Calendar of Saints

11 May	• yesterday • tomorrow

The May-Book of the Breviary: The Overflowing FOund of Grace

Son of a poor farmer with seven children, Ignatius grew up in hard rural poverty, working the fields. At age 17, he became very ill, and promised to become a Franciscan if he was spared. When he was cured, his father convinced him to wait. At age 20 Ignatius was almost killed when he lost control of his horse; suddenly the horse stopped, and trotted on quietly. Ignatius was convinced God had saved his life again, and he decided to follow his religious vocation at once. He joined the Capuchin monastery of Saint Benedict at Buoncammino, Italy as a lay brother, taking his vows in 1722.

Worked fifteen years in his house's weaving shed, then spent forty years as part of a team who went house to house asking food and donations for the friars. People soon realized they received a gift in return from Brother Ignatius as he consoled the sick and the lonely, and cheered children of the street. He made peace between enemies, converted sinners, advised people in trouble.

People noticed Igantius would skip the house of a rich money-lender, a man who never forgave a debt, and who felt slighted because Ignatius passed his house. He complained to Brother Ignatius' superior, who knew nothing about the money-lender, and so sent Ignatius to the house. The saint returned with a large sack of food, but when the sack was emptied, blood dripped out. "This is the blood of the poor," Ignatius softly explained. "That is why I never ask for anything at that house."

Born

17 December 1701 at Laconi, Nuoro, Italy as Vincenzo Peis

Died

11 May 1781 in Cagliari, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

21 October 1951 by Pope Pius XII

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ignatius-of-laconi/

Saint Matthêô Lê Van Gam

Addtional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Eldest son in a pious Christian family. Matthew briefly studied at the seminary at Lai Thieu in the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina (modern Vietnam), but being the first-born, family obligations caused him to return home. He married to a local girl, and was the father of four, two of whom were later murdered for being Christians. At one point he cheated on his wife; he repented, she forgave him, and he used the incident to re-examine his approach to his life and faith. He decided that the best thing would be become closer to the Church, to serve in his diocese, and to help the missionaries.

During the persecutions of emperor Thiêu Tri in 1846, Mattheo, a skilled sailor, smuggled a group of threatened seminarians out of the county to Malaysia. The authorities suspected him of smuggling contraband into the country, and increased their surveillance of him when he was at sea. Stopped on another run in July to saved some diocesan clergy, he managed to bribe some of the soldiers, but was arrested, beaten, whipped, and ordered to desecrate a cross to prove his renunciation of Christianity. When he refused, he was imprisoned for 10 months, regularly tortured, and eventually executed for the crime of helping the missionaries. Martyr.

Born

c.1813 in Gò Công, Biên Hòa, Vietnam

Died

beheaded on 11 May 1847 in Cho Ðui, Dong Nai, Vietnam; it took three blows to kill him

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mattheo-le-van-gam/

Saint Francis of Girolamo

Also known as

• Francis di Girolamo
• Francis de Geronimo
• Francis de Hieronymo
• Franciscus de Hieronymo
• Francis Jerome
• Francis of Jerome

Profile

Studied humanities and philosophy at the Jesuit college of Taranto, Italy at age 16; studied theology and canon law at the college of Gesu Vecchio. Ordained on 18 March 1666 at Naples, Italy, and served as a parish priest. Joined the Jesuits at age 28 on 1 July 1670. Rural missioner in and around Naples for 40 years.

Successful and effective preacher. Ministered in prisons, brothels, and galleys. Converted Moor and Turkish prisoners of war. Rescued chidren from dangerous and degrading situations. Opened a charity pawn shop. Organized laymen into a group called Oratio della Missione to help fellow Jesuit missioners. Numerous miraculous cures were attributed to him in and after his life. His coffin was thronged by the people of Naples during his funeral procession. A few of his letters have survived, but no sermons.

Born

17 December 1642 at Grottaglie, Apulia, near Taranto, Italy

Died

11 May 1716 at Naples, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

2 May 1806 by Pope Pius VII

Canonized

26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

Patronage

Grottaglie, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-francis-of-girolamo/

Saint Gengulphus of Burgundy

Also known as

Gandoul, Gangloff, Gangolf, Gangolfo, Gangulf, Gangulfus, Gangulphus, Genf, Gengolfo, Gengou, Gengoul, Gengoux, Gengulf, Gigou, Gingolph, Golf, Gongolf

Profile

Born to wealthy Burgundian nobility, he became knight and courtier. Married a noble woman who proved frequently unfaithful. Ashamed of her actions, but not wishing her harm, Gengulphus became a hermit in his castle at Avallon, France, leaving his staff of servants to care for his wife. Murdered in his bed by his wife's lover. Especially admired in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Savoy.

Born

Burgundy, France

Died

760

Representation

• Burgundian knight with a fountain springing under his sword
• holding a shield with a cross
• holding the spear with which he was murdered

Patronage

• difficult marriages
• knights
• separated spouses
• victims of adultery
• victims of unfaithfulness

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gengulphus-of-burgundy/

Saint Mamertus of Vienne

Also known as

Mamertius, Mammertus

Profile

Well-educated, and probably born to the Gallic nobility. May have been married at one point. Archbishop of Vienne, France in 461. Known for his secular and theological learning, and for bringing back the faith to an indifferent region. Involved in a dispute with Pope Saint Hilarius in 463 about the privileges of the diocese of Arles, France. Brought back the tradition of rogation processions which soon gained papal approval and were used throughout Europe. Built a church in honor of Saint Ferreolus whose relics were discovered in his diocese. A miracle worker, he is reported to have ended an urban disaster - through prayer he stopped a fire that was destroying the city of Vienne one Easter night.

Born

near Lyons, France

Died

• c.477 at Vienne, France of natural causes
• interred in the cathedral of Orleans, France
• relics burned by Huguenots in the 16th century

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mamertus-of-vienne/

Blessed Gjon Koda

Also known as

Brother Serafin

Profile

Franciscan Friar Minor. Priest, celebrating his first Mass on 30 July 1925. Vicar in Lezhë, Albania where he was arrested and tortured by Communist authorities; they tried to get him to say that his brother Franciscans gathered for political reasons and were plotting against the state. It was a lie, and Father Serafin refused to “confess” to save himself. Martyr.

Born

25 April 1893 in Janjevë (Janjevo), Lypjan, Serbia

Died

• nails driven through his throat on 11 May 1947 in Lezhë, Albania
• secretly buried nearby, his grave was re-discovered on 16 September 1994
• relics re-interred in the walls of the Franciscan church of in Lezhë

Beatified

• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gjon-koda/

Blessed Gregory Celli of Verucchio

Also known as

• Gregory Celli
• Gregory of Verucchio

Profile

Augustinian monk in the monastery founded by his mother in Verucchio, Italy. For unknown (and apparently unjust) reasons that have not come down to us, he was dismissed by the Augustinians from the Order, but was immediately taken in by the Franciscans at Monte Carnerio.

Born

c.1225 at Verucchio, diocese of Rimini, Italy

Died

1343 at Franciscan monastery at Monte Carnerio, Rieti, Italy

Beatified

1769 (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

against drought

Representation

Augustinian hermit with an iron ring around his body

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gregory-celli-of-verucchio/

Blessed John Rochester

Additional Memorial

4 May (as one of the Carthusian Martyrs)

Profile

Son of John Rochester of Terling and Grisold of Bobbingworth. Carthusian choir monk at the London Charterhouse. Priest. Exiled by the government to the Charterhouse of Saint Michael at Hull, Yorkshire. Martyred with Blessed James Walworth for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church.

Born

c.1498 at Tealing, Essex, England

Died

hanged in chains from the battlements of York, England on 11 May 1537

Beatified

20 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-rochester/

Saint Criotan of Macreddin

Also known as

• Criotan of Aghavannagh
• Criotan of Aghamanagh
• Criotan Mac Iolladon
• Chritoc, Chritocus, Credan, Credanus, Credin, Credus, Cridanus, Critanus, Mochritocus

Profile

Son of Illudion (Iladon, Lolladon). After inadvertently killing his father, Criotan withdrew from the world to live as a swineherd. Spiritual student of Saint Petroc. Monk. Travelled to Ireland to study with holy men in Ireland for 20 years, and then returned to Cornwall. Founded the church in Sancreed, Cornwall.

Born

6th century Cornwall, England

Died

7th century of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-criotan-of-macreddin/

Blessed Gautier di Esterp

Also known as

• Gautier de Limousin
• Gualterio, Gualtiero, Walter

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Educated by the Augustinians at Dorat, France. Joined the Augustinians in Dorat. Priest. Abbot of the monastery of l'Esterp, Limousin, France where he served for 38 years. Known for love and support of his brother canons, and his charity to the poor.

Born

990 at Conflans Castle, Aquitaine (in modern France)

Died

• 11 May 1070 at the monastery of l'Esterp near Limoges in modern France
• interred in the church at the l'Esterp monastery

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gautier-di-esterp/

Blessed James Walworth

Additional Memorial

4 May (as one of the Carthusian Martyrs)

Profile

Carthusian priest and choir monk at the London Charterhouse. Exiled by the government to the Charterhouse of Saint Michael at Hull, Yorkshire. Martyred with Blessed John Rochester.

Born

English

Died

hanged in chains on 11 May 1537 from the battlements of York, England

Beatified

20 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-james-walworth/

Saint Anthimus of Rome

Profile

Parish priest in Rome, Italy, noted for his conversions, including that of a Roman prefect. The official's change of faith brought Anthimus to the attention of Roman officials who condemned him to drown in the Tiber for his religion. Thrown in, he was rescued by an angel. Continuing his work, Anthimus was later recaptured and martyred.

Died

beheaded in 303 on the Via Salaria outside Rome, Italy

Representation

man being pulled from a river by an angel

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anthimus-of-rome/

Saint Mozio of Constantinople

Also known as

Mocio

Profile

Born to a wealthy imperial Roman family. Priest. Ordered by governor Laodicio to make a sacrifice to the god Bacchus, Mozio refused; he was tortured by was not harmed by it and still refused to make the sacrifice. Martyr.

Born

Amphipolis, Macedonia

Died

• beheaded in 295 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)
• by 402 there was a church was built over his grave

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mozio-of-constantinople/

Saint Mayeul

Also known as

Maiolus

Profile

Archdeacon of Macon, France. When he saw he was to be made bishop, he became a monk at Cluny Abbey. Chosen assistant abbot in 954, and then abbot in 965 much against his will. Mayeul was devoted to learning, and led his brothers by good example. Counselor to Emperor Otto I and Emperor Otto II. Otto II wanted to put him forth as papabile, but Mayeul would have none of it.

Born

c.906 at Avignon, France

Died

994 at Souvigny, France en route to Paris

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mayeul/

Saint Anastasius of Lérida

Also known as

• Anastasius of Badalona
• Anastasi of...

Profile

Son of Lleida. Imperial Roman soldier. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Born

Lérida, Catalonia, Spain

Died

303 in Catalonia, Spain

Patronage

• Badalona, Spain
• Lérida, Spain

Representation

young man hung on a gibbet and pierced with arrows

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anastasius-of-lerida/

Blessed Vincent L'Hénoret

Profile

Member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Priest. Martyr.

Born

12 March 1921 in Pont-l'Abbé, Finistère, France

Died

11 May 1961 in Ban Ban, Xieng Khouang, Laos

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated in Vientiane, Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-vincent-lhenoret/

Blessed Diego of Saldaña

Profile

Mercedarian. Founded the monastery of Conxo at Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and the convent of Monterrey in Verin, Spain. Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Died

1493 in Avila, Spain of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-diego-of-saldana/

Saint Majolus of Cluny

Also known as

Maieul, Majodus, Mayeul

Profile

Priest. Monk at Cluny Abbey in France, taking the cowl partly to avoid becoming a bishop. Abbot of Cluny. Advisor to popes and emperors.

Born

c.906 in Avignon, France

Died

994 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-majolus-of-cluny/

Saint Tudy

Also known as

Tegwin, Thetgo, Tudec, Tudinus, Tudi

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Brioc. Monk, hermit and missionary in Brittany. Abbot at Landevennec, Brittany. Founded monasteries. Missionary to Cornwall.

Born

at Brittany, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-tudy/

Blessed Vivaldus

Also known as

Gualdo, Ubaldo

Profile

Franciscan tertiary. A close friend of Blessed Bartholomew Buonpedoni, he tended to Bartholomew and assisted in his twenty-year ministry to lepers.

Died

1300 of natural causes

Beatified

1909 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed)

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

Saint Evellius of Pisa

Profile

Imperial advisor to emperor Nero. Converted to Christianity after witnessing the courage and faith of martyrs. He left the imperial court and fled Rome, but was captured and executed. Martyr.

Born

Pisa, Italy

Died

beheaded c.66 in Pisa, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-evellius-of-pisa/

Saint Walbert of Hainault

Also known as

Vaubert

Profile

Born to the nobility. Married to Saint Bertilia of Thuringia. Father of Saint Waltrude and Saint Aldegundis.

Born

Hainault (in modern Belgium)

Died

c.678

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-walbert-of-hainault/

Saint Illuminatus of San Severino

Profile

Benedictine monk at San Mariano Abbey, San Severino, Marches of Ancona, Italy.

Born

at San Severino, Marches of Ancona, Italy

Died

c.1000

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-illuminatus-of-san-severino/

Saint Possessor of Verdun

Profile

Magistrate in Verdun, France. Bishop of Verdun in 470. Led his diocese during a period of constant invasion by and trouble with Franks, Vandals and Goths.

Died

c.485

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-possessor-of-verdun/

Saint Fremund of Dunstable

Profile

Hermit. Martyred by pagan Danish invaders.

Died

• 866
• relics enshrined in Dunstable, England

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fremund-of-dunstable/

Saint Maiulo of Hadrumetum

Also known as

Maiolo

Profile

Martyr.

Died

mauled by wild animals in 3rd century Hadrumetum, Libya

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maiulo-of-hadrumetum/