Christian Today

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 30  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. Returning from England, he was arrested when the ship that he and Francis were using wrecked at Kent. They were arrested and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester in April. They were beatified in 1929.  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 baptize...

 SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 29  ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, PATRONESS OF EUROPE AND OF ITALY St. Endellion , 6th century. Virgin recluse honored at St. Endellion, in Cornwall, England. She was the sister of St. Nectan of Hartland, and the daughter of Brychan of Brecknock.   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 ...

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 28  ST. PETER CHANEL, PRIEST, FIRST MARTYR OF OCEANIA ST. LOUIS-MARY GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, FOUNDER OF THE COMPANY OF MARY 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.   St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Roman Catholic laywoman and Patron of mothers, physicians, preborn children, April 28

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 27  ST. SIMEON, BISHOP OF JERUSALEM AND MARTYR 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.  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. Wi...

Catholic Mother Pregnant with Conjoined Twins Sharing One Heart - Her Inspiring Story - : Nicole Duque LeBlanc made a rare announcement about her first pregnancy: she's expecting conjoined twins who share one heart.

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 26  St. Cletus, Roman Catholic Pope and Martyr. He was the third bishop of Rome, and succeeded St. Linus, which circumstance alone shows his eminent virtue among the first disciples of St. Peter in the West. He sat twelve years, from 76 to 89. Feastday 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.  

  Archbishop Paglia reaffirms 'No' to euthanasia, assisted suicide https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47018

Actors Mark Wahlberg & Mario Lopez Advise Followers to Pray in Viral Video Celebrating Sunday - : Actors Mark Wahlberg and Mario Lopez celebrated Sunday worship in a recent viral video published on April 23.

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 25  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 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 h...

 SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 24  St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Roman Catholic Franciscan Capuchin Martyr . A practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian Emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death. Feastday 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 w...

The Life of Ven. Jérôme Lejeune, Catholic Geneticist Who Discovered the Cause of Down Syndrome - : Jérôme Lejeune was a brilliant geneticist and devout Catholic who worked to uphold the sanctity of life in his scientific community.

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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.  April 23 B. MARY GABRIELLA SAGHEDDU, VIRGIN, CISTERCIAN   St. George, Martyr, Patron of England & Catalonia. Pictures of St. George usually show him killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful lady. The dragon stands for wickedness. The lady stands for God's holy truth. St. George was a brave martyr who was victorious over the devil.  He was a soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and he was one of the Emperor's favorite soldiers. Now Diocletian was a pagan and a bitter enemy to the Christians. He put to death every Christian he could find. George was a brave Christian, a real soldier of Chris...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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.   Bl. Maria Gabriella Sagheddu, Roman Catholic Trappist Nun . Patron of Ecumenism.Feastday April 22 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 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...

Pope Is Blunt: Today There Are Many Martyrs That Are Banished from Society for Confessing Their Christian Faith - ZENIT - English : General Audience of the Pope Wednesday April 19 on the martyrs as witnesses of apostolic zeal.

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 21  ST. APOLLONIUS, PHILOSOPHER AND ROMAN MARTYR -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. April 21 Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Roman Catholic Priest, Archbishop of Canterbury and Doctor of The Church . Feastday April 21 St. Beuno. Beuno's legend has him a monk in Wales who founded his own community and performed numerous miracles, among them, restoring St. Winifred's head after she was beheaded. However, he does seem to have been an effective preacher who evangelized much of North Wales and founded a monastery at Clynnog Fawr (Carnavonshire).   ST. CONRAD OF PARZHAM, CAPUCHIN -For more than 40 years — from his profession of solemn vows in 1852 to his death in 1894 — Conra...

 SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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, Fra...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 19  St. James Duckett, Blessed, 1602 A.D. Martyr of England , hanged at Tybum. James was born in Gilfortriggs, Westmoreland, England. After being drawn to Catholicism, he refused to attend Protestant services and passed two terms in prison. He then took instructions and was baptized. James went to London, where he spent more time in prison and distributed Catholic materials. Arrested for his faith, he was imprisoned for nine years before his execution at Tyburn. He was beatified in 1929.   ST. LEO IX, POPE Educated at Toul, he became its archbishop in 1027, and after he became pope, he canonized Gerard of Toul. Nominated by Emperor Henry III, Bruno was elected in 1049, and he began immediately to hold synods which called for clerical reforms such as the abolition of simony and an end to clerical unchastity. 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 Mon...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 18  St. Faustinus & Companions, Forty-five Roman Catholic martyrs, martyred in Rome. 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.  April 18 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 cl...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 17 St. Anicetus, Roman Catholic Pope a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155 and actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism. His pontificate saw the appearance of the controversy between East and West over the date of Easter. St. Polycarp, a disciple of John, is reported to have visited him in Rome about the dispute, which was to accelerate and grow more heated over the following centuries. Feast 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 ...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 16  Bl. Francoise Suhard Menard, Roman Catholic laywoman martyred during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 Bl. Francoise Micheneau Gillot , 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 Bl. Pierre Delepine, Roman Catholic layman and a martyr during the French Revolution. Feastday April 16 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. Feastday April 16. St. Benedict Joseph Labré , Roman Catholic Patron of Unmarried men (bachelors), rejects, mental illness, mentally ill people, insanity, beggars, hobos, the homeless.Benedict, a French man, was given the nickname ...

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL15   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. 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.   ST. ABBONDIO

  SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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 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.   ST. TIBURTIUS, VALERIANUS, AND MAXIMUS, MARTYRS ON THE VIA APPIA . The existence of the aforesaid martyrs, however, is a historical fact. The relation between St. Cecilia and Valerianus, Tiburtius, and Maximus, mentioned in the Acts, has perhaps some historical foundation. These three saints were buried in the Catacomb of Praetextatus on the Via Appia, where their tombs are mentioned in the ancient pilgrim Itineraria. April 14 St. Lydwine, Roman Catholic patroness of sickness....

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 13  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 returned to work until his arrest in 1642. At the age of eighty-one, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at York with Blessed John Catherick. John was beatified in 1929.   ST. MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR -Pope Saint Martin I, Roman Catholic Pope and martyr who stood up for the right of the Church to establish doctrine even in the face of imperial power. Feastday April 13 ST. HERMENEGILD, MARTYR ,...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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.   St. Julius, Roman Catholic elected Pope to succeed Pope St. Mark on February 6, 337.Feastday: April 12 ST. ZENO, BISHOP OF VERONA Zeno (d. 371) + Bishop of Verona, Italy, theological writer. A native of Africa, he was named bishop in 362 and proved an ardent opponent of Arianism. He also promoted discipline among the clergy and in liturgical life, built a cathedral, and founded a convent. April 12 ST. JOSEPH MOSCATI, PHYSICIAN OF NAPLES, Celebrated physician of Naples, Italy, noted for medical research. Joseph gave his wages and skills to caring for the sick and the poor and was a model of piety and faith. He was beatified in 1975 and canonized in 1987. April 12

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 11  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 Pope John Paul II in 1990.   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 t...

A.I. Image =Hal_9000_Movie 2001 Exodus Chapter 32, The Golden Calf. 1-35 When the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for that man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.”  

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR 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 d ied 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.   ST. MAGDALENE OF CANOSSA, VIRGIN, FOUNDRESS OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY. Magdalena of Canossa (1774-1835) virgin, foundress of the Canossian Family of Daughters and Sons of Charity. MAGDALENA OF CANOSSA, was a woman who believed in the love of the Lord Jesus and, sent by the Holy Spirit among those most in need, she served them with a Mother's heart and an Apostle's zeal. April 10 Saint Michael de Sanctis (September 29, 1591 –...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 09  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.   Martyrs of Pannonia A group of seven Roman Catholic men and women who died at Sirmium in Pannonia, on the Danube. Feastday April 9 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.   St. Dotto , 6th century. Abbot of a monastery of the Orkney Islands of Scotland. 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 deac...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 08 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 St. Goran , 6th century. Missionary of the district of Cornwall, England. Also called Woronus, he was in the area before St. Petrac. Goran lived in Bodmin.   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. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF CORINTH Endowed with an admirable knowledge of the Word of God and great eloquence, he became bishop of hi...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 07  Bl. Alexander Rawlins, 1595 A.D. Martyr, missionary, and companion in death with Henry Walpole. Alexander was born in Worcestershire, England, where he was jailed twice for his fervent Catholicism. In 1589 he went to the English seminary in Reims and was ordained there in 1590. Returning to England the following year, Alexander was arrested. He was condemned to death and on April 7, 1595, and along with Henry Walpole was hanged, drawn, and quartered in York, England. He was beatified in 1929.   Bl. Edward Oldcorne, 1606 A.D. English martyr allegedly involved in the Gunpowder Plot. He was born in York, England, and ordained in Rome. In 1587, he became a Jesuit. Returning to England, Edward worked in the Midlands from 1588 to 1606. He was then condemned to death at Worcester for alleged implicitly in the Gunpowder Plot He was beatified in 1929.   St. Henry Walpole, 1558-1595 A.D. Jesuit and one of the Forty Martyrs of England and W...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 06  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 St. Sixtus I, Roman Catholic Pope and Martyr , during the reign of Hadrian c. 115-c. 125. 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. Celestine I, Roman Catholic Pope . The founder of the papal diplomatic service and sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431 St. Elstan, 981 A.D.  Bishop of Winchester, England, Benedictine...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 05   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 suffered martyrdom following the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the increase of anti-Catholic feeling in Elizabethan England. (d. 1591) A group suffering martyrdom as a result of the British government’s enforcement of anti-Catholic policies.   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 th...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 04  St. Guier . Hermit priest of Cornwall, England. A local church bears his name.    St. Tigernach . 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. Isidore of Seville, Roman Catholic Priest and Doctor of The Church. Isidore was the first Christian writer to try to compile a summa of universal knowledge, in his most important work, the Etymologiae his learning caught fire in Spanish minds and held back the Dark Ages of barbarism from Spain. Feastday April 4 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 ...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 03  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 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 ref...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 02 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 Bl. Olha Olympia Bida, Roman Catholic Nun. She was arrested with two other sisters, imprisoned for a while, then exiled to the Tomsk region of Siberia.Under conditions of heavy forced labour, Succumbing to a serious illness, she died on 28 January 1952.Feastday Apr.2 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 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 Bl. Simeon Lukach Roman Cat...

SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 01  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.   April 1 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. 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 tim...