17 May • yesterday
• tomorrow

The May-Book of the Breviary: 'Thou Hast Found Grace with God'

Saint Giulia Salzano

Also known as

• Donna Giulietta
• Julia Salzano
• Prophetess of the New Evangelization

Profile

Daughter of Adelaide Valentino and Diego Salzano. Her father was a captain in the Lancers of King Ferdinand II of Naples, and died when Giulia was four years old. Raised and educated by the Sisters of Charity in the Royal Orphanage of Saint Nicola La Strada until age fifteen. School teacher and catechist in Casoria, Naples. Friend and co-worker with Blessed Caterina Volpicelli. Noted for her personal devotion to the Virgin Mary. She encouraged others in devotion to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Foundress of the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1905.

Born

13 October 1846 in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Caserta, Italy

Died

17 May 1929 in Casoria, Naples, Italy of natural causes

Canonized

17 October 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI

Readings

While I have any life left in me, I will continue to teach the catechism. And then, I assure you, I would be very happy to die teaching the catechism. - Blessed Giulia

The Sister catechist must be ready, at every moment, to instruct the little ones and the uneducated. She must not count the sacrifices such a ministry demands, indeed she should desire to die while doing it, if this be God's will. - Blessed Giulia

In advance of her time, she was an apostle of the new evangelization in which she combined apostolic activity with prayer, offered ceaselessly, especially for the conversion of the "indifferent". This new Blessed encourages us to persevere in faith and never to lose our confidence in God who does all things. Called to be the apostles of modern times, may believers also be inspired by Blessed Julia Salzano "to instill in many creatures the immense charity of Christ". - Pope John Paul II, from his homily during the beatification of Blessed Giulia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giulia-salzano/


Saint Pascal Baylon

Also known as

Paschal

Profile

Son of the pious peasants Martin Baylon and Elizabeth Jubera. From youth he displayed great devotion to the Eucharist. Worked as a shepherd from ages 7 to 24, and was a good influence on his shepherd friends, an often rowdy group. Franciscan lay brother with friars of the Alcantarine Reform, often serving as cook or doorkeeper. His charity to the poor and afflicted, his unfailing courtesy and humility were remarkable even by Franciscan standards. While travelling in France, he defended the Real Presence against the blasphemies of a Calvinist preacher, and narrowly escaped death at the hands of a Huguenot mob. Poorly educated, he was still a counselor sought by rich and poor alike. His cultus is especially strong in Spain and southern Italy, in Central and South America.

Born

24 May 1540 (feast of Pentecost) at Torre Hermosa, Aragon, (modern Spain)

Died

15 May 1592 (feast of Pentecost) at Villa Reale, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

16 October 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII

Patronage

• cooks
• shepherds
• Eucharistic congresses and organizations (proclaimed by Pope Leo XIII on 28 November 1897)
• diocese of Segorbe-Castellón de la Plana, Spain
• Obado, Bulacan, Philippines

Representation

man in adoration before a vision of the Host

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pascal-baylon/


Blessed Ivan Ziatyk

Additional Memorial

27 June as one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe

Profile

Greek Catholic. Graduated high school in 1919, and obtained a degree in theology in 1923. Ordained in 1923. Taught catechism and theology, and served as prefect of students at the seminary at Peremysyl, Poland from 1925 to 1935. Joined the Redemptorists in 1935. Noted preacher when stationed at Lviv.

Prior of the monastery in Ternopil during the Nazi occupation. Vicar General of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church after his superiors were arrested or expelled. Arrested on 5 January 1950 for his faith, for preaching, and for being a Redemptorist. Held in Zolochiv prison, then exiled to Ozerlah, Irkhutsk, Russia. Tortured routinely, beaten severely, and eventually died in prison. One of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe.

Born

26 December 1899 at Odrekhiv, in present day Poland

Died

• Easter Sunday, 17 May 1952 from injuries received in a beating three days earlier at Ozerlah, Irkhutsk, Russia
• buried at Ozerlah

Beatified

27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II in Ukraine

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ivan-ziatyk/


Saint Madron of Cornwall

Also known as

Maden, Madern, Maderne, Madon, Medron

Profile

Monk and hermit. Cures worked at Saint Madron's Church, Cornwall, England. Honoured in Brittany. Like many holy people of the time, there is a well that is considered "his", and is noted for its healing powers. Tradition says that you ask for healing from some ill, then leave a piece of cloth from your clothing at the well; as the cloth deteriorates, the illness dissipates.

Born

Cornwall, England

Died

c.545 near Land's End, Cornwall, England

Patronage

against pain

Representation

• abbot holding a lit lamp
• lit lamp

Readings

Out of pagan darkness in the land of Cornwall thou didst shine as a witness to Christ. Holy hermit Madern, entreat Him that the light thou didst kindle may ever shine in our hearts. - Troparion of Saint Madern

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-madron-of-cornwall/


Blessed Antonia Mesina

Also known as

Antonia Messina

Profile

Second of ten children born to a peasant family. She received only four years of school, quitting to take over housekeeping from her mother, Grazia, who was bed-ridden with a heart condition. Joined Catholic Action at age ten, becoming an active and lively member and recruiter. At age 16, while out gathering wood for home, she was beaten and murdered by a teenage would-be rapist, fighting him off to her last breath; considered a martyr to purity.

Born

21 June 1919 in Orgosolo, Sardinia, Italy

Died

17 May 1935, Ovadduthai, Orgosolo, Nuoro, Italy

Beatified

Sunday 4 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy

Patronage

• martyrs
• rape victims

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antonia-mesina/


Saint Restituta of Vercelli

Profile

After her husband was martyred for his faith, Restituta moved from Sardinia to Rome, Italy. Her two small children were baptized there by Pope Saint Eusebius, and given the names Eusebio and Eusebia. The boy grew to become Saint Eusebius, first bishop of Vercelli, Italy, while the girl, Eusebia, became a nun and then abbess of the monastery in Vercelli. With her children grown and in religious life, Resituta returned to Sardinia where she died a martyr.

Born

latter 3rd century Sardinia (part of modern Italy)

Died

• early 4th century near Cagliari, Sardinia (part of modern Italy)
• relics enshrined in a chapel in Cagliari, which were re-discovered in 1607

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-restituta-of-vercelli/


Saint Peter Lieou

Also known as

• Liu Wenyuan Petrus
• Baiduo
• Peter Liu Wenyuan

Additional Memorial

28 September as one of the Martyrs of China

Profile

Married lay man convert to Christianity. Catechist. Exiled to Mongolia for his faith in 1814. He was permitted to return from exile in 1827 and began working with Catholic missionaries. When the persecutions of the faith resumed, many Christians were imprisoned. Peter initially evaded arrest, but was caught ministering to prisoners, including his own sons. Martyr.

Born

c.1760 in Guizhou, China

Died

strangled to death on 17 May 1834 at Guiyang, Guizhou, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-lieou/


Saint Rasso of Grafrath

Also known as

Ratho of Grafrath

Profile

Born to the German nobility, he became a Count (Graf). As a soldier, he fought invading Hungarians. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands and then to Rome, Italy. Returning home, he founded a Benedictine monastery and entered it as a monk; the area around the house became known as Grafrath in his honor.

Born

Bavaria, Germany

Died

953

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rasso-of-grafrath/


Saint Restituta of Carthage

Profile

Virgin-martyr, tortured and killed during the persecutions of Diocletian.

Born

African

Died

• burned to death on a boat c.304 off Carthage, Tunisia
• the boat grounded on the island of Ischia near Naples, Italy
• relics believed housed in the Cathedral of Naples

Patronage

Lacco Ameno, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-restituta-of-carthage/


Blessed Bernard of Verdun

Profile

Born to the French nobility, he gave up the worldly life to join the Mercedarians and ransom Christians enslaved by Muslims. He travelled to Tunis in north Africa in 1408, freed 300 slaves, and was killed by Muslims for remaining a Christian.

Born

14th century France

Died

beaten to death in 1408 in Tunis, Tunisia

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bernard-of-verdun/


Saint Silaus of Lucca

Also known as

• Silave, Silan
• Father of the Poor

Profile

Monk. Abbot of Saint Brendan's Abbey. Bishop. In later life he moved to Italy where he was known for his charity to the poor.

Born

Ireland

Died

1100 in Lucca, Italy

Canonized

1183 by Pope Lucius III

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-silaus-of-lucca/


Saint Cathan of Bute

Also known as

Cadan, Catan, Chattan

Profile

Uncle of Saint Blane. Sixth-century bishop on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, a place often known as Kil-Cathan in his honor.

Born

Ireland

Died

• tomb at Tamlacht, Ireland
• relics at Tamlacht and on the Isle of Bute, Scotland

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cathan-of-bute/


Saint Fionnchan of Druim-Eanaigh

Also known as

• Fionnchan of Droma Enaigh
• Fionnchan of Druim Fes
• Fionnchan of Druim Fesi
• Fionnchan of Druim Fess
• Finnchan, Findchanus

Profile

6th century bishop of Druim-Eanaigh, Ireland.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fionnchan-of-druim-eanaigh/


Saint Maw

Profile

Immigrated from Ireland to Cornwall, England to live as a hermit by the sea near Falmouth. His reputation for piety led to would-be students, and he helped spread Christianity through the region. The area of his hermitage, and a holy well are known as Saint Mawes.

Born

Ireland

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


Saint Mailduf of Malmesbury

Also known as

Maeldulph, Maildubh, Maildulf

Profile

Monk. Abbot. Founded the monastery at Malmesbury, England. Spiritual teacher of Saint Aldhelm of Sherborne.

Born

Ireland

Died

673

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mailduf-of-malmesbury/


Blessed Isabella Crivelli

Profile

Poor Clare nun at the convent of Sant'Apollinare in Porta Romana, Milan, Italy known for her mystical prayer life.

Born

latter 15th century

Died

c.1527 in Milan, Italy of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-isabella-crivelli/


Saint Victor Roma

Also known as

• Victor of Basilla
• Vittore...

Profile

Martyr.

Died

4th century in the cemetery of Basilla on the Via Salaria Antica in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-victor-roma/


Saint Adrione of Alexandria

Also known as

Adrian, Adriano

Profile

Martyr.

Born

Adria, Italy

Died

4th century Alexandria, Egypt

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adrione-of-alexandria/


Saint Heraclius of Noviodunum

Also known as

Eraclio

Profile

Martyr.

Died

4th century at Noviodunum, Mesia (in modern Romania)

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-heraclius-of-noviodunum/


Saint Solochanus of Chalcedon

Profile

Soldier martyred in Chalcedon along with many of his Christian companions in the persecutions of emperor Maximian.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-solochanus-of-chalcedon/


Saint Thethmar

Also known as

Theodemar

Profile

Premonstratensian canon. Missionary to the Wends in Germany, working with Saint Vicelin of Oldenburg.

Died

1152

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


Saint Paul of Noviodunum

Also known as

Paolo

Profile

Martyr.

Died

4th century at Noviodunum, Mesia (in modern Romania)

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paul-of-noviodunum/


Martyrs of Alexandria

Profile

Three Christians martyred together; no details about them have survived except their names - Adrio, Basilla and Victor.

Died

4th century Alexandria, Egypt

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-alexandria-17-may/


Martyrs of Nyon

Profile

A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than three of their names - Aquilinus, Heradius and Paul.

Died

303 at Noyon, Switzerland

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-nyon/


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Emiliano I of Vercelli


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