Upcoming Feasts

The Eleventh Day of August. Twenty-Seventh Day of the lunar month. 🌘

Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin, founder of the Second Order Franciscans

Memorial of Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin, who, the first shoot of the Poor Ladies of the Order of Minors, followed Saint Francis, leading a harsh life at Assisi in Umbria, but rich in works of charity and piety; distinguished for her poverty, she never allowed herself to be separated from it, not even in her extreme indigence and infirmity.

Saint Alexander, bishop of Comana Pontica, martyr

At Gumenek in Pontus, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Alexander, known as the charcoal burner, bishop, who, having achieved a particular awareness of Christian humility through philosophy, was then elevated by Saint Gregory the Wonderworker to the seat of this Church, where he shone not only in preaching, but also in having suffered martyrdom in the flames.

Saint Tiburzio, martyr at Rome

At Rome at the third mile of Via Labicana in the cemetery at Duas Lauros, Saint Tiburzio, whose praises were celebrated by Pope Saint Damasus.

Saint Susanna, martyr at Rome

At the same place, commemoration of Saint Susanna, under whose name, celebrated among the martyrs in ancient glories, a basilica under the title of Caius was dedicated to God in the sixth century at the Baths of Diocletian.

Saint Rufino, first bishop of Assisi and martyr

At Assisi in Umbria, Saint Rufino, who is considered the first bishop of this city and martyr.

Saint Cassiano, bishop of Benevento

At Benevento, Saint Cassiano, bishop.

Saint Taurin, first bishop of Évreux

At Évreux in France, Saint Taurin, venerated as the first bishop of this city.

Saint Athracht, abbess

In Ireland, Saint Athracht, abbess, who is said to have received the veil of virgins from Saint Patrick.

Saint Equizio, abbot

In the territory of present-day Umbria, Saint Equizio, abbot, who, as Pope Saint Gregory the Great writes, for his holiness was the father of many monasteries and, wherever he went, opened up the source of the Holy Scriptures.

Saint Géry, bishop of Cambrai

At Cambrai in Austrasia, in the territory of present-day France, Saint Géry, bishop, who, distinguished for piety and love for the poor, was ordained a deacon by Magneric of Trier and, later elected to the see of Cambrai, exercised the episcopate for thirty-nine years.

Saint Rusticule, abbess

At Arles in Provence in France, Saint Rusticule, abbess, who in holiness guided the nuns for about sixty years.

Blesseds John Sandys, Stephen Rowsham and William Lampley, martyrs of England

At Gloucester in England, blessed martyrs John Sandys and Stephen Rowsham, priests, and William Lampley, tailor, who, though unknown on different days, underwent the same tortures for Christ under Queen Elizabeth I.

Blessed Thomas Rehm, Dominican priest and martyr of France

At anchor off Rochefort on the French coast, Blessed Thomas Rehm, priest of the Order of Preachers and martyr, who, delivered during persecution to sordid imprisonment, invited his atrociously tried fellow prisoners to hope, until he himself died for Christ, worn down by an incurable disease.

Blesseds Rafael Alonso Gutiérrez and Carlos Díaz Gandía, martyrs of Spain

At the village of Agullent in the territory of Valencia in Spain, Blessed Rafael Alonso Gutiérrez, martyr, who, as father of family, shed his blood for Christ during the persecution against the faith. The blessed martyr Carlos Díaz Gandía is also commemorated with him, who on this day in the same territory, fighting for the faith, achieved eternal life.

Blessed Miguel Domingo Cendra, Salesian religious and martyr of Spain

At the village of Prat de Compte near Tarragona also in Spain, Blessed Miguel Domingo Cendra, religious of the Salesian Society and martyr, who in the same persecution deserved the palm of glory with martyrdom.

Blessed Maurice Tornay, priest and martyr of China

In the region of Tibet, Blessed Maurice Tornay, priest and martyr, who, as canon regular of the Congregation of Saints Nicholas and Saint Bernard of Mont-Joux, proclaimed the Gospel with commitment in China and in Tibet and was killed by the enemies of Christ.

Saint John Henry Newman, cardinal and doctor of the Church

At Birmingham in England, the anniversary of the death of Saint John Henry Newman, cardinal and doctor of the Church, whose memorial is celebrated on October 9, the day of his conversion to Catholicism.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his Saints.

The Twelfth Day of August. Twenty-Eighth Day of the lunar month. 🌘

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, widow, founder of the Order of the Visitation of Saint Mary

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, religious: from her Christian marriage she had six children, whom she educated to piety; she remained a widow, under the guidance of Saint Francis de Sales she walked briskly along the path of perfection, dedicating herself to works of charity especially towards the poor and the sick; she initiated the Order of the Visitation of Saint Mary, which she too wisely directed. Her transitus at Moulins on the banks of the Allier near Nevers in France occurs on December 13.

Saint Euplio, martyr

At Catania, Saint Euplio, martyr: according to tradition, during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, he was thrown into prison by the governor Calvisia because he was found with the book of the Gospels in his hands; questioned several times, he was beaten to death for having replied that he boastfully kept the Gospel in his heart.

Saints Anicetus and Photinus, martyrs

At Nicomedia, in present-day Türkiye, Saints Anicetus and Photinus, martyrs.

Saint Muredach, bishop of Killala

At Killala in Ireland, Saint Muredach, bishop.

Saint Lelia, virgin

Also in Ireland, in a cell that bears her name, Saint Lelia, virgin.

Saint Ercolano, bishop of Brescia

At Brescia, Saint Ercolano, bishop.

Saints Porcaire, abbot, and numerous monks of Lérins, martyrs

On the island of Lérins in Provence in France, holy martyrs Porcaire, abbot, and many other monks, who are said to have been killed by the Saracens.

Blessed Charles Meehan (Mahoney), Franciscan priest and martyr of Wales

At Ruthin in North Wales, Blessed Charles Meehan (Mahoney), priest of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who, of Irish origin, was arrested while travelling through this region to his homeland and, sentenced to death for having entered the domains of King Charles II, obtained the palm of martyrdom by being hanged and disembowelled.

Blessed Innocent XI, pope

At Rome, Blessed Innocent XI, pope, who ruled the Church wisely, although tried by great pains and tribulations.

Blessed Pierre Jarrige de la Morelie de Puyredon, priest and martyr of France

On a sordid prison ship off the coast of Rochefort in France, Blessed Pierre Jarrige de la Morelie de Puyredon, priest, who died for Christ during the persecution against the Church, long exposed to the scorching violence of the sun.

Saints Giacôbê Ðỗ Mai Năm, priest, Antôn Nguyện Ðích and Micae Nguyễn Huy Mỹ, martyrs of Vietnam

At the city of Nam Dinh in Tonkin, now Vietnam, holy martyrs Giacôbê Ðỗ Mai Năm, priest, Antôn Nguyện Ðích, farmer, and Micae Nguyễn Huy Mỹ, doctor, beheaded for Christ after atrocious tortures under Emperor Minh Mang.

Blessed Victoria Díez y Bustos de Molina, virgin and martyr of Spain

At the town of Hornachuelos near Cordoba in Spain, Blessed Victoria Díez y Bustos de Molina, virgin and martyr, who, as a teacher in the Teresian Institute, at the outbreak of hostilities against the Church, confessed her Christian faith and suffered martyrdom, while exhorting others to do the same.

Blessed Atilano Dionisio Argüeso González, Hospitaller religious, martyr of Spain

At Valmoran near Madrid also in Spain, Blessed Atilano Dionisio Argüeso González, religious of the Order of Saint John of God and martyr, who was killed in hatred of the faith in the same persecution.

Blessed Sebastián Calvo Martínez and 5 companions, Claretian religious, martyrs of Spain

At Barbastro near Huesca in Aragon in Spain, Blesseds Sebastián Calvo Martínez, priest and five companions, martyrs, who, as religious of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also in the same persecution carried out the glorious battle.

Blessed Antonio Perulles Estivil, Diocesan Labourer priest, martyr of Spain

At Tarragona also in Spain, Blessed Antonio Perulles Estivil, priest of the Society of Diocesan Worker Priests and martyr, who still suffered his martyrdom on the road in the same persecution.

Blesseds Florian Stępniak, Capuchin priest, and Józef Straszewski, priest, martyrs at Dachau

At Dachau near Munich in Germany, Blesseds Florian Stępniak, of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and Józef Straszewski, priests and martyrs, who, at the time of the invasion of Poland during the war, died in a prison camp in a gas chamber.

Blessed Karl Leisner, priest and martyr of Germany

At Planegg near Munich, Blessed Karl Leisner, priest and martyr, who, while still a deacon, was deported to a prison for his public profession of faith and the assiduous service rendered to souls and, ordained a priest in the prison camp of Dachau, returned to freedom, died from the tortures suffered during his detention.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his Saints.

The Thirteenth Day of August. Twenty-Ninth Day of the lunar month. 🌑

Saint Pontian, pope, and Hippolytus, martyrs

The holy martyrs Pontian, pope, and Hippolytus, priest, who were deported together to Sardinia, where they both served a common sentence and were surrounded, as it seems, by a single crown. Finally, their bodies were buried at Rome, the first in the cemetery of Callixtus, the second in the cemetery on Via Tiburtina.

Saint Cassiano, martyr of Romania

At Imola in Romagna, Saint Cassiano, martyr, who, for refusing to adore idols, was handed over to the boys of whom he had been a teacher, to be tortured to death with quills: in this way, the weaker the hand, the more painful became the penalty of martyrdom.

Saint Antioche, bishop of Lyons

At Lyons in France, Saint Antioche, bishop, who, while still a priest, undertook a long journey to visit Saint Justus, his bishop, who was then living in a hermitage in Egypt.

Saint Radegonde, queen of the Franks

At Poitiers in Aquitaine, France, Saint Radegonde, who, as Queen of the Franks, took the sacred veil while her husband King Chlothar was still alive and lived in the monastery of the Holy Cross in Poitiers which she herself built under the rule of Saint Caesarius of Arles.

Saint Maximus, abbot

In the fortress of Schemaris near the bank of the Tzkhenis Dsqali river in the Caucasus mountains, transitus of Saint Maximus, abbot of Chrysopolis near Constantinople: distinguished for doctrine and zeal for Catholic truth, who, for having strenuously fought against the Monothelite heresy, suffered the amputation of his right hand by the heretic emperor Constans; together with two disciples, both named Anastasius, he was then relegated, after a harsh prison and numerous tortures, to the region of Lesghistan, where he gave up his spirit to God.

Saint Wigbert, priest and abbot

At Fritzlar in Hesse, now in Germany, Saint Wigbert, priest and abbot, to whom Saint Boniface entrusted the care of the local monastery.

Blessed Gertrud, Premonstratensian abbess

In the monastery of Altenburg near Vetzlar also in Germany, Blessed Gertrud, abbess of the Premonstratensian Order, who, while still a child, was offered to God in this place by her mother Saint Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary.

Blesseds Patrick O’Healy, bishop of Mayo, and Conn O’Rourke, priest, Franciscans, martyrs of Ireland

At Kilmallok in Ireland, Blesseds Patrick O’Healy, bishop of Mayo, and Conn O’Rourke, priest, both of the Order of Friars Minor, sentenced to death and led to the gallows for not having kept their priesthood hidden.

Blessed William Freeman, priest and martyr of England

At Warwick in England, Blessed William Freeman, priest and martyr, who, sentenced to death under Queen Elizabeth I for the mere fact of being a priest, arrived before the gallows and began to sing the Te Deum, thus facing the torture of martyrdom with a firm mind.

Saint John Berchmans, Jesuit religious

At Rome, Saint John Berchmans Berchmans, religious of the Society of Jesus, who, loved by all for his sincere piety, sincere charity and unceasing joy, after a brief illness met his death peacefully.

Blessed Marco d’Aviano Cristofori, Capuchin priest

At Vienna in Austria, Blessed Marco d’Aviano Cristofori, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who, as a wise preacher of the word of God, worked admirably in every place for the poor and the sick, urging above all the powerful of the world to put faith and peace before any other enterprise or interest.

Blessed Pierre Gabilhaud, priest and martyr of France

In the arm of the sea in front of Rochefort in France, Blessed Pierre Gabilhaud, priest and martyr, who, detained on a prison ship during the French revolution for his priesthood, died consumed by starvation and illness.

Saint Bénilde Romançon Lasalian religious

At the town of Saugues near Puy-en-Vélay also in France, Saint Bénilde Romançon, of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who spent his life dedicated to the formation of youth.

Blessed Secundino María Ortega García and 19 companions, Claretian religious, martyrs of Spain

At Barbastro near Huesca in Aragon in Spain, Blesseds Secundino María Ortega García, priest, and nineteen companions, martyrs, who, as religious of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, were killed in hatred of the faith during the persecution against the Church.

Blessed Juan Agramunt Riera, Piarist priest, martyr of Spain

At the town of Almazora near Castellón de la Plana on the Spanish coast, Blessed Juan Agramunt Riera, priest of the Order of Regular Clerics of the Pious Schools and martyr in the same persecution.

Blessed Modesto de Albocácer García Martí, Capuchin priest and martyr of Spain

Near the village of Albocásser in the same region in Spain, Blessed Modesto de Albocácer García Martí, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and martyr, who crowned the evangelical precept with martyrdom during the persecution against the faith.

Blessed José Bonet Nadal, Salesian priest and martyr at Barcelona

At Barcelona also in Spain, Blessed José Bonet Nadal, priest of the Salesian Society and martyr, who also ended his struggle for the faith in the same persecution.

Blessed Jakob Gapp, Marianist priest, martyr of Germany

At Berlin at Plötzensee in Germany, Blessed Jakob Gapp, priest of the Society of Mary and martyr, who with firmness of mind proclaimed that the impious decisions of a regime which was hostile to human and Christian dignity could in no way accord with Christian doctrine; for this, he was persecuted and sentenced to exile in France and Spain and, arrested by enemy agents, was finally beheaded.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his Saints.

The Fourteenth Day of August. First Day of the lunar month. 🌑

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Conventual Franciscan priest, martyr at Auschwitz

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and martyr, founder of the Militia of the Immaculata, who was deported to various places of imprisonment, and finally at the extermination camp of Auschwitz near Krakow in Poland, handed himself over to the executioners in place of a fellow prisoner, offering his ministry as a holocaust of charity and a model of fidelity to God and to men.

Saint Ursicino, martyr at Illyricum

In Illyricum, in present-day Croatia, Saint Ursicino, martyr.

Saint Marcellus, bishop of Apamea of Syria, martyr

At Apamea in Syria, Saint Marcellus, bishop and martyr, killed by the fury of the pagans for having demolished a temple dedicated to Jupiter.

Saint Eusebio, priest of Rome

At Rome, Saint Eusebio, founder of the basilica of his title on the Esquiline hill.

Saint Fachtna, bishop of Ross and abbot

At Ross in Ireland, Saint Fachtna, bishop and abbot, who founded a monastery in this place, famous for teaching the sacred and human sciences.

Saint Arnould, bishop of Soissons

At Altenburg in Flanders, now in Germany, transitus of Saint Arnould, bishop of Soissons, who as a soldier became a monk and, later elected bishop, worked for peace and concord, finally dying in the monastery he founded himself.

Blessed Sante da Urbino Brancorsini, Franciscan religious

Near Montebaroccio in the Marches, Blessed Sante da Urbino Brancorsini, lay brother of the Order of Minor.

Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and 800 companions, martyrs at Otranto

At Otranto in Puglia, about eight hundred blessed martyrs, who, pressed by the onslaught of Ottoman soldiers to renounce their faith, were exhorted by Saint Antonio Primaldo, an elderly weaver, to persevere in Christ and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom by beheading.

Blesseds Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia Pérez de Lete and Franciscus Shōemon, Dominican religious, martys of Japan

At Nagasaki in Japan, holy martyrs Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia Pérez de Lete, priest of the Order of Preachers, and Franciscus Shōemon, novice in the same Order and catechist, killed in hatred of the name of Christ under the supreme commander Tokugawa Yemitsu.

Blessed Maria Elisabetta Renzi, virgin, founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows

At Coriano in Romagna, Blessed Maria Elisabetta Renzi, virgin, who, as founder of the Maestre Pie della Vergine Addolorata, worked with all her strength to ensure that poor girls received human and catechetical formation in the schools.

Blessed Vicente Rubiols Castelló, priest and martyr of Spain

At the village of Picassent in the territory of Valencia in Spain, Blessed Vicente Rubiols Castelló, priest and martyr, who testified to his faith in Christ during the persecution with martyrdom.

Blessed Félix Yuste Cava, priest and martyr of Spain

At El Saler near Valencia also in Spain, Blessed Félix Yuste Cava, priest and martyr, who for his courageous fidelity received the prize of eternal life from the Lord.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his Saints.

The Fifteenth Day of August. Second Day of the lunar month. 🌑

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, who, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. This truth of faith received from the Church’s tradition was solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII.

Saint Tarsicio, martyr

At Rome in the cemetery of Callixtus on Via Appia, the commemoration of Saint Tarcisius, martyr: to defend the Holy Eucharist of Christ that an angry crowd of pagans tried to profane, he preferred to be stoned to death rather than leave the sacred species to dogs.

Saints Straton, Philip and Eutychian, martyrs

At Nicomedia in Bithynia, in present-day Türkiye, Saints Straton, Philip and Eutychian, martyrs.

Saint Simpliciano, bishop of Milan

At Milan, Saint Simpliciano, bishop, whom Saint Ambrose designated as his successor and Saint Augustine celebrated with praise.

Saint Alypius, bishop of Tagaste

Commemoration of Saint Alypius, bishop of Tagaste in Numidia, in present-day Algeria, who was first a pupil of Saint Augustine and then his companion in conversion, colleague in pastoral ministry, strenuous fellow soldier in the fight against heresy and finally a sharer in heavenly glory.

Saint Alfredo, bishop of Hildesheim

At Hildesheim in Saxony in Germany, Saint Alfredo, bishop, who built the cathedral and favoured the construction of monasteries.

Birth of Saint Stephen of Hungary, king of Hungary

At Székesfehérvár in Pannonia, in present-day Hungary, the anniversary of the death of Saint Stephen of Hungary, king of Hungary, whose memorial will be celebrated tomorrow.

Saint Hyacinth of Poland, Dominican priest

At Krakow in Poland, Saint Hyacinth of Poland, priest of the Order of Preachers, who was designated by Saint Dominic to spread the Order in that nation and together with his companions Blesseds Ceslaus and Henry the German preached the Gospel in Bohemia and Silesia.

Blessed Aimone Taparelli, Dominican priest

At Savigliano in Piedmont, Blessed Aimone Taparelli, priest of the Order of Preachers, tireless defender of the truth.

Blessed Giuliana Puricelli, Augustinian virgin

At Pallanza near Novara, Blessed Giuliana Puricelli, virgin of the Order of Saint Augustine, distinguished for her invincible fortitude, admirable patience and assiduous contemplation of celestial realities.

Saint Stanisław Kostka, Jesuit religious

At Rome, Saint Stanisław Kostka, who, of Polish origin, driven by the desire to enter the Society of Jesus, fled his father’s house and went on foot to Rome, where, admitted into the novitiate by Saint Francis Borgia, he died with a reputation for holiness, exhausted in a short time in performing the most humble services.

Blessed Isidore Bakanja, martyr of Congo

At the town of Wenga near Busira in the Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Blessed Isidore Bakanja, martyr, who, as a young man initiated into Christianity, diligently cultivated the faith and testified to it with great courage during his work; for this reason, in hatred of the Christian religion, he was subjected to continuous floggings by the director of the colonial company and died a few months later, forgiving his persecutor.

Saints Luis Batis Sáinz, priest, Manuel Morales, Salvador Lara Puente and David Roldán Lara, martyrs of Mexico

At Chalchihuites in the territory of Durango in Mexico, holy martyrs Luis Batis Sáinz, priest, Manuel Morales, father of family, Salvador Lara Puente and David Roldán Lara, killed out of hatred for the faith during the Mexican persecution.

Blesseds Luis Masferrer Vila, Claretian priest, and 19 companions, martyrs of Spain

At Barbastro near Huesca in Aragon in Spain, Blesseds Luis Masferrer Vila, priest, and nineteen companions, martyrs, who, as religious of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, during the persecution against the Church, entrusted their lives to Christ and embraced in the glory of God their confreres killed the day before at the same place.

Blessed José María Peris Polo, Diocesan Labourer priest, martyr of Spain

At the village of Almazora near Castellón de la Plana on the Spanish coast, Blessed José María Peris Polo, priest of the Society of Diocesan Worker Priests and martyr, who, killed in the cemetery, obtained the palm of martyrdom in the same persecution.

Blessed María Sagrario de San Luis Gonzaga Moraga Cantarero, Discalced Carmelite virgin and martyr of Spain

At Madrid also in Spain, Blessed María Sagrario de San Luis Gonzaga Moraga Cantarero, virgin of the Order of Discalced Carmelite nuns and martyr in the same persecution.

Blessed Domingo María de Alboraya Hurtado Soler, Amigonian priest, martyr of Spain

Also at Madrid, Blessed Domingo María de Alboraya Hurtado Soler, priest of the Capuchin Tertiary of the Blessed Virgin of Sorrows and martyr, who received the crown of glory for bearing witness to Christ.

Blessed Vicente de San Luis Gonzaga Soler y Munárriz, Augustinian Recollect priest and martyr of Spain

At the village of Motril near Granada on the Spanish coast, Blessed Vicente de San Luis Gonzaga Soler y Munárriz, priest of the Order of Augustinian Recollects and martyr, who was sentenced to death in the same persecution together with other fellow prisoners whom he piously prepared for death and triumphed in Christ, shot in front of the cemetery wall.

Blessed Carmelo Sastre Sastre, priest and martyr of Spain

At the village of Palma de Gandía in the territory of Valencia also in Spain, Blessed Carmelo Sastre Sastre, priest and martyr, who in the same persecution, following in the footsteps of Christ, achieved by his grace the prize of eternal life.

Blessed Jaime Bonet Nadal, Salesian priest and martyr of Spain

At the town of Tárrega near Barcelona also in Spain, Blessed Jaime Bonet Nadal, priest of the Salesian Society and martyr, who, as a faithful disciple, merited salvation in the blood of Christ.

Blessed Claudio Granzotto, Franciscan religious

At Padua, Blessed Claudio Granzotto, religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who combined the exercise of his religious profession with his craft as a sculptor and achieved perfection in the imitation of Christ in just a few years.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his Saints.