| 27 June |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Optional Memorial of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church |
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
The picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour is painted on wood, with background of gold. It is Byzantine in style and is supposed to have been painted in the thirteenth century. It represents the Mother of God holding the Divine Child while the Archangels Michael and Gabriel present before Him the instruments of His Passion. Over the figures in the picture are some Greek letters which form the abbreviated words Mother of God, Jesus Christ, Archangel Michael, and Archangel Gabriel respectively.
It was brought to Rome towards the end of the fifteenth century by a pious merchant, who, dying there, ordered by his will that the picture should be exposed in a church for public veneration. It was exposed in the church of San Matteo, Via Merulana, between Saint Mary Major and Saint John Lateran. Crowds flocked to this church, and for nearly three hundred years many graces were obtained through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. The picture was then popularly called the Madonna di San Matteo. The church was served for a time by the Hermits of Saint Augustine, who had sheltered their Irish brethren in their distress.
These Augustinians were still in charge when the French invaded Rome, Italy in 1812 and destroyed the church. The picture disappeared; it remained hidden and neglected for over forty years, but a series of providential circumstances between 1863 and 1865 led to its discovery in an oratory of the Augustinian Fathers at Santa Maria in Posterula. The pope, Pius IX, who as a boy had prayed before the picture in San Matteo, became interested in the discovery and in a letter dated 11 Dececember 1865 to Father General Mauron, C.SS.R., ordered that Our Lady of Perpetual Succour should be again publicly venerated in Via Merulana, and this time at the new church of Saint Alphonsus. The ruins of San Matteo were in the grounds of the Redemptorist Convent. This was but the first favour of the Holy Father towards the picture. He approved of the solemn translation of the picture (26 April 1866), and its coronation by the Vatican Chapter (23 June 1867). He fixed the feast as duplex secundae classis, on the Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and by a decree dated May 1876, approved of a special office and Mass for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. This favour later on was also granted to others. Learning that the devotion to Our Lady under this title had spread far and wide, Pius IX raised a confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Saint Alphonsus, which had been erected in Rome, to the rank of an arch-confraternity and enriched it with many privileges and indulgences. He was among the first to visit the picture in its new home, and his name is the first in the register of the arch-confraternity.
Two thousand three hundred facsimiles of the Holy Picture have been sent from Saint Alphonsus's church in Rome to every part of the world. At the present day not only altars, but churches and dioceses (e.g. in England, Leeds and Middlesbrough; in the United States, Savannah) are dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In some places, as in the United States, the title has been translated Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
• Haiti
• archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• diocese of Buxar, India
• diocese of Hallam, England
• diocese of Leeds, England
• diocese of Middlesbrough, England
• diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota
• diocese of Salina, Kansas
• diocese of Savannah, Georgia
• Labrador City, Labrador
• Yorkton, Saskatchewan
• Porto Cesareo, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-perpetual-help/
Among the thousands of Christians murdered by various Communist regimes in their hatred of the faith, there were 25 members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, priests, bishops, sisters and lay people, whose stories are sufficiently well documented that we know they were murdered specifically for their faith in eastern Europe, and whose Causes for Canonization were opened. Their Causes were combined, and they were beatified together. They have separate memorials, but are remembered together today. They are -
• Andrii Ischak • Hryhorii Khomyshyn • Hryhorii Lakota • Ivan Sleziuk • Ivan Ziatyk • Klymentii Sheptytskyi • Leonid Feodorov • Levkadia Harasymiv • Mykola Konrad • Mykola Tsehelskyi • Mykolai Charnetskyi • Mykyta Budka • Oleksa Zarytskyi • Ol'Ha Bida • Ol'Ha Matskiv • Petro Verhun • Roman Lysko • Stepan Baranyk • Symeon Lukach • Vasyl Vsevolod Velychkovskyi • Volodomyr Bairak • Volodymyr Ivanovych Pryima • Yakym Senkivsky • Yosafat Kotsylovskyi • Zenon Kovalyk
27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II in Ukraine
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-killed-under-communist-regimes-in-eastern-europe/
Nephew of Theophilus the Patriarch. Monk. Priest. Bishop and patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt on 18 October 412. Suppressed the Novatians. Worked at the Council of Ephesus. Fought against Nestorius who taught the heresy that there were two persons in Christ. Catechetical writer. Wrote a book opposing Julian the Apostate. Greek Father of the Church. Doctor of the Church.
376 at Alexandria, Egypt
• 444 at Alexandria, Egypt of natural causes
• relics in Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt
• book, pen or scroll, indicative of his work as a writer
• Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, representing his advocacy of the doctrine of Mary as Mother of God
By nature, each one of us is enclosed in his own personality, but supernaturally, we are all one. We are made one body in Christ, because we are nourished by one flesh. As Christ is indivisible, we are all one in him. Therefore, He asked His Father "that they may all be One as We also are one." - Saint Cyril of Alexandria
That anyone could doubt the right of the holy Virgin to be called the Mother of God fills with astonishment. Surely she must be the Mother of God if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, and she gave birth to him! Our Lord's disciples may not have used those exact words, but they delivered to us the belief those words enshrine, and this has also been taught us by the holy fathers. The divinely inspired Scriptures affirm that the Word of God was made flesh, that is to say, he was united to a human body endowed with a rational soul. He undertook to help the descendants of Abraham, fashioning a body for himself from a woman and sharing our flesh and blood, to enable us to see in him not only God, but also, by reason of this union, a man like ourselves. It is held, therefore, that there is in Emmanuel two entities, divinity and humanity. Yet our Lord Jesus Christ is nonetheless one, the one true Son, both God and man; not a defied man on the same footing as those who share the divine nature by grace, but true God who for our sake appeared in human form. We are assured of this by Saint Paul's declaration: "When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. - from a letter by Saint Cyril of Alexandria
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyril-of-alexandria/
Related to the French nobility, Louise was the fifth of six children born to Raimondo Amato and Anna de Raffin; her father was a civil servant. Louise studied at the Faithful Companions of Jesus College, made her First Communion on 6 June 1833, and beginning in 1837 studied at the Paris des Oiseaux conducted by the Canonesses of Saint Augustine of the Congregation of Our Lady. In her teens she began reading Bible, the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, and became known for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In her early 20's she developed a bone disease that left in pain, occassionally bed-ridden, and late in life nearly crippled her. On 8 September 1843 she made a private vow of devotion to the Sacred Heart, and began her work to spread the devotion throughout France. In 1848 she founded a catechetical center, and orphange, and the Society of Tabernacles to encourage devotion to the Eucharist. In 1854 she founded the Opera Adoration of Reparation to encourage Eucharistic Adoration. In March 1874 she founded the Oblates of the Heart of Jesus with a mission to aid poor parishes, orphans and support for priestly vocations; she served as its superior from 17 May 1880, and Pope Leo XIII granted them papal approval on 4 October 1881. Secretary General of the Apostolate of Prayer in December 1875. Late in life she was bed-ridden due to her illness, but she continued working for the Oblates to the end.
14 May 1820 in Le Havre-de-Grâce, Seine Maritime, France
27 June 1885 in Moulins, Allier, France of natural causes
4 November 1990 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Oblates of the Heart of Jesus
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-louise-therese-de-montaignac-de-chauvance/
The second of seven children born to Pierre-Antoine Bays and Josephine Morel, she grew up in a pious farm family. Lifelong lay woman in the archdiocese of Lausanne, Switzerland, she supported herself as a dress maker and seamstress. She never married, but devoted herself and her life to caring for the people of her parish and city especially sick, children, young women, and the poor. Marguerite was known for a deep prayer life, devotion to Our Lady, and for lengthy periods spent in Eucharistic adoration. She joined the Secular Franciscans in 1860.
Marguerite developed intestinal cancer at age 35, asked for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was miraculously healed on 8 December 1854, the day that Blessed Pope Pius IX declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Following the healing, each Friday Marguerite would experience a period of paralysis during which she would relive the Passion of Jesus. She received the stigmata.
8 September 1815 in Siviriez, Fribourg, Switzerland
3pm on Friday 27 June 1879 in Siviriez, Fribourg, Switzerland of natural causes
• 29 October 1995 by Pope John Paul II
• the beatification miracle involved the healing on 25 March 1940 of a middle school student (who grew up to become a priest) who was injured in a mountain climbing accident
on 15 January 2019, Pope Francis issued a decree acknowledging a miracle obtained through the intercession of Blessed Marguerite
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-marguerite-bays/
• Ferdinand of Caiazzo
• Ferdinando of...
• 29 April (procession in Alvignano, Italy)
• 29 October (Caiazzo, Italy)
• 3rd Sunday in July (Dragoni, Italy)
Born to the royal family of Aragon, Spain, and the rulers of the two Sicilies, the fourth child of King Sancho III and Elvisa, Countess of Castile. Ferdinand was early drawn to religious and contemplative life. Hermit in the forest near Caiazzo, Italy where he became renowned in the region for his piety. Had the gift of healing by prayer. Fifth bishop of Caiazzo. Died while on pilgrimage.
1030 in Aragon, Spain
• 27 June 1082 in Alvignano, Italy of a fever
• buried at the church of Santa Maria di Cubulteria in Alvignano
• relics enshrined in an urn under as statue of Ferdinand at the church San Sebastiano Martire in Alvignano
• legends says that anytime people tried to return his relics to his see city of Caiazzo, Italy, the pack animals would refuse to move; they knew he belonged in Alvignano
• Alvignano, Italy
• Dragoni, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ferdinand-of-aragon/
Arialdo
Well-educated deacon in the archdiocese of Milan, Italy. Taught at the cathedral school of Milan. Led the Pataria, the anti-nicolaism and anti-simony efforts in Milan, begining in 1057. He had the support of the Vatican, but was opposed by his simoniac archbishop Guido da Velate. More than just a theological argument, the dispute led to violence. Arialdus went into hiding outside the city, Pope Alexander II excommunicated the archbishop who then had Arialdus arrested, imprisoned and executed. Martyr.
• 1066 at a castle on a small island in Lago Maggiore near Milan, Italy
• re-interred in a monastery in Milan in 1067
• 1067 by Pope Alexader II (decree of martyrdom)
• 1904 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-arialdus-of-milan/
First century lay woman. Married to Chusa, steward of King Herod Antipas. Disciple of Jesus, and mentioned in Luke (8:3) as providing for Jesus and the Apostles. Eastern tradition says that she gave the head of John the Baptist an honourable burial. One of the women Luke says (24.10) discovered the empty tomb on the first Easter when she went to anoint the body, and celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha in the Orthodox Church as the Myrrh-bearers. She is especially venerated by the Jesuits.
• ointment box
• woman carrying an ointment box
• woman with a cross in her arms and a lamb standing nearby
• woman carrying a pitcher in a basket
• woman standing with her husband among court ladies hearing Jesus preach
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joanna-the-myrrhbearer/
Ladislaus, Lancelot, Laszlo
Born a prince, son of Bela I, King of Hungary. King of Hungary in 1077. Annexed Dalmatia and Croatia to greater Hungary. He expelled the Huns, Poles, Tatars, and Russians from his lands, and made Christianity the national religion. Known for his enlightened government, his devotion to his people and to the Church. Chosen commander-in-chief of the First Crusade, but died before the expedition left.
1040 in Hungary
• 1095 in Neutra, Hungary (in modern Slovakia)
• relics at Varadin (in modern Serbia)
1192 by Pope Celestine III
Szekszard, Hungary
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ladislas/
Spiritual student of Blessed Luchesius. Franciscan tertiary. Priest. Pastor of Saint Lucia parish in Casciano, Italy. Known for his prayer life, his charity, his spirit of penance.
c.1200 in Poggibonsi, Italy
• 7 July 1295 of natural causes
• miracles reported at his grave
• relics known to have been enshrined in the church of Santa Lucia in Barberino Val d'Elsa, Italy by 1655
• relics enshrined in the church of San Bartolomeo in Barberino Val d'Elsa in 1787
Barberino Val d'Elsa, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-davanzato-of-poggibonsi/
Benvenuto
Soldier; he later said that soldiers became good monks as they had learned discipline, endurance and obedience. Franciscan lay brother in 1222. At his own request, he was assigned to care for lepers, worked hard, was a beloved nurse, and was known as an ideal Franciscan.
12th-century Gubbio, Italy
• 1232 in Corneto, Italy of natural causes
• buried at the parish church in Corneto
• relics translated to Deliceto, diocese of Bovino, Italy c.1243
1697 by Pope Innocent XII (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-benvenutus-of-gubbio/
• John of Caion
• John of Moutier
• John of Tours
Priest. Spiritual advisor to Queen Saint Radegunde. Known as a healer and prophet. Hermit in Chinon, Diocese of Tours, France. He lived in a small cell and planted a laural orchard next to it where he spent his time in prayer and study, and avoiding the would-be spiritual students he attracted.
in the British Isles
• 6th century near Chinon, France of natural causes
• buried by being sealed in his hermit's cell
• many healing miracles reported in the orchard surrounding the cell
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-of-chinon/
• Tommaso Toan
• Thomas Toan
Layman in the apostolic vicariate of East Tonkin, Vietnam. Member of the lay Dominicans. Catechist and head of Mission Linh Trung. Arrested, tortured and left to die of hunger and thirst in the persecutions of Emperor Minh Mang. Martyr.
c.1764 in Can Phán, Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
starved to death on 27 June 1840 in prison in Nam Ðinh, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-toma-toan/
First century disciple of the Apostles. Companion of Saint Paul the Apostle during his second Roman captivity; he left to go to Galatia (2nd Timothy 4:10). Bishop in Galatia. Some traditions say he was a missionary to Dauphine in Gaul, and founded the diocese of Mentz, Germany. Martyred in the persecutions of Trajan.
c.100
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-crescens-of-galatia/
Friend of Bishop Aureus of Mainz, Germany. He may have served as bishop when Aureus was driven into exile. Martyred by invading Huns. There are several variations in his story due to the similarity of his name with others, some variants in the records of Aureus, and simply sixteen centuries between then and now.
4th century in the area of modern Germany
c.406 in Mainz, Germany
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-crescentius-of-mainz/
• Sampson Xenodochius
• Sampson the Hospitable
• Samson...
• Father of the Poor
Priest and physician in Constantinople, noted for his care for the poor.
c.530 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-sampson-of-constantinople/
Désiré, Desert, Didier
Sixth-century priest and hermit in Gourdon the area of modern Burgundy, France. Pope Saint Gregory the Great wrote of the admirable holiness of Desideratus. Had the gift of healing by prayer, especially helping those with tooth pain.
c.569
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-desideratus-of-gourdon/
33rd bishop of Naples, Italy, serving from 653 to 671. Built the oratory of Saint Restituta of Carthage and enshrined that saint's relics there. Performed the burial of Saint Patrizia of Naples.
• 671 of natural causes
• relics enshrined at the abbey of Montevergine, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adeodato-of-naples/
Loudly encouraged Christians to not abandon their faith during the persecutions of Diocletian. Overthrew pagan idols; legend says he simply prayed near them and they collapsed. Martyr.
scourged, mutilated and beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine in 304
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anectus-of-caesarea/
Zoilo
Young man martyred with 19 unnamed Christian companions in the persecutions of Diocletian. The monastery of San Zoil de Carrión in León, Spain was founded to enshrine his relics.
c.301 in Cordoba, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zoilus-of-cordoba/
Cistercian monk at Himmerod Abbey in Grosslittgen, Germany. Prior of the house. Abbot of the Schönau Abbey in Heidelberg, Germany.
12th century Germany
1218 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-daniel-of-schonau/
Guddene
Tortured, imprisoned for a long period and finally executed in the persecutions of proconsul Rufino. Martyr.
beheaded in Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gudene-of-carthage/
Sixth century member of the Welsh royal family. She became possessed by an spirit, and was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig. Soon after, Arianell became a nun and spiritual student of Dyfrig.
Gwent, Wales
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-arianell/
Third–fourth century nun in Châlons-sur-Marne, France. We have no details about her life.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-poma-of-chalons-sur-marne/
One of a group of nine Christians, including seven brothers, martyred together.
Rome, Italy, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-felix-of-rome-27-june/
One of a group of nine Christians, including seven brothers, martyred together.
Rome, Italy, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-spinella-of-rome/
Dioman, Diman
Priest. May have been a monk first, and may have been assigned a parish by Saint Patrick; records are a bit unclear.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dimman/
No information has survived.
Irish
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aedh-mclugack/
Mentioned in the Gorman Martyrology.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-brogan-27-june/
• Mother of God of Gietrzwald
• Emilian of Nantes
• Eppo of Mallersdorf
• Jean de Hecque
• Maggiorino of Acqui
• Walhero
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