| 14 December |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church |
• Doctor of Mystical Theology
• John della Croce
• John de la Croix
• John de la Cruz
• John vom Kreuz
• Juan de Santa María de Yepes
• Johannes av Korset
Born in poverty. Cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina del Campo, Spain. Carmelite lay brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived more strictly than the Rule required. Studied at Salamanca, Spain. Carmelite priest, ordained in 1567 at age 25. Persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order, he took the name John of the Cross. Master of novices. Spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa's convent. His reforms did not set well with some of his brothers, and he was ordered to return to Medina del Campo. He refused, and was imprisoned at Toledo, Spain, escaping after nine months. Vicar-general of Andalusia, Spain. His reforms revitalized the Order. Great contemplative and spiritual writer. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on 24 August 1926.
24 June 1542 at Fontiveros, Spain as Juan de Santa María de Yepes
• 14 December 1591 at Ubeda, Andalusia, Spain of natural causes
• relics at the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Segovia, Spain
27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
• contemplative life, contemplatives
• mystical theology, mystics
• Spanish poets
• World Youth Day 2011
• Segovia, Spain
• Ta' Xbiex, Malta
eagle
• About Saint John of the Cross
• Works by Saint John of the Cross
• Ascent of Mount Carmel
• Dark Night of the Soul, Book 1
• Dark Night of the Soul, Book 2
• A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ
Never was fount so clear,
undimmed and bright;
From it alone, I know proceeds all light
although 'tis night.
- Saint John of the Cross
At the end of your life, you will be judged by your love. - Saint John of the Cross
Just as we can never separate asceticism from mysticism, so in Saint John of the Cross we find darkness and light, suffering and joy, sacrifice and love united together so closely that they seem at times to be identified. - Thomas Merton
If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection. - Saint John of the Cross
In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection, because it stands in the center of its own humility. - Saint John of the Cross
The Lord measures our perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them. - Saint John of the Cross
I wish I could persuade spiritual persons that the way of perfection does not consist in many devices, nor in much cogitation, but in denying themselves completely and yielding themselves to suffer everything for the love of Christ. And if there is failure in this exercise, all other methods of walking in the spiritual way are merely a beating about the bush, and profitless trifling, although a person should have very high contemplation and communication with God. - Saint John of the Cross
Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing. - Saint John of the Cross
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-the-cross/
• Brother Anasztáz
• Brother Anastasius
• The Hungarian Tarcisius
As a child, János attended schools run by Cistercians until the schools were nationalized by the post-World War II communist government. He felt drawn to the Cistercians, and entered as a novice in Zirc, Hungary in 1950, taking the name Brother Anasztáz. But a few months later the communists began suppressing religious orders and houses, and Brother Anastasius had to continue his vocation from private residences, and then from the seminary where he studied for the priesthood; he continued his Cistercian training via correspondence. Cistercian friar. Ordained a priest in the diocese of Szombathely, Hungary in 1955. Noted for his youth mininstry, which drew the ire of the atheist government. His bishop offered to move him somewhere safer and out of the limelight, but Father János declined. On the night of 14 December 1957, Father Brenner received a request to give last rites to a sick person; it was a lie, meant to draw him out where he could be ambushed and murdered. Martyr.
17 December 1931 in Szombathely, Vas, Hungary
• stabbed 32 times during the night of 14–15 December 1957 in a wooded area of Zsida, Szengotthárd, Vas, Hungary
• when he was found in the morning, he was still holding the Eucharist from his sick call kit
• the Chapel of the Good Pastor was built in 1989 on the spot where he died; it has the surplice he was wearing when he was murdered
• 1 May 2018 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at Emlékmu-domb (Monument Hill), Szombathely, Hungary, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
There is no greater joy than when man who is nothing, can be even more annihilated in Christ and immerse himself into the infinite world of His soul filled with wonderful riches which are forever given over to us. Even if the road is rough, I look at your pain-ridden face and follow you. I ask you only one thing: May I always fulfill most precisely what you give to me as my vocation. – Blessed János Brenner
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-janos-brenner/
Franziska Schervier
Daughter of Johann Heinrich Schervier, a wealthy needle-factory owner and vice-mayor of Aachen, Germany, and Maria Louise Migeon; god-daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria. She ran her father's household at age 16 after the death of her mother and two older sisters to tuberculosis, and had a reputation for generosity to the poor. In 1844 she became a Secular Franciscan, and in 1845 she and four companions established a religious community devoted to caring for the poor. This group, Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis, was approved by their bishop on 2 July 1851.
Their first community in the United States was founded 1858, and Mother Frances visited in 1863 to help her sisters nurse wounded Civil War soldiers. She visited the United States again in 1868, encouraging Philip Hoever in his establishment of the Brothers of the Poor of Saint Francis, and overseeing the foundation of several hospitals.
Mother Frances was cured of asthma in 1870 by making a pilgrimage to the healing waters of Lourdes. At her death, there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide, and the numbers continue to grow as they operate hospitals and homes for the aged.
3 January 1819 at Aachen, Germany
14 December 1876 at Aachen Germany of natural causes
28 April 1974 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy
"You are my friends if you do what I command you. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." (John 15:14,17) If we do this faithfully and zealously, we will experience the truth of the words of our father Saint Francis who says that love lightens all difficulties and sweetens all bitterness. We will likewise partake of the blessing which Saint Francis promised to all his children, both present and future, after having admonished them to love one another even as he had loved them and continues to love them. - Mother Mary France, 1868, writing to her sisters
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mary-frances-schervier/
Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus
Born to a pagan family, Venantius converted to Christianity when still quite young. He grew up in Aquileia, Italy, and studied grammar, rhetoric, and law at Ravenna, Italy. While a student he became nearly blind, but recovered his sight by anointing his eyes with oil from a lamp that burned before the altar of Saint Martin of Tours. In gratitude to Saint Martin, he made a pilgrimage to Tours via the area of modern Germany, making the journey from about 565 to 567. In Tours he became a close friend of the bishop. Lived in the Loire Valley for while, then settled near Poitiers, France. During his travels he often paid for his supper by reciting poetry, singing, or making up rhymes on the spot. From 567 to 587 he counseled a local community of nuns on matters spiritual and financial. Priest. Advisor and secretary of Queen Saint Radegunde, wife of King Clotaire I. Bishop of Poitiers c.600.
A wanderer up to then, when Venantius became a bishop he became a model of temperance and stability, and was known for his love of food and friends and joy. He wrote hymns, essays, funeral elegies, homilies, and metrical lives of the saints including Saint Martin of Tours (which runs to 2,243 hexameter lines), Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Germanus of Paris, Saint Albinus of Angers, Saint Paternus of Avranches, Saint Marcellus of Paris, and Saint Radegunde. His poetry and songs often concerned daily life and work and people and politics, and have become a valuable resource for historians of the era. He is considered the last of the Gallic Latin poets, and one of the first Christian poets to write works devoted to Mary.
c.535 at Treviso, Italy
c.605 at Poitiers, Gaul (in modern France) of natural causes
• Hail to Thee, Festival Day
• Praise the Savior, Now and Ever
• See The Destined Day Arise
• The Royal Banners Forward Go
• Welcome, Happy Morning
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-venantius-fortunatus/
• Nimatullah al-Hardini
• Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini
Educated by the monks of San Antonio Aban. Lebanese Maronite monk in Batrun, Lebanon in 1828, taking the name Father Nimatullah. Worked as a bookbinder of religious works for his house. Ordained in 1833. Spiritual director and novice master in his house, and chosen to be part of the General Council of the Maronite Order. Spiritual teacher of Saint Charbel Mahklouf. Know for the zeal of his faith, his devotion to Christ and Mary, and his deep prayer life.
1808 in Hardine, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
• 14 December 1858 in Kfifan, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
• incorrupt remains at the monastery at Kfifan
16 May 2004 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-yusuf-jurj-kassab-al-hardini/
Brother of Saint Eutropia. Bishop of Rheims, France, and founder of its basilica. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, an invasion he saw in a vision.
• beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France in the doorway of his church, trying to slow the barbarians so his parishioners could escape
• buried at the church of the Saint-Nicaise monastery
• the monastery was destroyed during the French Revolution, and his remaining relics re-located to the cathedral of Rheim
• against eye disease
• against mice
• Rheims, France
bishop holding a sword and his severed head
Let us abide the mercy of God and pray for our enemies. I am ready to give myself for my people. - Saint Nicasius
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-nicasius-of-rheims/
• John Descalzo
• John Discalceatus
Stone mason. Franciscan. Priest. Pastor of Saint Gregoire, Rennes, France, where he attended to his duties barefooted. Had a special ministry to the sick and the poor.
c.1278 in Saint-Vougay, Finistère, diocese of Saint Paul-de-Lon, Brittany, France
• 15 December 1349 of plague at Saint John's monastery, Quimper, Finistère, Brittany, France
• buried in the chapel of San Antonio at his monastery
• his tomb became known as a place of healing miracles, especially for head pain
4 April 1989 by Pope John Paul II (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-discalceat/
Hermit near Naples, Italy. Monk. Abbot of San Gaudioso monastery at Abtini, Italy. Reported to be a miraculous protector of Naples during the Saracen invasions, turning aside invaders by showing the cross.
535 in Naples, Italy
14 December 596 in Naples, Italy of natural causes
• against invaders
• Naples, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agnellus-of-naples/
Castissimo
Franciscan friar and missionary. In the latter 13th century, he and Blessed Cesorio da Spira were sent by Saint Francis of Assisi to spread the Franciscan Order into Germany. Near Munich, he took over an old chapel dedicated to Saint James and used it as the base for his preaching in the region. He founded a convent near it for those who felt called to Franciscan life. When the Poor Clares arrived in the area, he turned it over to them for their work, and founded another convent for the friars.
1292 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-castino/
• Viater of Bergamo
• Viateur of Bergamo
Disciple of the Apostles. Bishop of Bergamo, Italy.
c.78
catechists
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-viator-of-bergamo/
• Buenaventura of Pistoia
• Bonaventura...
Experienced a conversion experience after hearing Saint Philip Benizi preach in Pistoia, Italy. Joined the Servites and worked as a peace-maker between the warring factions and city-states of Italy.
1315 at Orvieto, Tuscany, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-buenaventura-bonaccorsi/
Member of the Hospitallers of Saint John of God. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
27 December 1880 in Coll de Nargó, Lleida, Spain
14 December 1936 in Barcelona, Spain
25 October 1992 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-protasi-cubells-minguell/
Mercedarian monk at the monastery of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Tortosa, Spain. Noted for his zealous faith and observance of the Rule of his Order, and his deep prayer life.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-william-de-rovira/
John Pan y Agua
Benedictine Cistercian lay-brother at Sangra menia abbey, Spain. Received his nickname due to his life-long bread-and-water fast.
c.1150 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-bread-and-water/
Sister of Saint Nicasius. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France. She attacked her brother's murderer, and was immediately killed.
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eutropia-of-rheims/
Matronian
Hermit.
Milan, Italy
relics enshrined by Saint Ambrose of Milan in the church of San Nazario
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-matronianus-of-milan/
Folquin
Bishop in the area of Thérouanne, northern France for 39 years.
c.955 in Morini, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-folcuino-of-therouanne/
Martyr.
• 283 in Spain
• first burned at the stake, but when the flames would not touch him he was beheaded
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abundius-of-spain/
Martyr.
• 283 in Spain
• first burned at the stake, but when the flames would not touch him he was beheaded
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-justus-of-spain/
Deacon. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France.
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-florentius-of-rheims/
Lector. Martyred in the barbarian invasion of Rheims, France.
beheaded c.451 at Rheims, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jucundus-of-rheims/
Bishop of Pavia, Italy. Some records indicate his martyrdom, others not.
c.290
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pompeius-of-pavia/
A group of Egyptian Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Decius - Arsenius, Dioscurus, Heron and Isidore.
burned to death in 250 at Alexandria, Egypt
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-alexandria-14-december/
Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. The only surviving details are three names - Callinicus, Leucio and Tirso.
Apollonia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-apollonia-14-december/
Several pilgrims from Egypt to Cilicia (in modern Turkey) who planned to minister to fellow Christians suffering in the persecutions of emperor Maximinus. They were arrested, torture, mutilated and then imprisoned in Ashkelon. Some were ordered to forced labour in the mines, but we have the names of three who were martyred by order of governor Firmilian - Ares, Elijah and Promo.
burned at the stake or beheaded at the gates of Ashkelon c.308
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-ashkelon/
Several Christians, including a brother and sister, who were martyred together by pagans. The only other information to survive are the names of the two siblings - Fingar and Phiala.
5th century at Hayle, Cornwall, England
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-hayle/
Three Christians who were martyred together. Known to Saint John Chrysostom who preached on their feast day, and left us the only details we have - their names - Drusus, Theodore and Zosimus.
date unknown, in Syria, possibly in Antioch
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-syria-14-december/
• Berthold of Regensburg
• Joan Lambertini
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