Calendar of Saints

19 March	yesterday tomorrow
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

When Jesus came to cast fire upon earth, and desired that it should be enkindled, He chose some favoured souls in which He was sure to find it always burning. It found its expression in the " Magnificat," it made the Baptist leap for joy, it brought delight to the home of Saint Zachary and Saint Elizabeth, and shed a bright ray over the aged features of Simeon and Anna. Who can doubt, then, its power over the loyal and true heart of Saint Joseph, and its daily and hourly increase, whilst in their journeys He was resting on that heart and was filling it with such feelings as Saint John afterwards drew at the Last Supper from that inexhaustible spring of charity? ... Saint Joseph, above all, is the Patron and model of those who labour and are heavily burthened. He and our Divine Lord worked side by side for more than eighteen years, and were known to their neigh bours only by the kind of work which was their only support. May our lives be guarded by Saint Joseph s powerful intercession; may he soothe us in sickness and cheer us in death, even as he himself sought and gained the only grace he desired to have the grace of dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary. - Bishop Thomas Grant

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Also known as

• Joseph of Nazareth
• Joseph the Artisan
• Joseph the Betrothed
• Joseph the Worker

Additional Memorials

• 1 May (Joseph the Worker)
• 3rd Wednesday after Easter (patronage of Saint Joseph of the Universal Church)
• 29 October (Armenian)
• 20 July (Coptic)

Profile

Descendant of the house of David. Layman. Builder by trade; traditionally a carpenter, but may have been a stone worker. Earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Foster and adoptive father of Jesus Christ. Visionary who was visited by angels. Noted for his willingness to immediately get up and do what God told him to do.

Died

1st century, prior to the Passion, of natural causes

Name Meaning

whom the Lord adds (Joseph)

Patronage

• against doubt • against hesitation • accountants • attornies • barristers • bursars • cabinetmakers • carpenters • cemetery workers • children • civil engineers • confectioners • craftsmen • dying people • educators • emigrants • exiles • expectant mothers • families • fathers • furniture makers • grave diggers • happy death • holy death • house hunters • immigrants • interior souls • joiners • laborers • lawyers • married people • orphans • people in doubt • people who fight Communism • pioneers • pregnant women • social justice • solicitors • teachers • travellers • unborn children • wheelwrights • workers • working people • Catholic Church • Oblates of Saint Joseph • for protection of the Church • Universal Church • Vatican II • Americas • Austria • Belgium • Bohemia • Canada • China • Croatian people • Korea • Mexico • New France • New World • Peru • Philippines • Vatican City • Viet Nam • Canadian Armed Forces • Papal States • 48 dioceses • 87 cities •

Representation

• bible
• branch
• carpenter's plane
• carpenter's square
• carpenter's tools
• chalice
• cross
• hand tools
• infant Jesus
• ladder
• lamb
• lily
• monstrance
• old man holding a lily and a carpenter's tool such as a square
• old man holding the infant Jesus
• rod

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying 'Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.' - from a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena

What emanates from the figure of Saint Joseph is faith. Joseph of Nazareth is a "just man" because he totally "lives by faith." He is holy because his faith is truly heroic. Sacred Scripture says little of him. It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness. Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God. We see how the word of the Living God penetrates deeply into the soul of that man, that just man. And we, do we know how to listen to the word of God? Do we know how to absorb it into the depths of our human personalities? Do we open our conscience in the presence of this word? - Pope John Paul II from Daily Meditations

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen. - Pope Saint John XXIII

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

Blessed Sibyllina Biscossi

Also known as

• Sibyllina of Pavia
• Sibila, Sibile, Sibili, Sibilina, Sibillina, Sibylline, Sybil

Additional Memorial

20 March (Pavia, Italy)

Profile

Orphaned when very young, she received no education and was working as a domestic servant by age 10. Blind by age 12; the cause of her blindness has not come down to us. Adopted by a community of Dominican tertiaries at Pavia, Italy.

Sibyllina developed a devotion to Saint Dominic in hopes that his intervention would return her sight; when it did not, she came to accept it as her lot in life. She received a vision of Saint Dominic as confirmation of her desire to join the Order. At age 15 she became a recluse, living in a walled up cell. She spent her time in prayer, and her cell soon became a point of pilgrimage for Pavians seeking advice and healing; she lived there for over 60 years, doing penance, performing miracles, and spreading devotion to the Holy Spirit.

Sybillina could sense the Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Once a priest passed her window on his way to a sick call. She told him that the host was not consecrated; he checked and found he had taken a host from the wrong container.

Born

1287 in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy

Died

• 19 March 1367 in Pavia, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the Dominican church in Pavia
• body found incorrupt in 1854

Beatified

• 1853 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmed)
• 17 August 1854 by Pope Pius IX (beatified)

Patronage

• children whose parents are not married
• against loss of parents
• maids

Readings

O Lord, enkindle our hearts with the fire of the Spirit, who wonderfully renewed Blessed Sibyllina. Filled with that heavenly light may we come to know Jesus Christ crucified and always grow in your love. 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. - General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-sibyllina-biscossi/

Blessed Marcel Callo

Also known as

Marceli, Marcello, Marcellus

Additional Memorial

19 April (diocese of Linz, Austria)

Profile

Second of nine children. Lifelong layman in the diocese of Rennes, France. Joined the Boy Scouts at age 10, and considered himself a Scout the rest of his life. Member of the Young Christian Workers (Jocists). Following the Nazi invasion of France, Marcel and some friends would go each day to the train station to assist refugees arriving from the east. Engaged to Marguerite Derniaux, but due to the war they never married. Conscripted into a forced labour camp in Thuringia, Marcel tried to use his time to minister to others enslaved by the Nazis. Arrested by the Gestapo on 19 April 1944 for membership in the Jocists, which was considered an outlawed secret society; the arresting officers said Marcel was being taken because he was "too much of a Catholic". Sent to camps in Gotha, then Flossenburg and finally the Güsen I and II parts of the Mauthausen, Austria camp where he did forced labour most of the day, was abused the rest, and finally died as a result of the miserable conditions. Martyr.

Born

6 December 1921 in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Died

• 19 March 1945 in Mauthausen, Upper Austria, Austria of tuberculosis and dysentery
• buried in a mass grave outside the walls of the camp

Beatified

4 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II

Patronage

World Youth Day 2023

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-marcel-callo/

Blessed Isnard de Chiampo

Also known as

• Isnard of Vicenza
• Isnardo

Additional Memorial

22 March (Pavia, Italy)

Profile

Dominican friar, receiving the cowl from Saint Dominic de Guzman in 1219. Priest. Founder and first prior of the friary at Pavia, Italy. Though he lived the life of a friar, he was a fat friar, for which he was mocked and ridiculed when he travelled to preach.

Born

at Chiampo, diocese of Vicenza, Italy

Died

1244 of natural causes

Beatified

12 March 1919 by Pope Benedict XV (cultus confirmed)

Readings

God of truth, you drive away the darkness of ignorance by the light of your wisdom. By the life and prayers of Blessed Isnard increase the strength of our faith, and let no trials extinguish in us the fire of your grace which shone forth in him. 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. - General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-isnard-de-chiampo/

Blessed Clement of Dunblane

Also known as

Clement of Scotland

Profile

Studied at the University of Paris, France. Dominican friar, receiving the habit from Saint Dominic de Guzman. Helped introduce the Dominicans to Scotland. Noted preacher. Bishop of Dunblane, Scotland in 1233, ordained by Pope Gregory IX. He constantly travelled his diocese, rebuilding churches, including Dunblane Cathedral, fighting for the rights of the Church, and evangelizing the laity. Worked on the Cause for the canonization of Saint Margaret of Scotland. Assigned to collect alms for the Holy Land in 1247. Excommunicated a group who tried to murder the king. Wrote a biography of Saint Dominic, a book on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, a history of the Dominican Order in Scotland, and translated a number of works.

Born

Scottish

Died

• 1258 in Dunblane, Scotland of natural causes
• interred in the choir of Dunblane Cathedral

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-clement-of-dunblane/

Saint Alkmund of Northumbria

Also known as

Alcmund, Alchmund, Alcumundus, Ealhmund

Profile

Born a prince, the son of the Northumbrian King Alcred. King of Northumbria after the murders of his father and his brother Osred. Known for his charity to the poor and orphaned. Exiled to the area of Pictish Scotland and later murdered by agents of the usurping king Eardwulf of Northumbria. There are six churches in England dedicated to him.

Born

774 in northern England

Died

• martyred in c.800 in Mercia (in modern Shropshire, England)
• buried at Northworthy (modern Derby), England
• relics later translated to Shrewsbury abbey by Ethelfleda, the Lady of the Mercians
• relics returned to the White Church in Derby in 1140
• during the move his tomb was reported to exude a perfume

Patronage

Derby, England

Representation

king, crown, sword

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alkmund-of-northumbria/

Blessed Jan Turchan

Also known as

• Narcyz Turchan
• Narcissus Turchan

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Joined the Franciscan Friars Minor in 1899 in the province of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Italy, taking the name Narcyz. Ordained a priest in Lviv, Poland (in modern Ukraine) on 1 June 1906. Arrested for his faith on 6 October 1941 by the Gestapo, he was deported, imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp, tortured and finally murdered in the Nazi persecutions. As long as his health held out, he spent his time in the camp ministering to other prisoners. Martyr.

Born

19 September 1879 in Biskupice, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Poland

Died

19 March 1942 at the Dachau concentration camp, Oberbayern, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jan-turchan/

Blessed Anton Muzaj

Profile

Studied at the Pontifical French Seminary in Shkodrë, Albania, then in 1938 in Rome, Italy at the Congregation Propaganda Fide, and then theology at the Gregorian University. Ordained on 19 March 1944 as a priest in the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Albania. He returned to Kosovo in 1946 where he was known as a devout and hard-working priest. Imprisoned and tortured by Communist authorities during their anti–Christian persecutions. Martyr.

Born

12 May 1921 in Vrnakolo, Kosovo, Serbia

Died

spring 1948 in Shkodrë, Albania as a result of the injuries sustained during torture

Beatified

• 5 November 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Square of the Cathedral of Shën Shtjefnit, Shkodër, Albania, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anton-muzaj/

Blessed Andrea Gallerani

Also known as

• Andrew Gallerani
• Andrew de'Gallerani
• Andre d'Gallerani

Additional Memorial

20 June (Siena, Italy)

Profile

Born to the nobility, he was a distinguished soldier. Exiled for killing a blasphemer with his sword, Andrea devoted the rest of his life to penitential acts of mercy. When he was allowed to return home to Siena, Italy, he founded a hospital and the em>Frati della Misericordia (Brothers of Mercy) to serve there; the Brothers wore a cloak bearing a cross and the letter "M"; their association died out in 1308.

Born

13th century Siena, Italy

Died

19 March 1251 in Siena, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

13 May 1798 by Pope Pius VI (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-andrea-gallerani/

Blessed John of Parma

Also known as

• Giovanni di Parma
• John Buralli

Profile

Franciscan. Priest. Taught theology at Bologna and Naples. Seventh minister general of the Franciscans from 1247-1257. Visited Franciscan provinces of different countries, including England. Papal legate to Constantinople. Retired to Greccio, Italy.

Born

1209 at Parma, Italy

Died

1289 at Greccio, Italy

Beatified

1777 by Pope Pius VI (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

Parma, Italy

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-of-parma/

Blessed Mark of Montegallo

Also known as

Marco, Marcos, Markus

Profile

Italian noble from the Marches of Ancona. Physician. Married layman; both he and his wife joined the Franciscans, she becoming a Poor Clare. Priest. Travelled Italy preaching and establishing charitable pawnshops for the poor, known in Italy as Monti di Pieta.

Born

1426 at Montegallo, Ascoli Piceno, Italy

Died

1497 of natural causes

Beatified

1839 by Pope Gregory XVI (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mark-of-montegallo/

Saint John the Syrian of Pinna

Also known as

• John of Pinna
• John of Panaca
• John of Parran
• John the Syrian

Profile

Hermit in Syria. Fled to Pinna, Italy to escape Monophysite persecution. He arrived in the dead of winter; some hunters witnessed him sit beside a bare, leafless pear tree which burst full bloom due to the holy man's proximity. Founded abbeys in Pinna and Pesaro, Italy, and served as Abbot at Pinna for 44 years.

Born

6th century Syrian

Died

6th century in Parran Abbey in Spoleto, Italy of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-the-syrian-of-pinna/

Saint Lanoald of Maastricht

Also known as

• Lanoald of Ghent
• Lanoald of Haspengau
• Lanoald of Wintershoven
• Landoald, Landoaldus, Landoalt, Landowaldus

Profile

Priest in Rome, Italy. With Saint Amantius of Wintershoven, he evangelized areas of modern France and Belgium. Founded the church at Wintershoven, Belgium.

Born

Lombardy, Italy

Died

c.668

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lanoald-of-maastricht/

Blessed Alberto Linares de La Pinta

Also known as

Brother Alberto Joaquín

Profile

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

Born

27 August 1913 in Cheste, Valencia, Spain

Died

19 March 1937 in Castillonroy, Huesca, Spain

Beatified

• 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in Tarragona, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-alberto-linares-de-la-pinta/

Saint Lactali of Freshford

Also known as

Lactan, Lactinus, Lactean, Lachtain

Profile

Educated at Bangor Abbey. Monk. Spiritual student of Saint Comgall of Bangor and Saint Molu of Killaloe. Founded the monastery Achadh-Ur, now known as Freshford, in Kilkenny, Ireland, and served as its first abbot. Miracle worker and healer of the lame and the mentally ill.

Born

County Cork, Ireland

Died

672 of natural causes

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

Blessed Jaume Trilla Lastra

Also known as

Brother Feliu Josep

Profile

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

Born

14 September 1908 in Lleida, Spain

Died

19 March 1937 in Barcelona, Spain

Beatified

28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jaume-trilla-lastra/

Saint Pancharius of Nicomedia

Profile

Roman senator. Imperial officer. Favorite of emperor Maximian. Covert Christian during the first stage of the persecutions. After a letter from his mother and sister concerning their faith, he confessed Christ and was martyred.

Died

beheaded in 303 in Nicomedia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pancharius-of-nicomedia/

Blessed Abundus of Villers

Profile

Cistercian monk at Villers in Brabant (in modern Belgium). Known from his youth for his unworldly innocence and simplicity. Had the gift of prophecy and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared to him in visions on multiple occasions.

Died

1234 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-abundus-of-villers/

Saint Adrian of Maastricht

Also known as

Hadrian

Profile

Monk in Maastricht, Netherlands. Spiritual student of Saint Landoald of Maastricht. Murdered by robbers while begging alms for his community. Venerated as a martyr for dying in the service of his brothers.