Blessed Hugh Faringdon (Cook), John Eynon and John Rugg Martyrs
m. Reading, United Kingdom, November 15, 1539

The Martyrologium Romanum commemorates today the three Benedictine Blessed Hugh Faringdon (Cook), Abbot of Reading, John Eynon and John Ruggie, Priests. Tenaciously opposed to the claims of King Henry VIII of England within the spiritual domain and therefore were falsely accused of conspiracy. Front of the monastery were then hanged and then horribly gutted. Pope Leo XIII beatified them on May 13, 1895.

Roman Martyrology: At Reading in Britain, Martyrs Hugh Cook Faringdon, Abbot of the Order of St. Benedict, John Eynon and John Ruggie, Priests who were accused of treason for being fiercely opposed to the claims of primacy in the Church of King Henry VIII died hanged and disemboweled with a sword in front of the monastery.

In 1534 the English clergy was called to take an oath of supremacy recognizing the monarch as head of the English Church in the territory of the kingdom. With the exception of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, the Carthusian monks and Observant Franciscans, a few others immediately objected to this betrayal of the pope. The abbots of Glastonbury, Reading and Colchester all lent oath with their monks, hoping to thereby protect their ancient monasteries from the tyranny of kings, but all three reached a point of no return when it intensified the suppression of monastic orders.

The Abbot of Reading, Hugh Faringdon was commonly called by the name of his county of origin and his nickname was Cook. In this abbey he became Monaco and was elected abbot in 1250, very high office that entitled the holder to a seat in the House of Lords and the Council, as the magistrate of the county. The reporters called him a man hostile to him “completely without culture,” yet the teacher of elementary school in Reading dedicated a book to him even in rhetoric. Hugh also managed to enforce discipline in his monastery excellent.

Strongly opposed the preachers of new doctrines Protestants, whom he described as “heretics and scoundrels, but was on good terms with King Henry VIII, perhaps for convenience, given the proximity between the Abbey and Windsor. They used to exchange visits and gifts. Hugh also tried in vain to help the King to obtain from the Pope the annulment of the marriage to Catherine of Aragon, by signing the letter of request. In 1536, also signed the Act of Supremacy and the following year still enjoyed the sympathy of the king, as he held an important role in the funeral of Queen Jane Seymour.

A few weeks later, a diplomatic incident occurred: Abbot Hugh offended the sovereign, spread the false news of his death. He wuestioned by a committee, but was later released. After he was taken to the suppression of monastic orders, as Hugh does not accept this soppruso summer of 1539 he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, accused of treason. With him were tried John Eynon, a priest of the church of St Giles in Reading, and John Ruggie, the prebend of Chichester, who had retired in the abbey of Reading. The former was accused of having written and distributed a copy of the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536, while the latter possessed a relic of the hands of Saint Anastasius, while knowing that his majesty had sent inspectors in the said abbey to put an end to the idolatry . However, there is certainty that these two priests were Benedictine monks.

Terms prosecuting coinvoltse all three are unknown, but easily imaginable. Abbot Hugh spoke very clearly on the gallows in his opinion the supremacy of the Holy See in spiritual matters was “the common faith of those who had the right to declare the true teachings of the English Church.” Their execution took place outside the abbey of Reading November 15, 1539.
Hugh Faringdon (Cook), abbot of Reading, John Eynon and John Rugg were Beatified by Pope Leo XIII, May 13, 1895 by confirmation of their cults.

Author: Fabio Arduino

Source: Santi e Beati

source

I’m sure you’ve read about government seizure of a building in New York City, together with a few mosques around the country. There’s a private Muslim school in the building, which receives support from the Alavi Foundation, the foundation which is tied to Iran, from which the buildings have been seized.

Now people associated with the school are concerned about being tainted. It’s perfectly reasonable for them to be concerned; their space is in a building owned by a foundation with financial ties that are counter to American law. In addition, they’re supported by that same foundation, so yeah, they’re suspect.

Keep in mind that most Amerians could care less, and that the only actual backlash about which I’m aware related to the Fort Hood Jihadist, is that a Greek Orthodox Priest in Florida was attacked by an idiot who claimed he was a jihadist and yelled Allah Akbar. Good trick for a guy who doesn’t speak Arabic.

Read about it here.

Catholic Men’s Apologetics.

photo source

Last Saturday I drove up to Alexandria, to pray at Father Didier’s grave. It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive from where I live, and it was a beautiful day for a drive. I mapquested the cemetery but had been unable to find information about the location of his grave. The cemetery is easy to find and pretty small.

As you can see in the photo of his parents, from the Echo Press, his grave is by the road in the cemetery; I was looking for the item in the left front of the photo, which houses a guestbook, pens  and prayer cards. I saw a rosary and a bunch of individual notes in there as well.

What isn’t shown in the photo, to the left and right of the pillar, is a matching park bench, made of stone. One is opposite Father’s grave, the other opposite the graves of family members.  Since I had parked coming in to the cemetery I didn’t see the Body and Blood of Christ depicted on the pillar.

I sat on the bench opposite his grave and prayed for the poor souls in purgatory, especially souls of priests. I also prayed for some priests I know as well as other intentions and wrote a note related thereto in the guestbook.

I don’t know, and may never know, if he interceded on behalf of anyone or any intention for which I prayed, but in some ways that’s incidental; my greatest motivation was to pray for the souls in purgatory.

Saints Nicholas Tavelic, Stephen of Cuneo, Deodato Aribert from Ruticinio and Peter of Narbonne Franciscan Priests, Martyrs
† Jerusalem, November 14, 1391

Roman Martyrology: In Jerusalem, the Holy Nicholas Tavelic, Deodato Aribert, Stephen of Cuneo and Peter of Narbonne, Priests of the Order of Friars Minor and Martyrs who were burned in the fire for preaching boldly in the public square in front of the Saracens, the Christian religion, professing Strongly Christ Son of God

The personal stories of these Franciscan missionaries, are intertwined in 1383, when, coming from different places in Europe, they flowed into the Franciscan convent of Mount Zion in Palestine, where the Order of St. Francis has been for centuries the Custodian of the Holy Places of Christianity.
The Friars Minor, Nicholas Tavelic, Deodato by Aribert Ruticinio, Stephen of Cuneo and Peter of Narbonne found themselves in that Franciscan monastery, where they lived for eight years, according to the Rule of St. Francis, performing their duties, for the care of Places sanctity of life and death of Jesus, and trying to do apostolate in the Muslim world, where Mount Zion was almost like an island amid a sea of Muslims.

With Muslims, the apostolate was almost fruitless, since the deepening of their faith, they were not open to interreligious dialogue.

Nevertheless, the four Friars Minor, decided to bring the Gospel to the Mohammedans, publicly exposing the arguments of Christianity and Islam and comparing them with those after consultation with two theologians, prepared a memorandum in which, in a detailed and rich in historical references and theological, meticulously exposed the Christian doctrine by refuting Islam.

On November 11, 1391, they went before the Cadi (judge) of Jerusalem in the presence of many Muslims, they were exposed reading this, they worked out with great courage. While they listened carefully, it was not accepted by those present, in the end they went into a rage and then the monks were asked to recall what they said; the four monks refused and so were sentenced to death for three days were put behind bars where they suffered abuse.

On November 14, they were brought back to the streets, again asked to recant what was said against Islam, after rejection this they were killed, blown to pieces and burned, the Muslims did disappear any remains, even the ashes, so that they were not honored by Christians.

Their martyrdom was described in detail in a report by the Guardian of the Holy Land, Father Gerald Calvet, two months after their death.

Their Cult was recognized by the Franciscan Order, dating from the fifteenth century; Pope Leo XIII, in 1889, confirmed only the cult of Nicholas Tavelic, the leader, who had great reverence in his native Yugoslavia.

In 1966, Pope Paul VI confirmed the cult for the other three Franciscan Martyrs, staring at their feast to November 17, but in the Franciscan Martyrology they were remembered on the date of their death (dies natalis) that November 14.

Pope Paul VI, on June 21, 1970, in Rome, elevated them to the altars, proclaimed them saints, and their liturgical celebration was extended to November 14 for all, and inserted into the Roman Martyrology on the same date; they are the first martyrs and saints the Custody of the Holy Land.

Nicola Tavelic:
First saint of the Croatian nation, Nicola Tavelic, was born about 1340 in Šibenik, Dalmatia; as a teenager he walked among the Friars Minor of St. Francis, became a priest, was a missionary in Bosnia, along with his father by Deodato Ruticinio, where for nearly 12 years he preached against the Bogomil, a heretical sect that had its stronghold in Bosnia (they contrasted the spirit world than that of matter, considered an expression of force of evil, they denied the Trinity, the human nature of Christ, the Old Testament, did not recognize the rites and sacraments of baptism and marriage, nor the church hierarchy).
Then in 1383, along with the French father of Aribert Ruticinio Deodato, he was sent to the Mission of Palestine Mont Sion in Jerusalem, where he met the other two future fellow martyrs, Father Stephen of Cuneo and Father Peter Narbonne, France.

Deodato Ruticinio (diode Aribert):

Wwas from the Franciscan Province of Aquitaine. We do not know his date of birth, which was probably around 1340. His country of birth, which in Latin is called Ruticinio was identified by some with the modern French city of Rodez, while some other shows the Roussillon, the historical region of southern France, but at that time depended on Catalonia. In 1372 he was sent as a missionary in Bosnia, where he met Father Nicola Tavelic, to whom he was bound by sincere friendship, all preaching against the Bogomil; in 1383 with his brother he was assigned to the Franciscan convent of Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where he also met the Fathers by Stefano Cuneo and Peter of Narbonne outfit.

Peter of Narbonne:

All that is known of this Franciscan Martyr from the Franciscan Province of Provence in southern France, where at one point,he went down into Italy, attracted by the Franciscan Observance Reform, launched in Umbria in 1368, by Blessed Paul or Paoluccio Trinci of Foligno (1309-1391). He was at the hermitage Umbrian Brogliano, located between Foligno and Camerino, fifteen years, living in prayer and meditation on the spirituality of St. Francis. In 1381 he left as a missionary to the Holy Land, received into the convent of Mount Zion in Jerusalem where he met Nicola Tavelic in 1383, Deodato from Ruticinio, his compatriot and Stephen of Cuneo, with whom he will later be martyred so horribly, on November 14, 1391.

Stephen of Cuneo:

Very little is known about the Franciscan Saint Martyred in Jerusalem, Stephen of Cuneo, made from precious ‘report’ made by the Father Superior of the convent of Mount Sion, on the martyrdom of the four priests belonging to the convent of the Custody of the Holy Land. Father Stephen of Cuneo, was of the Franciscan Province of Genoa and spent eight years in the vicarious in Corsica, before being transferred to Jerusalem in 1383, where he could fulfill his apostolic activity among the Muslims for another eight years before his martyrdom, suffered along with fellow French by Deodato Ruticinio and Peter of Narbonne and the Croatian Nicola Tavelic. The city of origin of the Franciscan saint, Cuneo, seems doubtful, since an historic renaissance, claimed to have collected a local tradition, which made him a native of Fiumorbo in Corsica, with a separate family Prunelli.

Be well, but the martyr is well known for 600 years as Stephen of Cuneo.

Author: Antonio Borrelli

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Pavel Djidjov, Priest and Martyr
Plovdiv, Bulgaria, July 19, 1919 – Sofia, Bulgaria, November 12, 1952

Roman Martyrology: At Sofia, Bulgaria, Blessed Peter Vicev, Pavel (Joseph) Džidžov and Jehoshaphat (Robert Matthew) Shishkov, priests of the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption, who, unjustly accused of treason under an atheist regime and thrown into prison because they were Christians, in their mortal combat deserve to receive the reward of eternity, the faithful disciples of Christ.

Joseph Dzjidzjov was born in the Bulgarian town of Plovdiv July 19, 1919, to a Catholic family in the Latin rite. In 1926 he became a student of School of the Assumption St. Andrew in his native country. From 1931 to 1938 he studied in the College of St. Augustine, in the same city. On February 2, 1938 as a trainee recruit, he finally entered Noseroa, France, and assumed the religious name of Pavel.
He studied philosophy and theology in Lormoa, near Paris, until 1942, when he made his perpetual profession of vows.

Then forced by illness to return to Bulgaria, he continued his theological studies as an irregular student. On January 26, 1945 in Plovdiv, he was ordained a priest in the Latin rite. To Varna he was then sent, to study economics and social sciences, in order to delegations following the various activities relating to housing and economic management of the mission. Father Pavel, a very good student and active, exerted a positive influence on his comrades. With courage, he didn’t hide his anti-communist ideas and beliefs and then, for this reason, was kept firmly under control by the secret services of Bulgaria’s new leadership.

His superiors then entrusted him with the job of treasurer of the College St. Augustine in Plovdiv and later treasurer of the Eastern Vicariate. Constantly followed by the communist militia during the night of July 4, 1952, he was arrested in seminary recruitment of Plovdiv, together with Father Kamen Vicev. Pavel Dzjidjov figured second in the list of complaints.

For him and his brothers Kamen Vitchev and Josaphat Chichkov the death sentence was issued October 3, 1952, and were shot in the night between 11 and November 12, 1952 in Sofia, Bulgarian capital, along with Blessed Bishop Eugenio Bossilkov. The place of their burial in the cemetery of the city has never been discovered. The three priest martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II May 26, 2002.

Author: Fabio Arduino

Source: Santi e Beati

MARIAN PRAYER OF SAINT GREGORY OF NAREK (A.D. 1010)

Assist me by the wings of your prayers,
O you who are called the Mother of the living,
so that on my exit from this valley of tears
I may be able to advance without torment
to the dwelling of life
that has been prepared for us
to lighten the end of a life burdened by my iniquity.

Healer of the sorrows of Eve,
change my day of anguish into a feast of gladness.
Be my Advocate,
ask and supplicate.
For as I believe in your inexpressible purity,
so do I also believe in
the good reception that is given to your word.

O you who are blessed among women,
help me with your tears
for I am in danger.
Bend the knee to obtain my reconciliation,
O Mother of God.

Be solicitous for me for I am miserable,
O Tabernacle of the Most High.
Hold out your hand to me as I fall,
O heavenly Temple.

Saint Margarito Flores Garcia, Priest and Martyr
Taxco, Mexico, February 22, 1899 – Tulimán, Mexico, November 12, 1927

He was born in Taxco, Guerrero (Diocese of Chilapa) on February 22, 1899. Pastor of Atenango del Rio, Guerrero (Diocese of Chilapa). His three years in the ministry were enough to know his priestly character. The Vicar General of the Diocese appointed him vicar to act as pastor of Atenango del Rio, Guerrero. Father Margarito set to work. He was discovered and identified as a priest when he was about to reach that goal; he was imprisoned and taken to Tulimán, Guerrero, where orders were given to shoot him. Father Margarito asked permission to pray, he knelt for a moment, kissed the ground and then rose and waited for the shots that destroyed his head and forever united him to Christ the Priest, on November 12, 1927. On May 21, 2000, he was Canonized by Pope John Paul II together with 24 other martyrs of Mexico. The group is known as Christopher Magallanes Jara and 24 companion and is celebrated with an optional Memorial on May 21.Each is celebrated separately, on their martrydom anniversary.

Roman Martyrology: In the city of Tulimán Mexico, Saint Margarito Flores, Priest and Martyr, who, during the great persecution against the Church, was arrested for his priesthood and crowned by glorious martyrdom with the shooting.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Vincent Eugene Bossilkov, Passionist Bishop and Martyr
Belene (Bulgaria), November 16, 1900 – Sofia (Bulgaria), November 11, 1952

Vincenzo was born in Belene (Bulgaria) in 1900. His family belonged to the Latin-rite Catholic minority in the Diocese of Nicopolis. At 11 he was sent to Ores, to the school of the Passionist Fathers. Hence his vocation which would be planted with ten years of study in Belgium and Holland. He joined the congregation with the name of Eugene and became a priest in Bulgaria. He then went again to Rome. Returning home he waived all diocesan duties to devote himself to what he feels like his true mission: to explain the cross to the peasants in their language. In 1944 he was appointed Bishop of Nicopolis, in one state (the fledgling People’s Republic of obedience under Stalin) against religion. Still unable to come to Rome in 1948 when asked by Pope Pius XII. Then began the mechanism of seizures, evictions, orders to match a ‘national church’ vassal of a scheme, asked to repudiate the Pope. But Eugene was opposed. This caused his arrest in July 1952, torture, mock trial, death sentence and murder in the prison of Sofia, in secret. His body was thrown into a common grave. Pope John Paul II beatified him on March 15, 1998.

Roman Martyrology: At Sofia, Bulgaria, Blessed Vincent Eugene Bossilkov, Bishop of Nicopolis’ and Martyr of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus, who, under a tyrannical regime, was led to jail for refusing to renounce communion with Rome and cruelly tortured, was condemned to death on charges of treason and then shot.

Source: Santi e Beati

THE HAGUE, Netherlands- Dutch prosecutors said Tuesday they have arrested a 43-year-old Somali man wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly financing Islamic extremist terrorists.

Prosecutors said in a statement the man lived in Minneapolis before leaving the United States in November 2008; he arrived in the Netherlands about one month later.

The identity of the man, who was arrested Sunday at an asylum seeker’s center near Amsterdam, was not released in line with Dutch privacy laws. The statement by the national prosecutors office said American authorities asked for the man’s arrest and have sought his extradition.

E.K. Wilson, an FBI spokesman in Minneapolis, said: “We’re aware of this individual and of this arrest, and it is related to our ongoing Minneapolis investigation.” Wilson said the FBI was working closely with Dutch authorities through its legal attache office in Brussels, and is also coordinating with the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.

As many as 20 young Somali men left the Minneapolis area over the last two years to go to Somalia and possibly fight with terror groups. At least three men have died, including one who carried out a suicide bombing in the semiautonomous Puntland region in October 2008.

Three others have pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to terror-related charges. A fourth man has pleaded guilty to perjury, and a fifth has pleaded not guilty to lying to the FBI.

The Dutch statement says U.S. prosecutors suspect the man arrested Sunday of bankrolling the purchase of weapons for Islamic extremists and helping other Somalis travel to Somalia in 2007 and 2008.

The suspect was ordered held for 60 days at a hearing Tuesday before an investigating judge in the city of Rotterdam.

Prosecutors did not immediately return after-hours calls seeking more details.

Source

St. Probus Bishop of Ravenna
November 10

Roman Martyrology: At Ravenna, St. Probus, Bishop, in whose honor the Bishop St. Maximus the famous basilica dedicated Class.

Probe: a bell’aggettivo, used at least once, even as a name, in the way they are used even today the names of Modesto, Pius, Clement, and Benedict Benigno. Probus means honest, upright, honest: Even today, for every profession, there are the so-called viri honest, that honest men, who judge the correctness of my colleagues in professional life.

The literature records a famous grammarian, Marcus Valerius Probus. Policy, a Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius Probus, under which the Christians, at least officially, were not persecuted. And Christians should cherish that name that promises fairness and honesty, even in women who took the name of Probus.

Thus, the Christian calendar records a Proba Holy Virgin and Martyr, April 28, another Santa Proba, also Virgin and Martyr, 30 April. Among the Saints Probe is a venerable Bishop of Verona, the fourth century, January 12, a bishop of Rieti mentioned in the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, March 15.

On April 5, the couple are remembered even exemplary Christians in the name, Probus and Grace. Finally, today is the feast of St. Probus, Bishop of Ravenna, or better than Class as a class, the military port of Ravenna, came the early Christians, who had the first cemetery in which buried Apollinaris, sent by St. Peter, According to tradition, to evangelize the Adriatic coast.

The tomb of the first bishop of Ravenna was built then the basilica of St Apollinaris in Classe, splendid mosaics which still arouse admiration surprised. And great the images in the mosaics of the immediate suc-mold of Sant’Apollinare: Ecclesia, Severo, Bear and Ursicinus. If the series had been continued after the bears would come lambs. And it is the Bishop Lamb, of the IX century, speaking of the apostolic tradition of Ravenna, mentions two bishops named Probus. The first was the seventh of the series, the second the fourteenth.

“The holy soul of Probus – says the Bishop Lamb – November 10 left his body.

And behind the statement of Bishop Lamb, that historical criticism can neither confirm nor deny, is remembered today that Bishop, in name and upright life, and so holy as probity and sanctity are mixed in the figures of shepherds were an example of fairness and virtue to the whole flock entrusted to their care.

Source:  Parish Archives

Source: Santi e Beati

In the 60’s and 70’s, the beginning of the Radical Dissident Catholic Era, many priests were laicized and got married. In fact, many of them married former nuns. While I have only personally been acquainted (that I know of) with one laicized priest, he wasn’t someone who should’ve been ordained. He had the same sort of wardrobe malfunction that Ted Kennedy had. I believe it was intended as a way out. In his case it was successful.

Now that the personal ordinariate for Anglicans has been announced, The Washington Post thinks that celibacy for Roman Catholic Priests is on its way out. What impressed me about the article is that they do point out that Eastern Catholics ordain married men but that priests aren’t married; most people assume that priests may marry after ordination. Eastern Catholic Churches in the US typically ordain only celibate men. Eastern Catholic Bishops are always celibate as are Orthodox Bishops.

I disagree with the Washington Post; Anglicans have made many changes since the church of England was formed, including allowing priests to be married before or after ordination. Eastern Catholics, formerly Orthodox, were brought into Communion with Rome while retaining their traditions, traditions that had existed at the time of the Great Schism, including the Ordination of married men. The difference here is that a married priesthood in the Latin Rite Catholic Church did not exist at the time the Anglicans left and while married men in the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Church may be Ordained, priests may not marry after ordination. While it’s certainly possible that the Church would decide to allow married men to be Ordained within the Anglican Personal Ordinariate, I would be very surprised if she would allow priests to get married or allow a married Priesthood in the Latin Rite.

Blessed Henryk Hlebowicz, Polish Diocesan Priest, was born in Grondo on June 1, 1904, died in Borysów November 9, 1941. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999, together with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the town of Borysów in Poland, blessed Henry Hlebowicz, Priest and Martyr, shot during the war in hatred of the faith.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed John Duns  Scotus
ca. 1265, Scotland – Cologne, November 8, 1308

Born between December 23, 1265 and March 17, 1266, in Scotland, hence the nickname “Scot.” His birthplace, Duns, bore name of his family. As a child, hw came into contact with the Franciscans, with whome he began studying at thirteen, in the recluse of Haddington, County Berwich. After completing his studies in theology he was devoted to teaching, first at Oxford, then in Paris and Cologne. Here, on behalf of the general of his congregation, he had to deal with the heretical doctrines, but managed to concentrate for a short time the firm. He died a few months after his arrival, on November 8, 1308. John Duns is considered one of the greatest masters of Christian theology and is the precursor of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. John Paul II Beatified him on March 20, 1993 calling him “the bard of the Incarnate Word and defender of the Immaculate conception of Mary.” His mortal remains are kept in the church of the Friars Minor of Cologne.

Roman Martyrology: In Cologne, in Lorraine, now in Germany, Blessed John Duns Scotus, a priest of the Order of Minors, which, of Scottish descent, master distinguished for subtlety of wit and admirable piety, he taught philosophy and theology in schools in Canterbury, Oxford , Paris and Cologne.

Source: Santi e Beati

Here’s an interesting article about a priest who hunts.  He grew up in a family that hunted, which is typical in Minnesota; we rank 5th in state for number of hunters. There’s really no reason to think about the morality of hunting, as it’s what people do here.

This particular priest is in a rural area, so of course they hunt.

Read the article.

It’s deerhunting season.

Blessed Vincenzo Grossi, Priest
Pizzighettone, Cremona, March 9, 1845 – November 7, 1917

Blessed Vincent Grossi was born March 9, 1845 in Pizzighettone (CR): next to last of seven brothers. In 1866 he entered the seminary of Cremona and was ordained May 22, 1869. First he was commissioned to curate in several parishes, then a parish priest in 1873 and in 1883 he went to Regona Vicobellignano.

He had… for all the illustrious example of poverty, a spirit of self-denial, austere life, totally subservient obedience to the Pope and his bishop. So with gentleness, combined with a usual good humor and geniality – which recommended warmly to his sisters – are easily won over the confidence of many to win for Jesus Christ.

In 1885 he founded the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory, giving rules in the spirit of St. Philip Blacks and the charisma of the Christian education of youth. He died November 7, 1917, when we celebrate the liturgical memorial.

Roman Martyrology: At Cremona, blessed Vincent Grossi, a priest, who, while waiting in his office of parish priest, founded the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory.

Blessed Father Vincenzo Grossi was born in Pizzighettone (Cremona) March 9, 1845. Was baptized the same day of birth. From Mother learned to live by faith and prayer, while the father’s commitment and seriousness in the work.

He soon wanted to join the seminary, but the father – even for family – he wanted to try the vocation of the child. Only at age 19 he could fulfill his wish.

Don Vincenzo celebrated his first Mass in the cathedral of Cremona May 22, 1869.

The Mass would always be the center of his life: it drew light and strength for him and for his apostolate. He will say to his sisters: “The priest is obliged to express here the life of Jesus into heaven, and Augusta to continue that life here on earth that Jesus would have led, had it been the will of the Father who ever lived on earth.”

After losing his father, his mother stood beside him for some time, speaking with her secret charity to pay off parish debts of her son. In 1872 he became spiritual economy Ca ‘de Soresini. The following year he was put in his first parish Rule. For the faithful, especially to children and young people not only opened his heart, but also his home.

Reorganized the Church, arranged a systematic catechesis, was magnanimous in charity towards all. Rule became “the convent of the diocese.”

His constant concern was the youth. He was happy to be around so many young people. Even the Daughters of the Oratory teach youth to love a lot: in fact the vote to his Christian upbringing. Its line ministry can be summed up in a thought he gave a sermon Sunday: “our heart, when it is full of love of God, does not know what to do with the other loves. Understand? Work, then!”.

The insistence of the bishop made him accept Bonomelli December 28, 1882 the parish of Vicobellignano, where he stayed for 34 years. The parish was in strong discomfort for the work of Protestants. The bishop, in fact, wrote, “that parish and in general those parts demand zealous pastors, nonprofit, copies of great charity, to the greatest prudence and educated: these qualities in you and I will see much evidence I am sure I do not deceive me … I hope that in 10 years that parish and you will raise the error disappear. “

He was a prophet. With intense prayer and generous dedication, Blessed Vincenzo turned the country into a true spiritual community: he was a zealous pastor, the leader of their flock by word and example.
Don Vincenzo was man of many books, but rather of profound study. Had often to read and write. He prepared all his sermons diligently for the people and later the lessons to his sisters. His preaching was the result of prayer and meditation.

His daily Mass was preceded by long preparation. The celebration was simple, orderly, profoundly original in words and gestures. His soul was all stretched to the Lord.

He was often requested by the priests of the diocese and beyond, where he wore as a preacher of the “mission to the people.” He had special needs, he had only a poor bag, with the breviary el’orologio a peasant.

In 1885 he founded the first community of the Daughters of the Oratory for young girls. He wrote the rules on his knees before the tabernacle. Blessed with the sisters not to say that stand in holiness and joy will entrust them as patron S. Philip Blacks, the saint of spiritual joy.

He died November 7, 1917, uttering the words: “the way is open: we must go.” A few days earlier, to the Mistress of Novices, he said: “Try not to complain ever, even try to rejoice when things go contrary to your desires.” His death, serene and totally available to God, he closed an exemplary life and generous.

On November 1975 Paul VI beatified him as an example to all the priests and pastors throughout the world. His relics rest at the Mother House of Lodi.

Author: Giuseppe Messina

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Thomas Jihyoe of St. Augustine,Augustinian, Priest, Martyr
Nagasaki, Japan, 1600 – November 6, 1637

Thomas Jihyoe, Augustinian Japanese, during the anti-Christian persecution during the seventeenth century, for 5 years with the nom de guerre “Kintsuba” held in check the soldiers of the emperor who tried to capture him because he was Catholic.He was born in Omura, Nagasaki around 1600, his parents were both catechists and died martyrs for the faith. As a child he attended the Jesuit school in Arima, but the school was closed because of persecution so he went to Macao to finish his studies. On an Augustinian missionary, since 1622, he moved to Manila in the Philippines and made his religious profession in the convent of St. Augustine Intramuros in 1624, then to Cebu to take up his theological studies. On completion of training he was ordained to the Priesthood. In the meantime persecution raged in Japan and the missionaries were falling one by one under the relentless blows of the persecutors, leaving the Catholic communities abandoned. Thomas felt that his place was in his country and, after several attempts, followed by as many shipwrecks, in 1631 was able to return to Nagasaki.

As a Japanese, it was easy for him to mask his condition as a Catholic priest. Courageous and inspired by the great spirit of faith, he did took the service of the governor of Nagasaki, with the name “Kintsuba”, meaning “golden hilt.” In this role could assist in jail Father Bartholomew Gutierrez until his Martyrdom and then take its place in helping the Christian prisoners. He found the courage to imagine the governor gave them the secret presence of a priest. Thomas was then discovered, but he escaped and went to a cave near the city. It opened as the famous chase his person still alive in popular memory.

He used to go out at night to meet with Christians and administer the sacraments, camouflaging himself and constantly changing habits and physical appearance. One day, however, in 1637, he was finally caught by chance and it was he himself who revealed his identity to his captors, who believed he was a simple Christian fugitive. For several months he was thus unnecessarily subjected to all sorts of torments in the hope that he would repudiate Christ. On November 6, 1637 was brought to the place of execution, the famous “Hill of Martyrs” in Nagasaki, and subjected to the classic condemnation of the pit, hanging by his feet with his head inside a hole dug in the ground until he died.

He was Beatified on November 24, 2008 together with 187 other victims of that persecution.

Author: Fabio Arduino

Source: Santi e Beati

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the highest spiritual figure for the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians, arrived in Washington on Sunday night for a week of lectures and meetings highlighting his interest in environmental health as a religious issue. He is scheduled to meet with President Obama on Tuesday, Vice President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday.

Although it has only about 4 million adherents in the United States, the Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian community in the world after the Catholic Church. It is concentrated in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Experts say Bartholomew, who calls himself “the green patriarch,” has been in office 18 years and has tried to make spiritual issues into public policy issues. His U.S. trip was scheduled around a symposium he organized last month in New Orleans about the health of the Mississippi River.

He also plans to speak about health care and terrorism.

More sensitive is another of his priorities: religious freedom in Turkey, where he is based. The Turkish government has limited the practice of Orthodox Christianity, including closing a seminary in the 1970s. The past three U.S. presidents– including Obama in April– have publicly advocated for the reopening of the seminary and religious freedom advocates hope the issue will be resolved as a condition for Turkey to join the European Union.

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San Mamete (Mamet) Confessor
November 5, Auvergne (France), fourth century

His name appears in the “Life III” by Saint Austremonio, bishop of Clermont and first bishop of Auvergne, Massif Central region of France, probably written by St. Gregory of Tours and it classifies him as a companion evangelizer in Auvergne.

Langres (in French Mamet), had to be a priest and was appointed by Saint Austromoine and evangelize the region of the St-Flour. Even today, a village named after him, St-Mamet-le-Salvetat, in the district of Aurillac.

The relics of St. Mamete have disappeared long ago, there is also the doubt that has ever been preserved, not to mention the loss of the relics of many saints at the time of the French Revolution.

His feast day is November 5 in commemoration of all saints of Auvergne, and 17 August in the diocese of St-Flour.

He is the only saint with this name report published in the “Bibliotheca Sanctorum”, and he is not mentioned by the ‘Roman Martyrology’, which instead celebrates November 1 Saint Austromoine with whom he was a partner in evangelizing the Auvergne in the early fourth century.

Author: Antonio Borrelli

Source: Santi e Beati

Saints Nicander, Bishop and Hermes, Priest, Martyrs
November 4

Roman Martyrology: At Myra in Lycia, in modern Turkey, Holy Martyrs Nicander, Bishop, and Hermes, a Priest.

A passio Metaphrastes not included in Menologion Simeon Logoteta, still unpublished, is the only extant document concerning these martyrs.

According to the news of sinassari Byzantine commemorating Nicander and Hermes, to 4 November, the first was bishop of Myra in Lycia, and the second priest ordained bishop by the Apostle Titus of Crete. There would therefore be in the first century. For their zeal to convert the inhabitants to the Christian faith, they were denounced to the governor of the city Libanius. They had them tie back of the horses broke into a gallop. Thus dragged to the ground, the Saints had all the skin torn wetting the soil with their blood. Later they suspended the easel, striking through a wooden board and they are exposed to fire. Since they were miraculously preserved from the flames, the tyrant ordered to plant their nails in the heart and guts. Still alive, were thrown into a grave and covered with earth. Martyrologies unknown to the medieval West, the two Martyrs were introduced to Licia always to November 4, from C. Baronius in the Roman Martyrology.

Author: Antonio Calisi

Source: Santi e Beati

Indulgences are available for The Year for Priests on the First Thursday of each month.

Saint Libertine of  Agrigento, Bishop and Martyr
November 3

The cult of St. Libertine

“The cult of St. Libertine had to start quite early, at the time of Gregory the Great, a praetor of Sicily and Sardinia had a bishop of that name, while in the life of St. Gregory, bishop of Agrigento, written by Leander, remembers a house that the Church of Agrigento had a very long time in Palermo and was called Libertino “was intact for a long time and was called the Church Agrigento Libertino.

On the dating of St. Libertine between the first and third centuries agree on Lanzoni, the Kehr, over Mercurelli.

According to tradition, collected by Gaetano and inserted into the liturgy of the saint, to November 3, the preaching of St. Libertine was so effective and fruitful outcomes that the pagan authorities decided to nip, not succeeding, either with the flattery, nor threats, resorted to violence.

According to tradition, he was martyred with St. Pellegrino and then burned, according to another was stoned to death or killed with the sword or a blow to the chest or the head.

The Russian reports of some passages of P. Francis Petronio says that heperformed many miracles and built a church dedicated to Our Lady, which may have been the first cathedral in Agrigento. A popular tradition says that St. Libertine, shortly before he died, he told viewers of his torment: ‘Gens unfair, plebs rea, not videbis bone mea “from whence it derived the name of the northern gate of the city Bibbirria. Picone But rightly notes that a martyr dies forgiving and the port name is of Arabic origin and means “gate of the winds” from Bab er rijah.

About the place of martyrdom, the launch of Brolo, as we said, would like to see in the mountain-top Crotali Triocala a corruption of the word, while Picone believes that it may be corruption of the word “Akropoleos”, the fortress of Agrigentini but the term could well maintain its greek meaning of “castanets,” or, perhaps more appropriately, for a hill country of “narcissus” so covered with daffodils.
The place was ancient Acropolis in the past found in what was called the “plan of Gypsies, Mon chianu Zingaro” on the hill on which stands the present city, near where stands the church of the saint.
The Agrigentini during the plague of 1625, as many had turned to the intercession of the saint and had obtained many graces and miracles, considering that according to tradition, suffered martyrdom there and was buried there, on ‘ example of Palermo who had found the body of S. Rosalia, dug in the area of the Plan of Gypsies, but found nothing.

However, they decided to build a chapel.

For instance p. Michele di Agrigento and his brothers of the comments, the jurors of the time: Gaspare Di Fede, Bernardo Belguardo, Giuseppe Di Falco, Giuseppe Piemontese, granted the area to the chapel and a home under these conditions: ‘that this can not Chiano serve for another effect or use, except for the plan of that building and for construction of the church, under the name of that holy Libertino and that we can always dig quandocumque in that plane for the invention of the holy relic of this saint, no obstante any building such factories can be wholly or partly on account of that dirrupare invention of the Corps’ °.

The chapel was later enlarged and became the church by Bishop Francis Trahina and was later restored by Msgr. Lo Jacono and Mgr. Lagumina. The Russian enumerates some of the paintings, frescoes, works of art representing the Holy among the most remarkable paintings recall those already quoted from the Cathedral of Agrigento which represents St. Pietro S. Libertine, the other with the holy bishops Agrigento, both now preserved in the episcopal palace, and place the painting on the altar of his church.

Michael Blasco put him among the other saints Agrigento in his paradise in the apse of the cathedral is also represented in a fresco beside the body and suffers martyrdom and a wooden ceiling beam.
In the church of Ravanusella of a statue of St. Libertine Surrocco, says the Russian, on the basis of which read: Divo Libertino ob invectani religionem, Agrigento. Today there is more and if they have lost all trace.

The same Russian recalls a medal owned by Capuchin Fr Samuel, where were the images of S. Libertine and S. Gerlando, but can not give more precise

In stucco school serpottiana Church of Purgatory is also seen an image of the saint and another one sees in the pulpit.

Liturgical worship of S. Libertine, as far as we know, began very late in the rebuilding the church of Agrigento, perhaps in the century. XVI, in the wooden ceiling of the cathedral, which dates from the early 1500s, it was then painted his image, at the behest of Bishop Julian Cybo.

It was then increased towards the end of the century and especially at the beginning of the following with the construction of the chapel and the church dedicated to him. In 1848 Msgr. Domenico Maria Lo Jacono “his tum tum Capituli cathedralis, turn universae civitatis suppliciter retulit to vote summum Ecclesiae Pontificeim Feathers Nonum Cajetae commorantem, temporum iniquitate atque ex apostolic indulgentia obtinuit hisce lectionibus ut etiam in missa et oratione CLERUS Universus etiam regularis Agrigentinae Diocesis uteretur” (So reads the historical lesson in the office of S. Libertino Officio’s already mentioned. “appealing to the Supreme Pontiff of the Church led Pius IX, for the iniquity of the times, lived in Gaeta, his vows, the chapter, throughout the city and the apostolic indulgence that got all the clergy of the diocese of Agrigento, including the smooth, utilize these readings and prayer even in the Mass “).

Source: Santi e Beati

Saints Acindino (Acendino), Pegasus, Afton, Elpidiforo, Anempodisto and companions Martyrs in Persia
November 2 , † Isfahan (Persia), 341/345 approx.

The holy martyrs Acindino, Pegasus, Afton, Elpidiforo, Anempodisto and several of their companions suffered martyrdom in hatred of the Christian faith under King Shapur II of Persia, between the years 341 and 345.

Roman Martyrology: In Persia, the holy Acíndino, Pegasus, Afton, Elpidíforo, Anempodisto and many companions, Martyrs, who have suffered the passion has been handed down under the king Sabor II.

Source: Santi e Beati

A Plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.

A partial indulgence is applicable for the same any other day of the year.

All other requirements remain in effect, though really, Nov. 1 is on a Sunday. So is November 8. You’re going to Mass anyway. How hard is it to throw in another couple of prayers and make sure you go to confession in the next week or two?

In case you weren’t paying attention, the other requirements include:

Sacramental confession. One confession covers several indulgences; the important thing is to Confess within the next couple of weeks, assuming you haven’t just been.

Eucharistic Communion.

Prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff which can be as simple as Our Father and Hail Mary.

You must be free from attachment to sin, even venial sin. That’s the dicey one because I’m not quite sure what it really means; however, a partial indulgence is available for those who don’t make the cut. I have roses in the refrigerator and plan to bring them to my grandma’s grave.

I’m glad there’s another Sunday to do this on, as I have another cemetery to visit. You’d think it was my last cemetery run until Easter, but it won’t be. I’m a cemetery girl from way back, with a tradition of bringing or sending flowers for the departed’s birthday, one of which falls in December.

All Souls spiritual reading

BENEDICT XVI’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER

VATICAN CITY, 30 OCT 2009 (VIS) – Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for November is: “That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation”.

His mission intention is: “That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace”.

BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/NOVEMBER/…                         VIS 091030 (90)

Plenary indulgences for the Poor Souls in Purgatory are  granted to the faithful who:

On All Souls Day, November 2, piously visit a church, a public oratory or — for those entitled to use it — a semipublic oratory. This is easy. There are plenty of Requiem Masses in my area, but even if that’s not true in where you are, there should also be Daily Mass as usual.

In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, according to recite “one Our Father and the Creed.” Another easy one as that’s included in Mass.

You must also pray at least one Hail Mary and one Our Father, or other appropriate prayer for the Pope’s intentions.

Communion must be received;

You must also go to Confession; and,

Have no attachment to sin, even venial sin.

Blessed Theodore Romza, Bishop and Martyr
Veliky Bickiv (Ukraine), April 14, 1911 – Mukachevo, October 27, 1947

On the day when the Church indicates for us to contemplate the glory of all the saints, in communion with all of us on earth, in heaven already living eternal happiness, also used the liturgical feast of Ukrainian Romza Teodoro, one of the martyrs of the twentieth century Beatified by Pope John Paul II. He was born April 14, 1911 in the Carpathian region. After studying in Rome he was ordained a priest of the Greek-Catholic community in 1936. Returned to his diocese of Mukachevo, he became a bishop at only thirty-three. He bravely lived his ministry during very difficult years, between the horrors of war first and then the communist threat. On October 27, 1947 he was authorized to visit a church in his district. But in reality it was a trap, his carriage was struck by a truck and survivors beaten with iron bars. To be sure to kill him, the Bishop Romza was taken to a hospital where he was also poisoned. But the courageous testimony that he had left did not die: the years of persecution the against the Greek-Catholic community kept his memory alive.

Roman Martyrology: In the town of Mukachevo in Ukraine, Blessed Theodore Romza, Bishop and Martyr, who, during Prohibition of faith, responsibility for achieving the palm of glory for having preserved fidelity to the Church.

Source: Santi e Beati

There are a lot of Somalis where I live, here because theirs is a failed state. Yet there have been attempts to follow Sharia law in the US; most notably the failed attempts of cabdrivers to force Sharia law on their passengers, which would be the result of allowing them to decide, in violation of established laws of common carrier, whether or not to accept a customer, based on carrying alcohol or having a guide dog.

Another unsuccessful attempt was in refusing to scan pork products at a local grocery/discount store.

The successful attempts, unfortunately, have been at state-owned schools, some of which have added footbaths to the restrooms and allowed Muslim-only prayer rooms, some of which were segregated into male and female areas and in manufacturing plants, some of which are pandering to their Muslim employees to the detriment of their non-Muslim employees.

In Somalia, Al-Shabaab, the losers who recruit immigrants from Minneapolis to go there and die, either because they belatedly caught on that Somalia isn’t all that and they’d rather be at Starbucks, or because they blew themselves up, together with their innocent victims, as a homicide attack, have recently taken to being the wardrobe police.

While headscarves have already been established as a requirement, here’s your checklist for other items:

Socks; required.

Bras; not allowed.

Because women are mere chattel in Muslim societies, though it isn’t okay to shake hands with a man, it’s perfectly acceptable that men would go around feeling up women they don’t know in order to determine whether their breasts really are firm or they’re wearing a wonderbra.

I’m not sure why socks are required; I have the impression that African countries are rather warm, so socks would be detrimental in the heat. The theory behind Somali women being all shrouded up when in public is to prevent men’s lust; does that mean that Somali men have a big foot fetish? Because that seems to be the only reason to ensure women wear socks.

Blessed Leon Nowakowski, Priest and Martyr
Byton, Poland, June 28, 1913 – Piotrków Kujawski, Poland, October 31, 1939

Blessed Leon Nowakowski, Polish Diocesan Priest, was born in Byton (Kuyavian) June 28, 1913 and died in Piotrków Kujawski between 31 October and 1 November 1939. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999 together with 107 other Polish Martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the town of Piotrków Kujawski in Poland blessed Leon Nowakowski, Priest and Martyr, who, during the military occupation of Poland, was shot as he defended the faith before the scheme enemy of God

Source: Santi e Beati