Saint of the day and Feast days-Part 2

[odhiambo]

I came across this as I was reading about Blessed Didacus of Cadiz:

“…This unlearned man was a celebrated preacher in Spain. During his preaching one day, a child shouted aloud in the church: “Mother, mother, see the dove resting on the shoulder of Father Didacus! I could preach like that too if a dove told me all that I should say!” Fr. Didacus prayed devotedly before his sermons, even scourging himself unto blood, in order to draw down God’s mercy upon the people.

Once when his superior chided him because of the austerity of his life, Didacus Joseph replied: “Ah, Father, my sins and the sins of the people compel me to do it. Those who have been charged with the conversion of sinners must remember that the Lord has imposed upon them the sins of all their clients. By means of our penances we should atone for the sins of our fellowmen and thus preserve ourselves and them from eternal death. It would hardly be too much if we shed the last drop of our blood for their conversion.”

 

[catharina]

“The Annunciation” by Henry Ossawa Tanner

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7tYDn21y61c/TPcXI5SkuoI/AAAAAAAAAMo/vXEcOw25QLE/s1600/tanner.bmp

Thank you so much.
What a treat for me.
I tried to post this earlier and couldn’t “copy.”

Not only is this painting beautiful and unusual with
the angel Gabriel shown as a pure field of light, the
artist was quite unusual too. He was the son of an
AME minister (that’s African Methodist Episcopal),
a Christian denomination that clearly originated here
in the States. This artist, Henry Tanner, painted
this in the 1890s. He also created other Christian
works of art, both from OT and NT events.

You have given me a wonderful surprise for this feast day!

PS - danke!

 

[The_Reginator]

Wordless Wednesday: The Annunciation, With Two Angels

Two angels?
God could have sent thousands, but I’ve only ever heard of Gabriel.

 

[odhiambo]

Thank you so much.
What a treat for me.
I tried to post this earlier and couldn’t “copy.”

Not only is this painting beautiful and unusual with
the angel Gabriel shown as a pure field of light, the
artist was quite unusual too. He was the son of an
AME minister (that’s African Methodist Episcopal),
a Christian denomination that clearly originated here
in the States. This artist, Henry Tanner, painted
this in the 1890s. He also created other Christian
works of art, both from OT and NT events.

You have given me a wonderful surprise for this feast day!

PS - danke!

Thank you catharina, for the information on the picture and artist, Henry Tanner. I had no idea who he was. Yes, the painting is indeed beautiful and I too am grateful to kelvin for posting it.

 

[kelvinf]

Thank you so much.
What a treat for me.
I tried to post this earlier and couldn’t “copy.”

Not only is this painting beautiful and unusual with
the angel Gabriel shown as a pure field of light, the
artist was quite unusual too. He was the son of an
AME minister (that’s African Methodist Episcopal),
a Christian denomination that clearly originated here
in the States. This artist, Henry Tanner, painted
this in the 1890s. He also created other Christian
works of art, both from OT and NT events.

You have given me a wonderful surprise for this feast day!

PS - danke!

Whao! Actually someone posted this image last year on another thread here on CAF. I revisited the thread just to refreshen my mind on the Annunciation (since it was an interesting debate on the Annunciation vs. Incarnation; Annunciation of the Lord vs. Annunciation to the BVM…)

I found the image fascinating and I really just felt like re-posting it image here. And yes, it was a bit tricky to post.

I’m glad the image meant a lot to you.

PS: Bitte!

 

[kelvinf]

Thank you catharina, for the information on the picture and artist, Henry Tanner. I had no idea who he was. Yes, the painting is indeed beautiful and I too am grateful to kelvin for posting it.

You are welcome.

 

[catharina]

Thank you catharina, for the information on the picture and artist, Henry Tanner. I had no idea who he was. Yes, the painting is indeed beautiful and I too am grateful to kelvin for posting it.

Whao! Actually someone posted this image last year on another thread here on CAF. I revisited the thread just to refreshen my mind on the Annunciation (since it was an interesting debate on the Annunciation vs. Incarnation; Annunciation of the Lord vs. Annunciation to the BVM…)

I found the image fascinating and I really just felt like re-posting it image here. And yes, it was a bit tricky to post.

I’m glad the image meant a lot to you.

PS: Bitte!

The painting is so special to me because I received
a note card from my only sister about five yrs ago. This
painting was the front cover and it was/is so unusual that
I tried to post it for the feast day. Looking for a copy of it,
I learned of the artist and his special story so I thought to
post that too. I still have the card from my sister and the
card is posted on a wall in my kitchen. I knew nothing
of the artist 'til I hunted online for the painting.

Amazing to learn that the artist was an African American who
grew up in the States and who even studied in Paris - all so
contrary to the typical overview of this nation’s history.

Blessed be God!

 

[odhiambo]

27 March

Today is the Feast day of
Blessed Francesco Faà di Bruno
Among many other saints

 

[odhiambo]

Francesco Faà di Bruno.

Francesco was born on 29 March 1825 in Alessandria, Piemonte, Italy. He was of noble birth. He began his education in 1841. He studied at the Royal Military Academy of Turin with the aim of making a career in the army and was commissioner in the army in 1847.
However by 1853 he had decided to leave the army and take up the study of mathematics instead. He travelled to Paris where he studied at the Sorbonne under Cauchy who he admired, not only for his genius, but also for his religious fervour and his philanthropy. After graduating he returned to Turin where he went on to study for his doctorate, which he obtained in 1861 and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science.

In 1871 Francesco became a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Turin. Apart from Mathematics, Francesco had other interests. He did a lot of charity work. It was around this time that Francesco met Father John Bosco who had been ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1841 in Turin and had began work there to help boys who came to look for work in the city. Through the influence of Father John Bosco, Francis was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Rome on 22 October 1876. He founded the Society of St. Zita for maids and domestic servants, later expanding it to include unmarried mothers, among others. He helped establish hostels for the elderly and poor. He even oversaw the construction of a church in Turin that was dedicated to the memory of Italian soldiers who had lost their lives in the struggle over the unification of Italy.

He founded a religious order (Suore Minime di Nostra Signora del Suffragio) in order to direct and work for girls gathered in a house (similar to those founded by John Bosco) called Conservatorio del Suffragio. In order to provide work for the girls.
Francis also made numerous and important contributions to mathematics. These include about forty original articles published in various journals including “American Journal of Mathematics” (John Hopkins University.

Francis died in Turin on March 27, 1888. and was beatified 100 years later by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on 25 September 1988.

[Today is the Feast day of Blessed Francesco Faà di Bruno Among many other saints](Today is the Feast day of Blessed Francesco Faà di Bruno Among many other saints)

Blessed Francesco Faà di Bruno.
Pray for us!

 

[odhiambo]

28 March

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem
Among many other saints.

 

[odhiambo]

Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem.

We do not know when Saint Hesychius (pronounced HESH-us), was born. We know, however that he was a native of Jerusalem and a student of Saint Gregory the Theologian. After the death of his mentor, he settled in one of the Palestinian desert. In the year 412, the Archbishop of Jerusalem, consecrated him as a presbyter. As a priest, the saint became well known for his sermons which were inspired. He is said to have written a history of the Church, which unfortunately is no longer available as it apparently got lost. He also wrote about many of the burning issues of his day. These included the heresy of Nestorianism, which held that there were two separate persons in Jesus viz: one human and one divine. He wrote about the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ.

I understand from my reading that some of his commentaries on the books of the Bible as well, along with meditations on the prophets and homilies on the Blessed Virgin Mary , still survive.

His words on the Eucharist, written centuries ago , speak to us today:

“ Keep yourselves free from sin so that every day you may share in the mystic meal; by doing so our bodies become the Body of Christ”

Saint Hesychius died around the year 450(433 by other accounts)

Saint Hesychius,
Pray for us!

 

[odhiambo]

Today we remember
Saint Barachisius and Saint Jonas.
Among many other saints.

Saint Barachisius and Saint Jonas( Saint Jonas of Hubaham)
Martyrs.
Jonas and Barachisius were born at Beth-Asa, Persia
They were brothers and they were also monks living at a monastery in the city of their birth. This was the time when King Sapor (Shapur) of Persia, was persecuting Christians. On, hearing that several Christians had been sentenced to death at Hubaham, the two went there to encourage and to give spiritual support to the condemned. They were arrested .They were then asked to obey the king of Persia, and to worship the sun, the moon, fire, and water. They answered that it was more reasonable to obey the immortal King of heaven and earth than a mortal prince.
Refusing to deny the Faith, they were beaten and tortured. Jonas was then crushed to death and his body cut to pieces. at Beth-Asa, Persia.
Barachisius, on the other hand, had brimstone and boiling pitch poured down his throat! Both the brothers were martyred on 24 December 327.
They were canonized Pre-Congregation.

 

[The_Reginator]

Saint Barachisius and Saint Jonas, pray for us!

They were canonized Pre-Congregation.

“Pre-Congregation” had me puzzled, although I had a good guess.
So I searched and found this:

Saints.SQPN.com
notes about your extended family in heaven

Pre-congregation

Pre-Congregation is my term for the Beatification and/or Canonization of saints and/or beati prior to the institution of the modern investigations performed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. It designates those beati who were canonized by local bishops, primates, or patriachs, often as a result of popular devotion.

Maybe that’s common knowledge. But I’m uncommon. (Uncommonly humble. )

 

[odhiambo]

“Pre-Congregation” had me puzzled, although I had a good guess.
So I searched and found this:

Maybe that’s common knowledge. But I’m uncommon. (Uncommonly humble. )

Yes, you are right. Remember earlier we came across saints that had been canonized by “popular acclaim”. It is the same thing. I used the expression “Pre-Congregation” because that is how it was expressed in the account I read.
I also googled it and came upwith this:

What is pre-congregation canonization?

“In the earlier times, saints were proclaimed to be saints by a local bishop, patriarch etc. and by popular devotion. Pre-congregation is when saints were canonized or declared to be saints, before the long and lengthy process that the Church has today to prove that they were saints, so the exact dates are not available”

 

[odhiambo]

30 March

Today is the Feast day of
Saint Peter Regalado
Among many other Saints.

 

[odhiambo]

Saint Peter Regalado ( 1390-1456)
Also known as Peter Regulatus.
Rranciscan Reformer.

Peter was born at Valladolid, Spain. He was born in a wealthy , pious and noble family. At the age of just 13, he entered the Franciscan Order in his native city. After several years, he transferred to a far more austere monastery at Tribulos, where he became known for his severe ascetism as well as his abilities to levitate and enter into ecstacies.
In 1442 he was appointed head of all the Spanish Franciscans in his reform group. Peter led the friars by his example. A special love of the poor and the sick characterized him. Miraculous stories are told about his charity to the poor. For example, the bread never seemed to run out as long as Peter had hungry people to feed. Throughout most of his life, Peter went hungry; he lived only on bread and water.
For his zeal in adhering to the rules of the community, he was designated “Regulatus”

Peter died on March 31, 1456, and immediately after his death, his grave became a place of pilgrimage. He was canonized in 1746.

Saint Peter
Pray for us!

 

[Shin]

His life reads beautifully.

I also read:

‘When his body was exhumed thirty-six years after his death, at the instance of Isabella the Catholic, it was found incorrupt and placed in a more precious tomb. . . In art he is represented with flames bursting from his heart.’

 

[odhiambo]

31 March
Today ‘s Saint is
Saint Nicholas of Flue
Hermit and Swiss political figure.
(1417-1487)

Nicholas was born on 21 March, 1417, in Switzerland. He took his name from the Flueli River which flowed close to where he was born. He was the oldest son of pious, well-to-do peasants. From the time he was young, Nicholas liked to pray and to , practice mortification.
When he was 21 years old, he entered the army and is said to have fought heroically in several battles . At the age of 25, and in obedience to his parents, Nicholas married a pious girl from Sachseln, named Dorothy Wyssling. God blessed them with 10 children, five boys and five girls. His youngest son, Nicholas, born in 1467, became a priest and a doctor of theology.
Nicholas was held in high esteem by the people. He served his community as magistrate and highly respected councilor. Several times he refused the office of governor.
On 16 October, 1467, after 25 years of marriage, and with the consent of his wife and family, Nicholas left home to live as a hermit.
He took up residence at Ranft. At first he lived in a narrow hut, which he himself had built with branches and leaves, and went daily to Mass .Early in 1469 the civil authorities built a cell and a chapel for him, and on 29 April of the same year the chapel was dedicated by the vicar-general of Constance, Thomas, Bishop of Ascalon. In 1479 a chaplain was put in charge of the chapel. After that, Nicholas always remained in the Ranft.

He is said to have survived on nothing but the Holy Eucharist for nineteen years before he died.
Reknown for his holiness and wisdom, he was frequently visited by civic leaders, powerful personages as well as simple men and women, all with a variety of needs. In 1480, through his intervention, he helped prevent a civil war in his country.
Nicholas is said to be one of the most famous religious figures in Swiss history. He was known affectionataly as “Bruder Klaus”.
Nicholas lived to a ripe old age of 70. He them fell ill and died in 1487. Many pilgrims visit the chapel near the church of Sachseln, where his relics are preserved.
He was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1669 and canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
He is considered the patron saint of Switzerland.
Saint Nicholas of Flue
Pray for us!

 

[odhiambo]

1 April
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Hugh of Grenoble
Among many other saints.

 

[odhiambo]

Saint Hugh of Grenoble
Also known as Hugh of Chateauneuf.
Bishop

Hugh was born in France in 1052. He showed piety from a very early age and wanted to be a monk.
While still a layman, Hugh became a canon of the cathedral in Valence. His piety was such that it was said of him that he only knew one woman by sight!
In 1080, while attending a synod in Avignon, Hugh was elected bishop of Grenoble. The see of Grenoble was in very poor state, and Hugh was selected to bring the much needed reforms.
He immediately applied himself to the task of reforming the abuses in his new diocese.
For the next two years, Hugh endeavoured, with a great deal of zeal but without much success, to eradicate the evils of simony and concubinage in his diocese. In 1082, discouraged and convinced that the task before him could not be done, he resigned his office and became a Benedictine monk at the austere abbey of Chaise-Dieu in Auvergne.
The Pope however commanded him to return to his Episcopal work at Grenoble the following year. It was Hugh who in 1084, personally conducted Saint Bruno of Cologne, and his six companions to the wild Alpine Solitude near Grenoble, called Chartreuse, and presented them with that land. On this land, Saint Bruno and his six companions constructed their first Carthusian monastery, which came to be known as the Grande Chartreuse (The Great Chartre-house). In this way, Saint Hugh is associated with the founding of the Carthusian Order.
Saint Hugh visited the monks frequently to share their life of poverty, prayer and solitary study. His personal austerities and excessive fasts affected his health and were only moderated at the insistence of Saint Bruno, his spiritual director.
Saint Hugh died on April 1, 1132, two months before his eightieth birthday. He was canonized on April 22, 1134 by Pope Innocent II, only two years after his death.
Saint Hugh.
Pray for us!