இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் நவம்பர் 1

 Feast of All Saints

அனைத்து புனிதர்கள் திருவிழா

கி.மு.முதலாம் நூற்றாண்டில் உரோமையை மார்கஸ் அக்ரிப்பா (கி.மு. 63- கி.மு. 12) என்ற மன்னன் ஆண்டுவந்தான். அவன் எல்லா தெய்வங்களுடைய சிலைகளையும் வைப்பதற்கு என்று பாந்தயோன் என்ற ஆலயத்தைக் கட்டி எழுப்பினான். இவ்வாலயமானது கி.பி. 126 ஆம் ஆண்டு மீண்டுமாகக் கட்டி எழுப்பப்பட்டது. 4 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டில் கிறிஸ்தவ மதம் உரோமையின் அரச மதமாக மாறியபிறகு, அதன்பிறகு வந்த போகஸ் என்ற மன்னன் பந்தயோன் என்ற அந்த ஆலயத்தை திருச்சபைத் தந்துவிட்டான். அப்போது திருச்சபையின் தலைவராக – திருத்தந்தையாக - இருந்த ஆறாம் போனிபேஸ் என்பவர் எல்லா தெய்வங்களுக்குமாக இருந்த பந்தயோன் ஆலயத்தை அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் ஆலயமாக மாற்றினார். அன்றிலிருந்துதான் அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் விழாவானது அதிகாரப் பூர்வமாகக் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது.

வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணி

இன்று நாம் புனிதர்கள் அனைவருடைய விழாவைக் கொண்டாடி மகிழ்கின்றோம். திருச்சபை ஒவ்வொருநாளும் ஒரு புனிதரை நினைவுகூறும்போது, எதற்காக அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் விழா என்று தனியாக ஒரு நாளை ஒதுக்கி புனிதர்களுக்கு விழாக் கொண்டாடவேண்டும் என்றும் நினைக்கலாம். ஆனால் திருவெளிப்பாடு நூலில், “யாராலும் எண்ணிக்கையிட முடியாத பெரும்திரளான மக்கள் – எல்லா நாட்டையும், குலத்தையும் மக்களினத்தையும் மொழியையும் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் – அரியணைக்கும் ஆட்டுக்குட்டிக்கும் முன்பாக நின்றுகொண்டு, கையில் குருத்தோலைகளைப் பிடித்தவர்களாய், “அரியனையில் வீற்றிருக்கும் எங்கள் கடவுளிடமிருந்தும் ஆட்டுக்குட்டியிடமிருந்துமே மீட்பு வருகின்றது” என்று உரத்த குரலில் கடவுளைப் போற்றிப் புகழ்ந்துகொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள். இவர்களை எல்லாம் 365 நாட்களில் நினைவு கூர்ந்து கொண்டாடுவது என்பது இயலாத காரியமாகும். எனவேதான் திருச்சபை, இந்த மண்ணுலகில் கடவுளுக்காக உகந்த வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்து வந்த தூயவர்களுக்கு விழா எடுத்துக்கொண்டாடுகின்றது. அவ்விழாதான் ‘அனைத்துப் புனிதர்கள் விழா’ என்று கொண்டாடப் படுகின்றது.

முதலில் புனிதர்கள் என்பவர் யார்?, எதற்காக நாம் அவர்களுக்கு விழா எடுத்துக்கொண்டாட வேண்டும் என்று சிந்தித்துப் பார்த்துவிட்டு, இவ்விழாவின் வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணியை சற்று அறிந்துகொள்வோம். புனிதர்கள் என்பவர்கள் வானத்திலிருந்து குதித்த வானதூதர்கள் கிடையாது, அவர்கள் இந்த மண்ணுலகில் தோன்றியவர்கள். மண்ணுலகில் தோன்றினாலும் தங்களுடைய மண்ணக வாழ்க்கையை கடவுளுக்கு உகந்ததாய் மாற்றியமைத்துக்கொண்டு, இறைத்திருவுளத்தை தங்களுடைய வாழ்வால், வார்த்தையால் நிறைவேற்றியவர்கள் அவர்கள்தான் புனிதர்கள் – தூயவர்கள் என்று அழைக்கப்படுகின்றார்கள். புனிதர்களை எதற்காக நாம் நினைவுகூறவேண்டும் என்ற கேள்வி எழலாம். அதற்கு விவிலியத்திலிருந்தே பதில் இருக்கின்றது. “உங்களுக்குக் கடவுளின் வார்த்தையை எடுத்துச் சொன்ன உங்கள் தலைவர்களை நினைவுகூருங்கள். அவர்களது வாழ்வின் நிறைவை எண்ணிப் பார்த்து, நீங்களும் அவர்களைப் போல நம்பிக்கையுள்ளவர்களாய் இருங்கள்” (எபி 13:7) என்கிறார் எபிரேயருக்கு எழுதிய திருமுகத்தின் ஆசிரியர். ஆம், நமக்கு இறைவாக்கைப் போதித்த புனிதர்களை நினைவுகூர்ந்து பார்க்கவேண்டும், அவர்களுடைய முன்மாதிரியைப் பின்பற்றி அவர்களுடைய வழியில் நடக்கவேண்டும். அதைத்தான் திருச்சபை நம்மிடமிருந்து எதிர்பார்க்கின்றது.

இரண்டாம் வத்திகான் சங்கமானது “தூயவர்களின் வாழ்விலே மாதிரியையும் அவர்களின் ஒன்றிப்பிலே தோழமையையும் அவர்கள் பரிந்து பேசுவதால் உதவியையும் அவர்களிடமிருந்து நாம் தேடுகின்றோம்” என்கிறது. ஆகவே, புனிதர்கள் அல்லது தூயவர்களின் விழாவைக் கொண்டாடுவதால் பயன்பெறப் போவது என்னமோ நாம்தான் என்பதை நாம் உணர்ந்துகொள்ளவேண்டும்.

எதற்காக அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் விழாவைக் கொண்டாடுகின்றோம் என்று சிந்தித்துப் பார்த்த நாம், இவ்விழாவின் வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணியை இப்போது உணர்ந்துகொள்வோம். புண்ணிய வாழ்வு அல்லது சாட்சிய வாழ்வு வாழ்ந்து வந்தவர்களுக்கு விழா எடுத்துக் கொண்டாடும் வழக்கம் 155- 156 ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்தே இருந்து வந்திருக்கிறது. கமிர்னா நகரின் ஆயராக இருந்த போலிக்கார்ப்பின் எலும்புகளை எடுத்து, அதனை பத்திரமாக வைத்து இறைமக்கள் அவருடைய விண்ணகப் பிறப்பு விழாவைக் கொண்டாடி இருக்கிறார்கள். மூன்றாம் நூற்றாண்டில் வாழ்ந்து வந்த சிப்ரியான் என்பவரும் புனிதர்களுக்கு விழா எடுத்துக்கொண்டாடும் வழக்கத்தைக் கொண்டிருந்தார். இப்படி இருந்த வழக்கம் திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் போனிபேஸ் காலத்தில் பந்தயோன் ஆலயம் அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் ஆலயமாக மாற்றப்பட்டபிறகு அனைத்துப் புனிதர்களின் விழா திருச்சபை முழுவதும் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது. அன்றிலிருந்து இன்று வரை இவ்விழாவானது ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் நவம்பர் 1 ஆம் நாள் கொண்டாடப் பட்டு வருகின்றது.

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Instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown. It owes its origin in the Western Church to the dedication of the Roman Pantheon in honuor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs by Pope Saint Boniface IV in 609, the anniversary of which was celebrated at Rome on 13 May. Pope Saint Gregory III consecrated a chapel in the Vatican basilica in honor of All Saints, designating 1 November as their feast. Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to the whole Church. It has a vigil and octave, and is a holy day of obligation; the eve is popularly celebrated as Hallowe'en.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Day

Blessed Rupert Mayer

Also known as

• The Apostle of Munich

• The Limping Priest (a result of his war injury)

Additional Memorials

• 3 November (Diocese of Munich-Freising, Germany)

• 5 November (Diocese of Eichstätt, Germany)

Profile

Rupert grew up in a family with five children and received his basic education in Stuttgart, Germany. Feeling a call to the priesthood, he studied philosophy and theology in Freiburg, Switzerland, then in Munich and Tübingen in Germany. Ordained a priest in 1899. Assistant pastor in Spaichingen, Germany. Joined the Jesuits in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria in 1900. From 1906 to 1912, he travelled around Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, preaching parish missions. In 1912 he was assigned to Munich where he worked with migrants who had come to the city looking for work.

Father Rupert volunteered as an army chaplain in World War I. He worked for a while in a camp hospital, but was promoted to captain and sent to the front lines in France, Poland and Romania to minister to soldiers in the trenches. He lived with the soldiers, and was accepted by them. During combat he would crawl unarmed and under fire from man to man, encouraging them, praying with them, administering the Sacraments to them. In December 1915 he was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery, the first chaplain to receive the honour. In December 1916 he was injured on the Romanian front by an exploding grenade, and lost his left leg.

Back in Munich after the War, Father Rupert returned to preaching, teaching, youth ministry and leading retreats for priests. He was there during the short-lived, communist-inspired “Bavarian Republic” of 1918 to 1919. Leader of the Marian Congregation in Munich in 1921. Beginning in 1923 he publicly announced that Nazism was incompatible with Christianity, and no Catholic could be a member of the party. This led to several arrests by the Gestapo including a six month stretch in “protective custody” beginning on 16 May 1937 after which he was sent for seven months to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. In 1939, with his health failing and fearing his death would make him a martyr and a rallying point for anti-Nazi Catholics, he was released from the camp on condition that he stay in the Benedictine Abbey of Ettal and not preach. He was finally freed by Allied forces in 1945 and returned to Munich to spend his last few months back in his old ministry.

Born

23 January 1876 in Stuttgart, Germany

Died

• 1 November 1945 in the church of Saint Michael in Munich, Bavaria, Germany of a stroke while preaching during morning Mass

• buried at the Jesuitenfriedhof in Pullach, Germany, which became a pilgrimage site

• re-interred in the crypt of the Marian Congregation church called Bürgersaalkirche in Munich, Germany in 1948

Beatified

3 May 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Munich, Germany

Blessed Teodor Jurij Romzha

Profile

Greek Catholic. Studied philosophy from 1930 to 1933. Studied theology in Rome from 1933 to 1937; received a Licentiate. Ordained on 25 December 1936.

Drafted into the military, he served on the border with Germany; discharged in 1938. Minister to the impoverished parish of Berezovo, Maramorosh District. Professor of philosophy and spiritual director at the seminary in Uzhorod in 1939. Monsignor in 1942. Consecrated bishop of the Mukachiv eparchy on 24 September 1944.

His eparchy was annexed into Soviet Ukraine on 29 June 1945. Teodor fought to preserve the rights of his Church during the occupation. The atheist government ordered the bishop and all the faithful to renounce any connection with Rome, and to submit to the Patriarch of Moscow. Romza refused, and the open persecutions by the State began. The government annouced that Nestor Sydoruk was the bishop of the eparchy, and faithful Greek Catholic priests and lay people were intimidated, harassed, abused, and imprisoned. Romza travelled his diocese by horse and buggy, ministering to his flock. Severely wounded on 27 October 1947 in a Bolshevik assassination attempt that involved ramming his cart with a motor vehicle, then beating him with rifle butts; he was later murdered in his hospital bed. His work helped many Transcarpathian Christians return from the Orthodox Church to the Greek Catholic. Martyr.

Born

14 April 1911 at Velykyj Bychkiv, Transcarpathia, Ukraine

Died

poisoned in his hospital bed on 1 November 1947 at Mukachiv, Ukraine

Beatified

27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Ukraine

Saint Nuño de Santa Maria Álvares Pereira

Also known as

• Nuño of Saint Mary

• Nonius Alvares Pereira

• Nuno Álvares Pereira

Profile

Cousin of the founder of the noble Braganza family. Constable of the kingdom of Portugal, a knight, and a prior in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Married. Career soldier, fighting for, and a hero of Portuguese independence. Widower. Lay-brother in the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel at Lisbon, Portugal in 1423, taking the name Nuño of Saint Mary. He undertook the meanest duties in the friary, begging alms from door to door. Founded a monastery at Lisbon. Noted for a life of prayer, penance, and devotion to Our Lady.

Born

24 June 1360 at Cernache do Bonjardim, Sertã, Castelo Branco, Portgual

Died

• 1 November 1431 (Easter Sunday) at the Carmelite monastery at Lisbon, Portugal of natural causes

• tomb lost in the earthquake of 1755

Canonized

26 April 2009 by Benedict XVI

Blessed Ranieri Rasini

Also known as

• Ranieri of Aretino

• Ranieri of Arezzo

• Ranieri of Borgo

• Ranieri of Sansepolcro

• Raniero, Ranier

Additional Memorial

31 October (Franciscans)

Profile

Franciscan Friar Minor who served as his convent porter and beggar in Borgo San Sepolcro (modern Sansepolcro), Italy. He was known for his humility, poverty, patience and service to the poor.

Among the miracles attributed to him was the resurrection from the dead of two children, which led to his patronage of women in labour who sought his protection for their new children. In 2004, on the 700th anniversary of his death, the bell in the tower of the San Francesco church was dedicated to Ranier, and it is rung each time there is a birth in the town.

Born

c.1250 in Sansepolcro, Umbria, Italy

Died

• 1 November 1304 in Sansepolcro, Umbria, Italy of natural causes

• embalmed (unusual for the day) and interred in the crypt of the church of San Francesco in Sansepolcro

Beatified

• popular devotion among the poor of Sansepolcro, Italy began immediately upon his death

• the city council of Sansepolcro soon after had an altar erected in his honour in the local church of San Francesco, and began collecting testimonies of miracles attributed to his intercession

• 18 December 1802 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation)

Blessed Peter Paul Navarro

Also known as

• Paul Navarro

• Pietro Paolo Navarro

Profile

Joined the Jesuits in Naples, Italy in 1578. Ordained in Goa, India. Missionary to Japan. Became fluent in Japanese, and lived as much like a native as he could, wanting to show that Christianity was no threat to a Japanese lifestyle.

An imperial edict in 1614 expelled all foreigners. Instead of leaving, Peter went into hiding so he could minister to the converts he had made. He travelled the country disguised as a beggar, wood seller, farmer, and peddler in order to conduct covert Masses. He wrote on the faith, and translated Christian works into Japanese.

Arrested by priest hunters in December 1621 along with two catechists, Petrus Onizuka Sadayu and Denis Fugiscima, and a layman, Clement Kuijemon. They were condemned to death by the Shogun on 27 October 1622. Father Peter Paul celebrated Mass and ordained his two catechists as Jesuit priests in the hours just before his execution.

Born

1560 at Laino Borgo, Cosenza, Italy

Died

• burned alive on 1 November 1622 at Ximabara, Nagasaki, Japan

• died praying the Litany of Our Lady

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

Saint Mathurin

Also known as

Maturinus

Profile

Raised a pagan; his father was even commissioned to persecute Christians by emperor Maximian. Mathurin converted at age 12. Priest at age 20, ordained by Saint Polycarp. Zealous evangelist in his region, even converting his parents. Noted exorcist, even healing Theodora, the daughter of the emperor; his ministry of dealing with the possessed led to his tradition of patronage of the mentally ill.

Born

Larchant, France

Died

• Rome, Italy of natural causes

• buried in Rome, he climbed out of the grave to return to his old home at Larchant, France

• in 1004 the canons of Notre-Dame de Paris divided his relics between Larchant, some in Paris, France

• Paris relics enshrined in a church dedicated to him in 1153; it became a place of pilgrimage and healing for centuries

• his shrine in Larchant was burned by Huguenots in 1568

Rachel the Matriarch

Profile

Old Testament Jewish Matriarch. Wife of the Patriach Jacob. She spent a lengthy marriage in shame over her sterility, considered a sign of God's disfavor. However, late in life she had two sons, Joseph, he of the many-coloured coat, and Benjamin.

Born

17th-18th century BC

Died

• 17th-18th century BC in childbirth

• buried in Bethlehem

Saint Caesarius of Africa

Also known as

• Caesarius of Terracina

• Cesario, Cesareo

Profile

Deacon of an African church. During a visit to Italy, he witnessed a pagan celebration of Apollo; Caesarius objected to the human sacrifice it involved. For his interference, he was imprisoned for two years, and then for his faith he was martyred with Saint Julian.

Born

African

Died

• tied into a sack and thrown into the sea to drown at Pisco Montano, Terracina, Italy, date unknown

• body recovered and buried near Terracina

• in the 4th century, Emperor Valentinian was cured at the shrine of Caesarius at Terracina

• relics translated to a church on the Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy by order of the emperor Valentinian

• relics translated to the church of San Cesareo in Palatio, Appian Way, Rome

Saint Austremonius

Also known as

• Apostle of Auvergne

• Austromoine, Stramonius, Stremonius

Profile

May have been the first bishop of Clermont, France. Contemporary of the three bishops of Aquitaine who attended the Council of Arles in 314.

Born

3rd century

Died

• early 4th century of natural causes

• interred at at Issoire, France

• re-interred at Volvic

• relics taken to Mauzac Abbey in 761

• some relics taken to Saint-Yvoine, France in the mid-9th-century

• many relics returned to Issoire c.900

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

• popular devotion began in the mid-6th-century after a deacon named Cantius received a vision of angels around the neglected tomb of Astremonius

Saint Valentin Faustino Berri Ochoa

Also known as

• Balentin Berrio-Otxoa de Arizti

• Valentin de Berriochoa

• Valentine Berrio-Ochoa

Additional Memorial

24 November of one of the Martyrs of Viet Nam

Profile

Born in the Basque country. Dominican. Ordained on 14 June 1851. Missionary to the Philippines and then to Viet Nam. Appointed coadjutor vicar apostolic of Central Tonkin, (modern diocese of Bùi Chu) Viet Nam and titular bishop of Centuria on 25 December 1857. Martyred with Saint Jerome Hermosilla.

Born

14 February 1827 at Elorrio, diocese of Vitoria, Spain

Died

tortured and beheaded on 1 November 1861 Hai Duong, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Benignus of Dijon

Also known as

Benigna, Benigne, Benigny

Profile

Missionary to the areas of Marseilles, Autun, and Dijon in France, sent by Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. Martyred in the persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. The people of Tours, France reverenced the grave of Benignus, but the local bishop wished to put a stop to the cult, believing the tomb to be that of a heathen who had been mistakenly identified as Benignus; he started demolition, received a vision explaining his error, and instead built a basilica over the restored sarcophagus.

Born

at Smyrna

Died

clubbed to death with an iron bar in 178

Saint Genesius of Lyon

Also known as

Genès, Genes, Genestus

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot of Fontenelle. Part of the court and camp of King Clovis II. Chief almoner to Queen Saint Bathildis. Succeeded Saint Chamond as bishop and archbishop of Lyons, France in 657. Chartered the Abbey of Corbie, France. Chartered the Convent of the Blessed Virgin founded by Ebroin, mayor of the palace, and his wife Leutrude. In a conflict between Ebroin and Saint Leger, Bishop of Autun, Genesius took the bishop's side and was attacked by an armed band sent by Ebroin to expel him from Lyons. Genesius gathered his own forces and defended his city.

Died

• 679 of natural causes

• his body was in the church of Saint Nicetius till the beginning of the 14th century, when it was transferred to Chelles

Saint Vigor of Bayeux

Also known as

Vigeur, Vigile, Vigorus

Profile

Studied at Arras, France. Spiritual student of Saint Vedast of Arras. He studied for the priesthood, but found the vocation so overwhelming that he ran from it for a while. He eventually realized his vocation and was ordained. Preacher and missionary. Bishop of Bayeux, France in 513, he continued his missionary work, bringing people to the faith, building churches and monasteries.

Born

Artois, France

Died

• 537 of natural causes

• buried on Mont Chrismat

• relics moved to the Abbey of Saint-Riquier in Picardy, France in 981 to avoid invading Normans

Saint Jerome Hermosilla

Also known as

• Jerónimo Hermosilla

• Jerónimo Hermosilla Aransãez

Profile

Dominican. Missionary to Manila, Philippines. Priest. Missionary to Viet Nam in 1828. Vicar Apostolic of Eastern Tonkin, Viet Nam and titular bishop of Miletopolis on 2 August 1839. Bishop. Worked with Saint Joseph Khang. Martyred with Saint Valentin Faustino Berri Ochoa.

Born

30 September 1800 at Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Old Castile, Spain

Died

tortured and beheaded on 1 November 1861 Hai Duong, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Pere Josep Almató Ribera Auras

Also known as

Pedro Ribera

Additional Memorial

24 November of one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Saint Pere Josep Almató Ribera Auras was a Spanish Dominican priest and missionary who was martyred in Vietnam in 1861. He was born in Sant Feliu Sasserra, Catalonia, Spain, on November 1, 1830. He entered the Dominican Order in 1846 and was ordained a priest in 1853.

In 1855, Almató was sent to Vietnam as a missionary. He arrived in the country in 1856 and began working in the province of Hải Dương. He was known for his dedication to his work and his love for the Vietnamese people.

In 1861, Almató was arrested by the Vietnamese authorities for his missionary work. He was tortured and imprisoned, but he refused to renounce his faith. On November 1, 1861, he was executed by beheading along with 116 other Vietnamese and foreign Catholics.

Almató was beatified by Pope Pius X in 1906 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988. He is one of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs who are honored together on November 24th.

Born

1 November 1830 in San Feliú Saserra, Barcelona, Spain

Died

tortured and beheaded on 1 November 1861 Hai Duong, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Marcel of Paris

Also known as

Marcellus

Profile

Ninth bishop of Paris, France. Chaired the Council of Paris in 360 - 361 which recognized the edicts of the Council of Nicaea in 325. Supported Saint Genevieve. Legend says that there was a dragon in Paris which was devouring women of "ill repute"; Marcel defeated it by striking it with his bishop's crozier.

Born

c.396 on Île de la Cité, Paris, France

Died

November 436

Representation

dragon

Blessed Dionysius Fugixima

Also known as

• Denis Fugiscima

• Dionysius Fugishima

• Dionisius Fujishima Jubyoe

Additional Memorials

• 4 February Jesuits

• 10 September as one of the 205 Martyrs of Japan

Profile

Blessed Dionysius Fugixima (also known as Fujishima Denbei) was a Japanese Catholic layman and martyr who was killed during the Shimabara Rebellion in 1638. He is one of 205 Japanese martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

Fugixima was born in 1612 in Urakami, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He was the son of a wealthy Catholic family. He received a classical education and was known for his intelligence and piety.

In 1637, the Shimabara Rebellion broke out. The rebellion was a peasant uprising against the oppressive rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. The rebels were also motivated by their desire to practice their Catholic faith freely.

Fugixima joined the rebellion and fought bravely. He was captured by the shogunate forces in 1638 and was tortured and executed. He was beheaded on November 1, 1638, at the age of 26.

Born

at Aitzu, Arima, Japan

Died

burned alive on 1 November 1622 at Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

Deborah the Prophetess

Also known as

• Deborah the Judge

• Deborah the Matriarch

• Debbora

Profile

Old Testament prophetess and judge. Married to Lapidoth. See the passage below from Judges that talks about her.

Deborah the Prophetess was a judge and prophetess in ancient Israel. She is mentioned in the Book of Judges, where she is credited with leading the Israelites to victory over the Canaanites.

Deborah was a strong and courageous woman. She was not afraid to speak out against injustice and to lead her people in battle. She was also a gifted poet, and she is famous for her Song of Deborah, which is one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew literature.

The story of Deborah is an inspiration to all who are called to serve God and their people. She is a reminder that even the smallest and most unlikely people can make a difference.

Saint Lucinus of Angers

Also known as

Lesin, Lezin, Licinius

Additional Memorials

• 8 June (Angers, France)

• 21 June (translation of relics)

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Count of Anjou. He gave up the title and worldly life to become a monk. Bishop of Angers, France, ordained by Saint Gregory of Tours.

Born

c.540 in France

Died

c.618 of natural causes

Saint Julian of Africa

Profile

Priest of an African church. During a visit to Italy, he witnessed a pagan celebration of Apollo; Julian objected to the human sacrifice it involved. He was imprisoned for two years, and then martyred with Saint Caesarius.

Born

African

Died

tied into a sack and thrown into the sea to drown at Pisco Montano, Terracina, Italy, date unknown

Saint Germanus of Montfort

Profile

Studied at Paris, France. Priest. Benedictine monk at Savigny, France. Prior of the monastery at Talloires, France. Spent the last years of his life as a hermit.

Born

c.906 at Montfort, Brittany (in modern France)

Died

• 1000 of natural causes

• relics enshrined by Saint Francis de Sales in 1621

Blessed Petrus Onizuka Sadayu

Also known as

Peter Onizuko

Profile

Onizuka was a Japanese Jesuit priest and martyr who was born in 1574 in the village of Onizuka, Japan. He was baptized at a young age and entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1595. He was ordained a priest in 1601 and began working as a missionary in the Kyoto region.

Onizuka was known for his zeal and his dedication to his missionary work. He was also known for his courage in the face of persecution. In 1606, he was arrested by the Japanese authorities for preaching the Gospel. He was tortured and imprisoned, but he refused to renounce his faith.

On February 10, 1612, Onizuka was executed by crucifixion along with 18 other Christians. He was the first Japanese Jesuit priest to be martyred.

Onizuka was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1867. He is honored as a martyr in the Catholic Church

Born

Arima, Japan

Died

burned alive on 1 November 1622 at Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

Saint Cadfan

Also known as

Catman, Catamanu, Catamanus, Gadfan, Gideon

Profile

Sixth-century monk. Spiritual teacher of Sadwen of Wales. Emigrated from Brittany to Wales where he founded several monasteries. First abbot of Bardsey Abbey in Wales. Llangadfan, Montgomeryshire, Wales is named in his honour.

Born

Brittany (in modern France)

Patronage

Llangadfan, Wales

Saint Magnus of Milan

Also known as

Magno

Additional Memorial

25 September as one of the Holy Bishops of Milan

Profile

Saint Magnus of Milan was the Archbishop of Milan from 518 to 530. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

Very little is known about his life. He lived during a time of great political and religious turmoil in Italy. The Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great was an Arian, a Christian who denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Theodoric initially supported Magnus, but later persecuted him for his Catholic beliefs.

Magnus is known for his great charity and his compassion for the poor and suffering. He is said to have helped many prisoners of war during his time as archbishop. He died on December 1, 530, and is buried in the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio in Milan.

Magnus is the patron saint of the Italian town of Legnano, where a basilica is dedicated to him. He is also the patron saint of prisoners of war and those who suffer from persecution.

Died

525 of natural causes

Saint Salaun of Leseven

Also known as

Salomon

Profile

A poor man who lived in Leseven, Brittany, France. For many years was considered the village idiot - until people realized that his simplicity, poverty and unworldliness was due to his concentration on his own spiritual development.

Died

1358 of natural causes

Saint Floribert of Ghent

Also known as

Florbert, Floribertus, Florbertus

Profile

Abbot of monasteries in Ghent, Mont-Blandin and Saint-Bavon in Belgium. Worked with Saint Amandus.

Died

c.660

Canonized

20 April 1049 by Pope Leo IX

Blessed Clemens Kyuemon

Profile

Layman martyr in the archdiocese of Nagasaki, Japan.

Born

c.1574 in Japan

Died

burned to death on 1 November 1622 in Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

Saint Cledwyn of Wales

Also known as

Clydwyn of Wales

Profile

Eldest son of Saint Brychan of Brycheiniog, and ruler of part of Brychan's kingdom.

Died

5th century

Saint Severinus of Tivoli

Profile

Saint Severinus of Tivoli (c. 510-609) was a Benedictine monk and hermit who lived in Tivoli, Italy. He was known for his piety, his charity, and his dedication to helping the poor and the sick. 

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Saint Severinus of Tivoli

Severinus was born into a wealthy family, but he gave up his possessions to live a simple life of prayer and service. He built a small hermitage in Tivoli, where he spent his days praying and working in the fields. He also traveled throughout the region, visiting the sick and the poor and offering them his help and support.

Severinus was known for his miraculous powers. He is said to have healed the sick, raised the dead, and even controlled the weather. He was also a wise counselor and a spiritual guide to many people.

Severinus died in 609 and was buried in the church of Saint Laurence in Tivoli. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and his feast day is celebrated on November 1st.

Died

• 609 of natural causes

• relics enshrined in the church Saint Laurence in Tivoli, Italy

Saint Pabiali of Wales

Profile

Saint Pabiali of Wales (also known as Partypallai) was a Welsh saint who lived in the 5th or 6th century. He is said to have been one of the sons of Brychan Brycheiniog, a Welsh king, and his Spanish wife Proistri.

Very little is known about Pabiali's life. He is believed to have been a monk and a hermit, and he is said to have founded a chapel in Wales that is dedicated to him. He is also said to have gone to Spain, where he may have been martyred.

Pabiali's feast day is celebrated on November 1st. He is invoked by farmers and farm laborers, and he is also considered a protector of animals.

One of the few stories about Pabiali is that he once healed a cow that was sick. The cow's owner was so grateful that he gave Pabiali a piece of land, on which Pabali built his chapel.

Another story is that Pabiali once saved a group of villagers from a flood. He is said to have raised his hands in prayer and the floodwaters immediately receded.

Pabiali is a minor saint, but he is still revered by some people in Wales. He is a reminder of the many saints who lived and worked in Wales, and he is a model of Christian service.

Saint Harold the King

Profile

First Christian king of Denmark. When he tried to bring his pagan people to the faith they revolted and killed him. Martyr.St. Harold the King is a controversial figure in Christian history. He was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England, and he was killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Some Christians believe that Harold was a martyr, because he died fighting for his country and his faith. Others believe that he was a sinner, because he broke his oath to William the Conqueror and fought against him.

There is no consensus on whether or not Harold should be considered a saint. However, he is venerated by some Christians, particularly in England. 

One of the main arguments in favor of Harold's sainthood is that he died fighting for his country and his faith. Harold was a devout Christian, and he believed that it was his duty to defend England from foreign invaders. He also believed that it was important to uphold his oath to William the Conqueror, even though he knew that William would eventually betray him.

Another argument in favor of Harold's sainthood is that he was a just and fair king. He was known for his mercy and his compassion for the poor and the oppressed. He also worked to improve the lives of his subjects by building roads and bridges and by establishing schools and hospitals.

However, there are also arguments against Harold's sainthood. One of the main arguments is that he broke his oath to William the Conqueror. When William invaded England, Harold swore an oath to support him. However, when Harold's brother Tostig invaded England with the help of the Norwegians, Harold abandoned his oath to William and fought against him.

Another argument against Harold's sainthood is that he was a pagan. Although Harold was baptized as a Christian, he was also known to practice pagan rituals. For example, he was said to have consulted with pagan priests before the Battle of Hastings.

Died

980 in Denmark

Saint Cyrenia of Tarsus

Profile

Saint Cyrenia of Tarsus was a Christian martyr who lived in the early 4th century. She was from the city of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is now part of Turkey.

Cyrenia was a devout Christian, and she was known for her charity and her love for the poor. She also helped to spread the Gospel in Tarsus, and she converted many people to Christianity.

During the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Maximian Galerius, Cyrenia was arrested and tortured. She was then forced to walk naked through the streets of Tarsus, and then she was burned alive.

Cyrenia died for her faith on November 1, 305. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Her feast day is celebrated on November 1st.

Died

burned to death in 306 at Tarsus, Asia Minor

Saint Juliana of Tarsus

Profile

Saint Juliana of Tarsus (died circa 305 AD) was a Christian virgin and martyr who was tortured and beheaded for her faith during the Diocletianic Persecution.

Juliana was born into a wealthy pagan family in Tarsus, Cilicia. She was a beautiful and intelligent young woman, and she attracted the attention of many suitors, including the governor of Tarsus, Eleusius. Eleusius was determined to marry Juliana, but she refused, because she had dedicated herself to Christ.

Eleusius was furious at Juliana's rejection, and he had her arrested and tortured. He tried to force her to renounce her faith, but she refused. Juliana remained steadfast in her faith, even under the most excruciating torture.

Eventually, Eleusius ordered that Juliana be beheaded. She was led to the place of execution, where she prayed and asked God to forgive her enemies. She then knelt down and surrendered her neck to the executioner.

Saint Juliana of Tarsus is a martyr who is remembered for her courage and her unwavering faith. She is a role model for all Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs.

Her feast day is celebrated on October 16th in the Catholic Church and on November 1st in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Died

burned to death in 306 at Tarsus, Asia Minor

Saint Ludre

Profile

Son of a senator of Bourges in modern France. He died almost immediately after baptism, still wearing the white robes.

Died

relics at Deols on the Indre in modern France

Saint Mary the Slave

Profile

Christian slave in the house of Tertullus, a patrician in Rome, Italy. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

c.300

Saint Ceitho

Profile

One of five 6th century brothers, all of whom are venerated as saints in Wales. Founded a church in Llangeitho, Dyfed, Wales.

Saint Rómulo of Bourges

Also known as

Romolo

Profile

Saint Rómulo of Bourges (6th century) was a Benedictine abbot who is known for his piety, charity, and dedication to his monastic community. He is also credited with founding several new monasteries and convents in the area. 

One of the most famous stories about Rómulo is that he once saved the city of Bourges from a flood. When the river Scheldt overflowed its banks, Rómulo is said to have planted his staff in the ground and prayed. The floodwaters immediately receded, and the city was saved.

Rómulo died in the 6th century and is buried in the Abbey of Saint-Satur in Bourges. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and his feast day is celebrated on November 1st.

Saint Dacius of Damascus

Also known as

Decius of Damascus

Profile

Martyred with six companions.

Died

in Damascus, Syria

Saint James of Persia

Profile

Martyred with Saint John in the persecution of King Shapur II.

Born

Persian

Died

c.344 in Persia

Saint John of Persia

Profile

Bishop. Martyred with Saint James of Persia in the persecutions of King Shapur II.Saint John of Persia (died 628 AD) was a Christian bishop of Persia. He is known for his martyrdom during the Sasanian persecution of Christians.

John was born into a Christian family in Persia. He was educated at the School of Nisibis, one of the most prestigious schools of theology in the world at the time. After completing his education, John was ordained as a priest.

In 616 AD, the Sasanian king Chosroes II began a persecution of Christians in Persia. John was arrested and tortured for his faith. He was eventually sentenced to death and was beheaded.

Saint John of Persia is a revered figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is remembered for his courage and his martyrdom. His feast day is celebrated on November 1.

Died

c.344

Saint Caesarius of Damascus

Profile

Saint Caesarius of Damascus (also Cesarius or Kayser) was a monk and martyr of the 7th century. He was born in Caesarea, Cappadocia, and became a monk at the monastery of St. Sabas near Damascus. He was known for his piety and his devotion to the study of Scripture.

In 614, during the Persian invasion of Syria, Caesarius was captured by the Persians and taken to prison. He was tortured and urged to renounce his faith, but he refused. He was eventually martyred, along with six other monks, by being beheaded.

Saint Caesarius is commemorated on November 1st in the Orthodox Church. He is considered a patron saint of monks and of those who are suffering for their faith.

Died

in Damascus, Syria

Saint Dingad

Profile

Fifth century son of the chieftain Saint Brychan of Brecknock. Hermit in Llandovery, Dyfed, Wales.1

Saint Dingad (also spelled Dingat) was a late 5th century Welsh saint and early Christian church founder. He is recorded in all the early 'Brychan documents' as a son of King Brychan, King of the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog in south-east Wales. He was patron of Llandingat Church (in Llandovery) in Carmarthenshire and of Dingestow in Monmouthshire.

Very little is known about the life of Saint Dingad. He is said to have been a hermit who lived in a cave near Llandovery. He was also a skilled craftsman and is credited with building the first church in Llandovery.

Saint Dingad is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on November 1.

Our Lady of Heede

Our Lady of Heede is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with apparitions that were reported by four girls in the village of Heede, Germany, between November 1, 1937, and November 3, 1940. The girls were Anna Schulte (11), Susanna Bruns (12), Margaret Gansforth (12), and Greta Gansforth (10).

The girls said that they saw Mary holding the Child Jesus in her arms, and that she spoke to them about the importance of prayer and conversion. Mary also warned the girls of the coming war, and she urged them to pray for peace.

The apparitions of Our Lady of Heede were initially met with skepticism, but they eventually gained the approval of the local bishop. The apparitions also attracted a large number of pilgrims, and Heede became a popular pilgrimage site.

The message of Our Lady of Heede is similar to the message of Fatima. Mary calls on people to pray and convert, and she warns of the consequences of sin. Mary also encourages people to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory.

Our Lady of Heede is a reminder of God's love and mercy, and she is a source of hope and comfort for those who pray to her. Her feast day is celebrated on November 1st.