often seen kneeling before the Tabernacle in prayer. He even prayed outside the Church building. It did not matter to Dominic if the ground was covered with mud or snow, he knelt and prayed anyway.
Dominic was quickly recognized as an exceptional student who studied hard and performed well in school. He became an altar server. He also attended daily Mass and went to confession regularly. He asked to receive his first communion at the age of seven. This was not the practice in the Church of Italy at the time. Normally, children received their first holy communion at the age of twelve. Dominic's priest was so impressed with his intelligence concerning the faith, his love for the Lord and his piety that he made an exception. Dominic said that the day of his First Communion was the happiest day of his life.
On the Day he received his first communion, Dominic wrote four promises in a little book. Those promises were:
I will go to Confession often, and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows.
I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner.
My friends shall be Jesus and Mary.
Death rather than sin.
The young Dominic graduated to secondary school and walked three miles to school each day. He undertook this chore gladly. While walking to school on a hot day a farmer asked why he wasn't yet tired. Dominic cheerfully replied, "Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a master who pays well."
Although he was young, Dominic was clearly different than his peers. When two boys stuffed a school heating stove with snow and rubbish. The boys were known troublemakers and were likely to face expulsion if caught, so they blamed Dominic for the misdeed. Dominic did not deny the accusation and he was scolded before the class. However, a day later the teacher learned the truth. He asked Dominic why he did not defend himself while being scolded for something he did not do. Dominic mentioned he was imitating Jesus who remained silent when unjustly accused.
Dominic's teacher spoke well of him and brought him to the attention of Fr. John Bosco, who was renowned for looking after hundreds of boys, many of them orphaned and poor. In October 1854, Dominic was personally introduced to Fr. Bosco - along with his father.
At the meeting, Bosco wanted to test Dominic's intelligence and understanding of the Catholic faith. He gave Dominic a copy of The Catholic Readings, which was a pamphlet that dealt with apologetics. He expected Dominic to provide a report the next day, but just ten minutes later Dominic recited the text and provided a full explanation of its significance. This solidified Bosco's high opinion of Dominic.
Dominic expressed an interest in becoming a priest and asked to go to Turin to attend the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales. Fr. Bosco agreed to take him.
At the Oratory, Dominic studied directly under Fr. Bosco. He worked diligently and always asked questions when he did not understand something. He renewed his First Communion promises that he wrote in his little book at the age of seven. After six months at the Oratory, Dominic delivered a speech on the path to sainthood. In his speech, he made three outstanding points; it is God's will that we ALL become saints, it is easy to become a saint, and there are great rewards in heaven for saints.
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Dominic's desire to become a saint troubled him however. He wondered to himself how someone as young as he was could become a saint? In his zeal, he tried voluntary mortification and other voluntary penances, hoping that they would help him to grow closer to Jesus and help him to be less concerned with his own needs. He even made his bed uncomfortable and wore thin clothes in winter. When Fr. Bosco observed these practices, he corrected Dominic. He explained that as a child, what he should do instead was to devote himself to his studies and to be cheerful. He discouraged Dominic from any more physical penances. Dominic's happy demeanor quickly returned.
At the same time Dominic was developing his reputation as a fantastic student, his health began to fail. He started to lose his appetite and Fr. Bosco became concerned. Dominic was taken to the doctor who recommended that he be sent home to his family to recover. Dominic wanted to stay at the oratory, but Fr. Bosco insisted he go home. Everybody expected Dominic to recover, except for Dominic himself who insisted he was dying.
Before he departed, Dominic made the Exercise of a Happy Death and predicted this would be his final devotion.
After four days at home, Dominic's health worsened. The doctor ordered him to bed to rest. He then performed bloodletting, which was still performed at that time. Over the next four days, Dominic was bled ten times before the doctor was satisfied he would recover.
But Dominic was sure of his impending death. He implored his parents to bring the parish priest so he could make a last confession. They obliged him and Dominic made a confession and was given the Anointing of the Sick. He asked his father to read him the prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death. Then he fell asleep. Hours later he awoke and said to his father: "Goodbye, Dad, goodbye ... Oh what wonderful things I see!" Dominic fell asleep and died within minutes. It was March 9, 1857 and Dominic was merely 14 year of age.
His father wrote to Fr. Bocso to report the sad news.
Fr. Bosco was powerfully touched by Dominic and he wrote a biography, "The Life of Dominic Savio." The biography quickly became popular and would eventually be read in schools across Italy. As people learned about Dominic, they called for his canonization.
Detractors argued that Dominic was too young to be canonized and pointed out that he was not a martyr. However, Pope Pius X disagreed and opened his cause for canonization.
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Dominic Savio was declared venerable in 1933 by Pope Pius XI, beatified in 1950, then canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Dominic is the patron saint of choirboys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents. His feast day is May 6, moved from March 9. Many schools and institutions dedicated to boys are dedicated to him.
Dominic Savio (Italian: Domenico Savio; 2 April 1842 – 9 March 1857) was an Italian adolescent student of Saint John Bosco. He was studying to be a priest when he became ill and died at the age of 14, possibly from pleurisy.[5] He is the only person of his age group who was declared a saint not on the basis of his having been a martyr, but on the basis of having lived what was seen as a holy life. He was noted for his piety and devotion to the Catholic faith, and was eventually canonized.
Bosco regarded Savio very highly, and wrote a biography of his young student, The Life of Dominic Savio. This volume, along with other accounts of him, were critical factors in his cause for sainthood. Despite the fact that many people considered him to have died at too young an age – fourteen – to be considered for sainthood, he was considered eligible for such singular honour on the basis of his having displayed "heroic virtue" in his everyday life.[6] Savio was canonised a saint on 12 June 1954, by Pope Pius XII, making him the youngest non-martyr to be canonised in the Catholic Church[7] until the canonisations of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, the pious visionaries of Fatima, in 2017.
Biography
The major part of the biographical information known about Dominic Savio comes from his biography written by John Bosco, in addition to the testimonies given by Savio's family and friends.[8]
Early life
On 2 April 1842 in the village of Riva, 2 miles (3 km) from the town of Chieri, in Piedmont, northern Italy[8] a son was born to Carlo and Brigitta Savio. He was given the name Domenico at baptism. The name Domenico means "of the Lord"[9] and the surname Savio means "wise".[10] His parents had ten children in all. His father was a blacksmith and his mother, a seamstress. They were poor, hardworking and pious.[11]
When he was two years old, his parents returned to their native place at Murialdo on the outskirts of Castelnuovo d'Asti and from where they had gone to Riva in 1841. His parents took great care to give him a Christian upbringing. By the age of four, Dominic was able to pray by himself and was occasionally found in solitude, praying.[12] John Bosco records that Savio's parents recollect how he used to help his mother around the house, welcome his father home, say his prayers without being reminded, (even reminding others when they forgot) and say Grace at mealtimes unfailingly.[11]
At the village school
San Domenico Savio
Fr. Giovanni Zucca from Murialdo, who was then the chaplain at Murialdo when Dominic was five years old,[13] notes in a statement to John Bosco that he came to notice Dominic due to his regular church attendance with his mother, and his habit of kneeling down outside the church to pray (even in the mud or snow) if he happened to come to Church before it had been unlocked in the morning. The chaplain also notes that Savio made good progress at the village school not merely due to his cleverness, but also by working hard. He would not join the other boys in doing something that he believed to be morally wrong and would explain why he thought a particular deed was wrong.[13]
At the age of five, he learned to serve Mass, and would try to participate at Mass every day as well as go regularly to Confession. Having been permitted to make his First Communion at an early age, he had much reverence for the Eucharist.[14]
First Communion
At that time, it was customary for children to receive their First Communion at the age of twelve.[15] (Pope Pius X would later lower this age to seven)[16] After initial hesitation, and subsequent consultation with other priests, the parish priest agreed to permit Dominic to receive his First Communion at the age of seven, since he knew the catechism and understood something of the Eucharist.[15] He spent much time praying and reading in preparation,[17] asking his mother's forgiveness for anything he might have done to displease her and then went to Church. In his biography of Dominic Savio, John Bosco devotes a chapter to tell of Dominic's First Communion. He says that several years later, whenever Dominic talked of the day of his First Communion, he said with joy: "That was the happiest and most wonderful day of my life."[15] John Bosco records that on the day of his First Communion, Dominic made some promises which he wrote in a "little book", and re-read them many times. John Bosco once looked through Dominic's book, and he quotes from it the promises that he made:[17]
Resolutions made by me, Dominic Savio, in the year 1849, on the day of my First Communion, at the age of seven.
1. I will go to Confession often, and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows.
2. I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner.
3. My friends shall be Jesus and Mary.
4. Death rather than sin.[18]
At the county school
For secondary education, Dominic had to go to another school and it was decided that he would go to the County School at Castelnuovo, three miles (5 km) from his home.[19] (Castelnuovo d' Asti, now Castelnuovo John Bosco, was the birthplace of another contemporary of John Bosco, Joseph Cafasso, also a saint. He was four years the senior of John Bosco, and was Bosco's mentor and advisor.[20])
Now ten years old, Dominic walked daily to and from school. In his biography of Dominic Savio, John Bosco records how a local farmer once asked Dominic, on a hot sunny day, if he was not tired from walking, and received the reply: "Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a master who pays well."[21] Don Bosco also notes that Dominic refused to go swimming[22] with his friends since Dominic considered that in such a situation, it would be "also easy to offend God",[19] he believed that on a previous occasion his friends behaved in, what was to him, a vulgar manner.[23] In his biography Bosco records that Fr. Allora, the head of this school, had this to say about Dominic: "...Hence it may very well be said that he was Savio (wise), not only in name, but in fact, viz., in his studies, in piety, in conversation and his dealing with others, and in all his actions. ..."[21]
Under John Bosco's mentorship
Meeting with John Bosco
St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), the spiritual mentor of St. Dominic Savio
It was Fr. Giuseppe Cugliero,[19] Dominic's teacher at school, who gave a high account of him to John Bosco and recommended that Bosco meet him during the Feast of the Rosary, when he would take his boys to Murialdo. Accordingly, accompanied by his father, Dominic met John Bosco on the first Monday in the month of October 1854.[24] John Bosco records this conversation in some detail. He notes that Dominic was eager to go to Turin with John Bosco, and that he wished to become a priest after completing his studies in that town.[25]
To test Dominic's intelligence, Don Bosco gave him a copy of The Catholic Readings (pamphlets on the subject of Catholic Apologetics),[26] asking him to recite a particular page by heart and explain its meaning the next day, and then spoke for a while with Dominic's father. Ten minutes later, he found Dominic was beside him reciting the page and explaining its meaning satisfactorily.[25] This meeting was the beginning of their relationship, the result of which was that John Bosco agreed to take Dominic to Turin with him.[24]
At the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales
John Bosco records that when Dominic arrived at the Oratory, he at once placed himself under his guidance.[27] He also notes that Dominic worked diligently and followed the school rules. He would happily listen to talks and sermons (even if they tended to be lengthy at times), and would, without hesitation, ask for clarification on points that were not clear to him. John Bosco also notes how Dominic was obedient to his teachers and chose his companions carefully.[28]
This happened in 1854, when, in Rome, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary was being defined. Preparations for the observation of this feast were thus going on at the Oratory. Don Bosco records that, at the advice of his confessor, Dominic renewed his First Communion promises at the altar of Mary at the Oratory. Bosco says that, from this point the result of Dominic's attempts towards holy life were so apparent, that he (John Bosco) took to recording the various incidents that occurred for future reference.[27]
John Bosco's mother, who was called "Mamma Margaret" remarked to him of Dominic, "You have many good boys, but none can match the good heart and soul of Dominic Savio. I see him so often at prayer, staying in church after the others; every day he slips out of the playground to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. When he is in church he is like an angel living in Paradise."[29]
Resolve to become a saint
Around six months after Dominic had come to the Oratory, he had the occasion to listen to a talk on sainthood. John Bosco records that the talk had three main points that impressed Dominic:[30]
That it is God's will that each one should become a saint.
That it is easy to become a saint.
That there is a great reward waiting in heaven for those who try to become saints.
This inspired Dominic to take a conscious decision to become a saint. The immediate result of this was that, not being sure how to live a saintly life, and worried about it, he was quiet and worried for the next few days. Noticing this, John Bosco spoke to Dominic and advised him to resume his customary cheerfulness, persevere in his regular life of study and religious practices, and especially not neglect being with his companions in games and recreation.[31] On learning that his first name meant "belonging to God", his desire to be a saint intensified.[30] Dominic's spiritual growth progressed under the guidance of Don Bosco. Clifford Stevens says in his biography of Savio, "In other circumstances, Dominic might have become a little self-righteous snob, but Don Bosco showed him the heroism of the ordinary and the sanctity of common sense."[32]
Attempts to do penances
In his desire to become a saint, Dominic attempted to perform physical penances, like making his bed uncomfortable with small stones and pieces of wood, sleeping with a thin covering in winter, wearing a hair shirt, and fasting on bread and water. When his superiors (i.e., John Bosco, or his Rector, or his confessor) came to know this, they forbade him from doing bodily mortification, as it would affect his health.[33]
John Bosco told Dominic that as a schoolboy, the best penance would be to perform all his duties with perfection and humility, and that obedience was the greatest sacrifice.[34] Thus, Dominic formed an important aspect of his philosophy of life, which was, in his words, "I can't do big things but I want everything to be for the glory of God."[35] Don Bosco notes that from that time on, Dominic did not complain about the food or the weather, unlike some other boys at the Oratory, bore all suffering cheerfully, and practised custody of his eyes and tongue.[36] Eugenio Ceria, a Salesian commentator on the autobiography of John Bosco, (Memoirs of the Oratory of Saint Francis de Sales) notes that by this time, owing to his experience as an educator, John Bosco's ideas on several pedagogical and spiritual principles were well developed and linked and this led him to associate the fulfillment of daily duties with holiness in his advice to Savio.[37]
The Immaculate Conception Sodality
An iconic painting depicting Mary as the Immaculate Conception. The definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception had a profound effect on the spirituality of Dominic Savio.
The definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary influenced Dominic and he was anxious to create at the school a lasting reminder of this event.[38] He now felt that he had not long to live. With the help of his friends, he started a group called the Sodality of Mary Immaculate, the main aim of which was to be to obtain the special protection of Mary during life and at the time of death. The means Dominic proposed to this end were: (1) to honour, and to bring others to honour, Mary by different means, and (2) to encourage frequent Communion. On 8 June, he and his friends read out together before the altar of Mary at the Oratory, the set of rules they had drawn up. There were twenty-one articles (which were recorded by John Bosco in his biography), ending with an appeal to Mary for her assistance. These were submitted to the rector, and, after careful perusal, he gave his approval, under certain conditions.[39] One of the members of this Sodality, Giuseppe Bongioanni,[39] (who was later ordained a priest) was later to found the Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament, which became a traditional sodality in Catholic schools.[38]
Preparation for a holy death
All the pupils under John Bosco observed a monthly event called The Exercise of a Happy Death; this practice continues under the name The Monthly Day of Recollection.[8] This practice was encouraged by Pope Pius IX.[40] Part of this was to make a Confession and Communion as though they were the last ones to be made before death. Bosco notes that Dominic observed this practice devoutly, and that one day, Dominic said that he would be the first amongst the group to die.[40] During the month of May, before his death, the intensity of his spiritual practices increased. John Bosco notes that he said, "Let me do what I can this year; if I am here next year I'll let you know what my plans are."[41]
Failing health
Dominic's health was steadily deteriorating, but he spent most of his time with his friends, talking with them, and encouraging those who were experiencing troubles.[42] He also helped at the school infirmary whenever his companions were admitted. On the recommendation of doctors, Dominic was sent home to recover from his ill health, but a few days later Bosco found him back at the Oratory. Despite his affection for Dominic, and his wish to allow Dominic to remain at the Oratory, John Bosco decided to follow the recommendation of the doctors, especially since Dominic had developed a severe cough and he wrote to Dominic's father, fixing the date of his departure on 1 March 1857. Though Dominic said that he wanted to spend his last days at the Oratory, he accepted this decision and spent the evening before his departure at John Bosco's side, discussing spiritual matters. (Bosco recorded a part of this conversation in his biography of Dominic).[42] On the morning of his departure, Don Bosco notes that Dominic made the Exercise of a Happy Death with great zeal, even saying that this would be his final such devotion. He said his farewell to John Bosco, asking as a keepsake that Bosco add his name to the list of those who would participate in the Plenary Indulgence that John Bosco had received from the Pope, to which John Bosco readily agreed.[42] He then took leave of his friends with great affection, which surprised them, for his illness was not considered by many of his companions to be serious.[43]
Death
The altar of St. Dominic Savio in Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, under which holds the relic of the saint
In his first four days at home his appetite decreased and his cough worsened; this prompted his parents to send him to the doctor, who, at once, ordered bed rest.[44] Inflammation was diagnosed, and as was the custom at that time, the doctor decided to perform bloodletting. The doctor cut Dominic's arm ten times in the space of four days and it is now considered that this probably hastened his death.[45] In his biography, John Bosco records that Dominic was calm throughout the procedure. The doctor assured his parents that the danger had passed and now it only remained for him to recuperate. Dominic, however, was sure that his death was approaching, and asked that he be allowed to make his Confession and receive Communion. Though they thought it unnecessary, his parents sent for the parish priest who heard Dominic's confession and administered the Eucharist.[46]
After four days, despite the conviction of the doctor and his parents that he would get better, Dominic asked that he be given the Anointing of the Sick in preparation for death. Again, his parents agreed, to please him. On 9 March, he was given the papal blessing and he said the Confiteor. Don Bosco records that throughout these days, he stayed serene and calm.[47] On the evening of 9 March 1857, after being visited by his parish priest, he asked his father to read him the prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death from his book of devotions. Then he slept a while, and shortly awakened and said in a clear voice, "Goodbye, Dad, goodbye ... what was it the parish priest suggested to me ... I don't seem to remember ... Oh, what wonderful things I see ...".[47] With these words, Dominic died, though, at first, it appeared to his father that he was asleep.[48] Dominic's father wrote in a letter to John Bosco, conveying the news of the death of his son,
With my heart full of grief I send you this sad news. Dominic, my dear son and your child in God, like a white lily, like Aloysius Gonzaga, gave his soul to God on 9 March after having received with the greatest devotion the Last Sacraments and the Papal Blessing.[48]
Notable incidents in the life of Dominic Savio
Pope Pius XI described Dominic Savio as "small in size, but a towering giant in spirit."
In order to give the reader a well rounded picture of Dominic's personality Don Bosco recorded several incidents from Dominic's life in his biography.[28]
Before he joined the Oratory
At the school at Mondonio
Don Bosco records this from the testimony of Fr Giuseppe Cugliero.[49] One day, in the absence of his teacher, two of Dominic's classmates stuffed the room-heating iron stove with snow and rubbish as a prank. Fearing expulsion, they blamed Dominic. Fr. Cugliero soundly berated Dominic in front of the class and Dominic bore this silently.[50] The following day, the true culprits were discovered. On being asked why he had remained silent, Dominic replied that he had thought that he would be let off with a scolding whereas the other boys might have been expelled. Dominic added that Jesus had remained silent when blamed unjustly and that he was trying to imitate him.[45] Mary Reed Newland, in her book, suggests that, since Dominic was yet to meet John Bosco, this incident is indicative of the upbringing his parents had given him.[34]
At the Oratory
Resolves a conflict
At the Oratory, two of his friends had a disagreement and decided to fight each other by throwing stones. As they were older and stronger than Dominic (he had been promoted from first form to second form [51]) physical intervention was not possible. He tried to reason with them but with no positive result. Thus, on the day of the fight, he went with them to the site where the fight was to take place, and just before they could start, he placed himself between them, and holding up his crucifix, requested that they throw their first stones at him. Ashamed, the two boys gave up their fight. Dominic then persuaded them to go to Confession.[52]
Custody of the eyes
John Bosco records that once a boy who was visiting had brought with him a "magazine with bad pictures", and a group of fascinated boys were looking. On finding out, Dominic snatched the magazine and tore it up, saying, "You know well enough that one look is enough to stain your souls, and yet you go feasting your eyes on this."[36]
Influence over his friends
John Bosco records that Dominic spent a lot of time with his friends, encouraging them in their devotions, discouraging those with a habit of swearing,[53] and teaching Catechism at Sunday School.[54] Bosco also records that he would encourage his friends to make frequent use of the sacrament of confession and take Communion regularly, even giving them encouragement and advice in spiritual practices during games.[55] John Bosco makes particular mention of two of Dominic's friends, Camillo Gavio of Tortona,[56] and John Massaglia of Marmorito.[57] (These two friends were dead by the time John Bosco wrote the biography, as he thought it best not to write about the friends of Dominic who were still alive.)
Devotions practised by Dominic
Don Bosco narrates that before he came to the Oratory, Dominic made his Confession and took Communion once a month. After hearing a homily on the Sacraments, he chose a priest as his regular Confessor, (to whom Dominic made his Confessions until the end of his stay at the Oratory). The regularity with which Dominic approached the sacraments increased and, at the end of that year, as per the advice of his confessor, Dominic was taking Communion daily.[58] He had a special intention for the Eucharist each day of the week. John Bosco notes that, whenever permitted, Dominic eagerly accompanied the priest when he took the Viaticum, and that he also kept the habit of kneeling down in the street if he encountered the Eucharist being carried by a priest, as was the custom in Catholic countries.[59]
Incidents with special spiritual significance
"Distractions"
John Bosco records that Dominic occasionally had intense experiences during prayer, which Dominic described as such: "It is silly of me; I get a distraction and lose the thread of my prayers and then I see such wonderful things that the hours pass by like minutes”.[60] On one occasion, he was missing from breakfast and the rector finally found him in the chapel, standing motionless and gazing at the tabernacle. He was not aware that the morning Mass had ended.[61] On another occasion, John Bosco records that he saw Dominic in the chapel, speaking to God, and then waiting, as though listening to a reply.[60]
Special knowledge
John Bosco narrates how Dominic came to his room one day and urged him to accompany him. He led Bosco through many streets to a block of flats, rang the doorbell, and at once, went away. When the door opened, John Bosco found that within, there was a dying man who was desperately asking for a priest to make his last confession.[61] Later, John Bosco asked Dominic how he had known about that man. However, since the question made Dominic uncomfortable, John Bosco did not press the matter.[60]
Pope Pius IX formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and figured in a vision that occurred to Dominic Savio.
The vision of England
John Bosco records that Dominic once recounted to him a vision he had:[60]
"... . One morning as I was making my thanksgiving after Communion, a very strong distraction took hold of me. I thought I saw a great plain full of people enveloped in thick fog. They were walking about like people who had lost their way and did not know which way to turn. Someone near me said: 'This is England'. I was just going to ask some questions, when I saw Pope Pius IX just like I have seen him in pictures. He was robed magnificently and carried in his hand a torch alive with flames. As he walked slowly towards that immense gathering of people, the leaping flames from the torch dispelled the fog, and the people stood in the splendour of the noonday sun. 'That torch', said the one beside me, 'is the Catholic Faith, which is going to light up England'".
At his last goodbyes, Dominic requested John Bosco to tell the pope of his vision, which he did in 1858. The pope felt that this confirmed the plans he had already made concerning England.[61]
His mother's pregnancy
On 12 September 1856, Dominic asked John Bosco permission to go home, saying that his mother was ill, though he had received no communication. Dominic's mother was then expecting a baby and was in great pain,[62] and when Dominic reached the house, he hugged and kissed his mother, and then left. His mother felt her pain leave her and Dominic's baby sister, Catherine, was born. The women assisting at the birth found that Dominic had left a green scapular around his mother's neck. His sister Theresa later wore this same scapular when she was in labour. She testified that it had been passed around to several other pregnant women and was later lost.[63]
Charles Savio's vision of Dominic after his death
The veneration of Dominic Savio grew with an event narrated by his father:[64]
"I was in the greatest affliction at the loss of my son, and was consumed by a desire to know what was his position in the other world. God deigned to comfort me. About a month after his death, during a very restless night, I saw, as it were, the ceiling opened, and Dominic appeared in the midst of dazzling light. I was beside myself at this sight, and cried out: "O Dominic, my son, are you already in Paradise?" "Yes," he replied, "I am in Heaven." Then pray for your brothers and sisters, and your mother and father, that we may all come to join you one day in Heaven." "Yes, yes, I will pray," was the answer. "Then he disappeared, and the room became as before."
The Life of Dominic Savio
Don Bosco's biography of Dominic Savio contributed to his canonisation.
Soon after the death of Dominic, John Bosco wrote his biography, The Life of Dominic Savio, which contributed to his canonisation.[4] The original Italian edition was considered so well written during the time of Don Bosco that, along with his History of Italy and Ecclesiastical History, it was used in many public schools as part of the course materials on the Italian language.[65] Among the other writings of John Bosco[66] are the Biography of Fr. Joseph Cafasso,[20] The Life of Francis Besucco and The Life of Michael Magone.[67]
Pope Pius X set in motion the canonisation process for Dominic Savio.
Veneration
Though some were of an opinion that Dominic was too young to be canonised, Pope Pius X insisted that this was not so, and started the process of his canonisation.[68] Dominic Savio was declared Venerable in 1933 by Pope Pius XI, was beatified in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, and declared a saint in 1954.[35] Pope Pius XI described him as "small in size, but a towering giant in spirit."[29]
Memorials
Schools and other
United States
In the saint's honour, there are several schools with his namesake. These include Dominic Savio High School in Austin, Texas, a middle school in Niagara Falls, New York, and in East Boston, Massachusetts, a college preparatory school, Savio Preparatory High School, which closed in 2008. In Tempe, Arizona, St. Dominic Savio Academy[69] is a school for children with autism and related disorders. In Bellflower, CA, St. Dominic Savio School[70] is a Salesian elementary school. In St. Louis, MO, the St. Dominic Savio campus of Holy Cross Academy[71] serves Pre-K through 5th Grade.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, there is a primary school named after him, in Woodley, Berkshire, a secondary school, Savio Salesian College, in Bootle, Merseyside, and Savio House Retreat Centre in Bollington, Cheshire, there is also a special educational needs school in Hambledon, Surrey that is named after Dominic Savio. A former Catholic church in Farnborough, Hampshire (registered between 1967 and 2003) was dedicated to him.[72][73]
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, there is a kindergarten on Hong Kong Island named Dominic Savio Kindergarten.
Ireland
In Ireland there is a school called Saint Dominics in Kenagh, Co. Longford
India
In India, there are high schools named after the saint – St. Dominic Savio's High School (http://stdominicsavios.com), in Patna and St. Dominic Savio High School (http://www.stdominicsavio.com) in Mumbai. In Lucknow there in an Intermediate College named after the saint – St. Dominic Savio College. In Chennai TN, there is St. Dominic Savio Matriculation Higher Secondary School and in West Bengal, St. Dominic Savio School, a coeducational school in Howrah. In Kerala, there is Savio English School in Kozhencherry. In the district of Matunga, Mumbai, Savio Kindergarten is attached to Don Bosco High School.[74]
Malta
In Malta, the presence of the Salesians is felt strongly. In Dingli, Savio College (a secondary boys school for pupils aged 11–15) is dedicated to the saint. Furthermore, a Youth Centre or "Oratorju" (oratory) dedicated to the same saint is found in Birkirkara.
Belgium
In Belgium, there is a ‘dienstencentrum Gid(t)s’, commonly known as Dominiek Savio Instituut.[75]
Thailand
There is a school named after him – Saint Dominic School – in Bangkok.[76]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, there is a junior high school named Domenico Savio Junior High School,[77] in Semarang.
Philippines
In the Philippines, there is St. Dominic Savio School of Lapu Lapu City in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, St. Dominic Savio School Of Kalookan City in Caloocan, St. Dominic School of Kalibo in Aklan, and St. Dominic Savio Learning Center in Parañaque. There is also a St. Dominic Savio Parish in Mandaluyong. There is a Dominic Savio St. In Barangay Don Bosco, Better Living Subd, Parañaque. There is a brass tribute memorial statue together with St. John Bosco and Blessed Laura Vicuña were located in St. John Bosco Parish Church in Makati, and also a colored tribute memorial statue located in Barangay Don Bosco beside PNCC Skyway Bldg. and near SM Bicutan in Parañaque, Metro Manila.
Australia
Dominic College is situated in Glenorchy, Tasmania.[78]
Dominic College is the result of the amalgamation of Savio College, Holy Name Secondary School for girls, Savio Primary and St. John's Primary Schools.
The school was formed in 1973 and was the first Co-educational Catholic College in the State of Tasmania. The school has classes from Kindergarten to Year Ten and the Senior Campus amalgamated with other Catholic Secondary Colleges in 1995 to form Guilford Young College.
St. Dominic's College, Penrith, near Sydney, New South Wales, was established as a Christian Brothers college in 1959. Still administered by Edmund Rice Education Australia it is still an independent Catholic all boys school years 7–12.
Savio is a house at Salesian College Chadstone, a year 7–12 boys' school.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, there are a few elementary schools named after the saint: the Elementary school of Dominic Savio in Zvolen founded in 1992,[79] the Elementary School of Dominic Savio in Dubnica nad Váhom founded in 1991 [80] and the Church Elementary School and Nursery of Dominic Savio in Vranov nad Topľou founded in 1992.[81]
Canada
There are five St. Dominic Savio Catholic Elementary Schools. One is located in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, one is located in Edmonton, Alberta,[82] the other in Regina, Saskatchewan,[83] one in Scarborough, Ontario.[84] and the other in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in Kitchener, Ontario.
Saint John Before the Latin Gate
About the Feast
Commemorates the attempted martyrdom of Saint John the Apostle in 95. John was bound and brought to Rome, Italy from Ephesus by the order of Domitian; the Senate condemned him to be taken to the Latin Gate and thrown in a cauldron of boiling oil. John stepped out of the cauldron without injury, and instead was exiled to Patmos.
Blessed Anna Rosa Gattorno
Also known as
Rose Maria Benedetta
Profile
One of six children born to the wealthy, pious family of Francesco Benedetta and Adelaide Campanella Benedetta. Baptized the day after her birth, and confirmed at age 12. Educated at home, she was familiar with the politics and anti-clerical arguments of her day.
Married to Gerolamo Custo on 5 November 1852. The couple first moved to Marseilles, France, but financial difficulties forced them to return to Genoa, Italy. Their oldest child was rendered deaf and mute by illness. Gerolamo died of natural causes on 9 March 1858, leaving Rose Maria a widow with three children; the youngest died a few months later of natural causes.
While these miseries may have caused some to become angry with God, Rose Maria instead took them as a lesson, and an indication of vocation - she knew pain, poverty and trial, and was thus qualified to work with others experiencing them. Though she continued to provide for her children, she took private vows of chastity and obedience in 1858, a vow of poverty in 1861, and became a Franciscan tertiary. In 1862 she received the hidden stigmata.
Though she preferred silence and solitude, Catholic associations in Genoa began soliciting her help. President of the Pious Union of the New Ursuline Daughters of Holy Mary Immaculate, and revised its Rule. While working on it, she received a call to form her own congregation. Though she was encouraged by everyone, including the archbishop of Genoa, but she hesitated, fearing it would take her away from her children. She approached Pope Pius IX about it on 3 January 1866, hoping he would discourage the idea; he told her to begin work on it immediately.
With Father Giovannio Battista Tornatore, she co-founded the Institute of the Daughters of Saint Anne, Mother of Mary Immaculate in Piacenza, Italy on 8 December 1866 with a mandate to work with the poor and sick. She took the habit of the Institute on 26 July 1867, and on 8 April 1870 she and twelve sisters made their solemn profession, during which she took the name Anna Rosa. The Institute received official approval in 1879, and its rule was approved in 1892. She worked with Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini. By Anna Rosa's death there were 368 houses in Italy, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Eritrea, they had built hostels, schools and kindergartens, had 3,500 sisters, and worked in a ministry to the deaf and mute. Today they are associated with the Movement of Hope, the Contemplative Order of the Daughters of Saint Anne, and the Sons of Saint Anne.
Born
14 October 1831 at Genoa, Italy as Rose Maria Benedetta
Died
9am on 6 May 1900 at Rome, Italy of influenza
Beatified
9 April 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Francis de Montmorency Laval
† இன்றைய புனிதர் †
(மே 6)
✠ புனிதர் ஃபிரான்காய்ஸ் டி லாவல் ✠
(St. François de Laval)
கியூபெக் ஆயர் மற்றும் மறைப்பணியாளர்:
(Bishop of Québec, and Missionary)
பிறப்பு: ஏப்ரல் 30, 1623
மொண்டிக்னி-சுர்-அவ்ர், பேர்ச், ஃபிரான்ஸ் அரசு
(Montigny-sur-Avre, Perche, Kingdom of France)
இறப்பு: மே 6, 1708 (வயது 85)
கியூபெக், புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் வைசிராயல்டி, ஃபிரெஞ்ச் காலனி பேரரசு
(Quebec, Viceroyalty of New France, French colonial empire)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: ஜூன் 22, 1980
திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பவுல்
(Pope John Paul II)
புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஏப்ரல் 3, 2014
திருத்தந்தை ஃபிரான்சிஸ்
(Pope Francis)
முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:
நோட்ரே-டேம் டி கியூபெக் ஆலயம், கியூபெக் நகரம்
(Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada)
பொதுவாக "ஃபிரான்காய்ஸ் டி லாவல்" (François de Laval) என்று அழைக்கப்படும், "புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ்-சேவியர் டி மான்ட்மோரென்சி-லாவல்" (Saint Francis-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval), தமது 36 வயதில், திருத்தந்தை ஏழாம் அலெக்சாண்டர் (Pope Alexander VII) அவர்களால், "கனடா" (Canada) நாட்டின் கிழக்குப் பிராந்தியத்தின் "கியூபெக்" (Quebec) மாகாணத்தின், முதல் ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க ஆயராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டவர் ஆவார்.
லாவல், ஃபிரான்ஸ் (France) நாட்டின் மிகப் பழமையான உன்னதமான குடும்பங்களில் ஒன்றான "மோன்ட்மோரென்சி" (Montmorency) குடும்ப உறுப்பினராக இருந்தார். மேலும், அவரது காலத்தில் மிகவும் செல்வாக்கு மிக்க மனிதர்களில் ஒருவராகவும் இருந்தார்.
லாவல், கி.பி. 1623ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 30ம் நாளன்று, பண்டைய மாகாணமான "பெர்ச்சில்" (Perche) உள்ள "மோன்டிக்னி-சுர்-அவ்ரே" (Montigny-Sur-Avre) நகரில் பிறந்தார். இவரது தந்தை பெயர் "ஹியூஜெஸ் டி லாவல்" (Hugues de Laval) ஆகும். அவரது தாயார், "மிச்சேல் டி பெரிகார்ட்" (Michelle de Péricard), "நார்மண்டியில்" (Normandy) உள்ள அரச பரம்பரை அதிகாரிகளின் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் ஆவார். அவரது உன்னத வம்சாவளியாக இருந்தபோதிலும், அவரது பெற்றோர் செல்வந்தர்களாக கருதப்படவில்லை. லாவலுக்கு மேலும் ஐந்து சகோதரர்களும் இரண்டு சகோதரிகளும் இருந்தனர். அவரது இளைய சகோதரர் "ஹென்றி" (Henri), "பெனடிக்டைன்" (Benedictine Order) சபையில் இணைந்தார். அவரது சகோதரி "அன்னி சார்லோட்" (Anne Charlotte), :ஆசீர்வதிக்கப்பட்ட அருட்சாதன சகோதரியர்" (Congregation of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament) சபையில் இணைந்தார்.
அவரது வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும், லாவலின் தாய் தொடர்ந்து பக்திக்கு ஒரு முன்மாதிரியாக பணியாற்றினார். மேலும், அதிர்ஷ்டமற்ற ஏழை எளிய மக்களுக்கு தொண்டு செய்யும்படி அவரை ஊக்குவித்து வந்தார். ஒரு திருச்சபை வாழ்க்கை முறைக்கு விதிக்கப்பட்டதாக பெரும்பாலும் விவரிக்கப்படும் லாவல், ஒரு தெளிவான பார்வை மற்றும் புத்திசாலித்தனமான சிறுவனாக விரைவில் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டார்.
இதன் விளைவாக, அவர் விஷேட பதவிகளை உள்ளடக்கியவர்களின் குழுக்களைக் கொண்ட "பரிசுத்த கன்னி மரியாள் சபையில்" அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டார். இது, இளைஞர்களை ஆன்மீக வாழ்க்கை முறைகளை பின்பற்ற ஊக்குவிப்பதை நோக்கமாகக் கொண்டிருந்த, மேலும் வழக்கமான ஜெபத்தையும் ஆன்மீக நடைமுறைகளையும் ஊக்குவித்த இயேசுசபையினரால் நிறுவப்பட்ட ஒரு சமூகமாகும். எட்டு வயதில், லாவல் "டான்சரை" (Tonsure) (சமயச் சடங்குக்காக தலையை முழுவதுமோ (அ) பகுதியாகவோ மழித்தல்) ஏற்றார். பின்னர் கி.பி. 1631ம் ஆண்டு, "லா ஃப்லெச் கல்லூரியில்" (College of La Flèche) சேர அவர் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டார்.
மேலும், இந்த காலகட்டத்தில்தான், கனடாவில் "ஹூரான்" (Huron) இன மக்கள் மத்தியில் இயேசுசபையினரின் பணிகள் பற்றிய தகவல்களுடன் லாவல் தொடர்பு கொண்டார். இது அவரது பாதுகாவலர், புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் சேவியரைப் (St. Francis Xavier) போலவே மிஷனரியாக வேண்டும் என்ற அவரது விருப்பத்தையும் ஆர்வத்தையும் அதிகரித்தது.
கி.பி. 1637ம் ஆண்டு, இவர் "எவ்ரியக்ஸ் பேராலய நியதியாக" (Canon of Cathedral of Évreux) ஆயரால் நியமிக்கப்பட்டார். கி.பி. 1636ம் ஆண்டு, செப்டம்பர் மாதம், லாவலின் தந்தை இறந்த பின்னர் இவர் வகித்த இந்த நிலைப்பாடு முக்கிய முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்தது என்பதை நிரூபித்தது. தந்தையின் மரணம், அவரது குடும்பத்தை ஒரு ஆபத்தான நிதி சூழ்நிலையில் விட்டுச் சென்றது. அந்த பதவியில் இணைக்கப்பட்ட (Prebend) எனப்படும் கிறிஸ்தவக் கோயிலின் உறுப்பினருக்கு அளிக்கப்படும் மானியப் பகுதியிலிருந்து வருவாயைப் பெற இது அவரை அனுமதித்தது. அது இல்லாவிடில், அவர் தனது கல்வியைத் தொடர முடியாமல் போயிருக்கும். தமது பத்தொன்பது வயதில் தனது பண்டைய கிரேக்க இலத்தீன் கலைக்குரிய கல்வியை (Classical education) முடித்தவுடன், "லா ஃப்ளூச்" (La Flèche) நகரிலிருந்து கிளம்பி, பாரிஸில் (Paris) உள்ள "கிளெர்மான்ட்" (College de Clermont) கல்லூரியில் தத்துவம் மற்றும் இறையியலில் தனது கல்வியைத் தொடர்ந்தார்.
அவரது இரண்டு மூத்த சகோதரர்களின் மரணம் காரணமாக லாவலின் திட்டங்கள் நிறுத்தப்பட்டன. இது அவரை குடும்பத்தின் தலைவராக மாற்றியது. இந்த கட்டத்தில், லாவல் தனது தந்தையின் தோட்டத்தை பொறுப்பேற்றுக்கொள்வதற்காக தனது ஆன்மீக, திருச்சபை வாழ்க்கையை கைவிடுவதற்கான முடிவை எதிர்கொண்டார். உண்மையில், அவரது தாயார், எவ்ரூக்ஸ் ஆயர், மற்றும் அவரது உறவினர் அனைவரும் அவரை பாரிஸ் நகரை விட்டு வெளியேறி வீடு திரும்பும்படி சமாதானப்படுத்த முயன்றனர். ஆயினும்கூட, லாவல் தனது குடும்பத்தின் அழுத்தத்திற்கு அடிபணிய மறுத்தார். தனது தாய்க்கு குடும்ப விவகாரங்களை ஒழுங்காக அமைக்க உதவியதுடன், தனது முதன்மையான பொறுப்புக்களை முழுமையாக கைவிட ஏற்பாடு செய்தார். பின்னர் அவரது சகோதரர் ஜீன் லூயிஸுக்கு (Jean-Louis) தமது பொறுப்புக்களை மாற்றித் தந்தார்.
கி.பி. 1647ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், முதல் தேதி, தமது இருபத்துநான்கு வயதில்,லாவல் குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்றார். இதற்குப் பிறகு, எவ்ரெக்ஸின் ஆயர், லாவலை தனது திருச்சபை பாதையை கைவிடுமாறு சமாதானப்படுத்த முயற்சித்ததற்கு வருத்தப்படத் தொடங்கினார். எனவே, கி.பி. 1647ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், அவரை தனது மறைமாவட்டத்தின் தலைமை திருத்தொண்டராக (Archdeacon) நியமிக்க முடிவு செய்தார். 155 பங்குகள் மற்றும் நான்கு சிற்றாலயங்களின் விவகாரங்களை மேற்பார்வையிட லாவலுக்கு இப்பதவி அவசியப்பட்டது. லாவல் இந்த பணியை உணர்ச்சிபூர்வமாகவும், தீவிர ஆர்வத்தோடும் அணுகுவதாகக் கூறப்பட்டது. அடுத்தடுத்த ஆண்டுகளில், பங்குகளில் ஒழுங்கை நிறுவுவதற்கும், ஏழைகளுக்கு நிவாரணம் வழங்குவதற்கும், நோயுற்றவர்களை கவனித்துக்கொள்வதற்கும், பல்வேறு வகையான தொண்டு நடவடிக்கைகளில் ஈடுபடுவதற்கும் அவர் தன்னை அர்ப்பணித்தார். அவரது இதே நடத்தை பின்னர், அவரது வாழ்க்கையில் முற்றிலும் மாறுபட்ட கண்டத்தில் தொடர்ந்தது.
நற்செய்தியைப் பிரசங்கிக்கவும், பயணிக்கவும் ஒரு மறைப்பணி மிஷனரியாக மாற வேண்டும் என்று லாவல் கனவு கண்டார். மிஷனரியாக பணியாற்றுவதற்கான சாத்தியம் அவருக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டபோது, அவர் 1654ம் ஆண்டு, தனது பங்கில் இருந்து தமது தலைமை திருத்தொண்டர் பதவியை ராஜினாமா செய்தார்.
லாவல் இப்போது தமது எல்லாப் பொறுப்பிலிருந்தும் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டார். இதனால் ஜெபத்தின் மூலம், கடவுள் அவருக்காகக் கொண்டிருக்கும் வடிவமைப்புகளுக்காக தன்னைத் தயார்படுத்திக் கொள்ள முடிவு செய்தார். ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டின் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் சீர்திருத்தத்தில் ஒரு தலைவராக இருந்த பொதுநிலையினரான "ஜீன் டி பெர்னியர்ஸ் டி லூவிக்னி" (Jean de Bernières de Louvigny) என்பவரால் இயக்கப்படும் துறவுமடம் (Hermitage) என்று அழைக்கப்படும் ஆன்மீக தியான இல்லங்களில் தங்குவதற்காக அவர் வடமேற்கு ஃபிரான்ஸிலுள்ள "கெய்ன்" (Caen) நகருக்குச் பயணித்தார்.
மூன்று வருடங்கள் அங்கேயே இருந்த லாவல், பிரார்த்தனை மற்றும் தொண்டு நடவடிக்கைகளில் தன்னை ஈடுபடுத்திக் கொண்டார். இந்த சமயத்தில்தான், மிகவும் தளர்வான ஒழுக்கநெறிகள் கொண்டது என்று கருதப்பட்ட ஒரு மடத்தை சீர்திருத்துவதற்கான பொறுப்பை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். அதே போல் கன்னியாஸ்திரிகளின் இரண்டு மடங்களின் நிர்வாகியாகவும் ஆனார். இந்த திட்டங்களுக்கான அவரது அர்ப்பணிப்பு அவருக்கு "பேயக்ஸ் ஆயர்" (Bishop of Bayeux) ஃபிரான்காய்ஸ் டி செர்வியன்" (François de Servien) என்பவரது பாராட்டுக்களைப் பெற்றது. அவர் லாவலை மிகுந்த பக்தியான, விவேகமுள்ள மற்றும் வணிக விஷயங்களில் வழக்கத்திற்கு மாறாக சிறந்த திறமையான, நல்லொழுக்கத்தின் சிறந்த எடுத்துக்காட்டுகள் நிறைந்தவர் என்று ஆயர் வர்ணித்தார். லாவல் இப்போது ஆத்மீக சமூகத்தில் நன்கு அறியப்பட்டவர் ஆனார். மற்றும் அவரது வாழ்க்கையில் அடுத்த கட்டத்தை நோக்கி நகர தயாராக இருந்தார்.
கனடிய திருச்சபை தந்தை:
புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனிக்கான ஆயராக லாவல் பரிந்துரைக்கப்பட்டதன் விளைவாக காலனியின் திருச்சபை நிலை தொடர்பான பதட்டங்களை அதிகரித்தன. புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனி குடியேற்ற காலம் முதல் 50 ஆண்டுகள் வரை, ஒரு ஆயர் இல்லாமல் இருந்தது. இந்த நேரத்தில், ஆன்மீக விஷயங்கள் பெரும்பாலும் காலனியின் ஆன்மீக அதிகாரிகளால் ஒழுங்குபடுத்தப்பட்டன. அதிகாரம் நினைவுகூரல்களிலிருந்து இயேசுசபை குருக்களுக்கு நகர்ந்தது. கி.பி. 1646ம் ஆண்டில், ரோமில் இருந்து வந்த அழுத்தங்கள் காரணமாக, ரூயன் பேராயர் (Archbishop of Rouen) புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸில் உள்ள திருச்சபையின் உடனடி அதிகாரியாக அதிகாரப்பூர்வமாக அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டார். இந்த அங்கீகாரத்துடன் கூட, பேராயரின் அதிகாரம் காலனிக்கு பயணிக்கும் மதகுருக்களுக்கு ஆசிரியர்களை வழங்குவது வரை மட்டுமே நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டது. இந்த நேரத்தில், புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனிக்கு இன்னும் உடனடி ஆயர்கள் தேவை என்பது ஏற்கனவே தெளிவானது.
ஒரு புதிய ஆயரை நியமிப்பது என்பது, இயேசுசபையினருக்கும், புதிதாய் வந்த சல்பீசியன் (Sulpicians) குருக்களுக்குமிடையே கடினமானதும், ஒரு சர்ச்சைக்குரிய பிரச்சினையாகவும் இருந்து வந்தது. இந்த நேரத்தில் சுயாதீனமாக பணியாற்றுவதில் மிகவும் பழக்கமாக இருந்த இயேசுசபையினர், ஒரு சல்பிசியன் ஆயரிடம் தாம் கட்டுப்படுத்தப்படுவோம் என்று அஞ்சினர். ஒரு சல்பீசியன் ஆயர், தங்களது கட்டுப்பாட்டைக் குறைமதிப்பிற்கு உட்படுத்துவார் என்றும், இறுதியில் திருச்சபையை ஆட்சியாளர்களுக்கு அடிபணியச் செய்வார் என்ற நம்பிக்கை அவர்களின் அசௌகரியமாக அவர்களுக்கு தோன்றியது. சல்பீசியர்கள், தங்களது "கேப்ரியல் துபியர்ஸ் டி லெவி டி கியூலஸ்" (Gabriel Thubières de Levy de Queylus) என்பவரை முன்மொழிய முனைப்பாக இருந்தபோது, இயேசுசபையினர் லாவலுக்கு தங்கள் ஆதரவைத் திருப்பினர். அரசியின் தாயாரான "ஆஸ்திரியாவின் அன்னி" (Anne of Austria) உதவியுடன் அரச அங்கீகாரத்தைப் பெறுவது சிறிய சவாலை அளித்தது.
திருத்தந்தையின் உறுதிப்படுத்துதல் கிடைப்பதில் இருந்த தாமதம், இயேசுசபையினருக்கும் லாவலுக்கும் தடையாக இருந்தது. ஒரு ஆயர் தேவை என்று அவர்கள் இயேசுசபையினருடன் உடன்பட்டனர். இருப்பினும், லாவல் ஆயரானால், இயேசுசபையினருக்கு மீண்டும் காலனியின் மீது ஏகபோக உரிமையை வழங்க முடியும் என்று அவர்கள் அஞ்சினர். இயேசுசபையினருக்கும் ரோம் தலைமைக்கும் இடையிலான சமரசத்தில், லாவல் புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனியின் அப்போஸ்தலிக் விகாராக (Apostolic Vicar of New France) நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்.
அப்போஸ்தலிக் விகாராக நியமிக்கப்படுவதோடு, கனடாவில் திருச்சபையை கட்டியெழுப்ப அவருக்கு தேவையான சக்தியை வழங்குவதற்காகவும், "பார்ட்டிபஸ்" (Partibus) நகர ஆயராக அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட லாவல், கி.பி. 1658ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 8ம் தேதி, கியூபெக்கின் விகார் அப்போஸ்தலிக் (Vicar Apostolic of Quebec) ஆக, பாரிஸ் நகரிலுள்ள தேவாலயத்தில் அருட்பொழிவு செய்யப்பட்டார். அரச விசுவாச சத்திய பிரமாணம் செய்த லா, "லா ரோச்" (La Rochelle) நகரிலிருந்து புதிய ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனிக்கு கி.பி. 1659ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 13ம் தேதி, பயணப்பட்டார். அதே ஆண்டின் ஜூன் மாதம், 16ம் நாளன்று, அவர் கியூபெக்கிற்கு வந்தார். வந்தவுடனேயே லாவல் தனது பணிகளைத் தொடங்கினார். அவரது கப்பல் வந்த அதே நாளில், அவர் ஒரு இளம் ஹூரோன் வாசிக்கு திருமுழுக்கு அளித்தார். இறக்கும் தருவாயில் இருந்த மனிதன் ஒருவருக்கு தனது கடைசி அருட்சாதனங்களை வழங்கினார்.
பல்வேறு சீர்திருத்தப் பணிகளை மேற்கொண்ட லாவல், கைவினைஞர்களுக்கும், விவசாயிகளுக்கும், நடைமுறைக் கல்வி கற்பிப்பதில் ஆர்வம் காட்டினார். "செயிண்ட்-ஜோச்சிம்" (Saint-Joachim) நகரில் கலை மற்றும் கைவினைப் பள்ளியை நிறுவினார்.
பிற்பகுதியில் ஆண்டுகள்:
நியூ ஃபிரான்ஸ் காலனியில் அவர் வந்ததிலிருந்து, காலனியில் குருக்களை பயிற்றுவிப்பதற்கு மேல், ஒரு சிறிய அமைப்பை நிறுவவும் ஒழுங்கமைக்கவும் லாவல் வலியுறுத்தி வந்தார். 1678ம் ஆண்டில், காலனியில் நிரந்தர அமைப்புகள் அமைக்கப்படும் என்று கூறி அரசரிடமிருந்து ஒரு அரசாணையைப் பெற்றார். சில ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பிறகு, 1681ம் ஆண்டில், திருச்சபையின் நிலைப்பாட்டை நிரந்தரமாக உறுதிப்படுத்தும் முயற்சியில் லாவல் திருச்சபைகளின் எல்லைகளை வரைந்தார். ஒவ்வொரு பங்கினையும் அடிக்கடி பார்வையிட்ட லாவல், அவரது உடல்நிலை குறைந்து வருவதையும், இனி அகாடியா (Acadia) முதல், மிச்சிகன் ஏரி (Lake Michigan) வரை விரிவாக்கம் பெற்ற தனது பெரிய மறைமாவட்டத்தை இயக்க முடியாது என்பதையும் உணர்ந்தார். இதன் விளைவாக, 1688ம் ஆண்டு, ஜீன்-பாப்டிஸ்ட் டி லா குரோயிக்ஸ் டி செவ்ரியர்ஸ் டி செயிண்ட்-வள்ளியர் (Jean-Baptiste de La Croix de Chevrières de Saint-Vallier) என்பவருக்கு தனது ஆயர் பொறுப்புகளை வழங்கினார்.
லாவல் தனது கடைசி நாட்கள் வரை காலனியின் உயர் ஆன்மீக அதிகாரிகளுடன் தொடர்ந்து ஒத்துழைத்தார். அவர் தம்மிடமுள்ள இருப்பு மற்றும் தர்மமாக கிடைத்த பரிசுகளை ஏழைகளுக்கு கொடுத்து உதவினார். உடல்நலம் குறைந்து கொண்டிருந்த போதிலும், அவர் ஒரு திருப்பலியையோ, அல்லது ஒரு நாள் உண்ணாவிரதத்தையோ தவறவிட்டதில்லை. கி.பி. 1707ம் ஆண்டு வாக்கில், புற்றுநோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட அவர், இறுதியில் கி.பி. 1708ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், 6ம் தேதியன்று, மரித்தார்.
Also known as
François de Montmorency Laval
Profile
Third son of Hughes de Laval, an aristocrat soldier, and Michelle de Péricard. His was an old, distinguished and religious family, and Francis early felt a call to the priesthood. Educated by Jesuits at La Fleche from ages eight to fourteen. His father died when the boy was thirteen, and as clerical positions were often as much politics as religion, Francis was made a parish canon so that his salary could help support the family. Studied for the priesthood at the Jesuit Clermont College in Paris, France at age nineteen, but withdrew for a while in 1645 when his two older brothers died and he was forced to manage the family estates. Ordained on 1 May 1647. Archdeacon of Evreux. Member of the Paris Foreign Mission Society at age thirty. Vicar apostolic of Tongkin, Indochina (modern Vietnam) in 1653, but family obligations and the turmoil of the region prevented him moving there. Resigned his position in 1654 to spend four years in a hermitage in Caen. Titular bishop of Petraea.
Appointed vicar apostolic of New France (modern Canada) by Pope Alexander VII in 1658. Consecrated as bishop on 8 December 1658. Arrived in Quebec City, population 500, to take up his new duties on 16 June 1659. His territory covered all of Canada and the central section of what would become the United States. It was an enormous frontier diocese in need of administration, stability, and evangelization, and Francis approached it as spiritual work. He promoted missionary work, and supported missionaries from the Jesuits and Recollect Franciscans. Restored the shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupré, and built the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Founded the seminary of Quebec in 1663, and started the Catholic school system throughout Canada. Quebec was established as a diocese in 1674, and Laval consecrated its first bishop. Fought the alcohol trade to the Indian tribes, had it outlawed within his territory, and excommunicated those who dealt in it. His work slowed the trade and improved the lives of the natives, but made him many enemies within the liquor trade.
In 1684 he went into retirement, becoming a hermit at the seminary in Quebec, hoping to live out his life in prayer. However, disastrous fires in November 1701 and October 1705 brought him out of retirement to oversee needed re-construction, he was ever involved in charitable work for the poor, and available to consult with his successor. Laval University in Quebec is named for him.
Born
30 April 1623 in Montigny-sur-Avre, Normandy, France
Died
6 May 1708 in Quebec, Canada of natural causes
Canonized
3 April 2014 by Pope Francis (equipollent canonization)
Patronage
patrons of the bishops of Canada
Blessed Maria Catalina Troiani
Also known as
Maria Caterina of Saint Rose
Profile
Third of four children born to Tommaso Troiani and Teresa Panici, her mother died when the Maria was six. Franciscan tertiary, dedicated to the teachings of Saint Francis, and to the care and education of girls. Franciscan nun, taking the habit on 8 December 1829, and taking the name Sister Maria Teresa of Saint Rose in honour of Saint Rose of Viterbo. Missionary to north Africa. In 1852 the Apostolic Vicar of Egypt requested a Franciscan school for poor girls be established in Cairo; Maria and four other sisters met with Pope Pius IX on 4 September 1859 to offer their service, and he gave them his blessing. The sisters and Father Giuseppe Moden arrived in Cairo on 14 September 1859 to begin their work. On 5 July 1868, the group received approval as a formal congregation under the name Third Order Franciscan Sisters of Cairo; they were later renamed the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Egypt, and in 1950 were renamed the Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. From the day of their founding until the day of her death, Sister Maria served as Mother Superior to the group. Pope Leo XIII always held her in high regard.
Born
19 January 1813 in Giuliano di Roma, Italy
Died
• 6 May 1887 in Cairo, Egypt of natural causes
• buried in the Latin cemetery in Cairo
• re-interred in the chapel of Clot-Bey, church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rome, Italy on 3 November 1967
Beatified
14 April 1985 by Pope John Paul II
Patronage
Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed Bartolomeo Pucci-Franceschi
Profile
Born to the wealthy Tuscan nobility. Married and the father of four. Noted for his charity to the poor, especially in times of famine. In 1290, when his children were grown, Bartolomeo left his wealth and family to become a Franciscan friar at the convent of San Francisco in Montepulciano, Italy. Many of the locals considered him insane to give up the one social position for the other, but he was a model of religious devotion. Priest. Received visions of Mary and the angels, and was known as a miracle worker.
Born
latter 13th century in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
Died
• 6 May 1330 in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the church of his monastery
• relics later enshrined in two urns in the church
• relics transferred to the church of San Agostino in 1930
Beatified
24 June 1880 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)
Blessed Anthony Middleton
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Son of Ambrose Middleton of Barnard Castle, Durham, England, and Cecil, daughter of Anthony Crackenthorpe of Howgill Castle, Westmoreland, England. Entered the English College at Rheims, France on 9 January 1582. Ordained on 30 May 1586. Returned to England to minister to covert Catholics in the area of London. Arrested for the crime of priesthood; captured in a residence in Clerkenwell, London by a priest-catcher who claimed to be a Catholic who needed a priest. Martyr.
Born
Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 6 May 1590 in London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Readings
I call God to witness I die merely for the Catholic Faith, and for being a priest of the true Religion. - Blessed Anthony's last words, spoken from the scaffold as he was about to be hanged
Blessed Edward Jones
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Raised as an Anglican, he converted to Catholicism and was received into the Church at the English College in Rheims, France in 1587. Ordained in 1588. Returned to England to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested in 1590 in a grocer's in Fleet Street in London, England by a priest-catcher who pretended to be a Catholic in need of a priest. Imprisoned and tortured in the Tower of London, he admitted to being a priest. At his trial for the crime of priesthood, he argued that his confession was obtained by torture and thus not legally sufficient to condemn him. The court complimented him on his arguments and his court-room demeanor, then condemned to death and had him immediately executed. Martyr.
Born
Diocese of Saint Asaph, Wales
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 6 May 1590 on Fleet Street in London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Edbert of Lindisfarne
Also known as
Eadbert, Eadbeorht, Eadberht
Profile
Monk of Lindisfarne Abbey. Noted for his personal sanctity, his extensive Bible knowledge, and his charity to the poor; he annually gave away a tenth of his goods and property. Bishop of Lindisfarne, England for eleven years; successor to Saint Cuthbert. Even as bishop he would make two 40-day retreats each year to live as a hermit in meditation. Built several churches in the region, and improved the structures at Lindisfarne. Bede wrote about him.
Born
7th century England
Died
• 6 May 698 of natural causes
• buried in the grave that had held Cuthbert's remains before they were translated to chapel
• Edbert's relics were translated to Durham, England in 875
Blessed Ponzio of Barellis
Profile
Ponzio received a doctorate in civil law before joining the Mercedarians. Appointed Master-General of the Mercedarians by Pope Clement VI in 1348. He was an active leader and administrator, rebuilding the Order following the losses members and houses caused by plague. He led to the redeeming of 1,600 Christians who had been enslaved by Muslims. Known by those close to him for his piety, and as a miracle worker.
Born
Toulouse, France
Died
• 17 October 1364 in Toulouse, France
• buried at the convent of Perpignan, France
Saint Petronax of Monte Cassino
Also known as
• Petronax of Brescia
• Second Founder of Monte Cassino
Profile
Benedictine monk at Brescia, Italy. Abbot. On assignment from Pope Gregory II in 717, he re-built, re-staffed and re-invigorated the monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy following the Lombard invasions that had left the place damaged and deserted. He served as abbot there, and by the time of his death, the abandoned structure was a center for learning and holiness again. Spiritual teacher of Saint Willibald and Saint Sturmius of Fulda.
Born
c.670 at Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy
Died
c.747 of natural causes
Blessed Henryk Kaczorowski
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War Two
Profile
Priest. Rector of the major seminary of Wloclawek, Poland. Arrested in 1939 during the Nazi persecutions, he kept his faith and ministered to other prisoners in the camps.
Born
10 July 1888 in Bierzwiennej, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Died
gassed on 6 May 1942 in the concentration camp at Dachau, Bavaria, Germany
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland
Saint James of Numidia
Also known as
• James of Lambesa
• James of Lambaesis
• James of Lambese
Profile
Deacon in the same church as Saint Marianus, and imprisoned with him at Cirta (modern Constantine, Algeria) in the persecutions of Valerian. Tortured over several days to force him from his faith. During this torment he had a dream that showed him final triumph. Martyred with hundreds of others. His story was recorded by a fellow prisoner who was not killed.
Died
tortured and beheaded 6 May 259 at Lambesa, Numidia (Algeria)
Saint Venerius of Milan
Profile
Friend of Saint Paulinus of Nola, Saint Delphinus of Bordeaux, and Saint Chromatius of Aquileia. Ordained as a deacon by Saint Ambrose of Milan. Second bishop of Milan c.400. Supported the Council of Carthage in 401. Supported Saint John Chrysostom in his disputes.
Died
• 409 of natural causes
• relics translated to the cathedral of Milan, Italy in 1579 by Saint Charles Borromeo
Blessed Kazimierz Gostynski
Also known as
Casimir Gostynski
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War Two
Profile
Priest. Arrested in 1939 during the Nazi persecutions, he kept his faith and ministered to other prisoners in the camps.
Born
8 April 1884 in Warsaw, Poland
Died
gassed on 6 May 1942 in the concentration camp at Dachau, Bavaria, Germany
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland
Saint Evodius of Antioch
Profile
Traditionally one of the 72 disciples commissioned by Jesus. Priest. Bishop of Antioch, probably ordained by Saint Peter the Apostle. The first person known to use the word Christian in his writings. Worked with Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Martyr.
Died
c.69
Saint Colman Mac Ui Cluasigh of Cork
Profile
7th-century professor and prayerful poet in Cork, Ireland. Led his students on a pilgrimage to a small island to save them from plague that ravaged Ireland in 664.
Died
7th century
Saint Benedicta of Rome
Also known as
Benedikta
Profile
Nun in 6th century Rome, Italy. Friend of Saint Galla who had founded their monastery. She received a vision of Saint Peter the Apostle warning her of her death.
Died
c.546 of natural causes
Blessed Peter de Tornamira
Profile
Mercedarian friar at the convent of San Michele del Monte in Zaragoza, Spain. Worked with Blessed William Tani to free 212 Christians enslaved by Muslim invaders in Granada, Spain. Missionary preacher in Granada.
Blessed William Tandi
Profile
Mercedarian friar at the convent of San Michele del Monte in Zaragoza, Spain. Worked with Blessed Peter de Tornamira to free 212 Christians enslaved by Muslim invaders in Granada, Spain. Missionary preacher in Granada.
Blessed Prudence Castori
Profile
Augustinian nun in Milan, Italy. Founded an Augustinian convent in Como, Italy, and served as its abbess.
Born
Milan, Italy
Died
1492 of natural causes
Saint Lucius of Cyrene
Also known as
• Lukius
• Lukios
Profile
First bishop of Cyrene, Libya. He is mentioned by Saint Luke the Apostle in the Acts of the Apostles.
Saint Venustus of Africa
Profile
Martyred with 75 other Christians in the perscutions of Diocletian.
Died
late 3rd century in Africa
Saint Protogenes of Syria
Profile
Fourth century priest. Exiled by the Arian Emperor Valens, he was recalled under Emperor Theodosius. Bishop of Carrhae, Syria.
Saint Theodotus of Kyrenia
Profile
Bishop of Kyrenia, Cyprus. Imprisoned, tortured and executed in the persecutions of Licinius. Martyr.
Saint Colman of Loch Echin
Profile
Listed in the Martyrologies of Tallagh and Donegal, but no details of his life have survived.
Saint Heliodorus
Profile
Martyred with 75 other Christians in the perscutions of Diocletian.
Died
late 3rd century in Africa
Saint Marianus of Lambesa
Profile
Lector. Martyr.
Died
beheaded in 259 at Lambesa, North Africa
Saint Justus of Vienne
Profile
Bishop of Vienne, France.
Died
168 of natural causes
Saint Venustus of Milan
Profile
Martyr in Milan, Italy in the persecutions of Diocletian.
Saint Acuta
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Milan, Italy
