16 October • yesterday
• tomorrow
Optional Memorial of Saint Hedwig, Religious


Saint Hedwig of Andechs

Also known as

• Hedwig of Silesia
• Hedwig von Andechs
• Jadwiga Slaska
• Hedvigis, Hedwiges, Avoice

Profile

Daughter of Berthold IV, Duke of Merania. Aunt of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Married Prince Henry I the Bearded of Silesia and Poland in 1186 at age 12. Mother of seven, including Saint Gertrude of Trebnitz. Cared for the sick both personally and by founding hospitals. Widow. Upon her husband's death, she gave away her fortune and entered the monastery at Trebnitz where her daughter was abbess.

Born

1174 in Castle Andechs, Bavaria (part of modern Germany)

Died

• 15 October 1243 at at Trzebnica, Silesia (part of modern Poland)
• relics preserved at Adechs Abbey

Canonized

26 March 1267 by Pope Clement IV

Patronage

• against jealousy
• brides
• duchesses
• death of children
• difficult marriages
• widows
• Silesia
• diocese of Görlitz, Germany
• Andechs Abbey, Bavaria, Germany
• 6 cities

Readings

Hedwig knew that those living stones that were to be placed in the buildings of the heavenly Jerusalem had to be smoothed out by buffetings and pressures in this world, and that many tribulations would be needed before she could cross over into her heavenly homeland. Because of such great daily fasts and abstinences she grew so thin that many wondered how such a feeble and delicate woman could endure these torments. The more attentively she kept watch, the more she grew in the strength of the spirit and in grace, and the more the fire of devotion and divine love blazed within her. Just as her devotion made her always seek after God, so her generous piety turned her toward her neighbor, and she bountifully bestowed alms on the needy. She gave aid to colleges and to religious persons dwelling within or outside monasteries, to widows and orphans, to the weak and the feeble, to lepers and those bound in chains or imprisoned, to travelers and needy women nursing infants. She allowed no one who came to her for help to go away uncomforted. And because this servant of God never neglected the practice of all good works, God also conferred on her such grace that when she lacked human means to do good, and her own powers failed, through divine favor of the sufferings of Christ she had the power to relieve the bodily and spiritual troubles of all who sought her help. - from a biography of Saint Hedwig

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hedwig-of-andechs/


Saint Gerard Majella

Profile

Son of a tailor who died when the boy was 12, leaving the family in poverty. Gerard tried to join the Capuchins, but his health prevented it He was accepted as a Redemptorist lay brother serving his congregation as sacristan, gardener, porter, infirmarian, and tailor. Miracle worker.

When falsely accused by a pregnant woman of being the father of her child, he retreated to silence; she later recanted and cleared him, and thus began his association as patron of all aspects of pregnancy. Reputed to bilocate and read consciences. His last will consisted of the following small note on the door of his cell: "Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills."

Born

23 April 1725 at Muro, Italy

Died

• 16 October 1755 at Caposele, Provincia di Avellino, Campania, Italy of tuberculosis
• interred in the Basilica di San Gerardo Maiella in Materdomini Caposele, Provincia di Avellino, Campania, Italy

Canonized

11 December 1904 by Pope Saint Pius X

Patronage

• childbirth
• children
• expectant mothers
• falsely accused people
• good confessions
• lay brothers
• motherhood
• mothers
• pregnant women
• pro-life movement
• unborn children
• Basilicata, Italy
• Muro, Italy

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible. - Saint Gerard Majella

I see in my neighbor the Person of Jesus Christ. - Saint Gerard Majella

Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support? - Saint Gerard Majella

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? - Saint Gerard Majella

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gerard-majella/


Saint Longinus the Centurian

Also known as

Longino

Additional Memorials

• 15 October (Extraordinary Form)
• 22 October (Armenian Apostolic Church)

Profile

Soldier who pierced the side of Jesus at the Crucifixion. Convert. Martyred by order of Pontius Pilate.

Born

Cappadocia

Died

• martyred in Cappadocia in the 1st century
• relics in the church of Saint Augustine, Rome, Italy

Patronage

soldiers

Representation

• lance
• soldier, often in a uniform contemporaneous with the artist, carrying a spear
• soldier at the foot of the cross

Readings

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: "Not a bone of it will be broken." And again another passage says: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." - John 19:30-37

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-longinus-the-centurian/


Saint Gall

Also known as

Callo, Chelleh, Gaaech, Gallen, Gallo, Gallonus, Gallunus, Gallus, Gilianus

Profile

Younger brother of Saint Deicola. Studied at Bangor Abbey under Saint Comgall of Bangor and Saint Columba. Bible scholar. Priest. One of the twelve who accompanied Saint Columbanus to France and helped found Luxeuil Abbey. He followed Columbanus into exile in 610 and then to Austrasia, where he preached with little success around Lake Zurich, and near Bregenz.

Illness forced Gall to leave Columbanus's party in 612, though some say the leader suspected Gall of malingering, and imposed a penance on him, which Gall faithfully observed, of not celebrating Mass during Columba's life. When he recovered, Gall lived as a hermit on the Steinach River, attracting disciples. Saint Gall Monastery occupied this site, becoming a center of literature, the arts, and music, though legend to the contrary, Saint Gall did not found it. Worked there with Saint Magnus of Füssen. Legend also says that one night during this period Gall ordered a bear to bring fire wood for his group of hermits - and it did.

Exorcist. Twice refused bishoprics offered by King Sigebert, whose betrothed he had freed of demons which fled from her in the form of blackbirds. Reportedly was the offered the abbacy of Luxeuil on the death of Saint Eustace but declined, and remained a hermit.

Born

Irish

Died

c.630 at Bregenz, Switzerland

Patronage

• birds, geese, poultry
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Representation

• abbot blessing a bear, which brings him a log of wood
• birds
• carrying a loaf and a pilgrim's staff
• holding a hermit's tau staff with a nearby bear with a log

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


Saint Bertrand of Comminges

Profile

Son of a military officer. His family exepected a military life for Bertrand, but he was drawn to religion, joined the canons of Toulouse, and became an archdeacon. Bishop of Comminges, France c.1075, a position he served for nearly 50 years; this area is part of the modern diocese of Toulouse. Reformed the clergy, enforced their discipline, and placed the cathedral canons under Augustinian Rule. Worked in the Synod of Poitiers in 1100; this synod excommunicated King Philip I, and were stoned by the public for their trouble. Helped preside at the consecration of the cemetery of Saint Mary at Auch during which some embittered monks from Saint Orens tried to burn down the church.

Once during a sermon at Val d'Azun, Bertrand was particularly forceful in taking the faithful to task for their sins. A near riot broke out, which Bertrand calmed before serious problems occurred. To make up for the disturbance, the local leaders agreed to provide free butter to Comminges every year during the week after Pentecost, a custom that continued until stopped by the French Revolution nearly 700 years later.

Born

11th century France

Died

1123 of natural causes

Canonized

1309 by Pope Alexander III

Patronage

Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bertrand-of-comminges/


Blessed Józef Jankowski

Also known as

prisoner 16895

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Second of eight children of Robert and Michalina Jankowski. Joined the Pallottines in 1929, making his final vows on 5 August 1931. Ordained on 2 August 1936 in the archdiocese of Gniezno, Poland. Particularly involved in ministry to children and young people, working as a chaplain and catechist in schools in the area of Oltarzew, Poland. Seminary treasurer and director of novices on 31 March 1941. Had a devotion to Saint Teresa of Avila who inspired his interior spiritual life. Tortured and martyred in the Nazi persecutions.

Born

17 November 1910 in Czyczkowy, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland

Died

beaten to death by a guard on 16 October 1941 in the prison camp at Oswiecim (Auschwitz), Malopolskie, occupied Poland

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw, Poland

Patronage

• Oltarzew, Poland
• Ozarów Mazowiecki, Poland

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jozef-jankowski/


Blessed Augustine Thevarparampil

Also known as

• Kunjachan
• Good Shepherd of the Dalits

Profile

Priest in the eparchy of Palai, India, ordained on 17 December 1921. Worked the the "untouchable" caste in India, bringing them to the faith, and giving them some basic education to improve their lot in this world.

Born

1 April 1891 in Ramapuram, Kerala, India

Died

16 October 1973 in Ramapuram, Kerala, India of natural causes

Beatified

• 30 April 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated at Ramapuram, Palai, India

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-augustine-thevarparampil/


Blessed Anicet Koplinski

Also known as

Adalbert Koplinski

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Franciscan Capuchin friar. Priest. Friend of Blessed Fidelis Chojnacki. Martyred in the Nazi persecutions of World War II.

Born

30 July 1875 at Debrzyno, Pomorskie, Poland

Died

16 October 1941 in the gas chambers of the Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anicet-koplinski/


Saint Lull

Also known as

Lul, Lullon, Lullus, Lulo

Profile

Related to Saint Boniface. Monk at Malmesbury Abbey in England. Missionary to Germany with Boniface who ordained him a priest with a mission of training new priests. Bishop of Mainz, Germany. After the death of Boniface, Lull took charge of the missionary work. Founded several monasteries in the region.

Died

787

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


Saint Mummolinus of Noyon

Also known as

Momelin, Mommolenus, Mommolinus, Mummolin

Profile

Monk at Luxeuil Abbey in France. Abbot at the monastery at Saint Omer. Abbot of Sithin. Friend of Saint Bertin the Great. Bishop of Noyon-Tournai, Belgium.

Born

at Constance, Scotland

Died

c.686 of natural causes

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


Saint Eliphius of Toul

Also known as

Eloff, Elophe, Éliphe

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate.

Born

in Ireland

Died

• beheaded in 362 in Toul, France
• relics translated to Cologne, Germany in the 10th century

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eliphius-of-toul/


Saint Ambrose of Cahors

Also known as

Ambroise, Ambrosius

Profile

Bishop of Cahors, France during a turbulent period; he was forced to flee his diocese several times to escape enemies. He retired from his see to live as a hermit near Bourges, France. In his old age he made a pilgimage to Rome, Italy.

Died

c.752 at Saint-Ambroise-sur-Arnon, Berry, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ambrose-of-cahors/


Saint Balderic of Montfaucon

Also known as

Baldric, Baudry, Balderik, Balderich, Beaufroi

Profile

Born a prince, the son of King Sigebert I of Austrasia, an area in the east of modern France; brother of Saint Bova, and uncle of Saint Doda of Rheims. Founded the monastery of Montfaucon in Switzerland and a convent for his sister in Rheims, France.

Died

c.640 of natural causes

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


Saint Anastasius of Tombolenia

Profile

Monk on the island of Tombolenia of the coast of Brittany, France. Monk at the monastery of Cluny. Hermit in the region of the Pyrenees in western France.

Born

Venice, Italy

Died

c.1085 near Pamiers, Gaul (in modern France) of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anastasius-of-tombolenia/


Blessed Jesús Villaverde Andrés

Profile

Dominican priest. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

4 December 1877 in San Miguel de Dueñas, León, Spain

Died

16 October 1936 in Madrid, Spain

Beatified

28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jesus-villaverde-andres/


Blessed Gerald of Fossanuova

Profile

Cistercian monk at Fossanuova Abbey. Abbot of Fossanuova. Abbot of Clairvaux in 1170.

Born

at Lombardy, Italy

Died

killed by an unruly brother monk in 1177 at Igny Abbey, Arcis-le-Ponsart, Marne, France

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gerald-of-fossanuova/


Saint Dulcidius of Agen

Also known as

Dulcet, Dulcidio, Doucis

Profile

Bishop of Agen, France. Fought the Arian heresy, brought to his diocese by invading Vandals and Visigoths. Miracle worker.

Died

c.450 in Agen, Aquitaine (in modern France)

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dulcidius-of-agen/


Saint Florentinus of Trier

Also known as

• Florentinus of Treve
• Florentius...

Profile

Fourth-century bishop of Trier, Germany.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-florentinus-of-trier/


Saint Silvanus of Ahun

Also known as

Salvan, Sauvan, Silvain, Souvain, Sylvanus

Profile

Deacon martyred by Vandals.

Died

c.264 in Agedunum, Gaul (modern Ahun, France)

Representation

deacon in a dalmatic holding a book and palm

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-silvanus-of-ahun/


Saint Amandus of Limoges

Also known as

• Amandus of Haute-Vienne
• Amand, Amatius, Amantius

Profile

Hermit at the conflux of the Glanne and Vienne Rivers, diocese of Limoges, France.

Died

5th century of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-amandus-of-limoges/


Saint Baldwin

Also known as

Balduin, Balduinus, Baudoin, Baudouin, Boudewijn

Profile

Son of Saint Sadalberga and Saint Blandinus of Laon. Brother of Saint Anstrude of Laon. Archdeacon of Laon in the time of Dagobert I, King of France. Martyred by Ebroin.

Died

c.680

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


Saint Conogan of Quimper

Also known as

Albinus, Conogon, Gwen

Profile

Bishop of Quimper, France.

Died

460

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-conogan-of-quimper/


Saint Vitalis of Noirmoutier

Also known as

Vial

Profile

Monk on Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France. Hermit on Mont Scobrit near the Loire River.

Born

in England

Died

c.740

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vitalis-of-noirmoutier/


Saint Magnobodus of Angers

Also known as

Mainboeuf, Maimbod

Profile

Born to the Frankish nobility. Bishop of Angers, France, chosen by popular acclaim due to his personal piety.

Died

c.670

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-magnobodus-of-angers/


Saint Martinian of Mauretania

Profile

Enslaved by Arian Vandals in Mauretania in North Africa. Martyred in the persecutions of Genseric.

Died

dragged to death by horses in 458

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-martinian-of-mauretania/


Saint Saturian of Mauretania

Profile

Enslaved by Arian Vandals in Mauretania in North Africa. Martyred in the persecutions of Genseric.

Died

dragged to death by horses in 458

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-saturian-of-mauretania/


Saint Bolonia

Also known as

Boulogne

Profile

Nun. Martyred at age 15 in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate. Then village of Saint Boulogne in Maine, France is named for her.

Died

362

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


Saint Gaudericus of Mirepoix

Also known as

Gauderico

Profile

Farmer in the region of the Pyrenees known for his devotion to the Mother of God.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gaudericus-of-mirepoix/


Saint Eremberta of Wierre

Profile

Niece of Saint Wulmar. Seventh-century nun. Abbess of Wierre-aux-Bois Abbey in France which Wulmar built for her.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eremberta-of-wierre/


Saint Bonita of Brioude

Profile

Tenth-century nun in the region of Brioude, Aquitaine (in modern France).

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bonita-of-brioude/


Saint Vidal of Retz

Profile

Eighth-century hermit in the region of Retz, Brittany (near modern Nantes, France).

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vidal-of-retz/


Saint Junian

Profile

Fifth-century hermit at Commodoliacus (modern Saint-Junien, France). Known as a miracle worker.

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


Martyrs in Africa

Profile

A group of 220 Christians martyrs about whom we know nothing but that they died for their faith.

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-in-africa-16-october/


Martyrs of North Africa

Profile

A group of 365 Christians who were martyred together in the persecutions of the Vandal king Genseric. The only details that have survived are the names of two of the martyrs - Nereus and Saturninus.

Died

450 in North Africa

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-north-africa/


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Evodius of Uzala
• Fortunatus of Casei
• Petra de San José


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