Skip to main content

BL. JOANNA OF AZA, MOTHER OF SAINT DOMINIC - 2 AUGUST

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST

Saints celebrated on the 2nd of August

BLESSED JOANNA OF AZA, MOTHER OF SAINT DOMINIC

Blessed Joanna of Aza (Johanna), mother of Saint Dominic [Guzman], the founder of the Order of Preachers, had two more pious sons with her husband Felix. These were Antonius, a priest in a hospital who cared for the sick in body and soul, and Mamez (Manes), who is listed in the Elenchus* as Mamertus on March 11. The Martyrology of the Order of Preachers* features him as Blessed Mannes on July 30, specifying that he belonged to the Cistercians. 

According to Migne*, Blessed Joanna de Aza (Asa, Axa) was born around the middle of the 12th century in the Spanish bishopric of Osma. Because of her and her sons' virtues, she was commonly called "the holy woman" or "the mother of the saints." The words of the apostle proved themselves in her: "If the root is holy, so are the branches" (Romans 11:16). 

Towards the end of the 12th century she died in Calaroga, the place where she had given birth to Saint Dominic. In 1350 her relics were raised and transferred to the Dominican monastery of Planefiel. Later a chapel was built there in her honour. 

The 500-year veneration of Blessed Joanna was confirmed at the request of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, and in 1828 Pope Leo XII set her festival on August 2. (Mg.)

Blessed Joanna is also commemorated on August 4 and May 9.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869, pp. 190-191)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Joanna may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

⬅️ More information about Blessed Joanna







Comments

Popular posts from this blog

WELCOME

  Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17   18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31   February - Saints by date  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17 18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29 ...

ST VALENTINE, BISHOP OF RHAETIA - 7 JANUARY

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY Saints celebrated on the 7th of January WELCOME! SAINT VALENTINE, BISHOP OF RHAETIA Saint Valentine (Valentinus) is the patron saint of the diocese of Passau. The Proprium of Passau relates his life story as follows: Saint Valentine came from the seashore and arrived at Batava, today's Passau. Here he wanted to proclaim the gospel to the inhabitants, who were ignorant of the true worship of God, and therefore went to Rome to obtain the necessary authority from the Pope for this undertaking. Upon his return, he invested much time and effort to gain those lost souls for Christ, as the Pope expected him to. Valentine himself thirsted for their salvation, incessantly preaching the Divine word to them. After some considerable time, however, Valentine realised that all the seed he had sown fell on rocky ground. Thus he travelled again to Rome with the request to be sent to another place that had fertile soil. The Pope received him graciously, consecra...

FATIMA APPARITION - 13 AUGUST

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August Marian Feast Days WELCOME! FATIMA APPARITION - AUGUST 13 The Fatima Children “BUT IN THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.” But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. THE AUGUST 13 EVENTS On August 13, the children were in jail at Ourem. The civil administrator threatened to boil them in oil if they did not tell the Lady’s secret. Though badly frightened, they could not think of disobeying our Lady. In disgust, the administrator finally freed them. A large number of people, not knowing that the children had been kidnapped, went to the Cova for the scheduled appearance of the Lady. At noon, there was a loud clap of thunder. Then, according to an eyewitness: “Right after the thunder came a flash, and immediately we all noticed a little cloud, very white, beautiful and bright,...