Roman Martyrology 2004

Saints Christopher Magallanes and 24 companions, martyrs of Mexico

Saints Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs, who, persecuted in hatred of the Christian faith and the Catholic Church for having professed Christ the King, obtained the crown of martyrdom in various regions of Mexico.

Saint Timothy, deacon and martyr

In Mauritania, in the present territory of Algeria, Saint Timothy, deacon and martyr.

Saint Polyeuctus, martyr in Cappadocia

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Polyeuctus, martyr.

Holy martyrs of Alexandria of Egypt, under Emperor Constantius

Commemoration of the holy martyrs, men and women, whom, at Alexandria of Egypt on the sacred days of Pentecost, the Arian bishop George, under Emperor Constantius, had cruelly killed or exiled.

Saint Patern, bishop of Vannes

At Vannes in Brittany, France, commemoration of Saint Patern, bishop, who is said to have been ordained bishop on this day by Saint Perpetuus of Tours in a provincial council gathered here.

Saint Hospice, recluse

Near Nice in Provence, France, Saint Hospice, hermit, who was a man of admirable spirit of penance and predicted the arrival of the Lombards.

Saint Manços, martyr at Evora

At Évora in Portugal, Saint Manços, martyr.

Saint Teobaldo, bishop of Vienne

At Vienne in Burgundy, now in France, Saint Teobaldo, bishop, who for forty-four years honoured this see with his illustrious example of charity and piety.

Saint Hemming, bishop of Åbo

At Turku in Finland, Saint Hemming, bishop, who shone for his pastoral zeal: he renewed the discipline of this Church with the convening of a synod, encouraged the studies of clerics, gave greater decorum to divine worship and promoted peace between the peoples.

Blessed Léon Mopinot, Christian Schools brother, martyr of France

Off Rochefort on the French coast, Blessed Léon Mopinot, brother of the Christian Schools and martyr, who, during the French Revolution, as a religious, was detained on a sordid prison ship where he died of illness.

Saint Eugène de Mazenod, archbishop-bishop of Marseille, founder of the Oblates

At Marseille in France, Saint Eugène de Mazenod, bishop, who, in order to bring the Gospel among the poor, established the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and for about twenty-five years brought prestige to his Church with virtues, works, preaching and writings.

Saint Rita of Cascia, widow and Augustinian nun

Saint Rita of Cascia, religious, who patiently endured mistreatment by her violent husband, finally reconciling him with God; later, left without her husband and her children, she entered the monastery of the Order of Saint Augustine at Cascia in Umbria, offering everyone a sublime example of patience and compunction.

Saints Castus and Emilius, martyrs

In Africa, Saints Castus and Emilius, martyrs, who ended their passion in fire. As Saint Cyprian writes, after a victory in a first fight, the Lord made them victorious in a second test, making them stronger than those flames to which the bodies had previously succumbed.

Saint Basiliscus, bishop of Comana Pontica and martyr

At Gumenek in Pontus, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Basiliscus, bishop and martyr.

Saint Julie, virgin and martyr in Corsica

On the island of Corsica, commemoration of Saint Julie, virgin and martyr.

Saint Quitterie, virgin and martyr at Aire-sur-le-Lys

In the territory of Aire-sur-le-Lys in the Aquitaine region of France, Saint Quitterie, virgin.

Saint Ausone, first bishop of Angoulême

At Angoulême also in Aquitaine, Saint Ausone, considered the first bishop of this city.

Saint Loup, bishop of Limoges

At Limoges also in Aquitaine, Saint Loup, bishop, who signed the foundation of the monastery of Solesmes.

Saint Giovanni, abbot of Parma

At Parma, Saint Giovanni, abbot, who, following the advice of Saint Mayeul of Cluny, established many precepts in his monastery to promote the observance of monastic discipline.

Saint Atto, Vallombrosian abbot, bishop of Pistoia

At Pistoia, Saint Atto, bishop, who, as abbot in the Order of Vallombrosa, was later placed at the helm of the Church of Pistoia.

Saint Umiltà, Vallombrosian abbess

At Florence, Saint Umiltà (Rosanna), who, with the consent of her husband, lived twelve years as a recluse; at the request of the bishop she then built a monastery of which she became abbess and which she associated with the Order of Vallombrosa.

Blessed John Forest, Franciscan priest and martyr of England

At London in England, Blessed John Forest, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who was martyred under King Henry VIII for defending the unity of the Catholic Church, burned alive at the stake in Smithfield Square together with sacred wooden images.

Blesseds Pedro de la Asunción, Franciscan priest, and João Baptista Machado de Távora, Jesuit priest, martyrs of Japan

At the city of Kori in Japan, Blesseds Pedro de la Asunción, of the Order of Friars Minor, and João Baptista Machado de Távora, priests and martyrs, who, for having exercised their ministry clandestinely, were beheaded in hatred of the Christian faith.

Blessed Matthias, catechist and martyr of Japan

At Omura also in Japan, Blessed Matthias, martyr, who, as a catechist, having refused to betray another missionary, was tortured to death.

Saint Micae Hô Ðình Hy, catechist and martyr of Vietnam

In the kingdom of Annam, now Vietnam, Saint Micae Hô Ðình Hy, martyr, who, as a mandarin, imperial officer and catechist, denounced as a Christian, died beheaded after atrocious tortures.

Saint Laurensô Phạm Viết Ngôn, martyr of Vietnam

At the city of An-Xà in Tonkin, now Vietnam, Saint Laurensô Phạm Viết Ngôn, martyr, who, as father of family and farmer, knelt down and adored the cross which the soldiers had ordered him to trample on and, having fearlessly professed before the judge his Christian faith, was immediately beheaded.

Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini, religious, founder of the Sisters of the Least

At Lucca, Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini, religious, who founded the Congregation of the Sister Ministers of the Infirm of Saint Camillus.

Saints Lucius, Montanus, Julian, Victoricus, Victor and Donatian, martyrs

At Carthage, in present-day Tunisia, Saints Lucius, Montanus, Julian, Victoricus, Victor and Donatian, martyrs, who, for the religion and faith they had learned from the teaching of Saint Cyprian, faced martyrdom under Emperor Valerian.

Holy martyrs of Cappadocia

Commemoration of the holy martyrs, who died in Cappadocia with broken legs during the persecution of Emperor Maximian.

Holy martyrs of Mesopotamia

Commemoration of the holy martyrs, who in Mesopotamia, in the same period, hung by their feet and with their heads down, were suffocated by smoke and burned alive.

Saint Efebo, bishop of Naples

At Naples, Saint Efebo, bishop, who governed the people of God with great holiness and served them faithfully.

Saint Didier, bishop of Langres and martyr

Near Langres in Gallia Lugdunensis, now in France, passion of Saint Didier, bishop, who, as is handed down, seeing his people oppressed by the Vandals, went to their king to beg him, but, by order of this man, was immediately slaughtered, offering himself serenely for the good of the flock entrusted to him.

Saint Eutichio, abbot of Norcia

In the territory of Norcia in Umbria, commemoration of Saint Eutichio, abbot, who, as Pope Saint Gregory the Great recounts, first practised a solitary life together with Saint Florentius, leading many to God with his encouragement, and later governed the nearby monastery.

Saint Spes, abbot

Also at Norcia, Saint Spes, abbot, who for forty years endured blindness with admirable patience.

Saint Onorato, abbot of Subiaco

Near Subiaco in Lazio, commemoration of Saint Onorato, abbot, who was head of the community that had previously belonged to Saint Benedict.

Saint Syagre, bishop of Nice

At Nice in Provence, France, Saint Syagre, bishop, who built a monastery at the tomb of Saint Pontius.

Saint Michael, bishop of Synnada in Phrygia

At Synnada in Phrygia, today in Türkiye, Saint Michael, bishop, who, as a man of peace, favoured harmony between the Greeks and Latins; later relegated to exile for the cult of sacred images, he died far from his homeland.

Saint Guibert, monk

Near Gemboux in the territory of Liège in Lotharingia, in present-day Belgium, deposition of Saint Guibert, monk, who, having abandoned military life and embraced the discipline of monastic life, built a cenoby on a land he owned, then retiring to the monastery of Gorze in Lotharingia.

Saint Giovanni Battista de’ Rossi, priest

At Rome, Saint Giovanni Battista de’ Rossi, priest, who welcomed the poor and the most marginalised, teaching them sacred doctrine.

Blesseds Józef Kurzawa and Wincenty Matuszewski, priests and martyrs of Poland

At the town of Witowo in Poland, Blesseds Józef Kurzawa and Wincenty Matuszewski, priests and martyrs, who, during the occupation of their homeland by a foreign power, were killed by persecutors of the Church.

Saint Manaen, prophet and doctor of Antioch

Commemoration of Saint Manaen, foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, who was a doctor and prophet of the Church at Antioch under the grace of the New Testament.

Blessed Joanna, wife of Chuza

Commemoration of Blessed Joanna, wife of Chuza, procurator of Herod, who together with other women served Jesus and the Apostles with their own goods, and on the day of the Lord’s Resurrection found the stone of the tomb overturned and announced it to the disciples.

Saint Zoellus, martyr

At Lystra in Lycaonia, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Zoellus, martyr.

Saint Servolo, martyr at Trieste

At Trieste, Saint Servolo, martyr.

Saints Donatian and Rogatian, martyrs

At Nantes in Gallia Lugdunensis in France, the holy brothers Donatian and Rogatian, martyrs, of whom, according to tradition, the first had received baptism, while the other was still a catechumen; having reached the extreme test, Donatian, kissing his brother, prayed to God to grant the one who had not been immersed in the sacred baptismal font to be sprinkled with his own shed blood.

38 holy martyrs of Philippopolis

Commemoration of thirty-eight holy martyrs, believed to have been beheaded at Philippopolis in Thrace, now Plovdiv in present-day Bulgaria, in the time of Diocletian and Maximian.

Saint Vincent, priest and monk of Lérins

In the monastery of Lérins in Provence, France, Saint Vincent, priest and monk, distinguished for Christian doctrine and holiness of life and attentively dedicated to the progress of souls in faith.

Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger, priest and anchorite

On the Admirable Mountain in Syria, Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger, priest and anchorite, who lived on a column in conversation with Christ, wrote various treatises on asceticism and was endowed with great charisms.

Blessed Filippo da Piacenza, Augustinian priest

At Piacenza, Blessed Filippo, priest of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, who, to mortify his flesh more severely, wore iron armour.

Blessed Juan de Prado, Franciscan priest and martyr of Marocco

In Morocco, Blessed Juan de Prado, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who was sent to Africa to offer spiritual assistance to Christians forced into slavery in the kingdoms of the infidels; arrested, he courageously testified to his faith in Christ before the tyrant Mulay al-Walid, by whose order he was martyred by fire.

Saints Augustinus Yi Kwang-hŏn, Agatha Kim A-gi, mother of family, and 7 companions, martyrs of Korea

At Seoul in Korea, the holy martyrs Augustinus Yi Kwang-hŏn, in whose house the Scriptures were read, Agatha Kim A-gi, mother of family, who received baptism in prison, and seven companions, all of whom were beheaded together for their faith in Christ.

Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau, bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe

At the city of Saint-Hyacinthe in Canada, Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau, bishop, who in his many pastoral initiatives always exhorted himself to be in full harmony with the Church.

Saint Bede the Venerable, priest and doctor of the Church

Saint Bede the Venerable, priest and doctor of the Church, who, as a servant of Christ from the age of eight, spent his entire life in the monastery of Jarrow in Northumbria in England, devoted to meditation and the explanation of the Scriptures; between the observance of the monastic discipline and the daily practice of singing in church, it was always sweet for him to learn, teach and write.

Saint Gregory VII, pope

Saint Gregory VII, pope, who, bearing the name of Hildebrand, at first led the monastic life and with his diplomatic activity greatly helped the pontiffs of his time in the reform of the Church; upon ascension to the chair of Peter, he claimed with great authority and fortitude the freedom of the Church from secular power and strenuously defended the sanctity of the priesthood; for all this, forced to leave Rome, he died in exile at Salerno.

Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Carmelite virgin

Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, virgin of the Carmelite Order, who led a hidden life of prayer and self-denial at Florence in Christ, prayed ardently for the reform of the Church and, enriched by God with extraordinary gifts, was guide for the distinguished sisters to perfection.

Saint Canio, bishop of Atella and martyr

At Atella in Campania, Saint Canio, bishop and martyr.

Saint Dionigi, bishop of Milan

At Milan, commemoration of Saint Dionigi, bishop, who for his righteous faith was relegated by the Arian emperor Constantius to Armenia, where he ended his life awarded the just title of martyr.

Saint Zanobi, bishop of Florence

At Florence, Saint Zanobi, bishop.

Saint León, abbot

In the cenoby of Mantenay near Troyes in France, Saint León, abbot.

Saint Aldhelm, abbot of Malmesbury and later bishop of Sherborne

In England, Saint Aldhelm, bishop, famous for his doctrine and writings, formerly Abbot of Malmesbury, who was later ordained first Bishop of Sherborne among the Western Saxons.

Saint Genadio, abbot and later bishop of Astorga

At Peñalba in Asturias in Spain, Saint Genadio, who as abbot was made bishop of this see; he was advisor to the kings, but, driven by the desire for monastic life, he renounced the episcopal dignity, to spend the remaining years of his life as a monk and hermit.

Blessed Gerardo Mecatti, hermit

At Villamagna near Florence, commemoration of Blessed Gerardo Mecatti, who, passionately following the example of Saint Francis, distributed his possessions to the poor and, having retired to a hermitage, out of love for Christ worked to welcome pilgrims and assistance to the sick.

Saint Gérard de Lunel, hermit

Near Montesanto in the Marches, transitus of Saint Gérard, who, once as Count of Lunel, lived as a hermit and died during a holy pilgrimage.

Blessed Giacomo Filippo Bertoni, Servite priest

At Faenza in Romagna, Blessed Giacomo Filippo Bertoni, priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary, famous for the gift of tears and admirable humility.

Saint Pherô Ðoàn Văn Vân, catechist and martyr of Vietnam

At Tonkin, now Vietnam, Saint Pherô Ðoàn Văn Vân, martyr, who, as catechist and head of the parish of Bau No, octogenarian, sealed his perseverance in the faith under the emperor Tu Duc with his blood.

Saint Maddalena Sofia Barat, virgin, founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

At Paris in France, Saint Maddalena Sofia Barat, virgin, who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and worked hard for the Christian formation of young girls.

Saint Dionysius Ssebuggwawo Wasswa, martyr of Uganda

At Munyonyo in Uganda, Saint Dionysius Ssebuggwawo Wasswa, martyr, who, at the age of sixteen, having claimed before King Mwanga during an interrogation that he had taught two members of the court the rudiments of the Christian faith, was pierced by the same sovereign with a spear.

Saints Cristóbal Magallanes Jara and Agustín Caloca Cortés, priests and martyrs of Spain

At the town of Catatlán in the territory of Guadalajara in Mexico, Saints Cristóbal Magallanes Jara and Agustín Caloca Cortés, priests and martyrs, who, during the Mexican persecution, trusting strenuously in Christ the King, obtained the crown of martyrdom.

Blessed Mykola Tsehel’s’kyi, priest and martyr of Russia

In the prison camp of the town of Javas in Mordovia, Blessed Mykola Tsehel’s’kyi, priest and martyr, who, under a regime of persecution against religion, overcame the tortures of martyrdom with the strength of faith.

Saint Philip Neri, priest, founder of the Oratorians

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest, who, working to keep young people away from evil, founded an oratory at Rome, in which spiritual readings, songs and works of charity were performed; he shone through his love for his neighbour, evangelical simplicity, joy of soul, exemplary zeal and fervour in serving God.

Saint Eleuterus, pope

Also at Rome, Saint Eleuterus, pope, to whom the famous martyrs of Lyons, held in prison at that time, wrote a noble letter on the maintenance of peace in the Church.

Saint Simitrius, martyr at Rome

Also at Rome in the cemetery of Priscilla on Via Salaria Nuova, Saint Simitrius, martyr.

Saint Felicissima, martyr at Todi

At Todi in Umbria, Saint Felicissima, martyr.

Saints Prix, and companions, martyrs in France

In the Auxerre region in France, passion of Saint Prix, martyr, and companions.

Deposition of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, archbishop of Canterbury

At Canterbury in England, deposition of Saint Augustine, bishop, whose memorial is celebrated tomorrow.

Passion of Saint Didier, bishop of Vienne and martyr

In the territory of Lyons in France, the passion of Saint Didier, bishop of Vienne, who was first sent into exile by Queen Brunechilde, whom he rebuked for her incestuous marriages and other depravities, and then, again by her order, stoned, thus deserving the crown of martyrdom.

Saint Bérenger, monk

In the monastery of Saint-Papoul in France, Saint Bérenger, monk.

Saint Lambert, bishop of Vence

At Vance in Provence, France, Saint Lambert, bishop, at first monk of Lérins, who took care of the poor and was a true lover of poverty.

Blessed Francesco Patrizi, Servite priest

At Siena, Blessed Francesco Patrizi, priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary, who dedicated himself with admirable zeal to preaching, the direction of souls and the ministry of penance.

Blessed Andrea Franchi, Dominican, bishop of Pistoia

At Pistoia, Blessed Andrea Franchi, bishop, who, as prior of the Order of Preachers, once the epidemic of the black plague had ceased, restored the observance of discipline to the convents of the Order in this region and approved the Confraternities of penitents in his city to promote peace and mercy.

Saint Mariana de Jesús de Paredes y Flores, virgin of Third Order Franciscans

At Quito in Ecuador, Saint Mariana de Jesús de Paredes y Flores, virgin, who in the Third Order of Saint Francis consecrated her life to Christ and dedicated her energies to the needs of poor indigenous people and blacks.

Saint Pedro Sans i Jordà, Dominican, bishop and vicar apostolic of Fujian, martyr of China

At Fuzhou in the province of Fujian in China, Saint Pedro Sans i Jordà, bishop of the Order of Preachers and martyr, who, arrested together with other priests, after a long journey was taken in chains to the court; arriving at the place of execution, he knelt down and, having finished the prayer, serenely put his head to the axe.

Saint Iosephus Chang Sŏng-jib, martyr of Korea

At Seoul in Korea, Saint Iosephus Chang Sŏng-jib, martyr, who, as a pharmacist by profession, became a Christian, was put in prison and died amidst cruel tortures.

Saints Gioan Ðoàn Trinh Hoan, priest, and Matthêô Nguyễn Văn Đắc (Phượng), father of family and catechist, martyrs of Vietnam

At the city of Dong Hoi in ancient Annam, today Vietnam, the holy martyrs Gioan Ðoàn Trinh Hoan, priest, and Matthêô Nguyễn Văn Đắc (Phượng), who, as father of family and catechist, offered hospitality to the martyred companion; for their faith they were jointly subjected to torture and ferociously beheaded under Emperor Tu Duc.

Saint Andreas Kaggwa, martyr of Uganda

At Munyonyo in Uganda, Saint Andreas Kaggwa, martyr, who, as chief timpani player of King Mwanga and his relative, recently initiated into Christ, taught the doctrine of the Gospel to pagans and catechumens and was cruelly killed for this.

Saint Pontianus Ngondwe, martyr of Uganda

At Ttaka Jiunge, also in Uganda, Saint Pontianus Ngondwe, martyr, who, as minister of the king, while persecution was already raging, received baptism; immediately thrown into prison, while being led to the hill of torture, he was pierced with a spear by the executioner.

Saint Augustine, bishop of Canterbury

Saint Augustine, bishop of Canterbury in England, who was sent by Pope Saint Gregory the Great together with other monks to preach the word of God to the Angles: welcomed with kindness by King Edilbert of Kent, he imitated the apostolic life of the early Church, converted the king and many others to the Christian faith and established numerous episcopal see in this land. He died on May 26.

Saint Julius the Veteran, martyr

At Silistra in Moesia, in present-day Bulgaria, Saint Julius the Veteran, martyr, who, as a retired army veteran, was arrested in time of persecution by the officers and brought before the governor Maximus and, having despised idols in his presence and confessed with great firmness of the faith of Christ, was punished with the death sentence.

Saint Restituto, martyr at Rome

At Rome at the sixteenth mile of Via Nomentana, Saint Restituto, martyr.

Saint Eutrope, bishop of Orange

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

Saint Bruno, bishop of Würzburg

At Würzburg in Franconia, Germany, Saint Bruno, bishop, who restored the cathedral church, reformed the clergy and explained the Holy Scriptures to the people.

Saint Gausbert de Montsalvy, priest and hermit

In the monastery of Montsalvy near Clermont-Ferrand in Aquitaine, France, Saint Gausbert, priest and hermit, through whose work that place became a hospice for welcoming pilgrims.

Blesseds Edmund Duke, Richard Hill, John Hogg and Richard Holiday, priests and martyrs of England

At Dryburne near Durham in England, Blesseds Edmund Duke, Richard Hill, John Hogg and Richard Holiday, priests and martyrs, who, having returned home from the English College of Reims, during the reign of Elizabeth I were sentenced to death as priests and hung.

Saints Barbara Kim, widow, and Barbara Yi, virgin, martyrs of Korea

At Seoul in Korea, the holy martyrs Barbara Kim, widow, and Barbara Yi, a fifteen-year-old virgin: both held in prison for their faith in Christ, they died of the plague.

Saint Athanasius Bazzekuketta, martyr of Uganda

At Nakiwubo in Uganda, Saint Athanasius Bazzekuketta, martyr, who, as a young man of the royal house, having recently been baptised, while being led with the others to the place of execution for having accepted the faith of Christ, implored the executioners to kill him immediately and, taken with sticks, completed his martyrdom.

Saint Gonzaga Gonza, martyr of Uganda

At Lubawo, also in Uganda, Saint Gonzaga Gonza, martyr, who, as servant of the king, while being led in chains to the stake, was pierced with spears by the executioners.

Saint Heliconis, martyr

At Corinth in Achaia, in Greece, Saint Heliconis, martyr, who, in the time of the emperor Gordian, under the governor Perennius and then under his successor Justin, underwent many tortures, crowning her martyrdom with beheading.

Saint Chéron, martyr

At Chartres in Gallia Lugdunensis, France, Saint Chéron, martyr.

Saint Justo, bishop of Urgell

At Urgell in northern Spain, Saint Justo, bishop, who wrote an allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs and participated in various Spanish councils.

Saint Germain, bishop of Paris

At Paris in France, Saint Germain, bishop, who was at first abbot of Saint Symforian of Autun and, later elected to the see of Paris, maintained a monastic lifestyle, dedicating himself to a fruitful work of care for souls.

Saint Guillaume, monk

In the monastery of Saint-Papoul in France, Saint Guillaume, monk.

Blessed Lanfranc, bishop of Canterbury

At Canterbury in England, Blessed Lanfranc, bishop, who, as monk of Bec in Normandy, founded a famous school and argued against Berengar about the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharistic Sacrament; later elected to the see of Canterbury, he worked for the reform of ecclesiastical discipline in England.

Saint Ubaldesca, virgin

At Pisa, Saint Ubaldesca, virgin, who from the age of sixteen until her death, for fifty-five years, performed works of mercy in a hospice.

Blessed Ercolano da Piegaro, Franciscan priest

Near Castelnuovo in Garfagnana, Tuscany, Blessed Ercolano da Piegaro, priest of the Order of Minors, who, as an illustrious preacher, shone for the austerity of life, long fasts and the fame of miracles.

Blessed Margaret Pole, mother of family, martyr of England

At London in England, Blessed Margaret Pole, mother of family and martyr, who, as Countess of Salisbury and mother of Cardinal Reginald, was beheaded in the Tower Gaol under King Henry VIII, whose divorce she had disapproved of, thus finding rest in peace of Christ.

Blessed Maria Bartolomea Bagnesi, virgin of Third Order Dominicans

At Florence, Blessed Maria Bartolomea Bagnesi, virgin, nun of Penance of San Domenico, who for about forty-five years endured many and bitter pains.

Blesseds Thomas Ford, John Shert and Robert Johnson, priests and martyrs of England

At London in England, Blesseds Thomas Ford, John Shert and Robert Johnson, priests and martyrs, who, sentenced to death under the false charge of conspiring against Queen Elizabeth I, were all hanged together on the gallows at Tyburn.

Saint Phaolô Hạnh, martyr of Vietnam

At Cho Quán in Cochinchina, now Vietnam, Saint Phaolô Hạnh, martyr, who, forgetting Christian morality, had placed himself at the head of a band of thieves; arrested under the emperor Tu Duc, he professed himself a Christian and, since neither flattery nor scourging nor pincers could make him desist from the faith, underwent a glorious martyrdom by beheading.

Blessed Władysław Demski, martyr at Sachsenhausen concentration camp

At Sachsenhausen in Germany, Blessed Władysław Demski, martyr, who, of Polish origin, died amidst cruel tortures in a prison camp for having defended the faith before the followers of doctrines hostile to every human and Christian dignity.

Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski, archbishop-bishop of Płock and martyr of Poland

At the city of Dzialdowo in Poland, Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski, bishop of Plock, who, in the same period, imprisoned by enemies in a prison camp, exhausted by hunger and cruel tortures, migrated to the Lord.

Saint Paul VI, pope

Saint Paul VI, pope, who, raised to the priesthood on this day, later appointed as Archbishop of Milan and finally elected to the Roman See, diligently and successfully carried out the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, promoted the renewal of the life of the Church, especially the sacred liturgy, ecumenical dialogue and the Gospel message to men of this age, until he fell asleep in the peace of the Lord.

Saint Hesychius, palace official, martyr

At Antioch of Syria, today in Türkiye, Saint Hesychius, martyr, who, as a palace official, during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, heard the order that anyone who refused to sacrifice to idols had to abandon the army, immediately deposed the weapons and was therefore thrown into the Orontes river with a large boulder tied to his right arm.

Saint Maximinus, bishop of Trier

At Trier in Gallia Belgica, in present-day Germany, Saint Maximinus, bishop, who, as an intrepid defender of the integrity of the faith against Arianism, fraternally welcomed Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and other exiled bishops and, although expelled from his see by of his enemies, died at home at Poitiers.

Saints Sisinnio, deacon, Martirio, lector, and Alessandro, porter, martyrs

In Val di Non in Trentino, the holy martyrs Sisinnio, deacon, Martirio, lector, and Alessandro, porter: Cappadocian of origin, they founded a church in this region and introduced the use of songs of praise to the Lord, then ending up being killed by some pagans who were offering purification sacrifices.

Saint Esuperanzio, bishop of Ravenna

At Ravenna, Saint Esuperanzio, bishop, who governed this church with prudence at the time when King Odoacer took possession of Italy and the city.

Saint Senatore, bishop of Milan

At Milan, Saint Senatore, bishop, whom, while still as a priest, Pope Saint Leo the Great had sent as legate to Constantinople.

Saint Gérard, monk and later bishop of Mâcon

At Mâcon in Burgundy, France, Saint Gérard, who, at first being a monk and later bishop, finally led a hermitic life in the forest.

Saint Bona, virgin

At Pisa, Saint Bona, virgin, who made frequent pilgrimages with devotion to the Holy Land, Rome and Compostela.

Blesseds Guillaume Arnaud and 10 companions, martyrs of France

At Avignonet near Toulouse in France, Blessed Guillaume Arnaud and ten companions, who, united in their commitment to oppose the heresy of the Cathars, were deceitfully arrested because of their faith in Christ and obedience to the Church of Rome and died pierced with the sword on the night of the Ascension of the Lord, while they intoned Te Deum with one voice.

Blessed Gherardesca, widow

At Pisa, Blessed Gherardesca, widow, who spent her life in a cell next to the Camaldolese monastery of Saint Sabinus, dedicated to the praises of God and intimacy with the Lord.

Blessed Richard Thirkeld, priest and martyr of England

At York in England, Blessed Richard Thirkeld, priest and martyr, who, sentenced to death under Queen Elizabeth I for being a priest and for having reconciled many with the Catholic Church, was delivered to the gallows.

Blessed Joseph Gérard, Oblate priest

At Rome in Lesotho in southern Africa, Blessed Joseph Gérard, priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who tirelessly proclaimed Christ first in the province of Natal and then above all in Basutoland.

Saint Maria Ursula of Jesus Ledóchowska, virgin, founder of the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Agony

At Rome, Saint Maria Ursula of Jesus Ledóchowska, virgin, who founded the Institute of the Ursuline Sisters of the Agonising Heart of Jesus and undertook tiring journeys through Poland, Scandinavia, Finland and Russia.

Saint Gabinus, martyr

At Porto Torres in Sardinia, Saint Gabinus, martyr.

Saints Basil the Elder and Emmelia, husband and wife

At Caesarea in Cappadocia, in present-day Türkiye, Saints Basil and Emmelia, who were the parents of Saints Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sivas, bishops, and Saint Macrina, virgin. These holy spouses, expelled from their land at the time of Emperor Galerius Maximianus, lived in the deserts of Pontus and, after the persecution, rested in peace, leaving the inheritance of their virtues to their children.

Saint Anastasio, bishop of Pavia

At Pavia, Saint Anastasio, bishop, who, having abandoned the Arian heresy, firmly professed the Catholic faith.

Saint Dymphna, virgin and martyr

At Gheel in Brabant in Austrasia, in the territory of present-day Belgium, Saint Dymphna, virgin and martyr.

Saint Hubert, bishop of Liège

At Tervueren also in Brabant in Austrasia, transitus of Saint Hubert, bishop of Tongeren and Maastricht, who, as disciple and successor of Saint Lambert, worked with all his strength to spread the Gospel in Brabant and in the Ardennes, where he eradicated pagan customs.

Saint Ferdinand III of Castile, king of Castille and Leon

At Seville in Spain, Saint Ferdinand III of Castile, who, as king of Castile and León, was a wise administrator of his kingdom, a lover of the arts and sciences and diligent in spreading the faith.

Saint Joan of Arc, virgin

At Rouen in Normandy, France, Saint Joan of Arc, virgin, known as the Maid of Orleans, who, after having fought courageously in defence of her country, was finally delivered into the hands of her enemies, condemned with an unfair trial and burned at the stake.

Saint Luke Kirby and Blesseds William Filby, Laurence Richardson and Thomas Cottam, priests and martyrs of England

At London in England, Saint Luke Kirby, priest and martyr, who, during the persecution of Queen Elizabeth I, after many tortures, was hung from the triple gallows of Tyburn. Together with him, the blessed priests and martyrs William Filby, Laurence Richardson and also Thomas Cottam, of the Society of Jesus suffered on the same scaffold.

Blesseds William Scott and Richard Newport (Smith), priests and martyrs of England

Also at London, thirty years later, Blesseds William Scott, of the Order of Saint Benedict, and Richard Newport (Smith), priests and martyrs: because of their priesthood, under the reign of James I, the former was strangled with a noose and the second disembowelled with the sword while still alive.

Saint Matthias Kalemba Mulumba Wante, martyr of Uganda

At Kampala in Uganda, Saint Matthias Kalemba Mulumba Wante, known as Mulumba or the Strong, martyr, who, having left the Mohammedan religion, received baptism in Christ and, having resigned his office of judge, committed himself to spreading the Christian faith; for this, under King Mwanga he was subjected to torture and, bereft of all comfort, surrendered his spirit to God.

Saint Joseph Marello, bishop of Acqui, founder of the Oblates of Saint Joseph

At Savona, transitus of Saint Joseph Marello, bishop of Acqui in Piedmont, founder of the Congregation of the Oblates of Saint Joseph for the moral and Christian education of youth.

Blessed Otto Neururer, priest and martyr of Germany

In the prison camp of Buchenwald in Thuringia, Germany, the passion of Blessed Otto Neururer, priest and martyr, who, having dissuaded a young Catholic from lending herself to an only apparent form of marriage with a already married man and a follower of the impious regime enemy of God and men, was put in prison, where however amid all kinds of difficulties he continued his ministry clandestinely, until he crowned his martyrdom, left to die suspended by his feet upside down.

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she came to her cousin Elizabeth and greeted her, who had conceived a child in her old age. In the joyful meeting between the two future mothers, the Redeemer who came sanctified his precursor already in her womb, and Mary, responding to Elizabeth’s greeting and exulting in her Spirit, magnified the Lord with the hymn of praise.

Saint Petronilla, virgin and martyr at Rome

At Rome in the cemetery of Domitilla on Via Ardeatina, Saint Petronilla, virgin and martyr.

Saint Hermias, legionary and martyr

At Gumenek in Pontus, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Hermias, soldier, martyr.

Saints Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, martyrs

At Aquileia in Friuli, Saints Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, martyrs, who, arrested by the persecutor as they were leaving the city in a cart, were finally led to execution.

Saint Selve, bishop of Toulouse

At Toulouse in Gallia Narbonensis, now in France, Saint Selve, bishop, who was the first to decorate the tomb of Saint Saturninus with the construction of a basilica.

Blessed Giacomo Salomoni, Dominican priest

At Forlì, Blessed Giacomo Salomoni, priest: while he was still an adolescent, his father died and his mother became a Cistercian nun; he distributed his possessions to the poor and, welcomed into the Order of Preachers, shone there for forty-five years as a friend of the poor and a man of peace, endowed with outstanding charisms.

Saint Battista da Varano, abbess of the Clarisse monastery of Camerino

At Camerino in the Marches, Saint Battista da Varano, abbess of the Poor Clares monastery founded by her father, who experienced great suffering and mystical consolations.

Blesseds Robert Thorpe and Thomas Watkinson, martyrs of England

At York in England, the blessed martyrs Robert Thorpe, priest, and Thomas Watkinson, who were sentenced to death under Queen Elizabeth I, the first because he was a priest, the second because, as father of family already advanced in years, he had often provided help to the priests, together receiving the crown of martyrdom on the scaffold.

Blessed Nicholas Barré, Minim priest, founder of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus

At Paris in France, Blessed Nicholas Barré, priest, who, as teacher of theology and famous educator of souls in the spirit of the Gospel, established Christian and Charity Schools everywhere in France and the Teacher Sisters of the Child Jesus to impart free education to the children of people.

Saint Felix of Nicosia, Capuchin religious

At Nicosia in Sicily, Saint Felix of Nicosia, religious, who, after being rejected for ten years, finally entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, where he performed the most humble services in simplicity and purity of heart.

Blessed Mariano da Roccacasale Di Nicolantonio, Franciscan religious

At the village of Bellegra near Rome, Blessed Mariano da Roccacasale Di Nicolantonio, religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who, carrying out the task of porter, opened the door of the convent to the poor and pilgrims, whom he always assisted with utmost charity.

Saint Noë Mawaggali, martyr of Uganda

At Mityana in Uganda, Saint Noë Mawaggali, martyr, who was the king’s servant: fearlessly refusing to seek escape during the persecution, he spontaneously offered his chest to the spears of the soldiers and, after being pierced by them, was hung on a tree, until he gave up the spirit for Christ.