Calendar of Saints - 13 January

13 January	• yesterday • tomorrow
Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop

The noble love of Jesus impels a man to do great things, and stirs him up to be always longing for what is more perfect. Love desires to be high, and will not be kept back by anything low and mean. Love desires to be free, and estranged from all worldly affections, that so its inward sight may not be hindered; that it may not be entangled by any temporal prosperity, that it may not be subdued by any adversity. - Thomas a Kempis

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Also known as

Baptism of Christ

Memorial

• 1st Sunday after Epiphany (declared by Pope Paul VI)
• formerly celebrated on Epiphany

Profile

Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist.

https://catholicsaints.info/feast-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/

Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Also known as

• Athanasius of the West
• Doctor of the Divinity of Christ
• Hammer against Arianism
• Ilario di Poitiers
• Malleus Arianorum

Profile

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.

Born

315 at Poitiers, France

Died

368 of natural causes

Patronage

• against rheumatism
• against snakes
• against snake bites
• backward children
• children learning to walk
• mothers
• sick people
• 4 cities

Representation

• dragon
• serpent
• stick
• pen
• child

Video

YouTube PlayList

Works

• On the Councils
• On the Trinity • Homilies on the Psalms

Readings

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/

Blessed Francesco Maria Greco

Profile

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.

Born

26 July 1857 in Acri, Cosenza, Italy

Died

• 13 January 1931 in Acri, Cosenza, Italy of bronchitis
• re-interred on 19 May 1961 following an exhumation as part of the canonization process

Beatified

• 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

Patronage

Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

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/

Saint Kentigern

Also known as

• Kentigern of Glasgow
• Kentigern Garthwys
• Kentigern Mungo
• Kentigern of Elwy
• Cantigernus, Chentingerno, Cyndeyrn, Kentigernus, Kintigern, Mahoe, Mochaoi, Mochua, Mungho, Mungo

Profile

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.

Born

c.518 at Culross, Fife, Scotland

Died

• 13 January 603 in Glasgow, Scotland of natural causes
• relics in the crypt of the Kentigern cathedral, Glasgow

Patronage

• Glasgow, Scotland
• salmon

Representation

• bell
• bird
• clock
• fish
• ring
• robin
• salmon
• tree
• trees

Readings

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/

Saint Remigius of Rheims

Also known as

• Apostle of the Franks
• Remigius of Reims
• Remi, Remigio, Remigiusz, Romieg, Rémi, Rémy

Profile

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.

Born

c.438

Died

• 13 January 533 of natural causes
• interred on 15 January 533
• relics transferred to the Basilica Saint-Rémy 1 October 1049

Canonized

1049 by Pope Saint Leo IX

Patronage

• against epidemics
• against fever
• against plague
• against religious indifference
• against snakes
• against throat pain
• France
• Rheims, France, archdiocese of
• Rheims, France, city of

Representation

• book
• dove
• lamp

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-remigius-of-rheims/

Blessed Veronica of Milan

Also known as

Veronica of Binasco

Additional Memorial

28 January (Augustinian calendar)

Profile

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.

Born

c.1445 at Binasco, Italy, a small village near Milan

Died

13 January 1497 in Milan, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

• 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)

Patronage

Binasco, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-veronica-of-milan/

Blessed Ivetta of Huy

Also known as

• Ivetta of Liege
• Ivette, Juette, Jufta, Jutta, Yvette

Profile

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.

Born

1158 at Huy, Belgium

Died

13 January 1228 at Huy, Belgium, of natural causes

Patronage

• brides
• parents of large families
• widows

Representation

• 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/

Blessed Emil Szramek

Also known as

Emilio

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

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.

Born

29 September 1887 in Tworków, Slaskie, Poland

Died

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

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-emil-szramek/

Saint Agrecius of Trier

Also known as

• Agricius of Trier
• Agritius of Trèves
• Agrice, Aguy

Profile

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.

Born

Syrian

Died

335 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agrecius-of-trier/

Saint Vivenzio of Blera

Also known as

Viventius

Additional Memorials

• Easter Monday (pilgrimage to his hermitage)
• 2nd Sunday in May (pilgrimage to his hermitage)
• 11 December (Blera, Italy)

Profile

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.

Patronage

Blera, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vivenzio-of-blera/

Blessed Francisca Inés Valverde González

Also known as

• Victoria Valverde González
• Vittoria Valverde Gonzalez
• Sister Victoria

Profile

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.

Born

20 April 1888 in Vicálvaro, Madrid, Spain

Died

13 January 1937 in the cemetery of Casillas de Martos, Jaén, Spain

Beatified

13 October 2013 by Pope Francis

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francisca-ines-valverde-gonzalez/

Saint Berno of Cluny

Profile

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.

Born

mid-9th century in Burgundy, France

Died

927 of natural causes

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

Blessed María Francisca Espejo y Martos

Also known as

• Francisca of the Incarnation
• Francisca Espejo Martos

Profile

Trinitarian nun. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

2 February 1873 in Martos, Jaén, Spain

Died

• 13 January 1937 in Casilla de Martos, Jaén, Spain
• incorrupt body enshrined at the monastery of the Holy Trinity in Casilla de Martos

Beatified

28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-francisca-espejo-y-martos/

Saint Ðaminh Pham Trong Kham

Blessed Hildemar of Arrouaise

Also known as

Heldemar, Hilmar

Profile

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.

Born

Tounai, Belgium

Died

murdered c.1097 by a priest posing as an Augustinian novice at Arrouaise, Arras, France

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-hildemar-of-arrouaise/

Saint Hermylus

Also known as

Ermil, Ermilio, Hermellus, Hermylas, Hermyllus, Hermilio

Profile

Deacon at Singidunum (modern Belgrade, Serbia). Martyred with his servant, Saint Stratonicus, in the persecutions of Licinius.

Died

drowned in the River Danube in 315

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

Saint Elian of Brittany

Also known as

Allan, Eilan

Profile

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.

Born

in Brittany (in modern France)

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elian-of-brittany/

Saint Glaphyra

Profile

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.