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June 3^rd

 

This Day, the Third Day of June

Memorial of the Saints Charles Lwanga and twelve companions, who, born between fourteen and thirty years, either from the royal court of noble boys or assigned to the guard of King Mwanga himself, neophytes and vigorously adhering to the Catholic faith, when they had not wished to yield to the impure desires of the king, on the hill Namugongo in Uganda were partly killed by the sword, partly burned by fire.

 

2. At Carthage, Saint Caecilius, priest, who led Saint Cyprian to the faith of Christ.

 

3. At Carcassonne in Narbonese France, Saint Hilary, who is held to be the first bishop of this city, at which time the Goths were spreading the Arian heresy in this region.

 

4. At Tours in Lyon France, Saint Clotilde, Queen, at whose prayers her husband Clovis, king of the Franks, received the faith of Christ; she herself, after his death, withdrew piously to the basilica of Saint Martin, so that she might no longer be thought a queen, but rather a handmaid of God.

 

5. At Meung on the Loire in the territory of Orléans, likewise of France, Saint Lifard, priest, who there led a solitary life.

 

6. At Anagni in Campania, Saint Olivia, Virgin.

 

7. At Glendalough in Ireland, Saint Coemgen, abbot, who founded a monastery, in which he is held to have been the father and leader of many monks.

 

8. At Clermont in Aquitaine, Saint Genesius, bishop of Clermont, who was buried at Magnilocus in the church of the monastery founded by himself with a hospice.

 

9. At Córdoba in Vandalic Spain, Saint Isaac, martyr, who, a monk, under the power of the Moors, stirred not by human but by divine impulse, descending from the monastery of Tabanus into the forum, approached the judge, that he might contend with him about the true religion, for which he was condemned to death by beheading.

 

10. At Lucca in Etruria, Saint Davinus, who, Armenian by birth, having sold all goods, was a pilgrim for Christ and, after he had visited the holy places and the thresholds of the Apostles, is said to have died, afflicted by illness.

 

11. In the village Altkirch in the district of Basel of the Swiss, Saint Morandus, monk, who, born in the Rhineland, already a priest, went to Compostela and, returning from there, was made a monk at Cluny and founded a monastery, where he completed the course of a laborious life.

 

12. At Spello in Umbria, blessed Andrew Caccioli, who, the first priest numbered among the Friars Minor, received the habit of the Order from the hands of Saint Francis and stood by him as he died.

 

13. In the monastery of Saint Mary of Cadossa in Lucania, Saint Conus, monk, who, perfected in monastic conduct and innocence of life, in a short time, with God protecting, came to the summit of virtues.

 

14. At York in England, blessed Francis Ingleby, priest and martyr, who, an alumnus of the English College at Reims, under Queen Elizabeth the First, on account of the priesthood exercised in his homeland, was led to the punishment of the gallows.

 

15. At Jerez in Vandalic Spain, Saint John Grande, religious of the Order of Saint John of God, who, distinguished for charity toward captives, the abandoned, and those rejected by all, died, having himself been infected, while caring for those afflicted by plague.

 

16. At sea near Rochefort in Gallia, blessed Charles René Callas du Bignon, priest of the Society of Saint Sulpice and martyr, who, rector of the Minor Seminary of Bourges, with the French upheaval raging, because of the priesthood, was confined on a ship of servitude and, infected by verminous wounds, died.

 

17.  In the city Au Thi in Tonkin, Saint Peter Dong, martyr, who, a father of a family, preferred to undergo immense tortures rather than trample the cross, and, when he had arranged to have inscribed on his face in place of the words “false religion” those words “true religion,” was beheaded under the emperor Tự Đức.

 

18.  In the village Bellegra in the Roman countryside, blessed Didacus (Joseph) Oddi, religious of the Order of Friars Minor, outstanding in prayer and simplicity of life.

 

19.  At Rome, blessed John, Pope the Twenty-Third, who, imbued with singular humanity in life and works, with the greatest pastoral zeal strove to pour forth the abundance of Christian charity upon all and to cultivate the fraternal union of peoples and, especially concerned for the pastoral effectiveness of the Church of Christ throughout the whole world, convoked the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.

 

 

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June 4^th

 

This Day, the Fourth Day of June

1.  At Sabaria in Pannonia, the passion of Saint Quirinus, bishop of Siscia in Illyricum and martyr, who, under the emperor Galerius, for the faith of Christ, with a millstone tied to his neck, was hurled into the river.

 

2.  At Constantinople, Saint Metrophanes, bishop of Byzantium, who consecrated New Rome to the Lord.

 

3.  At Milevis in Numidia, the commemoration of Saint Optatus, bishop, who explained in his writings against the madness of the Donatists the universality of the Church and the necessary intimate unity of the faithful in Christ.

 

4.  In Cornwall, Saint Petroc of Wales, abbot.

 

5.  At Servigliano in Piceno of Italy, Saint Walter, abbot of the monastery of this place.

 

6.  On the island of Sardinia, Saints Nicholas and Trano, hermits.

 

7.  At Sàcceri in Sardinia, blessed Pacificus Ramati, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, preaching for the defense of Christians, passed to the Lord.

 

8.  At Agnone in Abruzzo, Saint Francis Caracciolo, priest, who, inflamed with wondrous charity toward God and neighbor, founded the Congregation of Clerics Regular Minor.

 

9.  At Lecce in Apulia, blessed Philip Smaldone, priest, who, with fervent zeal, dedicated himself to the care of deaf and mute poor and to their human and Christian formation, and founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.

 

10.  Near Munich of Bavaria in Germany, blessed Anthony Zawistowski, priest, and Stanislaus Starowieyski, martyrs, who, while war raged, within the detention camps of Dachau endured cruel torments for Christ and departed from earthly life.

 

 

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June 5^th

 

This Day, the Fifth Day of June

Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr.  When he was a monk, named Winfrid, having come from England to Rome, he was ordained bishop by Pope Saint Gregory II and, taking the name Boniface, was sent into Germany to announce the faith of Christ to those peoples.  He gained great multitudes to the Christian religion and governed the see of Mainz.  Finally, at Dokkum among the Frisians, struck down by the sword by raging pagans, he completed his martyrdom.

 

2.  In Egypt, Saints Marcian, Nicander, Apollonius, and companions, martyrs, who, as is reported, on account of their confession of the Christian faith, after great tortures, were enclosed within a wall and exposed to the burning sun, and were destroyed by heat, thirst, and hunger.

 

3.  At Tyre in Phoenicia, Saint Dorotheus, bishop, who, while he was still a priest, suffered many things under the emperor Diocletian, and, having survived until the time of Julian, and being in his one hundred and seventh year, is said, under him, to have honored his venerable old age with martyrdom in Thrace.

 

4.  At Clermont in Aquitaine, Saint Illidius, bishop, who, summoned to Trier by the emperor in order to free his daughter from an unclean spirit, on his return, passed to the Lord.

 

5.  At Como in Liguria, Saint Eucychius, bishop, distinguished for prayer and love of solitude with God.

 

6.  At Dokkum among the Frisians, the Saints Eoban, bishop, Adelarius, and nine companions, martyrs, who, with Saint Boniface, were crowned in that same glorious struggle of his.

 

7.  At Córdoba in the region of Vandalicia in Spain, blessed Sancius, martyr, who, a youth, having been taken from the town of Albi and trained in the royal court, in the persecution of the Moors did not hesitate to suffer martyrdom for the faith of Christ.

 

8.  Near Asserico in the Vestini region, Saint Franco, hermit, who built a small cell beneath the cliffs in a cave, and there led a harsh and austere life.

 

9.  At Ciani near Mileto in Calabria, Saint Peter Spano, hermit, notable for poverty and compunction.

 

10.  At Hanoi in Tonkin, Saint Luke Vil Ba Loan, priest and martyr, who was beheaded for Christ under the emperor Minh Mạng.

 

11.  In the city of Tang Gia, likewise in Tonkin, the Saints Dominic Toai and Dominic Huyen, martyrs, who, being fathers of families and fishermen, under the emperor Tự Đức, although in prolonged imprisonment and tortured with various torments, nevertheless with all their spirit encouraged their fellow prisoners to keep the faith, and at last completed martyrdom by fire.

 

 

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June 6^rth

 

This Day, the Sixth Day of June

Saint Norbert, bishop, who, austere in manner and wholly devoted to union with God and to the preaching of the Gospel, near Laon in France established the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, and, having become an outstanding pastor at Magdeburg in Saxony, reformed Christian life and strove to spread the faith to neighboring peoples.

 

2.  At Rome on the Via Aurelia at the second milestone, the Saints Artemius and Paulina, martyrs.

 

3.  At Scetis in Egypt, Saint Bessarion, anchorite, who for love of God lived as a beggar and pilgrim.

 

4.  At Grenoble in Burgundy, Saint Ceratius, bishop, who gave thanks to Pope Saint Leo the Great for the letters written to Flavian, and kept his flock unharmed from heresy.

 

5.  At Milan in Liguria, Saint Eustorgius the Second, bishop, who, renowned for piety, justice, and the virtues of a shepherd, built a notable baptistery.

 

6.  In Ireland, Saint Jarlath, bishop.

 

7.  On Mount Jura, Saint Claudius, who is believed to have been bishop and abbot of the monastery of Condat.

 

8.  In the region of Bologna in Emilia, the passing of Saint Alexander, bishop of Fiesole, who, returning from the city of Pavia, where he had recovered the goods of his Church from usurpers before the king of the Lombards, was thrown into a river by them and drowned.

 

9.  At Constantinople, Saint Hilarion, priest and hegumen of the monastery called Dalmatian, who suffered imprisonment, scourging, and exile unyieldingly for the veneration of sacred Images.

 

10.  In the Orkney Islands facing Scotland, Saint Colman, bishop.

 

11.  In the monastery of Cava in Campania, blessed Falcon, abbot.

 

12.  At Clermont in Aquitaine, Saint Gilbert, abbot of the Premonstratensian Order, who, first a hermit, later built the monastery and hospital of Neufontaines.

 

13.  At Udine in Venetia, blessed Bertrand, bishop of Aquileia and martyr, who diligently provided for the formation of the clergy, fed the poor at his own expense in a time of famine, vigorously defended the rights of his Church, and, at ninety years of age, died from wounds inflicted by assassins.

 

14.  At Ortona in Abruzzo, blessed Lawrence of Villamagna of Masculis, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, illustrious for his preaching of the word of God.

 

15.  At London in England, blessed William Greenwood, martyr, of the Carthusian house of that city, who, because of his tenacious loyalty to the Church under King Henry the Eighth, completed martyrdom, worn out by the filth of prison, hunger, and disease.

 

16.  At the city of Saint-Chamond in the region of Lyon in France, Saint Marcellin Champagnat, priest of the Society of Mary, who founded the Institute of the Little Brothers of Mary for the Christian education of boys.

 

17.  In the city of Luong My in Tonkin, the holy martyrs Peter Dung and Peter Thuan, fishermen, and Vincent Dung, farmer, who, having steadfastly refused to trample the cross, were condemned to fire under the emperor Tự Đức.

 

18.  At Mexico City, the passing of blessed Raphael Guízar Valencia, bishop of Veracruz in Mexico, who, during a time of persecution, exercised his episcopal ministry energetically either in exile or in secret.

 

19.  At Sachsenhausen in Germany, blessed Innocent Guz, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and martyr, who, of Polish origin, in his homeland invaded by followers of contrary opinions and religions, was detained by the guards of the detention camps and was murdered for the faith of Christ.

 

 

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June 7^th

 

This Day, the Seventh Day of June

1.  In Ireland, Saint Colman, bishop and abbot of the monastery of Dromore, founded by himself, who labored wonderfully for Christ in the region of Down.

 

2.  At Córdoba in the region of Vandalicia of Spain, the holy martyrs Peter, priest, Wallabonsus, deacon, Sabinian, Wistremund, Habentius, and Jeremias, monks, who were slaughtered for Christ in the persecution of the Moors.

 

3.  At New Minster in Northumbria of England, Saint Robert, abbot, of the Cistercian Order, who, devoted to poverty and prayer, founded this monastery with twelve monks, from which in a short time three bands of monks issued forth.

 

4.  At Antwerp in Brabant, blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew, virgin of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, who, disciple and secretary of Saint Teresa of Jesus and endowed with mystical gifts, spread and continually renewed the Order in France.

 

5.  At Piacenza in Emilia, the passing of Saint Anthony Mary Gianelli, bishop of Bobbio, who founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Most Holy of the Garden and shone with zeal and renowned example in caring for the poor and the salvation of souls, and in promoting the holiness of the clergy.

 

6.  At Paris in France, blessed Mary Theresa of Soubiran La Louvière, virgin, who, for the greater glory of God, founded the Society of Mary Helper, from which having been expelled, she lived the rest of her life in the utmost humility.

 

 

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June 8^th

 

This Day, the Eighth Day of June

1.  At Aix-en-Provence in France, Saint Maximin, to whom the beginnings of the Christian faith in this city are ascribed.

 

2.  At Rouen likewise in France, Saint Gildard, bishop.

 

3.  At Soissons likewise in France, Saint Medard, bishop of the Vermandois, who, after the destruction of this city, transferred his see to the town of Noyon, from which he devoted all his care to converting the people from pagan superstitions to the doctrine of Christ.

 

4.  At Fano in Piceno of Italy, Saint Fortunatus, bishop, who was constant in redeeming captives.

 

5.  At Metz in Austrasia, Saint Clodulph, bishop, son of Saint Arnulf and counselor to the king.

 

6.  At York in England, Saint William Fitzherbert, bishop, who, a kind and gentle man, having been unjustly deposed from his see, took refuge among the monks of Winchester, and, having been restored to his see, forgave his enemies and reconciled peace among the citizens.

 

7.  At London likewise in England, blessed John Davy, deacon, of the Carthusian house of this city and martyr, who, under King Henry the Eighth, because of his fidelity to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, was cruelly tormented in prison and there died, consumed by hunger.

 

8.  At Ambiatibe in Madagascar, blessed Jacques Berthieu, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who strove earnestly for the Gospel in both peace and war, and, having been expelled from the missions three times, was finally tried with kicks out of hatred for the faith, and, though called many times in vain to apostatize, was put to death.

 

9.  At Porto in Portugal, blessed Mary of the Divine Heart of Jesus Droste zu Vischering, virgin, of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Good Shepherd, who wonderfully promoted devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

10.  In the village of Kuzhikkattussery in Kerala, India, blessed Mary Theresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, virgin, who, through her eremitical life and outstanding austerity of penance, sought Christ in the poorest and most abandoned of all, and founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family.

 

11.  At Cagliari in Sardinia, blessed Nicholas of Gesturi (John) Medda, religious of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who, always ready to help the needy, constantly inspired many by his example of virtue and kindness in charity toward the poor.

 

 

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June 9^th

 

This Day, the Ninth Day of June

Saint Ephraem, deacon and Doctor of the Church, who first exercised in Nisibis, his homeland, the office of preaching and handing on sacred doctrine; then, when the Persians had invaded Nisibis, he fled with his disciples to Edessa in Osrhoene, where he laid the foundations of a theological school, fulfilling his ministry by words and writings, and so outstanding in austerity of life and doctrine that, on account of the exquisite hymns he composed, he merited to be called the “Lyre of the Holy Spirit.”

 

2.  On the Via Nomentana at the Arenae, at the fifteenth milestone from the city of Rome, the Saints Primus and Felician, martyrs.

 

3.  At Nicaea in Bithynia, Saint Diomedes, martyr.

 

4.  At Vernemetum in the district of Agen in Aquitaine, Saint Vincent, martyr, who, while the inhabitants were celebrating a festival in honor of the sun, is said to have completed the contest for the name of Christ.

 

5.  At Syracuse in Sicily, Saint Maximian, bishop, whom Pope Saint Gregory the Great often mentions.

 

6.  On the island of Iona in Scotland, Saint Columba, or Colum Cille, priest and abbot, who, born in Ireland and trained in monastic precepts, there and later in Iona founded monasteries distinguished for the discipline of life and the cultivation of letters, until, worn out by old age, awaiting the final day, he rested in the Lord before the altar.

 

7.  At Andria in Apulia, Saint Richard, bishop, English by nation and renowned in virtue, who devoutly received the relics of Saints Erasmus and Pontian.

 

8.  At London in England, blessed Robert Salt, martyr, monk of the Carthusian house of this city, who, because of his fidelity to the Church against King Henry the Eighth, was held in the prison of Newgate, and died of hunger.

 

9.  At Reritiba in Brazil, blessed Joseph Anchieta, priest of the Society of Jesus, who, born in the Canary Islands, throughout nearly the entire course of his life devoted himself zealously and fruitfully to missionary works in Brazil.

 

10.  Off the seacoast before Rochefort in France, blessed Joseph Imbert, priest and martyr, who, formerly of the Society of Jesus, in the time of the French upheaval, made Apostolic Vicar of Moulins by Pope Pius the Sixth, was cast into a prison ship out of hatred for the Church, where, infected by deadly contagion, he died.

 

11.  At Rome, blessed Anna Maria Taigi, mother of a family, who, oppressed by a violent husband, remained devoted to his care and to the education of their seven children, never neglecting spiritual and material concern for the poor and the sick.

 

 

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June 10^th

 

This Day, the Tenth Day of June

1.  At Auxerre in Lyonnaise France, Saint Censurius, bishop.

 

2.  At Paris in Neustria, Saint Landericus, bishop, who is said to have sold sacred vessels to aid the poor during a time of famine and to have rebuilt a hospital next to the cathedral church.

 

3.  At Rochester in England, Saint Ithamar, bishop, who, the first of the people of Kent to be called to the episcopal order, shone forth by the dignity of his life and by his learning.

 

4.  At Dobrowa in Poland, the natal day of Saint Bogumil, bishop of Gniezno, who, having abdicated his see, led a hermit’s life there, worn out by austerities.

 

5.  At Bologna in Emilia, blessed Diana d’Andalò, virgin, who, having removed all obstacles posed by her family, vowed the purpose of a cloistered life in the hands of Saint Dominic himself, and entered the monastery of Saint Agnes, founded by her.

 

6.  At Treviso in Venetia, blessed Henry of Balsano, who, a woodworker and illiterate, gave all things to the poor, and although weakened in strength, would still beg a meager alms which he would share with the beggars.

 

7.  At Buda in Hungary, the passing of blessed John Dominici, bishop of Ragusa, who, after the Black Plague, restored regular observance in the convents of the Order of Preachers in Italy, and was sent to Bohemia and Hungary to oppose the preaching of John Hus; there he died.

 

8.  At London in England, the blessed martyrs Thomas Green, priest, and Walter Pierson, monk of the Carthusian house of that city, who, because they opposed King Henry the Eighth claiming supreme authority in ecclesiastical matters, were shut up in a filthy prison and, afflicted by hunger and disease, died gloriously.

 

9.  At Turin in Italy, blessed Marcantonio Durando, priest of the Congregation of the Mission, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus the Nazarene for the care of the sick and abandoned youth.

 

10.  In the town of Moerzeke-lez-Termonde near Ghent in Belgium, blessed Edward Poppe, priest, who, in the straits of his time, by his writings and preaching promoted Christian formation and devotion to the Eucharist throughout Flanders.

 

 

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June 11^th

 

This Day, the Eleventh Day of June

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle, who, a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith, numbered among the first faithful in Jerusalem, preached the Gospel at Antioch and introduced Saul of Tarsus, scarcely converted, into the number of the brethren, and accompanied him on his first journey to evangelize Asia; he also participated in the Council of Jerusalem and, having returned to the island of Cyprus, his homeland, spread the Gospel.

 

2.  At Naples in Campania, Saint Maximus, bishop, who, on account of the Nicene faith, was driven into exile by the emperor Constantius and there, consumed by hardships, died as a confessor of the faith.

 

3.  At Bremen in Saxony, Saint Rimbert, bishop of Hamburg and likewise of Bremen, who, a faithful disciple and successor of Saint Ansgar, extended his ministry to the borders of Denmark and Sweden and, at the time of the Norman invasions, took care to ransom Christian captives.

 

4.  At Mainz in Franconia of Germany, blessed Bardon, bishop, who, first abbot of Hersfeld, having been elevated to the episcopal order, cared excellently for the Church with tireless pastoral concern.

 

5.  In the monastery of Camera near Brussels in Brabant, Saint Aleydis, virgin of the Cistercian Order, who, at twenty-two years of age, afflicted with leprosy, was forced to live a recluse life, and in the final years of her life, having also lost her sight, not even one member of her body remained healthy except her tongue for singing the praises of God.

 

6.  At Treviso in Venetia, Saint Parisio, priest of the Camaldolese Order, who aided nuns for seventy-seven years with salutary counsels in spiritual matters, and died in the one hundred and eighth year of life.

 

7.  At Gniezno in Poland, blessed Jolenta, abbess, who, after the death of her husband Boleslaus the Pious, duke, renounced earthly riches and professed the monastic life with her daughter in the Order of Saint Clare.

 

8.  At Saluzzo in the Subalpine region, blessed Stephen Bandelli, priest of the Order of Preachers, outstanding in preaching and constant in hearing confessions.

 

9.  At Salamanca in Spain, Saint John of Saint Facundus González de Castrillo, priest of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, who restored concord among citizens stirred by bloody factions through private conversations and the holiness of his life.

 

10.  At Tortosa in Spain, Saint Rosa Francisca María of the Sorrows (María Rosa) Molas Vallvé, virgin, who transformed a sodality of pious women into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, dedicated to the service of the afflicted.

 

11.  At Rome, Saint Paula Frassinetti, virgin, who, having overcome many difficulties at the beginning, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy to instruct girls in Christian doctrine, and with strong spirit and great harmony of gentleness and zeal, she steadfastly pursued her work.

 

12.  At Ragusa in Sicily, blessed Maria Schininà, virgin, who chose to live humbly and simply to care for the sick, the abandoned, and the poor, and established the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so that they might provide help to every kind of misery.

 

13.  In the village of Kara-Kenpru near Amida in Turkey, blessed Ignatius Maloyan, bishop of the Armenians of Mardin and martyr in the genocide of Christians of that region, carried out by persecutors of the faith, who, because he refused to embrace a foreign religion, having fed the captives with the consecrated bread for spiritual nourishment, pierced with innumerable bullets together with the Christian faithful, by the shedding of blood attained the reward of perpetual peace.

 

 

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June 12^th

 

This Day, the Twelfth Day of June

1.  At Loreto on the Via Aurelia at the twelfth milestone from the City, Saint Basilides, martyr.

 

2.  In Egypt, Saint Onuphrius, anchorite, who in the vast desert spent sixty years living a religious life.

 

3.  At Rome, near Saint Peter’s, Saint Leo the Third, pope, who bestowed the crown of the Roman Empire on Charles the Great, king of the Franks, and gave the utmost effort to defending the right faith and the divine dignity of the Son of God.

 

4.  At Utrecht in Gelderland of Lotharingia, Saint Odulph, priest, who evangelized the Frisians.

 

5.  In Sweden, Saint Eskil, bishop and martyr, who, English by birth, was ordained bishop by Saint Sigfrid his teacher, and devoted himself intensely with many labors for Christ among the pagans in the province of Södermanland, by whom, indeed, he was stoned.

 

6.  At Cortona in Etruria, blessed Guido, priest, who, a disciple of Saint Francis, led a life of fasting, poverty, and humility.

 

7.  Near Ocre in Abruzzo, blessed Placidus, abbot, who first, as a hermit in a cave, then in the monastery of the Holy Spirit, gathered disciples.

 

8.  At Città di Castello in Umbria, blessed Florida (Lucretia Helena) Cevoli, virgin of the Order of Poor Clares, who, although afflicted in body with wounds, fulfilled the duties entrusted to her with diligence and cheerfulness.

 

9.  At Verona in Venetia, Saint Gaspar Bertoni, priest, who founded the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose members were to be missionaries at the service of bishops.

 

10.  At Capranica in the countryside of Viterbo near Rome, blessed Laurence Mary of Saint Francis Xavier Salvi, priest of the Congregation of the Passion, who spread devotion toward the infant Jesus.

 

11.  At Riobamba in Ecuador, blessed Mercedes Mary of Jesus Molina, virgin, who founded a religious community whose mission was to receive and educate orphaned and poor girls and to rescue women fallen into vice and to strengthen them in a new life of grace.

 

12.  At Ragusa in Sicily of Italy, blessed Maria Candida of the Eucharist Barba, virgin of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, who showed supreme consecration of life and observance of the rule, and gave great care to the building of new monasteries.

 

 

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June 13^th

 

This Day, the Thirteenth Day of June

Memorial of Saint Anthony, priest and Doctor of the Church, who, Portuguese by country, already a Canon Regular, entered the newly founded Order of Friars Minor, in order to devote himself to spreading the faith among the peoples of Africa; but fulfilling the office of preaching in Italy and France with great fruit, he drew many to the true doctrine; and he wrote sermons filled with doctrine and sweetness, and by the command of Saint Francis he taught theology to the brothers, until at Padua he passed to the Lord.

 

2.  On the Via Ardeatina at the seventh milestone from the city of Rome, Saint Felicula, martyr.

 

3.  At Alexandria in Egypt, blessed Achilleus, bishop, who was distinguished in learning, faith, conduct, and morals.

 

4.  At Leucosia in Cyprus, Saint Triphyllius, bishop, who vigorously defended the Nicene orthodox faith, a most eloquent orator of his age and a wondrous expositor of the Song of Songs, as Saint Jerome relates.

 

5.  In Abruzzo, Saint Cetheus (also called Peregrinus), bishop of Amiternum, who, when the Lombards were overrunning the region, falsely accused of betraying the city, was condemned to death and drowned in a river.

 

6.  At Alexandria in Egypt, Saint Eulogius, bishop, celebrated for his doctrine, to whom Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, sent many letters, writing of him: “He is by no means far from me, who is one with me.”

 

7.  Near Limoges in Aquitaine, Saint Psalmodius, hermit.

 

8.  In the borders of Lyons in France, Saint Ragnebert, martyr, who, born of noble stock and adorned with noble virtues, was so hated by Ebroin, master of the palace, that he was afflicted with exile and finally with death.

 

9.  In the valley of Arbas in the Pyrenees mountains, Saint Aventinus, hermit and martyr, who is said to have been killed by the Moors.

 

10.  At Córdoba in the region of Andalusia, Spain, Saint Fandilas, priest, monk [and martyr], who, in the persecution by the Moors under the reign of Muhammad I, was beheaded for the faith of Christ.

 

11.  In the monastery of Clairvaux in Burgundy, blessed Gerard, monk, brother of Saint Bernard, who, though unlearned in letters, nevertheless had great discernment and perception in spiritual matters.

 

12.  Near Huu in Annam, Saints Augustine Phan Viet Huy and Nicholas Bui Viet The, martyrs, who, having been struck with fear, trampled the cross, but, desiring to atone for the punishment of their sin, immediately sought from the emperor Minh Mạng to be judged again as Christians; therefore, they were cut alive on a ship and attained the heavenly joys.

 

13.  In the town of Naumowicze near Grodno in Poland, blessed Maria Anna Biernacka, mother of a family and martyr, who, during the occupation regime in wartime, freely offered herself in place of her pregnant daughter-in-law to the soldiers, and being pierced immediately with bullets, received the glorious palm of martyrdom.

 

 

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June 14^th

 

This Day, the Fourteenth Day of June

1.  At Samaria or Sebaste in Palestine, the commemoration of Saint Elisha, who, a disciple of Elijah, was a prophet in Israel during the time of King Joram until the days of Joash; and although he left behind no oracles, nevertheless, by performing miracles for strangers, he announced salvation to come for all men.

 

2.  At Aquileia in Venetia, Saint Pratus, martyr.

 

3.  Near Soissons in Belgic France, the Saints Valerius and Rufinus, martyrs.

 

4.  At Naples in Campania, Saint Fortunatus, bishop.

 

5.  At Vienne in Burgundy, Saint Etherius, bishop.

 

6.  At Constantinople, Saint Methodius, bishop, who, while he was a monk, went to Rome to Pope Paschal I in defense of sacred Images, and, having been raised to the episcopate, solemnly celebrated the triumph of the orthodox faith.

 

7.  At Córdoba in the region of Andalusia in Spain, the holy martyrs Anastasius, priest, Felix, monk, and Digna, virgin, who all died together on the same day.  Anastasius, having professed the Christian faith before the Moorish officials, was immediately killed by the sword; and with him Felix, a Getulian by nation, who had lived the Catholic faith and monastic life through Asturias; and Digna, a young maiden, who had strongly rebuked the judge for their condemnation, was immediately beheaded.

 

 

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June 15^th

 

This Day, the FifteenthDay of June

1.  The commemoration of Saint Amos, prophet, whom, a herdsman of Tekoa and a dresser of sycamores, the Lord sent to the children of Israel, that he might vindicate His justice and holiness against their transgressions.

 

2.  At Dorostorum in Moesia, Saint Hesychius, who, a soldier, was arrested with blessed Julius and, after him, under the governor Maximus, was crowned with martyrdom.

 

3.  In Lucania, Saint Vitus, martyr.

 

4.  At Clermont in Aquitaine, Saint Abraham, monk, who, born on the bank of the river Euphrates, went into Egypt to visit the hermits, but, apprehended by pagans, was held in chains for five years; afterward, he came into France to the Arverni, where he withdrew into the monastery of Saint Cyricus and died full of days.

 

5.  At Crespin in Hainaut, Saint Landelin, abbot, who, converted from banditry to the practice of virtues by Saint Autbert, bishop, founded the monastery of Lobbes and afterward went to Crespin, where he departed from life.

 

6.  At Séez in Neustria, Saint Lothair, bishop, who, having laid down his office, is said to have met a solitary death.

 

7.  At Córdoba in the region of Andalusia in Spain, Saint Benildis, martyr, who, already advanced in age, died in the persecution by the Moors.

 

8.  On Mount Joux in the Valais, Saint Bernard of Menthon, priest, who, canon and archdeacon of Aosta, lived for many years among the highest Alpine passes, and there he built a very renowned monastery and established hospices for travelers on two mountains, which are still celebrated under his name.

 

9.  At Ratzeburg in Holstein, Germany, Saint Isfrid, bishop, who, maintaining the customs of the Premonstratensian Canons, devoted himself to the evangelization of the Wends.

 

10.  At London in England, blessed Thomas Scryven, martyr, monk of the Carthusian house of that city, who, under King Henry VIII, kept the faith of the Church, and for that reason, consumed by hunger in prison, received the crown of martyrdom.

 

11.  Likewise at York in England, the blessed martyrs Peter Snow, priest, and Ralph Grimston, who, under Queen Elizabeth I, were condemned to death, one because he was a priest, the other because he had tried to rescue him from his captors and suffered the punishment of the gibbet.

 

12.  At Pibrac in the region of Toulouse in France, Saint Germana, virgin, who, born of unknown parents and from childhood subjected to a servile life and infirmities, endured all kinds of hardships with strong spirit and cheerful face, until in the twenty-second year of her age she peacefully passed away.

 

13.  At Bergamo in Italy, blessed Aloysius Mary Palazzolo, priest, who founded the Congregations of the Little Sisters of the Poor and of the Brothers of the Holy Family.

 

14.  In the village of Qianshengzhuang near the city of Liushuitao in Hebei Province of China, Saint Barbara Cui Lianzhi, martyr, who, after her son had already been killed, while seeking safety by flight at night, was captured by the enemies of the Christians and, most cruelly tortured, died.

 

 

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June 16^th

 

This Day, the Sixteenth Day of June

1.  In the regions of Asia, the commemoration of the Saints Quiricus and Julitta, martyrs.

 

2.  At Vesontio in France of Lyon, the Saints Ferreolus and Ferrutius, martyrs.

 

3.  At Nantes likewise in Lyon, Saint Similianus, bishop, whom Saint Gregory of Tours praises as a great confessor.

 

4.  At Amathus in Cyprus, Saint Tychon, bishop, in the time of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger.

 

5.  At Mainz in Belgic France, the Saints Aureus, bishop, Justina, his sister, and fellow martyrs, who, while they were celebrating the Eucharist, are said to have been slain by pagan Huns.

 

6.  At Lyon in France, the deposition of Saint Aurelian, bishop of Arles, who, named as vicar in France by Pope Vigilius, erected two monasteries in his city, one for men and one for women, giving to them a rule of their own.

 

7.  At Carrara in Etruria, the passing of Saint Ceccardus, bishop of Luni and Sarzana, who, near the marble quarries, having been unjustly slain by certain marble workers, is considered a martyr.

 

8.  At Meissen in Saxony, Saint Benno, bishop, who, since he wished to preserve the unity of the Church and fidelity to the Roman Pontiff, was cast out from his see and endured exile.

 

9.  In the monastery of Cistercian nuns at Aywières in Brabant, Saint Lutgardis, virgin, remarkable for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of the Lord.

 

10.  At London in England, blessed Thomas Reding, martyr, monk of the Charterhouse of that city, who, under King Henry the Eighth, firmly adhered to the unity of the Church, and therefore, confined immobile in bonds in the filth of prison, wasted away by hunger and disease, died.

 

11.   At anchor in the sea before the port of Rochefort in France, blessed Anthony Constantius Auriel, priest and martyr, who, a parochial vicar of Cahors, during the times of the French upheaval, on account of the priesthood, having been confined in a filthy ship, soon afflicted with disease, gave up his spirit while helping fellow captives.

 

12.  In the city of Lang Co in Tonkin, the holy martyrs Dominic Nguyễn, a physician, Dominic Nhi, Dominic Mao, Vincent and Andrew Tuong, farmers, who, having been arrested together for the Christian faith and tortured with many torments in prison, were finally beheaded under the emperor Tự Đức.

 

13.  In the district of Ingenbohl near Schwyz in Switzerland, blessed Mary Theresa (Anna Maria Catharina) Scherer, virgin, who governed the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Cross as their first superior.

 

 

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June 17^th

 

This Day, the Seventeenth Day of June

1.  At Rome, on the Old Salarian Way at the Seven Palumbas, the Saints Blastus and Diogenes, martyrs.

 

2.  At Apollonia in Macedonia, the Saints Isaurus, Innocentius, Felix, Hermias, Peregrinus, and Basilius, martyrs.

 

3.  At Durostorum in Moesia, the holy martyrs Nicander and Marcian, who, soldiers, rejecting the donative and firmly refusing to sacrifice to the gods, were condemned to death by beheading by the governor Maximus in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian.

 

4.  At Vesontio in France of Lyons, Saint Antidius, bishop and martyr, who is said to have received the capital sentence under Crocus, king of the Vandals.

 

5.  In Bithynia, Saint Hypatius, hegumen of the monastery of the Rufiniani, who by his austere life and strict fasts taught his disciples obedience to the perfect monastic way of life, and to seculars the fear of God.

 

6.  In Brittany, Saint Herveus, hermit, who, as it is said, deprived of the light of the sun from birth, nevertheless sweetly sang the joys of paradise.

 

7.  At Orléans in France, Saint Avitus, abbot.

 

8.  At Pisa in Etruria, Saint Rainerius, poor and pilgrim for Christ.

 

9.  At Lorvão in Lusitania, Saint Teresa, who, queen of León and mother of three children, after the death of her husband, led the regular life in a monastery founded by herself, under the Cistercian rule.

 

10.  At Venice, blessed Peter Gambacorta, founder of the Order of Hermits of Saint Jerome, whose first religious were bandits converted by him.

 

11.  At Naples in Campania, blessed Paul Burali, of the Order of Clerics Regular of the Theatines, first bishop of Piacenza, then of Naples, who devoted himself to restoring ecclesiastical discipline and strengthening in faith the flock entrusted to him.

 

12.  On the coast of France, in a ship at anchor before Rochefort, blessed Philip Papon, priest of the Diocese of Autun and martyr, who, as pastor, during the French upheaval, was cast into the shame of captivity on account of the priesthood, and, after he had absolved a dying fellow prisoner, himself died.

 

13.  At the place Qua Linh in Tonkin, Saint Peter Da, martyr, who, a woodworker and sacristan, though tortured with many and cruel torments, remained firm in the profession of faith, and at last, thrown into the flames, died under the emperor Tự Đức.

 

 

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June 18^th

 

This Day, the Eighteenth Day of June

1.  At Rome, in the cemetery of Balbina on the Ardeatine Way, Saints Marcus and Marcellianus, martyrs in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, whom the same suffering made brothers.

 

2.  At Tripoli in Phoenicia, Saint Leontius, a soldier, who, having endured harsh torments in prison, came to the crown of martyrdom.

 

3.  In Africa, Saints Cyriacus and Paula, martyrs.

 

4.  At Bordeaux in Aquitaine, Saint Amandus, bishop, who instructed and baptized Saint Paulinus of Nola in the doctrine of truth, often praised by him.

 

5.  On Mount Cronius near the Baths of Selinunte in western Sicily, Saint Calogerus, hermit.

 

6.  At Schönau in the Rhineland of Germany, Saint Elizabeth, virgin, renowned for observance of monastic life.

 

7.  At Mantua in Lombardy, blessed Hosanna Andreasi, virgin, who, having been clothed with the habit of the Sisters of the Penance of Saint Dominic, joined the contemplation of divine things with secular activities and care for good works with marvelous wisdom.

 

8.  At Padua in Venetia, Saint Gregory Barbarigo, bishop, who established a seminary for clerics, taught boys catechism in their own language, held a synod and meetings with the clergy, opened very many schools, was generous to all, but strict with himself.

 

 

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June 19^th

 

This Day, the Nineteenth  Day of June

Saint Romuald, anchorite and father of the Camaldolese monks, who, originating from Ravenna, desiring the hermit life and discipline, journeyed through Italy for many years, rebuilding small monasteries and promoting the evangelical life among monks everywhere with tireless effort, until he happily completed his labors in the monastery of Val di Castro in Picenum of Italy.

 

2.  At Milan in Liguria, the commemoration of Saints Gervasius and Protasius, martyrs, whose bodies Saint Ambrose found and transferred on this day with solemn procession into the new basilica rebuilt by him.

 

3.  On Mount Vosges in Burgundy of Austrasia, Saint Deodatus, bishop of Nevers, who is said to have founded a monastery in the place later named after him.

 

4.  In the monastery of Fiscamno in Neustria, Saint Childomarca, abbess, who kindly received and cared for Saint Leodegar, mutilated by Ebroin.

 

5.  At Zaragoza in Spain, Saint Lambert, martyr.

 

6.  At Caltagirone in Sicily, the translation of blessed Gerlandus, who, a knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, dedicated himself with generous spirit to widows and children deprived of parents.

 

7.  At Florence in Etruria, Saint Juliana Falconieri, virgin, who founded the Sisters of the Order of the Servants of Mary, called “Mantellate” because of their religious habit.

 

8.  At Pesaro in Picenum of Italy, blessed Michelina, widow, who gave all her goods to the poor and, having been clothed with the habit of the Third Order of Saint Francis, lived a humble life and one disciplined with correction, begging for bread.

 

9.  At London in England, blessed Martyrs Sebastian Newdigate, Humphrey Middlemore, and William Exmew, priests of the Charterhouse of that same city, who, under King Henry the Eighth, having been confined in prison because they had firmly persevered as faithful to the Church of Christ, stood bound to pillars with iron manacles for seventeen days, and afterward completed their martyrdom by the punishment of hanging at Tyburn.

 

10.  In the same place, blessed Thomas Woodhouse, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who, ordained priest under Queen Mary the Catholic, then in the persecution under Queen Elizabeth the First, was detained for more than twelve years because of the faith, gave vigorous effort to reconciling captives with the Catholic Church, until he was crowned with martyrdom at Tyburn on the gallows.

 

11.  In the village of Wuyi near Science City in the Hebei Province of China, Saints Remigius Isoré and Modest Andlauer, priests of the Society of Jesus and martyrs, who, during the persecution carried out by followers of the “Yihetuan” faction, were killed while praying before the altar.

 

 

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June 20^th

 

This Day, the Twentieth Day of June

1.  Commemoration of Saint Methodius, bishop of Olympus and martyr, who composed books in a clear and well-ordered style of speech and, at the end of the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, was crowned with martyrdom.

 

2.  In the region of Laon in Neustria, Saint Goban, priest, who, born in Ireland and made a disciple of Saint Fursa in England, for the love of Christ departed for France and led a hermit life in the forests.

 

3.  In the monastery of Saint James at Foggia in Apulia, Saint John of Matera, abbot, who, distinguished among the people for austerity and preaching, established in the region of Gargano the Pulsano Congregation under the observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict.

 

4.  In the monastery of Medingen in Bavaria, blessed Margaret Ebner, virgin of the Order of Preachers, who, enduring many afflictions for Christ, led a life beneficial for her own salvation, admirable to all and pleasing to God, and wrote many things concerning the mystical life.

 

5.  At Dublin in Ireland, the passion of blessed Dermot O’Hurley, bishop and martyr, who, a layman skilled in law, by the will of Pope Gregory XIII was made bishop of Cashel, and under Queen Elizabeth I, after being interrogated and tortured for many months, steadfastly rejected calumnies, and before the gallows set up at Hoggen Green declared that he would die for the Catholic faith and the episcopal office.

 

6.  In the same place, the commemoration of blessed Margaret Ball, martyr, who, having become a widow, received into her home several sought-after priests and, being denounced by her own son, was ordered to be arrested and, after various kinds of mistreatment, died in prison at over seventy years of age, on an unknown day.

 

7.  At Nagasaki in Japan, blessed Martyrs Francis Pacheco, priest, and eight companions, of the Society of Jesus, who were condemned to the fire out of hatred for the faith.

 

8.  At London in England, blessed Martyrs Thomas Whitbread and companions William Harcourt, John Fenwick, John Gavan, and Anthony Turner, priests of the Society of Jesus, who, falsely accused of conspiracy against the life of King Charles II, completed martyrdom at Tyburn for the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

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June 21^st

 

This Day, the Twenty-first Day of June

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious, who, born of the stock of princes and most illustrious in innocence of life, having handed over his hereditary principality to his brother, joined the Society of Jesus in Rome, but, with his strength broken by attending to those afflicted with a pestilential disease, met death while still a youth.

 

2.  At Grel in Brittany Minor, Saint Mevennus, abbot, who, originally from Wales, withdrew into the forest of inland Armorica and founded a monastery.

 

3.  In the region of Évreux in Neustria, Saint Leutfrid, abbot, who founded the monastery of the Holy Cross, over which he presided for about forty-eight years.

 

4.  At Bourges in Aquitaine, Saint Ralph, bishop, who, concerned for the priestly life, took care to gather with the priests of the Church entrusted to him, {reading} chapters from the sayings of the Holy Fathers and the canons for pastoral use.

 

5.  At Huesca in Aragon, Saint Raymond, who, having become bishop of Roda and Barbastro from a Canon Regular, never wished to defeat the enemies of the Christian name by military force, for which reason he was expelled from his see for three years.

 

6.  At Orvieto in Tuscany, blessed Thomas, religious of the Order of the Servants of Mary.

 

7.  At London in England, Saint John Rigby, martyr, who, under Queen Elizabeth I, having been seized at London and condemned to death because he had reconciled himself to the Catholic Church, was hanged at Southwark and, while still living, was disemboweled.

 

8.  On a ship anchored off Rochefort in France, blessed James Morelle Dupas, priest and martyr, who, condemned to imprisonment because he had exercised parish ministry in the region of Poitiers during the time of French upheaval, strict with himself but gentle toward others, died consumed by starvation.

 

9.  In the region of Zapotlanejo in Mexico, Saint Joseph Isabel Flores, priest and martyr in the time of the great persecution.

 

 

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June 22^nd

 

This Day, the Twenty-second Day of June

Saint Paulinus, bishop, who, having received baptism at Bordeaux and relinquished the consulship, from being most noble and wealthy became poor and humble for Christ; and, having gone to Nola in Campania to the tomb of Saint Felix the priest, so that he might follow closely the example of his life, led an ascetical way of life with his wife and companions; but, having become bishop, distinguished for learning and holiness, he assisted pilgrims and diligently supported the poor.

Saints John Fisher, bishop, and Thomas More, martyrs, who, when they resisted King Henry the Eighth regarding the controversy of repudiating his marriage and the primacy of the Roman Pontiff, were cast into the Tower of London in England.  John Fisher, bishop of Rochester, a man most distinguished for learning and uprightness of life, was beheaded on this day by the order of the king himself before the prison; but Thomas More, an upright father of a family and president of the council of the nation’s governors, was, on the sixth of July, joined in martyrdom with the venerable bishop because of his fidelity maintained toward the Catholic Church.

 

3.  At Rome, the commemoration of Saint Flavius Clemens, martyr, who by the emperor Domitian, with whom he had held the consulship, was killed under the pretext of being a “denier of the gods,” but really on account of his faith of Christ.

 

4.  At Verulamium in Britain, Saint Alban, martyr, who, as it is told, not yet baptized, for a cleric guest whom he had received into his home and from whom he had been imbued with the teachings of the Christian faith, handed himself over, having exchanged clothing; for which reason, after beatings and harsh torments, he was beheaded.

 

5.  At Legion in Brittany Minor, Saints Julius and Aaron, martyrs, who suffered after Saint Alban in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian; at that time. In the same place, very many others, tortured with various torments and savagely torn apart, after completing their struggle, reached the joys of the heavenly city.

 

6.  At Doliche in Syria, Saint Eusebius, bishop of Samosata, who, in the time of the emperor Constantius, an Arian, under a military disguise secretly visited the Churches of God so that he might strengthen them in the Catholic faith; then, under the emperor Valens, was exiled to Thrace, but with peace restored to the Church, was recalled from exile during the reign of Theodosius; at last, when again visiting the Churches, he died a martyr, his head broken by a tile hurled down upon him from above by an Arian woman.

 

7.  Commemoration of Saint Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana in Dacia, whom Saint Paulinus of Nola praises in verse, because he taught the Gospel to barbarians made tame and led them into the folds of peace, and those, once unskilled and robbers, learned to proclaim Christ with a Roman heart.

 

8.  At Rome in the Lateran, blessed Pope Innocent V, who, of the Order of Preachers, taught sacred theology in Paris and, having been unwillingly made bishop of the see of Lyon, directed the Ecumenical Council for the union of the separated Latins and Greeks together with Saint Bonaventure; then, having been raised to the chair of Peter, he fulfilled the office of Pontiff for a very short time, [briefly presented,] rather than [long-]given to the Roman Church.

 

 

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June 23^rd

 

This Day, the Twenty-third Day of June

1.  Commemoration of many holy martyrs of Nicomedia, who, in the time of the emperor Diocletian, while hiding in mountains and caves, endured martyrdom for the name of Christ with calm spirit.

 

2.  In the monastery of Ely in eastern England, Saint Etheldreda, abbess, who, the daughter of a king and herself queen of Northumbria, having twice set aside marriage, received the veil of the nuns from Saint Bishop Wilfrid in the monastery founded by herself, and presided as mother over many virgins by her example and exhortations.

 

3.  At Darioerigum in Brittany, Saint Bilius, bishop and martyr, who is said to have been killed by the Normans as they were devastating the city.

 

4.  At Pavia in Lombardy, blessed Lanfranc, bishop, who, a man of peace, suffered much for the fostering of peace and harmony in the city.

 

5.  At Onhaye in Hainaut, Saint Walher, priest, who, while crossing the Meuse River, is said to have been killed by his nephew, a priest whose conduct he was reproving, while still bearing the tonsure of Remigius.

 

6.  At Oignies also in Hainaut, blessed Mary, who, endowed with mystical gifts, lived as a recluse in a cell with her husband’s consent, and created and organized the institute of the “Beguines.”

 

7.  In the hermitage of Vallismans in Picenum in Italy, blessed Peter Jacob of Pesaro, priest of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine.

 

8.  At London in England, Saint Thomas Garnet, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who, ordained in the English College at Valladolid and having returned to England, was imprisoned twice and, under King James the First, suffered the gallows at Tyburn.

 

9.  At Turin in Italy, Saint Joseph Cafasso, priest, who devoted himself to increasing piety and learning among seminarians, and to reconciling to God those wretched persons detained in prisons or even condemned to death.

 

10.  At Alatri in Latium of Italy, blessed Maria Raffaella (Sanctina) Cimatti, virgin, of the Sisters of Mercy for the sick, who lived a hidden and humble life, devoting her work especially to the sick and the poor with constant care and heartfelt charity.

 

 

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June 24^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-fourth Day of June

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Lord, who, already in his mother’s womb, was filled with the Holy Spirit and leapt with joy at the coming of human salvation; and whose very Birth prophesied the Lord Christ; and such grace shone in him, that the Lord Himself said concerning him: “Among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.”

 

2.  At Rome at the place called “the Seven Doves” on the Old Salarian Way, the holy martyrs John and Festus.

 

3.  At Autun in France of Lyon, Saint Simplicius, who, of noble and devout lineage, living in utmost chastity with a most honorable wife, was chosen to the episcopate.

 

4.  In the village of Créteil in the territory of Paris, the passion of Saints Agoard and Aglibert, and many others, martyrs.

 

5.  At Mechelen in Brabant, Saint Rumbold, who is venerated as a hermit and martyr.

 

6.  At Lobbes in Austrasia, Saint Theodulf, bishop and abbot.

 

7.  At Nantes in Brittany, Saint Gobard, bishop and martyr, who, while celebrating the solemn rites of Mass with the people in the cathedral church, as he was chanting “Sursum corda,” was pierced with arrows by impious Normans and died with many of the faithful.

 

8.  At Vestervig in Denmark, Saint Theodgar, priest, who, as a missionary in that region, built the first wooden church.

 

9.  In the province of Sichuan in China, Saint Joseph Yuan Zaide, priest and martyr, who was strangled out of hatred for the Christian faith.

 

10.  At Guadalajara in Mexico, blessed María of Guadalupe (Anastasia) García Zavala, virgin, who actively assisted in the foundation of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor, and zealously carried out works of charity among the poor and the sick.

 

 

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June 25^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-fifth Day of June

1.  At Augusta Taurinorum in Liguria, Saint Maximus, the first bishop of that see, who called crowds of pagans to the faith of Christ with fatherly eloquence and directed them toward the reward of salvation with heavenly teaching.

 

2.  The commemoration of Saint Prosper of Aquitaine, who, trained in philosophy and letters, lived with his wife a life of integrity and modesty, and, having become a monk at Marseilles, vigorously defended the doctrine of Saint Augustine concerning the grace of God and the gift of perseverance against the Pelagians, and at Rome fulfilled the role of writer for Saint Leo the Great, pope.

 

3.  At Reggio Emilia, Saint Prosper, bishop.

 

4.  At Maurienne in Savoy, Saint Tigris, virgin, who promoted with great zeal the veneration of Saint John the Baptist in that place.

 

5.  At Rossmarkre in Scotland, Saint Moluoc, also called Luan, bishop.

 

6.  At Iaca in Tarraconensian Spain, Saint Eurosia, virgin and martyr.

 

7.  At Egmond in Frisia, Saint Adalbert, deacon and abbot, who assisted Saint Willibrord in evangelical zeal.

 

8.  In Brittany, Saint Solomon, martyr, who, while he ruled as king, established episcopal sees, enlarged monasteries, and upheld justice with fairness; but after relinquishing the kingdom, he was attacked in a church by his adversaries and killed.

 

9.  At Goleto near Nusco in Campania, Saint William, abbot, who, having become a pilgrim and poor man for the love of Christ from the city of Vercelli, at the prompting of Saint John of Matera founded the monastery of Montevergine and gathered companions to himself, whom he instructed with his lofty spiritual teaching, and he founded many hermitages both of monks and of nuns in the southern regions of Italy.

 

10.  At the Charterhouse of Reposoir in Savoy, blessed John, surnamed “the Spaniard,” monk, who composed constitutions for the nuns of the Carthusian Order.

 

11.  At Marienwerder in Polish Prussia, blessed Dorothy of Montau, who, as a widow, enclosed herself in a cell near the cathedral church and gave herself entirely to constant prayer and penance.

 

12.  At Valle Guidonis in France, blessed Mary Lhuillier, virgin and martyr, who, having been received among the Sisters of Mercy, remained steadfastly faithful to her religious vows and to the Church during the French upheaval, and died by beheading.

 

13.  In the city of Nam Dinh in Tonkin, Saints Dominic Henares, bishop of the Order of Preachers, and Francis Do Minh Chieu, martyrs, of whom the former propagated the Christian faith for forty-nine years, and the latter, a catechist, diligently worked with him; both were beheaded together under Emperor Minh Mạng for Christ.

 

 

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June 26^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-sixth Day of June

1.  At Rome, the commemoration of Saints John and Paul, to whose name a basilica was dedicated on the Caelian Hill at the slope of Scaurus, in the title of the senator Pammachius.

 

2.  At Trent in Venetia, Saint Vigilius, bishop, who, having received distinguished instruction and pastoral training from Saint Ambrose of Milan, attempted to strengthen the work of evangelization in his territory and to root out completely the remains of idolatry, and is said to have fulfilled martyrdom for the name of Christ, struck by savage men.

 

3.  At Nola in Campania, Saint Deodatus, bishop, who succeeded Saint Paulinus.

 

4.  In the district of Poitiers in Aquitaine, Saint Maxentius, abbot, distinguished in virtues.

 

5.  At Thessalonica in Macedonia, Saint David, hermit, who lived shut up in a small cell outside the city walls for nearly eighty years.

 

6.  At Valence in Austrasia, Saints Salvius, bishop, and his disciple, who came from the territory of Auvergne into this region and suffered martyrdom under Winegard, the lord of the place.

 

7.  At Córdoba in the region of Vandalic Spain, Saint Pelagius, martyr, who, being thirteen years old, for the faith of Christ and preserved chastity against the effeminate blandishments of the Moorish king ʿAbd ar-Rahman III, by his order was torn limb by limb with iron pincers and gloriously completed his martyrdom.

 

8.  At Gubbio in Umbria, Saint Ralph, bishop, who applied himself to the word of preaching and lavishly distributed to the poor whatever he could secretly take from his own household.

 

9.  At Belley in Savoy, Saint Anthelm, bishop, who, as a monk of the Grande Chartreuse, restored the monastery which had been destroyed by a great fall of snow; made prior, he convoked the general chapter, and when raised to the episcopal seat, he labored with tireless zeal and unshakable firmness to correct the morals of the clergy and the nobles.

 

10.  On a barge moored before the port of Rochefortin France, blessed Raymond Petiniaud de Jourgnac, priest and martyr, who, an archdeacon of Limoges, during the time of the French turmoil was detained in inhumane conditions because of the priesthood and completed his martyrdom wasted away by sores and lice.

 

11.  At Cambrai in France, the blessed virgins and martyrs Magdalene Fontaine, Frances Lanel, Theresa Fantou, and Jeanne Gerard, who, Daughters of Charity, condemned to death by beheading out of hatred for the Church during the time of the French upheaval, were crowned with mockery and led to execution with the Rosary.

 

12.  At Treviso in Italy, blessed Andrew Hyacinth Longhin, bishop, who during the storms of war vigorously aided the needs of refugees and captives and in the hardships of his time defended with remarkable solicitude the rights of workers, farmers, and all the poor of society.

 

13.  In the village of Qianshengzhuang near the city of Liushuitao in the Hebei Province of China, Saint Joseph Ma Taishun, martyr, who, a physician and catechist, although during the persecution carried out by supporters of the “Yihetuan” sect the rest of his family defected from the faith, preferred to bear witness to Christ with his blood.

 

14.  In the village of Jalisco of the Guadalajara territory in Mexico, Saint Joseph Mary Robles, priest and martyr, who, during the persecution against the Church in the time of the Mexican turmoil, was hanged from a tree and died.

 

15.  In the forest of Birok near the city of Stradch in the district of Lviv in Ukraine, blessed Nicholas Konrad, priest, and Vladimir Pryjma, who, at a time of regimes hostile to God, through fearless death proclaimed the hope of the Resurrection of Christ.

 

16.  In the village of Sykhiv likewise in the district of Lviv, blessed Andrew Iscak, priest and martyr, who in the same period was killed by bullets for the faith of Christ.

 

17.  At Rome, Saint Joseph Mary Escriva de Balaguer, priest, who founded Opus Dei and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

 

 

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June 27^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-seventh Day of June

Saint Cyril, bishop and doctor of the Church, who, having been elected to the Alexandrian see in Egypt, with singular zeal for the integrity of the Catholic faith, in the Council of Ephesus expounded the dogmas concerning the one and the same person in Christ and concerning the divine maternity of the Virgin Mary.

 

2.  At Carthage, Saint Guddenes, martyr, who, by order of the proconsul Rufinus, was four times at different intervals tortured by the rack and by laceration with claws, and long afflicted also by the filth of prison, was finally struck down by the sword.

 

3.  At Córdoba in Baetica, Spain, Saint Zoilus, martyr.

 

4.  At Constantinople, Saint Samson, priest, receiver of the poor, who is said to have established a hospital at the urging of the emperor Justinian, whom he had healed from illness.

 

5.  At the fortress Chinon in the district of Tours in France, Saint John, priest, who, of Breton race, keeping himself from the sight of men for the love of God, had a tiny Oratory cell before the village church.

 

6.  At Milan in Lombardy, Saint Arialdus, deacon and martyr, who strongly opposed the depraved customs of simoniacal and corrupt clergy, and because of his zeal for the house of God, was killed with atrocious torments by two clerics.

 

7.  At Corneto near Bovino in Apulia, blessed Benvenutus of Gubbio, religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who conformed himself to the life of Christ the poor man by humble service to the sick.

 

8.  In the city of Nam Dinh in Tonkin, Saint Thomas Toan, martyr, who, as a catechist and caretaker of the Trung Linh Mission, suffered new and most savage torments in prison for Christ under the emperor Minh Mạng, and there died, worn out by hunger and thirst.

 

9.  In the district of Fribourg in Switzerland, blessed Margaret Bays, virgin, who, practicing the craft of dressmaking within her family, devoted herself entirely to various services to her neighbor, never neglecting prayer.

 

10.  At Moulins in France, blessed Ludovica Thérèse Montaignac de Chauvance, virgin, who founded the Pious Union of the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

 

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June 28^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-eighth Day of June

Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, bishop, who, as Saint Jerome writes, was from childhood a disciple of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna and faithfully preserved the memory of Apostolic times.  Already a presbyter of Lyon, he succeeded Saint Pothinus as bishop, and it is said that he was also crowned with glorious martyrdom.  He wrote much about Apostolic Tradition and also published outstanding books against heresies in defense of the Catholic faith.

 

2.  At Alexandria in Egypt, under the emperor Septimius Severus, the holy martyrs Plutarch, Serenus, Heraclides the catechumen, Heron the neophyte, another Serenus, Herais the catechumen, Potamiana, and Marcella her mother, who were all illustrious disciples of Origen; some confessed Christ by the sword, others by fire.  Among them especially stood out the virgin Potamiana, who first preserved innumerable struggles for her virginity and, at last, endured unheard-of torments for the faith and was consumed by fire together with her mother.

 

3.  At Rome, Saint Paul I, pope, who was gentle and very merciful, and would go about silently at night among the cells of the poor and the sick, providing them with food.  A defender of the orthodox faith, he wrote to the emperors Constantine and Leo, urging that sacred Images be restored to their former state of veneration.  A zealous promoter of the cult of the saints, he removed the bodies of the martyrs from ruined cemeteries and, with hymns and chants, placed them within the city among the titular churches and monasteries, striving to honor them.

 

4.  At Córdoba in the region of Andalusia in Spain, Saint Argimirus, martyr, a monk, who in the persecution by the Moors, when Muhammad II was reigning, though already advanced in age and ordered by a judge to deny Christ, remained steadfast in confessing the faith; placed alive on the rack and pierced with a sword, he was martyred.

 

5.  At Hasungen in Hesse, Saint Heimerad, priest and hermit, who, having been cast out from his monastery and held in contempt and mocked by many, nevertheless journeyed far and wide for Christ.

 

6.  At London in England, Saint John Southworth, priest and martyr, who, as he exercised the priesthood in England, suffered imprisonment and exile many times.  Finally, under the regime of Oliver Cromwell, having been condemned to death, he exclaimed, upon seeing the gallows prepared at Tyburn, that he regarded the gibbet as the cross of Christ.

 

7.  At Lovere in Lombardy, Saint Vincenza Gerosa, virgin, who together with Saint Bartolomea Capitanio founded the Institute of the Sisters of Charity.

 

8.  In the village of Wanglajia near Dongguangxian in the province of Hebei in China, of the holy martyrs Lucia Wang Cheng, Maria Fan Kun, Qi Yu, and Maria Zheng Xu, girls who were raised in an orphanage and, during the persecution of the “Boxers,” with hands joined together, went joyfully as if to a wedding and died by the sword.

 

9.  At the place Jieshuiwang near the city of Shenxian in the same province, of Saint Maria Du Zhaozhi, martyr, the mother of a priest, who, returning from flight and unwilling to betray the faith of Christ, calmly submitted her neck to the axe of the enemies.

 

10.  In the city of Drohobych in Ukraine, the blessed Severian Baranyk and Joachim Senkivskyj, priests of the Order of Saint Josaphat and martyrs, who, in the persecution against the faith, became partakers of the victory of Christ through martyrdom.

 

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June 29^th

 

This Day, the Twenty-ninth Day of June

Solemnity of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul.  Simon, the son of Jonah and the brother of Andrew, was the first among the disciples to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and by Him was called Peter.  Paul, however, the Apostle of the Gentiles, preached Christ crucified to both Jews and Greeks.  Both in the faith and love of Jesus Christ announced the Gospel in the city of Rome and under the emperor Nero suffered martyrdom: the former, as tradition holds, having been affixed to the cross with his head turned downward and buried in the Vatican near the Via Triumphalis; the latter, struck down with the sword and confessed [Christ] on the Via Ostiensis.  The entire world celebrates their triumph on this day with equal honor and veneration.

 

2.  At Genoa in Liguria, Saint Syrus, who is venerated as a bishop.

 

3.  At Narni in Umbria, Saint Cassius, bishop, who, as Saint Gregory the Great relates, offered daily to God sacrifices of atonement, pouring forth entirely in tears, and gave away all that he had as alms.  Finally, on the natal day of the Apostles —on which he was accustomed each year to go to Rome —after having celebrated the solemn Masses in his own city and administered the Body of the Lord to all, he passed to the Lord.

 

4.  At Gurk in Carinthia, Saint Hemma, who, as a countess, lived forty years in widowhood and gave great wealth to the poor and to the Church.

 

5.  In the strait of the sea facing the island of Majorca, blessed Raymond Lull, religious of the Third Order of Saint Francis and martyr, who, a man of outstanding learning and enlightened doctrine, established a fraternal dialogue with the Saracens for the spreading of the Gospel of Christ.

 

6.  In the village Xiaoliyi near Shenxian in the Hebei Province of China, the holy martyrs Paul Wu Juan and his son John Baptist Wu Mantang and grandson Paul Wu Wanshu, who, in the persecution of the followers of the “Yihetuan,” having confessed themselves to be Christians, merited to be crowned together with martyrdom.

 

7.  In the village Dujiadun also near Shenxian, the holy martyrs Mary Du Tianshi and her daughter Magdalene Du Fengju, who, in the same persecution, having been taken from the reed thicket where they had hidden themselves, perished on account of the Christian name; the latter, still breathing, was thrown into the grave.

 

 

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June 30^th

 

This Day, the Thirtieth Day of June

Holy protomartyrs of the Holy Roman Church, who, having been accused of the burning of the City, were ordered by the most savage emperor Nero to be killed by various torments; for some, indeed, covered with the skins of wild beasts, were exposed to the tearing of dogs; others were fixed to crosses, and others were delivered to fire, so that, when the day had ended, they might serve as nocturnal lights. All these were disciples of the Apostles and the first fruits of the martyrs which the Roman Church sent to the Lord.

 

2.  At Alexandria in Egypt, Saint Basilides, who, under the emperor Septimius Severus, when he had protected the holy virgin Potamiana — whom he was leading to execution — from the insolence of shameless men, received the reward of a religious act; for he himself, converted to Christ by her prayers, and contending in a brief struggle, was made a glorious martyr.

 

3.  At Limoges in Aquitaine, Saint Martial, bishop.

 

4.  At Cenomani in Neustria, Saint Bertechramnus, bishop, a peaceful pastor attentive to the poor and to monks.

 

5.  At Salzburg in Bavaria, Saint Erentrude, first abbess of the monastery of Nonnberg and niece of Saint Rupert, whose preaching she aided with prayer and labor.

 

6.  At Salanica in the territory of Vicenza, of Saint Theobald, priest and hermit, who, from the counts of French Champagne, with his friend Walter, preferred pilgrimages for Christ, poverty, and solitude to honors and riches.

 

7.  At Nitra near the river Váh among the Carpathian mountains, the passing of Saint Ladislaus, king of Hungary, who, in his domain, restored the Christian laws issued by Saint Stephen, reformed morals, giving examples of virtue himself, and worked strenuously for the propagation of the Christian faith in Croatia, which was joined to the Hungarian kingdom, and founded the episcopal see of Zagreb.    But while he was waging war against the Bohemians, he died, and his body was later placed at Varad in Transylvania.

 

8.  At Bamberg in Franconia, Saint Otto, bishop, who evangelized the Pomeranians with the greatest zeal.

 

9.  At Osnabrück in Saxony, Saint Adolph, bishop, who adopted Cistercian customs in the monastery of Altenkamp.

 

10.  At London in England, blessed Philip Powell, priest of the Order of Saint Benedict and martyr, who, Welsh by birth, was captured on a ship under King Charles I because he was a priest and was heading for England; he was led to Tyburn to the torture of the gibbet.

 

11.  At Naples in Campania, blessed Januarius Maria Sarnelli, priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who actively devoted himself to assisting every type of unfortunate person.

 

12.  In the city of Hdi Duding in Tonkin, Saint Vincent Do Yen, priest of the Order of Preachers and martyr, who, under the emperor Minh Mạng, perished by beheading out of hatred for the Christian faith.

 

13.  In the village of Chendun near Jiaobei in the Province of Hebei in China, the Saints Raymond Li Quanzhen and Peter Li Quanhui, martyrs, who, as brothers, gave outstanding witness to Christ during the persecution carried out by the supporters of the “Yihetuan” sect: for the former, having been led to a pagan temple, refused to venerate fictitious gods and, having been beaten, died; and the latter, was killed with no less cruelty.

 

14.  At Lviv in Ukraine, the commemoration blessed Zenon Kovalyk, priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and martyr, who, in a time of a regime hostile to God, on an unknown day of this month, merited to receive the glorious palm.

 

15.  At Winnipeg in the Province of Manitoba in Canada, blessed Basil Velyckovskyj, bishop of the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine and martyr, who, on account of his clandestine ministry exercised among the Catholic faithful of the Byzantine Rite, endured many cruel sufferings from the persecutors of the faith in his homeland, and, having been united with the sacrifice of Christ, died in exile.

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^1. Their names are: Saint Zacharias, priest; Vetius Epagathus; Macarius; Asclepiades; Silvius; Primus; Ulpius; Vitalis; Comminus; October; Philomenus; Geminus; Julia; Albina; Grata; Aemilia; Potamia; Pompeia; Rodana; Biblis; Quartia; Materna; Helpis; Sanctus, deacon; Maturus, neophyte; Attalus the Pergamene; Alexander the Phrygian; Ponticus; Istus; Aristeus; Cornelius; Zosimus; Titus; Julius; Zoticus; Apollonius; Geminianus; Julia the second; Ausona; Aemilia the second; Iamnica; Pompeia the second; Domna; Iusta; Trophima; Antonia.

^2. Their names are: Saints Mbaya Tuzinde; Bruno Seronuma; Jacob Buzabaliao; Kizito; Ambrose Kibuka; Mgagga; Gyavira; Achilles Kiwanuka; Adolphus Ludigo Mkasa; Mukasa Kiriwanvu; Anatolius Kiriggwajjo; Lucas Banabakintu.

^3. Their names are: Saints Vintrungus and Walter, priests; Amund, Sevibald, and Bosa, deacons; Vaccarus, Gundecarus, Ellurus, and Atevulf, monks.

^4. Their names are: blessed Balthasar de Torres and John Baptist Zola, priests; Peter Rinsei, Vincent Kaun, John Kisaku, Paul Kinsuke, Michael Tozo, and Gaspar Sadamatsu, religious.