Saint Leonard of Noblac
✠ நோப்லாக் நகரின் புனிதர் லியோனார்ட் ✠
(St. Leonard of Noblac)
நோப்லேக் துறவுமட மடாதிபதி:
(Abbot of Noblac)
பிறப்பு: மே 19
ஃபிரான்ஸ் (France)
இறப்பு: கி.பி. 559
லிமோகெஸ் ஃபிரான்ஸ்
(Limoges, France)
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(Roman Catholic Church)
கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை
(Eastern Orthodox Church)
ஆங்கிலிக்கன் திருச்சபை
(Anglican Church)
பாதுகாவல்:
அரசியல் கைதிகள், சிறையிலடைக்கப்பட்ட மக்கள், யுத்த கைதிகள், சிறைப்பிடிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள், உழைக்கும் பெண்கள், அதேபோல் உழைக்கும் குதிரைகள்
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: நவம்பர் 6
நோப்லாக் நகரின் புனிதர் லியோனார்ட், ஒரு “ஃபிராங்கிஷ்” (Frankish) புனிதரும், ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டிலுள்ள “நோப்லாக்” (Noblac) எனும் இடத்திற்கும், அங்கேயுள்ள துறவு மடத்திற்கும் நெருக்கமானவராவார்.
பாரம்பரிய சுயசரிதம்:
இவர், “மெரோவிஞ்சியன்” (Merovingian) வம்சத்தை தோற்றுவித்த (Founder of the Merovingian dynasty) அரசன் “முதலாம் க்லோவிஸ்” (Clovis I) என்பவரது அரசவையில் உயர்ந்த பதவியில் இருந்தார். இவரும் அரசன் “முதலாம் க்லோவிஸும்” "ரெய்ம்ஸ்" (Bishop of Reims) ஆயரான "புனிதர் ரெமிஜியுஸ்" (Saint Remigius) அவர்களால் கி.பி. 496ம் ஆண்டு கிறிஸ்து பிறப்பு தினத்தன்று கிறிஸ்தவர்களாக மதம் மாற்றப்பட்டனர். பின்னர் இவர், தண்டனை பெற்று சிறையிலிருந்த, மன்னிப்பு பேர பொருத்தமான சிறைக் கைதிகளை விடுதலை செய்யும் அதிகாரத்தை அரசன் முதலாம் க்லோவிஸிடமிருந்து கேட்டு வாங்கினார். அரசன் அளித்த பிரபுக்களுக்கான சிறப்புச் சலுகைகளை தாழ்மையுடன் மறுத்தார். இவரது புனிதத் தன்மையை அறிந்த அரசர், இவரது வேண்டுகோளுக்கு இணங்கி, சிறைப்பட்டோரை விடுவித்தார்.
இவ்வித சலுகை, அக்காலத்தில் தூயவரான ஆயர்களுக்கும் இவரைப் போன்றவர்களுக்குமே அளிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. கைதிகள் தங்கள் பாவங்களின் தோஷத்தை கண்டு உணரச் செய்தார். அவர்கள் தங்கள் பாவங்களுக்காக துயரப்பட்டு, தவம் செய்து, வாழ்வை திருத்தியமைக்க உதவி செய்தார்.
பின் இவர் "ரெய்ம்ஸ்" ஆயர் "புனித ரெமிஜியுஸின்" சீடரானார். சிறிது காலம் வேதம் போதித்தார். இவர் அரண்மனைக்குத் திரும்பி வரவேண்டுமென்று அரசர் நச்சரித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தமையால், “புனிதர் மெஸ்மின்” (Saint Mesmin) மற்றும் “புனிதர் லீ” (Saint Lie) ஆகியோரது வழிகாட்டுதலின்படி, "ஒர்லியன்ஸ்" (Orléans) என்ற இடத்திற்கருகே இருந்த "மைஸி" (Micy) எனும் இடத்திலிருந்த ஒரு மடத்திற்குப் போய் அங்கு துறவறம் பெற்றுக்கொண்டார். பின்னர், “லிமௌசின்” (Limousin) காடுகளுக்குப் போய், அங்கே வாழ்ந்தார். அங்கே, அவரைப் பின்பற்றுபவர்கள் பலர் கூடினர். இவரது செப வல்லமையால் “ஃபிராங்க்ஸ்” அரசி (Queen of the Franks) ஒரு ஆண்குழந்தையை பாதுகாப்பாக ஈன்றதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. அதன் பிரதியுபகாரமாக, “நோபிலாக்” (Noblac) எனுமிடத்தில் அரசு நிலம் லியோனார்டுக்கு கொடுக்கப்பட்டது.
பின் ஒரு சிற்றாலயத்தை அமைத்து, அங்கு வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். இலைகளும் கனிகளுமே இவரது உணவு. தனிமையில் மறைவான வாழ்வு நடத்தினாலும், அருகில் இருந்த கோயிலுக்குச் சென்று மறையுரைகள் நிகழ்த்துவார்.
போர்க்கைதிகள் மீதும், சிறைப்பட்டோர் மீதும் அதிக இரக்கம் காண்பித்தார். தம்மால் இயன்ற அளவு ஆன்ம சரீர உதவிகளை அவர்களுக்குச் செய்தார்.
சுமார் கி.பி. 559ம் ஆண்டு மரித்த இவரது நினைவுத் திருநாள் நவம்பர் ஆறாம் நாள் கொண்டாடப்படுகின்றது.
Also known as
• Leonard de Noblet
• Leonard of Limoges
• Leonard of Limousin
• Leonardo Nobiliacum
• Leonardo, Leonhard, Lienard, Linhart, Léonard
Profile
Born to the Frankish nobility. Part of the court of the pagan King Clovis I. The Queen suggested to Leonard, possibly as a joke, that he invoke the help of his God to repel an invading army. Leonard prayed, the tide of battle turned, and Clovis was victorious. Archbishop Saint Remigius of Rheims used this miracle to convert the King, Leonard, and a thousand of followers to Christianity.
Leonard began a life of austerity, sanctification, and preaching. His desire to know God grew until he decided to enter the monastery at Orleans, France. His brother, Saint Lifiard, followed his example and left the royal court, built a monastery at Meun, and lived there. Leonard desired further seclusion, and so withdrew into the forest of Limousin, converting many on the way, and living on herbs, wild fruits, and spring water. He built himself an oratory, leaving it only for journeys to churches. Others begged to live with him and learn from him, and so a monastery formed around his hermitage. Leonard had a great compassion for prisoners, obtaining release and converting many.
After his death, churches were dedicated to him in France, England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other countries. Pilgrims flocked to his tomb, and in one small town in Bavaria there are records of 4,000 favors granted through Saint Leonard's intercession.
Died
c.559 of natural causes
Patronage
• against burglaries
• against robberies or robbers
• barrel makers, coopers
• blacksmiths
• captives, prisoners
• childbirth
• coal miners
• coppersmiths
• farmers
• greengrocers, grocers
• horses
• locksmiths
• miners
• porters
• P.O.W.'s; prisoners of war
• 33 cities
Saint Winnoc of Wormhoult
Also known as
• Winnoc of Flanders
• Winnoc of Wormhoudt
• Vinocus, Vinnoco, Winnow, Winoc, Winocus, Winok, Wunnoc, Winnok
Additional Memorials
• 18 September (translation of relics)
• 20 February (exaltation of Saint Winnoc)
Profile
Born to the nobility, possibly a prince, and some sources say his father was Saint Judicael. Raised and educated in Brittany, his family running there to escape the Saxons. Monk. Founded Saint Winnow's church in Cornwall, England. Monk at Sithiu (Saint Omer) under abbot Saint Bertin. Founded the monastery, church and hospital of Wormhoult, Belgium, served as abbot, and used it as a base to evangelize the area.
Humble, and ever mindful of the apostolic precept "if any would not work, neither should he eat", Winnoc threw himself into the manual labour of the monasteries, doing as much of the tough and disagreeable as any monk in the house. When enfeebled by old age, Winnoc prayed for help to continue his work; he received divine help to work a hand corn mill, making flour for his brothers and the poor. Another monk, out of curiosity, peeped through a crack in the mill-house door to see how the old man did so much work; he was stuck blind for his impertinence, but was healed by Winnoc's intercession.
Born
7th century Wales
Died
• 6 November 716 or 717 at Wormhoult, Belgium of natural causes
• originally buried at Wormhoult
• relics translated to Bergues-Saint-Winnoc in 899
• people who stood along the route taken by the monks were reported to have been healed of many illnesses, especially coughs and fevers, and they have been brought out to stop drought
• the monastery was burned by Protestants in 1558 destroying some relics
Patronage
• against fever
• against whooping cough
• millers
Blessed Christina of Stommeln
Also known as
• Christina Bruzo
• Christina Bruso
• Kristina...
Profile
Born to wealthy farmers Heinrich and Hilla Bruso. Though she learned to read, Christina could not write. At the age of five she received a vision of Jesus, and at age ten believed that she became a bride of Christ. When she was 12, the girl's parents arranged a marriage for her, but she ran off to become a Beguine nun in Cologne, Germany; her extravagant piety caused the nuns to question her sanity, and Christina went home where she taken in by the parish priest, Johannes. Throughout her life she and people near her would be tormented by what were considered demonic attacks - she was thrown around the room, her feet stabbed by invisible forces, and similar physical attacks. She received the stigmata in 1268, and it would return each Easter thereafter. In 1288 the mystical experiences ended and Christina spent the rest of her life living as a cloistered Beguine nun. The Swedish Dominican monk, Peter of Dacia, was a long-time correspondent and recorded many of the incidents involving her.
Born
24 July 1242 at Stommeln, duchy of Juilliers (part of modern Germany)
Died
• 6 November 1312 in an alms house in Cologne, Germany of natural causes
• buried in Stommeln, Germany
• relics moved to Nideggen, Germany in 1342
• relics moved to Jülich, Germany on 22 July 1569
• on 16 November 1944 the church was bombed, but the relics survived
• her skull shows marks and indentations corresponding to a crown of thorns
Beatified
12 August 1908 by Pope Saint Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Blessed Thomas Ochia Jihyoe
Also known as
• Thomas Jihyoe di Sant'Agostino
• Thomas of Saint Augustine
• Kintsuba
Additional Memorial
28 September as one of the Augustinian Martyrs of Japan
Profile
Born to a Christian family, his parents were both catechists, and both died as martyrs. Thomas attended a Jesuit school in Arima, Japan, and when he felt a call to religious life, he continued his studies in Macao. In 1622 he went to Manila, Philippines to study, and there he joined the Augustinians, making his profession in 1624. He studied theology at Cebú, Philippines, and was ordained a priest. Father Thomas returned to Japan in 1631 to minister to Christians during an imperial persecution. Authorities who did not realize his vocation let him visit Christian prisoners, many of whom were missionaries. When the government realized he was conducting a ministry to them, he was forced flee and lived for a while in a cave, the subject of an intense man-hunt. From there, he used disguises, tricks and the name Kintsuba to minister to Christians in the region for years until finally caught, tortured for months, ordered repeatedly to denounce Christianity, and when he would not, he was executed. Martyr.
Born
c.1602 in Omura, Nagasaki, Japan
Died
hanged upside down on 6 November 1637 in Hill of Martyrs, Nishizaka, Nagasaki, Japan
Beatified
24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Melaine of Rennes
Also known as
• Apostle of France
• Melan, Melanie, Melanio, Melanius, Melen, Mellion, Mullion
Profile
Monk. Bishop of Rennes, France during the 5th and 6th centuries when the Franks were conquering all of Gaul. Nearly eliminated idolatry in his diocese. Close friend and advisor to King Clovis. Required his priests to stop "wandering from cabin to cabin, celebrating Mass on portable altars, accompanied by women who administered the chalice to the faithful." Had a brief conflict with British evangelists who tried to introduce Celtic liturgical forms, confusing the new converts. Played a leading role at the Council of Orleans in 511.
Born
in Placet, Brittany (in modern France)
Died
• c.535 of natural causes
• the abbey of Saint Melaine, Rennes, France was built around his tomb
Patronage
• Mullion, Cornwall, England
• Saint Mellyan, Cornwall, England
Saint Paul of Constantinople
Also known as
• Paul the Confessor
• Paulus
Profile
Chosen Archbishop of Constantinople in 336. For supporting orthodox Christianity against Arianism, he was exiled to Pontus in 337. He returned in 338, but the Arians again exiled him, this time to Trier, Germany. He returned c.340, but Emperor Constantius clapped him in chains and exiled him to Mesopotamia. He returned in 344 but was exiled to Cukusus, Armenia. To prevent another return he was eventually imprisoned, starved and murdered. He never stopped trying to get to his diocese and tend to his parishioners, but spent most of his time as archbishop in exile. Martyr.
Died
strangled to death in 350 in Cukusus, Armenia
Saint Protasius of Lausanne
Also known as
Protase, Protasio
Profile
Seventh-century priest noted for his severe self-denial, and his ministry to widows, orphans and the homeless poor. Bishop of Lausanne, Kingdom of Burgundy (in modern Switzerland). He re-built and expanded what became the Saint-Maure chapel, supported the construction of the church and monastery in Baulmes, Switzerland, and re-built the cathedral of Lausanne after it had been damaged by invading pagans; he was visiting the workmen cutting timber for the cathedral when he had the accident that killed him.
Born
c.640
Died
• struck by a falling tree in the forest of Mont Tendre, Switzerland c.699
• buried in Lausanne, Switzerland
• relics transferred to the cathdral of Lausanne in the 14th century
Saint Emilian of Faenza
Profile
Bishop. Died while returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy where venerated the tombs of the Apostles.
Born
Ireland
Died
• c.780 in Faenza, Italy of natural causes
• burial site lost during the Lombard invasions
• his grave was re-discovered following a series of miracles, which vary by source
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of Faenza
Canonized
• Pre-Congregation
• cultus known to have been well-established in Faenza, Italy by the 12th century
• a synod in 1321 officially established his memorial in all cities of the diocese of Faenza
Patronage
Faenza, Italy
Saint Illtyd
Also known as
Elchut, Eltut, Hildutus, Illtud, Iltuto, Illtut, Iltutus, Iltud Farchog
Profile
Studied under Saint Germanus of Auxerre. Monk under the direction of Saint Cadoc. Founded the influential abbey of Llan-Illtut (Llantwit Major), which housed hundreds of monks, and became home to many Welsh saints. Defended his people against incursions from the north. To relieve famine, he assembled, stocked and led several corn ships to Brittany; in gratitude, some villages and churches there are named for him.
Born
5th century Wales
Died
c.505 in Brittany (in modern France)
Saint Theobald of Dorat
Profile
Born to a poor but pious farm family. Spiritual student of Saint Israel of Limoges at Dorat, France. Augustinian canon. Ordained a deacon, he considered himself unworthy of the priesthood. Treasurer and sacristan of the churches in Dorat. Had a ministry to the sick and the poor. Teacher and spiritual director of Saint Gauthier.
Born
990 in Bazeuge, France
Died
• 6 November 1070 of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the collegiate church of Dorat, France next to Saint Israel of Limoges
Saint Demetrian of Cyprus
Also known as
Demetrio, Demetrius
Profile
Married. Widower. Monk at Saint Anthony's Monastery on Cyprus. Priest. Hegoumenos (abbot) of Saint Anthony's for 40 years. Reluctant bishop of Khytri, Cyprus for 25 years. When Saracens raided Cyprus and kidnapped local Christians to enslave them, Demetrian obtained their release.
Born
Sika, Cyprus
Died
912
Blessed Beatrice of Olive
Profile
Cistercian nun at the convent of the Olive in Morlanwelz, Belgium. Her life in the convent led her to question her vocation, and she became a pilgrim for 15 years after which she received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary telling her it was time to return to Cistercian life. Beatrice returned to the convent and spent the rest of her life there, known for her piety and Marian devotion.
Died
• c.1400 of natural causes
• relics venerated in the parish church of Morlanwelz, Belgium
Saint Israel of Limoges
Also known as
Israel Limousin
Profile
Born to the nobility, his was a pious family. Priest. Vicar general of Limoges, France. Canon regular at Dorat, France. Taught theology in the diocese seminary. Wrote a lyric biography of Christ. Nursed plague sufferers during an epidemic in 994. Spiritual teacher of Saint Theobald of Dorat.
Born
950 at Dorat, France
Died
• 22 December 1014 of natural causes
• relics transferred to the Dorat collegiate church on 27 January 1130
Saint Barlaam of Novgorod
Also known as
Alexis
Profile
Born to a wealthy family. When his parents died, Alexis became a hermit on the Volga River. His reputation for holiness spread and attracted so many students that he founded a monastery for them, became a monk, and took the name Barlaam.
Born
Novgorod, Russia as Alexis
Died
6 November 1193 of natural causes
Blessed Leonianus of Autun
Profile
Lay man who was captured and taken to Gaul as a slave. When he regained his freedom he became a hermit near Autun (in modern France). Monk at the Saint Symphorianus Abbey at Autun.
Born
Pannonia (part of modern Hungary)
Died
c.570 in Autun (in modern France) of natural causes
Beatified
1907 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Saint Severus of Barcelona
Profile
Bishop of Barcelona, Spain. Martyred by Arian Visigoths.
Died
nails driven into his temple in 633
Patronage
Barcelona, Spain
Blessed Bernard of Apiano
Profile
Mercedarian at the convent of Saint Martin in Perpignan, France. He was noted for his personal piety, hist observance of the Mercedarian rule, and his depth of education.
Saint Erlafrid of Hirschau
Also known as
Erlafrid of Calw
Profile
Count of Calw, Swabia (modern Germany). Founded Hirschau Abbey which he entered as a Benedictine monk, and where he eventually served as abbot.
Born
late 8th century
Died
mid-9th century
Saint Felix of Thyniss
Also known as
Felix of Thynissa
Profile
Arrested for his faith, he was found dead in prison the day before for his scheduled execution.
Born
African
Died
Thyniss, north Africa
Blessed Simon of Aulne
Profile
Cistercian lay brother at the Aulne Abbey in the diocese of Liege, Belgium. A mystic and visionary, known to fall into ecstasies during prayer.
Died
1215 of natural causes
Saint Leonard of Reresby
Profile
Crusader. Captured by Saracens, but miraculously freed.
Born
Thryberg, Yorkshire, England
Died
13th century Yorkshire, England of natural causes
Saint Felix of Genoa
Profile
Second bishop of Genoa, Italy, c.400. Spiritual teacher of Saint Syrus of Genoa.
Died
relics enshrined in the basilica of Twelve Apostles in Genoa, Italy
Saint Valentine of Genoa
Profile
Bishop of Genoa, Italy from c.295.
Died
• c.307 of natural causes
• his relics were found and enshrined in 985
Saint Efflam of Brittany
Profile
Son of a British prince. Founded a monastery in Brittany, France and served as its first abbot.
Died
c.700 of natural causes
Saint Edwen of Northumbria
Profile
Seventh century consecrated virgin. Daughter of Saint Edwin of Northumbria.
Patronage
Llanedwen, Anglesey, Wales
Saint Stephen of Apt
Profile
Bishop of Apt, France in 1010. Re-built the cathedral there.
Born
975 in Agde, France
Died
1046 of natural causes
Saint Felix of Fondi
Profile
Benedictine monk at Fondi, Italy. Held in high regard by Saint Gregory the Great.
Died
6th century of natural causes
Saint Pinnock
Profile
A church in Cornwall, England is dedicated to this saint, but no information about him has survived.
Saint Atticus
Profile
Martyred in Phrygia.
Ten Martyrs of Antioch
Profile
Ten Christians murdered together by Arabs after their seizure of Antioch, Syria. No names or other details about them have come down to us.
Died
637 in Antioch, Syria
Martyrs of Gaza
Profile
A group of Christian soldiers who were captured by Saracens invading the area of Gaza in Palestine. When the men continued to profess their Christianity, they were executed. We know the names of some of the martyrs - Himerius, John (2 of them), Kallinikos (Callinoco), Paul, Peter, Stephen and Theodore (2 of them).
Died
beheaded in Gaza, Palestine
Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them which you will find scattered along the calendar. Today celebrates the entire group.
