13 January |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop |
Baptism of Christ
• 1st Sunday after Epiphany (declared by Pope Paul VI)
• formerly celebrated on Epiphany
Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist.
https://catholicsaints.info/feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
• Athanasius of the West
• Doctor of the Divinity of Christ
• Hammer against Arianism
• Ilario di Poitiers
• Malleus Arianorum
Born to wealthy polytheistic, pagan nobility, Hilary's early life was uneventful as he married, had children (including Saint Abra), and studied on his own. Through his studies he came to believe in salvation through good works, then monotheism. As he studied the Bible for the first time, he literally read himself into the faith, and was converted by the end of the New Testament.
Hilary lived the faith so well he was made bishop of Poitiers, France from 353 to 368. Hilary opposed the emperor's attempt to run Church matters, and was exiled; he used the time to write works explaining the faith. His teaching and writings converted many, including Saint Florence of Poitiers, and in an attempt to reduce his notoriety he was returned to the small town of Poitiers where his enemies hoped he would fade into obscurity. His writings continued to convert pagans.
He introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church, fought Arianism with the help of Saint Viventius, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851.
315 at Poitiers, France
368 of natural causes
• against rheumatism
• against snakes
• against snake bites
• backward children
• children learning to walk
• mothers
• sick people
• 4 cities
• dragon
• serpent
• stick
• pen
• child
• On the Councils
• On the Trinity
• Homilies on the Psalms
To those who wish to stand in God's grace, neither the guardianship of saints nor the defenses of angels are wanting. - Saint Hilary, Commentary on the Psalms
When I look at your heavens, according to my own lights, with these weak eyes of mine, I am certain with reservation that they are your heavens. The stars circle in the heavens, reappear year after year, each with a function and service to fulfill. And though I do not understand them, I know that you, O God, are in them. - Saint Hilary
Lord, I pray Thee let not my weakness distract me, but let my speech be of that alone in which the salvation of my soul consists; and let me never break forth to that degree both of folly and wickedness, as to wish to be a judge of Thy omnipotence, and of Thy sacraments; and suffer me not to exalt my weak opinion above either the divine determination of Thy infinity, or that belief of Thy eternity which has been revealed to me. Amen. - Saint Hilary
Little children follow and obey their father. They love their mother. They know nothing of covetousness, ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying. This state of mind opens the road to heaven. To imitate our Lord's own humility, we must return to the simplicity of God's little ones. - Saint Hilary
We have been promised, and he who made the promise is trustworthy: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Yes, in our poverty we will pray for our needs. We will study the sayings of your prophets and apostles with unflagging attention, and knock for admittance wherever the gift of understanding is safely kept. But yours it is, Lord, to grant our petitions, to be present when we seek you and to open when we knock. Impart to us, then, the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it, with reverence for the doctrine and confidence in its truth. Grant that we may express what we believe. Through the prophets and apostles we know about you, the one God the Father, and the one Lord Jesus Christ. May we have the grace, the face of heretics who deny you, to honor you as God, who is not alone, and to proclaim this as truth. - from a sermon on the Trinity by Saint Hilary
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hilary-of-poitiers/
Born to a pious family, the son of a pharmacist, he received early religious training from his mother. Though his father hoped Francesco would take over the family business, the boy felt a call to the priesthood, studied in Naples, Italy, and was ordained in the archdiocese of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy on 17 December 1881. Parish priest at the church of Saint Nicholas in Acri, Italy through 1887; while there he organized the construction of the Caritas hospital. Diocesan archpriest in 1888. Professor of theology. Believing that anyone who understood the faith would follow the faith, Monsignor Francesco concentrated on teaching, evangelizing and catechizing the young, and setting up training for new catechists. In 1892-1893, with Sister Maria Teresa de Vincenti, he founded the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts who continue their good work with today with the poor and abandoned in Albania, Argentina, Africa, Jamaica, Italy, India, the Holy Lands and the United States.
26 July 1857 in Acri, Cosenza, Italy
• 13 January 1931 in Acri, Cosenza, Italy of bronchitis
• re-interred on 19 May 1961 following an exhumation as part of the canonization process
• 21 May 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at Cosenza, Italy, Cardinal Angelo Amato chief celebrant
• the beatification miracle involved bringing Nina Pancaro out of a coma in which she had lapsed following a severe illness and surgery; while comatose, she was visited by a dream of Father Francesco who healed her and woke her up
Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts
The Sacred Hearts are our dwelling place, the object of our thoughts. - Blessed Francesco
Do not despair, always rely on divine help, make known, loved and glorified the Sacred Hearts. - Blessed Francesco
Having left everything is not worth much if holiness is wanting in one's religious life. - Blessed Francesco
I abandon myself in everything and everywhere to Divine Providence. - Blessed Francesco
Let us adore the will of the Lord. - Blessed Francesco
In solitude, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, I learned the love of Jesus and the power of this love. - Blessed Francesco
My work should not rest. My whole life should be spent in being an apostolic missionary of Jesus and Mary. - Blessed Francesco
I am the servant of all. - Blessed Francesco
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francesco-maria-greco/
• Kentigern of Glasgow
• Kentigern Garthwys
• Kentigern Mungo
• Kentigern of Elwy
• Cantigernus, Chentingerno, Cyndeyrn, Kentigernus, Kintigern, Mahoe, Mochaoi, Mochua, Mungho, Mungo
Grandson of the British prince Lothus; son of Saint Theneva. Hermit. Monk. Missionary to Scotland, beginning at Cathures. Bishop of the Strathclyde Britons in the area of modern Glasgow in 540. He taught and led there for 13 years, living in great austerity. Exiled in 553 during an anti-Christian uprising by local pagans, he fled to Menevia, Wales, where he stayed with Saint David of Wales. He founded a monastery at Llanelwy, and served as its first abbot. He returned to Scotland in 573, evangelizing the areas of Galloway and Cumberland. He returned to Glasgow in 581 and led his people there for his remaining 22 years. Apostle to northwest England and southwest Scotland.
Glasgow's Coat of Arms includes a bird, a fish, a bell and a tree, the symbols of Kentigern.
• The Bird commemorates the pet robin owned by Saint Serf, which was accidentally killed by monks who blamed it on Saint Kentigern. Saint Kentigern took the bird in his hands and prayed over it, restoring it to life.
• The Fish was one caught by Saint Kentigern in the Clyde River. When it was slit open, a ring belonging to the Queen of Cadzow was miraculously found inside it. The Queen was suspected of intrigue by her husband, and that she had left with his ring. She has asked Saint Kentigern for help, and he found and restored the ring in this way to clear her name.
• The Bell may have been given to Saint Kentigern by the Pope. The original bell, which was tolled at funerals, no longer exists and was replaced by the magistrates of Glasgow in 1641. The bell of 1641 is preserved in the People's Palace.
• The Tree is symbol of an incident in Saint Kentigern's childhood. Left in charge of the holy fire in Saint Serf's monastery, he fell asleep and the fire went out. However he broke off some frozen branches from a hazel tree and miraculously re-kindled the fire.
c.518 at Culross, Fife, Scotland
• 13 January 603 in Glasgow, Scotland of natural causes
• relics in the crypt of the Kentigern cathedral, Glasgow
• Glasgow, Scotland
• salmon
• bell
• bird
• clock
• fish
• ring
• robin
• salmon
• tree
• trees
May the will of God be wrought in all of us, and let Him do unto us all as seems to Him best, according to His perfect knowledge. - Saint Kentigern
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-kentigern/
• Apostle of the Franks
• Remigius of Reims
• Remi, Remigio, Remigiusz, Romieg, Rémi, Rémy
Born to the Gallo-Roman nobility, the son of Emilius, count of Laon, and of Saint Celina; younger brother of Saint Principius of Soissons; uncle of Saint Lupus of Soissons. A speaker noted for his eloquence, he was selected bishop of Rheims (in modern France) at age 22 while still a layman, and served his diocese for 74 years. He evangelized throughout Gaul, working with Saint Vaast. Spiritual teacher of Saint Theodoric. Converted Clovis, king of the Franks, baptising him on 24 December 496; this opened the way to the conversion of all the Franks and the establishment of the Church throughout France. Blind at the time of his death.
c.438
• 13 January 533 of natural causes
• interred on 15 January 533
• relics transferred to the Basilica Saint-Rémy 1 October 1049
1049 by Pope Saint Leo IX
• against epidemics
• against fever
• against plague
• against religious indifference
• against snakes
• against throat pain
• France
• Rheims, France, archdiocese of
• Rheims, France, city of
• book
• dove
• lamp
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-remigius-of-rheims/
Veronica of Binasco
28 January (Augustinian calendar)
Grew up in a poor peasant family in a small village, doing chores and working the fields. She had no formal education, and tried unsuccessfully to teach herself to read at night. She began to have religious ecstasies, visions of the life of Christ, and was taught her catechism by the Virgin Mary. Our Lady explained it in the form of three mystical letters, one that signified purity of intention, the second abhorrence of complaining, and the third a reminder to daily meditate on the Passion. Augustinian lay-sister at the convent of Saint Martha, Milan, Italy, at age 22, being instructed for three years before she was allowed to join. Assigned to beg alms in the street for the support of the house. She suffered alternating bouts of intense physical pain and religious ecstacies for years. She received a vision of Christ in 1494, and was given a message for Pope Alexander VI; she made a journey to Rome, Italy to deliver it. Following a six-month illness, she died on the date she had prophesied.
c.1445 at Binasco, Italy, a small village near Milan
13 January 1497 in Milan, Italy of natural causes
• 1517 by Pope Leo X (cultus confirmed)
• 1672 by Pope Clement X (devotion extended to the entire Augustinian Order)
• 1749 by Pope Benedict XIV (added to Roman Martyrology)
Binasco, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-veronica-of-milan/
• Ivetta of Liege
• Ivette, Juette, Jufta, Jutta, Yvette
Born to family that was wealthy but indifferent to the faith. Forced into an arranged marriage at age 13. Mother of three, though one died in childhood. Widowed at age 18. She turned away all suitors to care for lepers for eleven years while she raised her children. Had an ongoing dispute with her father over her charitable spending, which he considered excessive. With her children grown, she retired from the world to become an anchoress her remaining years. Had mystical gifts including the ability to read hearts and visions of distant events. Miraculously received Communion. Converted her father and one of her children.
1158 at Huy, Belgium
13 January 1228 at Huy, Belgium, of natural causes
• brides
• parents of large families
• widows
• woman in an ecstasy in a hut
• woman in religious habit with a red-hot tripod nearby
• woman in widow's weeds
• woman tending to lepers
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ivetta-of-huy/
Emilio
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Priest in the archdiocese of Katowice, Poland, simultaneously serving as pastor of the parish of Saint Mary in Katowice, and chancellor of the diocesan curia. Along with being a strong spiritual leader, Father Emil was an historian, specializing in his native Silesia. He wrote on a number of topics including history, social issues, ethnography, theology and literature.
On 8 April 1940 he was arrested by the occupying Nazis and over the course of several months he was imprisoned, harassed and tortured in concentration camps in Gusen, Mauthausen and Dachau. He was a particular target for the guards as he never broke, and spent his time ministering to other prisoners. Martyr.
29 September 1887 in Tworków, Slaskie, Poland
13 January 1942 in the prison camp of Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany by having a series of ice-cold streams of water dumped on him till he died of shock and exposure
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-emil-szramek/
• Agricius of Trier
• Agritius of Trèves
• Agrice, Aguy
Nothing reliable is recorded about his life before his service to the Church. Patriarch of Antioch. Friend and advisor to empress Saint Helena. Named bishop of Treves, Gaul (modern Trier, Germany) by Pope Sylvester I; served for 20 years. Attended the Council of Arles in 314. Built many churches in the diocese, and made provision for the Relics of Trier, which were collected by Saint Helena during her travels through the Holy Lands. Saint Maximus and Saint Paulinus taught in Agrecius's schools, and he was acquainted with Saint Athanasius. Because of his association with several saints and with the relics of others, he became the subject of much pious fiction.
Syrian
335 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agrecius-of-trier/
Viventius
• Easter Monday (pilgrimage to his hermitage)
• 2nd Sunday in May (pilgrimage to his hermitage)
• 11 December (Blera, Italy)
Priest. Bishop of Blera, Italy from 457 to 484. Noted for his vocal opposition to the pagan and corrupt local nobility. Some of them bribed Vivenzio's servants to put women's clothing in his chambers in order to accuse him of illicit relations. Vivenzio denied any wrong-doing, then moved to a nearby cave in order to do penance for the sins of his accusers. He lived there for seven years in prayer and fasting, eventually going blind; when he needed to see again in order to implement an instruction he received from God in a dream, his sight was restored.
Blera, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vivenzio-of-blera/
• Victoria Valverde González
• Vittoria Valverde Gonzalez
• Sister Victoria
Nun. Member of the Calasanzian Institute, Daughters of the Divine Shepherdess. Superior of the convent-school in Martos, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
20 April 1888 in Vicálvaro, Madrid, Spain
13 January 1937 in the cemetery of Casillas de Martos, Jaén, Spain
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francisca-ines-valverde-gonzalez/
For a man whose work has had such an impact, surprisingly little is known about him. May have been a member of a noble and wealthy family, but records are obscure. Benedictine monk at Saint Martin's monastery, Autun, France. Abbot of the Baume Abbey where he rebuilt, restored and reinvigorated the monastery. Spiritual director of Saint Odo of Cluny. Founded the monastery of Gigny, Bourg-Dieu, Massay, and served as its abbot. Planned, founded, and built the monastery of Cluny whose reform has had enormous influence throughout western Christendom. He served as its first abbot from 910 to 926.
mid-9th century in Burgundy, France
927 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-berno-of-cluny/
• Francisca of the Incarnation
• Francisca Espejo Martos
Trinitarian nun. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
2 February 1873 in Martos, Jaén, Spain
• 13 January 1937 in Casilla de Martos, Jaén, Spain
• incorrupt body enshrined at the monastery of the Holy Trinity in Casilla de Martos
28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-francisca-espejo-y-martos/
Domenico Pham Trong (An) Kham
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Married lay Dominicans in the apostolic vicariate of Central Tonkin (modern Vietnam). Tortured and executed in the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc rather than stomp on a cross as ordered. Martyr.
c.1780 in Quan Cong, Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
13 January 1859 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-daminh-pham-trong-kham/
Giuseppe Pham Trong (Cai) Ta
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Married lay Dominicans in the apostolic vicariate of Central Tonkin (modern Vietnam). Tortured and executed in the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc rather than stomp on a cross as ordered. Martyr.
c.1800 in Quan Cong, Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
13 January 1859 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giuse-pham-trong-ta/
Luca (Cai) Thin
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Married lay Dominicans in the apostolic vicariate of Central Tonkin (modern Vietnam). Tortured and executed in the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc rather than stomp on a cross as ordered. Martyr.
c.1819 in Quan Cong, Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
13 January 1859 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luca-pham-trong-thin/
Heldemar, Hilmar
Court chaplain to William the Conqueror in England. Hermit in the forest of Arrouaise, Artois (in modern France) in 1090. His reputation for sanctity attracted disciples, and with them he founded the Augustinian monastery at Arrouaise. Martyr.
Tounai, Belgium
murdered c.1097 by a priest posing as an Augustinian novice at Arrouaise, Arras, France
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-hildemar-of-arrouaise/
Ermil, Ermilio, Hermellus, Hermylas, Hermyllus, Hermilio
Deacon at Singidunum (modern Belgrade, Serbia). Martyred with his servant, Saint Stratonicus, in the persecutions of Licinius.
drowned in the River Danube in 315
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hermylus/
Allan, Eilan
Related to Saint Ismael, Saint Oudoceus, Saint Melorius, Saint Tugdual and Saint Judictel. Sixth century missionary to Cornwall, England. Llanelian in Anglesey and Llanelian in Denbigshire are named for him.
in Brittany (in modern France)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elian-of-brittany/
A slave, belonging to Constantia, the wife of the emperor Licinius. To safeguard her vow of chastity, she ran to Saint Basil of Amasea. She was arrested and sentenced to death for being a runaway slave. She is considered a martyr because her running away was a direct result of her faith and personal vows.
c.324
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-glaphyra/
Eniguet, Eniguette, Enogad, Enogat, Enougad, Enougat, Tenou-cat, Tnoucat
15 November (all the bishops of St-Malo)
Monk. Abbot of Saint Meen Abbey. Bishop of Aleth, Brittany, France.
631 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-enogatus-of-aleth/
Stratonico
Servant to Saint Hermylus at Singidunum (modern Belgrade). Martyred with Hermylus in the persecutions of Licinius.
drowned in the River Danube in 315
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stratonicus/
Priest. For preaching Christianity in territory held by the Saracen prince Walid, he was mutilated and executed. Martyr.
hands, feet and tongue cut off, then crucified on 13 January 715 at the Capitolíade, Batanea, Syria
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-of-capitoliade/
Canon of Saint Denis, Liège, Belgium. Benedictine monk at Saint Vannes monastery, Verdun, France. Founded the monastery of Saint Laurence at Liège, and served as its first abbot.
1061 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-stephen-of-liege/
Angel of Peace
Bishop of Caesarea. Worked in the Council of Nicaea in 325. Highly praised in the writings of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.
337 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leontius-of-caesarea/
Matthew
Mercedarian monk at the monastery of Santa Maria degli Ulivi.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-matteo-de-lana/
Benedictine nun at Saint Leonard's, Liege, Belgium. Abbess of the Cistercian Argensolles Abbey, diocese of Soissons, France.
1226 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ida-of-argensolles/
Gumismundus, Gumersindus, Gumesindo
Priest. Martyred in the persecutions of Abderrahman II.
Spanish
852 at Cordoba, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gumesindus/
Hermit. Priest. Travelled from Palestine to Europe. Worked with Saint Hilary of Poitiers to oppose Arianism.
Samaritan
400 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-viventius/
Erbyn, Erme, Ervan, Hermes
Fifth century relative of a Cornish chieftain. Churches are dedicated to him in Cornwall.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-erbin-of-cornwall/
Servusdeus
Monk. Martyred in the persecutions of Abderrahman II.
Spanish
852 in Cordoba, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-servusdei/
Fifth century bishop of Maastricht, Netherlands.
437
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-designatus-of-maastricht/
No information has survived.
5th century Welsh
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elian-ap-erbin/
Bishop of Trier, Germany. Martyr.
235
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-andrew-of-trier/
Forty soldiers martyred in the persecutions of Gallienus.
martyred in 262 on the Via Lavicana, Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/forty-martyred-soldiers-at-rome/
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