இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஏப்ரல் 19

  St. Ursmar

Feastday: April 19

Death: 713

Benedictine abbot-bishop, and missionary. Perhaps a native of Ireland, he served as abbot-bishop of the abbey of Lobbes, on the Sambre, in Flanders, Belgium, from which he organized exceedingly successful missionary efforts in the region.

Ursmar receives holy orders as abbot of Lobbes Abbey in 691, probably by Saint Lambertus, bishop of Maastricht (19th-century relief in the Church of Saint Ursmar in Lobbes)

Ursmar of Lobbes[1] (died 713) was a missionary bishop in the Meuse and Ardennes region in present-day Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg and France. He was also the first abbot of Lobbes Abbey.

As many missionaries in the 7th and 8th century, he may have been of Irish origin. He was appointed abbot of Lobbes in 691 by the Frankish king Pippin II.[2] He is also credited with the foundation of Aulne Abbey and Wallers Abbey.

Saint Ursmar is a Catholic saint, whose feast day is April 19.[3] His sarcophagus is in the crypt of the parish church in Lobbes (as well as the sarcophagus of his successor, Saint Ermin. A Life was written by Heriger of Lobbes

St. Hermogenes

Feastday: April 19

Death: 4th century

Armenian martyr with Aristonicus, Expeditus, Galata, Gaius, and Rufus. They suffered at Melitene. 

Pope Saint Leo IX

புனிதர் ஒன்பதாம் லியோ 

152ம் திருத்தந்தை:

பிறப்பு: ஜூன் 21, 1002

எகிஷெய்ம், அல்சாஸ், ஸ்வாபியா, புனித ரோமப் பேரரசு 

இறப்பு: ஏப்ரல் 19, 1054 (வயது 51)

ரோம், திருத்தந்தையர் மாநிலங்கள், புனித ரோமப் பேரரசு 

புனிதர் பட்டம்: கி.பி. 1082

திருத்தந்தை ஏழாம் கிரகோரி

நினைவுத் திருநாள்: ஏப்ரல் 19

திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் லியோ, ஜெர்மன் பிரபு குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர். இவர் பெற்றோர் இவருக்கு 'புரூனோ' (Bruno of Egisheim-Dagsburg) என்று பெயர் சூட்டினர். புரூனோ, ஃபிரான்ஸ் நாட்டிலுள்ள “டெளள்” (Toul) என்ற ஊரில் கல்வி பயின்றார்.

இவர் படிக்கும்போதிலிருந்தே இவருக்கு ஏராளமான நண்பர்கள் இருந்தனர். புரூனோ சிறு வயதிலிருந்தே பூசை உதவி செய்வதிலும், பாடல் குழுவோடு இணைந்து திருப்பலியில் பாடல் பாடுவதிலும், ஆடம்பர திருப்பலியில் பங்கெடுப்பதிலும், அதிக ஆர்வம் காட்டிவந்தார். இறைவன் மீது அளவற்ற அன்பு கொண்டிருந்தார். தினமும் திருப்பலியில் பங்கெடுத்த புரூனோ, தானும் குருவாக வேண்டுமென்று ஆசைப்பட்டு குருவானார்.

புரூனோ குருவான பிறகு, ஜெர்மனியிலிருந்த அரசர் இரண்டாம் கோன்ராட் (Konrad II) அவர்களின் குடும்பத்திற்கு ஆன்மீக வழிகாட்டியாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். அப்போது இவர் திருச்சபையில் இருந்த அரசியலைப் பற்றியும் படித்தார். அதன்பிறகு ஃபிரான்சு நாட்டிற்கு இறையியல் படிப்பதற்காக அனுப்பப்பட்டார்.

அப்போது இவர் அப்போஸ்தலர் சீமோனின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை படித்து, அவரால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டார். பின்னர் இறையியல் படிப்பை முடித்தபிறகு இத்தாலி நாட்டில் இருந்த அரசர் குடும்பத்திற்கு மீண்டும் ஆன்மீக வழிகாட்டியாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார்.

பின்னர் இத்தாலி நாட்டின் ஆயரின் உதவியாளராக பணியாற்றினார். அப்போது இத்தாலி மறைமாநிலத்திலிருந்த ஏழை எளியவர்க்கு ஆயரின் உதவியுடன் பலவிதமான உதவிகளை செய்தார். 

மற்றவர்களுக்கு உதவி செய்வதில் அளவில்லா மகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தார். அப்போது திருச்சபையில் இருந்த கத்தோலிக்க ஆலயங்களின் வழியாகவும், துறவற இல்லங்களின் வழியாகவும், நாள்தோறும் ஏழைகளுக்கு உணவு கொடுத்தும், அடிப்படை வசதிகளை செய்து கொடுத்தும் வந்தார். இவரின் தாராள குணத்தை அறிந்த ஜெர்மனி மற்றும் பிரான்சிலுள்ள ஆயர்களும் புரூனோவுக்கு ஏழைகளை பராமரிக்க தேவையான உதவிகளை செய்தனர். பின்னர் இவர் ஃபிரான்சிலுள்ள லையன் (Lyon) என்ற மறைமாநிலத்திற்கு ஆயராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார்.

புரூனோ ஆயராக இருந்தபோது திருத்தந்தை “டமாசஸ்” (Damasus) திருத்தந்தையாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். 

23 நாட்கள் மட்டுமே திருத்தந்தையாக இருந்தவர், கடுமையான காய்ச்சலால் தாக்கப்பட்டு இறந்துப்போனார். அதனால் அவரைப் பின்பற்றி திருச்சபையை வழிநடத்த புரூனோ அவர்களை திருத்தந்தையாக தேர்ந்தெடுத்தனர்.

1049ம் ஆண்டு புரூனோ "ஒன்பதாம் லியோ" என்று பெயர் மாற்றம் பெற்று திருத்தந்தையானார். திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் லியோ திருச்சபையின் மோசமான நிலையைப் பார்த்து மிகவும் வேதனைப்பட்டார். இதனால் திருத்தந்தையான சிறிது நாட்களிலேயே ஆயர்களின் மாநாட்டை கூட்டினார். இம்மாநாட்டிற்கு பொதுமக்களையும் வரவழைத்தார். இதில் பங்குபெற்ற ஒவ்வொருவருமே திருச்சபையில் இருக்கும் குறை, நிறைகளைப் பற்றி பகிர்ந்துகொள்ள வலியுறுத்தப்பட்டது. அம்மாநாட்டின் இறுதியில் தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் ஐரோப்பாவிலிருந்த ஒவ்வொரு கிறிஸ்தவ ஆலயங்களையும், அரசர்களையும், மக்களையும் திருத்தந்தை சந்தித்து உரையாடினார். ஆடம்பர திருப்பலி நிறைவேற்றி, அருமையான மறையுரை வழங்கினார். புதிய ஆலயங்களும், துறவற மடங்களும் கட்ட அடிக்கல் நாட்டினார்.

ஐரோப்பிய நாடுகளைப் பார்வையிட்டபோது, அரசர்களால் மக்கள் படும் வேதனையை, திருத்தந்தை கண்கூடாக பார்த்து மிகவும் வேதனைப்பட்டார். இதனால் மக்களின் பசியையும், அவர்களின் அவல நிலையையும் போக்க தன் சொந்த வீட்டு பணத்தை எடுத்து உதவிசெய்தார். மக்களை வழிநடத்த நல்ல குருக்களை உருவாக்கினார். இதனால் ஐரோப்பிய அரசர்கள் மிகவும் ஆத்திரமடைந்து திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் லியோவை பிடித்து சிறையில் அடைத்தார்கள். ஏறக்குறைய ஒன்பது மாதங்கள் கழித்து சிறையிலிருந்து விடுவித்தனர். ஆனால் இவர் மேல் தொடர்ந்து பல பொய்க்குற்றங்கள் சாட்டப்பட்டன.

பின்னர் 1054ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் மாதம், 12ம் நாள், ரோம் சென்று திருத்தந்தை பதவியிலிருந்து விலகினார். 52 வயதான திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் லியோ வெறும் ஐந்து ஆண்டுகள் மட்டுமே திருத்தந்தையாக பதவி வகித்தார். ஆனால் இவ்வைந்து ஆண்டுகளில் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபைக்கு இவர் ஆற்றிய பணி எண்ணிலடங்காது.

பின்னர் 1054ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம், 19ம் நாள், ரோமில் உள்ள புனித பீட்டர் பேராலயத்தில் இறந்தார்.

இவரது உடல், பேதுரு பேராலயத்திலுள்ள, திருத்தந்தையர்களை அடக்கம் செய்துள்ள கல்லறையில், புனித யோசேப்பு பலிபீடத்தின் வலதுபுறத்தில் அடக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இவர் இறந்தாலும் மக்களின் மனங்களில் புனிதராகவே வணங்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றார்.

Also known as

• Apostolic Pilgrim

• Bruno of Egisheim

• Bruno of Eguisheim-Dagsburg

• Pilgrim Pope

Profile

Son of Count Hugh of Egisheim. Cousin of Emperor Conrad II. Chapter canon of Saint Stephen's, Toul, France. Deacon. Soldier and officer in the imperial army. In 1021, while still in the military, he was chosen bishop of Toul, France, a position he held for 20 years. Commanded troops under emperor Conrad II in the invasion of Italy in 1026. Very disciplined himself, he brought order to the monasteries in his diocese, discipline to the clergy, and the Cluniac reform to many of his houses. Mediator between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Chosen 151st pope with the support of the Roman citizens and Henry III of Germany.

Leo brought his reforming, disciplinary ways to the Church as a whole, reforming houses and parishes, fighting simony, enforcing clerical celibacy, encouraging liturgical development and the use of chant. He brought Hildebrand, later Pope Saint Gregory VII, to Rome as his spiritual advisor. Fought the coming Great Schism between the Eastern and Western churches. He received the nickname of Pilgrim Pope due to his travels through Europe, enforcing his reforms, insisting that his bishops, clergy, and councils follow suit. Held synods at Pavia, Italy, in Rheims, France, in Mainz, Germany, and in Vercelli, Italy where he condemned the heresy of Berengarius of Tours. Authorized the consecration of the first native bishop of Iceland. Peacemaker in Hungary. Proposed that Popes be elected only by cardinals.

Leo's papacy was marred by his military action. He added new Italian regions to the papal states, and when Normans invaded these areas in 1053, he personally led an army to throw them out. This resulted in wide-spread criticism, defeat in the field, his capture at Civitella, and several months imprisonment at Benevento, Italy. He spent his time there well, learning Greek to better understand the writings of the Eastern Church, but his health suffered badly, and he died soon after his release.

Born

21 June 1002 at Eguisheim, Alsace, France as Bruno of Eguisheim-Dagsburg

Papal Ascension

12 February 1049

Died

19 April 1054 in Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

• 1082 by Pope Saint Gregory VII

• 1887 by Pope Blessed Victor III

Saint Alphege of Winchester

Also known as

• Alphege the Martyr

• Alphege of Canterbury

• Alfege, Alphage, Alphege, Alphegus, Elphege, Godwine, Ælfheah, Aelfheah, Elfego, Elfege

Additional Memorial

8 June (translation of his relics)

Profile

Born to the nobility but gave it up to become a young monk at Deerhurst Abbey in Gloucestershire, England. Monk, anchorite, and then abbot at Bath Abbey; known for his personal piety and austerity. Bishop of Winchester, England in 984. Built several churches, installed a cathedral organ so large that it could be heard a mile away, and his charity was so great that there were reported to be no beggars in his diocese. May have helped negotiate a peace treaty in 994 which ended some Viking raids.

Archbishop of Canterbury, England in 1006. Encouraged devotion to Saint Dunstan of Canterbury. Translated the relics of Saint Swithun to Canterbury. In 1011 Danes began raiding again, laid seige to Canterbury, sacked the town, and captured Alphege along with several other Church officials, all of whom were held for ransom. Reported to have healed many of sick Danes by praying over them and feeding them blessed bread. Alphege refused to approve the payment of ransom for himself, and after several months was murdered by angry drunken Vikings, the first archbishop of Canterbury to die violently. Saint Thomas Becket was praying for Saint Alphege's intercession just before he was murdered.

Born

• 954 in Weston, Somerset, England

• Anglo-Saxon

Died

• beaten with stones and ox bones, then struck on the head with the blunt edge of an axe on 19 April 1012 in Greenwich, Kent (part of modern London), England

• interred in Saint Paul's Cathedral

• re-interred in Canterbury by King Canute in 1023

• his shrine was re-built and expanded in the early 12th century by Saint Anselm of Canterbury

• remains found incorrupt in 1105

• after a fire in the cathedral in 1174, Alphege's relics were re-interred by the high altar

Canonized

1078 by Pope Saint Gregory VII

Saint Expeditus of Melitene

Also known as

Elpidius, Expedite

Profile

Possibly legendary. Unclear whether his name led to his association with expeditious matters, or the other way around. This association led to his becoming the patron of people who had to deliver things on time.

Blessed Bernard of Sithiu

Also known as

• Bernard of Maguellone

• Bernard the Penitent

Profile

To atone for the sins of his early life, including a murder, Bernard lived in complete poverty, wearing rags, eating whatever came to hand, if anything, travelling barefoot from one holy place to another, and living as a hermit between pilgrimages. In 1178 he settled near the abbey of Sithiu and spent his remaining four years in private penance and prayer.

Died

19 April 1182 in the monastery of Saint-Bertin, Thérouanne region, France of natural causes

Saint Gerold of Saxony

Also known as

• Gerold of Großwalsertal

• Gerold of Grosswalsertal

• Gerold of Vorarlberg

• Adam of...

Profile

Born to the Saxon nobility. Donated land to the monastery of Einsiedeln, Switzerland where his sons, Cuno and Ulric became monks. Retired to live as a hermit near Mitternach, Germany.

Born

Saxony (part of modern Germany)

Died

16 April 978 of natural causes

Blessed James Duckett

Profile

London bookseller. Convert to Catholicism. Married and father of one son. Arrested several times for printing and selling Catholic books before finally being executed for the crime. Martyr.

Born

at Gilfortrigs, Skelsmergh, Westmorland, England

Died

hanged on 19 April 1602 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Blessed Ramon Llach-Candell 

Profile

Priest. Member of the Sons of the Holy Family. Treasurer. Teacher. Director of several centers run by the Sons. Writer and poet. One of the Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.

Born

24 May 1875 in Torelló, Barcelona, Spain

Died

• 19 April 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain

• his remains were never found

Beatified

13 October 2013 by Pope Francis

Blessed Jaume Llach-Candell

Profile

Priest. Member of the Sons of the Holy Family. One of the Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.

Born

1 October 1878 in Torelló, Barcelona, Spain

Died

• 19 April 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain

• remains were never located

Beatified

13 October 2013 by Pope Francis

Saint Apollonius the Priest

Profile

Fourth-century priest. Martyred with five unnamed Christians in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

drowned in Alexandria, Egypt

Saint George of Antioch

Profile

Monk. Bishop of Antioch, Pisidia. Attended the Second Council of Nicea in 787. Opposed the iconoclasts, for which he was exiled by Emperor Leo V, the Armenian.

Died

815 of natural causes

Saint Martha of Persia

Profile

Daughter of Saint Pusicio. Nun. Martyred in the persecutions of Shapur II.

Died

Easter, 341 in Persia

Saint Crescentius of Florence

Profile

Sub-deacon in Florence, Italy. Spiritual student of Saint Zenobius and Saint Ambrose.

Died

c.396

Saint Vincent of Collioure

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

c.304 in Collioure, Languedoc (in modern France)

Saint Aristonicus of Melitene

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Saint Galata of Melitene

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Saint Gaius of Melitene

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Saint Rufus of Melitene

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Martyrs of Carthage

Profile

A group of Christians martyred in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than the names - Aristo, Basso, Credula, Donato, Ereda, Eremio, Fermo, Fortunata, Fortunio, Frutto, Julia, Mappalicus, Martial, Paul, Venusto, Victorinus and Victor.

Died

250 in prison in Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia)

புனித_எம்மா (-1038)

ஏப்ரல் 19

இவர் (#StEmma) பதினொன்றாம் நூற்றாண்டில், தற்போதைய பரேமன் என்ற இடத்தில் இருந்த ஒரு செல்வச் செழிப்பான குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தார்.

இளம்வயதில் கடுஞ்சினம் கொள்ளக்கூடிய வராக இருந்தார் இவர்.

இவர் லியூட்ஜர் என்பவருக்கு மணம் முடித்துக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டார். இவர்கள் இருவருக்கும் இறைவன் ஓர் ஆண்குழந்தையைத் தந்தார்.

இப்படி வாழ்க்கை நகர்கையில், இரஷ்யாவிற்குச் சென்ற இவருடைய கணவர் இறந்தார். இது இவருடைய வாழ்க்கையில் பெரிய மாற்றத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியது.

இதனால் முன்கோபியாக இருந்த இவர், அமைதியின் வடிவாய் மாறினார்; தன்னிடம் இருந்ததை ஏழைகளுக்கும் பல கோயில்களுக்கும் வாரி வாரி வழங்கத் தொடங்கினார். 

இறுதியாக இவருடைய மகனை இறைப்பணிக்கு அர்ப்பணித்துவிட்டு, இவர் நிம்மதியாக இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்.

பல ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின் இவருடைய உடல் தோண்டி எடுக்கப்பட்டபோது, இவரது உடல் முழுவதும் சிதைந்து போயிருக்க, கொடுத்துக் கொடுத்துச் சிவந்த இவரது கைகள் மட்டும் அழியாமல் இருந்தன.

Saint Emma, also known as Emma of Lesum, or Emma of Stiepel, lived in the city that is Bremen today. She is the first female inhabitant of the city to be known by name.

Emma lived in the early 11th century, and was born into the Immedinger family. The Immedingers were Saxon nobility descended from the legendary King Widuking, who fought againt Charlemange.

Emma's father was a count, and her brother a bishop (Meinwerk of Paderborn). She married Liudger, the son of a Saxon duke. Their marriage resulted in one child, a boy named Imad. He would become bishop of Paderborn in 1051.

Little specific information about St. Emma survives. Legend states that she had a violent temper when she was young.

Emma's husband made a visit to Russia in 1011, fell ill and died. Following this tragedy, Emma withdrew into her faith. Her temperament became mild. She was a great benefactor of churches, establishing many small parishes. She donated to the Bremen Cathedral. Her concern for the poor was legendary.

After her death, she was buried in a tomb in Bremen Cathedral. her tomb was opened. Her body had turned to dust exception for her right hand, which she used to give gifts. Her intact hand was sent to the abbey of St. Ludger at Werden.

She was venerated as a saint following her death, but there are no official dates for her beatification or canonization. She has two known feast days, December 3, which is the recorded date of her death in 1038, and April 19.

Hemma of Gurk (German: Hemma von Gurk; c. 995 – 27 June 1045),[2] also called Emma of Gurk (Slovene: Ema Krška), was a noblewoman and founder of several churches and monasteries in the Duchy of Carinthia. Buried at Gurk Cathedral since 1174, she was beatified on 21 November 1287 and canonised on 5 January 1938 by Pope Pius XI.[3] Her feast day is 27 June.[2] Hemma is venerated as a saint by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, and as patroness of the current Austrian state of Carinthia.

Biography

Little is known about Hemma's descent; she was probably born between 995 and 1000 (other sources mention 980 AD), her ancestors were related to the Bavarian Luitpoldings and thus to Emperor Henry II. Her grandmother Imma (Emma) was vested with market and minting rights at her estates in Lieding (today part of Straßburg) by Emperor Otto II in 975. The bestowal raised objections by the Archbishop of Salzburg and the privileges were later transferred to Gurk, Carinthia. According to her hagiography, Hemma was a member of a noble dynasty descending from Pilštanj (Peilenstein) in the Mark an der Sann (in present-day Slovenian Styria) and was brought up at the Imperial court in Bamberg by Empress Saint Cunigunde.

Hemma married the Carinthian count William II of Friesach, mentioned as margrave an der Sann in 1016, by whom she had two sons, Hartwig and William. Her husband had received vast estates on the Savinja (Sann) river from the hands of the Emperor. Both her sons and her husband were murdered, Margrave William II probably in 1036 by the deposed duke Adalbero of Carinthia in revenge.[4] Hemma became wealthy through inheritance upon the death of her husband and sons.

Countess Hemma used her great wealth for the benefit of the poor and was already venerated as a saint during her lifetime. In addition, she founded ten churches throughout present-day Carinthia, Austria. In 1043 she founded the Benedictine double monastery of Gurk Abbey, where she withdrew during the last years of her life.

After her death, Gurk Abbey was dissolved by the Archbishop of Salzburg, Gebhard,[3] who instead used the funds to set up the Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt in 1072. Admont Abbey, another Benedictine foundation in Austria, was founded in 1074 by the same Gebhard, and also owes its existence to Hemma's wealth. Since 1174 Hemma's relics have been buried in the crypt of Gurk Cathedral.[3]

Saint Hemma is the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gurk and her intercession is sought for childbirth and diseases of the eye. She is venerated not only in Carinthia (the Austrian state coterminous with the Diocese of Gurk), but also in neighboring Styria (another Austrian state) and Slovenia. From about 300 years ago, the pious and those seeking assistance have been coming to her tomb in Gurk Cathedral, travelling from Carniola over the Loibl Pass. This pilgrimage took place every year on the fourth Sunday after Easter, but fell out of use as a result of the political circumstances of the 20th century.

In recent years, however, the routes of pilgrimage from Slovenia and Styria to Gurk have gradually reopened and are becoming increasingly used.

Paphnutius of Jerusalem

Martyred priest of Jerusalem. No details of his martyrdom survive.

Timon the Deacon

One of the Seven Deacons chosen by the Apostles to assist in the ministering to the Nazarene community of Jerusalem. He was mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (6:5), although the traditions concerning him are confusing.

Section of a fresco in the Niccoline Chapel by Fra Angelico, depicting Saint Peter consecrating the Seven Deacons. Saint Stephen is shown kneeling.

The Seven , often known as the Seven Deacons, were leaders elected by the early Christian church to minister to the community of believers in Jerusalem, to enable the Apostles to concentrate on 'prayer and the Ministry of the Word' and to address a concern raised by Greek-speaking believers about their widows being overlooked in the daily diakonia or ministry.

New Testament

The works of Stephen and Philip are the only two recorded and their works concern preaching, catechising and baptising. Philip is simply referred to as "the evangelist" in chapter 18. Their appointment is described in chapter 6 of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:1–6). According to a later tradition they are supposed to have also been among the Seventy Disciples who appear in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:1, 10:17).

Although the Seven are not called 'deacons' in the New Testament, their role is described as 'diaconal' (διακονεῖν τραπέζαις in Greek), and they are therefore often regarded as the forerunners of the Christian order of deacons.

The Seven Deacons were:

Stephen the Protomartyr

Philip the Evangelist

Prochorus

Nicanor

Timon

Parmenas

Nicholas

According to the narrative in Acts, they were identified and selected by the community of believers on the basis of their reputation and wisdom, being 'full of the Holy Spirit', and their appointment was confirmed by the Apostles.

Details

Only Stephen and Philip are discussed in much detail in Acts; tradition provides nothing further about Nicanor or Parmenas. Stephen became the first martyr of the church when he was killed by a mob, and whose death was agreed to by Saul of Tarsus, the future Apostle Paul (Acts 8:1). Philip evangelized in Samaria, where he converted Simon Magus and an Ethiopian eunuch, traditionally beginning the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Tradition calls Prochorus the nephew of Stephen and a companion of John the Evangelist, who consecrated him bishop of Nicomedia in Bithynia (modern-day Turkey). He was traditionally ascribed the authorship of the apocryphal Acts of John, and was said to have ended his life as a martyr in Antioch in the 1st century.[1]

According to Caesar Baronius' Annales Ecclesiastici, now considered historically inaccurate, Nicanor was a Cypriot Jew who returned to his native island and died a martyr in 76. Other accounts say he was martyred in "Berj," an unidentified place possibly confused with Botrys.

Timon was said to have been a Hellenized Jew who became a bishop in Greece or in Bosra, Syria; in the latter account, his preaching brought the ire of the local governor, who martyred him with fire.

After preaching for years in Asia Minor, where Hippolytus of Rome claimed he was bishop of Soli (Pompeiopolis; though he may have been referring to Soli, Cyprus), Parmenas was said to have settled down in Macedonia, where he died at Philippi in 98 during Trajan's persecutions.[citation needed]

Nicholas, who came from Antioch, was described in Acts as a convert to Judaism.[2] He was not remembered fondly by some early writers. According to Irenaeus' Adversus Haereses, the Nicolaitanes, a heretical sect condemned as early as the Book of Revelation, took their name from the deacon.[3] In Philosophumena, Hippolytus writes he inspired the sect through his indifference to life and the pleasures of the flesh; his followers took this as a licence to give in to lust.[4] The Catholic Encyclopedia records a story that after the Apostles reproached Nicholas for mistreating his beautiful wife on account of his jealousy, he left her and consented to anyone else marrying her, saying the flesh should be maltreated.[1] In the Stromata, Clement of Alexandria says the sect corrupted Nicholas' words, originally designed to check the pleasures of the body, to justify licentiousness.[5] The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that the historicity of the story is debatable, though the Nicolaitanes themselves may have considered Nicholas their founder

Conrad of Ascoli

Conrad of Ascoli, also known as Blessed Conrad of Ascoli, was an Italian Franciscan friar and missionary.

Life:

Born in 1234 in Ascoli, Italy [Wikipedia].

Became a Friar Minor (member of the Franciscan order) [Wikipedia].

Known for his missionary work and preaching [Wikipedia].

Died in Ascoli on April 19, 1289 [Wikipedia].

Veneration:

Venerated as a Blessed in the Catholic Church

Feast day is celebrated on April 19

 Killian

Saint Kilian: An Irish missionary saint from the 7th century who spread Christianity in Germany. He is considered the patron saint of Würzburg, Germany

இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் ஏப்ரல் 18

 St. Apollonius the Apologist

Feastday: April 18

Death: 185

Martyr whose Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves. The Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, arrested him, also putting the slave to death as an informer. Perennis demanded that Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to the Roman senate. There a debate took place between Perennis and Apollonius that clearly outlines the beauty and the value of Christianity. Despite his eloquent defense, Apollonius was condemned and beheaded.

For 4th-c martyr, see Apollonius of Rome.

Saint Apollonius the Apologist or Saint Apollonius of Rome (died 21 April 185) was a 2nd-century Christian martyr and apologist (not to be confused with Apollinaris Claudius, another contemporary apologist) who was martyred in 185 under the Emperor Commodus (161-192).

Life

Four different sources speak of Saint Apollonius of Rome:

a record of the trial incorporated into the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius of Caesarea (265-340);

chapters 40 and 42 of the De Viris Illustribus by Saint Jerome (347-420),

two versions of the Passio of Apollonius, one Greek, the other Armenian, which were discovered in the late 19th century.[1][3]

These sources present Apollonius as an illustrious Roman, even, it seems, a senator, and an exceedingly talented man, well versed in philosophy. He was denounced as a Christian to the Pretorian Prefect Perennius. Summoned to defend himself, he read to the senate, according to Saint Jerome, "a remarkable volume" in which, instead of recanting, he defended the Christian faith. As a result, he was condemned to death on the basis of the law established by the Emperor Trajan.[1][3]

The sources say he was subjected to two investigations, the first by the Prefect Perennius, the second, three days later, by a group of senators and jurists. The hearings were conducted in a calm and courteous manner. Apollonius was permitted to speak with only rare interruptions, aimed at getting him to tone down his remarks, which were making him liable to punishment.[1]

Apollonius was not afraid to die, because, he said: "There is waiting for me something better: eternal life, given to the person who has lived well on earth." And he argued for the superiority of Christianity's concepts of death and life.[3]

The sources disagree on the manner of his death. The Greek Passio says he died after having his legs crushed, a punishment inflicted also on the slave who denounced him; but in the Armenian account he is decapitated.[1][3]

Veneration

Apollonius was not mentioned in the earliest Christian martyrologies, not being at first the object of individual commemoration. In the Middle Ages he was confused with two other saints, Apollo of Alexandria and the Apollonius who was martyred with Saint Valentine and whose feast is on 18 April. As a result, this date was attributed also to Saint Apollonius of Rome, even in editions of the Roman Martyrology, the latest editions of which have, however, restored the date of 21 April.[1]

At Rome, commemoration of Saint Apollonius, philosopher and martyr. Under the Emperor Commodus, he defended, before the Prefect Perennius and the Senate, the cause of the Christian faith in a finely argued address, and then, after being condemned to death, confirmed it by the witness of his blood

Saint Athanasia of Aegina

புனித_அத்தனாசியா (790-860)

ஏப்ரல் 18

இவர் (#StAthanasiaOfAegina) அகினா என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்தார்.

இவர் முதலில் ஒருவரை மணந்தார். அவர் திருமணம் நடந்து, இரண்டு வாரங்களுக்குள்ளாகவே, சரசென்ஸ் என்ற இனத்தவரால் கொல்லப்பட்டவே, இவர் கைம்பெண் ஆனார்.

இதற்குப் பிறகு இவர் வேறொருவரை மணந்தார். அவர் இவரிடம், "நாமிருவரும் இல்லறத்தில் துறவற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்வோம்" என்றார். இவரும் அதற்குச் சரியென்று சொல்லி, ஒரு துறவியைப் போன்று வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். இவரது எடுத்துக்காட்டான வாழ்க்கையைப் பார்த்துவிட்டுப் பலரும் இவரிடம் சீடராகச் சேர்ந்தார்கள். 

இதன் பிறகு இவர் கான்ஸ்டன்டான்டிநோப்பிளுக்குச் சென்று, அங்கிருந்த மன்னருக்கு ஆலோசகராகப் பணியாற்றினார். இவர் கொடுத்த ஆலோசனைகள் மன்னருக்குப் பெரிதும் உதவின. 

இவ்வாறு ஒரு துறவியாய், ஆலோசகராய் வாழ்ந்த இவர், 860 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்.

Profile

Born to the nobility, the daughter of Nikita and Marina, Athanasia grew up in a pious family. She early felt drawn to the religious life; legend says that when she was a young girl learning to weave, a star suddenly appeared, settled over her heart, and she was enlightened. However, at her parent's request, she married at age 16 to an army officer. Widowed after 16 days of marriage when her husband died in battle against invading Arabs. She again considered the religious life, but an imperial edict required all single women of marriage age to marry soldiers.

Her second marriage was to a deeply religious man; the two conducted Bible studies in their homes, and took in the sick and poor. Her husband felt drawn to become a monk, and Athanasia agreed with his new vocation. She became a nun, gave away the bulk of her possessions, converted her home into a convent, obtained a spiritual director named Matthias, had other sisters move in with her, served as abbess, and lived a life of severe austerity. She built three churches. The community later moved to Timia where Athanasia became widely known for miraculous healings. To escape the press of people who were drawn to her reputation of holiness, and return to the quiet, prayerful life, she and two sisters fled in secret to Constantinople where she lived as an anchoress in a cell for seven years; while walled away, she was an advisor to Empress Theodora. Obeying the appeals of her sisters, she returned to Timia very late in life, and spent her last days there.

Many stories have come down to us about Athanasia, most concerning her activities after death. During Mass at the convent, forty days after Athanasia's death, two of her sisters received a vision of Saint Athanasia at the gates of heaven. There, two radiant men placed a crown with crosses on her head, handed her a brilliant staff and led her through the gates to the altar.

Shortly before her death, Athanasia left orders that the poor be fed in her memory for forty days. Her sisters, however, set up a memorial trapeza, a dining hall where religious and pilgrims to gather for food, for only nine days. Athanasia appeared to some of the sisters and said, "It was wrong that you did not fulfill my testament, the forty-day commemoration in church of those who have fallen asleep and the feeding of the poor greatly helps sinful souls, while heavenly mercy is sent down from righteous souls to those who carry out the commemoration." She then jabbed her staff into the ground, and became invisible. The next day, the staff had sprouted and become a living sapling.

A year after Athanasia's death, a possessed woman was brought to her grave. The people with her dug up the earth over the grave, hoping that contact with it would heavel the woman. They smelled a perfume coming from the grave, and removed Athanasia's coffin. When she touched it, the possessed woman was healed. The witnesses opened the coffin, and found Athanasia's body incorrupt, streaming fragrant myrrh.

When these witnesses found the body in this state, they transferred it to a new ark. Her sisters, wanting to clothe the body in silk, removed the hair shirt Athanasia had worn in life and death. However, when they tried to put the silk clothes on her, the body developed severe rigor, hands clasped to the breast, and they could not dress her in the rich dress. The sisters took this as the Athanasia's love of pious poverty. One of the sisters called out to the saint, "O our lady, as thou didst unquestioningly obey us while thou didst live with us, so even now be well pleased to obey us and be clothed in these garments, our humble gift offered unto thee." The body then sat up, extended her hands, and was dressed in the silk clothing.

Born

8th century on the Island of Aegina, Greece

Died

• 14 August 860 at Timia of natural causes

• relics preserved at Timia in a specially made reliquary, and are known for their healing powers

Blessed James Oldo

Also known as

• James of Oldo

• James D'Oldo

• James of Lodi

• James Oldi

• Jakob, Jacopo, Giacomo

Profile

The son of Marchese and Fiordonina Oldo, his father died when the boy was young, leaving him a legacy that allowed to grow up a rich and self-indulgent youth. Married to Catharine Bocconi, a woman of similar disposition; father of three children. The death of a friend to disease brought his own mortality to James' attention and matured him slightly. Then one day a travelling reproduction of the Holy Sepulchre came to his home town of Lodi, Italy. As a joke, James lay down on it to compare his height to Christ's. While lying there, he had an almost instantaneous conversion experience.

He became a Franciscan tertiary. James took care of a sick priest who, in return, taught him Latin. His mother and wife were opposed to James's change until his mother had a vision of being before the judgement seat of God. Both women became Franciscan tertiaries and turned their mansion into a center for prayer. They and spent their later years working with the sick and the prisoners taken in the civil war that devastated Lodi.

Upon his wife's death, James became a priest in 1397. His acts of penance became so severe that his bishop had to order him to eat at least three times a week. Preacher whose life and words moved many to enter the religious life. Had the gift of prophecy; predicted wars and his own death.

Born

1364 at Lodi, Italy

Died

• 18 April 1404 of an unknown buried in the church of Saint Julian, the construction of which he and his wife had financed

• when moved seven years after his death, his body was found incorrupt

• re-interred in the nearby Church of Sant'Egidio in 1580

• re-interred in the Cathedral of Lodi in 1789

Beatified

26 March 1934 by Pope Pius XI (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Marie of the Incarnation

Also known as

• Barbara Aurillot

• Barbara Avrillot

• Barbe Acarie

• Barbe Aurillot

• Barbe Avrillot

• Madame Acarie

• Marie Acarie

• Mary of the Incarnation

Profile

Daughter of a French government official named Nicholas Aurillot. Educated at her aunt's convent at Longchamps. Though attracted to religious life, she married Pierre Acarie, an aristocrat and treasury official, at age 16. Mother of six, three of whom became Carmelites, and one a priest.

Peter supported the Catholic League against Henry IV. When Henry became king he seized the Acarie estates, impoverished the family, and exiled them from Paris, France. Barbara went to court over the matter, won, and reclaimed part of the family fortune.

She was devoted to the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, and became active in charities. Her good works eventually won her the admiration and support of King Henry. Brought the Discalced Carmelites of Saint Teresa to France, founding five houses between 1604 and 1609.

Widowed at 47. Carmelite lay sister in 1613 at Amiens, France, taking the name Mary of the Incarnation. Spiritual student of Saint Francis de Sales. Known for receiving visions and ecstasies, and for supernatural gifts.

Born

1 February 1566 at Paris, France as Barbe Aurillot

Died

18 April 1618 at Pontoise, France of natural causes

Beatified

5 June 1791 by Pope Pius VI

Blessed Andrés Hibernón Real

 அருளாளர்: ஆண்ட்ரேஸ் ஹிபெர்நான் ரியல் 

மறைப்பணியாளர் :

பிறப்பு : கி.பி. 1534

மூர்சியா, ஸ்பெயின் அரசு

இறப்பு : ஏப்ரல் 18, 1602 (வயது 68)

காண்டியா, வலென்சியா, ஸ்பெயின் அரசு

ஏற்கும் சமயம் :

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை (Roman Catholic Church)

முக்திபேறு பட்டம் : மே 22, 1791

திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பயஸ் (Pope Pius VI)

பாதுகாவல் :

மூர்சியா (Murcia)

அல்கன்டரில்லா (Alcantarilla)

அருளாளர்: ஆண்ட்ரேஸ் ஹிபெர்நான் ரியல், "பிரான்சிஸ்கன் இளம் துறவியர் சபையைச்" (Order of Friars Minor) சேர்ந்த ஒரு ஸ்பேனிஷ் ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க மறைப்பணியாளர் ஆவார்.

அந்நாளைய ஸ்பேனிஷ் அரசின் மூர்சியா நகரில் 1534ம் ஆண்டு வசதியான பிரபுத்துவ குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தவர் ஹிபெர்நான். பாதகமான சூழ்நிலைகளின் காரணமாக, இவரது மொத்த குடும்பமும் நிதி நிலைமையில் நொடித்துப்போனது. இவர்களது குடும்பச் சுமையை குறைக்கும் நோக்கில், இவரது மாமன் ஒருவர் இவரது கல்விப் பொறுப்பினை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். எனவே இவர் தமது கல்வியை வலேன்சியா (Valencia) நகரில் தொடங்கினார். இவரது இன்னொரு மாமன் ஒருவர் பாதிரியாராக இருந்த மூர்சியா பேராலயத்தில் இவர் திருமுழுக்கு பெற்றார்.

இவர் தமது இளமையில், கஷ்டப்படும் தமது பெற்றோருக்கும் சகோதரர்களுக்கும் உதவும் பொருட்டும், எதிர்பாராத விதமாக வரவிருக்கும் சகோதரியின் திருமணத்திற்காகவும் வெளியூர் சென்று கடினமாக உழைத்து கணிசமாக பொருள் சேர்த்தார். தாம் உழைத்துச் சேர்த்த பணத்துடன் ஊர் திரும்பும் வழியில், இவரை வழிமறித்த திருடர்கள் கும்பல் ஒன்று, இவரிடமிருந்த பணம் பொருள் முழுவதையும் கொள்ளையடித்துச் சென்றது. இதனால் தாம் அடைந்த ஏமாற்றமும் வருத்தமும், தம்மை இவ்வுலகின் பொருள் ஆசைகளில் எவ்வளவு தூரம் ஈர்த்திருக்கிறது என்பதனை உணர்ந்தார்.

திருட்டு போகக்கூடிய - அழிந்து போகும் இவ்வுலக செல்வங்களை சேர்க்கும் ஆசைகளுக்கு மாறாக, இனிமேல் யாராலும் கொள்ளையடிக்க இயலாத செல்வங்களை சேர்க்க முடிவு செய்தார்.

1556ம் ஆண்டு, ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டின் தென்கிழக்கு பிராந்தியமான "அல்பாசிட்" (Albacete) என்னுமிடத்திலுள்ள "இளம் துறவியர் சபையின்" பள்ளியில் (Convent of the Order of Friars Minor) சேர மிகவும் தாழ்ச்சியுடன் கெஞ்சி அனுமதி பெற்றார். 1557ம் ஆண்டு, நவம்பர் மாதம், முதல் தேதியன்று, தமது துறவு ஆடைகளைப் பெற்றுக்கொண்டதுடன், அன்றுமுதல் தமது புதுமுக துறவுப் பயிற்சியையும் தொடங்கினார்.

அடிக்கடி அன்னை மரியாளின் திருத்தலங்களை நாடிச் செல்ல ஆரம்பித்த ஹிபெர்நான், மணிக்கணக்கில் நற்கருணையாண்டவரின் முன்பு முழங்கால்படியிட்டு நின்றபடி செபிக்க தொடங்கினார். இதன்மூலம் அவர் நற்கருணையாண்டவரிடம் தீவிர பக்தியை தம்மில் உருவாக்கினார். இந்த துறவி, அடிக்கடி தமது குருக்களுடன் இணைந்து நோயிற்றோரை சந்திக்க சென்றார்.

1563ம் ஆண்டு ஃபெப்ரவரி மாதம், இவர் "எல்ச்" (Elche) என்னுமிடத்திலுள்ள "புனித ஜோஸ் 'அல்கன்டரைன்' ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சீர்திருத்த பள்ளிக்கு" (Alcantarine Franciscan Reform Convent of San José) மாற்றப்பட்டார்.

1574ம் ஆண்டுவரை அங்கேயே தமது செப வாழ்வினை அர்ப்பணித்த துறவி ஹிபெர்நான், "வலேன்சியாவில்" (Valencia) ஸ்தாபிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த பள்ளியின் நடைமுறைப் பணிகளை பெற்றுக்கொள்வதற்காக தமது துறவு மட தலைவர்களால் "வலேன்சியா" (Valencia) அனுப்பப்பட்டார். அங்கே, இவருக்கு "வலென்சியா" உயர்மறைமாவட்ட பேராயர் புனிதர் "ஜுவான் டி ரிபெர்" (Archbishop of Valencia Saint Juan de Riber) அவர்களின் நட்பு கிட்டியது.

தாம் மரிப்பதன் நான்கு ஆண்டுகளின் முன்னேயே தாம் மரிக்கப்போகும் நாளை முன்னறிவித்த இத்துறவி, அவர் முன்னறிவித்திருந்ததன்படியே, 1602ம் ஆண்டு, ஏப்ரல் மாதம் 18ம் நாள் செபமாலை செபித்துவிட்டு மரித்தார்.

Profile

Born to an impoverished Spanish noble family. Educated by his uncle who was a chaplain in the cathedral of Murcia, Spain. Andrés worked and saved for several years to build up funds to provide for his sister’s marriage and help support his parents; while taking it to them he was attacked by thieves who took it all. He took this as a sign from God that worldly riches had no value, and vowed to devote himself to spiritual riches. He joined the Franciscan Friars Minor in Albacete, Spain on 1 November 1557. He made short pilgrimages to Marian shrines, visited the sick with priests, and spent endless hours in meditation and prayer during Eucharistic Adoration. He moved to the Alcantarine reform convent of San José in Elche, Spain in February 1563; in 1564 he was there when Saint Paschal Baylon received the habit. Assigned to establish a convent in Valencia, Spain, he became a close friend of Saint Juan de Ribera.

Born

1534 in Murcia, Spain

Died

• predicted the date of his death four years before the fact

• 18 April 1602 in Gandia, Valencia, Spain of natural causes immediately after having prayed a rosary

• some relics enshrined in Gandia until they were moved in 1936 to prevent them being destroyed by anti–Catholic forces in the Spanish Civil War

• some relics enshrined in the cathedral in Murcia, Spain

• some relics enshrined in Alcantarilla, Spain in 1936

Beatified

22 May 1791 by Pope Pius VI at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Papal States (modern Italy) (cultus confirmation)

Blessed Idesbald of Dunes

Profile

Court page and courtier to the Count of Flanders, Belgium. Canon priest of Veurne, Belgium in 1135, a position he resigned to become a Cistercian monk at the abbey of Our Lady of the Dunes on the sand hills between Dunkirk and Nieuport. Abbot there for 12 years.

Born

c.1095 at Flanders, Belgium

Died

• 1167

• remains relocated in 1577 to avoid raiders who looted the abbey

• remains relocated in 1623; they were found to be incorrupt

• relics relocated to Bruges, Belgium in 1796 to avoid them being destroyed in the French Revolution

• relics relocated to a chapel at Our Lady of the Potteries Abbey in 1830

• skeletal left arm in the Diocese of Bruges, Belgium

• skeletal right thigh enshrined in the church of Notre-Dame of the Dunes Abbey on 23 June 1968

Beatified

23 July 1894 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

Blessed Savina Petrilli

Also known as

Sabrina

Profile

Second daughter of Celso and Matilde Venturini. At age 10 she read a life of Saint Catherine of Siena, and immediately developed a devotion to her. Savina made her First Communion at age 12. Joined the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary at age 15 and was in was chosen president of the Congregation in 1873. In 1869 she had an audience with Pope Pius IX who urged her to walk in the footsteps of Saint Catherine of Siena. On 15 August 1873 she and five companions, in the chapel of her family’s home, took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in order to found the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Catherine of Siena whose mission is to care for homeless and poor young people. The Sisters founded their first house in Onano, Viterbo, Italy in 1881, their first foreign mission in Belem, Brazil in 1903, and received final approval on 17 June 1906 by Pope Pius X. The Congregation continues her good work today in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, Philippines, Paraguay and the United States with over 80 houses and more than 500 sisters.

Born

29 August 1851 in Siena, Italy

Died

5:20pm on 18 April 1923 in Siena, Italy of cancer

Beatified

24 April 1988 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter’s Square, Rome, Italy

Saint Eleutherius of Illyria

Also known as

Eleftherios, Eleuterio, Eleuterus, Eleutherus, Liberalis, Liberator, Liberatore

Profile

Son of Saint Anthia of Illyria; his father died when the boy was very young. Educated by Bishop Dynamius. Bishop of Illyria, Dalmatia (in modern Croatia) at age 20. Arrested for bringing an imperial Roman official to Christianity. Martyred in the persecutions of Hadrian along with his mother and eleven other Christians whose names have not come down to us.

Born

c.100, possibly in or near Messina, Italy

Died

• beaten to death c.138

• relics enshrined in Rieti, Troia and Velletri in Italy

Blessed Luca Passi

Profile

Born to the Venetian nobility. Ordained on 13 March 1813. Priest in the archdiocese of Venice, Italy. Founded the Institute of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy. Founded the Pious Society of Saint Dorothy.

Born

22 January 1789 in Bergamo, Italy

Died

• 18 April 1866 in Venice, Italy of natural causes

• buried at the mother house of the Institute of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy in Venice, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

• 13 April 2013 by Pope Francis

• beatification celebrated at the Basilica of San Marco, Venice, Italy, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Blessed Roman Archutowski

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Priest in the archdiocese of Warsaw, Poland. Exceptional teacher and rector of the seminary in Warsaw. Imprisoned and tortured at the Majdanek concentration camp by the Gestapo during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. Martyr.

Born

5 August 1882 in Karolin, Mazowieckie, Poland

Died

Palm Sunday, 18 April 1943 in Majdanek, Lubelskie, Poland from starvation and disease

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Perfecto of Córdoba

Also known as

Perfectus

Profile

Priest. Accosted on the street one day by Moors who asked his opinion of Jesus and Mohammed, promising no harm to him no matter the answer. Perfecto explained the Jesus was the Son of God and our Savior, while Mohammed was a false prophet. When his questioners felt that enough time had passed that their promise has dissipated, they had Perfecto arrested, tried, and executed by a Muslim court for blasphemy. Martyr.

Born

at Córdoba, Spain

Died

850 at Cordova, Spain

Saint Galdinus of Milan

Also known as

• Galdinus della Sala

• Galdimus, Galdin, Galdino

Profile

Milanese noble. Priest. Chancellor. Archdeacon. Supported the Roman Pope during the schism of 1159. Fled Milan, Italy in 1161 when Frederick Barbarossa besieged the city in support of the anti-pope, yet was still elected bishop. Cardinal in 1165. Archbishop in 1166. Papal legate to Lombardy. Returned to Milan after the war and helped rebuild it. Died in the pulpit immediately following a sermon against heresies.

Born

1100 at Milan, Italy

Died

1176 at Milan, Italy of natural causes

Saint Laserian of Leighlin

Also known as

• Laserian mac Nadfraech

• Laisren, Lamliss, Lasreano, Lasserian, Molaise, Molaisre, Molaisse, Molios

Additional Memorial

6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

Profile

Son of Cairel. Student of Saint Murin of Fahan. Hermit on Holy Island, Lamlach bay. Ordained by Pope Saint Gregory the Great in Rome, Italy. Consecrated bishop by Pope Honorius I. Apostolic Legate to settle the question of the Easter observance.

Died

7th century of natural causes

Saint Agia of Hainault

Also known as

• Agia of Mons

• Aia, Austregildis, Aya, Aye

Profile

Wife of Saint Hidulphus of Hainault. They separated to enter religious life, Agia becoming a Benedictine nun at the abbey at Mons, Belgium. Widow. Legend says that she managed to avert an injustice by speaking from the tomb.

Died

c.711 of natural causes

Blessed Joseph Moreau

Additional Memorial

2 January as one of the Martyrs of Anjou

Profile

Priest of the diocese of Angers, France. Martyred in the persecutions of the French Revolution.

Born

21 October 1763 in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine, Maine-et-Loire, France

Died

guillotined on Good Friday, 18 April 1794 at Angers, Maine-et-Loire, France

Beatified

19 February 1984 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy

Saint Ursmar of Lobbes

Also known as

Ursmaro

Profile

Abbot of the Benedictine abbey at Lobbes, Belgium c.689. Trained Saint Dodo. Missionary bishop. Helped found Aulne Abbey and the Abbey of Wallers-en-Faigne, France.

Born

c.640

Died

713 in Lobbes, Belgium of natural causes

Saint Calocerus of Brescia

Also known as

Calogerus

Profile

Officer in the army of Emperor Hadrian. Convert. Martyr. Connected in old writings with Saint Faustinus and Saint Jovita.

Died

• beheaded in 2nd century Albenga, Italy

• relics in Chiavaz, Italy

Blessed Louis Leroy

Profile

Member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Priest. Martyr.

Born

8 October 1923 in Ducey, Manche, France

Died

18 April 1961 in Ban Pha, Xieng Khouang, Laos

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis

• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Saint Eugene of Raith-Sithe

Also known as

Eoghan

Profile

Bishop of Raith-Sithe (Ráth Sí Rashee), Down, Ireland.

Born

latter 6th century Ireland

Died

618–619 in Ireland of natural causes

Saint Wicterp of Augsburg

Also known

Wigbert, Wiho, Wicho

Profile

Abbot at Ellwangen, Germany. Founded monasteries at Füssen, Wessobrunn and Kempten in Germany. Bishop of Augsburg, Germany.

Died

749 of natural causes

Saint Anthia of Illyria

Profile

Mother of Saint Eleutherius of Illyria. Martyred in the persecutions of Hadrian along with his mother and eleven other Christians whose names have not come down to us.

Died

c.138

Saint Elpidius of Melitene

Also known as

Elpidio

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Saint Corebus

Profile

Imperial Roman prefect of Messina, Sicily. Converted to Christianity by Saint Eleutherius. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Hadrian.

Died

c.138

Saint Gebuinus of Lyons

Profile

Archbishop of Lyons, France.

Died

1080 of natural causes

Patronage

cathedral chapter of Langres

Saint Hermogenes of Melitene

Profile

Martyr.

Born

4th century Armenian

Died

at Melitene, Armenian

Saint Eusebius of Fano

Profile

Bishop of Fano, Italy.

Died

in 526 in prison at Ravenna, Italy

Saint Pusicio

Profile

Courtier to Shapur II of Persia. Martyr.

Died

stabbed through the neck in Persia (modern Iran)

Saint Bitheus

Profile

Sixth-century monk in Wales. Travelled with and helped Saint Finian of Clonard in his work in Ireland.

Saint Genocus

Profile

Sixth-century monk in Wales. Travelled with and helped Saint Finian of Clonard in his work in Ireland.

Saint Cogitosus

Profile

Eighth-century monk at Kildare, Ireland. Wrote a biography of Saint Brigid.

 Antusa of Constantinople

Anthusa of Constantinople, also known as Saint Anthusa of Constantinople, was a Byzantine princess and saint venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.

Lived: Believed to be between 750 or 757 and 801 or 808 AD.

Family: Daughter of Byzantine Emperor Constantine V and Empress Eudokia.

Religious Devotion: An iconodule (believer in veneration of icons), unlike her father who enforced iconoclasm (destruction of religious images).

Monastic Life: Chose to become a nun and entered the Monastery of Eumenia.

Sainthood: Recognized as a saint by both Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

Feast Days: Celebrated on April 12th and 18th in the Orthodox Church and July 27th in the Catholic Church.

Legacy: Patron saint of convents and abbeys in the Catholic Church.

Details about her life are scarce, with information primarily coming from Orthodox liturgical texts like the Menologion and Synaxarion.

Some sources claim she was named after another Abbess Anthusa, who supposedly predicted her birth to the Empress.

After her father's death, her brother, Emperor Leo IV, granted her access to her possessions, which she likely used for charitable works.

 Lassair of Donaghmoyne

Saint Lassair of Donaghmoyne is a holy figure recognized on April 18th according to the Martyrology of Tallagh. Here's what we know about her:

Martyrology Mention:  The Martyrology of Tallagh, a historical record of Irish saints, mentions Lassair as "Lasar, daughter of Eccain of Maighin" on April 18th. The Bollandists, a group of scholars who compiled information on saints, also mention her as "Lassara filia Egani de Maigin".

Limited Information: Beyond this mention in the Martyrology, there isn't much other information readily available about Saint Lassair's life or deeds.

Depiction:  A stained glass window depicting Saint Lassair exists at Saint Macartan's Cathedral in Clogher, Ireland