SAINTS OF THE DAY FOR APRIL 25

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 hanged on April 25 on Wight. Both were beatified in 1929, and share the feast.  

St. Mark, The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there. St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria. St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Feastday April 25

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.  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.  

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.