| 15 July |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church |
• Seraphic Doctor of the Church
• the Devout Doctor
Healed from a childhood disease through the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Bonaventure joined the Order of Friars Minor at age 22. Studied theology and philosophy in Paris, France, and later taught there. Friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Doctor of Theology. Friend of King Saint Louis IX. General of the Franciscan Order at 35. Bishop of Albano, Italy, chosen by Pope Gregory X. Cardinal. Wrote commentaries on the Scriptures, text-books in theology and philosophy, and a biography of Saint Francis. Doctor of the Church. Pope Clement IV chose him to be Archbishop of York, England, but Bonaventure begged off, claiming to be inadequate to the office. Spoke at the Council of Lyons, but died before its close.
1221 at Bagnoregio, Tuscany, Italy
15 July 1274 at Lyon, France of natural causes
14 April 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV
• against intestinal problems
• Bagnoregio, Italy
• Cochiti Indian Pueblo
• Saint Bonaventure University, New York
• cardinal's hat
• ciborium
• Holy Communion
• cardinal in Franciscan robes, usually reading or writing
A man of eminent learning and eloquence, and of outstanding holiness, he was known for his kindness, approachableness, gentleness and compassion. - Pope Gregory X on hearing of the death of Bonaventure
Mary seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children. - Saint Bonaventure
When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that proceeding from the mouth. - Saint Bonaventure
Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the "throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant," and "the mystery hidden from the ages." A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope, and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make with Christ a "pasch," that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulcher, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside Christ: "Today you will be with me in paradise." - from Journey of the Mind to God by Saint Bonaventure
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bonaventure-of-bagnoregio/
• Svyatoy Vladimir
• Vladimir Svyatoslavich
• Vladimir the Great
• Vladimir Veliky
Grandson of Saint Olga of Kiev. Son of the pagan Norman-Rus prince Svyatoslav of Kiev and his consort Malushka. Grand prince of Kiev. Prince of Novgorod in 970. On the death of his father in 972, he fled to Scandinavia, enlisted help from an uncle, and overcame Yaropolk, another son of Svyatoslav, who had attempted to seize Novgorod and Kiev. By 980 Vladimir had consolidated the Kievan realm from Ukraine to the Baltic Sea, and had solidified the frontiers against Bulgarian, Baltic, and Eastern nomads.
Christianity had made some progress in Kiev, but Vladimir remained pagan, had seven wives, established temples, and participated in idolatrous rites, possibly involving human sacrifice. Around 987, Byzantine Emperor Basil II sought military aid from Vladimir. The two reached a pact for aid that involved Basil's sister Anne in marriage, and Vladimir becoming a Christian. He was baptized, took the patronal name Basil, then ordered the Christian conversion of Kiev and Novgorod. Idols were thrown into the Dnieper River, and the new Rus Christians adopted the Byzantine rite in the Old Church Slavonic language. Legend says Vladimir chose the Byzantine rite over the liturgies of German Christendom, Judaism, and Islam because of its transcendent beauty; it probably also reflected his determination to remain independent of external political control.
Byzantines maintained ecclesiastical control over the new Rus church; the Greek metropolitan for Kiev reported to both the patriarch of Constantinople and of the emperor. Rus-Byzantine religio-political integration checked the influence of the Roman Latin church in the Slavic East, and determined the course of Russian Christianity.
Vladimir expanded education, judicial institutions, and aid to the poor. He and Anne had the martyr sons Saint Boris and Saint Gleb. Following the death of Anne in 1011, another marriage affiliated him with the German Holy Roman emperors. His daughter became the consort of Casimir I the Restorer of Poland.
956 at Kiev as Vladimir Svyatoslavich
15 July 1015 at Berestova, near Kiev
• converts
• parents of large families
• reformed and penitent murderers
• Russia
• Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, Connecticut
• archeparch of Winnipeg, Manitoba
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vladimir-i-of-kiev/
• Ceslaus of Cracow
• Ceslaus of Krakow
• Ceslaus of Poland
• Ceslaus of Wroclaw
• Czeslaw of...
• 17 July (Dominicans)
• 20 July (Wroclaw, Poland)
Relative, possibly the brother, of Saint Hyacinth. Studied at Prague in Bohemia, and Bologna, Italy. Ordained in Cracow, Poland. Doctor of canon law and of theology. Canon of the cathedral at Cracow. Provost of Sandomir. Noted spiritual advisor. Friar Preacher, receiving the habit from Saint Dominic de Guzman himself.
Director of vocations at the Dominican convent at Prague; when the congregation outgrew the convent, Ottakar I built them a larger one. Content that he had established a firm foundation in Prague, Ceslas returned to Wroclaw, Poland where he received a hero's welcome from the public and church officials. Spiritual director of Saint Hedwig of Poland. Travelling preacher through Moravia, Saxony, Prussia, and Pomerania. Noted for teaching the warrior class to practice Christian charity while pursuing a violent career. His prayers cured many, including the blind and mute, and reportedly brought a drowned child back to life. The successful resistance of the Mongols by the people of Wroclaw in 1240 is attributed to the prayers of Ceslas.
Ceslas was well-known and highly regarded throughout the region during and after his lifetime. However, when non-Catholics took over Silesia many years later, primary records concerning him were burned.
Ceslas's Cause for beatification was brought more than once before the Congregation. The lack of the original records, and the rather extraordinary nature of the claims made for him, caused the Congregation to delay approval for many decades.
c.1180 at Cracow, Upper Silesia (modern Poland)
• 15 July 1242 at Wroclaw, Poland of natural causes
• buried in the church of Saint Adalbert
27 August 1712 by Pope Clement XI (cultus confirmed)
Wroclaw, Poland
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ceslas-odrowaz/
Born to parents who had nearly given up on having children. Educated by the abbot of Saint Mark's Abbey in Spoleto, Italy. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Lived five years as a hermitess in the cave of Saint Onuphrius. She then returned to Spoleto to be with her family, especially her father who had repeatedly asked her to come home. When her father died, Abundantia spent her inheritance in caring for the poor. Known for her ability to heal by prayer.
Quite a few stories grew up around her, including
• all the bells in Spoleto began spontaneously ringing at her birth
• when she was taken to be baptized, all the lamps and candles in the church lit themselves
• one winter day when she was about eight years old she saw a painting of Mary and the Infant Jesus; Christ was holding a golden apple; Abundantia really wanted that apple; Jesus reached out the painting to give it to her
• she was so excited with the apple that she ran out into the snow to pick Jesus a bouquet in return; she found flowers everywhere and brought them into the church
• at the moment of her death, the bells of Spoleto again began to spontaneously ring
• as her funeral procession passed along the streets, plants would suddenly sprout leaves and flowers
• her funeral procession was accompanied by the sound of angels singing Veni sponsa Christi
8th century Spoleto, Italy
January 804 in Spoleto, Italy of natural causes
• being given a golden apple by the Infant Jesus who is reaching out of an image of the Madonna and Child
• flowers in winter
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abundantia-of-spoleto/
Sixth bishop of Luni, Italy, noted at the time for his charity and care for the poor. Martyred by Arian Lombards for trying to bring them to orthodox Christianity.
c.556
• murdered in the early 7th century near the river Lavenza in Avenza, Massa Carrara, Italy
• legend says that a mountain opened a pass to allow the ox cart carrying his remains to reach their burial site
• buried in the church in San Terenzo Monti
• relics hidden in a nearby church in the 9th century to protect them from Muslim invaders, and then lost
• relics re-discovered in church reconstruction following an earthquake
• relics moved to Reggio Emilia, Italy in 1673 to protect them from non-Christian invaders
• relics enshrined in a silver casket uner the main altar of the church of San Terenzio in San Terenzo Monti, Italy
San Terenzo Monti, Italy
O God, who gave to the holy bishop Terenzo the grace to conclude his apostolic work with martyrdom, grant us also to walk in the ways of your commandments to be worthy of the prize reserved for your faithful servants. For our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who is God, and lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-terenzio-of-luni/
Daughter of a wealthy farmer, she grew up during the French Revolution, and saw her family risk everything by hiding priests. Pious girl who wanted to devote herself to teaching children and helping the poor. In 1800 she had a vision in Besançon where she was surrounded by a group of black children, but did not understand it at the time.
In 1807, she and eight friends at Cabillon started the group that would become the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Cluny, which was formally founded in 1812 when the group purchased an old friary at Cluny to act of mother-house. The group was dedicated to teaching, and soon became famous for its innovative techniques. Anne established houses in Europe, Africa, and South America.
In 1834 the French government sent her to French Guiana where she was to teach 600 Guianan slaves who were about to receive their freedom. She spent nine years there teaching, fulfilling her vision. In 1843 she returned to her homeland to work on establishing houses in other countries.
10 November 1779 at Jallanges, France
15 July 1851 at Paris, France of natural causes
15 October 1950 by Pope Pius XII
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anne-mary-javouhey/
• Bernard of Marchio
• Bernard II, Margrave of Baden-Baden
• Bernhard of Baden
• Bernardo
Born to the nobility, the son of Margrave Jacob of Baden and Catherine de Lorraine; grandson of Saint Margaret of Bavaria. Heir to the title Margrave of Baden, he renounced it to become the personal envoy of Emperor Frederick III. Worked to help the poor, spending largely from his personal funds. Worked to unify the European courts behind a Crusade against the Turks, and died while on the road in that work.
c.1428 in Hohenbaden Castle, Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg,
• 15 July 1458 in Moncalieri, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the church of Santa Maria della Scala in Moncalieri
16 September 1769 by Pope Clement XIV (cultus confirmation)
• Baden, Germany
• Baden-Baden, Germany
• Archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
• Moncalieri, Italy
• knight with a cross
• coat of arms of Badan, Germany
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bernard-of-baden/
• James of Nisibis
• Jacob of Nusaybin
Monk. First bishop of Nisibis, Mesopotamia (modern Nusaybin, Turkey) from 309 until his death. Spiritual director of Saint Ephrem of Syria. Participated in the Council of Nicaea in 325. Noted for praying for the death of Arius, founder of the Arian heresy. Known for his learning, his piety, his construction of a basilica and theological school at Nisibis. Launched the first known search by Christians for the mountain of Noah's Ark. Many writings have been attributed to him; scholars have recently determined they were authored by another Jacob.
Syrian
• c.338 at Nisibis, Mesopotamia (modern Nusaybin, Turkey) of natural causes
• relics at Edessa, Mesopotamia (modern Sanliurfa, Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jacob-of-nisibis/
12 June as one of the 108 Polish Martyrs of World War II
Parish priest in Bielsk Podlaski and vicar-general of the diocese of Pinsk, Poland. In both positions he was noted for his concern for those, lay and clergy, in his care, especially in the persecutions during the Nazi occupation. For this work, on 15 July 1943 he was arrested by the Gestapo and executed a few hours later; he spent his time in captivity praying with other prisoners, hearing their confessions, helping them prepare. Martyr.
9 September 1880 in Borowskie Olki, Podlaskie, Poland
shot on 15 July 1943 at Bielsk Podlaski, Podlaskie, occupied Poland
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antoni-beszta-borowski/
• Plechelm of Utrecht
• Apostle of Guelderland
• Plechelmus
Benedictine monk. Priest. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy with Saint Wiro and Saint Otger. Regional missionary bishop to Northumberland, England. Missionary to Friesland, in the modern Netherlands; may have worked with Saint Willibrord of Echternach. Helped found Saint Peter's monastery at Roermond, Netherlands near modern Odilienberg c.700 on land given them by Blessed Pepin of Herstal.
Anglo-Saxon from Northumbria, England
c.730 while preaching
• Netherlands
• Oldenzaal, Netherlands
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-plechelm-of-guelderland/
Son of the Duke of Naples, Italy. Bishop of Naples at age 18. He restored the church of Saint Januarius that had been destroyed by Saracens, founded a hospice, and instituted a service for the ransom of captive Christians. Because he fought simony, he was imprisoned by his corrupt nephew Sergius, Duke of Naples; the clergy and lay people of Naples forced his release, but Athanasius was sent into permanent exile in Veroli, Italy. Confessor of the faith.
Naples, Italy
• 872 at Veroli, Italy of natural causes
• buried at Monte Cassino
• relics later translated to Naples, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-athanasius-of-naples/
• Edwette
• The Virgin with Three Crowns
Sister of Saint Demet of Plozévet. The siblings survived a shipwreck and washed up on the beach of Plozèvet in the bay of Audierne at Penhors, Brittany, France. There she became a hermitess. She became the target of fear, harassment and finally violence by local pagans who accused her of being a witch. The local pagan women planned to attack her, using iron forks that were used on the farms to shovel fuel into ovens; the night before their planned attack, all the forks vanished, and the women left Evette alone.
British Isles
383 in Brittany, France
Audierne Bay fishermen
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-evette-of-brittany/
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Layman and solid citizen in his small town. Village mayor. Catechist. When the government persecutions of Catholics began, Andrew was exiled from his village for his faith, and died on the forced march to a relocation camp in Mi-Tho. Martyr.
c.1790 in Go Thi, Bình Ðinh, Vietnam
15 July 1855 of dehydration, exposure and exhaustion on the road near My Tho, Tien Giang, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anre-nguyen-kim-thong/
As a young man he became a Benedictine monk at the monstery of San Eutizio near Norcia, Italy, but was soon forced to leave to help support his poor farming family. Worked as a cowherd, praying while in the fields, and giving all that he could to people even poorer than himself. Hermit near Pulcano, Italy where he spent time in prayer for the conversion of indifferent Christians. Miracle worker.
c.1070 in Mosciano, diocese of Nocera Umbra, Italy
15 July 1092 near Pulcano, Italy of natural causes
1618 by Bishop Virgilio Florenzi
shepherd in prayer
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-felicissimo-of-mosciano/
Felice of Carthage • Felice of Thiabara • Felice of Thibaris • Felice of Thibinca • Felice of Thibiuca • Felice of Tibiuca • Felice of Tibiura • Felice of Tibiure • Felice of Tubzack • Felice of Tubzoca • Felice of Zoustina • Felix of...
Bishop of Tibiuca. During the persecutions of Diocletian, Felice was ordered by Procurator Magniliano to burn his copies of the scriptures. Felice replied that he would rather be burned himself that burn the scriptures. Martyr.
• stabbed with a sword in 303 in Carthage
• relics at the basilica of Fausta at Carthage
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-felice-of-tubzak/
• Joseph of Thessalonica
• Joseph of Thessaly
• Joseph the Studite
Brother of Saint Theodore the Studite. Monk. Hymnist. Bishop of Thessalonica. Fought hard to maintain ecclesiastical discipline with his priests, and to fend off the iconoclasts who wanted to destroy images in the churches, which eventually led to his exile to Thessaly by civil authorities. Martyr.
Thessaly of hunger and thirst in 832
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph-studita-of-thessalonica/
Priest in the diocese of Rouen, France. Imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France and left to die during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the French Revolution. One of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort.
28 September 1749 in Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France
15 July 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France
1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-michel-bernard-marchand/
• Abudemius of Tenedos
• Abudemio, Abudimus
Tortured and martyred for refusing to eat meat sacrificed to idols during the persecutions of Diocletian.
3rd century on the island of Bozcaada (Tenedos) in the Aegean Sea off the coast of the Hellespont (part of modern Turkey)
early 4th-century on the island of Bozcaada (Tenedos) in the Aegean Sea off the coast of the Hellespont (part of modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abudemius-of-bozcaada/
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Priest in the apostolic vicariate of East Tonkin. Martyr.
1766 in Ngoc Ðông, Hung Yên, Vietnam
martyred on 15 July 1838 in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-phero-nguyen-ba-tuan/
Antiochus of Anastasiopoli
Brother of Saint Plato of Ancyra. Physician. Martyred in the persecutions of the governor Hadrian.
Sebaste, Armenia
• beheaded by Saint Cyriacus the Executioner
• instead of blood, milk flowed from his severed head
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-antiochus-of-sebaste/
Commemorates the missionary work of the Twelve Apostles. It was first mentioned in the 11th century and was celebrated in the northern countries of Europe during the Middle Ages. It is now observed in Germany, Poland, and some dioceses of England, France, and the United States.
https://catholicsaints.info/feast-of-the-dispersion-of-the-apostles/
Gumarus, Gumberto, Gumbertus
Founded the monastery of Ansbach in Franconia (in modern Germany) on the land around his villa, then retired there to serve as its first abbot.
c.790 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gumbert-of-ansbach/
Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Chézery, diocese of Belley, France. Chosen abbot the house in 1170. Known for his piety, humility and his concern for the spiritual well-bring of his brother monks.
1200 at the Abbey of Chézery, diocese of Belley, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-roland-of-chezery/
No information has survived.
• relics discovered in the catacombs of Rome, Italy in the early 19th century
• relics enshrined by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers
28 May 1852 by Patrizzi, cardinal-vicar of Pope Gregory XVI (fixed memorial date)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-valentina-of-nevers/
Évrard
Born to the Italian nobility, he became a Duke, then gave it up to live as a shepherd in Luzy, Haute-Marne, France so he could have the solitude to live in prayer.
8th century Italy
Luzy, Haute-Marne, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eberhard-of-luzy/
Sister of King Athelstan. Married the viking king Sihtric of Northumbria at York in 925. Widowed in 926. Benedictine nun at Polesworth, Warwickshire, England. Abbess of Polesworth.
c.927
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-edith-of-tamworth/
David of Vasteras
Born to the 10th-century English nobility. Benedictine monk. Abbot of a monastery in Sweden. Worked with Saint Sigfried.
English
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-david-of-sweden/
Evronie
Sister of Saint Aprus of Toul to whom she made her vows as a nun.
5th century near Trier, Germany
6th century in Troyes, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-apronia/
éterne, Aeternus
Bishop of Evreux, France.
c.660
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eternus/
Donald
Married 8th-century layman. Father of nine daughters who became known as the Nine Maidens. He and they lived as a hermits in Ogilvy, Scotland.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-donivald/
Mercedarian friar. Priest. Bishop.
Narbonne, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-peter-aymillo/
Benedictine monk, abbot and bishop in Werden, Germany.
c.830
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-haruch-of-werden/
Monk at Corbie Abbey.
c.824
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adalard-the-younger/
Bishop of Angers, France.
c.820
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benedict-of-angers/
Bishop. Martyr.
Pavia, Italy, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-felix-of-pavia/
Thirteen Christians who were martyred together. We know the names of three, no details about them, and the other ten were all children. - Narseus, Philip and Zeno
early 4th-century in Alexandria, Egypt
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-alexandria-15-july/
A group of nine Christians who were martyred together. We know nothing else but their names - Adautto, Catulinus, Felice, Florentius, Fortunanziano, Januarius, Julia, Justa and Settimino.
Carthaginian
relics at the basilica of Fausta at Carthage
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-carthage-15-july/
Five 4th-century martyrs killed together. No information about them has survived except the names - Agrippinus, Fortunatus, Martialis, Maximus and Secundinus.
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-pannonia-15-july/
Three Christians martyred in the persecutions of Aurelian. We know little more than their names - Bonosa, Eutropius and Zosima.
• c.207 in Porto Romano, Italy
• interred in the catacombs of Pontiani, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-porto-romano-15-july/
A band of forty Spanish, Portugese and French Jesuit missionaries martyred by the Huguenot pirate Jacques Sourie while en route to Brazil. They are -
• Aleixo Delgado • Alonso de Baena • álvaro Borralho Mendes • Amaro Vaz • André Gonçalves • António Correia • Antônio Fernandes • António Soares • Bento de Castro • Brás Ribeiro • Diogo de Andrade • Diogo Pires Mimoso • Domingos Fernandes • Esteban Zuraire • Fernando Sánchez • Francisco Alvares • Francisco de Magalhães • Francisco Pérez Godoy • Gaspar Alvares • Gonçalo Henriques • Gregorio Escribano • Ignatius de Azevedo • Iõao • João Fernandes • João Fernandes • Juan de Mayorga • Juan de San Martín • Juan de Zafra • Luís Correia • Luís Rodrigues • Manuel Alvares • Manuel Fernandes • Manuel Pacheco • Manuel Rodrigues • Marcos Caldeira • Nicolau Dinis • Pedro de Fontoura • Pedro Nunes • Simão da Costa • Simão Lopes •
15 and 16 July 1570 on the ship Santiago near Palma, Canary Islands
11 May 1854 by Pope Pius IX
https://catholicsaints.info/martyred-jesuit-missionaries-of-brazil/
• Mother of God of Akhtyrka
• Martyrs of Ratzeburg
• Agatho the Apostle
• Ansuero of Ratzeburg
• Aubrin of Lyon
• Baldwin of Rieti
• Barhadbesaba of Arbela
• Bishoy
• Calogerus
• Cewydd of Wales
• Cyriacus of Sebaste
• David of Munktrop
• Egino of Augsburg
• Pompilio Maria Pirrotti
• Regiswide of Lauffen
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