இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் டிசம்பர் 26

 Saint Stephen the Martyr

 புனிதர் ஸ்தேவான் 

திருத்தொண்டர் மற்றும் முதல் மறைசாட்சி:

இறப்பு: கி.பி. சுமார் 34

ஜெருசலேம், ஜூதாயு, ரோமப் பேரரசு

ஏற்கும் சபை/ சமயம்: 

அனைத்து கிறிஸ்தவ பிரிவுகளும்

திருவிழா: டிசம்பர் 26

சித்தரிக்கப்படும் வகை: 

கற்கள், திருத்தொண்டர் உடை, தூப கலசம், நற்செய்தி நூல்

பாதுகாவல்:

சவப்பெட்டி செய்வோர், திருத்தொண்டர்கள், பீட சிறுவர், தலைவலி; குதிரைகள்; கொத்தனார்கள்; செர்பியா

புனித ஸ்தேவான் கிறிஸ்தவத்தின் முதல் இரத்தசாட்சி ஆவார். கிரேக்க மொழியில் இவரது பெயரின் பொருள் மகுடம் (கிரீடம்) என்பதாகும். இவர் தன் உயிர்த் தியாகத்திற்காக கடவுளால் மகுடம் சூட்டப்பட்டதாக நம்பப்படுகின்றது. இவர் கலையில் பொதுவாக மூன்று கற்களை ஏந்தியவராகவும், திருத்தொண்டர்களுக்கான உடையிலும் சித்தரிக்கப்படுகிறார். திருத்தூதர் பணிகளின்படி, இவர், எருசலேம் நகரில், ஆதி திருச்சபையின் திருத்தொண்டராவார். அவருடைய போதனைகள், பல்வேறு ஜெபக்கூடங்களின் உறுப்பினர்களின் பகைமையை தூண்டியது.

இறப்பு:

திருத்தூதர் பணிகளின்படி தலைமைச் சங்கத்தின் முன் ஸ்தேவானை நிறுத்தி, மோசேக்கும் கடவுளுக்கும் எதிராகப் பழிச்சொற்கள் சொன்னதாக குற்றம் சாட்டினர். 

~ திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் 6:11

விசாரணையின் போது, ஸ்தேவான் பின்வருமாறு கூறினார்:

"இதோ, வானம் திறந்திருப்பதையும், மானிட மகன் கடவுளது வலப்பக்கத்தில் நிற்பதையும் காண்கிறேன்." 

~ திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் 7:56

திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் 6 மற்றும் 7ம் அதிகாரங்கள் இந்த விசாரணையை விவரிக்கின்றன.

தூஷிப்பவராகவும், இறை பழி சொல்பவராகவும், வசைபாடுபவராகவும் குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட இவர், தன்மீது அறிக்கையிடப்படும் தீர்ப்பைக் காண வந்து காத்திருந்த யூத அதிகாரிகளின் முன்னர் நீண்ட உரையாற்றினார்.

பின்னர், இவர் குற்றவாளியாக தீர்ப்பிடப்பட்டு, நகரத்திற்கு வெளியே இழுத்துக் கொண்டு போய் கல்லெறிந்து கொல்லப்பட்டார். அவர் மறைசாட்சியாக கொல்லப்பட்டதை நேரில் கண்ட சாட்சியான “பரிசேயர்” (Pharisee) “டார்சஸ்” நகரைச்சேர்ந்த “சவுல்” (Saul of Tarsus) எனும் இளைஞரிடம் மேலுடைகளை ஒப்படைத்தார்கள். (இவரே பின்னாளில் அப்போஸ்தலரான பவுல் (Paul the Apostle) ஆவார்). ஸ்தேவானை துன்புறுத்தியபோது யூதர்கள் அப்போது நேர்மையாளர்களை கொலை செய்வதாக அவர் சாடினார்.

"எந்த இறைவாக்கினரைத்தான் உங்கள் மூதாதையர் துன்புறுத்தாமலிருந்தார்கள்? நேர்மையாளருடைய வருகையை முன்னறிவித்தோரையம் அவர்கள் கொலை செய்தார்கள். இப்போது நீங்கள் இயேசுவைக் காட்டிக்கொடுத்துக் கொன்று விட்டீர்கள்." 

~ திருத்தூதர் பணிகள் 7:52)

பின்பு முழந்தாள்படியிட்டு உரத்த குரலில், "ஆண்டவரே, இந்தப் பாவத்தை இவர்கள் மேல் சுமத்தாதேயும்" என்று சொல்லி உயிர்விட்டார்.

கல்லறை:

இவரின் கல்லறையின் இடத்தை அறிந்தார் எவரும் இல்லை. கி.பி. 415ம் ஆண்டு, எருசலேமிற்கு திருப்பயணம் செய்தபோது, “லூசியான்” (Lucian) என்னும் குருவுக்கு கிடைக்கப்பெற்ற காட்சியின்படி இவரது மிச்சங்கள், “பெய்ட் ஜிமல்” (Beit Jimal) எனும் இடத்திலிருப்பதாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. அதே ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம் 26ம் நாள், கிறிஸ்தவ முதல் மறைசாட்சியின் உடலின் மிச்சங்கள் ஊர்வலமாக எடுத்துச் செல்லப்பட்டு, “ஹகியா சியோன்” (Church of Hagia Sion) தேவாலயத்தில் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டது. இதே நாள், இவரது நினைவுத் திருநாளாக கொண்டாடப்படுகின்றது. கி.பி. 439ம் ஆண்டு, இவரை கௌரவிக்கும் விதமாக, “பேரரசி ஏலியா யூடோசியா”, (Empress Aelia Eudocia) “டமாஸ்கஸ் வாயிலின்” (Damascus Gate) வடக்கே ஒரு புதிய தேவாலயம் கட்டி, இவரது மிச்சங்களை மாற்றினார். பன்னிரெண்டாம் நூற்றாண்டில் இவ்வாலயம் இடிக்கப்பட்டது. “செயின்ட் எட்டியேன்” (Saint-Étienne) என்றழைக்கப்படும் ஒரு இருபதாம் நூற்றாண்டு ஃபிரெஞ்ச் கத்தோலிக்க ஆலயம், அதே இடத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டது. அதேவேளை, மற்றுமொரு “கிரேக்க மரபுவழி திருச்சபையின்) (Greek Orthodox Church of St Stephen) ஆலயமொன்று, இவரது பெயராலேயே, இவர் மறைசாட்சியாக கொல்லப்பட்டதாக சொல்லப்படும் இடத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டது.

எருசலேமின் பிரதான வடக்கு வாயிலை, “புனிதர் ஸ்தேவான் வாயில்” (Saint Stephen's Gate) என்று “சிலுவைப் போராளிகள்” (The Crusaders) முதலில் அழைத்தனர்.

பிற்காலத்தில், ரோம் நகரின் வெளிப்புற சுவர்களில் தூய லாரன்ஸ் பேராலயம்” (Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls) கட்டப்பட்டபோது, திருத்தந்தை “இரண்டாம் பெலாஜியஸ்” (Pope Pelagius II) புனிதர் ஸ்தேவானுடைய உடலின் மிச்சங்களை எடுத்துச் சென்று அங்கே அடக்கம் செய்தார்.

Also known as

Stephen the Deacon

Additional Memorials

• 3 August (discovery of relics)

• 7 May (translation of relics)

Profile

First Christian martyr. Deacon. Preacher. All we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the Gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. In the crowd, on the side of the mob, was a man who would later be known as Saint Paul the Apostle.

Died

stoned to death c.33

Patronage

• against headaches

• brick layers

• casket makers, coffin makers

• deacons

• horses

• masons, stone masons

• Metz, France, diocese of

• Owensboro, Kentucky, diocese of

• Toulouse, France, archdiocese of

• 92 cities

Representation

• deacon carrying a pile of rocks

• deacon with rocks gathered in his vestments

• deacon with rocks on his head

• deacon with rocks or a book at hand

• palm of martyrdom

• stones

• man holding a green palm and a golden book, presumably a Bible

Pope Saint Dionysius

Profile

Roman citizen. Nothing is known about his early life. Monk. Priest. Bishop in Rome during the papacy of Saint Stephen I. Involved in the controversy over orthodox and heretical forms of Baptism. Following an inter-regnum of a year caused by the persecutions of Valerian, Dionyius was chosen 25th Pope.

Issued a doctrinal letter to correct the writings of Patriarch Dionysius of Alexandria regarding the Trinity. The letter opposed Sabellianism, and insisted on the true doctrine of Three Persons in one Godhead. Sent large sums of money to the churches of Cappadocia for construction and the ransom of slaves; invading Goths had destroyed the buildings and enslaved the faithful. Brought order to the Church after a period of no leadership, and made peace with Emperor Gallienus who issued an edict of toleration. He condemned Paul of Samosata as a heretic. First pope to die not as a martyr.

Born

in Greece

Papal Ascension

22 July 259

Died

• 26 or 27 December 268 at Rome, Italy of natural causes

• buried in the papal crypt in the catacomb of Callistus

Representation

• pope with a book

• pope receiving a vision of the Trinity

Saint Vincenza María López y Vicuña

Also known as

Vicenta María López Vicuña

Profile

Daughter of a lawyer. Educated in Madrid, Spain. As a young woman she refused an arranged marriage and took a private vow of chastity. She lived with her aunt, Eulolia de Vicuna, who had founded a home for domestic servants. With her aunt's help, Vincenza founded a group of women to minister to working girls, who were open to all sorts of abuse. She developed a Rule for the group, and in 1878 with three companions she took vows. They formed what became the Daughters of Mary Immaculate for Domestic Service which received papal approval from Pope Leo XIII in 1888, and which in Vincentia's life had spread throughout Europe and Latin America.

Born

22 March 1847 at Cascante, Navarre, Spain

Died

26 December 1890 in Madrid, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

25 May 1975 by Pope Paul VI

Blessed Agnes Phila

Also known as

Margarita, Aknaet

Profile

Daughter of Joachim and Anna Thit Son Chum; she was baptized in Viengkhuk, Thaland in 1924, and her god-mother was the aunt of Sister Lúcia dos Santos. Joined the Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross in Siengvang, Laos, taking the name Agnes and making her final vows on 16 November 1928. Assigned as a school teacher in Songkhon, Thailand in 1932. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

1909 in Ban Nahi, Nong Khai, Thailand as Margaret Phila

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Lucie Khambang

Also known as

Lucia, Lusia

Profile

Daughter of James and Mary Dam May Li; baptized on 10 March 1917, Confirmed and received her first Communion on 4 June 1925. Joined the Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross, beginning the novitiate on 18 October 1935 and making her final profession in Siengvang, Laos on 15 October 1937. Assigned as a school teacher in early 1940. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

22 January 1917 in Ban Wiang Khuk, Nong Khai, Thailand

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Evaristo of Constantinople

Also known as

Evarestus, Sergio

Profile

Courtier to a relative who was an official in the Byzantine court in Constantinople c.842. Travelled on court business to the area of modern Bulgaria. However, by this point he had read himself into a more religious life, and soon after entered a monastery in Constantinople, taking the name Evaristo. He served his house in a variety offices and ways, including abbot for 30 years, the rest of his life.

Born

17 April 819 in Galatia, Asia Minor as Sergio

Died

24 December 897 at the monastery in Constantinople of natural causes

Blessed Agata Phutta Bi

Also known as

Akatha Phuttha

Profile

Raised in a pagan family, Agata converted to Christianity in her 30's, being baptized and confirmed on 3 March 1918 at Siengvang, Laos. Worked in the kitchens of the Catholic missions in the Thai cities of Mong Seng, Pkase and Songkhon. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

1882 in Ban Kengpho, Savannakhet, Laos

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Cecilia Butsi

Also known as

Sesilia Butsi

Profile

Daughter of Amato Sinuen and Agatha Thep. Worked in the kitchen of a Catholic mission in the archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng, Thailand, and know for the joy and courage she brought to living as an oppressed Christian. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

16 December 1924 in Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Pope Saint Zosimus

Profile

Little is known about Zosimus' life before his election as Pope. May have been Jewish by birth, and his father may have been named Abram. He tried to expand the power of the pontificate, but allowed his personality, and his personality clashes with local bishops, to enter into the matter. A number of his letters survive, as well as a Decree ordering priests to stay out of taverns. Fought Pelagianism and Pelagius himself.

Papal Ascension

18 March 417

Died

• 27 December 418 of natural causes

• buried at Church of Saint Laurence in Agro Verano

Blessed Giovanni Orsini

Profile

Born to the Italian nobility; his was a pious family and several of his brothers became monks. Canon lawyer. Canon of the cathedral of Turin, Italy. Commendatory abbot of Rivalta, Italy. Priest. Noted preacher. Archbishop of Turin in 1364. Zealous preacher against heresy, including Waldensianism, while travelling continually to each of the parishes in his diocese. During the Avignon papacy he tried to get the pope to return to Rome. Created cardional in 1388. Apostolic legate to the court of King Charles VI.

Born

1333 in Rivalta, Torino, Italy

Died

• 1411 in Torino, Italy

• buried in the cathedral of Turin

Blessed Jean of Hainaut

Profile

Civil and canon lawyer. Premonstratensian monk. Canon of the Joyenval monastery in the area of Ile-de-France. Abbot of his house in 1441; he served for over 30 years. Norbertine visitor for areas of Austria, Hungary, and the German areas of Swabia and Bavaria which required him to inspect all monasteries and insure adherence to the Order's rule. The Joyenval house was destroyed by English and Burgundian; Jean obtained permission to take his monks and the surviving relics of the saints on travels through France to beg alms.

Born

early 15th century Hainaut, Belgium

Died

1472 of natural causes

Blessed Bibiana Khamphai

Profile

Daughter of Lon and Monica Di Benedetto. Pious girl, dedicated to the sacraments, and attended the Catholic mission of Songkhon, Thailand. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

4 November 1925 in Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Maria Phon

Profile

Daughter of John the Baptist and Catherine Tan Pha. A pious girl, Maria lived with an aunt named Mary and attended the local Catholic mission. Martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions that began when the French left Thailand.

Born

6 January 1929 in Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Died

shot on 26 December 1940 in the cemetery of Ban Songkhon, Mukdahan, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Marinus of Rome

Also known as

Marin, Marino

Profile

Son of an imperial Roman senator; served as senator himself. For being a Christian during the persecutions of emperor Numerian and the prefect Marcian, he was stripped of office, arrested, stripped of title, property and freedom, made a slave, tortured and executed. He miraculously survived torture chambers, wild beasts, fire, and water in the persecutions of Numerian, but was eventually Martyred. His story may be pious fiction.

Died

beheaded in 283

Blessed Pierre Boffet

Profile

Mercedarian. Professor of theology. Noted preacher. Worked to ransom Christians enslaved in Muslim-controlled areas. While on a ransom mission to Tunisia in 1442, he and Blessed Lorenzo Company were shipwrecked and imprisoned for ransom themselves. When Pierre converted a Muslim to Christianity, he was abused and executed. Martyr.

Born

France

Died

1452

Saint Tathai

Also known as

• Athaeus, Athan, Atheus, Tathal, Tathan, Tathar

• Father of all Gwent

Profile

Nephew of Saint Samson of Dol. Hermit in Glamorgan, Wales. Founded the monastery at Llantathan (Saint Athan), Gwent. Founded the monastery school at Caerwent. Reputed miracle worker, he was noted gentleness, love of the country, for his generosity to travellers and the poor.

Born

5th century Irish

Died

6th century at Caerwent or Llantathan, Wales of natural causes

Saint Archelaus of Mesopotamia

Profile

Bishop of Chacar (Kashkar; Cascus; Charchar) Mesopotamia. Fought Manichaeism. His writings on the heresy were valued by Saint Jerome.

Died

c.280

Video

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Blessed Paganus of Lecco

Profile

Dominican friar for 50 years, received into the Order by Saint Dominic himself. Succeeded Saint Peter the Martyr as inquisitor general, and like him became a martyr.

Born

13th century Lecco, Italy

Died

murdered by heretics on 26 December 1274 at Valtellina, Como, Italy

Saint Zeno of Gaza

Also known as

Zenon

Profile

Cousin of Saint Eusebius and Saint Nestabus. Monk. Survived the persecutions of Julian the Apostate. Bishop of Maïouma in Palestine where he continued to live as close as he could to the monastic rules, including doing manual labour.

Died

c.400 of natural causes

Blessed Margaret of Hohenfels

Also known as

Margarita, Margherita, Marguerite

Profile

Born to the nobility. Benedictine nun and prioress at Bingen under Saint Hildegard.

Died

c.1150

Saint Amaethlu of Anglesey

Also known as

• Amaethlu of Wales

• Amaethlin, Maethlu, Maethlin

Profile

Sixth century hermit. Founded a church in Anglesey, Wales, now named Llanfaethlu.

Blessed Daniel of Villiers

Profile

Soldier. Knight. Benedictine Cistercian monk. Cellarer of the great Cistercian abbey of Villiers in the Brabant region.

Died

late 12th century of natural causes

Saint Theodore the Sacristan

Profile

Sixth century sacristan for the Church of Saint Peter in Rome, Italy. Saint Gregory the Great wrote that Theodore often saw angels.

Patronage

sacristans

Saint Abadiu of Antinoë

Profile

Bishop of Antinoë. Martyred by Arians.

Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Isaac II of Optina

• Secundus Pollo

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் டிசம்பர் 25

 Christmas

Also known as

• Feast of the Nativity

• Nativity of the Lord

Derivation

Cristes Maesse, Christ's Mass (Old English)

About the Feast

Celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Our Lord. In the earliest days of the Church there was no such feast; the Saviour's birth was commemorated with the Epiphany by the Greek and other Eastern Churches. First mention of the feast, then kept on 20 May, was made by Clement of Alexandria c.200. The Latin Church began c.300 to observe it on 25 December, though there is no certainty that Our Lord was born on that day. Priests have the privilege of saying three Masses, at midnight, daybreak, and morning. This was originally reserved to the pope alone; beginning about the 4th century he celebrated a midnight Mass in the Lateran Basilica (in which according to tradition, the manger of Bethlehem is preserved), a second in the church of Saint Anastasia, whose feast comes on 25 December, and a third at the Vatican Basilica. Many peculiar customs of the day are the outcome of the pagan celebrations of the January calends. The Christmas tree, of which the first known mention was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into France and England in 1840. The feast is a holy day of obligation, preceded by the preparatory season of Advent and by a special vigil; should it fall on a Friday it abrogates the law of abstinence.

Blessed Jacopone da Todi

Also known as

• Crazy Jim

• Iacopone da Todi

• Jacomo da Todi

• Jacopo Benedetti

• Jacopo Benedicti

• Jacopone Benedetti da Todi

• Jacopone of Todi

• James da Todi

Profile

Italian noble from the Benedetti family of Todi. Successful lawyer at Bologna, Italy. Married to Vanna di Guidone in 1267; she considered Jacomo too worldly, and did penance for him. In 1268, Jacomo insisted she attend a public tournament against her wishes; the stands in which she sat collapsed, and Vanna was killed. The shock of this event, and his discovery of her penance for him, caused a radical change in Jacomo. He gave his possessions to the poor, dressed in rags, and became a Franciscan tertiary. His former associates called him Jacopone - Crazy Jim; he embraced the name.

After ten years of this penance and abuse, Jacomo tried to join the Franciscans; his reputation as Crazy Jim preceeded him, and he was refused. To prove his sanity and intentions, he wrote a beautiful poem about the vanities of the world; it swayed the Franciscans, and he joined the Order in 1278. He refused to be ordained, and spent time writing popular hymns in the vernacular.

Jacopone suddenly found himself a leader in a disturbing religious movement among the Franciscans. The Spirituals, as they were called, wanted a return to the strict poverty of Francis. They had the support of two cardinals and Pope Celestine V. The two cardinals, however, opposed Celestine's successor, Boniface VIII, and due to the wrangling in the Vatican, Jacopone was excommunicated and imprisoned at age 68. Jacopone acknowledged his error, but was not released until Blessed Benedict XI became pope five years later. Jacopone accepted his imprisonment as penance. He spent his last three years giving himself to completely to spirituality, weeping "because Love is not loved," and writing, including the famous Latin hymn, Stabat Mater.

Born

c.1230 at Todi, Italy as Jacopo Benedetti

Died

• 25 December 1306 at Collazzone, Italy of natural causes as a priest intoned the Gloria from midnight Mass

• relics at San Fortunato Church, Montecristo, Italy

Representation

• Franciscan tertiary kneeling before a vision of the Virgin surrounded by angels

• barefoot Franciscan holding a book

Blessed Maria Therese von Wüllenweber

Also known as

• Maria of the Apostles

• Mary of the Apostles

Profile

Born to the German nobility, the eldest of five daughters of Baron Theodor von Wüllenweber. Always deeply religious, as a girl Maria-Therese felt drawn to religious life, and wanted to become a missionary. Educated by tutors and the Benedictines of Liege, Belgium. At age 24 she entered the convent of the Sacred Heart, Blumenthal, Germany. Held positions of authority in convents in Warendort, Germany and Orleans, France. Coming to understand that her vocation was not as a teacher, she left religious life in March 1863, and returned home to her family. She developed a devotion to the Sacred Heart, and was briefly involved with the Sisters of the Visitation, but it wasn't until 1868 that she became a member of the Congregation of Perpetual Adoration in Brussels, Belgium and began working with the poor. She began leading such work in Germany, but it was duing the anti-Catholic kulturkampf era, and in 1870 she returned to her family home. Co-founded the Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Sisters) on 8 December 1888, and served as their first superior. The Sisters continue their good work today in 27 countries.

Born

19 February 1833 in Myllendonk Castle, Mönchengladbach, Düsseldorf, Germany

Died

• 25 December 1907 in Rome, Italy of natural causes

• relics enshrined in the General House of the Suore Salvatoriane, Via Mura Gianicolensi, Rome

Beatified

13 October 1968 by Pope Paul VI

Saint Peter Nolasco

Also known as

Pedro

Additional Memorial

6 May (Mercedarians)

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Grew up a pious youth. His father died when Peter was fifteen, and he inherited a substantial fortune. When he came of age, he gave away his possessions and moved to Barcelona, Spain to avoid the Albigensian heretics. He later took part in the Crusades against the Albigensians in southern France. Tutor to King James I of Aragon. Settled in Barcelona. Friend of Saint Raymond Penyafort. He used his large inheritance to ransom Christians held prisoner by the Moors. Founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians) beginning in 1218, an order devoted to ransoming Christians; the Order received papal approval in 1230. Peter twice served as a captive in Africa, winning the release of over 400 captives. In 1249, Peter retired from the Order to spend his remaining days in quiet prayer.

Born

1182 at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, near Castelnaudary, Languedoc, France

Died

25 December 1258 of natural causes

Canonized

30 September 1628 by Pope Urban VIII (cultus confirmation)

Blessed Peter the Venerable

Also known as

• Peter of Cluny

• Peter of Montboissier

Additional Memorials

• 29 April as one of the Abbots of Cluny

• 11 May (Benedictines)

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Benedictine monk at Cluny Abbey, and at several sister houses. Abbot of Cluny in 1122. Instituted a number of reforms to the educational and financial areas of the houses; his emphasis on the education of his monks put him into some conflict with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who felt it detracted from the emphasis on prayer. Peter travelled to England, Spain and Rome, Italy in service to the Order, retiring between trips to live as a hermit. He recommended that the Koran be translated to Latin so missionaries would better understand what they were up against when they evangelized Muslims. Wrote poems, sermons, scriptural studies and treatises against heresy.

Born

1092 in Auvergne, France

Died

• 25 December 1156 of natural causes

• buried in the southern end of the cloister of the monastery church of Cluny Abbey

• grave desecrated by Huguenots in 1562

• grave and most relics destroyed in 1792 in the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution

• some relics re-discovered in 1931 where they had been hidden in a stable

Beatified

1862 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmation)

Saint Anastasia of Sirmium

சிர்மியும் மறைசாட்சி அனஸ்தாஸியா ANASTASIA VON SIRMIUM

பிறப்பு 

3 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு, 

உரோம், இத்தாலி

இறப்பு 

304, 

சிர்மியும் Sirmium, குரோஷியா Kroatien

பாதுகாவல்: தலைவலி, மார்பு நோயிலிருந்து

இவர் ஓர் மதிப்புமிக்க கிறிஸ்தவ குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர். இவர் இளம் வயதிலேயே திருமணம் செய்து விரைவில் தன் கணவரை இழந்தவர். கணவரின் இறப்பிற்கு பின் நரக வாழ்வை சந்தித்தார். பின்னர் இவர் மிகுந்த செல்வாக்குடையவராக இருந்ததால் பகைவர்கள் பெருகினர். இவர் அப்பகைவர்களால் சிறைபிடித்து செல்லப்பட்டார். சிறையிலும் மிகவும் கொடுமையாக நடத்தப்பட்டார். பலமுறை தீய ஆவியின் செயல்களுக்குட்படுத்தப்பட்டார். 

இவரை அரசன் தியோக்ளேசியன் Diokletians தன் பிடியில் வைத்து, கிறிஸ்துவை பின்பற்றக்கூடாது என்று கட்டளையிட்டான். அதனை எதிர்த்து கிறிஸ்துவை மட்டுமே தன் வாழ்வு என்று உரக்கக்கூறி, இடைவிடாமல் செபித்து வந்தார். இதனால் சினம் கொண்ட அரசன் இவரை உயிருடன் கொல்ல ஆணையிட்டான். இதனால் அனஸ்தாஸியாவை அரச படைவீரர்கள் வெடிமருந்தை வைத்து அவரை சுற்றி வெடிக்க வைத்து அவரையும் கொன்றனர். 

Profile

Daughter of Saint Fausta of Sirmium. Matron of a noble Roman family. Married to a pagan. Spiritual student of Saint Chrysogonus. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Her name is commemorated in the second Mass of Christmas and the first eucharistic prayer. Nothing is really known about her except her death, but there have been no end of attempts by story-tellers to fill in the blanks.

Died

• burned to death c.304 at Sirmium, Dalmatia

• relics at Istanbul, Turkey (former Constantinople)

Patronage

• martyrs

• weavers

• widows

Representation

• woman with palm branch of martyrdom

• woman holding a small cross and vase

• woman with a flame in her hand

• woman holding a bowl with a flame in it

Blessed Bentivoglio de Bonis

Also known as

• Bentivolius Bonis

• Bentivoglio de Bonis of San Severino Marche

Profile

One of Saint Francis of Assisi's earliest disciples and one of first Franciscans. Priest. Noted preachers, miracle worker, healer and visionary.

Born

1188 at San Severino, Italy

Died

25 December 1232 at San Severino, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

30 December 1852 by Pope Blessed Pius IX (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Fulk of Toulouse

Also known as

• Folquet

• the Minstrel Bishop

Profile

Professional minstrel. Benedictine Cistercian monk at Thoronet, France. Abbot in 1200. Bishop of Toulouse, France in 1206. Helped Saint Dominic de Guzman found the Order of Preachers by providing him a base of operations, books, equipment, and one-sixth of the church tithes.

Born

c.1155 at Genoa, Italy

Died

1231 of natural causes

Saint Alburga of Wilton

Profile

Princess, the half-sister of King Egbert of Wessex. Wife of Earl Wulstan of Wiltshire who founded Wilton Abbey near Salisbury, England in 773. Widowed in 800. She converted Wilton Abbey into a convent for women, retired there with a dozen fellow Benedictine nuns, and is also considered a founder of the house.

Born

in Wessex, England

Died

810 at Wilton abbey, England of natural causes

Saint Eugenia of Rome

Profile

Young noble woman. Converted by and martyred with her servants, Saint Hyacinth and Saint Protus during the persecution Valerian. Her Acta read like a melodramatic adventure novel, but are worthless as biography.

Died

• c.258, probably by beheading

• buried in Apronianus cemetery on the Via Latina

Saint Adalsindis of Hamay

Also known as

Adalasenda, Adalsendis, Adalsind

Profile

Daughter of Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant and Saint Rictrudis of Marchiennes. Sister of Saint Eusebia of Hamay, Saint Clotsind and Saint Mauront. Benedictine nun at Hamay-les-Marchiennes near Arras, France and spiritual student of her sister.

Died

c.715 of natural causes

Blessed Michaël Nakashima Saburoemon

Profile

Jesuit. Martyred for hiding and assisting priests and missionaries.

Born

c.1583 in Machiai, Kumamoto, Japan

Died

scalded to death in the hot springs at Mount Ungen, Shimabara, Japan on 25 December 1628

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX

Blessed Matthew of Albano

Profile

Canon of Rheims, France. Benedictine Cluniac monk at Saint-Martin-des-Champs in 1108. Prior of his house in 1117. Created cardinal bishop of Albano in 1125. Papal legate in France and Germany in 1128. Staunch supported of the Cluniac ideal. Close friend of Blessed Peter the Venerable.

Died

1134 of natural causes

Blessed Diego de Aro

Profile

Mercedarian friar at the convent of Santa Maria Guardia in Prats, Spain (in modern Andorra). Helped ransom a total of 132 Christians enslaved by Moors in Granada, Spain.

Blessed Artale

Profile

Soldier. Knight. Lay member of the Mercedarians. Ransomed at least 150 Christian prisoners from slavery in Africa. Known for his personal piety.

Died

Oran, Algeria of natural causes

Saint Basilea of the Via Latina

Also known as

Basilée, Basiléo

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian and Gallienus.

Died

c.258 on the Vita Latina, Rome, Italy

Saint Jovin of the Via Latina

Also known as

Giovino, Iovino

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian and Gallienus.

Died

c.258 on the Vita Latina, Rome, Italy

Saint Romulus of Berry

Profile

Priest. Founded a monastery in Berry, France.

Died

c.700 of natural causes

Blessed Nera

Profile

Dominican tertiary. Cared for the sick in Siena, Italy.

Born

1230

Died

1287 of natural causes

Martyrs of Nicomedia

Profile

20,000 Christians martyred by order of Diocletian. They were reported to have all been in the single basilica to celebrate Christmas. While there unquestionably was an endless series of martyrs under Diocletian, it's likely the ancient sources exaggerated the numbers of this incident. And as the Christmas holy day was not celebrated in the East in 303, they were probably gathered for another feast.

Died

burned alive in 303 in the basilica of Nicomedia

Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Matthew Paul

• Susanna of Armenia