Calendar of Saints

5 July	• yesterday • tomorrow
Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Zaccaria, Priest; Optional Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (USA)

Meditations for Every Day in a Month - On Hardness of Heart, by Father François Nepveu

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Also known as

• Antonio Maria Zaccaria
• Antony Zaccaria

Profile

Born to a patrician family. His father Lazzaro died when Anthony was two, and his mother, Antonia Pescorali, widowed at age 18, devoted herself to her son. He studied medicine at Padua, Italy, receiving his doctorate at age 22. Work as a physicians to the poor in Cremona, Italy, he felt called to the religious life. He bequeathed his inheritance to his mother, worked as a catechist, and was ordained at age 26; legend says that angels were seen around the altar at his first Mass.

Noted preacher and an excellent administrator. In Milan, Italy he established the congregations, the Society of Clerics of Saint Paul (the Barnabites) for men religious, and the Angelics of Saint Paul for un-cloistered nuns. Helped introduce the Forty Hours' Devotion. These groups helped reform the morals of the faithful, encouraged laymen to work together with the apostolate, and frequent reception of Communion. While on a peace mission, Anthony became ill and died at his mother's house; tradition says that in his last moments he had a vision of Saint Paul the Apostle.

Born

1502 at Cremona, Lombardy, Italy

Died

• 5 July 1539 of natural causes at Cremona, Lombardy, Italy
• buried at Saint Paul's Convent of the Angelics at Milan, Italy
• body found incorrupt in 1566

Canonized

27 May 1897 by Pope Leo XIII

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

That which God commands seems difficult and a burden. The way is rough; you draw back; you have no desire to follow it. Yet do so and you will attain glory. - Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anthony-mary-zaccaria/

Blessed Joseph Boissel

Profile

Born to a poor peasant family, Joseph was baptized on the day of his birth. His father died when the boy was 14. Joseph studied at the junior seminary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on the Isle of Jersey, and then on the Isle of Berder, France; he was considered a very ordinary student, and not very intelligent. However, he was pious, hard-working, and had other qualities of a spiritual leader, and so was sent to study in Liege, Belgium and La Brosse-Montceaux, France. He made his solemn oblation on 29 September 1935, and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1937.

Joseph was one of the first missionaries to Laos, arriving in October 1938, working with the Hmong communities in the mountain province of Xieng Khouang on the border of Vietnam. He won the admiration of the local peopel by hard work and care for the sick. On 1 June 1945 he was captured by the World War II Japanese troops, and imprisoned in Vinh, Vietnam in conditions that nearly ruined his health. Freed after the war, he returned to Laos in 1946, found that the mission had been destroyed, and immediately set to work to re-establish and re-build it. In 1949 he helped found the minor seminary of Paksane.

In 1952, Father Joseph returned to the mountains to work with the Hmong people, but the warfare between French forces and Communist guerillas in the region caused him to return to Paksane in November 1957 to help the refugees who were fleeing the mountains. With assorted breaks due to health problems, he continued his work in the area for another dozen years. On Saturday 5 July 1969, he and two lay Oblate Missionaries were travelling to prepare for Sunday Mass; the little group was attacked and killed by Communist guerrillas on the road. Martyr.

Born

20 December 1909 in Le Loroux, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Died

• shot in the head while driving on Saturday 5 July 1969 on the road near Hat I-Et, Bolikhamxay, Laos
• the killers set his wrecked car on fire, and his body was burned so badly he was almost unrecognizable

Beatified

• 11 December 2016 by Pope Francis
• recognition celebrated in Laos, presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-joseph-boissel/

Saint Febronia of Patti

Additional Memorial

2 July (intercession in the attack by Ascanio Anzalone)

Profile

Born to wealthy pagan family, she converted to Christianity as a young woman during the period of the persecutions of Diocletian; she was baptized by bishop Saint Agatone. Febronia decided to devote herself to God which led to great harassment by the locals and opposition from her family, especially her father who planned an advantageous arranged marriage for her. To escape the abuse at home, she fled to live in the caves on Mons Iovis. Her father found her and was so angry at her defiance that she threw her into the sea. Martyr.

The intercession of Febronia is credited with protecting the city of Patti, Sicily on several occasions –

• from a plague in the 16th century
• an earthquake in 1693
• an earthquake in 1908
• an earthquake in 1978
• when the tryrannical Ascanio Anzalone bought the town as a fief from the Spanish government in 1656, he marched on the town to take possession of it and everything in it; as he approached on 2 July, the bells in the church enshrining the relics of Febronia began to ring on their own as a warning to the people to defend themselves

Born

late 3rd century in Patti, Sicily, Italy

Died

• drowned in the sea off the coast of Mons Iovis in Sicly, Italy in the early 4th century
• her body washed up on the beach of Minori, Salerno, Italy and was found by a young woman doing laundry there
• relics enshrined in a silver urn at Patti, Sicily, Italy

Patronage

Patti, Sicily, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-febronia-of-patti/

Saint Athanasius the Athonite

Profile

Studied at Constantinople. Monk at Saint Michael's monastery, Kymina, Bithynia, taking the name Athanasius. Fearing that the was going to be chosen abbot, Athanasius fled to Karyes, changed his name, claimed to be illiterate, and hid in his cell. Hermit in a cave at Mount Athos, Greece in 958.

Athananius helped his old friend from Constantinople, Nicephorus Phocas, prepare an expedition against the Saracens in 961, serving as almoner to the fleet. Phocas gave Athanasius part of the money raised, and the hermit used it to found a monastery on Athos in 963. This was to be an idiorhythmic house where anchorites, hermits, and monks could live in community, but without the requirements for group activity common to other monasteries.

At the same time the monastery was being dedicated, his old friend Phocas became emperor. Fearing he would be called to serve at the imperial court, Athanasius fled to Cyprus. Phocas found him, assured the monk that he would be allowed to continue his religious life in peace, and helped finish work on the monastery. Though he faced opposition in the founding of this house, which ended only by imperial decree, the monastery flourished. Athanasius insisted on Bible study, founded a school and large library, and he personally planted hundreds of trees on the grounds. Eventually there were 58 communities on the mountain, and thousands of holy men still live there today.

Born

c.920 at Trebizond as Abraham

Died

c.1003 when the arch of a church under construction fell on him and five of his monks

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-athanasius-the-athonite/

Saint Domèce

Also known as

• Domèce of Quros
• Domèce the Doctor
• Domèce the Physician
• Dometios, Domezio, Dometius, Domitius

Additional Memorial

4 October (Orthodox calendar)

Profile

Pagan physician in service of Roman Emperor Valens. Sometime between 364 and 378, an angel appeared to Domèce and rebuked him for his abuse of Christians. He was led to a cave hermit on Mount Qouros in Armenia where he learned about Christianity, converted, was baptized, and stayed to live as a hermit for over 30 years. As a physician, he accepted all patients, including animals, healing many, including the healing of sciatica by prayer.

Born

Quros (in modern Kilis, Turkey)

Died

• late 4th century on Mount Qouros of natural causes
• buried in his cave hermitage; legend says he was buried by the same angel that led to his conversion to Christianity
• a monastery named in his honour grew up around the cave, but has long since been abandoned and fallen into ruin

Patronage

hip problems

Representation

hooded hermit holding a pillow

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

Blessed George Nichols

Additional Memorials

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

Profile

Raised Protestant, he graduated from Brasenose College in Oxford, England in 1573. Taught at Saint Paul's School, London, England. Convert to Catholicism. Began studies at Douai College, Rheims, France in 1581 Ordained a priest of the apostolic vicariate of England in September 1583. He returned to England in late 1584 to minister to covert Catholics during a period of official persecution. Martyred for the crime of priesthood.

Born

1550 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 5 July 1589 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-george-nichols/

Saint Marthe

Also known as

Martha

Profile

Married to a man named John from Edessa; she had previously made a private vow of virginity but received a revelation that she should agree to the arranged marriage. Mother of Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger. Widowed when Simeon was very young, she devoted herself to his Christian education. Visionary who received apparitions of Saint John the Baptist and of angels.

Born

early 6th century in Antioch, Syria

Died

• 551 at Mont Admirable, Syria of natural causes
• buried in the village of Daphne outside Antioch, Syria
• re-interred at the church of the Holy Trinity at the monastery near the pillar of Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger
• re-interred in a chapel built nearby in her honour
• miracles reported in the chapel

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

Blessed Thomas Belson

Additional Memorials

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

Profile

Young layman of the apostolic vicariate of England. Educated of Exeter College, Oxford, England, and Douai College, Rheims, France. Arrested for "conveying intelligence" for a Catholic priest, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London and released on condition of banishment. He later returned, was arrested again, and martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1564 in Brill, Buckinghamshire, England

Died

hanged on 5 July 1589 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-thomas-belson/

Saint Zoe of Rome

Also known as

Zoa of Rome

Profile

Married to Nicostratus, a high court official in imperial Rome. She had a great devotion to Saint Peter the Apostle. One day while praying at the tomb of Saint Peter, she was arrested for her faith. Martyr.

Died

burned to death after being hung in a tree by her hair and a fire lit under her feet c.286

Representation

woman hanging by her hair in a tree

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

Blessed Richard Yaxley

Memorial

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

Profile

Studied at the University of Oxford, England, and then the Douai College in Rheims, France. Priest of the apostolic vicariate of England, ordained in 1586. He then returned to England to minister to covert Catholics. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.

Born

c.1560 in Boston, Lincolnshire, England

Died

hanged, drawn and quartered on 5 July 1589 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Beatified

22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-richard-yaxley/

Blessed Elias of Bourdeilles

Also known as

Elie, Hélie

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Franciscan at age ten. Priest. Bishop of Périgord, France in 1437. In 1452 he authored a report vindicating Saint Joan of Arc. Archbishop of Tours, France in 1468. Cardinal in 1483. Confessor to King Louis XI. Defended the rights of the Church against the power of the king.

Born

1407 at Périgord, France

Died

1484 of natural causes

Beatified

process begun in 1526, never completed, but he has been referred to as "Blessed" for centuries

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-elias-of-bourdeilles/

Saint Cyrilla of Cyrene

Also known as

• Cyrilla of Libya
• Ciprilla, Cirilla, Cypria, Cyprille

Profile

An elderly widow who was arrested in the persecutions of Diocletian for refusing to sacrifice to idols. To force her to make the sacrifice, they put live coals and incense in her bare hands so that when she dropped the flaming mass, it would fall on the altar, and she would have made the sacrifice. Instead, she gripped the coals tightly and refused to cooperate. The authorities gave up and tortured her to death. Martyr.

Died

flesh torn off her body with metal hooks c.300 in Cyrene, Libya

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyrilla-of-cyrene/

Saint Rosa Chen Aijieh

Also known as

• Luosa
• Rosa Chen Aixie
• Rose Tch'enn-Kai-Tsie

Profile

Lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.

Born

c.1878 in Feng, Jizhou, Hebei, China

Died

stabbed with spears on 5 July 1900 in Cao, Ningjing, Hebei, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rosa-chen-aijieh/

Saint Teresia Chen Qingjieh

Also known as

• Delan
• Teresa Chen Jinxie

Profile

Lay woman in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Martyred in the Boxer Rebellion.

Born

c.1875 in Feng, Jizhou, Hebei, China

Died

stabbed with spears on 5 July 1900 in Cao, Ningjing, Hebei, China

Canonized

1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-teresia-chen-qingjieh/

Monk. Abbot of the Mother of God monastery in Terrti, a hilly district outside Reggio Calabria, Italy. Known for his personal piety, his adherence to this monastic rule, his ascetic lifestyle, and his leadership, bringing his brother monks to a holy life.

Born

early 10th century in Reggio Calabria, Italy

Died

5 July 1000 near Reggio Calabria, Italy of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-of-terreti/

Saint Astius of Durazzo

Also known as

Asteio, Astio, Aberisto

Profile

Bishop of Durazzo (in modern Albania). He was martyred in the persecutions of Trajan as part of a sacrifice to the pagan god Dionysus.

Died

c.100 by being tied to a cross, covered in honey, laid in the sun, left to be tortured by biting and stinging insects, and to die of thirst and exposure

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-astius-of-durazzo/

Saint Numerian of Treves

Also known as

Born

Persian

Died

stoned to death in 362

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-domitius-of-phrygia/

Saint Athanasius of Jerusalem

Also known as

Atanasio

Profile

Deacon in Jerusalem. Denounced the heretic Theodosius who had deposed Saint Juvenal as bishop of Jerusalem. Arrested, scourged and martyred for his support of orthodoxy and the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon.

Died

beheaded in 462

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-athanasius-of-jerusalem/

Saint Philomena of San Severino

Saint Fragan

Also known as

Fracon

Profile

Married to Saint Gwen. Father of Saint Winwallus, Saint Jacut, and Saint Guithern. Forced to flee Britain in the 5th century when the imperial Roman troops pulled out, and life became hard and chancy as Anglo-Saxon pagans reclaimed their land. Travelled and help spread the faith in Brittany.

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

Saint Gwen

Also known as

Blanca, Blanche

Profile

Married to Saint Fragan. Mother of Saint Winwallus, Saint Jacut, and Saint Guithern. Forced to flee Britain in the 5th century when imperial Roman troops pulled out, and life became hard and chancy as pagans reclaimed their land. Travelled and help spread the faith in Brittany.

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

Saint Stephen of Reggio

Also known as

Stephen of Nicaea

Profile

First bishop of Reggio, Italy, ordained by Saint Paul the Apostle in the 1st century. Martyred in the persecutions of Nero.

Died

Reggio Calabria, Italy

Patronage

Reggio Emilia, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-stephen-of-reggio/

Saint Edana of West Ireland

Also known as

Edaene, Etaoin

Profile

Holy virgin who lived near the rivers Boyle and Shannon. A holy well is named for her, as are some parishes in western Ireland. No details of her life have survived.