12 February • yesterday
• tomorrow

Daily Bread #53, by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp
Mary: The Perfect Woman, Rhythm XXIX - The Rage of the Heathen
Men wear themselves out with plans and projects, and are grief-stricken if they fail. Oh! how much more reasonable would their sorrow be, if it were on account of their sins! - Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Saint Benedict of Aniane

Also known as

• Euticius
• Witiza
• the Second Benedict

Profile

Born a Visigoth, the son of Aigul, Count of Maguelone. Educated at the court of Pepin. Courtier and cup-bearer to King Pepin and Blessed Charlemagne. Part of the 773 campaign of Charlemagne. Narrowly escaped drowning in the Tesin near Pavia, Italy while trying to save his brother.

Benedictine monk at Saint Sequanus monastery where he took the name Benedict. Lived two and one half years on bread and water, sleeping on the bare ground, praying through the night, and going barefoot.

In the Frankish empire, monasticism suffered lay ownership and the attacks of the Vikings. Monastic discipline decayed. In 779 Benedict founded the Aniane monastery on his own land; the monks did manual labor, copied manuscripts, lived on bread and water except on Sundays and great feast days when they added wine or milk, if they received any in alms. The results of his austere rule were disappointing, so he adopted the Benedictine Rule, and the monastery grew. He then reformed and inaugurated other houses; Saint Ardo travelled with him and served as his secretary.

Bishop Felix of Urgel proposed that Christ was not the natural, but only the adoptive son of God (Adoptionism); Benedict opposed this heresy, wrote against it, and assisted in the Synod of Frankfurt in 794.

Emperor Louis the Pious built the abbey of Maurmunster as a model abbey for Benedict in Alsace, France, and then Cornelimunster near Aachen, Germany, then made Benedict director of all the monasteries in the empire. The monk instituted widespread reforms, though because of opposition they were not as drastic as he had wanted.

Participated in the synods in Aachen. Benedict was an advisor and supported of the emperor. Wrote the Capitulare monasticum, a systematization of the Benedictine Rule as the rule for all monks in the empire. Compiled the Codex regularum, a collection of all monastic regulations, and Concordia regularum, showing the resemblance of Benedict's rule to those of other monastic leaders. The rules stressed individual poverty and chastity with obedience to a properly constituted abbot, himself a monk. Benedict insisted upon the liturgical character of monastic life, including a daily Conventual Mass and additions to the Divine Office. He stressed the clerical element in monasticism which led to the development of teaching and writing as opposed to manual labor in the field. This direction lapsed some after Benedict's death, but had lasting effects on Western monasticism. Benedict is considered the restorer of Western monasticism and is often called "the second Benedict".

Born

c.747 at Languedoc, France as Witiza

Died

• 11 February 821 at Cornelimunster, Aachen, Germany of natural causes
• buried on 12 February 821

Representation

• Benedictine abbot with supernatural fire near him
• man in a cave with food being lowered to him in a basket
• man giving the habit to Saint William of Aquitaine

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benedict-of-aniane/


Saint Eulalia of Barcelona

Also known as

Aulaire, Aulazia, Aulazie, Auzalie, Elalia, Eulalie, Eulària, Occille, Olacie, Olaia, Olaille, Olaire, Olalla, Ollala

Profile

Sanctified virgin, the forerunner of professed nun. Martyred at age 13 or 14 in the persecutions of Diocletian. Often confused with Saint Eulalia of Merida. Several villages in Guienne and Languedoc are named for her.

Born

c.290 in Barcelona, Spain

Died

• 12 February 304 at Barcelona, Spain
• interred in the church of Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona
• relics translated to the Barcelona cathedral on 23 November 874

Canonized

633

Patronage

• against drought
• against dysentery
• boatmen, mariners, sailors, watermen
• pregnant women
• for rain
• safe sailing
• safe seafaring
• travellers
• Barcelona, Spain
• Barcelona cathedral

Representation

• young woman with a palm and cross in her hand
• young woman with a lily and a book

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

Lord Jesus Christ, hear my prayer and perfect Thy merciful goodness in me, and grant me to be received among the number of Thine elect into the rest of life eternal, making of me a sign of righteousness that men believing on Thee may behold and praise Thy power. Amen. - Prayer of Saint Eulalia in Her Agony

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eulalia-of-barcelona/


Blessed George Haydock

Additional Memorial

• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Youngest son of Evan and Helen Haydock. Educated at the English College in Douai, France, and the English College in Rome, Italy. Ordained on 21 December 1581 at Rheims, France. He then returned to England to minister to covert Catholics during the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I. Arrested in London, England, he served 15 months in the Tower of London for the crime of being a priest; at one point he was finally allowed to administer the Sacraments to fellow prisoners. Zealous supporter of the pope, and not secular authorities, as ruler of the Church. Martyr.

Born

c.1557 in Cottam Hall, Lancashire, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 12 February 1584 in Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

I pray God that my blood may increase the Catholic faith in England. - Blessed George, speaking from the gallows

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


Saint Meletius of Antioch

Also known as

Meletios, Melezio

Profile

Born to a wealthy and prominent family. Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia (modern Sivas, Turkey) in 358 following the deposing of an Arian bishop. The Arian priests revolted, and forced Meletius into exile. Chosen bishop of Antioch, Syria after that city's Arian bishop had re-located to Constantinople. The Arians in the diocese revolted, and Meletius was exiled three times, returning in 362, 367 and 378. Supported by Saint Basil of Caesarea while in exile. In 379 he called a council at Antioch to formally install orthodox Nicene Christianity as the proper profession of the faith. Baptized and ordained Saint John Chrysostom; consecrated Saint Gregory of Nazianus as bishop of Constantinople in 381.

Born

early 4th century Melitene, Lower Armenia (modern Malatya, Turkey)

Died

• 381 at Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) of natural causes
• the funeral oration was delivered by Saint Gregory of Nyssa
• buried in Antioch beside Saint Babylas

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meletius-of-antioch/


Blessed Ludan

Also known as

Ludano, Ludain, Luden

Profile

Born to the Scottish nobility, the son of Itiboldo. Used his inheritence to build a hospital for the poor, a hospice for pilgrims. Died while returning from pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles.

Born

12th century Scotland

Died

• 1202 in Nordheim, Alsace, France of natural causes
• while asleep under an elm tree, Ludan received a vision that he was about to die; he prayed to receive Holy Communion one more time; an angel then appeared with the Eucharist
• bells in local churches are reported to have spontaneously rang at the moment of his death
• two local parishes each wanted Ludan to rest at their church; an abbot settled the matter by having the body put in a cart, the cart yoked to a wild horse, and the horse turned loose; the horse stopped in front of the church of Saint George, and there Ludan was buried
• relics enshrined in Saint Ludan church in Nordheim

Video

YouTube PlayList

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


Blessed Humbeline of Jully

Also known as

Hombeline, Homberga, Humbelina, Ombelina, Ombeline, Ombline

Additional Memorial

21 August in the Cistercian martyrology

Profile

Younger sister of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Married to Guy de Narcy, a member of the ruling family of Lorraine (in modern France). After a few years of rich and frivolous living, Humbeline turned her back on the worldly life; after a few more years she, with her husband's approval, became a Benedictine nun at Jully-les-Nonnains convent near Troyes, France. Served as abbess there.

Born

1092 in Dijon, France

Died

• 21 August 1136 at the Jully-les-Nonnains convent in France of natural causes
• several family members, include Saint Bernard were with her
• buried in Jully-les-Nonnains

Beatified

1703 by Pope Clement XI (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

against loss of parents

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-humbeline-of-jully/


Saint Goscelinus of Turin

Also known as

• Goscelinus of San Solutore
• Goslin, Goslino, Gozzelino, Gozzelinus

Profile

Born to the Italian nobility. Benedictine monk in 1006 at the San Solutore Abbey near Turin, Italy soon after its founding. Reluctant abbot in of the house in 1031, he served the remaining 22 years of his life.

Died

• 12 February 1053 of natural causes
• relics enshrined in San Solutore Abbey in 1472
• the San Solutore Abbey was destroyed during the occupation of Italy by the French in 1536, and the relics were transferred Consolata Benedictine monastery
• relics enshrined in the church of Saints Solutore, Ottavio and Avventore in Turin, Italy on 19 January 1575
• relics transferred to the church's new constructed chapel of Saint Paul in 1584

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-goscelinus-of-turin/


Blessed James Fenn

Additional Memorial

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University

Profile

Educated at Corpus Christi College and Gloucester Hall at Oxford University. Married layman and schoolmaster. Widower. He studied at Rheims, France, and was ordained in 1580. He returned to England to minister to covert Catholics in the area of Somerset. Arrested for his faith, he was convicted of treason when he remained loyal to Rome and refused to take the Oath of Supremacy. Martyr.

Born

at Montacute, Somerset, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 12 February 1584 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

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


Saint Anthony Kauleas

Also known as

• Anthony Cauleas
• Antony Cauleas
• Antony Kauleas
• Antony II of Constantinople

Profile

Born to a noble family from Phrygia who had moved to the country to escape persecution by the iconoclasts. Monk near Constantinople at age 12. Abbot of his house. Patriarch of Constantinople in 893. He worked to heal the schisms created by his predecessor Photius, presiding over the Fourth Æcumenical Council of Constantinople in 869 and 870 which condemned or reversed all that Photius had done; all records of the council were destroyed by later schismatics. Throughout his life Antony was known for his personal holiness, his deep personal prayer life, and the sanctity he brought to his offices.

Born

829 near Constantinople

Died

12 February 901 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anthony-kauleas/


Blessed Thomas Hemeford

Additional Memorial

1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University

Profile

Educated at Oxford, England. Convert to Catholicism. Seminarian at the English College in Rome, Italy; ordained in 1583. He returned to England to minister to covert Catholics during the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I. Arrested and executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.

Born

Stoke, Dorset, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 12 February 1584 in Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-hemeford/


Blessed Jak Bushati

Profile

Studied at the Pontifical Seminary of Shkodrë, Albania. Ordained on 19 May 1915 as a priest of the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania. Imprisoned and tortured to death in the anti–Christian persecutions of the Albanian Communist government. Martyr.

Born

8 August 1890 in Shkodrë, Albania

Died

12 February 1949 in Shkodrë, Albania

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-jak-bushati/


Saint Ethelwald of Lindisfarne

Also known as

Aethelweald, Aedilauld, Ethilwald, Ethelwold

Additional Memorial

21 April (translation of relics)

Profile

Leather worker and bookbinder. Monk. Assistant to Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. Prior and abbot of Old Melrose monastery in Scotland. Bishop at Lindisfarne in 721. Commissioned the famous Lindisfarne Book of Gospels, now in the British Museum, and made its jewel-encrusted leather cover, now lost. Wrote the Hymnal of Ethelwald.

Born

at Northumbria, England

Died

• c.740
• buried in the cathedral at Lindisfarne
• relics taken to Durham in the hope they would prevent Danish invasion

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ethelwald-of-lindisfarne/


Blessed John Munden

Additional Memorial

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University

Profile

Studied at New College, Oxford. Teacher and schoolmaster. Studied for the priesthood at Rheims, France, and Rome, Italy. Ordained in 1582. Martyr.

Born

at Coltley, South Maperton, Dorset, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 12 February 1584 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

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


Blessed Paolo of Barletta

Profile

Joined the Augustinians as a young man. Feeling a need to devote himself to God, he wanted to "go where no one knew him except God alone", and he withdrew for a while to live as a hermit in prayer and penance in the province of Portugal. Missionary to the island of San Thomé, in the East Indies.

Born

early 16th century in Barletta, Italy

Died

13 May 1580 San Thomé, East India of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-paolo-of-barletta/


Blessed Benedict Revelli

Profile

Benedictine monk of Santa Maria dei Fonti, Italy. Hermit on the island of Gallinaria in the Gulf of Genoa, Italy. Bishop of Albenga, Italy in 870.

Died

• c.900
• buried at the church of Santa Maria de Fontibus
• relics enshrined in a chapel dedicated to him there in 1409
• following a collapse of the old church in 1614, the relics were enshrined in a new wooden reliquary

Beatified

by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-benedict-revelli/


Blessed Josep Gassol Montseny

Profile

Seminarian of the archdiocese of Tarragona, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

31 March 1915 in Solivella, Tarragona, Spain

Died

12 February 1937 in Sarral, Tarragona, Spain

Beatified

• 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in Tarragona, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-josep-gassol-montseny/


Blessed John Nutter

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Brother of Blessed Robert Nutter. Fellow at Saint John's College, Cambridge. Studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rheims, France. Ordained in 1581. Martyr.

Born

at Burnley, Lancashire, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 12 February 1584 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

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


Saint Sedulius

Also known as

• Seadhal, Siadal, Siadhal
• the Christian Virgil

Profile

Wrote the epic poem Carmen Paschale. He left Ireland to found a school of poetry in Athens. May have been a disciple of Saint Ailbhe. In 494, a decree of the First Roman Council contained a phrase "honoring by signal praise the Paschal Work of the Venerable man, Sedulius".

Born

Irish

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


Saint Alexis of Kiev

Also known as

• Alexius of Kiev
• Alexius of Moscow

Profile

Russian nobleman who gave up his worldly position to become a Basilian monk. Archbishop of Kiev. Well educated, but he was more known for his spiritual wisdom; even the Sultan of the Turks in Asia Minor sought his advice.

Died

1364

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alexis-of-kiev/


Blessed Nicolò of San Bernardo

Profile

Benedictine monk at the abbey outside Gembloux, Belgium. Feeling a call to a more austere life, he joined the Cistercians at the monastery at Villers Abbey near Villiers-la-Villes, Belgium.

Died

at Villers Abbey near Villiers-la-Villes, Belgium of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-nicolo-of-san-bernardo/


Blessed Ladislas of Hungary

Profile

Franciscan friar. Betrayed by a heretic monk, he and several of his religious brothers were martyred by order of King Bazarath.

Died

1369 at Vidin (in modern Bulgaria)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ladislas-of-hungary/


Blessed Nicholas of Hungary

Profile

Franciscan friar. Betrayed by a heretic monk, he and several of his religious brothers were martyred by order of King Bazarath.

Died

1369 at Vidin (in modern Bulgaria)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-nicholas-of-hungary/


Blessed Gregory of Traguio

Profile

Franciscan friar. Betrayed by a heretic monk, he and several of his religious brothers were martyred by order of King Bazarath.

Died

1369 at Vidin (in modern Bulgaria)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gregory-of-traguio/


Saint Modestus the Deacon

Profile

Deacon. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Born

Sardinia (part of modern Italy)

Died

• c.304
• relics moved to Benevento, Italy c.785

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-modestus-the-deacon/


Blessed Anthony of Saxony

Profile

Franciscan friar. Betrayed by a heretic monk, he and several of his religious brothers were martyred by order of King Bazarath.

Died

1369 at Vidin (in modern Bulgaria)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anthony-of-saxony/


Blessed Thomas of Foligno

Profile

Franciscan friar. Betrayed by a heretic monk, he and several of his religious brothers were martyred by order of King Bazarath.

Died

1369 at Vidin (in modern Bulgaria)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-of-foligno/


Saint Damian of Africa

Profile

Soldier. Martyr.

Died

in Africa, date unknown

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-damian-of-africa/


Saint Damian of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

• in Rome, Italy, date unknown
• relics discovered in the catacombs of Saint Callistus, and sent to Spain

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


Saint Gaudentius of Verona

Profile

Bishop of Verona, Italy.

Died

• c.465
• relics in the basilica of Saint Stephen, Verona, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gaudentius-of-verona/


Saint Julian of Alexandria

Profile

Martyr.

Died

160 at Alexandria, Egypt

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julian-of-alexandria-12-february/


Saint Ammonius of Alexandria

Profile

Child martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ammonius-of-alexandria-12-february/


Saint Modestus of Carthage

Profile

Martyr.

Died

c.160 at Carthage

Patronage

Cartagena, Spain

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


Saint Modestus of Alexandria

Profile

Child martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-modestus-of-alexandria/


Martyrs of Albitina

Profile

During the persecutions of Diocletian, troops were sent to the churches of Abitina, North Africa on a Sunday morning; they rounded up everyone who had arrived for Mass, and took them all to Carthage for interrogation by pro-consul Anulinus. The 46 who proclaimed their Christianity were executed. We know some of their names and stories

Ampelius
Cassiano
Ceciliano
Cecilia
Danzio
Deciano
Emeritus
Ercolina
Eva
Fausto
Felice (2 by this name)
Felix
Gennara (2 by this name)
Gennaro
Giriale
Hilarion
Maggiore
Margherita
Martino
Mary
Massimiano
Matrona (2 by this name)
Onorata
Pelusio
Pomponia
Prima
Quinto
Regiola
Restituta
Rogatian (3 by this name)
Rogato (2 by this name)
Saturninus the Elder
Saturninus the Younger
Seconda (2 by this name)
Thelica
Victoria
Vincenzo
Vittoriano
Vittorino

Died

tortured to death in 304 in prison at Albitina, North Africa

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-albitina/


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Our Lady of Argenteuil
• Our Lady of Iviron


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