Calendar of Saints

16 May	• yesterday • tomorrow

Saint Simon Stock

Also known as

• Simon Anglus
• Simon the Englishman

Profile

Little is known of his early life. Legend says that at age twelve he began to live as a hermit in a hollow oak tree; the name Stock is believed derived from the old English for tree trunk. Itinerant preacher. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands, but left when invading Muslims chased out Christians. Joined the Carmelite Order soon after its arrival in England.

Simon lived and studied for several years in Rome, Italy and Mount Carmel. Elected sixth general of the Carmelites in 1247 around age 82. He helped the Order spread through England, southern and western Europe. Founded houses in Cambridge, England in 1248, Oxford in 1253, Paris, France in 1260, and Bologna, Italy in 1260. Revised the Rule of the Order to make them mendicant friars instead of hermits.

Regardless of these successes, the Order was oppressed on all sides, including by the clergy and other orders. The friars took their woes to their patroness, the Virgin Mary. Tradition says that in answer, she appeared to Simon bringing him the brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. "This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites," she told him, "that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved." On 13 January 1252 the Order received a letter of protection from Pope Innocent IV, protecting them from harassment.

Born

c.1165 in Aylesford, County Kent, England

Died

• 16 May 1265 in the Carmelite monastery at Bordeaux, France of natural causes while on a visit
• skull transferred to the Carmelite friary in Aylesford, England in 1951

Canonized

• never formally canonized
• venerated by the Carmelites since at least 1564
• the Vatican has approved Carmelite celebration of his feast

Patronage

Bordeaux, France

Representation

• Carmelite friar holding a scapular
• Carmelite friar receiving the scapular from the Blessed Virgin
• Carmelite friar surrounded by and praying for souls in Purgatory
• elderly man in a Carmelite habit in prayer

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

Carmel's Flower,
Vine ever blossoming,
Heaven's splendor!
Virgin who bore a child.
No one is like thee.
Mother gentle and kind.
Yet never touched by man!
To Carmelites give thou the privilege.
Help us Star of the Sea.
- Simon Stock

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-simon-stock/

Saint Brendan the Navigator

Also known as

• Brendan the Voyager
• Brendan McFinlugh
• Brendan of Clonfert
• Brendan of Cluain Ferta
• Borodon, Brandan, Brendain, Breandan

Additional Memorials

• 6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland
• 14 June (translation of relics)

Profile

Son of Findloga; brother of Saint Briga. Monk. Educated by Saint Ita of Killeedy and Saint Erc of Kerry. Friend of Saint Columba and Saint Brendan of Birr, Saint Brigid, and Saint Enda of Arran. Ordained in 512. Built monastic cells at Ardfert, Shankeel, Aleth, Plouaret, Inchquin Island, and Annaghdown. Founded Clonfert monastery and monastic school c.559. Legend says that this community had at least three thousand monks, and that their Rule was dictated to Brendan by an angel.

Brendan and his brothers figure in Brendan's Voyage, a tale of monks travelling the high seas of the Atlantic, evangelizing to the islands, possibly reaching the Americas in the 6th century. At one point they stop on a small island, celebrate Easter Mass, light a fire - and then learn the island is an enormous whale!

Born

460 at Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland

Died

• c.577 at Annaghdown (Enach Duin)
• buried at Clonfert, Ireland

Patronage

• boatmen, mariners, sailors, watermen
• travellers
• whales
• diocese of Ardfert, Ireland
• diocese of Clonfert, Ireland
• diocese of Kerry, Ireland

Representation

• priest celebrating Mass on board ship while fish gather to listen
• whale
• one of a group of monks in a small boat

Readings

Let the brothers and sisters now sing
Of the holy life of Brendan;
In an old melody
Let it be kept in song.

Loving the jewel of chastity,
He was the father of monastics.
He shunned the choir of the world;
Now he sings among the angels.

Let him pray that we may be saved
As we sail upon this sea.
Let him quickly aid the fallen
Oppressed with burdensome sin.

God the Father; Most High King
Breast-fed by a virgin mother;
Holy Spirit: when They will it,
Let Them feed us divine honey.

- Guido of Ivrea, 11th century; English translation from the Latin by Karen Rae Keck, 1994

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-brendan-the-navigator/

Saint Honorius of Amiens

Also known as

Honoratus, Honortus, Honoré

Profile

Born to the nobility. Known as a pious child, he was educated by Saint Beatus of Amiens. Reluctant bishop of Amiens, France, believing himself unworthy. Legend says that a ray of divine light and holy oil appeared upon his head at the time of his selection as bishop. Re-discovered the relics of Saint Victoricus of Amiens, Saint Fuscian of Amiens, and Saint Gentian of Amiens, which had been lost for 300 years.

Legend says that when word reached the family home in Porthieu that Honorius had been chosen bishop, his old nursemaid, who was baking bread at the time, announced that the boy was no more going to be a bishop that then baker's peel she was leaning on would turn back into a tree. The wooden peel promptly grew roots and branches and turned into a blackberry tree what was still be shown to pilgrims 900 years later. This naturally led to a baker's peel being one of his emblems, and his patronage of trades associated with baking.

Born

Porthieu, Amiens, France

Died

• 30 September 653 at Porthieu, Amiens, France of natural causes
• miracles reported at his tomb, especially in 1060 when his body was exhumed

Patronage

• against drought
• bakers
• bakers of holy wafers
• cake makers
• candlemakers, chandlers
• confectioners
• corn chandlers
• florists
• flour merchants
• oil refiners
• pastry chefs

Representation

• baker's peel or shovel
• bishop with a large Host
• bishop with three Hosts on a baker's shovel
• loaves of bread
• prelate with a hand reaching from heaven to give him bread for the Mass

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-honorius-of-amiens/

Saint Andrew Bobola

Also known as

• Andrzej Bobola
• Apostle of Lithuania
• Hunter of Souls

Additional Memorials

• 21 February in Poland
• 23 May (Jesuits)

Profile

Born to the Polish nobility. Studied at the Jesuit school at Sandomierz, Poland. He joined the Jesuits on 31 July 1611 at Vilna, Lithuania. Studied and taught philosophy. Ordained on 12 March 1622. Parish priest at Vilna in 1625. Superior of the Jesuit community at Bobrinks in 1630. Worked with the sick during a plague outbreak.

Successful missionary to the Orthodox from 1636 to 1656, preaching along the roads, bringing whole villages back to Catholicism. In 1652 Prince Radziwell gave Andrew a house in Pinsk as a refuge for Jesuits hiding from the Cossacks and Tartars. He was captured just after Mass on 10 May 1657 during a Cossack raid on Pinsk. He was severely beaten, dragged by horses, tortured, hacked with knives, skinned alive, and when he tried to pray for them, they tore out his tongue and murdered him, all for being a Christian; he never surrendered his faith. Martyr.

Born

30 November 1591 at Sandomierz, Poland

Died

• beheaded at Janow on 16 May 1657 at Pinsk (in modern Belarus)
• buried at the Jesuit school in Pinsk, but his grave was forgotten when the Jesuits were forced to abandon the town
• he later appeared in visions to the rector of the school, pointing out his grave
• relics translated to Polosk in 1808
• body found incorrupt
• body later taken to Moscow, Russia by the Bolsheviks
• body taken to Rome, Italy in 1922
• currently entombed at the Jesuit church in Cracow, Poland

Canonized

17 April 1938 by Pope Pius XI

Patronage

• Poland
• archdiocese of Warsaw, Poland

Storefront

medals and pendants

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-andrew-bobola/

Saint Ubaldus Baldassini

Also known as

• Ubaldus of Gubbio
• Ubaldo, Ubald, Ubalde

Profile

Born to the nobility. Related to Saint Sperandia. Ubaldo's father, Rovaldo Baldassini, died when the boy was very young; his mother was an invalid, afflicted with what we now consider a neurological disease. Raised by his uncle. Educated by the prior of the cathedral in Gubbio, Italy. Canon regular. Monk at the Monastery of Saint Secondo in Gubbio for several years. Dean of the cathedral in Gubio. Ordained in 1115. Around 1120 he convinced the canons of his chapter to live a common life together under the rule given by Peter degli Onesti; this communal life was designed to keep them out of worldly ways. Ubaldo wanted to be a hermit, but was advised against it, and in 1128 he accepted the bishopric of Gubbio. Known as a patient, gentle, and brave pastor to his people. Convinced Emperor Frederick Barbarossa not to sack Gubbio as he had done other cities. The tomb and shrine of Ubaldus is still a place of pilgrimage.

Born

c.1085 at Gubbio near Ancona, Umbria, Italy as Ubaldo Baldassini

Died

• around sunrise on Monday 16 May 1160 at Gubbio near Ancona, Umbria, Italy of natural causes
• relics re-interred on 11 September 1194
• his right hand little finger is held as a relic in Thann, France

Canonized

1192 by Pope Celestine III

Representation

• bishop giving a blessing as angels carry his crozier
• bishop delivering a blessing while a devil flees from it
• bishop holding a model of Gubbio

Patronage

• against autism
• against demonic possession; possessed people
• against migraine
• against neuralgia
• against obsession; obsessive compulsives
• autistics, autistic children
• sick children
• Gubbio, Italy
• Montovi, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ubaldus-baldassini/

Saint Gens of Le Beaucet

Also known as

• Gens du Beaucet
• Gens Bournarel
• Gens the Hermit
• Gein, Gence, Gensius, Gentius, Genzio

Profile

Hermit at Le Beaucet, France in the early 12th century, drawn to the life of a holy solitary in his teens. His father gave him two cows, and he lived from their milk, from the garden that they plowed, and by trading milk and vegetables to other people. He was known for severe penances, a life of constant prayer, and as a miracle worker.

Legend says that a dought was ended by a religious procession led by Gens. Another says that when his parents visited him, he caused a spring of fresh water and one of wine to spring from the earth to give them drink. Another says that when a wolf tried to attack Gens’s cows, he caused it to stop, prayed for it, tamed it, and the animal helped the cattle plow the garden plot.

Born

1104 in Monteux, Carpentras, France

Died

• 16 May 1127 or 1140 (records vary) at Le Beaucet, France of natural causes
• buried under a rock in the valley of Le Beaucet
• a monastery was later built near the tomb
• for centuries, in a dry May, members of La confrérie de Saint-Gens (Brotherhood of Saint-Gens-de-Monteux) made a pilgrimage from the local church to the old hermitage, carrying a statue of the saint

Patronage

• for rain
• Saint-Gence, France
• Saint-Gein, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gens-of-le-beaucet/

Blessed Jan Chrysostom Zavrel

Also known as

• Dominique-Marie
• Jan Chrysostom Zawrel

Profile

Dominican friar and priest in the Congregation of Saint Sabina in Prague (in modern Czech Republic) with the name Father Chrysostom. In May 1776 he joined the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari, making his profession on 6 June 1777, and taking the name Father Domenico Maria. He served the house as a master of novices, and was noted for his prayer life and pious wisdom.

When anti–Christian French revolutionary soldiers broke into the abbey and scattered reserved Eucharistic Hosts in mockery of the Real Presence, Father Jan and some brother monks gathered Them up and started a period of Adoration in the abbey infirmary. The soldiers forced their way into the infirmary and murdered the monks. Martyr.

Born

1725 in Chodov, Prague (in modern Czech Republic)

Died

• 13 May 1799 in Casamari Abbey, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy
• relics enshrined in the abbey church in 1951

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jan-chrysostom-zavrel/

Blessed Vladimir Ghika

Also known as

• Vladimir Ghica
• Apostolic Wanderer

Profile

Born a Romanian prince, grandson of the last ruler of Moldavia, Prince Gregory V. Studied in Toulouse, France, at the University of Paris, in Romania, and at the Dominican university in Rome, Italy. Established the first free hospital in Romania, and the country's first ambulance service. Ordained in Paris, France on 7 October 1923. On 3 August 1939 he returned to the archdiocese of Bucharest, Romania, and cared for his parishioners, the sick, and refugees throughout World War II. Arrested by Communists on 18 November 1952 for the crime of being Christian. Tortured, beaten, starved, and finally martyred.

Born

25 December 1873 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)

Died

16 May 1954 in Jilava, Bucharest, Romania from years of torture, starvation and general abuse

Beatified

• 31 August 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Amato in Bucharest, Romania

Storefront

medals and pendants

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-vladimir-ghika/

Blessed Albertin-Marie Maisonade

Profile

Cistercian chorister monk who fled from the persecutions of the French Revolution to the Congregation of Casamari in Veroli, Italy, making his profession on 20 November 1793. Known for his devotion to Eucharistic adoration and the Mass. When anti–Christian French revolutionary soldiers broke into the abbey and scattered reserved Eucharistic Hosts in mockery of the Real Presence, Albertin and some brother monks gathered Them up and started a period of Adoration in the abbey infirmary. The soldiers forced their way into the infirmary and murdered the monks. Martyr.

Born

Bordeaux, Gironde, France

Died

• stabbed and shot twice on the night of 13 May 1799 in Casamari Abbey, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy
• relics enshrined in the abbey church in 1951

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-albertin-marie-maisonade/

Blessed Ignace-Alexandre-Joseph Cardon

Also known as

Brother Simèon-Marie

Profile

Benedictine monk, making his profession on 4 August 1782 at the monastery of San Mauro in Saint-Faron de Meaux, France. Being opposed to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy imposed during the French Revolution, Brother Simèon-Marie fled France in 1795 and became a Cistercian priest in the Congregation of Casamari on 5 May 1797. He served as treasurer, prior and, in 1798, abbot of the Casamari abbey. He was known for his personal piety, adminstrative skill, and for ministry to the sick. Martyred by invading French revolutionary soldiers.

Born

Cambrai, Nord, France

Died

14 May 1799 in Casamari Abbey, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy of injuries sustained on 13 May

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ignace-alexandre-joseph-cardon/

Blessed Maturin-Marie Pitri

Profile

Drafted into the French army, he was assigned to serve in Italy during the Napoleonic wars. He became seriously ill in Veroli, Italy, hospitalized, and while being cared for by Blessed Ignace-Alexandre-Joseph Cardon, Maturin admitted to being drawn to religious life, and of a desire to join the Cistercians. When he recovered from his illness in January 1799, Blessed Ignace helped smuggle Maturin to the Casamari abbey where he began working toward becoming a Cistercian brother. Martyred by invading French revolutionary soldiers.

Born

Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France

Died

shot on 13 May 1799 in Casamari, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maturin-marie-pitri/

Saint Possidius of Calama

Profile

Spiritual student of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Bishop of Calama, Numidia in North Africa in 397. He preached against Arianism, Donatism and Pelagianism in his diocese. He and his priests were assaulted by followers of these heresies, and his churches damaged; Possidius was eventually driven into exile by Arian Vandals. Brought relics of Saint Stephen the Martyr to his diocese, and established Augustinians at the cathedral. Wrote a biography of Saint Augustine, and compiled a catalogue of Augustine's work.

Born

c.370 in North Africa

Died

c.440 in Mirandola, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

19 August 1672 by Pope Clement X

Patronage

• Mirandola, Italy
• Rhegio, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-possidius-of-calama/

Blessed Modeste-Marie Burgen

Also known as

Bougue

Profile

Trappist monk at the abbey of Settefonti, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy. When it was suppressed as part of the anti–Christian effort at the start of the French Revolution, he fled to the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari where he was received as a new brother, making his simple vows on 9 January 1797. Martyred by invading French revolutionary soldiers.

Born

Bourgogne, Marne, France

Died

13 May 1799 in Casamari Abbey, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-modeste-marie-burgen/

Blessed Vitaliy Bayrak

Also known as

• Vitalii Bairak
• Vitalij Bajrak
• Volodomyr Bairak

Profile

Greek Catholic. Joined the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat monastery on 4 September 1924. Ordained on 13 August 1933. Prior of Drohobych in 1941. Arrested for his faith on 17 September 1945 by the NKVD. On 13 November 1945 his property was confiscated, and he was sentenced to eight years in a forced labour camp. Martyr.

Born

24 February 1907 at Shvaikivtsy, Ternopil's'ka oblast', Ukraine

Died

beaten to death on 21 April in 1946 in prison at Drohobych, L'vivs'ka oblast', Ukraine

Beatified

27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Ukraine

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-vitaliy-bayrak/

Blessed Zosimo Maria Brambat

Profile

Cistercian brother in the Congregation of Casamari, he joined the abbey in 1792 and made his profession on 20 November 1795. Martyred by invading French revolutionary soldiers, he died while trying to get to a location where he could receive the sacraments before his death.

Born

Milan, Italy

Died

16 May 1799 in Casamari, Veroli, Frosinone, Italy from injuries received on 13 May 1799

Beatified

• 17 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, Veroli, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-zosimo-maria-brambat/

Saint Germerius of Toulouse

Also known as

Germerio, Germier

Profile

Priest. Bishop of Toulouse, France for 50 years. Noted for living an austere life devoted to prayer and almsgiving, as a miracle worker and healer, and a devotion to Saint Saturninus, the first bishop of Toulouse.

Born

c.480 in Angouleme, France

Died

• c.560 in Dux, France of natural causes
• buried in the church of Saint Jacques

Patronage

Major Seminary of Toulouse, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-germerius-of-toulouse/

Blessed Michal Wozniak

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Priest in the archdiocese of Warsaw, Poland. Imprisoned, tortured and murdered by Nazis for the crime of being a Catholic priest. Martyr.

Born

28 July 1875 in Suchým Lesie, Pecice, Mazowieckie, Poland

Died

16 May 1942 in the concentration camp at Dachau, Oberbayern, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-michal-wozniak/

Saint Peregrinus of Auxerre

Also known as

Pellegrino

Profile

Missionary to Auxerre, Gaul (modern France), sent by Pope Saint Sixtus II to serve as the area's first bishop. Worked with Saint Curcodomus of Auxerre. Killed by order of the area's imperial governor when he tried to interfere with the consecration of a temple to the pagan god Jupiter. Martyr.

Born

Rome, Italy

Died

beheaded c.261 in Bouhy, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peregrinus-of-auxerre/

Blessed Adam of San Sabine

Also known as

Adam of Fermo

Profile

Hermit on Mount Vissiano near Fermo, Italy. Benedictine monk at San Sabine abbey. Abbot of San Sabine.

Born

at Fermo, Italy

Died

• c.1210 a San Sabine abbey of natural causes
• re-interred in the cathedral of Fermo, Italy

Patronage

against epilepsy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-adam-of-san-sabine/

Blessed Adam of Adami

Profile

Franciscan friar and preacher based in the convent of Fermo, Italy. Legend says that when he preached outdoors he would tell the birds to keep quiet, and, of course, they would. Once, having gotten lost in a forest, he encountered a wolf; he asked it to lead him to his original destination, and, of course, it did.

Died

c.1286 at the Franciscan convent of Fermo, Italy of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-adam-of-adami/

Saint Fidolus of Aumont

Also known as

• Fidolus of Troyes
• Fal, Fidolo, Fidouls, Phal

Profile

Son of an official in Auvergne, France. Kidnapped and sold into slavery, he was ransomed by Abbot Aventinus of Aumont Abbey near Troyes, France. Fidolus became a monk himself, and then abbot of Aumont, which was later called Saint-Phal in memory of his holiness.

Died

c.540

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidolus-of-aumont/

Blessed Louis of Mercy

Also known as

Ludovico della Pieta

Profile

Contemplative Mercidarian at the convent of Saint Antolino in Valladolid, Spain. In 1331 he ransomed 207 Christian slaves from Moorish occupied Granada.

Died

14 century in Valladolid, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-louis-of-mercy/

Saint Abdas of Cascar

Also known as

Audas of Cascar

Profile

Bishop of Cascar in Persia. Martyred with 28 companions whose names have not come down to us at the start of the persecutions of the Persian emperor Sapor. Abdas was tempted with release and rewards to break the seal of confession; he refused.

Died

420 at Ledan, Persia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abdas-of-cascar/

Saint Francoveus

Also known as

Franchy

Profile

Seventh-century monk in Saint Martin de la Bretonnière (modern Sainte Maire, Nièvre), France. Noted for the jealousy he caused by living strictly according the Benedictine Rule. When the abbey was destroyed, he lived as a hermit in the Nivernais region near Nevers, France.

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