Roman Martyrology 2004

Saint John XXIII, pope

Saint John XXIII, pope: a man endowed with extraordinary humanity, with his life, works and supreme pastoral zeal he sought to spread the abundance of Christian charity over all and to promote fraternal union among peoples; particularly attentive to the effectiveness of the mission of the Church of Christ throughout the world, he convoked the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.

Saint Philip the Evangelist, deacon

Commemoration of Saint Philip the Evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons elected by the Apostles: he converted Samaria to the faith of Christ, baptised the eunuch of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, and evangelised all the cities he crossed, up to Caesarea, where he is believed to have his days finished.

Saints Tharacus, Probus and Andronicus, martyrs of Cilicia

At Ainvarza in Cilicia, in present-day Türkiye, Saints Tharacus, Probus and Andronicus, martyrs, who during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian gave their lives to bear witness to their faith in Christ.

Saints Nicaise, Quirin, Scunicule and Pience, martyrs of France

In the territory of Vexin in Gallia Lugdunensis, now in France, commemoration of Saints Nicaise, Quirin, Scunicule and Pience, martyrs.

Saint Saintin, bishop of Verdun

At Verdun also in France, Saint Saintin, bishop, who is believed to have been the first to preach the Gospel in this area.

Saint Sarmatus, abbot and martyr of Egypt

Commemoration of Saint Sarmatus, abbot of the Thebaid, in Egypt, who, as a disciple of Saint Anthony, was killed by the Saracens.

Saint Firmin, bishop of Uzès

At Uzès in Gallia Narbonensis, in present-day France, Saint Firmin, bishop, who, as a disciple of Saint Caesarius of Arles, taught his people the way of truth.

Saint Canice, abbot

In the Ossory region of Ireland, Saint Canice, abbot of the monastery of Achad-Bó, among the many founded by him.

Saint Anastasius the Apocrisarius, priest, apocrisarius of the Church of Rome

Near the fortress of Tzager in the Caucasus mountains, anniversary of the death of Saint Anastasius the Apocrisarius, priest, apocrisary of the Church of Rome, who, as companion of Saint Maximus the Confessor in the testimony of the Catholic faith and in exile, gave up his soul to God, while in the holy Synaxis he recited the words “Holy things to the saints”.

Saint Gummarus, soldier

Near Lier in Brabant, in present-day Belgium, Saint Gummarus, who, as a soldier devoted to God, built an oratory in this place with his possessions, where he was later deposed.

Saint Bruno, bishop of Cologne

At Cologne in Lotharingia in Germany, Saint Bruno, bishop, who, as brother of Emperor Otto I, received both the episcopate and the government of Lotharingia and exercised his priestly ministry with great care and the functions of ruler with magnanimity according to the needs of his times.

Blessed Radzym, bishop of Gniezno

At Gniezno in Poland, Saint Gaudentius or Radzim, bishop, who, as brother in the flesh and in the spirit as well as faithful companion of Saint Adalbert, bishop of Prague, witnessed his martyrdom and was later thrown into prison himself.

Saint Meinhard, bishop of Riga

At Riga on the Baltic Sea, commemoration of Saint Meinhard, bishop, who, at first a monk in Germany, by then already advanced in years set out to evangelise the Latvian people; he built the church of Üksküll and, after ordination as bishop, effectively laid the foundations of the Christian faith in this region.

Blessed Giacomo da Ulma Griesinger, Dominican religious

At Bologna, Blessed Giacomo da Ulma Griesinger, religious of the Order of Preachers, who, although illiterate, was a talented decorator of stained glass windows and for fifty years offered everyone an example of dedication to work and prayer.

Saint Alessandro Sauli, Barnabite, bishop of Pavia

At Calosso d’Asti in Piedmont, transitus of Saint Alessandro Sauli, bishop of Aleria in Corsica and then of Pavia, who, as a member of the Congregation of Regular Clerics of Saint Paul, gave relief to the poor with admirable charity.

Saint Phêrô Lê Tùy, priest and martyr of Vietnam

At Hanoi in Tonkin, now Vietnam, Saint Phêrô Lê Tùy, priest and martyr, who was beheaded for Christ under Emperor Minh Mang.

Saint María Soledad Torres y Acosta, virgin and founder of the Servants of Mary

At Madrid in Spain, Saint María Soledad Torres y Acosta, virgin, who from an early age showed extraordinary attention to the needy sick, whom she assisted with tireless self-denial, especially in the Congregation of the Servants of Mary Ministers of the Infirm which she founded.

Blessed Ángel Ramos Velázquez, Salesian religious and martyr of Spain

At Barcelona also in Spain, Blessed Ángel Ramos Velázquez, religious of the Salesian Society and martyr, who brought to completion his battle for the faith in times of persecution against the Church.

Saint Edisto, martyr at Rome

At Rome on Via Laurentina, Saint Edisto, martyr.

Saint Domnina, martyr in Cilicia

At Ainvarza in Cilicia, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Domnina, martyr, who is said to have suffered many tortures under Emperor Diocletian and the governor Lycia and gave her spirit to God in prison.

Saints Cyprian, Felix and 4964 companions, martyrs and confessors

Commemoration of the four thousand nine hundred and sixty-six martyrs and confessors of the faith: bishops, priests and deacons of the Church of God together with an immense crowd of faithful, during the Vandal persecution in Africa, by order of the Arian King Huneric, were exiled in hatred of the Catholic truth in a horrendous desert and finally celebrated martyrdom after various tortures. Among them were Cyprian and Felix, bishops, distinguished priests of the Lord.

Saint Opilione, deacon

At Piacenza, Saint Opilione, deacon.

Saint Felix IV (III), pope

At Rome, Saint Felix IV (III), pope, who transformed two temples of the Roman Forum into a church in honour of Saints Cosmas and Damian and worked hard for the right faith.

Saint Maximilian, bishop of Lauriacum and martyr

In the territory of present-day Austria, Saint Maximilian, who is believed to have been bishop of Lorch.

Saint Rodobaldo, bishop of Pavia

At Pavia, Saint Rodobaldo, bishop, a man of exemplary spirit of penance, who worked hard for divine worship and in the search for the relics of saints.

Saint Serafino da Montegranaro, Capuchin religious

At Ascoli, Saint Serafino da Montegranaro, religious of the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin, who, truly poor, shone with humility and piety.

Blessed John Baptist Bullaker, Franciscan priest and martyr of England

At London in England, Blessed John Baptist Bullaker, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who, arrested in the reign of Charles I at the very moment he was celebrating Mass, was hanged at Tyburn for his priesthood and disembowelled while still alive.

Blessed José González Huguet, priest and martyr of Spain

At the village of Ribarroja de Turía in the territory of Valencia in Spain, Blessed José González Huguet, priest and martyr, who, during the persecution against the faith, carried out the glorious fight for Christ.

Blessed Pacífico de Valencia Salcedo Puchades, Capuchin religious

At the village of Massamagrel in the same territory in Spain, Blessed Pacífico de Valencia Salcedo Puchades, religious of the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin and martyr, who in the same persecution conformed to the passion of Christ.

Blessed Roman Sitko, priest and martyr at Auschwitz

In the extermination camp of Auschwitz near Krakow in Poland, Blessed Roman Sitko, priest and martyr, who, during the occupation of Poland in the course of the war, cruelly tortured by persecutors of human dignity and faith, passed to the vision of eternal bliss.

Saint Theophilus, bishop of Antioch

Commemoration of Saint Theophilus, bishop of Antioch, a man of great culture, who held the pontificate of this Church, sixth after the blessed Apostle Peter, and wrote a work against Marcion to defend the right faith.

Saints Faustus, Januarius and Martial, martyrs at Cordoba

At Cordoba in Andalusia, Spain, Saints Faustus, Januarius and Martial, martyrs, adorning the city like three crowns.

Saint Florentius, martyr in Macedonia

At Thessalonica in Macedonia, now in Greece, Saint Florentius, called the Younger, hermit, consumed by fasting, vigils and labours for Christ.

Saint Lubentius, priest

At Kobern on the Moselle near Trier, Germany, Saint Lubentius, priest.

Saint Romolo, bishop of Genova

At Sanremo on the Ligurian coast, deposition of Saint Romolo, bishop of Genoa, who, full of apostolic zeal, died while visiting rural populations.

Saint Venant, abbot of Tours

At Tours in Gallia Lugdunensis, now in France, Saint Venant, abbot, who, married at a young age, went to the basilica of Saint Martin and, impressed by the life of the monks, with the consent of his wife chose to live among them in Christ.

Saint Léobon, hermit

At Salagnac near Limoges in Aquitaine, also in France, Saint Léobon, hermit.

Saint Comgán, abbot, and Saint Caintigern

On the Isle of Iona in Scotland, deposition of Saint Comgán, abbot, who came from Ireland to this region together with his sister Saint Caintigern, her children and some missionaries.

Saint Simperto, abbot of Murbach and later bishop of Augusta

At Augsburg in Bavaria in Germany, Saint Simperto, who was bishop and abbot of Murbach.

Saint Géraud, founder of abbey of Aurillac

At Saint-Ciergues in the Auvergne region in France, Saint Géraud, who, as Count of Aurillac, with great profit for his possessions, secretly led a monastic life under the secular habit, becoming a reference model for the powerful.

Saint Chelidonia, virgin

Near Subiaco in Lazio, Saint Chelidonia, virgin: it is handed down that for fifty-two years she led a solitary life of extreme austerity, serving God alone.

Blessed Maddalena Panattieri, Dominican virgin

At Trino in Monferrato in Piedmont, Blessed Maddalena Panattieri, virgin, nun of Penance of Saint Dominic.

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa

At the village of Balasar near Braga in Portugal, Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa: paralysed in her whole body to escape the evil intentions of someone against her, she offered all her pains to the Lord out of love for God and needy brothers in the contemplation of the Eucharist.

Saint Callixtus I, pope and martyr

Saint Callixtus I, pope, martyr: as deacon, after a long exile in Sardinia, he took care of the cemetery on Via Appia known under his name, where he collected the remains of martyrs for future veneration of posterity; later having been elected pope, he promoted correct doctrine and benevolently reconciled the sinful, finally crowning his industrious episcopate with a luminous martyrdom. On this day we commemorate the deposition of his body in the Calepodius cemetery on Via Aurelia at Rome.

Saint Lupulo, martyr at Capua

At Capua in Campania, Saint Lupulo, martyr.

Saint Gaudenzio, first bishop of Rimini

At Rimini, Saint Gaudenzio, who is believed to have been, in times of persecution, the first bishop of this city.

Saint Donatien, first bishop of Reims

At Bruges in the territory of present-day Belgium, commemoration of Saint Donatien, bishop of Reims, whose relics are kept in this city.

Saint Fortunato, bishop of Todi

At Todi in Umbria, Saint Fortunato, bishop, who, as Pope Saint Gregory the Great relates, shone with immense virtue in providing assistance to the sick.

Saint Ménehould, virgin

In the territory of Châlons in Champagne in France, Saint Ménehould, virgin.

Saint Venanzio, bishop of Luni

At Luni in Liguria, commemoration of Saint Venanzio, bishop, who took particular care of the clergy and monks and was an esteemed friend of Pope Saint Gregory the Great.

Saint Angadrême, abbess

Near Beauvais in Neustria, now in France, Saint Angadrême, abbess of the monastery founded by Saint Ebrulf and called the Oratory, because she had several places of prayer, in which she ceaselessly served the Lord.

Saint Domenico, Camaldolese priest

At San Severino in the Marches, Saint Dominic, known as Loricatus due to the iron belt with which he was girded around his hips, priest of the Camaldolese Order, who, ordained by simony, then becoming a hermit monk and a disciple of Saint Damian, led a harsh life of austerity and penance.

Blessed Jacques Laigneau de Langellerie, priest and martyr of France

At Angers in France, Blessed Jacques Laigneau de Langellerie, priest and martyr, who, during the French Revolution, was guillotined for his priesthood.

Blessed Ana María Aranda Riera, virgin and martyr of Spain

At the village of Picadero de Paterna in the territory of Valencia in Spain, Blessed Ana María Aranda Riera, virgin and martyr, who, in times of persecution against the faith, shed her blood for Christ.

Blesseds Stanisław Mysakowski and Franciszek Rosłaniec, priests and martyrs of England

In the prison camp of Dachau near Munich in Germany, Blesseds Stanisław Mysakowski and Franciszek Rosłaniec, priests and martyrs, who, during the wartime occupation of Poland by enemies of God and human dignity, suffered the martyrdom in a gas chamber.

Blessed Roman Lysko, priest and martyr of Ukraine

At Lviv in Ukraine, Blessed Roman Lysko, priest and martyr, who, during the persecution against the faith, constantly following in the footsteps of Christ, came by his grace to the kingdom of heaven.

Saint Teresa of Jesus, Discalced carmelite virgin of Ávila and doctor of the Church

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church: entering the Carmelite Order at Ávila in Spain and becoming a mother and teacher of very strict observance, she arranged in her heart a path of spiritual perfection under the appearance of an ascent of the soul to God step by step; for the reform of her Order she endured many tribulations which she always overcame with invincible spirit; she also wrote books imbued with lofty doctrine and laden with her profound experience.

Saint Barses, bishop of Edessa in Osrhoëne

At Edessa in ancient Syria, commemoration of Saint Barses, bishop, who, relegated by the Arian emperor Valens to distant regions for his righteous faith and condemned to exile in three different places, ended his life on a day in March that remained unknown.

Saint Severus, bishop of Trier

At Trier in Gallia Belgica, in present-day Germany, Saint Severus, bishop, who, as a disciple of Saint Lupus of Troyes, was a companion of Saint Germanus of Auxerre in the fight against the Pelagian heresy in Brittany and preached the Gospel of Christ among the Germans.

Saint Thecla, abbess of Kitzingen

At Kitzingen in Germany, Saint Thecla, abbess, who, sent from England to help Saint Boniface, first ruled the monastery of Ochsenfurt and then that of Kitzingen.

Birth of Saint Hedwig of Silesia, religious

In the monastery of Trebnitz in Silesia, Poland, the anniversary of the death of Saint Hedwig of Silesia, nun, whose memorial will be celebrated tomorrow.

Blessed Gonçalo de Lagos, Augustinian priest

At Torresvedras in Portugal, Blessed Gonçalo de Lagos, priest of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, who devoted himself zealously to teaching Christian precepts to children and the uncultured.

Saint Magdalena, virgin and martyr of Japan

At Nagasaki in Japan, Saint Magdalena, virgin and martyr, strong in spirit both in promoting the faith and in enduring for thirteen days the gallows torture under Emperor Yemitsu.

Blessed Narciso Basté Basté, priest and martyr of Spain

At Valencia in Spain, Blessed Narciso Basté Basté, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who, faithfully accepting the words of Christ, passed from death to eternal life in a time of persecution against the faith.

Saint Hedwig, duchess of Silesia

Saint Hedwig, religious, who, of Bavarian origin and duchess of Poland, devoted herself assiduously to assisting the poor, founding hospices for them, and, after the death of her husband, Duke Henry, spent the remaining years of her life industriously in the monastery of the Cistercian nuns she founded and of which her daughter Gertrude was abbess. She died at Trebnitz in Poland on October 15.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, visionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin, who, having entered among the nuns of the Order of the Visitation of the Blessed Mary, ran in an admirable way along the path of perfection; endowed with mystical gifts and particularly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she did much to promote his cult in the Church. At Paray-le-Monial near Autun in France, on October 17, she fell asleep in the Lord.

Saint Longinus, soldier at the cross of Jesus

At Jerusalem, the commemoration of Saint Longinus, venerated as the soldier who opened the side of the crucified Lord with a spear.

Saint Eliphius, martyr at Toul

In the territory of Toul in France, Saint Eliphius, who is handed down to have received the crown of martyrdom.

Saints Martinian, Saturian and Maxima, martyrs in Africa

Commemoration of Saints Martinian and Saturian, martyrs in Africa, together with two of their brothers who, at the time of the Vandal persecution perpetrated under the Arian king Genseric, slaves of a Vandal, had been converted to faith in Christ by Saint Maxima, virgin, their fellow slaves, and, after being beaten with large sticks and torn to the bone for their steadfastness in the right faith, were finally banished to the Moors, where they were sentenced to death for having led some to faith in Christ; Maxima, on the other hand, freed after having overcome many battles, fell asleep holy in a monastery, where she had become the mother of many virgins.

Saints Amand and Junien, hermits

In the territory of Limoges in Aquitaine, now in France, Saints Amand and his disciple Junien, hermits.

Saint Gallus, abbot

Near Arbon in present-day Switzerland, Saint Gallus, priest and monk, who, welcomed as a boy by Saint Columban in the monastery of Bangor in Ireland, spread the Gospel with dedication in this region and taught his brothers the observance of the rule, until he rested almost as a centenary in the Lord.

Saint Momelin, bishop of Noyon

At Noyon in Neustria, now in France, Saint Momelin, bishop, who first as a monk helped Saint Audomar in his missionary work and then succeeded Saint Eligius in the episcopal see.

Saint Lullus, bishop of Mainz

In the monastery of Heresfeld in Franconia in Germany, Saint Lullus, bishop of Mainz, who, as companion and collaborator of Saint Boniface in preaching, was ordained bishop by him, to be a guide for the priests, a master of the rule for the monks and the Christian people a faithful preacher and shepherd.

Saint Vital, hermit at Nantes

In the territory of Retz near Nantes in Brittany, Saint Vital, hermit.

Saint Gaudéric, farmer

In the territory of Mirepoix in the Pyrenees in France, Saint Gaudéric, farmer, famous for his piety towards the Mother of God.

Saint Bonnette, virgin

At Brioude near Clermont-Ferrand in Aquitaine, also in France, Saint Bonnette, virgin.

Saint Anastase, Benedictine monk

At Pamiers near the Pyrenees also in France, Saint Anastase, monk, who, born in Venice, at first led a hermitic life on the island of Rocher de Tombelaine near Mont-Saint-Michel, later a monastic life at Cluny, to finally retire in the last years in solitude.

Saint Bertrand, bishop of Comminges

At Cominges, also on the French side of the Pyrenees, Saint Bertrand, bishop, who, on the recommendation of Pope Saint Gregory VII, worked strenuously for the reform of the Church, restored his city ruined by the neglect of time and completely rebuilt the cathedral, where he instituted the canons regular under the discipline of Saint Augustine.

Blessed Gérard de Clairvaux, abbot of Clairvaux, martyr

In the monastery of Igny in the territory of Reims in France, transitus of Blessed Gérard de Clairvaux, abbot, killed by an evil monk while he was visiting this cenoby.

Saint Gerardo Maiella, Redemptorist religious

At Materdomini in Campania, Saint Gerardo Maiella, religious of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who, enraptured by an intense love for God, embraced an austere lifestyle wherever he found himself and, consumed by his fervour for God and for souls, fell asleep piously still at a young age.

Blesseds Anicet Kopliński, Capuchin priest, and Józef Jankowski, Pallotine priest, martyrs at Auschwitz

Near Krakow in Poland, in the extermination camp of Auschwitz, Saints Anicet Kopliński, of the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin, and Józef Jankowski, of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, priests and martyrs, who, during the military occupation of the homeland by the followers of an impious doctrine hostile to men and to the faith, testified to their faith in Christ until their death, one killed in a gas chamber, the other by camp guards.

Saint Ignatius, bishop of Antioch and martyr

Memorial of Saint Ignatius, bishop and martyr, disciple of Saint John the Apostle, who ruled the Church of Antioch second after Saint Peter. Condemned to the Colosseum under Emperor Trajan, he was brought to Rome and crowned here by a glorious martyrdom: during the journey, while experiencing the ferocity of the guards, similar to that of leopards, he wrote seven letters to different churches, in which he exhorted the brothers to serve God in communion with the bishops and not to prevent him from being immolated as a victim for Christ.

Saint Hosea, prophet

Commemoration of Saint Hosea, prophet, who, not only with his words but also with his life, showed to the unfaithful people of Israel the Lord as an ever faithful Spouse and moved by infinite mercy.

Saints Rufus and Zosimus, martyrs

Commemoration of Saints Rufus and Zosimus, martyrs, whom Blessed Polycarp associated in martyrdom with Saint Ignatius, writing to the Philippians: “They shared the passion of the Lord and did not love the present century, but the one who died for them and for all risen.”

Holy martyrs of Volitani

In Proconsular Africa, in present-day Tunisia, the holy martyrs of Volitani, whom Saint Augustine celebrated in a sermon by him.

Saint John, hermit in Egypt

At Asyut in Egypt, Saint John, hermit, who, among the many signs of virtue, was also famous for the spirit of prophecy.

Saint Dulcide, bishop of Agen

At Agen in Aquitaine, now in France, Saint Dulcide, bishop, who tenaciously defended the Catholic faith against the Arian heresy.

Saint Florent, bishop of Orange

At Orange in Provence in France, Saint Florent, bishop.

Blessed Gilbert, abbot of Cîteaux

At Toulouse also in France, the anniversary of the death of Blessed Gilbert, abbot of Cîteaux, who, of English origin, was a man of high science and defended Saint Thomas Becket in exile.

Blessed Baldassarre Ravaschieri, Franciscan priest

At Binasco in Lombardy, Blessed Baldassarre Ravaschieri, priest of the Order of Friars Minor.

Saint Richard Gwyn, martyr of England

At Wrexham in Wales, Saint Richard Gwyn, martyr, who, father of family and schoolmaster, professed the Catholic faith and, arrested for having persuaded others to embrace it, after long torments, unconquered in the faith, was hanged on the scaffold and disembowelled while alive.

Blessed Pietro della Natività di Maria, Piarist priest

At Rome, Blessed Pietro della Natività di Maria Casani, priest of the Order of Clerics Regular of the Pious Schools, who placed his gifts of nature and grace at the service of the education of children, happy only to serve God in the little ones.

Transitus of Saint Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, virgin

At Paray-le-Monial in the territory of Autun in France, transitus of Saint Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, virgin, whose memorial is celebrated the day before this.

Blessed Jacques Burin, priest and martyr of France

In the territory of Laval also in France, Blessed Jacques Burin, priest and martyr, who worked a lot during the French revolution in the clandestine exercise of the pastoral ministry and, fleeing from house to house from the horde of his persecutors, died in the end by being shot with a chalice in the hand.

Blesseds Marie-Natalie-Joseph de Saint-Louis and 4 companions, Ursuline virgins, martyrs of France

Also at Valencienne in France, Blesseds Marie-Natalie-Joseph de Saint-Louis Vanot and four companions, virgins of the Order of the Ursulines and martyrs, who, sentenced to death during the French Revolution out of hatred for the Catholic faith, climbed the scaffold reciting the Miserere psalm.

Saint François-Isidore Gagelin, priest and martyr of Vietnam

At Huê in ancient Annam, now Vietnam, Saint François-Isidore Gagelin, priest of the Society of Paris Foreign Missions and martyr, strangled for Christ under Emperor Minh Mang.

Blessed Contardo Ferrini

At Suna near Lake Maggiore, Blessed Contardo Ferrini, who, in educating young people, with his example of faith and Christian life went far beyond human science.

Blessed Fidel Fuidio Rodríguez, Marist religious, martyr of Spain

At Ciudad Real in Spain, Blessed Fidel Fuidio Rodríguez, religious of the Society of Mary and martyr, who, in times of persecution against the faith, was shot and passed to the Lord.

Blessed Ramón Esteban Bou Pascual, priest and martyr of Spain

At La Nucía near Alicante, also in Spain, Blessed Ramón Esteban Bou Pascual, priest and martyr, who, during the same persecution, as a faithful disciple, deserved salvation in the blood of Christ.

Blessed Társila Córdoba Belda, martyr of Spain

At the city of Algemesí in the territory of Valencia also in Spain, Blessed Társila Córdoba Belda, martyr, who, as mother of family, also in the same persecution was welcomed by Christ in her glory.

Saint Luke, evangelist

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist, who, according to tradition, was born in Antioch to a pagan family and a doctor by profession, converted to faith in Christ. Having become a dear companion of Saint Paul the Apostle, he carefully arranged all the works and teachings of Jesus in the Gospel, becoming a scribe of Christ’s meekness, and narrated in the Acts of the Apostles the beginnings of the life of the Church until Paul’s first stay at Rome.

Saint Ascelpiades, bishop of Antioch

At Antioch in Syria, Saint Ascelpiades, bishop, who was one of the distinguished confessors of the faith at the time of persecution.

Saints Proculo, Eutichio and Acuzio, martyrs at Pozzuoli

At Pozzuoli in Campania, the holy martyrs Proculo, deacon, Eutichio and Acuzio.

Saint Amable, priest

At Riom in Aquitaine, now in France, Saint Amable, priest.

Saint Monon, martyr in Brabant

At Nassogne in Brabant, in the territory of present-day Belgium, Saint Monon, who is believed to have been a hermit in the Ardennes forest and martyr.

Saint Pedro de Alcántara de Garavito y Vilela de Sanabria, priest, founder of Discalced Franciscans

At Arenas in Castile in Spain, Saint Pedro de Alcántara de Garavito y Vilela de Sanabria, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, distinguished for the gift of counselling and for his life of penance and austerity, renewed the discipline of observance in the convents of the Order in Spain and was counsellor of Saint Teresa of Jesus in the reform of the Carmelite Order.

Passion of Saint Isaac Jogues, Jesuit priest and martyr of America

At the village of Ossernenon in Canadian territory, passion of Saint Isaac Jogues, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who, enslaved by some pagans and having his fingers mutilated, later died with his head smashed by an axe blow. His memorial is celebrated tomorrow together with that of his companions.

Birth of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest

At Rome, the anniversary of the death of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest, whose memorial is celebrated tomorrow.

Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Jean de Lalande, René Goupil, Gabriel Lalemant, Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier and Noël Chabanel, Jesuit religious, martyrs of Canada

Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs, of the Society of Jesus: on this day Saint Jean de Lalande, religious, was killed by some local pagans at the village of Ossernenon, today in Canada, where, a few years earlier, Saint René Goupil had also received the palm of martyrdom. In a single commemoration, their brothers are also celebrated on this day, Saints Gabriel Lalemant, Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier and Noël Chabanel, who died as martyrs in Canadian territory on different days, after many efforts in the mission to the Hurons for proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the people of this region.

Saint Paul of the Cross, priest, founder of the Passionists

Saint Paul of the Cross, priest, who from his youth shone through a spirit of penance and zeal and, moved by singular charity towards Christ crucified contemplated in the face of the poor and the sick, established the Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Cross and of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The anniversary of his death, which took place at Rome, is the previous day.

Saint Joel, prophet

Commemoration of Saint Joel, prophet, who announced the great day of the Lord and the mystery of the outpouring of his Spirit on every man, which the divine majesty deigned to perform admirably in Christ on the day of Pentecost.

Saints Ptolemy, Lucius and companions, martyrs at Rome

At Rome, commemoration of Saints Ptolemy, Lucius and another companion, who, as reported by Saint Justin, recognised as Christians for having blamed the licentiousness of the customs and the injustice of the sentences, were condemned under Emperor Antoninus Pius by the prefect Lollo Urbico.

Saint Asterio, martyr at Ostia

At Ostia in Lazio, Saint Asterio, martyr.

Saints Savinien and Potentien, bishops of Sens, martyrs

Near Sens in Gallia Lugdunensis, now in France, commemoration of Saints Savinien and Potentien, who, considered the first shepherds of this city, crowned their profession of faith in it with martyrdom.

Saint Varus, martyr in Egypt

In Egypt, Saint Varus, soldier, who, under Emperor Maximian, while visiting and comforting six hermit saints kept in prison, wanted to take the place of a seventh who had died in the hermitage and, thus, suffered cruel tortures together with them received the palm of martyrdom.

Saint Grat, bishop of Oloron

At Oléron on the French side of the Pyrenees in Aquitaine, now in France, commemoration of Saint Grat, bishop, who, in the time of Alaric, Arian king of the Goths, attended the Council of Agde to reform the Church in this region of France.

Saint Ethbin, monk

In Brittany, Saint Ethbin, monk, who led a solitary life.

Saint Véran, bishop of Cavaillon

At Cavaillon in Provence in France, Saint Véran, bishop, full of great virtues, especially in assisting the sick.

Saint Aquilin, bishop of Évreux

At Évreux also in France, Saint Aquilin, bishop, who, as is handed down, was a soldier dedicated to good works and, having made a vow of continence with the consent of his wife, was finally elected bishop of this see.

Saint Frithuswith, virgin

At Oxford in England, Saint Frithuswith, virgin, who, born of royal lineage and became abbess, ruled two monasteries, one of monks, the other of consecrated virgins.

Blessed Thomas Hélye, priest

At Biville near Cherbourg in Normandy, Blessed Thomas Hélye, priest, who committed his days to the exercise of his sacred ministry, his nights to prayer and penance.

Saint Philip Howard, martyr of England

At London in England, Saint Philip Howard, martyr, who, as Earl of Arundel and father of family, falling into disfavour with Queen Elizabeth for having embraced the Catholic faith, was thrown into prison, where, admirably dedicated to prayer and penance, he deserved to receive the crown of martyrdom consumed by hardship and torture.

Saints Lucas del Espíritu Santo Alonso Gorda and Matthaeus Kohyōe, Dominican religious, martyrs of Japan

At Nagasaki in Japan, the holy martyrs Lucas del Espíritu Santo Alonso Gorda, priest, and Matthaeus Kohyōe, religious, both of the Order of Preachers, of whom the first was a courageous minister of the Gospel first in the Philippine Islands and then for ten years in Japan, while the other, eighteen years old, was his companion in announcing and testifying to the faith.

Blessed Agnès de Jésus Galand, Dominican virgin

At Langeac along the Allier River in France, Blessed Agnès de Jésus Galand, virgin of the Order of Preachers, who, as prioress of the convent, shone in her ardent love for Jesus Christ and in her dedication to the Church, offering constant prayers and penance for her shepherds.

Saint Cornelius, centurion

Commemoration of Saint Cornelius, centurion, who was baptised by Saint Peter the Apostle in Caesarea in Palestine, the first fruits of the Church of the Gentiles.

Saint Caprais, martyr

At Agen in Aquitaine, now in France, Saint Caprais, martyr.

Saint Sindulphe, hermit

At Aussonce in the territory of Reims also in France, Saint Sindulphe, hermit, who led a solitary life, known only to God.

Saint Vitale, bishop of Salzburg

At Salzburg in Bavaria, in present-day Austria, Saint Vitale, bishop, who, originally from Ireland, was a disciple of Saint Rupert, his travel companion and imitator of his labours and his vigils; elected by him as his successor, he converted the people of Pinzgau to faith in Christ.

Saint Andrew of Crete, monk and martyr at Constantinople

At Constantinople, Saint Andrew of Crete, monk and martyr, who, born on the island of Crete, flogged several times under Emperor Constantine Copronymos for the cult of sacred images and subjected to torture, died in a rush among the rubbish from the city walls.

Saint Adérald, archdeacon of Troyes

Near Troyes along the Seine in France, Saint Adérald, archdeacon, who brought prestige to the canonical rule with his admonitions and his example, even while in the Holy Land he was held prisoner by the Saracens.

Saint Adeline, first abbess of Mortain

At Savigny in Normandy, Saint Adeline, first abbess of the monastery of Mortain, which she founded with the help of her brother Saint Vitalis.

Blessed Jakub Strzemię, Franciscan, archbishop of Halyč

At Lviv in Ukraine, Blessed Jakub Strzemię, bishop of Halicz, of the Order of Minors, distinguished for his pastoral concern and apostolic virtues.

Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin, Dorothean virgin

At Treviso, Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin, virgin of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothea of the Sacred Hearts, who worked in the hospital for the health of the sick in body and spirit.

Blessed Jakob Kern, Premonstratensian priest

At Vienna in Austria, Blessed Jakob Kern, priest of the Premonstratensian Order: called up in the First World War while still being a student and seriously wounded, he later dedicated himself with all solicitude to the pastoral ministry, which he exercised for a short time, struck by a long and inexorable illness, which he accepted with fortitude, in peaceful obedience to the will of God.