| 28 October |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Feast of Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles |
• Jude of James
• Judas Thaddaeus
• Lebbaeus
• Jude, brother of Jesus
• Lebai Sleeha
19 June (Eastern Church)
Son of Cleophas, who died a martyr, and Mary who stood at the foot of the Cross, and who annointed Christ's body after death. Brother of Saint James the Lesser. Nephew of Mary and Joseph; blood relative of Jesus Christ, and reported to look a lot like him. May have been a fisherman. Apostle.
Wrote the canonical Epistle named for him. Preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia with Saint Simon. Healer. Exorcist. Could exorcise pagan idols, which caused the demons to flee and the statues to crumble.
His patronage of lost or impossible causes traditionally derives from confusion by many early Christians between Jude and the traitor Judas Iscariot; not understanding the difference between the names, they never prayed for Jude's help, and devotion to him became something of a lost cause.
• beaten to death with a club, then beheaded post-mortem in 1st century Persia
• relics at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy, at Rheims, France, and at Toulouse, France
• desperate situations, forgotten, lost or impossible causes
• hospital workers, hospitals
• diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida
• axe
• bearded man holding an oar
• boat
• boat hook
• book
• carpenter's rule
• club
• halberd
• scroll
• square rule
• sword
• nearly every image depicts him wearing a medallion with a profile of Jesus, and usually with a small flame above his head
• often carries a pen or sits at a writing location to make reference to the canonical Epistle
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jude-thaddeus/
John Alcober
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Dominican priest and missionary to China. Due to transport trouble, he was marooned in Lorca for a while, where he became a popular preacher. Sailed to Manila in the Philippines in 1726, and reached China in 1728. Worked sixteen years in the Fo-kien province.
Posing as a water seller so he could move around the city, he still had to do his ministry in secret; he once had to be smuggled into a house in a dying man's coffin in order to administer Last Rites. To escape detection, he once climbed into a tree; realizing he would need to spend the night there, he began saying his evening prayers; he was joined in prayer by his friend Blessed Francis Serrano who was hiding in the same tree.
In 1746, one of his flock received a vision of Our Lady of the Rosary. The visionary appeared so beatific in death that a crowd gathered to see her body; the press of visitors prevented John from making his usual quick escape, and he was arrested. He, Francis Serrano and Father Francis Diaz were tortured for the location of Bishop Pere Sans-Jorda and Father Joachim Royo, who were known to be in the province; these two surrendered to end the torture of their brothers. Martyred with Saint Peter Sanz, Blessed Francis Serrano, and other Dominicans.
1694 at Gerona, Spain
• strangled to death on 25 October 1748 in Fu-tsheu prison, Fo-kien province, China
• even the executioners noted that the faces of the victims looked peaceful and radiant
14 May 1893 by Pope Leo XIII
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-juan-alcober-figuera/
• Nathanael of Cana
• Simon Kananaios
• Simon Kananites
• Simon the Cananean
• Simon the Zealot
• Simon Zealotes
10 May (Coptic Church)
Apostle. Called the Cananean or Zealot because of his zeal for the Jewish law; he was not from Cana, nor a member of the Zealot party. Like all the Apostles, he was a convert, and was trained by Saint Peter the Apostle. Evangelized in Egypt and Mesopotamia, though there are traditions of him being in several other locations. He was a martyr for the faith, but several places claim to have been the site of that, too.
• Abyssinians claim he was crucified in Samaria
• Lipsius says he was sawn in half at Suanir, Persia
• Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Iberia
• many locations claim to have relics including Toulouse, France, and Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
• curriers
• sawmen, sawyers
• tanners
• woodcutters
• Monterchi, Italy
• boat
• cross and saw
• fish
• lance
• man being sawn in two longitudenally
• oar
• saw
• two fish
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-simon-the-apostle/
• Germain of Montfort
• German, Germano
Brother of Saint Ruph. Studied theology at the University of Paris, France for several years where he worked with and served as tutor to Saint Bernard of Menthon. Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Savigney in the Savoy region of France. WIth several other brother monks, he founded the monastery of Talloires, France c.1018, and served as its first prior. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands. He spent his final years, beginning about 1033, as a hermit living in a cave near Lac d’Annecy; a church is now built above the cave. The town of Saint-Germain-de-Joux, France is named for him.
Montfort, France
• 1018 in Talloires, France of natural causes
• relics enshrined by Saint Francis de Sales in 1621
• relics hidden from the anti–Catholic forces of the French Revolution in the later 18th century
• the chapel fell into disrepair, and the relics were lost for several years
• relics re-discovered in 1830 and re-enshrined in a new chapel in 1838
1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-germain-of-talloires/
Joachim Royo Pérez
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Joined the Dominicans in Valencia, Spain in 1709. Missionary to the Philippines in 1712, and then to China in 1715. Worked with Saint Peter Sanz. Priest. He served his parishioners by night, hiding in tombs or secret rooms by day to avoid the government persecutions. Imprisoned for two years for his faith beginning in 1746. Martyr.
1691 at Teruel Spain
• tortured and strangled to death on the evening of 28 October 1748 in prison at Fu-tsheu, China
• relics enshrined in the church of Saint Dominic in Manila, Philippines
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
He received us with joy. We felt remorse about being forced to carry out the order of his execution, because we revered him as a very good and innocent man. He constantly preached to us about the Christian religion. In prison we always saw him praying to his God with a joyful countenance. - statement by the executioners of Saint Joachim
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joaquin-royo-perez/
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Joined the Dominicans in Ecija, Spain at age 17, making his profession on 12 September 1731. Priest. Missionary to the Philippines in 1735, and soon after that in China. Martyr.
2 October 1713 in Ecija, Seville, Spain
• tortured and strangled to death on the evening of 28 October 1748 in prison at Fu-tsheu, China
• relics enshrined in the church of Saint Dominic in Manila, Philippines
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
He received us with joy. We felt remorse about being forced to carry out the order of his execution, because we revered him as a very good and innocent man. He constantly preached to us about the Christian religion. In prison we always saw him praying to his God with a joyful countenance. - statement by the executioners of Saint Joachim
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-francisco-diaz-del-rincon/
Ferruccio, Ferruccius
Roman soldier. Christian. When stationed at Mainz, Germany, as part of his duty he was ordered to worship an idol. He refused, and demanded his discharge from the army so that he could stay true to his faith. Instead he was thrown into prison and abused to death. Martyr.
• from abuse and starvation
• relics enshrined in Bleidenstadt, Germany by Saint Lull in 778
• relics taken to Mainz, Germany by the Jesuits in 1632
• relics destroyed during the siege of Mainz in 1793
by Pope Eugene I
Bleidenstadt, Germany
soldier holding a banner with a cross, a palm branch and a small shield with an escarbuncle
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ferrutius/
Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas
A mid-17th-century painting of the Crucifixion that is venerated in Lima, Peru, and its celebration involves one of the largest processions in the world. It was painted by an unnamed African taken to Peru as a slave from what is now Angola, shows Christ on the cross with the Father and Holy Spirit above, the Blessed Virgin Mary to the right, Saint Mary Magdalene to the left. The name originated on 13 November 1655 when everything around it was destroyed in an earthquake that left the painting standing and undamaged.
https://catholicsaints.info/lord-of-miracles/
Burgundofaro, Farone, Pharo, Pharon
Son of Count Agneric. Brother of Saint Cagnoald and Saint Burgundofara. Grew up in the court of King Theodebert II of Austrasia. Married layman. Part of the court of King Clotaire II. When he was 35 years old, he and his wife agreed to separate. Faro became a monk at Meaux, France and then a priest. Bishop of Meaux c.626. Worked for renewal of monastic life, evangelized his diocese, and was known for his charity to the poor. Friend of Saint Fiacre, and dispatched Saint Chillien to evengelize around Artois, France.
7th century
c.675 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-faro-of-meaux/
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Parish priest in Uniòn de Tula, Mexico. Poet. Martyr.
13 February 1875 in Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico
• hanged from a mango tree at dawn on 28 October 1927 in the public square in Ejutla, Jalisco, Mexico
• buried in the parish church in Uniòn de Tula, Jalisco, Mexico
21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rodrigo-aguilar-aleman/
Francisco Serrano-Frías
Dominican priest. Missionary to Fujian, China; worked with Saint John Alcober. Imprisoned with Saint Pere Sans Jorda in 1746 for their work spreading the faith. Chosen titular bishop of Tipasa while in prison. Martyr.
4 December 1695 in Huéneja, Granada, Spain
strangled to death on 25 October 1748 in Fuzhou, Fujian, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-francis-serrano/
Giovanni, Johannes, John
24 November as one of the Martyrs of Vietnam
Parish priest in the apostolic vicariate of West Tonkin, ordained in 1798. Arrested for his faith soon after. Martyr.
c.1765 in Ðong Chuoi, Thanh Hóa, Vietnam
28 October 1798 in Cho Ra, Thanh Hóa, Vietnam
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gioan-dat/
Anastasia II
Third-century nun. Spiritual student of Saint Sophia. Tortured, mutilated (breasts, hands and feet cut off and teeth broken out) and executed for her faith during the persecutions of Valerian.
Greek
• beheaded in 253 in Rome, Italy
• buried by Saint Sophia
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anastasia-the-elder/
Fedele
Christian soldier in the imperial Roman army. Martyred in the persecutions of Maximian Herculeus.
• c.304
• relics venerated in Como, Italy and Milan, Italy
Arona, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidelis-of-como/
Eadsige, Edsige, Eadsimus
Monk at Christ Church, Canterbury, England c.1030. Archbishop of Canterbury, England in 1038, receiving the pallium from Pope Benedict IX. Crowned Saint Edward the Confessor as king of England on 3 April 1043.
late October 1050 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eadsin-of-canterbury/
Obadiah of Babylon
One of the 72 disciples mentioned in Luke 10. They were sent out ahead of Jesus to make preparations for him in the towns he was to visit and evangelize. Some sources list him as the first bishop of Babylon, consecrated by Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Jude Thaddeus.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abdias-of-babylon/
Wrote several theological treatises. They became so well known that he attracted many students, and he founded monasteries for them at Constantinople and Jerusalem; they were known as Abrahamites. Archbishop of Ephesus.
6th century of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abraham-of-ephesus/
Cirilla
Daughter of Saint Tryphonia of Rome. Known for her charity and almsgiving. Martyred in the persecutions of Claudius II.
c.268
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyrilla-of-rome/
Student of Saint Trifillio. Miracle worker; legend says that when Cyprus was being attacked by Saracens, Diomedes made the sign of the cross at them and they converted from Islam to Christianity.
4th century Leucopolis, Cyprus
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-diomedes-the-younger/
Augustinian friar.
24 April 1902 in Tordómar, Burgos, Spain
28 October 1936 in Neila, Santander, Spain
28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-leoncio-lope-garcia/
A bystander who witnessed the torture and mutilation of Saint Anastasia the Elder. When Anastasia begged for water, he brought her some. Immediately seized and executed for his actions. Martyr.
253 in Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyril-of-rome/
Chaplain to the court of King Charles the Bald. Archbishop of Lyons, France in 852. Fought heresy but also fought against harsh treatment of heretics.
875 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-remigius-of-lyons/
Saire, Salvio
Sixth-century hermit in France, he was known for his theological learning and personal piety; the area where he lived is known as Saint-Saire in his honour.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-salvius-3/
• Genesius of Tigernum
• Genesius of Tifernum
Martyr.
Tifernum, Aquitaine (in modern France)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-genesius-of-thiers/
Benedictine monk. Abbot of the monastery of Stavelot-Malmedy, Belgium.
c.690 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-godwin-of-stavelot/
Monk. Abbot of Stavelot-Malmédy Abbey in Belgium.
c.768
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anglinus-of-stavelot/
Monk. Abbot of Stavelot-Malmédy Abbey in Belgium.
779
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alberic-of-stavelot/
Relative of Saint Columba. Monk. Abbot of Iona Abbey.
713
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dorbhene-of-iona/
Bishop of Lyon, France in the early 3rd century.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elius-of-lyon/
Two sisters and a brother who, during a period of persecution, fled Talavera de la Reina, Spain, were caught and executed. Martyrs: Christeta, Sabina and Vincent.
303 in Avila, Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-avila-27-october/
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them, but in most cases I have only found very minimal information. They are available on the CatholicSaints.Info site through these links:
• Blessed Claudio Julían García San Román
• Blessed Maria Asuncion
• Holy Bishops of Metz
• Bononato de Prexano
• Leodardo of Soissons
CatholicSaints.Info Portable Edition