Saint Juan de Sahagún
Also known as
• John of Saint Facundo
• John of Saint Fagondez
• John Gonzales de Castrillo
• John of Saint Facun
• San Fagondez
Profile
Son of John Gonzalez de Castrillo and Sancia Martinez, the oldest of seven children, their first after sixteen years of sterility and frustration; raised in a pious and well-to-do family. Educated by Benedictines at Fagondez abbey at Sahagun. Ordained in 1445. Held several benefices in the diocese of Burgos, Spain, his father obtaining them for him like investments, but John surrendered all but one. Unlike many of his class who took their vocation as a profession, John felt a true call to service and a holy life, and he gave most of the proceeds from his benefices to the poor. Majordomo in the residence of his bishop.
Studied at the University of Salamanca, and then at Burgos. Following a grave illness and major surgery, he became an Augustinian canon at Salamanca, joining on 18 June 1463, and making his final profession on 28 August 1464. Novice-master in the order. Definitor of his province. Prior of the order in Salamanca in 1471.
Noted for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament; during Mass, he often saw the Host surrounded by light, sometimes had visions of the bodily form of Christ at the moment of consecration. His devotion, and his visions, often led to some very lengthy Masses. Reported to levitate during his prayers. Could read hearts in confession, and became a sought-after spiritual director. Great preacher whose sermons helped change social conditions in Salamanca.
His sermons against sinful living conditions, and in support of the rights and diginity of workers brought him the opposition of some local leaders. A duke at Alba de Tormes hired assassins to stop him, but they recognized John's holiness, and would not touch him, confessed to him, and asked forgiveness. The duke later fell ill, and was healed by John's prayers. Some local women, however, were not so concerned; when he preached against wasting resources on extravagant fashions, some of them threw stones at him in the street.
Miracles were attributed to Father John's intervention, before and after his death. One occurred in Salamanca when a small child fell into a well. The locals made every effort, but could not effect a rescue. They sent for Father John who went to the scene, laid his waistband on stone wall of the well, and prayed that the waters return the child. The well water rose to ground level, floating the child to safety. This incident is depicted in the image of Saint John on this page.
Born
1419 at Sahagun (Saint Fagondez), Léon, Spain as John Gonzales de Castrillo
Died
• 11 June 1479 at Salamanca, Spain of natural causes
• may have been poisoned by a woman whose lover, a nobleman, broke off their relationship after hearing John preach, and for this reason he is sometimes listed as a martyr
• relics in churches in Spain, Belgium and Peru
Beatified
• 19 June 1601 by Pope Clement VIII
• 28 September 1651 by Pope Pope Innocent X
Canonized
16 October 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
Patronage
• city of Salamanca, Spain
• diocese of Salamanca, Spain
Blessed Ignazio Maloyan
Also known as
• Choukrallah Maloyan
• Ignadios Maloyan
• Ignatios Maloyan
• Ignatius Maloyan
• Shoukrallah Maloyan
• Shukrallah Maloyan
Profile
Son of Melkon and Faridé Maloyan. Studied at the convent of Bzommar-Lebanon where he was ordained on 6 August 1896. Member of the Bzommar Institute. Took the name of Ignatius in remembrance of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Parish priest in Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt from 1897 to 1910. Assistant to Patriarch Boghos Bedros XII in 1904, but respiratory health problems forced his return to Egypt. Dispatched to the diocese of Mardin to restore order and discipline. Archbishop of Mardin on 22 October 1911, working with the Armenian Catholic minority. Encouraged the devotion to the Sacred Heart.
At the outbreak of World War I, Armenians in Turkey, especially Christians, became the target of persecutions. On 30 April 1915 a group of Turkish soldiers surrounded the Armenian Catholic Bishopric and church in Mardin, claiming it was used to hide weapons. On 3 June 1915, Turkish soldiers arrested Bishop Maloyan along with many other Armenian Catholic priests and laymen. In court, chief of the police Mamdooh Bek ordered bishop Maloyan to convert to Islam; the bishop declined, and was beaten, tortured, chained, and imprisoned. On 10 June 1915, Ignazio and over 400 other Christians, including fourteen priests, were force marched into the desert. When they stopped, bishop Ignazio celebrated an impromptu liturgy with scraps of bread; the group was then murdered. The bishop was the last to die. At the last minute, Mamdooh Bek again demanded that Ignazio convert to Islam; when the bishop refused, Bek shot him.
Born
18 April 1869 at Mardin, Turkey
Died
• shot to death on 11 June 1915 by Mamdooh Bek at Zerzevan Castle, Çinar, Diyarbakir, Turkey
• his body is reported to have radiated light for three days after his death
Beatified
7 October 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Barnabas the Apostle
புனித பர்னபா - திருத்தூதர்
லிஸ்திராவில் பர்னபாவும் பவுலும் போதித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும்போது அங்கே பிறவிலேயே கால் ஊனமுற்ற ஒருவர் இருந்தார். அவரிடம் நலம்பெறுவதற்கான நம்பிக்கை இருந்ததால் பவுல் அவரிடம், "நீர் எழுந்து காலூன்றி நேராக நில்லும்" என்றார். உடனே அவர் துள்ளி எழுந்து நடக்கத் தொடங்கினார். பவுல் செய்வதைப் பார்த்த மக்கள் கூட்டத்தினர் தங்களுடைய மொழியில், "தெய்வங்கள் மனித உருவில் நம்மிடம் இறங்கி வந்திருக்கின்றன" என்று குரலெழுப்பிக் கூறினார்கள். அதோடு மட்டுமல்லாமல் நகருக்கு வெளியே இருந்த சேயுசு கோவில் அர்ச்சகர் காளைகளையும் பூமாலைகளையும் கோவில் வாயிலுக்குக் கொண்டுவந்து கூட்டத்தினருடன் சேர்ந்து பலியிட விருப்பினார். அப்போது பர்னபா அவர்களுக்கு முன்பாகத் தோன்றி, "மனிதர்களே!, ஏன் இவ்வாறு செய்கிறீர்கள்? நாங்களும் உங்களைப் போன்ற மனிதர்கள்தாம்; நீங்கள் இந்த பயனற்ற பொருட்களை விட்டுவிட்டு, விண்ணையும் மண்ணையும் கடலையும் அவற்றிலுள்ள அனைத்தையும் உண்டாக்கிய வாழும் கடவுளிடம் திரும்புங்கள் என்ற நற்செய்தியை உங்களுக்கு அறிவிக்கின்றோம்" என்றார்.
அந்நேரத்தில் அந்தியோக்கியாவிலிருந்தும் இக்கோனியாவிலிருந்தும் யூதர்கள் வந்து மக்களைத் தூண்டிவிட்டு பவுல் மற்றும் பர்னபாவின் மீது கல்லெறியத் தொடங்கினார்கள். ஆனால் அவர்கள் இறைவனின் கருணையால் உதிர் தப்பினார்கள். எல்லா புகழும் மாட்சியும் இறைவனுக்கே உரியது என்று செயல்பட்ட பர்னபா மற்றும் பவுலின் வாழ்வு நமது சிந்தினைக்குரியதாக இருக்கின்றது
வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு
பர்னபா சைப்ரசை சேர்ந்த ஒரு லேவியர். இவருக்கு யோசேப்பு என்ற இன்னொரு பெயரும் உண்டு, ஊக்குவிக்கும் பண்பு கொண்டவர் என்றும் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார். திருத்தூதர்கள் அணியில் இவர் இடம்பெறாவிட்டாலும் தொடக்கத் திருச்சபையில் இவர் திருத்தூதருக்கு இணையாக வைத்துப் பார்க்கப்பட்டார். இவர் இயேசு அனுப்பிய எழுபத்தி இரண்டு சீடர்களில் ஒருவர் எனவும் சொல்லப்படுகின்றது. அதேபோல் இவர் நல்லவர், தூய ஆவியால் ஆட்கொள்ளப்பட்டவர், நம்பிக்கை நிறைந்தவர் என்றும் விவிலியம் நமக்கு எடுத்துச் சொல்கிறது (திப 11:24).
விவிலியத்தில் இவர் அறிமுகமாகும் இடம் திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் நூல் 4 ஆம் அதிகாரம் ஆகும். அங்கே இவர் தன்னுடைய நிலபுலன்களை எல்லாம் விற்று அதிலிருந்து வந்த பணத்தை திருத்தூதர்களின் காலடியில் கொண்டுபோய் வைக்கிறார். அவர்கள் இறைமக்களின் தேவைக்கு ஏற்ப ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் பகிர்ந்துகொடுக்கிறார்கள் (திப 4: 36-37). அடுத்ததாக இவர் வரக்கூடிய இடம் திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் நூல் 9 வது அதிகாரம் ஆகும். அங்கே இவர் கிறிஸ்தவர்களை கொடுமைப்படுத்திய பவுல் மனமாற்றம் பெற்று மக்களுக்கு நற்செய்தி அறிவிக்கச் சென்றபோது மக்கள் அவரை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டபோது பர்னபாதான் பவுலைக் குறித்து நல்லவிதமாய் பேசி, இறைமக்கள் கூட்டத்தில் அவரை அறிமுகம் செய்துவைக்கிறார் (திப 9: 26-28)
பர்னபா திருத்தூதர்கள் மற்றும் மக்கள் மத்தியில் நன்மதிப்பைப் பெற்றிருந்தார். அதனால்தான் அந்தியோக்கியாவில் கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை பெருகியபோது திருத்தூதர்கள் பர்னபாவை அவர்களுக்கு மத்தியில் அனுப்பி வைத்து, அவரை நற்செய்தி அறிவிக்கச் செய்தார்கள் (திப 11: 22-23). கிபி.45 ஆம் ஆண்டு எருசலேமில் கடுமையான பஞ்சம் ஏற்பட்டபோது இவர்தான் அந்தியோக்கு நகருக்குச் சென்று, அங்கிருந்த மக்களிடமிருந்து நிதி திரட்டி வந்து, அதனை எருசலேமில் இருந்த இறைமக்களுக்குக் கொடுத்து அவர்களின் பசியைப் போக்கினார் (திப 14: 18-20). 51 ஆம் ஆண்டு எருசலேமில் நடைபெற்ற முதல் பொதுச் சங்கத்தில் இவர் பவுலடியார் சார்பாக இருந்து தன்னுடைய பங்களிப்பைச் செய்தார்.
பர்னபா பவுலோடு சேர்ந்து ஆற்றிய நற்செய்திப் பணிகள் ஏராளம். அதற்காக அவர் பயணம் செய்த தூரம் ஏராளம். பர்னபா பவுலின் முதல் திருத்தூது பயணத்தில் உடன்சென்றார். இரண்டாவது திருத்தூது பயணத்தின் போதுதான் பவுல் தன்னோடு ஜான் மாற்கை கூட்டிச்செல்ல மறுத்தபோது, பர்னபா அவரை தன்னோடு கூட்டிக்கொண்டு நற்செய்தி அறிவிக்கச் செல்கிறார். பதிலுக்கு பவுல் தன்னோடு சீலாவைக் கூட்டிக்கொண்டு நற்செய்தி அறிவிக்கச் செல்கிறார். பர்னபா பவுலை விட்டுப் பிரிந்துசென்றபிறகு அவர் மிலன் நகருக்குச் சென்று நற்செய்தி அறிவித்ததாகச் சொல்லப்படுகின்றது. இன்னும் ஒருசிலர் இவர் சைப்பிரசுக்குச் சென்று நற்செய்தி அறிவித்தபோது அங்கே இருந்தவர்கள் 61 ஆம் ஆண்டு இவரைக் கல்லால் எறிந்துகொன்றார்கள் என்றும் சொல்கிறார்கள். இவருடைய உடல் 477 ஆம் ஆண்டு கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டது, இவருடைய உடலோடு மத்தேயு நற்செய்தியின் பிரதி ஒன்றும் இருந்ததாகச் சொல்லப்படுகின்றது
Also known as
Bernabé, Joseph
Profile
Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost, taking the name Barnabas. Though not of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch, and is considered an Apostle. Companion of Saint Paul who introduced him to the Apostles. Like Paul, Barnabas believed in the Church's mission to Gentiles, and worked with him in Cyprus and Asia, but split with him over a non-theological matter. Evangelized in Cyprus with Saint Mark. Founded the Church in Antioch. Subject and possible author of some apocryphal works. Martyr.
Born
Cyprus as Joseph
Died
• martyred in c.61 at Salamis
• at the time of his death he was carrying a copy of the Gospel of Saint Matthew that he had copied by hand
Name Meaning
son of encouragement; son of consolation
Patronage
• against hailstorms
• Antioch
• Cyprus
• invoked as peacemaker
• Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain
• Marino, Italy
Saint Paula Frassinetti
Also known as
Paola Frassinetti
Profile
Only daughter of John and Angela Frassinetti, she was raised in a pious family; all four of her brothers became priests. Paula's mother died when the girl was nine years old. In need of a substitute mother, Paula turned to Our Lady.
One of Paula's aunts moved in to help with the family, but she died three years later, and at age twelve, Paula took over as homemaker. Because of the endless chores at home, Paula was not able to attend school. However, each night her brothers would pass along what they had learned that day, her father filled in the gaps, and Paula actually had a good education. She attended Mass daily, and prayed her way though all of her work.
At age 20 she developed respiratory problems, and moved in with one of brothers, a village priest in Quinto, Italy. When she recovered, Paula, with her brother's help, opened a parochial school for poor girls in the area. In 1834, with a group of like-minded young women, she founded the Sisters of Saint Dorothy (Frassinetti Sisters), a congregation dedicated to educating poor children. They soon opened foundations in Italy, Portugal, and Brazil, and were noted for their work with the sick in the cholera epidemic that ravaged northern Italy in 1835. The Sisters received papal approval in 1863.
Born
3 March 1809 at Genoa, Italy
Died
• 11 June 1882 of pneumonia following a series of strokes
• entombed at Saint Onofria, the Dorothean motherhouse in Rome, Italy
• body found incorrupt in 1906
Canonized
11 March 1984 by Pope John Paul II
Patronage
sick people
Saint Aleydis of Schaerbeek
Also known as
• Aleydis the Leper
• Aleydis of Scharembeke
• Adelaide, Alice, Alix, Adelheid, Aliz
Profile
At age seven Aleydis was sent to the Cistercian convent of Camera Sanctae Mariae to receive an education; she stayed the rest of her life. In adolescence she developed leprosy and was isolated from the community; the spirit with which she bore her illness served as an example to the rest of the community. While in isolation, Aleydis developed a deep devotion to Real Presence in the Eucharist, but was unable to drink from the cup due to the danger of contagion. As the disease progressed, she became blind and paralyzed. Visionary; given to ecstasies, and a visit from Christ to assure her of the complete Communion of the Eucharist. Was given the gift of healing of others, but not herself.
Born
12th century at Schaerbeck, Belgium
Died
sunrise Saturday 11 June 1250 of natural causes
Canonized
• on 1 July 1702 Pope Clement XI granted the monks of the Fuliensi Congregation of Saint Bernard permission to celebrate her feast
• cultus extended to the entire Cistercian Order in 1870
• cultus extended to all of Belgium in 1907 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Patronage
• blind people
• paralyzed people
Blessed Helen of Poland
Also known as
• Helen of Hungary
• Helena, Iolantha, Joheleth, Jolanda, Jolanta, Jolenta, Yolanda
Profile
Born a princess, the daughter of King Bela IV of Hungary and Maria Laskaris. Niece of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, grand-niece of Saint Hedwig of Andechs, and younger sister of Blessed Cunegund of Poland, who raised her. Married to Duke Boleslas V, the devout prince of Kalishi, Pomerania; mother of three. Franciscan tertiary. Founded a Poor Clare convent in Gnesen, Poland. Widowed in 1279. She, one of her daughters, and Cunegund retired to a Poor Clare convent Cunegund had founded in Sandeck. Just before her death, Helen became superior of the convent she had founded in Gnesen.
Born
c.1235 in Hungary
Died
11 June 1298 at Gnesen, Poland of natural causes
Beatified
26 September 1827 by Pope Leo XII (cultus confirmed)
Saint Parisius
Also known as
Parisio
Profile
Camaldolese monk at age 12 at the monastery of Saint Michael's. Hermit. Priest. Chaplain and spiritual director of the Saint Christina convent of Treviso, Italy in 1191; he served there for 72 years. Cared for the spritual needs of pilgrims and the sick at the All Saints Hospice at his monastery. Miracle worker. Had the gift of prophecy.
Born
1160 at Treviso or Bologna, Italy (records vary)
Died
• 11 June 1267 of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of Treviso, Italy
Canonized
25 November 1268 by Bishop Alberto Rich of Treviso, Italy, which was a valid procedure at that time
Saint Bardo of Mainz
Also known as
Bardone, Bardon
Profile
Benedictine monk at Fulda, Germany. Abbot of Werden Abbey, Essen-Werden, Germany in 1029. Abbot of Hersfeld Abbey, Hesse, Germany in 1031. Archbishop of Mainz, Germany in 1031. As monk, abbot and bishop he was known for his simple, ascetic life, his charity to the poor, the gift of prophecy, and his care for animals.
Born
982 in Oppershofen, Germany
Died
1053 of natural causes
Blessed Jean de Bracq
Profile
Known as a pious and intelligent youth. Premonstratensian monk. Canon of the Premonstratensian monastery in Vicogne, France. Chosen abbot of his house in 1513, he refurbished the monastery, spent his nights in prayer, and was known for his charity and aid to the area poor; he served as abbot for 37 years. Advisor and confessor to Emperor Charles V. Declined the bishopric of Arras, France as it owuld have meant leaving monastic life.
Born
1488 in France
Died
1550 in northern France of natural causes
Blessed Kasper of Grimbergen
Also known as
Kaspar
Profile
Premonstratensian monk. Canon of the Grimbergen Premonstratensian monastery in modern Flanders, Belgium. Priest. When Calvinists controlled the region in 1581, Kasper dressed as a layman and travelled from town to town, ministering to covert Catholics in their homes.
Born
16th century Netherlands
Died
17th century of natural causes
Saint Rembert of Hamburg
Also known as
Rimbert
Profile
Benedictine monk at Turhout, Belgium. Worked with Saint Ansgar as a missionary to pagan Scandinavia. Bishop of Hamburg-Bremen, Germany in 865 with jurisdiction over Denmark and Sweden. Worked to evangelize the Slavs in his region, and ransomed Christian captives. Wrote a biography of Saint Ansgar.
Born
near Bruges, Flanders, Belgium
Died
888 of natural causes
Saint Blitharius of Seganne
Also known as
Blitarius, Blier
Profile
Evangelized in France with Saint Fursey of Peronne, finally settling in Seganne, Champagne where he was known for his life of penance and prayer.
Born
Scotland
Died
• 7th century France of natural causes
• relics burned by Calvinists in the 16th century
Saint Maximus of Naples
Profile
Bishop of Naples, Italy in 359, but spent much of his service in exile for having defended the Nicene Creed against Arian rulers. Martyr.
Died
c.361
Canonized
13 June 1871 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmation)
Saint Riagail of Bangor
Also known as
Ragallach, Regail, Reghuil
Profile
Ninth-century monk and then abbot of Bangor Abbey, County Down, Ireland. He led the house during a bleak period of recovery following a series of Viking raids.
Died
881
Blessed Hugh of Marchiennes
Profile
Educated at Rheims, France. Benedictine monk at Saint Martin's abbey, Tournai, Belgium. Abbot of the monastery at Marchiennes, France in 1148.
Born
at Tournai, Belgium
Died
1158
Saint Tochumra of Kilmore
Also known as
Tochumra of Tuam
Profile
A holy virgin venerated in Kilmore, Ireland.
Patronage
women in labour
Saint Herebald of Bretagne
Also known as
Herband, Hereband
Profile
Eighth century hermit in Brittany.
Born
in Britain
Saint Tochumra of Tuam
Profile
A church in the diocese of Killfenora, Ireland was dedicated to him, but no details of his life have survived.
Martyrs of Tavira
Profile
Members of the Knights of Santiago de Castilla. During the re-conquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims by Christian forces, in a period of truce between the armies, the group was allowed to leave the Portuguese camp to hunt. Near Tavira, Portugal, he and his companions were ambushed and killed by a Muslim force. Making a reprisal attack, the Portuguese army took the city of Tavira. The murdered knights were considered to be martyrs as they died in an action defending the faith. They were –
• Blessed Alvarus Garcia
• Blessed Beltrão de Caia
• Blessed Damião Vaz
• Blessed Estêvão Vasques
• Blessed Garcia Roiz
• Blessed Mendus Valle
• Blessed Pedro Rodrigues
Died
• 1242 outside Tavira, Faro, Portugal
• relics enshrined under the altar of Saint Barnabas in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels (modern Santa Maria do Castelo) in Tavria
Mercedarian Martyrs of Damietta
Profile
Three Mercedarian lay knights who worked to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims. During the 7th Crusade, a plague swept through the Christian army and these knights volunteered to work with the sick. During this work they were captured by Muslims and ordered to convert to Islam; they refused. They were tortured, taken to Damietta, Egypt where they were murdered for their faith. Martyrs.
Died
thrown from a tower in the mid-13th century in Damietta, Egypt
