Calendar of Saints

8 June	• yesterday • tomorrow

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. - Saint Catherine of Siena

Meditations for Layfolk - Following Christ, by Father Bede Jarrett

Saint Medard of Noyon

Also known as

Medardus

Profile

Son of Nectardus, a Frankish noble, and Protagia, Gallo-Roman nobility. Brother of Saint Gildardus, Bishop of Rouen, France. Pious youth and excellent student, educated at Saint-Quentin. Often accompanied his father on business to Vermand, France and to Tournai, Belgium, and frequented the schools there. Ordained at age 33.

Reluctant bishop of Vermand in 530; in 531, he moved his see to Noyon, France, which was further from border clashes. Bishop of Tournai in 532; the union of the two dioceses lasted until 1146. Gave the veil to Queen Saint Radegunde. Medardus was one of the most honoured bishops of his time, his memory has always been venerated in northern France, and he soon became the hero of numerous legends.

Each year on his memorial the Rosiere is awarded to the young girl who has been judged the most virtuous and exemplary in the region of Salency, France; she is escorted by 12 boys and 12 girls to the church, where she is crowned with roses and given a gift of money. This is a continuation of a yearly stipend or "scholarship" he apparently instituted when bishop.

Legend says that when he was a child, Medard was once sheltered from the rain by a hovering eagle. This is his most common depiction in art, and led to his patronage of good weather, against bad weather, for people who work the fields, etc. Legend has it that if it rains on his feast day, the next 40 days will be wet; if the weather is good, the next 40 will be fine as well. He was also depicted as laughing aloud with his mouth wide open; this led to his patronage against toothache.

Born

c.456 at Salency, Picardy, France

Died

• 8 June 545 at Noyon, France of natural causes
• relics at the royal manor of Crouy at the gates of Soissons, France
• a Benedictine abbey was built over his tomb

Patronage

• against bad weather
• against imprisonment, prisoners, captives
• against sterility
• against toothache
• brewers
• for good harvests
• for good weather
• for rain
• mentally ill people
• peasants
• vineyards

Representation

• being sheltered from rain by an eagle or other large bird
• holding a citadel
• laughing aloud with his mouth wide open
• leaving footprints in stone
• with two horses at his feet

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-medard-of-noyon/

Blessed Maria Droste zu Vischering

Also known as

• Countess Droste zu Vischering
• Maria Anna Johanna Franziska Theresia Antonia Huberta Droste zu Vischering
• Maria of the Sacred Heart
• Mary of the Divine Heart of Jesus
• Maria vom Göttlichen Herzen

Profile

Born to the wealthy German nobility, she had a twin brother, Max, and pious parents, Klemens Heidenreich Franz Hubertus Eusebius Maria, the count Droste zu Vischering, and Helene Clementine Maria Anna Sybille Huberta Antonia, the countess of Galen, who were loyal to the Church during the period of the Kulturkampf persecution. Baptized on the day of her birth, she grew up in Darfeld Castle, in Rosendahl, Germany, dressing like a princess and playing like a tomboy. She was educated at home by a governess and begining in April 1879 at the school of the Sacré-Coeur Sisters in Riedenburg, Bavaria, Germany. There she began feeling a call to religious life. She began her novitiate in the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd at the convent in Münster, Germany on 21 November 1888; she received the habit on 10 January 1889, taking the name Maria vom Göttlichen Herzen (Mary of the Divine Heart). She became mother superior of the convent of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Porto, Portugal in 1896. Through her adult life she received visions and locutions from Jesus to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Eucharist. She influenced Pope Leo XIII to make the consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart.

Born

8 September 1863 in Münster, Germany

Died

• Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 8 June 1899 in the Convent of the Good Shepherd in Porto, Portugal of natural causes
• incorrupt body exposed in the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ermesinde, Portugal
• some relics enshrined at the sanctuary of Christ the King, Almada, Portugal

Beatified

1 November 1975 by Pope Paul VI

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maria-droste-zu-vischering/

Saint William of York

Also known as

• William FitzHerbert
• William FitzHerbert of York
• William of Thwayt

Profile

Son of Count Herbert, treasurer to King Henry I, and Emma, half-sister to King William. Treasurer of the church in York, England while still young. Priest. Chaplain to King Stephen.

Archbishop of York in 1140. His selection was challenged by reformers, especially a group of Cistercians, and William was accused of simony, sexual misconduct, and being unduly influenced by his connections to the royal court. The Vatican investigated, Pope Innocent cleared him of all charges, and confirmed him as archbishop on 26 September 1143. However, the charges resurfaced a few years later under Pope Eugene III, a Cistercian; Eugene suspended William from his see, and in 1147 removed him as archbishop, replacing him with the Cistercian Henry Murdac, abbot of Fountains. Some of William's supporters took to the streets to defend him, and during a riot, they attacked and burned the monastery of Fountains. William, however, retired to Winchester, and became a monk, noted for his austerities and active prayer life.

In 1154, in the reign of Pope Anastasius IV, William was called from his seclusion, and again ordained archbishop of York; he died a month later. There were accusations of poisoning, including poison introduced in the sacramental wine. An investigation ensued, but no records of its result have survived, and it's more likely he died from fever.

Died

• June 1154
• buried in the cathedral of York, England

Canonized

• 18 March 1226 by Pope Honorius III
• the investigation was led by the Cistercians

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-william-of-york/

Our Lady of Sunday

Also known as

Notre-Dame du Dimanche

About the Apparition

An apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Auguste Arnaud on 8 June 1873 and 8 July 1873. Arnaud was married, the father of two, and a winemaker who regularly skipped Sunday Mass to work his vineyards. Our Lady appeared to him in the vineyard on 8 June and reminded him "You must not work on Sundays." In honour of this blessing, Arnaud placed a cross and a statue of Mary at the site in the field. On 8 July Our Lady appeared again, this time to both Auguste and his neighbors who had gathered there, and told them, "You must never work on Sunday! Blessed are those who believe."

Dates

8 June and 8 July in 1873

Location

vineyard in Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve, l'Hérault, France

Approval

1876 by Bishop de Cabrières

Readings

It was around 7:30, I saw a young woman shows all dressed in white, she wore a fringed belt and her head was crowned with a high crown like a miter. A great white veil came from the top of the crown covering her hands crossing on her chest. The figure of the woman was beautiful, quiet, without expressing neither joy nor sadness. I have not seen him smile. She seemed to be between 25 and 28 years. - Auguste Arnaud's statement

Our Lady of Sunday,
Make my heart like a beautiful vine,
Free from the disease of material concerns,
Rid of the weeds of the sin And carrying eternal fruits. - Father Jean-Pierre Gaillard

https://catholicsaints.info/our-lady-of-sunday/

Saint Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan

Also known as

Maria Theresa Chiramel

Profile

Made a vow of private chastity at age 10. Her mother died when Mariam was 12, and she dedicated herself to prayer, to the service of the poor and sick, and to the comfort of lonely people in her parish. With three friends, she formed a prayer group, and engaged in apostolic work on the streets, with the neediest families of the village including the Untouchables caste.

In 1903 she requested permission to build a house of prayer and retreat, but Apostolic Vicar, Mar John Menachery of Trichur, refused the request, and recommended that she test her vocation. Mariam entered several Congregations, and in 1913 her bishop granted her permission to build the home. On 14 May 1914, the Congregation of the Holy Family was founded. By Mariam's death, they had established three convents, two day schools, two boarding schools, a study home, and an orphanage. Today the Congregation operates in Kerala, in northern India, Germany, Italy, and Ghana with over 170 houses.

Born

26 April 1876 at Trichur, Kerala, India

Died

8 June 1926 in Kuzhikattussery, Thissur, Kerala, India of natural causes

Canonized

13 October 2019 by Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-mariam-thresia-chiramel-mankidiyan/

Saint Jacques Berthieu

Also known as

• Giacomo Berthieu
• Jacob Berthieu
• Martyr of Madagascar
• Martyr of the Red Island

Profile

One of seven children in a pious farm family. Ordained on 21 May 1864. Parish priest in Roannes-Saint Mary, France. Feeling a call to religious life, he joined the Jesuits on 31 October 1873. Missionary to Madagascar in 1875. Superior of the mission in Ambositra in 1885, he expanded the stations and brought many converts to the faith. Forced to move several times due to political reasons as his connection to France brought him into conflict with assorted local officials. Martyr.

Born

28 November 1838 in Monlogis, Polminhac, Cantal, France

Died

• shot on 8 June 1896 in Ambiatibe, Antananarivo, Madagascar by Menalamba rebels for his work in replacing ancestor worship with Christianity
• body dumped in the Mananara River

Canonized

21 October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jacques-berthieu/

Blessed István Sándor

Also known as

Stephen Sándor

Profile

Printer. Salesian lay brother in 1940. Led a group of young Catholic workers. Arrested in 1952 by the Hungarian Communist authorities in a crackdown during which all religous groups were outlawed; he received a show trial in October and was sentenced to death for bring actively Christian. Martyr.

Born

26 October 1914 in Szolnok, Hungary

Died

hanged on 8 June 1953 at Budapest, Hungary

Beatified

19 October 2013 by Pope Francis

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-istvan-sandor/

Blessed John Davy

Also known as

John Davies

Additional Memorial

4 May (as one of the Carthusian Martyrs)

Profile

Carthusian deacon and choir monk at the Charterhouse in London, England. Imprisoned on 29 May 1537 and martyred with brother Carthusians for opposing King Henry VIII's claim of supremacy in spiritual matters.

Died

chained to a wall until he starved to death on 8 June 1537 in Newgate Prison, London, England

Beatified

20 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-davy/

Blessed Peter de Amer

Profile

Mercedarian secular knight. Elected Master-General of the Mercedarians in 1271. Wrote the first Constitutions of the Order. Founded at least 15 new Mercedarian convents in Spain and France. Led the Order for nearly 30 years until his brother Mercedarians began calling for a clerical Master-General instead of a layman.

Died

8 June 1301 at the convent of El Puig, Spain of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-peter-de-amer/

Saint Victorinus of Camerino

Profile

Brother of Saint Severinus of Septempeda. The two brothers distributed their wealth to the poor in their area, then retired to live as hermits on Montenero. Ordered by Pope Vigilius to become Bishop of Camerino, Italy.

Died

543 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-victorinus-of-camerino/

Saint Clodulf of Metz

Also known as

Chlodulf, Clodould, Clodulphe, Clodulphus, Clou, Cloud

Profile

Son of Saint Arnulf of Metz. Courtier. Bishop of Metz, France in 656 where he served for 40 years.

Born

605

Died

• 696 of natural causes
• interred in the cathedral in Metz, France
• relics taken to Lay Abbey near Nancy, France in the 10th century

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-clodulf-of-metz/

Saint Melania the Elder

Profile

Married; mother; grandmother of Saint Melania the Younger. Widowed at age 21. Travelled through Palestine for several years, and founded a monastery on the Mount of Olives.

Born

c.342

Died

c.410 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-melania-the-elder/

Saint Gildard of Rouen

Also known as

Gildardus, Godard

Profile

Bishop of Rouen, France from 488 to 525. Attended the First Council of Orléans in 511.

Died

c.525 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gildard-of-rouen/

Saint Heraclius of Sens

Profile

Bishop of Sens, France. Witnessed the baptism of Clovis on 25 December 496. Built the abbey of Saint John the Evangelist at Sens.

Died

• c.515 of natural causes
• buried at the abbey of Saint John the Evangelist at Sens, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-heraclius-of-sens/

Saint Syra of Troyes

Also known as

Syria of Troyes

Profile

Sister of Saint Fiacre. When her brother fled Ireland to find solitude, she followed and lived as an anchoress in Troyes, France.

Born

Ireland

Died

7th-century Troyes, France of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-syra-of-troyes/

Saint Eustadiola of Moyen-Moutier

Profile

Married. Wealthy widow. She spent her fortune building the convent of Moyen-Moutier, Francewhere she became a nun and then abbess.

Born

Bourges, France

Died

690 of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eustadiola-of-moyen-moutier/

Saint Maximinus of Aix

Also known as

Massimino, Maximin

Profile

First bishop of Aix, Provence (in modern France).

Patronage

archdiocese of Aix, France

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maximinus-of-aix/

Blessed Engelbert of Schäftlarn

Profile

Premonstratensian monk. First prior of the convent in Ursber, Bavaria, Germany, the Order‘s first house in southern Germany.

Born

c.1100 in Germany

Died

8 June 1153

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-engelbert-of-schaftlarn/

Blessed Maddallena of the Conception

Also known as

Magdalene

Profile

Mercedarian nun at the monastery of the Assumption in Seville, Spain. Had a great devotion to prayer for souls in Purgatory.

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-maddallena-of-the-conception/

Blessed Giorgio Porta

Profile

Mercedarian monk. Commander of the San Lazzaro convent in Zaragoza, Spain. Ransomed many Christians enslaved by Muslims in Granada, Spain and Algiers in north Africa.