| 27 January |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Optional Memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin |
• Angela of Merici
• Angela de Marici
Franciscan tertiary at age 15. She received a vision telling her she would inspire devout women in their vocation.
In Crete, during a pilgrimage to Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return home, but she insisted on going on, visiting the shrines with as much devotion and enthusiasm as if she had her sight. On the way home, while praying before a crucifix, her sight was restored at the same place where it had been lost.
In 1535 she gathered a group of girl students and began what would become the Institute of Saint Ursula (Ursuline Sisters), founded to teach children, beginning with religion and later expanding into secular topics; her first schools were in the Italian cities of Desenazno and Brescia.
21 March 1474 at Desenzano, Lake Garda, Italy
• 24 January 1540 at Brescia, Italy
• interred in the church of Saint Afra, Brescia, Italy
• body incorrupt
24 May 1807 by Pope Pius VII
• against bodily ills, illness, sickness
• against the death of parents
• disabled, handicapped or physically challenged people
• sick people
• cloak
• ladder
• tall ladder with young women climbing it
Spiritual Testament
Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family. - Saint Angela Merici
We must give alms. Charity wins souls and draws them to virtue. - Saint Angela Merici
As our Savior says: "A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit." He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart as well as a soul on fire with charity, can do nothing but good and holy works. For this reason Saint Augustine said: "Love, and do what you will," namely, possess love and charity and then do what you will. It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin. Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased. Be sincerely kind to every one according to the words of our Lord: "Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Thus you are imitating God, of whom it is said: "He has disposed all things pleasantly." And again Jesus said: "My yoke is easy and my burden light." - from Spiritual Testament by Saint Angela Merici
If according to times and needs you should be obliged to make fresh rules and change current things, do it with prudence and good advice. - Saint Angela Merici
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-angela-merici/
• George Matulaitis
• Jerzy Matulevicz
• Jorge Matulaitis
• Jurgis Matulewicz
• Jurgis Matulaitis-Matulevicius
Born to a poor farm family, the youngest of eight children at a time when Lithuania was under the control of Tsarist Russia. Orphaned at age ten. Developed tuberculosis of the bone in his leg, in his early teens; he suffered with it the rest of his life. Entered the seminary in Poland in 1891, studied in the major seminary in Warsaw, studied theology in Saint Petersburg, Russia, earned his doctorate of theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Spiritual student of Blessed Honorat Kozminski. Ordained on 20 November 1898 in the Congregation of Marian Fathers. Taught Latin and canon law in the seminary in the diocese of Kielce, Poland. Worked for the betterment of the working poor. Head of the Sociology section of Saint Petersburg Academy in 1907. Taught dogmatic theology. Vice-rector of the Academy. Noted teacher, preacher, spiritual director, and confessor. Reformed the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in 1910, changing their constitution, habit, vows, and way of life, resigning his position at the Academy to work for the Marians revitalization; superior general of the Congregation on 14 July 1911. Founded the Congregation of Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in 1918. Founded the Sisters Servants of the Jesus in the Eucharist in Belarus. Reluctant bishop of Vilnius, Lithuania on 23 October 1918. The city was divided into warring camps loyal to the various forces of the First World War, and George fought constantly to defend the right of the Church and the freedom of the citizens. Founded the Handmaids of Jesus in the Eucharist in 1919. He retired from his see on 14 July 1925; on 1 September 1925 he was made titular archbishop and Apostolic Visitator to Lithuania. Dispatched by the Vatican to complete a concordant with the Lithuanian government to restore diplomatic relations; he succeded just before his death.
13 April 1871 at Lugine, Lithuania
27 January 1927 of appendicitis at Kaunas, Lithuania
28 June 1987 by Pope John Paul II
After the example of Christ I embrace all of you. I am ready to die for the truth. I wish to be to all of you a real Father, Shepherd, Imitator of Christ. My field of labor is Christ's kingdom the Church, my party is Christ. - Blessed George's first address as bishop of Vilnius, Lithuania
Overcome evil with good. - Blessed George's personal motto; taken from Saint Paul the Apostle; inscribed on George's coat of arms
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jurgis-matulaitis-matulewicz/
Enrique, Henry
The youngest of three children born to Jaime and Micaela de Osso y Cervello. Enric felt an early call to the priesthood, which his mother supported but his father opposed. At age 12 Enric was sent to Quinto de Ebro to learn the textile business from his uncle. There Henry became seriously ill, and upon his recovery, had to return home; he stopped first at Our Lady of the Pillar to give thanks for his health.
His mother died in the cholera epidemic of 1854, and the boy was sent to Reus to apprentice in the textile business there. Enric sought refuge and a new home in the Montserrat monastery. His brother James took him home, and his father finally began to understand the boy's desire to follow his vocation. He relented, and Enric studied at Barcelona, Spain where he was a sub-deacon, and at Tortosa, Spain. Classmate with Blessed Emmanuel Domingo y Sol. Ordained on 21 September 1867, celebrating his first Mass at Montserrat, Spain.
He taught mathmatics at the Tortosa seminary. Had a great devotion to Saint Teresa of Avila, and sought to bring her reforming zeal to his preaching and parish missions. Founded the Association of Young Catholic Daughters of Mary and Saint Teresa of Jesus in 1873, the Institute of Josephine Brothers (Josephine Sisterhood) in 1876, and the Congregation of Saint Teresa (the Teresian Missionaries). This group received papal approval in 1877, and the sisters serve today in Europe, Africa and Mexico.
Founded and wrote extensively for the publications El Hombre (The Man), El Amigo del Pueble (The Friend of the People), and Revista Teresiana (The Teresian Review). He aimed much of his writings and teachings to women. He published works aimed at a female audience on prayer and living the spiritual life. Was working with Blessed Emmanuel Domingo y Sol to develop a Josephite order for men when he died.
16 October 1840 at Vinebre, Tarragona, Spain
• 27 January 1896 at Gilet, Valencia, Spain of a stroke
• relics re-interred at the chapel at the Teresian Missionaries at Tortona in July 1908
16 June 1993 by Pope John Paul II at Madrid, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-enric-de-osso-y-cervello/
• Sister Maria of Jesus
• Sister Maria di Gesù Santocanale
• Carolina Concetta Angela Santocanale
Born to the nobility, part of the family of the barons of Celsa Reale near Palermo, Italy. Baptized at the age of three days, made her first Communion at age eight, and received a good education. In her late teens she became the target for offers of marriage, but began to feel a call to religious life. Spiritual student of Father Mauro Venuti. Leader of the Daughters of Mary in the parish of San Antonio Abate in Palermo at age 21. The call to religious life became stronger, but she was torn between the contemplative cloister and working with the sick, poor, disabled and abandoned on Palermo. Hoping to combine the two, she became a Franciscan tertiary, taking the name Sister Maria di Gesù. Her family strongly objected to her choice, especially when she and some like-minded tertiaries began going door to door in poor neighborhoods, wearing a backpack of supplies, helping the sick, feeding the poor. Founded the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate of Lourdes on 24 January 1923 to continue her work; it continues to do so today.
2 October 1852 in Palermo, Italy as Carolina Concetta Angela Santocanale
27 January 1923 in Cinisi, Palermo, Italy of natural causes
• 12 June 2016 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova, Monreale, Italy presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-carolina-santocanale/
Giovanni Schiavo
Eldest of nine children born to Luiz, a shoemaker, and Rosa Schiavo. At one point in his youth, João suffered through four years of meningitis, which nearly killed him. He joined the Josephites of Murialdo (Murialdines) in 1917 where he came to know Venerable Eugenio Ruffo. Ordained a priest on 10 July 1927 in Vincenza, Italy, and served as a parish priest in Modena and Oderzo. Missionary to Brazil, arriving in Jaguarão on 5 September 1931. On 25 November 1931, he moved to Ana Rech and started working at Colégio Murialdo. In 1935, he moved to Galópolis, Brazil where he ran a school and a parish. In 1937, he assumed the direction of Colégio Murialdo and the coordination of the Josephine priests in Ana Rech. In 1956 he moved to the Josefino Seminary of Fazenda Souza and worked for the formation of the Murialdine Sisters of Saint Joseph.
8 July 1903 in Sant'Urbano de Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza, Italy
at 9:30am on 27 January 1967 in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil of liver damage from hepatitis and liver cancer
• 28 October 2017 by Pope Francis
• beatification celebrated in the Pavilhões da Festa da Uva, Caxias do Sul, Brazil, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
• his beatification miracle involved the cure from acute peritonitis of Juvelino Cara on 9 September 1997
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-joao-schiavo/
• 26 January (blessed bread is distributed to families in the Riva San Vitaly, Italy on the eve of his memorial)
• Sunday following 27 January (procession of his relics)
Born to an esteemed Milanese family. Priest of the parishes of Cuasso, Cuasso al Piano, Cuasso al Monte, Brusimpiano and Porto Ceresio Besano in the diocese of Milan. Hermit on Monte San Giorgio, Italy. His reputation for piety spread, which led to a series of people asking for his advice, and his intercession in a plague in 1207; he recommended pilgrimages to the tombs of saints and to ask for their intercession, which worked. Miracle worker.
latter 12th century Milan, Italy
• 27 January 1217 in Riva San Vitaly, Lombardy, Italy of natural causes
• the bells throught the region miraculously rang at the hour of his death
• buried in Riva San Vitaly at the foot of Monte San Giogio
• relics enshrined in a marble sacrophagus in 1387
• relics re-enshrined in an urn at the high altar in 1633
• relics re-enshrined in the Como, Italy in 1888
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-manfredo-settala/
Dévote
Member of the household of the imperial Roman senator Eutychiu, Devota wanted to devote herself to a life of God, but was imprisoned, tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian by order of the prefect Barbarus. Tradition says that flowers bloom out of season on her feast day.
Mariana, Corsica, France
• tortured to death on the rack c.303
• prefect Barbarus ordered her body burned to prevent veneration, but it was stolen by Christians and put on a boat to Africa to receive Christian burial there; when a storm threatened the boat, a dove flew from Devote's mouth, the storm abated and the bird guided the boat to Les Gaumetes (in modern Monaca)
• she was buried near a shrine of Saint George
• a chapel was soon built at her grave, which survives today
• relics at Riviera de Porenta, Monaco
• Corsica
• Monaco
dove
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-devota/
Alrun, Mother of the Poor
Born to the nobility, a member of the house of Cham, she was married to the Mazalin, Count of Portis, and the mother of one son. Widowed, she converted her castle into a hospital for the poor, and lived as a prayerful recluse at the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maritius in Niederaltaich, Bavaria, Germany. She became known for spiritual insights and wisdom, and was a much-sought advisor.
c.990 in Vohburg castle on the Danube River in Bavaria, Germany
• 27 January 1045 in Niederaltaich, Bavaria, Germany of a fever
• buried in the crypt under the altar of Saint Oswald in the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maritius in Niederaltaich
• relics enshrined at the altar of Saints Heinrich and Kunigunde in the abbey church on 16 September 1731
• following a damaging fire, her relics were enshrined in a glass reliquary in the monastery church in 1800
• against fever
• pregnant women
Benedictine nun with a discarded crown
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-alruna-of-cham/
Vitalianus
Son of Anastasius; nothing else is known of Vitalian before his election to the papacy. Chosen 76th pope in 657. His pontificate was marked by constant conflict with the eastern patriarchs and leaders over their support of Monothelite heresy. Helped settle the conflict between English and Irish bishops over the date of Easter. Sent Saint Adrian of Canterbury and Saint Theodore of Tarsus to England, which strengthened the ties between the bishops there with Rome. Came into conflict with archbishop Maurus of Ravenna who declared his see independent from Vatican control; he and the pope excommunicated each other, and emperor Constans II intervened on the side of the archbishop, and it wasn't until 682 that the controversy ended.
at Segni, Campania, Italy
• elected on 2 June 657
• enthroned on 30 July 657
• 27 January 672
• interred in Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-vitalian/
Maire, Marino, Mario, Mary, Maurus, May, Mere
Monk. Founder of Bodon abbey at La-Val-Benois, diocese of Sisteron, France and served as its first abbot. Pilgrim to the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours. Pilgrim to the tomb of Saint Dionysius near Paris, France. There he became sick, but was restored to health by an apparition of Saint Dionysius. During a Lenten retreat, Marius received a prophetic vision of barbarian invasion of the region, and the destruction of his monastery. The village of Saint-May is named in his honour, and the first biography of the saint was written by one of his spiritual students, Bishop Lucretius of Die, France.
late 5th-century Orleans, France
• 27 January 555 at La-Val-Benois monastery, Sisteron, France of natural causes
• when the monastery was destroyed, his relics were translated to Forcalquier, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-marius-of-bodon/
Giuliano di Sora
Arrested, tortured, and executed in the persecutions of Antoninus Pius. While he was in custody, a pagan temple collapsed, destroying the statue in it; Julian was immediately accused of magic and of having caused the destruction, and was immediately executed.
Dalmatia
• beheaded c.150 at in a collapsed pagan temple in Sora, Campania, Italy
• relics enshrined in a church built on the site of his execution
• relics re-discovered on 2 October 1612, and transferred to the church of the Holy Spirit in Costanza Sforza Boncompagni, Italy on 6 April 1614
• relics re-enshrined c.1800 in the cathedral in Sora
Accettura, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julian-of-sora/
Born to the Roman nobility. First bishop of Le Mans, France. Evangelized around Le Mans, an area under the influence of the old Roman pantheon and the Druids. When he felt he was growing too old to effectively discharge his office, he retired to live as a hermit at Sarthe. Many extravagant miracles were attributed to him by writers long after his death. Due to the Norman invasions, his name was carried to several parishes in England.
• 3rd century at Sarthe, Gaul (modern Sant-Marceaux, France) of natural causes
• relics translated to the cathedral of Notre-Dame-du-Pré at Le Mans, France in 1254
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julian-of-le-mans/
Professed cleric in the Sons of the Holy Family. In 1935-1936 he was in the military, serving during the week and studying in seminary on when off duty. At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, the seminary closed and he was mustered out of the army; he moved to Barcelona, Spain and worked in a soap factory. Arrested and executed for his faith.
12 March 1913 in Albelda, Huesca, Spain
• 27 January 1937 in Montcada, Barcelona, Spain
• body has not been located
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antonio-mascaro-colomina/
A sailor who, in Lima, Peru in 1603, joined the Mercedarians at the Convent of Mercy. Served as doorman and porter for his house. Chaplain of the Mercedarian house of Callao, Peru. Noted for his deep prayer life, his charity to the indigenous people and the poor, his miraculous ability to heal by prayer, and by visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1540 in Amarante, Portugal
• 27 January 1618 in Callao, Peru of natural causes
• interred in the Mercedarian church in Lima
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gonzalo-diaz-di-amarante/
• Jean-Marie Muzeeyi
• Jean-Marie the Elder
3 June as one of the Martyrs of Uganda
Mbogo clan. Member of the Ugandan royal court. Convert. One of the Martyrs of Uganda who died in the Mwangan persecutions, the last one to die in that persecution.
at Buganda, Uganda
beheaded on 27 January 1887 at Mengo, Uganda
18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-maria-muzeyi/
Soeur Saint Celeste
2 January as one of the Martyrs of Anjou
Our Lady of Calvary Benedictine nun of the diocese of Angers, France. Martyred in the persecutions of the French Revolution.
12 August 1745 in Saint-Pierre de Chemillé, Maine-et-Loire, France
beheaded on 27 January 1794 in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, France
19 February 1984 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-rosalie-du-verdier-de-la-soriniere/
One of the first of the Poor Clare nun, joining the Order in 1213 at the San Damiano convent in Assisi, Italy, and accepted into the Order by Saint Clare of Assisi herself. She became a friend, companion and spiritual student of Saint Clare, and testified in the canonization process of Saint Clare. She was considered a model of the virtues sought by Poor Clares.
• c.1257 in Assisi, Italy of natural causes
• buried at the convent of San Damiano in Assisi
• re-interred at the convent of San Giogio in Assisi in 1260
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-benvenuta-of-perugia/
• John of Saint Omer
• John of Thérouanne
Spiritual student of Saint Ivo of Chartres. Canon regular at Mont-Saint-Eloi. Archdeacon of Arles. Bishop of Thérouanne, which he accepted only under papal order. Founded several monasteries. While he had a reputation for strictness to discipline for himself, he was seen to be very gentle with people as individuals, even refusing to prosecute some would-be assassins.
Warneton, French Flanders
27 January 1130 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-of-warneton/
Priest in the diocese of Speyer, Germany. Founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family.
25 July 1821 in Germersheim, Rhineland Palatinate (modern Germany)
27 January 1862 in Pirmasens, Rhineland Palatinate (modern Germany) of natural causes
• 22 October 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated at the cathedral at Speyer, Germany
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-paul-josef-nardini/
Gilduino
Devout young canon at Dol, Brittany (in modern France). Elected bishop of Dol, he felt unworthy of the post, and travelled to Rome, Italy to plead his case to Pope Gregory VII, who released him from the charge. Gilduin died on the road home from Rome. Miracles reported at his tomb.
1052
1077 near Chartres, France natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gilduin/
Domitian of Palestine
Spiritual student of Saint Euthymius the Great. Desert hermit. Evangelizing preacher in the Caphar Baricha region. Founded the monastery of the Sahel. Ordained as a deacon in 429 by Bishop Juvenal of Jerusalem. When Saint Euthymius died, Domitian lived as a hermit near his tomb.
27 January 473 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-domitian-of-melitene-27-january/
Theodoric II
Benedictine monk at Saint-Pierre-le-Vif monastery, Sens, France. Royal counselor. Bishop of Orleans, France. Died while on pilgrimage the them tombs of the Apostles in Rome, Italy.
1022 in Tonnerre, Burgundy, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodoric-of-orleans/
Favored courtier to Lorenzo de' Medici. Camaldolese hermit in 1502. After his ordination, Michael was walled up in his hermitage where he spent his remaining twenty years. Had the gift of prophecy.
c.1445 at Florence, Italy
1522 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-michael-pini/
Naal of Ulster
Spiritual student of Saint Columba. One of the great founders of monasticism in northern Ireland. Abbot of monasteries of Naile, Daunhinis, and Cill. A well in the region honors his memory.
6th century Irish
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-natalis-of-ulster/
Emerus, Memerius
Son of Saint Candida of Bañoles. Benedictine monk. Founded Saint Stephen of Bañoles Abbey, Catalonia, Spain. His mother lived in a hermitage near the abbey.
France
8th century of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-emerius-of-banoles/
Mother of Saint Emerius of Bañoles. Lived as a anchoress near Saint Stephen of Bañoles Abbey, Garona, Spain.
in Spain
c.798 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-candida-of-banoles/
Bishop of Châlons-sur-Saone, France. Friend and correspondent with Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Noted for his charity to the sick and poor in his diocese.
610 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lupus-of-chalons/
Cistercian monk in Paris, France. He died while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
12th century of natural causes
27 January 1227 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bruno-of-paris/
Felice
Sixth-century spiritual student of Saint Placidus of Messina. Bishop of Messina, Sicily, Italy.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-felix-of-messina/
Martyr. No other reliable information has survived.
in Africa
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-donatus-of-africa-27-january/
Martyr.
in Africa
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-avitus/
A group of 30 Christians martyred together by Arian Vandals. The only details to have survived are four of their names - Datius, Julian, Reatrus and Vincent.
c.500 in North Africa
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-north-africa-27-january/
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