| 29 April |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church |
• Caterina Benincasa
• Catharine, Katharine
30 April (Dominicans)
Youngest of 24 children; her father was a wool-dyer. At the age of seven she had a vision in which Jesus appeared with Peter, Paul, and John; Jesus blessed her, and she consecrated herself to Him. Her parents began making arranged marriages for her when she turned 12, but she refused to co-operate, became a Dominican tertiary at age 15, and spent her time working with the poor and sick, attracting others to work with her. Received a vision in which she was in a mystical marriage with Christ, and the Infant Christ presented her with a wedding ring. Some of her visions drove her to become more involved in public life. Counselor to and correspondent with Pope Gregory XI and Pope Urban VI. Stigmatist in 1375. Lived in Avignon, France in 1376, and then in Rome, Italy from 1378 until her death. Friend of Blessed Raymond of Capua who was also her confessor. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church on 4 October 1970.
25 March 1347 at Siena, Tuscany, Italy
• 29 April 1380 in Rome, Italy of a mysterious and painful illness that came on without notice, and was never properly diagnosed
• buried in the Dominican church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome
• first funerary monument erected in 1380 by Blessed Raymond of Capua
• relics re-enshrined in 1430
• relics re-enshrined at the high altar of the church in 1466
July 1461 by Pope Pius II
• against bodily ills
• against fire
• against illness
• against miscarriages
• against sexual temptation
• against sickness
• against temptations
• fire prevention
• firefighters
• nurses
• nursing services
• people ridiculed for their piety
• sick people
• Theta Phi Alpha sorority
• Europe (declared on 1 October 1999 by Pope John Paul II)
• Italy
• 3 dioceses
• Siena, Italy
• Varazze, Italy
• cross
• crown of thorns
• heart
• lily
• ring
• stigmata
• hand painted medals
• tiny saints charms and clips
Saint Catherine of Siena, by Alfred William Pollard
• read online
• download in EPub format
The Dialogue of the Seraphic Virgin, Catherine of Siena
• download in EPub format
• YouTube PlayList
• A Treatise of Divine Providence, by Saint Catherine of Siena (audio book)
• A Treatise on Discretion, by Saint Catherine of Siena (audio book)
• A Treatise on Prayer, by Saint Catherine of Siena (audio book)
Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God: The Father is your table, the Son is your food, and the Holy Spirit waits on you and then makes His dwelling in you.Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God: The Father is your table, the Son is your food, and the Holy Spirit waits on you and then makes His dwelling in you. – Saint Catherine of Siena - Saint Catherine of Siena
Charity is the sweet and holy bond which links the soul with its Creator: it binds God with man and man with God. - Saint Catherine of Siena
Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know your truth. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love. - from On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena
Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind. - Saint Catherine of Siena
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-catherine-of-siena/
• Peter Martyr
• Peter of Verona
• Peter the Martyr
• 18 March (Norwegian Primstaven)
• 4 June (translation of relics)
Son of Catharist heretics. Educated in a Catholic school and at the University of Bologna, Italy. Embraced orthodox Catholicism upon hearing the teaching of Saint Dominic. Became a Dominican at age 16, received into the Order by Saint Dominic. Prior of the Dominican house in Como, Italy. Priest. Noted and inspiring preacher in the Lombard region, he spoke often against the Catharists. Called a "Second Paul" because he turned from heresy and tried to convert his former confreres. Inquisitor for northern Italy c.1234, appointed by Pope Gregory IX. Assigned to preach against Manichaeanism, he evangelized throughout Italy. Murdered by Catharists on the road. Miracle worker.
1205 at Verona, Italy
• struck on the head with an axe, then stabbed through the heart on 6 April 1252 on the road near Milan, Italy
• interred in the mausoleum of the church of Saint Eustorgio, Milan
• miracles reported at his tomb
25 March 1253 by Pope Innocent IV
• inquisitors
• midwives
• Castelleone di Suasa, Italy
• Verona, Italy, diocese of
• Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
• Dominican holding a knife
• Dominican in a forest being stabbed
• Dominican with a gash across his head
• Dominican with a knife in his shoulder
• Dominican with a knife splitting his head
• Dominican with a large knife in his head
• Dominican with his finger on his lips
• Dominican with the Virgin Mary and four female saints appearing to him
• Dominican writing credo in unum deum in the dust as he dies
• man with a knife in his head and a sword in his breast
Here silent is Christ's Herald;
Here quenched, the People's Light;
Here lies the martyred Champion
Who fought Faith's holy fight.
The Voice the sheep heard gladly,
The light they loved to see
He fell beneath the weapons
Of graceless Cathari.
The Saviour crowns His Soldier;
His praise the people psalm.
The Faith he kept adorns him
With martyr's fadeless palm.
His praise new marvels utter,
New light he spreads abroad
And now the whole wide city
Knows well the path to God.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas in eulogy of Saint Peter
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-verona/
Lay woman in the diocese of Kraków, Poland. She was the daughter of Ignacy Chrzanowski, a university professor, and Wanda Szlenkier, and while their industrialist and land-owning families had a tradition of charity, religious involvement at home was low since one side of the family was Catholic, the other Protestant. She attended an Ursuline high school. Helped care for soldiers wounded and injured in the Bolshevik revolution, then began studies at the School of Nursing in Warsaw, Poland in 1920; studied in France on a scholarship, and worked with members of the American Red Cross.
She became a nurse in a time when the profession was not as respected as today, and became a leading light in the field in her region. Instructor of the University School of Nurses and Hygienists in Kraków from 1926 to 1929. Editor of the monthly publication Nurse Poland from 1929 to 1939. Worked to help form the Catholic Association of Polish Nurses in 1937. Member of the Oblates of the Order of Saint Benedict. During World War II, where she lost her father to the concentration camps, Hanna organized nurses for home care in Warsaw, and helped feed and resettle war refugees. Following the war she became head of a nursing home where, in addition to the administrative duties, she cared for the residents and worked with nursing students. Director of the School of Psychiatric Nursing in Kobierzyn, Poland until the Communists closed it. She then moved into nursing the poor and neglected in her own parish. Fought with cancer the final seven years of her life.
7 October 1902 in Warsaw, Poland
29 April 1973 in Kraków, Poland of cancer
• 28 April 2018 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated in the Sanktuarium Bozego Milosierdzia, Kraków-Lagiewniki, Poland, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-hanna-helena-chrzanowska/
• Hugh the Great
• Hugh of Cluni
• Hugh of Semur
• Hugues de Cluny
Born to the Burgundian nobility. Eldest son of Count Dalmatius of Semur and Aremberge of Vergy. His father wanted him to become a knight and secular leader; his mother was advised of a vision received by a local priest that her son was destined for religious life. When Hugh seemed more inclined to the Church than the hunt, his father sent him to his grand-uncle Hugh, Bishop of Auxerre, France for education. Novice at Cluny Abbey at age 14. Monk at 15 under Saint Odilo. Deacon at 18. Priest at 20. Benedictine. Abbey prior. Elected abbot on 1 January 1049.
Fought lay investiture, simony, and corruption among the clergy. Founded almost 2,000 new houses, led by like-minded religious, in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Fought against simony at the Council of Rheims in 1049. Participated in the Council of Rome in 1059 that set the method of election of Popes. Presided over the Synod of Toulouse, and participated in the 1063 Council of Rome. Served as peace maker between the Vatican and Henry IV. Advisor to nine Popes.
1024 at Semur, Brionnais, diocese of Autun, France as Hugues de Semur
• 28 April 1109 at Cluny Abbey, France
• miracles reported at his tomb
• most of his relics were destroyed by Huguenots in 1575
6 January 1120 by Pope Saint Callistus II
against fever
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hugh-of-cluny/
Sister Maria of the Trinity
Lay woman in the diocese of La Spezia, Italy, the daughter of primary school teachers of indifferent faith. Itala herself fell completely away from the Church following her brother’s death. However, she later had a conversion experience, returned to the Church, and felt a call to religious life. Though she suffered with health problems, she became a Benedictine Oblate of the Abbey of Saint Paul outside the Walls in Rome, Italy. Noted theological writer, known for her depth of understanding of the Trinity as part of the faith.
28 August 1904 in La Spezia, Italy
29 April 1957 in La Spezia, Italy of natural causes
• 10 June 2017 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at Piazza Europa, La Spezia, Italy, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Itala Mela was proclaimed Blessed yesterday at La Spezia. She grew up in a family that was far from the faith. In her youth she professed herself atheist, however, she converted following an intense spiritual experience. She was committed among Catholic University students; then she became a Benedictine Oblate and undertook a mystical journey focused on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, which we celebrate today in a special way. May the testimony of the new Blessed encourage us, during our days, to turn our thought often to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who dwells in the cell of our heart. – Pope Francis during his Angelus address, 11 June 2017
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-itala-mela/
• Acardo of San Vittore
• Achard...
Born to the Norman nobility. Educated by the canons of Bridlington, diocese of York, England. Studied in Paris, France. Monk of the monastery of Saint Victor in Paris. Abbot of the house in 1155. Chosen bishop of Séez, France in 1157, but was opposed by King Henry II of England, and Acardo never took his see. Wrote several treatises on living a spiritual life. Bishop of Avranches, France in 1161. His connection to royalty and the court enabled him to obtain benefits for his diocese and all of the Normandy region of France. Would often retire to the Norbertine abbey of La Lucerne-d’Outremer in Normandy whose church he had help found and bless in 1164. Worked to support orthodox theology about Christ against some of the odd notions of the time.
early 12th century in either Normandy, France or Norman-occupied England
• 1172 of natural causes
• buried in the church of the Norbertine abbey of La Lucerne-d’Outremer, Normandy, France
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-acardo-of-avranches/
Bishop of Naples, Italy from 363 to 409. Friend of Saint Ambrose of Milan. Built four basilicas and other churches. Miracle worker; he once brought a dead man back to life so he could clear his widow of false accusations by a creditor.
• 409 of natural causes
• buried in the Catacomba di San Severo, Naples, Italy
• relics transferred to the church of San Giorgio Maggiore in Naples prior to 800
• relics transferred to the basilica of San Salvatore in Naples in the 9th century
• relics transferred to the high altar of the cathedral of Naples in 1310
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severus-of-naples/
Torpete, Torpetius, Torpè, Torpès, Tropesius, Tropez
17 May (translation of relics)
Martyred in the persecutions of Nero. Nothing else is known for sure, though that never slowed early writers who created lengthy biographies of him. Saint-Tropez, France is named for him.
beheaded c.65 at Pisa, Italy
• mariners
• Pisa, Italy
• Saint-Tropez, France
• boat
• palm of martyrdom
• sword
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-torpes-of-pisa/
Mercedarian missionary to the Americas, arriving in Peru in 1537. Avid and successful evangelist and administrator. He convened a regional missionary assembly in Cusco in November 1556 to better organize and administer the stations, and helped establish the first Mercedarian province in the Americas. Martyr.
early 16th century Spain
mid-16th century Peru
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-juan-vargas/
Tychichus, Tychikos
Spiritual student of Saint Paul the Apostle who delivered several of the letters to early churches; many became part of the New Testament. He is described by Paul in the Epistle to the Ephesians as "beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord", and is believed to have been a deacon. Since we know nothing of him after his work with Paul, many cities claims him as their first bishop.
Asia Minor
1st century
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-tychicus/
• Antonio Kim Song-u
• Gim Seong-u
Married layman catechist in the apostolic vicariate of Korea who taught new Christians at his home. Martyr.
1795 in Gusan, Gyeonggi-do (in modern South Korea)
strangled on 29 April 1841 in prison at Tangkogae, Seoul (in modern South Korea)
6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-antonius-kim-song-u/
Endelient, Endelienda
Daughter of Saint Brychan of Brycheiniog. Sister of Saint Nectan of Hartland.
Cornwall, England
• 6th century of natural causes
• part of her shrine still exists in Saint Endellion, Cornwall, England
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-endellion-of-tregony/
Martyr.
• Rome, Italy
• relics discovered in the Roman catacomb of Priscilla in 1661
• relics enshrined in the Confraternity of Mercy church in Portoferraio, Italy by the donation of Pope Alexander VII
Portoferraio, Italy (given on 7 April 1764 by Pope Clement XIII)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cristino/
Eighth century Frankish courtier. Brother of Saint Nivard. Married to Saint Bertha of Avenay. With Bertha's approval, he separated from her to become a monk. Travelled to Ireland where he was martyred by pagans attacking his monastery.
France
in Ireland
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gundebert-of-gumber/
Robert of Bruges
Benedictine Cistercian monk in 1131. Spiritual student of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. First abbot of Dunes Abbey in 1139. Abbot of Clairvaux Abbey in 1153.
Bruges, Belgium
1157 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-robert-gruthuysen/
• Ava of Dinant
• Avia of...
Niece of King Pepin the Short. Blind as a child, she was miraculously healed by Saint Rainfredis. Nun a Denain, Hainault (in modern Belgium), and later served as its abbess.
c.845
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ava-of-denain/
Dictinus
Son of an Ulster chieftain, he was a swineherd in his youth. Saint Patrick's first convert in Ireland. Gave Patrick the ground at Saul for his first Irish church.
4th century Irish
5th century in Saul, Ireland of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dichu/
Wilfrith
Monk at Beverley Abbey. Spiritual student of Saint John of Beverley. Abbot of Beverley. Late in life he retired to live as a monk at Ripon Abbey.
744
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-wilfrid-the-younger/
Fiachna, Fianchine, Fiachina, Fianchne
Monk at Lismore, Ireland. Spiritual student of Saint Carthage the Younger.
Munster, Ireland
7th century
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fiachan-of-lismore/
Benedictine monk. Leading supporter of the monastic reform at Hirsau Abbey and the Cluniac reform in general. Abbot of Saint George's Abbey in the Black Forest c.1100.
1120 at Cluny Abbey of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theoger/
Lucraid
Monk. Abbot of Clonmacnois (Cluain Mhic Nóis) monastery, County Offaly, Ireland from 740 to 753.
Ireland
753 in Ireland of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luccreth/
Bishop of Brescia, Italy c.524.
• c.545
• relics enshrined in the church of San Pietro in Oliveto, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paulinus-of-brescia/
Hermit. Martyr.
Asia Minor
9th century in Spain
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-daniel-of-gerona/
Seventh century hermit in north Wales.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-senan-of-wales/
A feast that recognizes the great and saintly early abbots of Cluny Abbey.
• Saint Aymardus of Cluny
• Saint Berno of Cluny
• Saint Hugh of Cluny
• Saint Mayeul
• Saint Odilo of Cluny
• Saint Odo of Cluny
• Saint Peter the Venerable
https://catholicsaints.info/abbots-of-cluny/
• Martyrs of Corcyra
• Seven Holy Thieves
• Seven Holy Robbers
• Seven Robber Saints
A gang of thieves who converted while in prison, brought to the faith by Saint Jason and Saint Sosipater who were had been imprisoned for evangelizing. When the gang announced their new faith, they were martyred together. They were - Euphrasius, Faustianus, Insischolus, Januarius, Mammius, Marsalius and Saturninus.
boiled in oil and pitch in the 2nd century on the Island of Corcyra (modern Corfu, Greece)
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-corfu/
• Madonna del sangue
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