St. Cornelius
Born unknown
Died unknown
Venerated in Roman Catholicism
Eastern Orthodox Church
Anglican Communion
Feast 20 October, 2 February,[1] 4 February,[2] 7 February, 13 September
Attributes Roman military garb
First bishop of Caesarea, Palestine, who was originally a centurion in the Italica cohort of the Roman legion in the area. Cornelius had a vision instructing him to send for St. Peter, who came to his home and baptized him, as described in Acts, chapter ten.
Cornelius (Greek: Κορνήλιος, romanized: Kornélios; Latin: Cornelius) was a Roman centurion who is considered by Christians to be the first Gentile to convert to the faith, as related in Acts of the Apostles (see Ethiopian eunuch for the competing tradition). The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the early Christian church. He may have belonged to the gens Cornelia, a prominent Roman family.
Biblical account
Cornelius was a centurion in the Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum, mentioned as Cohors Italica in the Vulgate.[3][4] He was stationed in Caesarea, the capital of Roman Iudaea province.[5] He is depicted in the New Testament as a God-fearing man[6] who always prayed and was full of good works and deeds of alms. Cornelius receives a vision in which an angel of God tells him that his prayers have been heard; he understands that he has been chosen for a higher alternative. The angel then instructs Cornelius to send the men of his household to Joppa, where they will find Simon Peter, who is residing with a tanner by the name of Simon (Acts 10:5ff).
The conversion of Cornelius comes after a separate vision given to Simon Peter himself (Acts 10:10–16). In the vision, Simon Peter sees all manner of beasts and fowl being lowered from Heaven in a sheet. A voice commands Simon Peter to eat. When he objects to eating those animals that are unclean according to Mosaic Law, the voice tells him not to call unclean that which God has cleansed.[7]
When Cornelius' men arrive, Simon Peter understands that through this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle to preach the Word of God to the Gentiles. Peter accompanies Cornelius' men back to Caesarea.[7] When Cornelius meets Simon Peter, he falls at Peter's feet. Simon Peter raises the centurion and the two men share their visions. Simon Peter tells of Jesus' ministry and the Resurrection; the Holy Spirit descends on everyone at the gathering. The Jews among the group are amazed that Cornelius and other uncircumcised should begin speaking in tongues, praising God. Thereupon Simon Peter commands that Cornelius and his followers, "kinsmen and near friends", be baptized.[8] The controversial aspect of Gentile conversion is taken up later at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).
Religious situation of Judea
Taking into account that Judea had been within the Hellenic orbit since the conquest of Alexander the Great, there was time for wise men and philosophers, both Greek and Jewish, to exchange knowledge, thus beginning the syncretism between Hellenism and Judaism, a phenomenon that occurred in the rest of his empire. Later with the arrival of the Romans (already Hellenized), there were no problems of religious tolerance (except in the case of the Zealots), since thanks to the interpretatio graeca exported by the Macedonians, it was possible to identify Caelus (Roman god) or Uranus (his Greek equivalent) and Yahweh as the Supreme God himself, allowing conversion cases like Cornelius.[9][10][11]
Significance
In this painting by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout an angel appears to the Roman centurion Cornelius. The angel tells him to seek out St. Peter.[12] The Walters Art Museum.
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
— Acts 10:47
Cornelius is considered to be one of the first gentiles to converted to Christianity.[13]
The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the early Christian church, along with the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch. The Christian church was first formed around the original disciples and followers of Jesus, all of whom, including Jesus himself, were Galilean, except for Judas, who was Judean. All males in the Judean community were Jews: they were circumcised and observed the Law of Moses. The reception of Cornelius sparked a debate among the leaders of the new community of followers of Jesus, culminating in the decision to allow Gentiles to become Christians without conforming to Jewish requirements for circumcision, as recounted in Acts 15.
Traditions
Certain traditions hold Cornelius as becoming either the first bishop of Caesarea, or the bishop of Scepsis in Mysia.[5][8]
Commemoration
His feast day on the new Martyrologium Romanum is 20 October. He is commemorated in the Orthodox tradition on 13 September.[7]
Cornelius is honored on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America on February 4.[2] When Governors Island in New York City was a military installation, the Episcopal Church maintained a stone chapel there dedicated to him.[14]
The Greek-French philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis is named after him
Saint Catherine del Ricci
Also known as
• Catherine de Ricci
• Catherine dei Ricci
• Caterina, Catharine
Profile
Born to the patrician class. Her mother died when Catherine was an infant; she was raised by her godmother, but considered the Blessed Virgin Mary to be her true mother, and developed a great devotion to her. As a child, Catherine could speak to her guardian angel, and the angel taught her prayers for the rosary. At age 6 she moved to the convent school of Montecelli; her aunt was the abbess. Catherine developed a devotion to the Passion. Her father, Peter, objected to her plans to join a convent, then relented, then changed his mind again. Catherine continued her prayers at home, but when he changed his mind she fell ill. It was only when he at last agreed on her vocation that she recovered. Dominican tertiary.
She received visions and had ecstacies, but these caused some problems and doubts among her sisters – outwardly she seemed asleep or dully stupid when the visions were upon her. Catherine though everyone received these visions as part of their lives with God. She was stricken with a series of painful ailments that permanently damaged her health. Catherine met Philip Neri in a vision while he was alive in Rome; they corresponded. She could bilocate. Said to have received a ring from the Lord as a sign of her espousal to him; to her it appeared as gold set with a diamond; everyone else saw a red lozenge and a circlet around her finger.
Permanent stigmatist. At age 20 she began a 12-year cycle of weekly ecstasies of the Passion from noon Thursday until 4:00pm Friday, often accompanied by serious wounds. Her sisters could follow the course of the Passion, as the wounds appeared in order from the scourging and crowning with thorns. At the end she was covered with wounds and her shoulder was indented from the Cross. The first time, during Lent 1542, she meditated so completely on the crucifixion of Jesus that she became ill, and was healed by a vision of the Risen Lord talking with Mary Magdalene. Crowds came to see her, skeptics and sinners being converted by the sight. The crowds became to numerous and constant that the sisters prayed that the wounds become less visible; He made them so in 1554. Three future popes (Cardinals Cervini, Pope Marcellus II; Alexander de Medici, Pope Leo XI; Aldobrandini, Pope Clement VIII) were among the thousands who sought her prayers.
Novice-mistress. Sub-prioress. Prioress at age 30. Noted reformer of her house. Correspondent with Saint Charles Borromeo and Pope Saint Pius V.
Born
23 April 1522 at Florence, Italy as Alessandra Lucrezia Romola de' Ricci
Died
2 February 1590 at Prato, Italy of natural causes
Canonized
29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV
Saint Maria Domenica Mantovani
Also known as
Mother Maria of the Immaculate
Profile
Eldest of four children born to Giovanni and Prudenza Zamperini, Maria grew up in a small farm village She received only three years of elementary school, learned religion from her pious parents, and was early drawn to religious life. In her teens, Maria's parish priest and spiritual director, Blessed Giuseppe Nascimbeni, encouraged her to visit the sick, teach catechism, and become active in her parish work.
On 8 December 1886, Maria made a private vow of virginity, and asked for Our Lady's guidance in how best fulfill her religious vocation. In 1892, Maria and Father Nascimbeni founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family with four women; Maria took the name Mother Maria of the Immaculate, but everyone simply called her Mother. Their mission was to promote parish life and help the spiritual and material well-being of people in need, and Maria served as first Superior General, guiding the Congregation for the next 40 years. She was known for the depth and intensity of her prayer life, her devotion to Our Lady, and her gentle spiritual guidance to her sisters and the townspeople alike. Today the Little Sisters of the Holy Family work in Italy, Switzerland, Albania, Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, serving children and youth, families, priests, the elderly and the disabled in parishes.
Born
12 November 1862 in Castelletto di Brenzone, Italy
Died
2 February 1934 in Castelletto di Brenzone, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
• 27 April 2003 by Pope John Paul II
• the beatification miracle involved the 6 March 1999 healing of a one-day-old girl in Bahía Blanca, Argentina who fell from her hospital bed and received a head injury resulting in severe brain damage and a coma
Canonized
• 15 May 2022 by Pope Francis
• the canonization miracle involved the healing of an 11 year old girl of "epileptic state of illness; coma; cardio-respiratory arrest; acute respiratory failure; infections in patient with myelomenigocele and derived hydrocephalus, lower limb paraplegia" in 2011 in Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Saint Maria Katharina Kasper
புனிதர் மரியா கேதரீனா கேஸ்பர்
மறைப்பணியாளர்/ நிறுவனர்:
பிறப்பு: மே 26, 1820
டெர்ன்பச், அம்ட் மொண்டபவ்ர், நஸ்ஸாவு, ஜெர்மன் கூட்டமைப்பு
இறப்பு: பிப்ரவரி 2, 1898 (வயது 77)
டெர்ன்பச், அன்டெர்வெஸ்டெர்வட்க்ரெய்ஸ், ப்ரூஸியா, ஜெர்மன் பேரரசு
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
முக்திப்பேறு பட்டம்: ஏப்ரல் 16, 1978
திருத்தந்தை ஆறாவது பவுல்
புனிதர் பட்டம்: அக்டோபர் 14, 2018
திருத்தந்தை ஃபிரான்சிஸ்
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 2
பாதுகாவல்:
இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவின் எளிய பணியாளர்கள் சபை
புனிதர் மரியா கேதரீனா கேஸ்பர், ஒரு ஜெர்மன் ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் அருட்சகோதரியும், "இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவின் எளிய பணியாளர்கள் சபையின்" (Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ) நிறுவனருமாவார். சமய வாழ்வில் ஈடுபட வேண்டுமென்ற ஆவல் சிறுவயதிலிருந்தே இருப்பினும், காலம் தாழ்ந்தே அவர் திருச்சபையின் அருட்சகோதரியானார். இவரது தந்தையும் சகோதரர் ஒருவரும் மரித்துப் போனது, மற்றும் இவரது மோசமான பொருளாதார நிலை ஆகியவற்றின் காரணமாக, இவரது ஆன்மீக ஆசைகள் நிறைவேறுவதில் காலதாமதம் ஏற்பட்டன. தமது அர்ப்பணிப்புள்ள வாழ்க்கையில், ஏழைகளுக்கும் நோயுற்றோர்க்கும் உதவுவது மற்றும் சேவையாற்றுவது ஆகியனவற்றுக்காக அவர் குறிப்பிடப்படுகிறார்.
அன்றைய ஜெர்மன் கூட்டமைப்பின் (German Confederation) "வெஸ்டெர்வட்க்ரெய்ஸ்" (Westerwaldkreis) மாவட்டத்தின் "டெர்ன்பச்" (Dernbach) எனும் நகரில் பிறந்த இவரது திருமுழுக்குப் பெயரும், கேதரீனா (Katharina) ஆகும். பக்திமிகு விவசாயியான "ஹெயின்றிச் கேஸ்பர்" (Heinrich Kasper) இவராதது தந்தையார் ஆவார். தந்தையின் நான்காவது மனைவியான "கேத்ரீனா ஃபஸ்ஸல்" (Katharina Fassel) இவரது தாயார் ஆவார். இவர், தமது பெற்றோரின் நான்கு குழந்தைகளில் மூன்றாவது குழந்தை ஆவார்.
அவருடைய குழந்தை பருவத்தில், விவிலியம் பற்றின் குறிப்பிட்ட முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்தவற்றையும், மற்றும் கிறிஸ்துவின் சாயல்களைப்பற்றியும் கற்றுத் தேர்ந்தார். கேதரின், தார்மீக பாத்திரத்தின் வலுவான உணர்வுடன் வெளிப்படையாக அறியப்பட்டார். உடல்நிலை ஆரோக்கியமற்றிருந்த கேதரின், தமது ஆறு வயது முதல் பதினான்கு வயது வரை, தமது சொந்த ஊரிலுள்ள பள்ளியில் கல்வி கற்றார். பெற்றோரின் உருளைக்கிழங்கு வயலிலும், துணி நெசவு செய்தல் உள்ளிட்ட வீட்டு வேலைகளிலும் பெற்றோருக்கு உதவினார். அயலாரின் குழந்தைகளுக்கு கதைகள் சொல்வதிலும் பாடல்கள் பாடிக் காட்டுவதிலும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைந்தார்.
வயல்வெளிகளில் வேலை செய்துவந்த கேத்தரின், வயல்களை சுற்றிலும் சாலைகள் அமைப்பதற்காக கல் உடைக்கும் வேலையும் செய்தார். அடிக்கடி மரியாளின் திருத்தலமொன்றிற்கு பயணம் செய்த அவர், அடிக்கடி, அருகாமையிலுள்ள குழந்தைகளையும் அழைத்துச் சென்றார். சிறுவயது பருவத்தில், அவரது ஆன்மீக வேலைப்பாடுகள் வெளிப்படுத்தப்பட்டு, "கர்த்தருக்குள் என்னைப் பரிசுத்தம் பண்ணிக்கொள்ளுகிறதற்கான ஒரு பெரிய ஆசை என்னுள் உணர்ந்தபோது," நான் ஒரு சிறுமியாக இருந்தேன்" என்று அவர் பின்னாளில் எழுதினார். பெற்றோரின் கஷ்ட நிலைக்கு உதவுவதற்காக வயல்களில் வேலை செய்து வந்த கேத்தரின், "நான் வேலைக்குச் சென்றபோது எனக்குள் கடவுளின் இருப்பை உணர்ந்தேன்" என்று பின்னாளில் எழுதினர்.
கி.பி. 1841ம் ஆண்டு, அவரது தந்தை இறந்துவிட்டார். மற்றும் கி.பி. 1842ம் ஆண்டு, அவருடைய சகோதரர்களில் ஒருவர், நெதர்லாந்தில் வியாபாரத்தில் இருந்து வீடு திரும்பும் வழியில் இறந்து போனார். இவர்களுடைய இறப்பால், இவர்களுடைய குடும்பம் சிதறிப்போனது. ஏற்கனவே மோசமாயிருந்த அவர்களுடைய பொருளாதார நிலைமை, நிலைமையை மேலும் மோசமாக்கியது. அதனால் கேதரினும், அவருடைய தாயாரும் வீட்டை விட்டு வெளியேறி, வேறு இடத்திற்கு செல்லும் கட்டாயத்துக்குள்ளானார்கள். கேதரினும், அவருடைய தாயாரும் மத்தியாஸ் முல்லர் (Matthias Müller) என்பவரின் வீட்டில் ஒரு அறையை வாடகைக்கு எடுத்துக் கொண்டார்கள். அவர், நெசவுப்பணியை ஒரு வேலையாக செய்யத் தொடங்கினார். கேதரின், தமக்காகவும், தமது தாயாருக்காகவும், பத்து சென்ட் காசுகளுக்காக வேலை செய்தார். சிறிது காலத்தின் பின்னர், அவரது தாயார் மரித்துப் போனார். இதன்காரணமாக தனித்து விடப்பட்ட கேதரின், சுயமாக ஆன்மீக வாழ்க்கைக்கான அழைப்பை ஏற்று நடக்காத தொடங்கினார். கேதரின் ஒரு ஒப்புக்கொள்ளப்பட்ட மறைப்பணியாளராக ஆக விரும்பினார். ஆனால், ஏற்கனவே உள்ள ஆன்மீக சபைகளில் சேர விரும்பவில்லை. இது அவருக்கு கடினமான காரியமாக அமையும் என்று அவர் எண்ணினார். பெண்களுக்கான சபைகள் இல்லை என்பதாலும், மதச்சார்பற்ற தன்மை காரணமாக, தான் தமது சொந்தப் பிரதேசத்தை விட்டு வெளியேற வேண்டி நேரிடும் என்பதாலும் அவர் அதனை விரும்பவில்லை. மேலும், அவருக்கு அருகாமை நகரான "மொண்டபௌர்" (Montabaur) எனும் நகரிலும், ஆண்களுக்கான சபைகளை சேர்ந்த "ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன்" மற்றும் "சிஸ்டர்ஸியன்" (Franciscan and Cistercians) துறவு மடங்களே இருந்தன. அவர்களின் பிரசன்னம் மற்றும் அவர்களின் தற்போதைய மத நடவடிக்கைகளால் அவர்களின் ஆன்மீக வாழ்வு அமைந்திருந்தது.
கேதரின், உள்ளூர் வாசிகள் மற்றும் அவர்களது குடும்பத்தினரின் உதவிகளுடன் தமக்கான சிறு இல்லத்தை "டெர்ன்பச்" (Dernbach) நகரில் கட்டி எழுப்பினார். பிற்காலத்தில், இது, அவர் உருவாக்கின சமூகத்தின் இல்லமாக மாறியது. கிராமத்தில் குழந்தைகளையும் நோயாளிகளையும் பேண உதவிய முதல் உள்ளூர் பெண்கள் தங்களுடைய சொந்த வீடுகளில் வாழ்ந்து வந்தனர்.
குறிப்பாக அவர்களின் நடவடிக்கைகள் வளர்ந்த காரணங்களால், அவரது குழுமத்தின் நடவடிக்கைகள் கவனிக்கப்படாமல் போய்விடவில்லை. உள்ளூர் மாநகராட்சி மன்றத் தலைவர் (Mayor), இவர்களது குழுமத்தைப் பற்றின ஒரு பொது அறிவிப்பை வெளியிட்டார். அவர்களுக்கு சில வழிகாட்டுதல்களை அளித்த அவர், அவர்களுக்கு நன்கொடைகளை வழங்கும்படி கிராமவாசிகளை கேட்டுக்கொண்டார். அருகாமையிலுள்ள "வர்ஜெஸ்" (Wirges) மற்றும் "மாண்டபாவர்" (Montabaur) நகரங்களிலுள்ள கத்தோலிக்க குருக்களுக்கும் இவர்களது குழுமம் பற்றின தகவல்கள் கொடுக்கப்பட்டன. ஏற்கனவே கேதரின் விஜயம் செய்திருந்த "லிம்போவின் ஆயர்" (Bishop of Limburg) "பீட்டர் ஜோசப் ப்ளூம்" (Peter Joseph Blum) என்பவருக்கும் அவர்கள் தகவலளித்தனர். உள்ளூர் கிராமத்திலிருந்தும், சுற்று வட்டார கிராமங்கலிருந்தும் பெண்கள் கேதரினின் இல்லத்தில் இணைந்தனர். ஒழுங்கமைக்கப்பட்ட சமய வாழ்க்கைக்கு அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு சங்கமாக மாறிய இது, கேதரின் உருவாக்கும் ஆன்மீக சபைக்கான அடிப்படையை இது உருவாக்கியது.
கி.பி. 1851ம் ஆண்டு, ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம், 15ம் தேதி, ஆயர் ப்ளூம் (Bishop Blum), வர்ஜெஸ் ஆலயத்தில் (Wirges Church), குழுவின் முதலாவது உறுதிப்பாடுகளைப் பெற்றார். "இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவின் எளிய பணியாளர்கள் சபை"
(Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ) நிறுவப்பட்டது. கேதரின் (மற்றும் பிற பெண்கள்) ஒப்புக்கொள்ளப்பட்ட மறைப்பணியாளர்களாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டார்கள். "கேதரின் கேஸ்பர்", "மரியா" எனும் ஆன்மீகப் பெயரை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். இவர்களது சபையானது, மிக விரைவில் வேகமாகப் .பரவியது. அவற்றின் செயல்பாடுகளை பார்வையிடுவதற்காக மரியா கேத்தரின் கேஸ்பர் பல்வேறு இல்லங்களுக்கும் வருகை தந்தார். கி.பி. 1859ம் ஆண்டு, சபையினர் விரைவில் நெதர்லாந்து (Netherlands) நாட்டுக்கும் வந்தனர். கேஸ்பர், சபையின் சுப்பீரியர் ஜெனரலாக (Superior General) ஐந்து முறை தொடர்ச்சியாக சேவை செய்தார். கி.பி. 1854ம் ஆண்டு, சபையின் முதல் பள்ளி திறக்கப்பட்டது. கி.பி. 1860ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 9ம் தேதி, திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் பயஸ் (Pope Pius IX), இவர்களது சபைக்கு பாராட்டு ஆணையை வழங்கினார். கி.பி. 1890ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம், 21ம் நாளன்று, திருத்தந்தை "பதின்மூன்றாம் லியோ" (Pope Leo XIII) இச்சபைக்கு அங்கீகாரம் வழங்கினார். கி.பி. 1868ம் ஆண்டு, அமெரிக்காவின் (United States of America) சிகாகோ (Chicago) போன்ற நகரங்களிலும் இச்சபை பரவியது.
கி.பி. 1898ம் ஆண்டு, ஜனவரி மாதம், 27ம் தேதி, டெர்ன்பச் (Dernbach) நகரில், “இயேசுவை ஆலயத்தில் அர்ப்பணித்தல்” திருநாளன்று, (Presentation Feast) மரியா கேதரின் கேஸ்பர், இருதய நோயினால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு, மாரடைப்பினால் மரித்துப்போனார். சபையின் தலைமை இல்லத்தின் (Motherhouse) அருகேயுள்ள, அருட்கன்னியரின் தனிப்பட்ட கல்லறையில் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டார். அவருடைய மிச்சங்கள், தலைமை இல்லத்திலுள்ள சிற்றாலயத்துக்கு இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டது. இவர் உருவாக்கி நிர்மாணித்த சபை, மெக்சிக்கோ (Mexico), இந்தியா (India) உள்ளிட்ட உலக நாடுகளில் செயல்படுகிறது. அவரது மரணத்தின்போது, 193 இல்லங்களில், 1725 மறைப்பணியாளர்களுடன் செயல்பட்ட சபை, 2008ம் ஆண்டு, 104 இல்லங்களில், 690 மறைப்பணியாளர்களாக குறைந்துபோனது.
Also known as
• Catalina Kasper
• Catherine Kasper
• Maria Caterina Kasper
Profile
Third of four children born to Heinrich Kasper and Katharina Fassel, poor but devout peasants; she had four half-sisters from her father's first marriage. A happy, out-going child, Maria was an avid reader with a fondness for both the Bible and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. Health problems often kept her home from school, but there she learned to spin and weave. She worked with her parents in the fields, and when she could do it, earned extra money by breaking stones for road construction.
Maria she felt an early call to religious life, and would lead pilgrimages of other children to local Marian shrines. However, her father died when she was 21, one of her brothers when she was 22, and the family was left so poor that Maria had to stay to help them survive by selling her weaving. When her mother died, Maria felt she could finally follow her vocation, and with the approval of the bishop of Limburg, Germany, she started a small house with several friends who also felt the call. They became a formal association in 1845, and on 15 August 1851 they were established as the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, a congregation dedicated to caring for the poor. Maria served as superior for five consecutive terms. The Handmaids opened their first school in 1854, spread to the Netherlands in 1859, received a decree of praise from Pope Pius IX on 9 March 1860, and formal approval by Pope Leo XIII on 21 May 1890. Her order continues its good work today with 690 sisters in 104 houses in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Mexico and India.
Born
26 May 1820 in Dernbach, Westerwaldkreis, Germany
Died
• 2 February 1898 in Dernbach, Westerwaldkreis, Germany of complications following a heart attack on 27 January 1898
• re-interred at the chapel of the motherhouse of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1950
Beatified
• 16 April 1978 by Pope Paul VI in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
• the beatification miracle involved the instantaneous cure of Sister Mary Herluka, a member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, of severe tuberculosis in September 1945
Canonized
• 14 October 2018 by Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
• the canonization miracle took place in India in 2012
Saint Jean-Théophane Vénard
Additional Memorial
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Profile
Raised in a pious family; one brother became a priest, and was later curator for Theophane's writings, and another was the bishop of Poitiers, France. Studied at the College of Doue-la-Fontaine, Montmorillon, Poitiers, and the Paris Seminary for Foreign Missions. Ordained on 5 June 1852. Missionary to southeast Asia, leaving on 19 September 1852. Worked fifteen months at Hong Kong, then transferred to West Tonkin (in modern Vietnam).
Christians in the area were being persecuted by order of the ruler Minh-Menh. Just before Theophan's arrival, new anti–Christian orders had forced priests and bishops to go into hiding in forests and caves. Father Vénard, whose health had never been good, suffered terribly, ministering to his flock by night and, when he could find a secure location, by day for nearly four years. Betrayed by an ostensible parishioner, he was arrested on 30 November 1860. He was tried for the crime of being Christian, and was given ample opportunity to save himself by denying Christ; he declined. He was kept in a cage for several weeks prior to his execution, during which he wrote a series of joyful, consoling letters to his family. One of the Martyrs of Vietnam.
Born
21 November 1829 at Saint-Loup, diocese of Poitiers, France
Died
• beheaded on 2 February 1861 at Ô Cau Giay, Hanoi, Tonkin (in modern Vietnam)
• his head was stuck on a pole as a warning to others, but was later recovered and preserved as a relic in Tonkin
• the rest of his body was sent back to his family, and is interred in the crypt of the Missions Etrangères in Paris, France
Canonized
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson
Also known as
Alois Brisson
Profile
The only child of Toussaint and Savine Brisson. Educated by a local priest who had a large library; Louis read everything, but was especially interested in science. Seminarian in Troyes, France. Ordained on 19 December 1840. Teacher at the Visitation school in Troyes. Chaplain to the Visitation Sisters in Troyes. Confessor, spiritual director and eventual biographer of Mother Marie Therese de Sales Chappuis, superior of the Visitation house. With her help, and that of Saint Francisca Salesia, he founded the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales in 1859 to minister to girls working in textile factories. Established Saint Bernard's College in Troyes in 1869. On 27 August 1876, Louis and five other priests formed the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Late in his life, the French government closed all religious houses, and the Oblates transferred their General House to Rome, Italy; being too elderly and frail to travel so far, Father Louis saw them off and then retired to spend his remaining days at his family home in Plancy, France.
Born
23 June 1817 in Plancy-l'Abbaye, Aube, France
Died
2 February 1908 in Plancy-l'Abbaye, Aube, France
Beatified
22 September 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Peter Cambiano
Also known as
• Peter de Ruffi
• Peter of Ruffia
• Peter Cambiani
• Peter Cambiano av Ruffi
Additional Memorial
7 November (Dominicans)
Profile
Peter's father was a city councillor, his mother was from a noble family, and the boy was raised in a pious household. He received a good education, and was early drawn to religious life, with a personal devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary. Joined the Dominicans in Piedmont, Italy at age 16. He continued his studies, and was ordained at age 25. Noted preacher throughout northern Italy. He worked to bring the heretical Waldensians back to the Church. Appointed inquisitor-general of the Piedmont.
In January 1365 Peter and two Dominican brothers went on a preaching mission through the mountains between Italy and Switzerland, working from the Franciscan friary at Susa, Italy. Peter's preaching brought many back to the faith, which earned him the anger of the Waldensians. Three of the heretics came to the friary, asked to see Peter, and then murdered him at the gate. Martyr.
Born
1320 in Chieri, Piedmont, Italy
Died
• stabbed to death with daggers on 2 February 1365 by Waldensian heretics outside the Franciscan friary of Susa, Italy
• buried at the Franciscan house as it was considered unsafe to transport his body through the hostile heretical territory
• relics translated to the Dominican house in Turin, Italy in 1517 after the friary was destroyed by an invading army
Beatified
4 December 1856 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmation)
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac
Also known as
• Jane de Lestonnac
• Joan de Lestonnac
Profile
Married Gaston de Montferrant, Baron of Landiras, in 1572 at age 16. Mother of seven, five of whom lived to adulthood; two of the five entered religious life. Widowed at age 41, she ran the affairs of her estate and castle by herself.
Believing that her obligations to the world were finished, she entered a Cistercian house at Toulouse, France at age 46. She was not up to the rigors of the order's discipline, became seriously ill, and wanted to die at the monastery; her superiors refused to allow it. On her last night at the monastery, she had a vision of Mary who presented an image of Jeanne helping lost children.
Returning to her estate, she slowly started this work with local women and priests which led to the foundation of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, devoted to the education of girls and slowing Calvinism. It was approved by Pope Paul V on 7 April 1607; Joan was elected superior in 1610. Today the congregation has grown to 2,500 sisters in 17 countries.
Born
27 December 1556 at Bourdeaux, France
Died
2 February 1640 of natural causes
Canonized
15 May 1949 by Pope Pius XII
Blessed Stephen Bellesini
Also known as
• Aloysius Bellesini
• Stefano Bellesini
Additional Memorial
3 February (Augustinians)
Profile
Born to the Italian nobility. Became Augustinian in 1790 at age 16 at the monastery of Saint Mark in Venice, Italy, taking the name Stephen; he made his profession on 31 May 1794. Studied in Rome and Bologna in Italy. During the French Revolution troops shut down religious houses in the region, and dissolved the Augustinians; this ended Stephen's studies, and left him without his religious community.
He devoted himself to preaching and religious education for children. He organized a free school for poor children at Trentino. It was called La Scola per gnent (The School for Nothing), and had nearly 500 students and several lay teachers. His work impressed the governors of Trent, Italy, and they appointed him inspector of the province's schools.
When the Augustinians were restored, Stephen return to religious life. Novice master at Rome and Citta delle Pieve, Italy. Parish priest in 1831 at Genazzano, Italy, site of the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Devoted to his parishioners, Stephen made endless sick calls, working with victims of a cholera epidemic in 1840 until contracting the disease himself.
Born
25 November 1774 at Trent, Italy as Aloysius Bellesini
Died
2 February 1840 of cholera and an infection that developed from a cut on his leg received by an accidental fall while visiting the sick at Genazzano, Italy
Beatified
27 December 1904 by Pope Pius X
Candlemas
ஆண்டவரைக் கோவிலில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுத்த விழா (02-02-2021)
கி.பி. 526 ஆம் ஆண்டு கான்ஸ்டான்டிநோபுள் நகரை மிகப்பெரிய கொள்ளை நோய் தாக்கவே, சிறியவர் முதல் பெரியவர் வரை மக்களில் நிறையப்பேர் இறந்து போனார்கள். இதைப் பார்த்த யாவரும் செய்வதரியாமல் திகைத்தார்கள். அப்போது திருத்தந்தை முதலாம் ஜஸ்டின், இந்த கொள்ளை நோயை முடிவுக்குக் கொண்டுவர ஒரே வழி, மக்கள் அனைவரையும் ஆண்டவருக்கு ஒப்புக்கொடுத்து ஜெபிப்பதுதான் எனத் தீர்மானித்து, அவ்வாறு ஜெபித்தார். இதனால் விரைவிலேயே கொள்ளைநோய் நீங்கியது. அனைவரும் பெருமகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தார்கள்.
உடனே திருத்தந்தை அவர்கள், ஆண்டவர் மக்களை சிறப்பான விதத்தில் கொள்ளைநோயியிலிருந்து காப்பாற்றியதால், அனைவரையும் ஆண்டவர் இயேசுவை கோயிலில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுத்த விழாவைக் கொண்டாடப் பணித்தார். அப்படித் தோன்றியதுதான் இவ்விழா.
வரலாற்றுப் பின்புலம்
இன்று நாம் ஆண்டவர் இயேசுவை கோவிலில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுத்த விழாவைக் கொண்டாடுகின்றோம். இதற்கான வரலாற்றுப் பின்புலத்தை ஆராய்ந்து பார்க்கின்றபோது, அது விடுதலைப் பயண நூலிலே காணக்கிடக்கிறது.
ஆண்டவராகிய கடவுள் இஸ்ரயேல் மக்களை எகிப்து என்னும் அடிமைத்தன வீட்டிலிருந்து விடுப்பதற்காக பத்துவிதமான வாதைகளை அனுப்பினார். அவற்றில் ஒன்றுதான் ஆண் தலைப்பேறுகளைக் கொல்லுதல். ஆண்டவரின் தூதர் எகிப்து நாட்டினரின் வீடுகளைக் கடந்துசெல்கிறபோது இரத்தம் தெளிக்கப்படாத வீடுகளில் இருந்த ஆண் தலைப்பேறுகளைக் கொன்றுபோடுகிறார். அதேநேரத்தில் ஏற்கனவே இரத்தம் தெளிக்கப்பட்டு இருந்த இஸ்ரயேலரின் வீடுகளில் இருந்த ஆண் தலைப்பேறுகளை அவர் கொல்லாமல் கடந்துசெல்கிறார். இதன் பொருட்டுதான் ஆண் தலைப்பேறு அனைத்தும் ஆண்டவருக்குச் சொந்தம் என்ற ஒரு நிலை உருவாகிறது. இதனை விடுதலைப் பயண நூல் 13:2 ல் நாம் வாசிக்கின்றோம், “தலைப்பேறு அனைத்தையும் எனக்கு அர்ப்பணம் செய்; இஸ்ரயேல் மக்களிடையே மனிதரிலும் கால்நடைகளிலும் கருப்பையைத் திறக்கும் எல்லாத் தலைப்பேறும் எனக்குரியவை”.
மோசேயின் சட்டப்படி ஒரு தாய் ஆண் குழந்தை பெற்றெடுக்கும் போது ஏழு நாள் விலக்கு இருந்து எட்டாம் நாள் அக்குழந்தைக்கு விருத்தசேதனம் செய்ய வேண்டும். அதைத் தொடர்ந்து உதிரத் தீட்டு முடியும்வரை 33 நாள்களும் தூய பொருள்களைத் தொடாமல் இருக்க வேண்டும். பெற்றெடுக்கும் குழந்தை பெண்ணாக இருந்தால், இரண்டு வாரம் விலக்கு இருப்பதுடன் பின்பு 66 நாள்கள் உதிரத்தீட்டு முடியும்வரை தூய்மையான எதையும் தொடமல் இருக்க வேண்டும்.
காலக்கெடு முடிந்த பிறகு, ஓராண்டு நிறைவுற்ற செம்மறி ஒன்றை எரிபலியாகவும், புறாக்குஞ்சு அல்லது காட்டுப்புறா ஒன்றைப் பாவம் போக்கும் பலியாகவும் குருவிடம் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். அவர் அதனை ஆண்டவர் திருமுன் கொண்டு வந்து காணிக்கையாக்கி குழந்தை பெற்றெடுத்த பெண்ணின் இரத்தத் தீட்டை நீக்குவார். ஆட்டுக்குட்டி கொண்டுவர இயலாதவர்கள் இரண்டு காட்டுப் புறாக்களை அல்லது இரண்டு புறாக்குஞ்சுகளைக் கொண்டு வந்து ஒன்றை எரிபலியாகவும், மற்றதை பாவம் போக்கும் பலியாகவும் கொடுப்பது வழக்கம் (லேவி 12:2-8).
மேலும் மனிதரானாலும், விலங்குகளானாலும் தலைப் பேறானவை அனைத்தும் ஆண்டவருக்கே உரியது. ஆயினும் மனிதரில் தலைப் பேறானவைகளை ஈடு கொடுத்து மீட்டுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்பதை விதிமுறைகளுள் ஒன்று (எண் 18:15)
அதன்படி மோசேயின் சட்டத்தை நிறைவேற்ற, இயேசுவைக் கோவிலில் அர்ப்பணிக்க, மற்றும் தானும் தூய்மையாகும் பொருட்டு அன்னை மரியா ஆலயத்திற்குச் சென்றார்.
இயேசு தலைப்பேறு என்பதனால் மரியாவும் யோசேப்பும் அவரைக் கோவிலில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுத்து ஆண்டவரின் கட்டளையை, மோசேயின் சட்டத்தை நிறைவேற்றுக்கிறார்கள். மோசேயின் சட்டப்படி, குழந்தையை காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புக்கொடுக்கும் நாளில் செம்மறி ஒன்றை எரிபலியாகவும், புறாக்குஞ்சு அல்லது காட்டுப்புறா ஒன்றை பாவம்போக்கும் பலியாகவும் குருவிடம் ஒப்படைக்கவேண்டும். ஆனால் மரியாவும் ஜோசேப்பும் ஆட்டுக்குட்டியை கொண்டுவர வசதி இல்லாததால் இரு மாடப்புறாக்களைக் கொடுத்து மோசேயின் சட்டத்தை நிறைவேற்றுகிறார்கள். இயேசு இறைமகன். அப்படியிருந்தாலும் அவருடைய பெற்றோர்கள் மோசே இட்ட கட்டளையை நிறைவேற்றி, எல்லாருக்கும் முன்மாதிரியாய் விளங்குகிறார்கள்.
இயேசுவைக் கோவிலில் காணிக்கையாக ஒப்புகொடுக்கும்போது அங்கே சிமியோனும் அன்னாவும் வந்து அவரைக் கண்டுகொள்கிறார்கள்.
இவ்விழா ஆறாம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சேர்ந்த திருத்தந்தை முதலாம் ஜஸ்டின் என்பவரால் திருச்சபையில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டது என்பதை மேலே பார்த்தோம். ஆனால் எட்டாம் நூற்றாண்டில்தான் இவ்விழா இன்னும் விமரிசையாகக் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது. எட்டாம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சேர்ந்த திருத்தந்தை முதலாம் செர்கியுஸ் என்பவர்தான் குருக்களும் இறைமக்களும் கையில் மெழுகுதிரிகளை ஏந்தி, பவனியாகச் செல்லவேண்டும் என்ற நிலையை உருவாக்கினார். அதனால்தான் இவ்விழா மெழுகுதிரி திருநாள் என்றும் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றது.
Also known as
• Our Lady of the Candles
• Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple
• Presentation of the Lord
• Purification of the Blessed Virgin
• Candelas (Spanish)
• Candelora (Italian)
• Chandeleur (French)
• Hromnice (Feast of Candles among the Slovaks and Czechs)
• Lichtmess (German)
• Stretenije Gospoda (Meeting of the Lord by the Slavs of the Eastern Rite)
• Svijetlo Marijino (Light Feast of Mary in Yugoslavia)
About the Feast
The feast commemorates the purifying of the Blessed Virgin according to the Mosaic Law, 40 days after the birth of Christ, and the presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple. The feast was introduced into the Eastern Empire by Emperor Justinian I, and is mentioned in the Western Church in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 7th century. Candles are blessed on that day in commemoration of the words of Holy Simeon concerning Christ "a light to the revelation of the Gentiles" (Luke 2), and a procession with lighted candles is held in the church to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem. "Candlemas" is still the name in Scotland for a legal term-day on which interest and rents are payable (2 February).
Saint Giovanni Battista Clemente Saggio
Also known as
• Nicola da Longobardi
• Nicholas of the Longobards
Profile
Born to a poor peasant family, Giovanni was a clever boy who enjoyed study, but had to work the fields with his father instead of going to school. He was a pious child, and would spend whole days in prayer in a local Minim church. At 20, against his family's wishes (legend says that he was struck blind when his mother objected, and only recovered his sight when she agreed to let him follow his vocation), he became an Oblate friar of the Order of the Minims, taking the name Nicola. Miracle worker.
Born
• 6 January 1650 in Longobardi, Cosenza, Italy as Giovanni Battista Clemente Saggio
• legend says that a light shown down on the house at the moment of his birth
Died
• 2 February 1709 in Rome, Italy of natural causes
• he had previously predicted the date and time of his death
Canonized
• 23 November 2014 by Pope Francis
• canonization celebrated in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari
Also known as
Andreas Ferrari
Additional Memorial
1 February (in Milan, Italy)
Profile
Educated in the seminary of Parma, Italy. Ordained on 20 December 1873 in Parma. Episcopal delegate of Mariano, February 1874. Coadjutor Bishop of Fornovo di Taro, Italy on 4 July 1874. Vice-rector of the Parma seminary, and professor of physics and mathematics in 1875. Rector of the seminary in 1877. Professor of fundamental theology, ecclesiastical history and moral theology in 1878. Bishop of Guastalla, Italy on 29 May 1890. Bishop of Como, Italy on 29 May 1891. Created cardinal on 18 May 1894. Archbishop of Milan, Italy on 21 May 1894. Chose his middle name of Carlo in honour of Saint Charles Borromeo. Participated in the conclave of 1903 that elected Pope Saint Pius X, and of 1914 that chose Pope Benedict XV.
Born
13 August 1850 at Lalatta, Pratopiano, diocese of Parma, Italy
Died
• 2 February 1921 at Milan, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the chapel Virgo Potens, cathedral of Milan
Beatified
10 May 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Works
1885: Summula theologiae dogmaticae generalis
Saint Burchard of Würzburg
வூர்ட்ஸ்பூர்க் ஆயர் பூர்க்ஹார்டு Burkhard von Würzburg
பிறப்பு
700 (?),
இங்கிலாந்து
இறப்பு
2 பிப்ரவரி, 753 (அ) 754,
பவேரியா, Germany
பாதுகாவல் : எலும்பு நோய், மூட்டு வலி
இவர் 741 ஆம் ஆண்டு வூர்ட்ஸ்பூர்கின் முதல் ஆயராகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். இவர் 750 ஆம் ஆண்டு வூர்ட்ஸ்பூர்கில் அந்திரேயா Andreas என்ற பெயரில் துறவற இல்லம் ஒன்றை நிறுவினார். அதன்பிறகு சால்வாடோர் Salvatordom என்ற பேராலயம் ஒன்றை எழுப்பினார். 855 ஆம் ஆண்டு இப்பேராலயமானது எரிக்கப்பட்டது. இவர் ஏறக்குறைய 10 ஆண்டுகள் ஆயராக இருந்தார் என்று இவரின் வரலாறு கூறுகின்றது. இவர் ஆயராக இருந்தபோது விசுவாசத்தைப் பரப்ப பெரிதும் உழைத்தார் என்று சொல்லப்படுகின்றது. நற்செய்திப் பணிக்காக பயணம் செய்யும்போது இறந்தார் என்று கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. வூர்ட்ஸ்பூர்கில் அக்டோபர் 14 ஆம் நாள் இவருக்கு விழா எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றது. இவர் எழுப்பிய அந்திரேயா துறவற இல்லம் இன்று புனித பூர்க்கார்டு St. Burkhard துறவற இல்லம் என்றழைக்கப்படுகின்றது
Also known as
Burchardus, Burkard, Burkhard
Additional Memorial
14 October (translation of relics; Diocese of Würzburg, Germany)
Profile
Born wealthy, he felt early called to the Church and working with the poor. Inspired by Saint Boniface, he became a missionary in the area of modern Germany. First bishop of Würzburg, Franconia, consecrated by Saint Boniface in 741 and confirmed by Pope Saint Zachary in 743. Under his ministry all of Franconia converted, and several monasteries were founded by and for his people. Promoted devotion to Saint Killian who had previously worked in the region. A favourite of King Pepin the Short. Burchard led the party that sought Pope Zachary's decision on who should be the king of the Franks. Resigned his bishopric in 752, and spent the rest of his days in solitude and prayer.
Born
in England
Died
• 754 in Germany of natural causes
• buried at Mount Saint Mary or Old Würzburg
• relics transferred in 983 to the monastery of Saint Andrew in Würzburg, Germany
• the monastery has since been renamed in hounour of Burchard
Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant
Also known as
• Adalbald d'Ostrevant
• Adalbald of Douai
• Adalbaldus, Albold, Adelbald, Adalbade, Adalbaud
Additional Memorial
2 May (translation of relics to Douai, France)
Profile
Born to the nobility of Flanders, Belgium. Son of Saint Gertrude the Elder. Duke of Douai, France. Served in the courts of King Dagobert I and King Clovis II. While suppressing a rebellion in Gascony, he met and married Saint Rictrude of Marchiennes, daughter of Ernold. Though they were happy together, they fought constant opposition from her family who opposed his military incursion in their region. Father of Saint Maurontius of Douai, Saint Clotsindis of Marchiennes, Saint Eusebia of Hamage, and Saint Adalsindis. Adalbald and Rictrudis dedicated themselves and their fortunes to religious projects and care of the poor.
Born
at Flanders, Belgium
Died
• murdered c.651 by an in-law while on the road to Gascony
• listed as a martyr by many sources
• miracles reported at his tomb
• relics at Saint Amand les Eaux, Elanone and Douai, France
Blessed Simon of Cassia Fidati
Also known as
• Simon Fidati
• Simon of Cascia
Additional Memorial
16 February (Augustinians)
Profile
Simon joined the Augustinian Hermits as a young man. Initially a student of the natual sciences and philosophy, as he grew older he became more and more drawn to religious matters, theology and Bible scholarship. Priest. Though he preferred solitude, prayer and study, and always avoided positions of authority, his preaching, writing and spiritual guidance led many to live more faithful and Christian lives.
Born
c.1295 in Cascia, Italy
Died
• 2 February 1348 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy during a plague epidemic
• relics enshrined in the church of Saint Augustine in Cascia, Italy
• relics enshrined in the crypt chapel in the Basilica of Saint Rita in Casia
Beatified
1833 by Pope Gregory XVI
Blessed Bernard of Corbara
Profile
Born to the Italian nobility, part of the family of the counts of Montemarte. A well-educated and pious young man, he was a friend and travelling companion of Saint Peter Nolasco from whom he received the Mercedarian habit as a lay knight; Bernard joined the Order on 10 August 1218, the founding day of the Mercedarians. He was later ordained, and for a while was the only Mercedarian priest; he served as novice master for the Order as he was considered to be an excellent example. Sent to Algiers to ransom Christians who were being held by Moors, Father Bernard was imprisoned and enslaved for two years. Returning to Spain, he worked with Blessed Mary de Cerevellon, and helped her found the first female branch of the Mercedarians in 1265.
Born
Corbara, Orvieto, Italy
Died
• mid-13th-century Barcelona, Spain of natural causes
• interred in the Mercedarian church in Barcelona
• body reported to be incorrupt
Saint Lawrence of Canterbury
Profile
Benedictine monk. At the order of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, he accompanied Saint Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize England in 597. Upon Augustine's death, Lawrence became archbishop of Canterbury. When the Britons began to abandon Christianity and return to the old pagan customs, Lawrence planned to abandon them and return to France. However, he had a dream in which he was rebuked and scourged by Saint Peter the Apostle for giving up on his flock. Lawrence remained, redoubled his efforts at evangelization, and converted King Edbald who brought many of his subjects to the faith. Legend says that Lawrence carried physical scars from his dream beating by Saint Peter.
Born
6th century
Died
2 February 619 in Canterbury, England of natural causes
World Day for Consecrated Life
Additional Memorial
Sunday following 2 February (United States)
About
Begun in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, the World Day for Consecrated Life was intended to serve three purposes
• to praise the Lord and thank him for the great gift of consecrated life
• to promote a knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life by the entire People of God
• to allow those in consecrated life to celebrate together the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them, to discover by a more illumined faith the rays of divine beauty spread by the Spirit in their way of life, and to acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and in the world
It serves an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contributions of men and women religious as well as a time to pray for vocations to the consecrated life.
Saint Columbanus of Ghent
Profile
Abbot of an Irish community. Following a series of Viking raids, he led his community to safer fields in Belgium. On 2 February 957 Columbanus became a hermit in the cemetery near the church of Saint Bavo, Ghent. He developed a wide reputation for holiness and attracted new followers. His name is in the litany to be recited in Belgium during public emergencies.
Born
Ireland
Died
• 15 February 959
• buried in the cathedral of Ghent, Belgium
Saint Adeloga of Kitzingen
Also known as
Adela, Adaloja, Hadeloga
Profile
Frankish princess. Benedictine nun. Founded the Benedictine convent of Kitzingen in Franconia (part of modern Germany), and served as its first abbess.
Born
Frankish
Died
c.745 of natural causes
Saint Apronian the Executioner
Profile
Executioner for imperial Rome. He was a witness at the trial of Saint Sisinnius who was charged with Christianity in the persecutions of Diocletian. Sisinnius' statement of his faith converted Apronian. He was martyred soon after.
Died
beheaded c.304 at Ancona, Italy
Saint Marquard of Hildesheim
Profile
Monk at New Corbey Abbey, Saxony (in modern Germany). Bishop of Hildesheim, Germany from 874. One of the Martyrs of Ebsdorf.
Born
9th century
Died
martyred in 880 in battle at Ebsdorf, Germany
Saint Theodoric of Ninden
Profile
Bishop of Ninden, Germany. One of the Martyrs of Ebsdorf.
Born
9th century
Died
martyred in 880 in battle at Ebsdorf, Germany
Saint Agathodoros of Tyana
Profile
After public announcing his Christianity, Agathodorus was tortured and martyred for his faith.
Died
Tyana, Cappadocia (modern Nigde, Turkey)
Saint Bruno of Ebsdorf
Profile
Duke. Leader of the army that became the Martyrs of Ebsdorf.
Died
880 in battle at Ebsdorf, Germany
Saint Flosculus of Orleans
Also known as
Floscolo, Flosculo, Flou
Profile
Bishop of Orleans, France.
Died
480 of natural causes
Saint Sicharia of Orléans
Also known as
Sicaire, Sigeria, Sicaria
Profile
Fifth century nun whose story has not survived.
Blessed Colomba Osorio
Profile
Nun. Abbess at Archen. Martyred with several of her sisters.
Died
982
Saint Feock
Profile
There is a church named for her in Cornwall, England. No other information has survived.
Born
may have been Irish
Saint Mun
Profile
Fifth century bishop, ordained by his uncle Saint Patrick. Late in life he became a hermit on the island of Lough Ree, Ireland.
Saint Abclasta
Also known as
Addasta
Profile
Martyr.
Martyrs of Ebsdorf
Also known as
Ebsdorf Martyrs
Profile
Members of the army of King Louis III of France under the leadership of Duke Saint Bruno of Ebsdorf. The martyrs died fighting invading pagan Norsemen, and defending the local Christian population. Four bishops, including Saint Marquard of Hildesheim and Saint Theodoric of Ninden, eleven nobles, and countless unnamed foot soldiers died repelling the invaders.
Died
martyred in the winter of 880 in battle at Luneberg Heath and Ebsdorf, Saxony (modern Germany)
Martyrs of Rome
Profile
28 Christians who were martyred in Rome, Italy. No other information has survived, and we are not sure if they were martyred together, or just memorialized together. We know the names -
Bonosia • Cajus • Candidus • Cappa • Castula • Cornelianus • Felicianus • Felicitas • Felix • Firmus • Fortunatus • Gregorius • Hilarus • Ingenuus • Martialis • Mauritius • Mustula • Papyrius • Placidus • Rogatian • Rogatus • Salustius • Saturninus • Secundian • Secundula • Victoria (2 of) • Victor
Died
c.212 in Rome, Italy
Our Lady of Candelaria
Our Lady of Candelaria! She's a fascinating figure revered in many places around the world, primarily in the Canary Islands and the Philippines. Let me tell you a bit about her:
Origins and Image:
Canary Islands: Our Lady of Candelaria (Virgen de Candelaria) is the patron saint of the Canary Islands, Spain. The center of her worship is located in the city of Candelaria, Tenerife, where a magnificent basilica stands in her honor. She is depicted as a Black Madonna, referred to affectionately as "La Morenita."
Philippines: In the Philippines, she is venerated as Our Lady of Candles (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria). The most notable image is enshrined in Jaro Cathedral, Iloilo City, and known as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro."
Celebrations and Significance:
Feast Day: Both in the Canary Islands and the Philippines, her feast day is celebrated on February 2nd, known as Candlemas (also the Presentation of Jesus). In the Canary Islands, the festivities include a lively "Romeria" pilgrimage and a solemn Mass, while in the Philippines, grand processions and devotions draw in pilgrims from all over the country.
Significance: Our Lady of Candelaria embodies hope, faith, and resilience. She's often prayed to for protection against various challenges, including epidemics, droughts, volcanic eruptions, and more. Her image unites communities and inspires devotion, making her a powerful symbol of cultural and religious identity.
Our Lady of Good of Coromoto
Our Lady of Good Counsel of Coromoto! She holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics, particularly Venezuelans. Here's what I can tell you about her:
Apparitions and Significance:
Apparitions: Coromoto, Venezuela, saw two alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the chief of the Coromoto tribe in the 17th century. In 1651, she urged him to seek baptism and in 1652, left behind a small painting on his skin depicting her as a mestiza holding the infant Jesus, a powerful symbol of hope and unity.
Patronage: Due to these apparitions, Our Lady of Coromoto was declared the Patroness of Venezuela in 1942, signifying her immense importance for the nation's faith and identity.
Image and Basilica:
Painting: The original miraculous painting of Our Lady of Coromoto is enshrined in the National Shrine of Coromoto, a beautiful basilica built in her honor in Guanare, Venezuela. It attracts pilgrims from all over the country and beyond.
Representation: The Virgin Mary is depicted as a mestiza woman, reflecting the multicultural heritage of Venezuela, and highlighting her message of acceptance and inclusion.
Feast Day: Her feast day is celebrated on September 8th and February 2nd
Our Lady of Good Success
Our Lady of Good Success (Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso) is a fascinating and lesser-known Marian title with a captivating history and intriguing prophetical messages. Here's what I can tell you about her:
Origins and Apparitions:
In 1594, Our Lady of Good Success began appearing to Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres, a cloistered Conceptionist nun in Quito, Ecuador. These apparitions lasted for over forty years, offering Mary's guidance and predictions for the future.
Mary requested to be venerated under the title "Our Lady of Good Success" and requested a specific image to be created, depicting her holding a scepter, a crown of thorns, and a lily.
February 2nd: Some communities, particularly in Ecuador, celebrate Our Lady of Good Success on the same day as Our Lady of Candelaria (another title of the Virgin Mary) and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This connection draws similarities between the themes of light, purification, and hope associated with both Marian figures.
Santa María de Santa Anita
Santa María de Santa Anita is a Marian title associated with a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary venerated in the town of Santa Anita, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The image is said to have been found by a shepherd in the early 17th century, and it quickly became a popular object of devotion.
The image of Santa María de Santa Anita is a small, wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. She is depicted standing on a crescent moon, holding the infant Jesus in her arms. The statue is dressed in a white gown and a blue mantle, and she is crowned with a golden crown.
The feast day of Santa María de Santa Anita is celebrated on February 2nd. On this day, thousands of pilgrims flock to Santa Anita to venerate the image. The festivities include a procession through the town, a Mass, and a fireworks display.
Santa María de Santa Anita is known for her many miracles. She is said to have cured the sick, raised the dead, and protected the town from natural disasters. She is also known for her intercession in cases of lost love and financial hardship.
Santa María de Santa Anita is a beloved figure in Mexico. She is a symbol of hope and faith, and she is a source of comfort and strength for her devotees.
Here are some additional details about Santa María de Santa Anita:
The image of Santa María de Santa Anita is enshrined in the Basilica of Santa María de Santa Anita, which was built in the 17th century.
The basilica is a popular pilgrimage destination, and it is visited by millions of people each year.
Santa María de Santa Anita is the patron saint of the town of Santa Anita, and she is also the patron saint of the state of Veracruz.
The feast day of Santa María de Santa Anita is a public holiday in the state of Veracruz.
