All the Holy Ancestors of Christ
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A commemoration of all the holy ancestors of Jeus Christ.
The New Testament has preserved two different genealogies of Our Lord, in Matthew 1; and Luke 3.
Saint Matthew's list is divided artificially into three equal parts of 14 names each, with several intentional omissions: from Abraham the father of the chosen people to David the king, to whose family the promise was made (2 Kings 7); David and the royal line after him to the Babylonian captivity; the descendants of the royal line from the captivity to Joseph, the legal father of Our Lord.
Saint Luke proceeds in reverse order; he starts from Joseph and goes, beyond Abraham, back to Adam the father of the human race, in accord with the character of his Gospel; and he merely enumerates the names without grouping them according to a thesis or point, as is the case in Saint Matthew.
Few names are common to both lists: viz., those between Abraham and David, then Salathiel and Zorobabel after the captivity, and Joseph the foster-father of Christ; the others are absent from Matthew's list, or the persons are different. To account for these differences several explanations have been advanced, but no decisive evidence is extant. Not a few authors hold that Saint Luke gives Mary's genealogy; but this view is more generally considered improbable, so that both lists are taken as giving Joseph's ancestry. Only it must be supposed that at several points, instead of the actual descent, the one or the other of the lists gives the legal relationship based on adoption in some manner. Our Lord was considered to belong to the family of David; this seems to be taken for granted in the New Testament, where we find no difficulty raised against Him on the ground of His descent. The genealogies show His relationship to the royal family of Juda through Joseph, as it was only through the father, legal or natural, that the rights could be transmitted, and Joseph was the legal father of Jesus. To trace Our Lord's ancestry through His mother would not have served the purpose of the Evangelists.
Matthew 1:1-17
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Luke 3:23-38
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Eve the Matriarch
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First woman. Married to Adam. Mother of Cain, Abel and Seth.
Saint Paola Elisabetta Cerioli
புனிதர் பவுலா எலிசபெத்தா செரியோலி
கைம்பெண்/ நிறுவனர்/ மறைப்பணியாளர்:
பிறப்பு: ஜனவரி 28, 1816
சோன்சினோ, க்ரெமோனா, லொம்பார்டி-வெனிஷியா அரசு
இறப்பு: டிசம்பர் 24, 1865 (வயது 49)
கோமோண்டே டி செரியெட், பெர்கமோ, இத்தாலி அரசு
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: மார்ச் 19, 1950
திருத்தந்தை பன்னிரெண்டாம் பயஸ்
புனிதர் பட்டம்: மே 16, 2004
திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பால்
பாதுகாவல்:
திருக்குடும்ப சகோதரியர் கல்வி நிறுவனம்
பெர்கமோ குடும்பம்
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: டிசம்பர் 24
புனிதர் பவுலா எலிசபெத்தா செரியோலி, ஒரு இத்தாலிய ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையைச் சார்ந்தவர் ஆவார். ஒரு விதவைப் பெண்ணான இவர், "திருக்குடும்ப சகோதரியர்" (Institute of Sisters of the Holy Family) என்ற கல்வி நிறுவனத்தையும், "பெர்கமோ குடும்பம்" (Congregation of the Family of Bergamo) எனும் ஆன்மீக சபை ஆகிய இரு நிறுவனங்களையும் நிறுவியவர் ஆவார்.
“கொஸ்டன்ஸா செரியோலி புசெச்சி-டசிஸ்” (Costanza Cerioli Buzecchi-Tasis) எனும் இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இவர், கி.பி. 1816ம் ஆண்டு, “ஃபிரான்செஸ்கோ செரியோலி” (Francesco Cerioli) மற்றும் “ஃபிரான்செஸ்கா கொர்னியானி” (Francesca Corniani) ஆகிய பெற்றோருக்கு பிறந்த பதினாறு குழந்தைகளில் கடைக்குட்டியாக பிறந்தவர் ஆவார். தமது பதினோரு வயது (கி.பி. 1827) முதல் பதினாறு வயதுவரை (கி.பி. 1832) பெர்கமோவில் உள்ள பள்ளியில் கல்வி கற்றார்.
இவர், கைக்குழந்தை பருவம்முதல் இதயம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையில், வாழ்நாள் முழுதும் நலிந்த உடல்நலம் கொண்டவராகவும், பலவீனமானவராகவுமே வாழ்ந்தார். அவரது பிரத்தியேக பண்பு அவரை ஓரளவு மாற்றியது என்றாலும் அவரது மத நம்பிக்கை, அனுபவம் மற்றும் அவரது தாராள மனப்பான்மை ஆகியன அவருக்கு உள்மன வலிமையைத் தந்து அவர் ஸ்திரமாக வாழ உதவியது.
கொஸ்டன்ஸா செரியோலியின் பத்தொன்பதாவது வயதில் (கி.பி. 1835) அவருக்கு திருமணம் ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டிருந்தது. கி.பி. 1835ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 30ம் தேதி, அவர் "கேட்டனோ புசெச்சி" (Gaetano Busecchi) என்ற 59 வயதான முதியவரை மணந்தார். இவரது கணவருக்கு ஏற்கனவே ஒரு கோமாட்டியுடன் (Countess) திருமணமாகி, அவர் மரித்துவிட்டார். அவரது பத்தொன்பது வருட திருமண வாழ்கை முழுதும் தமது முதிய கணவரின் கடின குணங்களுடனும் நலிந்த ஆரோக்கியத்துடனும் போராட வேண்டியிருந்தது. நான்கு தடவை கருத்தாங்கிய செரியோலிக்கு மூன்று குழந்தைகள் குறைப் பிரசவமாக பிறந்ததால் மரித்துப் போயின. தப்பிப் பிழைத்த ஒரு குழந்தையும் பதினாறு வயதில் மரித்துப் போனது. இவரது குழந்தை "கார்லோ" (Carlo) மரித்துப்போன அதே ஆண்டில் (கி.பி. 1854) அவரது கணவரும் மரித்துப்போனார்.
கணவரையும் குழந்தையையும் ஒருசேர மரணத்திற்கு பறிகொடுத்த செரியோலி, துயர வாழ்க்கையில் ஆழ்ந்து போனார். கடவுளும், மத விசுவாசமுமே அவருக்கு வழிகாட்டியாக அவர் உணர்ந்தார். இதனால் தன் உடமைகளை ஏழைகளுக்கு பகிர்ந்து கொடுத்த இவர், கைவிடப்பட்ட இளம் அனாதை பிள்ளைகளுக்கென்று ஓர் சபையை நிறுவினார்.
தியானம், ஜெபம் போன்றவற்றிலும், ஏழை மற்றும் அனாதைகளுக்கு உதவுவதிலும், மீதமுள்ள வாழ்க்கையைக் கழிக்க முடிவெடுத்தார். கி.பி. 1867ம் ஆண்டு, "திருக்குடும்ப சகோதரியர்" என்ற கல்வி நிறுவனத்தை நிறுவினார். இத்தருணத்திலேயே இவர் "பவுலா எலிசபெத்தா" (Paola Elisabetta) என்ற பெயரை தமது ஆன்மீக பெயராக ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். கி.பி. 1863ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், நான்காம் தேதி, “ஆண்களுக்கான திருக்குடும்ப சபையை” (The men's Congregation of the Holy Family) நிறுவினார்.
நாற்பத்தொன்பது வயதான புனிதர் பவுலா எலிசபெத்தா செரியோலி, கி.பி. 1865ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 24ம் தேதி, தமது இல்லத்தில் மரித்துப்போனார்.
Also known as
• Constanse Honorata Cerioli
• Constantia Honorata
• Costanza Cerioli Buzecchi-Tasis
• Costanza Onorata
• Paula Elisabeth
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Born to Italian nobility, the youngest of 16 children of Francesco Cerioli and Francesca Corniani; she was born with a heart condition and slight spinal deformity that gave her a lifetime of frail health. Educated in Bergamo, Italy. On 30 April 1835, at age 19, she entered into an arranged marriage with 59 year old Gaetano Busecchi; he was a difficult man with poor health, and their 19 year marriage was a bit of a trial. Mother of three - one of died in infancy, one at age one, and her son Carlo died in 1854 at age 16; her husband died a few months later. A wealthy widow alone, Paola began sharing her wealth with poor and caring for orphans and neglected children, sometimes taking them into her own home. Feeling a call to religious life, she took a vow of chastity on 25 December 1856, vows of povery and obedience on 8 February 1857. Founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Comonte di Seriate, Bergamo, Italy in December 1867, taking taking the name Paola Elisabetta; it's mission is to help abandoned children and work with new parents. She founded a corresponding men's Congregation of the Holy Family on 4 November 1863.
Born
28 January 1816 in Soncino, Cremona, Italy as Constanse Honorata Cerioli
Died
24 December 1865 in Comonte di Seriate, Bergamo, Italy of natural causes
Canonized
16 May 2004 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Irmina of Oehren
Also known as
• Irmina of Trier
• Irmina of Treves
• Irma, Ermina, Hermione, Ymena
Additional Memorials
• 3 January in Luxembourg
• 30 January in the diocese of Trier, Germany
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Daughter of Saint Dagobert II and the Anglo-Saxon princess Matilda. Sister of Saint Adela of Pfalzel. Grand-daughter of Saint Sigebert III of Austrasia. Princess. Betrothed at age 15 to Count Herman, but he died on their wedding day. Irmina became a nun and founded a Benedictine convent in the old castle of Honrien at Trier, Germany, given to her by her father. Generous benefactor to Celtic and Saxon monks. At one point, an epidemic threatened to wipe out her community, but they were saved through the intercessory prayers of Saint Willibrord of Echternach. In gratitude, Irmina gave Willibrord the land at Echternach where he later established the great abbey that bore his name.
Died
c.716 at monastery of Weissenburg, Germany
Saint Adela of Pfalzel
புனித_அதெல்லா (-735)
டிசம்பர் 24
இவர் (#StAdelaOfPfalzel) ஜெர்மனியைச் சார்ந்தவர்.
இவரது தந்தை தெகோபெர்ட், தாய் மெடில்டா என்பவர் ஆவர். அரச குடும்பத்தைச் சார்ந்த இவர், மிகவும் வசதியான வாழ்க்கை வாய்க்கப் பெற்றார். ஆனாலும் இவர் எளிமையாகவே வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்.
இவரது பெற்றோர் இவரை ஆல்பெரிக் என்பவருக்கு மணமுடித்துக் கொடுத்தனர். மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியாகச் சென்றது இவரது இல்லற வாழ்க்கை. கடவுள் இவர்களுக்கு ஒரு குழந்தையைக் கொடுத்து அருள்பாலித்தார்.
இப்படி இருக்கையில் இவரது கணவர் திடீரென இறந்தார். இதனால் இவர் கைம்பெண் ஆனார். மேலும் இவரது அழகு, செல்வாக்கு, அதிகாரம் யாவற்றையும் பார்த்து விட்டுப் பலரும் இவரை மறுமணம் செய்து கொள்ளப் போட்டி போட்டுக் கொண்டு வந்தனர். எல்லாரையும் ஒதுக்கித் தள்ளிய இவர், ஃபால்சல் என்ற இடத்தில் ஒரு துறவுமடத்தைக் கட்டி எழுப்பி, அங்கேயே இறுதி வரைக்கும் இறைவேண்டலிலும் நோன்பிலும் நிலைத்திருந்தார்.
இவர் இறையடி சேர்ந்த ஆண்டு 735
Also known as
Addula, Athela, Adolena, Adula, Adolana
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Daughter of Saint Dagobert II, King of the Franks, and the Anglo-Saxon princess Matilda. Sister of Saint Irmina of Oehren. Grand-daughter of Saint Sigebert III, king of Austrasia. Princess. Married to a man named Alberic. Mother of one son. Widowed in 700. Her wealth, position, and beauty brought her many suitors, but she turned them all down and became a nun. Founded the convent of Palatiolum of Pfalzel near Trier, Germany, and served as its first abbess. Spiritual student of Saint Boniface.
Died
24 December 735 of natural causes
Saint Trasilla & St. Emiliana
Also known as
Tarsilla, Tharsilla, Thrasilla
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Sister of Saint Sylvia of Rome and Saint Emiliana. Aunt of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Lived as a religious sister without joining any order, taking private vows. Received a vision of Pope Saint Felix III, an ancestor, who encouraged her to leave this vale of tears; she died a few days later on Christmas Eve. A few days after her death, she appeared to Emiliana with the same message; Emiliana died on Epiphany eve.
Born
Roman citizen
Died
• 24 December, year unknown
• relics at the Oratory of Saint Andrew, Celian Hill, Rome, Italy
Saint Bruno of Ottobeuren
Additional Memorial
25 November (translation of relics)
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Benedictine lay-brother at Ottobeuren Abbey, Bavaria (modern Germany).
Died
• c.1050 at the Ottobeuren Abbey, Bavaria, Germany of natural causes
• miracles reported at his grave
• relics enshrined in the choir of Saint Michael's Chapel, Augsberg, Germany on 25 November 1189 by Bishop Udalschalk
• relics enshrined in the chapter hall at Ottobeuren Abbey in 1553
• relics enshrined in the side chapel of Saint John Nepomuk in the Ottobeuren Abbey in 1772
Adam the Patriarch
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First human being. Lived in the Garden of Eden until expelled by God. Married to Eve. Father of Cain, Abel, Seth and other children. Old Testament Patriarch.
Saint Caran of Scotland
Also known as
Caranus
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Missionary bishop in the east of Scotland. Commemorated in the Aberdeen Breviary.
Born
in eastern Scotland
Died
669
Saint Hanno of Worms
Additional Memorial
20 September (Benedictines; Worms)
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Benedictine monk in the monastery of Saint Maximin in Trier, Germany. First abbot of the monastery of Saint Mauritius of Magdeburg, Saxony, (in modern Germany) in 937. Bishop of Worms, Rhineland-Palatinate (in modern Germany) in 950. Attended the provincial synod in Mainz, Germany in c.954.
Born
10th century Hesse, Germany
Died
24 December 978 in Worms, Germany of natural causes
Saint Euthymius of Nicomedia
Also known as
Euthymios
Additional Memorials
• 28 December as one of the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia
• 3 September - Eastern calendar
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During the persecutions of Diocletian, Euthymius encouraged Christians to hold onto their faith, and gave Christian burial to martyrs. For this he was executed. Martyr.
Died
303 in Nicomedia, Asia Minor
Saint Mochua of Timahoe
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Son of Lonan. Soldier. Monk as a young man. Founded a monastery in Derenish, County Laois, Ireland. Founded the monastery of Timahoe (Teach Mochua / House of Mochua) in County Cavan, Ireland. Some monasteries in Scotland claim Mochua as their founder.
Born
Achonry district of Connaught, Ireland
Died
c.657 in the monastery in Derenish, County Laois, Ireland of natural causes
Saint Delphinus of Bordeaux
Also known as
Delfinus, Delphin
Profile
Friend of Saint Ambrose of Milan and Saint Venerius of Milan. Instrumental in converting Saint Paulinus of Nola. Bishop of Bordeaux, France. Ordained Saint Amandus. Assisted at the Council of Saragossa in 380, and fought the Priscillianist heresy.
Died
24 December 403 of natural causes
Blessed Ignacio Caselles García
Also known as
Juan Crisóstomo of Gata de Gorgos
Profile
Franciscan Capuchin priest. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
Born
18 November 1874 in Gata de Gorgos, Alicante, Spain
Died
24 December 1936 in Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Beatified
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
Blessed Brocard of Strasbourg
Profile
Studied in Paris, France. Friend of Blessed Reginald of Orleans. Joined the Dominicans in Paris on 1 February 1220. Assigned to preach and teach in the Holy Lands where he founded houses in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Damascus and other cities. Prior of the Dominican Province of the Holy Lands.
Blessed Pablo Meléndez Gonzalo
Profile
Married layman in the archdiocese of Valencia, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
Born
6 November 1876 in Valencia, Spain
Died
24 December 1936 in Castellar highway, Valencia, Spain
Beatified
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Venerandus of Clermont
Profile
Member of a senatorial family. Bishop of Clermont, France from 385 until his death 38 years later. Supported evangelists throughout the region.
Born
Clermont, Auvergne, Gaul (modern France)
Died
423 of natural causes
Saint Boniface of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
Profile
Bishop of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (in modern France) beginning c.412.
Born
4th century
Died
5th century
Saint Castorino of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
Profile
Ninth bishop of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Gaul (in modern France), serving in the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
Blessed Alberic of Gladbach
Also known as
Adalbert, Adelbert, Albert
Profile
Tenth century soldier. Knight. Falsely accused of a crime, he was blinded as punishment. Pilgrim. Benedictine monk at Gladbach, Germany.
Blessed Peter de Solanes
Profile
Soldier. Knight. Mercedarian, receiving the habit from Saint Peter Nolasco.
Saint Gregory of Spoleto
Profile
Priest. Martyred in the persecutions of Maximinian Herculeus.
Lived in the city of Spoleto, Italy, presumably during the 3rd century.
Served as a priest, devoting himself to prayer, fasting, and teaching the Christian faith.
Unfortunately, his life intersected with the reign of Emperor Maximian Herculeus, known for his brutal persecution of Christians.
Around 304 AD, General Flaccus arrived in Spoleto carrying out the Emperor's orders. Gregory, refusing to renounce his faith, was captured and martyred.
Died
c.304
Blessed Francesco dei Maleficii
Also known as
Apostle of Corsica
Profile
Franciscan missionary to Corsica.
Died
1290 of natural causes
Blessed Boniface I
Profile
Bishop of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (in modern France) from 820 to 839.
Born
8th century
Died
9th century
Blessed Mercedarian Brothers
Profile
Four Mercedarian friars who worked to free Christians enslaved by Muslims, and to preach Christ along the way to any who would hear.
• Blessed Dionysius Roneo
• Blessed Philip Claro
• Blessed Giulio Pons
• Blessed Peter of Valladolid
Blessed Mercedarian Sisters
Profile
Six cloistered Mercedarian nuns at the convent of Vera Cruz in Berriz, Spain. Noted for their devotion to the rules of the Order and for their deep prayer lives.
• Blessed Anna Maria Prieto
• Blessed Anna de Arrano
• Blessed Orsola de Larisgoizia
• Blessed Maguna Mary
• Blessed Margaret
• Blessed Mary of the Assumption Sarria
Martyred Maidens of Antioch
Profile
A group of forty virgins martyred in the persecutions of Decius. None of their names have come down to us.
Died
martyred in 250 in Antioch, Syria
Martyrs of Tripoli
Profile
A group of Christians martyred together, date unknown. The only details that have surived are six of the names - Drusus, Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Theotimus and Zenobius.
Died
Tripoli, Libya
Bartolomeo Maria dal Monte
Blessed Bartolomeo Maria Dal Monte was an Italian Roman Catholic priest who dedicated his life to preaching and missionary work.
He was born on November 3, 1726, in Bologna, Italy, and died on December 24, 1778, also in Bologna.
Though born the fifth child of a peasant family, only Bartolomeo survived infancy. His mother attributed his survival to a vow she made to the Virgin Mary, hence his middle name "Maria."
Initially destined for a career in banking, Bartolomeo felt a strong calling to the priesthood. He studied at the Jesuit Santa Lucia College in Bologna and was ordained in 1750.
Instead of a traditional pastoral role, Bartolomeo embarked on a mission to spread the faith through popular missions. He travelled throughout northern and central Italy, preaching in over 62 dioceses for 26 years.
His sermons were known for their simplicity, directness, and passion, focusing on themes like repentance, conversion, and living a Christian life.
Bartolomeo's impact was significant. He is credited with reviving religious fervor in many communities, reconciling individuals with the Church, and promoting social reforms.
He was deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary and propagated Marian devotion wherever he went. He also emphasized the importance of prayer, especially the Rosary, as a means of strengthening faith and fostering spiritual growth.
Bartolomeo's life of piety, selflessness, and dedication to his mission earned him widespread respect and admiration. After his death, a strong movement advocating for his beatification gained momentum.
On April 5, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared Bartolomeo Maria Dal Monte blessed, recognizing his exemplary life and the many miracles attributed to his intercession.
His feast day is celebrated on December 24th, coinciding with his death anniversary. He is particularly venerated in Bologna, where his relics are enshrined in the church of San Bartolomeo.
