Calendar of Saints

31 March	• yesterday • tomorrow

Daily Bread #90, by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp

Mary: The Perfect Woman, Rhythm LXIII - Eve's Consolers

He who does not acquire the love of God will scarcely persevere in the grace of God, for it is very difficult to renounce sin merely through fear of chastisement. - Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Saint Guy of Pomposa

Also known as

Guido, Guion, Wido, Wit, Witen

Profile

Known in his youth for being meticulous about his clothing and appearance - until the day he realized it was simply vanity and traded his fine clothes for a beggar's rags. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. Spiritual student for three years of a hermit name Martin on an island in the River Po. Monk at Pomposa abbey near Ferrera, Italy. Benedictine monk at Saint Severus abbey, Ravenna, Italy. Abbot at Ravenna. Abbot at Pomposa. A student of scripture, at the request of Saint Peter Damian he taught Bible studies for two years. So many were attracted to his teaching, his leadership, and his example of the Christian life that his house doubled in size; his father and brother joined the order. Guy finally handed off the administrative elements of his position to concentrate on spiritual direction. He periodically retreated to a hermitage near Ferrara to spend his days in prayer and fasting. Near the end of his life he was unjustly persecuted for personal reasons by archbishop Heribert of Ravenna. Died while on a trip to Piacenza, Italy to advise Emperor Henry III on spiritual matters.

Born

at Ravenna, Italy

Died

• 1046 at Borgo San Donnino, Italy of natural causes
• interred in the church of Saint John the Evangelist, Speyer, Germany, which was renamed Saint Guido-Stift

Patronage

Speyer, Germany

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-guy-of-pomposa/

Blessed Natalia Tulasiewicz

Additional Memorial

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

Profile

Lay woman in the archdiocese of Poznan, Poland. School teacher in Poznan. Very active in her parish. Arrested, tortured, held to public ridicule, deported, imprisoned, and sentenced to forced labor during the Nazi occupation of Poland and persecution of Christians in World War II. In the camps she ministered to other prisoners, and in the days leading up to her execution she led conferences with other female prisoners on the Passion and Resurrection. Martyr.

Born

9 April 1906 in Rzeszów, Podkarpackie, Poland

Died

Easter day, 31 March 1945 in the gas chambers of the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, Fürstenberg, Oberhavel, Germany

Beatified

13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Readings

My mission is to show the world that the road to holiness also goes through noisy markets and streets, and not only in monasteries or in quiet families. I want holiness for thousands of souls. And it will not happen, it will not really happen that I will go to heaven alone. There I want to lead the ranks of those who will die after me after my death. - Blessed Natalia Tulasiewicz writing in her spiritual journal

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-natalia-tulasiewicz/

Blessed Bonaventure Tornielli

Also known as

• Apostolic Preacher
• Bonaventure of Forli

Profile

Joined the Servite Order in 1448, and became a Bible expert. Though he was noted by his brothers for his love of contemplative silence, he became one of the greatest Servite preachers, preaching missions throughout southern Italy and the Papal States, always on the theme of repentance; Pope Sixtus IV referred to him as the Apostolic Preacher. Served several years as vicar-general of his Order.

Born

c.1411 in Forli, Italy

Died

31 March 1491 of natural causes

Beatified

1911 by Pope Saint Pius X (cultus confirmed)

Prayers

Oh God, who didst impart to Blessed Bonaventure, the Confessor, the grace of recalling sinners to repentence, grant we bessech thee, through his merits and intercession, that we may also weep over our sins, so that, renewed in heart and will, we may serve thee faithfully until death. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Representation

• Servite with a scourge and a book
• man carrying a banner that reads A penitenza

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-bonaventure-tornielli/

Saint Benjamin the Deacon

Profile

Deacon. Imprisoned for a year for his faith, he was released on condition that he never speak about Christianity where he could be heard by any of the royal court. Benjamin then became a street preacher, proclaiming the word any place he could find people. For his obstinate evangelization during the persecutions of king Varanes, he was arrested, tortured and martyred.

Born

Persian

Died

impaled on a stake c.424 in Persia

Video

YouTube PlayList

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

Saint Agigulf

Also known as

Agigulfus, Agilolfo, Agilulfo, Agilulfus, Agilulph

Additional Memorials

• 6 July (translation of relics)
• 9 July (translation of relics to Cologne, Germany)

Profile

Educated at the Benedictine monastery of Stavelot-Malmédy (in modern Belgium) where he became monk and later abbot. Bishop of Cologne, Austrasia (in modern Germany) c.745. Noted for his austerity of life and his preaching. When King Pepin was dying, Agigulf counseled against naming Charles Martel as the new king; when Martel came to the throne, he had Agigulf killed. Martyr.

Died

• murdered c.751 in Cologne, Austrasia (in modern Germany)
• relics transferred to Kempen, Germany in 1802
• relics transferred back to Cologne in 1846
• relics re-enshrined and put on public display in 1893

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

Blessed Christopher Robinson

Additional Memorials

• 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
• 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai

Profile

Studied in Douai and Rheims, France beginning in 1590. Ordained 24 February 1592. Returned to England in September 1592 to covertly minister to oppressed Catholics in the areas of Cumberland and Westmoreland. He witnessed the martyrdom of Saint John Boste, and published an account of it. Arrested 4 March 1597 for the crime of priesthood. Martyred for his crime; the hanging rope broke twice, so they used two ropes on the third, successful attempt. One of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales.

Born

c.1568 at Woodside, England

Died

hanged on 19 August 1598 at Carlisle, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-christopher-robinson/

Blessed Jane of Toulouse

Also known as

Jeanne, Joan, Johanna

Profile

Received the Carmelite veil from Saint Simon Stock, taking a vow of perpetual chastity. Followed the rule of Saint Albert of Jerusalem. First Carmelite tertiary, and foundress of the Carmelite Third Order. Worked with the sick and poor, and trained young Carmelite friars. Very little factual information was ever recorded about her, but those who knew her considered her exceptionally gentle, pious, and dedicated.

Born

at Toulouse, France

Died

1286 of natural causes

Beatified

11 February 1895 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jane-of-toulouse/

Saint Balbina of Rome

Also known as

Balbina the Virgin

Profile

Daughter of Saint Quirinus the Jailer. Baptised by Pope Saint Alexander I. Virgin recluse. Martyred with her father. Three ancient memorials to her are found in Rome.

Died

• c.130 in Rome, Italy
• buried along the Appian Way in Rome near her father
• relics moved to the catheral of Cologne, Germany

Patronage

• scrofulous diseases
• struma

Representation

• chains
• fetters
• young woman holding a chain
• young woman kissing the chains of captive Christians

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

Saint Daniel of Venice

Additional Memorial

20 March (Camaldolese)

Profile

15th-century Camaldolese monk at Venice, Italy. Known for giving away everything he had to care for the poor, and for living in continuous prayer.

Born

German

Died

strangled by thieves on 31 March 1411 at San Mattia di Murano, Venice, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-daniel-of-venice/

Blessed Guy of Vicogne

Also known as

Guido of Vicogne

Profile

Founded the Premonstratensian abbey of Vicogne in the diocese of Arras, France. He retired there as a Premonstratensian monk, and then served as superior of the community.

Died

1147 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-guy-of-vicogne/

Saint Mella of Doire-Melle

Profile

Married. Mother of Saint Cannech and Saint Tigernach. Widow. Nun. Abbess of Doire-Melle in County Leitrim, Ireland.

Born

at Connaught, Ireland

Died

c.780 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mella-of-doire-melle/

Saint Machabeo of Armagh

Also known as

Gilda-Marchaibeo

Profile

Abbot of the monastery of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Armagh, Ireland for over 30 years.

Born

Irish

Died

1174 of natural causes

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

Saint Renovatus of Merida

Profile

Arian heretic who converted to orthodox Christianity. Monk and then abbot of Cauliana monastery in Lusitania (in modern Portugal). Bishop of Merida, Spain for 22 years.