21 October • yesterday
• tomorrow


Saint Ursula

Profile

Legendary princess, the daughter of a Christian British king and Saint Daria. She travelled Europe in company of either 11 or 11,000 fellow maidens; the 11,000 number probably resulted from a misreading of the term "11M" which indicated 11 Martyrs, but which a copyist took for a Roman numeral. Ursula and her company were tortured to death to get them to renounce their faith, and old paintings of them show many of the women being killed in various painful ways. Namesake for the Ursuline Order, founded for the education of young Catholic girls and women.

There are other saints closely associated with Ursula and her story –

travelling companions who were martyred with her

Agnes of Cologne
Antonia of Cologne
Calamanda of Calaf
Cesarius of Cologne
Cordula
Cunigunde of Rapperswil
Cyriacus of Cologne
Fiolanus of Lucca
Ignatius of Cologne
James of Antioch
Mauritius of Cologne
Martha of Cologne
Odilia
Pontius of Cologne
Sulpitius of Ravenna
Vincent of Cologne

travelling companion, but escaped the massacre

Cunera

led by a dove to the lost tomb of Ursula

Cunibert of Cologne

her mother

Daria

Died

21 October 238 in Cologne, Germany

Patronage

• British Virgin Islands
• Catholic education (especially of girls)
• Cologne, Germany
• holy death
students, school children
teachers, educators
• University of Paris

Representation

• arrow
• banner
• cloak
• clock
• ship
• young woman shot with arrows, often accompanied by a varied number of companions, male and female, who are being martyred in assorted, often creative ways

Video

YouTube PlayList

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


Blessed Charles of Austria

Also known as

• Charles of Habsburg
• Carlo d'Austria
• Karl I von Österreich
• Karl IV von Österreich

Profile

Son of Archduke Otto and Princess Maria Josephine of Saxony; great-nephew of Emperor Francis Joseph I. A stigmatic nun prophesied that he would be the victim of attacks and great suffering. A group of people were specifically assigned to pray for him at all times; after his death this group formed the League of Prayer of the Emperor Charles for the Peace of the Peoples (Gebetsliga Kaiser Karl für den Völkerfrieden), which became an ecclesiastically recognized prayer group in 1963. He received a strong Catholic education, and developed a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Married Princess Zita of Bourbon and Parma on 21 October 1911. They had eight children over the next ten years.

With the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand on 28 June 1914, the trigger for World War I, Charles became heir presumptive to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On the death of Emperor Francis Joseph on 21 November 1916, Charles became Emperor of Austria; crowned apostolic king of Hungary on 30 December 1916. He saw his crown as a way to implement Christian charity and social reform. He worked for peace, for an end to the war, and was the only leader to support Pope Benedict XV's peace effort. After the war, Charles was exiled to Switzerland in March 1919. Trying to prevent the rise of Communism in Central Europe, he tried twice in 1921 to return to power, but since he refused to be the cause of civil war, he finally gave up. Since he considered his office a mandate from God, he never abdicated his throne or title, but he was exiled to the island of Madeira, Portugal and spent his remaining days in prayerful poverty. His widow, princess Zita, dressed in black and lived in mourning her remaining 67 years.

Born

17 August 1887 in Persenbeug Castle, Melk, Lower Austria

Died

1 April 1922 at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal of pneumonia

Beatified

• 3 October 2004 by Pope John Paul II
• his beatification miracle involved the cure of metastatic breast cancer in a Baptist women from Kissimmee, Florida

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

I strive always in all things to understand as clearly as possible and follow the will of God, and this in the most perfect way. - Blessed Charles' life motto

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-charles-of-austria/


Blessed Giuseppe Puglisi

Also known as

Pino Puglisi

Profile

Son of Carmelo and Giuseppa Fana Puglisi, a cobbler and a seamstress. Ordained on 2 July 1960 as a priest in the archdiocese of Palermo, Italy. Parish priest in the areas of Settacannoli, Romagnolo, Vadessi, Godrano and Brancaccio in Italy. Confessor of the Basilian sisters Figlie di Santa Macrina. Taught at a number of schools from 1962 to 1993. Worked with youth in the poorest areas of his assignments, and helped teach anyone who would listen about the reforms of Vatican II that were designed to revilatize the involvement of the laity. Worked in Godrano to end bloody vendettas, and reconciled families broken by violence. Member of the Presenza del Vangelo. Vice-rector of the seminary in Palermo on 9 August 1978; director of diocesan vocations on 24 November 1979 and of the region on 5 February 1986. The work he did in schools, with vocations and in the neighborhoods proved a model for later teachers who work from the Christian point of view. Worked with groups of nuns, priests and lay people to improve living conditions and to denouce crime and the collusion of elected officials with organized crime. He received a series of threats, and was murdered at home by the mafia for his work. Martyr.

Born

15 September 1937 in Brancaccio, Palermo, Italy

Died

• 15 September 1993 at piazzale Anita Garibaldi 3, Palermo, Italy
• buried in the chapel

Beatified

• 25 May 2013 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo, Italy by Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-giuseppe-puglisi/


Saint Wendelin

Also known as

Wendel, Wendolinus, Wendelinus

Profile

Prince of Scotland, the son of King Forchado and Queen Irelina. Educated by the local bishop, Wendelin decided to abandon life in the royal family, and devote himself to God. Dressed as a pilgrim, Wendelin left his castle home in the middle of the night, and left the worldly life behind.

Pilgrim to many holy sites, reaching Rome, Italy in 574. During an audience with Pope Benedict I, the pope told him to follow his desire for a life with God. Lived for a while in Einsidel, Germany. Hermit in the forest wilderness of Westerich.

During a trip to the shrines in Trier, Germany, he reportedly met a wealthy highwayman. The thief admonished Wendelin for begging when he was so obviously capable of earning his living. He then worked for the thief as a swineherd until he found there was no time for his prayers. He transferred to work tending cattle, Wendelin again had time for prayer. However, the herd he tended grew so fast that he soon found himself again over-worked. This time he was transferred to tending sheep, traditionally a job for children or older men as it was less physically demanding. Even when his flock grew large, he still had time for prayer. Legend says that God transferred Wendelin and his flocks back to the old hermitage many times, and then brought them back in the evening.

Hermit near Trier in 590. Abbot in Tholey, Germany in 597.

Born

554 in Scotland

Died

617 at Tholey, Germany of natural causes

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


Saint Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena

Also known as

• Laura Montoya y Upegui
• María Laura de Jesus Montoya Upegui

Profile

Educated at the Holy Spirit School in Amalfi, Colombia, and in Medellín, Colombia. Teacher. Beginning in 1908, she worked as missionary to the natives in the Uraba and Sarare regions. Founded the Works of the Indians and the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Mary and of Saint Catherine of Siena who minister to the poor throughout South America. Known for her defense of Indian rights, and as a strong role model for South American girls.

Born

26 May 1874 in Jerico, Antioquía, Colombia as Laura Montoya y Upegui

Died

21 October 1949 in Medellín, Colombia of natural causes

Beatified

• 25 April 2004 by Pope John Paul II
• the beatification miracle involved the 1994 cure of an 86 year old woman with uterine cancer

Canonized

Sunday 12 May 2013 by Pope Francis

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-laura-of-saint-catherine-of-siena/


Saint Malchus of Syria

Also known as

• Malchus of Chalcis
• Malchus of Maronia

Profile

Only child of a farming family. Worked as a shepherd, spending his time in the field in prayer. His family hoped he would marry, but Malchus felt a call to the religious life and slipped away from home and became a monk; he lived as a vegetarian, eating only dates, cheese and milk. When Malchus' father died, he left the monastery against his abbot's orders to return home and help his family. On the road he and a group of pilgrims were kidnapped by Saracen raiders and sold into slavery. He was forced to marry another slave, but converted her to Christianity, and the two lived as brother and sister. They eventually escaped, returning to Malchus' old monastery where they lived the religious life; Malchus was often called on to tell his story as a lesson about disobeying your abbot. Legend says that while they were on the road to the monastery, the escaped slaves were protected by a lion.

Born

near 4th century Antioch, Syria

Died

c.390

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-malchus-of-syria/


Saint Finian Munnu

Also known as

• Finian of Taghmon
• Finian Mundus
• Finian of Tech Munnu
• Fintan, Finton, Munnin

Profile

Member of the noble Ui Neill clan. Monk and spiritual student of Saint Columba and Saint Seenell at Cluain Inis, Ireland for 18 years. He moved to Iona Abbey in Scotland, but found Saint Columba had left a prophecy that Finian was to be turned away as he was destined to found another house. Founded Taghmon (Tech Munnu) monastery, County Wexford, Ireland, and served as its first abbot. Attended the Magh Lene Synod in 630 where he defended Celtic liturgical practices against the Latin. In his later years he was afflicted with a terrible skin disease, possibly a form of leprosy, and was known for the patient, uncomplaining way he bore it. There are several churches in Scotland that have his name, possibly because of the evangelization work by the monks his house who thought so highly of him.

Born

Ireland

Died

c.635 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-finian-munnu/


Blessed Peter of Città di Castello

Also known as

• Peter Capucci
• Preacher of Death

Profile

Joined the reformed Dominican priory of Cortona, Italy at age 15. Ordained in Cortona. Known for his deep life of prayer, penance and contemplation. Noted preacher, often on the theme of contemplating your own death, preaching with a skull in his hand.

Born

1390 at Città di Castello, Italy

Died

21 October 1445 of natural causes

Beatified

by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmed)

Representation

priest preaching with a skull in his hand

Readings

Through the prayer and example of Blessed Peter, may we so bear in mind our temporal death that, through sorrow for sin, we may avoid eternal death. - from the office for Blessed Peter

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-peter-of-citta-di-castello/


Saint Hilarion of Gaza

Profile

Raised in a pagan family. Converted to Christianity while studying at Alexandria, Egypt as a teenager. Studied with Saint Anthony the Great in the Egyptian desert in 306. He then gave away his wealth, and introduced the eremitical life in the Gaza region of Palestine. Supported himself by weaving baskets. Founded several monasteries in Palestine. Noted for his ascetic life; for years he ate but 15 figs a day. Miracle worker whose fame attracted unwanted crowds; to escape the people, including his most dedicated student Saint Hesychius, the notoriety, and the persecutions of Julian the Apsotate, he lived on Mount Sinai, in Egypt, in Sicily, in Dalmatia, on Paphos, and Cyprus.

Born

c.291 at Gaza, Palestine

Died

• 371 at Cyprus of natural causes
• relics at Majuma, Palestine

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hilarion-of-gaza/


Saint Celina of Meaux

Profile

Born to the nobility, she was drawn to religious life; this desire was intensified when she met Saint Genevieve. Her fiance opposed the choice. Celina fled to the local cathedral with Saint Genevieve; its doors opened to admit them, closed behind them, and could not be opened again until the fiance and Celina's family agreed to her choice. She spent the rest of her life as a prayerful nun devoted to works of charity.

Died

• c.480 of natural causes
• buried in Meaux, France
• relics hidden during the anti-Christian persecutions of the French Revolution
• relics re-enshrined in the cathedral of Meaux

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-celina-of-meaux/


Saint Petrus Yu Tae-Ch'ol

Also known as

• Peteuro Yu Dae-Jeol
• Peter Yu Tae-Ch'ol

Additional Memorial

20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea

Profile

Imprisoned, tortured and martyred at the age of 13 for his faith.

Born

1826 in Ipjeong, South Korea

Died

strangled on 21 October 1839 in Seoul, South Korea

Canonized

6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-petrus-yu-tae-chol/


Blessed Hilarion of Moglena

Profile

Monk. Bishop of the Moglena region of western Macedonia. Fought the heresies Manichaeism and Messalianism.

Died

• 21 October 1164 of natural causes
• re-interred in Trnovo, Bulgaria c.1205
• relics enshrined at the Church of the Forty Martyrs in 1230
• the church was later converted to a mosque, and the location of the relics is unknown

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-hilarion-of-moglena/


Blessed Sancho of Aragon

Profile

Born a prince, the fourth son of Blessed James I, King of Aragon. Turning from worldly ways, he joined the Mercedarians, receiving the habit from Saint Peter Nolasco. Archbishop of Toledo, Spain. Saracens cut off his hand with the ring of his office, and then martyred him for not losing his faith.

Born

1238

Died

stabbed through the neck in 1275

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-sancho-of-aragon/


Saint Viator of Lyons

Additional Memorial

2 September (translation of relics)

Profile

Lector and catechist at the cathedral of Lyons, France. Spiritual student of and assistant to Saint Justus of Lyons. Hermit in the deserts near Alexandria, Egypt from 381 until his death.

Born

4th century France

Died

• c.390 at Skete, Egypt
• relics enshrined in the church of the Machabees in Lyons, France

Patronage

Viatorians

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-viator-of-lyons/


Saint Berthold of Parma

Also known as

Bertoldo

Profile

Born to Anglo-Saxon parents who had fled England at the Norman Conquest of 1066. Saintly lay brother at the monastery of Saint Alexander.

Born

Parma, Italy

Died

^• c.1101
• relics at the Saint Alexander monastery

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-berthold-of-parma/


Blessed Iulianus Nakaura

Also known as

Giuliano, Julian

Profile

Jesuit priest. Martyr.

Born

c.1567 in Nakaura, Nagasaki, Japan

Died

21 October 1633 in Nishizaka, Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-iulianus-nakaura/


Saint Asterius

Also known as

Astericus

Profile

Priest under Pope Callistus, whom he secretly buried, and for which act he was killed by order of Emperor Alexander Severus. Martyr.

Died

• drowned in the Tiber River at Ostia, Italy
• body recovered and buried in Ostia
• relics enshrined in the cathedral in Ostia

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


Saint Zoticus of Nicomedia

Also known as

Zotico

Profile

One of a group of 15 Christian soldiers who were tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

thrown from a boat to drown at sea c.303 at the imperial residence at Nicomedia on the Black Sea

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


Saint Dasius of Nicomedia

Also known as

Dasio

Profile

One of a group of 15 Christian soldiers who were tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

thrown from a boat to drown at sea c.303 at the imperial residence at Nicomedia on the Black Sea

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


Saint Caius of Nicomedia

Also known as

Gaius

Profile

One of a group of 15 Christian soldiers who were tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.

Died

thrown from a boat to drown at sea c.303 at the imperial residence at Nicomedia on the Black Sea

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


Saint Condedus

Also known as

Condé, Condède

Profile

Hermit at Fontaine-de-Saint-Valéry, France. Monk at Fontenelle Abbey. Evangelist who worked from an island in the Seine near Caudebec.

Born

in England

Died

c.690

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


Saint Gebizo

Profile

Benedictine monk at Monte Cassino in 1076. Spiritual student of Saint Desiderius who was later Pope Victor III. Sent to Croatia by Pope Saint Gregory VII to crown King Zwoinimir.

Born

at Cologne, Germany

Died

c.1087 of natural causes

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


Blessed Gundisalvus of Lagos

Profile

Augustinian monk. Renowned preacher.

Born

at Lagos, Portugal

Died

1422 of natural causes

Beatified

1778 by Pope Clement XIV (cultus confirmed)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gundisalvus-of-lagos/


Blessed Imana of Loss

Also known as

Himmanna, Imaina, Imaine

Profile

Cistercian Benedictine nun. Abbess at Salzinnes, Namur, France. Abbess at Flines, diocese of Cambrai, France.

Died

1270 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-imana-of-loss/


Saint Agatho the Hermit

Also known as

• Agatho of Egypt
• Agathon...

Profile

Fourth-century hermit, monk and abbot in the Egyptian desert. He was one of the leaders in the early monastic movement.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agatho-the-hermit/


Saint Letizia

Also known as

Laetitia, Leticia, Letycie

Profile

No details have survived.

Died

relics enshrined in Ayerbe, Spain

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


Saint Cilinia

Also known as

Celina, Céline

Profile

Blind. Mother of Saint Principius of Soissons and Saint Remigius of Rheims.

Died

c.458 in Laon, France of natural causes

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


Saint Hugh of Ambronay

Profile

Benedictine monk. Abbot of Ambronay Abbey, diocese of Belley, France.

Born

9th century

Died

10th century

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hugh-of-ambronay/


Saint Maurontus of Marseilles

Profile

Abbot of Saint Victor Abbey at Marseilles, France. Bishop of Marseilles c.767.

Died

c.804

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maurontus-of-marseilles/


Saint Severinus of Bordeaux

Also known as

Seurin, Severino

Profile

Bishop of Bordeaux, France c.405.

Died

c.420

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severinus-of-bordeaux/


Saint Tuda of Lindisfarne

Profile

Monk in Ireland. Bishop of Lindisfarne, England.

Died

664 of plague

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-tuda-of-lindisfarne/


Saint Zaira

Profile

Martyred by Moors.

Died

10th century Spain

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


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Matthew Gimera of Agrigento
• Tudwen ferch Brychan
• Wulfilak of Trier


CatholicSaints.Info Portable Edition
email CatholicSaints.*