5 April • yesterday
• tomorrow
Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent Ferrer

Use your ears oftener than your tongue. One often repents of having spoken, and scarcely ever of having been silent. - Saint Antony of Padua
The Mountains of Myrrh: Pilate and Herod
Sanctity Through the Rosary: The Rosary and Perfect Holiness

Saint Vincent Ferrer

Also known as

Vincent Ferreri

Profile

Fourth child of the Anglo-Scottish nobleman William Stewart Ferrer and his Spanish wife, Constantia Miguel; his father is reported to have had a dream in which he was told that Vincent would be a world famous Dominican friar. The boy joined the Dominicans in 1367. Received his doctorate of theology from the University of Lleida. Priest. Missionary. Taught theology. Adviser to the King of Aragon. During a severe fever in 1398, Vincent had a vision of Christ, Saint Dominic de Guzman and Saint Francis of Assisi. It was a life changing experience - Vincent received supernatural gifts and believed that he was a messenger of penance, an "angel of the apocalypse" sent to prepare humankind for the Judgement of Christ. Great preacher who converted thousands in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Invited to preach in Muslim Granada. Counselor to Pope Benedict XIII. Travelled through Spain, France, Switzerland, and Italy, working to end the Western Schism. Slept on the floor, had the gift of tongues (he spoke only Spanish, but all listeners understood him), lived in an endless fast, celebrated Mass daily, and known as a miracle worker; reported to have brought a murdered man back to life to prove the power of Christianity to the onlookers, and he would heal people thoughout a hospital just by praying in front of it. He worked so hard to build up the Church that he became the patron of people in building trades.

Born

23 January 1350 in Valencia (part of modern Spain)

Died

• 5 April 1419 at Vannes, Brittany, France of natural causes
• interred in the cathedral of Vannes

Canonized

• 3 June 1455 by Pope Callistus III
• at the recognition of his canonization, the stories of 800 of his validated miracles were read out loud; there were more, but the celebrants decided to simple move on with the recognition

Patronage

• brick makers
• builders
• Calamonaci, Italy
• Casteltermini, Agrigento, Italy
• construction workers
• Leganes, Philippines
• Orihuela-Alicante, Spain, diocese of
• pavement workers
• plumbers
• tile makers

Representation

• Bible
• cardinal's hat
• Dominican preacher with a flame on his hand
• Dominican preacher with a flame on his head
• Dominican holding an open book while preaching
• Dominican with a cardinal's hat
• Dominican with a crucifix
• Dominican with a trumpet nearby, often coming down from heaven, referring to his vision
• Dominican with wings, referring to his vision as being an 'angel of the apocalypse'
• pulpit, representing his life as a preacher
• flame, referring to his gifts from the Holy Spirit

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire. - Saint Vincent Ferrer from On the Spiritual Life

Videos

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vincent-ferrer/


Blessed Juliana of Mont Cornillon

Also known as

• Juliana of Mount Cornillon
• Juliana of Liege

Profile

Orphaned at age 5. She and her sister Agnes were raised by the nuns at the convent of Mount Cornillon. Juliana read the works of Saint Augustine and Saint Bernard while she was still very young. Augustinian nun at Liege, Belgium in 1206. Worked with the sick, and in the convent's hospital. Prioress of the convent at Mount Cornillon in 1225.

Received visions from Christ, who pointed out that there was no feast in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. Based on this, she promoted the additional of what became the feast of Corpus Christi. The messages she received led to being branded a visionary, and accused of mismanagement of hospital funds. An investigation by the bishop exonerrated her; she was returned to her position, and he introduced the feast of Corpus Christi in Liege in 1246.

On the bishop's death in 1248, Juliana was driven from Mount Cornillon. Nun at the Cistercian house at Salzinnes until it was burned by Henry II of Luxembourg. Anchoress at Fosses.

Friend of Blessed Eva of Liege, who worked for the acceptance of the new feast. The office for the feast was later written by Saint Thomas Aquinas, and was sanctioned for the whole Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264. The feast became mandatory in the Roman Church in 1312.

Born

1192 at Retinnes, Flanders, Belgium

Died

• 5 April 1258 of natural causes
• buried at Villiers, France

Beatified

1869 by Pope Blessed Pius IX (cultus confirmed)

Representation

Augustinian nun holding a monstrance

Video

YouTube PlayList: Blessed Juliana
YouTube PlayList: Feast of Corpus Christi

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-juliana-of-mont-cornillon/


Blessed Saturnina Rodríguez de Zavalía

Also known as

• Catalina of Mary
• Caterina di Maria
• Josefa Saturnina Rodríguez
• Mother Catalina de María Rodríguez
• Saturnina Rodriguez

Profile

Though she early felt a call to religious life, Saturnina married the widower Manuel Antonio de Zavalia on 13 August 1852, and became step-mother to his son and daughter. They were together a little over twelve years during which they lost their only daughter to a miscarriage. Widowed on 30 March 1865, Saturnina began to gave in to the call to religious life. She founded the Esclavas del Corazón de Jesús (Slaves of the Heart of Jesus, Argentina; Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus) on 29 September 1872, taking the name Sister Catalina of Mary which spread out to do good works across Argentina. The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola were key in the formation of her spiritual life. Late in life she assisted the work of Saint José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero.

Born

27 November 1823 in Córdoba, Argentina as Saturnina Rodriguez

Died

about 8:00 a.m. on 5 April 1896 in Córdoba, Argentina of natural causes

Beatified

• 25 November 2017 by Pope Francis
• the beatification recognition was celebrated in Córdoba, Argentina with Cardinal Angelo Amato as chief celebrant
• the beatification miracle involved the 1998 healing from severe heart disease of a woman in the Tucuman province of Argentina

Patronage

• Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus
• heart patients

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-saturnina-rodriguez-de-zavalia/


Saint Catherine of Palma

Also known as

• Catherine Tomas
• Catherine Thomas
• Catalina Thomas
• Catalina Tomas
• Katarina Tomás av Palma

Additional Memorial

27 July and 28 July in Valldemossa, Spain

Profile

Orphan who lived an unhappy childhood in the home of her paternal uncle. Felt a call to the religious life at age 15, but her confessor convinced her to wait a little. Domestic servant in Palma, Spain where she learned to read and write. Joined the Canonesses of Saint Augustine at Saint Mary Magdalen convent in Palma. Subjected to many strange phenomena and mystical experiences including visits from angels, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Catherine of Siena. Had the gifts of visions and prophecy. Assaulted spiritually and physically by dark powers, she sometimes went into ecstatic trances for days at a time; her wounds from this abuse were treated by Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian. During her last years she was almost continually in ecstasy. Foretold the date of her death.

Born

1 May 1533 at Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain

Died

5 April 1574 at Saint Mary Magdalen convent, Palma, Mallorca, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

22 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI

Patronage

Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-catherine-of-palma/


Blessed Mariano de la Mata Aparicio

Profile

One of eight children born to Martina and Manuel de la Mata Aparicio. Studied in Valladolid, Spain. Joined the Augustinians on 9 September 1921, taking his solemn vows on 23 January 1927. Studied in Pisuerga, Spain and then at the monastery of Saint Maria La Vid in Burgos, Spain. Ordained on 25 July 1930. Taught at the College La Encarnación in Llanes, Spain. Missionary to Brazil in July 1931. He became known as the messenger of charity to the poorest of the poor. Teacher and coordinator of teaching throughout the missionary region.

Born

31 December 1905 in La Puebla de Valdavia, Palencia, Spain

Died

• 5 April 1983 in São Paulo, Brazil of cancer
• interred at the church of Saint Augustine in São Paulo

Beatified

• 5 November 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI
• the beatification miracle involved the healing of a child who had been run over by a truck
• recognition celebrated at the cathedral in São Paulo, Brazil, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins chief celebrant

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mariano-de-la-mata-aparicio/


Saint Maria Crescentia Höss

Also known as

• Mary Crescentia Höss
• Crescentia Höss

Profile

Seventh of the eight children of Matthias Höss and Lucia Hoermann. Franciscan tertiary nun in 1703, admitted to the convent at Kaufbeuren, Germany at the request of the town's Protestant mayor. Mistreated by her new sisters for her lack of a dowry, her holiness overcame their hostility, and she won them all over. Porter. Novice-mistress from 1726 to 1741. Reluctant superior of her house from 1741 until her death in 1744.

Born

20 October 1682 at Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, Germany

Died

• Easter, 5 April 1744 at Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, Germany of natural causes
• interred in the chapel of her monastery

Canonized

25 November 2001 by Pope John Paul II

Readings

God wants the convent rich in virtue, not in temporal goods. - Saint Maria Hoss

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maria-crescentia-hoss/


Saint Gerald of Sauve-Majeure

Also known as

• Gerald of Corbie
• Gerard, Geraud

Profile

Educated at the monastery of Corbie, France. Benedictine monk at Corbie. Cellarer. Travelled with his abbot to Monte Cassino and Rome. Ordained by Pope Saint Leo IX. Suffered from severe headaches; when he returned to the monastery at Corbie, he was cured of them by Saint Adalard. Made a pilgrimage to Palestine. Abbot of Saint Vicent's abbey, Laon, France. Abbot of Saint Medard abbey at Soissons, France; he was expelled from Saint Medard's by a usurper for the position of abbot. Founded the abbey of Sauve-Majeure which spread a devotion to the Benedictine Rule.

Born

at Corbie, France

Died

1095 of natural causes

Canonized

1197 by Pope Celestine III

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gerald-of-sauve-majeure/


Saint Derfel Gadarn

Also known as

• Cadarn
• Dervel the Mighty
• Gdarn
• Terbillius
• Turville

Profile

Born a prince, the son of King Hywel Mawr; grandson of Hoel I Mawr the Great. Brother of Saint Tudwal. Brother of Saint Arthfael. Soldier whose skill was celebrated the bards of his day; he fought in the battle of Camlan in 537. A life at war caused him to turn to religion. Hermit and then monk at Llantwit, Wales. Abbot of Ynys Enlli. Missionary. A wooden statue of Derfel on horseback was a great treasure of the church at Llanderfel; it was used in the pyre that burned Blessed John Forest.

Born

c.566 in Wales

Died

• 6 April 660 at Ynys Enlli, Bardsey, Wales of natural causes
• relics at Llanderfel, Merionethshire, Wales
• relics destroyed by order of Oliver Cromwell

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-derfel-gadarn/


Saint Irene of Thessalonica

Also known as

Herene

Profile

Sister of Saint Agape and Saint Chionia. Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by Emperor Diocletian, and of refusing food that had been offered to the gods. Following the martyrdom of her sisters, Irene was also ordered to deny the faith; she refused. She was sent to a house of prostitution, and when she was unmolested after being exposed naked and chained, she was executed. Martyr.

Born

3rd century in Thessalonica, Macedonia

Died

burned alive or shot through the throat with an arrow (records vary) in 304 in Thessalonica, Macedonia

Patronage

• girls
• for peace
• 4 cities

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irene-of-thessalonica/


Saint Ethelburgh of Kent

Also known as

• Ethelburgh of Lyminge
• Aeoelburh, Aeoilburh, Aeoelburh, Aeoilburh, Aethelburg, Aethelburg, Aethelburga, Aethelburga, Aethelburh, Aethelburh, AeÞelburh, Etelburga, Ethelburga, Tata, Tate

Profile

Born a princess, the daughter of King Saint Ethelbert of Kent (part of modern England). Married to King Edwin of Northumbria (also part of modern England). Friend of Saint Paulinus of York. Widow. After Edwin's death, Ethelburgh returned to Kent, founded the convent in Lyminge, entered it as a nun, and then served as abbess.

Died

c.647 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ethelburgh-of-kent/


Blessed Conrad of Saxony

Profile

Franciscan friar. Missionary preacher in Ircania, an area near the Caspian Sea, a region of primarily of Muslims and Eastern Orthodox Christians. One day as he was preparing to preach the faith in public, he was set on and murdered by a mob. Martyr.

Born

Saxony (in modern Germany)

Died

strangled to death c.1288 in the Ircania region

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-conrad-of-saxony/


Blessed Stephen of Hungary

Profile

Franciscan friar. Missionary preacher in Ircania, an area near the Caspian Sea, a region of primarily of Muslims and Eastern Orthodox Christians. One day as he was preparing to preach the faith in public, he was set on and murdered by a mob. Martyr.

Born

Hungary

Died

strangled to death c.1288 in the Ircania region

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-stephen-of-hungary/


Saint Albert of Montecorvino

Profile

Taken to Pietra Montecorvino in Apulia, Italy as a child. Bishop. He became blind in later years, but was known to his visions, and as a miracle worker.

Born

in Normandy (modern France)

Died

1127 at Pietra Montecorvino, Apulia, Italy

Patronage

Pietra Montecorvino, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-albert-of-montecorvino/


Blessed Raimondo of Monteolivo

Profile

Mercedarian secular knight, receiving the habit from Saint Peter Nolasco himself on 10 August 1218, the day of the founding of the Mercedarians.

Born

Catalonia region of Spain

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-raimondo-of-monteolivo/


Saint Claudius of Mesopotamia

Also known as

Claudianus of Mesopotamia

Profile

Became a monk at age 30. Captured, tortured and martyred in Mesopotamia.

Born

Persian

Died

repeatedly slashed with a knife in Mesopotamia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-claudius-of-mesopotamia/


Blessed Blaise of Auvergne

Also known as

Blasius of Auvergne

Profile

Fourteenth century Dominican. Spiritual student of Saint Vincent Ferrer. Noted and passionate preacher.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-blaise-of-auvergne/


Blessed Antonio Blasi

Profile

Mercedarian friar. Pious and enthusiastic archbishop of Athens, Greece.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antonio-blasi/


Blessed Anthony Fuster

Also known as

• Antonius Fuster
• The Peace Angel

Profile

Fourteenth century Dominican. Spiritual student of Saint Vincent Ferrer.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-anthony-fuster/


Saint Ferbuta of Seleucia

Profile

Sister of Saint Simeon. Widow. Martyred in the persecutions of King Sapur II.

Died

c.342 in Seleucia, Persia

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ferbuta-of-seleucia/


Saint Theodore the Martyr

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Hadrian.

Died

martyred c.130

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodore-the-martyr-5-april/


Saint Becan of Cork

Also known as

Becan of Cluain-Aird-Mobecog

Profile

Sixth-century hermit near Cork, Ireland.

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-becan-of-cork/


Blessed Peter Cerdan

Profile

Dominican. Travelled and worked with Saint Vincent Ferrer.

Died

1422

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-peter-cerdan/


Saint Pausilippus

Profile

Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Hadrian.

Died

martyred c.130

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


Saint Zeno the Martyr

Profile

Martyr.

Died

burned alive, date and place unknown

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zeno-the-martyr/


Martyrs of Lesbos

Profile

Five young Christian women martyred together for their faith. We don't even know their names.

Died

island of Lesbos, Greece

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-lesbos/


Martyrs of North-West Africa

Also known as

• Martyrs of Aquae Regiae
• Martyrs of Arbal
• Martyrs of Regiis

Profile

Large group of Christians murdered while celebrating Easter Mass during the persecutions of Genseric, the Arian king of the Vandals.

Died

459 at Arbal (in modern Algeria)

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-north-west-africa/


Martyrs of Seleucia

Profile

One-hundred and eleven (111) men and nine (9) women who, because they were Christians, were dragged to Seleucia and martyred for refusing to worship the sun or fire or other pagan idols during the persecutions of King Shapur II.

Died

burned alive in 344 in Seleucia, Persia

https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-seleucia/


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