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March 1st
This Day, the First Day of March
1. Rome, near Saint Paul’s on the Ostian Way, Saint Felix III, Pope, who was the great-great-grandfather of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope.
2. Angers, in Gallia Lugdunensis Lugdunum, Saint Albinus, Bishop, who strongly rebuked the arrogant conduct of the powerful and diligently promoted the Third Council of Orléans for the renewal of the Church.
3. Menevia in Wales, Saint David, Bishop, who, imitating the example and customs of the Eastern Fathers, founded a monastery from which many monks set out, who evangelized Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, and Armorica.
4. Le Mans in Neustria, Saint Siviard, Abbot of Anisole.
5. On the island of Werda in the Rhine, in Saxony, Saint Suitbert, Bishop, who was first a monk in Northumbria, became a companion of Saint Willibrord, was ordained bishop by Saint Wilfrid, preached the Gospel to the Batavians, Frisians, and other peoples of Germany, and peacefully passed away in the monastery which, already elderly, he had founded.
6. In Vasconia, Saint Leo, bishop and martyr.
7. In the monastery of Vena, on the steep heights of Mount Mercury in Calabria, Saint Leo of Lucca, Abbot of Mula, who, according to the traditions of the Eastern monks, shone in both eremitical and cenobitic life.
8. Celanova in Galicia, Spain, Saint Rudesind, formerly Bishop of Dumium, who worked for the promotion or restoration of monastic life in that region and, having laid aside the episcopal office, took the monastic habit in the monastery of Celanova, where he later served as abbot.
9. Taggia in Liguria, the commemoration of blessed Christopher of Milan, priest of the Order of Preachers, devoted to the worship of God and sacred doctrine.
10. Bassano in the Veneto, blessed Giovanna Maria Bonomo, abbess of the Order of Saint Benedict, who, endowed with mystical gifts, shared in the sufferings of the Lord’s Passion in both body and soul.
11. In the city of Xilinxian, in Guangxi Province, China, Saint Agnes Cao Kuiying, martyr, who, though married to a violent man, after his death devoted herself, by order of the bishop, to teaching Christian doctrine; for this she was imprisoned, suffered most cruel torments, and, always trusting in God, passed on to the eternal banquet.
1. Neocaesarea in Pontus, Saint Troadius, a martyr in the persecution of Emperor Decius, whose contest Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus has borne witness to.
2. Lichfield in England, Saint Ceadda, bishop, who, in the troubled provinces of his time—of the Mercians, of Lindsey, and of the Middle Angles—presided over the office of bishop, which he strove to administer after the examples of the ancient Fathers, in great perfection of life.
3. Agyrion in Sicily, Saint Luke Casali of Nicosia, monk, filled with humility and virtues.
4. Prague in Bohemia, of Saint Agnes, abbess, who, daughter of King Ottokar, having rejected royal marriage, desiring instead to be espoused to Jesus Christ, embraced the Rule of Saint Clare in a monastery rebuilt by herself, where she wished to observe poverty with exactness.
5. Bruges in Flanders, blessed Charles the Good, martyr, who, a prince of Denmark and afterward Count of Flanders, became a guardian of justice and a defender of the poor, until he was slain by soldiers whom he sought to compel to peace against their will.
6. Seville in Spain, Saint Angela of the Cross Guerrero González, who, foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of the Cross, claimed no right more for herself than for the poor, whom she was accustomed to call her lords and truly to serve.
1. Caesarea in Palestine, Saints Marinus, soldier, and Asterius, senator, martyrs under the emperor Gallienus; the former, having been accused by an envious fellow soldier for being a Christian, before the judge professed his faith with the clearest voice, and received the crown of martyrdom by beheading; and Asterius, when he received the body of the martyr by spreading underneath it the garment he was wearing, is said to have received himself the honor which he paid to the martyr, by becoming himself also a martyr.
2. Calagurris in Tarraconensian Spain, Saints Emeterius and Chelidonius, who, when both were serving in military camps at León in Galicia, after the persecution broke out, were led as far as Calagurris for their confession of the name of Christ, and there were crowned with martyrdom.
3. Amasea in Pontus, Saints Cleonicus and Eutropius, martyrs in the persecution of the emperor Maximian, under the governor Asclepiodotus.
4. Brixia in Venetia, Saint Titian, bishop.
5. In Cornwall of Armorica, Saint Winwaloe, first abbot of Landevennec, who is said to have been a disciple of Saint Budoc on the island of Laurea, and to have made illustrious the monastic rule.
6. Benevento in Campania, Saint Artellaïs, virgin.
7. Nonantola in Emilia, Saint Anselm, founder and first abbot of the monastery, who for fifty years advanced monastic discipline both by his precepts and by the exercise of virtues.
8. Kaufungen in Hesse, Saint Cunegund, who, together with her husband Saint Henry the Emperor, bestowed many benefits upon the Church; after his death, she retired to the cloister as a nun, where she made Christ her heir and died. Her body was honorably laid to rest at Bamberg, near the bones of Saint Henry.
9. In Frisia, Blessed Frederick, priest, first parish priest in the town of Hallum, later abbot of the monastery of Our Lady at Mariengaarde, of the Premonstratensian Order.
10. Palermo in Sicily, blessed Peter Geremia, priest of the Order of Preachers, who, confirmed in the ministry of the Word of God by Saint Vincent Ferrer, devoted himself wholly to the salvation of souls.
11. Vercelli in the Subalpine region, blessed Jacobinus de’ Canepacci, religious of the Order of Carmelites, distinguished for his devotion to prayer and penance.
12. Gondar in Ethiopia, blessed Liberatus Weiss, Samuel Marzorati, and Michael Pio Fasoli da Zerbo, priests of the Order of Friars Minor and martyrs, who were stoned to death for the Catholic faith.
13. Daron in Brittany of Gaul, blessed Peter René Rogue, priest of the Congregation of the Mission and martyr, who, in the time of the French upheaval, refused the wicked oath imposed on the clergy, remained in the city to minister secretly to the faithful, and, condemned to death, passed to the mercy of the Lord in the very church where he celebrated the sacred mysteries.
14. Brescia in Lombardy, Saint Teresa Eustochio (Ignatia) Verzeri, virgin, foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
15. Also at Bergamo in Lombardy of Italy, blessed Innocent of Berzo (John) Scalvinoni, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who shone with outstanding charity in preaching the Word of God and in hearing confessions.
16. Philadelphia in Pennsylvania of the United States of North America, Saint Katharine Drexel, virgin, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and generously and kindly spent the wealth of her inheritance for the education and support of the Native Americans and African Americans.
Saint Casimir, the son of the king of Poland, who, though a prince, stood out for zeal of faith, chastity and penance, kindness to the poor, and devout veneration toward the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary; and, consumed by tuberculosis while still young, peacefully fell asleep in the town of Grodno near Vilna in Lithuania.
2. Nicomedia in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Photius, Archelaus, Quirinus, and seventeen others.
3. Trier in Rhenish Austrasia, Saint Basinus, bishop, who, born from the leaders of the kingdom of Austrasia, was first a monk, then became abbot of Saint Maximin in Trier, and finally, raised to the episcopal seat of the city, gave consent to the foundation of Saint Irmina’s monastery at Echternach.
4. Comacchio in Flaminia, Saint Appian, monk, who, having been sent from the monastery of Pavia, led a hermit's life in this city.
5. In the monastery of Cava in Campania, Saint Peter, who, having followed monastic life from youth, was elected bishop of Policastro, but, disdaining the noise of worldly life, returned to the monastery, where, having been made abbot, he wonderfully restored discipline.
6. Chambéry in Savoy, blessed Humbert, count of Savoy the Third, who, though forced to leave the cloister to handle public affairs, all the more cherished the monastic life, to which he soon truly returned.
7. London in England, the blessed Martyrs Christopher Bales, priest, Alexander Blake, and Nicholas Horner, who, amid the raging persecution of Queen Elizabeth the First, together received the crown of glory.
8. In the convent of Saint Savior at Vico-Comitatus in Normandy, France, of blessed Placida (Eulalia) Viel, virgin, who stood out in the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Schools of Mercy for her zeal and humility.
9. Vicenza in Italy, of blessed John Anthony Farina, bishop, who worked in many ways for pastoral matters and founded the Institute of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts, to provide for the education of poor girls and to care for all who were afflicted and marginalized.
10. In the town of Berezwecz near the city of Głębokie in Poland, of the blessed Martyrs Miecislaus Bohatkiewicz, Ladislaus Mackowiak, and Stanislaus Pyrtek, priests, who, in the turmoil of war, were cast into prison on account of Christ’s faith and were shot.
1. Commemoration of Saint Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, who under the emperor Septimius Severus shone forth, distinguished for wisdom and integrity of life.
2. In Pamphylia, Saint Conon, martyr, who, being a gardener, under the emperor Decius, with nails driven through his feet, was ordered to run in front of a chariot, then fell to his knees and gave up his spirit in prayer.
3. Rome on the Appian Way in the cemetery of Callistus, the burial of Saint Lucius, pope, who, successor of Saint Cornelius, suffered exile for the faith of Christ and, an outstanding confessor of the faith, conducted himself in the hardships of his time with moderation and prudence.
4. Sinope in Pontus, Saint Phocas, martyr, who, a gardener, suffered many injuries for the name of the Redeemer.
5. Caesarea in Palestine, Saint Hadrian, martyr, who, in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, by order of the governor Firmilian, on the feast day when the birthday of the goddess Fortuna was customarily celebrated by the people of Caesarea, was first thrown to a lion for the sake of Christ, and afterward beheaded by the sword.
6. In Palestine on the bank of the Jordan, Saint Gerasimus, anchorite, who, in the time of the emperor Zeno, having been brought back to the orthodox faith by Saint Euthymius, performed great works of penance, providing to all who practiced the monastic life under him the most complete pattern of discipline and rule of life.
7. Saighir in the region of Ossory in Ireland, Saint Kieran, bishop and abbot.
8. Arles in Provence, Saint Virgilius, bishop, who, at the recommendation of Saint Gregory the Great, received Saint Augustine and the monks journeying to the English as guests.
9. Vigevano in Lombardy, blessed Christopher Macassoli, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, notable for preaching and for charity to the poor.
10. Naples in Campania, blessed Jeremiah of Wallachia John Kostistik, religious of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who for forty years unceasingly tended the sick with charity and joy.
11. Likewise at Naples, Saint John Joseph of the Cross (Carlo Gaetano) Calosirto, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, following in the footsteps of Saint Peter of Alcantara, restored regular discipline in many monasteries of the Neapolitan province.
This Day, the Sixth Day of March
1. Tortona in Liguria, Saint Marcian, who is venerated as bishop and martyr.
2. Nicomedia in Bithynia, Saint Victorinus, martyr.
3. Trier in Belgic Gaul, Saint Quiriacus, priest.
4. Commemoration of Saint Evagrius, bishop of Constantinople, who, having been sent into exile by the emperor Valens, departed to the Lord as an outstanding confessor of the faith.
5. Toledo in Spain, Saint Julian, bishop, who brought together three councils in that city, and by his writings explained orthodox doctrine, carefully providing for justice, charity, and zeal for souls.
6. Säckingen among the Swiss, Saint Fridolin, abbot, who, originating from Ireland, journeyed through Gaul until he founded a double monastery at Säckingen in honor of Saint Hilary.
7. Metz in Austrasia, Saint Chrodegang, bishop, who ordered the clergy to live as though within the enclosures of the cloister under a complete rule of life, and wondrously promoted singing in the Church.
8. In Syria, the passion of forty-two holy martyrs, who, having been arrested at Amorium in Phrygia and brought to the river Euphrates, received the palm of martyrdom by a noble contest.
9. Barcelona in Catalonia of Spain, Saint Olegarius, bishop, who also held the see of Tarragona, after that most ancient see had been liberated from the yoke of the Moors.
10. Viterbo in Tuscany, Blessed Rose, virgin, of the Third Order of Saint Francis, who, devoted to works of charity, completed the short course of her life before the age of eighteen.
11. Ghent in Flanders, Saint Colette Boillet, virgin, who for three years led a most austere life in a small cell built beside a church in seclusion, and soon, having professed the Rule of Saint Francis, restored many monasteries of Poor Clares to their original way of life, introducing especially the spirit of poverty and penance.
This Day, the Seventh Day of March
Memorial of the holy martyrs Perpetua and Felicity, who, under the emperor Septimius Severus, were arrested at Carthage along with other catechumens who were young adults. Perpetua, a matron about twenty-two years old, was the mother of an infant still at the breast. Felicity, a slave, was pregnant and, according to the laws, was kept alive until she gave birth. Even in the pains of labor, she rejoiced when exposed to the wild beasts. From prison to the amphitheater they advanced with cheerful countenance, as though to heaven.
2. In the same place, the passion of the holy martyrs Saturus, Saturninus, Revocatus, and Secundinus; of whom, during the same raging persecution, the last died in prison, but the others, having been tormented by various wild beasts, kissed one another and were all struck down by the sword.
3. Caesarea in Palestine, the passion of Saint Eubulus, who was the companion of Saint Hadrian, and two days after him was torn by lions and slaughtered by the sword.
4. Cherson, the holy bishops Basil, Eugene, Agathodorus, Elpidius, Aetherius, Capito, and Ephrem, martyrs.
5. In the Thebaid in Egypt, Saint Paul, surnamed the Simple, disciple of Saint Anthony.
6. Brescia in Venetia, Saint Gaudiosus, bishop.
7. In the monastery of Aniane in Septimania, Saint Ardo Smaragdus, priest, who was a companion of Saint Benedict of Aniane in monastic life.
8. Prusa in Bithynia, Saint Paul, bishop, who, for defending the veneration of sacred images, was expelled from his homeland and died in exile.
9. In the monastery of Fossanova of the Cistercian Order in Latium, the passing of Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose memorial is celebrated on the 28th of January.
10. London in England, blessed Martyrs John Larke and John Ireland, priests, and German Gardiner, who, for their fidelity to the Roman Pontiff, were hanged at Tyburn under King Henry the Eighth.
11. Florence in Etruria, Saint Teresa Margaret Redi, virgin, who, having entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites, walked the arduous path of perfection and was seized by an untimely death.
12. Seoul in Korea, Saint John Baptist Nam Chong-sam, martyr.
13. the place Sai-Nam-Hte also in Korea, the holy martyrs Simeon Berneux, bishop, Just Ranfer de Bretenières, Louis Beaulieu, and Peter Henry Dorie, priests of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, who, having confidently answered their persecutors that they had come to Korea to save souls in the name of Christ, were beheaded.
14. In the city of Kirov in Russia, blessed Leonid Fedorov, bishop and martyr, who, exercising the office of apostolic exarch of the Russian Catholics of the Byzantine Rite, before a regime hostile to religion, merited to be a faithful disciple of Christ even unto death.
This Day, the Eighth Day of March Saint John of God, religious, who, Portuguese by origin, after a life full of dangers in military service, longing for better things, with steadfast charity gave assistance to the needy and the sick in a hospital rebuilt by himself, and he gathered companions to himself, who later established the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God. On this day in Granada in Spain, he departed to eternal rest.
2. The commemoration of Saint Pontius, who was a deacon of Saint Cyprian in Carthage, whom he accompanied into exile even to death, leaving behind an excellent volume about his life and passion.
3. Antinoë in Egypt, the holy martyrs Apollonius and Philemon.
4. Como in Liguria, Saint Provinus, bishop, who, a faithful disciple of Saint Ambrose, preserved the Church entrusted to him from the Arian heresy.
5. On the island of Catha in Ireland, Saint Senan, abbot.
6. Dunwich in England, Saint Felix, bishop, who, born in Burgundy, evangelized the East Angles under the authority of King Sigebert.
7. Nicomedia in Bithynia, Saint Theophylact, bishop, who, because of the veneration of holy images, was afflicted with exile, and died at Strobilos in Caria.
8. Merville in Gaul, Saint Humfrid, bishop of Thérouanne, who, after the city was destroyed by the Normans, ceaselessly took care to gather and console his flock.
9. Pavia in Lombardy, Saint Litiphredus, bishop.
10. In the town of Tain in Scotland, the deposition of Saint Duthac, bishop of Ross.
11.* Estella in Navarre, Saint Veremundus, abbot of Irache, who, having been a monk there from childhood, inspired the monks subject to him by his example on account of his pursuit of perfection, being devoted to fasts and vigils.
12. Obazine near Limoges in Aquitaine, Saint Stephen, first abbot of the monastery of this place, who, seeking God, joined three monasteries founded by him to the Cistercian Order.
13. In the monastery of Jędrzejów in Poland, the passing of blessed Vincent Kadlubek, bishop of Kraków, who, having resigned his office, embraced the monastic life there.
14. In the city of Getafe near Madrid in Spain, blessed Faustino Míguez, religious of the Order of Clerics Regular of the Pious Schools, who, having been ordained priest, devoted himself entirely to the work of teaching, attaining a great reputation as a teacher and a man knowledgeable in the natural sciences, but diligent in pastoral activity, and founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Divine Shepherdess.
This Day, the Ninth Day of March
1. Saint Frances, a religious woman, who, as a young wife, lived in marriage for forty years, was a virtuous wife and mother, admired for her piety, humility, and patience. In times of calamity, she distributed her goods to the poor, served the sick, and, after the death of her husband, withdrew into the monastic life among the offerings that she had gathered in Rome under the Rule of Saint Benedict.
2. Sebaste in Armenia, the passion of the forty holy soldiers from Cappadocia, who, not for blood but for faith and obedience to the will of the Heavenly Father, suffered in the time of Emperor Licinius. After being bound and severely tortured, during the harsh winter, they were ordered to spend the night naked on the frozen lake, and they completed their martyrdom by breaking their limbs. [ Sebaste, in Armenia, under the governor Agricolaus, in the time of the emperor Licinius, the birthday of forty holy soldiers of Cappadocia. After being loaded with chains and confined in foul dungeons, after having their faces bruised with stones, and being condemned to spend the night naked, during the coldest part of winter, on a frozen lake, where their bodies were benumbed and laid open by the frost, they ended their martyrdom by having their limbs crushed. The noblest of them were Cyrion and Candidus. Their glorious triumph has been celebrated by St. Basil and other Fathers in their writings. Their feast is kept on the tenth of this month.” From the March 9, 1916 edition of the Roman Martyrology]
3. Barcelona in Spain, Saint Pacian, bishop, who, explaining the faith, professed himself to be a Christian by name and truly Catholic by nature.
4. In the district of Rapolla in Lucania, Saint Vitalis of Castronovo, monk.
5. In Eastern Moravia, Saint Bruno, bishop of Querfurt and martyr, who, while accompanying Emperor Otto III in Italy, was moved by the authority of Saint Romuald to adopt the monastic life. After receiving the name Boniface, he returned to Germany, where he was consecrated bishop by Pope John X. He was martyred during an apostolic expedition, killed by idolaters along with eighteen companions.
6. Bologna in Emilia, Saint Catherine, virgin of the Order of Saint Clare, who, renowned for her noble talents but more illustrious for her mystical virtues and humble devotion, led other sacred virgins.
7. Mondonio in the Subalpine region, Saint Dominic Savio, who, even from his childhood, was sweet and joyful in spirit. As a young man, he quickly completed the Christian journey of perfection.
8. In the village of Nei-Ko-Ri in Korea, the martyrs Saints Peter Ch’ oe Hyong and John Baptist Chon Chang-un, who, as heads of families, administered baptism and published Christian books. For this, they were subjected to severe tortures, yet remained so steadfast in their faith that they inspired admiration from their persecutors.
This Day, the Tenth Day of March
1. Apamea on the Meander in Phrygia, the commemoration of the holy martyrs Caius and Alexander, who, in the persecution of the emperors Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Verus were crowned with glorious martyrdom.
2. In Africa, the commemoration of Saint Victor, martyr, on whose feast day Saint Augustine delivered a discourse about him to the people.
3. Likewise, the commemoration of Saint Macarius, bishop of Jerusalem, at whose urging the holy places were cleansed and adorned with sacred basilicas by Constantine the Great and Saint Helena, his mother.
4. Rome, at Saint Peter’s, Saint Simplicius, pope, who, when barbarians were devastating Italy and the City, strengthened the afflicted, fostered the unity of the Church, and confirmed the faith.
5. Paris in Gaul, Saint Droctoveus, abbot, who was appointed over the monastery of monks established in this city by his teacher, Saint Germanus of Autun.
6. In the monastery of Bobbio in Liguria, Saint tala, abbot, who, a devotee of the cenobitic life, first withdrew to the monastery of Lérins, and then to Luxeuil, where he succeeded Saint Columbanus, distinguishing himself greatly by zeal and discretion.
7. Glasgow in Scotland, Saint John Ogilvie, priest of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who, after spending many years in the study of sacred theology in exile across the kingdoms of Europe, having been ordained priest, secretly returned to his homeland, where with the greatest diligence he exercised all pastoral care for his fellow citizens, until, under King James VI, he was cast into prison and condemned to death, and received on the gibbet the glorious palm of martyrdom.
8. Paris in Gaul, blessed Mary Eugenie Milleret de Brou, virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Assumption, for the Christian education of girls.
9. Near the city of Cortázar in Mexico, blessed Elias of Succor (Matthew Elias) Nieves del Castillo, priest of the Order of Saint Augustine and martyr, who, during a raging persecution, having been arrested while secretly fulfilling his ministry, was shot out of hatred for the priesthood.
This Day, the Eleventh Day of March
1. Smyrna in Asia, Saint Pionius, priest and martyr, who, as is related, because of an apology for the Christian faith made before the people, after the filth of prison, where he strengthened many brothers by his exhortations to endure martyrdom, was afflicted with torments, and obtained a blessed end for Christ by fire.
2. Laodicea in Syria, the holy martyrs Trophimus and Thalus, who, in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, after many and cruel torments, obtained crowns of glory.
3. In Scotland, Saint Constantine, king, disciple of Saint Columba, and martyr.
4. Jerusalem, Saint Sophronius, bishop, who had John Moschus as teacher and friend, with whom he visited monastic places, and who, having been elected bishop of this see after Modestus, when the Holy City fell into the hands of the Saracens, vigorously defended the faith and security of the people.
5. In Hainaut in Neustria, Saint Vindician, bishop of Cambrai and Arras, who admonished King Theodoric the Third concerning the death of Saint Leodegar, that he should atone for the crime by penance.
6. Milan, the deposition of Saint Benedict, bishop.
7. In the monastery of Tamlaght in Ireland, Saint Aengus, surnamed the Culdee, monk, who diligently compiled the White Book of the Saints of Ireland.
8. Córdoba in the region of Andalusia in Spain, Saint Eulogius, priest and martyr, who was beheaded by the sword for his noble confession of Christ.
9. In the town of Cupramontana in Picenum of Italy, blessed John Baptist Righi of Fabriano, priest from the Order of Friars Minor.
10. York in England, blessed Thomas kinson, priest and martyr, who suffered martyrdom under King James the First solely because he was a priest.
11. Clon in Ireland, blessed John Kearney, priest from the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who, having been sentenced to death because he crossed through England as a priest, at first escaped the sentence by flight, but later, under the regime of Oliver Cromwell, having again been accused of the priesthood professed in his native land, was put to death by the punishment of the noose.
12. In the city of Hung Yen in Tonkin, Saint Dominic Cam, priest and martyr, who ministered for many years in danger of life and even in prison, and finally, by order of the emperor Thieu Tri, having been condemned to death, embraced the cross of the Lord, which he had firmly refused to trample.
13. In the place Sai-Nam-Hte in Korea, the holy martyrs Mark Chong Ui-bae, catechist, and Alexis U Se-yang, who, on account of the Christian faith, were assailed with insults and beatings by their very relatives.
This Day, the Twelfh Day of March
1. Theveste in Numidia, Saint Maximilian, martyr, who, the son of the veteran Victor and himself conscripted, said to the proconsul Dion that it is not permitted for a Christian believer to serve as a soldier; and when he refused the military oath, he was ordered to be executed by the sword.
2. Nicomedia in Bithynia, the commemoration of the holy martyrs Mygdon, priest, Eugene, Maximus, Domna, Mardonius, Smaragdus, and Hilary, who were each strangled on separate days, so that fear might be instilled in the others.
3. In the same place, the passion of Saint Peter, martyr, who, being a chamberlain of the emperor Diocletian and complaining too freely of the tortures of the martyrs, was brought before the emperor by his order and, first suspended and tortured for a long time with scourges, was then roasted on a gridiron over fire. But Dorotheus and Gorgonius, who had been appointed to the same royal chamber, having protested, were subjected to similar punishments, and finally killed by the noose.
4. Rome, in the cemetery of Pontianus at the Bear Wearing a Cap, the burial of Saint Innocent I, pope, who defended Saint John Chrysostom, consoled Jerome, and approved Augustine.
5. In the city of Saint-Pol-de-Léon in Armorican Brittany, Saint Paul Aurelian, the first bishop of this city.
6. Rome, at Saint Peter’s, the burial of Saint Gregory I, pope, surnamed “the Great”, whose memory is celebrated on the third day of September, namely, the day of his ordination.
7. Sigrion in Bithynia, in the monastery of Agros Magnus, the burial of Saint Theophanes, surnamed “the Chronographer,” who, from a very wealthy man became a poor monk, and was detained in prison for two years by the emperor Leo the Armenian on account of his veneration of sacred images, and then deported to Samothrace, where, worn out by hardships, he gave up his spirit.
8. Winchester in England, Saint Elphege, bishop, who, already a monk, took the greatest care for the restoration of the cenobitic life.
9. In the city of San Gimignano in Etruria, blessed Fina, virgin, who, from her tender years, endured a long and severe illness with unconquered patience, trusting in God alone.
10. Arezzo in Etruria, blessed Justina Francucci Bezzoli, virgin of the Order of Saint Benedict and recluse.
11. Recanati in Picenum of Italy, blessed Jerome Gherarducci, priest of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, who devoted himself to promoting peace and harmony among peoples.
12. In the city of Guiyang in the province of Guangxi in China, Saint Joseph Zhang Dapeng, martyr, who, having received the light of faith, and hardly baptized, opened his house to missionaries and catechists, and in every way assisted the poor, the outcasts, and children, until he was led to the punishment of the cross, yet shedding tears of joy, because he had been judged worthy to die for Christ.
13. Kraków in Poland, blessed Angela Salawa, virgin of the Third Order of Saint Francis, who, choosing to spend her whole life in domestic service, lived humbly among maidservants, and in the utmost poverty departed to the Lord.
14. Tortona in Liguria of Italy, Saint Aloysius Orione, priest, who founded the Little Work of Divine Providence for the good of youth and all who are abandoned.
This Day, the Thirteenth Day of March
1. Nicomedia in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Macedonius, priest, Patricía, his wife, and Modesta, their daughter.
2. Hermopolis in Egypt, Saint Sabinus, martyr, who suffered much and at length died, having been cast into the river.
3. In Persia, Saint Christina, martyr, who, having been beaten with rods, completed her martyrdom under Chosroes I, king of the Persians.
4. Poitiers in Aquitaine, Saint Pientius, bishop, who was of great help to Blessed Radegund in the founding of monasteries.
5. Seville in Spain, Saint Leander, bishop, who, brother of Saints Isidore, Fulgentius, and Florentina, by his preaching and efforts, converted the Visigoth people from Arian impiety to the Catholic faith, with the aid of their king Reccared.
6. In the monastery of Novalesa, at the foot of Mount Cenis in the Susa Valley, Saint Eldradus, abbot, who, devoted to divine worship, corrected the Psalter and took care that new churches be built.
7. Córdoba in the region of Andalusia in Spain, the passion of the holy martyrs Roderic, priest, and Solomon, of whom the former, because he refused to believe that Muhammad was truly a prophet sent by the Almighty, was thrown into prison, where he encountered Solomon, who some time before had adhered to the religion of Muhammad, and together they gloriously finished the course of their struggle by beheading.
8. Camerino in Picenum of Italy, Saint Ansovinus, bishop.
9. In the monastery of Cava in Campania, blessed Peter II, abbot.
10. Oxford in England, blessed Agnellus of Pisa, priest, who, sent by Saint Francis to France, and then to England, established the Order of Friars Minor there and promoted sacred learning.
11. Érnée in the region of Maine in France, blessed Françoise Tréhet, virgin of the Congregation of Charity and martyr, who devoted herself with all care to educating children and caring for the sick, and in the time of the French turmoil, completed her martyrdom for Christ by the sword.
This Day, the Fourteenth Day of March
1. Pydna in Macedonia, Saint Alexander, martyr.
2. Milan in Liguria, Saint Lazarus, bishop.
3. Chartres in Gaul, Saint Leobinus, bishop.
4. Quedlinburg in Saxony, Saint Matilda, who, the most faithful wife of King Henry, outstanding in humility and patience, devoted her kindly care to the relief of the poor and to the founding of hospitals and monasteries.
5. In the district of Fulda in Germany, Saint Paulina, religious.
6. Liège in Lotharingia, blessed Eve of Mount Cornelius, recluse near the convent of Saint Martin, who, together with Saint Juliana, prioress of the same convent, labored greatly so that Pope Urban IV might institute the solemnity of Corpus Christi.
7. Palermo in Sicily of Italy, blessed James Cusmano, priest, who founded the Institute of the Missionary Servants, male and female, of the Poor, distinguished for his outstanding charity toward the needy and the sick.
This Day, the Fifteenth Day of March
1. Parium in the Hellespont, Saint Menignus, fuller, who is said to have suffered under Emperor Decius.
2. Rome, Saint Zachary, pope, who, restraining the attack of the Lombards, pointing out the right order to the Franks, providing churches for the Germans, and maintaining communion with the Greeks, governed the Church of God with the highest vigilance and prudence.
3. Cordoba in Andalusia, a region of Spain, Saint Leocritia, virgin and martyr, who, born of a Moorish family, secretly shone with the faith of Christ, and, taken at home with Saint Eulogius, on the fourth day after his martyrdom, was beheaded and passed to eternal glory.
4. Burgos in Castile, a region of Spain, Saint Sisebutus, abbot of Cardena.
5. York in England, blessed William Hart, priest and martyr, who, ordained in the English College at Rome, under Queen Elizabeth I, because he had persuaded some to embrace the Catholic faith, was hanged and disemboweled.
6. Paris in Gaul, Saint Louise de Marillac, widow, who formed the Institute of the Daughters of Charity for the relief of the poor by her example, fully carrying out the work designed by Saint Vincent de Paul.
7. Vienna in Austria, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who labored admirably for the propagation of the faith in distant regions and for the reform of ecclesiastical discipline, and, outstanding both in talent and in virtue, inspired not a few men distinguished in learning and the arts to come to the Church.
8. Przemyśl in Poland, blessed John Adalbert Balicki, priest, who exercised manifold ministry for the whole people of God, with particular zeal devoting himself to preaching the Gospel and assisting fallen girls.
9. Viedma in Argentina, blessed Artemides Zatti, religious of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, who shone with missionary zeal, and, having gone into the hardship of Patagonia, with great courage of soul, patiently and humbly devoted his whole life in the hospital of that city to the needs of the poor.
This Day, the Sixteenth Day of March
1. Aquileia in Venetia, Saints Hilary, bishop, and Tatian, martyrs.
2. Seleucia in Persia, Saint Pappas, who, born from Lycaonia, on account of the faith of Christ, after many tortures, ended his life in martyrdom.
3. Anazarbus in Cilicia, Saint Julian, martyr, who, under the governor Marcian, after having been tortured for a very long time, was at last thrown into the sea enclosed in a sack together with serpents.
4. In Artois of Neustria, Saint Eusebia, abbess of Hammaticum, who, after the death of her father, together with her holy mother Rictrude, embraced the monastic life, and while still a young girl, was elected abbess after her grandmother, Saint Gertrude.
5. Cologne in Germany, Saint Heribert, bishop, who, having been chancellor of Emperor Otto III, was reluctantly elected to the episcopal see, and constantly enlightened his clergy and people with examples of virtue, which he also commended by preaching.
6. Vicenza in Venetia, blessed John Sordi, also called Cacciafronte, bishop and martyr, who, first an abbot, was sent into exile on account of his fidelity to the pope; then elected bishop of Mantua and transferred to the see of Vicenza, he was struck down by the sword of an assassin and died for the freedom of the Church.
7. York in England, blessed John Amias and Robert Dalby, priests and martyrs, who, under Queen Elizabeth I, condemned to death solely for being priests, joyfully went to the punishment of the gallows.
8. Among the Hurons in Canada, the passion of Saint John de Brébeuf, priest of the Society of Jesus, who, sent from France to the Huron mission, after enduring many labors, was most cruelly tortured by some of the local pagans and died for Christ. His commemoration with his companions is observed on the nineteenth day of October.
This Day, the Seventeenth Day of March Saint Patrick, bishop, who, as a youth, was brought from Britain into Ireland as a captive; then, after having regained his freedom, he wished to be enrolled among the clerics, and returned to the same island, where, having been made a bishop, he earnestly proclaimed the Gospel to the people and firmly established the Church, until he fell asleep in the Lord at the city of Down in Ireland.
2. Commemoration of many holy martyrs at Alexandria in Egypt, who, in the time of the emperor Theodosius, as the number of Christians was increasing, were seized by worshippers of Serapis, and, when they steadfastly refused to adore the idol, were most cruelly scourged.
3. Chalon in Burgundy of Gaul, Saint Agricola, bishop, who governed this Church for nearly five decades and strengthened it through various councils.
4. Nivelles in Brabant, Saint Gertrude, abbess, who, born of a most noble family, received the sacred veil of virgins from Saint Amandus the bishop, and wisely governed the monastery built by her mother; devoted to the reading of the Scriptures, she was consumed by the austerity of vigils and fasting.
5. On the island of Cyprus, Saint Paul, monk, who, since he defended the veneration of holy images, was burned with fire.
6. Modugno near Bari in Apulia, Blessed Conrad, who led a hermit's life in Palestine, dwelling in a miserable crypt until death.
7. Olomouc in Moravia, Saint John Sarkander, priest and martyr, who, being parish priest of Holešov, refused to reveal the secrets of confessions, was subjected to the torture of the rack, and, still breathing, was thrown into prison, where he died a month later.
8. Among the Hurons in Canada, the passion of Saint Gabriel Lalemant, priest of the Society of Jesus, who, with vigorous zeal, spread the glory of God in the very language of the local peoples, before he himself was dragged by enemies—worshippers of idols—into most cruel torments. His memory is celebrated with his companions on the nineteenth day of October.
9. Málaga in Spain, Blessed John Nepomucene Zegri y Moreno, priest, who consecrated his ministry to the service of the Church and of souls, and, so that he might better promote the glory of God the Father in Christ, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
This Day, the Eighteenth Day of March
Saint Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, who, having suffered many injuries from the Arians on account of the faith and having been frequently expelled from his see, wonderfully explained to the faithful through prayers and catechesis the orthodox doctrine, the Scriptures, and the sacred mysteries.
2. Commemoration of Saint Alexander, bishop and martyr, who, coming from Cappadocia to Jerusalem, took up the pastoral care of the Holy City, founded a precious library, and opened a school; afterward, already shining with the venerable gray hair of advanced age, he was led to Caesarea in the persecution of the emperor Decius and, for the confession of Christ, fulfilled martyrdom.
3. Lucca in Etruria, Saint Frigdianus, bishop, who, born in Ireland, gathered clerics into a monastery and, for the good of the people, diverted the river Serchio to a different course, acquiring fertile land, and converted the Lombards, who had invaded his territory, to the Catholic faith.
4. Tours in Neustria, Saint Leobardus, who, shut away in a cell near the monastery of Marmoutier, shone with remarkable abstinence and humility.
5. Caesaraugusta in the province of Tarraconensis Spain, Saint Braulio, bishop, who, being a close friend of Saint Isidore, gave assistance in restoring ecclesiastical discipline throughout all Spain and succeeded him worthily in eloquence and knowledge.
6. At the town of Wareham in England, Saint Edward, who, king of the English, still a youth, was killed through wicked deceit by the servants of his stepmother.
7. Mantua in Lombardy, the passing of Saint Anselm, bishop of Lucca, who, most faithful to the Roman See, during the controversy over investiture returned into the hands of Pope Gregory VII the ring and pastoral staff which he had received from the emperor Henry IV, and, being expelled from his see by the canons who refused the common life, was sent as legate by the pope into Lombardy, where he was a vigorous helper.
8. Cagliari in Sardinia, Saint Salvatore of Horta, from Girona, a religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who became a humble instrument of Christ for the salvation of bodies and souls.
9. Lancashire in England, the blessed John Thules, priest, and Roger Wrenno, martyrs of Christ under King James the First, both natives of the same county.
10. In the monastery of Saint Savior at Vicoigne in Normandy of Gaul, blessed Martha (Amata) Le Bouteiller, virgin of the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy, who, relying entirely on God, always fulfilled the humblest duties with patience.
This Day, the Nineteenth Day of March
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the most blessed Virgin Mary, who, a just man, born of the lineage of David, was as a father to the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who wished to be called the son of Joseph and to be subject to him as a son to a father. The Church venerates him with special honor as patron, whom the Lord appointed over His household.
2. At Spoleto in Umbria, Saint John, abbot of Parrano, who was the father of many servants of God.
3. Pavia in Lombardy, blessed Isnard of Chiampo, priest of the Order of Preachers, who founded in this city a convent of his Order.
4. Siena in Etruria, blessed Andrew Gallerani, who diligently visited and consoled the sick and afflicted, and gathered together the Brothers of Mercy, who, as laymen without vows, ministered to the poor and infirm.
5. Camerino in Picenum of Italy, blessed John Buralli of Parma, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, whom Pope Innocent IV sent as legate to the Greeks, that he might reconcile their communion with the Latins.
6. Pavia in Lombardy, blessed Sibyllina Biscossa, virgin, who, having been blind from the age of twelve, lived as a recluse near the church of the Order of Preachers for sixty-five years, enlightening with inner light many who came to her for refuge.
7. Vicenza in Venetia, blessed Mark of Montegallo, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, to relieve the need of the poor, established the institution called the Mount of Piety.
8. Near Munich in Bavaria in Germany, blessed Narcissus Turchan, priest of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr, who, after Poland had been subjected to a wicked regime, was deported to the concentration camp of Dachau for the faith, and died worn out by torments.
9. At the place Mauthausen in Austria, blessed Marcel Callo, martyr, who, a young man from Rennes in Gaul, during the raging war, encouraged his fellow prisoners, worn down by harsh labor, with Christian fervor in the faith, for which reason he was killed in the extermination camp.
This Day, the Twentieth Day of March
Commemoration of Saint Archippus, fellow soldier of the blessed Apostle Paul, whom he himself mentions in the letters to Philemon and to the Colossians.
2. Antioch in Syria, of the holy martyrs Paul, Cyril, and others.
3. Metz in Belgic Gaul, of Saint Urbicius, bishop.
4. Braga in Lusitania, of Saint Martin, bishop, who, originating from Pannonia, first received the See of Dumio, then that of Braga, through whose zeal and preaching the Suevi, having abandoned the Arian heresy, embraced the Catholic faith.
5. On the island of Farne in Northumbria, the passing of Saint Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, who shone in the pastoral office with the same diligence with which he had earlier shone in the monastery and the hermitage, and who peacefully reconciled the austerities and way of life of the Celts with Roman customs.
6. In the monastery of Fontenelle in Neustria, the burial of Saint Wulfram, who, elected bishop of Sens from among the monks, went to enrich the people of the Frisians with the message of the Gospel; finally, having returned to the monastery of Fontenelle, he rested there in peace.
7. Commemoration of Saint Nicetas, bishop of Apollonia in Macedonia, who was cast into exile by the emperor Leo the Armenian for the veneration of holy images.
8. In the laura of Saint Sabas in Palestine, the passion of twenty holy monks, who were suffocated with smoke by Saracen raiders in the church of the Mother of God.
9. Siena in Etruria, of the blessed Ambrose Sansedoni, priest of the Order of Preachers, who, a disciple of Saint Albert the Great, although wise in doctrine and preaching, nonetheless showed himself simple toward all.
10. Prague in Bohemia, of Saint John Nepomucene, priest and martyr, who, in defending the Church, suffered many injuries from King Wenceslaus IV, and, having been subjected to tortures and torments, was finally, while still breathing, cast into the river Moldau.
11. Mantua in Lombardy, of the blessed Baptist Spagnoli, priest of the Carmelite Order, who reconciled peace among princes and reformed the Order itself, to which he was unwillingly appointed superior at the command of Pope Leo the Tenth.
12. Florence in Etruria, of the blessed Hippolytus Galantini, who, founder of the Sodality of Christian Doctrine, devoted outstanding labor to the catechetical instruction of children and the more simple.
13. Érines in the district of Meudon in Gaul, of the blessed Jeanne Véron, virgin and martyr, who gave herself to the care of children and the sick, and, when she had hidden priests from persecutors during the French turmoil, was slain by the sword.
14. At Tarragona in Spain, of the blessed Francis of Jesus Mary Joseph Palau y Quer, priest of the Discalced Carmelite Order, who endured grave persecutions in his ministry and was exiled to the island of Ibiza on account of false accusations and was abandoned by all.
15. At Flaviobriga in the Basque region of Spain, of Saint Mary Joseph of the Heart of Jesus Sancho de Guerra, virgin, who founded the Congregation of the Servant Sisters of Jesus and directed it especially toward the care of the sick and of the poor.
16. At Lviv in Ukraine, of the blessed Joseph Bilczewski, bishop, who with great zeal of charity devoted himself to the formation in morals and doctrine of the clergy and the Latin people, and, in time of war, aided the needs of the poor and indigent with every help and effort.
This Day, the Twenty-first Day of March
1. In Egypt, of Saint Serapion, anchorite.
2. Commemoration of the holy Alexandrian martyrs, who, under the emperor Constantius and the prefect Philagrius, when Arians and pagans rushed into the churches, were killed on Friday of the Lord’s Passion.
3. Lauconne in the district of Lyon, the birth [unto heaven, Ed.] of Saint Lupicinus, abbot, who, with his brother Saint Romanus, upheld the monastic way of life in the Jura forest.
4. Ireland, of Saint Endeus, abbot, who on the island of Aran founded such a renowned monastery that, on account of its fame, the island was called the Island of Saints.
5. Mount Cassino, the birth [unto heaven, Ed.] of Saint Benedict, abbot, whose memorial is celebrated on the eleventh day of July.
6. Constantinople, the passion of Saint James, surnamed the Confessor, who vigorously defended the veneration of holy Images and passed from life in glorious martyrdom.
7. Saint-Julien of Valence in the district of Vienne in Gaul, of Saint John, bishop, who, formerly abbot of Bonnevaux, endured many hardships in defense of justice and with great charity aided farmers, the poor, and merchants who had been truly ruined.
8. On a mountainside steep place commonly called Ranft near Sachseln in Switzerland, of Saint Nicholas of Flüe, who, called by divine inspiration to greater things, after setting aside his wife and ten children, withdrew to the mountain and lived the life of an anchorite, celebrated for the strictest penance and contempt of the world; he left his cell only once, when, as civil war threatened, with a brief exhortation he reconciled the opposing parties.
9. Dorchester in England, of the blessed Thomas Pilchard, priest and martyr, a man learned and gentle, who under Queen Elizabeth the First was handed over to the punishment of the gallows on account of the priesthood. With him is also commemorated the blessed William Pike, martyr, who, a carpenter, was on an unspecified day there under the same queen most cruelly dismembered on account of his reconciliation with the Roman Church.
10. York, also in England, of the blessed Matthew Flathers, priest and martyr, who, an alumnus of the English College at Douai, was torn apart alive for Christ under King James the First.
11. In the province of Sichuan in China, the commemoration of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and martyr, who, during a raging persecution, was thrown into prison for the name of Christ and, on an unknown day in spring, met death.
12. At Ronco in Liguria, of Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello, who, together with her husband, freely renounced conjugal life and for the Christian education of poor and abandoned girls founded the Institute of the Benedictine Sisters of Providence.
This Day, the Twenty-second Day of March
1. Commemoration of Saint Epaphroditus, whom Saint Paul the Apostle calls brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier.
2. At Narbonne, on the coast of Gaul, along the Domitian Way outside the City, the burial of Saint Paul, bishop and martyr.
3. In Galatia, of Saints Callinicus and Basilissa, martyrs.
4. At Ancyra, likewise in Galatia, of Saint Basil, priest and martyr, who, as long as Constantius held imperial power, resisted the Arians most bravely; soon under the emperor Julian he prayed to God that none of the Christians might fall away from the faith, for which reason he was arrested, handed over to the governor of the province, and having endured many torments, fulfilled martyrdom.
5. Commemoration of Saint Lea, Roman widow, whose virtues and passing to God Saint Jerome praised.
6. At Osimo in Picenum of Italy, Saint Benvenutus Scotivoli, bishop, who, elected to this see by Pope Urban IV, reconciled peace among the citizens and desired to depart from life on the bare earth in the spirit of the Friars Minor.
7. At London in England, Saint Nicholas Owen, religious of the Society of Jesus and martyr, who for many years built hiding places for the concealment of priests, on account of which he was imprisoned under King James I and severely tortured, and finally placed on the rack, gloriously obeying Christ the Lord, died.
8. At Angers in France, Blessed Francis Chartier, priest and martyr, who, during the French upheaval, died by beheading because of the priesthood.
9. In the detention camps of the place Stutthof near Gdańsk in Poland, of Blesseds Marian Górecki and Bronisław Komorowski, priests and martyrs, who, in their homeland occupied militarily by followers of a doctrine hostile to religion, in contempt of the faith were pierced with bullets.
This Day, the Twenty-third Day of March Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop of Lima, who, a layman skilled in law, born of the Spanish, was elected to this see, traveled to America, and, burning with apostolic zeal, visited the vast diocese many times, often on foot; he diligently provided for the flock entrusted to him, drove out abuses and scandals among the clergy through synods, vigorously defended the Church, catechized and converted the native peoples, until he at last rested at Saña in Peru.
2. In Cornwall, of Saint Fingar, or Guigner, martyr.
3. Commemoration of the holy martyrs Victorianus, proconsul of Carthage, and two full brothers of Aghlab origin; likewise of Frumentius and another Frumentius, merchants, who all in the Vandal persecution, under King Hunneric the Arian, for the steadfastness of Christian confession, were tortured with brutal torments and were nobly crowned.
4. At Pont-Sainte-Maxence near Paris in Gaul, of Saint Walter, first abbot of the monastery of that place, who, setting aside love of solitude, taught the monks regular discipline by his example, and rooted out simoniacal practices among the clergy.
5. At Ariano in Hirpinia, of Saint Otho, hermit.
6. At Gubbio in Umbria, of blessed Peter, priest of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine.
7. At York in England, of blessed Edmund Sykes, priest and martyr, who, under Queen Elizabeth I, having been condemned to exile because of the priesthood, when he had again sought England, was given over to the utmost punishments of the gibbet.
8. At the place Naas near Dublin in Ireland, of blessed Peter Higgins, priest of the Order of Preachers and martyr, who, for having preserved fidelity to the Roman Church, under King Charles I, was hanged without trial.
9. At Barcelona in Spain, of Saint Joseph Oriol, priest, who was always intent on God through bodily mortification, the cultivation of poverty, and continual prayer, and was filled with heavenly joy.
10. In the village of Cemmo in Lombardy of Italy, Blessed Annunciata Cocchetti, virgin, who governed with wisdom, fortitude, and humility the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy, recently founded.
11. At ad-Dahr in Lebanon, of Saint Rebecca of Himlaya ar-Rayyas, virgin of the Lebanese Order of Saint Anthony of the Maronites, who, blind for thirty years, then afflicted also in all her limbs by infirmity, trusting in God alone, remained wholly in prayer.
12. At Leopoldov in Slovakia, of blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka, priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and martyr, whose earthly pilgrimage, in a time of persecution of the faith, was changed by glorious martyrdom into eternal life.
This Day, the Twenty-fourth Day of March
1. At Caesarea in Palestine, the holy martyrs Timolaus, Dionysius, Pausidis, Romulus, Alexander, and another Alexander, who, in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, with their hands bound, were led to the governor Urbanus, confessing that they were Christians; and, a few days later, together with their companions Agapius and the other Dionysius, having their heads cut off, they earned the crowns of eternal life.
2. In Mauretania, Saint Secundulus, who suffered for the faith of Christ.
3. At Clocera in Ireland, Saint Maccarthemus, bishop, who is held to be a disciple of Saint Patrick.
4. At Catania in Sicily, Saint Severus, bishop.
5. At Fabriano in Picenum of Italy, Blessed John of the Staff, priest and monk, companion of Saint Sylvester the abbot.
6. At Vadstena in Sweden, Saint Catherine, virgin, who, daughter of Saint Bridget, although given in marriage against her will, preserved her virginity with the consent of her husband, and after his death led a devout life; a pilgrim to Rome and the Holy Land, she brought her mother’s relics back to Sweden and kept them at the monastery of Vadstena, where she herself took on the habit of a nun.
7. At Andújar in the region of Andalusia in Spain, blessed Diego Joseph of Cádiz (Francis Joseph) López-Caamaño, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, an outstanding preacher and fearless defender of the Church’s freedom.
8. In the town of Pniewite near Gdańsk in Poland, blessed Maria Karłowska, virgin, who, so that poor girls and women involved in moral corruption might recover the dignity of daughters of God, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd under Divine Providence.
This Day, the Twenty-fifth Day of March
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, when in the city of Nazareth the angel of the Lord announced to Mary: “Behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High;” but Mary, responding, said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And thus, with the fullness of time fulfilled, the Only-Begotten Son of God, who was before the ages, for us men and for our salvation was made incarnate of the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary and was made man.
2. The commemoration of the holy thief, who, having confessed Christ on the cross, merited to hear from him: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
3. At Nicomedia, Saint Dula, martyr.
4. At Rome, in the cemetery of Pontianus on the Via Portuensis, Saint Quirinus, martyr.
5. At Thessalonica in Macedonia, Saint Matrona, martyr, who, being the servant of a certain Jewess, was discovered by her mistress while secretly worshipping Christ and, being afflicted in many ways, was finally beaten to death with clubs, and in the confession of Christ returned her spirit to God, incorrupt.
6. At Milan in Transpadane Italy, Saint Mona, bishop.
7. On the island of Indre near Nantes in Gaul, Saint Hermelandus, who, from the royal court became a monk at Fontenelle, and afterward was made the first abbot of that place.
8. At Mammola near Hierax in Calabria, Saint Nicodemus, hermit, who, outstanding in the harshness of life and in virtues, was a master of monastic life.
9. At Sázava in Bohemia, Saint Procopius, who, after setting aside wife and son, devoted himself to the eremitic life, and later presided over a monastery founded there by himself, and celebrated the divine praises in the Greek rite and in the Slavic language.
10. At Petershausen in Swabia, blessed Everard, who, count of Nellenburg, embraced monastic life in the monastery of All Saints built through his care.
11. At Costacciaro in Umbria, blessed Thomas, hermit, who lived the anachoretic life for sixty-five years and taught others to live it.
12. At York in England, Saint Margaret Clitherow, martyr, who, with the consent of her husband, adhered to the Catholic faith, in which she also educated her children, and took care to hide sought-after priests in her home; for this reason imprisoned several times, she, under Queen Elizabeth I, refused to have her case tried before the court, lest the conscience of the judges be burdened by a sentence of death, and she was crushed to death under a great weight for Christ.
13. At Winchester likewise in England, blessed James Bird, martyr, who, under the same queen, at the age of nineteen, having recently become Catholic, refused to participate in a foreign liturgy, and merited to attain the celebration of heavenly worship.
14. At Montefiascone in Tuscany, Saint Lucy Filippini, foundress of the Institute of the Maestre Pie for the promotion of Christian instruction of girls and women, especially of the poor.
15. At Rome, at Saint Paul’s on the Via Ostiense, blessed Placido Riccardi, priest of the Order of Saint Benedict, who, afflicted with continual fevers, diseases, and paralysis, tirelessly embraced regular observance and prayer and taught others to do the same.
16. In the town of Chervonohrad near Lviv in Ukraine, blessed Josaphata (Michaelina) Hordashevska, virgin, who served wherever the need was greatest in the Institute of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, which she herself founded.
17. In the city of Majdanek near Lublin in Poland, blessed Emiliano Kovč, priest and martyr, who, during wartime, deported to a detention camp, attained eternal life through the struggle of faith.
18. Near Munich in Bavaria, Germany, within the detention camp of Dachau, blessed Hilary Januszewski, priest of the Order of Discalced Friars of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel and martyr, who, during the war, deported from Poland to this foreign prison for Christ, afflicted with typhus, died, shining in faith and charity, while ministering in the infirmary.
This Day, the Twenty-sixth Day of March
1. At Rome on the Via Labicana, Saint Castulus, martyr.
2. In Anatolia, Saints Emmanuel, Sabinus, Codratus, and Theodosius, martyrs.
3. At Sirmium in Pannonia, the holy martyrs Montanus, priest, and Maxima, spouses, who, having confessed Christ the Lord, were cast by unbelievers into the waters.
4. Commemoration of the passion of Saint Eutychius, subdeacon of Alexandria, who, in the time of the Emperor Constantius, under the Arian bishop George, was beaten for the Catholic faith.
5. At Sebaste in Armenia, Saint Peter, bishop, who, the younger brother of Saint Basil the Great, was an outstanding defender of the orthodox faith against the Arians.
6. In the monastery of Dervensis in the region of Campania in Gaul, Saint Bercharius, first abbot of Altivillare and also of Dervensis, who, having been violently struck with a dagger by a wicked monk on Holy Thursday, passed to the heavenly things on the day of the Resurrection.
7. At Mount Albano in Etruria, Saints Barontius and Desiderius, hermits.
8. In the monastery of Werden in Saxony, the passing of Saint Liudger, bishop, who, educated by Alcuin, preached the Gospel in Frisia, Denmark, and Saxony, established the see of Münster and founded many monasteries, true centers of propagating the faith.
9. At Catania in Sicily of Italy, blessed Magdalene Catherine Morano, virgin of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who devoted herself to the teaching of catechesis, tirelessly traversing this entire region far and wide without pause.
This Day, the Twenty-seventh Day of March
1. At Salzburg in Bavaria, Saint Rupert, bishop, who, first living at Worms, at the request of Duke Theodo went to Bavaria and in the town of Juvavum rebuilt a church and a monastery, over which he presided as bishop and abbot, and from which he spread the Christian faith.
2. At Septempeda in Picenum of Italy, blessed Peregrine of Phalerone, priest, who was among the first disciples of Saint Francis and, a pilgrim in the Holy Land, was also held in admiration by the Saracens.
3. At Quarona near Novara in the Italian Subalpines, blessed Panacea de' Muzzi, virgin and martyr, who, by her own stepmother, by whom she was always harried, was killed while praying in a church, in the fifteenth year of her age.
4. At Turin likewise in the Subalpine region, blessed Francis Faà di Bruno, priest, who joined the knowledge of mathematics and physics with the zeal for works of charity.
This Day, the Twenty-eighth Day of March
1. At Tarsus in Cilicia, Saint Castor, martyr.
2. Commemoration of the holy martyrs Priscus, Malchus, and Alexander. These three, in the persecution of the emperor Valerian, while they were living on a small farm outside the city at Caesarea in Palestine, where crowns of heavenly martyrdom were being offered, inflamed with divine zeal for the faith, went to the judge and rebuked him because he was raging so cruelly in blood against the pious; whom he then handed over to be continuously devoured by beasts on account of the name of Christ.
3. At Heliopolis in Phoenicia, Saint Cyril, deacon and martyr, who was savagely killed under the emperor Julian the Apostate.
4. At Alexandria in Egypt, Saint Proterius, bishop, who was cruelly killed on Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, in a riot of the people instigated by the Monophysites, followers of his predecessor Dioscorus.
5. At Chalon in Burgundy of Gaul, the burial of Saint Guntram, king of the Franks, who distributed his treasures to churches and the poor.
6. At Mount Olympus in Bithynia, Saint Hilarion, abbot of the monastery of Pelekete, who strove earnestly for the veneration of the holy images.
7. At Cîteaux in Burgundy, Saint Stephen Harding, abbot, who, coming with other monks from Molesme, presided over this famous monastery, instituted lay brothers, received Bernard with thirty companions, and founded twelve monasteries, which he joined together with the bond of the Charter of Charity, so that there might be no discord, but the monks might live in one charity, one rule, and similar customs.
8. At Naso near Messina in Sicily, Saint Conon, monk under the discipline of the Easterners, who, returning from pilgrimage to the holy places, when he found his parents dead, distributed all his family possessions to the needy and embraced the anchoritic life.
9. At Monticiano near Siena in Etruria, blessed Antony Patrizi, priest from the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine, who was a true lover of his brothers and neighbor.
10. At Tours in Gaul, blessed Joan Mary of Maille, who, her husband having been killed in war, reduced to poverty and cast out from her home by her own people, abandoned by all, lived enclosed in a small cell near a convent of Minors, begging for bread but wholly trusting in God.
11. At York in England, blessed Christopher Wharton, priest and martyr under Queen Elizabeth the First, who was handed over to the punishment of the gallows on account of the priesthood.
12. At Angers in Gaul, blessed Renata Mary Feillatreau, martyr, who, though married, while the French turmoil was raging, was beheaded because she had preserved loyalty to the Catholic Church.
13. At Przemyśl in Poland, Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, bishop, founder of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an outstanding master of the spiritual life.
This Day, the Twenty-ninth Day of March
1. At Naples in Campania, the commemoration of Saint Eustasius, bishop.
2. Commemoration of Saint Mark, bishop of Arethusa in Syria, who in the time of the Arian controversy did not at all turn aside from the orthodox faith and, under the emperor Julian the Apostate, was grievously harassed; by Saint Gregory Nazianzen he is hailed as an outstanding man and most holy elder.
3. Commemoration of the holy martyrs Armogastes, Archinimus, and Saturninus, who in Africa, in the time of the Vandal persecution, under King Genseric the Arian, endured many and severe tortures and insults for the confession of the truth.
4. On Mount Carmel in Palestine, blessed Berthold, who, a soldier, having been admitted among the brothers living the religious life on that mountain, was soon elected prior, and entrusted the pious community to the Mother of God. 5. At Poitiers in Aquitaine, Saint William Tempier, bishop, who, prudent and steadfast, defended the Church entrusted to him against the nobles and corrected morals, himself offering an example of the most upright life.
6. At Wismar in Holstein of Germany, Saint Ludolph, bishop of Ratzeburg and martyr, who, for having defended the liberty of the Church, was cast by order of Duke Albert into a squalid prison, and was so exhausted in body that, as soon as he was freed from his chains, he departed from the world.
7. At Salisbury in England, the commemoration of blessed John Hambley, priest and martyr, who, under Queen Elizabeth the First, on an unknown day of this month, around the Pasch of the Lord, was conformed to the passion of Christ by the punishment of the gallows because of the priesthood.
This Day, the Thirtieth Day of March
1. At Asti Pompeii in Transpadana, Saint Secundus, martyr.
2. At Thessalonica in Macedonia, Saint Domninus, martyr.
3. At Autun in Gaul of Lyons, Saint Regulus, bishop.
4. Commemoration of many holy martyrs, who at Constantinople, in the time of the emperor Constantius, by order of Macedonius the Arian bishop, were driven into exile or tortured with unheard-of kinds of torments.
5. On Mount Sinai, Saint John, abbot, who composed the famous book The Ladder of Paradise for the instruction of monks, in which he laid out the path of spiritual progress like an ascent through thirty steps to God, whence he deserved to be called “Climacus.”
6. At Syracuse in Sicily, Saint Zosimus, bishop, who was first the humble keeper of the tomb of Saint Lucy, then abbot of the monastery of that place.
7. At Coventry in England, Saint Osburga, the first abbess of the monastery of that place.
8. Near Aquino in Latium, Saint Clinius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Peter of the Wood.
9. At Aguilar in the region of Castile of Spain, Saint Peter of Valladolid Regalado, priest of the Order of Minors, who, remarkable for humility and the rigor of penance, founded two cells where only twelve brothers lived as solitaries.
10. At Vercelli in the Subalpines, blessed Amadeus, ninth duke of Savoy, who, holding authority, zealously promoted peace and continually supported the causes of the poor, widows, and orphans.
11. In the village of Su-Ryong in Korea, the holy martyrs Anthony Daveluy, bishop, Peter Aumaitre, Martin Luc Huin, priests, Joseph Chang Chu-gi, Thomas Son Cha-son, and Luc Hwang Sok-tu, catechists, who were beheaded for the faith of Christ.
12. At Naples in Italy, blessed Louis of Casoria (Archangel Palmentieri), priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, compelled by the ardor of charity toward the poor of Christ, established two Congregations: namely, the Brothers of Charity and the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.
13. At Turin also in Italy, Saint Leonard Murialdo, priest, who founded the pious Society of Saint Joseph, so that abandoned children might experience the Christian faith and charity.
14. In the village of San Julián in the territory of Guadalajara in Mexico, Saint Julio Álvarez, priest and martyr, who, during a violent religious persecution, bore witness to his fidelity to Christ the Lord and to His Church by the shedding of his blood.
15. At Vienna in Austria, blessed Maria Restituta (Helena Kafka), virgin of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and martyr, born in Moravia, who, being a nurse, during the raging war, was captured by the enemies of the faith and beheaded.
This Day, the Thirty-first Day of March
1. In the place Argol in Persia, Saint Benjamin, deacon, who, because he did not cease to preach the word of God, under King Varanes the Fifth, having sharp reeds driven under his nails, completed his martyrdom.
2. At Rome, the commemoration of Saint Balbina, whose titular church, founded on the Aventine, offers her name for veneration.
3. At Cologne in Austrasia, Saint Agilulf, bishop, distinguished for holiness of life and preaching.
4. At Borgo San Donnino in the countryside of Parma, Saint Guido, abbot of the monastery of Pomposa, who, having received many disciples and rebuilt the buildings, took greatest care for prayer, contemplation, and divine worship, and wished to be intent on God alone in seclusion.
5. At Toulouse in Gaul, blessed Joan, virgin of the Order of Carmelites.
6. At Udine in Venetia, blessed Bonaventure of Forlì, priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary, who, through various regions of Italy, stirred the people to penance by his preaching and, while he was giving Lenten sermons, died there as an octogenarian.
7. At Carlisle in England, the commemoration of blessed Christopher Robinson, priest and martyr, who was a witness of the martyrdom of Saint John Boste, and at length under Queen Elizabeth the First, likewise because of the priesthood alone, on an undisclosed day, was led to the gallows and himself received the palm of glory.
8. In the town of Ravensbrück in Germany, blessed Natalia Tulasiewicz, martyr, who, with her native Poland subjected by military force, was imprisoned in a detention camp by followers of a nefarious doctrine hostile to human dignity and the faith, and gave up her soul to the Lord through the punishment of death by asphyxiating steam.
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Omnes
sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis.
(“All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us,”
from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)
2004 Roman Martyrology by Month (to be completed)
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
“Scio opera tua ... quia modicum habes virtutem, et servasti verbum Meum, nec non negasti Nomen Meum”
\ Copyright © 2025 Geoffrey K. Mondello, Boston Catholic Journal. All rights reserved.
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Deus Vult |
