| 21 January |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr |
• Ines
• Ines del Campo
• Ynez
for many years there was a second feast on 28 January
Foster-sister of Saint Emerentiana. At age 12 or 13 Agnes was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Minerva (Athena), and when led to the altar, she made the Sign of the Cross. She was threatened, then tortured when she refused to turn against God. Several young men presented themselves, offering to marry her, whether from lust or pity is not known. She said that to do so would be an insult to her heavenly Spouse, that she would keep her consecrated virginity intact, accept death, and see Christ. Martyr. Mentioned in first Eucharistic prayer. On her feast day two lambs are blessed at her church in Rome, Italy and then their wool is woven into the palliums (bands of white wool) which the pope confers on archbishops as symbol of their jurisdiction.
• beheaded and burned, or tortured and stabbed to death, or stabbed in the throat (sources vary) on 21 January 254 or 304 (sources vary) at Rome, Italy
• buried beside the Via Nomentana in Rome
chaste; lamb; pure one
• affianced couples
• betrothed couples
• bodily purity
• chastity
• Children of Mary
• Colegio Capranica of Rome
• crops
• engaged couples
• gardeners
• Girl Scouts
• girls
• Manresa, Spain
• rape victims
• Rockville Centre, New York, diocese of
• virgins
• butcher
• crown of thorns
• lamb
• woman with long hair and a lamb, sometimes with a sword at her throat
• woman with a dove which holds a ring in its beak
• woman with a lamb at her side
Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve. - Saint Agnes
Today is the birthday of a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr; let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint Agnes, who is said to have suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve. There was little or no room in that small body for a wound. Yet she shows no fear of the blood-stained hands of her executioners. She offers her whole body to be put to the sword by fierce soldiers. She is too young to know of death, yet is ready to face it. Dragged against her will to the altars, she stretches out her hands to the Lord int he midst of the flames, making the triumphant sign of Christ the victor on the altars of sacrilege. She puts her neck and hands in iron chains, but no chain can hold fast her tiny limbs. In the midst of tears, she sheds no tears herself. She stood still, she prayed, she offered her neck. You could see fear in the eyes of the executioner, as if he were the one condemned. His right hand trembled, his face grew pale as he saw the girl's peril, while she had no fear for herself. One victim, but a twin martyrdom, to modesty and religion; Agnes preserved her virginity and gained a martyr's crown. - from an essay On Virgins by Saint Ambrose of Milan
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agnes-of-rome/
• Meinrad of Reichenau
• Maynard, Meginrad, Meginrat, Meino
May have been a member of the noble Hohenzollern family. Educated, professed as a Benedictine monk, and ordained at the abbey on the island of Reichenau, in Lake Constance in Switzerland. Teacher in Zurich, Switzerland. Around 829 he withdrew to live in prayer as a hermit in the Black Forest. As word of his holiness and wisdom spread, he attracted many visitors and would-be students. In 836 he retreated to a more remote location near Einsiedeln (which means hermitage).
On 21 January 861 he received, fed, sheltered and entertained two rough-looking travellers. They were thieves, and when they found that Meinrad was a holy hermit who owned nothing worth stealing, they were so angry that they beat him to death. Legend says that his body was protected by ravens who attacked and chased away the murderers. Because he was such a holy man, he was considered a martyr, but there is no evidence that he died defending the faith.
In the years following his death, a series of hermits, including Blessed Benno, used his hermitage. In 934 a Benedictine monastery was built there. It survives today, still serving as monastery, retreat center, and pilgrimage site. The statue of the Blessed Virgin in its huge church is thought to have belonged to Meinrad himself.
at Solgen, Swabia (Sülichgau near Wurtemberg)
• beaten to death with clubs by robbers on 21 January 861 at Einsiedeln, Switzerland
• relics in the abbey church at Einsiedeln
• Einsiedeln, Switzerland
• hospitality
• Swabia, Germany
• dead monk with ravens pursuing his murderers
• dead monk with two ravens near him
• monk being beaten to death with clubs by two men
• monk eating fish with a widow
• monk holding a club and ciborium
• monk with a tau staff walking into the wilderness
• monk with Saint Benedict
• two ravens
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meinrad-of-einsiedeln/
• Our Lady of Grace
• Our Lady of High Grace
• Protector and Queen of the hearts of the Dominicans
• Tatica from Higuey
• Virgen de la Altagracia
• Virgin of Altagracia
A portrait of the Virgin Mary in a Nativity scene. It is 13 inches (33 centimeters) wide by 18 inches (45 centimeters) high, and is painted on cloth. It is a primitive work of the Spanish school, painted c.1500. The Spanish brothers Alfonso and Antonio Trejo, two of the first European settlers on Santo Domingo, brought the portrait to the island some time prior to 1502, and eventually donated it to the parish church at Higuey. It's first shrine was finished in 1572, and in 1971 it was moved to its present Basilica. The image was crowned on 15 August 1922 during the pontificate of Pius XI. Due to its age, centuries of handling by the faithful, and exposure to candle smoke, it was in sad shape, and was restored in 1978. On 25 January 1979 by Pope John Paul II crowned the image with a gold and silver tiara, his gift to the Virgin. It's frame is made of gold, enamel and precious stones, and was constructed by an unknown 18th century artisan.
The Dominicans see the image as exemplifying Our Lady watching over the island and the growth of Christianity there. The feast day is marked by services, all-night vigils, singing, dancing, and festivals in many of the towns.
Legend says that the pious daughter of a rich merchant asked her father to bring her a portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, but no one had heard of that title. The merchant, staying overnight at a friend's house in Higuey, described his problem as they sat outdoors after dinner. An old man with a long beard, who just happened to be passing by, pulled a rolled up painting from his bindle, gave it to the merchant, and said, "This is what you are looking for." It was the Virgin of Altagracia. They gave the old man a place to stay for the night, but by dawn he was gone, not to be seen again. The merchant placed the image on their mantle, but it repeatedly disappeared only to be found outside, and the family finally returned it to the church.
Dominican Republic
https://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-altagracia/
• Giuseppa Maria di Sant'Agnese
• Giuseppa Teresa Albinàna
• Ines Albiniani
• Inez
• Josefa María Albiñana Gomar
• Josepha Maria
• Josepha Maria of Saint Agnes
• Josephine Mary of Saint Agnes
• Mother Agnes
23 January (Augustinians)
Born to a poor family, the daughter of Luigi and Vincenza Gomar. Her father died when Giuseppa was very young, and as a small girl she was known for a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her uncle, who had become a subsititute father to her, tried to arrange a marriage for the girl, but she always refused, being drawn to religious life. When her mother died when Giuseppa was 18, she was free from family obligations, and joined the Discalced Augustinians on 25 October 1643 at a convent in the diocese of Valencia, Spain, taking the name Sister Giuseppa Maria di Sant'Agnese and making her vows in the summer of 1644. She worked in the convent dispensary, prepared her deceased Augustinian sisters for the grave, and spent spare time making rosaries. She became a choir nun on 18 November 1663; she spent 8 hours a day in the choir, singing when needed and spending the time between by praying for the Pope, the Church and the souls in Purgatory. Though she was uneducated and even illiterate, Sister Giuseppa was known for her theological insights, her gifts of wisdom and prophecy, and her severely ascetic life. She was consulted by people from all walks of life for her spiritual insights.
9 February 1625 at Benigánim, Valencia, Spain
• 21 January 1696 at Benigánim, Valencia, Spain of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the chapel of the Augustinian monastery at Benigánim
• relics stolen and lost or destroyed by anti-Catholic forces in the 1930's during the Spanish Civil War
26 February 1888 by Pope Leo XIII
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ines-de-beniganim/
• Guatier Van den Zande
• Gautier of Poitiers
• Gualterus Brugensis
• Gualterus de Brugge
• Galtier, Gauthier, Gualterus, Gualtiero, Walter
Member of the Franciscans, joining at the convent of Bruges, Belgium c.1240. Studied in Paris, France where he was the spiritual student of Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio. He taught theology and served as regent master in Paris from 1267 to 1269. Franciscan provincial minister for France in 1269. Part of the Franciscan general chapters in Lyon, France in 1274, Padua, Italy in 1276, and Assisi, Italy in 1279. Wrote a number of theological works, some of which have survived to today.
Chosen bishop of Poitiers, France by Pope Nicholas III on 4 December 1279; he served for over 25 years. Bishop Gautier was known as an able administrator, for his charity to the poor, and for his defense of the papal and Church rights against incursion from secular authorities. Resigning in 1305, Gautier retired to a convent in Poitiers to spend his remaining years as a prayerful Franciscan monk. Known as a miracle worker and healer.
1225 in Zande, Ostend, Belgium
• 21 January 1307 in Poitiers, France of natural causes
• his tomb was desecrated by Huguenots in 1562
• popular veneration began immediately at his death
• a liturgical office in his honour was recited in the cathedral in Poitiers, France since the late 15th century
• the formal beatification is still ongoing
against fever
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gautier-of-bruges/
Publius of Athens
Chief or prefect of the island of Malta, and a land-owner. He cared for Saint Paul when the apostle stopped there when being taken to Rome, Italy as prisoner. Paul cured Publius' father of fever and dysentery. May have been the first bishop of Malta; other writers claim he became bishop of Athens. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Trajan; he was approximately 92 years old at the time, and was Malta's first acknowledged saint.
c.112
• Floriana, Malta
• Malta
In the vicinity of that place were lands belonging to a man named Publius, the chief of the island. He welcomed us and received us cordially as his guests for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and, after praying, laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had taken place, the rest of the sick on the island came to Paul and were cured. They paid us great honor and when we eventually set sail they brought us the provisions we needed. - Acts 28:7-10, New American Bible
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-publius-of-malta/
• 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Convert to Catholicism. Studied at the English College at Douai, France, but was dismissed for an infraction of discipline. Benedictine priest in 1612 at Dieulouard, France. Missionary to England. He was arrested and exiled in 1615 for his work. Returning to England in 1618, he was arrested again. He sat in prison until 1623 when the Spanish ambassador obtained his release on condition that Alban leave England. Soon after, Alban returned to his homeland and continued his covert ministry. Arrested again in 1625, he lay in prison for 17 years before being tried and condemned to death for the crime of priesthood. One of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, dying with Blessed Thomas Reynolds.
1583 in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, England
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 21 January 1642 at Tyburn, London, England
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alban-bartholomew-roe/
• Epiphanius the Peacemaker
• Glory of Italy
• Light of Bishops
Brother of Saint Honorata and Saint Liberata. Bishop of Pavia, Italy in 467 at age 28. Powerful and influential preacher with a reputation for sanctity, charity to the poor, and working miracles. At one time or another, he intervened for his parishioners with Emperor Anthemus, the Visigoth leader Euric, the Ostrogoth commander Theodoric, and the Burgundian Gonderbald. Ambassador to the court of Euric at Toulouse, France. Rebuilt Pavia after its destruction by invaders under Odoacer. Obtained the release of 6,000 of his parishioners captured by Gondebald; Ephiphanius died on his way home from the negotiations. One of the most influential Italian leaders during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. His successor to the bishopric, Saint Ennodius, wrote a poetic panegyric about him.
439 at Pavia, Italy
• 496 at Burgundy, France of a fever
• relics translated to Hildesheim, Lower Saxony (in modern Germany) in 963
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-epiphanius-of-pavia/
• Richard Reynolds
• Thomas Green
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Studied at Rheims, France, and at Valladolid and Seville in Spain. Ordained in 1592. Returned to England to minister to covert Catholics, but was arrested and exiled in 1606. He returned and worked in secret until his arrest in 1628. He spent fourteen years in prison before being martyred with Blessed Edward Stransham.
c.1562 at Oxford, England as Thomas Green
hanged, drawn, and quartered in 31 January 1642 at Tyburn, London, England
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
I dare look death in the face. - Blessed Thomas to his executioners when offered a blindfold
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-reynolds/
Parre, Parres, Patroccus, Patroklus
Wealthy Christian of Troyes, Gaul, noted for his charity. Evangelist; he converted his successor, Saint Sabinian of Troyes. Arrested for his faith during the persecutions of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Roman officials tried to drown him in the River Seine, but he managed to briefly escape. He was, however, recaptured, and martyred.
• beheaded in 259
• relics translated to Cologne, Germany on 3 July 960
• relics translated to Soest, Westphalia, Germany on 9 December 964
• relics enshrined at Saint Patroclus church in the 13th century
Soest, Germany
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-patroclus-of-troyes/
Nicholas Wheeler
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Studied in Rheims, France. Priest. Returned to London, England to minister to covert Catholics at the Inns of Court, all the while living in Fleet Street under the name Woodfen and dressing like a lawyer. He was eventually imprisoned, tortured and executed for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.
c.1550 in Leominster, Herefordshire, England
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 21 January 1586 at Tyburn, London, England
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-nicholas-woodfen/
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Educated at Oxford, England, Douai and Rheims, France. Ordained in 1580. Returned to England in 1581 and covertly ministered to Catholics in London and Oxford. Arrested in 1586 and martyred for the crime of priesthood. Marytred with Blessed Thomas Reynolds
at Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 21 January 1586 at Tyburn, London, England
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-edward-stransham/
Cristiana of Assisi
Cristiana was born to the nobility, the daughter of Cristiano di Paride, a knight who served as consol of Assisi. She entered the Poor Clare monastery of San Damiano in 1246 or 1247. Spiritual student of Saint Clare of Assisi, who in the summer of 1252 cured Christiana of deafness in one ear by making the sign of the cross over it and praying for her. One of those who made depositions as part of the work for the canonization of Saint Clare.
early 13th century Italy
latter 13th century Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-cristiana-di-paride/
• Giovanni Yi Yun-il
• Ioannes Yi Yun-il
• Yohan Yi Yun-il
20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea
Layman farmer. Married. Father. Catechist. Beaten, whipped and executed for his faith, the last martyr of a particular state-sponsored persecution of Christians in Korea.
1823 in Hongju, Chungcheong-do, South Korea
beheaded on 21 January 1867 in Daegu, Gyrongsangbuk-do, South Korea
6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-yi-yun-on/
Bishop of Tarragona, Spain. Arrested on 16 January 259 by the Roman governor Emilian. Martyred with Saint Augurius and Saint Eulogius in the persecutions of Valerian. Saint Augustine wrote in praise of these martyrs.
burned at the stake on 21 January 259 at Tarragona, Spain
bishop singing on a funeral pyre
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fructuosus-of-tarragona/
Deacon in Tarragona, Spain, working with Saint Fructuosus and Saint Augurius. Arrested in 259 by the Roman governor Emilian. Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote in praise of these martyrs.
burned at the stake in 259 at Tarragona, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eulogius-of-tarragona/
Macallan, Maolcalain
Friend of Saint Cadroe. During a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Fursey in Peronne, France, Maccalin became a Benedictine monk at Gorze. Abbot at Gorze. Abbot of Saint Michael's monastery at Thierache, France. Abbot of Waulsort Abbey near Dinant, Belgium.
Irish
978 near Dinant, Belgium of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maccalin-of-waulsort/
Deacon in Tarragona, Spain. Arrested in 259 by the Roman governor Emilian. Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote in praise of him and his fellow martyrs.
burned at the stake in 259 at Tarragona, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augurius-the-martyr/
Cristina of Assisi
Daughter of Suppo di Bernardo. Poor Clare nun. May have been one of the founders of the monastery of San Damiano in Carpello, Italy in 1217. Witnessed several of the miracles performed by Saint Clare of Assisi.
early 13th century Italy
mid 13th century Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-cristiana-of-assisi/
20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea
Layman martyr in the apostolic vicariate of Korea.
Myeoncheon, Chungcheong-do, South Korea
21 January 1799 in Hongju, Chungcheong-do, South Korea
15 August 2014 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-franciscus-bang/
Lived a long life of prayer and asceticism as an anchoress in a cell next to the Augustinian convent at Rebdorf, Germany. Her reputation for wisdom and holiness was widespread.
15 century in Aislingen, Bavaria, Germany
21 January 1504 in Rebdort, Germany of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agnes-of-aislinger/
Valarianus
During the persecutions of Diocletian she fled into the mountains, believing it was safer with the wild animals than people. However, she was caught and executed. Martyr.
c.303 in Trebizond (in modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-valerian-of-trebizond/
Akylas
During the persecutions of Diocletian she fled into the mountains, believing it was safer with the wild animals than people. However, she was caught and executed. Martyr.
c.303 in Trebizond (in modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aquila-of-trebizond/
During the persecutions of Diocletian she fled into the mountains, believing it was safer with the wild animals than people. However, she was caught and executed. Martyr.
c.303 in Trebizond (in modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-candidus-of-trebizond/
During the persecutions of Diocletian she fled into the mountains, believing it was safer with the wild animals than people. However, she was caught and executed. Martyr.
c.303 in Trebizond (in modern Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eugenius-of-trebizond/
Gwynnin, Vimianus, Viminus, Vimmin, Vinim, Vivian, Wynnia, Wynnin
Sixth century bishop in Scotland. Founded the monastery of Holywood.
Scotland
c.615
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vimin-of-holywood/
Monk in Constantinople. Spiritual student and biographer of Saint Maximus the Confessor.
666 in Constantinople (modern Istanul, Turkey)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anastasius-of-constantinople/
• Zacharias of Mount Mercury
• Zaccaria...
Hermit and monk on Mount Mercury, Lucania, Italy.
c.950 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zacharias-the-angelic/
• Brigid of Killbrige
• Briga of...
Friend of Saint Brigid of Kildare. Venerated in the diocese of Lismore, Ireland.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-brigid-of-kilbride/
Gonthildis
Benedictine nun. First abbess of the Biblisheim Abbey in Alsace.
1131
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gunthildis-of-biblisheim/
There are four churches in the diocese of Saint David's, Wales that are named for this 6th century saint. No information about him has survived.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lawdog/
Nineteen Martyrs of Laval
Fifteen men and four women who were martyred in Laval, France by anti-Catholic French Revolutionaries.
• Blessed André Duliou
• Blessed Augustin-Emmanuel Philippot
• Blessed François Duchesne
• Blessed François Migoret-Lamberdière
• Blessed Françoise Mézière
• Blessed Françoise Tréhet
• Blessed Jacques André
• Blessed Jacques Burin
• Blessed Jean-Baptiste Triquerie
• Blessed Jean-Marie Gallot
• Blessed Jeanne Veron
• Blessed John Baptist Turpin du Cormier
• Blessed Joseph Pellé
• Blessed Julien Moulé
• Blessed Julien-François Morin
• Blessed Louis Gastineau
• Blessed Marie Lhuilier
• Blessed Pierre Thomas
• Blessed René-Louis Ambroise
French
several dates in 1794 in Laval, Mayenne, France
19 June 1955 by Pope Pius XII at Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-martyrs-of-laval/
Thirty Christian soldiers executed together in the persecutions of Diocletian.
304 in Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-rome-21-january/
Three pious Mercedarian nun at the monastery of Vera Cruz, Berriz, Spain who are remembered together on the Mercedarian calendar - Cristina, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Jesus
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