| 15 May |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Optional Memorial of Saint Isidore the Farmer |
19 May on some calendars
The youngest of four children in an aristocratic family who moved from a small town in Ukraine to Warsaw, Poland in 1882. Rosa received a good secular and religious education even as her eyesight deteriorated; in 1898, at age 22, she was completely blind. She spent a lot of time in prayer and in discerning a vocation, and began devoting herself to helping and teaching the blind. In 1909, she and several like-minded friends and co-workers founded a group to start a shelter and school for blind girls to help them live fuller lives on their own.
In 1915 she returned to the Ukraine for the First Communion of a family member – and was stuck there for three years as the escalation of World War I kept her from returning to Warsaw. There she learned of Franciscan spirituality, and in 1916 became a Franciscan tertiary, taking the name Elzbieta.
Returning to Warsaw in 1918, she resumed her work with the neglected blind, and formalized the group of co-workers into the Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross, which would receive formal approval in 1922. A supported gave her land in Laski, Poland where she built an institute and school for the blind, and the motherhouse of the Sisters. She received support from Pope Pius XI in 1937, during World War II the Institute was converted to a hospital and the Sisters served as nurses.
This did not last; the Institute was destroyed, and the Sisters returned to Warsaw where Mother Elzbieta was injured in a bombing of the city. The Sisters worked to support the Polish partisans against the Nazis, and Elzbieta worked with Blessed Stefan Wyszynski.
When the war ended, the Sisters returned to their primary mission, and Mother Elzbieta continued to lead them until 1947 when, at age 70, she retired from leadership. She suffered a stroke in 1948 and her health slowly declined, but she spent her remaining 13 years in prayer, contemplation and any service she could provide.
22 October 1876 in Biala Cerkiew, Ukraine as Róza Czacka
15 May 1961 in Laski, Poland after several years of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1948
• 12 September 2021 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in Warsaw, Poland presided by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro
• the beatification miracle involved the 13 September 2010 healing of a seven-year-old girl in Warsaw who was in a coma with severe cranial and brain damage from an accident; from the moment of the accident, the Sisters and the family began asking Mother Elzbieta for her intercession
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-elzbieta-roza-czacka/
• Isadore the Farmer
• Isidore Bonden
• Isidore of Madrid
• Isidore the Laborer
• Isidore the Worker
• Isidro Labrador
Pious farmer. Married to Saint Mary de la Cabeza. Their son died young; they became convinced it was the will of God that they not have children, and they lived together chastely the rest of their lives, doing good works. Accused by fellow workers of shirking his duties by attending Mass each day, taking time out for prayers, etc. Isidore claimed he had no choice but to follow the highest Master. One tale says that when his master came in the morning to chastise him for skipping work for church, he found angels plowing the fields in place of Isidore. Miracles and cures reported at his grave, in which his body remains incorrupt.
c.1070 at Madrid, Castille (part of modern Spain)
• 15 May 1130 at Madrid, Spain of natural causes
• buried at the Church of San Isidro in Madrid
12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
• against the death of children
• agricultural workers, farm workers, farmers, field hands, husbandmen, ranchers
• day laborers
• for rain
• livestock
• rural communities
• United States National Rural Life Conference
• World Youth Day 2011
• diocese of Digos, Philippines
• diocese of Malaybalay, Philippines
• 24 cities
O God, Who didst teach Adam the simple art of tilling the soil, and Who through Jesus Christ, the true vine, didst reveal Thyself the husbandman of our souls, deign, we pray, through the merits of Blessed Isidore, to instill into our hearts a horror of sin and a love of prayer, so that, working the soil in the sweat of our brow, we may, with Christ our Lord, enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - Prayer to Saint Isidore, Patron of Farmers; from "The Fold", August 1953
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-isidore-the-farmer/
In his youth he got to listen to the preaching of Saint Vincent Ferrer. Joined the Dominicans at Saint Maximin monastery. Priest. Prior of Saint Mary Magdalen monastery, Provence, France, a noted pilgrimage site; tradition says it is one of the places where Saint Mary Magdalen went after the Crucifixion, and the monastery laid claim to her relics. Supported missionaries and preached home missions. Noted artist in his day, especially known for his manuscript illuminations.
1375 at Saint Maximin, Provence, France
• 15 May 1450 at Aix-en-Provence, France of natural causes
• buried in the Church of the Magdalen
• his tomb became known as a site of miraculous cures
1902 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)
against fever
God of all truth, you chose Blessed Andrew to preach the gospel of peace and to promote the regular life. By the help of his prayers may we devote ourselves to proclaiming the faith and bearing the yoke of Christ with fidelity. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. - General Calendar of the Order of Preachers
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-andrew-abellon/
• Euphrasius of Illiturgi
• Euphrasius of Illiturgis
• Euphemia, Eufrasio
• Apostle of Spain
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain, ordained by Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Martyr.
Legend says that he once travelled from Spain to Rome, Italy in 30 minutes in order to help the Pope; he managed the quick trip by bribing a captive goblin with leftover food. He is also reputed to have brought a portrait of the Virgin Mary which had been painted by Saint Luke and given to him by Saint Peter.
• 1st century in Illiturgis, Spain
• church built over his sepulcher in the 7th century
• relics taken to the Mao River valley in the Lugo province of Galacia, Spain ahead of invading Moors
• re-interred in the church of Santa María do Mao, O Incio, Spain
• some relics taken to Ajaccio, Corsica
• some relics taken to the cathedral in Jaén, Spain
• diocese of Ajaccio, France
• diocese of Jaén, Spain
• Corsica
• Ajaccio, France
• Andújar, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-euphrasius-of-andujar/
• Hallvard Vebjørnsson
• Hallvard of Lier
• Alvard, Alvardo, Halward
Born to the Norwegian royalty. In 1043, as he was about to cross the Drammenfjord in a boat, a woman ran up to him, begging his help; she claimed she was falsely accused of theft, and feared for her life. Hallvard took her aboard, but the pursuers reached them before he could push off. They demanded he give her up, but he refused, saying the woman swore she was innocent. One of the pursuers shot and killed both Hallvard and the woman with a bow. The mob attached a stone to Hallvard's body and threw it into the sea; it floated, and was later enshrined at Christ Church, Oslo, Norway. Revered as a martyr because he died in defense of innocence, in the best spirit of chivalry.
c.1020
• shot with an arrow c.1043 at Drammen, Drammen kommune, Buskerud fylke, Norway
• buried in the Saint Hallvard Cathedral, Oslo, Oslo kommune, Oslo fylke, Norway
• protection of innocence
• protection of virtue
• Oslo, Norway
prince holding a millstone
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hallvard/
Severino
Brother of Saint Victorinus of Camerino. The two brothers distributed their wealth to the poor in their area, then retired to live as hermits on Monte Nero, Italy. Ordered by Pope Vigilius to become Bishop of Septempeda, an area in the Marches of Ancona, Italy. Severinus was so successful at reviving the faith in his diocese that the town is now known as San Severino Marche in his honour.
Septempeda (modern San Severino Marche, Italy)
• 550 of natural causes
• interred in the cathedral in San Severino Marche, Italy
• relics hidden in the side altar of the cathedral during an incursion by the Goths
• relics taken to the site of his hermitage on Monte Nero, Italy on 3 November 590
• church built there and relics enshrined in 944
• relics hidden from invaders and lost in 1197
• relics re-discovered on 15 May 1576
San Severino Marche, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severinus-of-septempeda/
11 September in Santa Cesarea Terme, Italy; tradition says it's the date she fled her father's house
Daughter of Louis and Lucrezia. Following the death of her mother, the teenage Caesarea left home to escape the incestuous interests of her father. She consecrated herself to God, and withdrew from the world to live as an anchoress in a cave near Otranto, Italy where she devoted herself to prayer.
14th century
14th century of natural causes
• due to her reputation for holiness, a church was soon built at the cave of Caesareo
• cultus known to have been in place in the 17th century
• Porto Cesareo, Italy
• Santa Cesarea Terme, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-caesarea-of-otranto/
• Achilles of Thessaly
• Achilles the Thaumaturgist
• Achillas, Achillius, Ailus, Achilius
Born to an imperial Roman patrician family, he received a good education, especially in philosophy. On the death of his parents, he sold all his property, gave the money to the poor, and went on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands and then to Rome, Italy. Bishop of Larissa, Thessaly, Greece. Reported to have attended the first Council of Nicaea. Fought Arianism. Miracle worker.
3rd century in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey)
• c.331 in Larissa, Thessaly of natural causes
• relics venerated at Presba, Bulgaria since 978
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-achilles-of-larissa/
Dionysia
A Christian girl ordered to sacrifice to pagan idols during the persecutions of Decius. She refused and was given over to a house of prostitution to be raped into submission. She fought against her "customers" until exhausted at which point her guardian angel appeared and frightened the men away from her. The next morning she fled the house to the site where a mob had dragged Saint Andrew and Saint Paul of Troas, and began proclaiming her faith. The proconsul had her dragged away and executed. Martyr.
beheaded in Alexandria Troas (in modern Turkey) c.250
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-denysa-of-troas/
• Kalte Sophia
• Cold Sophia
• Wet Sophia
• Sophie. Sofia, Zofia
Young woman martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
• c.304 in Rome, Italy
• buried in the cemetery of Gordianus and Epimachus outside Rome
• some relics enshrined at the convent at Eschau, France by Saint Remigius of Strasbourg in 778
• some relics enshrined at the high altar of the church of San Martino ai Monti in Rome by Pope Sergius II c.845
• against late frosts
• for the growth of crops
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-sophia-of-rome/
Genebern, Genebrard, Gerebern, Gereborn, Gerebran, Gerebrand
Aged 7th century Irish priest who baptized Saint Dympna in her infancy, accompanied her when she fled to Belgium, and died at her side.
Ireland
• beheaded in Gheel, Belgium
• head preserved as a relic at Gheel, Belgium
• relics enshrined at Sonsbeck, Germany where they have been the target of His "holy robbers", thieves who specialized in stealing relics
• against fever
• against gout
• Sonsbeck, Germany
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gerebernus/
• Simplicius of Fausania
• Simplicius of Olbia
• Simplicio...
First bishop of Gallura, Italy. Marytred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
buried alive in 304 in Sardinia, Italy
diocese of Tempio-Ampurias, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-simplicius-of-sardinia/
Adjutor, Adiutore
Priest in North African. Tortured and exiled by being stick in a boat without a rudder and sent out to sea by the Arian Vandals. The boat landed in the Campania region of southern Italy, and he resumed his ministry with the people there.
diocese of Amalfi-Cava de 'Tirreni, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adiutor-of-campania/
Berta
Daughter of Pepin II. Married to a pagan. Mother of Saint Rupert of Bingen. Widow. Founded several hospices for the poor. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. After the pilgrimage, she sold all her possessions, gave away her wealth, and spent the remainder of her life as a prayerful hermitess near Bingen, Germany.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bertha-of-bingen/
Ellero, Ilaro
Hermit near the River Ronco, Italy. He and some others hermits joined to build the Galeata monastery; it was later renamed Sant-Ilaro in his honour, and given to the Camaldolese Order.
558 of natural causes
Lugo, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hilary-of-galeata/
Monk at the Monastery of the Caves under the direction of Saint Anthony and Saint Theodosius, founders of the house. Abbot at Saint Demtrius Abbey, Kiev in 1062. Bishop of Rostov in 1077. Evangelist to the unconverted of Rostov, teacher of the converted. Miracle worker.
11th century Kiev, Ukraine
• 1090 of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the Cathedral of Rostov, Russia in 1160
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-isaias/
Martyred in the persecutions of Decius for refusing to sacrifice to a statue of Venus.
beheaded c.250 in Lampsacus, Asia Minor
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-of-lampsacus/
Seminarian of the archdiocese of Tarragona, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
31 October 1918 in Borges del Camp, Tarragona, Spain
15 May 1938 in Riudecols, Tarragona, Spain
• 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in Tarragona, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-joan-montpeo-masip/
Christian imprisoned for refusing to sacrifice to pagan idols during the persecutions of Decius. After one night in prison, a mob stirred up by the priests of Diana demanded that he and Saint Paul be turned over to them. The two were scourged, dragged out of town, and murdered. Martyr.
stoned to death in Alexandria Troas (in modern Turkey) c.250
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-andrew-of-troas/
Christian imprisoned for refusing to sacrifice to pagan idols during the persecutions of Decius. After one night in prison, a mob stirred up by the priests of Diana demanded that he and Saint Andrew be turned over to them. The two were scourged, dragged out of town, and murdered. Martyr.
stoned to death in Alexandria Troas (in modern Turkey) c.250
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paul-of-troas/
Son of Saint Bertha of Bingen. Ninth-century hillside hermit near Bingen, Germany. Died while returning from pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. His hill has since been name Rupertsberg in his honour.
near Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate (in modern Germany)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rupert-of-bingen/
Wealthy merchant, and a cousin of King Olaf of Norway. Killed when he defended a woman falsely accused of theft. Martyr.
Norway
• 15 May 1043
• interred in the cathedral of Oslo, Norway
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alvardo/
Columbanus Mc O'Laoighse
Sixth-century spiritual student of Saint Columba and Saint Fintan of Clonenagh. Founded a monastery in Oughaval, Ireland, and served as its first abbot. A church at Stradbally, Ireland is dedicated to him.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-colman-mc-olaoighse/
Franciscan friar minor. Sent to the Pinerolo region to preach against Waldensianism, he brought many back to the faith.
Bressanone, Italy
murdered on 15 May 1655 near San Secondo di Pinerolo, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-clemente-of-bressanone/
Rheticius, Reticius, Rhétice
Bishop of Autun, France c.310. Both Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Jerome wrote about him and his knowledge of Scripture.
Gallo-Roman
334 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rheticus-of-autun/
Franciscan friar minor. Sent to the Pinerolo region to preach against Waldensianism, he brought many back to the faith.
Valdieri, Italy
murdered on 15 May 1655 near San Secondo di Pinerolo, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-diego-of-valdieri/
Bertin, Britwin, Brithwin, Brithun
Benedictine monk. Spiritual student of Saint John of Beverley. First abbot of Beverley in England.
733
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bercthun-of-beverley/
Patriarch of Constantinople. Deposed and exiled by emperor Leo VI when he opposed the emperor’s fourth marriage, which was prohibited by the laws of the Eastern Church.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-nicholas-the-mystic/
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain. Marytr.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hesychius-of-gibraltar/
Convert. Martyred by Teutonic barbarians led by Chrocas.
c.264 in Clermont, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-victorinus-of-clermont/
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-caecilius-of-granada/
Priest. Martyred by Teutonic barbarians led by Chrocas.
c.264 in Clermont, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cassius-of-clermont/
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ctesiphon-of-verga/
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-indaletius-of-urci/
Martyred by Teutonic barbarians led by Chrocas.
c.264 in Clermont, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maximus-of-clermont/
First century spiritual student of the Apostles. One of the first group of missionaries to Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-secundus-of-avila/
Brother of Saint Adalsindis. Founded the monastery of Bèze, France.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-waldalenus-of-beze/
50 Mercedarian friars murdered for their faith by Huguenots.
1563 in the Mercedarian convent of Maleville in Rodez, France
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-maleville/
Three Christians who were martyred together. We have no other information about them but the names Boninus, Paolinus and Saterius.
• Pavia, Italy, date unknown
• relics enshrined in the church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio in Pavia
https://catholicsaints.info/15-may/
Three Christians who were tortured, mutilated, imprisoned, starved and finally executed together for refusing to worship the sun and fire during the persecutions of Shapur II. We know nothing else about them but their names - Bohtiso, Isaac and Simeon.
beheaded or burned at the stake (records vary) in the late 3rd century somewhere in Persia
https://catholicsaints.info/marytrs-of-persia-15-may/
• Carthage
• Dubhlitir of Finglas
• Eutizio of Ferento
• Girolamo of Mondovi
• Witesindo of Cordova
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