Saint Agnes of Montepulciano
மான்ட்டெபல்சியனோ நகர் புனிதர் ஆக்னெஸ்
டொமினிக்கன் மட தலைவி:
பிறப்பு: ஜனவரி 28, 1268
மான்ட்டெபல்சியனோ
இறப்பு: ஏப்ரல் 20, 1317
மான்ட்டெபல்சியனோ
ஏற்கும் சமயம்:
ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை
புனிதர் பட்டம்: கி.பி. 1726
திருத்தந்தை பதின்மூன்றாம் பெனடிக்ட்
முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:
புனிதர் ஆக்னெஸ் தேவாலயம், மான்ட்டெபல்சியனோ, சியென்னா, இத்தாலி
நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஏப்ரல் 20
புனிதர் ஆக்னெஸ், டொமினிக்கன் துறவற சபையைச் சார்ந்த அருட்சகோதரியும், கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபையின் புனிதரும் ஆவார்.
ஆக்னெஸ், இத்தாலி நாட்டின் “மான்டெபல்சியானோ” (Montepulciano) அருகில் உள்ள "க்ராசியானோ"வைச் (Gracciano) சார்ந்த உயர் குடும்பத்தில் 1268ம் ஆண்டு பிறந்தார். சிறு வயது முதலே இவர் சிறந்த கிறிஸ்தவராக வளர்ந்தார். இவருக்கு ஒன்பது வயது நடந்தபோதே நகரிலுள்ள “கோணிப்பையின் சகோதரிகள்” (Sisters of the Sack) என்று அறியப்படும் “பெண்களுக்கான ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் துறவற மடத்தில்” (Franciscan monastery of women) இணைய தமது பெற்றோரின் அனுமதி பெற்றார். ஒன்பது வயதில் துறவற மடத்தில் இணைய அக்காலத்தில் அனுமதி இல்லையாகையால், இவருக்கு திருத்தந்தையின் விசேட அனுமதி கிடைத்தது. இம்மடத்தின் கன்னியர், மிகவும் கரடுமுரடான சீருடைகளை அணிந்தனர். எளிய, தனிமையான வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்தனர்.
அதன் பிறகு 1281ம் ஆண்டு, இவர் "ப்ரொசெனோ" (Proceno) நகரில் புதிதாக தொடங்கப்பட்ட துறவற மடத்திற்குச் சென்றார். 1288ம் ஆண்டு, தனது இருபதாம் வயதில் இவர் அந்த துறவற மடத்தின் தலைவியாகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். இவர் செப வாழ்வில் சிறந்து விளங்கினார். இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவிடம் அதிக அன்பு கொண்டிருந்தார்; அவரது வார்த்தைகளிலும் அதிக நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்தார்.
"என் மேல் விசுவாசம் கொண்டிருப்பவர்கள் என்னைப் போன்று அதிசயங்களைச் செய்வர்" என்ற இயேசுவின் வார்த்தைகள், ஆக்னெசின் வாழ்க்கையில் சிறப்பான விதத்தில் உண்மையாகின. இவர் தனது வாழ்நாட்களிலேயே பல்வேறு அதிசயங்களையும், அற்புதங்களையும் நிகழ்த்தினார்.
ஆக்னெஸ், இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவின் பெயரால், மக்கள் பலரின் மன நோய்களையும், உடல் நோய்களையும் குணப்படுத்தினார். இயேசு கிறிஸ்து அப்பங்களைப் பெருகச் செய்தது போலவே, இவரும் அப்பங்களைப் பலமுறைப் பெருகச் செய்திருக்கிறார்.
1306ம் ஆண்டு, மான்டெபல்சியானோ (Montepulciano) நகரிலுள்ள துறவற மடத்தின் தலைமைப் பொறுப்பேற்க ஆக்னெஸுக்கு அழைப்பு வந்தது. திரும்பி வந்த ஆக்னெஸ், முன்னெப்போதும் விட, தீவிர செப வாழ்வில் ஈடுபட்டார். இக்கால கட்டத்தில், எண்ணற்ற திருக்காட்சிகள் காணும் பாக்கியம் பெற்றதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. அவர், “சாண்டா மரியா நொவெல்லா” (Santa Maria Novella) எனும் பெயரில், தேவ அன்னைக்கு ஒரு தேவாலயத்தை கட்டியெழுப்பினார்.
இவருக்கு, டொமினிக்கன் சபை நிறுவனரான புனிதர் டோமினிக்கின் (St. Dominic Guzman) திருக்காட்சி கிட்டியதாகவும் கூறப்படுகிறது. இதன்காரணமாக ஈர்க்கப்பட்ட இவர், டொமினிக்கன் சபையினர் பின்பற்றும் “அகுஸ்தீனிய சட்டதிட்டங்களை” (Rule of St. Augustine) பின்பற்றுமாறு தமது மடத்தின் அருட்சகோதரியரையும் ஊக்கப்படுத்தினார். உள்ளூரிலுள்ள குடும்பங்களிடைய நடக்கும் சண்டை சச்சரவுகளை அமைதிப் படுத்தும் பணிக்கும் இவர் அடிக்கடி அழைக்கப்பட்டார்.
1316ம் ஆண்டு, ஆக்னஸின் உடல்நலம் மிகவும் குறைந்துவிட்டது. அண்டை நகரமான சியான்சியானோ டர்மில் உள்ள வெப்ப நீரூற்றுகளில் குணப்படுத்தி வைப்பதாக இவரது மருத்துவர் பரிந்துரைத்தார். இவரது சமூகத்தின் அருட்சகோதரியர், மருத்துவரின் பரிந்துரையை ஏற்குமாறு வலியுறுத்தினர். மற்ற பலவகை நோயாளிகள் தங்கள் நோய்கள் குணப்படுத்தப்படுவதாகக் கூறப்பட்டாலும், ஆக்னஸ் நீரூற்றுகளிலிருந்து எந்த ஆதாயத்தையும் பெறவில்லை. அவருடைய உடல்நிலை அத்தகைய அளவிற்கு தோல்வியுற்றது. அவர், தமது மடாலயத்திற்கு ஒரு நகரும் கட்டிலில் (stretcher) மீண்டும் செல்ல வேண்டியிருந்தது. இந்த மடத்திலேயே தாம் இறக்கும்வரை வாழ்ந்தார். 1317ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 20ம் நாளன்று, தமது நாற்பத்தொன்பது வயதில், இவர் மரித்தபோது, இவரது கைகளில் இருந்தும் கால்களில் இருந்தும் இனிமையான நறுமணம் வீசும் திரவம் ஒன்று கசிந்தது.
1726ம் ஆண்டு, திருத்தந்தை 13ம் பெனடிக்ட் (Pope Benedict XIII) இவருக்கு புனிதர் பட்டம் வழங்கினார். மான்டெபல்சியானோ நகர புனிதர் ஆக்னெசின் அழியாத உடல், இன்றளவும் பாதுகாக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது.
Profile
Born wealthy. A pious child, at age six she began nagging her parents to join a convent. She was admitted to the convent at Montepulciano, Italy at age nine. When her spiritual director was appointed abbess at Procena, she took Agnes with her. Agnes's reputation for holiness attracted other sisters. Abbess at age fifteen after receiving special permission from Pope Nicholas IV. Agnes insisted on greater austerities in the abbey; she lived off bread and water, slept on the ground, used a stone for a pillow. In 1298 she returned to Montepulciano to work in a new Dominican convent. Prioress of the house the last seventeen years of her life. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy.
Many stories grew up around Agnes, including
• Her birth was announced by flying lights surrounding her family's house.
• As a child, while walking through a field, she was attacked by a large murder of crows; she announced that they were devils, trying to keep her away from the land; years later, it was the site of her convent.
• She was known to levitate up to two feet in the air while praying.
• She received Communion from an angel, and had visions of the Virgin Mary.
• She held the infant Jesus in one of these visions; when she woke from her trance she found she was holding the small gold crucifix the Christ child had worn.
• On the day she was chosen abbess as a teenager, small white crosses showered softly onto her and the congregation.
• She could feed the convent with a handful of bread, once she'd prayed over it.
• Where she knelt to pray, violets, lilies and roses would suddenly bloom.
• While being treated for her terminal illness, she brought a drowned child back from the dead.
• At the site of her treatment, a spring welled up that did not help her health, but healed many other people.
Born
1268 at Gracchiano-Vecchio, Tuscany, Italy
Died
• 20 April 1317 at the convent of Montepulciano, Italy of natural causes following a lengthy illness
• legend says that at the moment of her death, all the babies in the region, no matter how young, began to speak of Agnes, her piety, and her passing
• miracles reported at her tomb
• body incorrupt
• relics translated to the Dominican church at Orvieto, Italy in 1435
Beatified
1534
Canonized
1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
Saint Marcian of Auxerre
Also known as
Marianus, Marsus, Marien
Profile
Monk at the monastery of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Auxerre, France. Had charge of the abbey‘s cattle. Miracle worker who was known to have the complete trust of the wild animals that lived nearby. There is an annual pilgrimage and blessing of animals at the church dedicated to him in Mezilles, France.
Born
Bourges, France
Died
• on an Easter Sunday c.470 of natural causes
• buried at the monastery of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Auxerre, France
• the abbey was later re-dedicated in the name of Saint Marianus in his honour
• relics moved to the abbey of Saint-Germain in Auxerre in the 9th century to protect them from invading Normans
Readings
With the remembrance of Saint Mamertinus, one associates that of Saint Marsus, his disciple. Marsus had quitted the country of the Bituriges on account of the persecution inflicted on Catholics by the Arian Goths, who were then in possession of it. Received into the Monastery of Auxerre by Mamertinus, he fulfilled the humble duties of shepherd and cowherd in the stables and farms of the monks, and sanctified himself in the performance of them. His story is full of miracles. He used to call the little birds to him and feed them, and, by his word of command, he sent away the bears and other animals which are hostile to man and his flocks. – from "The Little Bollandists" by Monsignor Paul Guérin, 1882
Blessed John Finch
Profile
Yoeman farmer. Raised in a family with Catholic and Protestant members, he was able to closely observe each side; John became a strong and faithful Catholic. Married layman. His home became a center for covert missionary work, and he hid and harboured priests. Parish clerk and catechist.
On Christmas 1581 he and Father George Ostliffe were ambushed and arrested. Finch was kept prisoner in the house of the Earl of Derby, alternately tortured and offered bribes to get information about covert Catholics; the authorities spread the story that he had turned in Father George himself, was taking refuge with Derby, and was voluntarily giving up the name of every Catholic he knew. John spent time in the Fleet prison, Manchester, and in the House of Correction, spending months in dungeons, being dragged by his heels to Protestant churches. He and three priests were brought to trial for their faith in Lancaster on 18 April 1584. While waiting execution, he ministered to condemned felons in his cell. Martyred with James Bell.
Born
c.1548 at Eccleston, Lancashire, England
Died
hanged on 20 April 1584 at Lancaster, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Blessed Richard Sergeant
Also known as
• Richard Lee
• Richard Long
• Richard Lea
• Richard Longe
Additional Memorials
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
Son of Thomas and Katherine Sergeant. Graduated Oxford University c.1570. Seminarian at the English College in Rheims, France on 25 July 1581. Deacon at Soissons, France on 9 June 1582. Ordained at Laon, France on 7 April 1583. Returned to England on 10 September 1583 to minister to covert Catholics, hiding as a layman, using the names Richard Lee or Lea, and Richard Long or Longe. Arrested and martyred for the crime of being a priest. One of the Martyrs of England, Scotland and Wales.
Born
c.1558 in Gloucestershire, England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 2 April 1586 at Tyburn, London, England
Beatified
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Caedwalla of Wessex
Also known as
• Caedwalla of Wales
• Cadwallader, Cadwallador, Cadwalla, Cadwallon, Ceadwalla, Cedualla, Peter
Profile
Son of Coenberht; descendent of King Ceawlin of Wessex in England. Exiled, but later returned to reclaim the throne by right, and by warfare. King of Wessex, which he expanded by conquest, annihilating the pagan residents of the Isle of Wight in the process in order to colonize it with his own people.
Converted to Christianity in 688 by Saint Wilfrid after being wounded in combat on the Isle of Wight. He abdicated, and went to Rome, Italy for baptism on 10 April 689 by Pope Saint Sergius I, taking the name Peter. He died ten days later, still wearing his white baptism robe. Venerable Bede wrote of him in his History of the English Church.
Born
c.658 in Wessex, England
Died
• 20 April 689 at Rome, Italy
• interred in a crypt at Saint Peter's Basilica
Blessed Chiara Bosatta
Also known as
Clare, Dina
Profile
Daughter of Alexander Bosatta and Rosa Mazzocchi. Her father was a silk manufacturer, and died when the girl was still young. She studied with the Daughters of Charity at age 13. Began a novitiate in the Canossians but felt that their charism was not what she was called to do. She returned home, and with her sister joined the Daughters of Mary and worked at a charity hospice, serving neglected elderly people and children. Teacher to the children at the hospice. Co-founded the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence with her sister and Saint Luigi Guanella; she took the name Chiara. Worked at the spiritual formation of the sisters.
Born
27 May 1858 in Pianello del Lario, Como, Italy as Dina Bosatta
Died
20 April 1887 in Pianello del Lario, Como, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
21 April 1991 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy
Pope Saint Anicetus
Profile
Son of John. Little is known of his life before his election as 11th Pope. Met with Saint Polycarp of Smyrna and allowed Eastern Christians to celebrate Easter on the 14th day of Nisan, regardless of whether it fell on Sunday. Anicetus took a firm stand against Gnosticism. Decreed that Church men should not have long hair; this was in keeping with 1st Corinthians 11:14 and helped mark the clergy as different from the laity.
Born
in Syria
Papal Ascension
155
Died
• 166 of natural causes
• listed as a martyr for centuries, possibly under the assumption that all the early popes were martyred, but there is no evidence of it
• interred in Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Blessed Hildegun of Schönau
புனித ஹில்டேகுண்ட் ஷொய்னவ் (Hildegund Schoenau)
பிறப்பு
1170
கொலோன் (Cologne)
இறப்பு
20 ஏப்ரல் 1188
ஷொய்னவ் (Schoenau)
ஹில்டேகுண்ட் 1170 ஆம் ஆண்டு கொலோன் மறைமாவட்டத்தில் பிறந்தார். இவருக்கு 12 வயது இருக்கும்போது, தன் தந்தையுடன் புண்ணிய பூமிக்கு(Holy Land) திருயாத்திரை சென்றார். கப்பலில் பயணம் செய்யும்போது இவரின் தந்தை மிகவும் நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டார். இதனால் ஹில்டேகுண்ட் புனித பயணத்தை நிறைவேற்ற முடியாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டது. அப்போது அவரின் தந்தை ஹில்டேகுண்ட்-ஐ அழைத்து, தனக்கு நல்ல உடையுடுத்தி, தன் ஊருக்கு அழைத்துக் கொண்டு போக சொன்னார். அதோடு ஹில்டேகுண்ட்-இன் பெயரை யோசேப்பு என்று மாற்றச் சொன்னார். ஆனால் ஹில்டேகுண்டால் தன் தந்தையின் ஆசையை கப்பலில் நிறைவேற்ற முடியாமல் போனது. கப்பல் எருசலேமை அடைந்தது.
அப்போது ஹில்டேகுண்ட் தன் தந்தையின் விருப்பத்தை நிறைவேற்ற எருசலேம் தேவாலயத்தில் செபவழிபாடு வைத்து செபித்தார். ஆலயத்தை விட்டு ஹில்டேகுண்டும், அவரின் தந்தையும் வெளியே வந்தபோது யாரென்று அடையாளம் தெரியாத ஒருவர், இவர்களுக்கு ஆடையையும் இன்னும் அங்கு தங்குவதற்கு தேவையான எல்லா ஏற்பாடுகளையும் செய்து கொடுத்து, உடன் அழைத்துச் செல்ல காத்துக்கொண்டிருந்தார். பின்னர் தந்தையும், ஹில்டேகுண்ட்டும் அம்மனிதரோடு சென்றனர். முன்பின் தெரியாத அம்மனிதரின் உதவியால் தன் தந்தையின் நோய் குணமாக்கப்பட்டு, சில ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து மீண்டும் சொந்த ஊர் திரும்பினர்.
அதன்பிறகு ஹில்டேகுண்ட் பல காரணங்களால் துறவியாக வேண்டுமென்று விரும்பினார். தன் தந்தையின் அனுமதி பெற்று 1187 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜெர்மனி நாட்டிலுள்ள ஹைடல்பெர்க் –இல் (Heidelberg) இருந்த சிஸ்டர்சியன் துறவற சபையில்(Cistercian) சேர்ந்தார். அவர் துறவியாவதற்குமுன் பயிற்சி பெறுவதற்காக ஷொய்னவ்விலிருந்த பயிற்சி இல்லத்திற்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டார். அப்போது அவர் நவதுறவகத்தில் இருக்கும்போது "யோசேப்பு" என்னும் பெயர்மாற்றம் பெற்று, புதிய துறவற உடையும் பெற்றுக்கொண்டார். யோசேப்பு நவதுறவகத்தில் இருக்கும்போது பல்வேறு சோதனைகளுக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்டார். அப்போது அவர் தீவிர நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டார். அதன்பிறகு நோய் முற்றிப்போனதால், உயிரை காப்பாற்ற முடியாமல், நவதுறவகத்திலேயே 1188 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஏப்ரல் 20 ஆம் நாள் இறந்தார்.
சிஸ்டர்சியன் துறவறசபையில் நவதுறவகத்தில் இறந்தவர்களில் இவரே முதலானவர். இவரின் ஆன்மீக வாழ்வு இன்று வரை சிஸ்டர்சியன் சபையில் பயிற்சியகத்தில் உள்ளவர்களுக்கு ஓர் முன்மாதிரியாக உள்ளது.
Also known as
• Brother Joseph
• Hildegun of Neuss
• Hildegunda, Hildegunde, Hildegund, Joseph
Profile
Dressed as a boy for her own safety, she accompanied her father on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On her return home, she kept the male disguise, joined the Cistercian monks at Schönau, Germany, and lived the rest of her life as a brother. Legend describes her as a miracle worker, and her sex was discovered only on her death. Of all the old stories with this theme, Hildegun's has the best and most convincing documentation by her own order.
Born
in the Rhineland, Germany
Died
1188 in Schönau, Germany of natural causes
Canonized
• no formal beatification or canonization
• widespread popular devotion has existed for centuries
Blessed Gerald of Salles
Also known as
• Gerald of Salas
• Geraldo, Géraud, Giraud
Profile
Canon regular in the diocese of Périgueux, France. Reforming monk at the Saint-Avit Abbey. Hermit in the Cadonh Forest. His reputation attracted many would-be students. Founded the Benedictine houses of Andorel Abbey, Belleperche Abbey, Valmagne Abbey, Bournet Abbey in 1113, Dalon Abbey and Grandselve Abbey in 1114, Cadouin Abbey c.1115, Fontdouce Abbey in 1117, Châtelliers Abbey in 1119, and Absie Abbey in 1120. Founded the Order of Cadonh and the Order of Dalon, both of which later merged into the Cistercians.
Born
Salles, France
Died
• 1120 of natural causes
• re-interred in a marble tomb on the south-side of the altar at Châtelliers Abbey
Beatified
1249 by Pope Innocent IV
Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Profile
Joined the Franciscans in 1900, making his solemn profession on 24 February 1904. Ordained in 1906. Built the seminary in Lotz, Poland. Founded the Antonian Sisters of Christ the King. Arrested on 10 October 1941 in the Nazi persecutions of the Church. One of the 108 Polish Martyrs of World War II.
Born
9 July 1882 in Nagórzany, Podkarpackie, Poland
Died
• 20 May 1942 on the road from the Dachau concentration camp, Oberbayern, Germany
• body burned and ashes scattered
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland
Saint Marcellinus of Embrun
Also known as
• Marcellinus of Ambrun
• Marcelino...
• Marcellí d'Ambrun
Profile
Priest. Missionary to the Dauphiné area of France and Switzerland in the early 4th century. First Bishop of Embrun, France, consecrated by Saint Eusebius of Vercelli. When the Arian heresy arrived in his area, Marcellinus was forced to flee into the mountains and care for his diocese from exile.
Born
North Africa
Died
• c.374 of natural causes
• relics transferred to Digne-les-Bains, France in the 10th century
• relics destroyed in the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution
Blessed Simon Rinalducci
Also known as
• Simon Rinalducci of Todi
• Simon of Todi
Profile
Augustinian friar in 1280. Noted for his theological studies. Lector. Prior of several houses. Famous preacher. Augustinian provincial prior in Umbria, Italy. During a general chapter conference in 1318 he was unjustly accused of some serious charges; he kept silence rather than cause scandal among his brothers, and was eventually acquitted. Known as a miracle worker.
Born
latter 13th century at Todi, Italy
Died
20 April 1322 at the monastery of Saint James the Great in Bologna, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
19 March 1833 by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmed)
Blessed William Thomson
Also known as
• William Thompson
• William Blackburn
Additional Memorial
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
Profile
Studied at the English College in Rheims, France. Ordained, he returned to minister to covert Catholics in England during a period of persecution. Executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.
Born
c.1560 at Blackburn, Lancastershire, England
Died
hanged, drawn and quartered on 20 April 1586 at Tyburn, London, England
Beatified
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Francis Page
Additional Memorial
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Raised in a Protestant family from Harrow-on-the-Hill, England. Convert to Catholicism. Studied at Douai, France where he was ordained in 1600. Worked in England to minister to covert Catholics who faced government persecution. Arrested and sentenced to death for the crime of being a priest. While he prison he became a Jesuit. Martyr.
Born
c.1575 in Antwerp, Belgium
Died
20 April 1602 at Tyburn, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Blessed Antony Page
Also known as
Anthony, Antonio
Additional Memorials
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Profile
Studied at Douai, France. Ordained in 1591. Returned to England to minister to covert Catholics in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I. Arrested and martyred for the crime of priesthood.
Born
1571 in Harrow, Middlesex, London, England
Died
hanged, drawn, and quartered in late April 1593 York, North Yorkshire, England
Beatified
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Oda of Rivreulle
Also known was
• Oda of Anderlues
• Oda of Brabant
• Ode, Odette
Profile
Born to the nobility in the Brabant region. To avoid an arranged marriage to a young nobleman, Oda disfigured her face. Her family then allowed her to follow the religious vocation she desired. Premonstratensian nun at Rivroelles. Prioress at Rivroelles. Her cult has never been formally confirmed, but popular devotion continues.
Born
Brabant, Belgium
Died
1158 of natural causes
Saint Sara of Antioch
அந்தியோக்கு_நகர்ப்_புனித_சாரா (-305)
ஏப்ரல் 20
இவர் (#StSaraOfAntioch) உரோமையில் இருந்த ஒரு செல்வச் செழிப்பான குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர்.
இவர் ஓர் உரோமை அதிகாரிக்கு மணமுடித்துக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டார். அவரோ இயேசுவின் மீது நம்பிக்கை இல்லாதவர். ஆனாலும் கூட இவர் இயேசுவின் மீது கொண்ட நம்பிக்கையில் சிறிதும் பிறழாமல் உறுதியாக இருந்தார்.
மேலும் இவர் தனக்குப் பிறந்த இரண்டு குழந்தைகளுக்கும் திருமுழுக்குக் கொடுத்து, கிறிஸ்தவ முறைப்படியே அவர்களை வளர்த்து வந்தார்.
இதற்கு நடுவில் உரோமையை ஆண்ட தியோகிளசியன் என்ற மன்னன் கிறிஸ்துவர்களைப் பிடித்துச் சித்திரவதை செய்து, கொலை செய்தான். அவன் சாரா கிறிஸ்துவைப் பற்றி வெளிப்படையாக அறிவிப்பதை அறிந்து, தன் பணியாளர்களை அனுப்பிப் பிடித்து வரச் சொல்லி, இவரைத் தீயிலிட்டு எரித்துக் கொன்றான்.
இவர் மறைச்சாட்சியாக இறந்த ஆண்டு கி.பி. 305 ஆகும்.
Also known as
Sarah
Profile
Born to a wealthy Imperial Roman family. Married to a Roman army officer. Publicly exposed as a Christian when she baptized her children against the wishes of her non-Christian husband when the ship they was travelling on was in danger of wrecking in a storm. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
Born
Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey)
Died
burned at the stake c.305 in Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey)
Blessed Maurice Mackenraghty
Also known as
Muiris mac Ionrachtaigh
Additional Memorial
20 June as one of the Irish Martyrs
Profile
Parish priest in the diocese of Limerick, Ireland. Spent two years in prison and then executed for refusing to accept Queen Elizabeth I as head of the Church. Martyr.
Born
c.1500 in Kilmallock, Limerick, Ireland
Died
20 April 1585 in Clonmel, Ireland
Beatified
27 September 1992 by Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy
Blessed James Bell
Additional Memorial
1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
Educated at Oxford University. Priest. Conformed to the rules of the state church under Queen Elizabeth, but eventually returned to his Catholic faith, and was martyred with Blessed John Finch.
Born
c.1520 at Warrington, Lancashire, England
Died
hanged in 20 April 1584 at Lancaster, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Saint Hugh of Anzy-le-Duc
Profile
Educated at the Benedictine abbey at Saint-Savin, Poitou, France, where he became a Benedictine monk. As an adult, he travelled to several houses to revive the monastic observance. Helped Blessed Berno establish Cluny Abbey. Prior of Anzy-le-Duc in Burgundy, France.
Born
at Poitiers, France
Died
• c.930 at the abbey of Anzy-le-Duc, Brittany, France of natural causes
• relics enshrined in 1001
Blessed Robert Watkinson
Profile
Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Only a month after his ordination, he was imprisoned and executed in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.
Born
in Hemingbrough, North Yorkshire, England
Died
hanged on 20 April 1602 in Tyburn, London, England
Beatified
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Blessed Michel Coquelet
Profile
Member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Priest. Martyr.
Born
18 August 1931 in Wignehies, Nord, France
Died
20 April 1961 in Sop Xieng, Xieng Khouang, Laos
Beatified
• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Saint Vincent of Digne
Also known as
Vincentius
Profile
Missionary to the Dauphiné area of France. Bishop of Digne, France.
Born
North Africa
Died
• c.374
• relics at Digne-les-Bains, France
Saint Domninus of Digne
Additional Memorial
13 February (Digne-les-Bains, France)
Profile
Missionary bishop to the Dauphiné area of France.
Born
North Africa
Died
• c.374 of natural causes
• relics at Digne-les-Bains, France
Saint Theotimus of Tomi
Profile
Bishop of Scytha or Tomi on the Black Sea. His sanctity won the admiration even of the barbarians. Defended Origen against Saint Epiphanius of Salamis. Evangelized the tribes of the Lower Danube.
Died
407 of natural causes
Blessed Catwallon
Also known as
Catuuallon
Profile
Son of Duke Conan I of Brittany (in modern France). Monk. Abbot of Redon from 1019 to 1040. Helped the founders of monasteries throughout Brittany.
Born
Brittany, France
Saint Theodore Trichinas
Profile
Fourth century hermit.
Born
Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)
Blessed John of Grace-Dieu
Profile
Benedictine Cistercian monk at Saint Denis monastery. Abbot of Igny. Abbot of Clairvaux in 1257. Abbot of Grace-Dieu c.1262.
Died
1280 of natural causes
Saint Margaret of Amelia
Also known as
Margarita, Margherita, Marguerite
Profile
Benedictine abbess at Saint Catherine of Amelia abbey. Mystic.
Died
1666 of natural causes
Saint Servilian
Profile
Converted by the prayers of Saint Flavia Domitilla. Martyred in the persecutions of Trajan.
Died
beheaded c.117 at the 2nd mile marker on the Via Latina outside Rome, Italy
Saint Wiho of Osnabrück
Also known as
Viho, Vihone, Vione, Wicho, Wilho
Profile
First bishop of Osnabrück, Saxony (in modern Germany) c.800.
Saint Sulpicius
Profile
Converted by the prayers of Saint Flavia Domitilla. Martyr.
Died
beheaded c.117 at the 2nd mile marker on the Via Latina outside Rome, Italy
Saint Secundinus of Córdoba
Profile
Martyr.
Died
Córdoba, Spain
Saint Sobarthann
Profile
Irish bishop mentioned the martyrologies of Tallaght, Gorman and Donegal, but no information about him has survived.
Anastasius of Antioch
Two Patriarchs, One Day: There are two Patriarchs of Antioch named Anastasius: Anastasius I and Anastasius II. While some sources claim there was a martyred Patriarch Anastasius commemorated on April 20th, historical records don't align with either Anastasius I or II being martyred.
Commemorating Both: Due to the confusion, it's become common in Eastern Orthodox Churches to commemorate both Anastasius I and II on April 20th.
Here's a breakdown of the two saints:
Anastasius I (feast day also April 21st): The most prominent, known for his opposition to heresy and exile.
Anastasius II: Successor to Anastasius I, but details about him are scarcer.
Dominic Vernagalli
Life:
Born around 1180 in Buti, Italy.
Came from a wealthy family but gave up his riches to join the Camaldolese order as a monk.
Became a priest around 1204.
Known for his piety and charitable acts. Notably, he played a key role in establishing an orphanage ("Spedale dei Trovatelli") near his monastery in Pisa in 1218.
Died on April 20, 1219, at the monastery of San Michele in Verruca.
Veneration:
Beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1854, confirming a pre-existing local veneration ("culto ab immemorabili").
Feast day is celebrated on April 20th.
Sinach of Inis Clothrainn
Time Period: He lived sometime in the 7th or 8th century.
Role: He was an abbot of the Iniscloghran monastery, also known as Inis Clothrainn, located on Lough Ree in Ireland. This monastery was founded by Saint Diarmaid.
Commemoration: His feast day is observed on April 20th.
