| 5 February |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr |
• Agatha of Catania
• Agatha of Palermo
• Águeda...
We have little reliable information about this martyr, who has been honoured since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agatha's sanctity; he planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her. Handed over to a brothel, she refused to accept customers. After rejecting Quinctianus's advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, her breasts were crushed and cut off. She told the judge, "Cruel man, have you forgotten your mother and the breast that nourished you, that you dare to mutilate me this way?" One version has it that Saint Peter healed her. She was then imprisoned again, then rolled on live coals; when she was near death, an earthquake stuck. In the destruction that followed, a friend of the magistrate was crushed, and the magistrate fled. Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain, and died.
Legend says that carrying her veil, taken from her tomb in Catania, in procession has averted eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.
in prison at Catania or Palermo, Sicily (sources vary)
martyred c.250 at Catania, Sicily by being rolled on coals
• against breast cancer
• against breast disease
• against earthquakes
• against eruptions of Mount Etna
• against fire
• against natural disasters
• against sterility
• against volcanic eruptions
• bell-founders
• fire prevention
• jewelers
• martyrs
• nurses
• rape victims
• single laywomen
• torture victims
• wet-nurses
• Malta
• San Marino
• 2 dioceses in Italy
• 67 cities in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands
• breasts on a dish
• crown of flowers
• embers
• knife
• loaves of bread on a dish
• pincers
• shears
• tongs
• veil
• virgin martyr wearing a veil and bearing her severed breasts on a silver platter
• palm
Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil. - Saint Agatha
Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit. - Saint Agatha
Born to a wealthy Italian noble family, the daughter of Tommaso and Teresa Primoli. She married Cristoforo Mora on 10 January 1796. Cristoforo, a lawyer, was jealous, controlling, and became suspicious of Elisabetta's family ties; he finally became resentful, abusive, then cold and indifferent to her. Along the way they had four daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Cristoforo took up with another woman, spent the family funds on her, and finally deserted Elisabetta and the girls, leaving them in poverty. Elisabetta's health broke, she became very ill, and was finally compelled to sell inherited jewelry and her wedding dress to pay her bills. She dedicated herself to caring for her children, to prayer, and to a quiet ministry of caring for the sick and the poor, especially poor families. Trinitarian tertiary. Her reputation for holiness spread, as did a reputation for mystic experiences and miracles. Her prayers certainly achieved one amazing result - after her death, Cristoforo changed his life, joined in the Franciscans, and became a priest in Sezze, Italy.
21 November 1774 in Rome, Italy
• the night of 5 February 1825 in Rome, Italy
• buried at the Church of San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, Rome
24 April 1994 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-elisabetta-canori-mora/
• Adelaide of Vilich
• Adelaide of Bellich
• Adelaide of Münster
• Alice, Adelheid, Adalheide
Daughter of Megingoz (Megengose), Count of Guelders. Joined the Ursuline convent at Cologne, Germany. Benedictine nun. Abbess of Villich, Germany. Abbess of Our Lady of the Capitol at Cologne. Both houses had been founded by her father. She insisted that the sisters in her houses study Latin so they would better understand the Mass. Noted for her charity to the poor. Counselor to the archbishop of Cologne.
c.960 in Geldern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• 5 February 1015 at Our Lady of the Capitol convent at Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany of natural causes
• buried in Villich, Germany
27 January 1966 by Pope Paul VI (cultus confirmation)
against eye diseases
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adelaide-of-guelders/
• Alcimus Ecdicius
• Avito
Son of Saint Isychius. Brother of Saint Apollinaris of Valence. Bishop of Vienne, France, succeeding his father. Fought Arianism, ransomed captives, and supported papal authority as the mainstay of religious unity. Brought King Saint Sigismund of Burgundy, and was well thought of personally not only by the Christians in his diocese but also the pagan Franks and Arian Burgundians. Presided over the Council of Epaon in 517. He wrote a long, elegant narrative poem describing original sin, expulsion from paradise, the Flood, and crossing of the Red Sea; Milton made use of it when writing Paradise Lost.
c.451 in Auvergne, Vienne, Gaul (in modern France)
• c.525 of natural causes
• relics at Vienne, France
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-avitus-of-vienne/
Berton, Bertou, Bertoul, Bertulf, Bertulphe, Bertulphus
Convert as a young man in Flanders, Belgium. Managed a farm in Renty, France for Count Wambert for several years. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy. Parish priest in Renty. Founded and led a monastery nearby until his death.
c.640 in eastern Europe
• c.705 of natural causes
• relics enshrined at Harelbeke, Belgium
• relics interred in an iron chest at Saint Peter's Abbey, Ghent, Belgium
• relics stolen in 939 but located and returned by Count Arnulf of Flanders and Bishop Wigbert of Thérouanne
• relics destroyed by Huguenots in 1578
against storms
• monk handing out alms with an eagle nearby
• monk in prayer being sheltered from the rain by an eagle with its wings outstretched over him
• monk with a ship in his hand
• monk changing water into wine
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bertulph/
• Albinus of Säben-Brixen
• Albinus of Bressanone
• Albuin, Albuino, Albuinus
Born to the nobility, the son of Saint Agatha Hildegardis of Carinthia and Count Paul, Margrave of Carinthia. Bishop of Sabion, South Tyrol (in modern Italy) in 975, a see that was moved to Brixen, Italy.
10th century Carinthia, Austria
• 5 February 1005 in Brixen, Italy
• relics transferred to the cathedral in Bressanone, Italy in 1141
• Bressanone, Italy
• Brixen, Italy, city of
• Brixen, Italy, diocese of
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-albinus-of-brixen/
Genuino, Ingenium, Ingenuin, Ingenuino, Ingenuinus, Ingwin, Jenewein
13 May (translation of relics)
Bishop of Sabion, a small town of the Italian Tyrol that has since disappeared. Attended the Synod of Marano in 588.
6th century
• c.605 in Sabiona, Italy of natural causes
• relics transferred to the main altar in the cathedral in Bressanone, Italy
• mines
• miners
• diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone, Italy
• diocese of Brixen, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-genuinus-of-sabion/
Young woman martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. A number of other stories have been attached to her including that she was one of the companions of Saint Ursula or that her father killed her for refusing an arranged marriage, but these are apparently stories in search of a character that were simply stuck on her later.
Calaf or Anoia, Catalonia, Spain
• arms hacked off so that she bled to death in 303 in Calaf, Spain
• buried in the church of San Jaume in Calaf
by Pope Urban V (cultus confirmation)
• against drought
• Calaf, Spain
young woman with no arms and a palm of martyrdom nearby
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-calamanda-of-calaf/
Gesú Méndez
21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Priest in the diocese of Morelia, Mexico. During the persecutions of the Mexican Revolution, he hid in the villages of the peasants, living with the poorest, teaching catechism. Musician and music teacher. Martyr.
10 June 1880 in TarÃmbaro, Michoacán, Mexico
shot three times on 5 February 1928 in Valtierrilla, Guanajuato, Mexico
21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jesus-mendez-montoya/
Luca d'Armento
Monk in Sicily. When the Muslim Saracens invaded the region, he moved from house to house to avoid them. Founded the monastery of Saints Elias and Anastasio, Carbone, Italy and served as its first abbot. Luca based his approach to the monastic life on the Greek monks.
10th century Sicily, Italy
• 5 February 995 in the monastery of Saints Elias and Anastasio in Carbone, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the monastery church
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luca-di-demenna/
Liharda
Lay woman, married to Count Paul of Carinthia (part of modern Austria. He was a jealous man who abused her for years before her prayers and devotion converted him to the faith and changed his ways. Mother of Saint Albinus of Brixen. Widow. Venerated in Carinthia as a model wife.
Austrian
1024 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agatha-hildegard-of-carinthia/
Antonius
A slave purchased by a series of Muslims, each of which tried (and failed) to convert him from Christianity. One of them finally falsely denounced him as having converted to Islam and then back to Christianity, which was a capital offense. Martyr.
Athens, Greece
• the executioner tapped him lightly on the neck several times in hopes that Anthony would denounce Christianity; he wouldn't
• beheaded in 1777 in Constantinople
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anthony-of-athens/
21 January as one of the Blessed Martyrs of Laval
Lay woman in the diocese of Laval, France. Martyred in the French Revolution.
25 August 1745 in Mézangers, Mayenne, France
5 February 1794 in Laval, Mayenne, France
19 June 1955 by Pope Pius XII at Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francoise-meziere/
• Caius Francis
• Gaius Francis
Layman soldier. Convert. Franciscan tertiary. When soldiers came to arrest the Franciscan friars, he insisted he was a Christian, too; they took him, and he shared their fate. Martyr.
Kyoto, Japan
crucified on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan
8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-kichi-franciscus/
Drusus
Irish princess. Following a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, she was murdered with her brother, Saint Indract, and six others by heathen Saxon brigands. Because they were on a holy journey, and were killed by non-Christians, contemporaries considered them martyrs. Later legends swell the number of her martyred companions to 100.
Irish
• c.710 at Shapwick, England
• relics at Glastonbury, England
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominica-of-shapwick/
Irish prince, noted for gentleness and piety. Following a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, he was murdered with his sister, Saint Dominica, and six others by heathen Saxon brigands; because they were on a holy journey, and were killed by non-Christians, contemporaries considered them martyrs. Later legends incorrectly make Indract a friend of Saint Patrick, and swell the number of his martyred companions to 100.
Irish
• c.710 at Shapwick, England
• relics at Glastonbury, England
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-indract/
Convert, brought to the faith by Saint Gundisalvus Garcia. Franciscan tertiary. Catechist. Martyr.
c.1578 at Ise, Japan
crucified on 5 February 1597 at Tateyama (Hill of Wheat), Nagasaki, Japan
8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gabriel-de-duisco/
Benedictine monk at Cuxá, Catalonian Pyranees. Founded the monastery of San Giorgio Maggiiore in Venice, Italy c.982, and served as its first abbot.
at Venice, Italy
1012 of natural causes
never formally beatified, and there is no evidence of popular cultus, but always referred to as beatus
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-morosini/
Agricolus, Agricolaus
15 May as one of the Bishops of Maastricht
Bishop of Tongres, Belgium in 384.
4th century Netherlands
• early morning of 18 July 401 of natural causes
• buried in the church of Our Lady in Huy, Belgium
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agricola-of-tongres/
Trinidad
Monk. Member of the Hospitallers of Saint John of God. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
7 February 1877 in Maeztu, Alava, Spain
5 February 1937 in Madrid, Spain
13 October 2013 by Pope Francis
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-primo-andres-lanas/
Vodale, Voel, Vodalis, Vodalus
Missionary from the British Isles to France. Hermit beside Saint Mary's convent at Soissons, France. Known as a miracle worker.
Irish or Scottish
725 near Soissons, France of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-vodoaldus-of-soissons/
Franciscan Conventual Friar Minor at the Borgo San Sepolcro convent in Tuscany, Italy. He is listed in the Franciscan martryology, and buried in the convent, both obvious signs of piety, but no details about his life have survived.
1532 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-christopher-of-pavia/
Franciscan Conventual Friar Minor at the Borgo San Sepolcro convent in Tuscany, Italy. He is listed in the Franciscan martryology, and buried in the convent, both obvious signs of piety, but no details about his life have survived.
1532 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-peter-of-perugia/
Brother of Saint Macarius. Monk. Worked with his brother to spread the monastic life through the Calabria and Lucania regions of Italy during a time when Muslim Saracen invaders were disrupting religious life.
995 in the monastery of San Cesario, Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-saba-the-younger/
Modestus of Salzburg
Benedictine monk. Spiritual student of Saint Virgilius at Salzburg, Austria. Bishop of Carinthia, Austria, and largely responsible for the region's evangelization.
c.722 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-modestus-of-carinthia/
Born to the nobility, Eulalia renounced wealth and worldly life, and joined the Mercedarians in Barcelona, Spain in the early 13th century, receiving the habit from Blessed Bernard of Corbara. Noted for her ministry to the poor.
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-eulalia-de-pinos/
An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-pontus/
Monk. Missionary to the Norwegians on Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Irish
c.900 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-buo-of-ireland/
Martyr.
Egyptian
Alexandria, Egypt
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-isidore-of-alexandria-5-february/
Monk. Abbot. Known for restoring old monasteries.
10th century Ireland
c.1005
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fingen-of-metz/
Ninth century priest.
Ireland
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dubtach-mac-dubhan/
• Agnellus of Trent
• Domitian of Carinthia
• Geniale
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