| 28 June |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr |
Ireneo
Disciple of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. Ordained in 177. Bishop of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France). Worked and wrote against Gnosticism, basing his arguments on the works of Saint John the Apostle, whose Gospel is often cited by Gnostics. Dispatched evangelists, including Saint Ferreolus of Besançon and Saint Ferrutio of Besançon. Considered the first great Western ecclesiastical writer and theologian, he emphasized the unity of the Old and New Testaments, and of Christ's simultaneous human and divine nature, and the value of tradition. A Father of the Church. Martyr.
c.130 in Smyrna, Asia Minor (modern Izmir, Turkey)
• martyred in 202 in Lyons, France
• tomb and relics were destroyed by Calvinists in 1562
• head in Saint John's church, Lyons, France
• archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama
For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God. - Saint Irenaeus
The Word Himself, born of Mary who was still a Virgin, rightly received in birth the recapitulation of Adam, thereby recapitulating Adam Himself. - Saint Irenaeus, from Against Heresies
The glory of God gives life; those who see God receive life. Men will therefore see God if they are to live; through the vision of God they become immortal and attain to God himself. God is the source of all activity throughout creation. He cannot be seen or described in his own nature and in all his greatness by any of his creatures. Yet he is certainly not unknown. Through his Word the whole creation learns that there is one God the Father, who holds all things together and gives them their being. As it is written in the Gospel, "No man has ever seen God, except the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father; he has revealed him." From the beginning the Son is the one who teacher us about the Father; he is with the Father from the beginning. The Word revealed God to men and presented men to God. Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God. If the revelation of God through creation gives life to all who live upon the earth, much more does the manifestation of the Father through the Word give life to those who see God. - from Against the Heresies by Saint Irenaeus
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irenaeus-of-lyons/
• Maria Pia Mastena
• Mother Maria Pia
• Sister Passitea of the Child Jesus
Eldest of five children of Giulio Mastena, a grocer, and Maria Antonia Casarotti, an elementary school teacher. Raised in a pious family; one brother was a priest, another tried to be, and a sister became a tertiary. Received First Communion on 19 March 1891, during which she made a private vow of chastity. Received Confirmation on 29 August 1891. Feeling a call to religious life, she tried to take the veil at age 14, but was considered too young. At age 17 she joined the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy in Verona, Italy. On 24 October 1903 she made her profession, and received the name Sister Passitea of the Child Jesus.
In the cloister she was known for strict adherence to the rules, and devotion to the Eucharist, to the Passion of Jesus, and to his Holy Face. However, she soon began to realize that the cloistered life was not for her, and she returned to service as head-mistress of the school in Miane, Italy. She was transferred to schools in Carpesica, Italy, and then to San Fior, Italy. In 1930 in San Fior she founded the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Face with the mission to "propagate, repair and restore Jesus' gentle image in souls". On 8 December 1936 the Institute was canonically erected as a diocesan Congregation, and the first ten members made their perpetual vows, and Mother Maria Pia was appointed Superior General, a position she held the rest of her life.
7 December 1881 in Bovolone, Verona, Italy as Teresa Maria Mastena
• during the evening of 28 June 1951 in Rome, Italy of a heart attack while working to start a new house of the Institute
• interred in the chapel of the Institute convent in San Fior, Italy
• 13 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated by Cardinal Saraiva Martins at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-teresa-maria-mastena/
• 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
Studied and was ordained at the English College, Douai, France. he returned to England on 13 October 1619 to minister to covert Catholics. Arrested and condemned to death for his faith in Lancashire in 1627; he was held in various prisons, at one point hearing the final confession of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith just before that martyr was led to the gallows. Through the intercession of Queen Henrietta Maria, he and fifteen other priests were turned over to the French ambassador on 11 April 1630 to be sent into exile in France.
Soon after, Father John returned to England, working with Saint Henry Morse. They worked tirelessly and fearlessly with the sick during a plague outbreak in 1636. He was arrested again for his faith in Westminster on 28 November 1637. Held in various prisons until 16 July 1640 when he was released due to the mitigating circumstances of his good works.
Arrested again on 2 December 1640; he pled guilty to the crime of priesthood, and was condemned to death. After 14 years in prison, during which he ministered to any prisoners who showed interest, he was executed by orders of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. One of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
1592 at Samlesbury, Lancashire, England
• hanged, drawn, and quartered on 28 June 1654 at Tyburn, London, England
• remains purchased by the Spanish ambassador to England, and sent to the English College in Douai, France
• the relics were hidden to prevent destruction during the French Revolution, were rediscovered in 1927, and are now housed at Westminster Cathedral, London
25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-southworth/
• Jakym Senkivskyj
• Yakym Sen'kiv'skyi
• Ivan Sen'kiv'skyi
• Ivan Senkivsky
• Gioacchino Senkivskyj
27 June as one of the Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe
Greek Catholic. Studied theology at Lviv. Ordained on 4 December 1921. Obtained his Doctorate in theology from Innsbruck, Austria. Novice in the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat at Krekhiv in 1923. Assigned to the village of Krasnopushcha, then Lavriv. Held various positions at the Saint Onufry monastery at Lviv from 1931 to 1938. Prior at the monastery at Drohobych in 1939. Arrested for his faith on 26 June 1941 by Communist authorities. Murdered in prison; martyr.
2 May 1896 at Haji Velyki, Ternopil District, Ukraine
boiled to death in a cauldron on 29 June 1941 in Drohobych prison, Ukrainian Galicia
27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Ukraine
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-yakym-senkivsky/
• Severiano Baranyk
• Severijan Baranyk
• Stepan Baranyk
Greek Catholic. Entered the Krekhiv monastery of the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat on 24 September 1904, and made his final vows on 21 September 1910. Ordained on 14 February 1915. Prior of the Basilian monastery in Drohobych in 1932. Arrested for his faith on 26 June 1941 by the NKVD. Never seen alive again by outsiders; a boy later testified he saw the tortured corpse of Father Severian, marked with a cross-shaped knife slash on his chest.
18 July 1889 in Ukraine
• late June 1941 by the Soviets at Drohobych, Ukrainian Galicia
• his body has not been found
• some evidence indicates the body was boiled and served as soup to prisoners
27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Ukraine
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-severian-baranyk/
• Catherine Gerosa
• Vincenza Gerosa
Orphaned young. Spent 40 years as a homemaker and lay woman devoted to care for the poor. Around 1832 she and Saint Bartholomea Capitanio formed the Sisters of Charity of Lovere, a congregation for the welfare and support of sick poor people, and for the education of poor children; Catherine joined the congregation, taking the name Vincentia. She enjoyed tending grapevines destined for sacramental wine; as she worked, she meditated on their conversion to the Blood of Christ. She assumed leadership of the congregation in 1836 on the death of Saint Bartholomea, and led the congregation until her own death.
1784 at Lovere, Bergamo, Italy as Catherine Gerosa
28 June 1847 at Lovere, Bergamo, Italy following an extended illness
18 May 1950 by Pope Pius XII
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vincentia-gerosa/
Brother of Pope Stephen II. Orphaned young. Educated at the Lateran school. Deacon under Pope Zachary. Ordained in Rome, Italy. Noted for his gentleness and his charity, spiritual and monetary. Papal diplomat for his brother, recovering Papal State property from the invading Lombards. Succeeded his brother as 93rd pope on 29 May 757.
Worked with King Pepin the Short and to maintain the papacy's temporal power. In 765 he settled an agreement with the Byzantine Desiderius regarding their boundaries. Built churches and monasteries in Rome. Opposed the iconoclastic emperor Constantine Coproynmus, and sheltered refugees from his oppression.
at Rome, Italy
29 May 757
28 June 767 at Saint Paul's Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-paul-i/
Saba Hong Ji
20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea
Layman catechist in the apostolic vicariate of Korea. Arrested, tortured and executed for assisting Blessed Iacobus Chu Mun-mo. Martyr.
1767 in Seoul, South Korea
beaten to death on 28 June 1795 in Seoul, South Korea
15 August 2014 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-sabas-ji-hwang/
Eimerado, Heimerad, Heimo
Priest. Made several pilgrimages to holy sites. He was so unworldly, his mind so much on spiritual matters that many of the people he met thought he was a lunatic. After years of travel, he decided to settle as a Benedictine monk. After some time in the community, he retired to become a hermit at Hasungen, Westphalia (in modern Germany).
at Baden, Germany
1019 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-heimrad/
• Mali
• Chi Yu Maria
• Maria Ts'i-u
Girl who grew up in an Christian-run orphanage in Wangla, apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.
c.1885 in Daji, Wuqiao, Hebei, China
28 June 1900 in Wangla, Dongguang, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-chi-yu/
Luqi, Lucy
Girl who grew up in an Christian-run orphanage in Wangla, apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.
c.1882 in Laochuntan, Ningjing, Hebei, China
28 June 1900 in Wangla, Dongguang, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lucia-wang-cheng/
Mali
Married lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Mother of a priest. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.
c.1849 in Qifengzhuang, Shenzhou, Hebei, China
28 June 1900 in Wangjiatian, Hengshui City, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-du-zhauzhi/
20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea
Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Korea, martyred for assisting Blessed Iacobus Chu Mun-mo.
1764 in Seoul, South Korea
28 June 1795 in Seoul, South Korea
15 August 2014 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-matthaeus-choe-in-gil/
Mali
Girl who grew up in an Christian-run orphanage in Wangla, apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.
c.1889 in Kou, Dongguang, Hebei, China
28 June 1900 in Wangla, Dongguang, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-zheng-xu/
Mali
Girl who grew up in an Christian-run orphanage in Wangla, apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.
c.1884 in Daji, Wuqiao, Hebei, China
28 June 1900 in Wangla, Dongguang, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-fan-kun/
20 September as one of the Martyrs of Korea
Layman in the apostolic vicariate of Korea, martyred for assisting Blessed Iacobus Chu Mun-mo.
1760 in Yeoju, Geonggi-do, South Korea
28 June 1795 in Seoul, South Korea
15 August 2014 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-paulus-yun-yu-il/
Argimiro, Argimirus
Government official in Cordoba, Spain during the Moorish occupation, but he lost his position due to being a Christian. Monk. Soon after his profession he responded to inquiries by renouncing Islam and declaring his loyalty to Christ. Martyr.
Cabra, Spain
beheaded in 856
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-argymirus-of-cordoba/
Bishop of Chartres, France. Bishop of Utrecht, Netherlands. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote about an apparition of Benignus.
France
• 6th century of natural causes
• relics re-discovered in Utrecht in 996
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benignus-of-utrecht/
Attilius
Soldier. Martyr. Some records make him part of the Theban Legion, others not.
c.300 in northern Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-attilio-of-trino/
Austol, Hawystill
Spiritual student of Saint Mewan of Bretagne. He probably lived in the area now known as Saint Austol.
6th century at Saint-Meen, Brittany, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-austell-of-cornwall/
Papius
Tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian.
beheaded c.303, possibly in Sicily
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-papias-the-martyr/
Alme, Alanus
13th century Cistercian monk in Melrose, England. First abbot of Balmerino Abbey, founded c.1228.
1270 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-almus-of-balmerino/
Egilon, Eigil
Monk. Abbot of Prüm Abbey near Trier, Germany. Restored the monastery at Flavigny, France. Founded the monastery of Corbigny, France.
871 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-egilo/
Telchildis
Nun at Faremoutiers, France. First Abbess of Jouarre Abbey, Seine-et-Marne, France.
c.660
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodichildis/
Damiano, Damianus
Franciscan Friar Minor.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-damian-of-campania/
Spiritual student of Saint Patrick. Missionary bishop at Leccuine, Westmeath, Ireland.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-crummine/
Martyr.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lupercio/
27 Christians martyred together. The only details about them to survive are the names – Afesius, Alexander, Amfamon, Apollonius, Arion, Capitolinus, Capitulinus, Crescens, Dionusius, Dioscorus, Elafa, Eunuchus, Fabian, Felix, Fisocius, Gurdinus, Hinus, Meleus, Nica, Nisia, Pannus, Panubrius, Plebrius, Pleosus, Theoma, Tubonus and Venustus.
unknown location in Africa, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-africa-28-june/
A group of spiritual students of Origen who were martyred together in the persecutions of emperor Septimius Severus - Heraclides, Heron, Marcella, Plutarch, Potamiaena the Elder, Rhais, Serenus and Serenus
burned to death c.206 in Alexandria, Egypt
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-alexandria-28-june/
• Diethild of Sens
• Ekhard of Huysburg
• Erlembaldo Cotta of Milan
• Ernin of Cluain-finn
• Herman of Valaam
• Peter de Oriona
• Sergius of Valaam
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