Saints of the day June 19 with details

 Saint of the day June 19

Bl. Humphrey Middlemore, 1572-1591 A.D. Carthusian martyr of England. He was hanged at Tyburn with two monks of the London Charterhouse.  

English Carthusian martyr, date of birth uncertain; d. at Tyburn, London, 19 June, 1535. His father, Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston, Warwickshire, represented one of the oldest families in that county, and had acquired his estate at Edgbaston by marriage with the heiress of Sir Henry Edgbaston; his mother was Ann Lyttleton, of Pillaton Hall, Staffordshire. Attracted to the Carthusian Order, he was professed at the Charterhouse, London, ordained, and subsequently appointed to the office of procurator. Although few details of his life have come down, it is certain that he was greatly esteemed for his learning and piety by the prior, [Saint] John Houghton, and by the community generally. In 1534 the question of Henry VIII's marriage with Anne Boleyn arose to trouble conscientious Catholics, as the king was determined that the more prominent of his subjects should expressly acknowledge the validity of the marriage, and the right of succession of any issue therefrom. Accordingly, the royal commissions paid a visit to the Charterhouse, and required the monks to take the oath to that effect. Father [John] Houghton and Father Humphrey refused, and were, in consequence, imprisoned in the Tower; but, after a month's imprisonment, they were persuaded to take the oath conditionally, and were released. In the following year Father John was executed for refusing to take the new oath of supremacy, and Father Humphrey became vicar of the Charterhouse. Meanwhile, Thomas Bedyll, one of the royal commissioners, had again visited the Charterhouse, and endeavoured, both by conversation and writing, to shake the faith of Father Humphrey and his community in the papal supremacy. His efforts left them unmoved, and, after expostulating with them in a violent manner, he obtained authority from Thomas Cromwell to arrest the vicar and two other monks [Blessed Sebastian Newdigate and Blessed William Exmew], and throw them into prison, where they were treated with inhuman cruelty, being bound to posts with chains round their necks and legs, and compelled so to remain day and night for two weeks. They were then brought before the council, and required to take the oath. Not only did they refuse, but justified their attitude by able arguments from Scripture and the Fathers in favour of the papal claims. They were accordingly condemned to death, and suffered at Tyburn with the greatest fortitude and resignation.

Bl. William Exmew, 1535 A.D. Carthusian martyr. An Englishman, he was educated at Cambridge and entered the Carthusians, eventually becoming sub-prior of the London Charterhouse. Owing to their refusal to accept the reforms of King Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547), William was executed with Blesseds Sebastian Newdigate and Humphrey Middlemore. They were beatified in 1886.

Carthusian monk and martyr; suffered at Tyburn, 19 June, 1535. He studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, and became a proficient classical scholar. Entering the London Charterhouse, he was soon raised to the office of vicar (sub-prior); in 1534 he was named procurator. Chauncy says that for virtue and learning his like could not be found in the English province of the order. Two days after the Prior of the Charterhouse, Bl. John Houghton, had been put to death (4 May, 1535), W. Exmew and the vicar, Humphrey Middlemore, were denounced to Thomas Cromwell by Thomas Bedyll, one of the royal commissioners, as being "obstinately determined to suffer all extremities rather than to alter their opinion" with regard to the primacy of the pope. Three weeks later they and another monk of the Charterhouse, Sebastian Newdigate, were arrested and thrown into the Marshalsea, where they were made to stand in chains, bound to posts, and were left in that position for thirteen days. After that, they were removed to the Tower. Named in the same indictment as Bl. John Fisher, they were brought to trial at Westminster, 11 June following, and pleaded not guilty, i.e., of high treason, but asserted their staunch adhesion to what the Church taught on the subject of spiritual supremacy and denied that King Henry VIII had any right to the title of head of the Church of England. They were consequently condemned to death as traitors, and were hanged, drawn, and quartered. W. Exmew is one of the fifty-four English martyrs beatified by Leo XIII, 9 December, 1886.

 

Bl. Thomas Woodhouse, 1573 A.D. English martyr. A resident of Lincolnshire, he received ordination as a secular priest and took up a post there. Forced to resign from this post, he became a tutor in Wales. He was arrested in 1561 for celebrating a Mass and was sent to Fleet Prison. During the period of his incarceration, which lasted twelve years, he entered the Society of Jesus Thomas was tried in 1570. He was hanged at Tyburn.  

June 19th: Blessed Thomas Woodhouse, SJ https://www.jesuit.org.sg/june-thomas-woodhouse-sj/ 

Fr Thomas Woodhouse was the first Jesuit to die for Christ in the conflict between the Catholic Church and the English monarchy between 1573 and 1679. Very little is known about his life prior to his imprisonment under Elizabeth I. He was born in England and was ordained probably in 1558, during the final year of the reign of Mary Tudor, the Catholic queen. He could not accept Elizabeth I who instituted religious reforms, including a non-Catholic prayer book, together with the 1559 decree declaring her supremacy in matters of religion. He resigned his parish position in Lincolnshire in 1560 and became tutor to the children of a wealthy family in Wales. He later left this position because of religious differences.

Fr Woodhouse continued to celebrate Mass whenever he could, despite laws against the Catholic Mass and was arrested on May 14, 1561, while at Mass. He was imprisoned in London’s Fleet Prison where he spent the next twelve years. He was able to develop an apostolate to other prisoners because the prison officials were quite tolerant. He brought some of the inmates back to the Church. He also wrote short essays which he tied to a stone and threw them out whenever he saw a suitable individual pass his cell window. In 1572, he wrote to the Jesuit provincial in Paris as there was no Jesuit mission in England, requesting to enter the Society of Jesus. He was accepted. In his enthusiasm, he wrote a letter to William Cecil, the queen’s treasurer asking him to persuade the queen to accept the pope’s authority. Instead of doing what Fr Woodhouse asked, Cecil ordered him to be brought to trial on June 16, 1573 at Guildhall and when he repeatedly refused to acknowledge the judges’ authority and contested the competence of a secular tribunal to try a priest on religious matters, he was found guilty of high treason and was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Fr Woodhouse met a martyr’s death three days after his trial at Tyburn. He was the second priest, but the first Jesuit, to be executed in England on religious grounds. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on Dec 9, 1886.

Bl. Sebastian Newdigate, 1535 A.D. Carthusian martyr of England. Born at Harefield, Middlesex, England, he studied at Cambridge and was married. His wife died in 1524 and he became a priest. Before entering the Carthusians in the London Charterhouse, he also served as King Henry VIII’s privy counselor. When Sebastian and fellow monks refused to accept the declaration of King Henry VIII’s Supremacy over the Church of England, they were arrested. Sebastian was executed at Tyburn on June 19 with Blesseds Humphrey Middlemore and William Exmew.

Sebastian Newdigate, BLESSED, executed at Tyburn, June 19, 1535. A younger son of John Newdigate of Harefield Place, Middlesex, king’s sergeant, and Amphelys, daughter and heiress of John Nevill of Sutton, Lincolnshire. He was educated at Cambridge and on going to Court became an intimate friend of Henry VIII and a privy councillor. He married and had a daughter, named Amphelys, but his wife dying in 1524; he entered the London Charterhouse and became a monk there. He signed the Oath of Succession “in as far as the law of God permits”, June 6, 1534. Arrested on May 25, 1535, for denying the king’s supremacy, he was thrown into the Marshalsea prison, where he was kept for four-teen days bound to a pillar, standing upright, with iron rings round his neck, hands, and feet. There he was visited by the king who offered to load him with riches and honors if he would conform. He was then brought before the Council, and sent to the Tower, where Henry visited him again. His trial took place, June 11, and after condemnation he was sent back to the Tower. With him suffered Blessed William Exmew and Blessed Humphrey Middlemore

STS. MARK AND MARCELLIANO, ROMAN MARTYRS, STS. GERVASIUS AND PROTASIUS, MARTYRS OF MILAN, ST ROMUALD, ABBOTT, FOUNDER OF THE CAMALDOLESE ORDER, June 19

Martyred at Rome under Diocletian towards the end of the third century, most likely in 286. These martyrs, who were brothers, are mentioned in most of the ancient martyrologies on 18 June, and their martyrdom is known to us from the Acts of St. Sebastian, which, though in great part legendary, are nevertheless very ancient. Cast into prison for being Christians, they were visited by their father and mother, Tranquillinus and Martia, who, being still idolaters, implored them to return to the worship of the false gods to save their lives. But Sebastian, whose approaching martyrdom was to render him illustrious, having penetrated into their prison at the same time, exhorted them so earnestly not to abandon the Christian Faith, that he not only rendered their fidelity immovable, but also converted their parents and several of their friends who were present. The judge, before whom they were at length brought, not being able to induce them to apostatize, condemned them to death. They were buried in the Via Ardeatina, near the cemetery of Domitilla. Their bodies were translated at a later date (which is not quite certain, but probably in the ninth century) to the church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, where they were rediscovered in 1583 in the reign of Gregory XIII. They still rest there in a tomb, near which may be seen an ancient painting wherein the two martyrs are represented with a third person who seems be the Blessed Virgin.

ST. JULIANA FALCONIERI, VIRGIN, FOUNDRESS OF THE MANTELLATE,

Juliana Falconieri lived in Florence during the Middle Ages. At that time, the city was plagued with internecine strife between Guelphs, who supported the Popes, and the Ghibellines, who supported the emperors. Juliana came from a noble Florentine family that was deeply involved in the affairs of the city. June 19

Juliana Falconieri lived in Florence during the Middle Ages. At that time, the city was plagued with internecine strife between Guelphs, who supported the Popes, and the Ghibellines, who supported the emperors. Juliana came from a noble Florentine family that was deeply involved in the affairs of the city.

The girl in the cloak

But the Falconieri’s wealth did not consist solely in gold and silver. The family was also rich in Christian faith, which had already led Alessio Falconieri, Juliana’s uncle, to give up everything and consecrate himself to God. Juliana was fascinated by her uncle’s vocation as one of the founders of the Servants of Mary (the Servites). Although she was a beautiful young woman, she rejected all offers of marriage; she preferred the habit of the Servites to the fashionable clothing of her peers. She dedicated herself to serving the poor, and in time, other young woman began to follow her lead.

Love in a city of hate

Juliana and her friends were distinguished by the dark cloaks they wore in imitation of the Servites, and from this choice of dress were known as the “Mantellate.” Eventually, they became the female branch of the Servants of Mary, the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites. Their lives were given to contemplation and charitable works. On Wednesdays and Fridays they fasted completely, while on Saturdays they contented themselves with bread and water.

The Mantellate became a common sight in Florence. They were known, too, for promoting peace in a city marked by deadly vendettas. Their sacrifices were offered for an end to the hatred that plagued the population.

St Juliana, who guided the community until her death, was able to offer additional sufferings. For many years she was afflicted with a stomach ailment that made it difficult to eat solid food. Over time, it became impossible for her to swallow even the little food necessary to sustain her life.

A Eucharistic miracle

It soon became clear that her life was drawing to a close. But because of her illness, she was unable to receive Holy Communion for the dying. When the priest came to give her last rites, Juliana asked him to spread a corporal on her chest, and place the Blessed Sacrament there. After a short time, the Sacred Host disappeared, and Juliana went to her eternal reward. As her sisters prepared her for burial, they discovered the image of the Cross, similar to the one on the host, had appeared on Juliana’s body. This was widely acclaimed as a Eucharistic miracle, and the story became part of the liturgical account of her life. Since her death, the Mantellate have included this symbol of the Cross on their religious habit.

St Juliana Falconieri was canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII.

June 19th: Blessed Modeste Andlauer,SJ and Bl Remy Isore, SJ

Bl Modeste Andlauer, SJ

Born : May 22, 1847

Died : June 19, 1900

Beatrified : April 17

Bl Remy Isore, SJ

Born : January 22, 1852

Died : June 19, 1900

Beatified : April 17, 1955

Catholic missionaries were permitted to reenter China following the signing of the treaty between France and China in 1858 and by the end of the century the Chinese church was flourishing again. Thousands were converted each year and the building of Catholic churches was on the increase. However the peaceful co-existence between the Chinese Christians and their non-Christian neighbours was soon to end with the impending Boxer rebellion. The dissidents argued that the Catholics by not participating in the public festivals honouring Chinese deities, the official religion of Confucianism, had demonstrated themselves as enemies of the country. Together with this anti-Catholic bias there was an anti-foreign prejudice directed against the missionaries who were frequently accused of enticing the Chinese from their ancestral worship.

The Boxers were a quasi-religious movement and its name was given by the English because of its members’ strenuous martial art training. They especially hated the Catholics and had been planning to destroy them. Their opportunity came when the Empress Dowager Ci Xi in the coup d’état of 1898 overthrew and imprisoned her nephew, the young Emperor Guangxu. While the Boxers knew the Empress Dowager did not officially approve of them, they knew of her desire to rid the nation of unwanted foreigners. As a result they put to death about 30,000 Catholics during the Boxer uprising.

Fr Remy Isore and Fr Modeste Andlauer were the first Jesuits to die at the hands of the infamous Boxers.

Fr Remy Isore was born in Bambecque, France. He studied for the diocesan priesthood initially but after completing his studies at the major seminary he decided to become a Jesuit. He entered the Jesuit novitiate at Saint-Acheul in 1875 and after completing his ecclesiastical studies in France, was sent to China in 1882 and ordained in 1886 after his Jesuit training.

Fr Modeste Andlauer was born in Rosheim, Alsace and entered the Society at Saint-Acheul in 1872 and was ordained in France in 1877. He was four years older than Fr Remy and also arrived in China in 1882.

When the Boxer Rebellion began, Fr Remy, an austere and energetic missionary was stationed in the district of Tianjin. He went to the Jesuit house at Xianxian for rest and also to be with his Jesuit brethren. On June 17, 1900 when he heard that the Boxers were near Weixian he decided to return to his mission to be with his Christians. On June 18 when he arrived at Wuyi, where Fr Andlauer had his mission and stopped to see his fellow Jesuit, he noticed that the Boxers were already in the village. They had come there to free some of their companions who had been captured the previous winter but delayed their departure when they discovered that Fr Andlauer was stationed there.

Both the Jesuits knew that their prayers for martyrdom would soon be answered now that the Boxers were in the village and spent the night in prayer. The next afternoon, June 19, they heard a sharp knock of swords on the residence door and the two Jesuits went into the adjoining chapel and secured the door behind them. Within seconds after they heard the crash of the outside door the chapel door was thrown open violently and the Boxers rushed towards the kneeling Jesuits and took turns to stab them with their lances and the blood of the martyrs flowed at the foot of God’s altar. The next day the murderers exposed the heads of the priests on the village gate to indicate to the Christians what awaited them if they did not return to their ancestral religion.

Frs Remy and Andlauer, Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion were beatified by Pope Pius XII on April 17, 1955 together with two other Jesuits, Fr Leo Mangin and Fr Paul Denn and fifty-two Chinese lay persons.