| 23 October |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Optional Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest |
• Giovanni da Capestrano
• Ivan Kapistran
• Jan Kapistran
• John Capistran
• Jovan Kapistran
• János Kapisztrán
Son of a German knight, his father died when John was still young. The young man studied law at the University of Perugia, and worked as a lawyer in Naples, Italy. Reforming governor of Perugia under King Landislas of Naples. When war broke out between Perugia and the House of Malatesta from Rimini, Italy in 1416, John tried to broker a peace, but when the opponents ignored the truce, John became a prisoner of war.
During his imprisonment, John came to the decision to change vocations. He had married just before the war, but the marriage was never consummated, and with his bride's permission, it was annulled. He joined the Franciscans at Perugia on 4 October 1416. Fellow student with Saint James of the Marches. Disciple of Saint Bernadine of Siena. Noted preacher while still a deacon, beginning his work in 1420. Itinerant priest throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, preaching to tens of thousands. Established communities of Franciscan renewal. John was reported to heal by making the Sign of the Cross over a sick person. Wrote extensively, mainly against the heresies of the day.
After the fall of Constantinople, he preached Crusade against the Muslim Turks. At age 70 he was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to lead it, and marched off at the head of 70,000 Christian soldiers. He won the great battle of Belgrade in the summer of 1456. He died in the field a few months later, but his army delivered Europe from the Muslims.
1386 at Capistrano, Italy
23 October 1456 at Villach, Hungary of natural causes
16 October 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
• judges, jurists
• lawyers
• military chaplains
• military ordinariate of the Philippines
• Belgrade, Serbia
• man with a crucifix and lance, treading a turban underfoot
• Franciscan with cross on his breast and carrying banner of the cross
• Franciscan preaching, angels with rosaries and IHS above him
• Franciscan pointing to a crucifix he is holding
Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. They must learn from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to his apostles and disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were to succeed them, when he said, "You are the salt of the earth. But what is salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Jesus also said: "You are the light of the world." Now a light does not illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon everything that comes into its view. So it must be with the glowing lives of upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord. - from the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by Saint John of Capistrano
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-capistrano/
• Arnold Jules-Nicolas Rèche
• Jules Reche
• Julian-Nicolas Rèche
• Nicholas-Jules Reche
Son of Claude and Anne Flausset Reche, a poor family in a small village. His father was extremely religious shoemaker, his mother given to fits of depression over their impoverished condition, and Nicholas was one of nine children. He grew up with strong religious values and a fear of sin. Considered the only serious student in his cathechism class, he taught catechism to the younger children. However, when he moved to the Charlesville as a young adult, he began drifting to a more secular life.
He worked as a coachman for a wealthy family, and a mule driver for a contractor building a local church. His aunt, who lived nearby, convinced him to make some changes in his life; Nicholas began to attend classes conducted by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and returned to a life of active and intense prayer. He joined the LaSalle Brothers in 1862 at age 28, taking the name Brother Arnold, and making his final vows in 1871.
He worked as a medic, treating the wounded in the trenches during the Franco-Prussian War, and was awarded the bronze cross for his work. Taught at the Brothers boarding school at Rheims, France; noted as a mediocre teacher of classroom topics, but an outstanding teacher of Christian doctrine. Novice director for the congregation in 1877, a move that got him out of the class rooms where he felt he was a failure. Director general of the house at Courlancy from March 1890 till his death a few months later.
2 September 1838 at Landroff, Lorraine, France as Nicholas-Jules Reche
• 23 October 1890 following a cerebral hemorrhage
• buried in the public cemetery at Rheims, France
• grave known as a site of miracles
1 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
I recommend to all of my brothers and sisters that they serve God faithfully. Granted, it is sometimes difficult to resist evil and remain virtuous. But with the grace of God that we obtain from prayer we can do anything. All we have to do is to will it. - Blessed Arnold Reche
God, it is your word spoken to us in our midst, which binds us to those who have gone before us and to those who are yet to be born. We do not stand alone, but in a history, with men and women like ourselves who have heard your word and said "Yes" to your call. It is you who give us power to hear when you speak to us, it is you who make it possible for us to speak to you in return. May we always welcome the word which you send us and give it flesh in our lives that those who come after us may learn the message of your love from what we do and say. All glory to to you, God, now and evermore! - Blessed Arnold Reche
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-arnold-reche/
• Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius
• Last of the Romans
• Severino Boezio
Descendant of a Roman consular family. His father was chosen as consul in 487, but died soon after, leaving Severinus an orphan. Educated by a pious, aristocratic friend of the family, Quintus Aurelius Memmius Symmachus. Fluent in Greek, he probably studied in Athens, Greece or Alexandria, Egypt. Known for his education and intellect. Married Rusticana, the daughter of his mentor Symmachus. They had of two sons. Severinus served as Roman consul in 510; his sons were chosen as Roman co-consuls themselves in 522. Aide and confidant to King Theodoric. Philosopher. Writer.
Political rivals accused him of disloyalty to the throne, of plotting to restore the Republic, and of the sacrilege of astrology; he was imprisoned without trial. While in jail he reflected on the instability of a state whose government depended on a single man such as a king; these ideas were developed in his best-known work, De Consolatione Philosophiae (Consolations of Philosophy). Soon after, he was executed on order of King Theodoric. A tradition began soon after that he had really been imprisoned and killed for being an orthodox Catholic, and he was soon considered a martyr.
475-480 at Rome, Italy as Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius
• 524-525 at Pavia, Italy
• relics in the cathedral in Pavia
1883 by Pope XIII (cultus confirmed)
Father, enable our minds to rise to your ineffable dwelling place. Let us find the light and direct the eyes of our soul to you. Dispel the mists and the opaqueness of the earthly mass, and shine out with your splendor. You are the serene and tranquil abode of those who persevere in their goal of seeing you. You are at the same time the beginning, the vehicle, the guide, the way and the goal. Amen. - Saint Severinus Boethius, 5th-6th century writer and philosopher
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-severinus-boethius/
Son of Omodeo, a rancher. Shepherd in Pescia, Tuscany, Italy. Director of the alms-house in Valdi Nievole, Italy. Built shelters for travellers in mountain passes and river crossings. His work attracted other people who became the core of the future Brothers of Saint Allucio. Known as a miracle worker, and as a peace maker, ending the war between the Italian city states of Ravenna and Faenza.
c.1070 in Campugliano, Italy
• 23 October 1134 in Campugliano, Italy of natural causes
• interred by the Brothers in the church of Saint Luke in Campugliano
• relics enshrined in a stone urn at the high altar of the cathdral of Campugliano in 1344 by Dominican Brother Paul Lapi by order of Bishop Guglielmo Dulcini of Lucca, Italy
• relics moved to the chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, Cathedral of Pescia, Italy in 1792
• relics moved to the new chapel of Saint Allucio in Campugliano, which soon after changed its name to Sant'Allucio di Uzzano, in 1934
23 October 1182 by the bishop of Lucca, Italy
Pescia, Italy, diocese of (proclaimed in 2000 by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-allucio-of-campugliano/
• Paul Buòng
• Paul Buòng Viêt Tông
• Phaolô Buòng Viêt Tông
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Lifelong layman in the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina. Convert to Christianity. Soldier. Captain of the guard for Emperor Ming Mang. Worked with the Society for Foreign Missions. When Ming Mang began a new round of persecutions of Christians, he ordered the apostasy of Christian soldiers; Phaolô refused. He was arrested in 1832, spent a year in prison being tortutred, interrogated for the names of other Christians, and order to renounce the faith; Phaolô refused. He was finally convicted of being a Christian, kicked out of the army and executed. Martyr.
c.1773 in Phu Cam, Phu Xuân (now Hue), Vietnam
beheaded on 23 October 1833 in Tho Ðuc, Saigon, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-phaolo-tong-viet-buong/
The daughter of Dolores Alonso and Nicasio Paniagua. Esther joined the Augustinian Missionary Congregation at age 18, making her perpetual vows in August 1970. Trained as a nurse, she was assigned to a hospital in the Bab El Oued neighborhood of Algiers, Algeria where she was especially drawn to handicapped children, and where she came to love the Arab people and culture. Murdered by members of the Armed Islamic Group while walking to Mass. Martyr.
7 June 1949 in Izagre, León, Spain
shot three times in the head on Sunday 23 October 1994 in Bab-el-Oued, Algiers, Algeria
8 December 2018 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-esther-paniagua-alonso/
The daughter of Sotera Martín and Constantino Álvarez, María joined the Augustinian Missionary Sisters in 1955, and made her perpetual vows on 3 May 1960. She served in Algeria for more than 30 years, working with the poor and the elderly. Murdered by Muslim fundamentalists in the Armed Islamic Group while walking to Mass. Martyr.
9 May 1933 in Santa Cruz de Salceda, Burgos, Spain
shot in the head and neck on Sunday 23 October 1994 in Bab-el-Oued, Algiers, Algeria
8 December 2018 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-caridad-alvarez-martin/
Ignatios, Nicetas
Son of the Byzantine emperor Michael I. Imprisoned for political reasons in a monastery in 813 by Leo the Armenian; there he learned about and entered the religious life, taking the name Ignatius. Monk. Priest. Abbot. Patriach of Constantinople in 842. Fought corruption in civil and religious life, even in the highest offices; refused communion to Bardas Caesar due to his acts of incest. Because of his high standards, Ignatius was exiled from 858 to 867, but eventually returned in triumph.
c.799 in Constantinople as Nicetas
• 23 October 877 of natural causes
• relics in the church of Saint Michael, Constantinople
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ignatius-of-constantinople/
John Bonus
Spent his youth as a jester in Italian courts with his spare time mis-spent in wild living. After a severe illness in 1208, he reformed completely, converted, and became a hermit at Cesena, Italy. His reputation for piety attacted disciples. To escape them, he left one night and walked continuously and aimlessly till dawn. At sunrise he found himself at the front door of his hermitage; he took this as a sign, and turned his energy to organizing his would-be followers. Pope Innocent IV gave them the Augustinian rule, and they formed the basis of the Augustinian hermit friars.
1168 in Mantua, Italy
1249 in Mantua, Italy of natural causes
1483 by Pope Sixtus IV (cultus confirmed)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-buoni/
• Anna Josepha
• Josephine Leroux
• Marie-Joséphine
• Mary Josephine
Ursuline nun at Valenciennes, France, taking the name Josephine. When the convents were suppressed in the French Revolution, she fled to Mons in Hainault (in modern Belgium. She returned to Valenciennes in 1793. She and many of her sisters were arrested and executed for the crime of being faithful Christians. Martyr.
23 January 1747 at Cambrai, Nord, France as Ann-Joseph Leroux
guillotined on 23 October 1794 in Valenciennes, Nord, France
13 June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anne-joseph-leroux/
Breton bishop martyred by pagans while on pilgrimage to Rome, Italy.
• c.286 in Saint-Gratien, diocese of Amiens, France
• his walnut pilgrim's staff was stuck into the ground on the site of his execution; it took root and grew there; as late as 1117, that tree, though stripped bare, would burst into leaf and be covered in fruit on the night of his feast
• relics enshrined in the Coulombs monastery, diocese of Chartres, France in the 11th century
• relics hidden in the palace of the archbishop in Paris, France during the anti-Christian persecutions of the French Revolution
• relics somehow lost in 1830
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gratien-of-amiens/
Sons of Saint Marcellus of Léon. Soldiers in the imperial Roman army. When they were revealed to be Christians, the brothers were chained, tortured, force marched without food, and finally martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
Merida, Spain
• beheaded c.305 on the Hill of Martyrs in San Fernando, Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain
• relics enshrined in Seville, Spain
• Cadiz, Spain
• Merida, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-germanus-of-cadiz/
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-servandus-of-cadiz/
Brother Florencio Martín
Baptized at the age of one day. Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, joining at Cambrils, Spain on 10 November 1927, taking the habit on 14 August 1929, and taking the name Brother Florencio Martín. Began teaching in Barceloneta, Spain in February 1932. A popular teacher noted for his skill in art and singing. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
12 June 1913 in Godos, Teruel, Spain
22 October 1936 in Benimaclet, Valencia, Spain
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-alvaro-ibanez-lazaro/
Brother Ambrosio León
Baptized at the age of four days. Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, joining on 7 November 1925 at Monreal del Campo, Spain and making his vows on 1 February 1930, taking the name Brother Ambrosio León. Taught in Bonanova, Spain in 1932. Dragged of his school militia during the Spanish Civil War, he was exiled and eventually martyred.
7 January 1914 in Ojos Negros, Teruel, Spain
22 October 1936 in Benimaclet, Valencia, Spain
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-pedro-lorente-vicente/
Brother Honorato Andrés
Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, joining in Cambrils on 27 July 1924 and taking the habit on 15 August 1925, taking the name Brother Honorato Andrés. Teacher in Tortosa, Gracia, and then the College of Our Lady of Bonanova in Barcelona, Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
18 April 1908 in Bañón, Teruel, Spain
22 October 1936 in Benimaclet, Valencia, Spain
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-andres-zarraquino-herrero/
Severin, Severino
Bishop of Cologne, Germany. Prominent opponent of Arianism.
Legend says that as a priest, Father Severinus heard a voice saying, "Severinus, you will be bishop of Cologne." He asked, "When?" "When your staff flourishes," came the reply. So, he planted his walking stick into the ground. It took root, and on the day it budded he presented himself in Cologne and was chosen bishop.
Bordeaux, France
c.403 in Cologne, Germany of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severinus-of-cologne/
Thomas Thweng
29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Studied at Douai, France. Priest, ordained in 1665. Returning to England, he served as chaplain for his cousin, Sir Miles Stapleton, and chaplain to a Yorkshire school. Arrested in 1680, accused of involvement in the Titus Oates Plot. Martyr.
1635 in Heworth, North Yorkshire, England
hanged, drawn and quartered on 23 October 1680 in York, North Yorkshire, England
15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-thwing/
Theodore, Teodoreto, Theodoritus
Priest in Antioch (in modern Turkey) where he served as the treasurer of the diocese. Effectively eliminated paganism in area of influence. Imprisoned, tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate for refusing to surrender sacred vessels used in the Mass.
• beheaded in 362 in Antioch, Syria (modern Antakya, Turkey)
• his executioners claimed to have seen angels around him
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodoret-of-antioch/
Courtier to King Clothaire II. Bishop of Rouen, France c.629. He worked to convert the remaining pagans in his diocese, and personally tore down a temple to Venus. He ministered to prisoners, especially those on death row, and was known as a miracle worker.
639 of natural causes
Rouen, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-romanus-of-rouen/
Giovannangelo Porro
Servite at Monte Senario and Milan, Italy. Hermit. Priest. Noted for his love of nature.
1451 at Milan, Italy
1504 of natural causes
15 July 1737 by Pope Clement XII (cultus confirmed)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-angelo-porro/
• Benedict of Poitiers
• Benedict of Quincay
Bishop of Sebaste, Samaria. During the persecutions of Julian the Apostate, Benedict fled to Gaul. Hermit near Poitiers, France where he attracted so many would-be students that the monastery later known as Saint Benedict of Quincay grew up around his hermitage.
c.654
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benedict-of-sebaste/
Celebrated in honor of the graces and benefits of the Redemption. It was instituted at Venice, Italy in 1576 in thanksgiving for the cessation of a plague, and is now found only in the special calendar of some dioceses and religious orders.
https://catholicsaints.info/feast-of-the-most-holy-redeemer/
Elfleda, Elflaeda, Ethelflaeda, Ethelfleda
Daughter of King Edward the Elder. Nun and then abbess of Ramsey Abbey where she was a sister with Saint Merewenna.
c.970
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ethelfleda/
Princess. Married to the Duke of Aquitaine (in modern France. Widow. Devoted her life after marriage, and her fortune, to care of the poor and suffering.
• c.723 of natural causes
• shrine at Amay, near Liege, Belgium
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-oda-of-aquitaine/
Cleer, Clydog, Scledog, Clitanus, Cleodius
Known in Wales and Cornwall; several churches are dedicated to him. No details about him have survived.
c.520
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-clether-23-october/
Eight-century deacon and hermit near Amiens, France. Spiritual teacher of Saint Ulphia of Amiens.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-domitius/
Aelflead
Born an Anglo-Saxon princess and widow, she lived as an anchoress in Glastonbury, England, and was highly revered by Saint Dunstan of Canterbury.
c.936
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elfleda/
Sixth-century governor of the town of Negran in Arabia Felix. Martyred with a large number of Christians in the persecutions of Dunaan.
523
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-arethas-of-negran/
Studied at the University of Paris. One of the first Dominicans. First prior at Cologne, Germany. Friend of Blessed Jordan.
1225
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-henry-of-cologne/
Nun at Faremoutiers, France. Abbess of Châlons-sur-Marne, France.
c.660
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-syra-of-faremoutiers/
Dorotheus of Adrianopolis
Martyr.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dorotheus-of-hadrianopolis/
Fourth-century bishop of Salerno, Italy. Fought heresy to maintain orthodox Christianity in his see.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-verus-of-salerno/
Priest in Bithynia (modern Iznik, Turkey). Martyr.
c.230 in Nicaea
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-socrates-of-nicaea/
Bishop of Syracuse, Sicily in 595.
c.609
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-syracuse-23-october/
Severus of Adrianopolis
Martyr.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severus-of-hadrianopolis/
Amon
Fourth-century bishop of Toul, France.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-amo-of-toul/
Martyr.
c.230 in Nicaea
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-euerotas-of-nicaea/
Martyr.
c.230 in Nicaea
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodota-of-nicaea/
A group of Urusuline and Briggittine nuns murdered together in the anti-Christian excesses of the French Revolution.
• Anne-Joseph Leroux
• Clotilde-Joseph Paillot
• Jeanne-Louise Barré
• Marie-Augustine Erraux
• Marie-Liévine Lacroix
• Marie-Marguerite-Joseph Leroux
guillotined on 23 October 1794 in Valenciennes, Nord, France
13 June 1920 by Pope Benedict XV
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-valenciennes-23-october/
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them, but in most cases I have only found very minimal information. They are available on the CatholicSaints.Info site through these links:
• Agapit Gorgues Manresa
• Anatolio García Nozal
• Andrés Navarro Sierra
• Eduardo Valverde Rodríguez
• Eufrasio de Celis Santos
• Fulgencio Calvo Sánchez
• Honorino Carracedo Ramos
• José María Cuartero Gascón
• Justiniano Cuesta Redondo
• Leonardo Olivera Buera
• Manuel Navarro Martínez
• Tomás Cuartero Gascón
• Bartholomew of Breganze
• Bertrand of Grandselve
• Søren of Ry
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