Saint Bede the Venerable
Also known as
• Venerable Bede
• Father of English History
Profile
Born around the time England was finally completely Christianized. Raised from age seven in the abbey of Saints Peter and Paul at Wearmouth-Jarrow, and lived there the rest of his life. Benedictine monk. Spiritual student of the founder, Saint Benedict Biscop. Ordained in 702 by Saint John of Beverley. Teacher and author, he wrote about history, rhetoric, mathematics, music, astronomy, poetry, grammar, philosophy, hagiography, homiletics, and Bible commentary.
He was known as the most learned man of his day, and his writings started the idea of dating this era from the incarnation of Christ. The central theme of Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica is of the Church using the power of its spiritual, doctrinal, and cultural unity to stamp out violence and barbarism. Our knowledge of England before the 8th century is mainly the result of Bede's writing. He was declared a Doctor of the Church on 13 November 1899 by Pope Leo XIII.
Born
672 at Wearmouth, England
Died
25 May 735 of natural causes
Canonized
1899 by Pope Leo XIII
Patronage
lectors
Pope Saint Gregory VII
Also known as
• Hildebrand of Soana
• Ildebrando di Soana
Profile
Educated in Rome, Italy. Benedictine monk. Chaplain to Pope Gregory VI. In charge of the Patrimony of Saint Peter. Reformer and excellent administrator. Chosen the 152nd pope, but he declined the crown. Chief counselor to Pope Victor II, Pope Stephen IX, Pope Benedidct X, and Pope Nicholas II. 157th pope.
At the time of his ascension, simony and a corrupt clergy threatened to destroy faith in the Church. Gregory took the throne as a reformer, and Emperor Henry IV promised to support him. Gregory suspended all clerics who had purchased their position, and ordered the return of all purchased church property. The corrupt clergy rebelled; Henry IV broke his promise, and promoted the rebels. Gregory responded by excommunicating anyone involved in lay investiture. He summoned Henry to Rome, but the emperor's supporters drove Gregory into exile. Henry installed the anti-pope Guibert of Ravenna, who was driven from Rome by Normans who supported Gregory; the Normans were, themselves, so out of control that the people of Rome drove out them and Gegory. The Pope then retreated to Salerno, Italy where he spent the remainder of his papacy.
Born
c.1020 in Soana (modern Sovana), Italy as Hildebrand of Soana
Papal Ascension
22 April 1073
Died
25 May 1085 at Salerno, Italy of natural causes
Canonized
1728 by Pope Benedict XIII (equipollent canonization)
Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi
Also known as
Mary-Magdalen de'Pazzi
Profile
Catherine received a religious upbringing. She was initially sent to a convent at age 14, but was taken back home by her family who opposed her religious vocation and wanted her to marry well. They eventually gave in, and Catherine became a Carmelite of the Ancient Observance at 16, taking the name Sister Mary Magdalen. Mystic. Led a hidden life of prayer and self-denial, praying particularly for the renewal of the Church and encouraging the sisters in holiness.
Born
1566 at Florence, Italy as Catherine
Died
25 May 1607 of natural causes
Canonized
28 April 1669 by Pope Clement IX
Patronage
• against bodily ills or sickness; sick people
• against sexual temptation
Saint Cristobal Magallanes Jara
Additional Memorial
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Profile
Born to a farm family, and worked as a shepherd in his youth. He entered the seminary at 19, and served as parish priest at Totatiche, Mexico. Helped found schools, a newspaper, catechism centers for children and adults, carpentry shops, and an electric plant to power the mills. Worked with the indigenous people to form agrarian cooperatives with the town's people. Noted for his devotion to Our Lady.
When the anti-Church government closed all seminaries, Father Cristobal gathered displaced seminarians, and started his own seminary; it was quickly suppressed. He formed another, and another, and when they were all closed, the seminarians conducted classes in private homes.
He wrote and preached against armed rebellion, but was falsley accused of promoting the Cristero guerilla revolt. Arrested on 21 May 1927 while en route to celebrate Mass at a farm. In prison he gave away his few remaining possessions to his executioners, gave them absolution, and without a trial, he was martyred with Saint Agustin Caloca.
Born
30 July 1869 in La Sementera, Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
shot on 25 May 1927 at Colotlán, Jalisco, Mexico
Canonized
21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee of Mexico
Saint Madeline Sophie Barat
Profile
Daughter of Jacques Barat, a cooper who worked with the vineyards for whom he supplied barrels. Naturally bright, she was educated by her older brother Louis, a monk. As Madeline grew older, her brother feared she would be exposed to too much of the world, and so brought her to Paris, France with him. The girl wanted to be a Carmelite lay sister, but with Father Joseph Varin and three other postulants, she founded the Society of the Sacred Heart on 21 November 1800; the Society is devoted to the Sacred Heart, and dedicated to teaching girls. Nun. Teacher. Superior General of the Society at age 23, she held the position for 63 years. Receiving papal approval of the Society in 1826, she founded 105 houses in many countries; Saint Rose Phillippine Duschene and four companions brought the Society to the United States.
Born
12 December 1779 at Joigny, France
Died
25 May 1865 at Paris, France of natural causes
Canonized
24 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Aldhelm of Sherborne
Also known as
Adhelm, Aldelmus
Profile
Son of Centa, he was a Saxon and related to the King of Wessex. Lived for a while as a hermit near Wiltshire, England. Monk at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. Spiritual student of Saint Maeldulph and Saint Adrian of Canterbury. Teacher and spiritual director.
Abbot at Malmesbury c.685. Instituted Benedictine reforms, and the house became a model for those around it. Founded monasteries at Frome and Brandford-on-Avon, and built three churches in Malmesbury, one of which survives today. During one of the church constructions, a roof beam was cut too short; Aldhelm prayed over it, and it lengthened. Around the year 700 Aldhelm installed the first church organ in England.
He was a tireless preacher - legend says that one sermon lasted so long that his staff took root and became a tree again. Spiritual writer known internationally in his day. One of the founders of Anglo-Latin poetry. A musician, he was skilled in the harp, fiddle and pipes, and known as a skilled and popular singer. He travelled to Rome to meet with Pope Saint Sergius I and helped settle disputes on matters of theology and practice between the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon churches. Bishop of Sherborne from 705 until his death.
Born
640 in England
Died
• 25 May 709 at Doulting, Somerset, England of natural causes
• buried at Saint Michael the Archangel church, Malmesbury, England
• relics translated to a silver shrine in 857
Blessed Mykola Tsehelskyi
Also known as
• Mykola Cehelskyj
• Nicholas Tsehelsky
Additional Memorial
27 June as one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe
Profile
Greek Catholic. Studied theology at the university of Lviv, Ukraine, graduating in 1923. Married with two sons and two daughters. Ordained on 5 April 1925. Parish priest at Soroka, Hrymailivsk deanery, where he built the church. Pastor of the Archeparchy of Lviv for the Ukrainians. Intimidated, then threatened, then beaten by Soviet authorities after World War II. Arrested for his faith on 28 October 1946; sentenced to ten years imprisonment on 27 January 1947, he was sentenced to ten years the forced labour camps in Mordovia, Russia. Died in prison, one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe.
Born
17 December 1896 at Strusiv, Ternopil District, Ukraine
Died
25 May 1951 at the forced labour camp at Mordovia, Russia
Beatified
27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II in Ukraine
Saint Agustin Caloca Cortes
Also known as
• Agustin Caloca
• Augustine Caloca
Additional Memorial
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Profile
Studied at the seminary in Guadalajara, Mexico until it was closed down by anti-clerical government forces. He resumed his studies in the covert Auxiliary Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalajara founded by Saint Cristobal Magallanes. Ordained on 5 August 1923. Prefect of the Auxiliary Seminary. Arrested for his continued religious work, and for unfounded suspicion of involvement in the armed Cristeros rebellion. Martyred with Saint Cristobal Magallanes.
Born
5 May 1898 at Teul, Zecatecas, Mexico
Died
• shot on 25 May 1927 at Colotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico
• relics at the chapel at Teul, Zecatecas, Mexico
Canonized
21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee of Mexico
Blessed Bartolomeo Magi di Anghiari
Additional Memorial
29 August (enshrinment of relics)
Profile
Franciscan friar.
Born
1460 in Anghiari, Italy
Died
• 1510 in Empoli, Italy
• relics enshrined in the church of Santa Croce in Anghiari, Italy
Beatified
• public veneration in the church of Santa Croce in Anghiari, Italy approved on 19 June 1635 by the Bishop of Sansepolcro, Italy
• public cultus approved for the diocese of Sansepolcro, Italy on 2 May 1830 by Bishop Annibale Tommasi
• public cultus approved in 1907 by Bishop Giovanni Volpi of Arezzo, Italy
• relics re-enshrined in a new reliquary and new altar in 1950 by Catholic Action
Patronage
Associazione della Gioventù Cattolica Maschile (chosen in 1922)
Blessed Gerard of Lunel
Also known as
Gerio, Gerius, Gery, Girio, Roger
Profile
Born to the French nobility. Raised in a pious family; he was a Franciscan tertiary at age 5. Lived as a hermit in a cave with his brother from age 18 to 20. They became somewhat famous as holy men, which they took as a sign that they should become pilgrims in order to escape their visitors and the temptations that came with them. Gerard died on the way to Jerusalem. Miracles and healings have been reported at his tomb, especially helping people with headaches or epilepsy.
Born
1275 in southern France
Died
1298 at Montesanto, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
by Pope Benedict XIV
Patronage
• against epilepsy; epileptics
• against headaches
• Montesanto, Italy
Blessed James Bertoni
Also known as
• James Philippi
• Andrea Bertoni
Profile
Born to a poor family. Joined the Servites at age 9. Priest. Procurator of the Servite friary in Faenza, Italy until his death.
Born
1444 at Faenza, Italy as Andrea Bertoni
Died
• 25 May 1483 at Faenza, Italy of natural causes
• re-interred in the Manfredi chapel on 15 April 1594
• the church was damaged in November 1944 during World War II, and Blessed James was re-interred at the < ahref="altar">altar of Saint Charles Borromeo in the cathedral of Faenza
Beatified
22 July 1761 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmed)
Patronage
Faenza, Italy (chosen by the city council on 14 July 1762)
Saint Matthêô Nguyen Van Dac Phuong
Also known as
• Matteo Nguyen Van Phuong
• Matthew Nguyen Van Phuong
Additional Memorial
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Profile
Married layman catechist in the apostolic vicariate of North Cochinchina. Tortured and martyred in the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc.
Born
c.1808 in Ke Lái, Quang Bình, Vietnam
Died
beheaded on 26 May 1861 near Dong Hoi, Quang Bình, Vietnam
Canonized
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Zenobius of Florence
Also known as
Zanobi, Zenobio
Profile
Born a pagan, Zenobius converted and was baptized as an adult. Priest. Archdeacon. Friend of Saint Ambrose of Milan. Counselor to Pope Saint Damasus I. First bishop of Florence, Italy. Worked with Saint Eugene of Florence and Saint Crescentius. Fought Arianism. Miracle worker, reviving five people from the dead.
Died
25 May 417 of natural causes
Patronage
Florence, Italy
Blessed Gerardo Mecatti
Profile
Inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, Gerardo gave all his wealth to the poor and withdrew to live as a prayerful hermit. He came into the city for Mass, to pray in churches for the souls in Purgatory and the conversion of non-Christians, to care for the sick, and to offer any help he could give to pilgrims. Miracle worker.
Born
c.1174 in Villamagna, Italy
Died
13 or 25 May (records vary) in 1242, 1245 or 1254 (records vary) in Villamagna, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
18 May 1833 by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmation)
Blessed Antonio Caixal
Profile
Well-educated Mercedarian friar. Chosen 15th Master-General of the Mercedarians in 1405, he worked to build up the interior life of its members, and the financial resources they used to ransom Christians from slavery in Muslim countries. Served as diplomat for the King of Aragon. Attended the Council of Perpignan, France; attended the Council of Constance, Switzerland. A great believer in the unity of the Church, he worked to overcome the Western Schism. Chosen bishop of Lyons, France, but declined.
Died
25 May 1417 in Constance, Switzerland of natural causes
Saint Pherô Doàn Van Vân
Also known as
Peter Doan Van Van
Additional Memorial
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Profile
Layman catechist in the apostolic vicariate of West Tonkin (modern Vietnam). Martyred in the persecutions of emperor Tu Duc.
Born
c.1780 in Ke Bói, Hà Nam, Vietnam
Died
25 May 1857 in Son Tây, Ha Tay, Vietnam
Canonized
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Juan of Granada
Profile
Grandson of King Ismael of Granada of convert from Islam; son of Ozmin Aben Adriz a convert from Islam. Studied in Salamanca, Spain. Joined the Mercedarians in Valladolid, Spain. Commander of the convent of Córdoba, Spain for 13 years. Mercedarians provincial of Castile, Spain in 1407. Made redemption trips to Africa in 1415 and 1427 to ransom Christians who had been enslaved by Muslims. During the latter trip, he was imprisoned, tortured and executed by the Moors for refusing to deny Christianity. Martyr.
Died
1428 in Granada, Spain
Saint Denis Ssebuggwawo
Also known as
• Dionysius Ssebuggwawo
• Dionysius Sebuggwawo
• Denis Sebuggwawo
Additional Memorial
3 June as one of the Martyrs of Uganda
Profile
Musu clan. Convert. One of the Martyrs of Uganda who died in the Mwangan persecutions.
Born
at Buganda, Uganda
Died
beheaded on 25 May 1886 at Munyonyo, Uganda
Canonized
18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy
Saint Dionysius of Milan
Profile
Bishop of Milan, Italy in 351. Exiled to Cappadocia in 355 by the Arian Emperor Constantius for defending Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.
Died
• 359 in Cappadocia (in modern Turkey) of natural causes
• relics brought to Milan, Italy in 375 by Saint Ambrose of Milan
Blessed Pedro Malasanch
Profile
Born to the Catalan nobility. Joined the Mercedarians at age 18. Made redemption trips to Africa in 1415 and 1427 to ransom Christians who had been enslaved by Muslims. During the latter trip, he was imprisoned, tortured and executed by the Moors for refusing to deny Christianity. Martyr.
Born
Lerida, Spain
Died
shot with arrows in 1428 in Granada, Spain
Saint Canio
Also known as
• Canion
• Canione
Profile
Convert to Christianity. Bishop of a region of the North African coast.
Born
African
Patronage
• archdiocese of Acerenza, Italy
• Acerenza, Italy
• Calitri, Italy
Saint Maximus of Evreux
Also known as
Mauxe
Profile
Brother of Saint Victorinus of Evreux. Missionary to Gaul, sent by Pope Damasus I. Martyr.
Died
c.384 bear Evreaux, France
Saint Dunchadh of Iona
Also known as
Donatus, Dumhade, Dumhaid, Duncad, Dunchad, Dunichad
Profile
Monk and abbot in Ireland. Abbot of Iona Abbey. Known for his personal piety and as a miracle worker.
Born
Ireland
Died
717
Saint Scholastica of Auvergne
Profile
Married to Saint Injuriosus of Auvergne. The two, known as the Les Deux Amants, lived their lives together as holy and chaste lay people.
Died
c.550
Saint Injuriosus of Auvergne
Profile
Married to Saint Scholastica of Auvergne.The two, known as the Les Deux Amants, lived their lives together as holy and chaste lay people.
Died
c.550
Saint Leo of Troyes
Also known as
• Leo of Mantenay
• Leone of...
Profile
Monk. Spiritual student of Saint Romanus. Abbot of Mantenay Abbey near Troyes, France.
Died
c.550
Saint Egilhard of Cornelimünster
Profile
Abbot of Cornelimünster Abbey near Aachen, Germany. Killed by Viking raiders.
Died
881 at Bercheim, Germany
Saint Pasicrates of Dorostorum
Profile
One of a group of four martyrs executed together. No details about them have survived.
Died
Dorostorum, Mysia, Asia Minor
Saint Valentio of Dorostorum
Profile
One of a group of four martyrs executed together. No details about them have survived.
Died
Dorostorum, Mysia, Asia Minor
Saint Victorinus of Evreux
Profile
Brother of Saint Maximus of Evreux. Missionary to Gaul, sent by Pope Damasus I. Martyr.
Died
c.384 bear Evreaux, France
Saint Senzio of Bieda
Also known as
Sensia, Sentias, Sentius, Senzi, Senzius
Profile
Fifth-century hermit.
Patronage
Blera, Italy
Saint Winebald of Saint Bertin
Profile
Deacon at Saint Bertin Abbey. Murdered by invading Danes. Martyr.
Died
862
Saint Gerbald of Saint Bertin
Profile
Monk of Saint Bertin Abbey. Murdered by invading Danes. Martyr.
Died
862
Saint Worad of Saint Bertin
Profile
Deacon at Saint Bertin Abbey. Murdered by invading Danes. Martyr.
Died
862