SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT PRINCIPIUS, BISHOP OF LE MANS Saint Principius, Bishop and Confessor ( September 16 ).  Neither the origins nor the period of activity of this holy Bishop of Le Mans are precisely known; however, he should not - as has frequently happened - be considered a brother of Saint Remigius of Reims . According to the Gallia Christiana *, he succeeded Saint Victurius II in the episcopal see of Le Mans. Beyond his generally exemplary conduct in office - particularly his active and self-sacrificing charity toward the poor and the sick - noteworthy aspects of his life and work include the establishment and construction of many churches. He died on September 16 , following a pious life of ascetic devotion. It is uncertain whether he died as early as 511 or as late as 530. However, the record (Boll. Jun. III. 589) stating that he was consecrated on July 26, 464, and died in 493 may certainly be re...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER   Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! ELECTUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS Electus Mon. et Soc. MM. ( 16 September )   This Electus , a Franciscan monk, was beheaded by the  Saracens  in Morocco, Africa, around 1232, along with his companions Leo, Hugh, Dominic , and John , also Franciscan monks. (Hub. Mart.) (Information from  Stadler 's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints,  Volume  2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 24) Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk,  de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! VENERABLE FRANCIS-XAVIER NGUYEN VAN THUAN, CARDINAL Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan (Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận) was born in Huế, Vietnam, in 1928. He was the nephew of South Vietnam’s first president. He was ordained a priest  in 1953. In 1975 he became coadjutor archbishop of Saigon, just as the Vietnam War came to an end. Only six days after his appointment, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army and Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, targeted for his faith and connections, was arrested and detained by the regime. For the next 13 years, he endured tremendous hardships in captivity, including nine years of solitary confinement. Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan is perhaps most famous for finding ways to celebrate Mass in prison. With the aid of other Catholic faithful outside the prison, as well as through the sympathy of his guards (some of whom later co...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! VENERABLE LAURENCE BAILY, MARTYR Laurence Baily [Bailey] was a catholic layman, who was apprehended in Lancashire, for having been aiding and assisting to a priest, who had fallen into the hands of the pursuivants, and had made his escape from them. For this supposed offence he was cast into prison, where (as we are told by Molanus , in his catalogue, p. 77 .) he suffered much with great patience and constancy; and being brought upon his trial, was condemned to die as in cases of felony, by the statute of the 27th of Elizabeth . He was executed at Lancaster - Dr Worthington says sometime in August; but Molanus says it was on the 16th of September, 1604. From Dr Worthington's catalogue of martyrs, published in 1614, p. 46. Source:  Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 2 ⬅️ The Holy Martyrs of England and Wales

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT PAPIAS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS The martyrology of  Saint Jerome * features this entry:  Saints Papias, Felix, Victor, Sperata (Speratus), Navatus (Novatus, Novinus), Chorintus (Chorentus), Secundus (Secunda), Donatus (Donata), Genevieve, another Secunda and Lupatus, martyrs .  Other martyrologies add: Victor, Alexander, Emerentia, Euphemia and Besia. The Bollandists * list these holy men and women among the Praetermissi (V. 250). (Information from  Stadler 's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints,  Volume  4, Augsburg, 1875) *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 Saint Papias and Companions may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in ...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER   Saints celebrated on the 16th of September SAINT ABUNDIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS Today, we also commemorate Saint Abundius and Companions. The Roman Martyrology states:  "Also, at Rome, at a place on the Flaminian road, ten miles from the city, the holy martyrs Abundius, priest, and Abundantius, deacon, whom the emperor Diocletian caused to be struck with the sword, together with Marcian, an illustrious man, and his son John, whom they had raised from the dead." PRAYER: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Abundius, Abundantius, Marcian, and John 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.

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER   Saints celebrated on the 16th of September SAINT SEBASTIANA, MARTYR Today, we also commemorate Saint Sebastiana. The Roman Martyrology states:  "At Heraclea, in Thrace, Saint Sebastiana, martyr, under the emperor Domitian and the governor Sergius. Being brought to the faith of Christ by the blessed apostle Paul, she was tormented in various ways and finally beheaded." PRAYER: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Sebastiana 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.

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER   Saints celebrated on the 16th of September SAINTS LUCIA AND GEMINIANUS, MARTYRS Today, we also commemorate Saints Lucia and Geminianus. The Roman Martyrology states:  "At Rome, the holy martyrs Lucia, noble matron, and Geminianus, who were subjected to most grievous afflictions and a long time tortured, by the command of the emperor Diocletian. Finally, being put to the sword, they obtained the glorious victory of martyrdom." PRAYER: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Lucia and Geminianus 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.

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER   Saints celebrated on the 16th of September SAINTS ROGELLUS AND SERVIDEUS, MARTYRS Today, we also commemorate Saints Rogellus and Servideus. The Roman Martyrology states:  "At Cordova [Cordoba], the holy martyrs Rogellus and Servideus, who were decapitated, after their hands and feet had been cut off." PRAYER: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Rogellus and Servideus 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.

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT CORNELIUS, POPE AND MARTYR  ⬅️ Saintly Popes - Index   ➡️ Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian, Joint Feast [A.D. 252] The holy  Pope Fabian  having been crowned with martyrdom on January 20, in the year 250, the see of Rome remained vacant above sixteen months, the clergy and people not being able all that while, through the violence of the persecution, to assemble for the election of a bishop.  Saint Cyprian  says, that such was the rage of the persecutor Decius, that he would more easily have suffered a competitor in his empire than a bishop in Rome.  At length, however, when that emperor was taken up in opposing the revolt of Julius Valens, or in his wars against the Goths, at a distance from Rome, Cornelius was chosen to fill the apostolic chair in 251.  Saint Cyprian  testifies that he was a person of an unblemished character and virginal pu...

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT CYPRIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR  ⬅️ Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian, Joint Feast Saint Cyprian, whom St Jerome describes as a model of eloquence and holiness, was born at Carthage, in Africa, of noble but pagan parents. Growing up, he excelled to such a degree in the art of eloquence, that he was chosen to teach rhetoric.  A MODEL OF ELOQUENCE He became acquainted with Caecilius, a pious priest, who, convincing him of his errors, brought him happily into the pale of the Catholic Church. At holy baptism, he took the name Caecilius in grateful memory of him who had instructed him in the doctrines of the true faith. The heathens could not comprehend so unexpected a conversion of their excellent orator, and were greatly provoked, while the Christians rejoiced and praised the Lord. HE LED A PIOUS AND HOLY LIFE Cyprian led so pious and holy a life after he had been baptised, that the bishop of ...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT NINIAN, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR  Saint Ninian's date of birth unknown; he died about 432. He was the first Apostle of Christianity in Scotland.  BEDE'S ACCOUNT The earliest account of him is in Bede: "the southern Picts received the true faith by the preaching of Bishop Ninias, a most reverend and holy man of the British nation, who had been regularly instructed at Rome in the faith and mysteries of the truth; whose episcopal see, named after St Martin the Bishop, and famous for a church dedicated to him (wherein Ninias himself and many other saints rest in the body), is now in the possession of the English nation. The place belongs to the province of the Bernicians and is commonly called the White House [Candida Casa], because he there built a church of stone, which was not usual amongst the Britons". The facts given in this passage form practically all we know of St Ninian’s ...

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT CORNELIUS AND SAINT CYPRIAN  ⬅️ Saintly Popes - Index Saint Cyprian  was born in Carthage in 210, and became its bishop in 249. At a time of fierce persecution, he encouraged his people, and by word and example led them to understand and witness to the faith. He was martyred in 258.  Saint Cornelius became Bishop of Rome in 251, was exiled by Emperor Gallus, and died in exile in 253. PRAYER: God our Father, in Saints Cornelius and Cyprian you have given your people an inspiring example of dedication to the pastoral ministry and constant witness to Christ in their suffering. May their prayers and faith give us courage to work for the unity of your Church. Amen.

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! BLESSED VICTOR III., POPE   ⬅️ Saintly Popes - Index Blessed Victor III was born in 1026 or 1027 of a non-regnant branch of the Lombard dukes of Benevento; he died in Rome, September 16, 1087.  HIS DESIRE TO EMBRACE THE MONASTIC STATE WAS STRENUOUSLY OPPOSED BY HIS PARENTS Being an only son his desire to embrace the monastic state was strenuously opposed by both his parents. After his father’s death in battle with the Normans, 1047, he fled from the marriage which had been arranged for him and though brought back by force, eventually after a second flight to Cava obtained permission to enter the monastery of S. Sophia at Benevento where he received the name of Desiderius .  THE LIFE AT S. SOPHIA WAS NOT STRICT ENOUGH FOR HIM The life at S. Sophia was not strict enough for the young monk who betook himself first to the island monastery of Tremite in the Adriatic and in 1053 to som...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September WELCOME! SAINT VITALIS OF SAVIGNY, FOUNDER  Eglise de Savigny Saint Vitalis was the founder of the monastery and Congregation of Savigny (1112), born at Tierceville near Bayeux about 1060-1065; he died at Savigny, September 16, 1122.  HE BECAME CHAPLAIN TO THE CONQUEROR'S BROTHER His parents were named Rainfred and Rohais. We know nothing of his early years; after ordination he became chaplain to the Conqueror’s brother, Robert of Mortain (died 1100).  Vitalis gained the respect and confidence of Robert, who bestowed upon him a canonry in the Church of St Evroult at Mortain, which he had founded in 1082.  SEEKING A MORE PERFECT STATE OF LIFE But Vitalis felt within him a desire for a more perfect state of life. He gave up his canonry in 1095, settled at Dompierre, 19 miles east of Mortain, and became one of the leaders of the hermit colony of the forest of Craon.  IN THE HERMIT ...

  ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER Saints celebrated on the 16th of September Prayer to the Angels and the Saints Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation. In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven. Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses. Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their li...