13 February • yesterday
• tomorrow

Daily Bread #54, by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp
Mary: The Perfect Woman, Rhythm XXX - Light and Darkness
The surest means of salvation is to do each day of your life that which at the moment of your death, you would wish you had done. - Saint Angela of Merici

Blessed Jordan of Saxony

Also known as

• Jordan de Alamaia
• Giordana, Giordano, Giordanus, Gordanus, Jordana, Jordanka, Jordanus

Profile

Born to the Saxon nobility, he received a pious upbringing and was noted for his charity to the poor from an early age. Educated in Germany, and received his masters degree in theology at the University of Paris. Joined the Order of Preachers in 1220 under Saint Dominic himself. Prior-provincial of the Order in Lombardy, Italy in 1221. Succeeded Dominic as master-general of the Order in 1222. Under his administration, the Order spread throughout Germany, and into Denmark.

A noted and powerful preacher; one of his sermons brought Saint Albert the Great into the Order. Wrote a biography of Saint Dominic. His writings on Dominic and the early days of the Order are still considered a primary sources. Spiritual director of Blessed Diana d'Andalo, and helped her found the monastery of Saint Agnes.

Born

• c.1190 at Padberg Castle, diocese of Paderborn, Westphalia, old Saxony (in modern Germany)
• rumoured to have been born in Palestine while his parents were on a pilgrimage, and named after the River Jordan, but this is apparently aprochryphal

Died

• drowned in 1237 in a shipwreck off the coast of Syria while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
• buried in Acre

Beatified

1826 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Leo XII

Patronage

• against drowning
• Dominicans
• University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering

Representation

• Dominican writing
• pen
• lily

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

Among the men of God who have made the family of Saint Dominic illustrious, we must not forget the blessed Jordan. Saxony considers it an honour to be his native country. Not only men felt the charm God gave to the words of His servant. One day when some monks outwent Saint Jordan in travelling just outside Lausanne, a weasel ran in front of them. The brethren gathered round the hole into which it had disappeared. The blessed Jordan, coming up, asked them,"Why^re you stopping there?" They said: "Because a lovely, delightful little creature has gone into this hole." Then, bending down, he cried: "Come out, pretty little creature, that we may see you." The animal came at once to the mouth of the hole, and looked up at the saint, who made it get up into one of his hands, and stroked its head and back; it allowed him to do so. Then he said to it: "Now return to thy little home, and blessed be the Lord thy Creator." It at once obeyed and disappeared. - from "The Little Bollandists" by Monsignor Paul Guérin, 1882

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


Blessed Eustochium of Padua

Also known as

• Lucrezia Bellini
• Cinderella of the Cloister

Profile

Daughter of a Paduan nun who had been seduced into ignoring her vow of chastity; Lucrezia grew up in the convent. She felt a call to the religious life, which many of the sisters of opposed due to the scandal of her birth. The bishop approved of her vocation, however, and she entered her novitiate as a Benedictine nun in 1461, taking the name Eustochium.

For four years she suffered from violent, hysterical fits. She was considered to be possessed, imprisoned, fed on bread and water, periodically starved and repeatedly exorcised. When her abbess fell ill, she was accused of poisoning the woman, and had to be saved from a mob of townspeople who wanted to burn her as a demon. Between these bouts, she was gentle, pious, patient and humble, apparently seeing it all as a form of penance. Her confessor and spiritual director insisted that she be allowed to continue with her vocation, and her sanctity won over many of the sisters who had opposed her.

She died very soon after her formal vows. The name of Jesus was found cauterized on her breast. She is venerated in Padua.

Born

1444 at San Prosdocimo convent, Padua, Italy as Lucrezia Bellini

Died

13 February 1469 at San Prosdocimo convent, Padua, Italy of natural causes

Patronage

• against insanity
• against mental illness
• against temptations
• children whose parents are not married
• illegitimacy
• mentally ill people

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-eustochium-of-padua/


Saint Martinian the Hermit

Also known as

Martinian of Athens

Profile

Hermit from age 18. Miracle worker. There are a couple of stories attached to Martinian; in them the line between fact and a good story probably blurs a little.

Legend says that one day a miserable, bedraggled woman named Zoe showed at his door requesting a traveller's hospitality. He took her in, but her true colors soon showed as she cleaned up and showed herself to be a beautiful woman who tried to seduce Martinian. When he realized how tempted he was, he built a fire and put his feet in it; the pain, as you might imagine, was excruciating. Martinian said, "If I cannot stand this fire, how will I tolerate the fires of Hell?" He counseled her while she treated his wounds, converted her, and she became a nun in Bethlehem.

To save himself from his own weakness, the saint moved to a large rock surrounded on all sides by the sea. There he lived on bread and water brought to him by a Christian sailor who visited three times a year. After six years living exposed on the rock, he had a visitor - a young woman who washed up on the rock after her ship had gone down at sea. Before she could speak, he gave her all his provisions, promised to send his friend the sailor to rescue her when he returned, then threw himself into the sea. He washed up on shore, and two months later had the girl rescued. He then spent the rest of his days in Athens.

Born

c.350 at Caesarea, Palestine

Died

c.398 at Athens, Greece

Representation

• dolphin
• man standing on a rock in the sea

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-martinian-the-hermit/


Blessed Christina of Spoleto

Also known as

• Agostina Camozzi
• Christina Camozzi
• Christina Visconti (a mispelling that has been perpetuated in several accounts)
• Christine...

Profile

Daughter of a physician. Married to a stone cutter, but widowed very young. She became mistress to a soldier, and bore his son, but the child died as an infant. Married a second time, she was widowed when the man was killed in a fight with a jealous rival. Realizing that her life was completely out of control, she had a conversion, became an Augustinian tertiary, took the name Christina, gave herself over to Christ, and imposed severe austerities on herself as penance for her earlier ways. Lived in a number of Augustinian convents, became known as a miracle worker, and was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre when she died.

Born

1435 at Lake Lugano, Italy as Agostina Camozzi

Died

• 13 February 1458 in Spoleto, Italy of natural causes
• buried at the Augustinian church of Saint Nicholas in Spoleto
• re-interred at the church of Saint Gregory the Great in Spoleto

Beatified

1834 by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

Calvisano, Italy

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-christina-of-spoleto/


Blessed James Alfred Miller

Also known as

Leo William, Santiago

Profile

Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers). He taught Spanish, English and religion, and coached football at a high school in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Noted for his knowledge and skill at construction. Assigned by the Brothers to teach in Nicaragua, he taught classes, supervised the school, and supervised the construction of ten new schools; he returned to Minnesota in 1978 when it became dangerous in the region during the Sandinista Revolution. Missionary and teacher in Guatemala in 1981. Murdered by three masked men who may have been part of the Guatemalan military intelligence death squad, G-2, while standing on a ladder, repairing a wall of a school. Martyr.

Born

21 September 1944 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Died

13 February 1982 in Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Beatified

• 7 December 2019 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated at the Sports Complex of Colegio La Salle, Huehuetenango, Guatemala with Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán the chief celebrant

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-james-alfred-miller/


Saint Paulus Liu Hanzuo

Also known as

Baolu

Additional Memorial

28 September as one of the Martyrs of China

Profile

Raised in a poor Christian family, Paulus worked as a shepherd in his youth, and had little education. Feeling a call to the priesthood, he entered seminary at age 24; because he had no Latin, he was allowed to study philosophy and theology in Chinese. Ordained in his early 30’s, Father Paulus served as a priest in the apostolic vicariate of Sichuan, China, and worked with the Foreign Mission Society of Paris. Because of the persecution of Christians at the time, he worked as a vegetable seller by day, ministered to covert Catholics by night. He was betrayed to the authorities by a local carpenter; he was in the middle of Mass when found, asked for permission to finish, and when it was done he turned himself over for arrest. He was imprisoned, flogged, and when he would neither pay a bribe nor renounce his faith, he was executed. Martyr.

Born

c.1778 in Lezhi, Sichuan, China

Died

strangled to death on 13 February 1818 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paulus-liu-hanzuo/


Blessed Angelo Tancredi

Also known as

• Angelo of Rieti
• Angelus...

Profile

Born to the nobility, Angelo became a knight. In 1223 he was in service to Cardinal Leone Brancaleone in Rome, Italy where he met Saint Francis of Assisi. He was so taken with the teachings of Francis that he gave up the military life, became one of the first spiritual students of Francis, and one of the first twelve Franciscan friars; he was the first knight to join the Order. One of the authors of the famous Legend of the Three Companions about Francis and the early days of the Franciscans, he nursed Saint Francis during his final illness, and was singing the Canticle to him when he died.

Born

• late 12th century in Rieti, Italy
• a monastery dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi was built on the site of the house where he was born

Died

• 1258 of natural causes
• buried near the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi in the crypt of the basilica in Assisi, Italy

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


Saint Castor of Karden

Also known as

Castore, Kastor

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Maximinus of Trier. Priest, ordained by Maximinus in the mid-4th-century. Hermit at Karden in the Moselle river region where he ministered to other hermits and small religious groups, including Saint Potentinus his sons Felicius and Simplicius.

Born

4th century, possibly in the Aquitaine region of modern France

Died

• c.400 in Karden, Moselle (in modern Germany) of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the church of Paulinus in Karden in 791
• relics transferred on 11 November 836 to the church that became the Basilica of Saint Castor in Koblenz (in modern Germany by the archbishop of Trier

Patronage

Koblenz

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-castor-of-karden/


Saint Fulcran of Lodève

Also known as

Fulcrano, Fulcranno

Profile

Pious youth who early decided on a life in the Church. Priest. Bishop of Lodève, France for 57 years, consecrated on 4 February 949. Rebuilt many churches and convents. Founded the monastery of Saint Sauveur, and several hospitals for the poor. Untiring reformer and supporter of the spiritual life of his clergy, known for his personal asceticism.

Died

• 13 February 1006 of natural causes
• buried in the cathedral of Lodève, France
• body disinterred and burned by the Huguenots in 1572; only a few particles remain

Patronage

diocese of Lodève, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fulcran-of-lodeve/


Saint Ermenilda of Ely

Also known as

Eormenhild, Ermengild, Ermenhild, Erminilda, Ermenildis, Ermenegilda

Profile

Born a princess, the daughter of King Erconbert of Kent, and Saint Sexburga of Ely. Ermenilda was a pious youth with a strong prayer life. Married to the pagan Wulfhere, King of Mercia whom she converted by setting a good example. Queen. Mother of Saint Werburga of Chester and King Coenrad of Mercia, who abdicated to become a monk in Rome, Italy. Ermenilda used her royal influence to destroy the last of Anglo-Saxon paganism. When widowed, she became a Benedictine nun at Minster-in-Sheppy abbey, which had been founded by her mother. She served as abbess there and at the abbey at Ely, England.

Died

13 February 703 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ermenilda-of-ely/


Saint Archelaus of Oristano

Also known as

Archelao

Profile

Convert to Christianity. Priest. Imprisoned and executed during the persecutions of either Diocletian or Trajan (records vary) for his evangelization work. Martyr.

Born

Forum Traiani (modern Fordongianus), Italy

Died

• stoned to death in Forum Traiani (modern Fordongianus), Italy
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy

Patronage

• Oristano, Italy, archdiocese of
• Oristano, Italy, city of

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-archelaus-of-oristano/


Saint Fusca of Ravenna

Also known as

Fosca

Profile

Raised in a pagan family, at age 15 Fusca converted to Christianity and was baptized along with her nursemaid, Saint Maura. During the persecutions of Decius she was ordered by her family to renounce the faith; she refused. Arrested and tortured and ordered to sacrifice to idols, she refused. Martyr.

Died

stabbed to death with a sword c.250 in Ravenna, Italy

Patronage

10 Italian and 1 Croatian city

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fusca-of-ravenna/


Saint Phaolô Lê Van Loc

Also known as

Paul Le-Van-Loc

Additional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of West Cochinchina (modern Vietnam). Martyred in the persecutions of emperor Tu Ðuc.

Born

c.1830 in An Nhon, Gia Ðinh, Vietnam

Died

beheaded on 13 February 1859 at the city gates of Gia Ðinh, Vietnam

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-phaolo-le-van-loc/


Saints Aimo and Vermondo of Meda

Also known as

•Aimo and Vermondo Corio
• Aimonius, Antimond, Aimone

Profile

Two brothers who founded the convent of Saint Victor in Meda, Italy.

Died

c.790

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aimo-of-meda/
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vermondo-of-meda/


Saint Peter I of Vercelli

Also known as

Petrus

Profile

Bishop of Vercelli, Italy in 978. Murdered for political reasons by the future king of Italy, Arduin of Ivrea.

Died

• 997
• interred in the cathedral of Vercelli, Italy
• when it became a focal point for anti-Arduin sentiment, the king set the cathedral on fire

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-i-of-vercelli/


Blessed Maria Alvarez Marco

Profile

Married lay woman in 15th century Spain, the mother of at least two daughters. Widowed, she joined the Secular Franciscans, and spent her remaining 22 years in pious seclusion, living with her daughters Marina and Caterina in a house near the cathedral in Albacete, Spain.

Died

• 1501 at Albacete, Spain of natural causes
• buried in the church of the Franciscan Friars Minor at Albacete

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-alvarez-marco/


Saint Gosbert of Osnabrück

Also known as

Gaudbert, Gautbert, Gauzbert, Gotebert, Gozbert, Gosberto, Gozberto

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Anskar. Worked as a missionary with Saint Nithard. Bishop of Osnabruck, Germany from where he supported more missionary work in Sweden.

Died

2 February 874 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gosbert-of-osnabruck/


Saint Giuliana of Turin

Also known as

• Giuliana of Ivrea
• Juliana...

Profile

Lay woman who gave Christian burial to the Martyrs of Turin in 297.

Died

relics enshrined in the church of the Martyrs in Turin, Italy

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


Saint Modomnoc

Also known as

Dominic, Dominick, Domnoc, Domnock, Modomnock

Profile

Member of the Irish royal O'Neill clan. Monk. Spiritual student of Saint David of Wales. Beekeeper while a novice. When he returned to Ireland, a swarm of his bees followed his ship. Hermit at Tibraghny, Kilkenny, Ireland. Bishop of Ossory, Ireland.

Born

6th century Ireland

Died

c.550 of natural causes

Patronage

bees

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


Blessed Berengar of Assisi

Also known as

Berengario de Asís

Profile

Mercedarian preacher in the Spanish cities of Granada, Valencia and Murcia who was noted for his prison ministry. Ransomed 358 Christians who had been enslaved by Saracen invaders.

Died

Santa Maria Guardia Pratorum

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-berengar-of-assisi/


Saint Gilbert of Meaux

Profile

Studied at Saint Quentin. Archdeacon and then bishop of Meaux, France in 995.

Born

Vermandois, France

Died

• 1009 at Meaux, France of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of Meaux in 1491
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of Meaux in 1545
• relics destroyed by Huguenots in 1562

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gilbert-of-meaux/


Saint Carterius of Bourges

Also known as

Carterio, Chartier

Profile

Sixth-century missionary priest in the region of Bourges, France, working from the town of Lugny, France. The village of Saint-Chartier, France is named for him, and he is mentioned in the early Bourges calendars of the saints, but we have no details of his life or work.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-carterius-of-bourges/


Saint Stephen of Rieti

Profile

Abbot at Rieti, Italy. Pope Saint Gregory the Great describes him as "rude of speech, but cultured of life". Stephen devoted himself almost wholly to prayer, and was known for his concern with the spiritual lives even of those who wronged him.

Died

c.590 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stephen-of-rieti/


Saint Passivus of Séez

Also known as

Passivo, Passif

Profile

7th bishop of Séez in Normandy, France, serving in the early 6th century, though the exact dates are unknown. He attended the council of Orléans in 533, 538, 541 and 549, but we know nothing else about his time and work.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-passivus-of-seez/


Saint Marice

Profile

Martyr.

Died

relics transferred from Rome, Italy to Cannaiola di Trevi, Umbria, Italy by order of Pope Innocent X

Patronage

Cannaiola di Trevi, Umbria, Italy (declared on 13 April 1647)

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


Saint Guimérra of Carcassone

Also known as

Guimera

Profile

Tenth century bishop of Carcassone, Narbonne, Gaul (in modern France).

Died

c.931 in Carcassone, Narbonne, Gaul (in modern France)

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-guimerra-of-carcassone/


Saint Huno

Also known as

Huna

Profile

Priest and Benedictine monk at Ely, England under Saint Etheldreda. After Etheldreda's death, Huno retired to a hermitage in The Fens region of England.

Died

c.690 near Chatteris, England

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


Saint Stephen of Lyon

Also known as

Stephanus, Stefano

Profile

Bishop of Lyon, France. Worked to convert the Arian Burgundians to orthodox Christianity.

Died

512 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stephen-of-lyon/


Saint Benignus of Todi

Profile

Priest in Todi, Italy. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. One of the 140 saints memorialized on the colonnades in Saint Peter's Square.

Died

c.303

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benignus-of-todi/


Saint Maura of Ravenna

Profile

Nurse to Saint Fusca of Ravenna. Martyred in the persecutions of Decius.

Died

c.250 in Ravenna, Italy

Patronage

Frisanco, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maura-of-ravenna/


Saint Julian of Lyon

Profile

Martyr.

Died

Lyon, France, date unknown

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julian-of-lyon/


Saint Dyfnog

Profile

Venerated in Clwyd, Wales.

Born

Wales

Died

7th century

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


Saint Ermen

Profile

Nun, praised for her charity.

Born

Ireland

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


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