28 May • yesterday
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The May-Book of the Breviary: The Name of Mary

Blessed Maria Bagnesi

Also known as

• Bartholomaea Bagnesi
• Maria Bartolomea Bagnesi
• Marietta Bagnesi
• Mary-Bartholomew Bagnesi

Profile

A happy, beautiful, under-sized, frequently neglected child, her mother often left her to the care of others, including a sister who was a Dominican nun. Marietta grew up and had her best times in her sister's convent, and four of her sisters eventually entered religious life.

When her father arranged a marriage for Maria, she actually fainted in horror. The thought of marriage made her so sick that she eventually became unable to walk, and was bed-ridden. Her father, a man easily swayed by quacks, crack-pots and con men, put her through 34 years of flummery and what passed for medical treatment in the 16th century.

Being bed-ridden, Maria was not able to follow her sisters into the convent, but she did become a Dominican tertiary in 1544. She made her formal profession in 1545, and was soon able to get out of bed for brief periods. However, a combination of pleurisy, asthma, kidney disease, and the non-stop "treatments" she received from assorted quacks and cranks immobilized her again. She began to have visions, and to converse with angels, devils and saints. Her neighbors thought she was possessed, but a local priest became her spiritual advisor, and reassured the locals that Marietta was not in league with the devil or being attacked by him.

With the priest's assurances, Marietta's room became a place for area pilgrims who came to her for wisdom and peace, and for area animals, especially cats. Cats had a special affection for her, many stayed in her room, slept on her bed, guarded her pet songbirds, and at least once fetched her some cheese when she became hungry.

Maria developed a deep devotion to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, and added his name to hers. As her visions and ecstacies continued and became more constant, she became more mystical in her conversation, became focused on the glorious and sorrowful mysteries, and was seen to levitate. She came to know Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, and shared her visions with her.

Born

15 August 1514 at Florence, Italy

Died

28 May 1577 at Florence, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

11 July 1804 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmed)

Patronage

• abuse victims
• against the death of parents
• sick people

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-bagnesi/


Blessed Iuliu Hossu

Profile

The son of Ioan Hossu and Victoria Mariutiu. He studied at the Seminary of Cluj, Romania, the seminary of Budapest, Hungary, the University of Vienna, Austria, and the Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum “De Propaganda Fide,” Rome, Italy. He earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1906, and one in theology in 1908. Ordained a priest in the archdiocese of Fagaras si Alba Iulia, Romania on 27 March 1910; the ordination was performed by his uncle, Bishop Vasile Hossu. From 1911 to 1914 he served variously as protocolist, archivist, librarian, vicar-general and secretary to the bishop of Gherla, Romania. Military chaplain to the Romanian soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I from 1914 to 1917. Chosen Bishop of Cluj-Gherla, Romania by Pope Benedict XV on 21 April 1917. Apostolic Administrator of Maramures, Romania from 19 July 1930 till 31 January 1931. Apostolic Administrator of Oradea Mare, Romania from 29 August 1941 till 1947. For opposing the state-ordered separation of Byzantine-Rumanian Church from Rome, he was imprisoned in prisons in the Romanian cities of Jilava, Drogoslavele, Sighet, and Gherla from 1948 till 1964, and then at the monastery of Caldrusani in Moara Saraca near Bucharest, Romania from 1964 until his health began to fail in 1970 when he was moved to hospital. Secretlu elevated to cardinal by Pope Paul VI on 28 April 1969, but to prevent additional abuse, this was was not revealed until after the Cardinals‘ death. Martyr.

Born

30 January 1885 in Milas, Bistrita-Nasaud, archdiocese of Fagaras e Alba Julia, Romania

Died

• 9 a.m. on 28 May 1970 at Coletina Hospital in Bucharest, Romania
• buried in the Bellu Catholic Cemetery, Bucharest
• re-interred in his permanent tomb in the the same cemetery on 7 December 1982

Beatified

2 June 2019 by Pope Francis

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-iuliu-hossu/


Blessed Luigi Biraghi

Profile

The fifth of eight children. Entered the Minor Seminary of Castello sopra Lecco, Italy at age 12; studied in the Major Seminaries of Monza and Milan in Italy. Ordained in the archdiocese of Milan, Italy on 28 May 1825. Taught in the seminaries of Castello sopra Lecco, Seveso and Monza. A highly educated and cultured man with deep knowledge of the early Church fathers and archeology. Spiritual director of the Major Seminary of Milan in 1833.

With the help of Mother Mariana Videmari, in 1836 Father Biraghi founded the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Marcellina (Marcellina Sisters) at Cernusco sul Naviglio; the Institute requires fidelity to the faith in daily life by its members, and established schools for girls, both the nobility who could pay for it, and the poor who were not required. Named a doctor of the prestigious Biblioteca Ambrosiana in 1855. Honorary canon of the Basilica of Saint Ambrose. In 1862, by the Pope's request, he acted as mediator among the clergy of Milan who were split between those who supported a united Italy, and those who sought the return of the Papal States. Vice-Prefect of the Ambrosiana in 1864. Appointed Domestic Prelate to Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1873. Today the Marcellina Sisters continue their good work in Italy, France, Brazil, Switzerland, England, Albania, Canada, and Mexico.

Born

2 November 1801 in Vignate, Milan, Italy

Died

• 11 August 1879 in Milan, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the family grave in Cernusco sul Naviglio, Italy
• relics translated to the chapel of the mother-house of the Marcellina Sisters in Cernusco in 1951

Beatified

• 30 April 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI
• recognition celebrated in Milan, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-luigi-biraghi/


Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski

Also known as

Antonio Giuliano Nowowiejski

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Polish Martyrs of World War II

Profile

Antoni studied at the seminary of Plock, Poland, and was ordained a priest on 10 July 1881 in Plock. Professor and rector of the Plock seminary. Vicar-General of Plock in 1902. Bishop of Plock on 12 June 1908. Titular Archbishop of Silyum on 25 November 1930. Known for his deep spiritual and prayer life, he was an historian, active pastor of his people, and supported religious and Bible study groups.

In his 80's, Bishop Antoni was imprisoned with a a group of his priests during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. He was taken from prison to prison, and finally ended in the Dzialdowo concentration camp. As he was leader among the prisoners, especially the imprisoned clergy, he was tortured repeatedly, and the guards worked hard to humiliate him and break his spirit; Bishop Antoni responded by blessing them. Martyr.

Born

11 February 1858 in Lubien, Poland

Died

• died of starvation and abuse on 28 May 1941 at Dzialdowo death camp, occupied Poland
• buried in an unmarked grave somewhere near the camp

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II at Warsaw, Poland

Readings

Christ gave his life for his sheep; he also demands the same of his deputies – the shepherds. Let us be exemplified by those martyrs of the first centuries, who in the most difficult moments forgot about themselves, asked only one thing, what could they do for God. - Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antoni-julian-nowowiejski/


Blessed Margaret Pole

Also known as

Margaret Plantaganet

Profile

Daughter of the Duke of Clarence. Niece of King Edward IV and King Richard III of England. Married Sir Richard Pole in 1491. Mother of five, one of whom became a cardinal. Widow. Unofficial ward of King Henry VIII, who made her Countess of Salisbury and governess to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII.

When she opposed Henry's plan to marry Ann Boleyn, she was driven from court and received the king's disfavor. When her son, Cardinal Reginald Pole, wrote against Henry's presumptions to spiritual supremacy, the king decided to crush the family. Two of Margaret's sons were executed in 1538 for the crime of being the brothers of Reginald. The elderly Margaret was arrested soon after, falsley charged with plotting revolution; in 1539 she was sent to the Tower of London where she spent her remaining two years. In 1541, at the outbreak of an actual uprising, Margaret was summarily executed with trial as a precaution. Martyr.

Born

14 August 1473 in Somerset, Wilshire, England as Margaret Plantaganet

Died

• beheaded 28 May 1541 on Tower Hill, London, England
• buried at Saint Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London

Beatified

29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-margaret-pole/


Blessed Lanfranc of Canterbury

Profile

After a liberal education in England, he went to Normandy and entered the monastery at Bec, where he opened a famous school. An opponent of the doctrines of Berengarius, he succeeded in having the Catholic doctrine defined at the Lateran Council of 1059. He obtained the papal dispensation for the marriage of William, Duke of Normandy, to Matilda of Flanders, and after William's invasion of England in 1066, Lanfranc was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He secured the primacy of the See of Canterbury over that of York, helped reform the Church in Scotland, and prevented many ruptures between the king and pope over the question of tithes. In the struggle over investitures, he consistently upheld the rights of the Church. Lanfranc probably advised the king to name William Rufus his successor, and he subsequently made constant efforts to check the evil deeds of the latter.

Born

c.1005 in Pavia, Italy

Died

• 24 May 1089 in Canterbury, England of natural causes
• interred under the Saint Martin altar at the Canterbury cathedral

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-lanfranc-of-canterbury/


Blessed Herculaneum of Piegaro

Also known as

• Herculaneum of Pieghèro
• Ercolano, Herculan, Herculanus

Profile

Franciscan friar minor. Spiritual student of Blessed Albert of Sarteano. Ordained a priest in the early 15th century, Herculaneum became a sought after travelling preacher known for his austerity, his long fasts, and as a miracle worker. While he was preaching in the cathedral of Lucca, Italy during Lent of 1430, the city came under seige by the army of Florence, Italy; Herculaneum rallied the people of Lucca, found ways to smuggle food into the city, and helped them keep their faith until the siege ended; the people of Lucca gave him the Pozzuolo convent in thanks and to insure he returned. Sent by the papal legate to preach missions in the east from 1435 to 1437.

Born

late 14th-century at Piegaro, Italy

Died

• summer of 1451 in the convent of Castelnuovo, Garfagnana, Tuscany, Italy of natural causes
• exhumed in 1456 and found incorrupt
• relics enshrined in the church of the convent of Castelnuovo

Beatified

29 March 1860 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-herculaneum-of-piegaro/


Saint Phaolô Hanh

Also known as

Paul Hanh

Additional Memorial

24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam

Profile

Born to a Christian family in the apostolic vicariate of West Cochinchina (in modern Vietnam), Paul and two of his brothers joined a band of highwaymen and burglars, with Paul as their leader. When Paul insisted that the thieves return some of their loot to the poor, they betrayed him to the authorities, accusing him of treason by collaborating with the French. Arrested, Paul denied the treason but proclaimed himself a sinful Christian and refused to renounce his faith. Tortured and martyred in the persecutions of emperor Tu-Duc.

Born

c.1826 in Cho Quán, Gia Dinh, Vietnam

Died

• beheaded on 28 May 1859 at Saigon (modern Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam
• buried in the cemetery at Cho Quán, Gia Dinh, Vietnam

Beatified

2 May 1909 by Pope Pius X as part of the Annamite Martyrs

Canonized

19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-phaolo-hanh/


Saint William of Gellone

Also known as

• William of Aquitaine
• William of Orange
• William of Toulouse
• Willliam Fierabrace
• William in the Desert
• Guillaume...
• Marquis au court nez

Profile

Born to the nobility, the son of Aldana and Count Thierry of Toulouse. Career soldier. Member of the court of Blessed Charlemagne. Duke of Aquitaine. Led forces against the Saracens in southern France. In retirement he built a monastery at Gellone, France, and became a Benedictine monk there; the house was later named Saint-Guilhem-du-Desert in his honour. His reputation for chivalry, bravery and piety led to medieval romances being written about him including the Chançun de Guillaume (Song of William).

Born

755 in France

Died

812 of natural causes in the monastery that was later re-named Saint William in the Desert in his honour

Canonized

1066 by Pope Alexander II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-william-of-gellone/


Saint Germanus of Paris

Also known as

• Father of the Poor
• Germain

Profile

Priest, ordained by Saint Agrippinus of Autun. Abbot. Bishop of Paris, France in 555. Taught and ordained Saint Bertrand of Le Mans. Spiritual teacher of Saint Droctoveus. Cured King Childebert I from an unnamed illness, and converted him from a misspent life. The king then built him the abbey of Saint Vincent, now known as Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

Born

496 at Autun, France

Died

• 28 May 576 in Paris, France of natural causes
• interred in a decorated tomb in the chapel of Saint Symphorien next to the abbey church c.635
• relics re-shrined to the church in 754 by order of King Pepin the Short

Canonized

754 by Pope Stephen II

Patronage

archdiocese of Rimouski, Quebec

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-germanus-of-paris/


Blessed Wladyslaw Demski

Also known as

• Ladislao Demski
• Ladislaus Demski

Additional Memorial

12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II

Profile

A professor of classical languages, he became a priest in the archdiocese of Gniezno, Poland, serving in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Inowroclaw, Poland. Arrested by occupying Nazi forces on 2 November 1939, he was sent to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp where he was abused, tortured, and finally murdered for refusing to trample his rosary when ordered to do so by camp guards. Martyr.

Born

5 August 1884 in Sztum, Pomorskie, Poland

Died

tortured to death on 28 May 1940 in the concentration camp at Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg, Oberhavel, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Readings

You must endure everything for the Lord's sake and complain about nothing. – Blessed Wladyslaw

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-wladyslaw-demski/


Saint Caraunus of Chartres

Also known as

Carauno, Ceraunus, Cheron

Additional Memorial

18 October (translation of relics)

Profile

When his parents died, Caraunus sold all his goods and estate, distributed the money to the poor, and retired from the world to live as a prayerful hermit. His reputation for holiness spread, his local bishop ordained Caraunus as a deacon, and the new deacon gave up the life of a hermit to serve as a missionary to areas of Gaul where the faith had all but disappeared.

Born

Gaul

Died

• killed by robbers near Chartres, France in the 5th century
• a church and monastery were later built over his tomb
• his relics were hidden to prevent their destruction during the anti–Christian persecutions of the French Revolution
• relics enshrined in the church of Saint Caraunus in Chartres

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-caraunus-of-chartres/


Blessed John Shert

Additional Memorials

• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
• 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University

Profile

Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, England graduating in 1566. Schoolmaster in London, England. Convert to Catholicism. Servant to Dr Thomas Stapleton at Douai, France. Studied at Douai, and at Rome, Italy. Ordained in 1576 at the English College at Rome. Returned to England on 27 August 1579 to minster to covert Catholics. Arrested for the crime of being a priest, and sent to the Tower of London on 14 July 1581. Martyr.

Born

at Shert Hall, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn, and quartered on 28 May 1582 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)

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


Blessed Thomas Ford

Profile

Received a Master of Arts at Trinity College, Oxford, England on 14 July 1567. Fellow of Trinity College. Left to study at the English College, Douai, France in 1570. Ordained in March 1573 at Brussels, Belgium. Returned to the apostolic vicariate of England on 2 May 1576. Chaplain to Edward Yates and the Bridgettins at Lyford, Berkshire. Arrested on 17 July 1581, he was imprisoned and tortured in the Tower of London, accused and tried for treason as part of a non-existent conspiracy of Catholics against the crown, and executed in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I. Martyr.

Born

Devon, Devonshire, England

Died

hanged on 28 May 1582 in Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-ford/


Saint Ubaldesca Taccini

Profile

An only child born to a poor but pious family, she was early drawn to religious life and the care of people even poorer than herself. Joining the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem at age 15, she lived a nun‘s life for 55 years. Had the gift of miraculously healing.

Born

1136 in Calcinaia, Pisa, Italy

Died

• feast of the Holy Trinity, 28 May 1206 in Pisa, Italy of natural causes
• miraculous healings reported at her tomb
• some relics translated to Malta on 30 June 1587

Beatified

Pope Sixtus V granted a plenary indulgence to those who visit her relics in Malta on 28 May

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ubaldesca-taccini/


Blessed Robert Johnson

Additional Memorial

29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Studied at Rheims, France, and Rome, Italy. Ordained at Douai, France in 1576. He then returned to England to minister to covert Catholics in the London area. Arrested in 1580 in connection with the non-existent Rheims and Rome Plot. Imprisoned in the Tower of London. Tried and convicted with Saint Edmund Campion and others. Martyr.

Born

in Shropshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 28 May 1582 at Tyburn, London, England

Beatified

29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-robert-johnson/


Blessed Mary of the Nativity

Also known as

Anna de Corro

Profile

In her youth, Anna made a private vow, consecrating herself to God. She joined the Mercedarians at the monastery of the Assumption in Seville, Spain, taking the name Sister Mary of the Nativity. Known for her deep contemplative prayer life, she received visions of heaven, and spent her time in praise of God. People throughout the region flocked to the convent to have her pray for them.

Died

1580 at the convent of the Assumption in Seville, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mary-of-the-nativity/


Saint Luciano of Cagliari

Also known as

Feliciano

Additional Memorial

10 March (discovery of his relics)

Profile

Convert, baptized by Saint Peter the Apostle. Spiritual student of Saint Paul the Apostle. Martyr.

Born

Sardinia

Died

• stabbed with a spear on 28 May 69
• relics enshrined in the sanctuary of the cathedral of Cagliari, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luciano-of-cagliari/


Saint Heliconis of Thessalonica

Also known as

Eliconide, Helicondes, Heliconides

Profile

Tortured, mutilated and martyred in the persecutions of Decius for refusing to worship idols.

Born

at Thessalonica

Died

• beheaded c.250 at Corinth, Greece
• legend says that milk, not blood, poured from the wound

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


Blessed Lluís Berenguer Moratona

Profile

Vincentian priest. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

5 July 1869 in Santa Maria d'Horta, Barcelona, Spain

Died

28 May 1937 in Barcelona, Spain

Venerated

1 December 2016 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-lluis-berenguer-moratona/


Blessed Albert of Csanád

Profile

Member of the Ordo Fratrum Sancti Pauli Primi Eremita (Order of Friars of Saint Paul the First Hermit) in 15th century Hungary. Noted speaker. Wrote poetry in Latin.

Died

c.1492 at the monastery of Bjacs, Hungary of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-albert-of-csanad/


Saint Eoghan the Sage

Also known as

• Eoghan Sapiens
• Eoghan the Wise
• Eoghan of Cranfield
• Eoghan of Cremhcaille
• Magh-Creainb-Chaille
• Ernan, Eunt, Eugenius, Enny, Eugene, Owen

Profile

No reliable information has survived.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eoghan-the-sage/


Saint Eugene of Armagh

Also known as

• Eoghan
• Fear-leighinn
• Lector of Monastrboice

Profile

Monk. Abbot of Armagh, Ireland. Abbot of Clonard, Ireland.

Born

8th century Ireland

Died

834 in Ireland of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eugene-of-armagh/


Saint Caraunus the Deacon

Also known as

Cheron

Profile

Convert during the 1st century. Deacon. Missionary to Gaul. Martyred in the persecutions of Domitian.

Born

Rome, Italy

Died

98 near Chartres in modern France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-caraunus-the-deacon/


Saint Justus of Urgell

Also known as

Giusto

Profile

First bishop of Urgell, Spain. Wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs.

Died

c.527

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-justus-of-urgell/


Saint Gemiliano of Cagliari

Also known as

Emily, Emilio, Emiliano, Millanu

Profile

First century bishop of Cagliari, Italy. Martyred in the persecutions of Nero.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gemiliano-of-cagliari/


Saint Podius of Florence

Profile

Priest. Bishop of Florence, Italy in 990.

Born

Tuscany, Italy

Died

1002 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-podius-of-florence/


Saint Moel-Odhran of Iona

Also known as

Maelodran, Mailodranus

Profile

7th century monk of Iona, Scotland.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-moel-odhran-of-iona/


Saint Dioscorides of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

burned to death c.244 in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dioscorides-of-rome/


Saint Helladius of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

burned to death c.244 in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-helladius-of-rome/


Saint Crescens of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

burned to death c.244 in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-crescens-of-rome/


Saint Paulus of Rome

Profile

Martyr.

Died

burned to death c.244 in Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paulus-of-rome/


Saint Accidia

Profile

Martyred in Africa.

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


Martyrs of Palestine

Profile

A group of early 5th century monks in Palestine who were martyred by invading Arabs.

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-palestine-28-may/


Martyrs of Sardinia

Profile

A group of early Christians for whom a church on Sardinia is dedicated; they were probably martyrs, but no information about them has survived except the names Aemilian, Aemilius, Emilius, Felix, Lucian and Priamus.

Patronage

diocese of Alghero-Bosa, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-sardinia/


Also celebrated but no entry yet

• Andreas Salos
• Gussur Isleifson of Skalholt


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