| 29 February |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
• Augustus Chapdelaine
• Father Ma
• Papa Chapdelaine
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Youngest of nine children born to Nicolas Chapdelaine and Madeleine Dodeman. Following grammar school, Auguste dropped out to work on the family farm. He early felt a call to the priesthood, but his family opposed it, needing his help on the farm. However, the sudden death of two of his brothers caused them to re-think forcing him to ignore his life's vocation, and they finally approved. He entered the minor seminary at Mortain on 1 October 1834, studying with boys half his age. It led to his being nicknamed Papa Chapdelaine, which stuck with him the rest of his life.
Ordained on 10 June 1843 at age 29. Associate pastor from 1844 to 1851. He finally obtained permission from his bishop to enter the foreign missions, and was accepted by French Foreign Missions; he was two years past their age limit, but his zeal for the missions made them approve him anyway. He stayed long enough to say a final Mass, bury his sister, and say good-bye to his family, warning them that he would never see them again. Left Paris, France for the Chinese missions on 30 April 1852, landing in Singapore on 5 September 1852.
Due to being robbed on the road by bandits, Auguste lost everything he had, and had to fall back and regroup before making his way to his missionary assignment. He reached Kwang-si province in 1854, and was arrested in Su-Lik-Hien ten days later. He spent two to three weeks in prison, but was released, and ministered to the locals for two years, converting hundreds. Arrested on 26 February 1856 during a government crackdown, he was returned to Su-Lik-Hien and sentenced to death for his work. Tortured with and died with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and Saint Agnes Tsau Kouy.
6 January 1814 at La Rochelle-Normande, France
beheaded on 29 February 1856 in Su-Lik-Hien, Kwang-Si province, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-auguste-chapdelaine/
Hilarus, Hilarius
Deacon. Trusted aide to Pope Saint Leo the Great. Papal legate. Sent to the "Robber Synod" at Ephesus in 449 to report on the Monophysitism heresies of Eutyches, which denied the humanity of Christ and claimed that He had only a divine nature, a teaching condemned in 451 by the Council of Chalcedon. Eutyches' followers attacked the legate party, and forced them to return to Rome. Arch-deacon c.455. Worked on an updated method of calculating the date of Easter. Chosen 46th pope in 461.
As pope, Hilary confirmed the work of several general councils, rebuilt and remodeled many churches, fought Nestorianism and Arianism, and held several Councils at Rome. Renowned for defending the rights of his bishops while exhorting them to curb their excesses and devote themselves more completely to God. Helped define the Church‘s role in the empire, and affirmed the position of the pope, and not the emperor, as leader in spiritual matters. He continued Leo I‘s vigorous policy, strengthening ecclesiastical government in Gaul and Spain. Erected churches, convents, libraries, and two public baths, and his synod of 465 is the earliest Roman synod whose records are extant.
on Sardinia
19 November 461
28 February 468 at Rome, Italy of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-hilary/
Oswald's parents came from Denmark to England before his birth. The boy was educated by his uncle, Saint Odo the Good. Priest in the diocese of Winchester, England. Benedictine monk at Fleury-sur-Loire, France. Bishop of Worcester, England in 962. Worked with Saint Dunstan and Saint Ethelwold to revive monastic and ecclesiastical discipline in England. Founded the abbey at Ramsey, and the monastery at Winchester. Archbishop of York in 972. Wrote theological treatises, and worked for the improved theological training of his clergy. Daily washed the feet of poor people.
29 February 992 of natural causes
• church
• demon
• dove
• ship
• stone
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-oswald-of-worcester/
Married and a mother of one. Widowed twice. Franciscan tertiary. Poor Clare nun. Spiritual student of Saint John Capitran. Abbess at Aquila, Italy from 1433 to 1447. Founded a Observant-oriented house of Poor Clares in Aquila. Sick the last 15 years of her life.
1400 at Florence, Italy
29 February 1472 in her convent at Aquila, Italy of natural causes
1847 by Pope Blessed Pius IX (cultus confirmed)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antonia-of-florence/
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