Calendar of Saints

11 April	• yesterday • tomorrow
Memorial of Saint Stanislaus of Cracow

The brothers ought to know how to renounce costly garments in this world, so as to wear a celestial robe in the kingdom of God. - Saint Francis of Assisi

The Mountains of Myrrh: The Victim Chosen

Saint Gemma Galgani

Also known as

• Flower of Lucca
• Gemma Galani
• Maria Gemma Umberta Pia Galgani
• Virgin of Lucca

Profile

Eldest daughter of a poor pharmacist; her mother died when Gemma was seven, her father when the girl was eighteen, and she took over the care of her seven brothers and sisters. Her health was always poor, and between that and her home life she never finished school. Cured in her 20's of spinal meningitis by prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Saint Marguerite Marie Alacoque. Rejected by the religious orders to which she applied as they were concerned about her health, would not believe her cure, and were suspicious of the claims of a miracle. She became a Passionist tertiary. Stigmatist, receiving the wounds on her hands and feet each Thursday evening through Friday afternoon starting in June 1899 and continuing into 1901. Visionary; she saw her guardian angel daily, and had visits from Jesus, Mary, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the devil who tempted her to spit on the cross and break a rosary. Venerable Germanus Ruoppolo was her spiritual director and wrote her biography.

Born

12 March 1878 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Died

• Holy Saturday, 11 April 1903 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Italy of tuberculosis
• relics interred in the Passionist monastery, Lucca

Canonized

• 2 May 1940 by Pope Pius XII
• her canonization faced stiff opposition by those who either disbelieved or wished to avoid attention to her visions and stigmata
• recognition celebrated at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

Patronage

• against temptations
• against the death of parents
• against tuberculosis
• apothecaries
• druggists
• pharmacists
• paratroopers
• students, school children

Representation

• guardian angel
• heavenly gaze
• lillies and roses
• Passionist robe
• stigmata

Video

YouTube PlayList

EBooks

Blessed Gemma Galgani, by Father Amadeo, C.P. - EPub link #1, EPub link #2

Readings

If I saw the gates of Hell open and I stood on the brink of the abyss, I should not despair, I should not lose hope of mercy, because I should trust in You, my God. - Saint Gemma Galgani

O my soul, bless Jesus. Never forget the many graces He has given thee. Love that God who so loves thee. Lift thyself up to Him, who has lowered Himself for thee; show thyself as He shows Himself with thee; be clean of heart, be pure. Love thy Jesus, who has lifted thee out of so much misery. Love thy God, bless thy Lord - Saint Gemma Galgani

Gemma Galgani from Lucca, most pure virgin, being in her twenty-fifth year, died of consumption, but was more consumed by the fire of divine love than by her wasting disease. On the eleventh of April, 1903, the vigil of Easter, her soul took its flight to the bosom of her heavenly Spouse. O beautiful soul, in the company of the Angels!" - inscription on the marble tablet that covers Saint Gemma Galgani's remains in the chapel of the Passionist Sisters in Lucca

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gemma-galgani/

Saint Stanislaus of Cracow

Also known as

Stanislaus Szczepanowsky

Additional Memorials

• 8 May (in Cracow)
• 27 September (translation of relics)

Profile

Born to the Polish nobility, son of Belislaus and Bogna, and raised in a pious family. Educated at Gnesen, Poland, and may have studied at Paris, France. When his parents died, Stanislaus distributed his inheritance to the poor. Parish priest at Czembocz, Poland. Canon and preacher, and later vicar-general at the Cracow cathedral; noted spiritual director. Reluctant bishop of Cracow in 1072. Known for his preaching against sinful living, regardless of the sinner's class. Killed by King Boleslaus the Cruel after Stanislaus excommunicated him due to his war crimes and attempted theft of land from the Church. Murdered while celebrating Mass. Reaction against Boleslaus was so great that he fled the country, never to return; his guilt led him to become a monk. Stanislaus became a symbol of Polish patriotism and nationalism, and is sometimes considered a martyr.

Born

26 July 1030 as Szczepanowski, diocese of Cracow, Poland as Stanislaus Szczepanowsky

Died

• murdered on 8 May 1079 in the chapel of Saint Michael in a suburb of Cracow, Poland
• buried in the chapel
• re-interred in the cathedral of Cracow in 1088

Canonized

1253 by Pope Innocent IV at Assisi, Italy

Patronage

• Cracow, Poland, archdiocese of
• Cracow, Poland, city of
• Plock, Poland, diocese of
• Poland
• soldiers in battle

Representation

• bishop being hacked to pieces at the foot of an altar
• bishop with a sword

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stanislaus-of-cracow/

Saint Guthlac of Croyland

Also known as

• Guthlac of Crowland
• Guthlacus, Guthlake

Additional Memorial

30 August (translation of relics)

Profile

Born to the Mercian nobility, the son of Penwald; brother of Saint Pega of Peakirk. Soldier for nine years in the army of King Ethelred of Mercia; the freedom to loot led to him amassing a large forture. However, in 697 he had a conversion experience and gave up the violent life to become a Benedictine monk at Repton under abbess Elfrida. Known for his ascetic and strict habits. Hermit in the Lincolnshire fens, living like the Desert Fathers in an inhospitable swamp area rumoured to be the haunt of monsters and devils; the abbey of Croyland was built on the site of his hermit's cell. Had visions of angels, demons and Saint Batholomew, to whom he had special devotion. Became friends with wild animals, had the gift of prophecy, and his reputation for holines attracted many would-be students including Saint Bettelin. Ordained by Bishop Hedda of Winchester who consecrated Guthlac's cell as a chapel so he could celebrate Mass there.

Born

• 673 in Mercia, England
• legend says that when he was born, a shining hand surrounded by reddish-yellow light came down from heaven and blessed the house

Died

• 11 April 714 in Croyland, England of natural causes
• initially buried, Saint Pega had the body interred in a tomb
• body found incorrupt after a year
• relics translated to the re-built Croyland Abbey in 1136
• relics translated again in 1196
• relics destroyed in the 16th century during the dissolution of the English monasteries

Representation

fighting a demon with a scourge

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-guthlac-of-croyland/

Saint Barsanuphius of Gaza

Also known as

Barsanofio

Profile

Hermit for 50 years in absolute seclusion near the monastery of Saint Seridon of Gaza, Palestine. Wrote against Origenists. Greatly venerated by the Greeks. Extensive correspondent whose letters have survived 15 centuries.

Died

• c.540
• relics taken to Oria, Italy c.850 by an unnamed Palestinian monk
• the basilica where they lay was destroyed by the Saracens between 924 and 979 and the relics lost
• relics re-discovered in 1170 after Father Mark, who rebuilt the church, had a vision of their location
• relics interred in the crypt of San Francesco da Paola Church in Oria, Italy
• some relics in a village near Sipontum in southern Italy

Patronage

Oria, Italy

Representation

• armed with a sword, confronting the commander of a Spanish force about to invade Oria, Italy
• spreading his cloak over Oria, Italy to cause it to rain heavily and save the town from Allied bombing in World War II

Readings

Do not seek to be regarded as somebody, don't compare yourself to others in anything. Leave the world, mount the cross, discard all earthly things, shake the dust from off your feet. - Saint Barsanuphius

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-barsanuphius-of-gaza/

Blessed Elena Guerra

Also known as

Helen, Hélène

Profile

Born to wealthy, pious, aristocratic family, one of six children; only three survived to adulthood. From an early age Helen was devoted to the Holy Spirit. She worked with the Vincentians, caring for the poor and the sick, studying Latin and the writings of the Church Fathers. At age 22 she fell victim to an illness that kept her bed-ridden for eight years, during which time she continued her studies. In 1866 she founded the Society of Mary, Daughters of Saint Agnes in Lucca, Italy and became its first member; the community later became the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit (Sisters of Saint Zita; Zitine Sisters) which cared for and saw to the religious education of girls. Saint Gemma Galgani was one of her students, and the Oblates continue their work today with houses in Italy, Brazil, Canada, Philippines, Lebanon and Iran.

Born

23 June 1835 in Lucca, Italy

Died

11 April 1914 in Lucca, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

• 26 April 1959 by Pope Blessed John XXIII
• 5,000 of her Congregation attended the beatification recognition

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-elena-guerra/

Blessed Angelo Carletti

Also known as

• Angelus Carletti
• Antonio Carletti

Profile

Born to the Italian nobility, Antonio studied law at Bologna, Italy, and practised in the Monferrato region of Italy. Elected senator, he abandoned the office and his practice to become a Franciscan monk at Santa Maria del Monte in Genoa, Italy, taking the name Brother Angelo, selling his inheritance and gaving the proceeds to the poor. Noted theologian. Papal nuncio for Pope Sixtus IV and Pope Innocent VIII. Preached a Crusade against invading Turks. Preached against Waldensianism and usurious money lenders. Wrote Cases of Conscience, a dictionary of moral theology. Friend, confessor and spiritual director of Blessed Paula Gambara Costa; her husband received a miraculous cure at the grave site and through the intervention of Father Angelo.

Born

1411 at Chivasso, Diocese of Ivrea, Italy as Antonio Carletti

Died

11 April 1495 at the San Antonio monastery in Cuneo, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

24 April 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

Chivasso, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-angelo-carletti/

Blessed Symforian Ducki

Blessed Lanunio

Profile

Hermit at Santa Maria della Torre, diocese of Squillace, Calabria, Italy. When Saint Bruno began what became the Carthusians at the Grand Cartreuse in France, Lanunio travelled there to join them. There he became the friend and travelling companion of Saint Bruno, and took over took over leadership of the Order when Bruno died in 1101. Founded several monasteries, and organized the leadership and religious life of their monks. Supported and held in high regard by Pope Paschal II for whom he performed a number of tasks and missions in the region of Calabria. Apostolic Visitor to all monasteries in Calabria.

Born

France

Died

11 April 1116 in Calabria, Italy of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-lanunio/

Blessed George Gervase

Also known as

George Jervise

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

George spent an adventurous youth, travelling to the West Indies with the explorer Sir Francis Drake. He entered the seminary at Douai, France, and was ordained in 1603. Benedictine. From France he returned to England to work with covert Catholics during a suppression of the Church. Martyred for the crime of being a priest.

Born

at Bosham, Sussex, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 11 April 1608 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-george-gervase/

Saint Raynerius Inclusus

Also known as

• Raynerius of Osnabruck
• Rainer, Rainerius, Rayner, Reiner

Profile

Hermit in a cell near the cathedral of Osnabruck, Germany c.1210. Lived 22 years in his cell wearing a coat of mail and heavy chains next to his skin, praying and counseling those who sought his spiritual guidance.

Born

late 12th century in Friesland (in the modern Netherlands

Died

1237 in his cell at the cathedral in Osnabruck, Germany of natural causes

Representation

hermit in prayer with a cell with crosses and a whip

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-raynerius-inclusus/

Saint Isaac of Monteluco

Also known as

Isaac of Spoleto

Profile

Monk. Fleeing Monophysite persecution, he settled at Monteluco, Umbria where he helped restore the eremitical life to 6th century Italy. Pope Saint Gregory the Great wrote about Isaac's miracle working and his gift of prophecy.

Born

Syrian

Died

• c.550 of natural causes
• relics enshrine at Spoleto, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-isaac-of-monteluco/

Saint Domnio of Salona

Also known as

Domnione, Donnione

Profile

One of the 72 disciples sent by Christ in His early ministry. Travelled to Rome, Italy with Saint Peter the Apostle. Missionary to Dalmatia. First bishop of Salona. Martyr with eight soldiers he had brought to the Faith.

Born

Syrian

Died

• beheaded at Salona, Dalmatia (near modern Solin, Croatia)
• relics at Solin and in Saint John Lateran in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-domnio-of-salona/

Blessed Beatrice of Belmonte

Profile

A member of the royal family of Navarre (in modern Spain), she became a Poor Clare nun who was described as an example of the Franciscan religious life.

Born

latter 15th century Navarre, Spain

Died

c.1520 in the monastery of Santa Elisabetta di Granata, Spain of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-beatrice-of-belmonte/

Blessed John of Cupramontana

Saint Machai

Also known as

Maccai, Macceus, Mahew

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Patrick. Founded a monastery on the isle of Bute, Ireland, served as its first abbot, and led evangelical missions that were based from it.