இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் மே 23

 St. Michael the Confessor

Feastday: May 23

Death: 826

Image of St. Michael the ConfessorIn an eleventh-century Byzantine book of saints known as the Menology of Basil, Michael is described as a "pious and God-fearing" monk. He was educated by the patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Tarasius, who at his accession to the episcopate had brought the Byzantine Church back to communion with the See of Rome after a six-decade schism. Tarasius sent Michael as the courier of a synodal letter to Pope Saint Leo III. In 787 Michael was consecrated bishop of Synnada (Turkey). Michael's defense of the veneration of religious images, in opposition to the Iconoclast heresy that condemned this traditional Christian practice, led to his suffering exile under the Iconoclast Byzantine emperor Leo V ("the Armenian"). Michael told the emperor, "I venerate the immaculate and divine image of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and of his most holy Mother." Michael spent the remainder of his life in exile at Eudokiadu (Turkey), dying there in 826.

Michael of Synnada or Michael the Confessor (Greek: Μιχαὴλ ὁ ὁμολογητής; died 23 May 826) was a metropolitan bishop of Synnada from 784/7 to 815. He represented Byzantium in diplomatic missions to Harun al-Rashid and Charlemagne. He was exiled by Emperor Leo V the Armenian because of his opposition to iconoclasm, and died on 23 May 826. He is honoured as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, his feast day is May 23.

Life

Nothing is known about Michael's early life. He was much influenced by Tarasios (Patriarch of Constantinople in 784–806), who tonsured him. Tarasios sent Michael, along with Theophylact of Nicomedia, to him to a monastery that Tarasios himself had founded on the shores of the Bosporus.[1] By 787, when he attended the Second Council of Nicaea, Michael was already metropolitan bishop of Synnada, having been named to the position by Tarasios.[1] Michael is recorded in all sessions of the council.

He is commonly identified with the Michahel episcopus who was one of the leaders (along with Petrus abbas, identified with Peter of Goulaion) of an embassy sent by Emperor Nikephoros I to Charlemagne in 802/3, to ratify the peace treaty between the two.[2] Nikephoros used Michael and Peter, along with Gregory, the steward of Amastris, again as peace envoys in 806, when the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid launched a large-scale invasion of Asia Minor by the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid.[2][3]

In 811/2 he led another embassy to Charlemagne, along with the protospatharioi Arsaphios and Theognostos, on behalf of Michael I Rangabe, in order to renew the peace treaty and negotiate a possible marriage of Michael's son Theophylact and one of Charlemagne's daughters. Despite a warm reception at Aachen and the ratification of a peace treaty between the two realms, Charlemagne, perhaps wary after the repeated failures of successive efforts to that effect over the previous decades, hesitated to agree to such a match.[1][4] On their way to Charlemagne's court, the embassy passed through Rome, where Michael handed over the synodika (enthronement letter) of Tarasios' successor, Patriarch Nikephoros I, to Pope Leo III.

He clashed with the Emperor Leo V the Armenian over Leo's re-adoption of iconoclasm in 815. He was arrested and exiled to Eudokias.[1] He died there on 23 May 826.

Veneration

He is praised in the Synodikon of Orthodoxy of 843, and is venerated as a saint by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches on 23 May.[1][5][6] He is invoked for protection of crops from pests.

St. Mercurialis of Forli

Feastday: may 23

Death: 406

First bishop of Forli, Italy, and an ardent foe of the Arian heresy which troubled the Church throughout much of the fourth century. Many remarkable adventures were woven onto legends about his life.

Mercurialis (Italian: Mercuriale) was the Christian bishop of Forlì, in Romagna. The historical figure known as Mercurialis attended the Council of Rimini in 359 and died around 406. He was a zealous opponent of paganism and Arianism.

He has come to be venerated as Saint Mercurialis, around which fanciful legends have sprung. The legend states that he was the first bishop of Forlì, during the Apostolic Age, and saved the city by killing a dragon. He has often been depicted in this act, imagery that resembles that associated with St. George. His feast day is May 23.[1][2]

The cathedral of Forlì is named after him.

St. Julia

 கோர்ஸிகாவின் புனிதர் ஜூலியா 

(St. Julia of Corsica)

கன்னியர்/ மறைசாட்சி:

(Virgin, Martyr)

பிறப்பு: ஜூலை 25

கர்தாஜ், மேற்கத்திய ரோமப் பேரரசு

(Carthage, Western Roman Empire)

இறப்பு: கி.பி. 5ம் நூற்றாண்டு (439)

கோர்ஸிகா, மேற்கத்திய ரோமப் பேரரசு

(Corsica, Western Roman Empire)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை 

(Roman Catholic Church)

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

(Eastern Orthodox Church)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 14

நினைவுத் திருவிழா: மே 23

பாதுகாவல்:

கோர்ஸிகா (Corsica), லிவோர்னோ (Livorno), 

சித்திரவதையால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள் (Torture victims)

கைகள் மற்றும் கால்களின் நோய்க்குறிகள் (Pathologies of the hands and the feet)

புனிதர் “கோர்சிகாவின் ஜூலியா” (Saint Julia of Corsica) என்றும், புனிதர் “கார்தாஜ்’ன் ஜூலியா” (Saint Julia of Carthage) என்றும், புனிதர் நோன்ஸா’வின் ஜூலியா (Saint Julia of Nonza) என்றும் அறியப்படும் புனிதர் ஜூலியா, கன்னியரும், மறைசாட்சியும் ஆவார். இவரும் புனிதர் “டெவோட்டா’வும் (Saint Devota) கோர்ஸிகா’வின் (Corsica) பாதுகாவலர்களாக திருச்சபையினால் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

ரோமானிய ஆட்சியின் கீழே “கோர்சிகா” கிறிஸ்தவ மறையை தழுவியதன் முன்னர் (Pre-Christian Corsica under Roman rule) நடந்த கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் துன்புருத்தல்களின்போது இவர்கள் மறைசாட்சிகளாக கொல்லப்பட்டதாக சரித்திரம் இயம்புகின்றது.

“விக்டர் விட்டேன்சிஸ்” (Victor Vitensis) எனும் ஒரு ஆபிரிக்க ஆயர் (Bishop of Africa), ரோம சாம்ராஜ்ஜியத்தின் ஆபிரிக்க பிராந்திய நாடான “வண்டல்ஸ்” (Vandals) நாட்டின் அரசர்கள் “ஜீஸெரிக்” (Geiserici) மற்றும் “ஹனுரிக்” (Hunirici) ஆகியோரின் காலத்தில் நடைபெற்ற கிறிஸ்தவ துன்புறுத்தல்கள் பற்றிய சரித்திர பதிவுகளை எழுதினார்.

கி,பி, 429ம் ஆண்டு, அரசன் “ஜீஸெரிக்” (Geiseric) சுமார் 80,000 பழங்குடியினருடன் ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டிலிருந்து ஆபிரிக்கா நோக்கி படையெடுத்தான். கி.பி. சுமார் 439ம் ஆண்டு, “கார்தாஜ்” (Carthage) நாட்டை கைப்பற்றினான். அதன் பின்னர் அவன் அங்குள்ள கிறிஸ்தவ மக்களை “ஆரியனிஸ” (Arianism) மதத்திற்கு மாற்ற எடுத்துக்கொண்ட கொடுங்கோல் துன்புறுத்தல் நடவடிக்கைகள் அப்போதிருந்த கிறிஸ்தவ ஆயர்கள் எவராலும் மறக்கவோ, பொறுத்துக்கொள்ளவோ இயலாததாகும்.

ஜூலியா, ஒரு “கார்தாஜ்” (Carthaginian girl) பெண்ணாவார். அவர் “யூசேபியஸ்” (Eusebius) என்பவனால் அவரது நகரிலிருந்து பிடித்து கொண்டுவரப்பட்டார். பின்னர் அவரை அடிமையாக விற்றான். இதுபோலவே கீழ்படியாத கிறிஸ்தவர்கள் பலரை அவர்கள் அகற்றினார்கள். “யூசேபியஸ்” (Eusebius) ஒரு பாலஸ்தீனிய நாட்டின் சிரிய (Citizen of Syria in Palestine) பிரஜை ஆவான். “கேப் கோர்ஸ்” (Cap Corse) துறைமுகத்தில் நங்கூரமிட்டிருந்த சரக்குக் கப்பலில் போதையின் கொண்டாட்டத்தின் உச்சத்தில் இருந்தனர். அவர்களின் பாவச் செயல்களுக்காக ஜூலியா மிகவும் மன வருத்தத்தில் இருந்தார். கப்பலிலுள்ள ஒரு பெண், பாகனிய கடவுளர்களை பூஜிக்க மறுப்பதாகவும், ஏளனம் செய்வதாகவும் “ஃபெலிக்ஸ் சாக்சோ” (Felix Saxo) என்பவனிடம் கூறினர். ஃபெலிக்ஸ், அப்பெண்ணை நமது வழிக்கு கொண்டுவாருங்கள்; அல்லது அவளை என்னிடம் கொண்டுவாருங்கள் என்று யூசேபியஸிடம் சொன்னான். யூசேபியஸோ, நான் “எவ்வளவோ முயற்சித்தும் எனக்கு வெற்றி கிடைக்கவில்லை. உங்களால் முடிந்தால் முயற்சி செய்யுங்கள்” என்றான்.

“ஃபெலிக்ஸ் சாக்சோ” (Felix Saxo) நயமாகவும் பயமுறுத்தியும் முயன்று பார்த்தான். ஆனால், ஜூலியா கிறிஸ்துவின் விசுவாசத்தை கைவிட மறுத்துவிட்டார். ஆகவே, சிறிதும் இரக்கமற்ற முறையில் துன்புறுத்தப்பட்டு ஜூலியா

Feastday: May 23

Patron: Corsica, Livorno, torture victims, and pathologies of the hand and the feet

St. Julia of Corsica, also known as St. Julia of Carthage or St. Julia of Nonza, was born to noble, aristocratic parents in Carthage. Overtime, Carthage was subject to many barbaric attacks, weakening the city's defenses.

During an attack by Gaiseric, King of the Vandals, Julia was taken from her family and sold into slavery. She was purchased by a pagan merchant of Syria, named Eusebius.

Even during the most daunting chores, Julia never complained or felt sorry for herself. By being patient and cheerful, Julia was able to find comfort in her place in the world. Julia passionately loved God. When she was not working under her master's commands, Julia devoted her time toward praying and reading books of piety.

Eusebius, charmed by Julia's commitment and devotion, felt it was right to bring her along with him during his journey to Gual, where France now stands. Upon reaching the northern part of an island then called Corisca, he anchored his ship to join a pagan idolatrous festival.

Julia was left on her own some distance away from the festival, because she refused to be defiled by the "superstitious ceremonies" she openly hated.

The governor of the island, Felix, was a narrow-minded pagan who needed to have things his way. He noticed Julia outside of the festival and felt she was "insulting the gods." Eusebius informed Felix that Julia was a Christian and that despite his authority over her, she would not renounce her religion. Eusebius explained he could not bare parting with Julia because she was so diligent and faithful in her work for him.

Felix would not accept this. He offered Eusebius four of his best female slaves in exchange for Julia. Eusebius replied, "No; all you are worth will not purchase her; for I would freely lose the most valuable thing I have in the world rather than be deprived of her."

Not content, Felix prepared a banquet and waited until Eusebius became intoxicated and fell into a deep sleep to make his next move.

Felix found Julia alone and unprotected. He tried to get her to sacrifice to his gods. He told her he would grant her freedom if she would obey. Julia refused to deny Christ.

"My freedom is to serve Christ," she said, "whom I love every day in all the purity of my soul."

Enraged by her response, Felix had Julia struck in the face and her hair torn from her head. Still, during her torture, Julia continued to confess her faith. Finally, he had her hanged on a cross until she died.

Her body was carried off by monks of the isle of Gorgon, but in 763, the King of Lombardy, Desiderius, had her relics moved to Brescia, a city in the northern Italian region of Lombardy where the memory of St. Julia is celebrated with great devotion.

St. Julia is often depicted with the palm of martyrdom and the crucifix. She is the patron saint of Corsica, Livorno, torture victims, and pathologies of the hand and the feet. Her feast day is celebrated on May 23.

This article is about the Carthaginian Christian martyred on Corsica. For other saints named Julia, see Saint Julia (disambiguation).

Saint Julia of Corsica (Italian: Santa Giulia da Corsica; French: Sainte Julie; Corsican: Santa Ghjulia; Latin: Sancta Iulia), also known as Saint Julia of Carthage, and more rarely Saint Julia of Nonza, was a virgin martyr who is venerated as a Christian saint. The date of her death is most probably on or after AD 439. She and Saint Devota are the patron saints of Corsica in the Catholic Church. Saint Julia was declared a patroness of Corsica by the Church on 5 August 1809; Saint Devota, on 14 March 1820. Both were martyred in pre-Christian Corsica under Roman rule. Julia's feast day is 23 May in the Western liturgical calendar and 16 July in the East.[1][2]

Saint Julia is included in most summary lives of the saints. The details of those lives vary, but a few basic accounts emerge, portraying biographical data and events that are not reconcilable. Various theories accounting for the differences have been proposed. The quintessential icon of Saint Julia derives from the testimony of Victor Vitensis, contemporaneous Bishop of Africa. It is supported by physical evidence: the relics, a small collection of human bone fragments, are where historical events subsequent to the story say they ought to be, at the former Church of Santa Giulia in Brescia, Italy, now part of the city museum.

St. Epiphanius and Basileus

Feastday: May 23

Death: 1st Century

Martyrs, both bishops. Epitacius was the first bishop of Tuy, Spain. Basileus ruled Braga, Portugal. 

St. Didier

Feastday: May 23

Desiderius was born at Autun, Gaul, and also known as Didier. He became bishop of Vienne. His enforcement of strict clerical discipline, his attachs on simony, and his denunciation of the immorality of Queen Brunhildis' court made him many enemies. He was denounced by the queen for paganism to Pope Gregory the Great who completely exonerated him, but was banished by a synod controlled by Brunhildis. Desiderius returned four years later but was murdered by three followers of King Theodoric, whom he had publicly censured. His feast day is May 23.

St. Crispin of Viterbo

Feastday: May 23

Birth: 1668

Death: 1750

Canonized: Pope John Paul II

Franciscan lay brother, noted for miracles, prophecies, and holiness. Born Peter Fioretti, in Viterbo, Italy, on November 13, 1668, he studied at the Jesuit College, and became a shoemaker. At twenty-five he entered the Franciscan Capuchins and took the name Crispin. He served as a gardener and as a cook. He called himself "the little beast of burden of the Capuchins." During an epidemic, Crispin effected many miraculous cures. He was also venerated for his prophecies and spiritual wisdom. Crispin died I Rome on May 19. He was beautified in 1806 and canonized in 1982.

Crispino da Viterbo (13 November 1668 – 19 May 1750) - born Pietro Fioretti - was an Italian Roman Catholic professed religious from Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.[1] Fioretti was an ardent devotee of the Mother of God and was consecrated to her protection in 1674 and he even made a small altar dedicated to her when he served in the kitchens at the house in Orvieto.[2][3] He served in various roles for the order in various cities around Rome where he became a well-known figure with various nobles and prelates - even Pope Clement XI visiting him and seeking him out for advice and support. Fioretti likewise was known as a sort of wonderworker who worked miracles during his lifetime. He was also known for his warm sense of humor and his simple method for living.[4][5]

The calls for him to be named as a saint began as soon as he had died and the formal cause to investigate his holiness opened on 16 September 1761 under Pope Clement XIII while he was named as Venerable in 1796 under Pope Pius VII. Pope Pius VII beatified him in 1806 while Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint on 20 June 1982 - the first canonization in the latter's pontificate.

St. John Baptist de Rossi

Feastday: May 23

Patron: of Voltaggio

Birth: February 22, 1698

Death: May 23, 1764

Beatified: May 13, 1860 by Pope Pius IX

Canonized: December 8, 1881 by Pope Leo XIII

St. John Baptist de de Rossi, also known as Giovanni Battista de' Rossi, was born on February 22, 1698 in Voltaggio, Italy. He was the fourth child of Charles de Rossi and Frances Anfossi, known to be a holy and faith filled couple.

Though John's family was not financially wealthy, they were rich in faith. Through their guidance and a wonderful education, John learned to excel in his living faith, piety and gentleness.

A pair of priests, Scipio Gaetano and Giuseppe Repetto, saw great potential within John and took his early education and faith formation as a part of their apostolate, taking him under their spiritual care.

When he was 10-years-old, John met with a wealthy, noble couple from Genoa after Mass. They, too, noted his gifts and potential. So, they took him in as a page, after receiving his father's approval. John was taken to Genoa to attend school until 1711.

In 1710, John's father suddenly passed away. His mother pleaded for him to return home, but John was convinced that the Lord wanted him to finish his education in Genoa.

In 1711, John was called to Rome by his cousin, the canon of St. Mary in Cosmedin, Lorenzo de Rossi. Lorenzo suggested John complete his studies there at the Collegium Romanum under the guidance of the Jesuits.

John continued to thrive in his studies. His natural talents, spiritual gifts, Christian virtue and willingness to apply himself to his studies made him the model student.

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He studied philosophy and theology under the Dominicans at the Dominican College of Saint Thomas.

During this time, John joined the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and the Ristretto of the Twelve Apostles. Both groups were comprised of lay Christian faithful especially dedicated to Christian prayer and service. He led the members of the groups in meetings, group prayer and outreach to the poor, including visits to the hospitals.

John's desire to grow in holiness sometimes led him to going overboard in his practices of voluntary mortification and his austerity nearly ruined his health. He also began to have fits of epilepsy. He struggled with these for the rest of his life.

John wanted dearly to become a priest. Under normal circumstances, his epileptic fits would have excluded him from the priesthood. However, he was granted a special dispensation. After ordination as a deacon, he was ordained to the priesthood on March 8, 1721. John believed he had reached his goal and was deeply grateful to the Lord for the vocation of priesthood. So, as an expression of gratitude, he vowed to not accept any ecclesiastical benefits unless commanded to do so out of obedience to his religious superiors.

He devoted himself to serving Rome's sick, homeless and prostitutes. He would visit the sick and poor in the hospitals by day, and by night he ministered to the street people. He reached out to assist homeless women and helped to found a hospice for them near Saint Galla. He also aided prisoners and workers.

John spoke to the dying about Jesus Christ, leading them to salvation. He desperately wanted to relieve them of their suffering. None of the sick repulsed him, no matter how bad their illness or symptoms because he saw Jesus in them.

In one instance, a young man who was ill and dying from syphilis turned away from John's attention, out of shame. However, as John showed his selfless heart and helped him with his bedpan, the man finally took the time to listen to John's words and was able to make a good confession before his death.

Other priests were in awe of John's holiness and manner of life. They saw that with only a few kind words he could turn people's lives around.

During one of his sermons, John stated to his fellow priests:

"Ignorance is the leprosy of the soul. How many such lepers exist in the church here in Rome, where many people don't even know what's necessary for their salvation? It must be our business to try to cure this disease. The souls of our neighbors are in our hands, and yet how many are lost through our fault? The sick die without being properly prepared because we have not given time or care enough to each particular case. Yet with a little more patience, a little more perseverance, a little more love, we could have led these poor souls to heaven."

"The poor come to church tired and distracted by their daily troubles. If you preach a long sermon they can't follow you. Give them one idea that they can take home, not half a dozen, or one will drive out the other, and they will remember none."

In 1735, John became titular canon at St. Mary in Cosmedin. Following the death of his cousin in 1737, obedience forced John to accept the canonry. However, John refused the house belonging with the title, and used funds from selling the home toward his cause with the poor.

John's illness continued to impact his life, as he was afraid of entering the confessional because the possibility of having a seizure during the session. He became accustom to sending the sinners he found to other priests.

In 1738, John became dangerously ill and was sent to Civita Castellana to regain his health. While there, the bishop residing in that location pushed him to hear confessions. After reviewing his moral theology, John received the special faculty of hearing confessions in any of Rome's churches.

From then on, John spent countless hours hearing confessions from the poor and illiterate whom he sought from hospitals and their homes.

John became the "apostle of the abandoned," and became known as a second Philip Neri, a hunter of souls. He preached five to six times a day in all kinds of places, including churches, hospitals and prisons. He was also known for his strong devotion to St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

In August 1762, the state of his health became worse. John became worn out and his strength began to deteriorate. His companions begged him to go to Lake Nemi to recover. While there, he started having worse epileptic fits.

Two months later, he returned to Rome. John rarely left his room, but in September 1763, he celebrated Mass at Santa Maria in Cosmedin, telling those present that he would be dying soon.

In December, he was found in his room unconscious, after suffering a violent seizure. He remained unconscious for a day. He was given Viaticum, the special prayers and reception of the Holy Eucharist given to the gravely ill and dying. He was also given the Anointing of the Sick, also called Last Rites when it is administered before death.

However, John recovered from his illness and went on to celebrate several more Masses. Soon later, his health once again declined and he was confined to his bed.

John Baptist de Rossi passed to the Lord whom he loved with such true devotion on May 23, 1764 in his bedroom in Trinita de Pellegrini.

His body was buried in that church under a marble slab at the altar of the Blessed Virgin. His remains were relocated in 1965 to a new church named in his honor.

Pope Pius VI began the cause of canonization for John Baptist de Rossi in 1781, but both the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars created setbacks. Years later in 1859, Pope Pius IX resumed his cause and attributed two miracles to John's intercession.

St. John Baptist de Rossi was beatified on May 13, 1860 by Pope Pius IX and canonized on December 8, 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.

He is the patron saint of Voltaggio and his feast day is celebrated on May 23.

Giovanni Battista de' Rossi (22 February 1698 – 23 May 1764) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest.[1][2] He served as the canon of Santa Maria in Cosmedin after his cousin, who was a priest serving there, died. He was a popular confessor despite his initial fears that his epileptic seizures could manifest in the Confessional. Rossi opened a hospice for homeless women not long after his ordination, and he became known for his work with prisoners and ill people, to whom he dedicated his entire ecclesial mission.[3][4]

Rossi's canonization was celebrated on 8 December 1881. It had begun decades before but was suspended due to tensions in Europe that meant work could not be pursued regarding the cause; it was later revitalized and he was beatified in 1860.

St. Quintian

Feastday: May 23

Death: 430

Lucius and Julian, Paul, Dionysius, the Bishop of Alexandria. And 10 companions, Martyrs for the doctrine of Trinity (Three persons in one God)

Quintian (Quinctianus), Lucius and Julian (Julianus) are venerated as saints and martyrs by the Roman Catholic Church. According to the Roman Martyrology, they were inhabitants of North Africa who were killed during the persecutions of the Vandal king Huneric (476–484 AD), who was an Arian.[3] However, the date of their martyrdom may be conjectural.[3] They are the only ones named in a group of sixteen martyrs, which included several women.[3]

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Quinctianus was a bishop and was probably the same person as a bishop named Urcitanus.[2]

The Martyrologium Hieronymianum mentions other African martyrs of this same name on other feast days; however, no other information is included for the martyrs placed under the different feast days.[2]

The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church mentions that saints Quintianus, Lucius and Julianus were martyred together with nineteen other Christians.

Saint William of Rochester

 ரோச்செஸ்டர் நகர் புனிதர் வில்லியம் 

(St. William of Rochester)

மறைசாட்சி:

(Martyr)

பிறப்பு: கி.பி 12ம் நூற்றாண்டு

பெர்த், ஸ்காட்லாந்து

(Perth, Scotland)

இறப்பு: கி.பி 1201

ரோச்செஸ்டர், இங்கிலாந்து

(Rochester, England)

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

(Roman Catholic Church)

புனிதர் பட்டம்: கி.பி 1256

திருத்தந்தை நான்காம் அலெக்சாண்டர்

(Pope Alexander IV)

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: மே 23

பாதுகாவல்: தத்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட குழந்தைகள்

ரோச்செஸ்டர் நகர் வில்லியம் (Saint William of Rochester) என்றும் அழைக்கப்படும் பெர்த் நகர் புனிதர் வில்லியம் (Saint William of Perth), இங்கிலாந்தில் மறைசாட்சியாக மறைந்த ஒரு ஸ்காட்டிஷ் துறவி ஆவார். அவர் தத்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட குழந்தைகளின் பாதுகாவலர் ஆவார்.

அக்காலத்தில், ஸ்காட்லாந்து (Scotland) நாட்டின் முக்கிய நகரங்களில் ஒன்றான பெர்த் (Perth) நகரில் பிறந்த இவர், இளமையில், ஓரளவு முரட்டுத்தனமாக இருந்தார். ஆனால், வளர வளர, அவர் கடவுளின் சேவைக்காக தன்னை முழுமையாக அர்ப்பணித்தார். வர்த்தக ரீதியாக ஒரு ரொட்டி தயாரிக்கும் (Baker) தொழில் செய்து வந்த இவர், (சில ஆதாரங்கள் அவர் ஒரு மீனவர் என்று கூறுகிறார்கள்), தாம் உற்பத்தி செய்யும் ஒவ்வொரு பத்தாவது ரொட்டியையும் ஏழைகளுக்காக ஒதுக்குவது அவருக்குப் பழக்கமாக இருந்தது.

வில்லியம் தினம்தோறும் காலை திருப்பலி காண ஆலயம் செல்லும் வழக்கம் கொண்டிருந்தார். ஒரு நாள், வெளிச்சம் கூட சரியாக விடிகாலை வேளை, தேவாலயத்தின் வாசலில் ஒரு கைவிடப்பட்ட குழந்தையைக் கண்டு, அதனை தத்தெடுத்தார்.  குழந்தைக்கு டேவிட் எனும் பெயர் சூட்டிய அவர், தமது தொழிலான ரொட்டி தயாரிக்கும் பணியையும், வர்த்தகத்தை கற்பித்தார். சில காலத்தின் பின்னர், அவர் புனித திருத்தலங்களைப் பார்வையிட திட்டமிட்டார். மேலும், புனிதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட பணப்பையையும் (உண்டியல் பணம்), தமது வளர்ப்புப் பிள்ளையான டேவிட்டையும், ஊழியர்களையும்  அழைத்துக்கொண்டு, திருயாத்திரை புறப்பட்டார்.

அவர்கள் ரோச்செஸ்டர் (Rochester) நகரில் மூன்று நாட்கள் தங்கியிருந்தனர். அடுத்த நாள் கேன்டர்பரி (Canterbury) நகருக்கு எண்ணினர். அங்கிருந்து ஜெருசலேம் (Jerusalem) நகருக்கு செல்ல திட்டமிட்டிருந்தனர். ஆனால் அதற்கு பதிலாக, டேவிட் வேண்டுமென்றே தனது வரர்ப்புத் தந்தையை வேண்டுமென்றே ஒரு குறுக்கு வழியில் தவறாக வழிநடத்தினான். வழியில், அவர்கள் வழிச்செலவுக்கும், காணிக்கைகளுக்குமாக சேமித்து வைத்திருந்த உண்டியல் பணம் முழுதையும் கொள்ளையடித்தான். தமது வளர்ப்புத் தந்தையான வில்லியமை தலையில் அடித்து கீழே தரையில் வீழ்த்திய அவன், அவரது தொண்டையை அறுத்து அவரை கொலை செய்தான்.

அவரது உடல், மனநோயாளி பெண்மணி ஒருத்தியால் கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டது. அப்பெண்மணி, "ஹனிசக்கிள்" (Honeysuckle) என்றழைக்கப்படும் மலர்களாலான ஒரு மலர்மாலை பின்னி, அதனை வில்லியமின் உடலின் தலையருகே வைத்தாள். (இந்த "ஹனிசக்கிள்" வகை மலர்கள், வட அமெரிக்கா (North America) மற்றும் யூரேசியா  (Eurasia) நாடுகளில் காணப்படுகிறது.) ஒரு மலர்மாலையை தனது தலையிலும் சூடிக்கொண்டாள். அக்கணமே, அவளை பிடித்திருந்த மனநோய் அவளை விட்டகன்றது.

நடந்த சம்பவங்களை கேட்டறிந்த ரோச்செஸ்டர் நகர (Monks of Rochester) துறவிகள், வில்லியமின் உடலை ஆலயத்திற்கு கொண்டு சென்று அங்கேயே அடக்கம் செய்தனர். அவர் புனித ஸ்தலங்களுக்கு யாத்திரை சென்ற காலத்தில் மரித்ததாலும், மனநோயாளி பெண்மணி குணமான காரணத்தினாலும், அவர் மறைசாட்சியாக கௌரவிக்கப்பட்டார். மனநோயாளி பெண்மணி குணமான அதிசயத்தின் விளைவாகவும், அவரது மரணத்திற்குப் பிறகு அவரது பரிந்துரையில் செய்யப்பட்ட மற்ற அற்புதங்களின் விளைவாகவும், அவர் மக்களால் ஒரு புனிதர் என்று வணங்கப்பட்டார்.

ரோச்செஸ்டர் (Rochester) நகரில் இவரது பெயரில் அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்ட ஆலயமும் (The shrine of St William of Perth), இவரது பெயரால் நிறுவப்பட்ட தொடக்கப்பள்ளியும் (St William of Perth Primary School) உள்ளன.

Also known as

William of Perth

Profile

William led a wild and misspent youth, but as an adult he had a complete conversion, devoting himself to God, caring especially for poor and neglected children. He worked as a baker, and gave every tenth loaf to the poor. He attended Mass daily, and one morning on his way to church he found an infant abandoned on the threshold. He named the baby David, and adopted him, and taught him his trade.

Years later he and David set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. During a stop-over in Rochester, England the boy David turned on William, clubbed him, cut his throat, robbed the body, and fled. Because he was on a holy journey, and because of the miraculous cures later reported at his tomb, he is considered a martyr.

A local insane woman found William's body, and plaited a garland of honeysuckle flowers for it; she placed the garland on William, and then on herself whereupon her madness was cured. Local monks, seeing this as a sign from God, interred William in the local cathedral and began work on his shrine. His tomb and a chapel at his murder scene, called Palmersdene, soon became sites of pilgimage and donation, even by the crown. Remains of the chapel can be seen near the present Saint William's Hospital.

Born

12th century at Perth, Scotland

Died

• throat cut in 1201 at Rochester, England

• interred in the cathedral at Rochester

Canonized

1256 by Pope Innocent IV

Patronage

adopted children

Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Also known as

• Yefrasinnya Polatskaya

• Efrasinnia, Efrosin, Euphrasinne, Evfrosinia, Pradslava

Profile

Daughter of Prince Svyatoslav of Polotsk. Granddaughter of Prince Polacak Usiaslau. Entered the Convent of Holy Wisdom at Polotsk, a house founded by her aunt, at age 12; she was later joined by her sister, two nieces, and a cousin. Hermit in a cell in the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. Book copyist; proceeds from the sale of the books were given to the poor. Founded a convent at Seltse. Pilgrim to Constantinople; received by emperor Manuel I and Patriarch Michael III. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands where she was received by the Crusader King Amaury I. Especially venerated by Belarussians, Ruthenians, Lithuanians, and Russians.

Born

1110 at Polotsk, Belarus as Pradslava

Died

• 1173 at the monastery of Mar Saba near Jerusalem of natural causes

• re-interred in the Monastery of the Caves at Kiev in 1187

• relics translated to Polotsk in 1910 at the Saviour-Efrosinia Convent

Canonized

1984 by Pope John Paul II in Belarus

Patronage

Belarus

Saint Michael of Synnada

Also known as

Michael the Confessor

Profile

Moved to Constantinople as a young man where he became a student of Saint Tarasius of Constantinople. Friend of Saint Theophylact of Nicomedia. Monk in a monastery on the Bosporus. Recalled to Constantinople by student of Saint Tarasius who ordained him. Bishop of Synnada, Phrygia (in modern Turkey) in 787. Part of the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. Imperial diplomat to caliph Harun al-Rashid in 806, to Pope Saint Leo III in 811, and Blessed Charlemagne in 812. Exiled in 814 and imprisoned in 815 by emperor Leo V for defending the use of icons.

Died

826 in Eudokiadu, Turkey of natural causes

Saint Guibertus of Gorze

Also known as

• Guibertus of Gembloux

• Guibert of...

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Soldier who fought in several campaigns. Hermit on his estates at Gembloux, Brabant (in modern Belgium. Founded a monastery in Gembloux. Benedictine monk at Gorze Abbey near Metz, France. Though he wanted to retire from the world, he was forced to return to Gembloux several times to defend the rights of the foundation he established to support the monastery.

Born

in the Lorraine region of France

Died

962 at Gorze Abbey in France of natural causes

Saint Desiderius of Langres

Also known as

• Desiderius of Genoa

• Desiderio, Dizier, Didier, Désiré

Additional Memorial

11 February (Hieronymian Martyrology)

Profile

Bishop of Langres, France. Supported the Acts of the Council of Serdica in 343. Killed by Vandal invaders while trying to negotiate with them for the people in his diocese. Martyr with many of his flock.

Born

407 in Genoa, Italy

Died

• beheaded near Langres, France

• buried in Langres

Blessed Wincenty Matuszewski

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Priest in the diocese of Wloclawek, Poland. Murdered by occupying Nazi forces for the crime of being a Catholic priest. Martyr.

Born

3 March 1869 in Chruscienska Wola, Lódzkie, Poland

Died

23 May 1940 in Witowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Józef Kurzawa

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Priest in the diocese of Wloclawek, Poland. Murdered by occupying Nazi forces for the crime of being a Catholic priest. Martyr.

Born

6 January 1910 in Swierczyni, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Died

23 May 1940 in Witowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Elizabeth of Melegnano

Also known as

Lisabetta

Profile

Poor Clare nun in the monastery of Santa Chiara in Mortara, Italy.

Born

15th century Melegnano, Italy

Died

23 May 1530 of natural causes

Blessed Cristoforo Soler

Profile

Mercedarian friar. In 1380 he redeemed 198 Christians who had been enslaved by Muslim Moors in Oran, Algeria. Returning to the convent, he was known by brother Mercedarians for his personal piety.

Saint Eutychius of Valcastoria

Also known as

• Eutychius of Norvia

• Eutizio of...

Profile

Sixth-century hermit and monk whose piety led many to God. Miracle worker. Abbot of a monastery in Valcastoria, Italy. Pope Gregory the Great wrote about him.

Saint Florentius of Valcastoria

Also known as

Florentius of Norcia

Profile

Sixth-century hermit and monk whose piety led many to God. Miracle worker. Abbot of a monastery in Valcastoria, Italy. Pope Gregory the Great wrote about him.

Blessed Leontius of Rostov

Profile

Missionary to Russia. Monk at the Caves of Kiev. Bishop of Rostov in 1051 where he served for over 25 years.

Born

Greek

Died

1077 of natural causes

Saint Epitacius of Tuy

Also known as

Epictetus, Epictritus

Profile

First bishop of Tuy, Galatia (in modern Spain).

Saint Syagrius of Nice

Also known as

Siacre, Siagrio

Profile

Monk at Lerins, France. Founded Saint Pons Monastery at Cimiez, France. Bishop of Nice, France in 777.

Died

c.787

Saint Onorato of Subiaco

Also known as

Honoratus, Honore

Profile

Benedictine monk in the early 6th century. Abbot at Subiaco, Italy, leading a community formed by Saint Benedict.

Saint Spes of Campi

Profile

Monk. Abbot in Campi, Italy. Totally blind for 40 years, his eyesight was suddenly restored for the last 15 days of his life.

Died

c.515

Saint Euphebius of Naples

Also known as

Efébo

Profile

4th century bishop of Naples, Italy.

Saint Goban Gobhnena

Profile

Sixth-seventh century abbot at Old-Leighlin, County Limerick, Ireland.

Saint Basileus of Braga

Profile

First bishop of Braga, Portugal.

Martyrs of Béziers

Profile

20 Mercedarian friars murdered by Huguenots for being Catholic. Martyrs.

Died

1562 at the Mercedarian convent at Béziers, France

Martyrs of Cappadocia

Profile

A group of Christians tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian and Galerius. Their names and the details of their lives have not come down to us.

Died

having their bones crushed, c.303 in Cappadocia (in modern Turkey)

Martyrs of Carthage

Profile

When a civil revolt erupted in Carthage in 259 during a period of persecution by Valerian, the procurator Solon blamed it on the Christians, and began a persecution of them. We know the names and a few details about 8 of these martyrs - Donatian, Flavian, Julian, Lucius, Montanus, Primolus, Rhenus and Victorius.

Born

African

Died

beheaded in 259 at Carthage (modern Tunis, Tunisia)

Martyrs of Mesopotamia

Profile

A group of Christians martyred in Mesopotamia in persecutions by imperial Roman authorities. Their names and the details of their lives have not come down to us.

Died

suffocated over a slow fire in Mesopotamia

Martyrs of North Africa

Profile

A group of 19 Christians martyred together in the persecutions of the Arian Vandal King Hunneric for refusing to deny the Trinity. We know little more than a few of their names - Dionysius, Julian, Lucius, Paul and Quintian.

Died

c.430