Christian Today

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 30 St. Cynwl, 6th century. A hermit, the brother of St. Deinoil, noted fir his austere life in southern Wales. Several churches in the region were dedicated to Cynwl. St. Forannan, 932 A.D. Irish bishop of Domhnach-Mor, Ireland, no longer listed as a diocese. With twelve companions he went to Belgium and founded an abbey at Waulsort, on the Meuse River, becoming abbot in 962. Forannan introduced the Benedictine rule to Waulsort. Forannan went to Belgium in response to a dream. Bl. Francis Dickenson, 1590 A.D. English martyr. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and was a convert to the Church. After being ordained at Reims, France, in 1589, he returned to England and was promptly arrested. Francis was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester. He was beatified in 1929. St. Gerard Miles, 1590 A.D. Martyr of England with Blessed Francis Dickinson. He was born in Lancashire, England, and went to Douai and Reims where he was ordained in 1583. Re...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 30 ST. PIUS V, POPE ST. QUIRINUS OF ROME, MARTYRED ON THE VIA APPIA Quirinus was a Roman tribune who was charged with executing the Christians Alexander, Eventius, and Theodulus, arrested under Trajan. Instead, converted by the miracles worked by the saints, he converted and was baptized, along with his daughter Balbina, and became a martyr for the Faith. ST. PETER THE DEACON

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 29 St. Wilfrid the Younger, 744 A.D. Benedictine abbot and bishop of York, England. A monk and disciple of St. John of Beverley, he studied at Whitby Abbey and received ordination. He became John's chaplain when John was named bishop of York, and received appointment as abbot of the cathedral community in the city. Soon after, he was appointed John's coadjutor and succeeded to the see at York at his benefactor's passing in 721. He eventually retired to a monastery, most likely Ripon, where he died. St. Senan, 7th century. Welsh hermit. Owing to the confusion of records and traditions of this time and region, it is difficult to determine precise details of his life, but he is known to have labored in the northern districts of Wales. St. Dichu, 5th century. First convert of St. Patrick in Ulster, Ireland. He is listed as a swineherd in some lists and in others as the son of an Ulster chieftain. Opposed to Patrick originally, Dichu con...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 29 ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, PATRONESS OF EUROPE AND OF ITALY

St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Roman Catholic laywoman and Patron of mothers, physicians, preborn children, April 28

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 28 St. Cronan of Roscrea, 626 A.D. Founder and hermit in Ireland. He was the son of Odran, born in Munster, or possibly Ely O’Carroll, Offaly, Ireland. Cronan founded fifty monasteries, the first at Puay and the most famous at Roscrea. He ended his life as a blind hermit.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 28 ST. PETER CHANEL, PRIEST, FIRST MARTYR OF OCEANIA ST. LOUIS-MARY GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, FOUNDER OF THE COMPANY OF MARY

Bl. Peter Armengol, Roman Catholic Missionary 1238-1304 Member of a noble Catalonian family, he is said in an extravagant story to have become an outlaw, almost killing his father in an ambush, whereupon he joined the Mercedarians. He twice went from Spain to Africa to redeem captives/ held as a hostage, he was hanged , but found to be alive by another missioner who had been delayed. He continued his work of rescuing Christians from the Muslim Moors for ten more years. He died near Tarragona, Spain. His feastday is April 27.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 27 St. Asicus, 490 A.D. Abbot-Bishop of Ireland and disciple of St. Patrick, also called Ascicus and Tassach. Asicus was a coppersmith and was married when he first met St. Patrick. In time he was made the first abbot-bishop of Elphim Monastery in Roscommon, Ireland. Humble and not believing he was worthy of the office, Asicus went to an island in Donegal Bay, where he resigned his rank and became a hermit. After seven years the monks of Elphin found him and persuaded him to return to the monastery. He died at Raith Cungilor on the return journey. St. Winewald, 731 A.D. Winewald, Second abbot of Beverley monastery in England succeeding St. Berchtun. He was successful in his efforts to make Beverley a center for English cultural and spiritual growth. St. Enoder, 6th century. Grandson of Welsh chieftain Brychan of Brecknock, also called Cnydr, Keneder, and Quidic. There is considerable dispute as to his identity, as he could be St. Enoder or Enodoc of C...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 27 ST. ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN At the age of twelve, Zita went to work as a servant for a noble family in Lucca. Despite mistreatment, she always had a smile on her face and was always ready to assist the poor. The family eventually recognised her gifts, and entrusted her with the running of the household until her death in 1278. ST. SIMEON, BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND MARTYR

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 26 St. Riquier, 645 A.D. Abbot and hermit, also called Richarius. Born at Celles, near Amiens, France, he became a priest after rescuing two Irish missionaries from a murderous band of local pagans. After studying in England, he was ordained and returned home, where he founded an abbey at Celles over which he presided as abbot. He later resigned from his office and spent his remaining days as a hermit on the site of Forest Montiers Monastery. Abbeville is the modern site of Riquier’s foundation.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 26 ST CLETUS, POPE AND MARTYR Cletus was a Roman, but probably of Athenian origin. He was the third Pope, reigning from about 80 to 92. He built a small shrine over the tomb of St Peter on the Vatican hill, and was himself buried close to the first Pope. The Colosseum in Rome was inaugurated during his reign.

Bl. Robert Anderton, and Bl. William Marsden Roman Catholic Priests and English Martyrs. Summoned to London, where they were examined upon the celebrated "bloody question", whether they would fight against the Pope, even if the quarrel were for purely religious causes. Though they acknowledged Elizabeth as their lawful queen in all temporal matters, they would not consent to the required test. The sentence was then confirmed, and a proclamation was published, explaining their guilt. They were taken back and executed near the place where they had been cast ashore, being hanged, drawn, and quartered. Feastday April 25

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 25 St. Macaille, 489 A.D. Bishop of Croghan, Offaly, Ireland, a disciple of St. Mel. He was one of the prelates receiving the vows of St. Brigid. Bl. William Marsden, 1586 A.D. Martyr of England. A native of Lancashire, he studied at Oxford and then departed the island for Reims, France, where he was ordained in 1585 with Blessed Robert Anderson. They were sent to England but were forced to land on the Isle of Wight in a storm. They were arrested, and then condemned and hanged on April 25 on Wight. Both were beatified in 1929, and share the feast. St. Mella, 780 A.D. Widow and abbess. She was the mother of St. Cannech and Tigernach, and lived in Connaught, Ireland. She became the abbess of Doire-Melle, Leitrim.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 25 ST MARK, EVANGELIST ST. FRANCA OF PIACENZA (FRANCA VISALTA), ABBESS Born of a noble family from Piacenza, Franca entered the Benedictine convent of St Syrus, and became abbess at a young age. Her attempt to restore discipline encountered strong opposition, so she became abbess of the Cistercian abbey of Montelana, later transferred to Pittoli. She died in 1218.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 24 St. Egbert. Egbert IS A 8th. Century an English monk of Lindisfarne, he was anxious to go on the mission to Germany. His destiny, however, was less heroic but quite important. Settling on Iona, he succeeded in persuading the monks to adopt the roman usage over the celebration of Easter - a task which took thirteen years of gentle persuasion. St. Diarmaid, 851 A.D. Irish bishop of Armagh known for his learning. He was named bishop in 834 but was driven from his see by a usurper, Forau. Diarmaid went to Connacht, where he ruled as primate. During his reign, Norsemen destroyed churches in Armagh in 841. St. Dyfnan. Founder at Anglesey, Wales. He was the son of the Welsh chieftain Brychan of Brecknock. St. Mellitus of Canterbury, 624 A.D. Archbishop of Canterbury from 619. In 601, he was sent from St. Andrew’s Monastery, Rome, to England by Pope St. Gregory I the Great. Mellitus spent three years as a missionary in Kent, England, aiding St. Augustine...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 24 STS. MARY OF CLEOPHAS AND SALOME, DISCIPLES OF THE LORD These two saints were among the women who went to the sepulchre on Easter Sunday to anoint the Body of the Lord. There they heard the proclamation of the Resurrection. Mary, the wife of Clopas, is the mother of James the Less; while Salome is the wife of Zebedee, the mother of James and John. ST. FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR ST. MARY ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD, FOUNDRESS OF THE BRIDGETTINES

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 22 ST. GEORGE, MARTYR Few saints can boast a cult as widespread and popular as that of St George, knight and martyr of Christ, who lived between the third and fourth centuries. He is patron of many churches, as well as many countries and regions of the world. Both East and West keep his feast on April 23. ST. ADALBERT, BISHOP OF PRAGUE AND MARTYR Adalbert was the first Slavic Bishop of Prague. After studying at Magdeburg, he attempted to evangelize the city, but with little success; so he went to Rome and became a Benedictine monk. Later he went as a missionary to northern Europe, and in 997 he was martyred along the Baltic coast. B. MARY GABRIELLA SAGHEDDU, VIRGIN, CISTERCIAN

St. Abdiesus and Companions, Roman Catholic Martyrs of Persia who was caught up in the persecutions conducted by King Shapur II. Records indicate that Abdiesus was accompanied in his martyrdom by Abrosimus, Acepsimus, Azadanes, Azades, Bicor, Mareas, Milles, and a women named Tarbula. Some were Persian courtiers, others priests and bishops. Tarbula was the sister of St. Simeon, and suffered a particularly cruel death by sawing. Feastday April 22

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 22 St. Arwald, 686 A.D. Martyrs, sons of Arwald, the prince of the Isle of Wight, just off the English coast. The martyrs are called Arwald because their proper names are not known. They were slain after Baptism by King Cadwall, who was a pagan.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 22 ST. CAIUS, POPE Caius was born in the Dalmatian city of Salona, to a noble family, possibly related to the emperor Diocletian. He was Pope from 283 to 296, and may have been the uncle of St Susanna. He fought against emerging heresies and gave definitive structure to the lower orders of the episcopate. ST. SOTER, POPE Soter was of Greek origin, though born in Fondi, Italy. He reigned as Pope from 166-175. He was attentive to the needs of Christians and the east, and his pontificate was marked by works of charity and care for the poor. He fought against Montanism, and regulated the order of deaconesses. ST. AGAPETUS I, POPE

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 21 ST. CONRAD OF PARZHAM, CAPUCHIN For more than 40 years — from his profession of solemn vows in 1852 to his death in 1894 — Conrad of Parzham was doorkeeper at the convent of St Anne, in Altötting, Bavaria. Many people turned to the “holy porter” for a word of comfort or advice, or for a piece of bread. ST. APOLLONIUS, PHILOSOPHER AND ROMAN MARTYR ST ANSELM, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 20 Bl. Francis Page, 1602 A.D. Jesuit martyr of England. Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Francis was a member of an English Protestant family of Harrow-on-the-Hill, in England. Reconciled to the Catholic faith, he was ordained in 1600 and sent from Douai, France, to England. He was arrested there two years later. While in prison, Francis entered the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. He was martyred at Tyburn, England, and was beatified in 1929. Bl. John Finch, 1584 A.D. Martyr of England. He was a yeoman farmer of Eccleston, Lancashire, who returned to the Church. He harbored priests and acted as a clerk and catechist. John was arrested and tried with Blessed James Bell. They were executed at Lancaster. Both were beatified in 1929. Bl. Robert Watkinson, 1579-1602 A.D. English martyr. Born at Hemingborough, Yorkshire, he left England and studied at Douai, France, and then Rome in preparation for his ordination in 1602 in Arras, France. Sent home to wor...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 20 ST. AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO, VIRGIN AND DOMINICAN Born to a noble family, Agnes entered religious life when she was only nine years old. By age 15, Agnes was the superior of a new community in Viterbo. She returned to her home in Montepulciano where she founded a Dominican convent in 1306. She was canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726. ST. ANICETUS, POPE Originally from Syria, Anicetus became Pope around 155. As Pope he invited St Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, to Rome to discuss the controversy over the date of Easter. The two parted amicably, but the question remained open. Pope Anicetus died during the reign of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 19 St. Alphege, 1012 A.D. Archbishop and "the First Martyr of Canterbury." He was born in 953 and became a monk in the Deerhurst Monastery in Gloucester, England, asking after a few years to become a hermit. He received permission for this vocation and retired to a small hut near Somerset, England. In 984 Alphege assumed the role of abbot of the abbey of Bath, founded by St. Dunstan and by his own efforts. Many of his disciples from Somerset joined him at Bath. In that same year, Alphege succeeded Ethelwold as bishop of Winchester. He served there for two decades, famed for his care of the poor and for his own austere life. King Aethelred the Unready used his abilities in 994, sending him to mediate with invading Danes. The Danish chieftain Anlaf converted to Christianity as a result of his meetings with Alphege, although he and the other chief, Swein, demanded tribute from the Anglo-Saxons of the region. Anlaf vowed never to lead his troops a...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 19 ST. EXPEDITUS Expeditus is believed to have been martyred in Melitene in the 4th century; but beyond that, not much is known about him. He is typically represented in military garments, while stepping on a crow crying out “tomorrow,” and a cross or a clock with the word “today.” He is the patron of urgent causes. ST. LEO IX, POPE

Bl. Marie-Anne Blondin, Canadian Nun founder of a religious congregation "for the education of poor country children, both girls and boys in the same schools". Feastday April18 St. Faustinus & Companions, Forty-five Roman Catholic martyrs, martyred in Rome. Feastday Feb.17

St. Apollonius the Apologist, Roman Catholic Martyr whose Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves. The Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, arrested him, also putting the slave to death as an informer. Perennis demanded that Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to the Roman senate. There a debate took place between Perennis and Apollonius that clearly outlines the beauty and the value of Christianity. Despite his eloquent defense, Apollonius was condemned and beheaded. Feastday April 18 Sts. Eleutherius & Anthia, Roman Catholic Martyrs. Eleutherius was a bishop in Illyria, Dalmatia, with his mother, Anthia. He was a Roman, educated by Bishop Dynamius. At the age of twenty, Eleutherius himself became a bishop and was arrested for converting an imperial official. He was clubbed to death ...

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 18 St. Cogitosus, 8th century. Monk of Kildare, Ireland, and the biographer of St. Brigid. This work is invaluable because of its details of St. Brigid in the era in which she lived. St. Laserian, 639 A.D. Bishop and papal legate, brother of St. Goban, also listed as Molaisse. Laserian was born in Ireland and was a monk on lona, Scotland. He went to Rome and was ordained by Pope St. Gregory I the Great. Returning to Ireland, Laserian supported Roman liturgical images, and he went back to Rome with a group to have Pope Honorius I settle the dispute. Laserian was made a bishop and papal legate to Ireland. In 637, he succeeded his brother, St. Goban, as abbot of Leighlin.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 18 ST. GALDINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN AND CARDINAL In 1162, Galdinus witnessed the destruction of Milan by Frederick I Barbarossa, and sided with Pope Alexander III against the anti-Pope Victor VI. He was created Cardinal, and became Archbishop of the city, which he worked to rebuild, both physically and spiritually. He died in 1176.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 17 ST. SIMEON, BISHOP OF SELEUCIA AND MARTYR In 324, Simeon Barsabae became Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon in Persia. Twenty years later, the king, Sapor II began once again to persecute Christians, and Simeon was martyred with numerous companions, including Usthazade, a eunuch in the royal court, whom he converted on his way to martyrdom. ST. ROBERT, ABBOT OF CÌTEAUX A monk at Molesme, in France, Robert pressed for a strict observance of the Benedictine rule, in contrast to his brethren. In 1098 he founded at new abbey at Cîteaux, whose monks were later called Cistercians. He died in 1111, and was canonized by Pope Honorius III in 1222.

Bl. Pierre Delepine, Roman Catholic layman and a martyr during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 Bl. Francoise Micheneau Gillot, Roman Catholic laywoman martyred during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 Bl. Francoise Suhard Menard, Roman Catholic laywoman martyred during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 Bl. Anne Maugrain, Roman Catholic laywoman martyred during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 #france #humanrights

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 16 St. Donan. A remarkable fact about the widespread work of the Celtic missionary saints from the fifth century onwards is that scarcely any cases of violent opposition or martyrdom are recorded until the Viking and Danish raids began at the end of the ninth century. The pagan Celts accepted the missionaries even when they did not accept their religion and pagan and Christian symbols are found side by side on the great Pictish stones. Donan (or Donnan) deserves a note in these pages not only because of the extent of his journeying but because he and his fellow monks on the island of Eigg provide the most dreadful case of martyrdom in the history of the Celtic Church. He and fifty-two of his followers were butchered within the refectory of the monastery. The only other martyrdoms recorded seem to be those of Constantine of Kintyre and of Kessog, and the latter is doubtful. Unfortunately the mediaeval Life of Donan is lost, and what little we know of h...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 16 ST. MARY-BERNARDETTE SOUBIROUS, VIRGIN ST. BENEDICT JOSEPH LABRE Benedict, a French man, was given the nickname “the vagabond of God,” having chosen the streets as his monastery. With a crucifix and a breviary he made pilgrimages throughout France and Italy, living on charity that he shared with others. He died in Rome in 1783, and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII.

APRIL 15 St. Hunna Called “the Holy Washerwoman,” a noblewoman who devoted herself to the poor of Strasbourg, France. The daughter of a duke and wife of Huno of Hunnaweyer, she even washed the poor, hence her name.,

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 15 St. Paternus. The first 5th century saint. He followed his father's path by becoming a hermit in Wales. He founded the monastery at the great church of Paternus, and became a bishop of that region. He was known for his preaching, charity and mortifications. Scholars believe his story is an amalgam. St. Ruadan, 584 A.D. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, an abbot founder. He was born in Leinster, Ireland, and was a disciple of St. Finian of Clonard. Ruadan was the founder of the monastery of Lothra, in Tipperary, which had 150 monks. St. Mundus, 962 A.D. Scottish abbot sometimes called Mund, Munde, or Mond. He founded abbeys in Argyle, Scotland.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 15 ST. ABBONDIO

St. Lydwine, Roman Catholic patroness of sickness. Feastday April 14 St. Domnina of Terni, Roman Catholic Virgin Martyr with virgin companions. They died in Termi, Umbria, Italy. It is reported that St. Valentine was martyred at the same time. Feastday April 14

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 14 St. Tassach, 495 A.D. Bishop, also known as Asicus. One of the first disciples of St. Patrick, he was a gifted artisan, creating for St. Patrick croziers, patens, and chalices. He was later appointed the first bishop of Rahoip, Ireland, and gave Patrick the last rites.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 14 ST. TIBURTIUS, VALERIANUS, AND MAXIMUS, MARTYRS ON THE VIA APPIA

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 13 St. Caradoc, 1124 A.D. Welsh hermit and harpist. He served a local king in southern Wales before becoming a hermit at St. Cendydd Church in Gower, later taking up residence on Barry Island at St. Issels. Forced into exile by Henry I's invasion of the region, Caradoc went to Haroldston, where he occupied the cell of St. Ismael. St. Gunioc, 838 A.D. Scottish bishop who is recorded in the Aberden Breviary. Bl. Edward Catheriek, 1642 A.D. English martyr. He was born at Carlton, near Richmond, Yorkshire, England, and educated at Douai, France. He returned to England in 1635 as a missionary priest and worked there until his martyrdom at York. Edward was beatified in 1929. Bl.. John Lockwood, 1642 A.D. English martyr, sometimes called John Lascelles. He was born in Sowerby, Yorkshire, and went to Rome to study for the priesthood as a mature man. He was ordained in 1597 returned to England the following year. He was arrested and banished in 1610 but...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 13 ST. MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR ST. HERMENEGILD, MARTYR

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 12 St. Wigbert, 690 A.D. Missionary. An Anglo-Saxon, he went to Ireland and became a disciple of St. Egbert before journeying to Friesland, the Netherlands, where he spent time as a missionary. He died in Ireland.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 12 ST. JIULIUS I, POPE ST. ZENO, BISHOP OF VERONA ST. JOSEPH MOSCATI, PHYSICIAN OF NAPLES

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 10 St. Machai. Abbot founder of a monastery on the isle of Bute in Ireland. He was a disciple of St. Patrick and he was a leader of the evangelical mission there. St. Mary Margaret d'Youville, 1771 A.D. Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns of Canada. She was born at Varennes, Quebec, and was baptized Marie Marguerite Dufrost de Ia Jemmerais. After being educated by the Ursulines, she was married to Francois d’Youville in 1722, becoming a widow eight years later. Mary Margaret worked to support herself and her children, aiding the Confraternity of the Holy Family as well. In 1737, she founded the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns, with three companions. A formal declaration took place in 1745, and two years later she became directress of Montreal’s General Hospital, operated by her community. The Grey Nuns expanded to the United States, Africa, and South America. Mary Margaret died in Montreal on December 23. She was canonized by Pop...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 10 ST. GEMMA GALGANI, VIRGIN OF LUCCA, PASSIONIST TERTIARY ST STANISLAUS, BISHOP OF CRACOW AND MARTYR

Saint Michael de Sanctis (September 29, 1591 – April 10, 1625), sometimes called Michael of the Saints, was a Discalced Trinitarian priest from Vic, Catalonia.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 10 St. Beocca, 870 A.D. A martyr of England, with Ethor, lledda,Torthred, and others.The Danes raided England, concentrating on Anglo-Saxon abbeys. Beocca, Ethor, and ninety monks died in Surrey. Hedda and others died at Peterborough, and Torthred and others died at Thorrey Abbey. All were venerated as martyrs. St. Malchus. Irish Benedictine bishop ordained by St. Anselm as the first bishop of Watefford, England. He was a monk at Winchester, England, and was a preceptor of St. Malachy O’More.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 10 ST. MAGDALENE OF CANOSSA, VIRGIN, FOUNDRESS OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY

Martyrs of Pannonia A group of seven Roman Catholic men and women who died at Sirmium in Pannonia, on the Danube. Feastday April 9 #india #children #love #health #charity #awareness

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 9 St. Dotto, 6th century. Abbot of a monastery of the Orkney Islands of Scotland. St. Hedda. 870 A.D. Martyred Benedictine abbot of Peterborough, England. He and eighty four monks were slain by Danes marauding along the English coast. St. Madrun. A Welsh or Cornish widow. No details of her life are extant, but some Welsh churches bear her name. Martyrs of Croyland. Benedictine monks who were slain by the Danes during an invasion of Croyland Abbey, England, and the surrounding area. The abbot was Theodore. Others suffering included Askega, the prior; Swethin, the sub prior; and Elfgete, Savinus, Egdred, Agamund, Grimkeld, and Ulrick.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 09 ST. LIBORIUS, BISHOP OF LE MANS Elected in 348 fourth bishop of Le Mans, Liborius governed the diocese for 49 years. He ordained 217 priests and 186 deacons, and was dedicated to works of charity. He healed people suffering from kidney stones, so he is often represented with small stones.

St. Julia Billiart ,Maria Rose Julia Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France. She took a vow of virginity while young and worked so hard for the poor that she collapsed, remaining a cripple until 1804 when she was miraculously cured. She stayed in Amiens, where the Institute of Notre Dame was founded by Julia and pious friends in 1804. Roman Catholic Nun and Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Feastday April 8

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 08 ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF CORINTH Endowed with an admirable knowledge of the Word of God and great eloquence, he became bishop of his city, Corinth. He believed in the primacy of the Church of Rome although in the 2nd century it was not yet established, as evidenced by eight of his letters addressed to as many local churches.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS APRIL 07 St. Celsus. Celsus of Armagh was a layman named Ceallach mac Aedha. He succeeded to the bishopric of Armagh (it was a hereditary See) in 1105 when he was twenty-six, was consecrated bishop, put into effect many reforms in his diocese, and ruled well and effectively. He mediated between warring Irish factions, was a friend of St. Malachy, and ended the hereditary succession to his See by naming Malachy as his successor on his deathbed. He died on April at Ardpatrick, Munster St. Brynach, 5th century. A Celtic hermit in Wales. He built a hermitage at Carn-Englyi, near Nefyn, Gwynedd. He is identified by some with St. Brannock of Braunton. St. Finan, 6th century. Patron of monastery in Kinitty, Offaly, Ireland and Disciple of St. Brendan and founder abbot of a monastery in Kinitty, Offaly, Ireland. A native of Munster, he is also known as Finnian, and is the patron of the monastery. St. Goran, 6th century. Missionary of the district of Cornw...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 07 ST.JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE, PRIEST,FOUNDER OF BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

St. Sixtus I, Roman Catholic Pope and Martyr, during the reign of Hadrian c. 115-c. 125. St. Celestine I, Roman Catholic Pope. The founder of the papal diplomatic service and sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431 Bl. Pierino Morosini. Roman Catholic woman. Pierina made a private vow of chastity to God and was attacked by a would-be rapist, and died soon after. St. William of Eskilsoe, Roman Catholic Missionary. Born at Saint-Germain, France, circa 1125, he served as a canon at the church of St. Genevieve, Paris, under the great Abbot Suger until about 1170, when he was sent to Denmark with the mission of reforming the canons at Eskilsoe at the request of the bishop of Roskilde. He became abbot there and, during his three decades among the Danes, he also reformed many other communities. He also founded the abbey of St. Thomas, in Zeeland. He died in Denmark. Feastday Apr.6 #paris #education #france #love #india

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 06 ST. PETER OF VERONA, DOMINICAN AND MARTYR Born to Manichean parents, he entered the Dominican Order despite his family's opposition. He was a strenuous defender of the Catholic doctrine, so much so that he was appointed Inquisitor General for Lombardy. He died a martyr in 1252, killed by those same heretics he had opposed. ST GALLA, ROMAN WIDOW

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 6 St. Berthane, 840 A.D. A bishop of Scotland, called Ferda-Leithe , "the Man of Two Countries." Berthane was a monk of lona and the bishop of Kirkwall in the Orkneys, Scotland. He died in Ireland and was buried at Irishmore in Gaiway Bay, hence his name. He is sometimes listed as Berchan. St. Brychan, King of Wales, undocumented but popular saint. Brychan is credited with having twentyfour children, all saints. St. Ulehad. Patron saint of Liechulched church on Anglesey Island, Wales, also called Uchal in some lists. St. Elstan, 981 A.D. Bishop of Winchester, England, Benedictine, celebrated as a model of blind obedience. Elstan succeeded St. Ethelwold as bishop and as abbot. #children #education #charity #volunteering #community #school #family #india #englishlanguage

St. Maria Crescentia Hoss, Roman Catholic Nun. She was a contemplative nun of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. Feastday April 5 Martyrs of Lesbos, Five virgin Roman Catholic maidens who suffered martyrdom for the faith on the Greek island of Lesbos #love #education #family #children #parenting #child #parents #divorce #mentalhealth

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 5 St. Ethelburga, 647 A.D. Wife of King St. Edwin of Northumbria, England, daughter of St. Ethelbert of Kent, also called Tate. St. Paulinus was her chaplain. Ethelburga converted King St. Edwin, and when he died, she founded a convent at Lyminge. Ethelburga served as abbess until her death. St. Derferl-Gadarn, 5th or 6th century. Welsh hermit, reported to have been in the battle of Camblan, where King Arthur died. He may have been a hermit before becoming a monk at Lianderfel, in Gwynedd, Wales. A carved-wood statue depicting Derfel-Gadarn as a mounted soldier was used to burn Blessed John Forest at Smithfield in 1538, by order of Thomas Cromwell. Martyrs of London. Three groups of martyrs who were put to death in the late sixteenth century in London by English authorities. (d. 1582) Martyrs executed for treason, by virtue of their supposed complicity in the entirely spurious plot known as the “Conspiracy of Reims and Rome.” (d. 1588) A group that ...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 05 ST. IRENE, VIRGIN AND MARTYR Peace, charity and purity: these were the baptismal names assumed by the three martyr sisters in Thessaloniki in 304 under the governor Dulcitius, during Diocletian's persecutions. Irene was the youngest; she was guilty of hiding the Holy Scripture and refusing to eat food offered to the gods. ST. VINCENT FERRER, DOMINICAN

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 4 St. Tigernach died 549, bishop. Said to have been the godchild of St. Brigid, and educated in Scotland, he may have been a monk at Clones as well as a bishop of Clogher, but accounts are not too clear. He also is called Tierney and Tierry St. Guier. Hermit priest of Cornwall, England. A local church bears his name.

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 04 ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR, FRANCISCAN Born to African slaves descendants in Sicily in 1524, Benedict became known as “the holy Moor” for his dark skin and his many virtues. After the hermit community on Monte Pellegrino was disbanded, he joined the Friars Minor, starting as a cook and advancing to novice master. ST. ISIDORE, BISHOP OF SEVILLE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

St. Agape, Roman Catholic Martyr, Agape and her sisters Chionia and Irene, Christians of Thessalonica, Macedonia, were convicted of possessing texts of the Scriptures despite a decree issued in 303 by Emperor Diocletian naming such possessions a crime punishable by death. When they further refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, the governor, Dulcitius, had Agape and Chionia burned alive. When Irene still refused to recant, Dulcitius ordered her sent to a house of prostitution. There she was unmolested after being exposed naked and chained, she was put to death either by burning or by an arrow through her throat. Feastday April 3

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS April 3 St. Richard of Wyche, 1253 A.D. Richard of Wyche, also known as Richard of Chichester, was born at Wyche (Droitwich), Worcestershire, England. He was orphaned when he was quite young. He retrieved the fortunes of the mismanaged estate he inherited when he took it over, and then turned it over to his brother Robert. Richard refused marriage and went to Oxford, where he studied under Grosseteste and met and began a lifelong friendship with Edmund Rich. Richard pursued his studies at Paris, received his M.A. from Oxford, and then continued his studies at Bologna, where he received his doctorate in Canon Law. After seven years at Bologna, he returned to Oxford, was appointed chancellor of the university in 1235, and then became chancellor to Edmund Rich, now archbishop of Canterbury, whom he accompanied to the Cistercian monastery at Pontigny when the archbishop retired there. After Rich died at Pontigny, Richard taught at the Dominican House of Studies at ...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 03 ST. JOHN, BISHOP OF NAPLES Bishop of Naples in a particularly turbulent period, John is remembered for having had the remains of St. Januarius translated from the Ager Marcianus to the extra-urban cemetery. He died on Holy Saturday 432 at the beginning of the liturgical celebration and was buried on the feast of Easter. ST. RICHARD, BISHOP OF CHICHESTER IN ENGLAND Richard became a priest after meeting Edmund Rich. As a parish priest, in England, he worked for the reform of the clergy, the free administration of the sacraments, the celebration of Mass in dignified conditions and cared for the poor and the sick. He died in 1253 in Dover. ST. SIXTUS I, POPE

SAINTS APRIL 02 Bl. Peter Verhun, Roman Catholic Priest and Martyr. Peter was a priest for Ukrainian Catholics at Berlin, Germany. Apostolic Visitor to Germany. Peter was arrested for his faith in 1945, and exiled to Siberia. Feastday April 2 Bl. Tarsykia Matskiv, Roman Catholic Nun. On the morning of 17 July 1944 at 8 a.m., a Russian soldier rang the convent door. When Sr Taryskia answered the door she was shot without warning and died. .Feastday Apr.2 St. Pedro Calungsod, Roman Catholic Filipino Martyr. While missionary work in Guam along with Diego San Vitores were both murdered after baptizing an infant and mother who converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Feastday April 2 St. Ebba the Younger, Roman Catholic Nun. Abbess of Coldingham, England, on the Scottish border, called “the Younger.” She and her nuns were martyred by Danes in an invasion. She mutilated her face to discourage rape by the invading Danes. The raiders set fire to Coldingham, killing all of the nuns. Fea...

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 02 ST. FRANCIS OF PAOLA , HERMIT, FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF MINIMS Founder of the Order of the Minims, patron saint of Calabria and of the Italian seafarers, he is venerated as a thaumaturge and protector of the poor, who in the Kingdom of Naples ruled by the Angevins, suffered from serious neglect and injustice. He was born in Paola, now province of Cosenza, on 27 March 1416. Afflicted as a child by a severe infection of one eye, his parents entrusted him to the intercession of Francis of Assisi: if he recovered, he would wear the Franciscan habit for a whole year. After his recovering, when he was 15 years old he entered the convent of St. Marco Argentano (Cosenza) in oder to fulfill the vow made by his parents. There, he immediately showed his inclination to prayer and his powerful gifts of piety, along with some supernatural manifestations. At the end of his stay at the convent, he undertook a pilgrimage with his parents in search of the most suitable ...

St. Theodora, Roman Catholic Martyr. According to the Acta of Pope St. Alexander (r 105-115), she was the sister of St. Hermes and was martyred some time after her brother. She had given aid and care to her brother during his difficult time in prison. Feastday April1 Bl. Anacleto González Flores. Roman Catholic layman. He was taken to the Colorado jail, where his torture included being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any information. José Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death and was shot together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same day, 1 April 1927.

ENGLISH SPEAKING SAINTS:April 1 Sts. Caidoc and Fricor, 7th century. Irish missionaries in northern France. One of their converts was St Ricarius. Their relics are in the parish of Saint-Riquier near Amiens, France. In some lists Fricor is called Adrian. St. Cellach, 9th century. The abbot of lona, Scotland, and the archbishop of Armagh, Ireland. Also called Ceilach and Keilach, he was the founder of the monastery of Kells. April 1

SAINT OF THE DAY APRIL 01 ST.HUGH, BISHOP OF GRENOBLE He wanted to be a monk, but for 50 years he governed the diocese of Grenoble. He was selected by Pope Gregory VII to restore the customs of the clergy and teach the people. He was also confirmed by the seven successive Popes, the last of whom, Innocent II, canonized him in 1134. ST. VENANTIUS, BISHOP OF SALONA AND MARTYR Bishop of the city of Salona, in present-day Croatia, St. Venantius, who lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries, is venerated together with Saints Anastasius, Maurus, Paulinianus, Telius, Aterius, Septimius, Antiochianus and Gaianus, his companions in martyrdom, like him from Dalmatia and Istria.