22 April • yesterday
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Security engenders rashness, and when the devil can seize upon one of the hairs of a man, he is not long in making a beam of it. We ought not, then, to be satisfied with mortifying our passions; we must also guard with great watchfulness our exterior senses, by which death enters the soul. - Saint Francis of Assisi
Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline - Morification and the Supernatural Life, by Father Basil William Maturin

Pope Saint Soter

Also known as

• Pope of Charity
• Sotero
• Soterius
• Soterus

Profile

Nothing is known of his life before he was chosen 12th pope c.166, and not much is known of his pontificate. Forbade women to burn incense in services. Ratified that matrimony was a valid sacrament only if blessed by a priest. Inaugurated Easter as an annual festival in Rome.

Born

at Fondi, Italy

Papal Ascension

c.166

Died

• tradition says he was martyred c.175, though no evidence has survived
• buried in the Callistus cemetery in Rome, Italy

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

From the beginning it has been your custom to do good to all the brethren in many ways, and to send alms to many churches in every city, refreshing the poverty of those who sent requests, or giving aid to the brethren in the mines, by the alms which you have had the habit of giving from old, Romans keeping up the traditional custom of the Romans; which your blessed Bishop Soter has not only preserved, but has even increased, by providing the abundance which he has sent to the saints, and by further consoling with blessed words with brethren who came to him, as a loving father his children. - from a fragment of a letter to Pope Saint Soter from Saint Dionysius of Corinth

https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-soter/


Pope Saint Caius I

Also known as

• Caius the Dalmatian
• Cayo, Gaius

Additional Memorial

11 August (Eastern calendar)

Profile

Some unreliable early documents indicate he was from Spalato in Dalmatia, may have been a relative of Emperor Diocletian, and the uncle of Saint Susanna. However, nothing reliable is known of his early life.

Pope in a time of peace before the last great persecution of Rome, and little concerning his papacy has survived. Decreed that before a man could be bishop, he must first be porter, reader, exorcist, acolyte, sub-deacon, deacon, and priest. Divided the districts of Rome among deacons.

Originally listed as a martyr based on the tales of his suffering during the Diocletian persecutions, these did not begin until years after his death, and there is no evidence of his suffering or martyrdom. This lack of verifiable information led to his name being dropped from the Martyrology.

Papal Ascension

17 December 283

Died

• 22 April 296 of natural causes
• buried in the chamber next to the papal crypt in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus on the Appian Way

Representation

pope with Saint Nereus

https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-caius-i/


Saint Opportuna of Montreuil

Also known as

Opportune

Profile

Sister of Saint Chrodegang of Séez. Niece of Saint Lanthilda. Benedictine nun and abbess at the convent near Almenêches, France, receiving the veil from her brother. Legend says that a peasant stole a donkey from her convent and refused to acknowledge his crime. Opportuna turned it over to God; the next day the farmer's field was sown with salt. The peasant returned the donkey AND gave the field to the nuns.

Born

at castle of Exmes, Argentan, Normandy, France

Died

• 22 April 770 from a brief illness compounded by grief from the death of her brother
• relics taken to the priory of Moussy, France, in 1009, and then to Senlis, France
• in 1374 her right arm and a rib were taken to Paris, France to a church built in her honor
• part of her head remains at Moussy
• her left arm and part of her skull are at Almenêches
• one jaw is in the priory of Saint Chrodegang of Metz at Isle-Adam

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-opportuna-of-montreuil/


Blessed Francis of Fabriano

Also known as

Francis Venimbeni

Profile

Born to a wealthy family, the son of Compagno Venimbeni, a physician, and Margaret di Federico. Studied humanities and philosophy, then joined the Franciscans in 1267, at age 16; he spent part of his novitiate studying under the companions of Saint Francis of Assisi. Friar. Priest who offered his Masses for souls in Purgatory. Missionary in the region of his house. A man of endless prayer and work, he insisted that this brother friars stay strictly orthodox in their preaching and teaching, and to insure they had the proper background, used his family money to purchase an extensive library for them. Wrote on matters of theology and philosophy, but only time scraps of his work have survived.

Born

2 September 1251 in Fabriano, Ancona, Italy

Died

22 April 1322 of natural causes

Beatified

1 April 1775 by Pope Pius VI (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francis-of-fabriano/


Saint Epipodius of Lyon

Profile

Friend of and worker with Saint Alexander of Lyon. Imprisoned, tortured, and martyred during the persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. Though he never joined an order, Epipodius was a confirmed celibate bachelor, devoting his time to work with and for God. Betrayed to imperial authorities by a servant. Martyr.

Born

2nd century at Lyon, France

Died

• beheaded in 178
• relics at the church of Saint Irenaeus at Lyon, France
• miracles reported at the tomb

Patronage

• bachelors
• betrayal victims
• torture victims

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-epipodius-of-lyon/


Pope Saint Agapitus I

Also known as

Agapetus I

Additional Memorial

20 September (date of internment in Saint Peter's Basilica)

Profile

Son of a priest named Gordian; his father was murdered. Archdeacon of the priests of Rome, Italy. Elected pope when a very old man, he reigned for less than a year. Died while on a mission to prevent the invasion of Italy by Justinian. He failed in that, but succeeded in having the Monophysite Patriarch of Constantinople, Anthimus, replaced by the more orthodox Mennas.

Born

in Rome, Italy

Papal Ascension

13 May 535

Died

• 22 April 536 in Constantinople of natural causes
• interred in Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-agapitus-i/


Saint Altfried of Münster

Also known as

Altfrid, Altfrith

Profile

Monk. Priest. Fifth abbot of the monastery of Werden, Germany. Abbot of the monastery of Helmstedt, Germany. Nephew of Saint Liudger, first bishop of Münster, Germany; related to Saint Gerfried of Münster, the second bishop; Altfried served as third bishop from 839 until his death ten years later. He wrote a biography of Saint Liudger.

Born

9th century, possibly in Friesland (in modern Netherlands)

Died

• 22 April 849 of natural causes
• buried in the Liudgerid crypt at the monastery of Werden, Germany

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-altfried-of-munster/


Blessed Stephen of Nagyvárad

Also known as

Stephen of Hungary

Profile

Franciscan friar. Imprisoned for his faith, he escaped and sought shelter in Sarai Batu (modern Selitrennoye, Russia). To save himself from his persecutors, he denied that he was Christian and announced his conversion to Islam. He immediately repented this apostasy, declared that he was a Christian, and was executed. Martyr.

Born

Naggyvarad, Transylvania (modern Oradea, Romania)

Died

• sentenced to burn at the stake, the fire was twice miraculously extinguished, so his killers stoned him and finally stabbed him with a sword on 22 April 1334 in Sarai Batu (modern Selitrennoye, Russia)
• the site of his death became known for miraculous healings

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-stephen-of-nagyvarad/


Saint Leonidas of Alexandria

Also known as

Leonides

Profile

Wealthy and pious layman. Father of seven sons, the eldest of whom was the philosopher Origen, whom he raised and taught. Philosopher and rhetorician. Imprisoned and martyred by command of Laertus, Governor of Egypt, during the persecutions of emperor Septimius Severus. All his property was confiscated, and his family reduced to complete poverty until they were "adopted" by a wealthy Christian woman.

Died

beheaded in 202 at Alexandria, Egypt

Patronage

large families

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


Saint Theodore of Sykeon

Also known as

• Theodore of Siceone
• Theodore of Sikion
• Theodore the Sykeote

Profile

Son of a pagan imperial messenger. Convert. Monk. Priest. Bishop of Anastasiopolis, Galatia. Founded monasteries. Had the gift of healing. Miracle worker. Warded off a plague of insects by prayer. Supported the cultus of Saint George.

Born

at Sykeon, Galatia

Died

c.613

Patronage

• against rain
• difficult marriages
• for rain

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodore-of-sykeon/


Saint Senorina

Profile

Related to Saint Rudesind of MondoƱedo. Raised by her aunt, Abbess Godina at the convent of Saint John of Venaria, Italy. Senorina joined the convent as a nun and eventually became its abbess. She later moved the convent and sisters to Basto, Portugal.

Died

982

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


Blessed Adalberto of Ostrevant

Profile

Born to the wealthy 8th century nobility, he was the Count of Ostrevant, and served in the Frankish royal court. Married and the father of ten daughters, including Blessed Ragenfreda. Adalberto was known for his piety and charity, and help found the convent in Denain, Hainault where his daughter was abbess.

Died

22 April c.790

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-adalberto-of-ostrevant/


Saint Euflamia

Profile

Soldier. Imperial Roman legionaire. Martyr.

Died

• buried in the cemetery of Saint Priscilla in Rome, Italy
• re-interred under the main altar of Saint Peter's Basilica
• relics transferred to Cherasco, Italy in 1623 by Pope Gregory XV

Patronage

Cherasco, Italy

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


Saint Virginio

Profile

Soldier. Imperial Roman legionaire. Martyr.

Died

• buried in the cemetery of Saint Priscilla in Rome, Italy
• re-interred under the main altar of Saint Peter's Basilica
• relics transferred to Cherasco, Italy in 1623 by Pope Gregory XV

Patronage

Cherasco, Italy

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


Saint Aceptismas of Hnaita

Also known as

Acepsimas

Profile

Bishop of Hnaita, Persia. Over 80 years old, he was tortured and martyred in the persecutions of King Sapor II.

Died

beaten to death on 10 October 376 in Persia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aceptismas-of-hnaita/


Saint Lucius of Laodicea

Profile

First-century convert, and may have been on of the 72 chosen by Jesus as missionaries. Bishop of Laodicea. Mentioned by Saint Paul the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans. Martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lucius-of-laodicea/


Saint Apelles of Smyrna

Also known as

Apellius of Smyrna

Profile

First century convert. Bishop of Smyrna. Saint Paul greeted him as "approved in Christ" in Romans 16. Martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-apelles-of-smyrna/


Saint Joseph of Persia

Profile

Priest. Martyred with Saint Acepsimas in the persecution of King Shapur II.

Died

376 in Persia

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


Saint Arwald

Profile

Son of a prince on the Isle of Wight. Martyred by the then-pagan King Caedwalla on the day after his baptism.

Died

686

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


Saint Helimenas

Profile

Priest. Martyred when Decius invaded Mesapotamia.

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Died

beheaded c.250 at Babylon

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


Saint Maryáhb

Profile

Priest. Martyred in the persecutions of Shapur II.

Died

341 in Persia

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


Saint Leo of Sens

Profile

Bishop of Sens, France for 22 years.

Died

541

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leo-of-sens/


Saint Abel McAedh

Profile

Holy Irish woman.

Born

Irish

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abel-mcaedh/


Martyrs of Persia

Profile

Bishops, priests, deacons and laity who were martyred in Persia and celebrated together. Several of them have their stories related in the Acta of Saints Abdon and Sennen.

Abdiesus the Deacon
Abrosimus
Aceptismas of Hnaita
Aithilahas
Azadanes the Deacon
Azades the Eunuch
Bicor
Chrysotelus
Helimenas
James
Joseph
Lucas
Mareas
Milles
Mucius
Parmenius
Tarbula

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


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Martyrs of Alexandria


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