SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 18

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 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 and Anthia was beheaded. Feastday 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.

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.   

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