Saint Eligius of Noyon
Also known as
Alar, Elaere, Elar, Elard, Eler, Eloi, Eloy, Iler, Loy
Additional Memorials
• 24 June (translation of relics, and blessing of horses)
• 8 November as one of the Saints of the Diocese of Evry
Profile
Son of Eucherius and Terrigia. Extremely skillful metalsmith. Apprenticed to the master of the mint at Limoges, France. Treasurer at Marseilles, France. Master of the mint under King Clotaire II in Paris, France; a close friend of and advisor to Clotaire. Noted for his piety, hard work and honesty, Eligius was generous to the poor, ransomed slaves (including Saint Tillo of Solignac), built churches, a monastery at Solignac, France, and a major convent in Paris. It was said that you could easily find his house by the number of poor people there that he was caring for. Counselor to and diplomat for King Dagobert I. Friend of Saint Ouen of Rouen with whom he formed a small religious society. Persuaded Breton King Judicael to accept the authority of Dagobert.
Ordained in 640. Bishop of Noyon, France and Tournai, Belgium in 641. Built the basilica of Saint Paul. Preacher in Antwerp, Ghent, and Courtai in Belgium, with many converts, generally brought to the faith by his example of charity and work with the poor and sick. Friend and spiritual teacher of Saint Godeberta. Encouraged devotion to the saints and reverence for their relics; he discovered the relics of Saint Quentin, Saint Piaton, and Saint Lucian of Beauvais, and made many reliquaries himself. Miracle worker with the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy; he foresaw the date of his own death.
He has become the traditional patron of all smiths, metal workers, and craftsmen. His patronage of horses and the people who work with them stems first from his patronage of smiths and craftmen, but also from his having left a horse to a priest at his death. The new bishop liked the horse, and took it from the priest. The horse became sick, but recovered immediately when it was returned to the priest that Eligius had chosen. There is also a legend of Eligius removing a horse's leg in order to easy shoe it, then putting the leg back in place. In some places horses are blessed on his feast day. Through the years, horse-drawn cabs were replaced by motorized ones, and stables were supplanted by garages and gas stations, but the patronage of the people who do those jobs and work in those places has remained.
Born
588 at Catelat, near Limoges, France
Died
• 1 December 660 at Noyon, France of high fever
• interred in the cathedral of Noyon
Saint Charles de Foucauld
அருளாளர் சார்லஸ் டி ஃபௌகோல்ட்
மறைசாட்சி:
பிறப்பு: செப்டம்பர் 15, 1858
ஸ்ட்ராஸ்பர்க், ஃபிரான்ஸ்
இறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 1, 1916 (வயது 58)
டாமன்ரஸ்செட், ஃபிரென்ச் அல்ஜீரியா
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
அருளாளர் பட்டம்: நவம்பர் 13, 2005
திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட்
நினைவுத் திருவிழா: டிசம்பர் 1
அருளாளர் சார்லஸ் டி ஃபௌகோல்ட், ஒரு ஃபிரென்ச் மறைப்பணியாளரும், கத்தோலிக்க குருவும், அல்ஜீரியாவின் (Algeria) “சஹாரா" (Sahara) பாலைவனத்தில் வாழ்ந்த “துவாரெக்” (Tuareg) மக்களிடையே வாழ்ந்த ஒரு துறவியும் ஆவார். கி.பி. 1916ம் ஆண்டு படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட இவர், கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையினால் மறைசாட்சியாக மதிக்கப்படுகிறார். பின்னாளில் திருத்தந்தை “பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட்” இவருக்கு முக்திபேறு பட்டமளித்து கௌரவித்தார். இவரது எழுத்துக்களும் உத்வேகமும், 1933ம் ஆண்டில் “இயேசுவின் சிறிய சசோதரர்கள்” (Little Brothers of Jesus) என்னும் துறவறசபை நிறுவப்பட வழிவகுத்தது என்பர்.
“சார்லஸ் யூஜின் டி ஃபௌகோல்ட்” (Charles Eugène de Foucauld) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இவர், இளமையிலேயே பெற்றோரை இழந்தவர். இவரின் தாத்தா இவரை வளர்த்தார். இவர் ஃபிரஞ்ச் இராணுவத்தில் ஒரு அதிகாரியாக வட ஆப்பிரிக்காவில் இருந்தபோது இவருக்கு பாலைவனத்தின் தனிமையில் இறைவனைக் காண வேண்டும் என வலுவான உணர்வுகள் உண்டானது. ஆதலால் ஃபிரான்ஸுக்குத் திரும்பி வந்த இவர், பாரிஸ் நகரிலுள்ள “தூய அகஸ்டின்” (Church of Saint Augustin) தேவாலயத்தில், தனது 28ம் வயதில் மனம்மாறினார்.
கி.பி. 1890ம் ஆண்டு, முதலில் ஃபிரான்சிலும், பின்னர் “சிரிய-துருக்கி” (Syrian-Turkish) எல்லையிலுள்ள “அக்பேஸ்” (Akbez) நகரிலுமுள்ள “சிஸ்டேரியன் டிராப்பிஸ்ட்” (Cistercian Trappist order) துறவற சபையில் சேர்ந்த இவர், அங்கு மனநிறைவு அடையாததால் அங்கிருந்து வெளியேறி, கி.பி. 1897ம் ஆண்டில் நாசரேத்துக்கு சென்றார். அங்கே, “எளிய கிளாரா” (Convent of Poor Clares) பள்ளியினருகேயுள்ள இடத்தில் தனிமையிலும் தபம் மற்றும் செபத்திலும் தன் வாழ்வைக் கழித்தார். பின்னர் 1901ல் தென் ஃபிரான்சிலுள்ள “விவியேர்ஸ்” (Viviers) எனுமிடத்திற்கு திரும்பி தனது 43ம் வயதில் குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்றார். இதன் பின்னர் அல்ஜீரியாவில் உள்ள சகாராவில் வனவாசியைப்போல வாழ்ந்துவந்தார். “துவாரெக்” (Tuareg) இன மக்களுக்கு பணி செய்ய அவர்களோடு பத்து வருடம் தங்கியிருந்து அவர்களின் மொழி, கலாச்சாரம் முதலியவைகளைக் கற்று அவர்களின் மொழிக்கு ஒரு அகராதியினை எழுதினார். ஆனால் இவ்வகராதி இவரின் இறப்புக்குப் பின்னரே அச்சாகி வெளியானது.
1916ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், முதல் தேதி, லிபியா (Libya) மற்றும் சூடான் (Sudan) பிராந்தியங்களிலுள்ள இஸ்லாமிய அரசியல்-நாடோடி அமைப்பான “செனுஸ்ஸி” (Senussi Bedouin) எனும் அமைப்புடன் தொடர்புடைய “எல் மதானி அக் சொபா” (El Madani ag Soba) என்பவன் தலைமையிலான ஆயுதம் ஏந்திய குழுவொன்று, சார்லசை அவரது தனிமைக் கோட்டையிலிருந்து வெளியே இழுத்து வந்தது. அவர்களது நோக்கம், சார்லசை கடத்துவதேயாகும். ஆனால், திடீரென இரண்டு காவலர்களால் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்த குழுவிலுள்ள பதினைந்தே வயதான “செர்மி அக் தொரா” (Sermi ag Thora) என்பவன், உடனடியாக துப்பாக்கியால் சார்லசின் நெற்றிப்பொட்டில் சுட்டான். சார்லஸ் உடனடியாக மரணமடைந்தார்.
துவாரெக் இன மக்களின் பாதுகாப்புக்காக சார்லஸ் கட்டிய கோட்டைக் கதவின் வெளியே சுட்டுக் கொல்லப்பட்ட இவர், கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையினால் மறைசாட்சி என கருதப்படுகிறார். இவருக்கு 2005ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், 13ம் நாளன்று, திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட் (Pope Benedict XVI) அருளாளர் பட்டம் அளித்தார்.
Also known as
• Brother Charles of Jesus
• Brother Marie-Alberic
Profile
Born to an aristocratic family; orphaned by age six, he and his sister Mary were raised by their grandfather. Studied at Jesuit schools in Nancy and Paris, France from 1872 to 1875. Entered the Saint-Cyr Military Academy in 1876. Joined the 4th Hussar regiment; in 1880 his unit was sent to Setif, Algeria. He was discharged from the service in March 1881 for misconduct, and moved to Evian, France. During the Revolt of Bon Mama in South Oran two months later, Charles re-enlisted, and fought for the eight months of the rebellion. He became so fascinated with the Arabs that he met that when he could not obtain a leave of absence to study them, he resigned his commission.
He spent 15 months learning Arabic and Hebrew, and then travelled into Morocco. In May 1885 he received the Gold Medal of the French Geographic Society for his work. He explored Algeria and Tunisia from September 1885 through January 1886, returning to Paris in February to work on his book Reconnaissance au Maroc, which was published in 1888. He lived very simply, sleeping on the floor, spending hours each day in prayer at home and in church. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands from November 1888 to February 1889, and spent much of the rest of 1889 in spiritual retreats.
On 16 January 1890 he joined the Trappist monks at the monastery of Notre Dames-des-Neiges, taking the name Brother Marie-Alberic; he moved to the monastery of Akbes, Syria in June. Sent to study in Rome in October 1896, but after three months it became obvious that his heart, head and spirit were elsewhere, and he was released from his vows.
He made multiple pilgrimages through the Holy Lands on foot before returning to France to study for the priesthood. Ordained on 9 June 1901 at Viviers. He moved to the Oran region near Morocco in late 1901 to establish a base and found an order to evangelize Morocco. In 1902 he began a program of buying slaves in order to free them. In 1904 he began evangelizing nomadic Tauregs in the area of south and central Sahara. Translated the Gospels into the language of the Tauregs. In November 1908 he translated Tauareg poetry to French, and he spent years compiling a Taureg lexicon. In March 1909 he succeeded in founding the Union of Brothers and Sisters of the Sacred Heart to evangelize the French colonies in Africa. Killed when caught in the middle of combat between French forces and Arab insurrectionists.
Born
15 September 1858 in Strasbourg, France as Charles Eugenie de Foucauld
Died
shot on 1 December 1916 at Tamanrasset, Algeria
Beatified
• 13 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated by Cardinal Saraiva Martins at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
Canonized
• 15 May 2022 by Pope Francises
• the canonization miracle involved the healing of a young man from the injuries sustained in a 50 foot fall; the healing occurred on 30 November 2016 in Saumur, France at the end of a novena prayed in preparation for the centenary of the death of Blessed Charles
Saint Edmund Campion
புனிதர் எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியன்
மறைப்பணியாளர், கத்தோலிக்க குரு, மறைசாட்சி:
பிறப்பு: ஜனவரி 24, 1540
லண்டன், இங்கிலாந்து அரசு
இறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 1, 1581 (வயது 41)
டைபர்ன், இங்கிலாந்து அரசு
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
முக்திப்பேறு பட்டம்: டிசம்பர் 9, 1886
திருத்தந்தை பதின்மூன்றாம் லியோ
புனிதர் பட்டம்: அக்டோபர் 25, 1970
திருத்தந்தை முத்திப்பேறு பெற்ற 6ம் பால்
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: டிசம்பர் 1
இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டில், கி.பி. 1581ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் முதல் தேதி, 41 வயது நிறைந்த இயேசு சபை அருள் பணியாளர் ஒருவர் தூக்கு மேடைக்கு இழுத்துச் செல்லப்பட்டார். “டைபர்ன்” (Tyburn) எனுமிடத்தில் தூக்கிலிடப்பட்டு, அவரது உடல் நான்கு கூறுகளாக வெட்டப்படவேண்டும் என்று தீர்ப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. அவரது உடல் நான்கு கூறுகளாக வெட்டப்பட்டபோது, அருகில் நின்று இதைப் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்த ஓர் இளையவரின் உடையில், கொல்லப்பட்ட அருட்பணியாளரின் இரத்தத் துளிகள் விழுந்தன. அந்த இளையவர் இந்தக் காட்சியால் பெரிதும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு, அந்த உடையை ஒரு புனிதப் பொருளாகக் காத்ததோடு, அவரும் ஒரு சில ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து, இயேசு சபையில் இணைந்து, மறைசாட்சியாக மரணம் அடைந்தார். அந்த இளையவரின் பெயர், வணக்கத்திற்குரிய (Henry Walpole). அவரது உடையில் சிந்திய இரத்தத்திற்குச் சொந்தக் காரர், புனிதர் எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியன் (Edmund Campion).
புனிதர் எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியன், ஆங்கிலேய ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க “இயேசுசபை” (Jesuit) குருவும், மறைசாட்சியுமாவார். இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டில், இரகசிய நற்செய்தி பரப்பும் ஊழியம் செய்துகொண்டிருந்த வேளையில், பிரிட்டிஷ் அரசின் படைகள் (British forces) சார்பில் கத்தோலிக்க குருக்களை உளவு பார்க்கும் அலுவர்களால் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு, தேசவிரோத குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட கேம்பியன், மரணதண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டு, “லண்டன்” (London) மாநகரிலுள்ள “டைபர்ன்” (Tyburn) எனுமிடத்தில் தூக்கிலிடப்பட்டு, தெருக்களில் இழுத்துச் செல்லப்பட்டு, நான்காக வெட்டப்பட்டு, குரூரமாக கொல்லப்பட்டார்.
கி.பி. 1540ம் ஆண்டு, ஜனவரி மாதம், 24ம் தேதி, லண்டன் மாநகரில் பிறந்த எட்மண்ட், புனித சின்னப்பர் (St. Paul's Cathedral) தேவாலயத்தினருகே புத்தகம் விற்பனை செய்பவரின் மகனாவார். “கிறிஸ்துவின் மருத்துவமனை (Christ's Hospital school) பள்ளியில் ஆரம்ப கல்வி கற்ற இவர், தமது பதின்மூன்று வயதில், கி.பி. 1553ம் வருடம், ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம், நகருக்கு வருகை தந்த இங்கிலாந்து அரசி “முதலாம் மேரி” (Queen Mary I of England) அவர்களுக்கு வரவேற்புரை வழங்கத் தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்டார்.
தமது அறிவுத்திறனால் பேரும், புகழும் பெற்ற இவர், “ஆக்ஸ்ஃபோர்டிலுள்ள செயின்ட் ஜான் (St John's College, Oxford) கல்லூரியில் உயர்கல்வி பெற்றார். இரண்டு வருடங்களின் பின்னர் பல்கலைக் கழகத்திற்கு வருகை தந்த இங்கிலாந்து அரசி “முதலாம் எலிசபெத்” (Queen Elizabeth I of England) அவர்களுக்கு வரவேற்புரையாற்றினார். அரசியின் நீடித்த மதிப்பை வென்றார். அரசியின் முன்னிலையில் நடந்த ஒரு பொது விவாதத்தில் தலைமையேற்கும் சந்தர்ப்பத்தை வெற்றிகரமாக நிறைவேற்றினார்.
மதக்கலவரங்கள் எழுந்திருந்த அக்காலத்தில், கத்தோலிக்க கோட்பாடுகளைக் கொண்டிருந்தாலும், கி.பி. 1564ம் ஆண்டு, “ரிச்சர்ட்” (Richard Cheyney) எனும் ஆங்கிலிக்கன் ஆயரின் தூண்டுதலின் பேரில், ஆங்கிலிக்கன் திருச்சபையின் திருத்தொண்டராக (Deacon) பதவியேற்றார். கி.பி. 1569ம் ஆண்டு, ஆக்ஸ்ஃபோர்ட் விட்டு சென்ற எட்மண்ட், தமது தனிப்பட்ட கல்வி மற்றும் ஆராய்ச்சிகளுக்காக “அயர்லாந்து” (Ireland) சென்றார்.
இவருக்கு அயர்லாந்தில், அந்நாட்டின் பாராளுமன்றத்தின் (Irish House of Commons) சபாநாயகரான “ஜேம்ஸ்” (James Stanyhurst) என்பவரின் மகனான “ரிச்சர்ட்” (Richard Stanihurst) என்பவருக்கு கல்வி கற்பிக்கும் பொறுப்பு தரப்பட்டது.
கி.பி. 1571ம் ஆண்டு, அயர்லாந்திலிருந்து இரகசியமாக தப்பிச் சென்ற கேம்பியன், தற்போதைய வடக்கு ஃபிரான்சிலுள்ள “டோவாய்” (Douai) சென்றார். அங்கே, கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையுடன் சமரசம் செய்துகொண்டார். கடந்த பன்னிரண்டு வருடங்களாக தாம் மறுத்து வந்த தூய நற்கருனையைப் பெற்றார். “வில்லியம் ஆலன்” (William Allen) நிறுவிய “ஆங்கிலேய” (English College) கல்லூரியில் சேர்ந்தார். அங்கே அவர் துணை திருத்தொண்டரானார்.
தன் வாழ்வை, ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சபையில் ஆரம்பித்த எட்மண்ட், பின்னர், கத்தோலிக்க மறையைத் தழுவினார். இயேசு சபையில் சேரவிழைந்த இவர், தன் 33வது வயதில், ரோம் நகர் நோக்கி நடைபயணம் மேற்கொண்டார். திருத்தொண்டராக அருட்பொழிவு பெற்ற இவர், “ப்ராக்” (Prague) நகரிலுள்ள இயேசுசபை கல்லூரியில் ஆறு வருடங்கள் சொல்லாட்சி மற்றும் தத்துவம் (Rhetoric and Philosophy) கற்பிக்கும் பேராசிரியராக பணியாற்றினார்.
கி.பி. 1580ம் ஆண்டு, இயேசுசபையினரின் இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டுக்கான மறைப்பணிகள் தொடங்கின. கண்டிப்பாக தடை செய்யப்பட்ட இத்திட்டத்துக்கு, எட்மண்ட், அருட்தந்தை “ராபர்ட்” (Fr. Robert Persons) என்பவருடன் உடன் சென்றார். அருட்பணியாளரான எட்மண்ட், மீண்டும் கி.பி. 1580ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், ஒரு வைர வர்த்தகரைப் போல வேடமணிந்து இங்கிலாந்துக்குள் நுழைந்தார். இங்கிலாந்து நாட்டில், கத்தோலிக்க மறைக்கு எதிராக எழுந்த கலவரங்களால் கத்தோலிக்க மக்கள் மறைந்து வாழ்ந்தனர். அவர்கள் மத்தியில் எட்மண்ட் கடினமாக உழைத்து, அவர்களுக்கு நம்பிக்கை அளித்தார். மறைவாக இரகசிய மறைபோதகம் செய்தார். கி.பி. 1581ம் ஆண்டு, “ஜார்ஜ் எலியட்” (George Eliot) என்ற உளவாளியால் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட இவர், கை விலங்கிடப்பட்டு லண்டன் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டார். “லண்டன் டவர்” (Tower of London) என்றழைக்கப்படும் சிறைச்சாலையில் நான்கு நாட்கள் தனிமைச் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். பின்னர், வெளியே அழைத்து வரப்பட்ட இவரிடம் நகரின் மூன்று பிரபுக்கள் விசாரணை நடத்தினர். அரசி எலிசபெத் இங்கிலாந்தின் உண்மையான அரசி என்று ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளுமாறு வலியுறுத்தினர். அவ்வாறு செய்யும் பட்சத்தில், சுதந்திரம், பணம் உள்ளிட்ட வசதிகள் அனைத்தும் கிடைக்கும் என்றும் அவருக்கு “கேண்டர்பரி பேராயர்” (Archbishopric of Canterbury) பதவி கிடைக்கும் என்றும் கூறினார். ஆனால் அவற்றை ஏற்காத கேம்பியன், லண்டன் டவர் சிறைச் சாலையில் தனிமை சிறையில் நான்கு மாதங்களுக்கும் மேலாக அடைக்கப்பட்டு, கொடூரமான துன்புறுத்தல்களுக்கு ஆளானார்.
அதன்பின்னர் நீதிமன்ற விசாரனைகளுக்குள்ளான கேம்பியன் மற்றும் பிற அருட்தந்தையருக்கு தலைமை நீதிபதி “வ்ரே” (Lord Chief Justice Wray) என்பவரால் பின்வரும் தண்டனை வாசிக்கப்பட்டது:
“நீங்களனைவரும் தூக்கிலிடப்படும் நாள்வரை, எங்கிருந்து வந்தீர்களோ, அங்கேயே கொண்டுபோகப்படுவீர்கள். உங்களை தூக்கிலிடப்படும் நாளன்று, நீங்கள் லண்டன் மாநகர வீதிகளில் இழுத்துச் செல்லப்படுவீர்கள். உங்களை தூக்கிலிடுவார்கள்; ஆனால், உயிருடனேயே நீங்கள் கழுமரத்திளிருந்து இறக்கப்படுவீர்கள். உங்களுடைய உடலின் மறைவான பாகங்கள் வெட்டி எறியப்படும். உங்களுடைய குடல் வெளியே எடுக்கப்பட்டு, உங்கள் கண் முன்னாலேயே எரிக்கப்படும். பிறகு, உங்கள் தலை வெட்டப்படும். மகாராணியின் மாட்சிமையின் மகிழ்ச்சிக்காக, உங்கள் உடல் நான்கு பாகங்களாக வெட்டப்படும். கடவுள் உங்கள் ஆன்மாவுக்கு இரக்கம் காட்டுவாராக.”
டிசம்பர் 1ம் தேதியன்று, எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியன், இரு அருட்தந்தையர் “ரால்ஃப் ஷெர்வின்” மற்றும் “அலெக்சாண்டர் பிரியன்ட்” (Fathers Ralph Sherwin and Alexander Briant) ஆகிய மூவருக்கும் அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட தண்டனை அப்படியே நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டது. மறைசாட்சியாக மரணம் அடைந்தார்.
திருத்தந்தை “13ம் லியோ” (Pope Leo XIII) அவர்கள், கேம்பியனுக்கு கி.பி. 1886ம் ஆண்டு முக்திப்பேறு பட்டமளித்தார். 1970ம் ஆண்டு, திருத்தந்தை அருளாளர் “6ம் பவுல்” (Pope Paul VI) அவர்கள், “இங்கிலாந்து மற்றும் வேல்ஸ்” நாடுகளின் நாற்பது மறைசாட்சியர்களுள் ஒருவராக, எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியனுக்கு புனிதர் பட்டம் அளித்தார். புனிதர் எட்மண்ட் கேம்பியன் அவர்களின் நினைவுத் திருநாள் டிசம்பர் மாதம், முதல் தேதி கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது.
Also known as
• Edmundus Campion
• The Pope's Champion
Additional Memorials
• 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
Son of a Catholic bookseller named Edmund whose family converted to Anglicanism. The boy planned to enter his father's trade, but earned a scholarship to Saint John's College, Oxford under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I's court favorite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Sought after speaker. Queen Elizabeth offered him a deaconate in the Church of England. He declined the offer, fled to the continent, and joined the Jesuits. Ordained in 1578.
He spent some time working in Bohemia, then returned to London,England as part of a Jesuit mission, crossing the Channel disguised as a jewel merchant. Edmund worked with Jesuit brother Saint Nicholas Owen. In London he wrote a description of his new mission in which he explained his work was religious, not political; it became known as Campion's Brag. Widely distributed, it encouraged many Catholics to remain loyal to their faith. It also led to Edmund's arrest, imprisonment and torture in the Tower of London, and martyrdom.
Born
24 January 1540 at London, England
Died
• hanged, drawn, and quartered on 1 December 1581 at Tyburn, London, England
• parts of his body were displayed at each of the four city gates as a warning to other Catholics
• relics at Rome, Prague, London, Oxford, Stonyhurst, and Roehampton
Canonized
May 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Blessed Liduina Meneguzzi
Also known as
• Ecumenical Flame
• Elisa Angela Meneguzzi
• Sister Gudda (Ethiopian nickname)
• Sister Great (meaning of Gudda)
• Sister Liduina
Profile
Born to a poor farm family. Noted as a child for her piety, attending daily Mass, praying often, teaching catechism as soon as she was old enough, and considering the religious life. At age 14 she began working as a servant to local wealthy families, and in the hotels around the hot springs of Abano. On 5 March 1926 she answered the call to religious life and joined the Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Francis de Sales.
She worked for years at the Santa Croce boarding school as housekeeper, sacristan, nurse and big sister to the girls. In 1937 she was finally allowed to enter the mission fields, working at Dire-Dawa, Ethiopia, a cosmopolitan, crossroads city with people of many backgrounds, races and religions including Catholics, Copts, Muslims and native pagans. Liduina worked as a nurse in the Parini Civil Hospital first with civilian patients, and after the outbreak of World War II, with injured soldiers. When the city was bombed she worked in the streets, carrying the wounded to shelter, baptizing dying children, leading dying Christians through acts of contrition.
Her work with the Ethiopians, black and white, Christian, Muslim and neither, gave her the chance to speak to them all about the faith. She would tell any who would listen about the goodness of God the Father; her example led many to ask, and her ecumenism anticipated the later work of Vatican II.
Born
12 September 1901 in Abano Terme, Padua, Italy as Elisa Angela Meneguzzi
Died
• 2 December 1941 of cancer in Dire-Dawa, Ethiopia
• at the insistence of the injured soldiers who loved her, she was buried in the military graveyard at Dire-Dawa
• relics translated to the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Francis de Sales in Padua, Italy in July 1961
Beatified
20 October 2002 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Alexander Briant
Additional Memorials
• 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
Born to a yoeman family, described as a handsome young man, and raised Protestant. Studied in Oxford. Convert to Catholicism. Studied at the English College at Rheims, France. Ordained on 29 March 1578.
Returned to Somersetshire, England as a missioner in August 1579. Arrested on 28 April 1581 in London at the home of Father Robert Persons. Tortured in the Tower of London, partially for information on Father Robert's location. During this misery, he wrote to the Jesuits, asking for admission; they accepted him sometime in his last weeks in prison.
Condemned to death with six other priests on 16 November 1581 at Westminster for the treason of priesthood. Martyred with Saint Ralph Sherwin and Saint Edmund Campion in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I. One of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
In prison, Alexander made himself a small wooden cross, and gripped it tightly all the times, even during trial. In the courtroom it was wrestled away from him. He told the judge, "You can take it out of my hands, but not out of my heart." The cross was later bought by Catholics, and is at the English College at Rome.
Born
1556 at Somersetshire, England
Died
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 1 December 1581 at Tyburn, England
Canonized
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Saint Ralph Sherwin
Additional Memorial
• 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
A fellow and noted classical scholar at Exeter College, Oxford, England; he received his Master of Arts degree on 2 July 1574. Convert to Catholicism in 1575. Studied for the priesthood at the English College, Douai, France; ordained on 23 March 1577. He then studied at the English College, Rome, Italy where he became a leader of the English students. Returned to England on 1 August 1580 to minister to covert Catholics. On 9 November 1580 he was arrested in London for the crime of priesthood, and imprisoned in Marshalsea prison; he ministered to fellow prisoners, and converted many of them. In December 1580 he was transferred to the Tower of London where he was tortured on the rack and thrown out into the snow to recover. Queen Elizabeth offered to make him a bishop if he would renounce the Catholic Church; he refused. Convicted with several other priests on 20 November 1581 of treason for promoting Catholicism. Proto-martyr of the English College, Rome.
Born
c.1550 at Rodsley, Derbyshire, England
Died
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 1 December 1581 at Tyburn, London, England
Canonized
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Saint Ansanus the Baptizer
Also known as
• Ansanus of Siena
• Apostle of Siena
• Amsanus, Ampsanus, Anisanus, Ansano, Sano
Profile
Born into the imperial Roman nobility, the son of a pagan senator. Christian convert at age twelve. His father denounced him to the authorities. The boy escaped, and converted so many pagans in Bagnorea and Siena, Italy that he gained the title the Baptizer. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
Died
• beheaded in 304 on the road outside Siena, Italy
• church built over the site of the execution
• relics transferred to the cathedral of Siena, Italy in 1107
Blessed Bruna Pellesi
Also known as
Sister Maria Rosa of Jesus
Profile
Youngest of nine children. When her two sisters-in-law died, the teenaged Bruna helped raised their six small children. On 27 August 1940 she joined the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Christ (formerly Franciscan Sisters of Sant'Onofrio), taking the name Maria Rosa of Jesus. Taught elementary school in Sassuolo, Italy from 1942 to 1945. Known for working endlessly as a way to suppress her ego. Taught for a few months at the parish school in Ferrara, Italy in 1945, but contracted tuberculosis and was hospitalized, transferred to a series of sanitoriums, and finally confined for the rest of her days where she fought the disease and helped her sisters with their spiritual development. Made three pilgrimages to Lourdes.
Born
11 November 1917 in Morano di Prignano sulla Secchia, Modena, Italy as Bruna Pellesi
Died
1 December 1972 in Sassuolo, Reggio Emilia, Italy of complications from tuberculosis
Beatified
29 April 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Alphonsine Anuarite Nengapeta
Also known as
Sister Marie Clementine
Profile
Born to a non-Christian family, the daughter of Nengapeta. With her mother and sisters, she converted to Christianity, taking the name Alfonsina. Nun, a member of the Nivelles, Belgium based Congregation of the Holy Family, making her first profession on 5 August 1959. Served as a sacristan and cook at her house, and a elementary school teacher. Captured during the civil war in the Congo, she was murdered by her captors when they tried to rape her and she responded by fighting them off while praying. Martyr.
Born
1941 in Wamba, Orientale, Democratic Republic of Congo
Died
beaten to death on 1 December 1964 in Isiro, Orientale, Democratic Republic of Congo
Beatified
15 August 1985 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed John Beche
Also known as
Thomas Marshall
Profile
Benedictine monk. Doctor of Divinity from Oxford in 1515. Abbot of Saint Werburgh abbey, Chester, England. Abbot of Saint John's abbey, Colchester, England on 10 June 1530. Friend of Saint John Fisher and Saint John More. Initially opposed King Henry VIII's presumption of supremacy in spiritual matters, but he and sixteen of his monks took take the Oath of Supremacy on 7 July 1534. When his abbey was dissolved in November 1538, he denied the king's right to do so, and refused to surrender the keys. For his belated defense of the abbey, he was charged with treason, and lodged in the Tower of London. Released and re-arrested, he was tried by a special commission in Colchester in November 1539. He stood by the supremacy of the Church in matters spiritual, and the right of the Church to manage its own affairs. Martyr. Venerated in the dioceses of Westminster and Brentwood, and by the English Benedictines.
Born
English
Died
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 1 December 1539 at Colchester, England
Beatified
13 May 1895 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)
Blessed Kazimierz Tomasz Sykulski
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Profile
Priest in the diocese of Radom, Poland, serving in the Konskie parish. Imprisoned, tortured, sent to the Auschwitz forced labour camp, and eventually executed during the Nazi persecutions of World War II for refusing to stop preaching Christianity.
Born
29 December 1882 in Konskie, Swietokrzyskie, Poland
Died
shot on 11 December 1942 in Oswiecim (Auschwitz), Malopolskie, Nazi-occupied Poland
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Natalia of Nicomedia
புனித_நடாலியா (நான்காம் நூற்றாண்டு)
டிசம்பர் 01
இவர் (#StNataliaOfNicomedia) நிகோமேதியாவில் - தற்போதைய துருக்கியில் - பிறந்தவர். இவர் அட்ரியன் என்பவரை மணமுடித்து மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியாக வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்.
இந்த அட்ரியன் அப்போது உரோமையை ஆண்ட மாக்சிமியான் என்பவனிடம் படைவீரராகப் பணிபுரிந்து வந்தார். கிறிஸ்தவர்களைக் கூண்டோடு அழிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதுதான் மாக்சிமியானின் திட்டமாக இருந்தது.
ஒருமுறை கிறிஸ்துவின்மீது நம்பிக்கை கொண்ட 23 கிறிஸ்தவர்கள் மாக்சிமியானுக்கு முன்பாக இழுத்து வரப்பட்டார்கள். அவர்களை கடுமையாகச் சித்திரவதை செய்து, கொல்ல வேண்டிய பொறுப்பை மாக்சிமியான் அட்ரியனிடம் ஒப்படைத்தான். அட்ரியான் அவர்களைக் கொல்ல முயன்றபோது, அவர்கள் கிறிஸ்துவின்மீது ஆழமான நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்ததைக் கண்டு, மனம்மாறிக் கிறிஸ்துவை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார்.
இச்செய்தியை அறிந்த மாக்சிமியான் அட்ரியானைப் பிடித்துச் சிறையில் அடைத்தான். தன் கணவர் கிறிஸ்துவின்மீது கொண்ட நம்பிக்கைக்காகச் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த செய்தியைக் கேள்விப்பட்டு, நடாலியா வருந்தவில்லை; மாறாக இவர் சிறைக்குச் சென்று, தன் கணவனையும், அவரோடு இருந்தவர்களையும் தேற்றினார்.
இதையடுத்து வந்த நாள்களில், மாக்சிமியான் அட்ரியானிடமும் அவரோடு இருந்தவர்களிடமும், கிறிஸ்துவை மறுதலித்துவிட்டு, உரோமைக் கடவுளை வழிபடச் சொன்னதற்கு அவர்கள் மறுப்புத் தெரிவித்ததால், அவன் அவர்கள் அனைவரையும் கொன்று போட்டான்.
நடாலியா தன் கணவர் இறந்த ஒருசில நாள்களிலேயே இறந்து போனார்.
Profile
Christian woman married to a non-Christian Nicomedian imperial officer named Adrian. Her husband was so impressed by Christians persecuted by Diocletian that he openly declared he was a Christian, though he hadn't even been baptized; he was immediately arrested. Natalia visited him, arranged for his instruction in the faith, and ministered to other prisoners. When Adrian was sentenced to death and could have no visitors, Natalia disguised herself as a boy and bribed her way in to see him. On 8 September 304 she watched Adrian's tortured execution, and had to be restrained from throwing herself on the funeral pyre. When a storm put out the fire, she managed to recover Adrian's hand, which she kept as a relic. She then moved to Argyropolis where she lived out the rest of her days alone.
Born
3rd century
Died
1 December 311 at Argyropolis of natural causes
Saint Simon of Cyrene
Also known as
Simon the Cyrenian
Profile
First century convert. Father of Saint Rufus. Helped Christ carry the cross on the way to Calvary. Missionary to France. First bishop of Avignon, France. Martyr.
Died
crucified c.100
Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus
Also known as
• Libânia Do Carmo Galvão Mexia de Moura Telles de Albuquerque
• Maria Clara do Menino Jesus
• Mother Clara
Profile
Joined the Capuchin Tertiaries of Our Lady of the Conception in 1869, taking the name Sister Maria Clara of the Child Jesus. Founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception; they were approved by the Vatican on 27 March 1876.
Born
15 June 1843 in Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal
Died
• 1 December 1899 in Lisbon, Portugal of natural causes
• interred at the General House of the Franciscan Hospitallers, Linda-a-Pastora, near Lisbon
Beatified
21 May 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Agericus of Verdun
Also known as
Aguy, Airy, Algeric
Profile
Born to a poor farm family. Parish priest at Saint Peter and Paul Church, Verdun, France. Bishop of Verdun in 554. Advisor to King Childebert II. Noted for his generosity to the poor. Reputed miracle worker in his later years.
Once a local rebel leader named Bertifroi sought sanctuary in the chapel of bishop Agericus in Verdun. Though a member of the royal court himself, Agericus defended the rebel's right to sanctuary in a house of God. The king's men, however, ignored the tradition and the bishop, broke into the chapel, and killed Bertefroi.
Born
• c.521 at Verdun, France in a field where his mother was working the crops
• she gave him the name Agericus because of his agricultural beginning
Died
588 in Verdun, France of natural causes
Saint Olympiades
Also known as
Olympias
Profile
Pagan imperial Roman consul and magistrate who conducted the trial against Saint Firmina of Amelia for her faith. Her beauty, her strength and her resolve caused him to fall for her, but when he tried to force himself on her physically, he became paralyzed until she prayed over him. This demonstration of the power of her faith caused him to convert to Christianity. Martyred by order of his magisterial replacement, Megezio, in the persecutions of Diocletian.
Died
• tortured to death in 303 at Amelia, Umbria, Italy
• buried on the estate of Agoliano on 1 December 303
Saint Evasius of Asti
Memorial
12 November in Casale Monferrato, Italy (translation of relics)
Profile
First bishop of Asti in the Piedmont of Italy. Opponent of Arianism, which led to his martyrdom under Julian the Apostate. There are serveral accounts of his life, but none are reliable.
Born
Benevento, Italy
Died
c.362 at Casale Monferrato, Italy
Saint Didorus
Also known as
Diodorus
Profile
In 283 an entire congregation was martyred in the persecutions of Numerian when they assembled in the catacombs for prayers - and were walled in to suffocate or starve. The only names that have come down to us are Saint Didorus and Saint Marianus.
Born
Roman citizen
Died
283 in the catacombs in Rome, Italy
Blessed Richard Langley
Profile
Member of the English gentry and lifelong layman. Condemned for travelling with Blessed Robert Morton, and for paying sixpence for Robert's supper. Martyr.
Born
Ousethorpe, Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged on 1 December 1586 at York, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Castritian of Milan
Also known as
Castritien
Profil
Bishop of Milan, Italy for 42 years. Noted for establishing care for the poor and travellers, and for restoring the diocese following years of persecution.
Died
137
Saint Domnolus of Le Mans
Also known as
Domnole
Profile
Monk. Abbot of Saint-Laurent Abbey in Paris, France. Bishop of Cenómano, Neustria (modern Le Mans, France) in 543. Founded a number of monasteries, churches and hospitals in his diocese. Miracle worker.
Died
581 in Le Mans, France of natural causes
Saint Marianus
Profile
In 283 an entire congregation was martyred in the persecutions of Numerian when they assembled in the catacombs for prayers - and were walled in to suffocate or starve. The only names that have come down to us are Saint Marianus and Saint Didorus.
Born
Roman citizen
Died
283 in the catacombs in Rome, Italy
Saint Constantine of Javron
Also known as
Constantian of Javron
Profile
Monk at the Saint-Mesmin de Micy Abbey, France. Hermit at Jaron, Maine, France. Founded and served as first abbot of Javron Abbey.
Born
in Auvergne, France
Died
570 of natural causes
Blessed Antony Bonfadini
Profile
Franciscan Friar Minor. Noted preacher in Italy. Missionary to the Holy Land.
Born
1400 at Ferrara, Italy
Died
1482 at Cotignola, diocese of Faenza, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
1901 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)
Saint Leontius of Fréjus
Profile
Bishop of Fréjus, Provence, France, c.419 until his death. Supported the abbey at Lérins, France. Friend of Saint John Cassian who dedicated many of his writings to Leontius.
Died
c.432 in Fréjus, Provence (in modern France)
Saint Resignatus of Maastricht
Also known as
Renato, Renatus
Profile
Son of Resignatus of Koblenz, a knight and Aielis. Bishop of Maastricht, Netherlands in 437, serving for 28 years.
Born
Netherlands
Died
465 of natural causes
Nahum the Prophet
Profile
Old Testament minor prophet. His short prophecy is directed against Niniveh, whose destruction he warned of and saw.
Born
northern Palestine
Died
c.660 BC
Saint Florence of Poitiers
Profile
Convert, brought to the faith by Saint Hilary of Poitiers while he was in exile. She then went with him back to Poitiers, France and became a nun.
Died
c.365 in Poitiers, France of natural causes
Saint Ursicinus of Brescia
Profile
Bishop of Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. Participated in the Council of Sardica in 347.
Died
• 347 at Brescia, Italy
• his shrine still exists
Blessed Christian of Perugia
Profile
One of the first spiritual students of Saint Dominic de Guzman. Helped found the friary at Perugia, Italy.
Saint Martinus
Profile
With Saint Declan, he was an eighth century evangelist to the Germanic people who had been brought the faith by Saint Boniface of Crediton.
Saint Candres of Maastricht
Profile
Fifth century regional bishop. Evangelized the territory of Maastricht, Netherlands.
Saint Declan
Profile
Eighth century evangelist to the Germanic people who had been brought the faith by Saint Boniface of Crediton. Worked with Saint Martinus.
Saint Proculus of Narni
Profile
Bishop of Narni, Italy. Executed by order of the Gothic King Totila.
Died
c.542
Saint Agnofleta
Also known as
Nofleta
Profile
Saint Agnofleta (also known as Nofleta) is a 5th-century saint who is said to have been a martyr of the Christian faith. She is venerated in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
According to legend, Agnofleta was a young Christian woman who lived in the city of Aquileia, in what is now northern Italy. She was arrested during the Diocletianic persecutions (303-311 AD) and brought before the local governor, who tried to persuade her to renounce her faith. Agnofleta refused, and she was sentenced to death.
Agnofleta was beheaded, and her body was thrown into the sea. However, her body was miraculously found by a group of fishermen, who buried it in a nearby church. Agnofleta's shrine became a popular pilgrimage site, and she is said to have worked many miracles.
Born
French
Saint Filatus of Rome
Also known as
Philatus
Profile
Saint Filatus of Rome (also known as Philatus) is a 3rd-century saint who is said to have been a martyr of the Christian faith. He is venerated in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
According to legend, Filatus was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity. He was arrested during the persecution of the emperor Decius (249-251 AD) and brought before the local prefect. Filatus was tortured and then beheaded for refusing to renounce his faith.
Filatus' body was buried in a cemetery on the Via Salaria, in what is now Rome. His tomb became a popular pilgrimage site, and he is said to have worked many miracles.
Died
Rome, Italy
Saint Florentius
Profile
Sixth century holy man at Amboise, Touraine, France. Friend of Saint Germain in Paris, France.
Saint Rogatus of Rome
Profile
Rogatus is said to have been a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (249-251 AD). He was arrested and brought before the emperor, who tried to persuade him to renounce his faith. Rogatus refused, and he was sentenced to death. He was beheaded, and his body was thrown into the Tiber River.
Rogatus is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of those who are persecuted for their faith.
Died
Rome, Italy
Saint Grwst
Profile
Namesake for Llanrwst, Clwyd, Wales.
Born
seventh century Wales
Saint Marina of Rome
Profile
According to tradition, Marina was a young Christian woman who lived in Rome during the 3rd century. She was arrested during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (249-251 AD) and brought before the emperor. Marina refused to renounce her faith, and she was sentenced to death. She was beheaded, and her body was thrown into the Tiber River.
Marina's body was miraculously found by a group of Christians, and they buried it in a cemetery on the outskirts of Rome. Her tomb became a popular pilgrimage site, and she is said to have worked many miracles.
Marina is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox Church. She is the patron saint of those who are persecuted for their faith.
Died
Rome, Italy
Saint Ananias of Arbela
Profile
St. Ananias of Arbela was a layman who was martyred for his faith during the persecution of Christians under King Shapur II of Persia in the 4th century.
According to tradition, Ananias was a devout Christian who lived in the city of Arbela (now Erbil, Iraq) during the reign of King Shapur II. Shapur was a staunch Zoroastrian who sought to eradicate Christianity from his kingdom. In 343 AD, he launched a violent persecution of Christians, and many were put to death for refusing to renounce their faith.
Ananias was one of those who were arrested during the persecution. He was brought before Ardishag, the governor of Arbela, who tried to persuade him to recant his Christianity. However, Ananias remained steadfast in his faith, and he was sentenced to death.
Ananias was scourged and then left for dead. However, he miraculously survived, and he was taken home by fellow Christians. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries the next day and died a martyr for his faith.
Ananias is venerated as a saint in the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. He is a symbol of courage and unwavering faith in the face of persecution. His story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of Christ can shine through.
Saint Candida of Rome
Profile
Saint Candida of Rome is a martyr of the Christian faith who is said to have died in Rome, Italy. She is often confused with Saint Candida the Elder, an early Christian woman who lived in Naples, Italy. However, Saint Candida of Rome is a distinct saint, and her story is separate from that of Saint Candida the Elder.
According to tradition, Saint Candida of Rome was a young Christian woman who lived in Rome during the early 4th century. She was arrested during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian (284-305 AD) and brought before the emperor's magistrates. Candida refused to renounce her faith, and she was sentenced to death. She was decapitated, and her body was thrown into the Tiber River.
Candida's body was miraculously found by a group of Christians, and they buried it in a cemetery on the outskirts of Rome. Her tomb became a popular pilgrimage site, and she is said to have worked many miracles.
Died
Rome, Italy
Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
A joint commemoration of all the men who studied at one of the colleges of Oxford University, and who were later martyred for their loyalty to the Catholic Church during the official persecutions in the Protestant Reformation. They are
• Blessed Edward James • Blessed Edward Powell • Blessed Edward Stransham • Blessed George Napper • Blessed George Nichols • Blessed Hugh More • Blessed Humphrey Pritchard • Blessed James Bell • Blessed James Fenn • Blessed John Bodey • Blessed John Cornelius • Blessed John Forest • Blessed John Ingram • Blessed John Mason • Blessed John Munden • Blessed John Shert • Blessed John Slade • Blessed John Storey • Blessed Lawrence Richardson • Blessed Mark Barkworth • Blessed Richard Bere • Blessed Richard Rolle de Hampole • Blessed Richard Sergeant • Blessed Richard Thirkeld • Blessed Richard Yaxley • Blessed Robert Anderton • Blessed Robert Nutter • Blessed Robert Widmerpool • Blessed Stephen Rowsham • Blessed Thomas Belson • Blessed Thomas Cottam • Blessed Thomas Pilcher • Blessed Thomas Plumtree • Blessed Thomas Reynolds • Blessed William Filby • Blessed William Hart • Blessed William Hartley • Saint Alexander Briant • Saint Cuthbert Mayne • Saint Edmund Campion • Saint John Boste • Saint John of Bridlington • Saint John Roberts • Saint Ralph Sherwin • Saint Thomas Garnet • Saint Thomas More •
Anthony the Younger
Saint Antony the Younger (Greek: Ἀντώνιος ὁ Νέος; 785 – 11 November 865) was a Byzantine military officer who became a monk and saint. He is commemorated by the Eastern Orthodox Church on 1 December.
Antony was born in Constantinople in 785 to a middle-class family. He was raised in the Christian faith and received a good education. As a young man, he joined the Byzantine army and served with distinction. He participated in the suppression of the rebellion of Thomas the Slav in 822–823, then spent ten months in Constantinople in 823–824, before returning to his theme and leading the repulsion of an Arab attack on either Attaleia or Syllaion.
In 824, Antony decided to leave the military and become a monk. He moved to Bithynia and entered the monastery of Saint Chrysogonus. There he received monastic training and was eventually ordained a priest. Antony quickly became known for his piety, asceticism, and spiritual gifts. He attracted many disciples and became a leader of the monastic community in Bithynia.
In 855, Antony was appointed abbot of the monastery of Saint Stephanos in Constantinople. He served as abbot for ten years, during which time he continued to teach and guide his disciples. Antony also played a role in the theological and political debates of the time. He defended the orthodox teachings of the Church against the heresy of Iconoclasm and supported the policies of the Emperor Michael III.
Antony died on 11 November 865 and was buried in the monastery of Saint Stephanos. He is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church and is considered a patron saint of monks and soldiers.
Arnold II of Cologne
Arnold II (1150–1259) was a German prelate and archbishop of Trier from 1245 to his death in 1259.
Arnold was born into a noble family in Cologne in 1150. He was elected archbishop of Trier in 1245. He was a skilled administrator and helped to improve the financial situation of his diocese. He was also a patron of the arts and learning and helped to establish a number of schools and monasteries in his diocese.
Girolamo de Pratis
Girolamo de Pratis (died 1431) was a Spanish Mercedarian friar who was martyred in Tunis, Tunisia. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Early life
Girolamo was born in Aragon, Spain, and joined the Mercedarian order in the early 15th century. He was known for his humility, patience, and devotion to prayer.
Mission to Tunis
In 1431, Girolamo was sent on a mission to Tunis to redeem Christian slaves. Upon arriving in Tunis, he was captured by the local authorities and imprisoned. Despite being offered his freedom in exchange for renouncing his faith, Girolamo refused to apostatize.
Martyrdom
Girolamo was eventually sentenced to death by crucifixion. He was tied to a cross and pierced with arrows, but he remained steadfast in his faith. He died a martyr on December 1, 1431.
Veneration
Girolamo's body was taken to Barcelona, Spain, where it was buried in the Mercedarian monastery of Sant'Eulalia. He was canonized by Pope Clement VII in 1533. Girolamo's feast day is celebrated on December 1.
