| 8 August |
• yesterday • tomorrow |
| Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest |
24 May - translation of his relics
Born of wealthy Spanish nobility. Son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving, and prayed at the shrine of Saint Dominic of Silos who had a tradition of patronage of that problem; when she became pregnant she named the child Dominic in honour of the Saint. While pregnant, Blessed Joan mother had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who would set the world on fire with a torch it carried in its mouth; a dog with a torch in its mouth became a symbol for the Order which he founded, the Dominicans. At Dominic's baptism, Blessed Joan saw a star shining from his chest, which became another of his symbols in art, and led to his patronage of astronomy.
Studied philosophy and theology at the University of Palencia. Priest. Canon of the cathedral of Osma, Spain. Augustinian. Worked for clerical reform. Had a lifelong apostolate among heretics, especially Albigensians, and especially in France. Worked with Blessed Peter of Castelnau. Founded the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215, a group who live a simple, austere life, and an order of nuns dedicated to the care of young girls. Friend of Saint Amata of Assisi.
At one point Dominic became discouraged at the progress of his mission; no matter how much he worked, the heresies remained. But he received a vision from Our Lady who showed him a wreath of roses, representing the rosary. She told him to say the rosary daily, teach it to all who would listen, and eventually the true faith would win out. Dominic is often credited with the invention of the rosary; it actually pre-dates him, but he certainly spread devotion to it, and used it to strengthen his own spiritual life.
Reported miracle worker who brought four people back from the dead. Legend says that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the Faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day. He embraced him and said, "You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us." The beggar was Saint Francis of Assisi.
1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castile
noon 6 August 1221 at Bologna, Italy
13 July 1234 by Pope Gregory IX at Rieti, Italy
• astronomers
• astronomy
• falsely accused people
• scientists
• Dominican Republic
• Batanes-Babuyanes, Philippines, prelature of
• Bayombong, Philippines, diocese of
• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Santo Domingo Indian Pueblo
• Valletta, Malta
• chaplet
• Dominican carrying a rosary and a tall cross
• Dominican holding a lily
• Dominican with dog and globe
• Dominican with fire
• Dominican with star shining above his head
• dog with a torch in its mouth
• rosary
• star
A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil. - Saint Dominic
Dominic possessed such great integrity and was so strongly motivated by divine love, that without a doubt he proved to be a bearer of honor and grace. And since a joyful heart animates the face, he displayed the peaceful composure of a spiritual man in the kindness he manifested outwardly and by the cheerfulness of his countenance. Wherever he went he showed himself in word and deed to be a man of the Gospel. During the day no one was more community-minded or pleasant toward his brothers and associates. During the night hours no one was more persistent in every kind of vigil and supplication. He seldom spoke unless it was with God, that is, in prayer, or about God; and in this matter he instructed his brothers. Frequently he made a special personal petition that God would deign to grant him genuine charity in caring for and obtaining the salvation of men. For he believed that only then would he be truly a member of Christ, when he had given himself totally for the salvation of men, just as the Lord Jesus, the Savior of all, had offered himself completely for our salvation. So, for this work, after a lengthy period of careful and provident planning, he founded the Orders of Friars Preachers. In his conversations and letters he often urged the brothers of the Order to study constantly the Old and New Testaments. He always carried with him the gospel according to Matthew and the epistles of Paul, and so well did he study them that he almost knew them from memory. Two or three times he was chosen bishop, but he always refused, preferring to live with his brothers in poverty. Of him Pope Gregory IX declared: "I knew him as a steadfast follower of the apostolic way of life. There is no doubt that he is in heaven, sharing in the glory of the apostles themselves." - from various writings on the history of the Order of Preachers
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominic-de-guzman/
• Maria Ellen MacKillop
• Marie Ellen MacKillop
• Mother Mary of the Cross
Eldest child of Alexander and Flora MacKillop, poor Scottish emigrants to Australia. Her father had studied for the priesthood, but was never ordained. Mary was educated at private schools and by her father. To help support her family, she worked as a nursery governess and store clerk while still in her teens. Tutor in Melbourne, Australia. Teacher at the Portland School #510 in 1862. Established a "Seminary for Young Ladies" in her home. Known for her holiness, her constant work in the local church, and for turning to prayer before making decisions.
Mary felt a call to the religious life, but felt obligated to continue teaching to help support her family. However, a scandal caused by a jealous and corrupt education official gave her reason to leave the school without guilt, and with the backing of her family.
Mary and her sister moved to Penola, South Australia. There Mary met Father Julian Tennison Woods with whom she opened a free Catholic school for the poor. Co-founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1866; it was Australia's first religious order. It had a mission educate poor children in remote areas, and the Sisters received episcopal approval in 1868. Mother Mary soon had seventeen schools under her care.
Mary's independence and social ideas concerned Church authorities, and she was ordered by her bishop, who believed some exaggerated stories about the educator, to surrender control of the schools and her Order. She refused, and was excommunicated in 1871. Mary was crushed, but never blamed Church officials; she prayed that some good would come from the action, and she suffered through the. In 1872 her bishop, having determined the baseless nature of the accusations, apologized, and returned Mary to full communion.
She visited Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1873, and travelled through England, Ireland and Scotland to seek funds for her schools. Superior-general of her Order in 1875. She travelled from house to house in the Order for the rest of her life, working to improve education for the poor, and general conditions for the Aborigines. She was a prolific correspondent, over 1,000 of Mary's letters have survived. Her order continues its good work today with hundreds of Sisters in Australia, New Zealand, and Peru.
15 January 1842 at Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia as Maria Ellen MacKillop
• 8 August 1909 at Sydney, Australia following a stroke
• relics transferred to a vault at the Mother of God in the Memorial Chapel, Mount Street, Sydney
• 17 October 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI
• first native-born Australian saint
• Australia
• Wagga Wagga, Australia, diocese of
eucalyptus
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mary-mackillop/
Maria Margherita
As a young woman, Maria felt a call to service and religious life. When her parents died, relieving her of family duties, she entered the Benedictine monastery at Pistoia, Italy on 4 October 1893. She determined quickly that it was not the life for her, and left after a month. After seeking spiritual direction, she began travelling her home region, teaching children in several places that lacked formal schools. Her work attracted other like-minded young women, and on 7 December 1901 she received diocesan approval to organize them as a formal religious community. On 15 December 1902 she took the habit, took the name Sister Maria Margherita, and the community became the Minims of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Franciscan Tertiaries who concentrated on teaching the young and caring for the elderly sick; they were later renamed the Minim Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Sister Maria made her profession on 17 October 1905. On 17 October 1915, Mother Maria Margherita became superior general of the Minims, and led them the remaining six years of her life.
2 November 1863 in Poggio a Caiano, Florence, Italy
• 8 August 1921 in Poggio a Caiano, Florence, Italy of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the chapel of the mother-house of the Minim Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Poggio a Caiano
23 April 1989 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-anna-rosa-caiani/
• Cyriacus of the Baths
• Cyriacus of Rome
• Ciriaco, Cyriac, Cyriaci
Member of the Roman patrician nobility. Adult convert who gave away his wealth to the poor. Deacon. Ministered to the Christian slaves who worked to build and staff the baths of Diocletian. Legend says that Cyriacus exorcised devils from Diocletian's daughter, Artemisia, who along with her mother, Saint Serena, converted to Christianity, and from Jobias the daughter of Shapur, King of Persia, which led to the conversion of the king's family and household. Tortured and martyred with twenty others during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian Herculeus. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
• excoriated and beheaded in 303 on the Salarian Way, Rome, Italy
• buried near the Salarian Way
• relics translated to Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome, at Neuhausen, and the Saint Cyricus Abbey, Altorf, Alsace, France
• against diabolical possession
• against eye disease
• against temptations (especially at time of death)
• eyes
• Altidona, Italy
• Saint-Cierges, Vaud, Switzerland
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyriacus-the-martyr/
Altmann, Altmanno
Studied in Paris, France. Priest. Head of the cathedral school at Paderborn, Germany. Chaplain to Emperor Henry III, and friend of Empress Agnes. While on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in 1064, he and 7,000 other travellers were captured by Saracens; only half of the group survived the captivity and returned to their homes. Bishop of Passau, Germany in 1065. Worked for charity to and education of the poor. Trained Saint Leopold the Good. Tried to enforce Pope Gregory VII's rules on simony and celibacy, but corruption was deeply engrained in his diocese, and most of the clergy refused his orders. When he tried to enforce the prohibition on lay investiture, he was banished from the diocese by Henry III. He reported the situation to the Vatican, and was appointed apostolic delegate to Germany. Returned to Passau in 1081, but was quickly driven out again. As best he could, he ruled his diocese from exile, spending his remaining years at the abbey of Gottweig, Austria which he had founded.
c.1020 at Paderborn, Westphalia, Germany
1091 at Gottweig, Austria of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-altman-of-passau/
Wealthy layman in Southwark, England. Father of Blessed Thomas Felton. His wife had been a playmate and maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth, and was the widow of an auditor of the former Queen. John was referred to as "a man of little statue and complexion black".
When Pope Saint Pius V's Bull that excommunicated Queen Elizabeth reached London on 24 May 1570, he nailed a copy onto the door of the bishop of London, England in the middle of the night, challenging the bishop to declare his allegiance - the Queen or the Pope. Arrested on 26 May 1570, imprisoned and tortured in the Tower of London for a couple of months, and condemned to death on 4 August 1570. Martyr.
at Bermondsey, Southwark, England
hanged, drawn, and quartered on 8 August 1570 at Saint Paul's churchyard, London, England
29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation)
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-felton/
Son of a policeman. Studied at the seminary of Valencia, Spain. Priest in the Archdiocese of Valencia, ordained in 1915. Parish priest in the Spanish cities of Calp, Quatretonda, Otos, La Font de la Figuera and Xátiva. When the persecutions of Spanish Civil War began in 1936, Father Antonio's church was burned down in August, and he went into hiding, ministering to covert Catholics, celebrating Mass in homes. He was found by the anti-Catholic militiamen, dragged away from the laymen who tried to protect him, and drove him away for execution. Martyr.
26 October 1892 in L'Ollería, Valencia, Spain
shot on 8 August 1936 in El Saler, Valencia, Spain
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antonio-silvestre-moya/
Myron of Crete
Layman farmer and family man as a young adult, and known for his charity. Once a band of thieves broken in on him when he was threshing grain. Myron decided that if they were so hard up for food that they had to resort to robbery, they were poor indeed; he gave them all he could, and helped them load it up. They were so shamed and impressed by his charity that soon they had all converted. Chosen presbyter of Raucia, Crete. Known for his charity and as a miracle worker. Once when the River Triton was at flood stage, Myron caused it to become solid. He walked across it in order to finish his business with his parishioners. As an afterthought he sent a man back to the river to touch it with his staff so it would flow again.
250 at Raucia, Crete
350 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-myron-the-wonder-worker/
Famian, Famiano, Quardus
Born to a wealthy family, he received minor orders at age 18, and planned for the priesthood. He began to despair of the worldliness of everyone around him, so he gave away his property to the poor and became a pilgrim to Rome, the Holy Lands, and Compostela, Spain where he arrived in 1115. Stayed at Compostela as a hermit for 25 years at San Placido on the River Minho. When the Cistercian abbey of Osera was built nearby, he joined the Order. He later made a second pilgrimage to the Holy Land, dying on the road as he returned.
1090 at Cologne, Germany
1150 at Gallese, Umbria, Italy of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-famianus-of-compostela/
• Baolu
• Paul Ke Tingzhu
28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Lifelong lay man in the apostolic vicariate of Southeastern Zhili, China. Farmer. Leader of the local Christians in his village. Tortured and murdered in the persecutions of the Boxer Rebellion for refusing to renounce his faith. Martyr.
c.1839 in Xiaotun, Shenzhou, Hebei, China
tied to a tree and chunks of his body cut off till he died of blood loss and shock on 8 August 1900 in Xiaotun, Shenzhou, Hebei, China
1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-paulus-ge-tingzhu/
Vladimir
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Parish priest in Lwówek, archdiocese of Poznan, Poland. Financial director of the Poznan seminary. Imprisoned, tortured and executed in the Nazis persecutions during the occupation of Poland in World War II. Martyrs.
30 January 1886 in Rogozno, Wielkopolskie, Poland
beaten and kicked to death by a guard on 7 August 1940 in the concentration camp in Gusen, Langenstein, Austria
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw, Poland
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-wlodzimierz-laskowski/
Layman in the archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain. Married to Trabadelo Malagon in 1902; they eventually had eight children, two of whom entered religious orders. Antero began working for Northern Railways in Barcelona in 1916. He and his wife joined the Lay Dominicans, and worked with the poor and sick in Barcelona. Pilgrim to Lourdes, France. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.
4 March 1875 in Valdevimbre, León, Spain
8 August 1936 under the Dragón bridge in Sant Andreu de Palomar, Barcelona, Spain
28 October 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-antero-mateo-garcia/
Converted to Christianity in his old age, he brought many others to the faith. Arrested, tortured and executed in the persecutions of Diocletian and governor Lysias. Martyr.
Cilicia, Asia Minor (modern Çukurova region of Turkey)
• beheaded in 290 in Anzarba, Cilicia, Asia Minor (modern Çukurova region of Turkey)
• body left to feed wild animals as an example to others
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-marinus-of-anzarba/
Smaragdo, Smaragdos, Smaracdus, Emerald
Ministered to the Christian slaves who worked to build and staff the baths of Diocletian. Tortured and martyred with a group of 19 other Christians in the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian Herculeus.
• excoriated and beheaded in 303 on the Salarian Way, Rome, Italy
• buried near the Salarian Way
• relics translated to Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome, and at Neuhausen
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-smaragdus/
Born to the Persian noblity. He converted to Christianity in his youth. He later refused to apostacize, was stripped of his rank and title by King Varannes, and busted to army camel-driver. When he continued to cling to his faith, he was executed. Martyr.
Persia
420
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-hormisdas-of-persia/
Franciscan friar. Missionary to Palestine. Imprisoned and murdered by Muslims for this work. Martyr.
Castellammare di Stabia, Naples (in modern Italy)
• cut in two with a saw in 1364 in Gaza, Palestine
• body and all his property, including his breviary, burned
Franciscan friar with a saw
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-william-of-castellammare-di-stabia/
Largo
Ministered to the Christian slaves who worked to build and staff the baths of Diocletian. Tortured and martyred with a group of 19 other Christians in the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian Herculeus.
• excoriated and beheaded in 303 on the Salarian Way, Rome, Italy
• buried near the Salarian Way
• relics translated to Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome, and at Neuhausen
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-largus/
22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales
Priest in the apostolic vicariate of England. Martyred in the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I.
c.1553 in Barnley, Yorkshire, England
8 August 1586 in York, North Yorkshire, England
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-fingley/
Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Saint Joseph.
6 June 1837 in Salamanca, Spain
9 August 1905 in Zamora, Spain
23 October 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bonifacia-rodriguez-castro/
Mummolo, Mommolus, Mommolenus, Munmolo
Benedictine monk. Abbot at Fleury Abbey. Brought relics of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica to Fleury; the abbey was eventually known as Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire because of the relics.
c.678 in Abbey of Sante Croix de Bordeaux, Aquitaine (in modern France) of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-mummolus-of-fleury/
Eusebio
Bishop of Milan, Italy for 16 years. Fought the heresy of Eutychianism. Rebuilt the cathedral after its destruction by invading Huns.
Greece
c.465 in Milan, Italy of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eusebius-of-milan/
Emilian, Emiliano
Ninth century bishop of Cyzicus, Greece. Fought Iconoclasm for which he was exiled in 820 by Emperor Leo the Armenian.
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aemilian-of-cyzicus/
Leodebod
Benedictine monk. Founded Fleury Abbey (modern Fleury-Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire) near Orleans, France, c.640, and served as its first abbot.
650 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leobald-of-fleury/
Priest at the monastery of Saint Peter in Crayke, Yorkshire, England. Known as a master of book illumination.
Ireland
8th century
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ultan-of-crayke/
Illod, Illog
No details have survived.
Welsh
7th century
Hirnant, Powys, Wales
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ellidius/
Married. Mother of Saint Leodegarius and Saint Warinus. Widow. Nun at the convent in Soissons, France. Lived to see the martyrdom of her sons.
c.678
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-sigrada/
Martyr.
burned to death in Constantinople, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eleutherius-of-constantinople/
Terniscus
Bishop of Besançon, France.
c.680
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ternatius-of-besancon/
Martyr.
burned to death in Constantinople, date unknown
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-leonidas-of-constantinople/
Born to the nobility. Priest. Built a church and monastery in Diessen, Germany.
815
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-rathard-of-diessen/
Bishop of Besancon, France from 790 to 796.
c.796 of natural causes
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gedeon-of-besancon/
Priest. Missionary to the area of Vienne, France.
c.455
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-severus-of-vienne/
Four Christians who were martyred together, and about we today know little more than their names - Carpóforo, Secondo, Severiano and Vittorino.
• Albano, Italy
• interred in the San Senator cemetery, on the Appian Way, 15 miles from Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-albano/
Five nuns, all members of the Sisters of the Pious Schools, all teachers, and all martyred together in the Spanish Civil War.
• Antonia Riba Mestres
• Maria Baldillou Bullit
• María Luisa Girón Romera
• Nazaria Gómez Lezaun
• Pascuala Gallén Martí
8 August 1936 in El Saler, Valencia, Spain
11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-el-saler/
Five Christians martyred together; we know nothing else about them but the names - Ciriaco, Crescenziano, Giuliana, Largo, Memmia and Smaragdus.
at the 7 mile marker, on the Via Ostia, Rome, Italy
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-rome-8-august/
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them, but in most cases I have only found very minimal information. They are available on the CatholicSaints.Info site through these links:
• Blessed Cruz Laplana Laguna
• Blessed Fernando Español Berdie
• Blessed Leoncio López Ramos
• Blessed Manuel Aranda Espejo
• Blessed Mariano Pina Turón
• Pedro Álvarez Pérez
• Creswell of Città di Castello
• Dionysius Rabinis
CatholicSaints.Info Portable Edition