இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஆகஸ்ட் 20

 St. Baamin

Feastday: August 20

Eudoxia with (Panammon) with my sister. Martyred in Kemet. 20 Aug. Coptic Calendar. 

He is a Coptic saint who was martyred in Egypt during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian.

Baamin was a priest who lived in the city of Kemet (now Akhmim) in Upper Egypt. He was arrested and tortured for his faith. He was eventually beheaded.

The feast day of Saint Baamin is celebrated on August 20 by the Coptic Orthodox Church. He is also remembered by the Catholic Church on the same day.

Martyrs of Thrace

Feastday: August 20

A group of thirty-seven martyrs who suffered in Thrace, in modem northern Greece. Their feet and hands were sliced off and then they were cast into a furnace.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

 க்ளேர்வாக்ஸ் நகர் புனிதர் பெர்னார்ட் 

மடாதிபதி, ஒப்புரவாளர், மறைவல்லுநர்:

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1090

ஃபவுன்டைன்-லெஸ்-டிஜோன், ஃபிரான்ஸ்

இறப்பு: ஆகஸ்டு 20, 1153 (வயது 63)

க்ளேர்வாக்ஸ், ஃபிரான்ஸ்

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் திருச்சபை

லூதரன் திருச்சபை

புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஜனவரி 18, 1174 

திருத்தந்தை 3ம் அலெக்சாண்டர்

முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:

ட்ரோய்ஸ் பேராலயம், வில்லே-சௌஸ்-ல-ஃபெர்ட்,

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஆகஸ்ட் 20

பாதுகாவல்: 

சிஸ்டர்சியன் சபையினர் (Cistercians), பர்கண்டி (Burgundy), தேனீ வளர்ப்பவர்கள் (Beekeepers), மெழுகுவர்த்தி தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் (Candle makers), ஜிப்ரால்டர் (Gibraltar), அல்ஜீசிராஸ் (Algeciras), குயின்ஸ் கல்லூரி (Queens' College), கேம்பிரிட்ஜ் (Cambridge), 

ஸ்பீயர் பேராலயம் (Speyer Cathedral), நைட்ஸ் டெம்ப்ளர் (Knights Templar), பினன்கொனம் (Binangonan), ரிஸால் (Rizal)

புனித பெர்னார்ட், ஒரு ஃபிரெஞ்ச் மடாதிபதியும் (French abbot), சிஸ்டெர்சியன் சபையின் (Cistercian order) பிரதான சீர்திருத்தவாதியும், பெனடிக்டின் துறவறத்தின் (Benedictine monasticism) சீர்திருத்தங்களின் முக்கிய தலைவருமாவார்.

பெர்னார்டின் தந்தை, “டெஸ்செலின்” (Tescelin de Fontaine), “ஃபவுன்டைன்-லெஸ்-டிஜோன்” (Fontaine-lès-Dijon) பிரபு ஆவார். இவரது தாயார், “அலேத்” (Alèthe de Montbard) ஆவார். இவர்கள் இருவமே “பர்கண்டியின்” (Burgundy) பிரபுக்கள் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் ஆவர்.

தமது ஒன்பது வயதில் கல்வி கற்க ஆரம்பித்த பெர்னார்ட், இலக்கியத்தில் பெரும் ஆர்வம் கொண்டிருந்தார். கவிதைகள், செய்யுள் போன்றவற்றை எழுதுவதிலும் ஆர்வம் கொண்டிருந்தார். கல்வியில் அவர் கொண்ட வெற்றிகள், அவரது ஆசிரியர்களிடம் அவருக்கு பெரும் புகழை பெற்றுத்தந்தது. திருவிவிலியத்தை கற்கவும், ஆராய்வதற்காகவும், அவர் இலக்கியத்தில் சிறந்து விளங்க விரும்பினார். அவர், அன்னை கன்னி மரியாளிடம் சிறப்பு பக்தி கொண்டிருந்தார். பிற்காலத்தில், விண்ணரசி அன்னையைப் பற்றி பல்வேறு படைப்புகளை எழுதினர்.

தத்துவ அறிஞர்களால் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்பட்ட தெய்வீக புரிதலுக்கான பகுத்தறிவு அணுகுமுறைக்கு எதிராக, பெர்னார்ட் ஒரு உடனடி விசுவாசத்தைப் பிரசங்கித்தார், அதனை பரிந்துரை செய்தது அன்னை மரியாள் ஆவார்.

பெர்னார்டுக்கு பத்தொன்பது வயதாகையில் அவரது அன்னை மரித்துப்போனார். தமது இளமைக்காலத்தில் அவர் சோதனைகளிலிருந்து தப்பிவிடவில்லை. இச்சமயத்தில், உலக நடவடிக்கைகளிலிருந்து விடுபட்டு, தனிமை மற்றும் செப வாழ்வை தேர்ந்தெடுக்க விரும்பினார். தமது 22 வயதில், ஒரு தேவாலயத்தில் அவர் செபித்துகொண்டிருக்கையில், “சிடாக்ஸ்” (Cîteaux) நகரிலுள்ள “சிஸ்டேர்சியன்” (Cistercian Monks) துறவியர் மடத்தில் இணைய கடவுள் அழைப்பதாக உணர்ந்தார். பெர்னார்டின் நண்பர்கள், சகோதரர்கள் மற்றும் உறவினர்கள் என்று சுமார் முப்பது பேர் இவருடன் சேர்ந்து துறவு மடத்தில் இணைய பெர்னார்டின் சாட்சியம் தவிர்க்க இயலாத முக்கிய காரணியாய் அமைந்தது.

மூன்று ஆண்டுகளின் பிறகு, (Val d'Absinthe) எனப்படும் தனிமைப்படுத்தப்பட்ட ஒரு ஒடுங்கிய பள்ளத்தாக்கில் துறவு மடமொன்றை நிறுவுவதற்காக அனுப்பப்பட்டார். மரபுப்படி, கி.பி. 1115ம் ஆண்டு, ஜூன் மாதம், 25ம் நாளன்று, துறவு மடத்தை நிறுவினார். அதற்கு “கிளேர் வள்ளி” (Claire Vallée) என்று பெயரிட்டார். பின்னர் அது மருவி, “க்ளேர்வாக்ஸ்” (Clairvaux) என்றானது. அங்கே, உடனடியாக விசுவாசத்தை போதித்து பிரசங்கிக்க தொடங்கினார். அதற்கு பரிந்துரையாளராக அன்னை மரியாள் இருந்தார்.

கி.பி. 1130ம் ஆண்டு, ஃபெப்ரவரி மாதம், 13ம் நாள், திருத்தந்தை “இரண்டாம் ஹானரியல்” (Pope Honorius II) மரித்ததும், திருச்சபையில் ஒரு கலகம் வெடித்தது. ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டின் அரசன் “ஆறாம் லூயிஸ்” (King Louis VI of France) “எடம்ப்ஸ்” (Étampes) எனுமிடத்தில் ஃபிரெஞ்ச் ஆயர்களின் தேசிய மகாசபையைக் கூட்டினார். திருத்தந்தைப் பதவிக்கான போட்டியாளர்களிடையே தீர்ப்பு வழங்க பெர்னார்ட் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். “எடம்ப்ஸ்” (Étampes) மகா சபையின் பின்னர், திருத்தந்தை “இரண்டாம் இன்னொசன்டிற்கான” (Pope Innocent II) அரசனின் ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்காக, பெர்னார்ட் இங்கிலாந்தின் அரசன் “முதலாம் ஹென்றியுடன்” (King Henry I of England) பேச்சு நடத்தினார். இங்கிலாந்தின் பெருமளவு ஆயர்கள், எதிர் திருத்தந்தை “இரண்டாம் அனக்லெட்டஸுக்கு” (Antipope Anacletus II) ஆதரவு தெரிவித்ததால், அரசன் நம்பிக்கையற்றிருந்தார். இன்னொசன்டுக்கு ஆதரவு அளிக்குமாறு பெர்னார்ட் அரசனை வற்புறுத்தினார். பெர்னார்டின் நண்பர் “நார்பர்ட்” (Norbert of Xanten) மூலமாக, இன்னொசன்டுக்கு ஆதரவளிக்க ஜெர்மன் முடிவு செய்தது. எனினும், தூய ரோம பேரரசர் “இரண்டாம் லோதைரை” (Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor) சந்திக்க செல்கையில் பெர்னார்ட் உடன் வரவேண்டுமென இன்னொசன்ட் வலியுறுத்தினார். திருத்தந்தைப் பதவிக்கான மொத்த யுத்தமும் கி.பி. 1138ம் ஆண்டு, ஜனவரி மாதம், 25ம் நாளன்று, “இரண்டாம் அனக்லெட்டஸ்” (Antipope Anacletus II) இறந்ததும் முடிவுக்கு வந்தது.

முன்னர் திருச்சபைக்குள்ளே ஏற்பட்ட பிரிவினைகளுக்கு முடிவுகட்ட உதவிய காரணங்களால், பெர்னார்ட் இப்போது மதங்களுக்கு எதிரான கொள்கைகளுக்கெதிராக (Heresy) போரிட அழைக்கப்பட்டார். ஜூன் 1145ல், பெர்னார்ட் தென்-ஃபிரான்ஸ் பிராந்தியங்களுக்கு பயணித்தார். அங்கே அவரது போதனைகளும் பிரசங்கங்களும் மதங்களுக்கு எதிரான கொள்கைகளுக்கெதிராக ஆதரவை அதிகரித்தது. “எடிஸ்ஸா முற்றுகையின்” (Siege of Edessa) கிறிஸ்தவ தோல்விக்குப் பிறகு, இரண்டாம் சிலுவைப்போரைப் (Second Crusade) பிரசங்கிக்க, திருத்தந்தை அவர்கள், பெர்னார்டை நியமித்தார். சிலுவைப்போரின் தோல்விகள் காரணமாக, பெர்னார்டின் வாழ்க்கையின் இறுதி ஆண்டுகள் துன்பங்கள் நிறைந்ததாக இருந்தன. தோல்விக்கான முழு பொறுப்பும் அவர் மீதே சுமத்தப்பட்டன.

40 வருடங்கள் ஒரு துறவியாக வாழ்ந்த பெர்னார்ட், தமது 63 வயதில் மரித்தார். புனிதர்களின் நாட்காட்டியில் (Calendar of Saints) இடம் பிடித்த முதல் “சிஸ்டேர்சியன்” (Cistercian) துறவி இவரேயாவார். திருத்தந்தை “மூன்றாம் அலெக்சாண்டரால்” (Pope Alexander III) புனிதராக அருட்பொழிவு செய்விக்கப்பட்ட இவர், திருத்தந்தை “எட்டாம் பயசால்” (Pope Pius VIII) கி.பி. 1830ம் ஆண்டு திருச்சபையின் மறைவல்லுனராக (Doctor of the Church) பிரகடணம் செய்யப்பட்டார்.

Also known as

• Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

• Last of the Fathers of the Holy Church

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Born to the French nobility; brother of Saint Humbeline. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux; his father and another brother joined soon after. Benedictine. Founded and led the monastery of Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and eventually 160 daughter houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended the Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, and Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O'More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugene III, who had originally been one of his monks. First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.

Every morning Bernard would ask himself, "Why have I come here?", and then remind himself of his main duty - to lead a holy life.

Born

1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France

Died

20 August 1153 at Clairvaux Abbey, Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Aube, France

Canonized

1170 by Pope Alexander III

Blessed Teofilius Matulionis

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The middle of three brothers born to the peasant family of Jurgis Matulionis and Ona Juocepyte; after his mother died, his father re-married, and the couple then had seven more children. Teofilius studied at Antaliepte, Lithuania from 1887 to 1892, then Dvinsk (modern Daugpilis, Latvia) from 1892 to 1900, and then at the seminary in Saint Petersburg, Russia; he could speak Russian, Latvian and Polish. At one point he questioned his vocation, left seminary, and supported himself by teaching, but later returned to seminary. Ordained a priest of the diocese of Mohilev, Belarus on 17 March 1900.

He assisted briefly in several parishes in Latvia, and on 26 June 1900 was assigned to Latgalia, Latvia. From 1910 to 1929 he was assigned to the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Saint Petersburg, an area where Catholics were a distinct minority, and where they came under increased persecution following the Communist takeover of Russia. The Bolsheviks confiscated all churches in 1922. Father Teofilius was imprisoned from 1923 to 1925 for failure to cooperate with the Soviets in the persecution of Archbishop Jan Cieplak.

Chosen Auxiliary Bishop of Mohilev, Belarus and Titular Bishop of Matrega by Pope Pius XI on 8 December 1928, he was consecrated in secret on 7 February 1929. On 24 November 1929 he was arrested and sentenced to hard labour in a prison camp north of Arctic Circle for the crime of having had contact with people outside the Soviet Union. In prison he would often get up in the middle of the night to celebrate Mass in secret, distributing the Eucharist to other prisoners when possible. The privations of the prison broke his health; Father Teofilius was re-located to solitary confinement in a prison in Saint Ptersburg and finally turned over to Lithuania as part of a prisoner exchange.

Chosen Archbishop of Kaisiadorys, Lithuania on 9 January 1943 by Pope Pius XII. In 1946 he released a pastoral letter to his diocese; the Soviet authorities imprisoned him for ten years for actively practising his vocation. Released in 1956, he was placed under house arrest in Birstonas, Lithuania to prevent his returning to active work as a bishop. On 25 December 1957 Matulionis consecrated Vincentas Sladkevicius a bishop without the consent of the Communists. The authorities mocked him for celebrating the consecration is his kitchen; Matuliones shamed them for forcing him to such a reduced state. For his disobediance, the Communists exiled him to Seduva, Lithuania for the rest of his life. Martyr.

Born

22 June 1873 in Alantos, Moletai, Russian Empire (in modern Lithuania)

Died

• during a routine search of his apartment by Soviet authorities, he was given an injection by a KGB nurse and dropped dead on 20 August 1962 in Seduva, Radviliskis, Lithuania

• his body was exhumed and autopsied in 1999; tests indicated that he had been poisoned

• interred in the crypt of the Transfiguration Cathedral of Kaisiadorys, Kaisiadorys, Kaisiadorys District Municipality, Kaunas, Lithuania

Beatified

• 25 June 2017 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated at the square of the Cathedral Basilica of Sventasis Stanislovas ir Sventasis Vladislovas, Vilnius, Lithuania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

• it was the first beatification celebrated in Lithuania

• it was the first beatification of a Lithuanian martyred by Communists

Saint Maria de Mattias

Profile

Born to a pious and educated upper class family. Though women of her day were forbidden a formal education, she learned to read and write, and much about her faith at home from her father. Being an upper class girl of the time, she grew up isolated and self-involved, but in her mid-teens she felt the hollowness of her life, and began to search for more meaning. She prayed for enlightment and received a mystical vision that led her to leave home and wander the roads, explaining the love of God to any who would listen.

At age 17 she attended a mission preached by Saint Gaspare de Bufalo, and saw the obvious changes to people who attended. She wanted to have the same effect, and with the aid of Venerable Giovanni Merlini she founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Acuto, Italy on 4 March 1834, a woman's congregation for teaching girls. She expanded their work to teaching and catechizing women and boys. Though, due to the social mores of the time she was not allowed to speak to men, they would often gather on their own, sometimes in hiding, to listen to her teaching. Pope Pius IX assigned her to running the San Luigi Hospice in Rome, and from there she worked to expand the Adorers. The congregation experienced occasional opposition from the clergy, but always support from the laity; they ran 70 schools by Mary's death, most in small isolated towns, and over 400 by her beatification.

Born

4 February 1805 at Vallecorsa, Frosinone, Papal States (modern Italy)

Died

• 20 August 1866 in Rome, Italy of natural causes

• buried in the Verano cemetery, Rome

• relics venerated in Rome at the Church of the Precious Blood

Canonized

18 May 2003 by Pope John Paul II at Vatican Basilica

Saint Zacchaeus the Publican

Also known as

Zaccheo

Additional Memorials

• 20 April (Coptic calendar)

• 32nd Sunday after Pentecost (Byzantine calendar)

• 27 August (Martyrology of Rabban Sliba)

Profile

Mentioned in Gospel of Luke as the short tax collector who climbed a tree in order to see Jesus because he couldn't see over the crowd. Jesus decided to go to the man's house, and when the locals grumbled that Christ was friendly with sinners, Zacchaeus showed his conversion by making retribution to any he had harmed, and by giving largely to charity.

Since that's all we actually know, many legends have grown around him, including that he married Saint Veronica, that he became bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and that he is Saint Amadour who was an early hermit in France.

Patronage

innkeepers (the word publican formerly meant a collector of taxes from the public; in English it later meant the proprietor of a public house, pub or inn

Saint Oswine of Deira

Also known as

Osuine, Oswin

Profile

Born a prince, the son of King Osric of Deira in Britain. Educated by Saint Aidan. Succeeded Saint Oswald of Northumbria as king of Deira in 642. Saint Bede describes him as "most generous to all men and above all things humble; tall of stature and of graceful bearing, with pleasant manner and engaging address." While his reign was one of peace and order, there was constant political wrangling with his cousin Oswy who desired the throne and eventually had him murdered.

Died

• murdered 20 August 651 at Gilling, Yorkshire, England on the orders of his cousin Oswy

• initially buried at Gilling

• re-interred at Tynemouth

• his gravesite was lost during the turmoil of the Viking invasions

• grave re-discovered in 1065 following an apparition of Oswine to a monk named Edmund

• relics moved on 11 March 1100

• relics moved on 20 August 1103

• following the dissolution of monasteries by King Henry VIII, relics moved to Durham, England

Patronage

betrayal victims (his location was betrayed to his murders by a one of his supposedly loyal nobles)

Saint Philibert of Jumièges

Profile

The only son of a member of the court of King Dagobert I. Educated by Saint Ouen of Rouen. Monk of Rébais Abbey at age 20. Abbot of Rébais. He spent some time travelling to various monasteries, studying their Rules, constitutions and methods of mangement. Founded Jumièges Abbey on land he received as a gift from King Clovis II. He created a Rule for the Abbey, and served as its first abbot. Imprisoned and then exiled for opposition to Ebroin. Founded the monastery of Noirmoutier. Abbot of Luçon Abbey. Returning from exile, he founded the monastery of Cunaut and a convent at Pavilly, and helped restore Quinçay. The filbert, or hazelnut, is said to have been named for him as it ripens in England around the time of his feast day.

Born

c.608 in Gascony, France

Died

• 684 on the island of Héri, France of natural causes

• interred in Noirmoutier Abbey

• when the monks abandoned Noirmoutier in 836 due to Viking invasion, they took Philibert's relics with them

• the relics were housed in five different abbeys during the next 39 years

• relics moved to the Saint Philibert Abbey in Tournus, France in 875

Blessed Manuel López Álvarez

Profile

Born to a peasant family, Manuel was baptized on the day he was born. Ordained as a priest in the archdiocese of Granada, Spain on 16 July 1905. Parish priest in Alcolea, Spain. In the time leading up to the Spanish Civil War, Father Manuel came increasingly in conflict with anti–Catholic elements – he had a shotgun pulled on him for officiating at a funeral, and had to sleep in his church to run off would-be arsonists. On 20 August 1936, he was reported by Communist sympathizers to the militia who seized him along with eight other Catholics. The group was loaded into a truck, driven to a cemetery and murdered. Martyr.

Born

26 March 1881 in Mairena, Granada, Spain

Died

• shot, dragged to a pit, and then his skull crushed with a gravedigger's tool on 20 August 1936 at the cemetery in Berja, Almeria, Spain

• buried in a mass grave in Berja with other murdered Catholics

Beatified

• 25 March 2017 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated in the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Aguadulce, Almería, Spain, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Bernardo Tolomei

Also known as

• Bernard Ptolomei

• Bernard Tolomeo

• Giovanni Tolomeo

Profile

Giovannni early changed his name to Bernard from admiration for Bernard of Clairvaux. Educated by his Dominican uncle. His father prevented Bernard from entering religious life. Lawyer. Theologian. Soldier. Politician and government official. Struck blind, Bernardo recovered his sight through the intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary, after which he gave up worldly life to become a hermit. Accused of heresy, Bernard soon cleared his name. Priest. Founder of the Benedictine Congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto (Olivetan Congregation; Olivetans). During a bout of the plague, Bernard and his monks cared for any who needed it; none of the brothers became sick.

Born

10 May 1272 at Siena, Tuscany as Giovanni Tolomei

Died

20 August 1348 in Siena, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

24 November 1644 by Pope Innocent X (cultus confirmed)

Canonized

26 April 2009 Pope Benedict XVI

Saint Amadour the Hermit

Also known as

• Amadour of Lucca

• Amadour of Rocamadour

• Amadoro, Amator, Amatore

Profile

In 1126 or 1162 (record vary), the body of this saint was found, possibly incorrupt, in a tomb with indications that the person had died about 1000 years earlier. With no background information available about the body, a series of stories (and guesses) grew up around the person –

• he was Saint Zacchaeus the Publican who changed his name when he converted to Christianity

• he was a servant in the house of the Holy Family

• he was married to Saint Veronica

• he and Saint Veronica served as missionaries in the area of Bordeaux, France

• he was in Rome, Italy to witness the martyrdoms of Paul and Peter

• upon the death of Veronica, he became the first Christian hermit of Gaul with a cell at Quircy, France

• he built the Our Lady of Rocamadour shrine and pilgimage site in France

Died

some relics enshrined at the Saint Michelotto Franciscan convent

Blessed Enrique Rodríguez Tortosa

Profile

Orphaned when he was very small, Enrique was raised by his aunt Araceli. He grew to be a pious and committed Christian, an honest, humble and well-liked layman in his community in the diocese of Almería, Spain. Member of Catholic Action. When Communist militia came to his down in the Spanish Civil War, they ordered Enrique to renounce Christianity; he refused. They seized him, threw him into truck, drove him out of the village and murdered him. Martyr.

Born

30 April 1908 in Terque, Almería, Spain

Died

20 August 1936 in La Rambla de Gérgal, Almería, Spain

Beatified

• 25 March 2017 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated in the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Aguadulce, Almería, Spain, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed José Tapia Díaz de Villachica

Profile

Young layman in the diocese of Almería, Spain, he was the son of merchants and early began working as a clerk to learn the family trade. Member of Catholic Action. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War for refusing to renounce his faith.

Born

6 January 1913 in Terque, Almería, Spain

Died

20 August 1936 in La Rambla de Gérgal, Almería, Spain

Beatified

• 25 March 2017 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated in the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Aguadulce, Almería, Spain, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed María Climent Mateu

Profile

Lay woman in the archdiocese of Valencia, Spain, she was baptized on the day of her birth at her parish church of Saint Tecla. Educated by the Dominican Sisters in Valencia, Spain. Singer, musician and loved to work on embroidery. Secretary of the Catholic Women's Trade Union. Member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War; her dying words - "Viva Christo Rey!" (Long live Christ the King!)

Born

30 May 1887 in Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain

Died

stabbed to death on 20 August 1936 in Picadero de Paterna, Valencia, Spain

Beatified

11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Wladyslaw Maczkowski

Also known as

Ladislaus Maczkowski

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Priest in the Archdiocese of Gniezno, Poland, serving in the parish of Lubowo. Arrested on 26 August 1940 by occupying Nazis, he was imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp where he ministered to fellow prisoners and was abused by guards for nearly two years. Martyr.

Born

24 June 1911 in Ociaz, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Died

20 August 1942 in the Dachau concentration camp, Oberbayern, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Ronald of Orkney

 புனித ரொனால்ட்  

இவர் ஸ்காட்லாந்து நாட்டிற்கு அருகில் உள்ள ஓர்க்னே தீவை சார்ந்தவர். 

சிறு வயதிலேயே இறைவன்மீது மிகுந்த பற்றுக்கொண்டு,  துடிப்போடு இருந்த இவர், பின்னாளில் இராணுவ வீரராக மாறி, நாட்டிற்காகப் பணிபுரியத் தொடங்கினார். 

"எங்களுடைய பகுதியில் கோயிலே இல்லை" என்று மக்கள் மிகவும் வருந்திக் கொண்டிருந்த வேளையில், இவர் "நான் உங்களுக்கு ஒரு கோயிலைக் கட்டித் தருகிறேன்" என்று வாக்குறுதி தந்து, ஒரு கோயிலைத் கட்டித் தந்தார். 

அவ்வாறு இவர் கட்டித்தந்த கோயில் தான் கிர்க்வால் என்ற இடத்தில் உள்ள புனித மாக்னுஸ் பெருங்கோயில் ஆகும். இவர் தான் சொன்னது போன்றே ஒரு கோயிலைக் கட்டி தந்ததால், மக்கள் இவரை உயர்வாக மதிக்கத் தொடங்கினார்கள். 

இதன் பிறகு இவர் கடவுள்மீது இன்னும் மிகுதியான நம்பிக்கையோடு வாழத் தொடங்கினார். 

ஒருமுறை நாத்திகர்கள் சிலர் இவரைக் கிறிஸ்துவை மறுதலிக்க சொன்னார்கள். அதற்கு இவர், "எனது உயிரே போனாலும் நான் கிறிஸ்துவை ஒருபோதும் மறுதலிக்க மாட்டேன்" என்று சொல்லி தன்னுடைய நம்பிக்கையில் மிக உறுதியாக இருந்தார். இதனால் அவர்கள் வெகுண்டெழுந்து இவரைக் கொலை செய்தார்கள்

Also known as

• Rögnvald Kali Kolsson

• Ragnvald Kale Kollsson

Profile

Son of Lendmann Kol Kalisson and Gunhild Erlendsdotter, and described as "elegant and accomplished". Appointed Earl of the Orkney and Shetland Islands by King Sigurd I of Norway in 1129. He made a vow to build a church in his lands; the result was the Saint Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Scotland. Murdered by a group of warriors rebelling against him, his rule and his religion, and is considered a martyr in Kirkwall.

Born

1100 in Norway

Died

20 August 1158 in Caithness, Scotland

Canonized

1192 by Pope Celestine III

Blessed Matías Cardona-Meseguer

Also known as

Matías of Saint Augustine

Profile

Son of Narciso Cardona and Domenica Meseguer. Soldier. Joined the Piarists on 25 June 1929, and made his solemn profession on 15 August 1934. Priest, ordained on 11 April 1935. Served in Barcelona, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

23 December 1902 in Vallibona, Castellón, Spain

Died

shot on 20 July 1936 in Pigro de Coll, Vallibona, Castellón, Spain

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope Saint John Paul II

Samuel the Patriarch

Profile

The last Judge of Israel, described in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings. The son of Elcana and Hannah, who vowed before his birth to give him to God. Delivered the Israelites from the rule of the Philistines (1 Kings 7). Believed by some to be the author of the books of Judges and Ruth, and the first 24 verses of 1 Kings. In his old age he appointed his sons judges over Israel, but they displeased the ancients, who asked him for a king, and the Lord told him to anoint Saul (1 Kings 8).

Born

c.1132 BC at Ramatha in the moutains of Ephraim

Blessed Gervais-Protais Brunel

Profile

Trappist monk. Priest. Imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France and left to die during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the French Revolution. One of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort.

Born

18 June 1744 in Magnières, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France of typhus

Died

20 August 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Louis-François Lebrun

Profile

Benedictine Maurist priest. Imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France and left to die during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the French Revolution. One of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort.

Born

4 April 1744 in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France

Died

20 August 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Laura of Pollenza

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

• beheaded in the early 4th century in Rome, Italy

• buried in the Roman catacombs

• relics exhumed on 4 January 1846 and enshrined in the church of Santa Maria del Trebbio, near the Franciscan convent of Pollenza, Italy

• relics re-enshrined in an urn on 27 May 1889 in the Collegiate Church of San Biagio

• relics re-enshrined in May 1912

Blessed Georg Häfner

Also known as

Georg Haefner

Profile

Priest in the diocese of Würzburg, Germany. Arrested by the Nazis and sent to die in the concentration camps for his faith. Martyr.

Born

19 October 1900 in Würzburg, Germany

Died

20 August 1942 in Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany

Beatified

15 May 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI

Saint Lucius of Cyprus

Profile

4th century imperial Roman government official in Cyrene, Africa. He witnessed the faith and martyrdom of Saint Theodore of Cyrene, which led to interest in Christianity and eventually his conversion. Retired to the island of Cyprus to live away from the empire, but was one of a group of Christians martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

311 on Cyprus

Blessed Francesco Matienzo

Profile

Mercedarian friar who worked to free Christians held in slavery in Spain by Muslims; he freed 185 of them in 1371.

Died

latter 14th century

Saint Edbert of Northumbria

Profile

King of Northumbria, England for 20 years after which he abdicated and retired to spent his last ten years in prayer and seclusion in a monastery in York, England.

Died

768

Saint Bernard of Valdeiglesias

Also known as

Bernard of Candeleda

Profile

Benedictine Cistercian monk.

Died

1155 of natural causes

Patronage

Candelada, Spain

Saint Christopher of Cordoba

Profile

Monk at the Saint Martin de La Rojana monastery near Cordoba, Spain. Martyred in the persecutions of Abderrahman II.

Died

852 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Haduin of Le Mans

Also known as

Harduin

Profile

Bishop at Le Mans, France. Founded several monasteries including Notre-Dame-d'Evron.

Died

c.662 of natural causes

Saint Burchard of Worms

Profile

Monk at Lobbes Abbey in Belgium. Canonist. Reluctant bishop of Worms, Germany in 1006.

Born

Hesse, Germany

Died

1026

Saint Heliodorus of Persia

Profile

Martyred with several hundred companions during the persecutions of Shapur II.

Born

Persia

Died

362

Saint Herbert Hoscam

Profile

Archbishop of Conze, Basilicata, Italy.

Born

in England

Died

1180 of natural causes

Patronage

Conze, Italy

Saint Gobert of Apremont

Profile

Count of Apremont. Crusader. Benedictine Cistercian monk at Villers, Brabant, Belgium.

Died

1263 of natural causes

Saint Leovigild of Cordoba

Profile

Priest. Monk in Cordoba, Spain. Martyred in the persecutions of Abderrahman II.

Died

852 in Cordoba, Spain

Saint Maximus of Chinon

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Martin. Founded the monastery of Chinon in France.

Died

c.470

Saint Porphyrius of Palestrina

Profile

Martyr.

Died

in Palestrina, Italy

Saint Brogan

Profile

Mentioned in the Gorman Martyrology.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War

Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. 

• Blessed Cristòfol Baqués Almirall

• Blessed Emili Bover Albareda

• Blessed Francesc Llagostera Bonet

• Blessed Hilario Barriocanal Quintana

• Blessed Ismael Barrio Marquilla

• Blessed Magí Albaigés Escoda

• Blessed Serapio Sanz Iranzo

• Blessed Tomás Campo Marín

 Benedicto Zafont

Benedicto Zafont was the 45th Master General of the Mercedarian Order. He was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1444. He joined the Mercedarian Order in 1464 and was ordained a priest in 1470.

Zafont was elected Master General of the Mercedarian Order in 1497. He served as Master General for 22 years, until his death in 1519. During his time as Master General, he reformed the order and strengthened its mission of ransoming Christian captives from Muslim captivity.

Zafont is also known for his writings on the Mercedarian Order. He wrote a history of the order, as well as a number of spiritual treatises.

Zafont is considered a saint by the Mercedarian Order. His feast day is celebrated on August 20.

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஆகஸ்ட் 19

 St. Julius

Feastday: August 19

Death: 190

Saint Julius was a Roman senator and martyr who was killed in 190. He is recorded by Saints Eusebius and Pontian, who were both early Christian writers.

Julius was converted to Christianity by Saint Eusebius, and he subsequently distributed his wealth among the poor. When the emperor Commodus heard of this, he had Julius arrested and handed him over to the military commander Vitellius. Vitellius imprisoned Julius in a dungeon for three days, after which he was beaten to death.

The body of Saint Julius was taken and buried by Saint Eusebius and his colleagues on 19 August near the Via Aurelia. His feast day is celebrated on that day.

Saint John Eudes

 புனிதர் ஜான் யூட்ஸ் 

கத்தோலிக்க குரு/ சபை நிறுவனர்:

பிறப்பு: நவம்பர் 14, 1601

ரி, நார்மண்டி, ஃபிரான்ஸ் அரசு 

இறப்பு: ஆகஸ்டு 19, 1680 (அகவை 78)

சேன், ஃபிரான்ஸ் அரசு

ஏற்கும் சமயம்: 

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்கத் திருச்சபை

முக்திபேறு பட்டம்: ஏப்ரல் 25, 1909 

திருத்தந்தை பத்தாம் பயஸ்

புனிதர் பட்டம்: மே 31, 1925

திருத்தந்தை பதினோறாம் பயஸ்

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஆகஸ்ட் 19 

பாதுகாவல்: 

இயேசு மரியாள் (யூடிஸ்ட்) தொண்டு நிறுவனம் (Eudists)

கருணை அன்னை சபை (Order of Our Lady of Charity)

பே-கோமியு மறைமாவட்டம் (Diocese of Baie-Comeau)

மறைப்பணியாளர்கள் (Missionaries)

புனித ஜான் யூட்ஸ், ஓரு ஃபிரெஞ்ச் மறைப்பணியாளரும், கத்தோலிக்க குருவும், “இயேசு மற்றும் மரியாளின் தொண்டு நிறுவனம் - யூடிஸ்ட்” (Congregation of Jesus and Mary - Eudists) மற்றும் “கருணை அன்னை சபை” (Order of Our Lady of Charity) ஆகியவற்றின் நிறுவனரும் ஆவார்.

ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டின் “நார்மண்டி” (Normandy) என்ற இடத்தினருகேயுள்ள “ரி” (Ri) எனும் கிராமத்தில், 1601ம் ஆண்டு பிறந்த இவருடைய பெற்றோர், “ஐசாக் யூட்ஸ்” மற்றும் “மார்த்தா கோர்பின்” (Isaac Eudes and Martha Corbin) ஆவர். ஃபிரான்ஸின் வடமேற்கு பிராந்தியமான “சேன்” (Caen) எனுமிடத்தில், இயேசு சபையினரிடம் (Jesuits) கல்வி கற்ற இவர், 1623ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம் 25ம் தேதி, “ஃபிரெஞ்ச் ஒரேடரி” (Oratorians) என்றழைக்கப்படும் “இயேசு மற்றும் மாசற்ற மரியாளின் ஒற்றுமை” (Congregation of the Oratory of Jesus and Mary Immaculate) எனும் சபையினருடன் இணைந்தார். இவர், “பிரெஞ்ச் ஆன்மீக பள்ளியின்” (French School of Spirituality) உறுப்பினர் ஆவார். பிரெஞ்ச் ஆன்மீக பள்ளி என்பது, ஒரு அமைப்பு அல்லது தத்துவம் மட்டுமேயல்ல. மாறாக, அது ஒரு ஆவிக்குரிய உயர்ந்த கிறிஸ்தவ அணுகுமுறையும், உணர்வுகள் மூலம் வகைப்படுத்தப்படும் ஆராதனையும், இயேசுவுடனான தனிப்பட்ட உறவும், தூய ஆவியின் மறு கண்டுபிடிப்புமாகும்.

யூட்ஸ், 1625ம் ஆண்டு, டிசம்பர் மாதம், 2௦ம் தேதி குருத்துவ அருட்பொழிவு பெற்றார். குருத்துவம் பெற்றவுடனேயே நோயுற்ற இவர், கிட்டத்தட்ட ஒரு வருடம் வரை படுக்கையிலேயே இருந்தார். 1627 மற்றும் 1631 ஆகிய வருடங்களில் ஃபிரான்ஸ் முழுதும் பிளேக் எனும் கொள்ளை நோயால் தாக்குண்டபோது, தமது உடல்நிலையையும் பொருட்படுத்தாது பிளேக் நோயால் தாக்குண்டவர்களுக்கு சேவை புரிய நார்மண்டி (Normandy) சென்றார். நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட மக்களுக்காக நற்கருணை ஆராதனைகள் நிகழ்த்தினார். இறந்து போனவர்களை அடக்கம் செய்வதில் உதவிகள் செய்தார்.

தமது 32 வயதில் பங்கு மறைப்பணியாளராக பொறுப்பேற்ற இவர், “நார்மண்டி, ல்லெ-டே-ஃபிரான்ஸ், பர்கண்டி மற்றும் பிரிட்டனி” (Normandy, Ile-de-France, Burgundy and Brittany) ஆகிய பகுதிகளில் நூற்றுக்கும் மேற்பட்ட பிரசங்கங்கள் ஆற்றினார்.

தமது பங்கு மறைப்பணிகளின்போது, வாழ்வில் வழி தவறிப்போன விபச்சாரப் பெண்களால் மிகவும் கலங்கினார். தமது பாவ வாழ்க்கையிலிருந்து மீண்டு வாழ விரும்பிய விபச்சார பெண்களுக்கு அடைக்கலம் தருவதற்காக, 1641ம் ஆண்டு, “கருணையின் அடைக்கல அன்னை” (Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge) எனும் சபையை நார்மண்டியிலுள்ள “சேன்” (Caen) நகரில் நிறுவினார். “அன்னை மரியாளின் திருவருகை” (Visitation) சபையைச் சேர்ந்த மூன்று அருட்சகோதரியர் இவரது உதவிக்காக வந்தனர். கி.பி. 1644ம் ஆண்டு, சேன் நகரில் “கருணையின் அன்னை” (Our Lady of Charity) என்ற பெயரில் ஒரு இல்லம் தொடங்கினார். இவர்களது சபை, கி.பி. 1666ம் ஆண்டு, ஜனவரி மாதம், 2ம் தேதியன்று, திருத்தந்தை “ஏழாம் அலெக்சாண்டர்” (Pope Alexander VII) அவர்களால் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டது.

கர்தினால் “ரிசெளியு” (Cardinal Richelieu) மற்றும் பல ஆயர்களின் ஆதரவுடன் “யூடிஸ்ட்ஸ்” என்றழைக்கப்படும் “இயேசு மற்றும் மரியாளின் தொண்டு நிறுவனத்தை” (Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) கி.பி. 1643ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 25ம் தேதியன்று, சேன் நகரில் நிறுவினார். இந்நிறுவனம், குருக்களின் கல்வி மற்றும் பங்கு மறைப்பணி ஆகியவற்றுக்கே அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்டதாகும். 

யூட்ஸ், இயேசுவின் திருஇருதய பக்தியையும், மரியாளின் மாசற்ற இருதய பக்தியையும் ஊக்குவித்து வளர்த்தார். மறைப்பணியின்போது, பல தியானங்கள் கொடுப்பதன் வழியாக பலருக்கு ஆறுதல்படுத்தும் பணியையும், குணமளிக்கும் பணியையும், நற்செய்திப் பணியையும் ஆற்றினார். இதன் வழியாக எண்ணிடலங்கா மக்களை இறைவழி செல்ல வழிகாட்டினார். 

நற்கருணையாண்டவர் பக்தி: 

ஃபிரெஞ்ச் பள்ளி மற்றும் “புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் டே சலேஸ்” (Saint Francis de Sales) ஆகியோரின் படிப்பினைகளின் செல்வாக்கினாலும் கடவுளின் அன்பினைப் பற்றிய உபதேசங்களாலும் ஈர்க்கப்பட்ட யூட்ஸ், நற்கருணையாண்டவரின் பக்தியில் ஆழ்ந்த ஈடுபாடு கொண்டிருந்தார். சேன் நகரிலுள்ள குருத்துவ சிற்றாலயங்களை இயேசுவின் திருஇருதயத்திற்கு அர்ப்பணித்தார். யூட்ஸ், பல்வேறு செபங்களையும் செபமாலைகளையும் திருஇருதயத்திற்காக இயற்றினார். இவர் எழுதிய (Le Cœur Admirable de la Très Sainte Mère de Dieu) என்ற புத்தகம், திருஇருதயங்களின் பக்திக்காக எழுதப்பட்ட முதல் புத்தகமாகும். இயேசு மற்றும் மரியாளின் ஆத்மபலம் கொண்ட திருஇருதயங்களின் பக்தியை கற்பித்தார். 

அருட்தந்தை யூட்ஸ், பல்வேறு புத்தகங்களை எழுதினர். அவற்றுள் சில பின்வருமாறு: 

1. இயேசுவின் வாழ்க்கை மற்றும் அரசு. (கி.பி. 1637)

(The Life and Kingdom of Jesus, 1637 AD) 

2. திருமுழுக்கு மூலம் மனிதனுக்கும் இறைவனுக்கும் இடையேயான ஒப்பந்தம். (கி.பி. 1654)

(Contract of Man with God Through Holy Baptism, 1654 AD) 

3. நல்ல பாவங்களை ஒப்புக்கொள்பவர் (கி.பி. 1666)

(The Good Confessor, 1666 AD)

அருட்தந்தை ஜான் யூட்ஸ், கி.பி. 1680ம் ஆண்டு, ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம், 19ம் நாள், சேன் (Caen) நகரில் மரித்தார்.

Also known as

Jean Eudes

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Farmer's son who attended the Jesuit college at Caen, France at age 14. Joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France. Studied at Paris and Aubervilliers in France. Priest. Ministered to plague victims. Missionary and preacher, working well over 100 missions. Worked against Jansenism. Established seminaries. Founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary Eudists on 25 March 1643 to promote virtuous secular parochial clergy not bound by vows, but dedicated to improving the clergy through seminaries and missions; due to opposition by Oratorians and Jansenists, he never obtained papal approval. Founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity who worked for the welfare of penitent women. Author of the liturgical devotion of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Born

14 November 1601 at Ri, Normandy, France

Died

19 August 1680 at Caen, Normandy, France

Canonized

31 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI

Patronage

diocese of Baie-Comeau, Québec

Representation

priest with or presenting the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Blessed Jordan of Pisa

Profile

Joined the Dominicans at Pisa, Italy in 1280. Educated at the University of Paris, France. Lector at Sainta Maria Novella church in Florence, Italy in 1305. Noted preacher in and around Florence. Founded the Confraternity of the Holy Redeemer at Pisa. Professor of theology at Saint James Friary, Paris in 1311. A visionary, Jordan had two great devotions - Our Lady and Saint Dominic de Guzman.

Made a scientific study of the use of preaching as an apostolic tool. Considered a daring innovator for extending the use of vernacular Italian as a beautiful, musical language of evangelization; his use of Italian and Tuscan helped lead to the modern Italian language. Knew the breviary, missal, most of the Bible (with commentary), and the second part of the Summa Theologica by heart. Quick to state that learning alone can never make a preacher; it needed a holiness of life.

Born

c.1255 at Pisa, Italy

Died

• 19 August 1311 at Piacenza, Italy of natural causes while on his way to teach in Paris, France

• relics venerated at the church of Saint Catalina at Pisa, Italy

Beatified

• 23 August 1833 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Gregory XVI

• 1838 (beatification) by Pope Gregory XVI

Prayers

God of holiness, by the integrity of his life and gentle manner you made Blessed Jordan a fitting minister to preach the gospel. By following his example may we generously strive to serve you through service to our neighbor and so gain the fruit of an everlasting reward. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. - General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

Saint Sebaldus

Also known as

Sebald, Sinibaldo, Siward

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Son of a Danish chieftain who had settled in England. Missionary in the Reichswald area of Germany, working with Saint Willibald of Eichstatt, Saint Winibald and Saint Boniface. Popular preacher who converted many, he later retired near Nuremburg, Germany where he would alternate life as a prayerful hermit and then a zealous evangelist.

A number of miracle stories are told about him

 he converted stones to bread and water to wine to feed his fellow missionaries

• he burned icicles as firewood in the dead of winter to keep the poor from freezing

• when he was being heckled by a profane blasphemer, Sebaldus prayed, and the earth opened up to swallow the pagan; as he fell into the earth, the heckler asked for forgiveness; the earth spat him back out

• when a poor peasant was blind by his lord, Sebaldus restored the man's missing eyes by praying over him

Born

probably in England

Died

c.770

Patronage

• against cold weather

• Bavaria, Germany

• Nuremberg, Germany

Blessed Gregorio Martos Muñoz

Profile

Born to a farm family who had migrated from Válor, Spain to Argentina in search of a better life; Gregorio was baptized at the age of nine days. When the boy was ten years old, the family returned to Spain. When he was old enough, Gregorio studied at the seminary in Granada, and was such an able student that he graduated early, and served as a teacher before ordination. Ordained a priest in the archdiocese of Granada in 1933. As a parish priest, he was known as a gentle pastor who lived a life of poverty, and cared deeply about the sacramental life for the poor.

Father Gregorio was arrested by anti–Catholic forces at the start of the Spanish Civil War, and was imprisoned in Dalias, Berja and El Ejido prisons. His captors tried to get him to renounce his faith, and at one point tried to get him to desecrate a medal of the Virgin Mary; he swallowed it to get it away from them. They eventually gave up on changing him, and murdered him instead. Martyr.

Born

3 April 1908 in Chilecito, La Rioja, Argentina

Died

19 August 1936 in Albufera de Adra, Almería, Spain

Beatified

• 25 March 2017 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated in the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Aguadulce, Almería, Spain, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Magnus of Anagni

Also known as

• Magno di Anagni

• Magnus of Fabrateria Vetus

• Magnus of Trani

Profile

Son of Apollonius, a poor farmer. As a young man he worked as a shepherd to support his family and neighbors who were poorer than himself. Convert, baptized with his father by Bishop Redemptus of Trani, Italy. Magnus succeeded him as bishop of Trani, chosen by popular acclaim of the local laity and clergy. Evangelized in Fondi, Aquino, and Anagni. During the persecutions of Tarquinius, Magnus fled to Rome, Italy, but tried to secretly return to Trani. Found in a cave near Fondi by imperial soldiers. Martyr.

Born

2nd century at Trani, Italy

Died

• beheaded near Fabrateria Vetus, Latium (modern Ceccano, Italy)

• buried in Fondi, Italy

• relics translated from Fondi to Veroli, Italy

• relics translated to the cathedral in Anagni, Italy after a wealthy but superstitious Muslim had some horses die when near them in Veroli

Patronage

• Anagni-Alatri, Italy, diocese of

• Anagni, Italy

• Colle San Magno, Italy

Saint Louis of Toulouse

 தூலூஸ் நகர்ப் புனித லூயிஸ் 

(1274-1297) 

இவர் இத்தாலியைச் சார்ந்தவர். இவரது தந்தை நேப்பிள்ஸை ஆண்டு வந்த இரண்டாம் சார்லஸ் என்பவராவார். இவர் ஹங்கேரி நாட்டைச் சார்ந்த புனித எலிசபெத்தின் நெருங்கிய உறவினரும் கூட.

வசதியான குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தாலும், சிறிதும் ஆடம்பரமில்லாமல் வாழ்ந்து வந்த இவர், பிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபையில் சேர்ந்து தனது இருபத்து மூன்றாம் வயதில் துறவியானார். 

பின்னர் தூலூஸ் நகரின் ஆயரான இவர், இறைப்பணியை மிகச் சிறப்பாகவும், அதே நேரத்தில் தாழ்ச்சியோடும் செய்து வந்தார். இந்நிலையில் இவர் ஆயரான ஆறாவது மாதத்தில் திடீரென நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டு இறைவனடி சேர்ந்தார்.

இவருக்கு 1317 ஆம் ஆண்டு திருத்தந்தை இருபத்து இரண்டாம் யோவானால் புனிதர் பட்டம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது

Also known as

• Louis of Anjou

• Ludwig of...

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Born to the nobility, the son of Charles II of Anjou, king of Naples. Great-nephew of Saint Louis IX, and of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Grew up in Provence (in modern France). Spent seven years as a hostage for his father at Barcelona and Tarragona in Spain. Ordained at age 23. Friar Minor. Reluctant bishop of Toulouse, France for the last six months of his life.

Born

February 1274 at Nocera, Italy

Died

• 19 August 1297 at Brignolles, Italy of natural causes

• some relics in Valencia, Spain

Canonized

7 April 1317 by Pope John XXII

Patronage

• Valencia, Spain

• Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, California

Saint Ezekiel Moreno y Díaz

Also known as

Ezequiel Moreno y Díaz

Profile

Raised in a pious family in a pious town. Joined the Augustinian Recollects on 21 September 1864 at Montegudo, Navarra, Spain. Prior of his monastery. Ordained at Manila, Philippines on 3 June 1871, and became a well-known missionary. Vicar apostolic of Casanare and bishop of Pinara, Colombia on 23 October 1893. Bishop of Pasto, Columbia on 2 December 1893. Noted for his generous charity to the faithful of his diocese.

Born

9 April 1848 at Alfaro, Tarazona, Spain

Died

• 19 August 1906 at Montegudo, Navarra, Spain of cancer of the palatte

• the miracles related to his beatification and canonization involve cures of cancer patients

Canonized

11 October 1992 by Pope John Paul II at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Blessed Leo II of Cava

Profile

Benedictine monk. Fourteenth abbot of the monastery of Cava de Tirreni in Campania, Italy, chosen on 25 January 1268, consecrated on 5 February 1268, granted a bull of confirmation by Pope Gregory X and served for 27 years. Partipated in the Council of Lyons in 1274, and used the trip to visit the abbey of Cluny and learn from the Cluniac monks. Built a new church and new cloister at his monastery, and had many new manuscripts copied for its library.

Born

1239

Died

• 19 August 1295 at the Cava dei Tirreni monastery in Campania, Italy

• buried before the main altar in the abbey church

• relics re-interred in 1675 into a wall of the Arsicia cave, the first hermitage of the founder of Cava dei Tirreni

Beatified

16 May 1928 by Pope Pius XI (cultus confirmation)

Sarah the Matriarch

Also known as

Sari, Sarai, Sara

Profile

Jewish Old Testament Matriarch. Wife of the Patriarch Abraham. A convert from paganism, she was the first female convert to the faith of Abraham. Nomad in the desert of Canaan. When she was aged 90, she heard angels say she would finally become a mother. She laughed at the idea, and when her son was born, she named him Isaac from the word for laughter.

Died

of natural causes at age 127

Pope Saint Sixtus III

Also known as

Xystus III

Profile

Chosen 44th pope in 432. Approved the results of the Council of Ephesus. Corresponded extensively with Saint Augustine of Hippo. Fought Nestorianism and Pelagianism. Restored several Roman basilicas including Saint Peter's and Saint John Lateran. Defended the supremacy of the pope over local bishops, and over Illyria which the emperor wanted to transfer to the control of Constantinople.

Born

at Rome, Italy

Papal Ascension

31 July 432

Died

18 August 440 in Rome, Italy of natural causes

Saint Magino of Tarragona

Also known as

Magi, Magin, Maginus

Profile

Born to the Gallic nobility of Burgundy (in modern France), he was orphaned at an early age. Hermit on Mount Brufagaña for 30 years. Had the gift of healing by prayer, which he did for the governor of Tarragona, Spain. Imprisoned, tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

beheaded with a sickle in c.304 in Tarragona, Spain

Patronage

Tarragona, Spain

Blessed Hugh Green

Also known as

Ferdinand Brooke

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, England. Convert to Catholicism. Studied for the priesthood, and ordained at Douai, France in 1612. Worked with covert Catholics at Dorset, England during a period of persecution. One of the Martyrs of England and Wales.

Born

London, England

Died

hanged on 19 August 1642 at Dorchester, Dorset, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Blessed Angelo of Acquapagana

Also known as

Angel

Additional Memorials

• 19 October in Acquapagana, Italy)

• Sunday after the Feast of the Annunciation (local popular festival)

Profile

Monk at Valdicastro, Italy. Hermit, joining the Camaldolese c.1285 at the San Salvatore di Acquapagana hermitage and living in a nearby cave.

Born

1261

Died

• 1313 in Acquapagana, Piceno, Italy

• relics enshrined in the church of the territorial monastery of Montecavallo, Italy

Beatified

14 June 1846

Blessed Guerricus

Profile

Studied at Tournai, Belgium. Headmaster of the cathedral school at Tournai. Visited Clairvaux Abbey to see Saint Bernard and ended by staying there. Sent by Saint Bernard to be the first abbot at Igny, France in 1138. Prolific writer, some of whose works on ascetism were sometimes mistakenly attributed to Saint Bernard.

Born

c.1080 at Tournai, Belgium

Died

c.1155 at Igny, France of natural causes

Beatified

1889 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Saint Andrew the Tribune

Also known as

Andrew Stratelates

Profile

Soldier. Tribune in the Greek army. Convert to Christianity, along with a number of his men, following a miraculous victory over the Persians. Martyred by Seleucus as a group for their new faith.

Died

• 300 at Mount Tarsus, Cilicia (in modern Turkey)

• relics of Andrew and some unnamed fellow soldier-martyrs are venerated in the church of Saint Vincent, Brioude, France

Saint Magnus of Cuneo

Also known as

• Magnus of the Theban Legion

• Magnus of Fabreteria Vetere

• Magno of...

Profile

One of the soldiers in the Theban Legion who survived their massacre. He fled to the mountains of the Piedmont region, and became an evangelist. When his reputation for holiness spread, the same persecutors who had killed his brothers in the Legion tracked him down. Martyr.

Saint Donatus of Mount Jura

Also known as

• Donatus of Sisteron

• Donato of....

Profile

Deacon. Priest. Following a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, he retired from world to live as a hermit on Mount Jura near Sisteron, Provence (in modern France). Reported to have the gift of healing by prayer.

Born

Orleans, France

Died

c.535

Saint Flavien of Toulon

Profile

Sixth century Gothic soldier. He was a convert to Christianity, brought to the faith and baptized by Saint Cyprian of Toulon. Due to the persecutions of Arian Gothic king Aleric II, Flavien abandoned military life and fled to the island of Cépet, France where he lived the rest of his life as a hermit.

Blessed Michele Soriano

Profile

Mercedarian friar at the convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli in El Puig, Spain, known for his extreme piety, penance and asceticism.

Died

1604

Saint Timothy of Gaza

Profile

Bishop of Gaza, Palestine. Scourged, tortured and martyred by order of Urban, governor of Palestine, during the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

burned alive in 304

Saint Magnus of Avignon

Profile

Married. Father of Saint Agricola of Avignon. Governor of Avignon, France. Widower. Monk at Lérins Abbey. Bishop of Lérins, France.

Born

Avignon, France

Died

660

Saint Guenninus

Profile

7th century bishop of Vannes, Brittany (in modern France).

Saint Guenninus was the 7th century bishop of Vannes, Brittany (in modern France). He is said to have been a missionary who converted many people to Christianity. He is also credited with founding the abbey of Saint-Guénolé in Landévennec.

Guenninus was born in Brittany in the early 6th century. He was educated by Saint Corentin, the first bishop of Quimper. After Corentin's death, Guenninus was elected bishop of Vannes. He served as bishop for many years and was known for his piety and his work to spread Christianity.

Died

relics at the cathedral of Vannes, Brittany (in modern France)

Saint Calminius

Also known as

Calmilius

Saint Calminius is also known as Calmilius. He was a hermit-founder who lived in France in the 6th or 7th centuries AD. He is credited with founding three abbeys: Mozac Abbey, in Puy-de-Dôme; Laguenne Abbey (near Tulle, Corrèze) and the abbey of Monastier-Saint-Chaffre. His feast day is August 19.

The name Calminius is derived from the Latin word "calmus," which means "calm." This is a fitting name for a saint who was known for his peaceful and serene demeanor.

Calminius was born in Auvergne, France. He was a devout Christian and he decided to live a life of solitude as a hermit. He eventually founded the abbey of Mozac, which became a major center of learning and culture in the Middle Ages.

Calminius is also known for his miracles. He is said to have cured the sick and raised the dead. He is also said to have been able to calm the storms and protect his followers from harm.

Calminius died in Mozac in the 7th century. His feast day is celebrated on August 19. He is a popular saint in France and he is often invoked for protection against storms and other natural disasters.

Died

c.690

Saint Elaphius of Châlons

Profile

Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, France. Envoy to Spain.

Saint Elaphius was the bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, France in the 6th century. He was a friend of Saint Remigius, the bishop of Reims. Elaphius is said to have been a wise and compassionate leader who was dedicated to serving his flock.

Elaphius died in 532. His relics are still venerated in the cathedral of Châlons-sur-Marne.

Died

580 of natural causes in Spain while on a pilgrimage to the relics of Saint Eulalia of Merida

Saint Thecla of Caesarea

Profile

Martyred by order of Urban, governor of Palestine, during the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

torn apart by wild beasts in 304 at the amphitheater at Caesarea

Saint Marianus of Entreaigues

Profile

Hermit in the forest of Entreaigues in Berry, France. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote a biography of him.

Died

c.515

Saint Mochta

Also known as

Mochteus

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Patrick. Monk. Founded the monastery of Louth, Ireland. Bishop of Louth.

Died

c.535

Saint Badulf of Ainay

Also known as

Badour, Badolf

Profile

Saint Badulf of Ainay was a French saint who lived in the 9th century. He was the abbot of the monastery of Ainay in Lyon, France. He is said to have been a wise and holy man who was dedicated to serving his community.

Badulf was born in Lyon in the early 9th century. He was educated at the monastery of Ainay, where he eventually became a monk. He was elected abbot of the monastery in the late 8th century.

As abbot, Badulf was known for his wisdom and his commitment to helping the poor and the sick. He also worked to improve the education of the monks at Ainay.

Badulf died in Lyon in the early 9th century. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.Died

c.850

Saint Marinus of Besalu

Profile

Bishop at the monastery of Saint Peter in Besalu, Catalonia, Spain.

He was born in the 8th century in the Frankish Empire. He was educated at the abbey of Saint-Denis in Paris. He became a monk at the abbey of Saint-Martin in Tours. In 820, he was elected abbot of the abbey of Saint Peter at Besalú.

As abbot, Marinus was known for his piety and his commitment to monastic reform. He also worked to improve the education of the monks at Besalú. He was a friend of Saint Eulogius of Córdoba, who was martyred in 859.

Marinus died in 860. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.

Died

c.800

Saint Bertulf of Luxeuil

Profile

Saint Bertulf of Luxeuil was a Frankish monk and abbot who lived in the 7th century. He was the abbot of the monastery of Luxeuil in France, which was founded by Saint Columban. Bertulf is said to have been a wise and holy man who was dedicated to serving his community.

Bertulf was born in Austrasia, France in the early 7th century. He was a relative of Saint Arnulf, the bishop of Metz. He was educated at the monastery of Luxeuil, where he eventually became a monk. He was elected abbot of the monastery in 627.

As abbot, Bertulf was known for his wisdom and his commitment to helping the poor and the sick. He also worked to improve the education of the monks at Luxeuil. He was also known for his opposition to Arianism, which was a heresy that was prevalent in Italy at the time.

Bertulf died in Luxeuil in 640. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.

Died

640

Saint Namadia of Marsat

Profile

Married to Saint Calminius. Widow. Nun at Marsat, France.

amadia (French: Namadie) was the wife of Calminius. On her husband's death in the 6th or 7th century she retired to end her days in the monastic community at Marsat, which later became a dependent house of Mozac Abbey 2 kilometres away.

Namadia was a devout Christian and she was known for her charity and her kindness. She was also a skilled healer and she is said to have performed many miracles.

Namadia died in Marsat in the late 7th century. Her feast day is celebrated on August 19.

Died

c.700

Saint Rufinus of Mantua

Profile

Long venerated in Mantua, Italy, but all details have been lost.

Saint Rufinus of Mantua was a bishop of Mantua in the 4th century. He is said to have been a wise and holy man who was dedicated to serving his flock.

Rufinus was born in Mantua in the early 4th century. He was educated in Rome and later became a priest in Mantua. He was elected bishop of Mantua in 340.

As bishop, Rufinus was known for his charity and his kindness. He was also a skilled preacher and he is said to have converted many people to Christianity.

Rufinus died in Mantua in 397. His feast day is celebrated on August 19

Saint Credan of Evesham

Profile

Abbot at Evesham Abbey.

Saint Credan of Evesham was an English saint who lived in the 8th century. He was the abbot of the Benedictine abbey at Evesham, Worcestershire, England. He is said to have been a wise and holy man who was dedicated to serving his community.

Credan was born in England in the early 8th century. He was educated at the abbey of Evesham, where he eventually became a monk. He was elected abbot of the monastery in 770.

As abbot, Credan was known for his wisdom and his commitment to helping the poor and the sick. He also worked to improve the education of the monks at Evesham.

Credan died in Evesham in 780. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.

Died

c.780 

Saint Italo

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Saint Italo. He was a Roman senator who was martyred during the Diocletianic Persecution. He is said to have been a devout Christian who was willing to die for his faith.

Italo was born in Rome in the early 3rd century. He was educated in Rome and became a successful lawyer. He eventually became a Roman senator.

When the Diocletianic Persecution began in 303, Italo refused to renounce his faith. He was arrested and tortured. He was eventually beheaded in southern Italy.

The date of Italo's death is uncertain. Some sources say he died in 303, while others say he died in 304. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.

Died

c.303 in southern Italy

Martyrs of Nagasaki

Profile

A group of missionaries and their laymen supporters who were executed for spreading Christianity in Japan.

• Antonius Yamada

• Bartholomaeus Mohyoe

• Iacobus Matsuo Denji

• Ioachim Díaz Hirayama

• Ioannes Miyazaki Soemon

• Ioannes Nagata Matashichi

• Ioannes Yago

• Laurentius Ikegami Rokusuke

• Leo Sukeemon

• Ludovic Frarijn

• Marcus Takenoshita Shin'emon

• Michaël Díaz Hori

• Paulus Sankichi

• Pedro de Zúñiga

• Thomas Koyanagi

Died

beheaded on 19 August 1622 at Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War

Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939

• Blessed Agueda Hernández Amorós

• Blessed Agustí Busquets Creixell

• Blessed Andrés Pradas Lahoz

• Blessed Antolín Martínez y Martínez

• Blessed Antoni Pedró Minguella

• Blessed Càndid Feliu Soler

• Blessed Cipriano González Millán

• Blessed Damián Gómez Jiménez

• Blessed Elvira Torrentallé Paraire

• Blessed Félix González Bustos

• Blessed Francisca de Amézua Ibaibarriaga

• Blessed Francisco de Paula Ibáñez y Ibáñez

• Blessed Ignasi Guilà Ximenes

• Blessed Isidro Muñoz Antolín

• Blessed Joan Roca Bosch

• Blessed José Erausquin Aramburu

• Blessed Josep Maria Fontseré Masdeú

• Blessed Justo Arévalo Mora

• Blessed Maria Calaf Miracle

• Blessed María de Las Nieves Crespo López

• Blessed María Desamparados Giner Sixta

• Blessed María Dolores Vidal Cervera

• Blessed Pascual Escuin Ferrer

• Blessed Pedro Buitrago Morales

• Blessed Remigio ángel Olalla Aldea

• Blessed Rosa Pedret Rull

• Blessed Teresa Chambó Palet

• Blessed Tomàs Sitjar Fortiá

• Blessed Urbano Corral González

• Blessed Valeriano Ruiz Peral

Bartholomew Simeri

BARTHOLOMEW OF SIMERI, ST.

Abbot and organizer of Basilian monasticism in southern Italy; b. Simeri, Calabria, Italy, mid-eleventh century; d. Rossano, Italy, Aug. 19, 1130. In his earliest youth, impelled by an urge to leave the world, Bartholomew became a disciple of the hermit Cyril. He built his first monastery in the mountains near rossano with the help of the distinguished Christodoulos, possibly a converted Saracen and later an emir of sicily, and also, through him, with the help of Count roger of sicily, brother of robert guiscard, and other Norman barons. This monastery of Santa Maria Odigitria (she who shows the way), built toward the close of the eleventh century and before the death of Roger in 1101, was later called the Patirion to honor the saintly founder (Πατήρ); it became an important center of basilian monasticism in Calabria and Sicily.

After 1104, having received a charter for his foundation from Count Roger II, Bartholomew was ordained by the bishop of Belcastro, and in 1105 he journeyed to Rome to obtain from Pope paschal ii confirmation of immunity for his monastery. There is some evidence that Bartholomew visited Constantinople to obtain gifts of icons, liturgical books, and sacred vessels from Emperor alexius i comnenus and Empress Irene, as well as from Basil Kalimeris, a high official of the empire. The latter, as patron of the monastery of St. Basil the Great on Mount athos, charged Bartholomew with the task of reforming that institution. After his return to Italy, Bartholomew founded a second monastery, San Salvatore de Messina, with 12 monks sent from Santa Maria of Rossano. His cult seems to have spread through the Basilian monasteries of southern Italy soon after his death.

Feast: Aug. 19.

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஆகஸ்ட் 18

 Mary Guengoro  her husband, Thomas Guengoro, and their son, James

Blessed Mary Guengoro was a Japanese Christian martyr who was crucified along with her husband, Thomas Guengoro, and their son, James, on February 5, 1620. She was born in Kokura, Japan, in 1580. She married Thomas Guengoro in 1601, and they had two children, James and Mary.

The Guengoro family were devout Christians, and they were persecuted for their faith during the persecution of Christians in Japan in the early 17th century. In 1619, they were arrested and imprisoned in Kokura. They were tortured and offered the opportunity to renounce their faith, but they refused.

On February 5, 1620, the Guengoro family were taken to a hill outside of Kokura and crucified. Mary Guengoro was the first to be crucified, followed by her husband and then their son. They died for their faith, but their sacrifice helped to spread the Gospel in Japan.

Blessed Mary Guengoro was beatified in 1867 by Pope Pius IX. She is a model of courage and faith, and her story is an inspiration to Christians around the world.

St. Hugh the Little

Feastday: August 18

Birth: 1246

Death: 1255

Martyred nine year old of Lincoln, England, reportedly a victim of ritual killing by English Jews. King Henry III conducted the investigation of the crime which resulted in eighteen or nineteen Jews being hanged. Hugh had been scourged, crowned with thorns, and crucified. Miracles supposedly accompanied the recovery of the lad's body from a well, and the martyrdom became part of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The feast of the saint is no longer kept by the Church, and the entire account of the young saint is considered an example of the anti Semitism which was rampant throughout the Middle Ages. In art, he was depicted bound in cords, kneeling before the Blessed Mother.

Saint Helena of Constantinople

புனிதர் ஹெலெனா 

ரோமப் பேரரசி:

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 246/50

ட்ரேபனும், பித்தினியா மற்றும் போண்டஸ்

இறப்பு: கி.பி. 327/30 (வயது 80)

ரோம், டுஸ்கனியா எட் உம்ப்ரியா

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

கிழக்கு மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

ஓரியண்டல் மரபுவழி திருச்சபை

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்

லூதரன் திருச்சபை

முக்கிய திருத்தலம்:

புனிதர் ஹெலெனா திருத்தலத்திற்கு புனிதர் பேதுரு பேராலயம்

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஆகஸ்ட் 18

புனிதர் ஹெலெனா, ரோமப் பேரரசின் பேரரசியும், பேரரசர் “பெரிய கான்ஸ்டன்டைண்” (Emperor Constantine the Great) அவர்களின் தாயாருமாவார். ஒரு சாதாரண குடும்பத்துப் பெண்ணாக பிறந்த இவர், கி.பி. 293ம் ஆண்டு முதல், 306ம் ஆண்டு வரை ரோமப் பேரரசை ஆண்ட பேரரசர் “கான்ஸ்டன்ஷியஸ் க்ளோரஸ்” (Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus) என்பவரின் மனைவியானார். பிற்காலத்தில் கி.பி. 306ம் ஆண்டு முதல், 337ம் ஆண்டு வரை அரசாண்ட பேரரசர் “பெரிய கான்ஸ்டன்டைண்” (Emperor Constantine the Great) அவர்களின் தாயாரானார்.

தமது மகன் மீது தாம் கொண்டிருந்த செல்வாக்கு காரணமாக, கிறிஸ்தவ வரலாற்றிலும், உலக வரலாற்றிலும் இவர் மிக முக்கிய பிரமுகராக கருதப்படுகிறார். அவரது இறுதி ஆண்டுகளில், அவர் சிரியா பாலஸ்தீனம் (Syria Palaestina) மற்றும் ஜெருசலேம் (Jerusalem) ஆகிய நாடுகளுக்கு புனித ஆன்மீக பயணம் மேற்கொண்டார். இப்பயண காலத்தில், இவர் உண்மையான சிலுவையை கண்டுபிடித்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது.

ஹெலெனாவின் பிறந்த இடம் உறுதியாக தெரியவில்லை. கி.பி. 6ம் நூற்றாண்டின் வரலாற்றாசிரியரான “புரோக்கோபியாஸ்” (Procopius) என்பவரின் அதிகாரபூர்வ அறிக்கையின்படி, ஹெலெனா “பித்தினியா” (Bithynia) மாகாணத்திலுள்ள “ட்ரேபனும்” (Drepanum) நகரில் பிறந்தவராவார். கி.பி. சுமார் 330ம் ஆண்டு, ஹெலெனா மரித்ததன் பின்னர், அவரது மகனும் பேரரசனுமான “பெரிய கான்ஸ்டன்டைண்”, ஹெலெனா பிறந்த நகருக்கு “ஹெலனோபொலிஸ்” (Helenopolis) எனும் பெயரை மாற்றியமைத்தார். இதுவே ஹெலெனா பிறந்த நகரம் என்பதற்கான ஆதாரமாகியது. பேரரசர், தமது புதிய தலைநகரான “கான்ஸ்டன்டினோப்பிலைச்” சுற்றிலும் தொடர்பு வலையமைப்பை வலுப்படுத்தும் முயற்சியிலிருந்தார் என்றும், நகரின் பெயரை மாற்றியமைத்ததற்கான காரணம், தமது தாயை கௌரவிப்பதற்காகவேயொழிய, அவரது பிறந்த நகரை குறிப்பதற்கல்ல என்றும், “பைசான்டைன் பேரரசின்” (Byzantine Empire) கட்டிடக்கலை (architecture) வல்லுனரும், கலை மற்றும் வரலாறு ஆகியவற்றின் பிரிட்டன் அறிஞரான (British scholar) “சிரில் அலெக்சாண்டர் மேங்கோ” (Cyril Mango) என்பவர் வாதிடுகிறார். அத்துடன், பாலஸ்தீனத்திலுள்ள “ஹெலனோபொலிஸ்” (Helenopolis in Palestine) மற்றும் “லிடியா” நாட்டிலுள்ள “ஹெலனோபொலிஸ்” (Helenopolis in Lydia) ஆகிய நகரங்களும், “போன்டஸ்” மறைமாவட்டத்திலுள்ள (Diocese of Pontus) “ஹெலெனோபோன்டஸ்” (Helenopontus) மாகாணமும் அநேகமாக கான்ஸ்டன்டைன் தாயான ஹெலெனாவின் பெயரால் பெயரிடப்பட்டவையாகும்.

ரரசர் “கான்ஸ்டன்டைண்”, தமது தாயாருக்கு ரோம ஏகாதிபத்திய கௌரவமான (Roman imperial honorific), “அகஸ்டா இம்பெராட்ரிக்ஸ்” (Augusta Imperatrix) எனும் உயர் கௌரவத்தை அளித்திருந்தார். அத்துடன், யூத - கிறிஸ்தவ பாரம்பரியத்தின் (Judeo-Christian tradition) நினைவுச்சின்னங்களை கண்டுபிடிப்பதற்காக அரச கருவூலத்திலிருந்து வரம்பற்ற செலவு செய்யும் அதிகாரத்தை வழங்கியிருந்தார். கி.பி. 326-28ம் ஆண்டு காலத்தில், ஹெலெனா பாலஸ்தீனத்திலுள்ள புனித ஸ்தலங்களுக்கு (Holy Places in Palestine) புனித பயணம் மேற்கொண்டார்.

கி.பி. 260/265 – 339/340ம் ஆண்டு காலத்தில் வாழ்ந்திருந்த கிறிஸ்தவ வரலாற்று ஆசிரியரும், பாலஸ்தீனத்துக்கும் மற்ற கிழக்கு மாகாணங்களுக்கும் ஹெலெனாவின் புனித யாத்திரை விவரங்களை பதிவு செய்தவருமான “யூசேபிசியஸ்” (Eusebius of Caesarea) கூற்றின்படி, பெத்தலஹெமிலுள்ள கிறிஸ்துவின் பிறப்பு ஆலயமான, “நேட்டிவிட்டி ஆலயம்” (Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem) மற்றும் “ஒலிவ மலையின்” (Mount of Olives) மேலுள்ள கிறிஸ்துவின் விண்ணேற்பு ஆலயமான “எளியோனா ஆலயம்” (Church of Eleona) ஆகிய இரண்டினதும் கட்டுமானப் பணிகள் மற்றும் அழகு படுத்துதல் ஆகிய பணிகளின் பொறுப்புகளை ஹெலெனா ஏற்றிருந்தார். சினாயின் (Sinai) எரியும் புதரை (Burning Bush) அடையாளம் காண்பதற்காக, எகிப்தில் (Egypt) ஒரு தேவாலயத்தை கட்டியெழுப்ப ஹெலெனா கட்டளையிட்டதாக உள்ளூர் நிறுவன புராணக்கதைகள் கூறுகிறது. கி.பி. 330ம் ஆண்டின் “சினாய்” தீபகற்பத்திலுள்ள (Sinai Peninsula) “கேதரின் துறவு மடாலயத்திலுள்ள” (Saint Catherine's Monastery) சிற்றாலயம், “ஹெலெனா சிற்றாலயம்” (Chapel of Saint Helen) என்றே அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.

உண்மையான சிலுவையும் புனித கல்லறை தேவாலயமும்:

பாரம்பரியங்களின்படி, பல்வேறு புனித பொருட்களையும், அற்புத பொருட்களின் மிச்சங்களையும் கண்டெடுத்த ஹெலெனா, உண்மையான சிலுவையையும் கண்டெடுத்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது. அகழ்வாராய்ச்சி தொடங்க ஒரு தளம் தேர்வு செய்து தோண்டியதில், இங்கே மூன்று வெவ்வேறு சிலுவைகள் மீட்கப்பட வழிவகுத்தது. இதில் உண்மையான சிலுவை (True Cross) எது என்பதை கண்டுபிடிக்க செய்த முயற்சிகள் வீணாயின. பின்னர், ஜெருசலேமின் ஆயர் “மகாரியஸ்” (Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem) என்பவர் மூலம், நகரின் வெளியே, மரண தருவாயிலிருந்த பெண் ஒருவரை  அழைத்து வந்தார்கள். அந்த பெண்ணை மூன்று சிலுவைகளையும் ஒவ்வொன்றாக தொடச் செய்தனர். முதல் சிலுவையையும் இரண்டாம் சிலுவையையும் தொடும்போது ஒன்றும் நேரவில்லை. ஆனால், மூன்றாம் சிலுவையை தொட்டதும் அற்புதமாக, அந்த பெண் எழுந்து குணமானார். ஆகவே, சாகும் தருவாயிலிருந்த பெண் தொட்டதும் குணமான காரணத்தால், அந்த சிலுவையே உண்மையான சிலுவை என்று ஹெலெனா அறிவித்தார். உண்மையான சிலுவை (True Cross) கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்ட இடத்தில் “புனித கல்லறை தேவாலயம்” (Church of the Holy Sepulchre) கட்ட பேரரசன் கான்ஸ்டன்டைன் உத்தரவிட்டார்.

கிறிஸ்தவ திருச்சபையின் வரலாற்று ஆசிரியரான “சோஸோமென்” (Sozomen) மற்றும் “அந்தியோக்கியா பள்ளியின்” (School of Antioch) செல்வாக்குள்ள இறையியலாளரும், பண்டைய சிரியாவின் (Ancient Syria) ஆயருமான, “தியோடோரெட்” (Theodoret) ஆகியோரின் கூற்றின்படி, சிலுவையில் அறையப்பட்ட ஆணிகள் (Nails of the Crucifixion) ஹெலெனாவால் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டன என்றும், அவற்றின் அற்புத சக்தி தமது மகனுக்கு உதவ வேண்டுமென்பதற்காக அவற்றிலொன்றை தமது மகனின் தலைக் கவசத்திலும், மற்றொன்றை அவரது குதிரையின் கடிவாலத்திலும் வைத்தார் என்றும் கூறப்படுகிறது.

ஆண்டவர் கிறிஸ்து இயேசு, சிலுவையில் அறையப்படுவதற்கு சற்று முன்னர், அவர் அணிந்திருந்த கோடுகளற்ற புனித அங்கியை (Holy Tunic), எருசலேம் பயணத்தின்போது முயன்று வாங்கிய ஹெலெனா, அதனை ஜெர்மனியிலுள்ள (Germany) “ட்ரையர்” (Trier) நகருக்கு அனுப்பினார்.

பிற இடங்களில் கட்டப்பட்டிருந்த தேவாலயங்களும் ஹெலெனாவால் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டன.

புனிதர் ஹெலெனாவால் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்ட பல நினைவுச் சின்னங்கள் இப்போது “சைப்ரஸ்” (Cyprus) தீவில் உள்ளன.

கி.பி. 327ம் ஆண்டு, எருசலேம் மற்றும் கிழக்கு பிராந்தியங்களை விட்டு ரோம் சென்ற ஹெலெனா, தாம் தமது அரண்மனையில், தமது தனிப்பட்ட சிற்றாலயத்தில் சேமித்து வைத்திருந்த, உண்மையான சிலுவை மற்றும் புனித பொருட்களின் மிச்சங்களில் பெரும்பாலானவற்றையும் எடுத்துச் சென்றார். மீதமுள்ளவற்றை இன்னமும் அவரது அரண்மனையில் காணலாம். அவரது அரண்மனை, பின்னாளில் எருசலேமிலுள்ள “புனித திருச்சிலுவை பேராலயமாக” (Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem) மாற்றியமைக்கப்பட்டது. இது நூற்றாண்டுகளாக தேவாலயத்துடன் இணைக்கப்பட்ட மடாலயத்தின் சிஸ்டர்சியன் (Cistercian) துறவிகளால் பராமரிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

ஏறத்தாழ கி.பி. 330ம் ஆண்டு மரித்த ஹெலெனா, ரோம் நகரிலுள்ள “மௌசோலியம்” (Mausoleum of Helena) எனும் கல்லறையில் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டார். இக்கல்லறை, இவரது மகனும் பேரரசனுமான முதலாம் கான்ஸ்டண்டைனால் தமக்காக கட்டப்பட்டது. ஆனால், அதில் அவரது தாயாரான புனிதர் ஹெலெனா அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டார்.

Also known as

• Elene, Helen

• Flavia Julia Helena Augusta

Additional Memorial

21 May (Eastern Church)

Profile

Converted to Christianity late in life. Married Constantius Chlorus, co-regent of the western Roman empire. Mother of Constantine the Great. Her husband put her aside for a second marriage with better political connections. On his death, her son ascended to the throne, brought her home, and treated her as royalty. She used her high position and wealth in the service of her religious enthusiasm, and helped build churches throughout the empire.

At the age of 80 she led a group to the Holy Land to search for the True Cross. She and her group unearthed three crosses in 326. At the suggestion of Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, she took them to a woman afflicated with an incurable disease, and had her touch each one. One of them immediately cured her, and it was pronounced the True Cross. She built a church on the spot where the cross was found, and sent pieces to Rome and Constantinople; the Feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September celebrates the event. Thus in art, she is usually depicted holding a wooden cross.

Born

c.248 at Drepanon, Bithynia, Asia Minor

Died

• c.328 in Nicomedia of natural causes

• interred in the Church of Santa Maria di Aracoeli, Rome, Italy

Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga

புனித லூயிஸ் ஆல்பர்ட் ஹூர்டாடோ குருசாகா (St. Luis Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, Jesuit)

சேசு சபை குரு

பிறப்பு 

22 ஜனவரி 1901

சிலி (Chile)

இறப்பு 

18 ஆகஸ்டு 1952

சிலி (Chile)

முத்திபேறுபட்டம்: 16 அக்டோபர் 1994 திருத்தந்தை இரண்டாம் ஜான் பால்

புனிதர்பட்டம்: 23 அக்டோபர் 2005 திருத்தந்தை பதினாறாம் பெனடிக்ட்

தந்தை: ஆல்பர்ட் ஹூர்டாடோ லரைன் (Alberto Hurtado Larrain) 

தாய்: அன்னா குருசாகா டி ஹூர்டாடோ(Ana Cruchaga de Hurtado) 

சகோதரன்: மிகுவேல்(Miguel)

இவர் மிகவும் வறுமையான ஓர் ஏழைக்குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர். தங்குவதற்கென்று சிறிய வீடுகூட இல்லாமல், எந்தவித அடிப்படை வசதியுமே இல்லாமல் வாழ்ந்தார். இளம் வயதிலேயே தந்தையை இழந்ததால் வறுமையில் வளர்ந்தார். இதனைக்கண்ட இயேசு சபை குரு ஒருவர். இவரின் குடும்பத்திற்கு உதவி செய்தார். அக்குருவின் உதவியினால் ஆல்பர்ட் கல்வி பயின்றார். அறிவிலும், ஞானத்திலும் சிறந்து வளர்ந்த ஆல்பர்ட் தினமும் திருப்பலியில் பங்கெடுத்தார். தனது பங்குத் தந்தையின் வழிநடத்துதலின்படி, தன் வாழ்வை அமைத்தார். தான் ஓர் குருவாக வேண்டுமென்ற ஆசையை பங்குத்தந்தையிடம் தெரிவித்தார். அவரையே தன் ஆன்மகுருவாகவும் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தார். தான் படிக்கும்போதும் விடுமுறை நாட்களிலும் தன் ஊரை சுற்றியுள்ள குடிசைகளையும் சந்தித்து, மக்களை தேற்றியும் ஆறுதல்படுத்தியும் வந்தார். 

இவர் 1920 ஆம் ஆண்டு படைவீரராக சேர்ந்தார். 3 ஆண்டுகள் அங்கு பணிபுரிந்தபின் மீண்டும் கல்லூரியில் சென்று படித்தார். தன் படிப்பை முடித்தபின் இயேசு சபையில் சேர்ந்தார். இயேசு சபையில் பயிற்சியை முடித்தபின் 1933 ஆம் ஆண்டு குருப்பட்டம் பெற்று குருவானார். குருவான பிறகு சாண்டியாகோ என்ற நகரில், கல்லூரியில் பணிபுரிய அனுப்பப்பட்டார். அங்கு அவர் ஆசிரியர் பணியை ஆற்றியதோடு பல ஏழைமாணவர்களுக்கு உதவிகள் செய்து, அவர்களின் வீடுகளை சந்தித்து, வீடு இல்லாத மக்களுக்கு வீடு கட்டி கொடுத்தார். பின்னர், "எல் ஹோகார் டே கிறிஸ்டோ” (L Hogar de Christo) என்ற பெயரில் ஆதரவாளர்களுக்கு ஒரு கருணை இல்லம் தொடங்கினார். 

எப்போதும் அவர் சமூக சிந்தனைகளை கொண்டு செயல்பட்டார். சமுதாயத்தை பற்றியும், ஏழைகளை பற்றியும் சில நூல்களை எழுதியுள்ளார். ஏழைகளின் நண்பரான ஆல்பர்ட் புற்றுநோயால் தாக்கப்பட்டு காலமானார். நோயால் தாக்கப்பட்ட நாளிலிருந்து இறக்கும்வரை பொறுமையோடும், மகிழ்வோடும் தன் நோயை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். இவர் இறந்தாலும் ஏழைகளின் மனங்களில் உயிருடன் வாழ்ந்தார். 

Profile

Alberto's father died when the boy was four years old, and he grew up in poverty. Educated at the Jesuit College in Santiago, Chile. He early felt a call to religion, and to work with those as poor as himself. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1923, and was ordained in 1933. He taught religion at Colegion San Ignacio, trained teachers at Catholic University in Santiago, led retreats for young men, and worked in the poor areas of the city whenever he could. In 1941 he wrote Is Chile a Catholic Country?, and became national chaplain to the youth movement Catholic Action. During a retreat in 1944, Father Alberto started the work that would lead to El Hogar de Cristo which shelters the homeless and tries to rescue abandoned children, and was later modelled somewhat on the American Boys Town movement. In 1947, Hurtado founded the Chilean Trade Union Association (ASICH) to promote a Christian labour-union movement. He founded the journal Mensaje, dedicated to explaining the Church's teaching, in 1951. He wrote several works in his later years on trade unions, social humanism and the Christian social order.

Born

22 January 1901 at Vina del Mar, Chile

Died

18 August 1952 at Santiago, Chile of pancreatic cancer

Canonized

23 October 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI at Rome, Italy

Blessed Martín Martínez Pascual

Profile

Son of Martín Martínez Callao, a carpenter, and Francisca Pascual Amposta; Martin was baptized at the age of one day. He was a religious child. He joined the Diocesan Laborer Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1934 while in seminary in the diocese of Zaragoza, Spain. Priest, ordained on 15 June 1935 in the diocese of Tortosa, Spain. Taught at a vocational Colegio San José de Murcia, and then taught Latin in the seminary in Murcia, Spain where he was considered an excellent instructor.

At the outbreak of the persecutions of the Spanish Civil War, Father Martin grabbed the reserved consecrated hosts from his church and went into hiding, spending his time in prayer while sitting in caves and haystacks. He evaded the militia for a few days but was caught and imprisoned where he spent his remaining time ministering to other prisoners, hearing confessions, and distributing the Eucharist he had rescued; he died giving his executioners a blessing in hopes that they would come to their senses. Martyr.

Born

11 November 1910 in Valdealgorfa, Teruel, Spain

Died

shot by firing squad on 18 August 1936 at the cemetery in Valdealgorfa, Teruel, Spain

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Agapitus the Martyr

Also known as

• Agapetus the Martyr

• Agapitus of Palestrina

• Agapitus of Praeneste

• Agapito...

Profile

Born to an imperial patrician family. At fifteen years of age, the boy proudly, publicly proclaimed his Christianity during the persecution of Aurelian. Martyr.

Because he was a young man, and because the heroic way he met his martyrdom brought about many conversions, his was a favourite story in times past, and often grew in the telling, but we know very little about him for sure.

Born

c.259 in Palestrina, Italy

Died

• thrown to wild animals in the arena

• when they would not touch him, he was beheaded c.274 at Palestrina, Italy

• relics at Palestrina, Italy and Besancon, France

Saint Macarius the Wonder Worker

Also known as

• Christopher

• Macarius of Constantinople

Profile

Monk at the monastery at Pelekete, taking the name Macarius. Abbot. Miracle worker. Ordained by Patriarch Tarasius of Constantinople. Imprisoned and tortured for his opposition to Emperor Leo's orders of iconoclasm. Released by Emperor Michael the Stammerer, then exiled for his continued support of icons.

Born

9th century Constantinople as Christopher

Died

18 August 850 on the island of Aphusia, Bithynia of natural causes

Blessed Leonard of Cava

Also known as

Leonardo

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot of La Trinita de La Cava Abbey in 1232; he served for over 22 years. Known as a wise, gentle, peaceful man, an able administrator, and a leader smart enough to keep his house out of political fights of the day. Attended the Council of Lyon in 1245. He led by example, and his brother monks became known for their devotion to the Benedictine Rule. Accepted and cared for the relics of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle and the treasury of the diocese of Benevento, Italy when that area was overrun by invading Germans. When peace returned, he returned all the treasures entrusted to him; the diocese enshrined some of the relics of Saint Bartholomew to the permanent care of the abbey.

Died

• 1255 at La Cava Abbey, Campania, Italy

• relics enshrined in the side altar of the abbey church

Beatified

1928 by Pope Pius XI (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Francus of Francavilla

Also known as

Franco

Profile

Greek rite monk from Calabria, Italy. Monk in the Abruzzo region of Italy, possibly fleeing Muslim raids on monasteries in Calabria. Hermit in the central Appennine mountains.

Born

mid-10th-century in Italy

Died

• 11th-century of natural causes

• buried at the parish church of Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy

• on 30 July 1566 invading Turks burned his relics; a few bone fragments were recovered and re-enshrined

Beatified

1893 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Antoine Bannassat

Profile

Priest in the diocese of Limoges, France. Imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France and left to die during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the French Revolution. One of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort.

Born

20 May 1729 in Guéret, Creuse, France

Died

of starvation on 18 August 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France

Beatified

1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed Raynald of Ravenna

Also known as

• Raynald Concorezzo

• Rinaldo....

Profile

Priest. Canon of Lodi, Italy. Bishop of Vicenza, Italy in 1296. Held several governmental posts in the papal states. Archbishop of Ravenna, Italy in 1303. Defended the good work of the Knights Templar.

Born

c.1245 in Milan, Italy

Died

1321 in Ravenna, Italy

Beatified

18 August 1852 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmed)

Saint Daig MacCairaill

Also known as

• Dagaeus MacCairaill

• Daganus MacCairaill

• Daig of Inish Cain

• Daig of Iniskeen

• Daig of Iniskin

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Finnian of Clonard. Bishop of Inish Cain Dega (Iniskeen or Iniskin), Ireland. He founded a monastery there, and served as its abbot. The Book of Leinster describes him as a one of the Three Master Craftsmen of Ireland, though its unclear exactly what this means.

Born

Irish

Died

586

Saint Evan of Ayrshire

Also known as

Inan, Inane, Tinan, Tennand

Profile

Pilgrim to Rome and Jerusalem. Hermit at Ayrshire, Scotland where several wells are named for him, and churches dedicated to him including one, now dedicated to Mary, which is thought to have been built on the site of his cell.

Born

9th century in Scotland

Died

at Irvine, Scotland

Saint Ernan

Additional Memorial

1 January (Scotland)

Profile

Nephew and spiritual student of Saint Columba of Iona. Missionary to the Picts. Founded a monastery in Donegal, Ireland. When Saint Columba died, Ernan had a vision of Columba's soul ascending to heaven. Saint Adamnan of Iona mentioned Ernan in his writings.

Died

634 in his abbey in Donegal, Ireland of natural causes

Saint Florus of Illyria

Also known as

Floro

Profile

Twin brother of Saint Laurus of Illyria. Stone-cutter who worked to build Christian churches. Martyr.

Died

drowned in a well

Blessed Domenico de Molinar

Profile

Mercedarian friar and travelling preacher. In 1419 he helped ransom 293 Christians from slavery in Muslim Granada.

Blessed Gaspar di Salamanca

Profile

Mercedarian friar and travelling preacher. In 1419 he helped ransom 293 Christians from slavery in Muslim Granada.

Saint Laurus of Illyria

Profile

Twin brother of Saint Florus of Illyria. Stone-cutter who worked to build Christian churches. Martyr.

Died

drowned in a well

Blessed Milo of Fontenelle

Profile

Born to the Frankish nobility, Milo and his father both gave it up to become Benedictine monks at Fontenelle Abbey. Milo later left the monastery to live as a hermit.

Died

c.735

Saint John of Rome

Profile

Benedictine monk at Saint Andrew's monastery on the Coelian Hill, Rome, Italy under abbot Saint Gregory the Great who later wrote about him. Miracle worker.

Died

c.590 of natural causes

Saint Eonus of Arles

Also known as

Eonio

Profile

Archbishop of Arles, France in the late 5th and early 6th century. Fought the Pelagian heresy. Ordained Saint Cesareo of Arles.

Died

502

Saint Ronan of Iona

Profile

Monk at Iona Abbey. Was involved in the controversy with Saint Finan of Iona concerning the celebration of Easter. Confessor of the faith.

Died

c.660 of natural causes

Saint Crispus of Rome

Profile

Priest in Rome, Italy in the early days of the Church. With Saint John of Rome he recovered and properly buried the bodies of martyrs - and was martyred for it.

Saint Proculus of Illyria

Also known as

Prochus

Profile

Sculptor. Stone-cutter who worked to build Christian churches. Martyr.

Died

drowned in a well

Saint Hermas of Rome

Also known as

Hermes

Profile

Martyred by a pagan mob.

Saint Hermas of Rome was a well-to-do freedman and earnest Christian, who lived in Ancient Rome in the 2nd century. He was a brother of Pius, Bishop of Rome about the middle of the 2nd century. Some later writers confuse him with Hermas of Dalmatia, mentioned in Romans 16:14.

Hermas is best known as the author of the Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian apocryphal work that was considered canonical by some early Christians. The Shepherd of Hermas is a collection of visions, parables, and commandments that are presented to Hermas by a woman named "Shepherdess". The work is divided into three parts: Visions, Similitudes, and Mandates.

The Visions are the most important part of the Shepherd of Hermas. In these visions, Hermas is shown a series of symbolic images that are interpreted for him by the Shepherdess. These images are often used to teach Hermas about the need for repentance, faith, and love.

Died

dragged by the heels over rough ground until he died in Rome, Italy

Saint Maximus of Illyria

Profile

Sculptor. Stone-cutter who worked to build Christian churches. Martyr.

Died

drowned in a well

Saint Polyaenus of Rome

Profile

Martyred by a pagan mob.

Died

dragged by the heels over rough ground until he died in Rome, Italy

Saint Serapion of Rome

Profile

Martyred by a pagan mob.

Died

dragged by the heels over rough ground until he died in Rome, Italy

Saint Firminus of Metz

Also known as

Fermin

Profile

Bishop of Metz, France for eight years.

Died

496

Saint Leo of Myra

Also known as

León

Profile

Martyr.

Died

at Myra, Lycia

Saint Juliana of Stobylum

Profile

Martyr.

Died

Strobylum, Asia Minor

Saint Juliana of Myra

Profile

Martyr.

Died

at Myra, Lycia

Martyrs of Utica

Also known as

• Martyrs of Utica

• White Company

Profile

Three hundred 3rd century Christians at Carthage who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them.

Died

jumped into a pit of burning lime c.253 at Carthage, North Africa

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War

Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939

• Blessed Adalberto Vicente y Vicente

• Blessed Agustín Pedro Calvo

• Blessed Angelo Reguilón Lobato

• Blessed Atanasio Vidaurreta Labra

• Blessed Aurelio García Anton

• Blessed Celestino José Alonso Villar

• Blessed Daniel García Antón

• Blessed Eliseo María Camargo Montes

• Blessed Eudald Rodas Saurina

• Blessed Fermín Gellida Cornelles

• Blessed Francisco Arias Martín

• Blessed Francisco Pérez y Pérez

• Blessed Gregorio Díez Pérez

• Blessed Jaume Falgarona Vilanova

• Blessed José María Ruiz Cardeñosa

• Blessed José Sánchez Rodríguez

• Blessed Joseph Chamayoux Auclés

• Blessed Liberio González Nombela

• Blessed María Luisa Bermúdez Ruiz

• Blessed Micaela Hernán Martínez

• Blessed Nicomedes Andrés Vecilla

• Blessed Patricio Gellida Llorach

• Blessed Rosario Ciércoles Gascón

• Blessed Santiago Franco Mayo

• Blessed Silvano Villanueva González

• Blessed Vicente María Izquierdo Alcón