St. Luigi Versiglia
Church Catholic Church
See Shaoguan
Appointed 22 April 1920
Term ended 25 February 1930
Predecessor None; position established
Successor Ignazio Canazei
Other post(s) Titular Bishop of Carystus (1920-30)
Orders
Ordination 21 December 1895
Consecration 9 January 1921
by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Budes de Guébriant
Rank Bishop
Personal details
Born Luigi Versiglia
5 June 1873
Oliva Gessi, Pavia, Kingdom of Italy
Died 25 February 1930 (aged 56)
Litouzui, Guangdong, China
Alma mater Pontifical Gregorian University
Sainthood
Feast day
25 February
13 November (Salesians)
Venerated in Catholic Church
Beatified 15 May 1983
Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City
by Pope John Paul II
Canonized 1 October 2000
Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City
by Pope John Paul II
Attributes
Episcopal attire
Palm
Chalice
Luigi Versiglia was born at Oliva Gessi (Pavia) on 5th June 1873. He came to Don Bosco's Oratory when he was twelve years old and went on to become a Salesian Priest. After his ordination in 1895 he spent ten years as novice master at Genzano di Roma. In 1906 he led the first Salesian missionary expedition to China, fulfilling a prophecy often repeated by Don Bosco. Once he had established a 'mother house' in Macau, he opened a mission in the area of Shiu Chow. He became its first bishop on 22nd April 1920.
He was a man of wisdom and tireless energy, a real shepherd totally dedicated to his flock. He gave his Vicariate a solid infrastructure with a seminary, houses of formation, various residences, an orphanage and old people's homes. He was more of a father than an authoritarian. He led by his example of hard work and Christian love and never asked people to do anything without first weighing up their capabilities.
On 25th February 1930 he was with Don Caravario and five others, all young people, on the way to visit the small Christian Community at Lin Chow (Li Tau Tseu). They were stopped by a group of armed men, who first demanded protection money and then made to take away the three women in the party. Don Versiglia and Don Caravario stood in their way and were knocked to the ground and tied up. Their crucifixes were ripped away and, as they prayed, they were shot dead.
Don Versiglia and Don Caravario were canonized by Pope John Paul II on 1st October 2000 and their Feast Day is on 13th November, which is the day on which each Salesian Community celebrates Mass for deceased benefactors and members of the Salesian Family.
St. Donatus
Martyr with Herena, Justus, and companions. They were martyred in Africa under Emperor Decius.
Donatus Magnus, also known as Donatus of Casae Nigrae, became leader of a schismatic sect known as the Donatists in North Africa, Algeria. He is believed to have died in exile around 355.
Life
Little is known of his early life because of the complete loss of his correspondence and written works. He first appears in Church records as Donatus of Casae Nigrae in October 313 when Pope Miltiades found him guilty of re-baptizing clergy who had lapsed and of forming a schism within the Church. Casae was a settlement located on the extreme southern edge of the plains of Numidia, south of Theveste, an area settled by people predominantly of Berber descent.
The Schism
During the wave of persecutions of Christians by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, in order to avoid torture, exile, or death, some Church leaders turned over their scriptures, liturgical books, and other church goods to the imperial authorities. Such people became known as traditors ("surrenderers").
The schism between the two Christian wings centered on the status of traditor clergy. The Donatists contended that traditores could not be reinstated without being re-baptized and re-ordained to take office. They also contended that church rituals performed by traditors were invalid. Therefore, persons who were baptized, ordained or consecrated should not be recognized by the Church. Donatist thinking was relatively consistent with that of Saint Cyprian, who died a martyr during an earlier wave of persecutions, over half a century earlier.[citation needed]
During the Diocletianic Persecution in Carthage there had been many who were imprisoned, some of whom were voluntary martyrs. These people claimed falsely to be in possession of Church property which they refused to give up to officials. The Bishop of Carthage, Mensurius, who was very much opposed to what he considered the fanaticism of the voluntary martyrs, sent his Archdeacon, Caecilian, to the prison to disperse by force the militant crowds gathered in support of volunteer martyrs. This action by Caecilian created many enemies in Carthage who were staunchly opposed to him.
Upon the death of Bishop Mensurius of Carthage in 311, Caecilian was chosen as his successor. Caecilian was consecrated Bishop of Carthage and Primate of North Africa by Bishop Felix of Aptungi. There were those who believed that Felix was a traditor. Secundus of Tigisis, primate of Numidia, held a council of 70 bishops at Cirta which declared the ordination of Caecilian to be invalid, since it was done by a traditor. Caecilian, who by then held the basilica, did not attend the council, but sent word that if his consecration as bishop was not valid, then let it be done again. At Carthage it was well known that Caecilian was the choice of the people, and it was not believed that Felix of Aptonga had given up the Sacred Books.[1]
The council then determined that Majorinus should be consecrated as bishop. Soon there were many cities with two bishops, one in communion with Caecilian, the other with Majorinus. Majorinus died shortly after, and Donatus was chosen to take his place.[1] Donatus was consecrated in 313 AD as Bishop of Carthage and Primate of North Africa, the leader of the Christian sect which came to be known as the Donatist sect.
The supporters of Donatus appealed to the Emperor, requesting the issue be judged by the bishops of Gaul, since under Constantine's father there had been no persecution in Gaul and therefore no traditors. Instead he referred the matter to Pope Miltiades, himself of Berber descent.
Lateran council
Miltiades summoned Caecilian to the Lateran with ten bishops of his accusers and ten of his own communion. He then called a synod and appointed an additional 15 Italian bishops,[2] as well as three of the chief bishops of Gaul, Reticius of Autun, Maternus of Cologne, and Marinus of Arles.[1]
The Lateran Council was held for three days from 2–4 October 313.[3] The process was modeled on Roman civil proceedings, with Miltiades insisting on strict rules of evidence and argument. The written accusations against Caecilian were disregarded, as being anonymous and unproved. This frustrated the Donatists who left the council without presenting their case, which led Miltiades to rule in favour of Caecilian by default.[4] The council ended after only three sessions. The pope retained Caecilian as bishop of Carthage and condemned Donatus' teachings of rebaptism of bishops and priests.[3]
The Donatists again appealed to the Emperor, who responded by convening the Council of Arles in 314 but it too ruled against the Donatists.[5] The adverse rulings failed to stop the continuing spread of Donatism across North Africa. Around 400 Donatist Bishop Petilianus of Constantine claimed that Miltiades, his successor Sylvester I and others surrendered sacred texts and offered incense to Roman deities.
Aftermath
During his tenure of some 40 years Donatus oversaw the expansion of the Donatist Christian sect but struggled unsuccessfully against the Roman Christian wing to obtain Church recognition as the legitimate Primate of North Africa. This effort failed because the Donatists were unable to prove to a series of the councils that considered the case that Caecilian had been a traditor or that his consecration was invalid because he was consecrated as bishop by a traditor.
The issue was complicated because there it was not only Catholic bishops who were suspected of being traditores; some Donatist bishops were also suspected of the same, in contradiction to their sect's basic teaching. Further, bishops suspected of being traditores refused to be challenged.
Donatus succeeded in expanding the Donatist sect in spite of lack of success in removing Caecilian from office, in large part due to the unpopularity of Caecilian and the Roman administration - particularly amongst the rural population. Donatist priests and bishops were much closer to the rural agricultural population which consisted of Roman farmers and the Berber and Phoenician descendants of the indigenous people who lived there before the Romans conquered North Africa.
Most Donatist clergy in rural Numidia spoke the vernacular languages (Old Libyan and Eastern Berber languages or Punic) as well as Latin, whereas the Catholic clergy usually spoke only Latin.
In 347 Donatus was exiled to Gaul until his death c. 355. At the time when Donatus' tenure ended, the Donatist Church was the dominant Christian Church in North Africa – but suffered from internal dissensions as well as the actions of the Catholic Church aimed at reincorporating the sect and thus unifying North African Christianity.
The Circumcellions were bands of nomadic anti-Roman rebels, Punic-speaking bandits from the lower strata of society, who supported Donatism and were sometimes led by Donatist clergy. However, they broke out of control, attacking Roman landlords and colonists and redistributing goods. Their support for the Donatists caused the Donatists to be identified with them, leading officials to take punitive action against the Donatist Church.
Further, the Donatist church splintered into two main groups, reducing its effectiveness as a church.
St. Tarasius
Born c. 730
Constantinople
(modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Died 25 February 806
Constantinople
(modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Venerated in Eastern Orthodox Church
Catholic Church (Roman Rite)
Canonized Pre-Congregation
Feast February 18th (Catholic Church) (Roman Rite)
February 25th (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Traditional Roman Catholics)
Attributes Vested as a bishop with omophorion often holding a Gospel book with his right hand raised in blessing
St. Tarasius was subject of the Byzantine Empire. He was raised to the highest honors in the Empire as Consul, and later became first secretary to the Emperor Constantine and his mother, Irene. When being elected Patriarch of Constantinople, he consented to accept the dignity offered to him only on condition that a General Council should be summoned to resolve the disputes concerning the veneration of sacred images, for Constantinople had been separated from the Holy See on account of the war between the Emperors. The Council was held in the Church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople in 786; it met again the following year at Nice and its decrees were approved by the Pope. The holy Patriarch incurred the enmity of the Emperor by his persistent refusal to sanction his divorce from his lawful wife. He witnessed the death of Constantine, which was occasioned by his own mother; he beheld the reign and the downfall of Irene and usurpation of Nicephorus. St. Tarasius' whole life in the Episcopacy was one of penance and prayer, and of hard labor to reform his clergy and people. He occupied the See of Constantinople twenty-one years and two months. His charity toward the poor was one of the characteristic virtues of his life. He visited in person, all the houses and hospitals in Constantinople, so that no indigent person might be overlooked in the distribution of alms. This saintly Bishop was called to his eternal reward in the year 806. His feast day is February 25th.
Saint Walburga
துறவி வால்பூர்கா Walburga OSB
பிறப்பு
710,
இங்கிலாந்து
இறப்பு
25 பிப்ரவரி 779,
ஹைடன்ஹைம் Heidenheim, பவேரியா
பாதுகாவலர்: ஐஷ்டேட் மறைமாவட்டம் Eichstatt, விவசாயிகள், வீட்டு விலங்குகள், நாய்கடி, விஷபூச்சிக்கடியிலிருந்து
இவர் வேசெக்ஸ் ரிச்சர்ட் Richard von Wessex என்பவரின் மகள். புனித உன்னா Wunna, வில்லிபால்டு Willibald, உன்னிபால்டு Wunnibald என்பவர்களின் உடன் பிறந்த சகோதரி, இவர் விம்போர்னே Wimborne என்றழைக்கப்பட்ட துறவற இல்லத்தில் லியோபா Lioba என்பவருடன் சேர்த்து வளர்க்கப்பட்டார். வால்பூர்களின் தாயின் சகோதரரின் விருப்பப்படி இங்கிலாந்திலிருந்து ஜெர்மனி நாட்டிற்கு வரவழைக்கப்பட்டு, 750 ஆம் ஆண்டு துறவற இல்லத்தில் சேர்ந்தார். இவர் டவ்பர்பிஷோவ்ஸ்ஹைம் Tauberbischofsheim என்ற துறவற இல்லத்தில் இருக்கும்போது துறவியானார்.
இவரின் அண்ணன் உன்னிபால்டு 761 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறந்துவிட்டார். இதனால் அவர் தொடங்கிய இரு துறவற சபைகளையும் வால்பூர்கா பொறுப்பேற்று நடத்தினார். இவர் தனது பக்தி நிறைந்த ஞானம் மிகுந்த தன் பணியாலும் சொல்வன்மையாலும் ஹைடன்ஹைம் நகர் மக்களின் மனங்களில் பதிந்தார். இவர் இறந்த பிறகும் ஐரோப்பா கண்டத்தில் பல நாடுகளில் இவரின் பணியைப்பற்றி பெருமளவில் பேசப்பட்டது. இவர் கண்காணித்து வழிநடத்திய சபைகள், தீப்போல ஐரோப்பாவில் பரவியது. இன்றும் இவருக்கு ஐரோப்பாவில் சிறப்பான வணக்கம் செலுத்தப்படுகின்றது.
Also known as
Auboué, Avangour, Avongourg, Bugga, Falbourg, Gaubourg, Gauburge, Gaudurge, Gualbourg, Valborg, Valburg, Valpurge, Valpuri, Vaubouer, Vaubourg, Walbourg, Walburg, Walburge, Walpurd, Walpurga, Walpurgis, Waltpurde, Warpurg
Additional Memorials
• 12 October (translation of relics to Eichstätt)
• 24 September (translation of relics to Zutphen)
Profile
Daughter of Saint Richard the King. Sister of Saint Willibald and Saint Winebald. Student of Saint Tatta at Wimborne monastery, Dorset, England, where she later became a nun.
Beginning in 748, she evangelized and healed pagans in what is now Germany with Saint Lioba, Saint Boniface, and her brothers, a mission that was very successful. Abbess of communities of men and of women at Heidenheim. Cures are ascribed to the oil that exudes from a rock on which her relics were placed, which together with her healing skills in life explains her patronage of plague, rabies, coughs, etc.,/p>
The night of 1 May, the date of the translation of Walburga's relics to Eichstätt in 870, is known as Walpurgisnacht; it is also a pagan festival marking the beginning of summer and the revels of witches. Though the saint had no connection with this festival, her name became associated with witchcraft and country superstitions because of the date. It is possible that the protection of crops ascribed to her, represented by three ears of corn in her icons, may have been transferred to her from Mother Earth and the connection to this pagan holiday.
Born
c.710 at Devonshire, Wessex, England
Died
25 February 779 at Heidenheim, Swabia, Germany of natural causes
Canonized
by Pope Adrian II
Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani
Also known as
• Maria Adeodata
• Teresa Pisani
Profile
Daughter of Baron Benedict Pisani Mompalao Cuzker and Vincenza Carrano. Her father was rich, noble, Maltese, and an alcoholic, so the girl was raised by her grandmother. Her father was involved in a revolt, and exiled to Malta in 1821; Adeodata and her mother joined him in 1825.
Benedictine novice at age 21; she renounced her wealth and title when she took her final vows. Cloistered nun for the rest of her life. Seamstress, sacristan, porter, teacher, and novice mistress. Abbess from 1851 to 1853, her ill health forcing her to end her service early. Noted for her sanctity, her love of the poor, self-imposed austerities, and ecstacies so complete that she was seen to levitate.
Born
29 December 1806 at Naples, Italy
Died
25 February 1855 from heart problems at the Benedictine monastery at Mdina, Malta
Beatified
• 9 May 2001 by Pope John Paul II
• her beatification miracle occurred on 24 November 1897 when abbess Giuseppina Damiani from the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist Subiaco, Italy was suddenly healed of a stomach tumour following her request for Maria Pisani's intervention
• Blessed Maria's Cause was delayed for years due to lack of funds, and political problems between Malta and Italy
Patronage
against cancer
Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio
அருளாளர் செபாஸ்டியன் டி அபரிஸியோ
மறைப்பணியாளர், ஒப்புரவாளர்:
பிறப்பு: ஜனவரி 20, 1502
எ குடினா, ஔரென்ஸ், ஸ்பெயின்
இறப்பு: ஃபெப்ரவரி 25, 1600 (வயது 98)
புவெப்லா டி லாஸ் ஏஞ்சலிஸ், புவெப்லா, மெக்ஸிகோ, புதிய ஸ்பெயின்
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
(மெக்ஸிகோ மற்றும் ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் இளம் துறவிகள் சபை)
முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: மே 17, 1789
திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பயஸ்
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஃபெப்ரவரி 25
பாதுகாவல்:
போக்குவரத்து தொழில் (மெக்ஸிகோ)
அருளாளர் செபாஸ்டியன் டி அபரிஸியோ மெக்ஸிகோ நாட்டில் குடியேறி வாழ்ந்த ஒரு ஸ்பேனிஷ் காலணி வாசி (Spanish colonist) ஆவார். தமது வாழ்நாள் முழுதும் ஒரு கால்நடை வளர்ப்பு பண்ணைப் பணியாளராகவும் சாலைப் பணியாளராகவும் பணிபுரிந்த இவர், ஸ்பெயின் மெக்சிகோவை வெற்றிகொண்ட பிறகு, ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் இளம் துறவிகள் சபையில் (Order of Friars Minor) குருத்துவம் பெறாத ஒரு துறவியாக (Lay Brother) இணைந்தார். அடுத்து வந்த தமது வாழ்வின் நீண்ட இருபத்தாறு ஆண்டுகளையும் தாம் சார்ந்திருந்த துறவற சபைக்காக பிச்சை எடுப்பதில் கழித்த இவர், மரித்தபோது பெரும் கீர்த்தியுடன் மரித்தார்.
ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டின் "ஔரென்ஸ்" (Ourense) என்ற இடத்தில் அபரிஸியோ பிறந்தார். இவரது தந்தை பெயர் "ஜுவான் டி அபரிஸியோ" (Juan de Aparicio) ஆகும். தாயார் பெயர் "தெரெசா டெல் ப்ரடோ" (Teresa del Prado) ஆகும். அபரிஸியோ தமது பெற்றோருக்கு மூன்றாவதாக பிறந்தவர் ஆவார். இவரது பெற்றோர் மிகவும் பக்தியான ஏழை விவசாயிகளாவர். இவர் தமது சிறுவயதிலிருந்தே ஆடு மாடுகளை மேய்க்கும் பணி செய்தார். கல்வி கற்பதற்காக பள்ளிக்கூடம் சென்றறியாத அபரிஸியோ, செபிப்பதற்கு தமது பெற்றோரிடம் கற்றுக்கொண்டார். எழுதப் படிக்க அறியாவிடினும், தமது பக்தி முயற்சிகளில் அவர் சிறிதும் பின்தங்கிவிடவில்லை.
ஒருமுறை, கி.பி. 1514ம் ஆண்டு, கொடூரமான பிளேக் நோய் பரவியது. அந்நோய் அபரிஸியோ'வையும் பீடித்தது. தனிமைப்படுத்தப்பட்ட சமூகம் அவரை அங்கிருந்து தனிமைபடுத்தும்படி வற்புறுத்தியது. வேறு வழியற்ற அவரது பெற்றோர் அருகேயிருந்த காட்டில் அவருக்காக மறைவாக ஒரு சிறு குடிலை கட்டி அவரை அங்கே தனிமையில் விட்டுச் சென்றனர். உதவிகளற்ற அபரிஸியோ நோயால் தனிமையில் வாடினார். ஒருநாள் ஒரு பெண் ஓநாய் அங்கே வந்தது. அபரிஸியோ தங்கியிருந்த மறைவிடத்தை கண்டுபிடித்த அது, அவரது குடிலுக்குள் தலையை நுழைத்து அவரது நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட உடலின் ஒரு பாகத்தை முகர்ந்து பார்த்தது. பின்னர் அதைக் கடித்து, நக்கிவிட்டு ஓடிப்போனது. அதன்பின்னர் அபரிஸியோ'வின் நோய் தீர ஆரம்பித்தது.
வளர்ந்த அபரிஸியோ தமது குடும்பத்திற்காக உழைத்துச் சம்பாதிக்கும் கட்டாயத்தில் இருந்தார். அதனால் அவர் தமது ஊரை விட்டு கிழக்கே "சலமான்கா" (Salamanca) என்ற இடத்திற்கும், தூர தென் பிராந்தியங்களுக்கும் பயணித்து விவசாய கூலிப் பணிகளை செய்தார். ஆனால், அவரது வெளிப்படையான, பார்வைக்கு நல்ல தோற்றத்தினால் கவரப்பட்ட பெண்கள் பலரால் அடிக்கடி பாலியல் தொல்லைகளுக்கு ஆளானார். அதனால் கற்பு நிலை மாறாத வாழ்க்கை வாழ வேண்டுமென்ற அவரது உறுதி நிலைகுலையும் என்பதை உணர்ந்தார்.
ஆகவே, அங்கிருந்து தப்பிச் சென்ற அபரிஸியோ, புதிதாக வெற்றி பெற்ற அமெரிக்க நாடுகளுக்கு பயணிக்க முடிவு செய்தார். வெற்றி பெற்ற ஸ்பெயின் மக்களுக்கும் உதவ எண்ணினார். அங்கேயே தமது கத்தோலிக்க விசுவாசத்தை ஊக்குவிக்க விரும்பினார். ஒருவிதமாக "புவேப்லா" (Puebla) மாநிலத்தில் தங்கிய அபரிஸியோ, உள்நாட்டு மக்காச் சோளம் மற்றும் ஐரோப்பிய கோதுமை ஆகியவற்றை பயிரிட்டார். பயிர்வகைகளை ஓரிடத்திலிருந்து மற்றோர் இடத்திற்கு கொண்டு செல்லும் முயற்சியாக எருது, குதிரை போன்ற கால்நடைகளை பயிற்சியளித்தல் மற்றும் சீரான சாலைகள் இல்லாத மெக்ஸிகோ நாட்டில் அவர் வசிக்கும் "புவேப்லா" (Puebla) மாநிலத்திலிருந்து "வெராக்ரூஸ்" (Veracruz) துறைமுகம் வரை சாலைகள் அமைத்து அதனை செப்பனிடல் போன்ற பணிகளைச் செய்தார்.
அபரிஸியோ ஓரளவு வசதி பெற்றார். பின்னர், அங்குள்ள கிராம மக்களுக்கு ஏர் உழவும், எருது மற்றும் குதிரை போன்ற கால்நடைகளை பழக்குவதற்கும் கற்று கொடுத்தார். பிறகு, மக்களின் ஏகோபித்த வற்புறுத்தலின் பேரில் திருமணம் செய்துகொள்ள ஒப்புக்கொண்டார். அறுபது வயதான அபரிஸியோ ஏழ்மையின் காரணமாக திருமணம் பற்றிய எதிர்பார்ப்பின்றி வாழ்ந்திருந்த ஒரு இளம்பெண்ணை கைப்பிடித்தார். அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே பேசி வைத்து ஒப்பந்தம் செய்துகொண்டது போல தாம்பத்தியமற்ற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்தனர். அவரை விட மிகவும் இளவயது பெண்ணான அவரது மனைவி ஒரு வருடத்திலேயே மரணமடைந்தார். இரண்டு வருடங்களின் பின்னர், ஏற்கனவே முதல் மனைவியுடன் செய்துகொண்டது போன்ற ஒப்பந்தம் செய்துகொண்டு, "மரிய எஸ்டேபன்" (María Esteban) என்ற இளம்பெண்ணை திருமணம் செய்துகொண்டார். அபரிஸியோ'வுக்கு எழுபது வயதாகையில் அவரது இரண்டாவது மனைவி "மரிய எஸ்டேபன்" மரணமடைந்தார்.
இரண்டாவது மனைவியையும் இழந்த அபரிஸியோ மிகவும் நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டார். தமது வாழ்க்கையை மறு மதிப்பீடு செய்யத் தொடங்கினார். மிகவும் சாதாரண ஆடைகளை உடுத்திய அவர் பெரும்பாலான நேரங்களை ஆலயங்களில் செலவிட்டார். யாரோ தம்மை அடிக்கடி அர்ப்பண வாழ்விற்கு அழைப்பதாக உணர்ந்தார். அவர் அடிக்கடி அங்குள்ள ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் துறவு மடத்திற்கு சென்றுவர ஆரம்பித்தார். அங்குள்ள துறவியரிடம் தாம் துறவறத்தில் இணைவது தொடர்பான சந்தேகங்களை கேட்பார்.
இங்ஙனம் ஒருநாள், அவருக்கு ஒப்புரவு அருட்சாதனம் வழங்கும் துறவி ஒருவர், அவருக்கு ஓர் ஆலோசனை சொன்னார். அதன்படி, சில வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னர் மெக்ஸிகோவில் நிறுவப்பட்டிருந்த “எளிய கிளாரா” (Monastery of Poor Clares in Mexico) துறவு மடத்திற்கு தமது சொத்துக்கள் அத்தனையையும் கொடுத்து விடுவது; அங்கேயே தங்கியிருந்து அடிப்படைத் தன்னார்வலராக சந்நியாசிகளின் புற தேவைகளுக்காக சேவை புரிவது. இந்த ஆலோசனைக்கு ஒப்புக்கொண்ட அபரிஸியோ கி.பி. 1573ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 20ம் நாளன்று, இதற்கான ஒப்பந்தத்தில் கையெழுத்திட்டார்.
ஒரு வருடத்தின் பின்னர், தமது நண்பர்களின் எதிர்ப்பையும் மீறி அவர் துறவு மடத்தின் "குருத்துவம் பெறாத அருட்சகோதரராக" (Lay Brother) விண்ணப்பித்தார். ஒருவருட கால பயிற்சி மற்றும் செபங்களின் பின்னர், துறவு மடத்தின் தலைமைத் துறவி அவரை "குருத்துவம் பெறாத அருட்சகோதரராக" ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். கி.பி. 1574ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், ஒன்பதாம் நாளன்று, தமது 72 வயதில் துறவறப்புகுநிலையில் இணைந்தார்.
"சாண்டியாகோ" (Santiago) என்னுமிடத்திலுள்ள துறவு மடத்திற்கு அபரிஸியோ அனுப்பப்பட்டார். அங்கே அவருக்கு சமையல் பணி, தோட்ட வேலைகள், சுமை தூக்கும் பணி, மற்றும் தேவாலயங்களில் உள்ள புனிதப் பொருட்களைக் காக்கும் பணி ஆகியன கொடுக்கப்பட்டன. சுமார் நூற்றுக்கும் மேற்பட்ட துறவியர் இருந்த மடத்தின் அனைத்துப் பணிகளும் இவர்முன் இருந்தன. வயதான மற்றும் நோயுற்ற துறவியர்க்காக உணவு மற்றும் பிற தேவைகளுக்காக தெருக்களில் சென்று பிச்சை எடுத்தார். ஒருகாலத்தில், மெக்ஸிகோவின் சாலைகளை கட்டியவர், இன்று அதே சாலைகளில் பிச்சைக் காரனாக அலைந்து திரிந்தார். தமது வயதையும் மீறி சுறுசுறுப்பாக பணியாற்றினார் அபரிஸியோ.
அவருக்கு ஒரு எருது வண்டியும், இரண்டு எருதுகளும் கொடுக்கப்பட்டன. அதில் அவர் மெக்ஸிகோ நகரெங்கும் சென்றார். சுற்றுப்புற கிராமங்களுக்கும் சென்று கூவி கூவி பிச்சை கேட்டார். மெக்ஸிகோ வாசிகளுக்கு அவர் மிகவும் பரிச்சயமாகிப்போனார். பல நாட்கள் இரவு நேரங்களில், மோசமான பருவ நிலைகளிலும் தெரு ஓரங்களிலேயே படுத்தார். ஒரு கையில் செபமாலையும் மறு கையில் எருதின் கயிறும் இருக்கும்.
இருபத்தாறு நீண்ட வருடங்கள் அவர் இதுபோலவே சேவை புரிந்தார். துறவி என்றால் இவர்போன்றே இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று மெக்ஸிகோ வாசிகள் கூறுமளவுக்கு அவர் துறவிகளின் முன்மாதிரியாகத் திகழ்ந்தார். அவர் போகுமிடமெல்லாம் தேவதூதர்கள் பின்செல்வார்கள் என்று மெக்ஸிகோ வாசிகள் அறிவித்தனர்.
குடலிறக்க நோயினால் வேதனையுற்ற அவர் தமது 98 வயதில், கி.பி. 1600ம் ஆண்டு, ஃபெப்ரவரி மாதம், 25ம் நாளன்று, மரணமடைந்தார். ஆறு மாதங்களின் பின்னர் அவரது உடல் தோண்டி எடுக்கப்பட்டபோது, அது சிதையாமல் காணப்பட்டது. இரண்டு வருடங்களின் பிறகு அது மீண்டும் தோண்டி எடுக்கப்பட்டபோதும், அது சிதையாமல் காணப்பட்டது. அவரது சிதையாத உடலை "புவேப்லா" (Puebla) நகரிலுள்ள “தூய ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கோ” (Church of San Francisco) தேவாலயத்தில் இன்றும் காணலாம்
Also known as
• Angel of Mexico
• Sebastián de Aparicio Prado
Profile
Born of Spanish peasants. Shepherd as a child, and a hired field hand as a young man, helping to support his family. Gentleman's valet at Salamanca. He travelled to Puebla, Mexico at age 31 where he built plows and wagons, and worked as a farm hand. Spent 10 years building a 466 mile road from Mexico City to Zacatecas, and conducting the postal and delivery service along the route; the road is still in use today.
Sebastian eventually became very wealthy, but lived simply, and gave freely of his money to the poor. He was married twice, the first time at age 60, but he never consummated the marriages, and outlived both brides. He gave away his wealth and became a Franciscan at age 72, spending his remaining 25 years begging alms for his brother Franciscans. Witnesses attest to over 300 miracles he performed in life.
Born
20 January 1502 in La Gudiña, Orense, Spain
Died
• 25 February 1600 of natural causes
• lies in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Conquest, Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Puebla, Mexico
• body incorrupt
Beatified
17 May 1789 by Pope Pius VI
Patronage
• drivers
• road builders
• travellers
Blessed Avertano of Lucca
Also known as
Aventanus
Additional Memorial
4 March (Carmelites)
Profile
Carmelite lay brother. Miracle worker who received visions, and was known for his deep, mystical prayer life. With a brother Carmelite, he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, but died in a plague epidemic on the way home.
Born
diocese of Limoges, France
Died
• c.1366 in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy of plague
• buried in the hospice church of San Pietro
• so many miracles were reported at his grave that a series of paintings depicting some of them were made for the San Pietro church and the cathedral of Lucca
• relics transferred to the cathedral of Lucca in 1513
• relics returned to the church of San Pietro in 1646
• relics enshrined in the church of Saints Paolino and Donato in 1806
Beatified
• added to the Carmelite calendar in 1514
• Office made obligatory by the General Chapter of the Carmelies in 1564
• Office sanctioned by the Vatican in 1609
• approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on 12 May 1672
• Office and Mass extended to the entire archdiocese of Lucca, Italy on 16 July 1828
• by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmation)
Blessed Mariam Vattalil
அருளாளர்_இராணி_மரியா (1954-1995)
பிப்ரவரி 25
இவர் (#BlRaniMaria) கேரளாவில் உள்ள எர்ணாகுளத்திற்கு அருகிலுள்ள புழுவாலி என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்தவர்.
இவரது தந்தை பாய்லி, தாய் எலிஸ்வா என்பவராவர். இவர் பிறந்த ஏழாம் நாளிலேயே இவருக்குத் திருமுழுக்குக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. சிறு வயது முதலே இறைவன்மீது ஆழமான நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்த இவர், வளர்ந்து பெரியவரான பிறகு புனித கிளாரா சபையில் சேர்ந்து துறவியானார்.
இதன் பிறகு இவர் உத்தரப்பிரதேச மாநிலம், பிஜ்னூர் பகுதியில் இருந்த ஏழைகள் நடுவில் பணி செய்தார்.
இப்பகுதியில் வட்டிக்குக் கடன்கொடுப்பவர்கள், நிலச்சுவான்தார்கள், கொலைக் குற்றவாளிகள் ஆகியோரின் தாக்கம் மிகுதியாகவே இருந்தது. அவர்களிடமிருந்து ஏழைகளுக்கு விடுதலை கிடைக்க இவர் கடுமையாக உழைத்தார். அதனாலேயே இவர் அவர்களுடைய எதிர்ப்புக்கு உள்ளானார்.
1995 ஆம் ஆண்டு, பிப்ரவரி திங்கள் 25 ஆம் நாள் இவர் பேருந்தில் சென்று கொண்டிருக்கும்போது, உதய்நகர் என்ற இடத்தில் சமந்தர் சிங் என்பவன் இவரைப் பலமுறை கத்தியால் குத்திக் கொன்று போட்டான்.
இதன் பிறகு இவரைக் கொன்ற சமந்தர் சிங்கிற்கு ஆயுள்காலத் தண்டனை வழங்கப்பட்டது. மேலும் 2006 ஆம் ஆண்டு இவரது தாயும் சகோதரியும் சிறையில் இருந்த சமந்தர் சிங்கைச் சந்தித்து, அவனை மனதார மன்னித்தனர். அதனால் அவன் மனம்மாறினார்.
2017 ஆம் ஆண்டு, திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்களால் இவருக்குப் புனிதர் பட்டம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது.
Also known as
Sister Rani Maria
Profile
The second child of Paily and Eliswa of Vattalil, Mariam was baptized in the church of Saint Thomas at the age of 7 days. She joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, taking the name Rani Maria, and making her solemn vows on 22 May 1980. Missionary in the diocese of Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her work there to help the poor put her in conflict with the money lenders, landlords and criminals who exploited them, and she was murdered to stop her work. Martyr.
Born
29 January 1954 in Pulluvazhy, Ernakulam, India
Died
• stabbed and beaten to death on a bus on 25 February 1995 near Udainagar, Bagli, Dewas, India by Samandar Singh
• Singh was arrested, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder; he was released in 2006, has met with and was forgiven by Blessed Mariam’s family, and attended the beatification celebration
Beatified
• 4 November 2017 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated at the Saint Paul Institute of Professional Studies in Indore, India with Cardinal Angelo Amato as the chief celebrant
Saint Laurentius Bai Xiaoman
Also known as
• Lawrence Pe-Man
• Laurence Pe-Man
• Luolong
Additional Memorial
• 24 November as one of the Martyrs of Cochin
• 28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Profile
Born to a poor family, and orphaned as a young boy. Layman. Day labourer in Guangxi, China, and then in the village of Yaoshan. Married in his early 30's, he was the father of one daughter, and was known as a kind and honest man. Convert, joining the Church c.1855 and taking the name Lawrence. Spiritual student of Saint Augustus Chapdelaine. When he protested the arrest of Augustus, local officials ordered Lawrence to renounce Christianity; when he refused he was arrested, tortured and sentenced to death. Martyr.
Born
c.1821 in Shuicheng, Guizhou, China as Loulong
Died
• beheaded on 25 February 1856 in Su-Lik-Hien, Kwang-Si province, China
• body dumped in a wooded area and left for wild animals
Canonized
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Toribio Romo González
Additional Memorial
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Profile
Ordained at age 21; he had to receive special dispensation from the Vatican to be ordained so young. Parish priest in Tequila, Jalisco, archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico. Parish priest in Agua Caliente, Mexico. Known for a great devotion to the Eucharist. Murdered during the Mexican Revolution for being a priest. One of the Martyrs of the Cristero Wars.
Born
16 April 1900 in Santa Ana de Guadalupe, Jalostotitlán parish, San Juan de los Lagos diocese, Jalisco, Mexico
Died
• shot in the back around 5am on Saturday 25 February 1928 in his rectory in Agua Caliente, Jalisco, Mexico
• relics in the Santa Ana de Guadalupe Church, Jalisco
Canonized
Sunday 21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Patronage
immigrants
Blessed Robert of Arbrissel
Profile
Son of a village priest, he became a priest himself. Archpriest at Rennes, France where he was known both as a reformer (which often stirs up trouble), and as a peace-maker. Teacher at Angers, France. Hermit in the forest of Craon, France where he founded a community of canons. He was a noted preacher, and when Pope Urban II heard him speak in 1095, the pope ordered Robert to devote himself to preaching. He travelled the region, preaching missions, attracting would-be students, and being accused by his detractors of sleeping with the local women who listened to him. He founded a double monastery that became the modern Fontevraud-l'Abbaye in Pays-de-la-Loire, France. He wrote a Rule for the community and handed over its administration to an abbess; it soon became the mother-house of the Order of Fontevraud, and the Rule received papal approval in Calixtus II in 1119.
Born
Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany (modern Arbrissel, France)
Died
1116 of natural causes
Saint Domenico Lentini
Profile
Youngest of five children in a poor but pious family. By age 14 he felt a call to the priesthood, studied at the seminary in Salerno, Italy and was ordained in the diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro, Italy in 1794. He was assigned to his hometown of Lauria, Italy and worked there the rest of his life.
Known for his self-imposed poverty, his devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady of Sorrows, as a noted homilist, for his work with the poor, and for being always available to his parishioners. He turned his home into a school, teaching catechism and theology, but also literature and philosophy. His humble devotion to the Church and his parishioners led all who knew him to consider him a model for priests, and a saint even in life.
Born
20 November 1770 at Lauria, Potenza, Italy
Died
25 February 1828 at Lauria, Potenza, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
12 October 1997 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy
Patronage
Lauria, Italy
Blessed Ciriaco María Sancha Hervás
Profile
Ordained on 27 June 1858. Auxiliary Bishop of Toledo, Spain, and Titular Bishop of Areopolis on 28 January 1876. Bishop of Avila, Spain on 27 March 1882. Bishop of Madrid, Spain on 10 April 1886. Archbishop of Valencia, Spain on 6 October 1892. Elevated to Cardinal-Priest of San Pietro in Montorio on 18 May 1894 by Pope Leo XIII. Founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha. Archbishop of Toledo, Spain and Patriarch of the West Indies on 24 March 1898. Participated in the conclave of 1903 that elected Pope Saint Pius X.
Born
18 June 1833 in Quintana del Pidio, Burgos, Spain
Died
25 February 1909 in Toledo, Spain of natural causes
Beatified
• 18 October 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI
• beatification recognition celebrated in the cathedral of Toledo, Spain, Archbishop Angelo Amato chief celebrant
Saint Caesarius of Nanzianzen
Profile
Son of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder and Saint Nonna. Brother of Saint Gorgonia and Saint Gregory of Nazianzen. Studied in Caesarea, Cappadocia, and Alexandria, Egypt. Noted and skillful physician. He moved to Constantinople c.355 where he became wealthy in his profession. Served in the court of Emperor Julian the Apostate who tried to get Caesarius to renounce his faith; when he refused, he was exiled. From there he moved to Bithynia where he served Emperor Valens as quaestor. Confirmed bachelor, though he had offers to marry into nobility. Upon his death he donated his entire estate to the poor.
Born
c.329 in Arianzus
Died
• c.369 of natural causes
• interred at Nazianzus
Patronage
bachelors
Saint Callistus Caravario
Also known as
Callisto Caravario
Profile
Known as a pious and prayerful child. Salesian missionary priest. He worked at Macao, China, then in Timor, and then on 18 May 1929 in Shiuchow, China. On 25 February 1930, while travelling with his bishop, Saint Luigi Versiglia, his ship was boarded by Bolshevik pirates who planned to abduct and enslave the girls on their ship; Callistus and Luigi fought to prevent them. One of the Martyrs of China.
Born
18 June 1903 in Cuorgné, Italy
Died
shot on 25 February 1930 off the coast of Shiuchow, China
Canonized
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Gerland the Bishop
Also known as
• Gerland of Agrigento
• Gerlando, Giullannu
Profile
Bishop of Girgenti (Agrigento), Sicily. Worked for the restoration of Christianity throughout Sicily after the Saracens were driven out by his relative, Robert Guiscard of Normandy.
Born
at Besancon, France
Died
1104 on Sicily of natural causes
Patronage
Agrigento, Sicily
Saint Tharasius
Also known as
Father of the Poor
Profile
Ninth century patriarch of Constantinople. A man of great learning and personal piety, he led his flock through the Iconoclasm heresy, and worked against the cruel empress Irene. Pope Adrian I addressed an epistle to him in support of his work against the Iconoclasts. In addition to problems with the heretics, he was endlessly in trouble with the Byzantine courts and mobility for denouncing their vices and worldly ways.
Died
806 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) of natural causes
Saint Nestor of Side
Also known as
• Nestor of Magydos
• Nestor of Perge
Profile
Bishop of Side, Pamphylia (in modern Antalya, Turkey), known for his personal piety and his zeal as an evangelist. Arrested and executed by order of governor Epolius during the persecutions of Decius. Martyr.
Died
crucified in 250 in Perge, Pamphylia (in modern Turkey)
Blessed Adelelmo of Engelberg
Profile
Benedictine monk at the Saint Blaise monastery in the Black Forest. Founded the abbey of Engelberg nell'Unterwalden in Switzerland, then served there as prior and abbot.
Died
• 25 February 1131 at the abbey of Engelberg nell'Unterwalden, Switzerland of natural causes
• relics enshrined in 1611
Saint Aldetrudis
Also known as
Adeltrudis, Aldetrude
Profile
Daughter of Saint Vincent Madelgarus and Saint Waldetrudis; sister of Saint Madalberta; niece of Saint Aldegund of Maubeuge. Nun and then abbess at the convent led by her aunt Aldegund.
Born
France
Died
c.696
Blessed Didacus Yuki Ryosetsu
Profile
Jesuit priest. Martyr.
Born
c.1575 in Awa, Tokushima, Japan
Died
25 February 1636 in Osaka, Japan
Beatified
24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Ananias of Phoenicia
Also known as
Ananias III
Profile
Third-century priest. Martyred in the persections of Diocletian along with seven soldiers whose names have not come down to us.
Died
298 in Phoenicia
Saint Gothard the Hermit
Also known as
Gotthard
Profile
Hermit in a cell high in the Alps near a mountain range and pass now known as Saint Gothard in his honour.
Saint Victor of Saint Gall
Profile
Monk at Saint Gall in Switzerland. Hermit in the Vosges, France.
Died
995 in Vosges, France
Saint Donatus the Martyr
Profile
One of a group of 3rd-century Christians martyred in North Africa in the persecutions of Decius.
Saint Riginos
Profile
Bishop. Martyr.
Died
tortured to death in 362 on the island of Skopelos, Greece
Patronage
Skopelos Island, Greece
Saint Concordius of Saintes
Also known as
Concordio, Concorde
Profile
Bishop of Saintes, France c.600.
Saint Justus the Martyr
Profile
One of a group of 3rd-century Christians martyred in North Africa in the persecutions of Decius.
Saint Herena the Martyr
Profile
One of a group of 3rd-century Christians martyred in North Africa in the persecutions of Decius.
Martyrs of Egypt
Profile
A group of Christian men who were exiled to Egypt for their faith and were eventually martyred for their faith in the persecutions of Numerian. We know little more than the name - Claudianus, Dioscurus, Nicephorus, Papias, Serapion, Victor and Victorinus.
Died
283 in Diospolis (modern Hu), Egypt
Saint Constantina
Flavia Valeria Constantina, also known as Saint Constantia or Saint Constance, was the eldest daughter of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great and his second wife Fausta. She was born sometime between 307 and 317 and died in 354.
Life:
Married her cousin Hannibalianus in 335.
Had two children, Constantia and Anastasia.
Widowed in 337 when Hannibalianus was killed by her half-brother Constantius II.
Converted to Christianity and became a devout follower of Saint Agnes.
Built a basilica over the tomb of Saint Agnes in Rome.
Died in 354 and was buried in her basilica.
Veneration:
Venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Feast day is July 18.
Patron saint of the city of Constantine, Algeria.
the Orthodox Church in America, do list her feast day as February 25th, others, like the Catholic Church and the official website of the Vatican, state that it is July 18th.
Eustathius of Aosta
Saint Eustace: Though not directly from Aosta, Saint Eustace, a Roman military martyr, is often depicted in art with the Alps in the background, leading to some confusion with Eustathius of Aosta.
Maria Ludovica De Angelis
Maria Ludovica De Angelis was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to serving others. Here's what I can tell you about her:
Life and Work:
Born Antonina De Angelis on October 24, 1880, in San Gregorio, Italy.
Joined the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1904 and took the name Sister Maria Ludovica.
Immigrated to Argentina in 1907 and spent the rest of her life serving the community there.
Known for her compassion, humility, and tireless work with the poor, sick, and marginalized.
Founded several charitable institutions, including a children's hospital, a school, and a soup kitchen.
Earned a reputation as a "living saint" for her acts of kindness and devotion.
Died on February 25, 1962, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004.
Legacy:
Her life and work continue to inspire people around the world.
Her feast day is celebrated on February 25th.
Several hospitals, schools, and churches in Argentina are named after her.
