Calendar of Saints - 26 October

26 October	• yesterday • tomorrow

Ark of the Convenant - Mary Our Mediatrix, by Cardinal Alexis-Henri-Marie Lépicier

Meditations for Layfolk - Peace, by Father Bede Jarrett

Blessed José Gregorio Hernandez-Cisneros

Memorial Note

his memorial would traditionally been on 29 June, but it was changed so as to not conflict with the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul celebrated on that day

Profile

The eldest of six children born to Benigno María Hernández Manzaneda and Josefa Antonia Cisneros Mansilla; he was baptized on 30 January 1865 and confirmed on 6 December 1867. Beginning at age 18, he studied medicine at the University of Caracas, Venezuela, graduating on 29 June 1888, and then in Paris, France and Berlin, Germany. Feeling called to religious life, José joined the Secular Franciscans on 7 December 1899, and began investigating becoming a Carthusian monk. After some theology studies in Rome, Italy, he was forced to return to Caracas for health reasons. José took this as a sign that he should give up the idea of religious life, and serve an apostolate as a physician. That’s how he spent the rest of his life - single, celibate, prayerful and dedicated to caring for the poor for free.

Born

26 October 1864 in Isnotú, Trujillo, Venezuela

Died

• hit by a car on 29 June 1919 in Caracas, Venezuela while delivering medications he had purchased for an elderly patient
• relics enshrined in the church of Our Lady of Candelaria in Caracas

Beatified

• 30 April 2021 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, Apostolic Nuncio Aldo Giordano presiding
• his beatification miracle involved the healing of Yaxury Solorzano, a 10 year old girl in the diocese of San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela who had been shot in the head with a shotgun during an armed robbery on 10 March 2017; she was badly injured, with pellets in her brain; because there was delay in obtaining a neurosurgeon, her mother began to pray for the intercession of then Venerable José Gregorio; the girl improved, surgery was cancelled and she was released a few days later in good health

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jose-gregorio-hernandez-cisneros/

Blessed Damian dei Fulcheri

Also known as

• Damian of Finario
• Damian of Fulcheri
• Damian of Finale
• Damian of Finarium
• Damiano, Damianus

Profile

Born to wealthy Italian nobility. When he was kidnapped as an infant by a mentally ill man, his parents prayed fervently to the Virgin Mary for help; searchers were led to his hiding place by a miraculous light, and the baby was returned unharmed. Damien joined the Dominicans at Savona, Italy. Priest. Famous preacher throughout Italy with hundreds converted during his missions. Known as a miracle worker in life, there were miracles reported at his tomb, and he became the object of popular devotion almost immediately on his death.

Born

at Fulcheri, Liguria, Italy

Died

1484 at Modena, Reggio d'Emilia, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

4 August 1848 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmed)

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

God of truth, for the salvation of the faithful you endowed Blessed Damian with wondrous virtues and powers of speech. Through his prayers may we hear your word with an open heart and hold fast to it with patience. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. - General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-damian-dei-fulcheri/

Saint Alfred the Great

Profile

Youngest of five sons of King Ethelwulf of Wessex. Ideal Christian king of Wessex, he came to the throne during a Danish invasion. Alfred defeated the Danes and preserved the growth of the Church in England. Patron of learning, he established a court school, invited British and foreign scholars to work there. Personally translated several religious works into Anglo-Saxon. His laws made no distinction between British and Welsh subjects, a first.

Born

849 at Wantage, Berkshire, England

Died

26 October 899 of natural causes

Writings

• "The Consolation of Philosophy" of Boethius
• "The History of the World" of Orosius
• "Ecclesiastical History" of Bede
• "Pastoral Rule" of Saint Gregory the Great
• "Dialogues" of Saint Gregory the Great

Readings

We pray to you, O Lord, who are the surpeme Truth, and all truth is from you. We beseech you, O Lord, who are the highest Wisdom, and all the wise depend on you for their wisdom. You are the supreme Joy, and all who are happy owe it to you. You are the Light of minds, and all receive their understanding from you. We love, we love you above all. We seek you, we follow you, and we are ready to serve you. We desire to dwell under your power for you are the King of all. Amen. - Saint Alfred the Great

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alfred-the-great/

Saint Cedd

Also known as

Cedda, Cedde, Ceddus, Ceddi, Ceadwalla

Profile

Brother of Saint Chad and Saint Cynibild; his brother Caelin was also a priest. Benedictine monk at Lindisfarne, England. Spiritual student of Saint Aidan of Lindesfarne. Priest. Missionary to the Midlands of England in 653, sent by King Oswiu of Northumbria with three other priests at the request of convert King Peada of the Middle Angles. Worked with Saint Diuma. Missionary in Essex by request of converted King Sigebert of the East Angles. Bishop of the East Saxons, consecrated by Saint Finan of Iona. Founded churches and monasteries at Bradwell-on-the-Sea, Lastingham, and Tilbury, and served as abbot of the house in Lastingham. Attended the Synod of Whitby in 664 where he acted as an interpreter, and at which he accepted Roman Easter observance. In his old age he retired to the monastery at Lastingham, Yorkshire.

Born

Northumbria, England

Died

• 26 October 664 at Lastingham, Yorkshire, England of plague
• buried at Lastingham
• relics later relocated next to the altar in the new church at Lastingham

Representation

• bishop with chalice and abbot's staff
• with Saint Chad
• with Saint Diuma

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

Blessed Bonaventura of Potenza

Also known as

• Bonaventure of Potenza
• Carlo Antonio
• Carlo Antonio Gerardo Lavanga
• Karl Antonius

Profile

Joined the Friars Minor Conventual at Nocera, Italy at age 15. Home missioner in southern Italy, serving from convents in Campania Aversa, Maddaloni, Amalfi, Ischia, Nocera Inferiore, Sorrento, Naples and finally, Ravello. Noted novice master, and known for the theological depth of his preaching. Worked fearlessly with plague victims. A miracle worker, he had the gifts of healing, and of levitation, and saw the soul of his sister ascend into heaven.

Born

4 January 1651 of Potenza, Naples, Italy as Antonio Carlo Gerardo Lavanga

Died

26 October 1711 in Ravello, Italy of gangrene while singing a psalm during a religious ecstasy

Beatified

26 November 1775 by Pope Pius VI (cultus confirmed)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bonaventura-of-potenza/

Blessed Celina Chludzinska

Also known as

• Celina Chludzinska Borzecka
• Celina Rosalie Leonard

Profile

Celina was early drawn to religious life, but acceded to her parent's wishes and married Joseph Borzecka in 1853. Mother for four, two of whom died in infancy. Widow. Founded the Congregation of Sisters of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Born

29 October 1833 in Antavilis, Vilniaus rajonas, Poland (now in Lithuania)

Died

26 October 1913 in Kraków, Maloploskie, Poland of natural causes

Beatified

27 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-celina-chludzinska/

Saint Lucian

Profile

Spent his early life as a demon worshipper and sorcerer. When a Christian woman fended off his spells simply by making the Sign of the Cross, he gave up his idolatrous life and converted to Christianity. He turned his devotion to study of magic to a study of the faith, and like many a convert, spent the rest of his days explaining and working against the error of his earlier life. Martyred in the persecutions Decius.

Died

c.250

Patronage

• converts
• possessed people

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

Saint Fulk of Piacenza

Also known as

• Fulk of Pavia
• Foulques

Profile

Canon. Studied in Paris, France. Archpriest and then bishop of Piacenza, Italy. Bishop of Pavia, Italy in 1216, chosen by Pope Honorius III.

Born

• 1164 in Piacenza, Italy
• his parents were from Scotland

Died

1229 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fulk-of-piacenza/

Blessed Arnold of Queralt

Also known as

Arnaldo

Profile

Mercedarian lay knight at the royal convent of Santa Maria d'Ausonia in Spain. Suffered great abuse from Saracens for remaining Christian in Muslim occupied Spain.

Died

convent of Santa Maria d'Ausonia in Spain of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-arnold-of-queralt/

Saint Albinus of Büraburg

Also known as

Albino, Vitta, Vito, Witta, Wittanus, Wizo, Wintanus

Profile

Benedictine monk. Missionary to Germany with Saint Boniface. Only bishop of Büraburg, (part of the modern Archdiocese of Mainz, Germany) in 741.

Born

8th century Anglo-Saxon England as Witta

Died

c.748 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-albinus-of-buraburg/

Saint Valentine of Segovia

Profile

Brother of Saint Fructus of Segovia and Saint Engratia of Segovia. Martyred by invading Moors.

Born

at Sepulveda, Castile (in modern Spain)

Died

• c.715
• relics at Segovia, Spain

Patronage

Segovia, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-valentine-of-segovia/

Saint Engratia of Segovia

Profile

Sister of Saint Fructus of Segovia and Saint Valentine of Segovia. Martyred by invading Moors.

Born

at Sepulveda, Castile (in modern Spain)

Died

• c.715
• relics at Segovia, Spain

Patronage

Segovia, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-engratia-of-segovia/

Saint Amandus of Strasbourg

Also known as

Amand, Amando, Amatius, Amantius

Profile

First bishop of Strasbourg, France.

Died

346 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-amandus-of-strasbourg/

Blessed Bernard de Figuerols

Also known as

Bernardo

Profile

Mercedarian lay knight. Fought invading Moors in Almería, Spain.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bernard-de-figuerols/

Saint Cuthbert of Canterbury

Profile

Born to the nobility. Monk and then abbot at Lyminge Abbey in Kent, England. Bishop of Hereford, England c.736. Archbishop of Canterbury, England c.740.