Calendar of Saints - 16 December

16 December	• yesterday • tomorrow

Saint Adelaide of Burgundy

Also known as

• Adelaide of Italy
• Adelheid, Alice

Profile

Born a princess, the daughter of King Rudolf II (Rupert II) of Upper Burgundy. Promised at age two in an arranged marriage as part of a treaty between Rudolf and Hugh of Provence. Married at age 16 to Lothair of Italy, who eventually became king of Italy. Widowed in 950 while still a teenager; Lothair was probably poisoned by his successor to the throne, Berengarius. As part of his attempt to solidify his grip on power, Berengarius ordered Adelaide to marry his son; she refused, and was imprisoned. She was freed soon after when the German king Otto the Great defeated Berengarius.

Adelaide married Otto in Pavia, Italy in 951. He was crowned Emperor in Rome, Italy in 952, and Adelaide reigned with him for 20 years. Widowed in 973, she was ill-treated by her step-son, Emperor Otto II and his wife Theophano, but eventually reconciled with her royal in-laws.

When Otto II died in 983, he was succeeded by his infant son, Otto III. Theophano acted as regent, and since she still did not like Adelaide, used her power to exile her from the royal court. Theophano died in 991, and Adelaide returned once again to the court to act as regent for the child emperor. She used her position and power to help the poor, to evangelize, especially among the Slavs, and to build and restore monasteries and churches. When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne, a house she had built. Though she never became a nun, she spent the rest of her days there in prayer.

Born

c.931 at Burgundy, France

Died

999 at the monastery of Selta (Seltz), Alsace of natural causes

Canonized

1097 by Pope Urban II

Patronage

• abuse victims
• against in-law problems
• brides
• empresses
• exiles
• parenthood
• parents of large families
• people in exile
• princesses
• prisoners
• second marriages
• step-parents
• victims of abuse
• widows

Representation

• empress dispensing alms and food to the poor, often beside a ship
• escaping from prison in a boat
• holding a church
• veil

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adelaide-of-burgundy/

Saint Ado of Vienne

Also known as

Adon, Adonis

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Educated at Ferrières Abbey. Ado renounced his title and inheritence, and became a Benedictine monk at Ferrières. He taught at Prüm Abbey at the request of its abbot, but dissension among the brothers forced him to return home. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy for two years. He moved to Ravenna, Italy where he revised and published a version of the Roman Martyrology in 858. Pastor of Saint Romanus church at Lyon, appointed by the archbishop, Saint Remigius. Archbishop of Vienne, France in 859, appointed by Pope Saint Nicholas I. Noted reformer in his diocese. He wrote biographies of Saint Desiderius and Saint Theuderius, and a world history text. He opposed the efforts of Lothair II of Lorraine to put aside his wife, Theutberga, in favour of his mistress, and he led the effort to annul the synod of Metz's approval of Lothair's actions.

Born

Sens, France

Died

• 875 in Vienne, France of natural causes
• relics destroyed by the Huguenots

Representation

monk studying Scripture in a library

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ado-of-vienne/

Blessed Sebastian Maggi

Profile

Joined the Dominicans in Brescia at age 15 in 1429, the youngest that he could, and spent the next 67 years as a zealous and reforming friar. Superior of several Dominican houses. Vicar of a reformed congregation of Lombardy. Known for his personal strict adherance to the rules, and his gentle ways with those who could not live so stricly. Died while en route to a convent for a mission.

Born

1414 at Brescia, Italy

Died

• 1496 at Genoa, Italy of natural causes
• body was still incorrupt in 1963

Beatified

15 April 1760 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmed)

Prayers

God of faithfulness, you made Blessed Sebastian and outstanding example of evangelical perfection and truth. By following his example may we enter the path to perfect charity and deepen the life of the spirit through penance and so obtain your glory and eternal life. 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. - prayer from the General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-sebastian-maggi/

Blessed Mary Fontanella

Also known as

• Mary of the Angels
• Maria degli Angeli
• Maria Fontanella of the Angels

Profile

Born to the nobility, one of eleven children Count Fontenella of Santena, Italy. At age twelve she joined the Cistercians at Saluzzo, Italy. Unfortunately, Mary's father died soon after, and Mary had to return home to help with the family. Four years later, over the protests of her family, she joined the Carmelites in Turin, Italy. Visionary and mystic, she was the victim of numerous demonic attacks. Novice mistress in 1691 at age 33. Prioress in 1694. Founded a Carmelite monastery at Moncalieri, Italy. Noted for her strong devotion to Saint Joseph.

Born

7 January 1661 at Balderino, Italy

Died

16 December 1717 at Turin, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

14 May 1865 by Pope Pius IX

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mary-fontanella/

Blessed Filip Siphong Onphithakt

Also known as

Filippo Siphong Onphitak

Profile

Layman in the archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng, Thailand. Catechist in Songkhon in 1926. Married to Marie Thong in 1931. Father of five. When the parish priest was exiled during a persecution in Thailand, Filip took over leadership of the Christian community. He also protested the police harassment of Catholics; he was ordered to report to police headquarters in Mukdahan. On the way he was ambushed, tortured and murdered. One of the Seven Martyrs of Thailand.

Born

30 September 1907 in Nong Seng, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Died

shot on 16 December 1940 in Muang Phaluka, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Beatified

22 October 1989 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-filip-siphong-onphithakt/

Blessed Adolphus, Blessed Arnaldo and Blessed James of Tunis

Also known as

Adolfo

Profile

Three Mercedarian friars who, in 1314, went to Tunis, Tunisia in North Africa to free Christian captives. On the trip home, their ship was captured by pirates, and they were imprisoned. While in captivity he ministered to other prisoners and talked about Christ. His non-Christian jailers murdered him to stop it. Martyr.

Born

Catalan (in modern Spain)

Died

1314 in Tunis, Tunisia

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-adolphus-of-tunis/

Blessed Clemente Marchisio

Also known as

Klemens Marchisio

Profile

Priest in the archdiocese of Turin, Italy. Founded the Institute of the Daughters of Saint Joseph.

Born

1 March 1833 in Racconigi, Cuneo, Italy

Died

16 December 1903 in Rivalba, Turin, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

30 September 1984 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-clemente-marchisio/

Saint Albina of Caesarea

Profile

Young Christian maiden martyred in the persecutions of Decius. Greeks maintain that her body was miraculously translated after death.

Born

Caesarea

Died

• martyred c.250 at Formiae, Gata, Campagna, Italy
• relics in the cathedral of Gaeta

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

Blessed Jaume Mases Boncompte

Also known as

Brother Lambert Carles

Profile

Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

14 April 1894 in Agramunt, Lleida, Spain

Died

16 December 1936 in Barcelona, Spain

Beatified

28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jaume-mases-boncompte/

Blessed Dominic Dosso

Profile

Soldier. Knight. Fought in the recovery of Balearic Islands of Spain from the Saracens. Joined the Mercedarians on 10 August 1218, accepted into the Order by Saint Peter Nolasco. Known for his personal piety, virtue and devotion to the Order.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-dominic-dosso/