Calendar of Saints

16 March	• yesterday • tomorrow

Saint John de Brebeuf

Also known as

Jean

Additional Memorial

19 October as one of the Martyrs of North America

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French Jesuit. He wanted to enter the priesthood from an early age, but his health was so bad there were doubts he could make it. His posting as a missionary to frontier Canada at age 32, however, was a literal god-send. He spent the rest of his life there, and the harsh and hearty climate so agreed with him that the Natives, surprised at his endurance, called him Echon, which meant load bearer, and his massive size made them think twice about sharing a canoe with him for fear it would sink. Brebeuf had great difficulty learning the Huron language. "You may have been a famous professor or theologian in France," he wrote in a letter home, "but here you will merely be a student, and with what teachers! The Huron language will be your Aristla crosse." However, he eventually wrote a catechism in Huron, and a French-Huron dictionary for use by other missionaries.

According to histories of the game, it was John de Brebeuf who named the present day version of the Indian game lacrosse because the stick used reminded him of a bishop's crosier (la crosse).

Saint John was martyred in 1649, tortured to death by the Iroquois. By 1650 the Huron nation was exterminated, and the laboriously built mission was abandoned. But it proved to be "one of the triumphant failures that are commonplace in the Church's history." These martyrdoms created a wave of vocations and missionary fervor in France, and it gave new heart to the missionaries in New France.

Born

1593 at Normandy, France

Died

tortured to death in 1649

Canonized

29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI

Patronage

Canada

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

Brebeuf's Instructions to the Missionaries: In 1637, Father Brebeuf drew up a list of instructions for Jesuit missionaries destined to work among the Huron. They reflect his own experience, and a genuine sensitivity toward the native people.

• You must love these Hurons, ransomed by the blood of the Son of God, as brothers.

• You must never keep the Indians waiting at the time of embarking.

• Carry a tinder-box or a piece of burning-glass, or both, to make fire for them during the day for smoking, and in the evening when it is necessary to camp; these little services win their hearts.

• Try to eat the little food they offer you, and eat all you can, for you may not eat again for hours.

• Eat as soon as day breaks, for Indians when on the road, eat only at the rising and the setting of the sun.

• Be prompt in embarking and disembarking and do not carry any water or sand into the canoe.

• Be the least troublesome to the Indians.

• Do not ask many questions; silence is golden.

• Bear with their imperfections, and you must try always to appear cheerful.

• Carry with you a half-gross of awls, two or three dozen little folding knives, and some plain and fancy beads with which to buy fish or other commodities from the nations you meet, in order to feast your Indian companions, and be sure to tell them from the outset that here is something with which to buy fish.

• Always carry something during the portages.

• Do not be ceremonious with the Indians.

• Do not begin to paddle unless you intend always to paddle.

• The Indians will keep later that opinion of you which they have formed during the trip.

• Always show any other Indians you meet on the way a cheerful face and show that you readily accept the fatigues of the journey.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-de-brebeuf/

Saint Heribert of Cologne

Also known as

Eriberto, Herbert, Bert, Berti, Berto, Heri, Herko

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Son of Duke Hugo of Worms, Germany. Educated at the cathedral school at Worms. Provost of the cathedral. Ordained in 994. Chancellor for Italy under King Otto III in 994. Chancellor for Germany in 997. Archbishop of Cologne, Germany on 9 July 999. Attended the death-bed of King Otto at Paterno. Initially opposed the ascension of King Henry II, and was imprisoned by him. However, when Henry was elected king on 7 June 1002, Heribert immediately acknowledged him as king, and became one of his advisors. Founded and endowed the Benedictine monastery and church of Deutz, Germany. Obtained miracles by prayer, including the end of a drought. Honoured as a saint even during his lifetime.

Born

c.970 at Worms, Germany

Died

• 16 March 1021 at Cologne, Germany of natural causes
• relics in the church at Deutz, Germany (part of modern Cologne

Canonized

1075 by Pope Saint Gregory VII

Patronage

• against drought
• for rain
• Deutz, Germany

Representation

• archbishop calling down rain by his prayers
• man kneeling before Saint Henry II

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-heribert-of-cologne/

Blessed John Sordi of Vincenza

Also known as

• John Cacciafronte
• Giovanni de Surdis Cacciafronte
• John de Surdis

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Benedictine monk at the abbey of Saint Lawrence in Cremona, Italy. Abbot in 1155. Sided with the Pope against Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and so was banished from the abbey by the emperor. Hermit near Mantua, Italy.

Bishop of Mantua in 1174, replacing a bishop removed for transgressions in office. In 1177, his predecessor repented, returned, and requested the return of his see. John asked permission to resign, return the mitre to the previous bishop, and return to his life as a hermit. The request was granted, and John transferred to Vicenza, Italy.

John was murdered by a man who had embezzled Church funds, and whom John was reprimanding. As John died working for the Church, and correcting a sinner, he is considered a martyr.

Born

c.1125 at Cremona, Italy as John Sordi

Died

murdered on 16 March 1183 at Vicenza, Italy

Beatified

30 March 1824 by Pope Leo XII

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-sordi/

Saint Eusebia of Hamage

Also known as

• Eusebia of Hamay
• Eusebia of Hamaye
• Eusebia of Hamay-sur-la-Scarpe

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Eldest daughter of Saint Adalbald of Ostrevant and Saint Rictrudis of Marchiennes; great-granddaughter of Saint Gertrude the Elder; sister of Saint Maurontius, Saint Clotsindis, and Saint Adalsindis of Hamay. After her father's murder when she was very young, she was sent to the abbey of Hamage, Doudi, France, which her great-grandmother had founded and served as abbess. Gertrude died when Eusebia was twelve years old; the young girl was elected to replace her. Rictrudis, realizing her daughter had no hope of governing the abbey, but wanting to keep it under the protection of a noble house, merged Hamage with her own house of Marchiennes, and ordered all the sisters to move in together under her rule. Many of the uprooted sisters, including Eusebia, were unhappy with this order as it kept them from obeying Saint Gertrude's last request. After much time and debate, the dissident sisters were permitted to return to their old house, taking Gertrude's relics with them, and taking Eusebia as their abbess. The delay had allowed her to grow into the position, and she proved an excellent abbess.

Born

c.640

Died

• c.680 of natural causes
• buried at her abbey church

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eusebia-of-hamage/

Saint Damian of Terracina

Also known as

Damiano

Additional Memorial

11 September (San Valentino in Abruzzo Cieriore, Italy)

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Born to the imperial Roman nobility, Damian was raised a Christian and was known for his piety from his youth. When his father died, Damian became the ward of his bishop, Saint Valentino who, recognizing the young man’s piety, ordained him a deacon, and encouraged him to study for the priesthood. Damian travelled with Saint Valentino to evangelize the area of modern San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore, Italy, helped to convert people and build churches there, and was murdered by pagan priests fighting the new religion. Martyr.

Born

early 4th century in Terracina, Italy

Died

• beheaded in the forest near modern San Valentino in Abruzzo Cieriore, Italy in the 4th century
• buried at the site of his execution by local Christians
• relics re-discovered and enshrined in the oratory in Castel di Pietra c.1075; they become the site of miracles
• relics later re-enshrined in the cathedral of Saints Valentino and Damiano in San Valentino in Abruzzo Cieriore

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-damian-of-terracina/

Saint Julian of Anazarbus

Also known as

• Julian of Antioch
• Julian of Tarsus
• Julian of Cilicia
• Giuliano...

Additional Memorial

• 21 June (Orthodox calendar)
• 18 April (Armenian calendar

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Prominent citizen of senatorial rank. Arrested for his faith during the persecutions of Diocletian, he was tortured then put on display for abuse for a year in cities all over Cilicia, being led around behind a camel. Martyr. Praised by Saint John Chrysostom in a homily during the enshrinement of his relics.

Born

Anazarbus, Cilicia (in modern Turkey)

Died

• sewn into a sack full of vipers and scorpions, and thrown into the sea to drown c.302
• relics enshrined in Antioch

Representation

• man being thrown into the sea in a sack
• man in a coffin which is floating into shore and on which sits four angels
• man bound on a camel being led through the streets

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julian-of-anazarbus/

Blessed John Amias

Also known as

John Anne

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

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Married layman cloth merchant in Wakefield, England. Father of several children. A widower, he divided his property among his children, and studied for the priesthood in Rheims, France. Ordained in 1581. He returned to England as a home missioner to covert Catholics. Arrested at the home of a Mr Murton in Lancashire for the crime of priesthood. Martyred with Blessed Robert Dalby.

Born

at Wakefield, West Riding, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 16 March 1589 at York, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-amias/

Saint Dentlin of Soignies

Also known as

• Dentlin of Mons
• Dentelin, Denain, Dentelino

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Son of Saint Vincent Madelgarus and Saint Waldetrudis; brother of Saint Landric, Saint Madalbarta and Saint Aldetrudis. Nephew of Saint Aldegund. An extraordinarily pious child, he is considered a confessor of the faith. A church in Cleves, Germany, was named for him.

Died

• at age 7 in 7th century of natural causes
• buried in Soignies, Belgium
• relics transferred to the abbey church in Rees, Germany in the 1040's
• miracles reported at his tomb

Patronage

Rees, Germany

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dentlin-of-soignies/

Saint Finian Lobhar

Also known as

• Finian Lobur
• Finian the Leper
• Finnian, Fintan

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Disciple of Saint Columba. Founded a church and monastery at Innisfallen, Ireland. Monk at Clonmore, Ireland. Abbot of Swords abbey near Dublin, Ireland. In his later years he retired to Clonmore to spend his last days as a prayerful monk. He was called Lobhar (the Leper) because he briefly contracted leprosy when he miraculously cured a young boy of the disease.

Born

at Bregia, Leinster, Ireland

Died

c.560 at Clonmore, Ireland of natural causes

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-finian-lobhar/

Blessed Robert Dalby

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

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Protestant minister. Convert to Catholicism. Studied in Douai and Rheims in France. Ordained in 1588, he returned to England to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested for the crime of priesthood in 1589, he was martyred with Blessed John Amias.

Born

at Hemingborough, Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 16 March 1589 at York, England

Beatified

15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-robert-dalby/

Saint Allo of Bobbio

Also known as

Allone

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Monk of the Bobbio Abbey. His burial next to Saint Columbanus is evidence of his holiness, but all details of his life have been lost.

Died

• 31 August during an unspecified year in the 7th century Bobbio, Italy of natural causes
• interred next to Saint Colombanus in the church at the abbey of Saint Colombano, Bobbio, Provincia di Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• relics enshrined in a wooden urn in 1482 in the crypt of the basilica of Saint Colombano built over the site of the old church
• altar, crypt and shrine were refurbished and the re-opened to the public in 1910

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-allo-of-bobbio/

Saint Abban of Kill-Abban

Also known as

• Abban of Magheranoidhe
• Abban of Murneave
• Abban of Murnevin
• Abbán moccu Corbmaic
• Abbanus, Eibbán, Moabba

Additional Memorial

13 May (Orthodox calendar)

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Contemporary of Saint Patrick. Founded Kill-Abban abbey in Leinster, Ireland, and served as its first abbot. Founded the convent for Saint Gobnait of Ballyvourney, Ireland.

Born

Irish

Died

5th century Ireland of natural causes

Patronage

• Cell Abbáin, Ireland
• Killabban, Ireland
• Mag Arnaide, Ireland

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abban-of-kill-abban/

Blessed Joan Torrents Figueras

Additional Memorial

1 February as one of the 109 Spanish Claretian Martyrs

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Member of the Claretians, making his profession on 8 December 1889. Ordained a priest on 3 April 1897. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

8 December 1873 in La Secuita, Tarragona, Spain

Died

16 March 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain

Beatified

• 21 October 2017 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Basilica of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain, presided by Archbishop Angelo Amato

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-joan-torrents-figueras/

Saint Megingaud of Würzburg

Also known as

• Megingaud of Wérzburg
• Megingoz, Mengold, Megingaudus

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Benedictine monk at the monastery of Fritzlar, Germany, in 738. Teacher at the abbey school. Abbot at Fritzlar. Bishop of Würzburg, Germany in February 754. In 769 he retired to Neustadt abbey to spend his last days as a prayerful monk.

Born

710 in Franconia

Died

783 at the abbey of Neustadt, Germany of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-megingaud-of-wurzburg/

Blessed Torello of Poppi

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After a wild and misspent youth, Torello lived 60 years as a Vallombrosan oblate hermit in a walled-up cave.

Born

1201 or 1202 at Poppi, Tuscany, Italy

Died

between 1281 and 1292 at Poppi, Tuscany, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

by Pope Benedict XIV (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

Poppi, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-torello-of-poppi/

Saint Hilary of Aquileia

Also known as

Elaro, Ellaro, Hilarius, Ilario

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Bishop of Aquileia, Italy. His prayers would cause the collapse of pagan temples and idols. Martyred in the persecutions of Numerian by order of the prefect Beronius.