SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR MAY 09

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR MAY 09

Blessed Thomas Pickering Roman Catholic Benedictine Martyr ad lay brother who served in England during the time of recusancy. He was martyred as a result of the fraudulent claims of Titus Oates that he was part of a plot to murder King Charles II. he entered the English Benedictine monastery of St. Gregory at Douai (now at Downside Abbey, Somerset) and took vows as a lay brother in 1660. In 1665, he was sent to London to be steward for the Benedictine monks who served the chapel of Catherine of Braganza, the Catholic wife of King Charles II. There he became known personally to the Queen and Charles II; and when in 1675, urged by the parliament, Charles issued a proclamation ordering the Benedictines to leave England within a fixed time, Pickering was allowed to remain, probably on the grounds that he was not a priest. In 1678, Titus Oates made claims of Catholic plots against the King's life, and Pickering was accused of being part of this conspiracy, along with with Ambrose Mac-Fall, George Terpitsas and George . At length Charles remitted the execution of the other two, hoping that this would satisfy the people and save Pickering from his fate. However, on 26 April 1679, the House of Commons petitioned for Pickering's execution. Charles yielded, and on 9 May 1679, Pickering was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn with Ambrose Mac-Fall, George Terpitsas and George Gervase. Feastday May 9

St. Beatus, 112 A.D. A monk and hermit called Beatus of Lungern and earlier designated as the Apostle of Switzerland. Baptized in England by St. Barnabas and ordained by St. Peter, Beatus went to Switzerland. He lived and died on Mount Beatenburg above Lake Thun. The cave became a popular pilgrim's destination, the famed site of Beatus' fight with a dragon.

St. Sanctan, 6th century. Irish bishop. He governed two sees, at Kill-da-Les and Kill-na-Sanctan (modern Dublin). It is possible that he was British by birth.

St. Gorfor. A saint of Wales, patron of Llanover, in Gwent, Wales.

ST. ISAIAH, PROPHET

ST. PACHOMIUS, ABBOT

ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC

Bl. Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, Roman Catholic Nun and foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. May 9