27 May • yesterday
• tomorrow
Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

The May-Book of the Breviary: Mary's Humility

Saint Augustine of Canterbury

Also known as

• Apostle to the Anglo-Saxons
• Apostle to the English
• Austin of Canterbury

Profile

Monk and abbot of Saint Andrew's abbey in Rome, Italy. Sent by Pope Saint Gregory the Great with 40 brother monks, including Saint Lawrence of Canterbury to evangelize the British Isles in 597. Before he reached the islands, terrifying tales of the Celts sent him back to Rome in fear, but Gregory told him he had no choice, and so he went. He established and spread the faith throughout England; one of his earliest converts was King AEthelberht who brought 10,000 of his people into the Church. Ordained as a bishop in Gaul (modern France) by the archbishop of Arles. First Archbishop of Canterbury, England. Helped re-establish contact between the Celtic and Latin churches, though he could not establish his desired uniformity of liturgy and practices between them. Worked with Saint Justus of Canterbury. Anglican Archbishops of Canterbury are still referred to as occupying the Chair of Augustine.

Born

at Rome, Italy

Died

• 26 May 605 in Canterbury, England of natural causes
• relics interred outside the church of Saints Peter and Paul, Canterbury, a building project he had started

Patronage

England

Representation

bishop baptizing a king

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-canterbury/


Saint Secundus of Troia

Additional Memorials

• 22 October (Gaeta and Calvi, Italy)
• 1 July (Mondragone, Italy)
• 7 December (Benevento, Italy)
• 30 April (Troia, Italy)
• 29 April (Montevergine, Italy)
• 1 September (Capua, Italy)

Profile

Immigrated to Italy from north Africa to escape persecution by Arian Vandals in the 3rd century. Bishop of Troia, Italy. Martyr.

Died

• late 3rd or early 4th century in southern Italy
• interred in the church of Saint Mark in Troia, Italy
• relics re-discovered during construction work in 1018
• some relics enshrined in the crypt of Saint William in Montevergine, Italy
• some relics enshrined in the cathedral of Benevento, Italy
• some relics enshrined in Troia, Italy

Patronage

Troia, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-secundus-of-troia/


Saint Julius the Veteran

Also known as

Julius of Dorostorum

Profile

Soldier in the imperial Roman army for 27 years, and the veteran of seven campaigns. Converted to Christianity somewhere along the way, but was a good enough soldier that it never mattered to anyone. During one of the organized persecutions, he was denounced by his brother soldiers. The examining prefect, Maximus, tried to bribe the veteran into denouncing his faith. Julius declined. Martyr.

Born

255

Died

beheaded in 302 at Dorostorum on the lower Danube River, an area in modern Bulgaria

Readings

It was he who died for our sins to give us eternal life. This same man, Christ, is God and abides for ever and ever. Whoever believes in Him will have eternal life; whoever denies Him will have eternal punishment. - Saint Julius to his examiners at his trial

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-julius-the-veteran/


Saint Liberius of Ancona

Also known as

Liverio, Oliviero

Profile

Fifth century cave hermit near Ancona, Italy known for his piety and wisdom.

Because his relics have been moved several times to different churches and placed next to other tombs, many legends have grown up around him or existing stories have been assigned to him, but these are later additions, and we know very little about him.

Died

• buried at the church of San Silvestro outside Ancona, Italy
• the church was later re-named San Liberius
• when the area of the church came under attack by pirates, the relics were moved to the church of San Lorezo in Ancona
• the church was San Lorenzo was later replaced by the cathedral of San Ciriaco
• relics were solemnly enshrined for public veneration in 1756

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-liberius-of-ancona/


Saint Bruno of Würzburg

Profile

Son of Duke Conrad of Carinthia and the Baroness Matilda. Nephew of Pope Gregory V. Cousin to emperor Conrad II, and later a counselor to him. Great-nephew of Saint Bruno of Querfort. Younger than average when ordained. Bishop of Würzburg, Germany in 1033. Built the Cathedral of Saint Killian from his personal funds, and several parish churches in his diocese. Noted scholar and author, his best known work being a commentary on the Psalms. Peacemaker who ended the siege of Milan, Italy. Joined emperor Henry III on campaign against the Hungarians. Earned the popular title of Father of the poor through his charity.

Died

26 May 1045 in Persenberg (Bosenburg) (in modern Austria) when a building collapsed

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bruno-of-wurzburg/


Saint Melangell

Also known as

Monacella

Profile

Princess. Anchoress in Powys, Wales. One day Prince Brochwel of Powys was hunting and chased a hare. The animal ran to Melangell who shield it in her cloak. The prince was so moved by her courage and sanctity that he gave her the valley as a place of sanctuary. Melangell became abbess of a small religious community there. A church on the site continues today to host retreats.

Born

Irish

Died

• c.590 of natural causes
• her shrine is in Pennant Melangell, Wales

Patronage

hares

Representation

hare, rabbit

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


Saint Barbara Kim

Also known as

Bareubara Gim

Additional Memorial

20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea

Profile

Married lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Korea. Imprisoned and left to die for her faith. Martyr.

Born

1805 in Si-heung, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Died

27 May 1839 in prison in Seoul, South Korea of plague

Canonized

6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-barbara-kim/


Saint Barbara Yi

Also known as

Bareubara Yi

Additional Memorial

20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea

Profile

14 year old girl in the apostolic vicariate of Korea. Imprisoned and left to die for her faith. Martyr.

Born

1825 in Jeongpa, Seoul, South Korea

Died

27 May 1839 in prison in Seoul, South Korea of plague

Canonized

6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-barbara-yi/


Blessed Richard Holiday

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1565 in Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged on 27 May 1590 in Durham, County Durham, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-richard-holiday/


Saint Antanansio Bazzekuketta

Additional Memorial

3 June as one of the Martyrs of Uganda

Profile

Born to the Nkima clan. Convert. Martyred in the Mwangan persecutions.

Born

at Buganda, Uganda

Died

hacked to pieces on 27 May 1886 at Nakivubo, Uganda

Canonized

18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-antanansio-bazzekuketta/


Blessed John Hogg

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1565 in Ugthorpe, North Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged on 27 May 1590 in Durham, County Durham, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-hogg/


Blessed Dionysius of Semur

Profile

Mercedarian professor of theology. In 1534 he made a journey to Algiers to ransom 109 Christians enslaved by Muslims. Along the way he preached Christianity, for which he was continually tormented and abused.

Born

c.1500 France

Died

mid-16th-century in the Mercedarian convent in Narbonne, France of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-dionysius-of-semur/


Blessed Richard Hill

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1565 in Yorkshire, England

Died

hanged on 27 May 1590 in Durham, County Durham, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-richard-hill/


Blessed Edmund Duke

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales

Profile

Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1563 in Kent, England

Died

hanged on 27 May 1590 in Durham, County Durham, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-edmund-duke/


Saint Gonzaga Gonza

Additional Memorial

3 June as one of the Martyrs of Uganda

Profile

Born to the Mpologoma clan. Convert. One of the Martyrs of Uganda who died in the Mwangan persecutions.

Born

at Busoga, Uganda

Died

beheaded on 27 May 1886 at Lubowa, Uganda

Canonized

18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gonzaga-gonza/


Saint Restituta of Sora

Also known as

• Restituta of Rome
• Restitutus...

Profile

Born to the nobility. During the persecutions of Aurelian, Restituta and several Christian companions fled to Sora, Italy, but they were caught and killed. Martyr.

Born

in Rome, Italy

Died

272 in Sora, Italy

Patronage

• diocese of Sora, Italy
• diocese of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-restituta-of-sora/


Blessed Matthias of Nagasaki

Additional Memorial

10 September as one of the 205 Martyrs of Japan

Profile

Layman catechism in the archdiocese of Nagasaki, Japan. Martyr.

Born

c.1572 in Kazusagoko, Japan

Died

27 May 1620 in Nagasaki, Japan

Beatified

7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-matthias-of-nagasaki/


Saint Eutropius of Orange

Profile

Born to the nobility and spent a wild and wasted youth. Married. Widower. Deacon in Marseilles, France. Bishop of Orange, France during a period of rebuilding following Visigoth raids. Letters from contemporaries speak highly of his learning and piety.

Born

Marseilles, France

Died

c.475

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eutropius-of-orange/


Blessed Gausberto of Montsalvy

Also known as

Gausbert

Profile

Priest. Hermit. Monk and then abbot at Montsalvy Abbey, Clermont-Ferrand, France. He helped turn the house in a hospice to assist pilgrims to holy sites.

Died

1079 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-gausberto-of-montsalvy/


Saint Frederick of Liège

Profile

Twelfth century bishop of Liège, Belgium. Known for repressing simony, nepotism, and the usurpation of Church authority by German imperial authorities.

Died

1172 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-frederick-of-liege/


Blessed James of Nocera

Profile

Monk at Santa Croce di' Fontavellana.

Born

at Nocera, Umbria, Italy

Died

1300 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-james-of-nocera/


Saint Ranulf of Arras

Also known as

Ragnulf, Ranulphus

Profile

Father of Saint Hadulph. Martyr.

Died

700 in Thélus, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ranulf-of-arras/


Saint Evangelius of Alexandria

Also known as

Eucarius

Profile

Martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-evangelius-of-alexandria/


Saint Acculus of Alexandria

Profile

Martyr.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-acculus-of-alexandria/


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Martyrs of Haarlem
• Martyrs of Tomi
• Basil of Georgia
• Cillin of Tehallan
• Julian of Jerusalem
• Pelbart of Temesvar
• Therapon of Belozersk
• Zacharias of Vienne


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