| 4 January |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (United States) |
• Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton
• Mother Seton
Born into a wealthy and influential Episcopalian family, the daughter of a Dr Richard Bayley; Elizabeth was raised in the New York high society of the late 18th century. Her mother died when Elizabeth was three years old, her baby sister a year later. In 1794 at age 19 she married the wealthy businessman William Magee Seton, and was the mother of five.
About ten years into the marriage, William's business failed, and soon after he died of tuberculosis, leaving Elizabeth an impoverished widow with five small children. For years Elizabeth had felt drawn to Catholicism, believing in the Real Presence in the Eucharist and in the lineage of the Church going back to Christ and the Apostles. She converted to Catholicism, entering the Church on 14 March 1805, alienating many of her strict Episcopalian family in the process.
To support her family, and insure the proper education of her children, she opened a school in Boston. Though a private and secular institution, from the beginning she ran it along the lines of a religious community. At the invitation of the archbishop, she established a Catholic girl's school in Baltimore, Maryland which initiated the parochial school system in America. To run the system she founded the Sisters of Charity in 1809, the first native American religious community for women.
28 August 1774 in New York City, New York, USA as Elizabeth Ann Bayley
4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland of natural causes
14 September 1975 by Pope Paul VI
• against in-law problems
• against the death of children
• against the death of parents
• Apostleship of the Sea (two of her sons worked on the sea)
• opposition of Church authorities
• people ridiculed for their piety
• Shreveport, Louisiana, diocese of
• widows
We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him. - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will. - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
What was the first rule of our dear Savior's life? You know if was to do his Father's will. Well, then, the first purpose of our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will. We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty. - from the writings of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elizabeth-ann-seton/
Mistress of Theologians
Born to a wealthy non-Christian family. She married young, and was the mother of several children. Angela lived a wild, adulterous, and sacrilegious life for a while, but following a vision received in 1285, she had a conversion. After the death of her mother, husband, and children, she turned to God and penance. Franciscan tertiary, and led a group of other tertiaries. Noted for her charity, patience and humility. Visionary, mystic, and mystical writer.
1248 at Foligno, Umbria, Italy
• 4 January 1309 at Foligno, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the Church of Saint Francis in Foligno, Italy
• 1693 by Pope Innocent XII (cult confirmed)
• 3 April 1701 by Pope Clement XI (concession of indult for Mass and Office)
9 October 2013 by Pope Francis
• against sexual temptation
• against temptations
• against the death of children
• people ridiculed for their piety
• widows
• being invited by Our Lord to receive Holy Communion
• chaining the devil
God presents himself in the inmost depths of my soul. I understand not only that he is present, but also how he is present in every creature and in everything that has being, in a devil and a good angel, in heaven and hell, in good deeds and in adultery or homicide, in all things, finally, which exist or have some degree of being, whether beautiful or ugly. I also understand that he is no less present in a devil than a good angel. Therefore, while I am in this truth, I take no less delight in seeing or understanding his presence in a devil or in an act of adultery than I do in a good angel or in a good deed. This mode of divine presence in my soul has become almost habitual. Moreover, this mode of God's presence illuminates my soul with such great truth and bestows on it such divine graces that when my soul is in this mode it cannot commit any offense, and it receives an abundance of divine gifts. Because of this understanding of God's presence my soul is greatly humiliated and ashamed of its sins. It is also granted deep wisdom, great divine consolation, and joy. - Blessed Angela
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-angela-of-foligno/
• Apostle of the Abandoned Tabernacles
• Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle
• Emmanuel González García
Fourth of five boys in his family; his father was a carpenter. Manuel was very active in his parish church, sang in the choir and entered the junior seminary in Seville, Spain at age 12. Ordained a priest in the diocese of Seville on 21 September 1901 by his bishop, Blessed Marcelo Spinola y Maestre.
In 1902, Father Manuel was sent to preach a mission, and when he arrived, he found the church filthy and neglected. He knelt before the tabernacle in Eucharistic Adoration and felt a call to revitalize devotion to the Eucharist and Adoration. He served as chaplain of a nursing home of the Sisters of the Poor and priest at the parish of San Pedro del Huelva in Seville. His other ministries including work to provide food and education to poor children. Following the call he felt in Eucharistic Adoration, he founded the Disciples of Saint John on 4 March 1910 to spread devotion to the Eucharist and Saint John; the Disciples were soon working across Europe, and had the support of Pope Saint Pius X.
Chosen auxiliary bishop of Málaga, Spain and titular bishop of Olympus on 6 December 1915. Bishop of Málaga on 22 April 1920. Bishop of Palencia, Spain on 5 August 1935. Founder of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth and the Children of Reparation.
25 February 1877 at Seville, Spain
• 4 January 1940 in Madrid, Spain of natural causes
• buried next to the tabernacle in the Capilla del Santísimo, Cathedral of Palencia, Spain
• 29 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II
• the beatification miracle involved the healing of Sara Ruiz Ortega, then 18 years old, of tuberculosis peritonitis which had left her paralyzed
• 16 October 2016 by Pope Francis
• the canonization involved the healing of a Galician woman who suffered from aggressive lymphoma
• Children of Reparation
• Disciples of Saint John
• Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-manuel-gonzalez-garcia/
Farahilde, Farailde, Pharaild, Pharailde, Pherailde, Vareide, Varelde, Veerhilde, Veerle, Verylde
Sister of Saint Gudule. Niece of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles. After making a private vow of virginity, Pharaildis was forced into marriage with a wealthy nobleman. Her husband insisted that she was married to him, and her sexual fidelity was owed to him, not God. Physically abused for her refusal to submit to him, and for her late night visits to churches. When widowed, she was still a virgin. Legend says that Pharaildis caused a well to spring up whose waters cured sick children.
c.650 in Ghent, Belgium
c.740 of natural causes
• against childhood diseases
• difficult marriages
• poultry
• victims of abuse
• widows
• Ghent, Belgium
• Smetlede, Belgium
• Bruay, France
• loaves of bread (refers to a legend where a rich woman, who would not share her bread with a beggar, said in front of PHaraildis that if there was any bread in the house, she hoped it would turn to stone; from then on, all the bread brought into that house turned to stones)
• goose
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-pharaildis-of-ghent/
Pastor Rebel
1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Began studies at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, England in 1543. Priest. Rector of Stubton, Lincolnshire, England in 1546. He resigned his prebend and became chaplain to northern insurgents in the Catholic Rising of the North against the repressions of Queen Elizabeth I, refusing to take the oath acknowledging her supremacy over the Church in England. Captured when the revolt failed, he was arrested at the altar, and charged with celebrating Mass. Offered his freedom if he would denouce Catholicism; he declined. Martyr.
in Lincolnshire, England
• hanged, drawn and quartered on 4 January 1570 in the market place at Durham Castle, Durham, England
• left to hang as a warning to other Catholics, he was finally buried on 14 January 1570
9 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-plumtree/
Christiana of the Cross
• 4 January as Oringa
• 10 January as Christiana
Pious farm girl who fled her home to escape an arranged marriage. Worked as a servant in Lucca, Italy then became an itinerant miracle worker in the region. Eventually returned to her birthplace, to found and lead an Augustinian convent. Known for her dedication to her prayer life.
at Castello di Santa Croce, Arno valley, Tuscany, Italy
1310 at Castello di Santa Croce, Tuscany, Italy of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-oringa-of-the-cross/
Abruncolo of Clermont
14 May (French dioceses of Langres, Dijon and Clermont-Ferrand)
Bishop of Langres, France in the latter 5th century, he operated from the city of Dijon, France. Exiled from the diocese by the Arian Burgundian king Gundobald, he became bishop of Clermont-Ferrand, France as the previous bishop, a friend and frequent correspondent of Abruncolo, had recently died. Friend of Saint Ruricius.
• c.488 of natural causes
• buried in the church of Saint Stephen outside Clermonnt, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-abruncolo-of-langres/
13 May (translation of relics)
Governor and leading citizen in the area of Autun, France. Married, and the father of Saint Tertricus of Langres. Great-uncle of Saint Gregory of Tours. Widower; after his wife's death, he devoted himself to God. Priest. Reluctant bishop of Langres, France at age 57. Though he was known as a strict and severe civil authority, he was a gentle, understanding and charitable minister.
539 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gregory-of-langres/
• Libentius of Bremen
• Liawizo, Libenzio
Benedictine monk. Exiled to Hamburg, Germany with Pope Benedict V. Developed a ministery to the poor and sick of Bremen, Germany. Chamberlain to Archbishop Adaldago of Hamburg. Archbishop of Hamburg in 988.
in southern Swabia (modern Germany)
• 4 January 1013 in Bremen, Germany of natural causes
• buried in the cathedral of Bremen
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-libentius-of-hamburg/
Gobert, Rigobertus, Robert
14 June (translation of relics)
Benedictine monk. Abbot of Orbais. Archbishop of Rheims, France. Persecuted and exiled by Charles Martel. While he was away, another was appointed bishop. He eventually returned to his see, but to prevent scandal and dissention among the faithful, he did not try to recover his bishopric, and spent the rest of his days as a hermit. Noted for his patience, and as a miracle worker.
c.750 in Rheims, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rigobert-of-rheims/
Ferreol, Ferreolo
Brother of Saint Tarsicia of Rodez. Sixth century bishop of Uzès, France. Devoted to converting Jews to Christianity. Exiled for three years by King Childebert I of Paris over a political dispute. Founded a monastery in his see, and wrote its Rule.
at Narbonne, France
4 January 581 in Uzès, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ferreolus-of-uzes/
• Stephen Bourg-en-Bresse
• Etienne...
Canon of Saint Rufus at Valence, France. Companion of Saint Bruno at the foundation of the Grande Chartreuse. Founded the charterhouse at Meyria in 1116.
c.1030
1118 at Meyriat, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stephen-du-bourg/
• Dafrosa of Rome
• Aifrosa, Affrosa, Daphrosa
Married to Saint Flavian; mother of Saint Bibiana and Saint Demetria. Martyred in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate. Her story is included in the Acts of Bibiana.
beheaded c.362
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dafrosa-of-acquapendente/
Cistercian monk at Lorroyen-Berry, France. Founding abbot of a monastery at Ellent, archdiocese of Rheims, France in 1156. Known for his dedication to the monastic life, and his care for the area sick.
in England
• 4 January 1160 at Ellent, France of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the chapel of the monastery he founded there
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-roger-of-ellant/
Druman, Drumé, Raimundus, Raymond, Ruman, Ruvon
May have been the son of Saint Thumette. Hermit in the region of Audierne, France.
late 5th century in Penmarch, Cornwall, England
6th century
Audierne, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rumon-of-audierne/
One of a group of nine young women who were seized, ordered to renounce Christianity, offered bribes to do it, and were executed when they refused; Neophytos is the only name that has come down to us. Martyrs.
• 7th century
• relics later translated to Limburg monastery
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-neophytos/
Mercedarian friar. Imprisoned and tortured by Saracens for preaching Christianity while ransoming Christians enslaved by the Muslims.
1271 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-louis-de-halles/
23 February (discovery of relics)
Born to the nobility. Bishop of Trier, Germany, serving for 14 years, converting many in his diocese.
• c.146
• relics re-discovered in 980
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-celsus-of-trier/
Ermete
28 January (Bologna, Italy)
Martyr.
c.300 in Moesia (in modern Bulgaria)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hermes-of-moesia-4-january/
• Aedh of Kildare
• Aeduus...
King of Leinster, Ireland. He abdicated in 592 to become a monk at Kildare, Ireland. Bishop of Kildare in 630.
Irish
639 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aedh-dubh/
Monk. Founded the Nicholas Abbey in Cucumo, Sicily, and served as its first abbot.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theoctistus/
Caius
28 January (Bologna, Italy)
Martyr.
c.300 in Moesia (in modern Bulgaria)
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gaius-of-moesia/
Ghronan
Lived in the Cunningham district of Ayrshire, Scotland where he was noted for his great personal piety.
641 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-chroman/
Mercedarian nun in the monastery of Jesus and Mary to Orozco, Spain.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-chiara-de-ugarte/
Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Caracalla for refusing to worship idols.
thrown to wild animals in 212 at Adrumetum, North Africa
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mavilus-of-adrumetum/
Benedictine monk. Priest in the abbey of Subiaco, Italy. Lived several years as a hermit near the monastery.
c.1070 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-palumbus-of-subiaco/
Sixth-century bishop at Meaux, France. A man noted for his simplicity of life wound up exiled by Charles Martel more for political reasons than anything spiritual.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rigomero-of-meaux/
Martyr.
• Rome, Italy
• relics enshrined in the Church of San Martino al Monti by Pope Sergius II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-neopista-of-rome/
28 January (Bologna, Italy)
Martyr.
c.300
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aggaeus-the-martyr/
A group of Christians martyred together in the persecutions of the Arian Vandal king Hunneric. Saint Bede wrote about them. - Aquilinus, Eugene, Geminus, Marcian, Quintus, Theodotus and Tryphon.
in 484 in North Africa
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-africa-4-january/
Three Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate for refusing to renounce Christianity as ordered. - Benedicta, Priscillianus and Priscus.
in 362 in Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-rome-4-january/
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