| 22 July |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene |
• Maria Maddalena
• Maria Magdalena
• Mary Magdalene
• the Sinner
We have very little solid information about Saint Mary, and both scholars and traditions differ on the interpretation of what we do know.
She was a friend and follower of Jesus. Filled with sorrow over her sin, she anointed Christ, washed his feet with her hair. He exorcised seven demons from her. She was visited by the Risen Christ.
There are also arguments about her life after the Crucifixion.
The Greek Church maintains that she retired to Ephesus with the Blessed Virgin Mary and lived there the rest of her life.
A French tradition says that Mary, Lazarus, and some companions came to Marseilles, France, evangelized and converted the whole Provence region, and then retired to live 30 years as a penitent hermitess at La Sainte-Baume.
Oh, some things we do know for certain - Mary wasn't Jesus' wife or mistress, she wasn't the mother of His child, she didn't found a royal dynasty or separate branch of Christianity, et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseam.
the Greek Church says
• she died in Ephesus of natural causes
• her relics were transferred to Constantinople in 886 where they remain today
a French tradition says
• as she lay on her death bed, nine angels carried Mary to the oratory of Saint Maximinus in Aix where she received Communion and then died of natural causes
• she was interred in an oratory constructed by Saint Maximinus at Villa Lata (Saint Maximin)
• in 745 her relics were moved to Vézelay to save them from Saracen invaders
• at some point they were moved to a shrine at her hemitage on La Sainte-Baume; they were there in 1279 when King Charles II of Naples funded a Dominican convent on the hill
• in 1600 the relics were placed in a sarcophagus sent by Pope Clement VIII
• in 1814 the church on La Sainte-Baume, wrecked during the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution, was restored
• in 1822 the grotto was re-consecrated, still has the head of the saint, and is a pilgrimage centre
• alabaster box of ointment
• long hair (refers the wiping of Jesus' feet)
When Mary Magdalen came to the tomb and did not find the Lord's body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples. After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them. The text then says: "The disciples went back home," and it adds: "but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb." We should reflect on Mary's attitude and the great love she felt for Christ; for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained. She was still seeking the one she had not found, and while she sought she wept; burning with the fire of love, she longed for him who she thought had been taken away. And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ was the only one to see him. For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tell us: "Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved." - from a homily by Pope Saint Gregory the Great
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mary-magdalen/
Gautier, Gualtiero, Walter
The only child of Aliprando and Adelazia, pious parents who were childless so long that they promised God they would devote any child of theirs to the Church. They kept their pledge, giving the boy a good education, and by age fifteen Gualtero was working as a Hospitaller friar in the San Raimondo il Palmerio hospital in Piacenza, Italy, beginning his lifelong devotion to care of the sick and poor. His father died not long after; his mother entered a convent, Gualtero sold off and gave away all their property, and the two devoted themselves to God. Gualtero worked in then San Bartolomeo hospital in Lodi, Italy, living as a sort of anchorite on the grounds. He founded clinics for the poor and pilgrims in the Italian cities of Fanzago, Vercelli, Tortona, Crema and Melegnano. With the financial assistance of the city of Lodi and the archbishop of Milan, Italy, he and a fellow priest founded the Ospitale della Misericordia (Hospital of Mercy) in Lodi, which attracted the services of many brothers, sisters and hermits, and the adjoining church of Saints James and Philip on 30 April 1206. Known for his ascetic life, working and travelling barefoot and dressed in sack cloth, he could heal by prayer and always gave away anything he had that was more than his immediate need.
c.1184 in Lodi, Lombardy, Italy
• c.1224 in Lodi, Lombardy, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the Church of Saints James and Philip in Lodi, which became a pilgrimage site for those who sought aid at the Hospital of Mercy
• on 26 January 1384, some fanatical devotees, aided by some friars of San Biagio, stole his relics and hid them, first in San Biagio, then in the nearby church of Saint Paul; after a few weeks, the relics were returned
• relics re-enshrined in the Church of Saints James and Philip on 18 February 1384
• relics enshrined in the main altar of the cathedral of Lodi in the mid-15th century
• relics re-enshrined in the cathedral c.1600
• relics re-enshrined in the cathedral in 1896
• relics re-enshrined in the cathedral in 1946
• re-interred at the church of Saints James, Philip and Gualtero in Lodi in 1960
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gualtero-of-lodi/
• Augustine of Biella
• Agostino Fangi
Born to wealthy nobility. Joined the Dominicans as a young man, and entered the house in Biella, Italy. Noted for his severe self-imposed penances, and his complete self-control; he once had surgery without anesthetic, and without making an outcry, claming his mind had been on his prayers. Prior of houses in Biella, Socino in 1464, Vercelli, and Vigevano. Miracle worker, whose incidents include
A deformed child, who died without baptism, was restored to life by Augustine's prayer long enough to be baptized.
Augustine met a little boy who was crying because he had broken a jug of wine. Augustine gathered up the shards and put them back together again, and prayed over it; it refilled with wine.
Through his intercession, a woman was delivered from possession of five devils.
Augustine spent his final ten years in the monastery in Venice, Italy.
1430 at Biella, Piedmont, Italy
• 22 July 1493 at Venice, Italy of natural causes
• in the 1530s, workmen found his coffin floating in the water that had seeped into the burial chamber - when opened, Augustine's body and clothing were found to be incorrupt
• 1872 by Pope Blessed Pius IX (cultus confirmed)
• 1878 (beatified)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-augustine-fangi/
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Born to a poor Christian farm family, Anna's mother, a pious woman, died when the girl was five years old. In addition to her schooling, Anna had to help work the farm to support the family, but her teacher, Sister Lucy Wang, continued the religious education begun by Anna's mother. When she was 11, Anna's family tried to force her into an arranged marriage, but she fought against it. On 21 July 1900, an armed group associated with the anti–Christian, anti-Western Boxer Rebellion entered her village, burned the church, gathered all the Christians, and ordered them to renounce Christianity; many did, usually as a way to save their children, and Anna's step-mother encouraged her to do so. Anna refused, spending her remaining hours in prayer and encouraging others in their faith. Martyr.
c.1886 in Machiazhuang, Weixian, Hebei, China
• beheaded on 22 July 1900 in Machiazhuang, Weixian, Hebei, China
• body dumped in a mass grave
• exhumed on 6 November 1901 and given proper burial
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anna-wang/
• Sister María Inés Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament
• Manuelita (nickname)
Fifth of eight children in her family. Nun, entering the monastery of the Hail Mary in Los Angeles, California in 1929, making her perpetual vows on 14 December 1933 and living a cloistered life. Founder of the Congregations of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in August 1945 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; it received papal approval in 1949 and 1951. Founder of the Missionaries of Christ for the Universal Church. By the time of her death she was over-seeing 36 missionary houses in 14 countries. Over 6,000 of her writings survive.
7 July 1904 in Ixtlán del Rio, Nayarit, Mexico
22 July 1981 in Rome, Italy of natural causes
21 April 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-manuela-de-jesus-arias-espinosa/
Jewish layman who was attached to the biblical school of Tiberius, and served as assistant to the famous Rabbi Hillel. Secretly a Christian believer, Hillel was baptized on his death bed, and entrusted his holy books to Joseph. As head of the synagogue in Tarsus, his congregation caught Joseph reading the gospels; they beat him and threw him in the Cydnus River. He then publicly converted.
Friend and counselor to emperor Constantine the Great, who appointed him to the high position of comes. Built churches in Galilee, Tiberias, Nazareth, Capernaum, Bethsan, and Diocaesarea, and evangelized throughout the Holy Land. Fought Arianism, and moved to Scytholopolis where he hid priests from their persecution. Financial patron of Saint Eusebius of Vercielli and Saint Epiphanius; Epiphanius wrote Joseph's biography.
His guardianship of holy writings and holy men led to his association with guardians in general.
c.356 of natural causes at Palestine
• converts
• guardians
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph-of-palestine/
25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Educated at the Royal College of Saint Alban at Valladolid, Spain, entering in 1649. Took the missionary oath on 16 October 1649 to return to England. Sent to Wales in 1654 to minister to covert Catholics, he lived his vocation while constantly on the run for 24 years. Arrested at Penllyne, Glamorganshire, 20 November 1678. Served time in the Cardiff jail with Saint Philip Evans. It took several months before the authorities could find anyone will to testify about the two, but they finally had a trial and condemned them on 5 May 1679 for the treason of Catholic priesthood. One of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
at Powys, Wales
hanged, drawn, and quartered 22 July 1679 on Gallows Field in Cardiff, Wales
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-lloyd/
• Vandregisilo
• Vandrille
• Wandregisel
• Wandregisilus
Member of the court of King Dagobert I. Married. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy, his wife became a nun and Wandrille became a monk at Montfaucon, Switzerland. Spiritual student of Saint Balderic. Hermit at Saint-Ursanne, Jura, France. Monk in Bobbio, Italy. Priest, ordained by Saint Ouen of Rouen. Founded the Abbey of Fontenelle in Normandy, France in 657.
c.600 near Verdun, Austrasia (in modern France)
• 668 of natural causes
• during the Viking invasions, Wandrille's relics were dispersed to assorted church and abbeys
• in the 19th century his skull was found in storage in Liège, Belgium
• skull returned to the Fontenelle Abbey's new church in 1967
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-wandrille-of-fontenelle/
25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Educated at the college of Saint Omer. Could play the harp, and played tennis. Joined the Jesuits on 7 September 1665. Ordained at Liege, Belgium. Sent to southern Wales in 1675 to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested at Christopher Turberville's house, Sker, Glamorganshire on 4 December 1678 during the increased persecutions following the Titus Oates Plot. When he refused to take the Oath of Supremacy he was imprisoned in Cardiff Castle; he served time with Saint John Lloyd. Condemned on 5 May 1679 in Cardiff for the crime of being a priest. Martyr.
1645 in Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales
hanged, drawn, and quartered 22 July 1679 on Gallows Field in Cardiff, Wales
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-philip-evans/
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Nine year old boy in Machiazhuang, China. On 21 July 1900, an armed group associated with the anti–Christian, anti-Western Boxer Rebellion entered his village, burned the church, gathered all the Christians, and ordered them to renounce Christianity; many did, usually as a way to save their children who would have been killed, as well. Andreas refused. Martyr.
c.1891 in Weixian, Hebei, China
• beheaded on 22 July 1900 in Machiazhuang, Weixian, Hebei, China
• body dumped in a mass grave
• exhumed on 6 November 1901 and given proper burial
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-andreas-wang-tianqing/
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Married and mother of two. On 21 July 1900, an armed group associated with the anti–Christian, anti-Western Boxer Rebellion entered her village, burned the church, gathered all the Christians, and ordered them to renounce Christianity; many did, usually as a way to save their children who would have been killed, as well. Lucia refused. Martyr.
c.1869 in Weixian, Hebei, China
• beheaded on 22 July 1900 in Machiazhuang, Weixian, Hebei, China
• body dumped in a mass grave
• exhumed on 6 November 1901 and given proper burial
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lucia-wang-wangzhi/
Pious married layman of the diocese of Quiché, Guatemala who served his parish as a catechist. Murdered by government troops. Martyr.
16 August 1914 in La Puerta, Chinique, Guatemala
22 July 1982 in La Puerta, Chinique, Quiché, Guatemala
• 23 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-rosalio-benito-ixchop/
• Maria Wang Lizhi
• Mali
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Married lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion for openly declaring herself a Christian.
c.1851 in Fancun, Weixian, Hebei, China
22 July 1900 in Daning, Weixian, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-wang-lishi/
Priest in the diocese of Limoges, France. Imprisoned on a ship in the harbor of Rochefort, France and left to die during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the French Revolution. One of the Martyrs of the Hulks of Rochefort.
1 December 1737 in Limoges, Haute-Vienne, France
22 July 1794 aboard the prison ship Deux-Associés, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France
1 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jacques-lombardie/
Synteches, Syntykhé
Mentioned by Saint Paul the Apostle in the Letter to the Philippians as having helped him spread the gospel, but no information about her has come down to us.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to a mutual understanding in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. – Philippians 4:2-3
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-syntyche-of-philippi/
Ireneo Jacinto
Professed religious in the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers). Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
20 August 1910 in Mazuelo de Muñó, Burgos, Spain
22 July 1936 in Almudena, Madrid, Spain
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-joaquin-rodriguez-bueno/
Pious layman of the diocese of Quiché, Guatemala who served his parish as a catechist. Murdered by government troops. Martyr.
c.1902 in Guatemala
22 July 1982 in La Puerta, Chinique, Quiché, Guatemala
23 January 2020 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-rosalio-benito/
Monk. Courtier to Emperor Henry III. Bishop of Osnabruck, Germany in 1068; he served for 20 years. Involved in the disputes between Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII. Founded Iburg Abbey in Bad Iburg, Germany.
1088 at Iburg Abbey and Castle, Bad Iburg, Germany of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-benno-of-osnabruck/
Eighth-century soldier, sailor and admiral of the Christian fleet stationed on Cyprus. Captured in battle by invading Muslims, he was imprisoned for four years, then ordered to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam; he refused. Martyr.
789 in Cyprus
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theophilus-of-cyprus/
Mauvier, Menele, Meneve
Monk at Carméry in Auvergne, France. Restored the monastery of Ménat near Clermont, France.
Anjou, France
c.720
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meneleus-of-menat/
Biteus of Inis-Coosery
Spiritual student of Saint Patrick. Monk. Abbot of Inis-Coosery in County Down, Ireland. Retired to live as a prayerful hermit in Perthshire, Scotland.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-movean-of-inis-coosery/
Monk in the Caucasus mountains. Spiritual student of Saint Maximus the Confessor. Imprisoned, tortured and martyred.
662 at the Schemaris fortress, Caucasus mountains
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anastasius-of-schemarius/
Platone
Brother of Saint Antiochus of Sebaste. Martyr.
c.306 at Ancyra, Galatia
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-plato-of-ancyra/
Gerolamo
Bishop of Pavia, Italy from 778 until his death.
787 of natural causes
20 December 1888 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jerome-of-pavia/
Commemorated in La Saussaye, Eure, France, but no details about him have survived.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-claudius-marius-victorinus-of-saussaye/
Bavins, Davius
May have been a spiritual student of Saint Patrick. Priest. Missionary to Scotland where several churches are named for him.
Irish
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dabius/
Bishop of Besançon, France. Much persecuted by the Arian Emperor Constantius.
c.356
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pancharius-of-besancon/
Born to the nobility. Ordained as a priest in 1344. Mercedarian friar. Ransomed 209 Christians who were enslaved by Moors in Granada, Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-paolo-de-lara/
Seventh century monk. Founded the Abbey of Montfaucon in the diocese of Verdun, France.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-baudry-of-montfaucon/
Fourth century nun in England. Martyred by invading pagan Saxons.
Flanders (in modern Belgium)
England
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lewine/
Patriarch of Antioch in 280.
c.300 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyril-of-antioch/
Martyr.
c.280 in Antioch
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-andrew-of-antioch/
Martyrs of Massylis
Three Christians martyred together. We know nothing else about them but the names – Ajabosus, Andrew and Elian.
Massylis (Marula), Numidia (in modern Algeria)
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-marula/
A group of Christians martyred together in northern Africa. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote about them.
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-massilitani/
• Mother of God of Koloch
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