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i:
n
rt
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
OP THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
t
i
\
SAINTS AND
FESTIVALS
of tbe
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
BY.
H. POMEROY BREWSTER
Author of ** The Cross in Iconography, Archaeology, Architecture
and Christian Art,** "Christian Symbols/* etc.
1^u0trate^
NEW YORK
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
r. T'
?.■-' .-
-'.dVHenC'.iand
Copyright, 1904,
By Frederick A. Stokes Compakv.
Copyright, 1902,
By The Union and Advertiser Company.
Publishtd in Oc/oier, 1904.
/4ll Tights rtitrvfd.
TO
THE CHERISHED MEMORY
OF
M. P. B.
I
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
A considerable part of the matter presented in the following
pages was printed a series of articles in the Union and Advertiser
of Rochester, N. Y.
The absolute truthfulness of these articles from both archaeolog-
ical and historic standpoints as well as their entire freedom from
all denominational bias, with the knowledge of profane and eccle-
siastical history and canon law shown in them, at once attracted
a wide circle of readers and won the hearty approval of the clergy
and laity of both the Protestant and Roman branches of the
Christian Church.
On their completion, at the request of many eminent divines,
the author has carefully revised the entire work, adding to the
original MSS. much valuable material, and he has thus produced
what is practically a Church Year Book in which is told the origin,
history and present status of each of the chief festivals of the en-
tire Christian Church as well as of a number of local feasts and
festivals which obtain in certain parts of Europe. While it is be-
yond the scope of the present work to attempt to tell the story of
every one of the numerous canonized saints whom the Church has
chosen to honour, the author has each day throughout the year
selected a few of the most noted among them and made brief
sketches of the lives of those who are remembered on that day.
Bat in the Alphabetical Index are given the name and " saint-day"
of a far more comprehensive list ; while in the general index will
be found the names of those especially mentioned.
As the largest number of the feasts, fasts, and festivals of the
Church occur on dates dependant upon the date of Easter, these
are spoken of at approximate dates to be found in the general
index; while others, like Christmas, whose dates are fixed are
treated of on their proper days.
In conclusion we may say that this book is the only one pub-
lished— except those huge tomes extending into from twelve to
twenty volumes — wherein may be found such complete and tersely
told hagiology.
CONTENTS
FACB
Introductory VII
Saints and Festivals of the Christian Church . i
A Chronological List of the Bishops and Popes
OF the Christian Church From the Death
OF Saint Peter 502
Alphabetical Index of Canonized Saints and
Others 507
General Index 536
INTRODUCTORY.
KALENDARS — THEIR ORIGIN— WHEN FIRST USED
— CLOG ALMANACS.
It was the custom in ancient Rome for an official to post in
some public place upon the first day of each month a notice to ap-
prise the people what religious ceremonies would occur during
that current month. Thus the first day of every month came to
be known as the Kalendae, from the Greek word " kaleo " (I call,
or I proclaim) and so in turn our word " kalendar " or " calendar"
(a book referring to days) was derived therefrom and by custom
its original meaning broadened.
A similar custom to that of the Romans just mentioned also
prevailed in Greece, but there the original Kalendar was not made
public, an excerpt only of such portions of it being given out as
the priests deemed best, and usually confined to notices of the
feasts and festivals in prospect. The Kalendar in its entirety,
with its astronomical calculations and astrological deductions, was
preserved as a part of the esoteric learning of the priests, and to
advise them when proper legal proceedings might be instituted.
About 300 B. C. one Encius Flavins, secretary of Claudius (Ap-
pius Caecus the Blind), a consul of Rome and the builder of the
first aqueduct through the Pontine marshes, exhibited these " fasti
calcndares," as the monthly proclamations came to be termed,
upon marble tablets, which he placed in the Forum at Rome.
It has been said, but upon what, or how good authority I am
unable to learn, that the Greeks of Alexandria during the time (or
very soon after) of Ptolemy, the famous Egyptian astronomer,
mathematician and geographer of the II, century, constructed
viii INTRODUCTORY
written almanacs. In a similar way, and lar from being proven, it
has been claimed that there were Chrisiiait almanacs made in the
IV. century. Whether these assertions arc true or not, the first
written almanacj of which we have any fairly authentic record
date nearly a thousand years after those claimed for the Greeks of
Alexandria. These were prepared by a learned Jew, a rabbi
and an author, whose name is given by different writers as Ben
Solomon Jarchi, or Raschi, and as Solomon Jarchus, the last
being the one by which he is most widely known. He was born
in 1104 and died in iiSo, his almanac being dated in 1150.
Without doubl the most famous of thtse older almanacs is the
manuscript nlmanacs preserved in the Savilian Library, Oxford,
England, and was prepared by Petrus de Dacia and is dated " A.
D. 1300." This almanac comments on the influence of the
planets and the author has the credit of formulating; the " Homo
Signorum" (the Man of Signs) so commonly seen in our almanacs
The first printed almanac was published in Buda, Hungary in
1475, and the first one in England appeared in 1497, and bore the
title of the " Sheapherds' Kalcndar."
The first almanac "with predictions" was issued by Michael
Nostrandum, which, strange as it sounds, was the man's real
name. He was"a doctor of Oxford," a member of the Royal
College of Physicians and a voluminous writer ; Iwrn in 1 503 and
died in i$66, two years after his almanac appeared, By his con-
temporaries he was variously regarded. Not a few considered
him " as a driveling idiot," while others held him in high esteem.
Some of the stories told of him border on the ridiculous for his
predictions were not confined to the weather but ranged over
every possible subject, and being rather a shrewd guesser, he
gained not a little reputation, especially among the more supersti-
tious as " 3 prophet."
The next class of almanacs, and those which in some ways are
the most interesting, since they give us an insight into the reli-
gious feelings of the people by " signs," not words, are the famous
" Clog Almanacs," of which my readers will see many examples
in the series of articles which will follow, lor these "Clogs " were
INTRODUCTORY ix
the household Kalendar on which the common people relied, to
tell them when tlie £east3, fasts and festivals of the Church would
occur and who tlie especial saint of the day was. There seems to
be no date as to vrhen, where or how, they came into existence,
but, like the " ta.lly-stick," or Robinson Crusoe's " calendar," were
the outcome of necessity by people who could neither read nor
write, yet must have some means of recording their daily life,
tnnsactions and, above all, their church obligations, until at last
these " Clogs •• were devoted wholly to the latter purpose. This
was the case "when we find the first mention of them in Eng-
land.
In a folio written in 1636 by Dr. Robert Plot, an antiquarian
and a somewhat voluminous author, there is a long account of
them. Dr. Plot has been often and widely quoted on many sub-
jects, and was a man of whom as noted a writer as Mr. Hargrave
Jennings said : " He was both a very painstaking and reliable
writer.*' For this reason I condense the long description of these
" Clog Almanacs " for the benefit of my readers, though they
have been published many times in more elaborate shape.
Already when Dr. Plot wrote (1636) their use in England was
widespread.
These Clog Almanacs consisted of a series of sticks, some-
times three or more, frequently four in number, formed of some
kind of hard wood, upon which signs or symbols could be
engraved. They were from two and a half to three inches square
and eight to twelve inches long, with a knob or handle at the top
of each. Each stick served, according to their number, for the
record of three or four calendar months. When four were used
the fourth side was used for miscellaneous emblems. The angle
or comer of the stick was notched (see illustrations) each marking
one day. Each seventh day was made prominent by a patulous
stroke turned upward. Against these notches, as the case might
be, a saint's day or some feast, fast or festival of the Church, sym-
bols were engraved to denote the event. These symbols were in
a large measure arbitrary creations and thus the Clogs of one
locality varied from those of another, save in regard to the fixed
church days, as one saint would be especially regarded in one
INTRODUCTORY
I difTerent saints' emblem would
► ^"-^ i
locality, where in another i
Occasionally these " Clog sticks " when intended for some
public place were made very large and elaborately carved ; but as
^^^^^ a rule they were rather crude affairs and the
^r^ ^^ engraving, even on the best of them, was
J \ seldom clear cut and clean, and in the speci-
*^^^J^"^^W I mens I shall give I have had them copied as
learly as piossible exact, with all their im-
perfections, just as they appear in the set of
Clogs from which they are taben, the origi-
nal now being in Copenhagen, Denmark.
These Clogs were first introduced into England from Holland,
but in these, as in the Danish ones, the symbols used seldom
correspond with those used in Christian art and iconography, or
even when they attempt this are little more than the rudest
possible copies. To give an idea in advance of the character of
these symbols the accompanying symbol of the New Year is pre-
sented. The perpendicular line being the angle or corner of the
" Clog stick " and the one notch marks the first day, while the
circle is supposed to represent the complete New Year.
To illustrate the crude ness of thes
blems in many cases I copy the Clog Alma-
nac emblem of St, Matthias the Apostle,
which apftears February 24th and which o
would hardly guess is supposed to represent
a leg.
These " Clogs " have sometimes been
termed "Runic Kalendars," from t
"supposed" Runic characters found upon
some of the earliest specimens, more es|
cially those used during the reign of Que
Elizabeth in England. But it was no infre-
quent case that the owners of these sticks
interpolated upon them designs of their
to mark some date or event which they wished still to keep secret,
and when we recall the fact that the original meaning of the word
INTRODUCTORY xi
" Runic " is " secret/' it is but a fair venture to believe that they
received this name from this fact and not from the implied antiq-
uity the name Runic gives.
The following illustration shows two of these Clog sticks* and if
examined closely both of the illustrations of the symbol of New
Year's and the emblem of St. Matthias will be found.
To turn, however, from these quaint and curious Kalendars, of
which a small volume would hardly serve to tell their story, to the
subject that will occupy the succeeding articles in this series, the
mediaeval Church made a marked distinction between the Feasts
of Obligation and Days of Devotion. At the time of the Reforma-
tion, the Reformed church discarded most or all of the latter, but
retained in the ^church a great number of the former, while the
Roman Church still regard them as sacred.
As the articles to follow this are to be of a purely archaeological
nature and not theological, there will be no difference made in
considering all the days recognized by both branches of the
Christian Church and none intentionally omitted.
The list of the canonized saints who are recognized by the
Roman Church and whose names were retained by the Reformed
church and thus found a place in the Kalendar of the English
church is a very long one ; far too extended to be given in its
entirety, much less for comment upon each. In the daily Kalen-
dar prepared w^ill be found the names of the most prominent of
these saints, and mention is made of one or more, with a brief
sketch of the life and the especial characteristics for which they
were honoured by canonization. In so doing I necessarily refer to
the popular legends of these saints for in very many cases these
traditions are almost the only records left beyond a few bald, dry
statistics. Nor shall I attempt to prove or disavow the authentic-
ity or error of any of the legends which will be recorded. I can
only repeat them as I find them ; but where actual facts regarding
the lives and work of the holy men is given it will be taken from
undoubted authorities and will be given as fully as my space will
admit. The order in which these names will be recorded follows
that of the Kalendars and is not arbitrarily chosen.
It is a very curious fact and one, seldom noticed, that these
NTRODUCTORY
saints' days now only in a
limiied number of cases ob-
served by the Protestant
church were all retained and
observed by them after the
ReCormatioQ in common
with their Roman brethren,
and a p p e a r in all iheir
Kalendars down to the time
in 1752 when the change in
■' style '■ from the " old to
the new style " look place,
as everyone may sec by ex-
amining one of those old
quaint "Poor Robin's"
Almanacs. Even t h e n a
very large number of the
names of these holy men re-
mained in the Anglican
kalendar and thus by some
but uitcrly without reason
termed Anglican saints
for there are no suik saints
It is howeier ample evi
dence of the reverence m
wh Lh these hol\ men were
and still are held by the
Protcitant church to read
the 1st of saints in whose
1 unour so man> thousand
clurch edifices have been
bu It and named in Eng
hnd Germany and our own
untr> and which will (or
e\ er keep their saints
di>s sacred
In the Alphabetical Index
INTRODUCTORY xiii
appended will be found the names of many saints not named in
the daily Kalendar which includes only the more prominent of
these personages.
The dates given are those which the Roman Church has fixed
for their festivals.
On only a few especial festivals will the canonical colour for the
day be given as every Church Almanac furnishes this information.
The Author.
ADVENT
The beginning of the Christian Year has for ages been fixed by
every branch of the Christian Church, Greek, Latin, Coptic and
Reformed, upon Advent Sunday. This day always occurs upon
the nearest Sunday to the Feast of St. Andrews, which is Novem-
ber 30th in every year; whether this Sunday falls upon a day
before or after St. Andrew's day, and the four weeks thus included
are termed the Advent Season. Thus Advent Sunday becomes a
moveable feast, dependent upon the day when Christmas falls and
therefore cannot come before November 27th in any year or later
than upon December 3rd. Added to the universal usage, the
Latin Church by ecclesiastical decree, at a very early period also
fixed this day and selected the term ** Advent " for the four
weeks which immediately precede Christmas as a collective title to
indicate the approach of the time which had been selected as the
dale of the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Christ.
** The Church has set aside," says an old writer, ** the Sundays
of Advent and the week days which follow after them as a solemn
lime of preparation for the great Feast of the Nativity ; as Lent is
before the Feast of the Resurrection, and therefore this time is
called by some * Altera Quadragesima.' "
It is claimed that this holy season was instituted by St. Peter,
and therefore is apostolic. Be this as it may, while it is impossible
—as is the case with many of the services of the Church— to fix its
XIV
INTRODUCTORY
exact date of adaption, there is no doubt in regard to
antiquity of the custom of observing these days in the most solemn
manner. An homily written by Maximus Tauriensis, in 450, upon
the obi^eri'ance of this day shows that it was regarded even then
as " ancient." but unfortunately it fails to tell of its earlier history.
The canonical colour for the First Sunday in Advent is violet
but at Vespers or Even-song the colour changes to red.
Vor the reason above given, I have selected the date November
37th whereon to begin the record of the Saints and Festivals of
the Christian Church.
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
NOVEMBER 27th
Is sacred to the memory of one of those holy men who in the
early centuries of the Christian Era did not hesitate to lay aside
wealth or rank that they might serve the Great Master — St. Maxi-
mos, erstwhile bishop of Reiz. To him as a young man the world
presented peculiar attractions. He had ample wealth, while his
unusual manly beauty, his genial temperament and his wit made
him an especial favourite both among men and women. Thus for
years after reaching manhood he lived in the world and enjoyed
its pleasures. But even during these years he felt there was " yet
one thing lacking. " His heart and conscience told him what that
was, and at last he cast everything aside that he might attain the
prize he sought.
Following Christ's teaching, he first distributed his worldly
goods to the poor and then sought refuge in the monastery of
Lcrins. It seems needless to say his life here was in conformity
to the great purpose which had led him to seek it, winning for
him the love and respect of his brethren. It was this display
of earnest purpose which induced St. Honoratus, the founder of
the monastery and its first abbot, to select Maximus as his suc-
cessor in the abbacy, when the saint was made archbishop of
Arlcs in 426.
The chronicles of the day show that the monastery, already
in high repute for its sanctity and learning, under the new
abbot " seemed to gain new lustre," while the cheerfulness of the
2 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
abbot made ihe "monks scarcely to tee! the severity of the rules,"
and drew crowds of eager devotees to it.
True worth in man has in no age of the world allowed its pos-
sessor to remain hidden and thus it was that in 433, when the
see of Reiz became vacant, Maximus was sought for to fill the
episcopate. Much as he loved the peaceful retirement of his
monastery, duly at all times took precedence above all else, and
he reluctantly accepted the high honour. But with his new dig-
nity he still remained the same humble, self-sacrificing, gener-
ous man he ever had been and in him his people found not alone
a pastor, hut alsoa physician and a teacher whom they loved and
trusted. His ministrations continued during twenty-seven years
until his death in 460. He is the patron saint of the diocese of
Boulogne in Picardy, and the common people universally called
him " Masse."
I must not omit mention of another saint whose festival is held
this day, St, James, surnamed " Intercisus," a Persian, though I
have not space for details in regard to this distinguished martyr
of the time when Theodosius the Younger apostatized to win
favour from King Isdegerdes. In many respects it is the old story
of refusal by St. James to abjure the Christian faith ; but the man-
ner of his execution was brutal, being literally cut to pieces.
When his fingers and toes had been chopped off he calmly said :
" Now the boughs are gone, cut down the trunk. " But instead
of this, one by one, his feet, hands, arms and legs were cut oft and
at last his head. The high rank borne by St. James as a noble of
the first class added to his reputation for probity and justice made
this vindictive exhibition of wrath against the Christians a most
impressive object lesson tor the moment, but it has served also to
render the name ot the faithful prince an immortal one in the Kal-
cndar of the Church.
NOVEMBER 28th.
In the name of St, Stephen, " The Younger," of St. Auxentius
Mount, which is remembered by the Church to-day, is presented
STEPHEN, "THE YOUNGER" 3
one of the most renowned martyrs of the so-called "Persecution of
the Iconoclasts.**
Bom in Constantinople, of a family of immense wealth, he
had entered the monastery of St. Auxentius as a novitiate when
fifteen years of age, and though we may not take time to follow
his monastic life and his attainments, the latter are evident from
the fact that at the age of thirty he was chosen abbot of the
monastery,
Leo III., Emperor of the East, surnamed "The Isaurian'* (718-
741), infamous for his plunder of the Christian Churches, had also
grievously persecuted the Jews, but at last had been ^'bought
off " and " possibly as a part of the bargain " was prevailed on
" to oppose the respect paid by the faithful to holy images."
In another place I shall remark upon these images, which dated
even from the time of our Saviour. They included His, as well as
many of His followers, but were neither adored nor worshipped ;
the Christians only holding them in reverence as the representa-
tions of holy men. With this as a pretext, Leo instituted a cruel
persecution which his son, Constantine V.. surnamed Copronunus,
carried on for twenty years after he (in 741) became emperor,
against these images. He died in 775. In 754 Constantine caused
a council composed of 338 bishops known as *' Iconoclast bishops "
from their coinciding with his decree suppressing the use of images
and to compel the " Catholics " (readers should recall the origin
of this word) to conform to his decree. To this St. Stephen
refused and soldiers were sent to drag him from his cell. At the
same time " suborned witnesses," his legend tells us, charged him
with "criminal converse with the holy widow Anne." He was
examined and condemned to be beheaded, but this decree was
changed to one ordering him to be scourged to death in prison.
Learning later that St. Stephen still lived in spite of his scourging,
the emperor cried out: '* Will no one rid me of this pestilential
monk ? " It was then that certain courtiers went to the prison
and dragged him forth through the streets with his feet tied by
cords, and at last dashed out his brains with stones and clubs.
The date of this deed is placed in 764, and took place under what
has been called " Persecution of the Iconoclasts." .
4 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
NOVEMBER sgth.
The holy man whom the Church honours this day is another of
those early martyrs for the faiih ; St. Saturninus, Bishop of
Toulon. The more I study the lives of these early Christians, the
tnore I feel convinced that we in these modern days do not half
appreciate the true heroism of these men who went forth of tlicir
own volition, under the guidance of their superiors to fulfil
Christ's injunction to preach the Gospel lo all the world.
It was in 243 that under the direction of the Pope Fabian, Sat-
uminus went into Gaul lo preach the failh lo the idolatrous people
ol that nation. As wc read the history of those days, we know
what risks they ran both from the pagan priests and the neglect of
those who should have protected them, as Roman citizens.
St, Saturninus fixed his see at Toulouse in 250, when Deciusand
Gratus were eotwuls, but they evidently gave but little aid toward
protecting the holy man from the fury of the priests o( the heathen
gods. Yet for seven years this faithful man worked on until the
pagan priests one day were able to secure his person and carried him
into their temple and strove to make him worship at their shrines.
Faihng. they brought into the temple a wild boll, to which Satur-
ninus was firmly bound by cords. Then after the bull was mad-
dened by torture, they turned it loose and it started on its wild
race, dragging the holy man by its side till, mangled and with
broken bones, at last the cord broke and left the limp, lifeless body
without the gates o( the city.
NOVEMBER 30th.
This day is the feast ot St. Andrew, as the Apostle and Martyr,
and both of these festivals are rii^'idly observed in all branches of
the Christian Church. He was a brother of St. Peter, btit strangely,
after the Ascension his name is not mentioned in the New Testa-
ment. His legends tell of his travels in Scythia. Cappadocia and
Bythinia, and Russian folk-lore of his labours among the Musco-
vites in Sarmatia. He also was in Greece and from thence came
to Pairas, " a city of Achaia." It was here that, having converted
ST. ANDREW 5
Maximilla, the wife of JEgus the proconsul, he
was condemned to be scourged and cruciRed,
The form of the St. Andrew cross reaches almost
every angle, from the acute to the right angle. It
is said he chose this form oE the cross out of his
humility, saying he "was not worthy to suffer
death as his Master had done."
Fastened to the cross by cords, not nailed there,
bui allowed to die amid the torment of thirst and
in, who can realise his unutterable suf-
fering? After four centuries a part of the relics
—of St- Andrew were brought to Scotland and since
n he has been the patron saint of that coun-
He is also the patron saiot of the " Order of
the Golden Fleece of Burzmund," and in Russia
of the " Order of the Cross of St. Andrew."
Connecting St. Andrew with the Feast of the Ad-
Tent. Whcatly says : " He was the first who
found the Messiah (John I., 38) and the fiist
who brought others to Uim (idem i., 43) so
the Church for his greater honour commem-
orates him as the first in her anniversary
course of holy days and places his festival
at the beginning ol Advent, as the most
proper to bring the news of Our Saviour's
coming. St, Andrew ts one of the most pop-
ular saints in the English Kalendar. An
account of the churches in England says:
'■Every county except Westmoreland has
several churches dedicated to St, Andrew,"
He has been represented upon a cross shaped like the letter Y,
bat to speak of this opens an unending discussion I may not enter
on here.
S. ANDRBH-.
From
SDincd CllB
^
DECEMBER
Like the preceding months of October and November, December
takes its name from the place it held in the Kalendar when ten
months comprised the year. By the ancient Saxons, December
was styled Winter-monat, or Winter month ; a term which after
their conversion to Christianity was changed to Hiligh-monat or
Holy month, from the anniversary which occurs in it of the birth
of Christ Among the modern Germans, December is still from
this circumstance distinguished as the Christ-monat.
DECEMBER ist.
On this day the memory of St. Eligius, Bishop of Noyon and Con-
fessor, is commemorated. A man who by his virtue and holy liv-
ing rose from being the apprentice of a goldsmith to the high dig-
nity of a Bishop. Being a youth of rare genius he soon not only
became an adept in his chosen craft but had gained a wide repu-
tation for the beauty and ingenuity of his designs. What, how-
ever, was far better, he had won by his unostentatious purity and
upright life the confidence and affection of all who knew him. Hav-
ing been sent to France on some business, Bobo, then Treasurer of
Clotaire II., King of Paris (584-628), heard of him and brought him
to the notice of the king who gave him an order to design and
make him a chair of State, to be decorated with gold and precious
stones, placing at his disposal the needed materials. So great was
the satisfaction of the king at the manner the young man executed
this command that Eligius was retained in the employ of the court.
His former master, besides being a goldsmith, held the position
of *' Master of the Mint " at Lin\oges, and thus Eligius had also
gained a knowledge of coinage, of which the French made use;
for coins bearing Eligius' name issued during the reigns of Dago-
ST. ELIGIUS 7
bert and Clovis II. as appears from Le Blanc's " History of Coins/'
are yet extant. But his chief employment seems to have been
the designing and building of shrines for the relics of saints and
the tombs of St. Martin of Tours and St. Dionysius (St. Dennis)
are named as among those in the exceptionally long list credited to
his wonderful skill as a designer and artisan. The favour of the
king did not end here for he recognised in Eligius the higher traits
of character which every one who came in contact with him did,
also his great virtues, the purity of his life and his unbounded
charity. Prosperous as he was his wealth was not lavished upon
himself. The king often therefore, gave Eligius both clothing and
money, which the latter in turn distributed to the poor, while at the
same time he daily fed many of these from his own table even
though he himself was fasting. He also was zealous in other
good works, ransoming captives, providing for the sick and burying
the dead of the poor, buying and freeing the slaves — especially
the Saxons — who had been taken prisoners, and setting them free.
One of these Saxons (afterward known as St. Theau, whose festi-
val occurs on January 7th) Eligius brought up in his own house-
hold. But I must cease details, even omitting mention of the
religious houses he founded and endowed, until in 640 (some put
this date 646) Eligius went to Rouen, abandoning the honours of
court life, and with his friend St. Owen received the episcopal
office. Very soon after this our saint was chosen Bishop of Noyon,
a district then still largely under pagan influence. With his usual
zeal he threw his whole soul into his new work, and his success
was equalled by few of his contemporaries, until on December ist,
in 658 the good man was called to his reward.
DECEMBER 2d
Is the passion of St. Bibiana, to whom a church in Rome,
behind the Trophies of Marius, is dedicated. Her legend says :
In the time of Julian the Apostate there dwelt in Rome a Chris-
tian family consisting of Flavian, his wife Dalfrosa and his two
(laughters, Bibiana and Demetria. All these died for their faith.
Flavian was exiled and died of starvation ; Dalfrosa was beheaded ;
8 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the sisters imprisoned (A. D. 362) and scourged, Demetria dying
at once under the torture. Bibiana glorified God by longer suffer-
ings. Apronius, the prefect of the city, astonished by her beauty,
conceived a guilty passion for her and placed her under the care of
one of his creatures named Rufina, who was gradually to bend her
to his will. But Bibiana repelled his proposals with horror and her
firmness excited him to such fury that he commanded her to be
bound to a column, and scourged to compliance.
I cannot, however, allow myself to describe the brutal manner in
which the command was executed as it is too horrible for repeti-
tion, beyond saying she died, but retained her virtue.
The column to which St. Bibiana was bound still stands in the
old church between the Santa Croce and Porto Maggiore in
Rome.
DECEMBER 3d
Is the anniversary of the death of St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of
India. This noted Jesuit was bom April 7, 1 506, and was educated
at the University of Paris, where he later lectured and there
shared a room with Peter Faber, a Savoyard, to whom he became
tenderly attached. In 1528, Loyola arrived at their college a
middle-aged man, meanly clad, worn with austerities and burning
with zeal. Loyola made friends with Faber, but Xavier could
not endure him and repulsed his approaches. Loyola discerning
a desirable spirit in Xavier, nevertheless persevered. One day
Xavier had been lecturing on philosophy and having met with
much applause, was walking about in a high state of elation when
Loyola whispered in his ear : " What shall it profit a man if he
gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? " The question
startled Xavier, and changed the current of his feelings towards
Loyola. He associated with him and Faber in study and devotion.
Three other students joined them — Lainez, Bobadilla, and
Rodriguez— and on the 15th of August, 1534, the six met in a
subterranean chapel of the church of Montmartre and took vows
of perpetual celibacy, poverty, and labour for the conversion of
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER 9
infidels. Such was the humble beginning of the Society of Jesuits.
They resolved to place their lives at the service of the pope, and
when preaching at Rome in 1 540, Xavier was chosen to go as a
missionary to India. A voyage to India was a tedious enterprise
in the sixteenth century. He sailed from Lisbon on the 7th of
April, 1 54 1, wintered in Africa on the coast of Mozambique, and
his ship did not reach Goa until the 6th of May, 1 542. He found
the Portuguese of Goa were leading worse lives than the heathen
except that they did not worship idols, and their conversion was
his first business. He learned the language of Malabar, and went
preaching among the pearl-fishers, of whom it is said he converted
10,000. For seven years he faithfully laboured in those far off
lands. At Malacca, then a great centre of trade, he met three
Jesuits, whom Loyola had sent to his aid, and with them made a
tour through the Moluccas. At Malacca, he had also met a Jap-
anese whose account of his strange and populous country decided
Xavier to visit it. He picked up as much of the language as he
could* and in August, 1549, landed in Japan and for about two
years travelled through the islands making a host of converts. His
mission was continued with great vigour by the Jesuits for nearly
a century, when for some cause or other the government took
fright, massacred the Christians foreign and native, and sealed
Japan against Europeans until our own day. He next determined
to plant his faith in China, but the Portuguese merchants pleaded
with him not to make the attempt, as he would assuredly be the
cause of their utter destruction. Xavier was not to be moved by
such alarms and persuaded a Chinaman to run him ahsore by
night near Canton.
It was here, on December 2, 1552, the holy man died aged only
forty-seven and in the twelfth year of his Asiatic ministry. His
body was carried to Goa, and his shrine is to Catholics the holiest
place in the Far East. In 1662 he was canonized, and by a papal
brief in 1747 was pronounced the patron saint of the East Indies.
His festival is observed on the 3d of December.
The pathetic story of this noble man is one of continuous labour in
the cause of Christ and uncomplaining self-sacrifice on his own
part.
-., 1 lie oiacK,
iv^jy-50, who made him provost of Goslar in
naming him in 1056 Archbishop of Cologne
entered upon his duties at Cologne the record
tinued story of acts of love and charity to the
but well digested and firmly executed plan fo
the monasteries in his diocese, which he foui
demoralized state ; lax in their ecclesiastical t
their habits of life. He added two new monas
lar Canons at Cologne and also three of the
elsewhere. After the death of Henry III. it
and the States elected him Regent and Prime
minority of Prince Henry (afterward Henry I'V
the high and responsible position fulfilling its
such conscientious fidelity that he won for him!
noblest and best but the utter hatred of a class c
had hoped through the Prince to profit by the de
At last, the Prince — now nearing majority — g
Anno's strict rules of life and succeeded in secur
Regent. But the extortions and injustice of
whom the Prince thus placed in power caused s
that " the States " were compelled to recall Anm
assume the administration of the kingdom. 1
double duties soon told upon his physical systei
ber 4, 1075, he died, honoured and loved by all ss
he had thwarted in their purposes of public ph
therefore stands to-day in Roman Martyrolocrv
and a faithful prelat*' r%r »v-- *'
ST. SEBAS II
Martyrology on this day. He was the son of a soldier and was
bora in 439. His father, being ordered to Alexandria, took his wife
with him and left his son and the care of his estates with his brother
Hermias whose wife treated Sebas so harshly that the boy fled to
another uncle named Gregory for protection. Then quarrels arose
between the two uncles, which finally led Sebas to seek a home in
a monastery called Flavinia. A reconciliation of the uncles was at
last made but in their avarice they wished to retain possession of the
estate, and therefore left Sebas in the monastery. At length through
fear or perhaps prompted by conscience, the uncles sought to induce
Sebas to leave his retreat and to marry ; but the young man had
already made his election and nothing could bring him to change his
mind, his hope and desire being to be allowed to join a band of con-
verts in ** a Laura " (retreat) some twelve miles from Jerusalem
under the direction of St. Euthymius. But this good man decided
that Sebas was too young for such a life and sent him to a monas-
tery under the care of one Theoctistus, the house being a kind of
" noviceship " to the Laura. Sebas was again tempted to resign
his religious life ; this time by his father in Alexandria, but his pur-
pose was already fixed and he soon found a place of retirement far
from human habitations, and for years lived a hermit and at last
built for himself and a few devoted men cells in an almost inacces-
sible spot, over which the Patriarch of Jerusalem made him
" exaroh," or superior-general, and which grew at length into an
extensive monastery with several hospitals attached. Here, until
at the extreme old age of ninety-four, the holy man devoted his
life to good works and holy living. He died December 5, 532.
DECEMBER 6th
Is the ^tival of the noted St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. His
story is a most marvellous one. From his infancy it is said he dis-
played such devotional tendencies that his legend says : " He
refused to suckle on Wednesdays and Fridays, the fast days
appointed by the Church." At an early age he entered the mon-
astery of Sion, later becoming its abbot, a position he held until he
was made Archbishop of Myra, where he became noted for his
nies and processio
day ; but there wa;
the Iwo festivities.
ad moTilem was held
Many legends and m^
of this saint, the follov
those by which he
He early succeeded
which he devoted to charity; a special instant
exhibited in the case of a nobleman in the city
lived, who being reduced to poverty contemplated
three daughters to a sinful course as the only m
them from starvation ; but Nicholas, hearing of i
house secretly three nights in succession, and, b)
the window at each visit a purse of gold, saved th<
From this incident in his life i:
derived apparently the practise for-
merly, if not still, customary ii
ous parts of the continent, of the eld-
er members and friends of a family j
placing on the eve of St. Nicholas'
Day, little presents such a
meats and similar gifts in the shoes |
or hose of their younger relatives,
who on discoverin? rhcr
:ession, and, b)
gold, saved th<
ST. NICHOLAS 13
the abbess, with a paper recommending themselves to ** Great St.
Nicholas of her chamber." The next morning they were sum-
moned together to witness the results of the liberality of the
saint who had bountifully filled the stockings with sweetmeats.
From the same instance of munificence recorded of St. Nicho-
las, he is often represented bearing three purses, or three
gold balls; the latter emblem forming the well-known pawn-
brokers' sign, which with a fair degree of probability has been
traced to this origin. It is true indeed that this emblem is proxi-
mately derived from the Lombard merchants who settled in Eng-
land at an early period, and were the first to open establishments
for the lending of money. The three golden balls were also
the sign of the Medici family of Florence, who, by a successful
career of merchandise and money-lending, raised themselves to
the supreme power in their native state. But the same origin is
traceable in both cases — the emblematic device of the charitable
Sl Nicholas.
Another legend is told in two different ways. One is that dur-
ing a famine a certain landlord of an inn was in the habit of steal-
ing children and cutting up their bodies which he pickled as pork,
and that St« Nicholas made the horrid discovery of this, and by his
making the sign of the cross over the tub where the children
lay they were returned to life. It is from this that St. Nicholas is
represented almost always as in our illustration with three children
in a tub. The other version of the legend makes the victims
young men who were travellers.
St. Nicholas as the patron of sailors sometimes has an anchor
or ship represented in his pictures.
Perhaps nothing proves more conclusively how popular St.
Nicholas is in England than that no less than three hundred and
seventy-five churches have been dedicated to him in England
alone.
To tell the story of "THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS"
would occupy far more space than I have allotted me ; but it has
become such an "household tale" that mine will hardly be
missed.
/
/^
\ of Milan is perhaps unequ;
larity of all its circumstanc
fully educated when young
becoming an advocate and p
success that at the age of
appointed governor of Ligu
city he had resided five y«
was renowned for his pru*
when Auxentius, the Arian t
374."
It was the opportunity i\
roused the Catholics to exert all their power u
orthodox faith as a successor of the late bishop,
the feeling of both parties that a riot seem<
Ambrose, then prefect of Milan, deemed it his d
conclave not dreaming of the result. Therefon
the church where the people had assembled and
peace and submission to the laws. His speech
ended than a child's voice was heard in the cr
is bishop ! " The hint was taken at once and the
cried out, " Ambrose shall be the man ! " The
tions agreed and thus a layman whose pursuit
elude him altogether from the notice of either (
by universal consent.
DECEMBER 8th.
TM1P r'rwTr»r»T*»«»'~>
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 15
It is well known that the doctrine of the immaculate conception
of the Virgin, of her conception without the taint of original sin,
was till recently a theological dogma on which the Church of
Rome had pronounced no positive decision. Though accepted by
a majority of doctors and strenuously maintained by many theo-
logical writers, it was, nevertheless, denied by some, more espe-
cially by the Dominicians, and was pronounced by several popes
to be an article of faith which was neither to be absolutely enforced
nor condemned — a point in short on which the members of the
church were free to use their private judgment.
For centuries this question had been the subject of many
learned and earnest discourses.
The Feast was instituted by St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, about the year 1070, to commemorate the escape of the fleet
of William the Conqueror from a violent storm. Even from the
first the Feast seems to have had those
who opposed its recognition, and the dis-
cussion went on in England until the
Council of Oxford in 1220, when it was
decided to leave its observance optional.
Indeed it is only within our own day
and generation that through the action
of Pope Pius IX. in 1854, that the mooted
point was settled when he as the head of the Roman Church
officially recognised it as a feast of the universal church and
named this December 8th as the day for its observance.
In Christian art the conception of the Virgin in most cases shows
the Holy Virgin as trampling on the head of a serpent or dragon.
Le Clerc represents the Virgin as kneeling in prayer and a bright
star appearing to her entranced vision. In the Clog almanacs a
plain, unadorned heart is the simple emblem used to mark the day.
Readers must not confound the above Clog symbol with that
of the Annunciation of the Virgin, on March 25th, for they are very
similar and easily mistaken the one for the other.
In Roman Martyrology we read that to-day at Rome the
memory of the Blessed Eulychian, or Eulychianus, Bishop of
.A •« «tJ
^ay IS aiso tne testival of St. Romaric or
of the monastery of Luxeuil, who being the firs
court of King Theodobert, renounced the world
life and the strict observance of the severe monc
since his death in 653, been held up as a mod<
be followed by all members of monastic orders.
DECEMBER 9th.
When in 297 Emperor Maximian returned vie
defeat of the Persian army he celebrated "1
games " at Samosata, the captial of Syria Comagc
of the Euphrates; commanding all the inhabit
the solemn supplication of the gods. The entire
ingly responded to the summons, and the air wa
noise of trumpets and infected with the odour
burning victims which were being offered in hone
Two men, however, of noble birth and of wealth,
in the general ovation. These were Hipparchus
who had some time prior to this embraced the Chi
were then in the house of Hipparchus on the easte
in their devotions. With them were five younger
seeking instruction from their elders. This was o
of Maximian 's festival and the emperor had be*
regard to any who had failed to obey his mandate
that the names of these two nobles came up and r
dispatched to bring them into the emperor's orespi
ST. MELCHIADES 17
induce them to do honour to the gods. But each remained triie to
the faith until at last Maximian, out of patience at their firmness,
ordered them to be crucified, — a by no means uncommon mode
of inflicting the death penalty both before the time of our Lord's
crucifixion and centuries afterward, — without the gates of the city.
These are the Seven Martyrs of Samosata, whom the Church
honours this day.
DECEMBER loth.
St. Melchiades, who succeeded Eusebius in the see of Rome in
311 and filled this high office until his death on December lo,
314, is remembered this day for the persecution he suffered dur-
ing the reign of Maxentin until the tyrant was vanquished by
Constantine.
This day is also the festival of a young virgin and martyr, St.
Eulalia of Merida, whose triumphant death is celebrated by the
great poet Aurelius Prudentius Clemens. This maid was but
twelve years of age when Dioclesian promulgated his fearful de-
cree which caused the martyrdom of so many thousand faithful
Christians. On learning of the edict Eulalia went to the prefect
of Merida — then the capital city of Lustiania in Spain, now the
dilapidated town of Estremadura — and reproached him for his
cruelty to the Christians. Indignant at what he declared an insult
from "a chit of a girl," the governor at once seized upon her,
placing the implements of torture on one side and on the other the
offerings for the idols, bidding her choose between them. She
cast the offerings on the floor and trampled upon them, and in
Roman Martyrology for this day we read : *' Finally she was
stretched on the rack, torn with iron claws, had her sides burned
with lighted torches, and when fire was forced down her throat
she expired."
St. Leocadia, a native of Toledo and a friend of Eulalia, when
she heard of her death, was already in prison under order of
Dacian who had condemned Eulalia, and she kneeled and prayed
she might not be separated in death from her loved friend, when
.J , .. ttv^ov. K^stivai occui
nother of those eccentric holy men who for rea:
eyond our comprehension, of their own free will t
their days in the narrow limits a
top of a pillar or column, and wl
as " pillar saints/' of whom I sh.
fully in another place. St. Simon,
occurs on September 3d, was
'* pillar saints." His column was
and it was from seeing him tha
inspired to lead a similar life,
pose he chose a spot in the des
bordering on the Euxine sea aboi
north of Constantinople. Here \
for him a pillar, or rather two pilla
le other, and on the top one surrounded by a ba
vessel like a half barrel in which he dwelt. In
f the manor built for Daniel a new (and funny ai
more commodious pillar." But exposure had its r
nd his limbs were covered with ulcers. Still, he wo
is chosen home and when he was ordained as a pries
ishop of Constantinople, who performed the cei
rdaining priest, read a portion of the service at the
3lumn, and then climbed to the top to complete
le most unique ceremony of its kind in the annals of
. barbarian prince whom Daniel had converted b
lint a third pillar in part sheltered from storms, and I
ST. FINIAN 19
score years, foretelling his own death, which occurred on his pillar
December 11,494.
DECEMBER 12th
Is sacred to one of the most noted as well as most learned men
of his age, St. Finian or Finan, Bishop of Cluin-Irard (called
Clonard); of whom and of whose celebrated monastic school I
shall speak especially in connection with St. Columba, who
was one of his pupils, and also the incident of the stolen Psal-
ter and its dinoument, which made St. Columba the first Chris-
tian missionary to the Picts and whose monastery at lona was
the beginning of the Christian Church in what is now Scotland.
Next to that of St. Patrick among the primitive teachers in those
splendid monastic schools which made Ireland famous during the
v., VI. and VII. centuries, stands the name of St. Finan. In
his youth he had been taught by the disciples of St. Patrick but
like the true student, his thirst for knowledge led him at an early
age to seek for this in the famous schools in Wales which had
been founded by SS. David and Gildas. After a long residence in
Wales St Finan returned to Ireland in 520, and among other
monastic schools which he founded was that of Clonard in Meath,
from which came many of the most famous saints, scholars and
doctors of Ireland. In the long list of these we read the names of
Klaran, **the Younger" Columkille, the two Brendans, Columba,
and others equally noted for their piety and learning. Indeed it is
not too much to claim that Clonard was in its day the most famous
seminary of sacred learning in Ireland, through the wonderful
inspiration of its leading spirit. In this school Mr. Skene, in his
" Celtic Scotland," says •' there were no fewer than three thousand
monks." In speaking thus, my readers should remember the full
signification of this word '' monk " in those earlier days, embrac-
ing as it did not only those in holy orders, but the students them-
selves. I have no space to deal in detail with the influence exerted
by this wonderful man ; but a single quotation from Dr. Skene's
"Monastic Church in Ireland " shows the estimate placed upon
St. Finian by this clear-headed discerning Scotch writer. He
30 SAINTS AMD FESTIVALS
says : '■ These expressions all point to an effete, decaying church.
restored through the medium of Finian and his monasiic school at
Cloiiard and to a great revival and spread of Christianity through a
new and living organ bat ion, based upon the monastic institution."
Interesting as the subject is. I cannot enlarge upon it beyond
saying that it was by and through the efforts of Finian these
monastic schools came to be hardly second to those of Rome.
Finian died on December I2. 552.
The Si. Columba whose festival is also held this day must not
be Lontounded with St. Columba the ■' Apostle of the Picis," yet
both were pupils of St. Finian.
DECEMBER I3lh.
The story of St. Luqr or Lucia, whose name ^ipears in both the
uid English Church Kalendars, is, even as told in an " Eng-
lish Church Year Book," like some (airy talc ;
but there is much in her sad life which alas ! is
only 100 true. She was bom in Sicily, very
wealthy, and endowed with almost angelic
beauty, a fatal gill which had inspired both the
passion and love ot a noble (by birth but not
as will be seen, character) pagan who against
her wishes was betrothed to her. It was in
vain that she pleaded with her mother Eutyci.i.
to prevent this betrothal ^ even when assured
that Lucia had taken on herself vows of chastity
— until the mother was stricken with what
seemed a mortal malady. Persuaded at last
by the pleading of her daughter. Eutycia
vi^ileii Cantania to pay her vows at the shrine
s. ^^y'^_- of S[_ Agatha. As the mother and daughter
ihe Sp;inisti kneeled at the shrine, Lucia had a vision in
Louvm" which St. Agatha assured her that her mother
was healed of her infirmity and that she (Lucia) should obtain
the favour of Heaven for Syracuse, the city where she then lived.
When Eutycia found herself restored she at last yielded to the
ST. LUCY
21
importunities of Lucia to annul her betrothal. This did not suit
the young pagan, who swore " her beautiful eyes haunted him
day and night." With an heroic resolution to end the trying affair
Luda deliberately " cut her eyes out of their sockets and sent
them to him ; begging that henceforth she might be left in
peace." But to quote still from the legend : " God rewarded
her for her sacrifice by restoring her eyes, an hundredfold more
beautiful than ever before." After this she gave her entire dowry
to be distributed to the poor of Syracuse. This last act so
enraged her lover that he went to Pascasius, who under the edict
of Dioclesian, ordered her to sacrifice to the gods. She refused.
Then came the most brutal of the means (not uncommon then used)
to secure her consent to sacrifice. She was taken to a brothel,
there to be defiled. A fact that is literally true. But she
had such strength given her that even the brutes employed at last
desisted and she was carried to prison. Once
more the Governor ordered her to do sacrifice to
the gods or be condemned to death. Again she
refused ; but when the soldiers attempted to re-
move her by force for execution she stood as if
rooted to the ground, and they could not move her.
Even when ropes and pulleys were applied they
proved powerless. A fire was kindled on the
stone floor around her, but that too, did her no
harm ; at last one of the servants of the Governor,
thinking to pleasure him, stabbed her in the neck
with a dagger. Thus in most Clog Almanacs a dagger marks
St. Lucy's day. An English Clog has a gridiron for the emblem
of St. Lucy, but this would seem far more fitting for St. Laurence.
In Christian art St. Lucy is usually represented as in our first
illustration, holding a plate in one hand on which are her eyes
and a palm branch in the other. Sometimes a pilgrim's shell is
substituted for the plate. Again in allusion to her name, Lucia,
she sometimes holds a lamp and more rarely still is standing by
a flaming cauldron.
22 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
DECEMBER 14th.
The study of the lives of the saints of the early Church con-
stanily brings us in contact with the history of the various parts of
Europe where the man under consideration lived, and to under-
stand the man and his life we must know of his surroundings. Il
is (or this reason that the scraps of history which 1 shall record
will be introduced. It is thus to-day, when speaking of St. Ni-
casius and his band of Christians at Rhcims, in the beginning of
the V. century, then a part of Gaul and in which city a nourishing
church had existed for a long time, as St. Nicasius was its ninth
bishop, we know in Germany not a few of the Vandals were
Arian Christians while the Goths were yet pagans. But both the
Goths and Vandals were at enmity at all times with Gaul and it is
a mooted point therefore with historians whether the " barbarians "
who are said to have besieged and plundered Rheinis in 407 were
GothsorArian Vandals. As we have ample evidence of the deadly
hatred existing in the hearts of the Arians toward Orthodox Chris-
tians, practically it mattered little to the faithful in Rheims which
they were who attacked them. Those old worthies of the Church
were sturdy men of valour and as such at all times of danger they
became leaders not only of their disciples but of others. Thus
it was Nicasius appears in the forefront of the battle of the
denizens of Rheims for their homes. From the first the Bishop saw
defeat was almost certain ; but this was no reason why they should
not do their duty, and everywhere on that eventful day he was
seen going from door to door and from one armed band to another
regardless of the personal danger tor his own life that he might
save others. But the barbarians were too strong and well trained
for the peaceful citizens long to resist. Still when they entered
the city they met the doughty Bishop fighting them at every step
with bis Deacon and Lector at his side and thus it happened the
holy man was one of the first who fell beneath their sword. Not
very far away from this scene of battle, his sister Eutropia
watched and waited the outcome for she knew only too well
that the defeat of the citizens and capture of herself by their
enemies meant the despoiling of her honour though she had done
NICENE CREED 23
nobly her share and welcomed death rather than to yield to what
was worse. These are the saints the Church still keeps in memory
by the services held this day in their honour.
DECEMBER 15th
Is the festival of St. Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli (now in Pied-
mont) and whose name is especially remembered from the fact that
Pope Liberius deputised him with Lucifer of Cagliari to ask the
Emperor Constantine to assemble the council which met at Milan
in 355, at which time Constantine laid the Nicene creed on the
table insisting that all present sign that rule of faith to govern
them, before they took up the case of St. Athanasius — the cham-
pion of the Orthodox Church — which was then to be considered.
The Arians were in the majority of those present but violent as
they ever seemed to be, either dared not or would not submit
to the demand of the Emperor. Thus, when Dionysius of Milan
rose to afhx his signature to the paper, Valeus, Bishop of Mursia —
one of the most violent of the Arians — "darted forward and
snatched the obnoxious document from his (Dionysius) hands,
tearing it into fragments which he cast on the floor and then
broke the pen into pieces." An adjournment to the palace of the
emperor followed and the hasty condemnation of St. Athanasius.
To this verdict St. Eusebius objected and refused to sign as did
Dionysius and Lucifer of Cagliari, believing St. Athanasius inno-
cent. Whereon the Emperor in rage cried out : " Obey me, or
you shall be banished." On a second refusal soldiers entered
and tore the holy prelates from the altar, conveying Dionysius into
Cappadocia where he died ; Lucifer to Syria, and Eusebius to
Scythopolis in Palestine to be dealt with by the Arian Bishop
Patrophilis. Pope Liberius, powerless to help them, still wrote
encouraging letters. The story of Eusebius' sufferings is too
long to repeat but on the death of Constantine in 361, Julian
gave permission for the banished Bishops to return to their sees.
The Bishop seems to have travelled extensively in the East and
through Illyricum, preaching and confirming many who had gone
astray from the true faith, before his death in 371.
24 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
The Roman Missal and Breviary place his office for December i
iSth. This, however, is supposed to be the date when his relicaa
were translated to Vercelli. as his death is believed to have occurred^!
DECEMBER i5ih.
On this day ilii: lirsi of a series of nine anthetns in the Latui H
service of the Enijlish pre-Rctortnation Church used to be sung ia '
honour of Christ's Advent, taking their place in the rilua!, and the
antliems were continued to Christmas Eve.
This day is the festival of St. Alice, or as she is often called,
Adelaide, whose eventful life might well serve for an historical
story of the early part of the X. century as it covers a period full
of stirring evenis in continental history and life in several promi- I
nent courts of Europe. I have not the space to tell this slory as it
should be told ; for abridged as it must be it loses much in historic
The second Burgtindy, often called Aries in early days, was
erected by Charles II. (The Bold) in 877. In 931 Rudolph or
Ralph II, was king of Burgundy when his wife bore him a daugh-
ter whom they christened Alice ; though she is often spoken of as
Adelaide. Her father died in 937 when she was but six years of
age and when sixteen she married Lothaire, king of Italy, and her
daughter Emma married Lothaire, king of France. Lothaire. king
of Italy and husband of Alice, died in 949. at which time the
trials of the young widow began. Berengarius III., the Margrave
of Jurea, who by conquests had already possessed himself of
Lombardy, and who was an openly declared enemy of Lothaire,
succeeded the late king and almost immediately upon some pre-
text imprisoned Alice the late queen. After some years Queen
Alice managed to escape from lier prison and tied toward
Germany, being met, however, before her arrival by Prince
Otho (afterward Otho I.) who at the solicitation of Pope Agapetus
II. had raised an army of 50,000 men and was marching to secure
her release. Continuing his march he conquered Paris and finally
made a treaty with Berengarius, which was soon broken by the
ST. OLMYPIAS 25
latter and a second expedition was sent out which captured the
faithless king of Italy, and he was sent a prisoner to Germany
where he died. In 963 Otho was crowned Emperor of Germany
at Rome, and was married to Alice immediately after his
coronation. Otho (the Great) died in 973 and his son Otho II.
became emperor, and while under the guidance of his mother.
Queen Alice, all went well, but under evil advisors her son at
length banished her from court. After nine years, when Otho II.
died, Alice was recalled and made regent. Such was the tortuous,
trying life of this good woman of whose inner life I have not
spoken as it seems so separate and apart from her outer and
public life. Except by following her day by day, this hidden life
can hardly be told. Neither the pomp and flattery of courts
where every kind was beset before her nor the trials adversity
brought, ever changed her from being the meek and humble
Christian she truly was. Whether wielding the sceptre of
state, governing the destinies of her kingdom, or as the imprisoned
captive of a tyrant, the same spirit of Christ dominated her every
act. As one writer says of her : " Her own household appeared
as regular as the most edifying monastery. " To do good both by
precept and example, was her one aim in life. Her last journey
on which she was engaged was as a peacemaker between
rebellious subjects of her nephew Ralph in Burgundy and their
ruler. Thus it was that while on the road she died at Salces, in
Alsace, on December 16, 999.
DECEMBER 17th
Is the festival of another widow, St. Olmypias, whom one vener-
able writer calls " the glory of the widows in the eastern church. "
Bom of an illustrious family, possessed of immense wealth and of
unusual personal beauty, she was early sought for in marriage and
in 368 was wedded to Nebridius, treasurer of Emperor Theodosius
the Great. But a brief twenty days elapsed after her marriage
when death claimed her husband. When the customary term of
mourning was ended suitors innumerable asked her hand in
marriage, among them men of the most ancient and noble of the
26 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
patrician families, officials of high rank and gallanis from the
court, but to one and all she gave the same reply, that during her 1
life she should remain unmarried. Even when the emperor i
interceded in behalf of one of his nobles she still held to hei
purpose. Beset thus on every side she placed her great fortune in ]
the hands of the prefect of Constantinople as her trustee, until she
should reach the age of 30. This gave the prefect peculiar I
authority over her, and to aid one of Olmypias' rejected su
who thought thus to coerce the widow into compliance, she waa ]
interdicted from either going to church or seeing her bishop and '
spiritual adviser. Complaining to Theodosius, she desired her 1
fortune to be divided between the poor and the church ; but the ]
emperor instead directed in 391 the prefect to restore the coi
of her fortune to the widow herself who thenceforth under the 1
wise counsel of St. Chrysostom began a systematic division o£ J
her revenues to both the church and charity until the worthy
bishop was so ruthlessly banished in 404. Like other of St.
Chrysostom's friends, she suffered in the persecutions which
followed and owing to sickness was obliged to leave the city but
in 405 she was brought back, heavily fined (or refusal to "com-
municate with Arsocius," her goods sold and the communhy of
nuns she headed scattered. But ever true to her faith no suffering
or physical ailment — though she had been for years an invalid —
could induce her to waver in her constant conscientious purposes.
Thus after many years of trials and sickness this noble specimen
of the women of the early church died about 41b. the exact year
being, like many dates in the early centuries, uncertain. The
Greeks honour St. Olmypias on July 25th, but in Roman Martyr-
ology the date is fixed (or December 17th.
DECEMBER 18th
Is sacred to St. Winebald, the son of an Anglo-Saxon king, and a
family highly honoured in Roman Martyrology as both the father,
St. Richard, and our saints' brother, St. Willibald, and their sister,
St. Walburga, appear in its Kalendar.
The story has its more especial interest from the evidence it
SS. WINEBALD, NEMESION 27
bears of the deep and conscientious purpose of those Anglo-Saxon
Christians of whom at best we know very little and must therefore
judge them rather from their scantily recorded lives than by the
more elaborate records of Churchman of later days.
St. Richard, having determined upon a pilgrimage, also resolved
to take his two sons with him. Embarking at Hamble-Haven,
they passed through Normandy; but on arriving at Lucca the
King sickened and died in 722. After the burial of their father
the sons completed their pilgrimage to Rome. Later, Willibald
extended his pilgrimage to Palestine but Winebald returned to
England. In 738 Winebald and a younger brother accompanied
their cousin St. Boniface once more to Rome and from there
Winebald, still clinging to his patron St. Boniface, came to Thurin-
gia, where the holy man ordained him as a priest and committed
to his care seven of the churches which he (Boniface) had founded,
among them being that at Erfust. In 781 St. Willibald, then Bishop
of Aychstadt in Franconia, wished to establish one of those double
monasteries which were at that time regarded with so much favour
by the church, and invited Winebald and their sister, Walburga, to
take charge of it as Abbot and Abbess. The neighbourhood was
intensely idolatrous, and frequent attempts were made upon the
life of Winebald but he was preserved through each, until at last
his faithful labours bore fruit among the very men who had
endeavoured to harm him. In this effort a grievous malady which
for years afflicted him was never allowed to interfere with the task
he had set himself and so he is often held up by his biographers
as an example of perseverance under trials, thus — to quote from a
chronicler — " having been tried and purified ♦ ♦ ♦ as pure gold in
the furnace, he went to God, on December 18, 760."
DECEMBER 19th.
St. Nemesion, whom the Church honours this day, was an
Egyptian who spent his life labouring among thieves and the low-
est classes in striving to bring them back to a right course of living.
His life work, and character were well enough known to have
exempted him from the accusation of being a thief but under the
28 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
persecution of Decius, for lack of a better reason, this was charged
against him. He quickly and easily disproved the false accusation ;
but once their victim was in their hands these idolaters never let
loose their deathly grip. Thus it was that when cleared of the
false charge he was questioned as to his faith and true as Christ's
followers were In those days, Nemesion failed not to testify against
himself when he proclaimed he was a Christian, and was at once
sent to the " Augiistal " Prefect of Egypt to be dealt with. Two
questions only were put to the Egyptian Evangelist : " Are you
a Christian .' " and " Will you repent from your error and do sac-
rifice to the gods ? " Well knowing what awaited his reply, Nctne-
sion without hesitation responded, acknowledging his faith and in
burning words then gave his reasons why death was preferable to
denying his Lord and Christ. Thus our saint with four Roman
soldiers and a civilian who, like Nemesion, held firm to their con-
victions, were all led forth on the 19th of December to an execu-
tion— more merciful than was often the case— for they were
beheaded.
DECEMBER aoth
Is the feast of St. Philogonius, Bishop of Antioch, and whose name
is especially remembered from the fact that he with the saintly
Bishop Alexander and others first began the combat now so
famous, against Arius and in support of true Catholicism. He was
educated for a lawyer and had won for himself fame as an eloquent
speaker, but even more for his keen, clear logic, his wonderful
knowledge of the canon law and above a!! for the purity of his life.
In 31S Arius had broached his heresies at Alexandria and had
been condemned by Alexander for them. It was just then the see
of Antioch was made vacant and the need felt for a strong man to
fill it. The high-toned, true characteristics of Philogonius were
well known and fully justified the church in his ease dispensing
with the canons and placing him as it did, in the bishopric. The
condemnation and sentence of Arius by Alexander were conveyed
to Philogonius in a synodical letter and the lattcr's defence of the
Catholic faith before the Council of Nice, has most justly made his
ST. THOMAS 29
name famous, even without the added lustre gained by his earnest,
effective labours during the storms raised against the Church by
Maximian II. and afterward by Licinius, which made our saint
deserving of the noble title of confessor. He died in 322, but it
was not until 386 his festival was first celebrated and was the
occasion seized upon by St. Chrysostom to pronounce a panegyric
on the wonderful character of the noted bishop, though he left to
Bishop Flavias the honour of speaking in detail of his great and
arduous work for the Catholic Church, an effort on the part of St.
John Chrysostom which even in these modern days is regarded as
one of the most wonderful displays of eloquence of the many that
have made the name of Chrysostom famous. Yet no one who
reads the life of St. Philogonius can for an instant doubt how fully
deserving he was of the eulogy.
This day b the Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle, and in both
the English and Roman churches is marked by especial and
appropriate offices.
DECEMBER 21st.
ST. THOMAS* DAY.
The festival of St. Thomas was instituted in the twelfth cen-
tury and as an old author alleges was assigned an early place in
the ecclesiastical calendar from this apostle having been vouch-
safed the most indisputable evidence of the resurrection.
St. Thomas, surnamed Didymus, or The Twin, appears to have
been a Jew and probably a Galilean ; he is said to have travelled
and promulgated Christianity among the Parthians, Medes and
Persians, to have been the apostle of the Indies, and to have been
martyred at Meliapore on the coast of Caromandel at the instiga-
tion of the Brahmins. After being stoned and struck with darts
he was finally transfixed with a lance. A Christian church exists to
this day on the coast of Malabar which traditionally traces its ori-
gin to the preaching of St. Thomas, and names itself after him.
"WTieatly suggests that the church recommends St. Thomas to our
meditation at this season as a fit preparative to our Lord's Nativity,
SAINTS AND FESTIVA
for although he first openly doubted [he truth of our Lord's
Resurrection all doubts fled when he saw his Diyine Master.
LS ■
our LordV ^
ST. THOMAS 31
farthing all of the treasures given him among the poor, sick and
needy. Upon the king's return and when he found his coveted
palace unbuilt and learned what had been done with his immense
treasure he was full of wrath and ordered the Apostle imprisoned
and commanded he should be put to an horrible death. Meanwhile
the king's brother died, and Gon-
doforus resolved to erect for him a
magnificent tomb. But on the fourth
day after his brother's death, while
the king sat beside the catafalco, his
brother rose and sat upright in his
sarcophagus and said. ' The man
whom thou tortured is a servant of
God. I have been in Paradise and
the angels showed me a wondrous
palace, built of silver, gold and pre-
cious stones and they said : * This is
the palace the architect Thomas hath built for thy brother Gon-
doforus.' " When the king heard these words he ran to the prison
and liberated the Apostle who said : " Knowest thou not that they
who wouldst possess heavenly things care little for the gauds of
this world ? There are in heaven such places without number which
are prepared for those who purchase the possession of them
through faith and charity. Thy riches,
O king, may prepare for thee such a
palace but they cannot follow thee. "
A representation of this legend is painted
on one of the windows of the Cathedral
at Bourges ; an appropriate offering from
the company of builders of that ancient
city. For while the most devout regard
the legend as a purely religious fiction
or an allegory, like some of the parables of our Saviour, as in-
vented for the instruction of the people, the moral lesson it teaches
has and will give it a place always in the story of St. Thomas.
After the dispersion of the Apostles, St. Thomas is said to have
preached the gospel to the Medes, Persians, Barbarians, Ethiopians
32 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
and the Indians: and it was among the latter that hesufFerecJ mar-
tyrdom at Miliapore. Legends in great number are told of St.
Thomas, among them the curious in such matters should read
the story lold by Sir John Mandeville of St. Thomas' arm,
" which yet " — i. c, in Sir John's day— gives judgment between
litigants by casting aside the scroll of the unworthy one, when
presented ■■ at his (air tomb in the city of Calvary."
St. Thomas' Day falls on the winter solstice, the shortest daj ^
the year, as expressed in the following couplet: ^^M
■• St, Thomas gray. St, Thomas gray, ^^H
The longest night and the shortest day." ^^|
DECEMBER aid.
This day has been selected by the Roman Church to commem-
orate two missionaries of the IX. century. These two men an
sometimes spoken of as " brothers." but this probably came from
the fact that they were brethren of the Order of St. Basil. One
of these, Cyril, was a philosopher while Methodius was an artist
of rare skill as were many monks of the early ages, men who pro-
duced those wonderful illuminated missals which are unsur-
passed even by the best artists of modem days. Originally Cyril
had been named Consiantine, but by a very common custom Chat
obtains even now, had changed his name at the time of his con-
secration. He was born of a Roman "senatorial family," and
received every possible advantage which the age afforded ; while his
bright, analytic mind nature endowed him with and an ardent love
for study enabled him to make the most oF his resources, so that
he early won the rare sobriquet of "The Philosopher." But his
piety and virtue were his most shining characteristics, and thus
after his ordination to the priesthood his zeal in the service of the
Church brought him into notice. His first public recognition
came in his defence of St. Ignatius, when in 846 that worthy was
advanced 10 patriarchal dignity and was attacked by Photius as
related by Anastasius "the bibliothecarian."
It was about this time when the Chazari.a tribe descended from
the ancient Turci, one of the most numerous of the powerful
ST. CYRIL 33
nation of the Huns in European Scythia, had possessed themselves
of a territory on the banks of the Danube near Germany, with
Moravia on the west, and a tribe of Bulgarians, " the Scrobati,"
in the mountains on the south, and sent an embassy to Michael
III. — the Drunkard — Emperor of the East (died 867), and joined
his pious mother in asking that some priest be sent to instruct
them in the Christian Faith. The dowager empress at once con-
sulted Ignatius the patriarch and Cyril was selected for the pur-
pose and started on his mission in 848. The selection of Cyril is
only an illustration of the care and foresight of those Fathers of
the Church in all things. The language of the Chazari was not
the Sclavonian then so common among many of the tribal nations,
therefore was one to be learned by the missionary. As a student
Cyril bad learned Greek, Latin and the Sclavonic languages and
thus had a solid foundation upon which to build in his study of this
new language ; his first work was its acquisition which he accom-
plished in a very short time. Then and not until then, did he
attempt to teach ; thus avoiding many mistakes that under similar
circumstances had retarded if not wholly ruined the efforts of
worthy but less critically educated men. Once feeling himself
fully equipped for this work he began it, and his success was
equalled by the care he had taken in his preparation. I have been
thus prolix only to illustrate a fact which will often be seen in the
lives of others of the missionaries sent out in those dark ages. For
it was through them that the Latin Church, by their arduous labours
and missionary work, was laying those broad foundations upon
which they later built such a solid structure. When Cyril had
completed his work among the Chazari, and arranged for their
spiritual welfare in the future, he returned to Constantinople. But
he was quickly sent upon his second mission and it was then
" his brother Methodius " became his associate in endeavouring to
bring the Bulgari under Christian influence. These Bulgari were
also a Scythian nation though not of the Huns but of the Sclavi,
and their language entirely different from either the Turci or Huns.
They were located in ancient Myria and Dacia on both sides of
the Danube, — now part of Wallachia, Moldavia, and of modern
Hungary. The earliest seeds for the conversion of these barba-
34 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
rians had bten sown in ihe beginning of the reign of Basil II,
(The Macedonian), Emperor of the East from 867 to 886— by
Grecian captives, but was in Cyril's day nearly dead. The two
monks worked each in his own way, but in perfect harmoQy.
Cyril from the pulpit, but. Methodius by what we now would call
object lessons, through the wonderful power he possessed with
his pencil and brush supplementing and illustrating Cyril's burning
words, A single instance of their effective work must suffice to
show their success. Dogoris (or Boigoris), then king of Bulgaria,
a man devoted to the pleasures of the chase and a bonhomme
(easy-going fellow) as a Frenchman terras him, desired Metho-
dius to paint for him a picture 10 adorn the wall of his ban-
quet-hall. Instead of selecting a hunting scene, or some other
that would please the King bul which would carry no lesson with
it, the monk chose for bis illustration "The Last Judgment,"
with kings, princes and peasants all standing in a heterogeneous
mass withotit distinction of rank or person before the Great Judge.
When completed it was shown the King who demanded an
explanation of the meaning of the picture. This Cyril gave in
such a realistic manner that the monarch and his courtiers stood
awe stricken and terrified. But the result was attained, for in 865
(authorities differ as to this date, some placing it in 86[) he was
baptised when he took the name of Michael, and in 867 he sent
ambassadors to Pope Nicholas I. with presents and a request for
instructions as to his future conduct.
But I must refrain from any further comment on these intercst-
mg men beyond saying that in Muscovite Kalendars both Cyril and
Methodius arc termed " Moravian Bishops," and in Roman Mar-
tyrology the same title is given them. In the Polish Breviarj' it
is stated Cyril died a monk and that only Methodius was conse-
crated as an Archbishop sometime after his " brother's " death, by
Adrian II.
Stredowski in his "Sacra Moravia Historia." styles SS. Cyril
and Methodius " Apostles of Moravia, Upper Bohemia, etc., etc..
and almost all of the Sclavonian nations."
The Greeks and Muscovites honour St. Cyril on Feburary 14th,
and St. Methodius on the I ith of May. The dates of their death
are uncertain beyond being between the years 3So and 894.
THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY 35
Roman Martyrology honours these saints on March 9th. This
33d of December, however, is that named by Dr. Butler in his
*' Lives of the Saints.*'
DECEMBER 23d.
The story of St. Servulus, whose festival recurs this day, reminds
one in its main features of the parable of Dives and Lazarus.
From his infancy Servulus had been a paralytic and a beggar. As
a baby his mother had carried him to the porch of the historic
church of St. Clement's in Rome, and there laid him down to wait
for the alms which passers might drop to him. During his whole
life he never could sit upright but lay prone at the feet of those
who stopped to look at him and thus soon became well known to
all about the church. St. Gregory especially became deeply inter-
ested in this beggar when by accident he discovered him sharing
the alms he had received with his fellow beggars who had been
less fortunate than himself reserving only a bare moiety for his
own needs. As he lay by the church door he heard and learned
to join in the anthems sung within and when he was dying his
legend tells : ** He suddenly cried out ' Silence I Do you not hear
the sweet melody and praises resounding from heaven ? ' " St.
Gregory made this beggar cripple the subject of one of his most
noted efforts (Homily 15), drawing from his life and his efforts to
aid his fellowmen even amid his own afHictions — a lesson which
the prosperous world may well take to heart, though St. Gregory's
eulogy was spoken in 590, when Servulus died.
DECEMBER 24th.
This is the Vigil of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lord Jesus
Christ, and is a day of fasting and abstination in both the English
and Roman churches.
The eves or vigils of the different ecclesiastical festivals of the
Christian year are, according to the strict letter of canonical rule,
times of fasting and penance, but as in the case of All Saints' Eve
and of Christmas Eve, common custom has ignored and inconti-
ently transformed them into seasons of mirth and jollity. Per-
36 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
haps nothing better can be found to describe this than Sir Walter
Scott's '■ ^^a^mion,■' and I would advise my gentle readers to take
from their shelves that glorious poem and read from where it
begins :
" On Christmas Eve the belis were rung ;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung ;
That only night. i[. all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel danned her kirtle sheen ;
The hall was dressed with holly green ;
Forth to the wood did merry-men go,
To gather in the mistletoe.''
By far the largest number of the Christmas customs still extant in
England and which in a limited way obtain among ourselves arc but
the survivals of old pagan rites and ceremonies. These, it is need-
less here to repeat, were extensively retained after the conversion of .^1
Britain to Christianity, partly because the Christian teachers found
it impossible to wean their converts from their cherished supersti-
tions and observances, and partly because they themselves, as a
miitter of expediency, ingrafted the rites of the Christian religion on
the old heathen ceremonies, believing that thereby the cause of
the cross would be rendered more acceptable to the generality of
the populace and thus lje more effectually promoted. By such
an amalgamation, no festival of the Christian year was more
thoroughly characterized than Christmas, the festivities of which
were originally derived from the Roman Saturnalia, had afterwards
been intermingled with the ceremonies observed by the British
Druids at the period of the winter solstice, and at a subsequent
period became incorporated with the grim mythology of the ancient
Saxons. Two popular observances belonging to Christmas are
more especially derived from the worship of our pagan ancestors —
the hanging up of the mistletoe and the burning of the yule log.
But I must not enter upon any description of these festivities
here. Yet I am tempted to quote from the genial pen of Herrick
in regard to the yule log ;
'■ Come bring a noise.
My merry, merry boys.
The Christmas log to the firing;
THE NATIVITY 37
While my good dame she
Bids ye all oe free.
And drink to your hearths desiring.
With the last year's brand
Light the new block, and,
For good success in his spending.
On your psalteries play
That sweet luck may
Come while the lo^ is a-teendlng. *
Drink now the strong beer.
Cut the white loaf here.
The while the meat is a-shredding ;
For the rare mince-pie.
And the plums stand bv.
To fill the paste that s a-kneading."
The allusion in the second verse to the " last year's brand "
refers to the old custom of laying aside the charred remains of the
yule log of one year and with it to kindle the new log. The same
custom prevailed regarding the yule candle from whose remnant
the candle which held the central place on the table at the Christ-
mas Eve supper was lighted. While in Germany where, by the
way, the Christmas tree first was raised, the candles of the tree are
lighted from the last year's yule candle.
At Vespers and Evensong the canonical colour is on this day
changed to white.
DECEMBER 25th.
The canonical colour for Christmas Day is white.
THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST.
The birth of Jesus Christ, the deliverer of the human race and
the mysterious link connecting the transcendent and incomprehen-
sible attributes of Deity with human sympathies, is and should be
regarded as the most glorious event which finds a place in the
Ecclesiastical or Civil Kalendars, and as such should be observed
with appropriate and solemn religious services.
The question of whether this 25th day of December is really the
• Burning.
38 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
anniversary of the birth of Christ was for a long time a mooted
one, and the evidence of its truth is at best traditional.
In [he earliest periods of which we have any record we find this
feast was observed at various periods, the 1st and 6th of Janaary I
being the dates on which a portion of the Christians celebrated it ;
others doing soon March 29th, the time of the " Jewish Passover,"
while yet others selected September 19th, that being " The Feast 1
of the Tabernacles." There were those also who observed it on |
April 30th, and yet another class who thought it occurred on May
3oth, while SS. Epiphanius and Cassian state that in Egypt Christ i
was believed to have been born on January 6th. For a long ti
the CieeliS celebrated our Lord's birth on the Feast of Epiphany, , I
In a sermon preached by St. Chrysostom at Aniioch on Decent- I
ber 25, in 3S6, he says : " It is not ten years since this day {Christ- J
mas, December 25th) was clearly known to us; but it I
familiar from the beginning to those who dwell in the West. The
Romans have from the earliest days celebrated it (Christmas on
December 2Sth) and thus from ancient tradition transmitted
the knowledge to us."
The " Kirchenlexikon " (an accepted and undoubted authority)
says that " the special feast in honour of the Saviour's birth was
introduced in the year 354 under Pope Liberius, and soon after
in Constantinople in 378, but previous to this the feast was
celebrated upon Epiphany."
In passing t note Chambers names I'ope Julius as having intro-
duced the feast in the church ritual, but if 354, the year named by
the Kirchenlexikon is correct. Julius could not have promulgated
the office for he died in 352, and Liberius was chosen as his
Be this as it may — for I have no space to argue such a point —
it is but reasonable to believe that the Holy Father did not select
this day at a random guess, though the reasons or traditions on
which he founded his determination are not (as far as t can learn
after careful search) upon record; but that he followed what
seemed to be the best authoritative traditions in fixing the " Festo-
rum omnium metropolis." as it is styled by Chrysostom.
One curious fact or coincidence yet confronts us, that this date
THE NATIVITY 39
exactly corresponds both in its inception and the length of the
festival with the great festival of pagan Rome, the Saturnalia.
Though Christian nations have thus from an early period in the
history of the church celebrated Christmas about the period of the
winter solstice or the shortest day, it is well known that many and
indeed the greater number of the popular festive observances by
which it is characterized, are referable to a much more ancient ori-
gin. Amid all the pagan nations of antiquity there seems to have
been a universal tendency to worship the sun as the giver of life
and light and the one visible manifestation of the Deity. Various
as were the names bestowed by different peoples on this object of
their worship, the sun was still the same divinity. Thus at Rome
he appears to have been worshipped under one of the characters at-
tributed to Saturn, the father of the gods ; among the Scandinavian
nations he was known under the name of Odin or Woden, the
father of Thor, who seems afterwards to have shared with his
parent the adoration bestowed on the latter as the divinity of
which the sun was the visible manifestation ; whilst with the an-
cient Persians the appellation for the god of light was Mithras,
apparently the same as the Irish Mithr, and with the Phoenicians
or Carthaginians it was Baal or Bel, an epithet familiar to all
students of the Bible.
In the early ages of Christianity its ministers frequently experi-
enced the utmost difficulty in inducing the converts to refrain from
indulging in the popular amusements which were so largely partic-
ipated in by their pagan countrymen. Among others the revelry
and license which characterized the Saturnalia called for special
animadversion. But at last, convinced partly of the inefficacy of
such denunciations, and partly influenced by the idea that the
spread of Christianity might thereby be advanced, the Church en-
deavoured to amalgamate as it were the old and new religions,
and sought by transferring some of the heathen ceremonies to the
solemnities of the Christian festivals to make them subservient
to the cause of religion and piety.
Thus it has been suggested, and not without some reason, that
in the selection of this day for Christmas, instead of the time-
honoured Epiphany, the Holy Father may have been influenced.
LS ■
40 SAINTS AND FESTIVA
The name given by the ancient Goths and Saxons to the festival
of the winter solstice was Jul or Yule, the latter term forming to
the present day the designation in the Scottish dialect of Christ-
mas, and preserved also in the name of the yule log. Perhaps
the etymology of no term has excited any greater discussion among
antiquaries. The most probable derivation of the word is from
the Gothic gigul or hiul, the origin of the modern word wheel, and
bearing the same signification. According to this very probable
explanation the yule festival received its name from its being the
turning point of the year or the period at which the fiery orb of
day made a revolution in its annual circuit and entered his north-
ern journey. A confirmation of this view is afforded by the cir-
cumstance that in the old Clog almanacs a wheel is the device
employed for marking the season of yule-tide.
Of the interesting subject of Giristmas
carols I am obliged to limit myself to a brief
line or two. The term is believed to be
tierived from the Latin cantare (to sing) and
rola ! an interjection expressive of joy. The
practice appears to be as ancient as the
celebration of Christmas itself, and we are
informed that in the early ages of the Church
the bishops were accustomed to sing carols
on Christmas Day among their parishioners
and clergy, which in time developed into
the joyous hymns of our present Christinas
caroL
i
DECEMBER 26th.
This is a day of abstination. The canonical colour is red.
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY.
No more appropriate day could have been selected for the
Feast of St, Stephen, the great Proto-Martyr of the Church than
this, the first day following Christmas in the Christian Kalendar.
Beyond the somewhat terse accounts we have of this Holy
ST. STEPHEN
41
DeacoD given in the Acts of the Apostles (vi., ;) and of bis arrest,
defence and martyrdom in same chapter (8-15) and in vii., and
viiu, 1, where "devout men carried Stephen to his burial' and
made great lamentations over him." tradition has added little to
the history of the man. He was chosen deacon during the first
ministry of Feter. Later, be was falsely accused of speaking
blasphemously of the Temple and Jewish law and for this, tried,
condemned to death and stoned outside the gate of Jerusalem
thai now bears his honoured name ; and buried by " devout men."
Wbere be was laid there is no record to show and for four
hundred years it was a mystery what became
of bis body. Then his legend tells " that a
certain priest of Cariagmala, in Palestine,
named Lucian, had a vision in which St.
Gamaliel appeared to him." Readers will find
this vision told in detail elsewhere and how the
relics of St. Stephen were placed side by side
those of St. Laurence. St. Stephen is repre-
sented in art as a young, handsome, beardless
man in the full dress of a deacon. The dal-
matica is square and straight at the bottom,
with beavy gold tasseb hanging from his
shoulders. It is always crimson in colour
and richly embroidered. The palm branch is
often given him and stones in one hand are
at all times his attributes while a book is held ir
supposed to have suffered his martyrdom i
Lord 31, but some authorities place the date ii
S. STEPHEN.
n the other. He i
I the year of ou
DECEMBER 27th,
In the Reformed or English church this day is held as especially
sacred as St. John the Evangelist's Day.
A special reverence and interest is attached to St. John — " the
disciple whom Jesus loved." Through a misapprehension of the
Saviour's words, a belief we are informed came to be entertained
among the other apostles that this disciple should never die, and
42 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the thought was doubtless fostered by the circumstance that John
outlived all his brethren a.nd coadjutors in the Christian ministry
and he was indeed the only apostle who died a. natural death. It is
stated he expired peacefully at Ephesus, at the advanced age of
94, in the reign of the Emperor Trajan, and the year of our Lord
100, thus as Brady observes "marking the first century of the
Christian eta and the apostolic age which terminate together."
Though John thus escaped
actual martyrdom he wss
nevertheless called upon to
endure great persecution in
the cause of his Friend and
Master. Various fathers of
the church, among others
Tcrtullian and St. Jerom.
relate that in the reign of
Domitian the evangelist, hav-
ing been accused of attempt-
ing to subvert the religion of
the Roman empire, was
transported from Asia to
Rome and there in presence
of the emperor and senate,
before the gate called Porta
Latina or the Latin Gate, he
was cast into a caldron of
boiling oil in which he not
only ri:mained for a long
; uninjured, but ulti-
S. JOHN EVANGELIST.
mately emerged therefrom with renovated health and vigour,
commemoration of this event the Roman Catholic Church retains
in its calendar, on the 6th of May a (estival entitled " St, John
before the Latin Gate." In my article of April 30th this festival
will be especially mentioned.
St. John was a younger brother of St. James the Great, with
whom he was brought up in the trade of fishing. Before his coming
to Christ he seems for some time to have been disciple to John the
ST. JOHN EVANGELIST 43
Baptist, being probably that other disciple that was with Andrew
when they left the Baptist to follow our Saviour, so particularly
does he relate all circumstances of that transaction though
modestly (as in other parts of his gospel) concealing his own
name. He was at the same time with his brother called by our
Lord both to the discipleship and apostolate. He was by far the
youngest of all the apostles. He was banished to the Isle of
Patmos where he wrote his Revelations, and at the death of
Domitian he returned to Ephesus where he ended his days about
the year 99. His gospel was written many years after the other
three and seems designed to fill up what they had omitted relative
to our Lord's Godhead. The last chapter appears to have been
subsequently added by him in order to controvert an opinion then
current in the church, " that that disciple should not die/' but
should tarry on the earth until the second coming of his Lord.
He outlived all the apostles, and as before spoken of was probably
the only one who did not attain to the crown of martyrdom in
deed as well as in will.
His gospel was without doubt written by him after his return
to Ephesus, and at the earnest entreaty and solicitation of the
Asian churches ; he first, however, caused them to proclaim a gen-
eral fast to seek the blessing of Heaven on so great and solemn
an undertaking which being done he set about his task. Two
causes especially contributed to the writing of it : the one, that
he might controvert the early heresies of those times especially of
Ebion, Cerinthus, and the rest of that set who began openly to
deny Christ's divinity and this was why the Evangelist is so
express and copious on that subject. The other was that he
might supply those passages of the evangelical history which the
rest of the sacred writers had omitted. Collecting therefore the
other three evangelists, he first ratified the truth of them with his
approbation and consent ; and then added his own gospel to the
rest, principally insisting upon the acts of Christ from the first
commencing of His ministry to the death of John the Baptist,
wherein the others are most defective, giving scarce any account
of the first year of our Saviour's ministry. He particulary records
(as Gregory Nazianzin observes) our Saviour's discourses, but
44 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
takes little notice of His miracles probably because they arc so
related by the other evangelists.
As an Aposile he is represented «-ith a chalice
from which a serpent is issuing (as in illustration)
alluding to the legend which cells how St. Joha,
previous to being taken without the Porta Latina
h^d been offered a cup of poison from which the
Devil being thus expelled, he drank and remained
unhurt. As an Evangelist he is represented as
in first illustration writing in a book.
Over two hundred churches are dedicated to
in England alone.
The canonical colour for this day is white.
DECEMBER 28lh.
EVANGELIST.
DAY.
This festival, which is variously styled Innocents' Day, The
Holy Innocents' Day, and Childermas Day or Childremas, has
been observed Irom an early period in the history o( the church
as a commemoration of the barbarous massacre of children in
Bethlehem ordered by King Herod, with the view of destroying
among them the infant Saviour, as recorded in the Gospel of St.
Matthew. It is one of those anniversaries which was retained in
the ritual by the English church at the Reformation.
In reference to the three consecutive commemorations, on the
26th, 27th and 28th of December, Wheatly informs us that in these
are comprehended three descriptions of martyrdom all of wliich
have their peculiar efficacy though differing in degree. In the
death of St. Stephen, an example is furnished of the highest class
of martyrdom, that is to say. both in will and deed. St. John the
Evangelist who gave practical evidence of his readiness to suffer
death for the cause of Christ, though through miraculous inter-
position he was saved from actually doing so, is an instance of the
INNOCENTS* DAY 45
secoad description of martyrdom — in will, though not in deed.
And the slaughter of the Innocents affords an instance of
martyrdom in deed and not in will, these
unfortunate children having lost their lives
though involuntarily on account of the
Saviour, and it being therefore considered
" that God supplied the defects of their will
by His own acceptance of the sacrifice."
Childermas was ever in the old days re-
garded with superstitious dread. Even the
unprincipled Louis XI. held it in such fear
that he would do no work on that day ; and
when it was discovered that the day set for
the coronation of Edward IV. of England
was Childermas Day, the ceremony was at
once postponed until the following day.
The canonical colour for Innocents' Day
is violet.
DECEMBER 29th.
The canonical colour changes this day again to white.
St. Thomas k Becket's name takes precedence in the list of
saints who are honoured by a portion of the English and the entire
Roman Church on this day. The career and fate of this cele-
brated ecclesiastic was one of the most remarkable episodes to be
found in the history of England during the XII. century. The
story has been So often told and widely read that it is a work of
superogation seemingly to repeat it. How the merchant's son
from a minor clerkship in the office of the Sheriff-of-London
attracted the attention of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury,
by whom he was sent to study civil and ecclesiastical law in Italy
and France ; of his rapid and merited advancement, due to his
wonderful acumen, until he attracted the notice of Henry II., then
King of England* who became so much attached to him personally
SAINTS AND FESTIVA
and held his abilities in such high esteem that in 1158, he cr
him Chancellor of the Realm. Indeed the story oF his \
attainments reads like some old romance, of a consummate c
ier who in addiiii
sagacious statesm
nary character, s
into France and a
LS 1
ried
1 to his accomplishments as a clear-headed,
1, showed military talents and power of no ordl-
5 proved when he accompanied his royal masEcr
!t the bead of a company of gallant Knights took
active part In several sieges, and covered himself with glory and
in a single combat " unhorsed " a French Knight of high renown
for his bravery and feats of arms, winning if possible, a higher
place in the estimation of the King, Then, in 1162, came the
change, when it was proposed to make Becket Archbishop of
Canterbury, a preferment he sedulously strove to avoid, until his
scruples were overborne by the Cardinal of Pisa and I-egaie from
the Holy See at Rome, who cast into the scales both hb advice
and the weight of his authority.
From the hour of his consecration the gay and worldly chancel-
lor who had joined his sovereign in all his amusements and had
indulged himself in every obtainable luxury and splendour, was
transformed into the austere and ascetic monk. The silken robes
gave place to the " hair-shirt " (now shown in a reliquary, in the
English college at Doway) and his sumptuous table which hereto-
fore had rivalled any in the land was reduced to the simplest neces-
sities of life, and his magnificent retinue forever abandoned.
I must not enter on the vexed points which disrupted the
affection that had in the old days bound the King and Prelate, nor
the cause of his exile, nor of the hollow truce by which Becket was
again restored to his see. These, with the events which led up at
last to Beckefs brutal murder, are all historic, and may be read in
a score of places.
From the time of his death, Becket's shrine was one of the most
popular places tor pilgrims in all England.
The spoliation of Becket's shrine and the burning of his bones
by the Cromwell party was one of those episodes of the English
Civil War which even the most ardent admirer of the "Great
Commoner " have never been able to condone, and it is this —7 no
doubt — that leads the so-called '• High Church Party " in the Eng-
ST. MAXIMUS 47
lish church to join with their Roman Catholic brethren in com-
memorating his memory and martyrdom on December 29, 11 70.
DECEMBER 30th.
St. Maximus, one of the saints the Church selects for honour on
this day was one of those men Providence seems to bring to the
front at critical times when peculiar traits of character are needed
to meet the emergency. He was born at Constantinople in 580
and educated as befitted his high rank, coming as he did from one
of the most ancient and noble families of the city. By nature he
was retiring and modest but his rare abilities had by the time he
had reached the prime of early manhood attracted the attention of
Heraclius (Emperor of the East 612-^41), who appointed him his
First Secretary of State. The heresy of Monothelism had already
made marked progress to the disgust of Maximus who found him-
self lacking the power to check it, fostered as it was by the
Emperor. It was in 608 that Mahomet or Mohammed, had begun
to put forth his pretended revelations, though it was not until some
time later that he, with the aid of a Jew and a Nestorian monk,
compiled the " Alcoran " or " Koran " as it is commonly called.
But it was through the indolence and lethargy of Heraclius that
the sect of Mahomet was able to establish itself among the Sara-
cens and lay the foundation of their formidable empire. I must
not follow the interesting bit of history to the death of Heraclius in
641 and the complications that followed, during which Monothe-
lism had made such dangerous progress that they caused his retire-
ment. From his retreat in the monastery of Chrysopolis, Maxi-
mus had regretfully watched all this, but was helpless, until in 645
the patrician Gregory, Governor of Africa, summoned him to hold
a conference at Carthage, with Pyrrus, the Patriarch' of Constanti-
nople and who favoured the heresy. It was then that Maximus
came to the front as a Defender of the Faith, and while I cannot
enter upon this remarkable encounter it is enough to say his
work in the good cause would have kept his name alive even if he
had not suffered the torture unjustly inflicted upon him of being
1
1 his riglu ■
48 SAINTS AND FESTIVAL
whipped, " having his tongue torn from his mouth and his right
hand cut off " by order of a synod of the Monothelilcs. In spite
of his fourscore years the venerable saint lived on fully six monihs
after this inhuman treatment, dying on this day in 662. The
Greeks, however, celebrate two leasts In honour ol St. Maximus ;
one on January 21st and the other on August 13th.
DECEMBER 31st.
On this day -Si. Sylvester— or Silvester as it is sometimes writ-
ten ~ is honoured. His name is one of those that were retained in
the Kalendar of the Reformed Church and still holds a place in
that of the ChuKh of England. He was a native of Rome and
had been carefiilly instructed in the Christian faith by his mother,
Jusiina. He wa^ installed as the head of the Church upon the
death of Pope Melchiades in 314. During his incumbency of the
pontificate two important events occurred; the great Synod of
Aries, and the CEcumenical Council of Nice in 325. Owing to age
and infirmities the venerable prelate did not appear at either of
these famous meetings but was represented by his legates ; when at
the latter they did their part against Arianism. It was Sylvester
who baptised Constantine the Great and the legend of this event
adds that the Emperor, who had been afflicted with leprosy, was
instantly cured. St. Sylvester is credited with the conversion of
St. Helen and Constantine the Great through having restored to
life a dead ox which the Magicians had killed but were unable to
resuscitate. He died December 31, 335, and was buried in the
cemetery of Priscilla. Pope Gregory IX. in 1227, fixed his festival
for this day. The Greeks celebrate it on January i6th.
JANUARY
Came old January, wrapped well
In many weeds to keep the cold away ;
Yet did he quake and quiver like to quell,
And blowe his nayles to warm them if he may ;
For they were numbed with holding all the day
An hatchet keene, with which he felled wood.
And from the trees did lop the needlesse spray.
Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, who died in 672 B.
C, is credited with promulgating what we now term " The Roman
Calendar," which divided the year into twelve months instead of
ten which had previously constituted the year, and to have decreed
that the year should begin on the first day of January or Januaries,
the name he gave the month in honour of the god Janus, the deity
supposed to preside over doors (Latin Janua — a door). The
ancient Jewish New Year — the 25th of March — however, con-
tinued to be held by law in most Christian countries as the initial
day of the year until 1752 when January ist became the legal New
Year in England, and the *' New Style," as it is popularly termed,
came into vogue. In France this change had been made in 1564 ;
in Holland, Protestant Germany and Russia in 1700; while
Sweden fell into line in 1753.
The ancient Saxons called January the " Wolf-monat " (Wolf-
month), later changing it tn " Aeftcr-Yule." In many parts of
Germany even now the month is termed " Jesu-monat." I have a
German Kalendar for 1902 lying before me which thus designates
January.
ymbol tor New Years and no doubt it was this
he lines I quote above from Spenser. In modern .
ing a ring in its beak is oft
^ symbol of Christ's circumcisi
^^^^^^ This day is the festival c
f \ Olon, the sixth abbot of Cluni
I • I nal founder of All Souls' D
V y man of strong convictions ;
^^■— -^ live up to them. No better
haps can be given than his a(
ing the severe famine when h
be rich, sacred vessels and ornaments of his churcl
^old crown of St. Henry, which had been present
hat he might by the means thus obtained relieve
\{ his suffering people. The sanctity in which sue
ind should be held by every Christian, would frc
K}int of to-day perhaps justify
heir sacrifice for such an object.
)ut in those early days the
uperstitious reverence in which
hey were held required a man
A rare courage and firm con-
victions of his duty, to take upon
limself so great a responsibility.
)dilo was not only a brilliant
»ulpit orator but no mean poet,
s some of his ooems. still '^v.
ST. ADALARD 51
JANUARY 2d.
St Adalard, whom the Church honours among others on this
day was of a most illustrious birth ; his father being the brother of
King Pepin, and therefore Adalard was cousin-german to the
Emperor Charlemagne, with whom he was a great favourite and
his preferment to high honours only a question of arriving at a
suitable age. But from his earliest youth Adalard had determined
to lead a monastic life and at the age of twenty in 773, of his own
volition, when to most youths the splendour and gaiety of court life
would have been so attractive, he abandoned them and took the
habit and vows of a monastic life at Corbie in Picardy. For a
time later he lived in close retreat at Mount Cassino but returned
to Corbie to become its abbot. Charlemagne, however, had not
lost sight of his kinsman for in 796 we find him among the " King's
Councillors " and the chief minister, and instructor to the young
Prince Pepin at Milan where he (Pepin) died in 810. Later, Char-
lemagne sent him to appear before Leo IIL to discuss an important
clause in the creed " concerning the procession of the Holy Ghost
from the Father and the Son." Charlemagne died January 28, 814,
Lewis le Debonnaire succeeding to the throne. Adalard in some
way had incurred the displeasure of this king and he was banished
to a monastery on the little island ol Heri on the coast of Aquitain.
Here he spent his days in prayer and study until in 823 he was
allowed to resume his Abbacy at Corbie, where he was received
with unfeigned love and gratitude and where, in addition to his
labours among the people and deeds of charity, he built several
hospitals — then greatly needed — and founded the great monastery
of " New Corbie," or Corwey, as it is sometimes called, an imperial
abbey. He also wrote several books. He died on January 2, 847.
JANUARY 3d.
STE. GENEVIEVE.
Sainte Genevieve, who has occupied from the time of her death
to the present day, the distinguished position of Patroness Saint of
the City of Paris, lived in the fifth century when Christianity under
adverse circumstances was contending with paganism for domina-
52 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
lion over the minds of rude and warlike races of men. Credible
facts of this early period are few. obscure, and not easily separated
froni the fictions with which they have been combined.
Sainte Genevieve, or GenovclTa, as it is sometimes written, w
born in the year 432 at Nanterrc, a village about four miles from
Paris. At tlie early age of seven years she was consecrated t
the service of rcliyion by St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, wh
happened to pass through the village and was struck with her
devotional manners. At the age of fifteen years she received the
veil from the hiinris of the Archbishop of Paris, in which city she
« afterwards resided. By strict observance
^^^^L^ of the services of the Church, and by the
^^^^^^ practice of those austerities which were tl
^^^B regarded as the surest tneans of obtaining
the blessedness of a future State, she acqui
^^ _ a reputation for sanctity which gave her
■F considerable influence over the rulers and
W leaders of the people. When the Franks
l^^^l^^^ under Clovis had subdued the city of Paris,
^^^T^^' her solicitations are said to have moved the
^ I conqueror to acts of clemency and gener-
I osity. The miracles ascribed to Ste. Gen-
I evieve must be passed over though they
were numerous and very remarkable. The
dale of her death has been fixed on as Jan-
uary 3. 512, five months after the decease
of King Clovis. She was buried near him in
the Church of St. Peter and St. I'aul, since named the Church of
Ste. Genevieve. The present handsome structure was completed
in 1764. During the revolutionary period it was withdrawn from
the services of religion and named the Pantheon, but has since
been restored to ecclesiastical uses and to its farmer name of
Sainte Genevieve. Details of her life are given in Bollandus's
" Acta Sanctorum," and in Butler's " Lives of the Saints."
The Clog symbol given above is from an English stick.
EVE OF EPIPHANY 53
JANUARY 4th
Is the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The canonical colour for this
day is white.
St. Titus, a disciple of St Paul, is to-day honoured by the Roman
Church the day being named in Martyrology as his " birthday. "
This disciple was an especial favourite of the Apostle Paul, by
whom he was converted. He is many times referred to in St
Paul's Epistles and styled his brother and co-partner in his labours.
That the Apostle trusted him to a high degree is evident from
many sources. He accompanied the Apostle in 51 to the council
held in Jerusalem to consider the Mosaic rites. In 56 Paul sent
Titus from Ephesus to Corinth, to remedy the scandals and allay
the dissensions then disturbing the church there.
It was while on his return from Rome, after his first imprison-
ment that Paul stopped at Crete and ordained Titus as Bishop of
that island. The confidence reposed in Titus by the great Apostle
seems to have been unbounded. Even in 65 when Titus was an
old man Paul sent him to Dalmatia to preach. From here Titus
returned to Crete and died in the ninety-fourth year of his age at
Cardia, a metropolis built by the Saracens and which to-day is
under the control of suffragan Bishops of the Greek Church«
JANUARY 5th
Eve of the Epiphany of Our Lord ; or Twelfth Night
St. Simeon Stylites, the saint honoured by the Church this day is
so named from being the founder of an order of monks or rather
solitary devotees, called pillar-saints. Of all the forms of voluntary
self-torture practised by the early Christians this was one of the
most extraordinary. Simeon was originally a shepherd in Cilicia ;
about the year 408 when only thirteen years of age he entered a
monastery, later taking Holy Orders. From that time his asceti-
cisms and the austerities of his life became notable for their sever-
ity and especially for his almost total abstinence from food or drink
during Lent. Owing to a vision Simeon had in or about the year
425, he determined to make his residence on the top of a pillar
which was at first nine feet high, but was successfully raised to the
54 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
somewhat incredible height of sixty feet {(orty cubits). The diam-
eter of the top of the pillar was only three feet but it was surrounded
by a railing which secured the saint (rom falling off and afforded
him some reUi;f by leaning against it. His clothing consisted
of the skins of beasts and he wore an iron collar round his neck.
lie exhorted the assembled people twice each day
and spent the rest ot his lime in assuming various
piisturcs of devotion. Sometimes he prayed kneel-
erect attitude with his arms
n the form of a cross but his most
that of bending his meagre
o make his head nearly touch his feet.
E observed him make more thatt
reverential bendings without resting,
r he lived on his pillar more than
thirty years and there he died in the year 4^9. His
"emains were removed to Antioch with great solem-
iity. His predictions and the miracles ascribed to
lim are mentioned at large in Theodoretus.
The pillar-saints were never numerous and the
'' propagation of the order was almost exclusively in
the warm climates of the East. Among the names recorded is
that of another Simeon, styled the younger, who is said to have
dwelt sixty years on his pillar,
Twelfth-Day Eve is a rustic festival in England. Persons who
are engaged in rural employments or have heretofore been, are
accustomed to celebrate it : and the purpose appears to be to secttre
a blessing for the fruits of the earth.
stretched
frequeni
A spectator
1.240
I
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD.
This day called Twelfth-Day as being that number after
Christmas is a festival of the Church in commemoration of the
Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles ; more expressly to the
three Magi or Wise Men of the East who came led by a star
THE EPIPHANY
55
to worship Him. immediately after his birth (Matt, ii., i-ia).
The Epiphany appears to have been first observed as a separate
feast in the year 813. Pope Julius I. is reputed to have taught
the Church to distinguish between the Feasts of the Nativity and
E p i p b a n y , about the
middle of the fourth
century. The primitive
Christians celebrated the
Feast of the Nativity for
twelve days observing
the first and last with
great solemnity ; and
both were denominated
Epiphany, the first the
Greater Epiphany, from
our Lord having on that
day become Incarnate, or
made Hb appearance in the adokation of the magi.
•• the flesh " ; the latter. ''f™ ■" Ancknt Embroidery.
the Lesser Epiphany, from the three-fold manifestation of His
Godhead — the first, by the appearance of ihe blazing star which
conducted Melchior, Jasper and Balihuzar. the three Magi or Wise
Men (often styled the three Kings of Cologne), out of the
East, to worship the Messiah, and to offer Him presents of '■ Gold,
Frankincense and Myrrh " — Mclchoir
the Gold in testimony of his royalty as
the promised King of the Jews ; Jasper
the Frankincense in token of his Divin-
ity ; and Balthuzar the Myrrh, in allusion
to the sorrows which, in the humiliating
condition of a man, our Redeemer vouch-
safed to take upon him. Again the
second of this three-fold manifestation
was the descent of the Holy Ghost in the form ot a dove, at the
Baptism ; and the third, of the first miracle of our Lord turning
water into wine at the marriage in Cana. While all of these
three manifestations of the Divine nature happened on the same
day. they did not occur in the same year.
56 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
\
To render due honour to the memory ol the ancient Magi who
are supposed to have been kings, the monarch of Italy, cither
personally or through his chaniberiain, offers annually at the altar
on ihis day Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh ; and the kings of
Spain, where the Feast of Epiphany is likewise called the " Feast
of Kings," were accustomed to make the
like offerings.
The primitive Christians celebrated the
'Feast of the Nativity during a period of
twelve days culminating on Epiphany, The
dove on an olive branch with a star was
often used in early days as a symbol of
Epiphany.
On this day in 1904, Pope Pius X. issued
a decree for the beatificatjoa of Joan of Arc,
-the Maid of Or].:ans." In passing it
should, however, be remembered that the
be^tificatiuii of any one by the Roman
Church is but the first step toward canoniza-
tion and by no means implies that the latter honour will follow.
Kven when this does occur it is granted, in most cases, only after
a lapse of some years.
Nor is this lirst step of the beatification taken except after long
and careful consideration by the prelates of the Church who
have the works in charge. By a long established ecclesiastical
rite of the Church, there are no less than thirteen or fourteen
ceremonies which must be observed in every r
But before the final " Bull of Canonization
remain certain imperative conditions which
must be fulfilled, such as miracles per-
formed by the (prospective) saint in person,
or by his or lier relics after death, each of
which must be proven beyond a possible doubt ; the e
a heroic degree " of all theological and cardinal '
'■ Faith, Hope. Charily, I'rudcnce, Justice and Tempera:
well as the lulfilmenl of many other conditions too r
to be recorded in my brief mention. Then, only, is the Bull issued.
ST. DISTAFF'S DAY 57
When a decree of beatification has been given, the person
thus " beatified " is entitled to the appellation of " Venerable," so
frequently found in these pages.
Thus it happens that many who attain to the first degree of
beatification fail to reach the supreme honour of sainthood.
There are many of these persons who have been thus '* beati-
fied " whose names are yet held in abeyance by the Prelates of the
Roman Church during late years. I have before me the names
of a number of these but refrain from quoting them.
JANUARY 7th.
In the old days in England this day while not a church festival
was widely observed as St. Distaff's Day or •' Rock Day," when
the women were supposed to resume their work. The word rock
from the German " rocken," was applied to the spinning appara-
tus, and the gathering of the women was called a rocking.
" On Fasten's Eve we had a rocking. "
Therefore on not a few old Clog sticks a
rude distaff with the wool upon it marks
the day.
On this day St. Lucian of Antioch is
named . both in the Roman and English
Kalenders. He was born at Samosata in
Syria and was one of the most learned
men of his day. He revised the Old Testa-
ment translations and by comparing the
different editions of the Septuagint and-
correcting the Hebrew text, as he was a
thorough master of that language, produced an edition of the
Scriptures which ranked very high and was especially esteemed
by St. Jerom. For a time he seems to have been separated from
the Catholic communion but later returned to it. He was impris-
oned under the Dioclesian edicts and after being almost starved,
he was offered as an insult dainty meats and food which had
S8 SAI NTS AND FESTIVALS
previously been used in sacrifice to idols. Afier this he suffered
on the rack, later dying in prison from famine or, according to St.
Chrysostom, " by the sword," in 312,
JANUARY 8th.
Another St. Lucian known as " of Beauvais,"io contradistinction
from St. Lucian of Anlioch, is honoured this day in both the
Reformed and Roman churches.
There is a great deal of obscurity about this saint's history ; but
he is believed to have been the companion of St. Denis in his
mission in Gaul and although only a priest his name is among the
first mentioned in the Kalendar of the English church, and from
their martyrology wc learn that he suffered martyrdom at
Beauvais in 290 and by this gained the surname •' of Beauvais."
This day is also the festival of St. Gudula, the patroness saint of
Brussels. She was of noble birth, her mother having been niece to
the eldest of the Pepin who was Maire of the Palace to Dagobert
1. Her father was Count VVitger. She was educated at Nivelle,
under the care of her cousin St. Gertrude, after whose death in
664, she returned to her father's castle and dedicated her life to
the service of religion. She spent her future years in prayer and
abstinence. Her revenues were expended on the poor. She was
most devout and constant in attending upon church service, it
being her custom to attend midnight Mass at the Church of Sl
Morgeil some two miles distant from her father's mansion, going
and returning with no other escort than a female servant, while
she herself carried a lighted lantern, to enable them to find their
path. " Her devoutness," her legend tells us. " had so enraged
the Devil, who was envious of her for the influence her piety gave
her among the people, that he constantly endeavoured to entrap
her." The pathway to the church was somewhat dangerous, and
Satan frequently would by some means extinguish the taper in her
lantern, in hopes she would be misled ; but by her prayers the
taper was always on the instant relighted, and she and her maid
ST. GUDULA 59
went safely on their way. Thus it is that both in art and in the
clog almanac her symbol is a lantern.
She died January 8th, 712 and was buried at Ham, near
Villevord. Her relics were transferred to Brus-
sels in 978 and deposited in the church at St.
Gcry, but in 1047 were removed to the collegiate
church of Michael, since named after her the
Cathedral of St. Gudula. This ancient Gothic
structure commenced in loio still continues to be
one of the architectural ornaments of the city of
Brussels. Her life was written by Hubert of
Brabant not long after the removal of her relics
to the Church of St. Michael.
JANUARY 9th.
St. Fillan or, as he is named in ancient Scottish records, Felan
or Foelan, is famous among the Scottish saints from his piety and
good works. He spent a considerable part of his holy life at a
monastery which he built in Pittenweem of which some remains
of the later buildings yet exist in a habitable condition. It is stated
that while engaged here in transcribing the Scriptures his left
hand sent forth sufficient light to enable him at night to continue
his work without a lamp. For the sake of seclusion he finally
retired to a wild and lonely vale still called from him Strathfillan
in Perthshire, where he died and where his name is still attached
to the ruins of a chapel, to a pool, and a bed of rock.
Mr. Skene, in his Celtic Scotland, gives a number of interesting
details of this saint saying that Fillan was called " an Jobar " (the
leper), that according to the Irish Calendars he was of the " Rath
Evenn in Albarr " (or the Fort of Earn in Scotland), and that the
parish of St. Fillans at the east end of Loch Earn derived its name
from him. And again in speaking of Scotch monasteries refers to
that of Fillan in Strathfillan, where in ancient days there was a
holy pool called St. Fillan 's pool in which insane people were dipped
and healed. Of the crocier of St. Fillan, called the " Quigrich,"
6o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
1
and which it
.aid is ]
V preserved somewhere in Canada — I am
tiot able to learn where — which " is of silver gilt elegantly carved
and with a jewel in front," Mr. Skene gives some interesting details
but too long for quotation here, showing not alone the authenticity
of the relic but how the hereditary privilege of bearing it was pre-
served from the days of King Robert Bruce, and quoting from a
letter of King James in 1487 in regard to "ane relik of Saint
Fulatie called the quigrith » * f • since the tymc of Kyng Robert
the Bruys, and before."
Hector Boece, the never
I lates a miracle '
with St. Fillan. King
k Robert Bruce when going to
* the battle of Bannockburn,
had directed the silver case
J which coiuatned the arm of
m Wi]*nn's " Prr-Hisiocic the saint to l>e brought along
Adoais of Scuiiiiud. ' gg ^ talisman. The chap-
n of the king fc.iring to trust the fortunes of war
L'ed the arm and brought the case only,
which was upon the altar before which the king was
praying to God and St. Fillan for succor. When, at
the king's command, the case wa? opened by the
ch.iplaiii, ■' lo I there lay the arm of the saint in its
customary resting place."
The number of miracles credited to St. Fillan would till a
good sized volume, therefore I must not try to repeat any of them.
His death is supposed to have taken place about 690.
This is also the festival of SS. Julian martyr, and Basilissa his
virgin wife who ended her days in peace. Their story cannot be
better told than to quote verbatim from Rom.in Marlyrology in its
terse completeness. " But Julian after the death by fire of a multi-
tude ol priests and ministers of the Church of Christ, who, driven
by the atrocity of the persecution, had fled to them, was by the
ind of the President Marcian tormented in many ways and
ST. WILLIAM 6i
executed. With him suffered Antony, a priest, and Anastasius,
raised from the dead and made a partaker of the grace of Christ
by Julian ! also Celsus, a boy, and his mother Marciannilla, seven
brothers and many others." This Anastasius and Marciannilla
had been converted by Julian, hence the expression " raised from
the dead." Their martyrdom was in the year 313 and took place
at Antinopolis in Egypt.
JANUARY loth.
Sl William, Archbishop of Bourges, was one of the noted charac-
ters in monastic life during the closing years of the twelfth century
and the first decade of the thirteenth. He was educated by Peter
the Hermit, archdeacon of Soissons, who was his uncle. He took
the habit at the Abbey of Pontigny ultimately becoming its prior.
On the death of Henry de Sully, the Archbishop of Bourges, the
clergy requested his brother, Eudo, Bishop of Paris, to assist them
in selecting some abbot of the Cistercian order for his successor.
The method adopted by the reverend prelate was at least unusual.
Bishop Eudo first wrote three names upon separate slips of paper,
laying them upon the altar. After the prayers were over, closing
his eyes, he turned and drew the first slip his finger touched and
found it to contain the name of William, and by a majority of the
votes of the clergy he was chosen to fill the high office on Novem-
ber 23, 1200.
It was far from William's desire to leave Pontigny and the mon-
asteries affiliated with it, but yielded to what he deemed his duty.
The sanctity of this man's life is told in the following quotation
from Dr. Butler :
" St. William was deemed a model of monastic perfection. The
universal mortification of his senses and passions laid in him the
foundation of an admirable purity of heart and an extraordinary
gift of prayer, in which he received great heavenly lights and tasted
of the sweets which G6d has reserved for those to whom he is pleased
to communicate himself. The sweetness and cheerfulness of his
countenance testified the uninterrupted joy and peace that over-
flowed his soul and made virtue appear with the most engaging
62 SAINTS AND FESTIVA
LS 1
charms in the midst of austerities. • * * He always wore a hair
shirt under his religious habit, and never added or diminished i
anything in his clothes either winter or summer."
JANUARY iilh I
Is ihe Ociave of the Epiphany of Our Lord. The canonical colour J
for Ihis day is white.
This day is kept in memory of Sl Hyginus, who as head of the
Church was placed in the chair of St. Peter after the mart>Tdom
of St. Telesphorus in 139. He filled the high office hardly four
years, dying in 143. In Roman Martyrology he is styled as
"Martyr," but there is no evidence of his having suffered an
untimely or crutl death. Dr. Butler concurs in this, suggesting
that ihe persecutions of Christians in those perilous days was o£
itself mariyrdom.
To-day also is held the feast of St, Theodosius who died in 529
at the age of 104. He was a native of Cappadocia but when a
young man removed to Jerusalem, in the vicinity of which city he
resided during the remainder of his life. He is said to have lived
tor about thirty years as a hermit in a cave but having been joined
by other saintly persons he finally established a monastic com-
munity not far from Bethlehem. He was enabled to erect a suit-
able building to which by degrees he added churches, infirmaries,
and houses for the reception of strangers. The monks of Pales-
tine at that period were called Coenobites ; and Sallusiius, Bishop
of Jerusalem, having appointed Theodosius superintendent of
the monasteries, he received the name of Coenobiarch, He was
banished by the Emperor Anasiasius about the year 513, in conse-
quence of his opposition to the Eutychian heresy but was recalled
by the Emperor Justinus H., surnamed the Ancient, Emperor of
the East (450-537)-
The first lesson which he taught his monks was that the con-
tinual remembrance of death is the foundation of religious perfec-
tion ; to imprint this more deeply on their minds, he caused a great
grave or pit to be dug which might serve for the common burial-
PLOUGH MONDAY 63
place of the whole community, that by the presence of this mem<>-
rial of death and by continually meditating on that object, they
might more perfectly learn to die daily.
Theodosius died January nth, 529.
JANUARY 12th.
In old days in England the first Monday after Twelfth Day
was called " Plough Monday," as like St. Distaff Day it marked
the resumption by the ploughmen and other farm hands of their
usual labours, and in the days when the Roman Church was
dominant prior to the Reformation, the Ploughmen on the
Plough Monday always burned candles at the shrines or before
the images of their own especial saint. The Reformation put out
the lights but not the frolics that followed on Plough Monday
Night, which were maintained in some parts of England even into
the earlier years of the eighteenth century.
This day is the festival of St. Benedict (or Bennet) Biscop, one of
the most remarkable men of his day. A man who was a thinker,
he was far in advance of his day ; for he was one who believed in
educating the common classes and knowing as he did how impos-
sible under existing circumstances it was to educate the masses to
read, sought to teach them — to use his admirable phrase — through
" their visual organs," and for this purpose brought to his church
from Rome the first paintings and bits of sculpture he could
gather to be held up before them that they might carry away some
memory of the scenes these pictures taught of the life of Our
Lord, and His Holy Followers. I wish I had space to devote to
some of his reasons when " brought to book " for his innovation of
all previous customs. They are often epigrammatic but most con-
vincing. ** They have eyes to see," (he says) ** but not minds to
understand God's written teachings." So he told the story of (for
example) the Crucifixion, and then by exhibiting the painting left
on the minds of those simple folk an impression no eloquence of
his could have done, by pointing to the picture. The same was
true of music. It was Bennet Biscop who first put it to practical
use in the service of the Church in England. He was a Northum-
64 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
brian monk but a. man of action ; not a sentimentalist to spend bis
hours in dreaming. Thus he built the two celebrated monasteries
at Weremerith (now Wearmouth) and at Girwy (now Jar
miles distant from Weremouth at a point on the Tyne, The first
was called St. Peter's and the latter St, Paul's. From these f
monasteries his monks went forth, literally scouring the country
and teaching the people.
Lambarde, who seems to have been no admirer of c
architecture or the tine arts, thus speaks of St. Benedict Biscop :
" This man laboured to Rome live several tymes, tor what other
things I find not save only to procure pope-holye privileges
curious ornaments for his monasteries Jarrow and Weremouth ;
lor first he gotte for theise houses, wherein he nourished 600
monks, great liberties ; then brought he them home from Rome
painters, glasiers, free-masons and singers to th' end that his
buildings might so shyne with workmanshipe and his churches SO i
sounde with melodye, that simple souls ravished therewithe should
tanlasie of iheim nothinge but heavenly holynes. In this jolitic
continued theise houses, and others by theire example embraced
the like, till Hinguar and Hubba. the Danish pyrates, A. D. 870,
were raised by God to abate their pride, who not only lyred and
spoyled them, but also almost all the religious houses on the
northeast coast of the island. "
In early life Biscop was one of the higher officers at the court of
Oswi. king of Northumbria, and possessed of much wealth but at
the age of twenty-five he visited Rome and retired from thence to
the monastery of Levins where he took the monastic habit. When
at last he returned to Northumbria, Egfrid, son of Oswi, sat on the
throne and like his father was a true Christian, therefore lent his
old friend much aid when he set about building his new monastery.
But I may not take further space for this interesting man who
passed from his labours on January 12th in 690.
JANUARY 13th
Is the festival of St. Veronica of Milan. Originally, Veronica was
only a poor gir! employed in the fields near Milan, but her parents
ST. VERONICA 65
though poor were good and pious people and the maid had from
infancy been Uught to love and reverence sacred things. Thus it
was that in her early maidenhood her heart was inspired to become
a " rcligicuse," and she was permitted to enter the nunnery of St.
Martha of the Order of St. Austin in Milan where after three years
of preparation she took the habit of St. Martha. Her exemplary
life was such that in due time she became the Superioress of the
nunnery and was looked upon as the model of evangelical perfec-
tion. Indeed so highly was she esteemed that after her death,
which took place in 1497, Pope Leo X. by a bull issued in 1517
permitted her to be honoured in her monastery in the same manner
as if she had been beatified after the usual form.
This name of Veronica brings to mind a very curious legend.
It is stated that the Saviour at his passion had his face wiped with
a handkerchief by a devout female attendant and that the cloth be-
came miraculously impressed with the image of his countenance.
It became Vera Iconica, or a true portrait of those blessed fea-
tures. The handkerchief, being sent to Abgarus, king of Odessa,
passed through a series of adventures but ultimately settled at
Rome where it has been kept for many centuries in St. Peter's
Church, under the highest veneration. There seems even to be a
votive mass, •* de Sancta Veronica seu vultu Domini." the idea be-
ing thus personified after a manner peculiar to the ancient church.
From the term Vera Iconica has come the name Veronica.
This portrait, it is stated in an article in th^ London Art Journal
for 1 86 1, has been traced back to the days of the early Catacombs
in Rome where it is supposed for a time to have been hidden.
Festullian who wrote in A. D. 160, mentions portraits of Christ on
sacramental vessels used by the early Christians.
This is also the feast of St. Kentigern, around whom so much
mystery has ever clustered.
He appears to have flourished throughout the sixth century and
to have died in 601. Through his mother named Thenew, he was
connected with the royal family of the Cumbrian Britons — a rude
state stretching along the west side of the island between Wales
and Argyle. After being educated by Serf at Culross, he returned
66 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
among his own people and planted a small religious escablishment
on the banks of a little stream which falls into the Clyde where
now ihe ciiy of Glasgow stands. Upon a tree beside the clearing
in the forest he hung his bell to summon the savage neighbours U>
worship; and the tree with the bell still figures in the arms of
Glasgow. Thus was the commencement made of what in time
became a seat of population in connection with an episcopal see ;
and by and by, an industrious town ; ultimately what we now see,
a magnificent ciiy with half a million of inhabitants. Keniigem,
though his amiable character procured him the name of Mungo or
[he Beloved, had great troubles from the then king of the Strath-
clyde Britons ; and at one time he had to seek refuge in Wales
where he employed himself to some purpose as he there founded
under the care of a follower, St, Asaph, the religious establishment
of that name, now the seat of an English bishopric,
St, Kentigcrn died at a very advanced age and was buried on
the spot where the cathedral bearing his name now stands in
Glasgow.
JANUARY 14th.
St. Hilary, whom both the Anghcan and Roman churches honour
to-day was born at Poictiers in Gaul and was brought up in pagan-
ism, but became a convert to Christianity, and in the year 354 was
elected Bishop of Poictiers, The first genera! council, held at
Nice (Nic^a) in Bithynia in 325, under the Emperor Constan-
tine, had condemned the doctrine of Arius but had not suppressed
it, and Hilarius about thirty years afterwards, when he had made
himself acquainted with the arguments, became an opponent of
the Arians who were then numerous and were patronized by the
Emperor Constantius. The council of Aries held in 353 had con-
demned Athaoasius and others who were opponents of the Arian
doctrine, and Hilarius in the council of Beiiers held in 356 defended
Athanasius in opposition to Saturninus. Bishop of Aries. He
was in consequence deposed from his bishopric by the Arians,
and banished by Constantius to Phrygia, During his banishment
I
\
FIRST HERMIT 67
of four years he was a prolific writer and his works are still extant
and highly esteemed.
After the death of Constantius in 361 Hilary
was restored to his bishopric, where he died in
368.
The symbol for St. Hilary given here is from
an English Clog stick ; but the Danish sticks
present nothing to mark the day for this saint.
I notice that in both English church books
and American church almanacs the feast of St.
Hilary is set for January 13th, but both Cham-
bers' and Roman Martyrology place the date on
the 14th.
JANUARY 15th
Is the festival of St. Paul, said to be the first hermit of whom
there is mention in church menologies. The account given by
Dr. Butler from which this abridged note is made was compiled
from the biography written by St. Jerom in 365.
Paul was a native of the Lower Thebias in Egypt. When the
bloody persecutions of Decius began in 250, Paul for a time kept
himself concealed in the house of his brother-in-law, but con-
vinced of his relative being about to denounce him in order that
he might succeed to his estates, he fled to the deserts, where he
found shelter in some caverns that in the days of Queen Cleopatra
had been used by money coiners. Here, with a spring of water
to drink from and palm trees which furnished him both food and
raiment, for he clothed himself with garments made from the
palm leaf, he remained in security. Paul's legend tells that he
was twenty-two years old when he fled to the desert and that
for twenty-one years he lived on the fruit he gathered from his
palm tree. After that, however, '* till his death, he was like Elias
of old, miraculously fed with bread brought to him daily by a
raven."
Dr. Butler in his account of this hermit says that when Sl
I
68 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Anthony was ninety years old he made a pilgrimage into the
desert in search of ihis noted hermit and after two days found
him. Then he says: "While they were discoursing together a
raven flew lowards them and dropped a loaf ol bread before thera.
Upon which St. Paul said : ' Our good God has sent us a dinner.
In this manner have I received half a loaf every day these sixty
years past. Now you have come to vi.'^it me, Christ has doubled
His provision for His servants.'" Dr. Butler adds several other
remarkable incidents, among them how Paul foretold his own
death and of his burial by St. Anthony and of the trouble he was
in as to how he should dig the grave for the hermit, ■' While he
stood thus perplexed, two hons came up quietly and as it were,
mourning and tearing up the ground, made a hole large enough to
receive the body." St. Paul died in 343 in tlie 113th year of his
age and the ninetieth of his solitary life, and is credited in all
places, with being ihej!rs( Christian hermit or recluse.
JANUARY i6th.
This day is kept in memory of St. Marcellus, Pofw. He had
been a priest under Pope NTercellinus, after whose death the see
had remained vacant for three and a half years, when, in 308 he
was elected to fill the high office ; though " as God willed it for
only one year and twenty days," as he died on January 16, 310.
Roman Martyrology says he " by command of the tyrant Maxen- '
tins was first beaten with clubs, then sent to take care of criminals
with a guard to watch him." His trials, however, were of short
duration. His body is said to lie in the church which bears his
One of the favourite methods of St. Francis of Assisi — of whom
we shall make mention on October 4th. nnd also of the foundation
of the celebrated Order of the Franciscans, — for the advance-
ment of Christianity was by means of missionary labour. It was
thus that he sent forth the " Five Friar Minors " whose festival is
celebrated in the Roman Church to-day, to preach to the
FIVE FRIAR MINORS 69
Mahometans of the West while he in person went to those of the
East. These five preached first to the Moors in Seville, suffering
many persecutions. Thence they crossed into Morocco but were
quickly banished and compelled to return to Seville. The renewal
of their preaching at once roused the anger of the infidels who
sought to drive them out even as they had been expelled from
Morocco. For persevering in their holy labours, they were
arrested and brought before an infidel judge.
The antagonism and bitter feeling between the infidel Moors and
Christians were intense. Already the impending fate which drove
the Moors in 1238 to found the Kingdom of Granada and which
was to be their last refuge must have been foreseen. Henry I. was
then king, but civil wars were constantly breaking out. Suppressed
in one quarter the Friars arose in another; until in 1238, Ferdi-
nand III. (The Holy) ascended the throne. But while this inter-
esting chapter in Spanish history was being enacted our Five Friar
Minors were in the hands of an infidel judge, beyond the protec-
tion of Henry. These five, Berardus, Peter, Acursius, Adjustus,
and Otto, as they are named in Latin Martyrology, were brave, fear-
less men as Francis must have known them to be when he selected
them for this arduous task. Yet, seemingly, they had hardly
judged the intense hatred of these infidels or they would not have
ventured again into this dangerous region. Be that as it may, for
there are no records to show the motives that induced them to do
as they did, this judge caused them to be scourged, and added
to his cruelty by ordering " boiling oil and vinegar to be poured
into their wounds and then that their bodies should be rolled over
potsherds." Then their legend continues, " the king caused them
to be brought before him and with his own hands with his cimeter
he clove their heads asunder to the middle of their foreheads."
It was not until 1481 that these martyrs were canonized by Pope
Sixtus IV., though at some earlier date (unrecorded), their relics
were ransomed and placed in the monastery of the Holy Cross in
Coimbra.
This festival was fixed for January i6th by Pope Sixtus the day
he issued his bull of canonization.
70
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
JANUARY i7ih
Is the [escival of St. Antony, or Anthony as the nam
written, or again Antonius. He was born at Coma in Upper
Egypt, in 251. His parents were Christians and by them he v
most carefully trained. When about twenty years of age, by hia
parents' death he found himself possessed of a very considerable
estate and the care of a sister. Taking Christ's words to a rich
young man home lo himself, he iotcrpreiEd them literally. Having
first placed his sister " in a house of virgins " (which in passing it
is interesting to note is the_/Erj/ mention made in Church history
of a nunnery) he sold his lands and all his personal effects and
saved what was needful to secure his sister from want or bring a
burden upon any one — he distributed his wealth among the poor
and henceforth led the life of a hermit, and thereby is held i
reverence as " The Patriarch of Monks"; as he seems to have
been the one who introduced this mode of solitary life into Egypt.
The temptations of St. Antony as related in his legends were
almost endless. Satan we are informed first tried by bemuddling
his thoughts to divert him from the design of becoming a monk.
Then he appeared to him in the forms successively, of a handsome
woman and a black boy but without In the least disturbing him.
Angry at the defeat, Satan and a multitude of attendant fiends fell
upon him during the night and he was found in his cell in the
morning lying to all appearances dead. On another occasion these
devils expressed their rage by malcing such a dreadful noise that
the walls of his cell shook. They transformed themselves into
shapes of all sorts of beasts, lions, bears, leopards, bulls, serpents.
asps, scorpions and wolves ; but he overcame them all by his
prayers and holy life.
1 must not. however, attempt to speak of these in detail for they
till a volume. During the persecution under Maximinus about the
year 310 some of the solitaries were seized in the wilderness and
suffered martyrdom at Alexandria whither Antonius accompained
them, but he was not subjected to punishment. After his return
he retired farther into the desert but went on one occasion to
Alexander in order to preach against the Arians.
The two monastic orders of St. Anthony originated long after
ST. PETER'S CHAIR 71
the time of the saint — one in Dauphine, in the eleventh century ;
and the other, a military order in Hainault in the fourteenth century.
In Dauphine the people were cured of the erysipelas by the aid, as
they thought, of St. Anthony ; and the disease from this fact was
afterward called St. Anthony's Fire.
It is scarcely necessary to remark that St. Anthony is one of the
most notable of all the saints in the Romish Kalendar. One can-
not travel anywhere in Europe at the present day and particularly
in Italy, without finding in churches, monasteries and familiar con-
versation of the people, abundant memorials of this early Egyptian
anchorite. Even in Scotland, at Leith, a street reveals by its name
where a monastery of St. Anthony once stood ; while, on the hill
of Arthur's Seat overhanging Edinburgh, we still see a fragment
of a small church that had been dedicated to him, and a fountain
called St. Anton's Well.
St. Anthony reached an extreme old age, dying when one hun-
dred and five years old in 356, in semi-solitude attended only by
two of his disciples, Macarius and Amathas, who had for fifteen
years remained by him to watch over his needs in his old age.
The Saturday before the second Sunday after Epiphany is one
of the " Movable Feasts " of the Roman Church, the " Feast of
the Holy Name of Jesus."
JANUARY 1 8th.
ST. PETER'S CHAIR.
This day at St. Peter's Church in Rome is held a festival with
offices and services of an especial character entitled as above. Of
this feast Dr. Butler tells us that it is well evidenced to be of
great antiquity, being adverted to in a martyrology copied in the
time of St. Willibrod in 720. "Christians," he says, "justly
celebrate the founding of this mother church, the centre of
Catholic communion, in thanksgiving to God for his mercies on his
church and to implore his future blessing. " The celebration takes
place in St. Peter's Church under circumstances of the greatest
solemnity and splendour.
72 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
1
This tuiigioni (function) is not only one of unusual magnificence
tor even this grand old church, which beyond a doubt has been
the scene of a greater number of the most splendid ecclesiastic a I
displays ihan any other one building now standing in the wliole
world, but the function itself is also one of great solemnity as
befits the occasion.
This chair of the first pope of the churcli is said to be still pre-
served in the Church of St. Peter's at Rome, M
: also the festival of St. Prisca, a virgin martyr under "
Claudius, of whom little is really known. According
to her legend she was a Roman virgin of illustrious
birth, who, at the age of thirteen was exposed
in the amphitheatre because she had confessed she a
was a Christian. A fierce lion was let loose upon — ^
her but her youth and innocence disarmed the fury
'if the savage be.iht which, instead of tearing her
to pieces, humbly lit^ked her feel, to the great con-
solation of Christians and the confusion of the
idolatoi-s. Being led back to prison she was there
beheaded. Sometimes she is represented with
a lion, sometimes with an eagle, because it is
related that an eagle watched by her body till
it was laid in the grave, for thus, says the story,
was virgin-innocence honoured by kingly bird as
well as by kingly beast. A church bearing St.
'wincfi'esier" IVisca's name was built by Pope Eutychianus in
Caihedrai, z8o in Rome and is still standing. According to
an old tradition this church stands on the site of the house of
Aquila and Priscilla where St. Peter lodged when at Rome and
who are the same mentioned by St. Paul as tent-makers, while
here is also shown the font from wliicfi, according to the same
tradition, St. I'nier baptised the first Roman converts to Chris-
St. Prisca's is one of the names that were retained in the
Kalendar of the Reformed Church after its division from the
Church of Rome, and the day of her festival coincides with that of
S, PRISCA.
ST.WULSTAN 73
the Romans. The Clog symbol for this saint is the palm branch
of martyrdom.
Another of the names this day honoured is St. Deicolus or St.
Deel, an Irish priest who spent his best days in
France and whose memory is preserved in
Franche-comte where his name Deel is still
frequently given in baptism. He appears to
have been one of a group of missionaries who
in an early but unfortunately unknown period
went to Egypt to propagate the faith and be-
came martyrs.
JANUARY 19th
Is given to St. Wulstan who was the last saint of the Anglo-
Saxon church and is the connecting link between the old English
church and hierarchy and the Norman. He was a monk indeed
and an ascetic ; still his vocation lay not in the school or cloister
but among the people of the market-place and the village, and
he rather dwelt on the great broad truths of the gospel than
followed them to their dogmatic results. Though a thane's son,
a series of unexpected circumstances brought him into the relig-
ious profession and he became prior of a monastery at Worcester.
Born at Long Itchington in Warwickshire, he was educated at
the monasteries of Eversham and Peterborough, the latter one of
the richest houses and the most famous schools in England.
Wulstan was one of those blunt outspoken men so easy of
access and frank in his conservatism that it made him the idol of
the common people though he had little respect for titles and
rebuked the high in state as he did his own parishioners. In 1062
two Roman cardinals came to Worcester with Aldred, the late
bishop, but who was then Archbishop of York. They spent the
whole of Lent at the cathedral monastery where Wulstan was
prior, and they were so impressed with his austere and hard work-
ing way of life, that partly by their recommendation, as well as
the popular voice at Worcester, Wulstan was elected to the\vacant
bishopric.
1
74 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
It was this prelate who stuck his staff into the tomb of the
Confessor which none could remove until they acknowledged
Wulstan's sanctity. Anti-slavery men of the old days should have
especial reverence for Wulstan, (or he was a brave antagonist
against the slave trade, which in his day did such a thriving busi-
ness out from Bristol with the merchants of Ireland, He died on
the igih of January, 1095, in the eighty-seventh year of his age and
the thirty-third of his episcopate. Contrary to the usual custom,
the body was laid out, arranged in the episcopal vestments and
crosier, before the high altar, that the people of Worcester might
look once more on their good bishop. His sione cofTm is, to this
day, shown in the presbytery of the cathedra!, the crypt and cajly
Norman portions of which were the work of Wulstan.
In this cathedral there is boih a statue of St. Wulstan and Cbe
monument of King John. This last is only remarkable from the
fact that it is the oldest royal monument now standing in England.
JANUARY 20th.
St. Fabian, Bishop of Rome, whom the
Church honours on this day, is yet another in
that notable list whose names were retained
in the Kalendar of the Reformed Church
when the division came, and who still holds
its place in the Kalendar of the English as
it also dues in the Roman Church. His
election to succeed Pope Anterus in 236 as
told by Eusebius is at least somewhat re-
markable. He was a stranger to most of
those who had assembled to take a part in
the election, when a dove entered the room
. through an open window. Circling the
apartment it hovered over the audience for
" _.„ . j^ a moment and then alighted on the head of
ni Bodieim MS. Fabian, who until then had not been consid-
LituFK. jBj. gj-jj 35 a contestant for the honoured
on, as he was but a layman. This omen was regarded by all
niraculous sign and he was at once chosen. He tilled the
ST.AGNES'EVE 75
pontifical chair during a period of sixteen years, his most notable
act being the sending of Dionysius and other preachers into Gaul
as missionaries, and the condemnation of Privatus, who had
broached a new heresy in Africa. Under the persecution of
Decius» Fabian suffered martyrdom by being beheaded. He is
therefore represented as kneeling at the block wearing the triple
crown. Often he carries a book and sword, or palm branch, but
usually as in our illustration wears the triple crown and bears a
cross.
This day too is sacred to St. Sebastian, a noble Roman soldier
and the Commander of the First Cohort. His story is a most
interesting one but unfortunately too long for repetition here and
must be summed up in the brief words of the Roman Martyrology :
** For professing Christianity he was tried in the middle of the
camp, shot with arrows, and lastly struck with clubs until he
expired." This noble man is also honoured in the Kalendar of the
English church. His martyrdom took place in 288.
ST. AGNES' EVE.
In the olden days in England when superstitious rites were
common, there was no festival more strictly observed by a certain
class than St. Agnes' Eve; and if reports are true, even now
these customs are not obsolete, by which a maid through divina-
tion learned who her future spouse would be. Few of us who
ever read Keats* poem " The Eve of St. Agnes," will forget it :
" They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve.
Young virgins might have visions of delight.
And soft adorings from their loves receive
Upon the honey d middle of the night.
If ceremonies due they did aright ;
As, supperless to bed they must retire.
And couch supine their beauties lily white ;
Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require
Of heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire."
76 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
JANUARY list.
1
The legend of St Agnes is not only the oldest, but il
most authentic uf all the stories lold of the early saints and mar-
tyrs of the Christian Church. She was one of the four " Great Vir-
gins " of the Latin Church, and her story has been sung by poets
In every age and tongue, told from the pulpits in every land, in
homilies from the lips of venerable and venerated men, until it
seems almost like a household word. Even as early as during the
IV. century wheri St. Jerom wrote of her he speaks of others who
had already told her story. " So ancient," says Mrs, Jameson ^
" \s the worship paid to St. Agnes, that next to the Evangelists fl
and Apostles there is no saint whose effigy is older." *
To abridge the legend of Si. Agnes b
to rob it of its chief beauties but my readers
may find it in Mrs. Jameson's " Lcjjendary
and Sacred An " very fully told though even
(here somewhat cut. S. Baring-Gould in
his ■' Virgin Saints and Martyrs," also tells
the famous story more fully,
Agnes was a maid of but thirteen years
yet already a devoted disciple of Christ.
when her transcendent beauty of person and
the great wealth she was dowered with
Hllratted the son of the prefect of Rome
. and he fell violently in love. But Agnes
J\ repulsed his cosily gifts and told him she
the "Brideof Christ." Whereupon the
young man fell sick as he confessed " tor
From painicd gUii. love," and the lather tried his persuasive
powers and bribes upon the maiden without effect, then threats,
later imprisonment and torments, such as the decrees of Dioclesian
permitted against Christians,
" As neither temptation nor the fear of death could prevail
with Agnes, Sempronius thought of other means to vanquish her
; he ordered her to be carried by force to a place of
ST. VINCENT ^^
infamy and exposed to the most degrading outrages. The soldiers
who dragged her thither stripped her of her garments and when
she saw herself thus exposed she bent down her head in meek
shame and prayed ; immediately her hair which was already long
and abundant became like a veil covering her whole person from
head to foot ; and those who looked upon her were seized with
awe and fear as of something sacred and dared not lift their eyes."
So they shut her within a chamber, and there as she prayed an
angel bearing a white robe appeared and clothed her. At the last
the prefect ordered her to be burned, and when she had been
thrown on the pile of fagots they were at once extinguished
around her but their heat caused the two soldiers who guarded her
to fall dead.
In his anger the prefect ordered her to be stabbed to death and
a soldier thus put an end to her trials by mounting the pile of
fagots and thrusting her through with a sword. St. Agnes is
usually represented in art with a lamb at her feet, possibly from
the significance of her name and her spotless purity. She often
bears a palm branch and at times a sword is piercing her throat.
Her martyrdom occurred in 304. Two churches are dedicated to
her in Rome.
JANUARY 22d.
The legend of St. Vincent whose festival occurs this day has, to
use Mrs. Jameson's quaint expression, been so '' extravagantly
embroidered " that one finds difficulty in selecting truth from fic-
tion. He was born in Saragossa in Aragon, a city Prudentius
says in his famous hymn which had produced more saints and mar-
tyrs than any city in Spain. Dr. Butler says it was *' most proba-
bly at Osca (now Huesca), in Grenada," where he was educated.
The interim until we find Vincent in the clutches of the pro-
consul, Dacian, infamous even in Spanish annals of cruelty, is so
vague I omit it. He then was not more than twenty years of age,
but an ordained deacon. When brought before Dacian he defied
the tortures threatened him. What follows is but the repetition
of the story so often told of torments such as one would think
78 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
only a devil could invent. His body was lacerated by iron hooks.
later half broiled over a spiked gridiron from which the Clog
Almanacs lake the symbol that marks St. Vincent Day. When
these torments were ended, he was turned ''lorn, bleeding and
half consumed by fire," into a cell " strewn with potsherds for him
to lie upon." But even then his jailor saw his dungeon filled with
heavenly light and heard the a.ngel attending him singing songs of
triumph. Then Dacian changed his tactics, perfidious as he ever
was, gave him a bed of down and allowed his friends to minister
to his comfort hoping so to restore him that he might be subjected
to further torments, but the martyr had already
endured all his human body could and he died
. almost immediately. So furious was Dacian
, at this that he ordered the body to be thrown
, out for the wild beasts to devour; but the
ravens drove the wolves away. Then the
-consul ordered the body of the sainl to be
■n in an oxhide, as was done to parricides.
I cast into the sea, but when the minions
who performed the task returned to the shore,
the body of the saint lay on the beach where
it was left until the waves covered it with
sand. This resting place was miraculously revealed many years
later and the relics received Christian burial at Valencia, Not,
however, to rest in peace, for the Moors carried his relics away.
I may not lake space to follow their wanderings until these sacred
relics found rest in Lisbon. Spanish legends make St. Vincent
and St, Laurence brothers but there seems no just grounds to
believe this is true.
St. Vincent is also one of those whose names were retained by
the Reformed Church and still holds a place in the Kalendar of
the Church of England.
St. Raymund, who is remembered this day, is another Spanish
saint of the order of St. Dominic, who by his wonderful e.
ST. TIMOTHY 79
restored many of his countrymen who had been led astray by the
Moors, to Christianity. He toward the end of his life accompanied
King James of Aragon to the island of Majorca, where he con-
verted many pagans. It was now that the immoral life of the
king so affected him he wished to return to Spain, but the king
forbid him and ordered severe penalties for any who aided him in
his efforts to do so. Therefore he walked boldly to the waters,
spread his cloak upon them, tied one corner of it to a staff for a
sail and having made the sign of the cross, stepped upon the cloak
without fear whilst his timorous companion stood trembling and
wondering on the shore. On this new kind of vessel the saint was
wafted with such rapidity that in six hours he reached the harbour
of Barcelona, sixty leagues distant from Majorca, Those who
saw him arrive in this manner met him with acclamations. But he,
gathering up his cloak which was perfectly dry, put it on, strode
through the crowd and entered his monastery.
The above is condensed from the bull of his canonization pub-
lished by Clement VIII. in 1 60 1. His office was fixed by Clement
X. for January 23d. He died in 1275.
JANUARY 24th
Is sacred to St. Timothy, a disciple of St. Paul. When in 51 Paul
was preaching in Iconium and Lystra, he heard such accounts of
Timothy that he took the young man for his companion and he
accompanied him into Philippi and elsewhere — and in 64 Paul
made him Bishop of Ephesus with a general supervision over the
churches in Asia.
From an account ascribed to Polycrates. Bishop of Ephesus,
who died in 196, it is said that : " Under the Emperor Ncrva, in
the year 97 * » ♦ Timothy was slain with stones and clubs
by the heathen while he was endeavouring to oppose their idola-
trous ceremonies on one of their festivals called ' Catagogia,'
kept on the 22d of January when the idolators called in troops
carrying in one hand an idol and in the other a club."
From another source it is said that the relics of St. Timothy
So SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
were translated in the year 356 from their resting place in Epbestis
to Constantinople.
JANUARY ijth.
The festival of the Apostle Paul celebrated to-day is not co
memorated by either the Roman or Protestant branches of the
Chrihtjan Church, as is customary at the date of the birth, death
or martyrdom of the saints honoured in their Kalendar ; but upon
what the Apusile regarded as the most momentous day of his life,
his conversion. In like manner the Holy Fathers, in their grati-
tude for so miraculous and important an instance of the Divine
power as well as m recognition of the influence this wonderful
event had in ihc establishment of the Christian Church, instituted
the Feast of St. Paul. There was also another and potent reason '
that mintil ihtiii to this act, that in St. Paul the wcrld has " a per-
fect model of true conversion " to which the celebration of this
feast will always bring to their attention.
Just when the feast first originated or by whom it was first cele-
brated is not perfectly clear. Dr. Butler says ; " We find mention
of it in the Kalendar and Missals of the Vill, and IX. centuries,
and also that Pope Innocent HI. (1198-1216) commanded it to be
observed with solemnity." Mention is made of it as being "a
solemn festival iiulie records of the Council of Oxford held in 1221
during the reign of Henry 111., but so far as the English church
chronicles show, it had no official recognition until the Diocesan
Synod held at Exeter in 1827 when this feast («'ith several others)
was prescribed and duly ordered to be observed. It had, however,
prior to this been long observed by all the churches of the West.
It \i'ou!d be a work of supererogation to recount here the life
and work of St. Paul, while the story of his martyrdom will be told
on June 29.
The legend that St. Paul visited England has been a hotly con-
tested question among English divines of many faiths ; but thai he
has ever been regarded by Londoners with an especial reverence
needs no better evidence than that they have dedicated to him
their grandest cathedral and that the Sword of St. Paul holds its
KING JAMES BIBLE
8i
place in the dexter quarter of the City Arms, just as the Red
Cross refers to St. George, the patron saint of England. The Clog
symbol given here is taken from an English stick but I have to
confess my inability to make out its import.
As it is with the Saint Day of most of the
noted saints in the Kalendar endless supersti-
tions clustered about St. Paul's Day. One
must suffice, a translation of a French belief,
though written in old Monkish Latin :
" If St. Paul's day be fair and clear.
It does betide a happy year;
But if it chance to snow or rain.
Then will be dear all kind of grain ;
If clouds or mists do dark the skie.
Great store of birds and beasts shall die ;
And if the winds do flie aloft,
Then war shall vexe the kingdoms oft."
In passing it may not be out of place to say that in 1604, on this
day the Hampton Court Conference put forth what is now called
the "King James Bible " as an "Authorized version of the Bible,"
just then translated into English.
JANUARY 26th.
St. Polycarp, who is remembered this day, was one of the
earliest " Fathers of the Church " and was a disciple of St. John
the Evangelist. He became Bishop of Smyrna before the
persecution of Christians which took place in the reign of Marcus
Aurelius when Statins Quadratus was pro-consul of Asia. Having
incurred the enmity of the infidels, Polycarp was condemned to be
burned at the stake. When the fire was lighted his legend tells,
" the flames formed themselves into an arch over his head
encircling his body but leaving him unharmed. When it was
seen that Polycarp was thus miraculously preserved from burning
a spearman was ordered to pierce him through his heart which
be did, and such a quantity of blood issued from his body that it
82 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
quenched the fire." Bui their end had been obtained for the
story continues : '■ At 2 o'clock in the afternoon which these
infidels call the eighth hour St. Polycarp received bis crown."
They also after his death burned his body to ashes. There are
two dates given as to when this took place, Tillemont placing it in
166 and Basnage in 169. He was according to the best authori^
lies 120 years old when he suffered and according to his own
writing had " served Christ for eighty-six years."
St. Conon another saint honoured this day was a Scotchman
and for some lime Bishop of Man. His name wili long be
remembered in the Highlands it tor no other reason than the
celebrated and still frequently quoted Highland proverb : " Claw
for claw, as Conon said to Satan ; and the devil take the shortest
JANUARY Z7th
Is the festival of St. John Chrysostom or Chrysostomus as some
writers make it ; a man whose wise words and writings arc per-
haps more often quoted than those of any of the early fathers,
by Christians of every shade of faith — unless it be the words of
St. Jerom.
St. John Chrysostomus is also one of the most celebrated
fathers of the Eastern, or Greek church. He was born about the
year 347 at Antioch. His father was commander of the imperial
army in Syria. He was educated for the bar but became a con-
vert to Christianity and as the solitary manner of living then
being held in great esteem and very prevalent in Syria, he re-
tired to a mountain not tar from Antioch where he lived some
years in solitude practising the usual austerities. He returned to
the city in 381 and was ordained by Meletius, Bishop of Antioch,
to the office of deacon and to that of presbyter in 386. He became
one of the most popular preachers of the age: his reputation
extending throughout the Christian world ; and in 398 on the
death of Nectarius he was elected Bishop of Constantinople. He
was zealous and resolute in the reform of clerical abuses and two
ST. CYRIL 83
years after his consecration, on his visitation in Asia Minor, he
deposed no less than thirteen bishops of Lydia and Phrygia. His
denunciations of the licentious manners of the court drew upon
him the resentment of the Empress Eudoxia who encouraged
Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, to summon a synod at
Chalcedon at which a number of accusations were brought
against Chrysostom. He was condemned, deposed and banished
to Cucusus, a place in the mountain range of Taurus whence
after the death of the empress it was determined to remove him to
a desert place on the Euxine. He travelled on foot and caught a
fever which occasioned his death at Camana in Pontus, September
14, 407, at the age of 60, but his festival is kept on the (]ay of his
burial by the Latin Church, the Greeks honouring him on Novem-
ber 13th.
The works of Chrysostom are very numerous consisting of 700
homilies and 242 epistles as well as commentaries, orations and
treatises on points of doctrine. His life has been written by
Socrates, Sozomen, Theodoret and other early writers and by
Neander in more recent times.
The name Chrysostomus or golden-mouthed, on account of his
eloquence, was not given to him until some years after his death.
Socrates and the other early writers simply call him John, or John
of Constantinople.
JANUARY 28th.
St. Cyril, or Cyrillus whom the Church honours this day was the
nephew of Theophilus who caused St. Chrysostom to be banished.
Upon the death of Theophilus St. Cyril was elected to succeed
him as Patriarch of Constantinople. In a later article I will have
occasion to refer to Kingsley's celebrated novel, — ** Hypatia,"
where the author refers to the life of St. Cyril. The story of the
murder of Hypatia, the daughter of the mathematician Theon of
Alexandria, has been related by Socrates, Nicephorus, and other
ecclesiastical historians. Hypatia was a lady of such extraordinary
ability and learning as to have been chosen to preside over the
school of platonic philosophy in Alexandria, and her lectures were
I
84 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
attended by 3 crowd of students from Greece and Asia Minor.
She was also greatly esteemed and treated with much respect by
Orestes, the governor of Alexandria, who was a decided opponent
of the patriarch. Hence the malice ot Cyril who is related to have
excited a mob of fanatical monks to assault her in the street who
dragged her into a church, and there murdered her, actually tearing
her body to pieces.
Of St. Cyril's controversy with Nestorius — a monk and priest
of Antioch. who was trade Bishop ot Constantinople in 428 — as
to whether Mary was entitled to be termed " the Mother ot God,"
curious and interesting as it is I have not space to enter save to
speak of the strange result when Pope Celestine deposed Nestorius
and Cyril was called on to execute judgment and summoned a
council of sixty at Ephesus and John, Patriarch of Antioch. sum-
moned a counter-council of forty at Antioch who in turn excom-
municated CjTil ; whereupon the Emperor Theodosius committed
both the patriarch and bishop to prison where Cyril remained until
through the efforts of Pope Celestine he was in 431 liberated and
returned to bis see, which he filled until his death in 444.
JANUARY zgth
Is the festival of the noted St. Francis ot Sales. We not infre-
quently hear expressions of surprise at the seeming ease with which
the Roman Church regained the influence it had lost in Europe
through the Reformation. When, however, we read the story ot
such a remarkable man as St. Francis the mystery is at once dis-
pelled. The son of pious parents Francis, Count of Sales, had
every possible educational advantage as a child at Rocheville and
Annecy, later in Paris and afterward in Padua where he went in
1554 to study law under the celebrated preceptor Guy Pancerola.
While he was a ■' past master " in all the polite accomplishments
of his day, could ride, dance and hold his own even against experts
in the use of the foils, these had not hindered him in the study ot
the Greek and Hebrew of which he was a perfect master and at
Padua he won his degree of doctor of law with the greatest possi-
ble eclat. The story of his life has been too often told to need
ST. GILDAS THE WISE 85
repetition of how he cast fame and fortune behind him for the love
of Christ, and was named to the provostship of a church in Geneva
where his sermons were of a character to excite even the admira-
tion of modern clerics of every class. But what chiefly won for
him the affection of every one who came under his influence was
his personal purity and humility. So potent was this that it is said
that through his efforts no less than 70,000 Genevese Calvin ists
were brought back into the communion of the Roman Church.
Afterward, in 1 594 Francis with a cousin undertook a mission to
Chablais on the shores of Lake Geneva where the Catholic religion
was already extinct, but within four years he had gained such a
power over the hearts of the people that the Protestant form of
worship was interdicted by the State. His writings breathe only
of divine love and there are extant 520 of these epistles while his
" Introduction to a Devout Life " is a model work which cannot
be too highly praised and is recognized by many devout clerics of
other than the Roman faith. Pope Paul V. erected the Congrega-
tion of the Visitation (the Order founded by Francis of Sales) into
a religious order. He died at Avignon in 1622. He was canonized
in 1665 by Alexander VIL and his feast fixed for January 29th.
This day is also the festival of St. Gildas.
According to his legend he was the son of Can, King of the
Britons, of Alclyde (Dumbarton) one of twenty-four brothers who
with their father were always at war with King Arthur. But Gil-
das having shown a disposition for learning was sent to the school
of the Welsh saint Iltutus. He afterwards went to study in Gaul
whence he returned to Britain and set up a school of his own in
South Wales. Subsequently at the invitation of St. Bridget he
visited Ireland where he remained a long time and founded several
monasteries. He returned to England bringing with him a won-
derful bell which he was carrying to the pope ; and after having
been reconciled with King Arthur who had killed his eldest
brother in battle, he proceeded on his journey to Rome.
After his return from Rome he was for a time a hermit in the
fastnesses of Wales but later settled in Glastonbury where he
died about 570 it is said, though this date is very uncertain.
1
86 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
There were two St. Gildas, both of whom arc named c
day. Roman Martyrology gives to one the title of Gildas Badon-
icus or the Historian, because of the tracts atlributed to him. It
says that he was born in the year when King Arthur defeated the
Saxons in the battle of Mount Badon in Somersetshire ; the other
they call Gildas [he Albanian or Scot, supposing that he was the
one who was bom at Alclyde. The first has also been called Gil-
das the Wise, The Gildas spoken of above is known as the author
or supposed author, of a book entitled " De Excidio Britanniae."
consisting of a short and barren historical sketch of the struggle
between the Uritons and the Picis and Saxons.
JANUARY 30th.
St. iiaihild.is or Baldechilde and metamorphosed in French into
Bauteur, whose name is to-day honoured by the Church, presents
yet another of those romantic stories which we constantly meet
in conning the lives of the saints. An English girl by birth she
was taken to France and sold as a slave to one Erchinoald, the
" Mayor of the palace of Clovis II." when he was a boy. As she
matured into womanhood, her beauty and worth attracted the
King's attention and in 649 he married her. It is a "far cry"
from being a slave, lo the throne of France and not without many
Striking incidents if I had time to tell them.
Bathildas was the mother of three Kings of France, Clotai re I!!.,
Childeric II., and Thierry I., all reigning in the above successive
order. The death of Clovis 11. in 655 when Cloiaire was but live
years old made her Regent of the kingdom and her power was
used with such rare judgment; and the encouragement she gave
to the prelates of the Church so great and her own charities so
numerous though so unostentatiously bestowed, that her name
became a synonym throughout her territory for all that was noble
and good. In 665 she resigned her Regency but in those ten years
of flower she had left many lasting evidences of her devotion to
the Church and Christianity. Then she retired to the Royal Nun-
nery of Chelles founded by St. Clolildes and of which I shall soon
speak, and here she died in 6S0 on January 30th leaving a name
KING CHARLES 87
which even after these long centuries is held in loving reverence
in France.
In the English church this day is kept sacred to the memory of
King Charles The Martyr. The only name thus honoured of
post-Reformation date in the English church*
FEBRUARY
Then came old February, sitting
In an old Wagon. Cor he could not ride,
Drawn of two fishes tor the season fiitine,
Which through the Bood before did softly slid
And swim away; yei had he by his side
His plough and harness fit to till tbe ground.
— Spemer.
When Numa Pompilius revised the Koman Kalcndar which
increased the number of months into which the year was divided
from ten lo twelve, he named those he then added Januarius and
Februarc. The last signilies " to expiate or lo purify." Numa
also gave this month twenty-nine days except in " leap-years "
when it was to have twenty-eight. But when Augustus to honour
his own month increased the days of August to thirty-one he took
the day from Februare leaving that month in ordinary years but
twenty-eight days.
Among the Saxons this month was known as " Sproutkale," and
later, as the " Sol-monat/' while in early days in England it was
called " February fill-dyke " as the mehing snows tilled and over-
flowed the dykes and rivers.
Brady, the noted antiquarian, says : "The common emblemati-
cal representation of February is a man in a sky-coloured dress
bearing in his hand the astronomical sign Pices." This, doubt-
less, Spenser had in mind when he wrote the lines quoted above.
FEBRUARY ist.
St. Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioeh and Martyr, whose name
heads the list of saints the Church honours on this day, occupies
a most important place in the history of Christianity from his hav-
ing been a disciple and the immediate successor of the Apostles.
ST. BRIDGET 89
For forty years he filled the important position of Bishop of
Antioch ; and Christians of every sect and creed unite in testify-
ing to his virtue and pious zeal and his life presents a perfect
model of all that goes to make up a true Christian.
In the ninth year of Trajan's reign (107) the emperor set out
for the Blast on an expedition against the Parthians and made k
triumphal entry into Antioch on January 7th, and his first order
thereafter was for a sacrifice to the gods. Already many Chris-
tians had suffered by his orders in and near Antioch. It was
therefore only what was to be expected that the refusal of any for
this especial sacrifice should suffer. Ignatius' refusal and con-
demnation to be sent to Rome to be devoured by wild beasts in
the ampitheatre is a long but not uncommon story ; save that his
journey was a continued series of ovations by the Christians in
every city through which the noble man and his guard of Roman
soldiers passed and that not a few of these loyal Christians later
paid severe penalties for their enthusiam. The journey was a
long and tedious one, not a small part of it being made on foot
which of itself, for a man of his age, was a severe trial but borne
with true Christian fortitude and without complaint.
It was therefore not until December 20th of the same year (107)
the party arrived in Rome and their victim was at once on reach-
ing the city given to the lions in the Ampitheatre to be devoured.
After that, devout brethren gathered up his bones and St. Chrysos-
tom is authority for saying that the casket in which they were
placed was ** carried in triumph through all the cities from Rome
to Antioch." The Greeks keep the feast of St. Ignatius on De-
cember 20th but the Latin Church have always held it upon this
first day of February.
This day is also the festival of St. Bridget who next to St.
Patrick is the one saint above all others dear to the Irish heart.
She was the daughter of a prince in Ulster and was born at
Fochard. She received the veil from the hands of St. Mel, a
nephew of St. Patrick, and has ever been reverenced as the
"Mother of Nunneries" in Ireland. She built her first cell
under a large oak which had perhaps been the site of pagan
:end.
MM
—M
tland. H
ride's ■
90 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
worship in earlier times antj from whence it was named Kil-dara
or the cell of the oak. Round this first Irish nunnery eventually
arose the city of Kildare. The date at which St. Bridget founded
her cell is said to have been about the year 585. An almost end-
less number of miracles arc credited to her. She died ii
was buried at DownpaCrick. in the church in which it is said 1
the bodies of SS. Patrick and Columba.
St. Bridget — or as in these countries she is called St, Bride -
almost if not equally reverenced in both England and Scotland. J
In London adjoining St, Bride's Churchyard, Fleet street, i
ancient well dedicated to the saint and commonly called Bride's
well. A palace erected near by took the name of Bridewell,
This being given by Edward VI, to the city of London as a
workhouse lor the poor and a house of correction, the name
became associated in the popular mind with houses having the J
same purpose in view. Hence it has arisen that the pure and
inoocent Bridget — the first of Irish nuns — is now inextricably
connected in ordinary English parlance with a class of beings of
the most opposite description.
FEBRUARY 2d.
From a very early, indeed wholly unknown, date in the Chris-
tian history the 3d of February has been held as the festival of
the Purification of the Virgin, and it is still a holiday of the
Church of England, as well as a holy feast of the Latin Church.
From the coincidence of the time being the same as that of the
Februation or purification of the people in pagan Rome some
consider this was a Christian festival engrafted upon a heathen
one in order to take advantage of the established habits of [he
people : but the Idea is at least open to a good deal of doubt.
The popular name Candlemas is derived from the ceremony which
the Church of Rome dictates to be observed on this day ; namely,
a blessing of candles by the clergy and a distribution of them
CANDLEMAS DAY
9»
amongst the people by whom they are afterwards carried lighted
ID solemn procession. Id the Protestant churches this ceremony
did not obtain after the Reformation but especial services have
always been held in honour of the occasion and are part of the
regular ritual of the English church. Down to the end of the
XVIII. century in many of the churches in England candles were
burned on this day.
At Rome the Pope every year officiates at this festival in the
beautiful chapel of the Quirinat.
When he has blessed the candles
he distributes them with his own
hand amongst those in the church
each of whom going singly up to
bira, kneels to receive it. The car-
dinals go first ; then follow the
bishops, canons, priors, abbots,
priests, etc., down to the sacris-
tans and meanest officers of the
church. This candle-bearing has a
deeper significance than appears at
first as it is intended to refer to
what Simeon said when he took
the infant Jesus in his arms, and
declared that He was " The light
to lighten the Gentiles."
In passing I must allude to a
strange custom which prevailed in
England in early days and which
came from the custom of carrying candles at the Purification of
the Virgin ceremonials, which led every woman after child-birth
to carry candles with her, occasionally lighting them until her own
day for " churching."
What in the old days superstition demanded fashion, now the
greater power, commands chat the holly used for decorations both
in church and house should be taken down on Candlemas Eve
or misfortune will come on parish or people. In taking down
holly in some parts of England it is thought unlucky to prick the
THE PURIFICATION.
PiialiOK on Will, S. Slephco't
Cbapel, WolmiDiLcr.
92 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
finger if the blood comes, but if a leaf sticks to dress or coat it
good omen. In old days a branch of holly picked on Christmas I
Eve wa5 regarded as efTicacJous as the rowan or niountai
in protecting from witches and warlocks or evil spells. A twig ot i
holly brought from church might be kept, like the Easter pa!m, for i
the same purpose.
FEBRUARY 3d.
St, Wereburg whose festival is kept this day, was one of the (
earliest and most celebrated of the Anglo-Sanon saints contempo- '
rary wiih the beginning of Christianity In Mercia, and she had |
a prominent part in estabhshing the first nunneries known
England. Her father Wulfhere was king of Mercia, and wl
nominally a Christian was, it is said, kept from paganism only j
through the inlluence of his queen and her children and 3
time even did apostatise from the Christian faith but was brought
back by St. Chad.
Here as is so often the case love and romance enters the life of
our saint when a pagan prince named Werbode sued for the
hand o( Wereburg, and being refused, we are told "he died raving
mad." It was after this love passage that Wereburg with no little
trouble secured permission from the king her father to enter
the monastery of Ely — of whose foundation I shall remark on
later — then governed by a cousin, Ethelreda. As a nun of
Ely she soon became very famous for her piety and her miracles.
Thus when Etheldrod, a brother of Wulfhere, succeeded to the
throne in 6?S Wereburg was called from Ely and commissioned to
found nunneries in Mercia ; of which those at Trentham, Hanbury
(now Tutbury) in Staffordshire and Wedon in Northamptonshire
were the most noted and of which she was at one and the same
time the superior. St. Wereburg died at Trentham on February
3. 699-
This brief sketch only in part tells the story of this saint. For
years after her death her relics caused the fire kindled by the
Danes to burn the city to be extinguished. It is tor this she was
made the patroness of Chester.
ST. BLASIUS 93
St. Bla»U3 or Blase b another saint who is honoured to-day, by
both the Roman and Reformed Churches and who has a place in
the English church Kalendar. He was
Armenia and was crowned with martyrttom
in the persecution of Licinius in 316. Fiom
the fact that among the many cruel tor-
ments the good man was subjected tb his
body was torn by iron combs such as ihe
wool-conibers used in old days in England,
he became their patron saint. In Bradford,^
Norwich, and many English towns where^
woolen manufacture b the leading Eactor St.
Blase's Day is even now celebrated with
great pomp, when poems are read and pro-
cessions, in which the Lord Mayor and
city officials take part. In early days per-
sons representing the king and queen, ihe
r^yal family and their guards and atten- i{^)to^^i
dants. followed. Jason, with his golden CaUicdr^.
^^ fleece and proper attendants, next appeared.
' >^V Then came Bishop Blase in full canonicals,
followed by shepherds and shepherdesses,
wool-combers, dyers and other appropriate 6g-
e wearing wool wigs.
Many legends tell of Blase in hiding from
he minions of Licinius and of wild animals
that '■ waited " upon him. For this in Callot's
images and Le Clerc's Almanac, he is sur-
^^^ rounded by wild beasts, and the words from
^ Job v., 23.
FEBRUARY 4th,
St. Jane, or Joan, Queen of France, who is this day honoured by
the Church is another of those sad romances in real life that con-
stantly come up in studying the lives of the holy men and women.
say in the end, securing for him the crown of Fra
itself should have bound her husband to her eve
quiet Christian patience with which she had borne h
abuse. But when he as Louis XII. attained this cc
in 1498, sod having in view a marriage with Anne ol
late king's widow), he made a claim of having been
his marriage with Joan by Louis XI." and for thai
divorce which in due course Pope Alexander V. gran
decree Joan submitted without a murmur, only toQ
able at last Co follow the bent of her wishes. Thus :
Brouges, where wearing always " sackcloth " she
herself and her great revenues to charity. Of thi:
Dr. Butler says : ■' By the assistance of her confessarii
Franciscan friar called Gabriel Maria, she institutec
Order of the Nuns of the Annunciation of the Blessei
was approved by Julius II., Leo X.. Paul V., and Gi
The costume of these nuns is peculiar. They wear )
white cloak, a red scapular, a brown habit with a red
cord for a girdle. Their superior they call Ancelle (s
humility St. Joan took this habit and the vows of the C
but wore it less than a year as she died on Febru
The Huguenots " for wanton bigotry and hale "
remains in 1562. She was canonized by Clement XII
FEBRUARY Jth.
ST. AGATHA
95
Cantania as well as regarded a protectress against dangers from
fire.
In her history we can read between the lines how it was that
the Emperor Decius who had put to death his predecessor, Pbilip,
on the pretext that he was a Christian, first organized his persecu-
tions against all Christians as a cloak to cover his own ambitions
and to attain which he had sacrificed Philip. He then made
Quintianius " Icing of Sicily " where Agatha dwelt in Catania.
Her resplendent beauty had excited Quintianius' lusts and he
resolved to attain his purpose at all hazards. He knew his dan-
ger for she was the daughter of a rich and illustrious house who
unfortunately under the decrees of Decius had placed themselves
in peril, even had not Agatha's beauty excited
Quintianius to do the evil he intended her,
who taught as she had been from infancy in
the Christian faith rejected every offer and gift
of the base ■' king," who then resorted to the
Dot uncommon tactics of tnen in power by
employing a vile woman to further his inter-
ests. But even she at the end of many days
told Quintianius how useless were her efforts.
It was then that Agatha's torment began. In
his wrath the wretched Quintianius ordered her
breasts to be cut oR " but in the night St.
Peter and an angel appeared and healed them
with celestial ointment." Then he ordered
she should be burned but scarcely had the fires
been lighted when an earthquake shook the
city and in their terror the citizens begged her
release and she was sent back to her prison
where she died from her burns. She was em- c.i>«in
balmed and buried in Caianla. Near the city is a volcanic r
tain named Mongibello which in 254 burst i
legend tells how her veil taken from her tomb stayed the river of
fire and lava, and again how in issi,by her miraculous intervention
she saved Malta from invasion by the Turks. She suffered mar-
tyrdom in 253 and is one of the early saints who was retained in
:i and her
96 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the Kalendar by the reformers and still has her place in the Eng-
lish church Kalendar on the same day with that assigned her by
the Latin Churcli. Her name appears in the Kalendar of Carthage
as early as 530.
FEBRUARY 6ih.
Of the early history of St, Vedasl whose festival occurs to-day,
nothing reliable seems to be known. His legend tells of his early
departure from iiis home in the west of France, of his life eve
a boy, being spent IQ solitude and holy devotion in the diocese oE
Toul where lie was at last discovered by the bishop, who charmed
by his virtues, ordained him to the priesthood. When ClovJs
king of France (481-511, and the son of Childeric, king of the .
Franks) was returning in 490 from his victory over the Alemannj
and was going to Rheims to receive baptism he desired some
to instruct him and Vedast was selected. En route the legend
continues Vedast performed a miracle by restoring a blind man to
sight, a fact which not only confirmed Clovis in the faith, but won
many of his courtiers to embrace Christianity. In 499 he was
consecrated Bishop of Arras and it is said that as he entered the
city he restored sight to another blind man and cured one who
was lame and was thus greatly aided in his holy labours among the
infidels. In 510 the great diocese of Cambray which extended
beyond Brussels was committed to his care and he jointly
governed both o( these sees for many years. For nearly forty
years without a rest this goodly man had thus devoted himself to
the work of his Master when on February 6. 539, his labours came
to a peaceful end and he was laid at rest in the cathedral church
at Arras which had grown up under his tireless efforts.
FEBRUARY 7th.
In the Roman Church, on the Saturday before Septuagesima
Sunday, " the Canticle of the Lord — Alleluia -~ ceases to be said."
St. Romuald, whose name appears in the Kalendar of the Roman
SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY 97
Church this day presents yet a fresh example of the means God in
His Providence uses to lead men to Him. Brought up as he was
in luxury he was daily growing more enamoured of the joys and
pleasures of worldly life. When about twenty his father, a proud,
haughty man, in order to settle a dispute regarding some estate
had recourse to a then common custom of a duel with a relative.
In spite of protests Romuald was compelled to be present and
saw his father kill his opponent The horror of the scene greatly
affected him and in expiation of his share in the affair the young
man in penance resolved to seclude himself for a time in the
Benedictine monastery of Classis. Before his self-imposed
penance was ended the discourse of the pious lay-brother who
waited upon him had so impressed his mind that he sought
admission as a penitent to the religious habit. This resolution
was easier taken than carried out so bitterly was he opposed by
his father, but in the end he not only prevailed but by his example
led his father himself later to enter the monastery of St. Sevenes
as a penitent of St. Benedict's Order.
But I must not take space to follow St. Romuald, until he
became Abbot of Classis and later founded the Order of Camai-
doll, and a power with the Emperor Otho III., as well as with his
successor, St. Henry H.
It is the story of a long, worthy and interesting life of service
in the work of a true Christian Knight. His Order is now
divided into five, but in each the memory of this remarkable man
lives. He died June 19, 1027, on which day I will again speak of
him, but his feast was appointed by Clement VIH. for the 7th of
February.
FEBRUARY 8th.
SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
The three Sundays preceding Lent are respectively termed
Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima. Many reasons
have been assigned for these names ; but to my mind the simplest
and most reasonable is that of Bishop Sparrow in his " Rationale
on the Common Prayer,** who says : " But on my apprehension,
98 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the best is a consequentia numerandi, because the First Sunday in
Lent is called Quadragesima, counting about forty days from
Easter ; therefore the Sunday before that, being stiJl farther from
Easter, it is called Quinquagcsima, 6ve being the nciti number
above four and so the Sunday before that is Senagesima and the
next Scptuagesiraa."
These days are the first which appear in the Church Kalendar
of the so-called " Movable Feasts, or Festivals " from the fact ibc
date of each is dependent upon the date fixed for Easter.
Whatever may be the antiquity of the institution of Sepiuages-
ima and the two Sundays that follow, there apparently b no men-
tion of them in the records of the Roman Church as to where they
originated or from whence they were incorporated into the ritual
of the Reformed Church — nor is there mention of them until
about the close of the V. or in the early years of the VI. century,
Gclasius and Gregory notice these days in their Sacra me ntaries
and the latter assigned specific oflices for
each of these days ; just as the Reform-
ers did in framing their ritual : with a
design that both the clergy and laity
should prepare for Lent.
St. John of Maiha, the Founder of
the Order of Trinitarians, whose festival
is celebrated by the Church this day, pre-
sents a very interesting story. He was
born at Faucon on the borders of Pro-
vence, of a noble family, educated first
at Aix in all the customary accomplish-
1 of his day, such as riding, fencing,
s grammar and other things which now we
would regard as but the rudiments of an education ; though then
were considered all that any gentleman need to learn. But fond
as John was of the sports of his companions he was both ambi-
tious for greater knowledge and had already shown by his conduct
while at Aix that love of his fellowmen that later was so marked
a feature of his character. Toward the close of the XII. century
ments of young nobler
dancing, etc., as well a
ST. JOHN OF MATHA 99
Paris became a favourite centre for religious students and while
yet a young man John went there to study, passed through the
various classes with great credit, graduated with the degree of
Doctor of Divinity and was ordained a priest. As historical
students are aware Mahometan slavery was then at its height
and not a few good men gave up their time and in many cases
sacrificed their lives to secure the redemption of Christian captives
and to this John resolved to devote himself. With the consent
of Innocent III. then in the Pontifical chair a new Order was
instituted for the purpose and approved by the Pope in 1 198 and
took the name of the Holy Trinity, which was confirmed by a
second bull in 1209. St. John was the first minister general of
the Order. Their habit was a white robe with a red and blue
cross on the breast. While I cannot follow the labours of these
noble brethren the fact that in their first expedition to Morocco in
1 201 they succeeded in rescuing 186 Christian slaves from bond-
age evidences their practical and earnest work. In passing let me
remark that the Order of Mercy instituted by St. Peter Nolaseo in
1235, that had a similar purpose in view, was an outgrowth of the
Order of the Holy Trinity. The life of St. John was given to his
chosen work and has been eulogized many times for his self-
sacrificing labour. He died December 21, 121 3, aged sixty-one
years ; his festival was fixed, however, for this day. There have
been many chapters of the Order instituted since, a noted one
being that of the *' Barefooted Trinitarians," created by " John
Baptist of the Conception " in Spain in IS94«
FEBRUARY 9th.
St. Apollonia, the ancient Virgin and Martyr whom the Church
remembers to-day, presents one or two features in her story quite
out of the ordinary run in the lives we have been considering.
Her parents had in spite of their prayers to heathen gods long been
childless when three Christian Pilgrims appeared in Alexandria
and preached of Jesus and his Virgin mother ; and of the power of
her intercession. The wife was led by these Pilgrims to make
. a"H
loo SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
intercession with the Virgin and in answer to her prayers Api
Ionia WHS bnrn. The legend continues, the child grew up under
Christian teaching and "sought St. Leomine to baptise her. As
he did so an Angel appeared with a garment of dazzling whiteness
which was tlirown over her and a voice said : This is Apollonia
the servant of God ! Go now to Alcnandria and announce the
faith of Christ." This she did with great success.
In the last year of the reign of Philip when Apollonia had
grown old and weak, riots against Christians became very preva-
lent and many victims tell. In their fury they seized upon the
venerable saint bound her to a pillar and pulled out her teeth witli
pincers ^ Dr. Butler says they were broken out with blows upon
her jaws — and bet^use she would not pay her vows to their idols
they built a huge fire threatening to burn her. She begged a
moment of ri:spite, then to show that her sacrifice was voluntary
she shpped from their grasp and leaped into the burning pile,
which quickly consumed her. This took place on February 9,
249, but a civil war among the pagans broke out just after and
for a time put an end to the persecution of the faithful, only to be
renewed under the decree of Decius in 250. The attributes of St.
Apollonia are a pair of pincers or sometimes a gold tooth on a
chain. She was in old days regarded as a protection against
toothache and all other troubles with the teeth.
FEBRUARY loih.
St. Scholastica whose festival is held this day, as the sister of
the celebrated St, Benedict is widely respected by the Roman
Church though less of her lite Is known than of many others who
have been canonized by the church. She founded and governed
a nunnery at Plombariola about five miles south of the monastery
of St. licnedict. Her legend tells of the last visit St. Benedict
paid to his sister that when he rose to depart she begged of him
to stay a little longer and on his declining owing to oiher engage-
ments she bent her head in prayer and on the instant a violent
storm arose that kept him a prisoner and the evening was spent
ST. THEODORA loi
in pious discourses and on the following morning he departed.
Three days later she died and St. Benedict who at the moment
Vfsts alone " in silent contemplation as he raised his eyes to heaven
saw the soul of his sister rising thither, in the form of a dove. "
From this St. Scholastica has been represented in art with a dove,
either pressed to her heart or lying at her feet, while in her hand
she holds a lily emblematical of her spotless purity of character.
Her death occurred in 543.
FEBRUARY nth.
On this day the Greeks honour as a saint the Empress Theodora
whom the Roman Church do not so recognise though their writers
never fail to speak of her in terms of high praise as well they may.
Theodora was the wife of Theophilus, Emperor of the East, who
died in 842. Her influence over this brutish man was almost
unbounded — strange as it sounds when we recall his life — and to
her alone belongs the credit of " softening," — though no human
power could wholly control the cruel temper of this fiendish man, —
and even at times protecting from harm the defenders of the Holy
Images whom he so relentlessly persecuted. By the death of
Theophilus, Theodora became Regent of the Empire during the
minority of Michael H. who succeeded his father. And it was she
who put an end to the persecutions that Leo the Isaurian had in-
stituted 120 years before and enabled the Patriarch Methodius
to restore on the first Sunday in Lent in 844, the Holy Images to
the great church in Constantinople, an event which the Greeks
celebrate with great pomp and ceremony calling it " The Feast of
Orthodoxy." She held her sway as Regent during twelve years
(842-854) and then through the machinations of her unnatural son
and his infamous uncle she was banished. She spent the remain-
der of her life in a monastery, dying in 867.
In passing, it may not be out of place to mention this is the
anniversary of the death of Caedmon about 680, the most ancient
of the English poets whose name is known ; his home was near
the monastery of Streaneshalch (later known as Whitby) made
famous by St. Hilda and with whom the poet was a great favour*
I02 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
ite and not 'infrequent guest within the monastery. This poet
wrote a poem in praise oC St. Hilda.
FEBRUARY 12th.
St, Benedict of Anian (as he is called, to distinguish him from
others of the same name) whom the Church honours in its Kalen-
dar to-day was the son of Aigul, Count or Governor of Langucdoc,
who spent his youth at the court of King Pepin (Pepin-le-Vrel)
where he seri-ed as " cup-bearer," and later as an officer in
army of Charlemagne and evidently as the world terms it,
" a Favourite of Fortune," for he had both wealth family and court
favour at his command. An incident, however, in an hour changed
the entire course of his life. He seems to have been an ama
athlete and a prohcient in manly sports and when his brother was I
in danger of drowning he did not hesitate to endeavour to save him,
but to cut a long story short it nearly cost our saint his life before
he succeeded. What it did do was to bring him to realise how
valueless earthly treasures and honours are compared^with a higher
and nobler life. This was in 774, at which time he sought out an
holy man to advise and direct him. Under his guidance he spent
two years at the monaslerj' of St. Seine five leagues from Dijon,
after that becoming a hermit on the banks of the Anian where
later he with some monks who had joined him in his hermitage
founded a Benedictine monastery, of which he was the abbot.
His first prominent public effort was at the council at Frankfurt
where he combated the heresy of Felix, Bishop of Urgel, "That
Christ was not the natural but only the adoptive Son of the Eter-
nal Father." Later he wrote tour treatises on this subject. But
his one great aim in life was the reformation of monastic life, then
at a low state, and in 817 he presided at Aix-la-Chapelle over the
council that had been assembled for this purpose where the stat-
utes he formulated were added to the rules of the great St. Bene-
dict who founded the order. He was seventy-one years of age
when he died in Inde. in 821 on February 1 iih. His festival is kept
at Anian on this day, but elsewhere he is remembered on the i3th,
the day he was laid at rest in the monastery of St. Cornelius.
ST. VALENTINE 103
FEBRUARY 13th
Is the festival of St. Gregory II., Pope. He was bom at Rome to
an affluent fortune* educated in the Palace of the Popes and or-
dained as sub-deacon by Pope Sergius I. Under Popes John VI.,
VII., Sisinnius and Constantine, he was Treasurer of the Church,
Keeper of the library and also held many other important offices.
Gregory was chosen as successor to Pope Constantine on May 19,
715. The most important events of his pontificate were his de-
posing of John IV. the monothelite, the false patriarch of Con-
stantinople, the sending of missionaries into Germany and the
consecration of the celebrated St. Boniface as Bishop of Mentz.
Gregory held his high office nearly sixteen years dying on
February 10, 731, but his festival is kept on the day he was
buried in the Vatican.
This is also St. Valentine's Eve, a festival which in early days
in England was celebrated by giving and receiving gifts usually
anonymously presented and bearing labels such as " St. Valentine's
Love " or ** Good morrow, Valentine."
FEBRUARY 14th,
ST. valentine's day.
The endless number of times the story of St. Valentine has
been told leaves little that need be said. Briefly St. Valentine was
a priest of Rome who during the persecution of Christians under
Claudius II., aided by St. Marius did noble work in assisting the
martyrs. It was for this he was apprehended and sent to the
prefect of Rome. While in the custody of one Asterius the saint
performed a miracle by restoring the sight of his daughter and
as a result all of the family became converts to Christianity, later
proving the truth of their faith by suffering martyrdom. After a
year of imprisonment Valentine was brought before the prefect,
who tried in vain to induce him to renounce his faith. Whereupon
he was condemned to be beaten with clubs then to be stoned and
lastly to be beheaded outside the gate now called Porta del Popolo
I04
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
1
but which for a time bore the name Porta Valeniini. This was
about the year 270, and ihe greater part of his relies are presen"ed
in the Church of St. Praxedes at Rome. His name was early
enrolled among other martyrs and was retained in the Kalendar
of the Reformers when the Christian church became divided.
Just why St. Valentine was chosen the patron of Love seems a
little obscure. Wheatly says : " He was a man ot admirable parts
and so famous for his love and charity that
custom of choosing valentines upon his
festival which is still practised, took rise
, from thence." While Dr. Butler, in his
ives of the Saints," says : " To abolish
the heathens' lewd custom of boys drawing
natnes of girls in honour oE their god-
dess Februata Juno on the t4th of this
month several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints
on the billets that were drawn," and thus in the mutation of lime
the custom has grown which now takes the form ot " valentines."
Many learned treatises have been written on the subject but beyond
the adoption of the date of St. Valentine's martyrdom the holy
man had literally nothing to do with the matter of sending love
messages on this day.
FEBRUARY 15th.
The Christian faith had been preached in Sweden by St. Aus-
carius as early as B30 ; but as was true elsewhere throughout
Europe, as soon as the missionaries died, or departed. Paganism at
once revived, the Christians lapsed from their faith and it becarne
as we know was the case in Enjjiaiid after St. Ninian died, a myth.
It was so in Sweden when Olaus (Olaf Stobcong) afiked o( his
friend Eldred, the Saxon King of England, to send some person
who would revive Christianity in Sweden. Eldred selected for
this purpose. Sigefride, who is mentioned as " an eminent priest of
York." Vet prior to this Sigelride's name seems to be unrecorded
in the ecclesiastical history in England and we find him arriving
ST. ONESIMUS 105
at Wexlow in Gothland on June 21st, in 950, to take up his new
duties. He first we are told "set up a cross and then built a
church of wood, celebrated the Divine mysteries and preached to
the people." His success was very great. In a brief period the
twelve leaders of the twelve tribes into which the people of South
Gothland were divided became converts and it is said that the
fountain where Sigefride baptised the catechumens retained for
several centuries a monument bearing the names of the twelve
leaders who had become Christians. Later on Sigefride widened
his sphere to embrace West Gothland and finally extended it to
the Midland and Northern provinces. Thus he became literally
" The Apostle of Sweden/* the honoured name by which he was
everywhere known. He died in 1002, and his tomb at Wexlow
became famous for the miracles wrought there by his relics. He
was canonized by Pope Adrian IV. (who was also an Englishman),
in 1 1 58.
FEBRUARY i6th.
St. Onesimus, the disciple of St. Paul whom the Church remem-
bers this day ranks among the earliest of those who sealed their
faith with their blood. The great Apostle made him with Tychi-
cus the bearer of his Epistle to the Colossians (Col. iv.) and
ordained him Bishop of Ephesus, after Timothy. The Greeks
claim he suffered martyrdom in 95, under Domitian (Consul of
Rome who died in 96), while Latin Martyrology says : " Being
led to Rome, a prisoner, he was stoned to death. He was first
buned at Rome and later his relics were translated to Ephesus."
This is also the festival of Gregory X. who was elected to the
pontificate September I, 1271. Prior to this he had borne the
name of Theobald but took the title of Gregory X. when installed
as Pope. He was born at Placentia, Tuscany, and had become
Archbishop of Leige. He attended the second Council of Lyons
in May, 1274, when the Greek ambassadors were admitted into the
unity of the Church. He was a fervent and earnest advocate of
the crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land. He died at
io6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Arezzo on January loth, 1276. His name was inserted in Roraanil
Manyrology by Benedict XIV. on February 16th.
FEBRUARY ijlh.
St. Flavian who was a priest of distinguished merit and treas- I
urer of the Church of Constantinople until 447, when he suc-
ceeded Procius as archbishop is named among the saints for
honour this day. At this time simony (buying and selling ecclesi-
astical preferment) had become a crying evil in Constantinople
and Flavian had at once when he assumed the episcopate resolved
to crush it, if it was in his power. For this he roused the enmity
of the eunuch Chrysaphius the chamberlain of Theodosius the
Younger who profited largely by the practice and when it was
hinted to Flavian he should send the Emperor a present upon his
promotion, he sent him — in accord with the custom of the church
at that time — some " blessed bread." When the chamberlain
objected and intimated that something more valuable should be
forthcoming from the revenues of the church the holy bishop told
him plainly they were destined for other purposes. The Story is
OQC of a long and bitter battle that culminated at the council called
at Ephesus where Chrysaphius by, as we in these modern days
would say, " packing the council," gained a point against Flavian
and his adherents, who at once appealed to the pope-legates then
present ; an act that cost the bishop his life for it had so incensed
certain of the chamberlain's party that at Epipus he was set upon
and so beaten, kicked and bruised that in a few days he died.
The general council of Chalcedon in 451 taking cognizance of the
affair declared Flavian a saint and a martyr.
At Florence on this day is celebrated the festival of ■' The
Blessed Alexius Falconeri," one of the seven who founded the
Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of whom
we read in Roman Martyrology : " In the one hundred and tenth
year of his life being comforted by the presence of Jesus Christ
and the angels, terminated his blessed career."
ST. SIMON 107
FEBRUARY x8tlL
Aside from the fact that St. Simeon or Simon (for the names are
synonymous) was a kinsman of Jesus, he was a very prominent
character in the story of the Christian church after the Ascension ;
while there is little doubt that he was one of those who received
the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. When in 62 St James,
Bishop of Jerusalem, was put to death twenty-nine years after
Christ's crucifixion, St. Simon was chosen bishop as his suc-
cessor. In 66 the year in which SS. Peter and Paul suffered mar-
tyrdom the civil war broke out in Judea and we find the Christians
seeking shelter in Pella, a small city beyond Jordan, with St. Simeon
as their head and chief, as he was after they returned to Jerusa-
lem. It was then the two first heresies entered the church known
as the Nazareans and Ebonites. They recognized Christ as a
great prophet but denied his divine paternity with many other
added errors. While Simeon lived he was by the strength of his
character and the unbounded influence he held able to hold these
heretics in check, but Eusebius tells us : " He was no sooner dead
than a deluge of execrable heresies broke out of hell upon the
church.*' When we remember Simeon's great age this alone
speaks in strong terms of the power he must have wielded.
During the persecutions of Vespasian and Domitian, St.
Simeon escaped capture but when Trajan found him he subjected
him to terrible tortures borne with such patience that even his
persecutors could not restrain their admiration ; in particular we
have that given by Atticus. St. Simeon was 120 years old when
in 107 he died, having governed the church of Jerusalem for forty-
three years.
FEBRUARY 19th.
This day is the festival of St. Barbatus or Barbas, Bishop of
Benevento, who was born near the close of the pontificate of
Gregory the Great. He took holy orders when quite a young
man and was at once assigned as curate of St. Basil's at Morcona,
a town near Benevento. It was a peculiarly trying position for the
loS SAINTS AND FESTIVA
people of his parish were not only noled tor their irregularities bul
determined that no priest should dictate to or restrain thern an^l
it is not at all wonderful that young and inexperienced as he was
they soon drove hini from among them to return to his home in
Beoevento, The history of this old town is a peculiarly interest-
ing one as Christianity had first been preached there by St. Poiin
who had been sent out as a missionary by St. Peter, but by 30;
they like so many in the early days of Christianity after accepting
the faith lapsed into idolatry and martyred St. Januarius, then
bishop of the see. In 545 the Goths laid the city in ruins. When
the Lombards at last obtained possession of the country in 59S
they rebuilt the city and King Autharis gave it as a Duchy to
Zolion. a genera! of the invaders with the title of Duke. These
Lombards were mostly Arians but many were still idolaters and
even the Christians retained many idolatrous superstitions, among
these a holy veneration tor a golden viper, before whom they
prostrated themselves. They also paid superstitious honour to a
certain tree on which tbey hung the skin of some wild animal and
worshipped it.
When these ceremonies were over there followed public
games in which this skin served as a mark at which " the bowmen
shot arrows, over their shoulders." Such was the class of people
Barbatus found when he returned to Benevento and look up his
work among them, naturally finding it no easy task. They
laughed at his expostulations at their irreligious superstitions.
However, he did not desist from his efforts even though they
seemed to bring no results. But at last he aroused their attention
when he prophesied the distress to the city which was 10 come
from the army of Emperor Consians, who shortly after as Barba-
tus had foretold landed in Italy and laid siege to Benevento.
Then it was they gave heed to his words and began to renounce
their idolatrous practices and at length allowed Barbatus to cut
down the sacred tree while they melted the golden viper into an
ingot from which a chalice was made for the altar of the church.
Ildebrand, Bishop of Benevento, had died during the siege and
Barbatus was elected Bishop in 653. When the terrors o( the
siege were at their height and escape seemed to be impossible
ST. SADOTH 109
Barbatus had once more prophesied that relief would be sent. In
due time it came as foretold, and now the Bishop's influence was
as great as formerly it had been of no account. Thus it was in the
end the last remnant of superstition was rooted out in Benevento.
In 680 he participated in the general council at Rome and the
next year at the council held at Constantinople against the
monothelites. But soon after his return his own summons came,
for on February 29th in 682 when he was seventy years of age he
died. His festival is fixed for this 19th day of the same month.
FEBRUARY 20th.
On this day is commemorated one of the most terrible scenes
of which we read in the early history of the Christian church, in
which St. Sadoth, Bishop of Selec, or Selucia, and Ctesiphon (then
the two capital cities of Persia) took so prominent a part and in
which St. Simeon, the former bishop, had, in the persecution
begun in 341 by Sapor II. attained the crown of martyrdom.
Hardly had Sadoth been chosen as the successor of Simeon when
the edict was published which made it a capital crime with death
as its penalty for any one to confess Christ. There was nothing
uncertain about this edict, for all who heard it knew what their
fate would be if they disobeyed and none knew this better than
Sadoth himself.
Sadoth as he is named by both the Greeks and Latins, was
called in the Persian, Schiadurte, which signifies " friend of the
king," Schia — king, and durt — friend. He was a man of unspot-
ted purity of character, ardent zeal and the courage of his belief.
He feared naught but to sin. Yet while brave and fearless for
himself he felt that for a time " prudence was the better part of
valour," at least for his faithful followers, and therefore for a little
he with some of his clergy lay hid from the vengeance of Sapor
while still he watched over his flock. It was while in his retreat
Sadoth had a vision and saw St. Simeon at the top of a ladder
who called to him saying : " Mount up Sadoth ; fear not ! I
mounted yesterday ; it is your turn to-day." By this he knew he
no SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
was not to escape the wrath of Sapor. And ii proved so for thai
year Sapor came to Selucia. Sadoth with several of his priests
with the monks and nuns from hb church were apprehended and
cast into dungeons. For five months they were thus confined but
twice in this interval were they brought forth, lempted, threat-
ened, scourged and tortured on the rack until their breaking
bones could be heard to crack. On the final day chained two by
two together these martyrs were led forth for execution to which
they went singing psalms and canticles of joy which ceased not
until the last one of this glorious company had been crowned.
Sadoth, however, was separated from the noble band and sent into
a neighbouring province where he was beheaded in the year 343.
FEBRUARY 21st.
The Blessed Pepin whose festival is observed this day, held the
high and responsible office of " mayor of the palace," under Kings
Clotaire II., Dagobert and Sigebert of France, and his story (orms
an interesting chapter in French history which I may only repeat
in a very brief way. He was a son of Carloman one of the most
powerful noblemen of Austrasia and the ancestor of Pepin (the
Short) King of France in whom began the Carlovingian race.
Pepin of Landen was Lord o( Brabant and his biographers
say ■■ a lover of peace, the constant defender of truth and justice,
the friend to all servants of God, the terror of the wicked, the
support of the weak and the father of his country." He was also
governor of Austrasia, when Theodebert II. its king, was defeated
by Theodoric II., king of Burgundy, in 611. When in 613 Thco-
doric died Clotaire II., king of Soissons, reunited Burgundy,
Neustia and Austrasia he thus became sole monarch of France. It
was to Pepin that King Clotaire owed the pacification of Austrasia
without a bloody struggle and he was rewarded when Clotaire
in 622 named Dagobert I, king of Austrasia and Neustia by mak-
ing Pepin mayor of Dagobert's palace, and when by the death of
his father in 628 Dagobert became king of all France save some
minor provinces settled on his younger brother he continued the
favours shown to Pepin, though the latter when the king lapsed as
S. PETER'S CHAIR, ANTIOCH iii
he did from the straight and narrow paths of religion and moral-
ity, did not hesitate to condemn in very plain language these
shortcomings. It was a long and arduous battle between the
king and his minister before Dagobert yielded. When we remem-
ber the autocratic power of kings in those days it shows what
sterling character was required by Pepin to thus assail his royal
master because of his wrongdoings. But Pepin was a brave man
who dared to do right because it was his duty and Dagobert
evidently appreciated this for he made him tutor of his son,
Sigcbert, who later under Pepin's careful trainmg became one of
the best of the early kings of France. Such briefly is the story of
Pepin of Landen. Renowned for his probity, piety and Christian
charity, he died February 21, 640. His name appears in Belgic
martyrologies, though no other act of public veneration is com-
mitted than the enshrining of his relics which are still annually
carried in procession at Nivelles, and his name is found in the
Litany published by the authority of the Archbbhop of Mechlin.
FEBRUARY 22d.
My readers will recall that on January 13th I spoke of the festi-
val, held at Rome on that day, called ** The Chair of St. Peter."
Before St. Peter went to Rome he had formed the see of An-
tioch. Dr. Butler places this date three years after the Ascension
of our Lord.
In the early ages of the Church it was customary especially in
the East but also frequently observed in the West, for every
Christian to keep sacred the anniversary of their baptism when
they renewed for themselves the vows others had in their infancy
taken for them. In like manner priests and all ecclcsiascs kept
the anniversary of their consecration and thus it seemed fitting
that the founding of the see of Antioch should be observed and
for reasons analogous to those given for the observance at Rome
of the festival of *• The Chair of St. Peter," that of ** St. Peter's
Chair at Antioch " obtains. But this long antedated the festival
at Rome. Indeed the festival of St. Peter's Chair, "Natale
112 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Petri de Cathedra," is marked in the most ancient Kalcnda
extant, made in the time of Libertus about the year 354. It als<
occurs in the sacramentary of St. Gregory and as appears fron
the records of the Council of Tours, was kept in France in thi
VI. century ; but curiously it is omitted in the ancient Kalcodar
ot Carthage.
Therefore this day b most appropriately set aside by the Romai
Church to be observed at Antioch, where the disciples wen
first called -' Christians " for this second festival of the Chair o
St. Peter.
n the chronicles ot tfai
I by birth, a girl of iha'
o well and of that ho
> they are guided it
This day is also the festisral of St. Margaret of Conona, " Thi
FenitenL" In the story of St. Margaret we have another of thosi
romances of the saints we constantly meet ir
early Christian church. She was
rich type of southern twauly we .
impatient temperament from which just i
childhood are evolved noble men and W'
Unfortunately Margaret's mother died while the child was bu
little beyond infancy and the treatment she had from her step
mother and the unkindness of her lather combined to drive her ii
youth to seek pleasures outside of her home. The lax moral:
that obtained in every city of Italy at the close of the XIII
century need no comment and it is easy to understand how i
girl endowed with such rare beauty of person and vivaciou
spirits with a home such as Margaret had, should be led astray
continued. Lovers came and went
a abandoned woman even in our owi
1. And it was throut^l
It was one of thos'
For years her evil life
but as (he story of ma
day proves she could and did lovi
his death tliat at last her salvatii
tragedies so common in that day. A faithful dog the constan
companion of his master led her to the scene where his hfc hai
been taken. On tlie instant her otit\ sins, the terror of Divin
justice and the treachery of the world came to her, and her firs
act of repentance was to seek out her father to confess to hin-
But her stem stepmother stood at ilie door and by her inlluenc
BLESSED PETER DAMIAN 113
Margaret was again driven forth into the world by her father.
She wandered into a vineyard half tempted to return to her old
life of sin, when the impulse to implore Divine aid came upon her,
and in the solitude she knelt — while still praying she seemed to
hear a voice that told her what to do, and she obeyed. Rising,
she went first to the parish church in Alvino. With a rope
around her neck — as was then the prescribed formula — she
publicly confessed her sins and then barefooted as a penitent
sought out the monastery of Carlona under the Order of St.
Francis and begged admission. For twenty-three years she gave
herself to penance and her exemplary life and deeds of love and
charity won for her at last peace and the reverence of all who knew
her. She died February 22, 1297.
Dr. Butler informs us that Pope Leo X. granted an office in her
honour to the city of Cartona. She was canonized by Benedict
XIIL in 1728.
FEBRUARY 23d.
I can but briefly speak of a man, the Blessed Peter Damian,
Cardinal, whose festival occurs this day, though from his fidelity,
charity and learning he deserves a more extended notice. Born at
Ravenna in 988, his childhood and youth were spent in abject
poverty yet by his true force of character rising above them all,
until we find him employed by four successive popes — Gregory
VI., Clement II., Leo IX., and Victor II., and then by Stephen
IX. in 1057 was made Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. When in 1058
Stephen IX. died, he was succeeded by Nicholas I., who
recognized the rare ability of Peter Damian as his predecessors
had, and used him in several delicate missions where firm purpose
and rare judgment were required. Already Peter was feeling the
weight of years and the arduous work he had been called upon to
perform and desired to retire from his more active life but it was
not until 1062 when Alexander I. filled the pontifical chair that his
wishes were gratified, and in the retirement of his monastery he
was allowed once more to assume the habit and duties of a simple
II4SAINTSAND FESTIVAI
monk and give himself to the composition of several treatJ
are still held in high esteem by the ecclesiasCs of the
Church. But even in his retirement ihe wise counsels and
of this highly gifted man were constantly sought. We f
sent as a legate of the pope to France in 1063 and again, i
as presiding at the synod held in Frankfurt to determine u
divorce Henry IV, of Germany desired from his wife
But in every place he proved himself something more thar
a keen, shrewd diplomat — in being an honest, upright C
man. He died February 21, toys, aged eighty-three years,
festival is named for the 23d of the month the day when
honoured as patron of the city of Faenza where he died.
S. MATTHIAS.
FEBRUARY 24th
Is sacred in all Christian chafcbec
memory of St. Matthias, and the
St. Clement of Alexandria is the
ity for saying he was the one w
chosen by lot from the seveniy-lwo \
been assembled and from which ni
successor to the traitor Judas wa;
selected. There were two only wl
the first seemed worthy of the great
One was Joseph, called Barsabas, a
cause of his probity and piety had bi
named " The Just " ; and the other W
Tradition tells how after devout pr;
Divine guidance the "' Lot " was c
it fell upon Matthias. After the As
there is no perfectly authentic accour
Matthias' lUr. It is only from the Ir,
of the Greeks as recounted in theii
ogies th.it the legend is preserve!
after preaching the (aiih in and a bo
on the coast of the Caspian sea he i
;yrdom in Calchis which in these mei
ASH-WEDNESDAY— LENT 115
is called Ethiopia, where he was stoned and afterward beheaded.
Another legend places his death in Judea where it is said he
suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Jews, being either thrust
through by a lance, or killed by an axe. In Italian art St.
Matthias has as his attribute a lance, while
in Germany this is an axe. But for some
reason this Apostle very seldom is repre-
sented in art, and quite as rarely appears
in the series showing the Apostles. For
some occult reason the Clog Almanacs have
assigned what may be designed to repre-
sent a leg as his attribute but no one yet
has been able to understand why this was
selected.
FEBRUARY 25th.
ASH-WEDNESDAY.
The first day of the season of Lent is called Ash- Wednesday
and its date is dependent upon that of Easter. It is a day of
strict fasting and the same is true of each of the remaining days
of the week under the canons of both the Roman and Reformed
Churches. The canonical colour for these days is violet.
LENT.
The word Lent is derived from the Saxon word " Lengten-tide "
snd from an early day applied to the customary spring fast which
'vras kept by Christians during the forty days preceding Easter.
This fast originally began on the first Sunday in Lent but since
Sunday is not properly a Fast Day and by omitting Sunday there
remain but thirty-six days, Pope Gregory directed that this fast
should commence four days earlier, viz. , on what is denominated
•• Ash- Wednesday."
This name arose from a notable custom intended to remind the
faithful that they were all but ** dust and ashes." Therefore on
the first day of the penitential season the priests took ashes and
ii6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
after sprinkling ihcm with Holy-water, as the worshipper catni
forward arrayed in sackcloth the priest took some of the ashes oi
his linger, made with them the sign of the cross upon the peoi
tern's forehead, saying ; " Memento, homo, quia cinh es, el ii
puhierem reiierteris " (Remember, man, that you are of ashes, and
unto dust will return). The ashes used were usually made from
the consecrated palms which had been used on Palm Sunday of
the previous year. With the Reformation in the Protestant church
this custom was declared " a vain show " but the day itself i
kept with great solemnity and strangely, the name " Ash-Wednes-
day " was retained. In the early days this first day of Lent had
two names, the first " Caput fejumi" (Head of the Fast), the
other ■' Dies Cintrum " (Ash- Wednesday).
The Christian Lent took its rise beyond a doubt from the '
■' Preparation for the Expiation," by the Jews, who began their I
solemn hiimiliaiion forty days before the Expia
primitive Christians in the earliest days of Christianity set their
great Fast at a date forty days before that of Easter, in com-
memoration of the miraculous abstinence of our Saviour when
under temptation.
Even during the controversy about the date on which to cele-
brate Easier, which arose between the Eastern and Western
churches, there was no dispute on this point of fasting for forty
days prior to the Easter festival, the whole Church being in har-
mony recognising it as of Apostolic ir
FEBRUARY 26th.
This day is held sacred to the memory of St. Alexander, Patriarch
of Alexandria. It was during his episcopate that the celebrated
Arius came to the front and whose heresy was to be such a sore
trial to the Orthodox church. As 1 must often allude to this Arian
heresy 1 will briefly speak of the man. He had been excommuni-
cated in 300 from the Church by St. Peter, a predecessor of St,
Alexander. The successor of St. Peter, St. Achillas, had been
ALEXANDER — ARIUS 117
induced to restore him also making him curate of the Church of
Baucales, one of the quarters of Alexandria. Dr. Butler says Arius
*' was well versed in profane literature, was a subtle dialectician,
had an extensive show of virtue and an insinuating behaviour, but
was a monster of pride, vainglory, ambition, envy and jealousy/'
These traits of character naturally made him peculiarly angry when
Alexander was chosen as successor of St. Achillas for he knew
Alexander bitterly opposed the heresy he was then publicly teach-
ing (that Christ was not God) ; that he had no other soul than his
created divinity. In short that he was simply a man like all other
men. The heresy soon spread, drawing to the support of Arius
two bishops, seven priests, twelve deacons and others. They
called themselves Arians, and the Orthodox Christians Colluthians»
as one Colluthus a curate of Alexandria, was the most prominent
in his violent denunciations of the heresy while Alexander himself
prompted by his gentle, peaceful character was inclined to be more
lenient. But Colluthus was persistent and in 320 at a Council held
in Alexandria Arius and his followers were excommunicated.
Still this by no means ended the spread of the Arian doctrine. I
may not, however, follow its history further except to speak of the
celebrated Council called at Nice in June, 325, when this heresy was
considered and their declaration that the Son was consubstantial
to the Father embodying it in what is known as the Nicene Cieed.
In this Council Alexander naturally took a prominent part and
was present at the magnificent entertainment given the Prelates
by Constantine August 25, 32$, After this Alexander returned to
Alexandria but the strain upon him had been too much for on the
29th of February, 326, he died.
FEBRUARY 27th.
In the story of St. Leander, Bishop of Seville, who is this day
remembered by the Church we are again confronted with the
Arian heresy. I have several times stated that the Goths were all
largely tainted with Arianism. The Kingdom of Seville at the
time when Leander was promoted to the see was possessed by the
■ Tf- 1^^^
iiS SAINTS -AND FESTIVALS
Visigoths or Western-Goths, while the Ostrogoths or Easieni-
Goths had passed the Alps and founded their kingdom first at
Languedoc in lialy. But I must not be templed into this inter-
esting bit of history, beyond saying that at the time of Leander's
advent these Visigoths had reigned in Spain fully one hundred
years and it was through Leander's efforts, the larger part of the
people were reclaimed from their heresy in spite of the opposition
he met with from King Lcovigild then ruling.
Leander had converted Hcrmenegild the eldest son of Leovigild,
and heir to the throne. Nothing can illustrate the fierce animosity
of the Avians th.m the (act that a year after Hermenegild'sconver-
sion his father caused him to be put to death " becatise he refused
to receive the communion from the hands of an Arian bishop."
But later Leovigild felt soch remorse for his act that he sent for
Leander and committed to his care his second son, Recarcd, who
was converted to the Catholic faith and by his aid the Visigoths
were as above slated in turn converted.
It is too long a story to repeat here of the labours of this holy
prelate both in Seville and in Suevi, another Spanish province.
But his entire life was given up to combating the then widened
heresies of the Arian clergy. One point must not be forgotten
which was prominent in this good man's life, his (ailh in the effi-
cacy of prayer which he constantly taught, preached and exem-
plified. He died on February z?. 596, and the cathedral he
founded in Seville is one of the most magnificent in all Spain.
FEBRUARY 28th.
The Roman Church this day honours an unnamed and unnum-
bered host of men who are truly called in its martyrology " mar-
tyrs, who died in the great pestilence in Alexandria."
It is not those noble men and women who willingly gave up
their lives in defence of and to testify to their faith who are alone
entitled to the name of martyr, for we find them in every age, of
every race and shade of religious belief. Men and women who like
those commemorated to-day gave their lives for the love of Iheir
ALEXANDRIAN MARTYRS 119
fellow men. The world's history hardly furnishes a parallel to
the violent pestilence which swept over the greater portion of the
Roman empire during the twelve years from 249 to 263. It is
said that in one day in Rome in 262, 5,000 persons died from it.
It was during this period that sedition and civil war filled the city
with crime, murder and tumults, which rendered it unsafe for any
one to venture upon the streets. While this state of affairs was
yet at its height pestilence came upon the great city and its streets
were filled with unburied dead and to the noisome exhalations
from these was added the infectious vapours which rose from the
Nile which came to increase the dreadful contagion, and not a
house escaped furnishing its quota. It was then when the pagans,
infidels and heathen fied leaving their own friends, brethren and
families to perish, the Christians, who during the persecutions of
Decius, Gallus and Valerian had been compelled to secure safety
in hiding, came forth like angels of mercy and took up the almost
superhuman task of endeavouring to bring some succor and relief
to their stricken fellow citizens. Regardless of the peril their own
lives were in they went from house to house, nursing the sick,
comforting the dying and burying the dead. Nor did they confine
their attention to those of their own faith. It was enough that one
was sick to command at once such help as these heroic followers
of Christ could render. "Thus," says St. Dionysius, speaking of
these men, *• the best of our brethren have departed this life ;
some of the most valuable, both of priests, deacons and laics ; and
it is thought that this kind of death is nothing different from mar-
tyrdom." Who can deny the saintly prelate's assertion, and if
it is proper to honour the memories of other martyrs these of a
surety should not be forgotten. Thus it is that to-day the
Roman Church honours this nameless " noble army of martyrs."
MARCH
Sturdy March, with brows (ull sternly bent,
And armed strongly, rode upon a ram,
The same which over Hellespontus swam.
Yet in his hand a spade he also bent
And in a bag all sorts of weeds, y same
Which on the earth be strewed as he went.
And filkd her womb with fruitful hope of nourishmcnL
As already said, March was for many years the first month in !
the calendar year and was dedicated by the Romans to Mars,
called Martius, from which our name was derived. The Saxons
termed it " Lenet-raonat" (length -month) as referring to the length-
ening of the days at this season. By some it has been claimed
that the word •■Lent" is derived from the Sason name for this
month.
MARCH 1st.
St. David, the patron saint of Wales, is the most prominent of
those honoured by the Church this day. His name appears in the
Kalendar of the Reformed church, and has been retained by the
English church. He is reputed to have been the son of Xantus,
a prince of Ceretica (now Cardiganshire) of the ancient regal lire
of Cunedda WIedig, His mythical Welsh history as told in the
■■Cotton MSS." makes him a lineal descendant of the Virgin Mary
from whom he was of the eighteenth generation. His legends
all ascribe to him the power to work miracles from the hour of
his birth and some even give him the preternatural faculty while
yet unborn. An angel, it is told us. attended him at all times
to minister to his needs. He was early ordained into the priest-
hood and almost immediately thereafter retired to the Isle of Wight
ST. DAVID 121
where for a time he led the life o( an anchorite but in the mean-
time preparing himself for his ministry. Returning from the Isle
of Wight David first built a chape! at Glastonbury but later
founded many monasteries and a hermitage
and chapel at Lanthony. When ihe Pelagian
heresy sprang up a second time in Britain
the bishops held a Brevi in what is i
Cardiganshire, where David took a n
prominent part and for this he was made
Bishop of Caerleon but be soon transferred
the see to Menervia (now St. David's) then
a populous city where he died in 544.
An eminent English writer says of St.
David: "There is no doubt of the inesti-
mable services rendered by St. David to
British church in those early days which ^
entitle him to a most distinguished plac
in its annals." He is remembered in the " Triads" with Teilo and
Caturg, as one of the "three canonized saints of Britain," while
GiraJdus terms him " a mirror and pattern to all, instructing both
by word and example ; excellent in his preaching but still more so
If the legends of St, David have been somewhat
"extravagantly embroidered" one can hardly
wonder since prior to the Reformation in the
old church at Sarum in England the following
collect was annually read in the service on
March ist : " Oh, God, who by thy angel didst
foretell Thy blessed Confessor, St. David, thirty
years before he was born, grant unto us, we
beseech Thee, that celebrating his memory, we
may, by his intercession, attain to joys ever-
St. David was canonized by Pope Calixtus
II. about five hundred years after his death.
Though no mention is anywhere made of St
t all musical his attribute on Clog sticks is always
n ancient harp doubtless selected because of his name. The two
given above were copied from English sticks of different dates.
n his works."
David being a
122 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS-^H
MARCH Id.
St. Ceadda, or Chad as the name is Anglicised, is honoured
to-day by both the Reformed and Roman Churches, He was a
broihcr of St. Cedd, Bishop of London, and of the two holy priests
Celin and Cymbal. When St. Wilfrid went to France to be con-
firmed Bishop of Northurnbria (or York) he remained so long that
King Oswi in 666 named Chad as Bishop and he was so confirmed
by Wini, Bishop of Winchester and two British prelates. But
when Theodorus, Archbishop of Canterbury, came to judge the
matter he decided Chad's ordioation irregular and the holy man at
once withdrew, later becoming the Bishop
of the Mercians and fixing his see at Litch-
field.
St Chad IS regarded as the missionary
who introduced Christianity among the East
Saxons. He was educated at the monastery
of Lindesfarne or Holy Island, of which he
became the bishop. When old age com-
pelled him to retire he settled with seven or
eight monks, near Litchfield, where he died
in 673 from the pestilence then afflicting the
land. When the old church where St. Chad
I, among the few relics of old days saved
kept in the
J/
was buried (ell
was the ancient wood figure of St. Chad that is
new church at Shrewsbury.
After his canonization St. Chad became the patron saint of
medicinal springs.
The emblem given above which marks St. Chad's Day upon the
Danish Clogs is supposed to represent a fruitful branch.
Is the festival of St. Cunegunda who was the daughter of Sigfrid,
Count of Luxembourg. She was when quite young betrothed to
Henry, Duke of Bavaria, whom she subsequently married. Prior
ST. CUNEGUNDA 123
to her marriage she had with the consent of Henry made a vow
of virginity, which was always faithfully kept. On the death of
Otho III., Emperor of Germany in 1002 Henry was chosen King
of Rome and was crowned at Mentz on June 6th of that year ;
while Cunegunda was crowned at Paderborn on August 10,
1002 (St. Laurence Day), on which occasion she enriched the
churches of the city by many lavish gifts, Henry of Bavaria was
a soldier but above that — in his esteem — he was a Christian and
his devotion to the Church brought on a revolt among certain
powerful nobles who objected to the lavish gifts of both Henry
and his Empress for religious uses. This rebellion was quickly
quelled. In this love of the Church the two were mpst cordially
united. Together they founded and endowed the cathedral and
convent at Bamberg in Franconia where — I note in passing -*
Henry was buried in 1024.
They also founded many other religious edifices both in Ger-
many and Italy. One was the work of Cunegunda herself that
at Cafungen (now Kaifungen) which she gave to the nuns of the
Order of St. Benedict. A base and wicked slander regarding
Cunegunda was at one time circulated that despite her vows of
virginity she had been unfaithful to her husband. Henry could
not and did not for a moment believe these accusations. Yet she
to vindicate her honour begged to be put to " trial by ordeal."
Much as Henry objected he at last gave his consent and in public
she " walked over burning ploughshares unharmed," a very com-
mon ordeal in those days. From that hour Henry's devotion and
the reverence he felt for his wife, true as both had been before
became unbounded. On the anniversary of the death of her hus-
band (August 10, 1024) she, in 1025, put aside her imperial robes
^nd had her beautiful hair, once her pride, cut off and she donned
the habit and veil of the Order of St. Benedict at Kaffungen,
>vhich she had completed during the year. From that time until
Her death March 3, 1040, her life was devoted to her duties as a
nun. She steadfastly refused every indulgence working with her
hands like her fellow sisters. Her body was laid beside that of her
loved husband at Bamberg. She was canonized by Pope Innocent
III. in 1200.
124 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
MARCH 4th.
This day is sacred to a most interesting' character. Casimir
Prince of Poland, the second son of Casimir HI., king of Polam
and Elizabeth ot Austria, a daughter of Albert II. of Austria
Casimir's eldest brother, Uladislas, became king of Bohemia ti
1471 and king ot Hungary in 1490, while a younger brother, Johr
Albert, succeeded his father as king of Poland in 1491.. It was b)
no means want of opportunity that Casimir did not also sit upon ar
earthly throne. The Palatines and other nobles of Hungary ven
dissatisfied with Matthias Corvin, their king, and begged of ih(
King of Poland to place his son Casimir on the throne. He was
then only fifteen years of age and had almost from his infancy
been religiously inclined and had no taste for the offer but would
no doubt have been obliged to accept had not the difference;
between the king and people been adjusted by Pope Sixtus IV,
who acted as mediator. Later he refused the crown ot Hungary
bestowed on his brother long years afterward. Instead of seeking
these worldly honours, his entire hfe was given up to deeds ot
kindness and acts of love in unostentatious privacy until his name
was the synonym for goodness though when he died in 1482 he
was but twenty-three years of age. He died at Vllna and wa5
there buried, but a portrait of him now hangs in the chapel of St.
Germains des Prez in Paris, which, by the way, was built by
John Casimir, king of Poland, the last ot the family of Waia
who renounced his crown and died abbot of SL Germain.
MARCH sth.
While both profane and ecclesiastical history accords mosi
justly to St. Patrick (of whom I shall speak on March 17th) th(
honour of having founded the Christian faith in Ireland, it is aisc
true that for nearly a century before the advent of this noted saini
there were Christians scattered through the island and one ol
these, St. Klaran, or Kenerln (called by the Britons Plran), the
Church honours on this day, and whom the Irish style " the first-
born " ol their saints. According to some he was a native o
ST, KIARAN 125
Ossory, while others claim Cork as his birthplace. Usher places
his birth about the year 352. His legend tells that having
received some imperfect information in regard to the Christian
faith he, when thirty years of age in or about 382, made a journey
to Rome to assure himself of its truth. After a long sojourn *' in
the Holy City/' where by Irish writers he is said to have been
ordained as a bishop he returned to Ireland ''accompanied by
four holy clerks/' whose names as given by these writers were
" Lugacius, Columban, Lugad and Cassan." Dr. Butler, how-
ever, says : " What John of Tinmouth affirms seems far more
probable, that he was one of the Twelve Apostles whom St.
Patrick consecrated bishops in Ireland to aid him in planting the
gospel m the island." Whichever statement is true he had
evidently begun his missionary labours before the advent of the
great man to whom Ireland owes her early and effectual teach-
ings. He built himself a cell near the water at Fuaran where a
town afterwards was biiilt called Saigar, now from this saint
named Sier-keran. Here he converted to the faith not only his
own family but after giving to his mother ** the religious veil "
appointed her to a cell or monastery near his own " called by the
Irish Ceall Lidain " ; her name having been Liadan. In his old
age he passed over into Cornwall where he led an eremitical life
near to the Severn Sea not far from Padstow where he died. A
tower was later built there which was called in his honour Piran's
m the Sands.
This day is also the festival of St. John Joseph of the Cross, one
of the later of the canonized saints of the Church, the bull for his
canonization having been promulgated on Trinity Sunday, May 26,
1839. He was born in 1654 on the island of Ischia, belonging
to the Kingdom of Naples and assumed the name of John Joseph
of the Cross in 1671, at the time of his taking his habit. He
was then but seventeen years old yet we soon see him as " Master
of Novices " and by 1690 promoted to the office of *• Definitor/*
In 1702 he rendered his Order a signal service with the Pontifi-
cate by which the Alcantarines in Italy were established in the
form of a province and the arduous duties of its government
126 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
forced upon our saint. Finally in 1733 the convent of St. Lucy I
ia Naples was made over to the Alcaniarines to which John 1
Joseph retired spending the remainder of his life in good workK 1
and where he died March 5. 1754.
MARCH 6th.
To-day is the festival of St. Colelle, a carpenter's daughter of
Corbie in Picardy whose parents were ardent admirers of the good
St. Nicholas and in his honour christened iheir child Coleue. which
is the diminutive of the saint's name. After the death of her
parents she look the vows and habit of the Third Order of St, I
Francis called the Penitents, and three years later that of the
Mitigated Clares, called Urbanises. From her earliest entrance
upon her holy lite her austerities were marked and severe and she
early resolved to make an effort to re-establish the primitive spirit
and practices of the Order. After visiting several convents she
made a journey to Nice in which city Benedict XHl., then hap-
pened to be. Apparently unaided save by her own strong pur-
pose to revive the rule and spirit of St. Francis, she received from
the Pope her nomination as " Superioress in General of the whole
Order of St. Clare with power to establish such regulations as she
thought to be conducive to God's honour." She foretold the
date of her death which occurred at Ghent or March 6, 1447.
She was never canonized nor is her name mentioned in Roman
Martyrology. but Clement VIII., Paul V.. Gregory XIII., and
Urban VIII. all approved an office in her honour by the whole
Franciscan Order as the " Blessed Colette ! "
MARCH 7th
Is the festival of St. Thomas of Aquino, a doctor of the Church,
a man who is most highly honoured, who died March 7, 1374. at
the famous Cistercian Abbey of Fossa Nuova in Terracina. The
translation of his relics to France at every point presented most
wonderful scenes proving the veneration in which he was held.
ST. PERPETUA 127
At Toulouse an hundred and fifty thousand people gathered to
receive the sacred relics, and the procession into the city was
beaded by Louis, Duke of Anjou — brother of Charles V., and also
by the Archbishop of the see. St. Thomas was canonized by
Pope John XXII. in 1323 while Pope Pius V. in 1567, commanded
his festival to be kept equal with those of the " Four Doctors of
the Western Church."
This day is also the festival of St. Perpetua, a martyr at
Carthage under the persecution of Emperor Severus in 303 when
she, with her companions, won their crown of glory by their blood
shed for the faith.
St, Perpetua is one of the saints whose names was retained by
the Fathers of the Reformed church and which still has a place
in the Kalendar of the Church of England.
The martyrdom of Perpetua and her companions was a pecu-
liarly brutal affair even for those brutal times, and her fortitude
during her trials was beyond praise and won for
her commendation and reverence. She was thrown
into the amphitheatre and tossed by a wild cow
but when this had not entirely extinguished life she
was put to death in the " spoliarium " (the place
where the wounded were dispatched by young
gladiators) by the sword. But before her death
she had a wondrous vision of a ladder reaching
to Heaven though each rung was beset by spikes
and a dragon lying at the bottom upon whose head
she was obliged to tread before mounting the first
step. This vision is represented in Callot's images
and has been adopted by Clog Almanacs, though in art she is
usually shown with a wild cow standing before her.
MARCH 8th.
St. John, surnamed " of God," is one of the saints honoured by
the Church on this day. He was born in Portugal in 1495 of
parents of the humblest class, and his early days were spent as a
I2S SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
shepherii of the Count of Oropeusa in Castile; but in 1522 he
became a soldier, serving in the wars between Spain and France.
then in the Hungarian war and lastly, when Charles V. was King
of Spain, against tile Turks. Thus for fourteen years he lived in
camps and subjected to the temptations besetting a soldier. In
1536 when his troop was disbanded he once more took up his life
as a shepherd, in the service of a rich lady near Seville. Humble
as his parents were they had in his youth instilled into his mind
[he right principles and even amid the debauchery of camp life the
licentiousness of his companions had at first disgusted him ; but,
alas, he was only human, and like many another, by slow degrees
fell but never lo the depths of degradation which some of his com-
panions did. Now in ihe quiet of his pastoral occupations he
began to reflect upon his conduct and how he could by penance
and service regain what he fell he had lost. At last he resolved lo
leave his present occupation and pass over into Africa there to
Strive 10 succour and comfort the captive slaves — of whom just
then there were so many. At Gibraltar he met a Portuguese gen-
tleman who was banished to Barbary and John went with him into
exile serving him (or two years without compensation, then return-
ing to Granada in Spain in 1 538. It was here he first heard John
D'Avila, ■' The Apostle of Andalusia," preach and he set abotit the
fulfilraent of his purpose of striving to redeem the sins of his past
life. From trading and other sources he seems to have accumu-
lated a little money. With this in 1 540 he hired and furnished a
house in Granada, into which he brought such of the sick f>oor as
he found, lending them with his own hands and providing for
them as best he could. This effort came to the knowledge of the
Archbishop and to curtail a long and interesting story of not only
noble efforts in behalf of the sick but of reclaiming from vice many
a fallen one, of surmounting endless difficulties and not a little
opposition, until at last he evolved, through the aid of the Bishop
of Tuy, President of the Royal Court of Judicature of Granada, the
Order of Charily. John had no thought of founding a Religious
Order and it was not until six years after his death it really look
form and the religious vows were not introduced until 1570; but
practically it had been founded and he is the recognised
ST. JOHN OF GOD 129
" Founder." The name " John of God " was bestowed upon him
by the good Bishop of Tuy.
I wish I might tell something more of his work, of how the King
and princes at last came to vie with each other to aid him when he
came to Valladolid, and the honours bestowed upon him. It is
only one of the many stories that show how none of us are so
poor or helpless that if we but will we may do good.
John of God died on his knees before the altar on March 8,
1 550. He was beatified by Urban VIII. in 1630 and canonized by
Alexander VIII. in 1690.
MARCH 9th
Is the festival of St. Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop and Confessor, a
younger brother of St. Basil the Great and the author of many
learned works still extant and which -were republished in three
huge folios between 161 5 and 1638. As a rhetorician and orator
he had few in his generation who were his equal. In youth he
had been highly educated and became a married man but later
resigned worldly honours and was ordained lector. In 372 he
was chosen Bishop of Nyssa, a city in Cappadocia, near the Lesser
Armenia. His eloquence made him a terror to the Arians, who at
length prevailed on Demosthenes, the Vicar or deputy governor of
the province, to banish him, but after the death of Valens in 378
the Emperor Gratian restored him to his see. Aside from his
learned writings Gregory of Nyssa, as he is usually termed, was
most noted for his determined opposition to the Arian heresy.
He died on January 10, 400, the date on which the Greeks have
always honoured him but the Latin Church has for ages kept his
festival on this 9th of March.
MARCH loth.
The Church this day holds in sacred memory the martyrdom
of perhaps as remarkable a body of men as ever testified to their
faith with their blood. They were Roman soldiers, brave and
130
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
fearless who knowing their duty, never failed to do it for thqr I
bdonged to " The Thundering Legion" so famous under Marcus
Aurelius, that Twelfth Legion, the flower of the array who we
320 quartered in Armenia with Lysias as duke or general of tbs
army while Agricola was governor of the province. The latter, by
orders of the Emperor Licinius, promulgated his command that all
should sacrifice to the Roman gods. It was then these "Forty
Martyrs of Seb.isle," as they are called in Roman Martyrology,
rose to the higher duty they owed to their faith holding It above
any they were bound by, as Roman soldiers. Thus it was Ihey
appeared before Agricola telling him they were Christians and as
such could not obey the order, at the same time pointing to their
record as true, faithful soldiers of the empire. Agricola tried to
reason with them but without avail. Then they were rent with
iron hooks, scourged and east into prison. After some days Lysiaa
who happened to be in Cssarea at the time returned, but no '
promises of wealth or aught else could make them waver. It was
then Agricola conceived a horrid punishment for them. It was
intensely cold and close to the town was a pond which was then
frozen over and it was ordered they should be stripped naked and
compelled to stand on the ice. Yet of them all only one of their
number faltered, and, strangely, as he came forward to recant he
fell dead. When morning broke both those who had died during
the night from exposure and the living were alike cast upon a fire
and burned. These are the heroes whom the Church honours
this day.
MARCH nth.
Among others that are named this day in the Roman Kalendar
is St. yEngus, Abbot of the monastery of Cluain-Edneach in
Ireland, and a bishop. Dr. Butler says : " It was then usual in
Ireland for the abbots of the chief monasteries to be made bishops.
iCngus was distinguished by the surname of Kele-De (Worshipper
of God) or what came to be known as the Culdees ; of whom we
read so much in early Scotch history. There has been a world of
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 131
historical an*d polemic controversy over the origin of this word
Culdee. The Cele-De of Armagh Ireland) and the Colidee of
York, canons of the cathedral, seemingly were identical. In
Scotland the name first took the form of Keledio, almost the
same as that bestowed upon St. JEngviSy who for a time lived an
eremitical life, and this gives a slight reason for Burton's (the
Scotch historian) opinion that the word Culdee may have come
from the Celtic word Kill (a cell). But Dr. Reeves, the celebrated
Celtic etymologist, glosses the word Cele-De as ** Spouse of God,"
which apparently settles •the question of name. Important, how-
ever, as the Culdees appear in the ecclesiastical history of Scot-
land, it would seem as though they were not under an episcopal
hierarchy like the secular side of the church. That they married
is patent. The gracious Duncan, who married the daughter of
Malcolm II., was the son of Cronan or Crinan, Abbot of the
Culdees of Dunkeld. Yet these Culdees were monks and
evidently under canonical rule by the Roman Church just as our
St. iCngus was whose title led me into this digression. St. JEngas
is especially noted for having written several books on the Irish
Saints of the church and for compiling " a longer and shorter Irish
martyrology." He died at Desert JEngus, a famous Irish monas-
tery named for him, about the year 824.
MARCH 1 2th
Is esteemed by the Roman Church as a festival of more than
usual importance, as it is that of Gregory I., " The Great," who
sat in the pontifical chair from 590 to 604.
There have been popes of every shade of human character but
Gregory the Great is one distinguished by his modesty, disinter-
estedness and sincere religious zeal, tempered by a toleration
which could only spring from pure benevolence. The son of a
Roman Senator, with high mental gifts and all the accomplish-
ments of his age, he was drawn early into prominent position but
always against his will. He would fain have continued to be an
obscure monk or a missionary but his qualities were such that at
132 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
length even the popedom was thrust upon him (on the death of
Pclagiua II. in 590). On this occasion he wrote to the sister of
the emperor: " Appearing to be outwardly exalted I am really
fallen. My endeavours were 10 banish corporeal objects from my
mind that 1 might spiritually behold heavenly joys. ... I am
come into the depths of the sea, and the tempest hath drowned
In exercising the functions of his high station Gregory, while he
exhibited great firmness, it was always tempered by mildness and
forbearance and he remembered that from his position he was
'■ the father of the sick and needy." With him to relieve the poor
was the first of Christian gjaces. He devoted a large proportion
of his revenue and a vast amount of personal care to this object.
He in a manner took the entire charge of the poor upon his own
hands. He removed their necessities with so much sweetness
and affability as to spare them the confession of receiving alms;
the old men he out of deference, called his fathers. He often
entertained several of them at his own table. He kept by him an
exact catalogue of the poor called by the ancients " matricula; "
and he liberally provided for the necessities of each.
It was this Gregory of whom (before he attained his great
dignity) the well-known story is told of seeing certain slaves in
the market asked who they were and from what country ihey
came ; and on being told they were " Angli," he was so impressed
by their beauty of person that he cried out " Verily Angeli."
His one great hope and ambition from that time was to become a
missionary to the heathen of Britain and he once actually started
on his journey thither when on the third day he was recalled to
Rome by the Apostolic Father. Missionaries, however, thanks to
Gregory's influence were shortly thereafter sent to Britain.
Gregory during his pontificate was a prolific writer. Among
his productions there are extant forty homilies upon the Gospels ;
twenty-two on Ezekiel ; not to speak of others which fill four
large folio volumes and are highly prized by Roman ecclesiastics.
He was one of the " Four Great Doctors of the Latin Church "
and next to St. Jerom the most popular, and therefore he is so
often presented in art singly. In these pictures he bears the tiara
1
y ■
ST. NICEPHORUS 133
of the Pope and the crosier with the double cross and the dove his
special attribute. A legend tells that John the Deacon who was
St. Gregory's secretary declared that as the saint sat writing, the
Holy Spirit, in the form of a Dove, sat upon his shoulder. The
legends told of St. Gregory are numerous and touching in their
pathos. Especially so is the one often referred to as " The
Supper of St. Gregory/' which has been made the subject of
several noted works of art.
Personally, St. Gregory is said to have been tall, corpulent and
of a swarthy complexion with jet black hair but having a thin
beard. He presented his portrait with others of the family to the
monastery of St. Andrew which he founded, and which now is
the Church of San Gregorio in Rome of which Mrs. Jameson
wrote of that view from the " Garden of Sta Slivia " so many of
us remember :
" To stand here on the summit of the flight of steps which
leads to the portal, and look across to the ruined palace of the
Caesars, makes the mind giddy with the rush of thoughts. There
before us, the Palatine Hill — pagan Rome in the dust; here
the little cell a few feet square where slept in sackcloth the man
who gave the last blow to the power of the Caesars, and first set
his foot as sovereign on the cradle and capital of their greatness."
A volume would hardly suffice to recount all that one would
wish to write of this remarkable man and therefore I must let this
meagre and unsatisfactory account pass as it is written.
MARCH 13th.
St. Nicephorus. Patriarch of Constantinople, is one of those
whom the Latin Church honoured this day and who first came into
notice after Constantine and Irene ascended the throne and gave
to Christians protection from the persecution they had suffered
under Constantine Copronymus. Nicephorus had early attracted
the attention of the emperor and was elevated to the dignity of
secretary. He distinguished himself by his zeal against the Icono-
clasts and was made secretary to the second Council of Nice. In
134 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
806 he was chosen Patriarch of Constantinople and was noted for
his unwearied effort to restore the old-time manners and teaching
of the early Fathers, especially in regard to the reverence of
images, duiming that the Iconoclasts were inconsistent when thev
venerated the figure of the cross and the book of the four Gospels
but condemned like honour paid 10 the images of Christ; using
the same argument which had so often been put forvf ard, that :
" For these eight hundred years, since the time of Christ, there
had been pictures of Him and He had been honoured in them."
In 813 Leo the Armenian, former Governor of Katoli a. became
emperor and being an Iconoclast encouraged his soldiers to mal-
treat an image of Christ on a cross on the brazen gate of the city
and ordered it removed. The protests against this act and subse-
quent trial of St. Nicephorus by a court of Iconoclast bishops
resulted in his condemnation to exile and deposition from office.
He died in exile on June 2d. 838. His body was by order of
Empress Theodora, brought back with great pomp and ceremony
on March 13th, 846. This day was therefore selected on which
e his memory.
MARCH 14th.
St. Maud or Maihildis, queen of Germany, is Co-day most espie-
cially honoured in that country. In older days the names Maud,
Maihildis, Matilda and Mathilda were in England and on the Con-
tinent used synonymously. The wife of Henry I. of England was
styled Maud or Matilda as the writer happened to choose. In
speaking of St, Henry so much of the story of the life of St. Maud
has been told, how from their cradles they had been playmates and
lovers, that little now need be added save a few words of eulogy
ot which not many women of her rank are more deserving. Her
entire lite outside of the beautiful domestic circle had but one great
purpose in view, to visit, comfort and leach the poor, the sick and
the ignorant. When at the moment of her husband's death she
was at the altar in prayer for him, she saw by the eyes of those
about her that he had already gone to his reward, she rose hum-
LONGINUS 135
bly bowing to the Divine will. Then in token of her resolution
she cut from her garments the jewels she wore and gave them to
the priest to be disposed of for the poor. From that hour her
remaining life was a succession of noble deeds of charity and in
the use of her wealth to build and endow churches, hospitals and
monasteries. Of the latter it is told that in the one at Poldeu in
the Duchy of Brunswick she maintained 3,000 monks. Indeed
the charities were only limited by a lack of knowledge as to where
they were most needed. She not only gave of her wealth but
her personal service was at all times added to enhance the value
by her example of perfect self-sacrifice.
She died March 14, 968 and her relics still rest at Quedlinbourg.
MARCH 15th,
In certain old English and German Kalendars there appears a
name not to be found in either Latin or Greek Martyrology, named
in the Old English Longinus and who according to mediaeval
legends was the centurion who under orders of Pontius Pilate
pierced our Saviour's side with a spear. This strange legend also
says : " This man was blind " — but fails to enlighten us how a
blind man could have been a centurion, or why he was chosen for
such a purpose ; but adds that as the ** blood and water " flowed
from Christ's wounds, "some drops fell upon the eyes of this
soldier and his sight was miraculously restored," and still further
attributing to him the words recorded by SS. Matthew and Mark,
as made by a centurion at the death of our Lord : " Truly this
man was the Son of God." Then follows an account of how he,
Longinus, at once affiliated with the Apostles and became "an
active soldier of the faith." Soon we are told Longinus was
arrested and brought before Octavius, the prefect, when he at once
confessed himself a Roman soldier and a convert to Christianity.
• They then the legend continues discussed Paganism vs. Christian-
ity; only resulting in Longinus being ordered into the hands of the
tormentors. These torments were borne uncomplainingly until at
last a curious compromise was made to which Octavius con-
135 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
sented that Longinus might work his will upon the pagan idols
and if he successlully overcame them, then ihc pagans should
desert their gods and become Christians.
In due season Longinus " broke all ihetr idols in pieces and
trampled over them," but as the Devils were fleeing from them the
old soldier stopped them and demanded of them their secret.
Then they too confessed (he power of Cod, and that they sought
refuge in the iiiols as a pl.ice secure from having the ram
Christ invoked upon them or the " sign of the Cross " made upon
poor Longinus from death for Octa-
r. Yet the story tells in the end that
; a convert, "These things," the
the city of Csesarea of Cappadocia
them. All this did
vius feared the Komaa pov
even Octavius later becat
legend closes, " were acted
n the ides of March, under Octavius the Prefect."
St. Abraham, whose festival the Church keeps this day, is
another example of the fascination the lite of a Hermit and Recluse
had for so many in the early centuries of the Church. Abraham
came From a wealthy Mesopotamian family. Of his own free will
he married a woman whom he greatly admired. But the hour the
wedding feast ended, he announced to his bride his resolution to
lead an eremitical life and at once retired to a cell near Edessa
where his friends found him after searching during seventeen
days. He was not a priest but he told them he desired to spend
his life in solitude and in secret adoration of God. No pleas of
any kind availed and his friends were obliged to leave him in his
cell where he remained for fifty years except once when the Bishop
persuaded him to act as a missionary to a country town near
Edessa which was given over to paganism. In this work our
recluse was eminently successful but as soon as it was completed
he returned to his cell. Through his friends he distributed in
charity the revenues of the vast estates his parents had left him,
A brother of Abraham who died shortly after the return of the
recluse had left to his care his only daughter. For her Abraham-
built a cell near his own and placed her there teaching her his
doctrines of retirement and devotion. The girl soon wearied of
this life and the legend tells that under the seductions of a wily,
ST. JULIAN OF CILICIA 137
wicked monk she fell and went to the city where she led a life of
infamy, until at last to reclaim her if possible Abraham once
more for awhile abandoned his cell and sought her out. With
not a little difficulty he at length gained her consent to return
with him where during the fifteen years of her remaining life she
spent her time in penance and prayer. Abraham died five years
before his niece, in or about 360. His name appears in all the
early Latin, Greek and Coptic Kalendars ; while that of St. Mary
his niece is found only in those of the Greeks.
MARCH i6th
Is the festival of St. Julian of Cilicia. Born of a senatorian family
in Anazarbus, he became a minister of the gospel, but under the
persecutions of Dioclesian he, like so many thousand others, was
made to suffer and prove his faith. While none escaped from the
brutal torments of those edicts, Julian was called on to undergo a
series of torments which it would seem only fiends could invent.
He chanced to fall under the orders of a judge, who knowing his
character, by a system of refined cruelty had him daily for a whole
year dragged through the streets of the cities of Cilicia as a base
malefactor, to be scoffed and jeered at by the populace. When
threats of torture were added to this disgrace, and lavish promises
were made of wealth and civic honour if he would yield and wor-
ship the idols, had all proved vain and unavailing, to quote from
his legend : " The bloody executioners had torn his flesh, furrowed
his sides, laid bare his bones and his bowels exposed to view,
scourges, fire and the sword were used to torment him." When
at last the fiends saw his life was waning and human nature could
endure no more, this judge, as if to surpass all former cruelties,
caused this martyr to be sewed up in a sack containing "scor-
pions, serpents and vipers," after which he was cast into the sea
at /EgcsL But the sea gave up this horrid sack and some of the
faithful recovered the sacred relics, which at last were conveyed
to Antioch.
138 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
MARCH i7ih
Is the festival of the most noted saint of Ireland. St, Patrick,
Probably no man ever lived over whom so many battles have been
[ought as to where his birthplace was. From a carefully
lated edition of the Confessions of St. Patrick, annexed to Misa
Cusack's " Life of St. Patrick." and generally accepted by ecclesi-
astics as authority, it seems certain that " Patricius" was born of
Christian parents at Bannavem of Tabernia, a Roman provincial
village in Britain, St. Patrick also proves he was of gentle birth,
for in his Confessions he says his father was a " deeurio," that b
one of the council or magistracy of a Roman town. As near as
we can learn he was born about the year 372 and until he waa
sixteen lived the simple life of £k farmer's son. Then an event not
uncommon in those days happened to him for he was captured bj
pirates and sold into Irish slavery where for some years he was
employed as a swineherd on the Sleamish mountains in County
Antrim. He once escaped but was recaptured. His second
attempt was successful and he reached his native land. He had
during his captivity learned the Irish language and after his escape
a vision warned him to return to Ireland as a missionary but
before doing so some of his biographers state he travelled into
Gaul and Italy and received from Pope Celestine in 432 his Apos-
tolic benediction. In his Confessions Patrick does not tell how or
where he was consecrated as bishop but that he exercised the
powers and functions of that office is clear while his authority to
do so was never doubled. Yet his Confessions evidently written
toward the close of his life seem to infer he had been serving as a
missionary many years before he was consecrated. These Con-
fessions Dr. Skene, the eminent Scotch historiographer, takes
pains to assert are in all respects authentic and reliable but adds
that at a later period "this simple narrative became incrusted with
a mass of traditional, legendary and fictitious matter."
Of St, Patrick's hfe work in " lerne " (Ireland), space cannot be
given to speak, in detail ; though we know his principal enemies
were the Druid priests who then held sway. There were also
magicians, the " Magi," or " Druadh " who acted as physicians and
\
ST. PATRICK 139
as such their influence was unbounded. From a metrical life of
St. Patrick attributed to " Fiacc of Sleibhte/'.we learn :
" He preached three-score years
The Cross of Christ to the Tuatha of Feni ;
In the Tuatha of Erin there was darkness,
The Tuatha adored the Side."
From the Book of Armagh we learn the Side, or Sid he, were
*• gods of the earth, phantoms," mysterious beings who were sup-
posed to dwell alike in heaven or on earth, in the sea, the sky, the
rivers, mountains and valleys, at will. Spirits to be dreaded and
conciliated, who were to be worshipped and invoked both by
themselves and through the natural objects in which they dwelt.
This was the secret cause of the fear that the people felt and
their reverence for the sanctity of the Druid oak and stone circles
we so constantly read of in early English, Scotch and Irish history.
But I must not venture into this interesting story of Druidism.
Still we may well believe nothing but the power of God, delegated
to St. Patrick, could have overcome the dangers and difficulties
these Druid priests interposed in the holy man's path. Of the
endless number of miracles ascribed to St. Patrick only a volume
would suffice to tell them. That of his driving the snakes out of
Ireland is too patent for repetition. Another that is duly vouched
for in his " Legendary Life," is not as well known when he made
a fire out of ice and snowballs :
** Saint Patrick, as in legends told,
The morning being very cold.
In order to assuage the weather,
Collected bits of ice together ;
Then gently breathed upon the pyre.
When every fragment blazed on fire."
Of the well known legend in regard to the shamrock having
been used by St. Patrick to illustrate the Unity of the Trinity, there
is little doubt ; still less as to its fitness as an emblem but it is
certainly a curious coincidence if nothing more that the trefoil in
Arabic is called ** shamrakh " and was held sacred in Iran as em-
blematical of the Persian Triads.
I may not enter on the mooted question of the date of St.
Patrick's death which has been placed in two different years, 464
HO SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
and 493. Mr. Skene devotes a great number of pages to show
that this discrepancy comes through an error in regard to the
length of his Irish captivity. Dr. Butler and most authorities
place it in 464, Phillips' Biographical Dictionary revised by
Wcitenkamp. places it in 466.
As the birthplace o( St. Patrick has been disputed so has that of
his burial. But the general evidence indicates that he was
buried at Downpatriclt and that the remains of St. CoJumba and
St. Bridget were laid beside bim according to the old monkish
Leonine distich ;
Which may be thus rendered :
" On the hill of Down, buried in one tomb,
Were Bridget and Patrlcius, with Columba the pious,"
MARCH i8th.
St. Cyril. Archbishop of Jerusalem, is the most noted of the
saints honoured by the Roman Church this day both for his
sanctity and his wonderful writings but even more so for his
gallant struggle against the heresies and schisms which had crept
into the Christian Church, the chief among them being Arianism.
But 1 must leave unsaid what is due to the learning and holy lite
of St. Cyril who died in 386 and is honoured by both the Greek
and Latin Churches on this day.
St. Edward, King of England, who has a place both in that
of the Roman Martyrology and the Church of England has his
festival this day. The old story of his assassination at Corfe
Castle is far too trite to repeat again in full for it has been lold in
every English history. The unfortunate king was by order of his
mother-in-law. buried in unhallowed ground at Wareham but at
once, most wonderful sights began to appear about his tomb and
1
ST. JOSEPH 141
marvellous miracles were performed. " Then lights shone from
above ; there the lame walked ; there the dumb resumed his
faculty of speech ; there every malady gave wey to health," are the
words of that quaint old Saxon chronicler, William of Malmesbury.
From this resting place Edward's relics were translated three
years after his death, in 978, to the monastery of Shaftesbury.
MARCH 19th
Is the festival of St. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary.
As far back as the traditions of the Christian Church extend
we find the name of Joseph honoured as a saint. The one simple
fact of his having been chosen as the guardian of the Virgin and
her Divine Son is alone enough to justify the esteem in which the
Fathers of the Early Church held him. It was not until the bulls
of Pope Gregory XV. in 1621, and Urban VIII. 1642, that this
festival became obligatory. The Syrians and other Eastern
churches held this festival on July 29th but the Western church
observed it on this 19th day of March.
Outside of what is told in Holy Writ there is little of an authen-
tic character known of Joseph. The legend of the Virgin and her
marriage with Joseph given in the " Protevangelion " lies before
me as I write, but it is too elaborate for transcribing here. When
the priest Zacharius was directed " by an angel " to assemble
together ** all the widowers among the people " from whom was
to be selected the spouse of Mary, each was commanded to bring
his " rod," or staff, and Joseph came with the rest. When he
appeared before the priest and presented his rod " lo ! a dove
issued out of it — a dove dazzling white as snow, and after settling
on his (Joseph's) head, fiew away to heaven."
The time of Joseph's death is a mooted pK>int. Some, on what
ground I am unable to say, put the date at the time Jesus Christ
was eighteen years old. A crutched staff is the usual attribute of
Joseph but I find none upon any of the Clog sticks I have seen.
In art Joseph carries a wallet and a pilgrim's staff. His dress is a
gray tunic and a saffron mantle.
142 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
MARCH 2oth.
Few of my readers who have visited Melrose Abbey, Scotia
will have had told them the legend of " Muilros," the old Melrose
and its famous Saint Cuthbcrl, whom the Church honours to-day.
He was a Northumbrian sbephcrd lad hom near the old monastery
to whom as he watched his flock at night, " angels came and
talked with him," a legend full of material for a poet's idyl though
the truth is hardly less beautiful. For the shepherd lad came at
last to enter the Monastery of Muilros as a novice where St. Aldan
had been prior. None ever claimed for Culhbcrt wondrous learn-
ing, but he had in him that which was better. " the beauty ol holi-
ness." When the time came he went forth from the old monastery
as one inspired, wandering faraway into mountainous regions
deemed almost inaccessible and by his magnetism of voice an4
manner won the hearts and love of those wild, untamed peopln
and though he became the Prior of Muilros and Bishop of Lindis-
farne it is as a preacher and a missionary that his name, even now
after more than twelve centuries are gone. Is held in loving rever-
ence in the " country-side " where he laboured and on the island of
Fame, where he died in 687. The story of his relics is a long and
most strange one until at last they were recovered from the Danes
in the XI. century still as fresh and uncorrupted as at the hour of
death.
ISy turning to September 4th of this volume the reader will find
another and more extended notice of this saint.
MARCH 21st,
The Roman Church this day honours a saint who is also one
whose name was retained by the Reformed church, St. Benedict
or Bennett as he is at times called. Patriarch of the Western Monks,
and founder of the celebrated Benedictine Order. As the father
of Western monarchism and the great and durable influence he
exerted both in England and upon Northern Continental Europe,
it seems almost idle Co try to sum up his history in the few lines I
1
I
ST. BENEDICT 143
am compelled to do. He was tmm at Norcia in Umbria, A. D.
480. He began his studies at Rome but being disgusted with th«
world resolved to leave it and went
of Subiaco when he was scarcely
fourteen years old. There meet-
ing with a monk of some neigh-
bouring community he received
from him the religious habit and
became remarkable for austerity
and piety. It was on Mount
Cassinothat he founded bis first
monastery and bound the monks
by those rules which afterward
became so popular, ft is re-
lated that he would often roll
himself in a heap of briars as a
means of self-mortilication. St.
Gregory tells us that the Goths
set fire to his cell which burned
around him without doing him
[he least hurt and thai they then
threw him into a hot oven
closely stopping it up but upon
coming the next day they found
hirn safe neither his flesh being
scorched nor his clothes singed.
The early Anglo-Saxon monks led a very loose life, to apply no
more severe term. It wasSt. Dunstan who restored the strict rule
of St. Benedict and his Order.
ST. BENEDICT.
MARCH I2d.
Mid-Lent Sunday or the fourth Sunday in Lent, is in England
iniversally called
" MOTHERING SUNDAY."
This title came from one of the oldest and most rigidly observed
I England but long since obsolete though
of the earlier customs it
LLS ■
i
144 SAINTS AND FESTIVA
the name still clings to the day. On this day il was the custom for
children, no matter what their age might be to pay a formal visit
to their parents, but most especially the mother; at which time
they carried with them a present of cakes called " Simnel Cakes,'
and the visit was termed : " Going A-Mothering." Upon the
occasion the mother bestowed upon her child her blessing. The
genial Herrick, in a canzonet addressed to Diancme, says :
" I'll to thee a simnel bring.
'Gainst thou go a-mothering ;
So that, when she blesses thee,
Half that blessing thou'lt give me."
But the use o( " Simnel Cake," was not conflned to this gift
brought to the mother of the family. It was almost a universal
custom to make these cakes during Lent, at Easter and Christmas.
They were a very rich son of '■ plum-cake, with plenty of candied
lemon-peel and other good things " entering into their composition.
After liiey were made they were tied up in a cloth, boiled for several
hours ihen brushed over with a coating of egg and sugar and baked
so that when ready the outer crust was almost as hard as wood.
They were sold at every " liake-Shop." It was also an old French
custom to make these cakes with a figure of Christ or the Virgin
Mary.
The name Simnel is supposed to be derived from the Latin
" si mil a," fine flour of the choicest quality.
This day is observed at Carthage in honour of St. Deogratias,
In 439 Genseric, the Arian King of the Vandals, captured Car-
thage inflicting many cruelties upon the Christians, and banished
their Bishop Quodvultdeus and a large number of others, and it
was not until 454, that another orthodox prelate was allowed in
Carthage. That year St. Deogratias was made Archbishop. In the
meantime Genseric had plundered Rome and carried off from
many places innumerable captives into Africa, where the Moors
and Vandals shared them. As soon as Deogratias was installed
he not only sold everything of his own but all the gold and silver
vessels of the church and began the redemption of these captives.
He also personally laboured in this humane service until 457, liter-
ST. IRENiEUS 145
ally worn out by his arduous work, he died, on March 22d. It
is for this the Church honours him to-day ; though the old Car-
thage Kalendars name his festival for January 5th.
MARCH 23d.
The Church this day remembers St Alphonsus Turibius, a
Spaniard by birth from the Kingdom of Leon. After passing
through the varied gradations necessary for preparing him for the
important position Turibius was named as Archbishop of Lima
and sent to Peru to care for the infant Church, then struggling
for existence in that far off country. His story is almost the same
as that of all those early labourers in the missionary fields of both
North and South America. Travelling on foot through trackless
wildernesses, suffering for food, shelter and raiment, yet always
without complaint or a regret for the wealth and splendour of his
early life until after twenty-five years of arduous work, worn out
in the service of Christ he died at Santa, a town distant an hun-
dred and ten leagues from Lima, on March 23d, 1606, at the age
of sixty-eight years. He was beatified by Innocent XI. in 1659
and canonized in 1726 by Benedict XIII., while Benedict XIV.
makes especial mention of many miracles wrought through his
intercession.
MARCH 24th
Commemorates the martyrdom of St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium,
the capital of a part of Pannonia. It is now a village twenty-two
leagues from Buda in Hungary. The far reaching pK)wer of Dio-
clesian can hardly be better illustrated than it is by the case of Ire-
naeus. We are apt to think of these persecutions as confined to
Rome and Palestine but there was no quarter of the Roman em-
pire that escaped. It was so with our saint, far away in a quiet
hamlet teaching Christ's loved lessons and doing good to all as
his hands found the opportunity. His is but a repetition of the oft
told tale. A refusal to worship idols, a farce of a trial, condemna-
146 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
tion to death. Theafae was beheaded and bis body thrown i
THE ANNUNCIATION.
This day is held in like reverence by the Latin, Greek and Re-
formed Churches everywhere, as the day when the Angel brought
the happy tidings to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of
the Son of God as told in the Gospel of St. Luke I.. 28,
The antiquity of this festival is un-
^^ . questioned for among the sermons of
^^ ^V St. Augustine or Austin (who died
^ • j/'^ 1 August a8, 430) often called " The ,
_^^ ^_^_^ Greatest of the Fathers," are two upon "
"^^^^^^^^ this festival and in one of these he
^^^^ J s.-iy; : '■ .According to ancient tradiiion
^. ^^^^^^ this mystery was conipltied on the
' 25th of March." At least we know
that from the V, century this has been the date upon which the
solemn festival has been celebrated for Pope Gelasius I., in 492,
mentions the tact. The tenth council of Toledo, in 656, calls the
solemnity "The Festival of the Mother of God." Indeed at all
times and in all ages the day and the festival have been devoutly
reverenced by all branches of the Christian Church.
The illustration here given is the one found upon English sticks
10 mark the day and is not intended as the attribute of the Virgin.
In representations of the Annunciation the Virgin Mary is shown
kneehng or seated at a table reading. The lily (her emblem) is
usually placed between her and the Angel Gabriel who holds in
one hand a sceptre surmounted by a fleur-de-lis on a lily stalk;
generally a scroll is proceeding from his mouth with the words
'■ Ave Maria gratia plena " and sometimes the Holy Spirit is repre-
sented as a dove descending towards the Virgin.
In England this day is usually called " Lady Day " and in France
'■ Notre Dame de Mars."
ST. LUDGER 147
MARCH 26th
Is the festival of St. Ludger, Bishop of Munster, and the Apostle
«f Saxony. The early life of Ludger may be briefly told. Born in
Triesland in 743 he was the son of a nobleman of the first rank.
At his own request when young, he became the pupil of Gregory
who succeeded St. Boniface in the see of Utrecht and from him he
received the cleric tonsure. Readers, however, should remember
that this was a common custom among students at monastic
schools in those early days, and by no means meant that they were
cither under holy vows or in holy orders. As an ardent student
and desirous of widening his education, Ludger, after leaving the
school of Gregory, went to the famous school at York, England,
then under that celebrated teacher, Alcuin. Here he spent four
and a half years in the then customary study of ecclesiastical litera-
ture and the ancient languages. Shortly after 776 he returned to
Utrecht and was ordained to the priesthood when Alberic, succes-
sor of Gregory, sent him to his native Friesland to missionate
among the pagans of that country ; but the ravages of the pagan
Saxons at length drove him out. When however, in 787 Charle-
magne overcame the Saxons, conquered Friesland and the coast of
the Germanic ocean as far as Denmark, our saint saw the way open
for his return to his missionary' work and it was through his efforts
that the Saxons in Friesland and in the province of Sudergou (now
called Westphalia) were converted to the Christian faith. Thus he
was able to found the celebrated monastery of Werden in La
Mark, twenty-nine miles from Cologne. From this he gained the
title of the '* Apostle of Saxony." Ludger would gladly have
rested at his monastery but in 802 Hildebald, Archbishop of
Cologne, drew him from his retirement and ordained him Bishop
of Mimigardeford, a city whose name was later changed to Mun-
ster. Five cantons of Friesland were also joined to his diocese.
His strict rules drew down upon him the enmity of the more
lax of his clergy, who brought accusations against him before the
Emperor Charlemagne. But he easily proved his faithfulness to
the church and his office. Ludger was favoured by a singularly
clear gift of prophecy. At a time when such an event was the
148 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
last thing to be dreamed of, he foretold the invasion o( Ihe Nor*
mans from Denmark and Norway and of the ravages Uicy would
make in the French empire. So, too, he foretold his own death on
March 26, 809.
MARCH 27th.
In the story of the life of the Hermit St. John of Egypt whom
the Church honours this day wc have a picture of one of the
earliest of the many holy men who adopted an eremitical life : at
the same time presenting some curious features. John was bom
about 303. of a parentage from the lower class, and was a carpen-
ter by trade until he was twenty-live years of age. Then im-
pelled by a dctire for a better — i. e., a holier life — he placed
himself under the guidance of a venerable anchoret who, to teach
him implicit obedience, imposed on him the " seemingly ridiculous
task of watering a dead dry stick as if it had been a living plant."
This Rufinus in his second book of the lives of the fathers, tells us
John did with fidelity and unquestioning. He lived thus with his
mentor for twelve years learning the lessons of humility and sub-
mission to Cod. After the old anchoret died John spent three or
four years in neighbouring monasteries but his love for the life of
a hermit had so won his heart that when he was about forty years
of age he selected a rock near Lycopolis and erected for himself
a cell. This he walled in save for one small window through
which he received his necessary supplies. On certain days he al-
lowed persons to converse with him provided they were men, as
he never spoke to or looked on a woman ; the rest ot his time
was spent in prayer and devotion.
Like St. Ludger he had the gift of prophecy, though he exercised
it sparingly. One prophecy stands on record. Theodosius the
Elder was attacked by the tyrant Maximus ; emboldened by his
success in 383 against Gratian, in 387 dethroning Valentinian.
When Theodosius consulted John he prophesied his success, and
upon this the Emperor marched into the West, crossed the Alps
and took the tyrant in Aquelia, the soldiers cutting off MaxJmus'
ST. GONTRAN 149
head. He also foretold many other events regarding the Empire
all of which were fulfilled. Many miraculous powers were attrib-
uted to him such as reading the unspoken thoughts of those who
came to him as was the case recorded by Dr. Butler, when, a short
time prior to his death, the Bishop of Helenopolis came to him.
John of Egypt died near the close of 394. " Probably," says
Dr. Butler, " on the 1 7th of October, on which day the Copths or
Egyptian Christians keep his festival, but Roman and other Latin
Martyrologies mark it on March 27th."
MARCH 28th
Is sacred in the Roman Church to St. Sixtus III., Pope, who was
raised to the pontifical chair in 432 and died on this day in 440.
It is also the festival of St. Gontran, king of Orleans and a grand-
son of Clovis I. He was especially notable for having in those
days when '* might was right " governed his kingdom rather on
the principles laid down in the Gospels than by the universal
tyranny of his day, a man whose life and conduct kept even pace
with his profession as a Christian. He was very strict in punish-
ing offenders against the laws but to those who only offended
against himself he was lenient and forgiving. During his last
years he was almost a recluse amid the courtly pageant that
surrounded him, spending all the time he could take from the
cares of state in prayer and penance. A just and upright king
living in such an age deserves mention. He died on March 28,
593 when 68 years of age after a reign extending a little over
thirty-one years, and marked as one of the bright spots in early
French history.
To show the bitter antagonism of the Huguenots to Romanism
in the XVI. century it is recorded they dug up the relics of St.
Gontran after a peaceful rest of nearly a thousand years and
scattered their dust to the winds to satisfy their fury.
1
I50 SAINTS AND FESTIVAL
MARCH 29th.
PASSION SUNDAY.
This Sunda/ which immediately precedes Palm Sunday is the
beginning of ihe most solemn part of the Lenten season, it being
that which is devoted to the com me mor.it ion of the terrible
Bufferings which our Saviour was called upon 10 undergo before
that memorable day upon Calvary ; the Day of Days, never to be
forgotten by Christians, It, therefore, has been most appropriately
called Passion Sunday as the week is also termed Passion Week
though in some of the early nienologies it was identified (incor-
rectly) with Holy Week. Among early Christians on this day
when in every orthodox church images of not only our Lord
Christ were set up, but also those of the apostles and other saintly
personages when these images were all invariably draped with
violet — a custom still observed in the Roman Church — rcfei'ence
being thereby made lo the words of the Gospel — for this day in
the Liturgy of the Roman Church — of John vni,, 59 : " Then
took they up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid himself, and
went out of the temple, going through the midst of them and so
passed by." It is impossible lo trace the origin of this custom
though we know it is very ancient.
In connection with the celebration of Passion Sunday and Pas-
sion Week it may not be uninteresting to speak of a few of the
emblems used by the early Christians to designate the Passion of
Our Lord.
These are very numerous. In my own limited collection I have
fully fifty combinations. As an illustration ; in the celebration of
the " Mass of St. Gregory " in olden days it was customary to dis-
play upon the altar of the church •■The Cross, the Three Nails,
the Spear, the Sponge, the Pillar and Cords, the two Scourges, the
three Dice, the Thirty Pieces of Silver, the Hammer and Pincers,
the Ladder, the Sword, the Lantern and the three boxes of Spice
for embalming," (From " Die Attribute der HaUingen," Hanover,
1843). While the crosses used varied in form it is a tact worthy
of notice that on them there was found no direct allusion to the
Crucifixion or among them anything akin to what we now call
EMBLEMS OF PASSION 151
** a Crucifix*" There have been many explanations of this marked
omission, the most satisfactory being that the presenting of our
Saviour as crucified would have given the pagans an opportunity
to taunt the Christians. Whatever may have been the reason, it
is authoritatively stated that prior to the VI. century no example
of the crucifix had been discovered save in one
single instance and that even in the VIII. cen-
tury these examples are rare, but in the Middle
Ages they became frequent.
The first of the emblems of Christ's Passion
are the two swords, that of the Apostle and of
St. Peter, in form usually as in the illustration.
In many early paintings the Ear of Malchus is also shown.
These shields are copied from the " Poppyheads " in Cumnor
Church, Berk's, England, XIV. century edifice, showing the
..Hammer, Nails and
T^^^ Pincers in the first,
^- ^ the Five Wounds
in the second, the Lad-
der, Spear and Reed
with a Sponge in the third, and the Purse, Cock and seamless gar-
ment in the fourth.
" The Agony " is usually illustrated
by a chalice from which a cross is
seen to rise. This cross is always the
Latin Cross, the recognized "Cross
of Suffering," though some artists
use the fcup with a contraction of the I. H. C,
in place of the cross as the emblem of " The
Agony."
The Betrayal of Jesus Christ is represented
by eight emblems, always, however, used in
combination, viz., the Sword, the Club, the
Torch, the Lantern, the Ear. the Cords, the
Thirty Pieces of Silver and the Head of Judas.
Only five of these are usually combined or to
suit artistic taste, frequently but two as in
152 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
illustration, of the Head of Judas and the Thirty Pieces at Silver
arranged around it.
The emblems of Our Lord's Condemnation in the Common Hall
arc divided inio seven numbers to separately tell of His great suf-
(erini;. They consist of the Ewer and Basin used by Pilate, the
Rope and the Pillar to which Christ was bound, the Scourge, the
Scarlet or Purple Robe, the Crown of Thorns and the Reed.
Separate combinations rule in the use of these as shown in the two
illustrations given below which my readers can easily interpret for
themselves. Yet quite often these emblems are used singly
though it is seldom in art that we lind the same implement repre-
sented twice in the same form, as in the case of the scourge in
illustration, the two being taken from different pictures. It should
also be remembered that the chances are but slender that any of
PATRON SAINTS
153
these are accurate illustrations of the implements used at the time
our Lord suffered but that in each case the form is doubtless the
it's own conception derived perhaps
from some description he may have seen ^
of the article.
I have several times been asked to give
a list of the Patron Saints of Countries,
Cities, Trades, etc I do it now as briefly as possible and by no
means complete as the list is almost endless. First, as to countries,
England had St. George 1 Scotland, St. Andrew ; Ireland, St.
Patrick ; Wales, St. David ; France, St. Dennis and (in a less
degree) St. Michael ; Spain, St. James (Jigo) ; Portugal, St.
Sebastian; Italy, St. Anthony; Sardinia, St. Mary; Switzerland,
St. Gall and the Virgin Mary ; Germany, St. Martin, SL Boniface
and St. George Cataphractus ; Hungat7, St. Mary of Aquisgrana
and St. Lewis ; Bohemia, St. Winceslaus ; Austria, St, Colman
and Si. Leopold ; Flanders, St. Peter ; Holland, St. Mary ; Den-
mark, St. Anscharius and St, Canute ; Sweden, St. Anscharius,
St. Eric and St. John ; Norway, St. Olaus and St, Anscharius ;
Poland, St. Stanislaus and St. Hederiga ; Prussia, St. Andrew
and St. Albert : Russia, St. Nicholas, St. Mary and St. Andrew,
Then as to cities, Edinburgh had St. Giles, Aberdeen St. Nicholas,
and Glasgow St. Mungo ; Oxford had St. Frideswide ; Paris, St.
Genevieve ; Rome. Si, Peter and St. Paul : Venice, St. Mark ;
Naples, St. Januarius and St. Thomas Aquinas; Lisbon, St,
Vincent ; Brussels, St. Mary and St. Gudula ; Vienna, St.
Stephen ; Cologne, the three kings, with St. Ursula and the
eleven thousand virgins. To give an entire list of these would
include almost every town in Continental Europe.
St. Agatha presides over nurses. St. Catherine and St. Gregory
are the patrons of literati and studious persons ; St. Catherine also
presides over the arts. St. Christopher and St. Nicholas preside
over mariners. St. Cecilia is the patroness of musicians. St. Cos-
154 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
mas and St. Damian are the patrons of physicians and surgeons,
also of philosophers, St. Disnias and St. Nicholas preside over
thieves; St. Eustace and St. Hubert over hunters; St. Felicitas
over young children. St. Julian is tlic patron of pilgrims, St.
Leonard and St. Barbara protect captives. St. Luke is the patron
of painters. St. Martin and St, Urban preside over tipsy people.
to save them from falling into the kennel. Fools have a tutelar
saint in St. Math urin, archers in St. Sebastian, divines in St.
Thomas, and lovers in St. Valentine. St. Thomas k Becket presides
over blind men, eunuchs and sinners. St, Winifred over virgins,
and St. Yves over lawyers and civilians. St. Aethelbert and St.
Aelian were invoked against thieves.
Of trades and various occupations in life. St. Joseph naturally
presided over carpenters, St. Peter over fishmongers, and St. Cris-
pin aver shoemakers. St. Arnold was the patron of millers, St.
Clement of tanners, St. Eloy of smiths. St. Goodman of tailors. St.
Florian of mercers, St. John Port-Latin of booksellers, St. Louis of
periwig-makers, St. Seveurs of fullers, St. Wiltried of bakers, St.
William of hatters, and St. Windeline of shepherds. The name of
St, Cloud obviously made him the patron saint of nailsmiths ; St.
Sebasti.in became that of pinmakers, from his having been stuck
over with arrows; and St. Anthony necessarily was adopted by
swineherds, in consequence of the legend about his pigs. It is not
easy, however, to see how St. Nicholas came to be the presiding
genius of parish clerks, or how the innocent and useful fraternity
of potters obtained so alarming a saint as ■' St. Gore with a pot
in his hand and the devil on his shoulder."
In the old superstitious days there was another class of saints
termed medicating saints, whose power to heal disease was re-
garded as unquestioned, provided, always, the saint "was will-
ing." This list is so long I can name but a few :
St. Apolin, for aching or decayed teeth ; St. Otilia. for sore eyes
and other ophthalmic troubles ; St, Rooke, for safety from plague
and infectious diseases ; St. Vitus, for nervous troubles ; St.
Erastims heals colic and kindred trouble; St. Blase, quinsy; St.
Leonard is the patron of prisoners, with power to free them ; St.
Perne cured quartan ague ; St. Mark, from sudden and unexpected
PALM SUNDAY 155
leath ; St. Anne, as she so wished, could give wealth to all ; St.
dusan protected all children from reproach and infamy ; St.
Romanus drove away sprites and milled devils ; St. Wolfgang
lealed the good and kept sheep and oxen fat ; St. Anthony did the
;ame for hogs ; St. Gertrude rid the house of mice and rats ; St.
Nicholas was the patron of sailors ; St. Agatha preserved the house
[rem fire. Nor does this list name even a tithe of this class of
saints.
All saints are in a certain sense " Patron Saints/' either as pro-
tectors of some particular nation, province or city, or of some
avocation, trade or condition of life, or possibly of some individ-
ual selected by him for some peculiar reason. But there is a vast
difiference to be drawn between merely local saints and those of a
nation universally accepted and revered. Again, not a few of these
patron saints had neither Scriptural nor Apostolic sanction but
were invested as such by a popular and universal faith which
became paramount to other authority.
Many of these saints like St. George of England were patrons of
both the Greeks and of chivalry from the Euphrates to the Pillars
of Hercules. So, too, even the great patron saints had many
minor powers tacked on to them, as for example St. Gregory was
supposed to make children learn their lessons when invoked, and
St. Christopher to keep servants in order. Thus the list is almost
endless, and I must desist from recounting them.
The Sunday which immediately precedes Easter is
PALM SUNDAY.
The canonical colour for this day and each day during the week
is violet.
This is one of the most sacred days of the entire Kalendar of
the Christian Church. Nor is this feeling confined to the Roman
Church, but it finds expression in the Greek and the Reformed
Protestant churches of England and America, and even in modern
days among many of the so-called dissenting churches of the
156 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Protestant faith, since it commemorates that one day of brief
popular enthusiasm enjoyed by our Lord, as recorded in the
Gospels of Matthew (XXI.), Mark (XI.). and Lulie (XIX.). but
more especially iti John (XII., 13) when the people '■ took branches
of palm trees and went forth to meet Him and cried Hosanna !
Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the
Lord."
HISTORICAL.
The "Procession of Palms" was customary in Jerusalem as
early as 386 — when the first mention i? made t)l it, in the life of
Euthymius who died in 473 — and lliciice it passed 10 other
churches of the East, soon afterward to those of the West as
attested to by Isidore of Seville, who died in 636.
The custom of " Blessing of the Palms," hardly antedates the
VIll. century ; but its exact date is far too uncertain for me to
attempt to lix it except in the above indefinite manner — the VIII,
century — when it was everywhere observed.
The custom of reading one or more accounts of the Passion of
our Saviour, as part of the regular service of the day. as told by
the Evanjjelists, dates from the IV. century and beyond doubt its
observani:e is coeval with that of the celebration of Palm Sunday,
as it is first mentioned as occurring in Jerusalem. That portion
preferring to the capture o( Jesus by the soldiers in Gcthsemane
was read on the night before "Good Friday." Can any one
imagine a more solemn ceremony than such an one as this in the
silent gloaming of the oncoming night, at the very spot where the
act transpired, and told of the holy zeal of those who partici-
pated in it. Later on during the same night in the Church of the
Holy Cross the story of the trial of Christ before Pilate was read ;
but those graphic accounts of that last wondrous scene on Cal-
vary were reserved to be read in solemn silence on Good Friday
at the morning service, while at the evening service the account of
Christ's burial was given. In a sermon of St. Augustine (born
354, died 439), he says that he found it customary in Africa to
HOLY WEEK 157
read on one day in Holy Week the account of our Lord's
betrayal, trial and crucifixion as given by St. Matthew and that
his (St. Augustine's) ordinance to have the reading from the four
Gospels occasioned considerable displeasure among the people.
Since the VIII. century the Roman Church has observed the fol-
lowing order in regard to reading, beginning on Palm Sunday, the
account as given by Matthew is read ; on Tuesday, that of Mark ;
on Wednesday, Luke, and on Good Friday John's version of the
wondrous story.
Prior to the Reformation, Palm Sunday was observed in Eng-
land by the most elaborate services. The flowers and branches
designed for use by the clergy were placed upon the high altar,
those for the laity upon the south step of the altar. The priest
arrayed in a red cope then consecrated them by a prayer that
began with these words : " I conjure thee, these creatures of
flowers and branches, in the name of God, the Father," etc.
Later in the same prayer the blessing of God is invoked : " that
the truth may sanctify these creatures of flowers, branches and
slips of palms, or boughs of trees which we offer." After the
flowers, etc., had been fumed with " frankincense " and sprinkled
with holy water they were distributed and the procession headed
by two priests bearing the cruciflx marched through the streets
and on their return to the church " a solemn Mass was said, com-
munion given to the clergy, and the branches and flowers laid
upon the high altar, as an offering. " Of the many other customs
that obtained in some places like the " Procession of the Ass," in
which our Saviour's entry into Jerusalem was depicted in a real-
istic and reverent manner, I cannot enter into any detailed
descriptions ; but they are to be read in many books on " Early
English Customs."
HOLY WEEK,
This ever memorable week in the Christian Church, has been
the theme upon which many eminent writers, both among the
"Ancient Fathers of the Church " and antiquarians of every age
158 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
who have spoken of it under a variety of names such as " The
Great Week, " ■• The Week of the Holy Passion," " The Week of
Forgiveness," as well as "The Holy Week." Irenjcus, tfic Greek
Bishop of Lyons, and a most celebrated writer on ecclesiastical
matters, who was born in 140 and died in 202, was one of these.
While Eusebius, Bishop of Cssarea, and a celebrated historian
who was born in 270 and died 3j8, from his writings shows he
regarded the observance of this week as one that dated from
Apostolic days.
In the Eastern church in primitive times each day of Holy-
Week was one of " strict, rigid fasting." In the "Apostolic Con-
stitution " — ■ a very ancient Christian work — it was prescribed
that only " bread, salt, vegetables and water " should be eaten
during the entire period of Holy Week. St. Epiphanius also
declares that during those six days the faithful should observe
the " Xerophagie " that is. to use " bread, salt and water." and
these to be taken only at evening: while St. Dionysius. Archbishop
of Alexandria (died November 17, 265), states that it was usual
in his time to abstain wholly from food of any kind during the
last two days of Holy Week, v\z : Good Friday and Holy Satur-
day. But this strict fast was not observed as universally in the
Western church.
In the Roman Church each day of this week has its especial
ofhce, as is true of the Church of England and the Protestant
Episcopal Church of America.
Those of my readers who are interested in regard to these
ceremonies of the Roman Church will find them fully and cor-
rectly described in " The Ceremonies of Holy Week in Rome,"
by Rt. Rev. Montague Baggs. published 1854.
MAUNDV THURSDAY.
In the earlier days of the Church the Thursday preceding Good
Friday was always marked by especial acts of humility by Chris-
tians, in imitation of Christ'.s lesson, taught by the washing of the
feet of His disciples on the eve of His passion. These acts of
MAUNDAY THURSDAY 159
humility most naturally took the form of charity done by " one^s
own hand '* not relegated to others :
" And here the monks their Maundies make with sundry solemn
rites.
And signs of great humility, and wondrous pleasant sights ;
***** 4> ♦
As he himself — a servant made, to serve us every way,
Then straight the loaves do walk, and pots in every place they
skink,*
Wherewith the holy fathers, oft to pleasant damsels drink/'
wrote Neogeorgus, in his ** Popish Kingdom,'* as translated by
Googe.
Again in an old history we read of Cardinal Wolsey, who at
Peterborough Abbey, in 1 580 : ** made his Maundy, in Our Lady's
chapel," etc., after which follows a description of his washing the
feet of fifty-nine men and what his doles consisted of. By a natu-
ral sequence thus the word Maund and Maundy came to signify
the articles given as well as the day and thus from its Maunds
came to be commonly termed " Maundy Thursday." It also had
in England still another title, " Shere Thursday" derived from the
custom observed by the monks of shearing *' their hair on this
day." But throughout
Catholic Europe, the
day has ever been
known as " Holy
Thursday." Even as
late 'as 1843 Maundy
money was coined for
English royalty's use
on this day as shown
in the accompanying
illustration. But I
may not take further space for an almost endless variety of customs
connected with this day, both in England and upon the Continent,
especially at Rome where " The Blessing of thr Oils," " The
Silencing of the Bells of Sistinc Chapel." " The Feet Washing at
•draw.
i6o iAlNlS -VXD FESTIVALS
St. Peter's." '■ The Pope Serving at Supper," " The Grand Pc:
lentiary," and other solemn ceremonies arc observed.
r,nOD FRIDAY.
A day which beyond question has been observed by Christians
o( every shade of (aiih and doctrine since the Apostolic days ;
nothing need or can be said here to testify lo the holy sanctity in
which the day has always been held.
GOOD FRIDAV IN ROME,
At Rome the services in the churches on Good Friday are of
the same solemn character as on the preceding day. At the
Sisline Chapel, the yellow colour of the candles and torches,
coupled with the nakedness of the Pope's throne and of the
other seats, denote the desolation of the church. The cardinals
do not wear their rings and their dress is of purple which is their
mourning colour; jn like manner nor do the bishops wear rings,
and their stockings are black. The mace, as well as the soldier's
arms are reversed. The Popt is habited in a red cope while
he neither wears his ring nor gives his blessing. A sermon is
preached by a conventual friar. .Among olhcr ceremonies the
crucifix is partially unveiled and kissed by the Pope, whose shoes
are taken off on approaching to do this homage. A procession
takes place (across a vestibule) to the Paolina Chapel where Mass
is celebrated by the Great Penitentiary. In the afternoon the last
Miserere is chanted in the Sistine Chapel. After the Miserere
the Pope, cardinals and other clergy, proceed through a covered
passage to St. Peter's in order to venerate the relies of the True
Cross, the Lance, and the Vollo Santo, which are shown by the
canons from the balcony above the statue of St. Veronica.
Taking up the story of the emblems of the Passion where they
ended we begin with that for Good Friday the Holy Cross ; or
according to the period the Crucifix. Whether the T (tau) cross
HOLY SATURDAY
i6i
used on this day, or the Latin, it is imperative that it must be
either red or green.
In art like all the emblems of the Pas-
sion, artistic taste and the nature of the
picture have much to do with the fact of
whether some single emblem or a com-
bination of those especially connected
with the crucifixion of our Saviour are
used. These combinations are varied.
In the first of the illustrations given
here, we have the Cross, the Spear, the
Sponge — on the Reed — the Hammer,
the Nails, the Pincers and the Inscription I N R I : " Jesus
Nasareus Rex Judaecorum," and is more elaborate than is usually
to be found. It dates from the (so-called)
Renaissance of art ; but I am unable to
fix its exact year. Many others of a far
earlier date are found ; one from the cata-
combs near Rome of the Crown of Thorns
and Three Nails ; and
one with the seamless
garment hanging on
the cross, with the
Dice in the angles and
in the foot of the cross. But more ancient than any of these is
that of the Pelican, shedding its blood for its young.
HOLY SATURDAY.
The " Silencing of the Bells " on Holy Thursday is followed on
this day by a renewal of their use.
On the reading of a particular passage in the service of the
Sistine Chapel, which takes place about half-past eleven o'clock,
the bells of St. Peter's are rung, the guns of St. Angelo are fired,
and all the bells in the city immediately break forth as if rejoicing
in their renewed liberty of rinjjing. This day at St. Peter's, the
i62 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
only ceremony that need be noiiced is the blessing of the fire and
the paschal candle. For this purpose, new fire (as it is called;, is
employed. At the beginning of Mass a light, from which the
candles and the charcoal for the incense is enkindled, is struck
from a Hint in the sacristy, where the chief sacristan privately
blesses the water, the fire, and the five grains of incense which are
to be fixed in the paschal candle. Formerly, all the fires in Rome
were alighted anew from this holy fire but this is now naturally
impossible and is no longer even thought of. After the Eer\-ice
the cardinal vicar proceeds to the baptistry of St. Peter's where
having blessed and exorcised the water for baptism and dipped
into it the paschal candle, he concludes by sprinkling some of the
water on the people. Catechumens arc afterwards baptised aad
deacons and priests arc ordained and the tonsure Is given.
The Christian Church has from its earliest days celebrated
iiide and this queen c
times upon the morning of this
et they saluted each other by
■> which the friend would reply.
Often adding " And hath appeared
three great festivals: Chris
festivals — Easier. In prir
joyous day when Christi;
exclaiming " Christ is risei
" Christ is risen, indeed ! "
unto Simon." This beautiful custom was once common among
all Christians but is now almost obsolete save that in the East it
is sli!! retained by members of the Greek church.
There is an opinion even now widely held by many Christians
of divers creeds, that the Holy Apostles ordained the anniversa-
ries of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord, and
the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, and
therefore it may not be improbable that they also ordained the
celebration of Easter. On one point all churchmen agree that
the observance of the day of the ■' taking away of the Bride-
groom " was kept from the earliest times with extraordinary
humiliation and sanctity, with the strictest fasting and fervent
prayer. It therefore was but natural that the fulfilment of their
EASTER 163
ardent hope, that culminated in Christ's wonderful resurrection
from the dead, when hope became certainty, would be observed
with reverent but joyous ceremonies. What form those glad
ceremonies took on none now knows ; we can only imagine them.
In later times we know how elaborate they became.
With that tendency to realism which is so marked in the
Miracle plays of the early drama, which illustrated scriptural leg-
ends and the suffering of the martyrs — the forerunner of the
modern drama — we can easily understand why in not a few of
the oldest churches in England and on the Continent they erected
in the church edifice what was then called a " Holy Sepulchre,"
or tomb, near the altar and which at Easter-tide was the centre
of attraction in the Easter ceremonies. These were of wood or
stone — not a few of the later being even now preserved —
supposed to represent the tomb where Joseph of Arimathea
laid our Lord. Some like that at Heckington in Lincolnshire
in England (still preserved) are very elaborate. This one just
named has carved figures of the Roman soldiers either on guard,
watching, or " the relief " sleeping around the tomb. More com-
monly, however, these " Easter sepulchres " were only " sepul-
chral recesses*' in the wall by the side of the chancel near the
altar; but not a few of these were real tombs. Before these
tombs from Good Friday till the dawn of Easter when the
choir broke forth in that glad anthem " Christ is Risen" a
watch was kept and the " sepulchral or paschal light " was
burned and the guard maintained with military exactitude. Prior
to the Reformation this custom was invariable in all churches and
even after that the custom was still kept up in not a few
" Reformed " churches, but like many another old-time ceremony,
it passed into desuetude even among those who had remained
faithful to the elder church.
With the advent of Easter Day the church services began,
varied in some respects according to locality — I refer to the
Reformed church, for those of the elder church were invariable,
and continued until vespers.
In the East the name first given to this festival was "the
paschal feast," because it was kept at the same time as the
164 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Pascha, or Jewish Passover. In tbe sixth Ancyran Canon ii is
called ihe " Great Day." Just how ihe festival derived its name
Easter is a mooted point not likely to be setilcil In our day.
Some suppose it was derived Irom ihe name of the Saxon goddess
Eostre whose feast was celebrated in the spring about the same
time when ihe Christian festival was observed and that while the
character ol the ceremonies was wholly changed, the name was
retained from prudential reasons. Others believe the name was
derived from the word "Ostcr" which means "rising." The
question is one which has been so often and strenuously discussed
that no possible good can come from entering upon it here.
The feast of Easter is one ol those known in ecclesiastical par-
lance as one of the "movable feasts." While there never has
been any question as to the perfect propriety of its celebration
and but slight difference as to the character of its observance, as
early as the II. century of the Christian era very great diversity
of opinion rose as to the proper time when its celebration should
take place.
In the churches of Asia Minor there were many "Judaizing
Christians " who kept the paschal feast on the same day when
the Jews kept their Passover, that being on the 14th of Nisan, the
Jewish month corresponding with our March and April. The
churches of the West knowing tliat the resurrection of our l^rd
took place on Sunday, and in order to more effectually distinguish
their paschal feast from the Jewish Passover, observed it on the
Sunday following the 14th of Nisan. Polycarp, the venerable
Bishop of Smyrna, who had celebrated the feast with St. John on
the 14th of Nisan pleaded that this proved that day to be the cor-
rect one, while Anicetus, Bishop of Rome, adduced the practice
of SS. Peter and Paul of observing it on the Sunday after the
14th of Nisan, This was about A. D. 158.
The controveisy was a long and heated one since neither
party would grant any concessions to the other. Early in the
IV. century the matter had assumed such importance that the
Emperor Constantine felt it his duty to have the controversy set-
tled so as to insure uniformity of pracrice in the future by both
branches of the church. Alter a long and tedious consideration
EASTER EMBLEMS
165
of the whole subject the great CEcumenical Council of Nice (A.
1I>. 325) decided the question and laid down the rules to govern
the fixing of Easter by directing **that the 21st day of March
should be accounted the vernal equinox. That the full moon
happening upon or next after the 21st of March shall be taken
for the full moon of Nisan."
" That the Lord's Day next following first full moon shall be
£aster Day."
" But if the full moon happens on Sunday Easter Day shall be
the Sunday after.'*
This is the rule now observed. But it was long after the
canon of the Council of Nice was decreed before it was en-
tirely effective, for the history of the Irish Church and conse-
quently of the Church in Scotland that as late as the VI. century
they were still in op|X)sition to the canon, a fact which proves
how deep and strong the feelings of churchmen had been.
There have been a number of symbols for
the resurrection of our Lord such as the
Lion, Phcenix and Peacock, but the one
above all others universally recognised is
that which is known in Christian art and
iconography as " The Resurrection Cross." a
cross that differs from all others of the large
number as the illustrations here show it.
It is this cross that Christ holds when rep-
r-esented in Christian art as a symbol both
"When rising from the tomb and in His glori-
CDUs ascension into Heaven. It is no longer
the tree of suffering but it has become a
^taff. and those sharp pointed ends to its
-^rms — that told of suffering — now terminate in balls, or circles
1 ike those in that form of the cross known as " The Cross
I*omme." It is the form of cross almost invariably borne by the
-Agnus Dei, and the only one recognized in art as correct, and
'Xve find it even on the Clog Almanac as shown in the illustration
lierewith. It is in fact the Cross Triumphant and therefore, the
proper symbol of Easter. It may be either white, silver (repre-
i66 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
iting while), ga\d, or bright yellow, s
s the emblem
of purity,
, (ailh, joy. life and light. While yellow
(pure) and gold signify Cod's goodness
and also faiih. A dull or dingy yellow
being on the contrary symbolical of faith'
lessness, deceit and evil. It is for this
reason Judas is almost always repre-
setiied in art clad in dirty yellow.
For the same reasons the canonical
colours for the altar upon Easter Day are
while, gold or yellow. Indeed the sym-
bolism of colours for all holy days as
recognised by the Church offers a beauil-
ful lesson for those who can read it.
As might be naturally expected F.aster Day at Rome is an
event once seen will never be forgotten. It is a full halt cen-
tury since such was my privilege; but the magnificent solemnity
of that Easter at St. Peter's lingers in my memory more vividly
than any of the many, perhaps more gorgeous pageants, it has
(alien to my lot to witness. Of course the magnificent old basilica
was in holiday attire. The altars decked in fresh rich embroideries
wonderful to behold ; the lights around the tomb and figures of St.
Peter after their temporary extinction were once more ablaze in full
glory, and the music beyi
who had been broughl
altar; but all these exi
deur of the service. E
typical of spiritual poi
feathers, in
nd compare — ravishing: while the Pope
n, in state, officiated at high mass at the
lals were forgotten in the solemn gran-
:n the Pope sealed in his Sedia Gesta-
blazing in gold and his triple crown —
■, temporal power and the union of the
iderful flabelli (huge fans composed of ostrich
;ye-like parts of peacock feathers to
signify the eyes or vigilance of the church) — all fade for the
moment from sight and mind amid the sanctity of the ceremonies.
We entered the sacred place amid the boom of cannons from the
castle of St. Angelo to witness a pageant, but left it in reverent
silence after the impressive services.
An interesting story might well be added here it space were
EASTER CUSTOMS 167
allowed regarding Easter customs in olden days in every country
in Europe from those sweet-voiced singers which wake the trav-
eller in the Tyrol on Easter morning to the games on some Eng-
lish village green. But it would fill a volume. Everywhere one
ieature is in evidence, the "pace," or "pascho," eggs, typical of
l>oth the mysterious birth and resurrection of our Lord. In no
two countries exactly the same yet in their gorgeous colouring all
are alike ; a unique feature in Tyrol being the addition of original
mottoes written u|X)n the shell, each being of an individual char-
acter to fit the relations between donor and recipient. Especial
dishes supposed to be peculiarly fitting for the day are also found
in many countries, as in England tansy cakes, and puddings mark
the Easter feast.
With Easter Monday in earlier days in England there began a
variety of rather rough games in which all partook, one being
what was called " lifting " of the men by the women, a compli-
ment that was repaid by the men who on Tuesday ** lifted " the
women. The process being for two — men or women — to make
what children call ** a chair " by crossing hands, into which the
victim was lifted by others and carried to the village green, when
he, or she, had " to pay the carriage " as they termed it, a forfeit
which those gathered there decided.
Since Easter is a movable feast and therefore no fixed date can
be assigned it and the holy days that precede it, I have chosen
to interpolate their stories at this point near the close of the month
of March. I therefore resume the Kalendar of the Saints which
the Christian Church has chosen to honour on
MARCH 29th.
Among the names mentioned this day is one St. Mark, a Greek
whose name while it appears in all the Greek menologies, I do
not find in either Roman Maityrology or in the Kalendar of the
Reformed church. Yet his authenticated story reveals so truly
the character of Julian (the Apostate) that I select it from others
for this day.
i6S SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
When CotistanEius put to dc^th his uncle, Julius Constantius.
the brother of Constanline " The Great " together wiih his eldest
son. the two younger onfts, Gallus and Julian, narrowly escaped
the same fate. It was then that Mark, who had known these
lads, with his instinctive dread of cruelty and bloodshed hud
succored and concealed them till their danger was over.
Ad interim, at ihe request of Constaniius, and doubtless in full
accord with his own feelings, Mark had razed a magnificent temple
of the heathen; one held in especial reverence by the idolaters
and on its site erected a Christian church.
When at length Julian became the Emperor the story needs nw
repetition here of how he decreed that the temples which the
Christians had destroyed should be rebuilt at their expense.
Thus authorised the heathen once more set out for revenge upon
the Christians. How vindictive, historical readers know too well
to repeat here that sad story. For the time Mark with prudence
hid himself. But when he found that his breihern " in Christ "
were being made to suffer for his imrn acts he promptly came to
the front, throwing off all efforts to conceal his individual respon-
sibility to shield himself thus at the cost of others.
One shudders at the torments these fiends inflicted upon him
without thought or compassion and I hesitate to record even a
few of these indignities. How they stripped him naked and cast
him into the public Jakes (cesspool), from which they drew him
only to add to his torment the scourge and later, after smearing
him with honey, to confine him in an open iron cage to be at the
mercy of flies and wasps on a hot, midsummer day when helpless
— because of his shackled hands — to defend himself in any way
from these pests. The Arch-fiend could hardly have invented a
greater torment. And all this that, under an edict of Juhan they
might exact from him something that he could not do even had
he wished ; to rebuild the pagan temple which under orders, he
had destroyed ; or that he would be bound to make his fellow
Christians do so. Yet this Julian whom he had succored and
saved from death, refused lo interfere or in any way alleviate his
suffering. Throughout it all Mark had borne himself so meekly
and without even a plea for leniency that at last the brutes them-
S T. J O H N C L I M A C U S 169
Selves were struck with admiration and relented even while he
'Was still preaching to them the words of Christ. By common
cronsent at last Mark was liberated on a pledge of a nominal pay-
rrient for his act. To even this, he protested that it was " im-
I>iety;" but some of the faithful of •* Arethusa " came to his
rescue and the remainder of his life was spent in still teaching the
i~eligion that had enabled him to bear such trials and he died in
peace in this same city about the middle of the IV. century.
Beyond doubt, the '* Semi-Arian " doctrines he held had rend-
ered him somewhat obnoxious to the Orthodox and Catholic
Churchmen. But the encomiums paid to his memory by SS.
Gregory Nazianzin, Theodore and Sozomen, when at the last he
came into the Orthodox communion are ample evidence of the
purity of purpose of this noted Greek to entitle him to a high
place in the esteem of all Christians.
MARCH 30th.
St. John Climacus, whom the Church honours this day was
born in Palestine about 525. He received his surname from a
most remarkable book entitled " The Climax " or the " The Ladder
of Perfection " which it is said is still extant but where 1 am
unable to learn. At a very early age he was given the surname
of " Scholastic " for his remarkable attainments. While he
renounced the world and became a novice at the age of sixteen,
his education was at a hermitage, an '' afranage " to some of the
many monasteries that had already been built on the summit
of Mt. Sinai, under the care of an ancient anchorite named Mar-
tyrius, where he remained for nineteen years until the death of
his tutor in 560. Like so many of the holy men of the early
Oiurch the attractions of an eremitical life were too great for him,
^nd after the death of his loved mentor he built for himself a cell
in the plain of Thole at the foot of Mt. Sinai and five miles from
the church which had been erected by order of Emperor Justinian
I70 SAI NTS AND FESTIVALS
In honour of the Blessed Virgin. Here he spent his days li»
prayer and the study of the Scriptures as expounded by the
Fathers, and became one of the most learned of the Doctors of
the Church, Here he remained until the year 600 when he was
chosen as Abbot of the Monks of Ml. Sinai. His legend tells
how like a second Elias. during 3 period of great drouth he by
earnest prayer secured for the famine stricken districts an abun-
dant rain, and thus saved the country from ceitain starvation.
He built a hospital for the use of pilgrims, and St. Gregory the
Great, then upon the Pontitica! throne aided him with gifts of
money and furniture. It was here that he wrote the celebrated
book above mentioned. The burden of his office at the end of
four years caused him to resign his dignity and retire once more
to his hermitage where he died the next year (March 30, 605] at
the ripe age of four-score years.
MARCH 31st.
Isdegerdes, the son of Sapor III., put an end to the cruel
persecution Sapor II. had instituted against the Christians of
Persia. For twelve years the Church enjoyed immunity until
in 420, a Christian bishop named Abdas with " indiscreet" zeal
caused the destruction of the Pyrsum (temple of fire) of the
great divinity of Persia. Thus Isdegerdes' anger was roused and
he threatened to destroy all the Christian churches in Persia, un-
less the temple were refauilt, a thing which was not done and Isde-
gerdes literally carried out his threat, also putting Abdas to death,
Isdegerdes died the next year but the general persecution he
began against all Christians was kept up by his son Varanes and
continued for forty years as the penalty of Abdas' work.
It was then that St. Benjamin, a deacon whose name appears on
this day, arose in defence of his fellow Christians. It is only the
old, old story, so often told of these noble champions of Christ's
faith. So 1 need hardly repeat the cruel details. How he could
have " saved himself " by renouncing his belief. But the heroic
question which he put to the king, when brought before him, is
ST. BENJAMIN 171
one not to be forgotten : '' What opinion he would have of any
of his subjects who renounced his allegiance to him and joined in
a war against him ? "
I cannot recount the refinement of cruelty with which this
martyr was treated from " reeds run under his finger-nails," and
onward through tortures it seems impossible to credit — yet their
record is undoubted — until a '' knotty stake driven through his
bowels" released the poor sufferer on March 31st, 424.
APRIL
According to the Kalendar of ancient Alban, the year con-
sisted of ten months, and in this April was the first with thirty-six
days in it. In the Kalendar of Romulus, it had but thirty and
was regarded as " Venus' month " and its lirst day set aside as i
festal day. It has. therefore, been supposed that the name was
given it from "Aphrilis" which they derived from the Greek
name of the goddess " Aphrodite."
APRIL 1st.
If modesty was a virtue to entitle any one to become a
canonized saint then St. Hugh ersi-while Bishop o( Grenoble
and whom the Church remembers to-day was one who should
not be forgotten. He was the son of a loyal, brave soldier, bom
in the territory of Valence in 1053- With every advantage of
family and social station to make a worldly life aiiractive. he, to
quote from his legend, "from the cradle appeared to be a child
of benediction." He went through his course of studies with a
degree of applause from which he shrunk. As it was through
all his life he dreaded personal notice even though he must
have been aware of hi^ remarkable ai
of learning. He had early accepted a
Valence in order that he might devote his life to the service of
religion and his fellow men, and wholly without either the wish or
hope of ecclesiastical preferment. But in (he church as it is in
the world at large, great merit cannot hide itself even if it
tries and is also sure to be acknowleged. Thus it was when
Hugh, Bishop of Die and afterward Archbishop of Lyons catne
ST. FRANCIS OF PAULA 173
to Valence he would not be content until the young man became
a member of his own household.
We cannot follow in detail all the story of Hugh's life until the
Synod of 1080 at Avignon when he was named Bishop of
Grenoble, nor yet the state in which he found his new diocese so
sunk in sin ; or how church lands had been usurped by
laymen, and the herculean task he was confronted with, or how
bravely he performed all these duties. He prayed Innocent H.
for leave to resign so arduous a task but could not obtain
consent and so patiently fulfilled his duty until called to his
reward April ist, 11 32. So holy had been his life that he was
canonized in 11 34 by Innocent II.
APRIL 2d.
In St. Francis of Paula who is commemorated this day we
have an interesting example of the truth that pure goodness
belongs to no rank or station in life but is largely the result of
environment and often the outgrowth of early training in the
home circle. Francis was born in 141 6 at Paula, a small city
near the Tyrrhenian sea, in Calabria midway between Naples and
Reggio. His parents, poor peasants but God fearing and loving
people, whose sole wish in life was to so bring up their child that
he should also be like them and also have what they had not
received, an education. For this last purpose, when he was
thirteen years of age they placed him in the Franciscan monas-
tery at St. Mark's, the episcopal town of their province. Two
years later he returned not to his own home but to a cell built for
him in the neighbourhood. Here, young as he was, he spent five
years in solitary prayer and reflection ; at which time he was
joined by two companions. Thus was the foundation laid for
the Order of the Minims which seventeen years later was to
take form. Meantime they had received many accessions from
devout young men and in 1454 by the consent of the Archbishop
of Cosenza a church and monastery was built for these de-
174 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
voted self-sacrificing men and a " community " was formed, the
chief tenets were "penance, charity and humility." They also
observed " a perpetual Lent " and always abstained not only
from all flesh food but also from all '* white meats " (food made
from milk such as cheese, butter, etc.) as well as from eggs,
which the ancient canons of the Church forbid being used in
Lent. But charity was the true motto of the Minims, and as
far as possible to do this charity in secret. Personally Francis
even from boyhood had sedulously sought seclusion from the
world and his " humility *' was his most marked characteristic for
he assumed nothing for himself. The Order which he had thus
founded from an insignificant following of two was first approved
by the Archbishop of Cosenza in 147 1. Pope Sixtus IV, con-
firmed it by a bull on May 23d, 1474, making Francis " Superior-
General." It was at that time composed chiefly of laymen with
but one priest, Balthasas de Spino afterward Confessor to Pope
Innocent VII L, but in 1476 new houses for the Order began to
be established which gradually increased in number until in
1480 Ferdinand. King of Naples, offended at some wholesome
reprimand Francis had given him and his sons, caused his arrest
" for having built monasteries without royal consent," Through
the influence of a younger son of the King, Prince Frederick of
Tarentum, the order for arrest was rescinded.
Francis' gift of prophecy was remarkable. In 1447-8 and 9
he foretold the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, an event
that took place May 29th, 1453. ^^ ^^^ foretold the fall of
Otranto — the key of the Kingdom of Naples, — which was
taken by the infidels three months later on August 3isty 1480,
while he promised success to the Christians later, which was ful-
filled the next year when the Turks were driven out of Italy.
But I must not prolong the list of his prophecies.
On Palm Sunday 1 508 he was taken ill with a fever and died
April 2d, of that year, at the extreme age of nituty-one. He
was canonized by Leo X. in 15 19. In 1562, the Hugenots sacked
the church of Plessis-les-Tours, where his remains had been
buried, and after many indignities offered to the body burned it
in a fire made from a large wooden crucifix. Not the only work
ST. AEBBA 175
of the kind which was done by the more fanatical of this noted
body of men as will be recorded in these pages.
Another saint whose anniversary falls on this day was a
noted Scotch Abbess, Aebba or £bba who was the daughter of
King Aedilfrid, and sister of Kings Oswald and Oserin. Her
monastery was a double one, with distinct communities for men
and women — as Skene in his " Celtic Scotland " describes it —
and was founded by Aiden the first Columban bishop in Scotland.
In passing let me say Columba was an Irish priest and at great
self-sacrifice became the first Christian missionary to the Picts in
Scotland and thus founded the Christian Church in the northern
part of Britain.
St. Ebba's monastery Bede (the Saxon historian) located at
''Urbs Coludi/' the Saxon equivalent for Coldingaham now
called Coldingham and was built on a rock overhanging the sea a
short way south from St. Abb's Head — which, by the way, was
named for St. Aebba. The monastery was destroyed by the
Danes in 870, but when Edgar, the son of the Saxon Queen
Margaret came to the throne in 1093, he by aid of the English
refounded the monastery at Coldingham.
Aebba from ail reports was a woman of great beauty and
when the Danes assaulted the monastery and it was certain that
they must become prisoners of the vile and lustful invaders who
respected no woman the Abbess assembled the nuns in the chap-
ter house and telling them the fate which awaited them if these
brutal Danes ever secured their persons unimpaired, the Abbess
deliberately mutilated her own face by cutting off her nose and
lips. The nuns all followed her example and when at last the
invaders were in possession of the monastery and after they had
plundered it they sought out the nuns to gratify their baser pas-
sions but the horrible spectacle of those mutilated faces so
angered and disgusted them that they penned the helpless
women within their cells and set the house on fire, the nuns all
being literally burned alive but saved true to their vows. It is
one of those horrible pictures of early Scotch warfare like that
176 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Mariannus describes when Thorkil Fosti bnmed Duncans Gon-
eral Moddan in his " Rath."*
H
A
APRIL 3d.
St. Richard. Bishop of Chichester, England, of whom we are
about to speak and whose anniversary occurs this day must not be
confounded with other saints of the same name since there are
no less than four whose names will appear in these Kalendars.
St. Richard died April 3d, A, D. 1153.
He was born at Wich now called Droitwich
near to Worcester. He was a student at
Oxford and later at Paris and Bolo(rna. After
his return to England he was Chancellor of
the University of Oxford and created Bishop
of Chichester in 1245 though bitterly op-
posed by King Henry IH. who was so in-
censed at his election that he confiscated the
entire revenues of the see, leaving the bishop
so utteriy helpless that he was dependent
even for the necessities of life upon the
benevolence of others. He, however, main-
tained his position and went about bis diocese
from town to village discharging his episco-
pal duties with conscientious fidelity. After
two years of these privations King Henry
under threats of excommunication from
Pope Innocent IH. was compelled to restore the revenues of the
see. He was not only a man of great piety and fervent zeal, but
possessed a remarkable degree of executive ability by which bis
diocese profited largely.
His election as bishop was marked by an extraordinary event.
During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist either from faint-
ness or fatigue St. Richard fell while holding in his hand the
chalice filled with consecrated wine; but miraculously the sacred
i
ST. AMBROSE 177
vrine was preserved and not a drop spilled. For this in Christian
art, Sl Richard holds a chalice as his emblem but in the Clog
Almanacs he has a plough-share to distinguish his day. Possibly
a quaint conceit to typify his labours in the field of Christ.
APRIL 4th.
St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Confessor and Doctor, died on
April 4th, A. D. 397. In the entire Kalendar of the Siunts of the
Christan Church there are few names more deserving of especial
note, than that of St. Ambrose. This ex-
traordinary man so statesmanlike, practical
and benevolent, even if somewhat despotic,
was one in whose person this priestly
character assumed an importance and dignity
which till then had been seldom met with.
He was the son of a prefect of Gaul and
was bom at Treves December 7th, 340.
Paulinus relates that while yet in his cradle
a swarm of bees settled upon his lips with-
out injuring him — just as a similar story is
told of Plato and also of Archilocus — a pro-
phecy of his future eloquence. It is from
this circumstance St. Ambrose b always rep-
resented in Christian art with a bee-hive
near him.
Young Ambrose was educated at Rome and at an early age
was appointed prefect of Aemilea and Liguria (Piedmont and
Genoa) and in this capacity had resided for five years in Milan,
when in A. D. 374 Auxentius, Bishop of Milan, died. Just at this
time the Church was badly disturbed by the contending factions of
the Arian and Orthodox beliefs and naturally the election of a new
bishop was an important event, since it meant victory to the
faction that elected its bishop, A tumult, almost akin to a riot
was in progress when Ambrose, as prefect appeared on the scene
at the church where the people were assembled. By his per-
1 78 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
suasive eloquence the excited multitude was soon hushed into -
silence when he exhorted them lo peace and submission Co the
laws. But he had hardly ceased speaking before the cry was -
raised ; '■ Ambrose shall be our bishop." The cry was echoed
by all in spile ol his protests and attempted flight. He pleaded
that although he was a professed Christian, he had never been
baptized. The people would accept no excuse and eight days
later, having received the rile of baptism he was duly consecrated
Bishop of Milan. He at once distributed bis worldly goods
among the poor to render himself worthy of the new and higher
dignity of his office. The grandeur and magnificence with which
he invested the sacred services of the church would alone have
made his name memorable. He was a great lover of music and
it was he who introduced the antiphonal method of chanting the
service, since called the Ambrosian chant.
His was no undecided character. What he believed he taught
in the clearest and plainest words. His views upon '■ Celibacy "
(or both sexes were very strong and he advocated them in such
eloquent terms that it Is said that the mothers of Milan used to
shut up their daughters " lest they should be seduced by the fier-
suasive eloquence of the enthusiastic bishop, into taking on them-
selves vows of chastity,"
Another point which in the days of Ambrose was but the
assertion of the might of Christianity over heathenism and
tyranny ; but which has since caused inhnice trouble and even
bloodshed was the setting of ecclesiastical over sovereign or
civil power. How he acted up to his convictions, is shown
by his treatment of the Emperor Maximus and even more so
in his famous conflict with the Emperor Theodosius so fully
told in history that the details need not be repeated beyond
calling attention to the fact that in hot-headed anger over the
death of Bothius, an imperial officer in Thessalonia who had
been killed in a seditious riot, Theodosius caused seven
thousand men, women and children, the most of whom were
wholly innocent, to be slain. For this cruet act and the staining
his hands with innocent blood the bishop wrote the emperor
that famous letter, which by its plain unvarnished truths fearlessly
I
LEGENDS OF AMBROSE 179
spoken — but then an unheard of act — first struck terror into
the hearts of churchmen then won for Ambrose undisguised
3.dniiration. Nor did the noble bishop stop there, but he
interdicted the emperor from even entering the church edifice,
in fact excommunicated him. The emperor pleaded the
example of David : " Then," said the bishop, " imitate him
in his repentance as well as his sin." How Theodosius
threatened and Ambrose stood firm, is historic and when at
last Ruffinius informed him: "The emperor is coming," and
the brave cleric replied : " I will not hinder him ; yet if he will
play the king I will offer him my throat ; " is authentic as is
the final denouement at once dramatic and remarkable when the
powerful emperor, clad in sack-cloth bowed before the stern
representative of the church saying : '* I come to offer myself
and submit to what you prescribe."
What a picture this ! To quote Mrs. Jameson's words :
*' Grovelling on the earth, with dust and ashes on his head lay
the master of the world before the altar of Christ because of inno-
cent blood hastily and wrongfully shed."
The following illustration from " Callot's Images " shows
St. Ambrose as he usually is represented in art with the " bee-
liive" and the kneeling figure is Emperor Theodosius, making
liis submission to the bishop. * A " triple scourge " in the hands
^>f St. Ambrose is sometimes added to these pictures referring to
^he punishment of Theodosius.
The poetical legends and apologues related regarding St.
.Ambrose are almost endless, but all testify to his wonderful
character and worth and not a few to his marvelous gift of pro-
^ihecy.
Ambrose pleaded with the Prefect Macedonius for a condemned
^^jirretch but was refused, when he said : •• Thou, even thou, shalt
:^y to the church for refuge and shalt not enter." This prophecy
"%vas literally fulfilled.
Again on a visit to a Tuscan nobleman Ambrose inquired as to
"^he state of his host, who replied : " I have never known adversity,
^vcry day hath seen me increasing in fortune, honour and posses-
sions. I have a numerous family of sons and daughters who
iSo SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
have never caused me a pang of sorrow. • • • I have nevet^
suffered with sickness or pain," and more to the same purport.
" Arise I " cried Am- -
brosc : " Fly (rom this ■•
roof ere it fall on us, for ~
the Lord is not here." '
and the prelate hastily "
rising from the table fled ; :
scarcely had he left the ^
house and escaped in j
safety when an earth- -
quake swallowed the :
casile and all who were
within it.
It is told that Honorat.
Bishop of Vcrcelli. at-
' tended Ambrose upon his
death-bed. and having
ingel wakened him saying ; " Arise ! tor he de-
hour," and Honorat had barely time to administer
it when Ambrose expired.
After St. Ambrose was canonized he became the patron saint of
Milan. The Basilica of Tant Ambrogio Maggiore founded by
the bishops in 387 in honour of St. Ambrose is one of the oldest
and most interesting churches in Christendom,
St. Ambrose was one of what are known as the " Four Latin
Fathers of the Church," the others being SS. Jerom, Augustin
and Gregory.
1. AMBROSE,
i
THE EASTER OCTAVE.
The first Sunday after Easter concluded the paschal feast and
was long observed, with but little less ceremony than Easter
itself. On this day the neophytes, or newly baptised persons laid
aside their while garments and committed them to the repository
of the church.
CROSSES i8i
From the fact this day completed the " Octave/' it received the
name " Octave of Easter " ; but on account of the ceremony just
alluded to, it was also known as the " Sunday of Albes '' (gar-
ments of white) and is mentioned by St. Augustine as such, in
one of his sermons on the observance of the day.
SAINTS AND SAINT DAYS.
In an edition of Roman Martyrology the original of which was
first published under Gregory XIII., the Most Reverend Arch-
bishop of Baltimore in 1869 writes in the introduction : ** If the
world has its * Legions of Honour' why should not also, the
Church of the Living God ? "
The question is not only pertinent but it can have only one
answer. The holy men and women who in the early days of the
Christian Church, whether they shed their blood as martyrs for
their faith in Christ, or devoted their lives to deeds of love and
charity, sacrificing those things men held most dear in life,
home, friends, ambition and personal comfort for the good of
their fellow men, are as truly heroes and heroines as those who
have won fame and immortal names in history by valiant deeds on
fields of battle, or by their sacrifice for their love of country, and
it was beyond doubt this feeling which led the Fathers of the
early Churches to bestow this recognition of their worth on their
memories ; just as we set aside a day in memory of men like
Washington and Lincoln and which make us as the anniversaries
of each come round, recall their virtues and the sacrifices they
made and learn a personal lesson from their lives. This is the
true spirit of what we term saint's days.
Only a very few of the holy men who have filled the pontificate
and were later canonized have any especial symbols or emblems
in most cases the usual •* Triple Cross " being used. For this
reason it is well to understand the significance of crosses
having more than one transverse bar or arm and which are
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Ecclesiastical crosses." The cross when worn by a
given him as an cmblein, is as an insignia of rank,
(pectoral) or when carried before him (pro-
cessional) as indicative of jurisdiction. The
greater the number of these bars or arms,
the higher the rank and wider the jurisdic-
tion of the person to whom it is assigned.
The triple cross in the illustration is that of
the Pope and corresponds with the mitre.
The first bar signitii
jurisdiclio temporalis ;
the second jurisdictio
in ecclesiam milHantem ;
third Jurisdictio in
ecclesiam palientem.
Thb cross is of Greek
origin and aside from
this indrcatiun uf rank
9
and power has no especial significance.
The cross with two transverse bars i
assigned to archbishops and bishops.
in the illustration,
APRIL 5th.
The names of two Irish saints find a place in the Kalendar for
this day. SS. Tigernach and Becan. But unfortunately for our
chronicles in but a limited number of cases is there much reliable
information to be had regarding Irish saints, owing to the mass of
mythical romance which the early Irish writers mixed with their
facts. Therefore in each of the two I mention I must eliminate
pages of the matter before me,
St. Tigernach was the son of Corbre, ■' a famous general, and
his mother Dearfraych was the daughter of an Irish King named
Eochod ; ♦ • • ■ he was baptised by Coulathe Bishop o( Kildarc,
and St. Brigide was his God-mother. As we know the kidnapping
of youths and maidens in both Britain and Ireland for the pur-
ST. SIXTUS 183
pose of selling them into slavery was a common custom, St.
Patrick being such a victim. According to his legend Tigemach
thus fell into the hands of pirates and was taken to Britain where
he was sold to a British King." Here follows a story too myth-
ical to be worthy of being accepted as fact, except that the
youth became such a favourite with the King that he was placed at
school in the monastery of Rosnat ; for in the VI. century the
monastery was the only school in Britain, or, for that matter any-
where. And thus we again have presented to us the debt due to
the early Christian Church in their effort to educate the peoples.
The story of his manumission — if I may use the word — is also
somewhat mythical for he seems to have been a somewhat '* mau-
vais sufei" for we are told : " he was after his return to Ireland
compelled to receive episcopal consecration " and later, that " he
refused to administer the see of Clogher which had been con-
ferred upon him " in 506. Yet he must have had " the root of
this matter in him," for he soon built the Abbey of Cluanois in
the County Monaghan " where he taught a great multitude to
serve God in primitive purity and simplicity." In his old age he
became blind, but still continued to minister to his people until
his death in 550.
St. Becan the other saint named this
day was also of royal blood being of
the regal family of Munster, and his
name appears as one of ** The Twelve
Apostles of Ireland."
APRIL 6th.
St. Sixtus (or Xistus) Pope and
Martyr is remembered on April 6th.
He was one of the primitive fathers
of the Church chosen in 1 19 and dying
Jii 128. He, like all of the Popes, has for his symbol the triple
cross.
i84 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
This is also the anniversary of another of the Fathers, St.
Celestine I., Pope, who died in 432. A native of Rome and a
man who held a high place in the esteem not alone of his fellow
clergy, but of all who knew him. On the death of Pope Boniface
in 4ZZ Celestine was the unanimous choice of the people as his
successor. It was this Pope who sent St. Palladius to the Scots
of North Britain and St. Patrick to Ireland. He was especially-
active in suppressing the Pelagian heresy in Britain. He died
August I. 432, but his festival has been fixed for this day. Thc-
Clog symbol above is from the English sticks, the Danish havc=
none for this day,
APKiL 7th
Is the saint-day of St, Albert, Recluse Bishop of Vercellj and .
Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was a man of deep piety but his ■
devotions from early life were devoid
of ostentation and while he attended
public worship his secret and private
devotions were far more frequent and
it w^is this that led him to become a
recluse in the inonastery of Cropin
where bread was seldom tasted, herbs
being their chief diet and a fire was
unknown or " any food dressed by a
fire," says Butler in his " Lives of the
Saints." Later he founded the
" Order of Carmelites." He was
murdered at Acre wlien on his way to
Rome, and is given " the palm branch," as a symbol.
It is also the day set aside for St. Francis Xavier, Apostle o(
India, This noted Jesuit was born April 7th. 1 506, at the base of
the Pyrenees on the Spanish side and curiously, not far from which
the man who was to mould his life, Ignatius Loyola, was then liv-
ing. Xavier was educated at the University of Paris where he
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER 185
later lectured. When Loyola came first to Paris Xavier rejected
his advances but when one day, exultant over a remarkably suc-
cessful lecture, Loyola let drop the words : " What shall it profit a
man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? " he was
startled by the thought and he sought out the man he had
repulsed. We all know the result and how from an humble
quartette of earnest young men the Society of Jesuits originated in
1 540 and his selection as a missionary to India and the wonderful
results. Also how he then journeyed on to India intending to
push on to China and how at last, by treachery he was cast on the
l>arren island of Samian in sight of the mainland of China, and
rhere died. The pathetic story of noble work and self-sacrifice
liave been too often told to. need repetition. It is one continued
story of heroism in the cause of Christ and an almost endless list
of miracles are credited to him. He was canonized in 1662 and
in i747» by a Papal brief, was made the patron saint of East
Indies His death occurred December 3d, 1553.
APRIL 8th.
Of the several names mentioned in the Roman Church Kalen-
dar for honour this day that of the Blessed Albert, Patriarch of
Jerusalem, presents an interesting story. He was an Italian by
birth from the diocese of Parma and of a noble family. Highly
educated he was a proficient in canon and civil laws; he received
tbc habit of " a canon regular " in the Carmelite monastery of
iMortuva ; later was made Bishop of Bobio and afterward of Ver-
crclli, over which latter see he presided for twenty years. His
Icnowledge and integrity were recognised when he was chosen to
arbitrate the differences between Clement III. and Emperor
I^'redcrick I., sumamed Barbarossa. Emperor of Germany ; and
when Henry VI., successor of Frederick, created him, " a Prince
^f the Empire." In 1204 Monochus the eleventh Latin Patriarch
^^ Jerusalem died and Innocent III. selected Albert as his succes-
^r. But as Jenisalem was in the hands of the Saracens when in
Albert arrived at Aeon, he made this city the seat of his see.
86 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
d the J
7rder4
eat it M
I
As legislator of the Carmelites (or While Friars) he compiled the
rules of the Order.
There is a curious tact connected with the Carmeliti
not generally known by the laymen of the Church, and I repeat il
for t/iei'r beneiit since clerics must of course be familiar with —
it.
It is said that from the time of Elias the Prophet his successors -^
had uninterruptedly as hermits occupied Mount Carmel where the =:
Carmelites had their house. That these hermits having embraced
Christianity, continued their succession to the XII. century when
the Order began to extend its work into wider fields. This suc-
cession was long a contested point and neither Popes Innocent X.
or XH. were willing to decide ; while the latter, by a brief dated
November 2gih. 1698, "enjoined silence, on the subject." Yet this
is the legend as it is found in ancient ecclesiastical history.
In [3T4 Albert was summoned into the West by Pope Innocent
III. to attend a " Council of Laieran " which was to meet in laiS-
But he was assassinated on September 14th, 1214 while assisting
at the " Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross." He has, however,
always been honoured in Roman Martyrology on April 8th.
St. Mary of Egypt whose festival occurs on this day, is one of
the most curious in legendary history told as it doubtless was in
its inception " with a purpose," its lesson has lost nothing by
age.
The legend is a very old one but when vouched for by St.
Jerom who. aside from his reliability as a cleric, has ever ranked
as one of the most faithful chroniclers of his day — its truth is
unquestioned. The story it is said even ante-dates the legend of
Mary Magdalene. I must tell it, condensed and in my own
words rather than in the elaborate detail in which I read it.
The story of ■' Mary Egyptica," appeared in written form first
in the VI. century as an ancient tradition of a " female " hermit in
Palestine. St. Jerom repeating it said her wickedness " exceeded
ST. MARY OF EGYPT 187
that of Mary Magdalene." She was an Alexandrian noted for
her beauty, for the luxury of her life, and the wiles by which she
led her victims on to their destruction. " Kismet ! " no doubt the
Egyptians said ; but as we read her legend we can clearly see the
band of Providence in the act which led to her changed mode of life.
One day in 365 she was walking by the sea when she saw a
vessel laden with pilgrims about to depart for Jerusalem to attend
the " Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross."
For seventeen years this woman had lived a life of shame ; yet
in this moment an irresistible impulse came upon her to join the
pilgrims not for a holy purpose but rather for adventure. She
had no money ; but to quote the quaint phrase of her historian :
" She sold herself to the sailors '* and thus reached Jerusalem
with the pilgrims. How she spent the interval before the day of
the festival is not told. On that day she joined the throng
around the entrance of the Basilica; yet at the moment when
she was about to enter some invisible power restrained her. As
often as she tried to cross the threshold an unseen hand seemed
to draw her back. What it was she knew not, but suddenly,
without premonition she felt the full sense of her sinful life come
over her. Her utter unworthiness even to look upon that sacred
emblem. She fell upon her knees there on the pavement, which
was soon wet with her repentant tears and for the first time in
her life she prayed. While yet praying she seemed to hear a
voice that said : " If thou goest beyond Jordan to dwell there
thou shalt find rest and comfort."
That night at the city gate she bought three loaves of bread
and walked on until she came to the river where the church of
St. John the Baptist stood. There she paid her devotions and in
the morning passed over the river and for forty-seven years lived
a hermit in the wilderness. As her garments worn out by age
and use dropped from her, her hair became a cloak. It was thus
clad that Zosimus, a holy man, at last found her. To him she
confessed and from his hands received the holy sacrament ; but
then begged him to leave her and not return until a year had
passed.
At the appointed time on Maunday Thursday Zosimus came
i88 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
forth to meet her but only found her dead body ; while in the
sand beside her were written the words ; ■' Oh, Father Zosimus,
bury the body of the poor sinner, Mary of Egypt. Give eanfa to
earth and dust to dust for Christ's sake."
A legend tells that as Zosimus digged the grave his strength
failed him for he was an old man ; but then a lion came and
helped him digging with his paws.
Dr. Alban Butler in his life of St. Mary of Egypt puts ilie date
of her eoiwereion in 383 and her death in 421. Others place
these as given above, 365 and 433,
APRIL loth.
One of the most interesting events connected with the loth of
April is the fact that on this day in 787 King Pepin of France
introduced an organ into the Church of St. Corneil! at Compiegne,
thus in a measure fixing the advent of this instrument into
church service.
The story of St. Bademus whom the Church names this day for
honour is interesting, it only for the curious means adopted to
secure his " talcing off " while it in no degree lakes from him the
claim of being a Martyr to the Faith as he is termed in Roman
Marty rology.
He was a nobleman of Persia, living at Bethlapeta who out of
his great estates dedicated the larger portion to found a monas-
tery near his home, and of which he became Abbot. While
Sapor (he all powerful was relentless in persecuting the Chris-
tians, he hesitated before he allowed his pursuivants to apprehend
Bademus and the seven of his monks. Yet hating him as he did.
Sapor felt he must be prudent with the man, however merciless
he was to other Christians ; for Dioclesian in his persecutions of
the Christians hardly equalled those of Sapor. It was tor this
Bademus and his monks were cast into prison rather than that
more terrible penalties were inflicted. Still it was a sore puzzle
to Sapor how to dispose of him.
ST. BAD EM US 189
About the same time Bademus was confined, a Christian
Lord of the Persian Court was arrested, named Nersan, a Prince
of Aria and imprisoned because he refused to worship the sun.
He was for a time resolute but his faith at the crucial moment
failed him and he promised to conform. To test him, the king
through his intermediaries made proposals to Nersan who was
confined in a prison that was part of the royal palace. Bademus
with his chains stricken off was brought to Lapeta and introduced
into the chamber where Nersan was confined with the intention
that, during their interview, Nersan should slay his fellow
Christian and for this purpose had been provided with a sword.
Again at the crucial moment Nersan's nerve failed him; but
the Abbot had already seen through the plot and as Nersan
hesitated, he said : " Unhappy Nersan, to what a pitch of
impiety hath thy apostacy carried thee. With joy I run to my
death ; but would have wished another executioner."
Angered at the taunt implied, in a half-hearted manner
Nersan strove to carry out the command of Sapor; but his
strokes were so unsteady that the martyr was covered with an
infinite number of wounds before the fatal blow was struck.
The monks at that time were called by Syrians and Persians
"mourners" and these mourners, the legend tells us, after the
body of Bademus had been ** reproachfully treated by the infidels
and cast out of the city " secured and buried it on April loth in
376.
APRIL nth
Is the anniversary of Pope Leo I. called " The Great." He
was the forty-seventh in line of succession who held the sacred
office. As one reads the story of his life it is easy to see how
justly he was entitled to the appellation *' The Great," not alone
because of the manner in which he exercised his ecclesiastical
powers, but in every way. The many affairs of the churches in
the East during the period of his pontificate demanded in the
highest degree rare executive ability and endless vigilance, but
in no case was he found wanting. So too, in matters pertaining
igo SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
more especially to public affairs he ever stood ready not only
to advise with clear, well considered judgment, but to act. The
most notable event in this respect is on thai memorable occasion
when Attiia the Hun enriched by the plunder of many nations
and cities, marched against Rome just then helpless and panic
stricken, and the people as with one voice called on this great
man to come to their aid. How well he fulfilled the difficult and
dangerous task o( meeting and placating the haughty i>T3nt is
history and cannot be repeateti here ; but it saved Rome in her
direst hour of peril. As a scholar and a puipit orator he was
indeed ■' great," His sermons en the obligations of the rich not to
hoard their wealth or lavish it on selfish superfluities are wonder-
ful examples of pulpit oratory and clear logical deductions.
Modern theologians often now preach on the "Love of God"
as if it was some new discovery ; but that was the keynote of this
venerable man's teaching adding as well humility and to wait
according to the spirit of Christ in charity to all.
As a pulpit orator his diction was pure and elegant, his style
terse and clear, while his logic was at all times unassailable.
Another saint whose anniversary comes on this day is Si. Guth-
lac (or Guihlake) one of the most interesting of the old Saxon
anchorites and his story in his early years, was similar to that of
many young men of his times ; and a now nearly forgotten legend
tells us that "at the time of his birth a hand of ruddy splendour
was seen extending from the clouds to a cross which stood at his
mother's door,"
Like all youths of his day he was devoted to warlike enterprises
Not what we now regard as such, but which then were not
esteemed at all illegitimate. He was wild and reckless as well as
fearless. Thus at the age of sixteen he became the head and
commander of a body of reivers and robbers ; although he
seems to have been something of the ■' Robin Hood " order in the
division of the spoils he captured and never leaving his victims
utterly helpless "frequently giving back to those he had robbed
one-third of the plunder he had captured." Later on he became
a soldier under Ethelred, King of Merc ia, with some disi"
POPE JULIUS I. 191
In his 24th year he seems to have had a change of heart, for he
laid aside his warlike purposes and entered the monastery of
Repanden where he studied for two years. Then he determined
to lead a hermit's life selecting for his retreat Croyland Isle in the
fen country. Here he built a small oratory and passed fifteen
years in prayer and solitude. At this time Ethelbald, afterward
King of Mercia, who was then an exile, often came to Guthlac
for counsel while he was hiding in the marshes. When Ethelbald
came into power he had not forgotten the saintly man in his dreary
cell amid the fens ; therefore after St. Guthlac died the king
caused the marshes to be drained and on the site of the hermit's
cell erected a monastery in his honour. This Croyland monas-
tery must have been an immense establishment since its ruins
cover twenty acres.
Croyland Isle has through drainage now wholly disappeared
and rich farms now fill the place once so desolate.
APRIL 1 2th
Marks the anniversary of Pope Julius I. who died in 352, the most
noted event of whose life was the fixing on December 25th as the
correct date of the birth of our Lord. A date which until then
had been celebrated by the churches at various dates. But Julius,
St. Chrysostom informs us, after a strict examination of the
traditions regarding the event set it on the day we now observe.
St. Zcno whose festival occurs on April 12th is styled by St.
Gregory the Great, as a martyr, but by most of the chronicles of
the Church is honoured only by the title of Confessor. He was by
education a Latin but of the African race and made bishop in 362
during the reign of Julian "The Apostate." St. Ambrose writes
of him with great admiration, especially mentioning his Easter
Services and the ordination of virgins ** consecrated to God," who
Unlike the nuns " lived in their own houses."
Love-feasts at Agapis established on the festivals of martyrs
a.xid celebrated in their cemeteries were then in vogue, but had
192 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
degenerated into occasions of intemperance and frivolity, if not
worse. These St. Zeno severely condemned.
He is chiefly known for his boundless charity and willing pov-
erty in his personal life as well as his sufferings and the persecu-
tion he endured for the faith.
SYMBOLS.
St. Augustine called these representations "//^'/V//(9/an^x« "
(books of the simple), and beyond doubt his definition in those
early days was literally correct, for outside the clergy and a few
savants, none could read or write. Indeed not a few of the
nobles affected to despise learning of any kind and still later rele-
gated to their henchmen and subordinates the arduous duties and
the task of acquiring a knowledge of reading, rather than devote
their time to learning to do so and thereby be compelled to forego
their daily pleasures. With the common people the serfs and
laborers, even had they wished, teachers were lacking or refused
to enlighten them. Thus these crude representations found upon
Clog Almanacs came into vogue. Early in the Christian era
symbols, emblems and monograms, began to be used to signify
certain rites of the church and to indicate the persons of the
Holy Trinity and also some of the apostles. Later many others
were added as attributes for the more prominent personages of
the church, and many of these may yet be seen in the catacombs
about Rome and the excavations at Pompeii and elsewhere.
These symbols or signs were used only for the purpose of expres-
sing a fact or sentiment, or as an attribute of some character-
istic personality, or some especial event in the life of the holy man
or woman to whom they were given.
In early Christian art as seen in the catacomb frescoes they
seem to aim only at a realistic representation and the crudest
attempt satisfied them. With the growth of art this was all
changed. The ideal gradually replacing the real, or it was ideal-
ised to a point of beauty.
ST. HERMENEGILD 193
APRIL 13th.
In Roman Martyrology the first name which appears on this day
is Hermenegild. He was desended from a noted family, his
father being Liuvigild. king of the Visigoths in Spain and pro-
fessed the Arian doctrine, therefore educated his son in that faith
but by his marriage with Ingondes, a daughter of Seigbert king of
Austrasia in France who was a
zealous Catholic, Hermenegild be-
came convinced of the errors of
Arianism and renounced its teach-
ings. For this Liuvigild cut him
off from his inheritance of the
throne. But Hermenegild had in-
herited what his father could not
deprive him of — his sturdy Goth
independence — and as a sovereign
prince he stood firmly for his rights.
The story of the conflict between
father and son is a quaint bit of
history in ancient warfare. At last Hermenegild allied himself
with some Roman generals who bound themselves to protect him
and received his wife Ingondes and her infant son as hostages but
corrupted by Liuvigild's gold they betrayed their trust. Thus it was
Hermenegild was besieged in Seville where for a year he success-
fully resisted but then fled to Cordova with 300 faithful followers.
His place of refuge was taken by Liuvigild and Hermenegild
sought protection in a church where Recared his younger brother
sent by King Liuvigild found him. Then by sacred promises if
he would submit and ask forgiveness all would be well. Her-
menegild returned and the king received him kindly, embraced
him, but treacherously ordered while his promise had hardly fal-
len from his lips and the father's kiss was yet warm on the son's
cheek, that Hermenegild should be ** stripped of his royal robes;
be loaded with chains and confined in a dungeon in the tower of
Seville." For two years the king alternately used threats and
promises to lead this faithful man to renounce the orthodox faith,
194 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
but in vain. On Easier Eve (which that year was the 13th of
April) aa Arian bishop came to the prisoner from the king with
an offer of pardon if he would take communion from the hand of
any Arian prelate. The offer was sternly refused and the bishop
so reported to the king and
orders were given the soldiers ;
J who entered the prison and
^^^T without further words and by
^r ^H^^^ a blow from an axe, ended his
^^^^K life. Thus while sometimes
y ^^F 'his saint has for his aitribuie a
y cross, grasped by a hand, as in
^ the first illustraiion, he often
X has an axe as an emblem
f This briefly told is the story
of the heroic courage chat v
from Si. Gregory of Tours such
enLhtisiasLlc admiration of this
APRIL 14th,
On this day at Avignon there are offices celebrated in honour
of their patron saint. The following from Butler's " Lives of the
Saints " tells the story o( St. Benezet or Little Bennet t
'■ He kept his mother's sheep in the country ♦ • • when moved
by charity to save the lives of many poor persons who were fre-
quently drowned in passing the Rhone, and inspired by God he
undertook to build a bridge over that rapid river at Avignon,''
A gigantic enterprise for a poor boy ! yet, like many another en-
thusiast and philanthropist he accomplished his work ; beginning
itinii;7 but completed after his death tnii84. "Many were
the miracles which were wrought " during those years from the
first laying of its foundation until its completion in it88 four
years after his death, while his tomb is appropriately placed in a
little chapel built on the bridge itself.
ST. PETER GONZALES 195
But the most remarkable part of the story that is well vouched
for is that after nearly five hundred years in 1670 when repairs to
the bridge made the opening of St. Benezet's tomb necessary and
the body was found ** without the least sign of corruption ♦ ♦ ♦
and the colour of the eyes lively and sprightly though through the
dampness of the situation the iron bars about the tomb were
much damaged."
APRIL 15th.
Of the many saints of world-wide renown among certain
classes none perhaps, is more devoutly reverenced by sailors of
the Roman faith especially those of Spain, than St. Peter Gon-
zales whose festival day occurs on the 15th of April. Albeit
he was a youth of such singular punty of character that he won
the favour of his uncle the Bishop of Astorga who procured for
him a canoncy ; he had all the pride and haughtiness of the Span-
ish nobility of his day. But his pride in the very bloom of
young manhood was humbled when through an accident or mis-
step of his prancing horse the young dean found himself wallow-
ing in a filthy gutter. Still this mishap bore wondrous fruit, for
from being proud, vain and haughty he became a model of
humility and in his zeal to teach the truths of Christ he devoted
himself to the peasants of Galacia and along the coast where his
labours among the mariners won for him that frank generous love
/or which sailors the world over have ever been noted, when they
encounter a brave honest self-sacrificing, unselfish man. His
i3.bours at this time and later made him the "Patron Saint of
A/Iariners."
Many miracles have been attributed to him. While yet at
::^^Durt in his younger days his upright virtuous life had made
m noted. It may have been in jest or banter that some of the
sbles told a famous courtezan that if she ever heard Gonzales
"each she would reform her life. To this she replied : ** If I
3uld but once speak to him alone he could not resist my charms,
y more than some others."
196 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
V beginning
red the irend ft
room where h<^
1 the blazing co.ils
To cut Ihe story short she secured such an
by a mnck confession ; but when Gonzales disi
her efforts he left her and went to an adjoii
wrapped himself in a cloak and cast himself o
on the hearth calling on her to look. But the flames had rcliisc*-'
to scorch even the hem of his cloak. Amazed, confounded a"*-
convinced, she from that hour became a penitent, convcrt^*^
arkable legends are told of this faithful maf^ '
An ancient galleon is the aliribuie usual'^^
given to St. Peter Gonzales, but noti^^
appears on any Clog stick I have ev*^^^"^
In Roman Marlyrology for April i jth^-
ve read of S5. Basihssa and Anastasifr"- ^
^ that these two "noble women were dis'^^B
cjples of tlie apostles and as they per-
severed ctiurageoii^ly in the confession
?of their f^iiih under the F.niperor Nero
they had their hands and feet cut off and thus obtained the crown
of martyrdom." This is undoubtedly correct ; but another author'
Uy says of St. Anasiasia : '' She was condemned to the flames."
In " Legendary and Sacred Art," Mrs,
Jameson says :
" Notwithstanding her beautiful Greek
name and her fame as one of the great
saints of the Greek calendar St. Am
tasia is represented as a noble Roman
lady who perished during the persecu-
tion of Dioclesian, She was persecuted
by her husband and family for openly
professing the Christian faith, but being
sustained by the eloquent exhortations
of St. Chrysogonus she passed triumph-
antly, receiving in due lime the crowi
martyrdom by being condemned to the flames. Chrj-sogoiius also
was put to death by the sword and his body thrown into the se.i.
ST. DRUG N 197
"According to the best authorities, these two saints did not
suffer in Rome, but in Illyria ; yet in Rome we are assured that
Anastasia after her martyrdom was buried by her friend Apollina
in the garden of her house under the Palatine hill and close to the
Circus Maximus."
The stake fagots and palm branch (as in illustration) appear on
some Clogs as the attribute of this martyred woman.
APRIL i6th.
St. Druon or Drugo, whose festival the Church observes to-day
has an especial place in the Kalendar as the ** Patron of Shep-
herds." This is rather the more singular from the fact that our
saint was of a noble family in Flanders. From his childhood he
had evinced a desire to lead a religious life. His father died
before he was born and his mother passed to the unknown
" beyond " almost at the hour of his birth. Thus his youth lacked
the help he needed, though in some manner replaced by the teach-
ings and advice of the priests who directed his education. It was
not. therefore, a great surprise that at the age of twenty he
bestowed all his money and goods upon the poor of his neighbour-
hood, renounced all claim to his family estates to other heirs that
he might pursue a life of poverty and penance which accorded
Hith his views. Thus it was that clad only in poor garments worn
over the '* hair shirt" which he had donned, he went forth into
the world. His legend does not show clearly what his purpose
Was so we can only follow his " trail " and each reader must judge
for himself. After visiting several *' Holy Shrines " he engaged
n the service of a devout lady named Elizabeth de la Haire at
^ebourg, two leagues from Valenciennes, as a shepherd where he
»pcnt six years. But his modesty, piety and charity had bruited
"lis name abroad as well as drawn to him the attention of his
"distress. Thus from various sources he received many presents all
>f which in turn went to the poor and needy ; for his disguise had
:>een penetrated and added much to the veneration in which he
^7as held by the peasantry ; who were not slow to show their feel-
jgS SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
ings. It was to avoid applause like this tliat he at last fled onc«
more and became a recluse in a narrow cell rear the church ai
Scbourg; where until he was eighty-four years at age he led his
saintly life, leaching and expounding the scriptures to those who
came to him and in deeds of love to such as he was able to aid.
Then on April i6th, u86 he went to his reward, and his relics
were laid at rest in the Church of St. Martin at Sebourg when
his shrine is yet shown. ^^k
Is sacred to the memory of one of the early rulers of the Church,
St. Anicetus, who succeeded St. Pius "in the latter part of the
reign of Antonius Pius the Roman Emperor," as Dr. Butler tells
us. Dates however conflict — a.s Anlonius Pius died in |6( and
this prelate ruled from 165 to 173. These early dates oftentimes
contradict each other. But I accept without a question Dr.
Butler's dates. While in Roman Martyrology Pope Pius is styled
a marlyr he did not in (act shed his blood for the faith. Dr.
Butler in commentating on the life of Pius, says 1 "' The thirty-six
first bishops of Rome down to Liberius and this one excepted, all
the Popes lo Symniachus the fifty-second in 498, are honoured
among and out of two hundred and forty-eight Popes, from
St. Peter to Clement XIII., seventy-eight are named in Roman
Martyrology."
Beyond the record of a faithful care of his flock the life of Pius
presents few striking features beyond the trials every true Chris-
tian was compelled to undergo.
APRIL 18th.
In the story of St. Apollonius, "The Apologist" as he i;
surnamed, we have two somewhat curious features brought out
The first that •■ look for the woman " far ante-dates in fact, its usi
in modern literature.
ST. APOLLONIUS 199
Marcus Aurelius as a pagan persecuted the Christians seemingly
'dther as a matter of principle than from pure vindictiveness a
;>oint which strange as it sounds might I fancy be fully main-
:^ined — from his pagan teachings. But when in i8o his son
ZTom modus succeeded him in the Empire, a new element entered for
r^e had made Marcia — an admirer of the faith — Empress, and
MToman's influence stayed the tide of persecution even though the
edict was in no wise changed. During this " calm " the number
of the faithful was largely increased. Among these was Apollonius,
a Roman senator ; a man well versed in law, philosophy and the
knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. It is here the second curious
feature of the times and the Roman laws comes in. Ignorant
of his fate ; impelled by some wish for revenge against his master ;
SL slave named Severus denounced Apollonius as a Christian, and
lie was haled before Perennis prefect of the Prsetorium. By what
seems a strange contradiction Marcus Aurelius had issued an edict
whereby without revoking or repealing the former laws against
convicted Christians the accuser should be put to death, and
therefore under the terms of this law Severus wasyfrj/ condemned
" to have his legs broken and then after put to death.'* The slave
having been duly executed by the same judges who had con-
demned him ordered Apollonius to renounce his newly professed
religion as he valued his life and fortune.
Upon the refusal of the senator to do this to secure safety,
the judge no doubt gladly availed himself of the law — and sent
Apollonius before the Roman Senate to plead his own case.
Then it was he made his celebrated speech in the vindication of
the Christian religion, which won for him the surname of " The
Apologist." No record or (so far as I can learn) only an excerpt
from this celebrated plea has been preserved. ** St. Jerom "
we are told by Dr. Butler, "who had perused it, did not
know whether more to admire the eloquence or the profound
learning both sacred and profane of this illustrious man."
It was ineffectual, for upon Apollonius' refusal to comply with
the decree of the Senate to renounce his faith, he was condemned
and beheaded in the year l86. The sixth year of the reign of
Commodus.
1
200 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
APRIL 19th,
On (his day occurs the anniversary of St. AnJcelus who suc-
ceeded Si, I'ius I, as Pope who held the sacred office troni 165 to
173 ihe year ot his death.
The day also is set aside for St. Step-
hen, Abbot ot Citeaux. He was an Eng-
lish gentleman of wealth named Stephen
Harding, who became a monk and noted
in ihe Church for his ascetic life as well
as for his learning having in 1 109 with
some of his fellow monks of Citeaux
made from Hebrew manuscripts, a " very
correct copy of the Bible in Latin." In
I (33 he laid down his office of aU)ot on
account of his age. He died March 28th,
1134 bm liis Order, "the Opnedtctinc,"
keep bis fesiiv.il nn April 15th, while
in Roman Martyrulngy he is honoured
on the I7lh day of that month the day
he H-ns supposed to have been canonized.
On this day the Church honours Leo
l.X. the iS5th Pope. He held his high
office from 1048 to 1054 the year of his
death.
Again to-day comes the anniversary of
anollier noted Englishman, St. Elphege
or Alphcgc as it is sometimes called who
has a most interesting siory connecting
him with the early incursions of the Danes
in England and as Archbitihop of Canler-
liury. His saint-day still holds a place
i[i liie Kalendar of tlie Church of Eng-
:iiid.
He was an Englishman from a noble
and very wealthy family. Fearing the
early age he renounced the world and be-
ST. ELPHEGE 201
came an enthusiastic Benedictine not in garb alone btit in all that
their holy vows implied. Austere and ascetic as the life of a monk
of this Order was, Elphege felt it was not severe enough to satisfy
his conscience therefore he denied himself in every way especially
by his long and frequent fasts, until his body became so attenuated
that when he held up his hand — as an old ballad says :
" It was so wan and transparent of hue
You might have seen the moon shine through."
In 984 St. Dunstan appointed Elphege Bishop of Westchester
and he left the cloisters. For twenty-two years he governed that
s^e until in 1006 on the death of Alfred, he was translated to
Canterbury.
If my readers will turn to their English history and read of the
nn<;assacre of the Danes by the Anglo-Saxons on St. Brice's day
(I^^ovember 13th, 1002) a massacre which only finds a parallel in
th^ Sicilian Vespers, the atrocities of St. Bartholomew's Day, or
the biirbarism of the French Revolution they will easily under-
.nd why the fierce Danes vowed revenge, though at that time
tl^^yhad to wait before they could accomplish their purpose it had
1^0^ lessened their hatred. In ion the Danes came again to
Canterbury; but history has not recounted their deeds of pitiless
f«-» r-y and Elphege's unavailing efforts to " pity the women and
spi^^re the children."
On the day before Easter in 1012 the Archbishop received
** <^:>tice that unless his ransom of 3,000 pieces of silver was
P-^id within eight days, his life would be the forfeit. At last
OT-^ Easter Sunday he was brought from the prison where for
^^'Ven months he had suffered untold torments and stood before
^^^ commanders of the Danish ships then lying at Greenwich.
1^ Avas after a banquet when these brutal men were all drunken
'^^''it.h wine and their cry came : " Money ! Money for your ran-
^^m, bishop."
^ith a calm voice he replied : ** Silver and gold have I none ;
^'^at is mine I freely offer, the knowledge of the true God."
Amid scornful laughter and angry shouts some one struck him
202 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
with the flat side of a battle-axe and knocked him down and al
once the mob began to stone him. Bruised and suffering from
mortal wounds yet not dead, he lay in agony when some one
more merciful than his feiiows raised his battle-axe and with a
single blow put the holy man beyond earthly pain,
A parish church at Greenwich marks ihc place of his martyr-
dom and first burial. Ten years later when his remains were
transferred to the Cathedral at Canterbury, William of Malms-
bury {the historian) informs us ihey were found wholly incorrtipt ;
a s lory an English church " year-book " incorporates in its text.
St. Elphege is usually represented in art with his chasuble full
oF stones and sometimes holding in his hand a battte-axe. The
admirable picture 1 give above is (rom an engraving of a acutp-
tured figure of this saint in Wells Cathedral, England.
SYMBOLS OF THE EVANGELISTS.
'Round the throne, 'midst Angels' natures
Stand four holy Living Creatures,
Whose diversity of features
Maketh good the Seer's plan :
This an Eagle's visage knowetb.
That a Lion's image showelh;
Scripture on the rest bestoweth
The twin forms of Ox and Man.
Symbols quadriform uniting.
They of Christ are thus inditing;
Quadriform His acts, which writing
They produce before our eyes ;
Man — Whose birth man's law obeyeth ;
Ox -^ Whom victim's passion slayeth ;
Lion — Whom on death he preyeth.
Eagle — soaring to the skies.
— Translated from " Jucundare Plebs Fidelis," by Rev, J, M,
Neal.
EVANGELISTS' SYMBOLS 203
Before any especial symbol had been given to each of the
Evangelists one was in use for all. a Greek cross (often of an
ornamental pattern as shown
in illustration) with the four
gospels in the angles of it.
The weird-winged symbols
came much later and were
beyond a doubt suggested
by the four beasts named in
the Apocalypse.
Another quaint symbol of
this character (see illustra-
tion) is often found in the
catacombs, being the Agnus
Dei standing on a mount,
and the four rivers of the Paradise — the Gihon, the Tigris, the
Euphrates and the Pison — representing the Four Evangelists and
their gospels. The Gihon being St. Matthew, the Tigris St. Mark
the Euphrates St. Luke and the Pison St. John.
Just when the mysterious .'winged,
creatures were first used is uncer-
tain but probably in the early part
of the V, century. St. Jerom
(326-420) mentions them and gives
at some length the reasons why
each symbol was assigned the par-
ticular Evangelist. Thus St. Mark
received the lion ; " Because he
set forth the royal dignity o( Christ
and His power as displayed in
His Resurrection and Victory over
Death." It was from St. Mark's
account of the resurrection that
the lion was at times used as a
symbol of Christ.
The infinite variety of shapes into which these winged lions have
been twbted has been limited only by the inventive genius of
204 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
artists, (roni the early days in Greece and Rome until our own
After the introduction ol these winged creatures as symbols o(
the four Evangelists they generally took the place of the books
when used to embrace all of them, and
as shown in the illustration and placed
s of the
; instead of in
1
s also at times used as an emblem of
n the life of our Lord. The following form
the significance in each case
1 however used :
1 ( Winged Man.
' " \ Winged Lion.
Winged Ox.
Eagle.
J Incarnation.
( Resurrection,
Passion.
Ascension.
.,■ , . J St. Matthew.
■"^'- j St. Mark.
St. Luke.
St. John.
APRIL 20th.
St. James of Sclavonia is one of the saints which the Roman
Church remembers this day. A Dalmatian by birth but as he
spent the most of his life on the opposite coast of the Adriatic
Sea. in Italy, his name has come down to us as "of Sclavonia."
He was a lay-brother of the Observantine Franciscan Friars at
BiCecto nine miles from Bari. While but an humble member of
his Order his reputation and the reason for his canonization rests
upon his wonderful " prophetic spirit " through the efficacy
of fervent prayer, by which he made some remarkable pro>
ST. A NS ELM 205
phecies. By nature he was extremely emotional finding vent
in tears.
In his humble state he was employed like others of the Order
in menial duties but often while so engaged he fell into a
state of ecstacy. Once, when acting as a cook for his brethren in
the midst of his duty he stood " ravished in spirit " and his tears
vrhich he could not restrain fell into the dish of beans which he
happened at the moment to be preparing for the brethren. It
so happened that on this day the Duke of Adria, on whose estates
the monastary of Conversano stood was a guest. Unnoticed by
the holy man the Duke had watched him in his moment of ecstacy
— while he mechanically proceeded with his work — and had seen
the tears fall into the dish he was preparing but he made no
remark. When the hour for the meal came and St. James as was
his place asked the honoured guest what he would eat, the Duke
replied as he chose the beans : " Blessed are they whose meals
are seasoned by such tears." St. James died April 27th, 1485 but
his festival was fixed by Pope Benedict XIV. for the 20th of this
month.
APRIL 2ist
Few English prelates have ever exercised as great an influence
on the politics, literature and learning of his own age as Anselm,
Archbishop of Canterbury, in whose honour services will be held
on this day in the most beautiful of all England's many noble
oathedrals.
Though not an Englishman by birth he became one in fact
^ter his translation to the see of Canterbury. He was born in
1033 at Aoust in Piedmont, and from early years displayed a
predeliction for study and monastic life. But his father sternly
opposed this course and young Anselm secretly left home. After
three years of wandering in Burgundy and France he reached Bee
in Normandy and there studied under Lanfranc, later, in 1060
"becoming a monk in the abbey of Bee. Six years later he was
made prior of the abbey and in 1078 was advanced to the office of
2o6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
abbot. It was at this time he wrote many of those works which
spread his fame throughout western Europe. In log! at the
invitation of Hugh, Earl of Chester, Anselm visited England to
establish monks from Bcc in the new monastery the ear! had
lately founded.
For four years King William Rulus had kept the see of Canter-
bury vacant that he might enjoy its revenues. However, in I093
William was induced 10 name Anselm as archbishop and he was
consecrated on December 4lh of that year. Within a fortnight
the king and Anselm were at odds from the greed of William and
the refusal of Anselm to allow the revenues of the church to be
plundered. But far more important was the quarrel between the
king and the prelate on the question of the temporal power of the
Church. This controversy continued after Henry 1. came to
the throne but it is too long for record here beyond noting the
prominent rfile which Anselm played throughout, until by mutual
concessions the vexed question was for the time closed only, as
all historical students know, later to become so important.
Anselm was a man of remarkable firmness of purpose, purity of
life and of great intellectual powers. It was to him England
owed the introduction of metaphysical reasoning into theology
and thus a new school for the latter science.
APRIL 22d.
This day is the joint festival of two Popes of the early Roman
Church although their deaths occurred an hundred and twenty
years apart. The first of these was St. Soter who succeeded Sl
Anicetus in 173. The mention of his name brings once more
prominently to mind how early " heresies " began to creep into
the Christian Church. For the chief events we find regarding
the Bishop — as they then were termed — was his opposition to
the " heresy of Montantis, " A remarkable letter addressed by this
prelate to the church at Corinth drew from St. Dionysius, a letter
of thanks and the words " that the letter should be read for their
ST. GEORGE 207
edification every Sunday at their assemblies to celebrate the
Divine mysteries.**
This bishop died in 1 76 — or 7 (dates conflict) — on April
33d. He is termed *' a martyr *' in the Roman Martyrology but
like others of the earlier bishops his martyrdom was rather from
the persecutions of the Church than of a death by violence.
The second of these bishops whose festival occurs this day was
St. Caius, who succeeded St. Eutychian in the Apostolic see in 283.
He like others of the earlier rulers of the Church did not escape
from the penalties of their day but held faithful to his belief and
governed the Church for over twelve years. He died April 21st,
296, but his festival is fixed by Roman Martyrology for April 22d,
the day of his burial.
APRIL 23d.
This day is dedicated to one of the most noted and at the
same time most mysterious saints in the entire Kalendar — St.
George of Cappadocia. '* He is honoured in the Catholic
Church as one of the most illustrious martyrs of Christ "
writes Butler in his " Lives of the Saints." Yet if we accept the
account given by Gibbon (the historian), we learn that " this
martial hero owes his position in the Christian Kalendar to no
merit of his own." A remark which can hardly be true even
though some of the legends regarding him are somewhat mythi-
cal for his fame depends on no one country. The Greek and
Latin Churches alike honour him and Saxon Martyrology set
aside one day as especially dedicated to him and after *' the
Conquest" he is thus honoured in England, while long before
that Knights in France, Burgundy, Hainault, Brabant, Flanders
and Germany were ever ready to " hold the lists " in honour of
this saint and the Greeks entitled him " The Great Martyr." He
is the tutelar saint of Genoa, and in 1222 the great national
council held at Oxford during the reign of Henry HL (surnamed
Winchester), ordained his feast to be kept as a holiday, and in
2o8 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
1344 ihe Order at the Knights o( St. George, or "The Blue
Garter " was instituted in honour of this saint.
There has long been a controversy over St, George. Calvin
and the Centurcatore call him an " imaginary saint," Alban
Butier warning his readers not to "confound him with George,
the Arian. usurper of the see of Alexandria," etc.
Indeed a cloud of mystery hangs about his whole life save on
one or two points. That he was from young manhood a
military man engaged in warfare with the pagans at whose hand
he at !ast met his death, all seemingly agree. Beyond that with-
out taking too much space to give the varied versions of the
several stories as reported, I cannot here speak.
Endless legends arc told
of him, such as the appari'
tion of St. George to
Richard I. in his expedition
against the Saracens and the
effect of the vision on the
king's army when told them ;
while there are few I imagine
who have not heard the
legend of St. George and the
Dragon and have seen pic-
tures of the gallant knight.
and curious one taken from
an old MS. in (he Bodleian
Library, England.
myth, and as Butler writes
ST. GEORGE.
Even this legend is condemned as a
like " the stories of the combat o( St. George with the niagician
Athanasius, and other trumpery
An old English ballad runs:
" Some say there w;
Some, that there n
Pray God, there w
The scene of the legend is
le from the mint of the Arians."
Dragon was,
s at least a maid."
laid in Telene a city of
Libya, and others at Berytus (Bayreuth) Syria. The inhabitants
LEGENDS OF ST. GEORGE 209
of the city were in terror owing to a terrible dragon that lived in
the adjacent marshes. To prevent the monster from entering the
city two children were daily chosen by lot and sent out for
the dragon to feed upon. At last the lot fell on Cleodolinda the
]dng's daughter, and whom he greatly loved. In his grief he
offered anything, nay all he possessed, to save her from this
horrible fate. But the people insisted and the king submitted
only asking for a respite of eight days. At the end of the time
decked in her royal robes the princess went out toward the place
where the dragon came for his daily meal. Just then St. George
on his way to join his legion, appeared. Learning the cause of
her tears, the knight said to her : ** Fear not, for I will deliver
you." She replied : " Noble youth, tarry not lest thou perish with
me but fly at once, I beseech thee."
•• Think not that I will fly," said the knight. " God forbid ! I
^11 lift my hand against this loathsome thing and through the
power of Jesus Christ deliver you."
Making the sign of the cross, St. George began the terrible
struggle and at length pinned the dragon to the earth and bound
him with the girdle of the princess and the subdued monster was
led by them like a dog. As they approached the city the people
-were filled with terror but St. George cried : " Fear not ! Only
believe in the God through whose might I have conquered the
adversary and be baptized, and I will destroy him before your
eyes." That day twenty thousand people were baptized. After
that St. George slew the dragon and cut off his head before the
eyes of all the people.
After this he proceeded on his journey into Palestine, where
the edict of Dioclesian against the Christians had just been
posted at the temple and in the market places. Men read it with
terror but St. George indignantly tore it down and trampled
it under foot. He was of course arrested and taken before
Dactan, the proconsul, and condemned to eight days of cruel
torture. Bound to a cross, scratched by sharp iron nails, scorched
and burned by torches and salt rubbed into his wounds. Then a
cup of poisonous wine was given him. Making the sign of the
cross and recommending himself to heaven he drank of! the
2IO SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
concerns of the chalice without injury. Re was bound to a wheel
with sharp knives but the wheel was broken by two angels
that came to his aid. He was cast into boiling oil and when tliejr
thought him subdued they brought him to the temple and
bade him offer sacrifice, but be prayed
to God : and the lempte and the priests
were destroyed by thunder and lightn-
ing. Then Dacian in rage, ordered
St, George beheaded, and the gallant
Christian knight willingly bem his ncdt
to the stroke of the executioner.
Such in brief are a tew only of the
many legends told of this most noted
saint. In some Clog Almanacs Sl
George has a shield with hia cross
upon it; others, like our illustration,
have a spearhead. In Christian art
he i
mted il
bearing a spear and shield.
APRIL 24th,
This is the festival day of St. Fidelis of Sigmarengen in
Germany; one o( the martyrs of the XVII. century. Thus, from
an historic standpoint even to come nearer home than when
we talk ot those brave Fathers of the early Church. He was
christened Mark in honour of the Evangelist, who is everywhere
commemorated to-morrow. His name was " Mark Rey," his
birth in 1 577, and his education at Fnbourg. Switzerland.
In t6io after a then common custom of having acted for six
years as a travelling tutor for three young men during their
journeys through Europe, he resolved to become a Capuchin
Friar. This Order was a reformed section (i( I may use the
term) of the Franciscan or Gray Friars, which was organized in
1528 by Matthew de Basel and later approved by Clement VIII.,
and ot which in its place will be spoken ot. While from youth
ST. FIDELIS 211
he had been devout yet from his taking the habit of the Capuchin
Friars in 1612 he became notably more humble and austere.
It was at this time that he was given the religious name by which
he was henceforth known of "Fidclis" or "the Faithful."
Almost immediately after ordination he was sent to the convent
of Weltkirchen, a district over which the Calvinists had gained
almost the entire control of the people ; but his earnest preach-
ing won back from among these disciples of Calvin quite a num-
ber of converts. Even then his zeal had roused the anger of
these Reformers and his life was threatened. It was at this time
in 1622 " The Congregation de Propaganda " decided to send
"Father Fidelis" as a missionary among the Girsons and he
penetrated the territory as far as Pretigvat where he made many
converts to the Orthodox faith. This added to other things, had
induced the Calvinists of the province to rebel Against the
Emperor and to bear with them no longer. This revolt involves
too many pages of history for me to enter on here, or of the
demands of the Calvinists for the privilege of freely expressing
their own religious beliefs irrespective of the rule of the Church
of Rome or of the Emperor. On April 24th in 1622 Fidelis had
preached at Gruch. Then he had confessed to his brethren and
written several letters in which he " foretold his death.*' From
Gruch he went to preach at Sevis where he spoke with unusual
eloquence; but on his way returning to the city, a party of
Calvinists met him " one of their ministers at its head, ** who
reviled him and a musket was discharged at him as they entreated
him to leave the district. His refusal drew forth a blow from
" a backsword " which felled him and he lay " weltering in his
blood."
He was buried the next day by the Catholics of Gruch.
He was " beatified "by Pope Benedict XIII. in 1729 and canon-
ised by Pope Benedict XIV, in 1746.
Roman Martyrology states that the " minister " who had led
this attack on Fidelis was " converted and made a public abjura-
tion of his heresy."
I
212 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
APRIL 25th
Is St. Mark's day. The Evangelist was a Jew anil while it is
fi0/ mentioned in the gospels tradition points to him as having
been the man bearing a pitcher of water — Mark xiv.. 13-15 —
and in whose room the " last supper" was prepared. His con-
version apparently took place after the Ascension and when he
became the companion and assistant of SS. Paul and Barnabas.
He was converted by St. Peter and became his favourite disciple
attending him 10 Aquileia and thence to Rome where tradition
says he wrote his gospel. Later, during twelve years or more he
preached in Egypt, Libya and Thebias. Thence he was sent to
Alexandria then the second city only to Rome in all the known
world. There he founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the
most celebrated churches of the early Christians. But the anger
of the heathen was stirred up by his miracles and teachings and
they reviled him as a magician. Here it was that at Easter.
when the unconverted were holding their feast in honour of
their god Serapis, that he denounced their idolatry. This so in'
censed the Egyptians that they seized him, boundhlm with cords.
dragged him iftrough (he highways and over stony, rocky places
until he became insensible and died,
A storm such as never before had
been known. o( hail and lightning
followed and dispersed the murdering
:rowd.
The Christians of Alexandria re-
.■erentially gathered his remains and
plated them in a sepulchre which (or
i they visited and hts tomb
a shrine where the faithful wor-
shiped. In A. D. 81; certain Venetian
merchants who were then trading in
Alexandria secured (not a few writers say " stole ") the relics of
St. Mark and conveyed them to Venice where the stately church
many of my readers will remember was built over them. Since
then St. Mark has been the titular saint of the city.
ST. MARK
213
In Christian art the winged lion is given to St. Mark as has
been stated but as St. Jerom also bas a tion as an emblem, it
should be remembered that
this latter is in nearly every
instance " unwinged," while
in but exceptional cases does
the lion of St. Mark appear
without the wings.
There are two Clog Al-
manac symbols for St. Mark,
the first and more simple is
given above; the other as in
the ' ilhistration here. In
some cases the lines inter-
secting the square are of
irregular shape but follow
the general form as at)ove.
In portraitures SL Mark usually wears the babit of a bishop as
he was the first bishop of Alexandria.
— . This day is observed in
both the Roman and
Protestant Church as a
fast and the canonical
colours for it are red, the
colour for all " feasts of
the martyrs."
The colour in general
signifies divine love,
power and royal dignity
as well as blood, war and
suffering.
IntheBodleianLi-
brary there is a rare and
curious MS. "Canon Lit
99 " with the annexed
illustration of St. Mark,
that may interest some of my artist readers and therefore Is
copied. It is only one among thousands extant.
214 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Again by ihc coincidence of time constantly recurrinff m
human life : ihe festivals o[ two of the earlier bishops of the
Christian Church occur.
The first is that of St. Cletus, the successor of St. Linus and
ihe/Aird bishop among those holy men of old. Beyond the fact
that he governed the Church from A. D. 76 to 89, little is
recorded beyond the fact of his devotion to the (aiih. He is like
most of these early prelates designated in Martyrology as a
martyr. But there is nothing 10 show that he really tesiilied to
his faith by his blood. To be a Christian in those days, was in
fact to be a martyr.
The second of these holy tnen is St. Marccllinus who was
chosen as the head of the Church in 296. and near the time when
Dioclesian set himself up for a deity, Marccllinus governed the
Church for eight years ; and although he is styled a martyr In
Roman Martyrology, the Liberian Calendar gives his name in the
list of the early Popes, who did >it>t shed his blood for the faith.
He was eighty years of age when in 304 he died. But all readers
will remember that this year was the one during which the brutal
edicts of Dioclesian caused the death of more Christians in Jeru-
saleni than fell within the whole length of time while they were
strictly enforced. Thus his name no doubt came to be embraced
in this terrible list of these faithful Christians.
A bit of Roman history to refresh our memory is not out of
place here. After Emperor Numerian (son of Carus) was slain
by conspirators in 284 Dioclesian — a native of Dalmatia and a
soldier of fortune — was proclaimed emperor by the army then
in Chalcedon. Dioclesian soon found himself unequal to govern
NICOMEDIAN MARTYRS 215
the vast Roman empire therefore he selected Maximian Herculeus
as his aid honouring him with the title of Augustus. This
Maximian was a man of a cruel and savage temper but con-
sidered one of the best commanders of his day. There was a
second and probably very potent reason for this selection in
the fact that the Pretorian guard had for three hundred years
indulged themselves in the playful amusement of at will murder-
ing their emperors and as a buffer possibly Dioclesian thought
Maximian Herculeus might stand between him and the guards in
case the latter should again feel inclined to gratify themselves in
their peculiar style of amusement. Still later these two emperors
again selected two inferior emperors to aid them, naming each
" a Caesar." Dioclesian selected Maximian Galerius (a Dacian
peasant by birth and a man of brutal ferocity) for the East and
Herculeus chose Constantine surnamed Chlorus, for the West.
We must omit the long story of the earlier persecutions of
Christians until the issuing of that famed edict which St. George
is credited with having pulled down at Nicomedia where Dio-
clesian then had his residence and how prompted by Galerius he
had despoiled the churches of the Christians, burned their Script-
ures and slaughtered the people. But the insatiable brutality
of Galerius demanded more victims and he so plotted that on two
occasions the palace of Dioclesian was set on fire and the crime
fastened upon the Christians. Then began those fearful scenes
which have made this emperor's name the synomym for cruelty.
Every Roman history tells the story of how Dioclesian beginning
with his wife, Prisca, and his daughter Valerin, (both of whom
were Christians) compelled all persons to sacrifice to idols, under
the penalty of torture and death.
It began in the palace extending to the clergy, the judges, and
so downward to the common people. All who refused suffer-
ing tortures till then unheard of. Altars were erected in the very
courts of justice and idols placed in every market place. There-
fore in Roman Martyrology the 27th of April is set aside to com-
memorate these martyrs of Nicomedia of whom St. Anthimus, the
then faithful bishop of the city, was the first mentioned in our
Kalendar as the chief martyr.
2i6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
APRIL 28th.
This day is sacred to the memory of two other victims of
Dioclcsian, SS, Didymus and Theodora. A wonderful story if
space could be given to tell it in its entirety; of the Divine aid
given a maiden in her hour of trial when unsupported by friends
or family, she stood alone before Eustratius Procuius the Impe-
rial Prefect of Alexandria. Dr. Butler gives in part the details of
this celebrated trial of Theodora with the questions put by the
prefect and her prompt, daring answers. Charged with being a
Christian she had at once acknowledged her " crime " (?) against
the well-known ordinance of the emperors. Struck by hec won-
drous beauiy of person but even more by her noble, firm reliance
upon Divme power, this heartless man recognized such traits of
true virtue and character that he bore with her an unusually long
controversy until his patience at last wearied and possibly in the
hopes of saving her from the inevitable penalty which must ensue
should she persist in defying the laws, ordered: "Give her two
great buffets to cure her of her follyand teach her to sacrifiee."
Her reply came quickly : " You are master of my body, the law
has left (Aal at your disposal ; but my soul you cannot touch ; that
is in the power of God alone 1 " When at last neither arguments,
threats of torture nor entreaties had availed, and Procuius had said
he would execute the edict, adding : " / myself would be guilty
of disobeying the emperors were I to dally any longer." Even
tl)en the prefect in his reluctancy to carry out bis decision granted
her a respite of three days in which to reflect and — if she would
recant — " Look on these three days as already expired ; " she
replied : " You will find me the same then as now. • • • My
only request is that in the meantime I may be secured from
insults on my chastity." For she knew too well the common cus-
tom of the imperial guards.
To his credit, if hereto an act can be regarded in that light,
Procuius diii so protect her from the troop of debauchees who at
such times by brilies given the soldiers were wont to gratify their
vile passions.
On the fatal day an unusual event occurred when a young man,
SS. DIDYMUS-THEODORA 217
a zealous Christian named Didymus, by the liberal use of money
gained access to her place of confinement. He was disguised as a
soldier and after much entreaty he at last persuaded her to
change their garments. Thus disguised she escaped her prison.
When the guards discovered how they had been cheated of
their prisoner, Didymus of course was at once haled before the
prefect and in reply to the queries of why he had done this thing
and where Theodora was he said : " I am a Christian and
God inspired me to rescue his hand-maid " and then declared
he knew nothing more of her than that : — " She is a servant of
God and He has preserved her spotless. God hath done to her
according to her faith in Him."
Didymus was sentenced to be beheaded and his body burned.
When he heard his fate declared he cried aloud : " Blessed be
God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who hath not despised
my offering but hath preserved spotless His hand-maid Theo-
dora, for God hath thus crowned me doubly."
But this was not to be. St. Ambrose in his '' De Virgin "
describes the wonderful and pathetic scene ; how Theodora when
she heard of the sentence of Didymus at once hastened to dis-
close herself and ran to the place of execution to die in his place,
urging that she indeed owed her temporary preservation to him :
" You were bail for my modesty," she cried : " not for my life. If
my virginity yet be in danger, your bond still holds good ; but
if my life be required, it is a debt that / alone can discharge."
Again there was a halt in the tragedy while a new examination
was had. But their condemnation was a foregone conclusion
and although full of striking incidents I must refrain from repeat-
ing them. The two were executed on April 28th, A. D. 304.
APRIL 29th
Is the day set apart for the honour of St. Robert, Abbot of
Molesme, the founder of the Order of the Cistercians. At the
early age of fifteen he became a Benedictine monk. Later he
connected himself with a company of monks in the desert of
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Colan but they subsequently moved into the forest ol Molesme
where they lived in cells built (rom tree boughs and where St.
Robert was their superior. Not to follow in detail his life we
find him with other ardent, zealous followers retired to the unin-
habited forests of Citeaux or Cistercium. by the side of a
little river where they could live as they (elt more truly in accord
with the rigor of St. Bennet. They arrived there on that saint's
day March aist, 1098. From that epoch the origin of the Cister-
cian Order dates. They followed the Strictest rules laid down by
St, Bennet abstaining entirely from the use of meat at all times.
The habit worn was of a tawny colour at first but under Si.
Aiberic the successor of St. Robert, this was changed to white
and the Order for the first time took the Virgin Mary as its
especial protectress. It was also under St. Aiberic that the Cis-
tercian nuns were instituted. Within fifty years this Order had
increased to 500 abbeys and soon after A. D. 1300 the records
show they numbered about 1.800 separate houses. Under Pope
Sixtus IV. in J47S 'he more strict rules of abstinence from flesh
were relaxed. But it -urns in 1664 under thecelebrated La Trappe
that the austere reformation of the Order took place. The story
of this Order is an interesting one and it numbers among its
devout followers many noted names not only in church history
but in public life. Ancient chronicles place the date of Si.
Robert's birth in 1018 and his death in iiio.
APRIL 30th.
On this day the Church honours St. Catharine of Siena a
woman of most remarkable strength of character as well as
ardent charily and self-sacrifice. When in 1375 the people of
Florence, Perugia, a great part of Tuscany and even the ecclesias-
tical stale, entered into a league against the Holy See and were
excommunicated. Catharine was selected as the mediator. Her
keen wisdom and rare judgment not only brought about a recon-
ciliatioD but more, since she not only saw but dared to show
where some of the moving causes lay and secured their correc-
1
ST. CATHARINE 219
tion. Her life is full of stirring incident and without verging a
hair's breadth from strict truth, it became almost a romance in
some of the situations in which we find her as a nurse at the bed-
side of those afflicted by the most loathsome diseases, then as the
adviser of nobles and later the intermediary between thousands
and the high authority of the Church. Worn out, not rusted out
after an easy life, this wonderful woman died when but thirty-
three years of age. She was canonized by Pope Pius II. in 1461.
She died April 29th, 1380, but Urban VIII. transferred the festival
to the joth of the month.
MAY
"Then came fair May, the gayest mayd on eround
Deckc all with dainlics of her season s ptydc,"
— Spenur,
May was ihe second momh of the old Alban Kalendar. the third
in that of Romulus, and the fifth in that instituted by Nuom
Pompilius. The Saxons called it '■ Tri-Milchi " since their cows
then gave milk thrice daily. At one lime the name was supposed
to be in honour o( Mala the mother by Jupiter of the god Hermes
or Mercury. But the best accepted authorities represent it as be-
ing assigned in honour of the Majores or Maiores ; Che Senate
under the old Roman constitutions, just
as " Junius " or June was a compliment to
the Juniores, or minor branch of the
Roman legislature. Ancient proverbs
innumerable are eitant about May.
The illustration here given is the one
we find on Clog Sticks for the ist of
May and is supposed Co represent a
growing leaf or shrub.
MAY 1st.
This day holds an especial place in
both the Anglican and Roman Kalendars,
as the festival of SS. Philip and James Minor (or the Less),
Of St. Phihp we have little authentic imformation beyond that
SS. PHILIP AND JAMES 221
lie was a married man and had several daughters and that he
preached in Phrygia after Christ's Ascension. Nor can we be
perfectly sure that he suffered as a martyr. His legend tells how
"when at Heiropolis in Phrygia while preaching, he saw the
lieathen worship a dragon or the god Mars under that form.
Then the Apostle commanded the
dragon in the name of the cross,
iRrhich he held in his hand to dis-
appear. When it is said it glided
beneath the altar, emitting such
a hideous stench, that many people
died therefrom among them the
King's son ; but the Apostle by
divine power restored him to life.
Whereupon the priests of the
dragon crucified him and while
still bound on the cross stoned him.
Thus the attribute of St. Philip is
usually a T (tau) cross, the usual
form used in early days. Sometimes he is given a Latin cross
and more rarely a double or " Bishop's '*
cross. At times loaves of bread are
placed in his hands in reference to St.
John vi., 5-7. St. Philip's four daughters
were prophetesses. See Acts xxi., 9.
One of them, St. Miriamne appears in
Greek calendars.
St. James Minor or the Less who is
honoured to-day is also called " the Just "
as well as " the Brother of the Lord."
He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
The terms Minor, or the Less may have
been given him either because of his
stature, or on account of his being
younger then St. James the Great. Early
traditions tell of his wonderful likeness
222 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
to Jesus, and that this was the secret reason why Judos kisae^^**
Christ in order to point him out beyond doubt to the soldiers.
The fervour of h s teaching so angered the Scribes and Pharisees "=
esfieciallj Ananus the high priest that ihcy flung the Apostl^:^
, from the parapet of th^^
Temple and then kill=(fc=a
with a fuller's citiidiJ
I of a peculiar shape. Hg -■
i then in his ninety '
[ sixth year of age, In^c"
illustration takcn^c:
I from the reredos of ihr""*
church at Bampton, Eng'
I land, the two saints ar^- "
[ shown one with fuUer't—
club and the other with^ ^
the T (tau) cross.
MAY 2d.
This day is the festival
of St. Athanasius. Pa-
triarch of Alexandria and
1 Doctor of the Church.
St. Gregory Nazianzen
, begins his panegyric upon
saint ; '■ When I
' praise Athanasius, yi'r-
ST. JAMES MINOR. ST. PHILIP, ,„, -^^^f jg ^y theme
• • *. His life and conduct were the nile of the Bishops and his
doctrine the rule of the orthodox faith." In these two brief
sentences is summed up the character of this noted man though
a ponderous folio now before me is filled with details that con-
firm the truth of the venerable prelate's assertion. But 1 shall
hardly even sketch the otttline of his life in the brief mention of
some facts connected with it.
ST. ATHANASIUS 223
He was a native Alexandrian, born of Christian parents in 296.
In youth noted alike for his virtues and " the pregnancy of his
ivit."^ While an "all round" scholar — to use a modem phrase
— of rare attainments, he made especial study of the Holy Scrip-
tures ; from which he was wont to quote with such ease and apt-
ness that his hearers almost believed he had committed the sacred
book to memory. This at least is true ; that he had studied it in
every way from its historical point of view to those unique para-
bles of our Saviour, which were intended each to teach its own
lesson. And next to this, he had made ecclesiastical and the
canon laws of the Church an especial study to which he added a
rare knowledge of civil law, so unusual among clerics that Sul-
picius Severus called him " a lawyer."
It was this rare combination that made Athanasius the power
he was in his day in the Church and among his fellow citizens in
Alexandria ; feared by the pagans ; while his own loveable traits,
liis charity and wisdom made him to be venerated and trusted
and loved by his fellow Christians. Such a man was not likely to
"be unnoticed by the " Fathers of the Church " ; especially by one
like St. Alexander — then Patriarch of Alexandria, who upon his
death-bed recommended Athanasius to the clergy as one worthy
to succeed him. It was therefore but the natural sequence when
in 326 the bishops of all Egypt assembled in council, elected him
as Patriarch.
To write the story of Athanasius from this point on would be
to write the history of the Church in Alexandria with all its con-
troversies ; internal and external, including the effort by Arians, to
eject him from his position, frustrated by Pope Julius in 341, and
at other times. It was a long and bitter struggle, therefore must
be omitted since it covered a period of forty-six years, or the
entire Patriarchal life of Athanasius. To quote once more from
St. Gregory Nazianzen : " After innumerable conflicts and as
many victories, this glorious saint having governed the Church of
Alexandria for forty-six years was called to a life exempt from
labour and suffering on May 2d in the year 373.
As a writer Athanasius had few in his day who were his peers
for the elegance of his style and beauty of diction.
224 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
The Greeks honour St. Ath&nasius on this day as it is the anni-
versary when his relics were iranslaied to ihc church of St.
Sophia in Constantinople from Alexandria, and also an January
1 8th when they commemorate the name of St. Cyril ; though Cyril
died in June.
THE
OF THE CROSS
Is celebrated on the 3d of May, but the name ot the feativsl IB
misleading since it was in fact the discovery or finding of the
cross on which our Saviour suffered that is honoured.
The Clog Almanac symbol has the Invention of
the Cross — as the ancient T (tau) cross. In an
English Clog which I have seen this is shown as a
The history of the cross as an instrument for the
punishment of criminals is one of the most cur
in the whole range of archsological study,
one. not even the most erudite, pretends to know
when the cross was " invented." Long before the
Christian era it was in common use throughout
the then known world ; while legends and tradi-
tions trace the tree upon which Christ was crucified
back to slips or seeds (for there are two versions
of the legend) taken from the " tree of life " in the garden of
Eden, All of this must be omitted here and only that part of the
story told which relates to the finding of the true cross by the
Empress Helena, when in A, D. 326 she made a journey to
Palestine and which is strictly historical.
St. Helena, according to the best authorities, was born in Eng-
land but just where is in doubt. She married Constantine
Chlorus ("The Pale") and was the mother of Constantine the
Great. When the latter embraced Christianity she is reported as
saying : " It would have been better had he been born a Jew."
tJ
INVENTION OF THE CROSS 225
THE INVENTION OR DISCOVERV OF THE CROSS BV ST. HELENA.
[OTcd Irom > print in » Duich ■' Legendary Hiiiory ol ihe Crosi," firet publlihed In
1413. Fiulmlle reprlai iBA
226 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Later she too became a convert to the Christian (aitb. In its
proper place in the Kalendar on August i8th, a more detailed
account of this noted woman will be given.
As the legends regarding tlie cross run, after the crucifision the
cross on which Christ had hung, with the two crosses of the
thieves were thrown into the town ditch, or according lo some
into an old vault near by and soon covered with the refuse and
ruin of the city.
In her extreme old age the Empress Helena made a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem to recover the cross and threatened all the Jewish
inhabitants with torture and death if they did not produce the
holy cross from the place where their ancestors had concealed it,
At last an old Jew named Judas who had been put into prison
and was nearly famished, consented to reveal the secret. He
accordingly petitioned Helena. Whereupon the earth trembled
and from the fissures in the ground a delicious aromatic odour
issued and on the soil being removed the three crosses were dis-
covered, and near them the superscription but it was not known to
which of them it belonged. " Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, in
company with the empress repaired to the house of a noble lady
who was afflicted with an incurable disease but who was immedi-
ately restored to health by touching the true cross ; while the bcxiy
of a young man who was being carried to his burial was brought
to life when it was laid on the holy wood." • * *
At the sight of these miracles Judas, the Jew, became a Chris-
tian and was baptised by the name of Quiricus lo the great indig-
nation of the devil for he said : " By the first Judas I gained
much profit, but by this one's conversion I shall lose many souls."
This greatly abbreviated is the legend as it is told.
The temple of Venus which profaned the sacred spot where
this is reputed to have occurred was destroyed by order of
Empress Helena A. D. 326. Some writers on apparently strong
authority say that it was beneath this temple of Venus that three
crosses were found. But whichever story is true the fact is indu-
bitable that it was through St. Helena's efforts the true cross of
Christ was found. The date 326 given is by some placed in 328.
At the same time St. Helena also secured the four nails with
ROGATION DAYS 227
which our Saviour had been fastened to the horrid wood. Of
these four nails, two were placed in the imperial crown of Con-
stantine, one was at a later period brought to France by Charle-
magne and tradition tells of the fourth as being cast into the
Adriatic to calm that stormy sea. But to attempt to follow the
history of these nails as well as that of the ultimate disposition
of the wood of the cross opens a too widely mooted question.
Constantine erected a basilica on the site of the temple of
Venus in 335 and St. Helena herself erected in 327 the " Church
of the Nativity *' at Bethlehem, said to be the oldest edifice in the
world.
MAY 4th.
ROGATION DAYS.
The dates of what are termed Rogation Days depend entirely
upon the date of Easter and the fifth Sunday after Easter is
"Rogation Sunday" so called, and the Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday following are Rogation Days. These three days
immediately preceding Holy Thursday, or Ascension Day are
observed in both the Roman and Protestant branches of the
church as days of abstination. They originated it is said when
St. Mammertus, Bishop of Vienna, about the year 452 ordained
that these three days should be observed as a public fast with
solemn processions and supplications to God on account of some
great public or national calamity. They were continued and in
time were by ecclesiastical enactment incorporated into a law of
the Latin Church when it was decreed that they should be
observed annually " with processions and supplications to secure
God's blessing on the product of the earth and the temporal
interests of men."
At the time of the Reformation the English church directed
that the public processions should be discontinued, but at the
same time ordained that each of these three Rogation Days should
be observed as days of private fasting. The Roman Church still
observes the days as of old.
228 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
At a very early day in England these Rogation Days tooL on
also a secular type and were known as " Gangc Days," from a
peculiar custom of "perambulating the boundaries of each par-
ish '■ during these three days before Holy Thursday. This name
was given them from the Saxon word " gangen " to go. These
perambulations were performed with great pomp and ceremony,
the procession being composed of the priests and prelates of the
church and a select number of the " substantial men of the par-
ish " carrying with them " lights, handbells and banners," which
by the law the borough was bound to furnish. During its prog'
rcss the procession made frequent stops sometimes for a feast.
ai others to listen to an admonitory sermon from some of the
church dignitaries. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth the
Ijikb regarding these perambulations were modified and it was or-
Jored that only " the curate of the parish with certain substantial
mtn " should make the tour of the boundaries and then " rettirn
to the church for prayers by the curate." I have before me an
account of these perambulations written in 1S64. in which the
writer says that in his own boyhood he well remembers such a
perambulation in his parish ; that it was headed by the vicar and
occupied " two days of merry ramble by us juveniles who followed
the vicar and his substantial men." The writer then recounts a
score or more of funny incidents and the tricks that were played
on the processional parly.
In many parts of England these Rogation Days were set aside
for some special local service, as in Dorsetshire down to 1830,
Rogation Monday was a special festival called the Bezant and
was a sort of thanksgiving for the water supply of the town of
Shattsbury.
The canonical colour for each of the Rogation Days is violet.
Its general significance is passion, suffering and sorrow ; but it
also signifies humility, deep love and truth, and in these it is used
on the church altar on these days.
This day in May is also the festival of St. Monica, the mother of
St. Augustine, and she is held in especial veneration as the
patroness of the Augustine nuns. She is very often met with in
ST. HILARY 229
Christian art, one famous picture being in Florence. Here she
>vears a black robe with a coif of white. This coif is often
replaced by a veil sometimes white and at others grey.
MAY 5th.
St. Hilary, Archbisop of Aries whose festival occurs on this day
must not be confounded with St. Hilary (A. D. 368) who is
especially honoured by the Anglican church.
Michael Ghisleri afterwards Pope Pius V., also is honoured on
this day. He was from a noble Bologenese family, born January
27th, 1504 and elevated to the pontificate January 7th, 1606. He
died May ist, 1572 ; was "beatified " by Clement X. in 1672 and
canonized by Clement XI. in 171 2.
He was a man of strong marked character. He saw and
knew the evils of intemperance and may be cited as one of the
earliest of those who have striven to counteract these evils ; as he
published severe regulations regarding the " excesses in taverns "
(the saloon of old Rome) and curiously, as we study his story, we
see how history repeats itself ; or rather that men have not
changed. Yet this Holy Father did much toward checking the
evil he battled against. At the same time, to further good mor-
als, Pius V. banished from Rome or confined in safe quarters all
lewd women. Indeed he was a reformer of a fearless type with
but one purpose at heart, to serve his Great Master. His story
would be interesting to follow but in these brief sketches I am
not able to elaborate.
MAY 6th
Is the festival of St. John the Evangelist, " ante Portam Latt-
nam,** This festival is named from a very early legend told by
Tertullian and verified by St. Jerom and Eusebius of the persecu-
tion of St. John by order of Domitian " the last of the twelve
Caesars." A tyrant who deluged Rome in the blood of martyrs
yet a creature — we cannot ennoble him by calling him a man —
230 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
of such cruel instinct that it is told of him that in his closet he
amused (?) himself by catching flies and impaling them alive with
One so lost to all sense of morals that he hesitated not J
to debauch his own n
gratify his sexual lusts.
The legend which ir
condensed into a few brief J
words is that when St. John 1
was brought to Rome he v
' taken without the gate called I
" Latina "and there cast i
a caldron of boiling oil. 1
lo quote from " Butler's Lives
of the Saints " : " This seething
oil was changed in his regard
into a refreshing bath, and the
e out more fresh and lively than when he entered the
caldron."
Like all the heathen of his day Domitian believed ia the art of
magic and set St. John's deliverance
down to that, and contented himself by
banishing the Evangelist to the Isle of
Patmos. On December 27th, St. John's
Day, we shall further speak of him. This
especial deliverance of St. John is cele-
brated on this day. In the Clog Almanac
there are two symbols given for the day.
One a bleeding heart such as is oftea
given to martyrs. The other, referring
to St. John's suffering outside the Latin
gate, a caldron with the flames beneath
St, Benedict II., Pope and Confessor is recognised this day.
His pontificate was very brief lasting less than eleven months.
He died in 686.
ASCENSION DAY 231
St. John of Beverley whose festival occurs also on this day was
from a noble Anglo-Saxon family and was born at Harpham, a
favourite place of residence for the Northumbrian kings. The
fact that he received a scriptural name instead of one of the
usual Anglo-Saxon kind evidences that his family were Christians.
His early education was under the Abbess Hilda of Whitby
who was a great-granddaughter of King Edwin. Later he
completed his studies at Canterbury. Bede (the Anglo-Saxon
historian) gives a very full account of his long and peaceful life.
Indeed from Bede's account his one desire was to escape notori-
ety and to live in seclusion, especially during the season of Lent,
For this purpose he built for himself a cell in the forest of Deiri
beyond the Tyne and far from the haunts of men, on a little
stream where the beavers made their home and called in Anglo-
Saxon Beofer — leag or the lea of beavers — which was softened
in modem days into Beverley.
It was here one of the remarkable miracles credited to this
saint was performed, when by his prayers he gained for a poor
dumb boy whom he had taken into the forest with him, the power
of speech. A monastery was built here at Beverley of which
John became the abbot. Later he was translated to the arch-
bishopric of York. He died May 7th, 721.
MAY 8th.
ASCENSION DAY.
Holy Thursday or Ascension Day is a movable feast and
fixed to occur forty days after Easter Sunday. It is one of the
earliest festivals known to have been kept by the Christian
Church. Its first celebration was — as tradition tells us — held in
the year 68.
The sacred story is too well known by all Christians to need
repetition or to give any reason why the glorious ascension of
our Saviour into heaven " leading captivity captive " and " opening
the kingdom of heaven to all believers," should be thus held in
reverence. Nor need I explain why white, the most joyous of all
232 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the canonical colours is selected as the appropriate one for use
upon the altars of the ehtirch this marvelous day.
In tile use of the Rosary by devout mcmbera of the Roman
Church an account of which and its festival, October 1st will be
duly given, tliis day is marked as the seventh in series of the
mythical " Sorrows and Joys of the Virgin." Her legend saying
that she tou was present on this great day, and prayed : " My
Son, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
Leave me not long after Thee, my Son."
ANCIENT ENGLISH CUSTOMS ON A.'iCENSION DAY.
Throughout England many quaint customs most ol which
have passed into desuetude marked Ascension Day. I must
limit niy=elf to brief mention of one only, which it was my privi-
lege to witness in 1854 when I happened to be at Chatsworth that
" show house '' of the north of England when I heard of the
festival that was to take place and drove from Matlock to
Tissington, "the village of holy wells," to witness [he unique
ceremony of the "Well Dressing." on Holy Thursday, We
entered the village about 10 o'clock in the morning but already
the village had donned its gala attire and its one broad street was
crowded by a motley collection of people, men. women and chil-
dren and (pity them) babies in arms, who had come from miles
around to take part in the " feast " as they regarded it. Booths
of all kinds occupied every available space as usual at English
fairs from gingerbread toys to " Urighton Tipper " ale.
Following the good advice of our landlady at Matlock wc went
directly to the church, but alas, 100 late to get inside for it was
already full ; thus we lost the sermon but perhaps were more
than repaid by the amusing scenes outside the church until tlie
vicar had linished and came forth to take his place at the head of
the procession lo the " wells."
This last word is in a way a misnomer for with but one excep-
tion they were fountains fed from the springs on the hills above
the town, one only being an old-time well with its pump.
These cascades have like that of the " Hall Well " at the
WELL DRESSING
233
Fitiherbert mansion (shown in illustration) stone arches or fronts
nritb the fountain basin below. On this day, however, they were
all hidden from view behind screens of fresh flowers fastened on
wooden frames. I recall one where a text of Scripture had been
traced in yellow field ranunculus on a dark background with very
pretty eSta. With the lavish profusion of gorgeous flowers used
at each of the five
wells it is difficult for
my memory at this
distant date to recall
much beyond the
general beauty of
them alL
The ceremony at
each of the wells is ,
the same. Very sim-
ple but most pleasing,
while the picture made
by the peasantry in
their holiday attire as
they stood grouped
around the clergyman
and the white- robed
choir- boys was one
gotten. First came an
invocation for Cod to
bless and keep pure,
the waters of the well.
Then the first of the
three Psalms appointed for the day was read, the choir-boys
chanting the responses, after that one of Bishop Heber's beautiful
hymns then another Psalm, followed by the " Gloria," and the
last Psalm and a prayer completed the service. From the last
well the clergyman and choir-boys returned to the church.
Not so with the people for their holiday was but just then
begun and from that time until the " wee sma hours " games of
234 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
all kinds were kept up on the village green, with dancing roaud
a May pole while the booths, side shows and gypsy fortune tellers
did business to full houses. Full in more than one sense since
the taverns and ale booths had not been forgotten.
The origin of this custom of " Wcl! Dressing " is of very
ancient dale some asserting it was once a pagan festival. Id iis
present form it seems to date from 1615. In that year a severe
drought occurred throughout Derbyshire when most of the wells
were dried up and the smaller streams were all dry though the
mtUs at Tissington were never empty. The people from the
countrysides for ten miles round coming there to get water lo
supply their cattle and stock at home. Then it was that this
thanksgiving service was appointed, for Asceosioa Day.
THE APPARITION OF ST. MICHAEL,
The Archangel St. Michael whom the Church honours on May
8th is the acknowledged ■' Prince of the faithful angels." His
name even in Hebrew signifies " Who is like God," has a grand
sound. It was he whom God commissioned to expel from
Heaven Lucifer and bis associate rebellious angels when tbey re-
volted. To quote 1 " His office now is believed to be two-fold ;
that of patron saint of the church on earth, and the Lord
of the souls of the dead."
The legends of St. Michael are numerous and elaborate. They
begin tar back in the mystic days of the Old Testament and tell
of his appearance to Hagar (Genesis xxi., 17) while another
describes him as the angel who forbade Abraham to sacrifice Isaac
(Genesis xxii., 1 1) and still another when he contested with Satan
for the body of Moses (Jude 5). While in many Bible stories it
is said he represented his great Master, God. These legends also
tell of his announcement to the Virgin of the time when her
death would occur. Of his appearance to St. Gregory both
before and when the plague at Rome was stayed. These and
many of the other apparitions of St. Michael arc the reasons for
and the title given this festival.
ST, GREGORY NAZIANZEN 235
MAY 9th.
St. Gregory Nazianzen whose festival occurs this day holds a
somewhat unique place in the Kalendar of the Saints, since not
only was his father St. Gregory* Bishop of Nazianzeno ; his mother
St Nonna; his two sisters St. Gorgonia and St. Cesarca; but
he also was honoured by the Church by canonization.
St Gregory from his profound learning, is surnamed "The
Theologian " and was one of the " Doctors of the Church." In
his early years he had careful training in " grammar-learning '* in
the schools in Cappadocia and thereafter sent to Palestine
" where the study of eloquence flourished " and subsequently
studying in Alexandria and Athens. He was not baptised until
he was nearly thirty years of age but from that time became an
ardent earnest religious student. He was his father's coadjutor
and in 362 succeeded him in his bishopric. Later in life he lived
on a small estate and it was here we find him in a new rdle which
gives him still another claim for being honoured. For it was
here he wrote those hymns and lyrics which place his name
among the very earliest of the Christian poets. These poetic
effusions are like his other writings of more than usual merit and
express his naturally intense imaginative nature. His death took
place May 9th, but whether in 389 or 390 some doubt exists.
As a writer and chronicler he has ever been regarded as one
of the most reliable of those who. left on record the history of the
Church during his day, as well as for the beauty of his diction.
MAY loth.
I think I am not far astray when I say that outside of the
clerics of the Roman Church certain antiquarians, archaeologists
and a limited class of ardent delving students only a few general
readers are aware how far in advance in all educational matters
many of the Irish clergy were — from the V. to the VIII. cen-
turies— of the best educated men in or out of the church in
ancient Britain ; or what grand schools of learning — for their
day and generations those old Irish monastic schools were.
236 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Indeed those of Germany, Italy and Greece were by no means so
far in advance of tliem as we would at first suppose. One of the
most noted of these educational centers was the Monastery
Cluain-Aidhnech at the (oot of the Bladrna hills from which
rise the two rivers Barrow and Nore in Queen's county. It was
here St. Comgall whose festival is celebrated this day, an Ulster
born man, was trained under that celebrated teacher, St. Finian,
becoming by gjo one of the most accomplished men of his age
there to found the great abbey of Benchor or Bangor, county
Down which in its turn became another remarkable sehfwl of
learning, and made St. Comgall's name famous. He later Founded
another monastery called Cell-Comgail now called Saynkille and
attached to the archbishopic of Dublin. Comgall died May loth,
6oi.
The Sunday intervening between Ascension Day and Whit-
sunday is termed
SUNDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF ASCENSION.
Roman Martyrology records that on this day is celebrated :
"At Rome on the Salarian road the birthday of the blessed
Anihimus, a priest who after having distinguished hinjself by his
virtues and preaching, was cast into the Tiber during the persecu-
tions of Diocletian. He was rescued by an angel and restored to
his oratory; " but later was decapitated.
This day is also marked as the festival of St. Maramertus, Arch-
bishop of Vienne, whose memory is highly venerated by the
Church both for his sanctity and learning and for having instituted
the three days Latines immediately before the Ascension of our
Lord ; and for the many miracles he performed such as the stay-
ing of the great lire by his prayers and which had baffled the
efforts of men and seemed destined to destroy his city, when
the archbishop took his place at the altar and ceased not his
ST. FRANCIS DI GIROLAMO 237
supplications until his prayers were answered. His faith in the
efficacy of fasting and prayer* never for an instant failed him and
this it was which led him to institute the Rogation Days.. The
mass and lessons appointed for these days in Gaul, are still pre-
served in the ancient Gallican liturgy. He was an author also of
a number of noted theological works. One " On Nature and the
Soul," alone would keep his memory gpreen.
St. Francis di Girolamo who is also remembered on this day
was the famous Jesuit pulpit orator of Naples ; a volume would
hardly suffice to record the wonderful effect of his eloquence.
" His voice " says Butler " was loud and sonorous, ♦ ♦ ♦
and the style of his preaching simple and impressive. ♦ ♦ ♦
His descriptions forcible and graphic and his pathetic appeals
were sure to draw tears while his energy astounded and terrified,"
yet there must have been much of the magnetism of the popular
orator in his manner for whenever he spoke whether in the streets
of Naples — a constant habit of his — or in the church great
crowds followed him and not a few of the sudden conversions
made by him of hardened sinners sound like the records of some
modern " Revivalist " preachers.
He was an earnest untiring faithful worker to the very last.
Born in 1642, at a very early age he became a prefect in the
" College of Nobles of the Society of Jesus " and soon after his
novitiate was completed took high rank in the society. It was as
a preacher and evangelist that he excelled. He died May nth,
17 16. Was beatified by Pius VII. on the feast of St. Joseph in
1806, and canonized by Gregory XVI., on Trinity Sunday 1839.
MAY 1 2th.
On this day the " boy martyr " St. Pancras is honoured by the
Church and one of the most famous churches in London was
erected in his honour. Mrs. Jameson in her " Sacred and Legendary
Art " sums the brief story of this youth so well that I quote it
verbatim.
238 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
" In the persecution under Diocletian this young saint who was
only fourteen years of age offered himself voluntarily as a martyr,
defending boldly before the emperor the cause of the Christians.
He was therefore beheaded by the sword
and his body was honourably buried by
Christian women. His church near the
gate of St. Pancrazio has existed since
the year 500. St. Pancras was in the
middle ages regarded as the protector
against false oaths and the avenger of
perjury. It was believed that those who
swore falsely by St. Pancras were im-
mediately and visibly punished, hence his
popularity."
The Danish Clog Almanac marks the
day as in illustration by a sword«
A somewhat peculiar trio are also
honoured this day. St. Flavia Domitilla,
and SS. Nereus and Achilleus (brothers)
who were eunuchs or chamberlains to
Flavius Clemens her uncle and herself.
These latter were members of the imperial family, but because of
their faith as Christians they were banished to Pontia, by Emperor
Domitian. But prior to this the uncle had suffered martyrdom.
The faithful eunuchs accompanied St. Flavia Domitilla in her exile.
Her legend says she with Nereus and Achilleus returned to
Terracina where under Trajan she was burned at the stake for
refusing to sacrifice to idols. The legend of her eunuchs says
they were beheaded by order of Domitian because they had per-
suaded Flavia not to marry Aurelian the son of the consul to
whom she was betrothed because he was an idolator. Both
legends may easily be true and not conflict.
Some of my readers will recall a most interesting little church,
SS. Nereo and Achilleo near the baths of Caracalla. Tradition
says that when St. Peter was going to execution he dropped here
one of the bandages of his wounds. The watchful Christians
ST. JOHN THE SILENT 239
marked the spot and an " oratory *' was built which bore the name
of Fasciola and later it became a small church, and in 524 the
relics of the two brothers were transferred thither from Terracina
by John I. and in 795 the building was restored by Leo III. and
enlarged. Again in the sixteenth century Cardinal Baronius who
took his title from hence, rebuilt the church as we now know it.
MAY 13th.
In A. D. 399 the Pantheon, a temple dedicated to the Roman
gods was closed by order of Emperor Honorius. By permis-
sion of Emperor Phocos, Pope Boniface IV. rebuilt the Pantheon
as a Christian church and in so doing preserved many of the
architectural features of the old temple. Its dedication as a
Christian church in 608 to the honour of the Virgin is especially
observed this day in Rome. The story of the Pantheon is a very
interesting one and is told in all the guide books to Rome.
MAY 14th
Is the festival of St. John " The Silent," a surname given him for
his almost utter silence at all times and under every provocation
to speech. Yet of him it was truthfully said, that while he was
earnest and fervent in prayer, he was never slothful in business, his
duties were each and all so carefully and faithfully fulfilled. One
of those rare characters who have but little to say but who are
always prompt to act; because they have thought rather than
spoken much. When he did speak it was simply and to the
point, and with a degree of wisdom that seemed inspired.
Naturally a man of this character was one to be brought forward
even if, as was the case with our saint, he was reluctant. There-
fore in 482 when he was but twenty-eight years of age he, we
may say, was driven from his retreat by the Archbishop of
Sebaste to become Bishop of Coleman in Armenia. But the
position was no bed of down for many reasons. The principal
240 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
one being that John's brother-in-law who was then governor o
Armenia, was so offensive to the Church that he was compelle
to appeal to the Emperor Zeno for help. Yet for nine years h
fulfilled faithfully his duties. Then he was permitted to retire to
a " Laura " (an hermitage attached to or adjacent to some mon-
astery. A sort of outlying house under the supervision of some
holy man ; and usually devoted to novices before their admission
to the monasteries proper) — where for three years he lived in
retirement. Then when promotion was again forced upon him
he refused and from that time spent forty years in eremitical life
save when instructing those who sought him, until he passed to
the blessed company above soon after 558.
MAY 15th.
To anyone who takes an interest in hagiology there are two
books to which they can turn with perfect confidence that every
statement is founded on fact. One of these is the *' Acta Sanc-
torum " and Alban Butler's " Lives of the Saints," is the other.
Few laymen, I fancy, ever waded through the sixty ponderous
folios of the former, but many have and will read the latter
and not a few of the facts given in this series of articles are
gleaned from this invaluable book ; therefore it is eminently
proper that his name be mentioned on this anniversary of his
death, which occurred in 1773.
This ardent student devoted thirty years of his life to this work
and even the cynic Gibbon is compelled to say of it : " It is a work
of merit ; the sense and the learning belong to the author — his
prejudices are those of his profession." Yet no candid reader can
fail to see how careful he has been to verify his every word.
In the Kalendar for this day are the names of SS. Peter, An-
drew and their companions. Theirs is only the oft repeated story
of the persecution of Christians in those early days yet in it is the
material for a romance.
In the persecutions of Decius near Lampsacus, a city of Lesser
Asia near the Hellespont, a young man called Peter remarkable for
ST. JOHN NEPOMUCEN 241
his beauty of person and endowments of mind was captured and
by order of Optimus broken on a wheel. The proconsul was just
setting out for Troas, a city in Phrygia when three other young
men named Andrew, Paul and Nicomachus were brought before
him and on confession that they also were Christians, were or-
dered to sacrifice to the goddess Venus. On their refusal they
too were condemned to the rack. One of these, Nicomachus
when put to torture recanted, and offered to sacrifice to the gods.
But the legend tells us no sooner had he done so " than the Devil
seized him and beat his head on the gpround until he expired.*'
Among those who witnessed this was a young virgin named
Denysa who called out to Optimus : " Unfortunate wretch !
Wouldst thou bring upon thyself eternal torments for the sake of
a moment's ease ? " Confessing that she also was a Christian the
proconsul gave orders — a thing then by no means uncommon —
for her punishment, in a manner that death would have been a
boon instead of it for she was given to two young men to be *' de-
prived " of her virtue. But such strength was given her that she
was able to resist them until about midnight when " an angel glit-
tering with light " appeared to rescue her and the young men over-
come with fear fell before the apparition and besought mercy.
The next morning the mob stirred by the priests of Diana were
still calling for Andrew and Paul but when Optimus ordered
them to be brought forth Denysa came with them crying: ** That
X may live with you eternally in heaven I will die with you now on
earth." But she was taken from them and later the two martyrs
Andrew and Paul were beheaded in some obscure place. The
legend is silent as to the fate of the damsel Denysa.
MAY i6th.
The legend of St. John of Nepomucen or Nepomuc, canon of
t-he Metropolitan Church and martyr, whose memory is honoured
on this day is somewhat out of the customary order, since it is an
evidence of the sanctity in which ** the Confession " has at all
times been held by the Roman Church. He was born in 1330, in
242 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Nepomuc near Prague and educated at the University of that ct^-
which had been founded in 1356 by Charles IV., Emperor of Cep-
many and King of Bohemia, and here St. John distinguished him-
self in philosophy, divinity and canon law and was also devoted to
When he was preferred to his Canonry his attendance
in the choir did not hinder his zeal For the
cause of souls. A bit of history is needed
here to understand what is to follow. The
Emperor Charles IV. was renowned for his
wisdom and piety, neither of which his son
Wenceslas inherited, instead he won for
himself the infamous surname of " the
Slothful" and '■ the Drunkard." Wenceslas
had through the influence and largess of his
father been in 1376 — when he was but
sixteen years old — chosen by the electnrs
as Kiag of Rome. Later he had married the good and beautiful
Princess Joan of Bavaria, daughter of Albert of Bavaria, Earl of
Hainault and Holland. John of Nepomuc became her confessor.
Wenceslas curious to know the secrets of his wife and utterly
unmindful of the seal of confidence under which they had been
confided to her confessor ordered him to disclose them. In his
anger at being refused the tyrant directed he should be imprisoned
in a dungeon and then tortured until he obeyed. The inhuman
sufferings which John endured could not be believed if they were
not proven by evidence that is beyond doubt. At last by the
intercession of the Empress Joan when John was " half dead,"
he was released and by her majesty's own hands nursed back to
life. But it was only for a time that the saint was left in peace
for when Wenceslas again demanded of him to reveal the secrets
of the confessional and again refused, the emperor in his anger
ordered him bound and thrown into the river Muldaw from the
bridge that joins the " Great and Little Prague." This occurred
on the " Vigil of the Ascension " on May I6th, 1383. The legend
tells of five bright stars which appeared in the sky at that moment
where an instant before all had been utter darkness. In Christian
art. therefore, five stars appear as the attribute of St. John of
1
I
ST. BRENDAN 243
Nepomuc ; but the Clog symbol is a " pandean pipe ; " doubtless
referring to his love of music.
«
«
Of St Brendan whose name appears in the Kalendar of this
day the first mention we have is as a child under the tuition of
St. Itha or Ita, a prot^g6 of St. £rc. This noted woman who
'will be duly mentioned later is also named as the " foster-mother "
of SS. Pulcherius and Cumine, seemingly was what we in later
days would term the keeper of the " Dames School ; " though
when Brendan was committed to her care he was only a year old
and remained under her care until he was five years of age.
How precocious he was may be judged from the question he once
asked : " What were the works in her opinion, most pleasing to
God?"
" Faith out of a pure heart, sincerity of life and tender charity/'
was her reply.
And what/' he then asked " are most displeasing to God ? *'
A spiteful tongue, a love of what smacks of evil and avarice,"
was her answer.
On leaving Itha Brendan for a time was under the care of £rc,
Bishop of Slane, and afterward at the celebrated monastic school
of Finan of Clonard while he finally founded the monastery of
Clonfert.
It was natural in those early days of the Church that North
Britain and the islands which lay between it and Ireland should
attract missionaries to their shores. When on June 9th I speak of
St. Columba I shall enter more fully on this subject in connection
with the life of Columba. But among the earliest to give prac-
tical aid to such missionaries was Brendan of Clonfert.
It is at this point one of the strangest legends told of any of
the canonized saints comes in since it reads like a fairy story or
some of the voyages of Sinbad when St. Brendan sailed away
from Ireland to find the paradise of Adam and Eve. As it fills
one hundred and fifty pages I can hardly tell the story of how he
and his companions after forty days and forty nights of sailing
first came to the fair " Island of Sheep/* where the sheep were
as big as oxen and where it was never cold and the pastures ever
244 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
green, how from there they went on to the ■' Paradise of Birds "
and later to an island inhabited by devils until after seven years j
ihcy found the looked for island and then they returned lo 1
Ireland. The legend is full of fabulous stories of conversation
with birds, of their landing on the back of a great fish that they
mistook for land and how when they built a fire on it the crea-
ture moved away and they fled to their ship in fright where St.
Brendan comforted them by explaining i " That it was a great fish
named Jason which laboured day and night trying to put its tail
in its mouth but could not on account of its siz«."
The narrative of this seven-year voyage of St. Brendan and his
fourteen monks who accompanied him was one of the popular
■' (oik-iore tales " of the Middle Ages, and many editions of it are
now extant. But at best it is only regarded as a romance, or a
monkish dream of an imaginary voyage to some unknown re-
gions. Still it must have had some historic foundation, of some
journey of the real Brendan in his effort to extend, by missionary
work the borders of the Christian Church. And further evidence
of this is found in the expeditions sent out by the Spaniards to
discover St. Brendan's island even as late as in 1721 the date
when the last one was undertaken. Indeed there are many in-
dications that Brendan did make some such voyage ; for Fordun
{the Anglo-Saxon historian) tells us that after his return from it he
went to Britain to visit St. Gildas and afterward he went to the
Western Isles and established monasteries ■' at Ailech and Heth,"
Of the latter Skeen says : " This land of Heth we now know to
have been the Island of Tyree." Fordun also Speaks of Brendan
in the Island o( Bute,
St. Brendan was one of St. Finan's "Twelve Apostles of
Ireland."
MAY 17th.
In the reign of Valerianus who died 369 St. Restituta's name
appears as one of the martyrs to the Christian faith in Africa.
The fiendish ingenuity of those early Roman officials in seeking
out means of torture for their victims seems beyond belief. This
WHITSUNDAY 245
virtuous Christian woman, after she had endured every kind of
indignity and suffering to induce her to abjure her faith under
orders of Proculus was placed in a boat and bound so that she
could not escape. Then the boat was filled with pitch and tow
mixed and it was later taken out to sea where the pitch was set
fire to and the poor woman abandoned to her fate. The skiff or
boat burned to the water's edge and with the charred remains of
St. Restituta, drifted to the island of Ischia, near Naples where
the relics of the martyr fell into Christian hands and were rever-
ently cared for.
Verily in those early days it required much courage to be a
Christian.
MAY i8th.
As a movable feast, the date of Whitsunday is dependent upon
that of Easter.
WHITSUNDAY.
THE FEAST OF PENTECOST.
Whitsunday is the third of the three greater festivals celebrated
by the Christian Church and commemorates the descent of the
Holy Ghost on the apostles *• when they were all with one
accord in one place " after the Ascension of our Lord, and
^vhen they received the gift of tongues. As this event occurred
on the day of Pentecost, Whitsunday is naturally associated with
the great Jewish festival held, as the name denotes fifty days
after the feast of unleavened bread. A coincidence which con-
nects the two days in our memory. The rabbinical account of this
event is an ample reason for both its celebration and the impor-
tance given to it. It is a remarkable fact that in the languages
peculiar to Western Europe this day seems to have had no partic-
ular name, and the English word ** Whitsunday " it is said was
derived from some of the characteristics of the early Roman cere-
monies on the day. This fact seems more singular as Pentecost
246 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
in mediaeval Western Europe was such a marked day. Jo the
Middle Ages a great wax candle was then blessed and was sup-
posed to be emblematic of the light of (ailh shown forth upon the
world. Numerous ceremonies then in vogue have now passed
into desuetude, especially in the English church. One of these
strikes us as peculiarly unaccountable, the distribution by ihe
church of " Whitsun ale." Yet the accounts of the church war-
dens of the seventeenth century show many entries where they
paid [or "Whitsun ale." The best ex-
planation I have found for it is that it
was a survival of the ancient Agape, or
" love feast," which early Christians in-
dulged in.
A dove descending from Heaven was
the emblem of the descent of the Holy
Ghost adopted by the church. The illus-
traiion is taken from a banner used at
Whitsuntide in a Dorsetshire church
during the seventeenth century. A dove
was often suspended above an image of
Christ on Whitsunday.
The canonical colour for Whitsunday
is red. While this colour signifies divine
love and royal dignity as well as blood,
war and suffering, being thus emblematic
of martyrs, it also according to Dr.
Nicholas Gihr a recognised authority in
such matters symbolises " that burning
glowing love which ii enkindled in the
hearts of the faithful through Ihe Holy
, that self-sacrificing triumphant love which in martyrdom
makes an offering of the greatest and dearest earthly good —
even life itself. (Song of Solomon, viii, 6)." Thus on Whitsun-
day red symbolises the fiery tongues thai came upon the apostles
(Acts ii, 6), typifying that the apostles should be eloquent in
words, fervent in charity. " This also," says another eminent
scholar, " is the birthday of the church fructified by the blood of
ST. DUNSTAN
247
Christ and the manyra." I have been thus explicit because others
like myself may have fouad it djflicuit to reconcile the canonical
colour of this day with the recognised emblematical colour of
suffering and manyrdom.
MAY 19th.
Of the entire list of saints whose names appear in the Kalendar
of the Church, there is no one who from the different stand-
points from which he has been judged, is so misunderstood as St.
Dunstan. He has received such unstinted adulation that at
titnes they bordered on the ridiculous from the ill>advised
admiration of his
friends ; while from
malevolent critics he
has been pictured as
not only bigoted but
as utterly unscrupu-
lous in the use of any
means to gain his end
that both in their ex-
treme views are not
only wrong but most
unjust. That St.
Dunstan was one of
those remarkable men
who stamp their own
character on the age
they live in is beyond
question but that he has also like others suffered from this may
be seen by any who take the trouble to study the man from an
honest point of view,
Dunstan was born in the isle of Glastonbury in 924 or ; (dates
conQict on this point) and was of noble and even royal descent.
Glastonbury has always been regarded as a sacred spot. It was
ind legends tell us that it was
ST. DUNSTAN AND THl
there King Arthur was buried a
248 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
there also that Joseph oE Arimathea found his final resting place
on earth and that St, Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, was buried ;
one of the many plates assigned him as his last resting place.
Here in Dunstan's youth there was a famous monastery where
many Irish monks of learning resided. It was within this abbey
that Kings Arthur and Edgar were buried, as well as many nobles
of ancient Britain ; and it is said that its last abbot was hanged,
because he refused to surrender the abbey to Henry VIII. but
amid the ruins the chapel of St. Joseph and the abbot's kitchen
now alone can now be seen.
It was in this monastic school young Dunstan received his
early education. While somewhat delicate in his bodily health
he early displayed a " giani mind " far out-stripping his compan-
ions, his special studies beside Scriptural history being arithme-
tic, geometry, astronomy and music ; but at the same time
developing wonderful skill in drawing, illumination and sculpture.
He also spent some time at the
monastery of Fleury in France.
As a son of amusement he be-
came an expert worker in metals,
silver, copper, iron and brass, and
in his cell at Glastonbury he set
up a forge in addition to the usual
appointments of a monastic cell.
He at an early age went to the
« . Court of Athelston and later be-
» ^ came a great friend and favourite
with Kings Athelston, Edmund
and Edred, as they succeeded each
other, his influence over the latter
being so great that Dunstan was
accused by the courtiers with sorcery. One great aim Dunstar) had
was to establish the Benedictine rule in all English monasteries
and he was therefore regarded as the father of the English Bene-
dictines. During Edred's reign the power of Dunstan was almost
supreme. With Edred's death came a change the kingdom being
ruled by his profligate son, Edwy. The romantic story of Edwy
LEGENDS OF ST. DUNSTAN 249
and Elgiva needs no repetition here ; beyond recalling that it was
Dunstan*s frank condemnation and remonstrance with Edwy for
hfcis shameless life that brought about the prelate's banishment
From court, to Glastonbury where he erected the famous cell
(with its oratory, and in which occurred the temptations of the devil
Lhat gave rise to the often repeated legend. Shorn of its roman-
tic details the legend tells us that the devil sought out St.
Dunstan in his cell to lure him into sin. To effect this purpose
the devil had assumed the likeness of a beautiful woman and
came on St. Dunstan at a time when he was working at his forge.
The saint at once detected the imposition and taking a pair of
red-hot tongs from the forge seized him with them by the nose,
^^vhich caused the devil to appear in his true character. The
picture of this scene as shown above is from a window in the
Bodleian library. With the death of Edwy his brother Edgar
l>ecame king and Dunstan was restored to favour. Edgar made
liini successively Bishop of Worcester, London, and later Arch-
bishop of Canterbury. Over the last he presided for twenty-seven
years, and was a great promoter of ecclesiastical law and disci-
pline as well as a patron of useful and fine arts ; and his almost
contemporary b i o g -
raphers say he was a
fine musician, an arch-
itect and painter of
great ability and won-
derfully skilled in
working metals of all
kinds.
To attempt to re-
count the legends told
of St. Dunstan one
would need a small volume ; while his life as told by Butler in
plain, simple words leaves no doubt of his purity of life, his earn-
est efforts to lead all who came under his influence in the paths
of peace and virtue. A truly holy and good man whose aim was
ever for the good of his people and by his own life and example
to teach them. In A. D. 960 he went to Rome and as Primate
250 SAl NTS AND FESTIVALS
of the Anglo-Saxon nation received great honours. He died on
May igih, 98S. The Clog Almanacs give St. Dunsian several em-
blems. The two given above are from English sticks and are
very puwiinjj to know just what they intend to represent. The
last is a Danish one and easily understood as the " tongs " which
are regarded as St. Dunstan's proper emblems.
The origin of the Abbey of Glastonbury
is lost in antiquity and 1 can only give the
legend as it runs which is that when the
Apostle Philip came to France he sent
Joseph of Arimathea with eleven disciples
to Britain. Arviragus. King of Britain, (said
to have died in A. D. 74) was so pleased
and so enchanted by the beauty of their
lives and the courage which had brought
them through the dangers of their journey
from Palestine that he gave them the island
of Avekin, as Glastonbury was then called.
Here he builc a church w
— that is by placing two r
stakes, twining willow o
branches between the stakes
ning space with adobe, or earth — and they then began to
live and preach as Christ had set the example. They made a few
converts only at first. During the Danish invasion King Alfred
found here a refuge. It was here too, so the legend runs, "the
mystic thorn " first bloomed on the feast of the Nativity and that
Joseph of Arimathea came to Avelon in the fifteenth year after
the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was from this small be-
ginning the monastery of Glastonbury at last came into existence.
This day is also the festival of SS. Prassede and Pudenziana,
sisters, daughters of St. Pudens and his wife, Claudia, with whom
SS. Peter and Paul lodged in Rome, and all were among the early
converts. Pudens was a patrician of great wealth, with houses
and public baths at the toot of the Esquiline. The Srst of these
sisters, Prassede, died on July list, A. D. 146, and the last
named May 19th, A, D, 148, They were not martyrs but their
" wattled walls "
iws of upright
: other flexible
and filling the
ST. EHELBERT 251
Story is one which shows the true devotion of those early Chris-
tains. By the death of their parents and an only brothe^ these
noble women had inherited the wealth of the family. It was just
then that the earliest persecutions of Christians began and the
sisters resolved to devote their wealth and lives to aid the suffer-
ers. They nursed the wounded, visited those in prison and buried
the dead ; aided by a holy man named Pastorus. So tender was
the care they showed these martyrs that it is said they soaked up
their blood on sponges and hid them in a well in their home.
Pudenzi.ana after her sister's death gave shelter in her house to
a number of persecuted Christians, twenty-three of whom were
discovered and martyred in her presence. She then buried their
bodies in the catacombs of her grandmother, Sta. Priscilla, but
collecting their blood in a sponge, placed it in a well in her own
house, where she herself was afterwards buried. An oratory is
said to have been erected on the site by Pius I., A. D. i6o, and
was certainly in existence in A. D. 499, when it is mentioned in
the acts of a council. In A. D. 822 the original church was de-
stroyed and the present church erected by Paschal I., of whose
time are the low tower, the porch, the terra-cotta cornices and
the mosaics. During the absence of the Popes at Avignon, St.
Prassede was one of the many churches which fell almost to ruin
and it has since suffered terribly from injudicious modernizations
first in the fifteenth century from Rosellihi, under Nicholas V.,
and afterwards under St. Carlo Borromeo in 1 564.
This is one of the most interesting churches in Rome to-day.
A mosaic in the pavement marks the grave of forty martyrs
whose remains Paschal I. collected. Take down your " Walks
in Rome," or any guide book of Rome, and you will be amply
repaid your time in reading of its beauties, but this is not the
place to repeat them.
MAY 20th.
St. Ethelbert, King of the East- Angles, is honoured in Roman
Martyrology on this day as a martyr. That he was a Christian
\
252 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
ruler wc have ample evidence but his death was rather a baM
piece of treachery on the part of Qucndreda, wife o( Offa. King
of the Mercias, wlicn Ethelbert was on a visit to Ofia to solicit the
band of his daughter, Alfreda, in marriage.
On this day also the Church recognises St. Bernardino of Siena.
a saint celebrated alike for hia devolion to the poor and afflicted
and his rare learning and valuable writings upon prayer. Divine
love, etc., and a " Life of Christ." It was this man who insti-
tuted the '■ Monte de Pietc " in France, the original ol the modern
pawnshop, He died May loth, 1444.
MAY 3
Is the
festival of St Felix of Cantalicio, a
in Umbria,
of Cittas
Captithin rnonk, who spent his life in beg-
ging bread and wine for his fellow monks.
and so successfully that never during his
life was there a lack of cither among
his brotherhood. Many miracles were
ascribed to him and he foretold the time
of his own death. He was beatified by
Urban VIII. in 1625, canonized by Cle-
ment XI. in 1721, though the bull of
his canonization was only published by
Benedict Xlll. in 1724. He was the first
of the Capuchins who was canonized.
The Clog symbol for this saint is a
beggar's scrip, and always open.
That the two names given in the Kalendar of B.Yvo on the
3ist and St. Yvo on the 3zd shall not be confused. I need only
n to the two dates; the first in iiisandthe last in
EMBER DAYS 253
The first was connected with the monastery of the Regular
Canons of St Austin's order, the last named being from Treguier
in Brittany. A scholar of great parts, he was selected as official
or ecclesiastical judge of Rennes. He is reputed to have pro-
tected the widows and orphans, to have defended the poor and
administered justice with an impartial hand. His charities were
only limited by his means. He built a hospital for the sick poor
near his own house and devoted much of his time to personally
caring for its inmates. The Bretons founded a collegiate church
at Paris in 1 348 to honour his memory.
MAY 23d.
EMBER DAYS.
The term Ember, it is said, was derived from the Saxon Em-
bren or imb-ryne, denoting a course, or circuit, as these days
occur at stated periods in the four quarters of the year. Another
and fairly plausible theory is that it came from
the early practice of sprinkling ashes on the
head on fast days in token of humility, and
from the custom on these days of eating only
cakes baked upon embers and termed *' ember-
bread."
These ember-days or periodical fasts were, it
is said, instituted by Pope Calixtus I. (219-22),
to implore the blessing of God on the pro-
ducts of the earth. It was not until the Coun-
cil of Placentia in A. D. 1095 that any uniformity
in the dates for observing these fasts was de-
termined on. Then the first Wednesday. Friday
and Saturday following respectively the first Sunday in Lent,
Quadragesima Sunday, Whitsunday, Holyrood day (the 14th of
September) and St. Lucy's day (the 13th of December), the days
observed at the present time, were chosen. The weeks when these
days occur are termed " ember weeks " and in the Roman ritual
254 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the '■ ember days " are denominated " Jegunia quatuor temponim."
or the (asis o[ the four seasons.
The Clog Ahiianac symbol is repeated in each of the four quar-
ters. But I find none for these days upon any English Clog sticks.
This day, May 23d, is the festival of St. Julia, one of those vir-
gin martyrs of ancient days of whom Christian women may well
be proud. She was a. Carthagenian who was captured when
Gcnseric <or as some historians name him " Genzrit ") the Van-
dal King of Spam (435-455) in one of his incursions toolc Car-
thage in 439. She was sold as a slave to a pagan mercliant of
Syria. But lieing a Christian she held herself true to her faith,
though faithful and ohedient to her master. Her unswerving
fidelity in all things and especially to her religion added to her
virtues of many kinds won even from this pagan respect and
trust, such as was seldom then accorded to one in her station.
Therefore he treated her kindly and permitted her daily devotions.
The merchant was a man engaged in commerce with many lands ;
and upon an occasion in about the year 445. when business took
him upon a journey to Gaul, he elected that the slave Jutia
should be one of his suite to attend upon him and his family on
the journey. The merchant was a most upright man who in
addition to his tolerance of Julia's religion, had also respicted
her virtue and had never offered her any indignity.
On their arrival on the northern coast of Corsica, now called
Capo-Corso, an idolatrous festival was in progress in which the
sacrifice of a bull was one of its features. For the purpose
of joining in these pagan rites the merchant and suite landed ;
but Julia was at her request left behind as she could not even by
her unwilling presence recognise such rites. Indeed, she had
openly reviled them to her fellow slaves.
Felix, the pagan Governor of Corsica, received the merchant with
honour; but had noticed Julia as left behind and soon asked:
" Who this woman was who thus dared to insuh their gods ? "
Eusebius, the merchant, told her story. Then the governor
offered to buy her by giving four of his finest female slaves In
exchange ; but the merchant replied : — " No ! all you are
ST. VINCENT OF LERINS 255
worth would not purchase her for I would freely lose the most
valuable thing I have in the world rather than be deprived of
her."
But Felix was both cunning and determined upon his pur-
pose and resorted to the means so often used, by plying Eusebius
with the wine-cup until he was drunk. Even then until he fell
asleep the merchant was obdurate. Then, while he was in his
stupor, Felix had Julia brought to him and strove to compel her
to sacrifice, to the pagan gods. But in vain. Then he promised
her liberty ; but she told him she was " free " while she served
Jesus Christ. In his rage the Governor ordered Julia to be
hanged on a cross, and the hair torn from her head.
Thus it was the Carthagenian slave won her martyr's crown.
In 763 monks from the isle of Gorgon, now called " La Gor-
^ona, " lying between Corsica and Leghorn rescued her relics and
by the order of Desiderius, King of Lombardy, they were depos-
ited in Brescia where to-day her memory is celebrated with the
utmost reverence.
MAY 24th
Is the festival of St. Vincent of Lerins ; whose " Commonitorium
Adversus Hereticos " has come down to us from A. D. 434 when
it was written ; and curiously some half century or so since, repub-
lished with an English preface utilized by Dr. Alban Butler in
his " Lives of the Saints," with others when he speaks of this
saint.
Vincent was an officer in the Roman Army, of "Gaulish extrac-
tion/* and for a long time was in active service before he began
to consider seriously religious matters. When he did so he
resolved to make thorough work of it. The camp, forum, or the
busy city, teeming with incidents and interests of every-day life,
he felt were no place for him to carry out his purpose, where
ephemeral matters dominated ; and no better evidence is needed
to prove how sincere he was than his acts. For resigning his
position as an officer he sought a place of retirement where he
256 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
could work out the problem of life ; selecting Ihe smaller ot the
two islands which formerly bore the name of " the Lerins," to
which he retired, ll was here alter careful study of the Holy
Scriptures and with a. thorough knowledge of the trend of the
religious beliefs of his day that three years after the celebrated
Council of Ephesus (in 431) lie wrote a book in support of the
decision of that Council condemning the Nestorian heresy. He
entitled it " A Commonitory against Heretics " ; aimed especially
against Nestorians and "the Apollinarists." He disguised his
identity under the name of Percgrinus ; as a pilgrim or stranger
who is separated from the world, his principal point being '
" That all novelty in faith is a mark ol heresy " when it steps
aside (rom the traditions of the Apostles as expounded in the
Holy Scriptures.
From Ihe verdict of others his style of diction seems to have
been peculiarly elegant and his logic " clear and close."
Si. Vincent was never in Holy Orders though hving an eremitical
life and died in his retirement during the rdgns ol Theodosius II.
" or Valentinian III." and therefore before the close of the year 456.
TRINITY SUNDAY.
The mystery ot the Holy Trinity has been celebrated by the
Church from very ancient days but its observance as a festival
was first introduced into England by Thomas k Becket toward the
close of the XII. century.
The earliest attempt at representing the Trinity by means of
some symbol began in the earliest days of the Christian Church as
is seen by the relics preserved from the catacombs about Rome.
Here we find them the most prominent. The simple triangle ; a
combination ot three fishes, heads and tails crossing so as to form
a triangle or these circles interwoven into the semblance of a tri-
angle. In fact, the equilateral triangle was the first accepted
symbol ot the Trinity, The beautiful symbol of the shamrock
SYMBOLS OF THE TRINITY 257
leaf so often used had its origin with St. Patrick, Bishop of
Arm^h and patron saint of Ireland who died A. D. 4^. The
good bishop was preaching as he often did m the open air and
trying to illustrate the unity in Trinity. He read in the faces of
his hearers the fact that they did not, nay could not comprehend
such unity and equality. He was at a loss to know how to make
it clear to these dull, simple folk. Just then be cast his eye upon
the ground and saw at
his feet the three-leaved
shamrock. He plucked
it and held it before his
audience. The mystery
was solved 1 here was
'■three in one." This"
these simple-minded folk_^
at once understood :
from that time the sham-^
rock became a symbol of
the Holy Trinity.
however, my reader v
turnback to March is
he will find more regarding this matter.
When first the early Christians sought for some symbol (or
God the Almighty, they used a hand projecting from a cloud,
later part of the arm and then the bust was shown. Somewhere
in the V. century, the hand was displaced for a face in the
cloud, but it was not until the latter part of the XI. or early
in the XII. century that God was first represented in human
form. Not so with Jesus Christ. Almost from the first He b
represented in human form, while from the earliest days a dove
had been the favourite symbol for [he Holy Ghost. When at hrst
Christian artists endeavoured to represent the Holy Trinity, God
the Father and God the Son were shown as men, the Holy Ghost
was shown by the symbol of the dove. But strangely for a long
time. God the Father and Jesus Christ were identical in feature.
Towards the end of the XIII. century the incongruity of this
duality broke on the minds of the artists and from thence ( as
■ XV. Century HS.
258 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
shown in ihe following illustration), an efton was made lo show
the Father as an old man and later, as is seen in the first illustra-
tion, by giving Him some outward sign o( supremacy. Thus
he '
Ihe
triple crown, again he bears
in his hand a globe (the
earth) surmounted by a
cross. This history is too
long to be elaborated here
and I must not attempt it.
Still latter, artists again
sought to be more explicit
and evolved a symbol that
embodied the thought, as
shown in the Anagraiii
copied here which also ex-
emplifies the Athanasian
To be made a Pope
3g;ainst one's will sounds a
little strange, yet such was
the case with Hildebrand.
afterward Gregory V. whose name is honoured on this 25th day
of May. He was a man of great learning and highly esteemed
by Pope Leo IX. who often consulted him. In 1073, on the death
of Alexander H., Hildebrand was chosen to fUrcK
fill St. Peter's chair entirely against his will. '
■' He left nothing unattempted to keep that
heavy burden from his shoulders and among
other expedients he wrote Henry IV., King
of Germany, who was then in Bavaria, 10
interfere " but it was unavailing.
Gregory must have had a premonition of
the stormy times that awaited him in his
new office tor he was a man of very deter-
mined character. Just then " simony," or the buying and selling
of ecclesiastical preferments, was sadly common and this Gregory
POPE GREGORY THE GREAT 259
abhorred from his soul, and one of his first acts was to depose
Godfrey, Archbishop of Milan for such a crime, and thus brought
down a storm upon himself. Indeed, the whole of the twelve
years he filled the pontifical chair was a continued struggle against
evil and wrong in the Church even to the last, and he gladly
answered the call of the Great Master when in 1085 he was called
higher. His letters have been the admiration of many wha have
read them. " They are penned with great eloquence ♦ ♦ ♦
and we boldly say no Pope since Gregory I. wrote such strong
and firm letters as this Gregory did/' is what Dr. Butler writes
of him.
MAY 26th.
POPE GREGORY, THE GREAT.
Some thirteen hundred years ago a group of captives, women
and children attracted the attention of Gregory (afterward Pope
Gregory I. known as '' the Great "), a monk from the monastery
of St. Andrew at Rome, and he asked what nation they be-
longed to. The reply was " they are Angles." " And." replied
the monk, " rightly so called for they have the faces of Angels,
and ought to be our fellow heirs of heaven."
This no doubt lingered in the mind of Gregory and when he
became Pope and saw a favourable opportunity he resolved to
send missionaries to Britain. Remembering his old convent on
the Coelian Mount, and its prior, St. Augustine — whose name,
both as a saint and the ** Apostle of the English " is honoured
this day — he selected this faithful man with a company of forty
monks from the monastery and sent them forth to the pajj^ans of
Britain. Ethelbert. the Saxon King of Kent, had married Bertha,
daughter of Charibut, King of Paris, a Christian. She had
brought with her a French priest, Luidhard, as her chaplain, and
their capital was Canterbury on the island of Thanet, for at that
time an arm of the sea surrounded it. Ethelbert was still a
pagan in spite of his marriage with a Christian ; yet this latter
!6o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
(act induced Augustine to choose Thanet as the safest place for
him tij land.
It must have been a picturesque sight that first meeting be-
tween the Saxon king and the missionaries. '■ The son of the
ash-tree " and his pagan warriors in one group, and the Italiao
prior and his fellow monks in cassock and cowl, with their white-
robed choristers around them. After a long interview Eihelbcrt
consented lo the prior and his teilow monks residing for a time in
Canterbury, and the strange sight was witnessed of a procession
of monks headed by one carrying a silver cross on which was
painted an im;ige of our Saviour, followed by the choristers sing-
ing one of tliose grand Gregorian chants.
On the following Whitsunday, June a, 597. Ethelbert was
baptised : perhaps except the baptisms of Floric and Constantine,
the most imporlani
n of a monarch
is ever taken place
ultimate iiiHuence
>n the history of the
Ihristian Church.
In these brief sketches
Kc cannot follow Augus-
I tine through his long and
experiences. In
' 597 he was consecrated
Bishop of the English "
and fixed his see at Can-
terbury, He died in 604,
but before thnl had con-
secrated bishops to
London and Rochester
and laid the foundation for the Christian Church in England. Bede
calls St. Augustine "the beloved of God" and Capgrave de-
scribes him as : •■ Tall of statue, of a dark complexion, his face
beautiful, but withal majestic." He is represented usually wear-
ing the Benedictine habit as in the illustration given above, which
is copied from an Harlien Mass.
ST. AUGUSTINE.
ST. BED E 261
On thin Jay also is held the festival of St. Philip Neri, the
founder of the Order of Oratorians. A Florentine, born in 151 5,
he by his intellect, eloquence and purity of life became a leader in
the religious movements of his day. He was ever employed in
charity and gathered round him a company of young nobles and
men of learned professions, who went about reading with and car-
ing for the sick and needy. They were bound by no vows nor
secluded from the world. They simply did what their hands
found to do, in love and charity. They called themselves Ora-
torians, and from them sprang a similar order termed '* Peres de
rOratoire of France " and the " Oratorians of England," of whom
Cardinal Newman and the poet Frederick Wilfrid Faber were
zealous members.
The unostentatious self-sacrifice and earnest work of these men
drew to them everywhere noble good helpers from princes and
church dignitaries through all classes of community and none can
read their story and not admire their work for the sick poor.
Under Gregory XIII. in 1575, the order was confirmed and
afterward in 161 2 reconfirmed by Paul V. Through this noble
order houses of refuge and hospitals were built in many places.
The story is replete with interest and instructive detail; for it
tells what one godly man may do if his heart is in his work. St.
Philip was canonized by Gregory XV. in 1622.
MAY 27th.
St. John, Pope and martyr, is honoured this day. He was a
Tuscan by birth and in his youth among his fellow students was
distinguished and regarded as an oracle. He was elected to the
pontificate in 523, and in 526 died at Romania, a martyr under
Theodoric.
This day is also the day when St. Bede, or Beda " the Vener-
able," is remembered. Of all the early Anglo-Saxon chroniclers,
historians and biographers, Bede is perhaps the one above all
others on whom modern writers have been obliged to rely for not
only church history but for much secular matter that would have
^->
262 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
been lost save for his careful chronicles. He was born in Jarrow.
Northumberland in 673. He became eminent for his learning
and erudition and died dictating a translation of the Gospel of
St. John. There is a legendary account of the manner in which
be gained the title " venerable " that runs thus : His pupils wish-
ing to put an inscription on his tombstone wrote :
" Hac sunt in fossa.
Be de ossa , ' '
leaving the blank because they had not a fitting title 10 Rtl i(.
The next morning some unknown hand had inserted the word
" venerable." But none can doubt he truly deserved tbe title.
He died in 735.
Though hardly coming within the scope of these articles some
may be interested to know this day also Is the anniversary of the
death of the noted Reformer, John Calvin in 1564.
MAY aSth.
St. Germanus, the glory of the Church of France, whose festival
occurs on this day was a man of noble and marked characteris-
tics ; but by far the largest portion of his clerical life fell during
troublous times in France. King Childebert, a son of Clovis, was
then on the throne but until he cajne under the influence of Ger-
manus had been a worldly, ambitious prince. Soon after the re-
turn of Childebert and his brother Clotaire from an expedition
undertaken in 542 against Spain, Childebert was taken sick ;
medical aid had proved ineffectual and he sent for Bishop Ger-
manus to come to his palace at Celles. near Melun. The good
man spent the whole night with the king in prayer and in the
morning laid hands on the monarch who was at once restored to
health. It was not long after, however, before the king died.
Clotaire succeeded his brother and was the last of the sons of the
great Clovis to sit on the united throne of France. On Clotaire's
death France was again divided by his sons, Paris was given to
Charibert, Orleans and Burgundy to Gootran. Austrasia to Sige-
CORPUS CHRISTI DAY 263
bcrt and Soissons to Chilperic. Then through their own ambi-
tions and the intrigues of their wives trouble began.
In speaking of St. Augustine it will be remembered I men-
tioned Bertha, wife of the Saxon King of Kent, as the daughter
of Charibert by his wife Ingoberga, but he had divorced her to
marry her maid, Mariovesa. Germanus' reproof for Charibert*s
misconduct in this and many ways was the first of the good
man's troubles which grew with the fraternal wars between the
brothers. But the story is too long to tell and even our saint
lived not to see the ending for he died in 576. His life had been
a busy, useful one. The most noted literary work of St. Ger-
manus is " An Exposition of the Liturgy " in which is reproduced
the ancient Gallican liturgy or Mass as used in France before the
Roman was introduced in the time of Charlemagne and Pope
Adrian I. In this curious work St. Germanus also explains and
describes the ceremonies of the liturgy and all of the vestments
worn, a work which alone will keep his name alive in hagiology.
MAY 29th.
CORPUS CHRISTI DAY
Is an ancient festival in the Roman Church, but after the
Reformation was discontinued by those who had separated from
the " mother church, " with whom it is highly honoured. It
comes on the Thursday following Whitsunday and therefore is a
movable feast. Its design is to honour the doctrine of transub-
stantiation, and was formerly observed with much pomp and
show, a procession, with the pyx containing the consecrated
wafer being at the head carried by the church dignitaries. In
past days this procession was not confined to church and was
accompanied by figures costumed to represent certain favourite
saints of the Church where the festival was held. Thus St.
Ursula with her many maidens, St. George leading the captive
dragon, St. Christopher wading the river with the infant Saviour,
St. Sebastian with his body full of arrows, St. Catharine with
264 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
her wheel and others. The priests also carried in their bands
pieces of sacred plate belonging to the church. The streets were
decorated with wreaths and boughs and strewn with flowers.
When the sacred pyx appeared every person kneeled while it
passed. Later and after the procession, games and mystery
plays were universal, with music and dancing. Save in certain
purely Catholic countries the street processiotis are now seldran
seen, but they arc never omitted in the church.
MAY 30th.
St. Felix 1.. Pope and martyr, who succeeded St. Dionysius in
369 in the government of the Church is remembered this day,
when after filling his higti office for five years he attained the
glory of martyrdom in 274.
On this day also tlie name of another of those royal personi^es
whom the Church has deemed worthy of honour appears, St.
Ferdinand III., King of Castile and Leon. He was the hero of
many battles against the Moors and took part in that celebrated
battle of Xeres, where, as the legend runs. St. lago appeared at
the head of the Spanish troops and while the Moors were slaugh-
tered by the thousand only one Christian was slain. His
daughter, Elenora, married Edward 1. of England in I2;3, and it
was she who sucked the poison from her husband's wound for
she had inherited not a little of her father's courage. It was
Ferdinand who built that wondrous cathedral of Borgos which
points to heaven with spires more rich and delicate than any of
all the famed cathedrals of the world. He was preparing an
expedition against the Moors in Africa when death called him in
1252. St. Ferdinand was canonized by Clement X. in 1671,
MAY 31st.
In the Roman Church this day is sacred to St. Petronilla, a
daughter of St. Peter.
The legends of this virgin tell us that she accompanied St.
ST. PET RON ILL A 265
Peter to Rome. Butler says St. Peter was married before he
became an Apostle and that his wife " attained to martyrdom* at
which the Apostle encouraged her." The name of this virgin is
Petronilla, the feminine and diminutive of Peter. She was a
cripple it is said from palsy, and her legend says ** that one day
when the Apostle sat at meat with some of the disciples they
asked why it was that while he could heal others his own child
remained helpless."
St. Peter replied that it was the will of God, and therefore
good that she should be thus. But that the glory of Christ
should be manifested, be commanded her to rise and serve them.
This she immediately did but when her service was over " she lay
down as helpless as before." The legend then tells how by her
own prayers she at last recovered and also that she was very
beautiful, and a young Roman named Valerius Flaccus fell in
love with her and wished to marry her. Feeling that she could
not do thb and fulfil her duties to the church, yet afraid to refuse
him, she begged of him a respite of three days, when she would
reply. When he came for his answer, however, he found her
dead. He lamented her sorely, and with his attendants " covered
her body with roses."
She was buried in a cemetery " on the way to Arden, where a
church stood that anciently bore her name." Gregory III, estab-
lished there a station for public prayer.
JUNE
After her came jolly June, arrayed
All in green leaves, as he a player were ;
Vet in bis lime he wrought as well as played.
That by his plough-irons mote right welt appear.
Upon 3 crab he rode, that did him bear.
With crooked crawling steps, an uncouth pace.
And backward rode, as bargemen wont to fare.
Sfetuir.
Ovid in his "^aj/i"' makes Juno claim the honour of naming this
month. But standing as it does the fourth in the Roman Kalen-
dar it was dedicated " i Junioribus " as May was "d Majoriiut."
Romulus assigned to it thirty days, though in the old Alban Kal-
endar it had but iweniy-six days. Numa robbed it of one but
Julius Cxsar restored l/iat and its number of days has since been
unchanged.
This month since the old Roman days has been considered the
most propitious for consummating marriage ties. Even down to
the Middle Ages this pagan superstition was retained and if we
may hazard the remark still holds good as a favourite month for
"the wedding." But this passes beyond the scope of these pa-
pers ; or I could (ill a volume on ancient marriage customs, from
the ring, to the casting oE rice and old shoes for neither are of
modern date.
The first Sunday after Trinity holds an especial place in the lit-
urgy of both the Roman and Reform Churches while its canonical
colour is green symbolical of bounti fulness, mirth, youth and pros-
ST. PAMPHILLUS 267
perity. In its place I shall take occasion to speak of the signifi-
cance of both colours and precious stones as symbols but in passing
may remark that the emerald is peculiarly appropriate for this day
and its significance from its glorious colour : —
«
The Emerald burns, intensely bright.
With radiance of an olive light :
This is the faith that highest shines.
No deed of charity dechnes.
And seeks no rest and shuns no strife.
In working out a holy life."
One of the first names of noted saints which we meet in June is
that of St. Pamphillus priest and martyr whose learning and eru-
dition not only made for him a great name in those early days in
which he lived but has preserved it for almost sixteen centuries.
He was a native of Berytus a city famous for its schools. He
came from a rich and noble family and after perfecting himself in
every science taught there became a magistrate. It was not until
he had passed his early manhood that he became a Christian, and
then it was not upon a sudden impulse that this accomplished
master of profane sciences and the renowned magistrate yielded
to the convictions forced upon him by a careful study of Holy
Writ. He soon moved to Caesarea in Palestine, where he col-
lected a vast library said to have contained 30,000 volumes. Here
he also established a school of sacred literature. Dr. Butler says :
•• To his labour the Church was indebted for the most correct edi-
tion of the Holy Bible.** In the persecutions of Galerius Maximus
he was first to be tortured for his faith in Christ while later and
under Governor Urbanus cast into prison, but even there he wrote
several books. His imprisonment began in 307 and continued
£or two years, when Fermilian, the successor of Urbanus ordered
Viim to be tortured. His flesh was torn from his bones by iron
liooks ; but it is said even under such torment he opened not his
Tnouth or allowed a groan to escape him. He finished his mar-
tyrdom before a slow fire and died invoking ** Jesus the Son of
268 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
God," in the year 309. Such is the brief story of this noble
scholar, wha gave his life in testimony of his faith in ChrisL
Under this date mention must be made of Sl Peter of Pisa the
founder of the " Hermits of St. Jerom " who observed four sea-
sons of Lent in each year fasting on all Mon-
days, Wednesdays and Fridays. He died in
1435. aged 80 years. Pius V. termed him
"blessed." He was beatified by Innocent XII,
in 1693.
To-day also in the Anglican Kalendar there
appears the name of St. Nicoraede priest and
martyr in the year 90. He was a scholar of St,
Peter and for conferring on his sister FclicuU
(a virgin martyr) a Christian burial, a thing he
knew was done at the pei
discovered to be a Christian.
Uomitian ordered him to sacrifice
goiis wliich he refused to do and was beaten to
dt-aih with spiked clubs. From this came his
emblem in ihe Clog Almanac.
JUNE 3d.
of his life, he was
Whereupon
I the Roman
The martyrs of Lyons in the year 177 arc among the niost
noted of the saints of the Church owing to the ferocity with which
the pagans of Gaul pursued them to their death. Unfortunately
the story is too long for a detailed repetition as it furnishes such
an illustration of the fortitude of those heroes who look their lives
in their hands and went forth to teach "Christ and Him cruci-
fied." Although they are called the "martyrs of Lyons " not a
few of those who fell came from Vienne and elsewhere. After those
terrible trials prior to 174 so carefully chronicled by historians of
the Church God in a plain and direct answer to the prayers of
Christians under Marcus Aurelius granted them for a time partial
relief from their triab, but in 177 they were once more renewed
ST. CLOTILDIS 269
by the pagans in Gaul. St. Pothinus was then Bishop of Lyons
and naturally from his office was the most prominent in this trag-
edy though his associates Attalus, Sanctus Blandina and others
were equally sufferers. Many of these were Greeks and came from
Asia as a great traffic had then sprung up between Asia and Mar-
seilles while Lyons had become a central point for the faithful mis-
sionaries of Christ. The martyrdom of these noble men is but the
repetition of many similar events. Torn by wild beasts, roasted
over slow fires and tortured in every conceivable way, yet always
they were ** faithful unto death." It is fitting then for us all to
honour them on this day, named by the Church, since it is exam-
ples like theirs which show how much we of to-day owe to those
early Christians.
JUNE 3d.
St Clotildis, or Clotilda, whose name appears in the Kalendar on
this day is a saint who was greatly reverenced in early days in
France. Her life was a romance from her infancy. She was the
daughter of Chilperic, a younger brother of Goudebald or Goude-
bud, fourth king of Burgundy, 491-516, a fierce brutal man who
caused Chilperic, his wife and his brothers to be murdered that he
might usurp the control of the entire nation. For some unknown
reason Clotilda and her sister then infants were spared in this
wholesale massacre. Her sister later became a nun and Clotilda
though brought up in the court of Goudebald, by some providence
had received a Christian education. In due time Clovis I. sur-
named "the Great," the victorious king of the Franks whose
rei^ begun in 481 when he was but fifteen years old saw and
fancied Clotilda and in 493 they were married at Soissons. As
the average royal marriage goes it was for those days a most
Happy one and the young queen set up an oratory in the palace.
She evidently was a most discreet woman. She honoured her war-
like husband and by slow degrees led him by her Christian meek-
i>ess to respect and honour her and more to the purpose to listen
t.o her as she discoursed on sacred subjects and discredited the
270 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
idols Clovis then worshipped. She led rather th<iQ tried to drive
hitn. At last in 496 Clovis was engaged in a battle with the
Alemanni (a word intended to mean a mixed race living between
the Danube and the Upper Rhine) he was near lo defeat. Some-
thing inspired him to call on ■■ Clotilda's God " tor help. From
that hour the tide of battle turned and Clovis won an historic
victory.
The impression made upon the pagan king was so great and
lasting that on his return home he was baptized. Thus stripped
of verbiage we sec how through the love and devotion of one
faithful soul France came to have its tirsi Christian king and to
become Christianized. At the baptism of Clovis the oil used it is
said, was brought to the prelate at St. Remi — where the ccremonj
occurred — by a dove and that an angel brought also to the king
three white lilies which he in turn gave to St. Clotilda and thai
from this circumstance the '■ fleurs-de-lys," were substituted for the
three crapauds (loads) which had formerly held their place In the
royal arms of France. At her request Clovis built in Paris
the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, but now called St. Genevieve,
in this church her remains now rest. Her death occurred on
June 3, S4S.
JUNE 4th.
St. Quitinus who is honoured this day was one of those strong
characters we are constantly meeting with among the fathers of
the Church in early days. He was Bishop of Siscia a city in
Pannonia upon the river Save, in what is now Hungary. Owing
to his earnest fervent preaching he had fallen under the ban of
Galerius Maximus as the story is related by Prudentius, and con*
demned to have a mill-stone tied to his neck and to be cast into
the river. The legend as it is preserved states that the tnill-stone
instead of sinking floated and then recounts a long conversation
held between the saint and Maximus who seemingly was watch-
ing and desired to save his life. But to all of the overtures the
saint remained true to his great Master Christ. In this couver- —
ST. BONIFACE 271
sation Mazimus said : "Now confess the power of the gods
the great Roman empire adore. Obey and I will make you a
priest of Jupiter." When at last Quirinus tired at the long delay
while the mill-stone still floated prayed that having given tesU-
mony of his faith and trust he might be allowed to depart. Then
slowly the stone began to sink and the martyr passed to his
reward. This was in the year 304.
This day also marks the festival of St. Optatus, Bishop of Mile-
vum in Numidia. A learned African educated as an idolater
and who as St. Austin puts it : '* Passing from the dark shades of
paganism to the light of faith carried into the church the spoils of
Egypt ; that is human science and eloquence." His writings yet
remain as a marvelous testimony of the wisdom and learning of
those early ages and the purity of purpose which actuated the
Holy Fathers. St. Optatus survived the year 384 but the date of
his death is not positively known.
JUNE 5th.
This day b given to one of the most noted saints in the Chris-
tian Kalendar of both the Roman and Anglican churches. St.
Boniface the Apostle of the Germans. He was the son of a West
Saxon chieftain born at Crediton in Devonshire about 680. He
was baptised under the name of Winfrid or Winfrith as the name
sometimes was then written. Showing from his infancy both
remarkable powers of mind and a serious tendency he was sent
^rhen but seven years of age to the monastery at Exeter or Escan-
cester, as it was then called to be trained by the celebrated Abbot
Walphund. Later he studied at the monastery of Nutcell in
Winchester and from the first was noted for his proficiency in
acquiring learning. He was ordained to the priesthood in 710.
l^rom youth his great hope had been to be able to carry the
gospel to the heathen of Germany and in 719 he went to Rome to
Secure from Gregory H. permission to become a missionary to
t.lie German infidels. This was granted, and he began his work in
272 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Bavaria, In 723 he was elevated to the bishopric. Till then he
had been known by the name of Winfrid but the pope at that lime
changed his name to Boniface. We cannot follow in detail the
long and arduous life work among the Germans, and its wonder-
ful success, interesting as it is, or the growing influence Boniface
gained wilfi the Church and his preferment to the archbishopric
of Mentz. His entire life was one of earnest faithful devotion to
e of Christ. His story though is that of the foundation of
Christianity in Germany,
of which his letters
(thirty-nine in number)
published in 1605 gi\-c
many interesting
incidents.
When 74 years of age
be resigned his high posi-
tion as primate of Ger-
many and once more
donned his Benedictine
habit to resume his mis-
sionary labours only to
suffer the year fol lowing
with fifty-two of his com-
panions in holy worV
martyrdom at the hand&
of the pagans of Utrecht-
In Christian art S«-.
Boniface is representee^'
in full episcopal robes, hewing down an oak, or with an oak tr^^^
lying prostrate at his feet and an axe in his hand. In some wr
ings he is termed '■ the Oak of Jupiter," His Clog symbol is -=
book pierced by a sword, symbolizing his learning and martj^^T
FEAST OF SACRED HEART 273
JUNE 6ih.
SACRATISSIMI CORDIS JESU.
On this day recurs a festival peculiar to the Roman Church,
one that has never been recognized by the Anglican church — the
Feast of the Sacred Heart.
The origin of this festival according to the traditions of the
Church was that while Margaret Mary Alacoque a " religieuse " of
•• the Visitation of Paray-le-Monial " in France, was at her devo-
tions Jesus appeared to her as he had often done before, and
" showed her His Sacred Heart, in His open Breast, encircled
with fire and flames, * * and He revealed to her that He
desired to have an especial feast estab-
lished in honour of His Divine Heart."
In her statement written at the time in
which she describes the apparition of
Jesus she quotes among other words of
Christ then uttered : " For this reason I
ask thee that the first Friday in the
Octave of Corpus Christi be set apart as
a special feast consecrated to the honour
of My Heart,'* and later He added this
promise : " ♦ * * I promise that My
Heart shall be opened to shed in richest
abundance the Influence of Its Divine
Love."
From this the feast was in due time
recognised as a sacred festival of the
Church by a bull of Benedict XIV. (pope
1 740- 1 7 58) and has since been observed
throughout the world by the Roman
Church.
The quotations given above are taken from the second of a
series of six sermons on ** Devotion to the Sacred Heart," by the
Rev. Ewald Beirbum, D.D., an eminent German priest.
On this day also appears the name of St. Norbert the founder
274 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
of a somewhat celebrated German order of ihc Roman Church :
" Stiflcr cler Pramonstratenser-Ordin," His father was Count
Gennep and his mother a relative of Emperor Hcinrich IV. being
descended from the house of Lorraine, He was born at Sauten
in the duchy of Cleves in to8o. His parents had early dedicated
him to the service of the church but for a long time their hopes
seemed doomed to be disappointed. As a young man he was disso-
luie and his life was given lo pleasure. He was instituted to a
canonry at Santen and ordained a sub-deacon, but received the ec-
clesiastical tonsure in an utterly worldly spirit and made no outn-ard
change in his life. At ihe court of his cousin the emperor he was the
soul of mirth, and his wit and boa mots the life of social circles. He
refused any higher orders lest they might put some restraint upon
his pleasures. But the time came when this was all changed.
He was riding near the village of Freien in Westphalia on a richly
caparisoned horse when a sudden thunder storm burst upon him
from a cloudless sky and a bolt strQc:k directly in front ol him and
he was thrown from his horse and lay unconscious upon the
ground for some time. Then like a second Saul, the enormityof
his sins seemed to come over him as he recovered from the shock.
He went no more lo court but retired to his canonry at Sanleo
leading a life of retirement and later became a missionary after
having been ordained deacon and priest. This rovlog life ol
austerity and self-sacrifice he led until in 1119 by permission of
Calixtus II. he founded a small monastery with a few equally de-
voted men in a lonesome valley called Pre-montre. After many
years of faithful labour here in 1132 NorlMrt was elevated to the
bishopric of Magdeburg and died June 6, li^
JUNE 7th.
St. Godeschalc who is honoured by the Church this day wa--^
one of those old time tierce warriors whose lives read like rc^"^
mances. In the reign of Henry the Salic whose arms with thos^^
of Knut, King of Denmark and Bernard, Duke o( Saxony kep "*
the barbarians 10 order about the beginaing of the IV. ceniury^ —
CANONIZATION OF SAINTS 275
one Uto a Western Vandal prince, was murdered by a Saxon
chief. The son of Uto, Godeschalc had been educated at the
monastic school of Lumburg under a Gothic bishop but had then
apostatized from whatever of Christianity he had ever accepted.
Joining two pagan princes after his father's murder he in revenge
harassed without mercy the Saxons until captured by Bernard the
Saxon Duke who held him prisoner for a long time. When he at
last gained his liberty he found his heritage possessed by one
Ratibor a powerful Slavic prince, but gathering a band of his par-
tisans Godeschalc with them joined the Danes. Then King Knut
was employed in his wars with Norway and later sent Gode-
schalc with his nephew Sueno» into England, where his prowess
and valour won for him such favour with the Danish king that he
gave him his daughter in marriage. After Knut's death Gode-
schalc returned from England and subdued his old enemy and the
entire Slavic country. Meantime he had under the influence of a
Saxon priest been converted to Christianity and reigned many
years in peace surpassing all his contemporary princes in prudence,
power and valour, as well as in piety and holy zeal. He built
many churches and monasteries and brought over to the faith a
great part of the idolaters among the nations subject to him. He
extended his missions into all the dominions of Godeschalc and
baptized many with his own hands, interpreting to the people in
the Slavonian language the sermons and instructions of the
priests.
Five years later the Vandals or Slavi who had remained idol-
aters, in the duchy of Mecklenburg, revolted, and began their
sedition by the murder of Godeschalc, in the city of Lenzin on
June 7, 1066.
CANONIZATION OP SAINTS.
The canonization of saints has only been accepted as a dogma
of faith by the Roman Church since the XII. century and it was
confined to those who had suffered martyrdom for their religious
principles. At that time bishops were permitted to name them
but the numbers increased so rapidly that it was soon necessary
276 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
to limit the admission to the canon and this privilege was taken
from the bishops and the pope alone was given the authority. In
the same prudent spirit it was decreed that the holy man must
have been dead (or a hundred years betorc he was eligible lo be
canonized.
MONKS AND MONASTERIES.
m
From reading books like Scott's inimitable " Monastery and
Abbot " and similar stories a widespread misconcepiioD has come
to the general reader both as Co the nature of the primitive mo-
nastic buildings but as well of the monks themselves and their
usual daily occupations. This arises from no fault of the authors
whose descriptions, like that of Scott speaking of Kcnnaquhair,
are accurate as to the lime of which they wrote, but far from
being so in regard to earlier days. Especially is this true in refer-
ence to the primitive Irish. Scotch and English monasteries.
The description of these which follows it is proper for me to say
ba sort of wholesale quotation from Skene's " Celtic Scotland"
I and Burton's " History
I of Scotland," even
where I fail to put the
3 proper marks. A bit of
J literary patchwork wiib
a its pieces cm from long
II and elaborate descrip-
. from which 1 wi^
^ endeavour to make >
' short, but 1 hope, cle-^
3 picture.
" The primitive Celtic monastery was a very simple afTair, *
• a village of rude huts," and "we must not suppose at ="'=^
resembled the elaborate stone structures of the Middle Age^^^
In most instances the larger buildings were built with watil-
walls. Thus : " A wail plate was made by upright stakes havi^^*
twigs interlaced between them in the usual manner of baslu ~'
making. * * * A second wall was placed within the ouc:^'
MONASTERIES 27;
one and turf or clay was filled in between these walls.*' The
thickness varied from two to even four feet, and thus a very solid
wall was constructed, the roof being of poles above which was a
woven thatch of straw. Some legend, of course, lingered around
each of these structures. Skene tells how Ciaran of Saighir, one
of the twelve apostles of Ireland, began to build his huts and
church ^* when he went to the wood for his material a wild boar
assisted him by biting off with his sharp teeth the rods and
branches he needed." Still later came the timber buildings and
those constructed from hewn planks. It was not till the end of
the VIII. century when the ravages of the Danes and by re-
peated lessons of danger from fire any attempt was made to use
stone in their buildings, and then first are noticed some efforts
toward the internal comforts of the monks. " The monastic sys-
tem which characterised the Irish church in its second period *
* * presented features peculiarly adapted to the tribal organiza-
tions and social systems of the Irish. ♦ ♦ * These large
monasteries ♦ * ♦ were in reality Christian colonies into
which converts after being tonsured were brought. "
My readers may remember that St. Brendan was first thus
cared for by St Itha and later until he was ordained to the priest-
hood by Bishop Ere. It was not obligatory on these " converts "
to take upon themselves at a later time holy orders. Thus when
we read of 4,000 monks under the rule of Comgall, and other
large numbers elsewhere we must not think of them as " monks "
in the usual acceptation of the term. These were called '' Muintir
or familia," the elders " seniors/* who gave themselves entirely to
devotions and the service of the church, whose chief occupation
in their cells was to transcribe the Scriptures and illuminate mis-
sals. Of one Bishop Marchata an Irish ballad says :
" Three score psalm-singing seniors.
Were his household, royal in number.
Without tillage, reaping or kiln drying.
Without work, except reading."
a. somewhat strange exception. The rest of the household were
ciivided into classes for tilling of their fields, caring for herds and
278 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
such as were skilled in Ihe use o( tools in meclia.Qical labour, and
making clothing (or the " family." 0( this I will give other details
when speaking of lona.
These monasteries also claimed the " right of sanctuary."
JUNE 8th.
St, Maximus. the first Bishop of Aix in Provence, who is hon-
oured in the Kalendar this day is said — but the authority for the
assertion is rather vague — to have been one of Christ's personal
followers and disciples. His life whether this fact be true or not
is evidence of how soon the early Christians began to spread out
over the world teaching the Christian faith, for his preaching the
gospel in Marseilles and so establishing Christianity in Provence is
fully authenticated and his successor, " St. Sedonius, the second
Bishop of Aries," is said to have been the man who was bom
blind and healed by our l/)rd. St. Maximus died about the close
of the I. century.
St. William, whose name also appears this day, was the son of
Earl Herl>ert and his mother Emma was a sister of King Stephen,
He received holy orders early in life and became treasurer of the
metropolitan church of York. In 1144 he was elected Archbishop
and consecrated in September of that year at Winchester, but
through influence at Rome of his opponents, Pope Eugenius III.
deprived him of his see and he lived in retirement at Winchester
until in 11 53 he was again elected Archbishop and went to Rome
where he received the pallium from his holiness Anastasius IV.,
who had that year succeeded to the pontificate. His return to
York was the occasion of an immense ovation. The crowd that
had assembled was so great that it broke down the wooden
bridge over the Ouese in York, and it was only by miraculous in-
tervention no lives were lost and St. William has had the credit of
having by his timely prayer been the means of the preservation of
these people in their hour of danger. No less than thirty-six
ST.COLUMBA 279
miracles are accorded to St. William. He died in 1154 and was
€:anonized by Nicholas III. in 1280.
JUNE 9th.
This day marks the festival of the one man who above all his
self-sacrificing brethren to whom Scotland owes gratitude for the
first grand missionary work in behalf of the Christian religion
among the northern Picts, the then dominant power in Alban.
To understand clearly the grandness of St. Columba's work we
must first give a very brief page from Scotch history for, singular
as it sounds, the Scotch came originally from Ireland, and the
word " Scotia " in the earliest recorded history, was applied only to
inhabitants of Irish Dalriada. In 360, certain Scots came first to
Britain, not as colonists, but as allies to the Dalriadan Picts in
Alban. They soon disappeared and next are heard of in 501
when, according to Tighernac (an Irish annalist) Fergus mor mac
£rc, from County Antrim in Irish Dalriada, and of the *' Irish
Gael," with a small colony settled in what is now ** Southern Ar-
g^le " on the coast and founded the future monarchy of Scotland.
I must not follow further this most interesting part of Scotch his-
tory except to add that it was among the descendants of this
Fergus mor mac Ere, Columba first found friends when he came
to Alban.
Now to sketch briefly this wonderful man's career as student,
soldier, missionary and saint. Columba (commonly pronounced
Colme) was born December 7. 521. and was descended through his
father Fedhlmidh from the royal Hy Neill's, and by his mother
from a long line of Irish Dalriadan kings. Innumerable prophe-
cies attended his birth, among them one by St. Patrick who fore-
told his birth and : —
♦ * * ♦ * « i»
" That will not utter a falsehood ;
He'll be a saint and will be devout.
He'll be an Abbott, the King of royal graces,
HeMl be lasting and ever good ;
The eternal kingdom be mine by his protection."
28o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Lack of space precludes a record of his brilliant student life at
Moghbile Chis lirst school) under Gemma, a noted Bard, who in-
spired in hmi that poetic love of the beautiful of which I will later
sfteak. His education was completed and he took holy orders at
Cluin-Brad and 1 may say in passing became one of the historic
"Twelve Apostles of Ireland."
His life soon became a busy one both in ecclesiastic and public
affairs. His fervent Christiart and poetic nature made hitn de-
vout ; yet he was a typical Irishman and allowed no one " lo tread
on the tail of his coal." " Athletic Christianity " was then largely
in evidence, as we see by the number of " doughty men of valour "
who appear in the sanguinary battles of those days. So we find
Columba engaged in several pitclied battles.
One feature of Columba's character from his student days was
his love of rare manuscripts and it was this which under God's
providence sent him forth as a missionary ; for God works quite
as often by human as by Divine agencies. At Moghbile, Finnian,
Columba's old teacher, had a rare manuscript of the Psalter which
the pupil often desired to copy — for he was a skilled penman —
but was refused for Finnian was of the true " bookworm " nature
which keeps secret his treasures.
About 560 Colutnba visited his old tutor. He had not forgotten
the coveted Psalter and by some means managed surreptitiously lo
obtain possession of the MS. When " the theft," as Finnian
termed it, was discovered and traced he demanded it should be
returned, but the demand was refused and then King Diamnd
took a hand in the matter uttering what became an Iiish proverb''
" To every cow belongs her calf."
To sum up a long story short, the Hy NeiUs met King Diarn::M>^
in the battle of Cuil-dremc and defeated him.
Columba's trouble was now serious ; a " synod of the Saints
Ireland " was called and Columba was held responsible for ^^V
loss of life at Cuil-dreme and it was decreed " he must rescue
many souls from Paganism as lives had been lost in the battl- -3
Thus it came that Columba went forth on that pilgrimage to ^^*
Picts which has made his name memorable. I only regret I i:s—='
not give the many interesting details which throw such cl^^*
"side-lights " on the story.
lONA MONASTERY 281
Conal, a descendant of Fergus mor mac Ere, was then king of
the Dalriadan Scots who were Christians and who " by g^ace **
the powerful pagan Picts had allowed to remain thus far unr
molested in Argyle and in some of the islands along the coast ;
among them Mull and Hii, later corrupted into lona.
Conai knew the tender ground he stood on with the Picts;
while at heart a Christian he could not defy these fierce paganp.
Indeed he stood " between the devil and the deep sea." So he
gladly took a middle course and sent Columba and his associates
on to Hii (or as I will from now call it lona) to let them work out
their own salvation on that utterly desolate barren strip of rocky
land.
With infinite toil they built their " bothies ** (huts) and began
their strenuous struggle, first for the necessities of life. Even the
journey from Ireland had been an arduous one in their open
** cruaths," (wicker boats covered by raw skins of animals drawn
over the frame and thus allowed to dry there) and in these they
now carried their slender stock of provisions and other belongings
to this rugged, rock bound island so often and graphically de-
scribed by tourists to it.
The monastery at lona in most respects was like those of Ire-
land at that time, and the household ordered on similar lines, but
with some advance since Adamnan speaks of the " pincinco " or
butler, and " pistor " baker, adding as a curious fact that the latter
" was a Saxon." The elders and certain ones of the labourers were
tonsured from ear to ear ; that is, having the hair shaved from
the front of the head back to a line drawn from the ear, while
elsewhere it was allowed to grow. Their young men were not
tonsured as in Ireland. Their dress was of but two garments, a
•• tunica " or white woolen undershirt and a " Camilla," or sleeved
woolen gown (unbleached), reaching the ankles. This had also a
hood. They wore hide sandals when travelling, but in the house
and field went barefooted. In such a rigourous climate such a
dress we to-day would not think even safe for health. But they
Were hardened to this from childhood ; while the Picts, save for a
skin worn over the shoulders, even in winter were almost nude.
The food was of the simplest kind ; bread made from crushed
2S2 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
barley or oatmeal, milk and fish, varied only by the addition on
festivals of seal flesh, wild fowls and eggs, in honour of guests or
some especial " high (cast " beef would be added to the menu. I
must for lack of space omit mention of their daily lives and devo-
tions except CO say that they followed in all ways the rules of (he
Irish monasteries. St. Columba'9 cell was separated from the
brethren on one of those rugged '■ dunes " still so prominent a fea-
ture of the island. In his life he shared alike with the humblest
of his brethren in everything. Gemie, kind and aftecfionalc. yet
beneath all his austerity (for he never forgot his mission) be had a
deep love for the beautiful and a quaint, subtle sense of humour ;
as one writer puts it " with a laugh always in the tail of his eye."
His teachings to the heathen were of the plainest, simplest truths
utterly free from dogmas not fully set forth in the "Word of
God," to use his own expression. But his real missionary work
had not yet begun and it is loo important to be treated within the
small limit left me and therefore I must return to it later when I
can also speak of St. Comgall whom I intentionally passed on
May loth, as these fellow workers can hardly be separated.
Columba was now in the flower of manhood and is described as
a " type of manly beauty," endowed with a sweet, sonorous voice ;
a certain magnetism of manner which drew everyone toward him ;
yet never lacking in dignity. His fame had already spread far
beyond the narrow limits of lona among the northern Picts who
from the first had been his objective point. They were a race
strangely compounded. They were barbarians not savages, and
possessed of wonderfully quick, clear intellects, though utterly
untutored. This is shown by the manner in which they met the
Romans ; grasping instantly the secret of their '■ tactics " in war,
grafting the best on their own methods and surprising their in-
vaders by utilising them. Pagans they of course were but not
unthinking. Through the Romans they had seen something of
their religion and had laughed at it ; refusing to be cajoled yet
quick to learn the lessons the Romans had unconsciously taught
them. Immured by exposure from infancy they regarded the
warm, well-clad Romans as effeminate. They were a strong race
wholly devoid of tenderness or sentiment, yet superstitious from
DRUIDS AND MAGI 283
their Druidic teachings ; still with an inborn, high sense of honour
and fidelity. Such were the people Columba had chosen to bring
back from paganism. Till now his work had only been what may
be termed predatory missionary labour, barely reaching the borders
of the g^eat Pictish kingdom over which Brude then reigned ; a
man who beyond doubt was the most powerful that had ever sat
on the throne. A man of unusual penetration and perhaps the
only one among his people outside of the priesthood who saw
through the superstitions of the Druidical religion. How much of
Brude Columba knew is uncertain ; but he was well aware that
between lona and Inverness, where Brude held court, save the
comparatively safe districts of Morven and Lochaber, lay the dan-
gerous Drumalbans ; beset with difficulties from unknown paths
where fierce superstitious natives lurked under the guidance of the
Druid and Magi priests, ready to intercept his way ; yet his reso-
lution did not fail him. Unfortunately neither Adamnan or Mon-
telembert are able to give a clear account of this remarkable
journey. We only know that Comgall of Bangor and Caimach of
Achaboe were his companions. These two men were of the race
of Irish Picts from whom the Dalriadan Picts had come and so to
a certain extent they had kept in touch with their kinsmen in
Alban.
Beyond brief mention of hunger, lack of shelter and constant
opposition by the Druid and Magi priests, the chronicles are silent
save for some miraculous acts of Columba by which the party
were preserved until they reached the fortress of King Brude at
Loch Ness and which antiquarians have positively identified with
the vitrified fortress now termed " Craig-Phadrie " at Inverness,
so well known to Scotch tourists.
Here again at the arrival of Columba and his companions at
Inverness these chroniclers allow the miraculous to overshadow
the details we desire to know. Thus we are told that the gates
of the town and of the palace were closed against the strangers.
But at the sign of the cross made by Comgall the town gates
opened and when they had come to the doors of the royal house
St. Columba advanced and, making a similar sign, these also ad-
mitted them into the presence of the king. Angered beyond
284 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
measure at such intrusion, Brude raised his sword to slay them,
but Cainiach made the all-powerful sign of the cross over Brude's
hand and it fell withered at his side, and, the chronicles continue,
so remained until he (the king) believed in God. But what was
spoken or how the stern Pict was brought to terms is wholly un-
known. Some even declare that no such conversion took place.
That at Columba's intercession, Brude's strength was at once
restored, and that from then during his life he held Columba in
especial reverence is historic. But Bede records that in the ninth
year of Brude. or Bridius. which would be in 565 and thus corres-
pond with Columba's dates in leaving lona for his mission, he
was baptized by Columba. The Pictish chronicles also confirm
this in date and fact.
In the Irish hfe of St. Comgall I find an incident nowhere else
mentioned. " that then Mailcu the son of the king came widi his
Drui (Druid priests) to contend (argue) against Columielle (Co-
lumba) through paganism ; but he and his Drui with him were
destroyed {overcome) by the name of God and through Columielle
He was magnified."
Just here it is interesting in some measure to understand what
the nature of this pagan belief was but it must be very sadly con-
densed. It was the same in all respects as met St. Patrick when
he came to Ireland, and perhaps cannot be better summed up
than by quoting from a metrical " Lite of St. Patrick," by Fiacc
of Sleibhte, who says :
'■ He preached three-score years
The Cross of Christ to the Tualha of Feni.
The Tuatha, adored the Side,
On the Tuatha of Erin there was darkness,
y believed not the true Cod-bead
The Book of Armagh explains that the " Side, or Sidhe," w ^^
"gods of the earth, a phantom." Mysterious beings who w^^^"
supposed to dwell alike in heaven, on the earth, in the sea, & ^"i
rivers, mountains and valleys at will. Spirits to be dreaded ^^^
conciliated, to be worshipped and invoked by themselves ^^^
through the natural objects in which they were supposed to dw* "^
■hey b
If the
COLUMBATE CHURCH 285
Hence we see the sacredness of the Druidic oaks and stones.
The Druid and Magi priests contended they did not worship idoKs
but their deities who dwelt in them ; that these natural objects
were not themselves powers, but that through them the Drudh
could consult their deity.
The Magi added soothsaying, enchantment and divination;
while as doctors they practiced on the superstitions of their pa-
tients as did the Drui. In one of these metrical accounts I find
these lines :
" The Drui of Cruithnech in friendship
Discovered a cure for the wounded,
New milk in which they were washed
In powerful bathing."
And a little further on speaking of :
•• Six demon — like Druadh —
Necromancy, idolatry and illusion.
In a fair well-walled house.
By them were taught
The hovering of the sreod and omens.
Choice of weather, lucky times.
The watching of the voice of birds
They practiced without disguise."
This word sreod Dr. Todd glosses as " sneezing." But I must
not enlarge further on this strangely interesting point.
As already said we are without any details of the methods used
by Columba to combat these pagan beliefs, but the conversion of
their king exercised no doubt a most powerful influence in aiding
Columba's efforts, and he seemed by kindness rather than by force
to have first won their confidence and then by degrees to have
taught the Christian faith, then following the Irish method of mo-
nastic colonies, or as they were termed, monasteries, and in many
places building churches. Thus for twelve years Columba, Com-
gall and other faithful men worked steadily in laying the founda-
tions of the Columbate Church as it has been called in his honour,
and after these years broadening the sphere of their labours to in-
clude the Southern Picts, who under St. Ninian had been con-
286 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
verted but who soon apostatized, all of which must be mentioned
under the notice of this great teacher Ninian on September i6th.
We cannot (ollow through Columba's work, so lull of incidentt
which prove his devotion ; his never failing hope even under dire
misfortunes and cruel wrongs, till at last he reaches his lona fam-
ily once more. Nor may I copy as I would like, the long and
touching description of those last days written by his biographer.
Cummene, uiiiil on the morning of June 9, 597, Columba called
his faithful attendant. Diormec. to him and said : "This day is
called in the sacred Scriptures a day of rest and truly to mc it will
be such, for it is the last of my life and I shall enter into my rest
after the fatigues of my labours."
Thus peacefully passed to his reward one of God's noblest and
most (aiihful servants, leaving behind him an imperishable mem-
ory not alone in the affection and veneration of those of his own
day, but in the breasts of all true Christians who now after thir-
teen centuries study his character.
Of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, niece of Edward the Con-
fessor and daughter of Edmund Ironsides who is honoured by
the Church this day wc may read in any Scotch history.
JUNE nth.
St. Barnabas, whose festival is celebrated this day, though not
one of the twelve was through his intimate association and the
prominent share he took in apostolic transactions termed by the
primitive Fathers of the Church " Apostle." and St. Luke also
gives him the honoured title. By birth he was a Jew of the tribe
of Levi. Aside from his labours as recorded in the " Acts of the
Apostles " his legend tells of his labours in Asia Minor, Greece and
Italy, and in the latter was made Bishop of Milan. At last when
preaching in Judea he was martyred by the Jews being stoned
ST. BARNABAS
287
to death at SaUmis. Tradition tells that St Barnabas always
preached froni the Gospel of St. Matthew and carried with him a
copy written by the Evangelist himself, and that when his remain*
were found this manuscript was still in his bosom.
This was taken to Constantinople and a church
was built " under the invocation of the saint."
St. Marie and other Christians
buried him there. In Christian art
St. Barnabas is represented carry-
ing the gospel in one hand and in
the other a pilgrim's staff, but the [
Clog Almanac gives him a rake.
There is no doubt that this is
from some legend or tradition as
' most of these emblems are, but
what it is I am not able to learn.
Before " the change of style " sT. BARNABAS,
the nth of June marked the sum-
mer sobtice. Hence the old English proverb :
" Bamal>y bright
The longest day and shortest night."
In " Ye oldc dayes " it was customary for the priests and clerks
Co decorate the church with garlands of roses.
This day was appointed as a festival by St. Charles Borromeo at
the sixth provincial council in 1582. The canonical colour for this
day is red.
JUNE lath
Is the festival of St. John of Sabagun ; a
St. Augustine.
Eremitic life had a peculiar fascinatic
nien of the Church ; the secret of which i
gregarious tendencies Co understand. Bi
hermit of the Order of
n (or many of the holy
1 is hard for us with our
t how strong this feeling
288 SAI NTS AND FESTIVALS
was is seen by the number who adopted a solitary life. And it
was so with St. John who early in his life as a Benedictine had
preferments in the Church and noted as a pulpit orator. But he
resigned each of his rich " livings " and became a hermit of Su
Austin in Salamanca in 1 463 and was made "' Prior " of the mon-
astery in 1471. The austerities of these monks were almost be-
yond belief in their devotions, prayer, penance, abstination from
food and self-sacrifice in all things being their rule for daily life.
When his last sickness overtook St. John he foretold his death
and calmly waited it when it came June nth, 1479. Forthemany
miracles credited 10 him he was '■ beatified " by Pope Clement
VUI. in 1601 and canonized by Pope Alexander VIII. in 169a
Pope Benedict XIII. directed an office 10 be msertcd in the Ro-
man Breviary fixing the date for June 12th.
JUNE 13th.
The festival of St. Anthony, or Antonio of Padua, celebrated
to-day is one of the few of the medieval saints which has been
retained in the English church Kalendar as it holds its place in
that of the Roman Church,
and few of all the long list
of the canonized saints
have attained to greater
celebrity. Especially i s
this true in Italy but most
so at Padua. His legend
tells us that early in his
miraculous power
to aid him. Once,
said, that at Rimini,
.per-
son of heretical belief St.
Anthony, by calling to the fishes caused them to lift their heads
from the water to testify to the truth of his assertions. But short
as his life was the list of his miracles is loo long a one to be re-
ST. ANTHONY 289
counted here. He was born in Lisbon in 1195. At the age of
fifteen he became one of the regular Canons of St. Austin, near
Lisbon. When twenty-three he became a Franciscan friar and
soon after the death of St. Francis in 1226,
he retired to hb convent in Padua where
he died in 1331, aged only thirty-six years.
Yet so great was his sanctity that Pope
Gregory IX., who had known him person-
ally, canonized him in 1 232. Padua claimed
him as its patron saint 1307, completed a
magnificent church in his honour where
have tieen gathered a wonderful variety of
sacred, saintly relics, not the least among
these being a gilt urn of somewhat fantastic
shape which it is said contains the magical
tongue of St. Anthony, which, once in each
year is, upon the day of his death, exhibited,
and then solemn and magnificently impos-
ing ceremonies are held in honour of " 1!
Santo," as everyone terms this eloquent
silver-tongued sainL
This s&int must not be confounded with
another of the same title whose festival
occurs on January 1 7th, a noted man whose
memory has been recalled in its place.
JUNE 14th.
I can but briefly mention St. Basil the Great especially hon-
oured this day in the Greek church as the founder of the Order
of Basilicans. He was born in a family of great sanctity as
shown by bis grandmother, father, mother, two brothers and a
sister, as well as himself having been honoured by canonization as
saints. He was ordained priest in 362, and In 370 called to the
bishopric of Caesarea. After a life full of usefulness and good
290 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
works he died on June 14, A. D, 380. His emblem is a dove.
from a legend that tells that when preaching of the Holy Ghosi 3
dove lighted on his shoulder and remained during his sermon.
JUNE ijth.
Of the several noted names Lhe Church honours on this day
none is perhaps more worthy than the Blessed Gregory Lewis
Barbadigo, a Venetian ofa noble family and one who for his lean-
ing alone would be remembered. But his true Christian virtues
even outshone these ; while his character for wise counsel is shown
by his being chosen by the Republic of Venice to accompany its
ambassador, Aloysius Conlarini, to that famous " Congress of
Ministers," when the celebrated treaty commonly called " of West-
phalia " was signed by lhe plenipotentiaries of Germany. France
and Sweden on October 24, 1648, which later was so far-reaching
in its influence throughout Europe. Gregory was consecrateA
Bishop of Bergame in 1657: created Cardinal by Alexander VIL
in 1660 and translated to the bishopric of Padua in 1664. la
every state of life he was a model of zeal, watchfulness and piety.
His charities were unbounded, the actual known amount being in
excess of eight hundred thousand crowns ; while a stately sem-
inary and college one of the chief glories of Padua to-day was his
personal gift, and those who have seen its rare library, many of
its books having been selected by him or under his direction, can
but wonder at the far-reaching wisdom and learning of this man,
justly termed " Blessed " by the church. He was beatified by
Pope Clement XIII. on February 13, 1761.
Among other bounteous gifts I must not omit mention of one,
a printing- office which was connected with the college above
St, Vitus, whose festival occurs this day, Roman hagiology tells
us was the son of a Sicilian noble : but under the care of bis
Christian nurse and foster father from early infancy taught in the
faith of Christ, When twelve years of age this was discovered.
ST. VITUS 291
The child and his foster parents were imprisoned. The legend
here tells how the father watching his son through a key hole saw
bim surrounded by angels and the dazzling sight blinded him.
By the prayers of the son his sight was restored and the prisoners
were released ; but later they were again subjected to persecution
and fled in a boat, which the legend says : " Was steered by an
angel." But they reached Italy only to meet a worse fate ; for
being again accused of Christianity and boldly confessing it the
boy martyr was cast into a caldron of boiling oil. A chapel erec-
ted in his honour at Ulm later became famous for the miraculous
cures effected upon persons (women more especially) afflicted with
nervous or hysteric affection, and from this came to be known " as
St. Vitus dance," when violent motion accompanied the disease.
Whatever may be the truth of these miraculous cures through St.
Vitus' intercession, it remains a fact attested beyond a question
that this child and his nurse and foster father suffered martyrdom
in evidence of their faith in Christ in 303. St. Vitus is one of the
'* Noth-helpers " or patron saints of Germany, as well as the
patron saint of actors and dancers and also the patron saint of
Saxony, Bohemia and Sicily.
I must name one other saint on this day, St. Bernard of Men-*
thon, if for nothing more than his forty-two years of loving, faith-
ful preaching and care for the Savoyards. Yet many will
remember to have passed over the two roads, which I have, and
rested in the two great hospitals he founded, the Great and Little
St. Bernards. The St. Bernard dogs bred, trained and nurtured
by the devoted monks of these hospices need no eulogy any more
than do these faithful fathers who have so long never failed to
prove their courage or their devotion to Christ and to their fellow
men. Indeed, the man or woman who has passed over these
roads and fails in paying due reverence to this holy, devoted man
and his faithful followers is lacking in true human sympathy ;
for if ever a man's good works live after him, those of St. Ber-
nard of Menthon do. St. Bernard died at Novara where his body
has rested since June 15, 1008.
292 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
JUNE i6th.
The Church of Rome this day recognises one of the most dis-
tinguished members of the Society of Jesus in St. John Francis
Regis. From his entry into the order he was an ardent, zealous
worker in missionary fields and in his efforts to crush out Calvin-
ism» then rapidly growing in strength. His biographers dwell
especially on his labours at Vivares which for many years was the
stronghold of Calvinism in France, and at Puy, hardly less noted.
But to us Regis has a special interest from being one of the Jesuit
Fathers who in 1634 came as missionaries to the Hurons and
Iroquois tribes, even though his stay among them was brief, as his
services and the wonderful eloquence of his preaching were
needed in France to resist the tide of Calvinistic doctrines. In
this r61e he was perhaps one of, if not the most successful work-
ers in his order. His strenuous life wore him out quickly and be
died in 1640 when but forty-three years old. St. John Francis
Regis was beatified by Clement XI. in 17 16 and canonized by
Clement XII. in 1737.
JUNE 17th.
The Church of England honours the " Protomartyr of Eng-
land/' St. Alban. In Roman Martyrology the date named for
this saint is the 22d of June and although the Kalendar of the
English church names the 17th, the best authorities fix the date
as the 22d. Alban was bom in Vercelam in Hertfordshire, which
then was one of the strongest and most populous cities of Britain.
It is now called St. Albans and lies between the river Werlaim
and the famous Roman road called " Watling street " and after
the Saxon conquest fell into decay. Alban was a pagan ; a man
of some renown and had travelled as far as Rome to improve
himself in learning and the polite arts.
King Offa built a church for his honour in 794 and later a Bene-
dictine monastery was established, the abbot of which had prece-
ST. ALBAN
293
dence over all other prelates as its tutelar saint had been England's
Protomartyr. A legend tells that one of the soldiers who led St.
Alban to execution was converted on the way and was executed
at the same time, literally " baptized in his own
blood."
The bloody persecutions of Dioclesian which
raged with such terrible fury in most parts of the
Roman empire had been held somewhat in check
in both Gaul and Britain by Constantius who
reigned with almost regal authority. At last these
persecutions reached Britain. Alban had returned
from his travels and was still a pagan when a
priest of Caerleon in Monmouthshire, named
Amphibalus, fleeing from persecution, sought
shelter with Alban. It was granted and during
the brief stay of Amphibalus Alban was converted.
Dressed in Alban's garments the priest escaped
but the fury of the pagans now turned on Alban and he was
called on to sacrifice to their gods ; but true to his new faith he
refused. After the usual
method Alban was first
brutally tortured and
then beheaded by an
axe, the attribute given
him in Clog Almanacs.
In art he appears with
sword in one hand and a
cross in the other and at
times with a fountain
springing from beneath
his feet.
ST. ALBAN.
JUNE i8th.
Under the first persecution of Nero the names of twin brothers,
Marcus and Marccllianus, sons of SS. Vitalis and Valeria, appear.
294 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Arrested by Fabian, confessing that from youth they had been
Christians, they were tied to posts, sharp nails driven through
their feet, but still continuing their praise of Christ were at last
relieved from torture by being pierced by lances.
JUNE 19th
Is the festival of St. Bruno afterward Archbishop Boniface.
Descended from a noble family In Saxony, he very early displayed
his inclination for a religious life and while yet a youth received
the clerical tonsure. Otto III. soon made him chaplain of his
person and court but the young devotee desired a more secluded
life and entered the cloisters. Later the missionary spirit took
hold upon him as it did on so many of the clerics of his day, and
he, under the protection of St. Henry 11., Emperor of Germany —
having first been consecrated a bishop at which time he received
the name of Boniface — he began his labours among the savage
tribes of Prussia but was repulsed from among them and pushed
on to the other side of Poland into Russia. From many he
received rich gifts but used them all for the benefit of the poor
wherever he was.
The Russians were idolaiors and thus had abated nothing of
their ancient ferocity, and he was ordered to leave the country.
But the king of a small province at last promised to listen to him
" if he could see him walk through fire without it harming him."
A thing which the legend tells us he accomplished, "and the
king seeing the bishop thus preserved in the midst of flames,
asked to be instructed in the faith, and, with many, was baptized."
Thus the apostle of Russia began his work but the infidels later
seized him and eighteen of his companions and beheaded them.
But the seed had been sown and later bore fruit, and gave the
good man his title of the apostle of Russia.
This saint is mentioned in Greek menologies on this day.
On this day also occurs the anniversary of St. Juliana Fal-
conieri ; more especially honoured at Florence where she was
ST. EDWARD 295
born in 1270, and where a little later her parents built at their own
expense one of the most beautiful among the many charming
churches adorning Florence to-day ; the Church of the Annuncia-
tion of Our Lady. In her sixteenth ye&r she renounced all the
attractions held out before her of a life such as naturally would
have come from her rank and great fortune, and consecrated
her virginity to God and received the religious veil of the Man-
tellatae. The Mantellatae are a third order of the Servites, the
religious men being the first order, and the nuns the second and
third of the Servites. The Mantellatae take their name from a
particular kind of short sleeves which they wear especially fitted
for their peculiar duties in the service of the sick and their other
charitable work for which the order was first instituted. Many
devout women came to Juliana's aid, and she was obliged to
accept the place of prioress of the Sisters of the Order of the
Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary ; and the Sovereign Pontiff
Clement XII, placed her name among the holy Virgins. Her
own self-sacrifice and labour knew no rest and in her old age her
early labours had so reacted upon her that she was called on to
suffer great physical torment ; but it was borne with that meek-
ness that characterized her life.
JUNE 2oth.
The Translation of St. Edward, king and martyr, is especially
observed by the Church of England on this day. Most readers
of English history will recall the tragedy at Corfe castle in 978
\vhen the young King Edward II., surnamed " The Martyr," was
by a plot of his mother-in-law, Elfrida, murdered, while he was
Visiting her at Corfe castle, Dorsetshire ; her object being to make
Vvay for her son, Ethclred, Edward's half-brother. As the king
^tood drinking the usual " grace cup " from one of those huge
Vrooden cups which required both hands to hold and so left him
cSefenseless, he was stabbed in the back. He was privately buried
Wareham in unhallowed ground, but his legend tells of many
296 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
miracles which were performed then and how : " wondrous lights
shown from above ; there the lame walked, there the dumb re-
covered speech, there every malady gave way to health."
^ In 980, two yearsafter King Edward's
jy interment at Wareham, yElpherc " eal-
^gi^^ dorman " of Mercia caused the body to
^^ be translated with great pomp and cere-
mony to Shattsbury where it was
reinterrcd. It is historic that on opening
the coffin at this lime, King Edward's
body was found to be as fresh and un-
tainted as when he had been so uncere-
moniously buried. According to the
legend St, Edward appeared to jElphere
in a dream and ordered this transfer of
his body to be made. In looi the body
was once more removed, this time to
Glastonbury where it has since rested. In Christian art a cup
and sceptre are the usual attributes of St. Edward, while his Clog
Almanac symbol is the huge wooden cup with a dagger above it.
This is also the anniversary of the birth of St. Silverius, pope
and martyr, who died in 538 after but two brief years in the ponti-
fical chair. For refusing to restore a heretical bishop deposed by
his predecessor, Empress Theodora exiled him to the isle of Pon-
tia where he passed to his reward.
JUNE 21st
Is the festival of St, Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, capital ol
Comagene in Syria, now called Sempsat, and was an ancient epis-
copal see under the metropolitan of Heiropolis. He was elevated
to his bishopric in 361 at the time when the Arian emperor. Con-
stantius, was all powerful, and disguised under a military
^usebiiis visited his churches to continue them in the orlbodoi
ST. PAULINUS ^97
faith. Valine, however, banished him to Thrace. When under
Theodosius peace was restored in the church, Eusebius was re-
called from exile. But when again he was visiting his churches,
an Arian woman cast down on his head a heavy tile from the roof
of her house as he passed along the street, fracturing his skull and
causing his death. A fact which fully illustrates the intense
hatred which then existed between the Arians and Orthodox fac-
tions of the Church. His death occurred in 379 and while the
Latins honour him on this 21st day of June the Greeks make his
festival on the 22d.
JUNE 22d.
This day is celebrated in Roman Martyrology as the birthday
in 353, at Bourdeaux, of Pontius Meropius Paulinus, a man de-
scended from a long line of illustrious senators but who by his
-virtues eclipsed the honours and triumphs of his ancestors and won
for him the admiration of such noted holy fathers as SS. Martin,
Sulpicius Severus, Ambrose, Austin, Jerome, Gregory of Tours
sind many more who vie with each other in celebrating his heroism
SLtid saintly virtues. Endowed with wealth and high rank in the
-world, he received from nature a penetrating genius, elevated un-
derstanding, and by his carefully considered education, that needed
training and culture which brought to the highest perfection his
naturally rare and great gifts of mind, talents that from his infancy
were cultivated by the best teachers of his day. Among these he
liad for his master in poesy and eloquence the famous Ansonius,
the first man of his age in those sciences, and as a rhetorician re-
nowned alike for his delicate wit and the elegant beauty of his
style. Under such a teacher Paulinus even more than fulfilled the
ardent hopes of his friends. " Everyone," says St. Jerom of this
gifted youth, " admired the purity and eloquence of his diction,
the dehcacy and loftiness of his thoughts, the strength and sweet-
ness of his style." His probity, integrity and moral worth were
equally marked and everywhere recognised, as shown by the fact
that in 379 he was named as consul. He married a Spanish lady
298 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
of great wealth who was a sincere, faiihful Christian and thus his
home was equally happy and prosperous as his public life. It
would seem as if both were full and that nothing was lacking for
his personal happiness. Great wealth and honoured by all : yet
the hollowness o( earthly things already after fifteen years of suc-
cess began to dawn upon hini. and with his wife, still in the prime
of her youth, they repaired to OTie of their Spanish estates where
the teachings of SS. Ambrose and Martin, whom he had met at
Vienne, gave him food for reflection. Encouraged by his devout
wife, he sold all his and her estates and bestowed them on (he
poor and the church, thenceforth leaving the world behind them
and going forth as poor as they had been rich. In due lime Pau-
hnus was admitted lo holy orders and began his work as a teacher
as well as a follower of Christ. In the pursuit of this purpose he
retired to Nola in Campania, just outside of whose walls was the
tomb of St. Felix with a church over it. It was here Faulinus
took up his abode for the following fifteen years. In 410 the
Goths in their plundering of Italy captured Nola, and in Roman
Martyrology we read ; " He became poor and humble for Christ,
and, what is most admirable, became a slave to liberate a widow's
son who had been carried into Africa by the Vandab when they
devastated Campania," He died in 431.
JUNE 33d
Is the festival of St. Etheldreda, or as sometimes called " Audry."
She was the daughter of Annas, or Ina. a Christian king of the
East Angles and was born in Ermynge in Suffolk. She was twice
married, the first time to Tonbercht, or Toubercht, prince of the
southern Giroig (a tribe inhabiting what is now Rutland. North-
ampton, Huntingdon and part of Lincoln) who gave her as a
dowry the " Isle of Ely," in the fen country. Toubercht lived but
three years after his marriage. After his death Etheldreda retired
to the Isle of Ely and for five years lived a saintly lite in solitude.
But the fame of her virtues had reached the ears of Egfrid, the
ST. ETHELDREDA 299
powerful king of Northumberland, who sought her in marriage.
Her consent to this union was " extorted " rather by force than
voluntarily and for twelve years she reigned with him ; being to
him as Butler puts it : " As a sister, not as his wife." Then by
the advice of St Wilfrid she left her husband, took the religious
veil withdrawing to the monastery of Coldingham beyond the
Berwick (already mentioned), where she lived under the devout
Abbess St. Ebba. Egfrid had consented to this at first, but re-
penting his leniency, later pursued her ; but a sudden rise in the
tide made the monastery inaccessible and he abandoned his quest
later marrying another wife.
Freed now from Egfrid St. Etheldreda returned to her old retire-
ment in Ely. Here in 670 she founded a double monastery for
monks and nuns, becoming abbess of the latter branch. In 870
this monastery like others in England was ravaged by the Danes
and pillaged. A century later King Edgar granted a charter
under which the monastery was rebuilt and in 1107 Henry I.
erected it into a bishopric. When Henry VIII. decreed the dis-
solution of the English monasteries the conventual church was
converted into what has now developed into the Cathedral of Ely
and which, despite its external defects from its varied styles of
architecture, has but few rivals in interior beauty. Thus the festi-
val of St. Etheldreda brings back the long and interesting story of
one of England's most noted cathedrals where to-day we may see
her sarcophagus, a relic of old Roman work, but which her legend
assures us was " wrought by angel hands."
JUNE 24th
Is known in England as Mid-Summer Day. In the Christian
Kalendar the day is held sacred as the " Nativity of St. John the
Baptist." The canonical colour for the day is white.
When we remember the prominent role St. John played in both
the advent and life of our Saviour it is not wonderful that this
anniversary has taken such a prominent place in the festivals of
'■ iheir birth-
'as sanctified
: Si. Luke I.
ise is, [here-
300 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the whole Christian Church. Indeed next to the Blessed Virgin,
SS. Peter, Andrew and Michael, St. John the Baptist is beyond
question the most popular among the saints in the Kalendar. In
England alone nearly four hundred churches are dedicated 10 bim.
It is the usual custom for the Church to cele-
brate the festival of its saints on the day of
their death or to quote St. Austin
day to eternal life " but Si. John ■»
even from his mother's womb (sei
15, 41) and the exception in his c;
fore, most appropriate. Beyond the story of
his life as told in the gospieU there is compara-
tiv'ely little known of him. But there is no
lack of evidence that many marvellous »gTU
and wondei^ not only marked his birth but also
preceded it. That his parents, Zachary the holy
priest of the family of Abia and Elizabeths
coUMn of the BIcs "
Virjrin Mary, his mother
were ti n d e r especial
divine protection and favour cannot for
moment be doubted. His birthplace " pre
bably was Hebron," a sacerdotal town i
the western part of the hilly country, some
twenty miles from Jerusalem occupied by
the tribe of Juda. And we are told that 01
day while Zachary was — in his turn ■
ministering at the golden altar in tl
sanctum offering incense the anget Gabriel
appeared by the side of the altar aiid fore-
told the birth of this son who was to make
his name sacred throughout all coming ti
adding: "Thou shalt call his na
John " together with other wonderful pre-
dictions all of which were literally fulfilled. We all know the
remarkable story of the visit of the Holy Mother of Jesus to
Elizabeth whi)^ the entire story of the life of St. John is a per-
ST, JOHN.
MID-SUMMER FESTIVALS 301
petual sermon to teach us humility, in his three prominent r61es
as Prophet, Preacher and Baptist. In Christian art St. John the
Baptist is usually represented wearing a long, loose mantle and
carrying a tall staff or wand surmounted by a cross ; accompanied
by a lamb ; but commonly he has a book in his hand. Frequently
his mantle is formed of skins or he has " a girdle of skin about
bis loins," (St Mark, I, 6) and a small pennon twined around a
cross with the legend : " £cce Agnus Dei " upon it. At times but
rarely the cro& is omitted. The Clog Almanac symbol is in allu-
sion to St. John^s death which his legend tells us took place two
years before that of Jesus Christ at the royal fortified palace of
Macheronta near the Dead Sea on the river Jordan and that he
was buried at Sebaster.
MID-SUMMER DAY FESTIVALS.
From the fact that under the " old style " mid-summer occurred
on the Nativity of John the Baptist there was in the early days in
England a curious mixture of pagan and Christian ceremonies,
since for ages the pagan's had celebrated Mid-Summer Day as a
festival. Thus, in an inner court of Magdalen College Oxford,
there is a stone pulpit and upon St. John's Day this pulpit was
formerly transformed into a bower of green from boughs and
branches out of the woods after the pagan fashion. While from
the pulpit a sermon on the life of St. John the Baptist was
preached. When asked why they thus followed the old Druid
style the students said : " This is St. John in the Wilderness."
In many places in England down to the time of Cromwell Mid-
Summer night parades were common; each man adorned with
garlands of flowers, ribbons, and if possible jewels. Tradition
tells of a private view Henry VIII. had of one of these proces-
sions in 1 510 which so pleased him that on St. Peter's Eve (June
^8th) when a similar parade used to occur, he came accompanied
by Queen Catherine and a long suite of courtiers to witness it.
Some very strange superstitions too, were held regarding St.
John's Eve. The Irish in old days believed that on this night the
^oul of every person left the body and wandered on through space
till it came to the spot where the soul and body would have its
302 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
final earthly parting and that after thus reaching this place it
returned to the mortal to whom it belonged. An English super-
stition was thai anyone who would sit fasting all night on the
church porch on St. John's Eve would see pass before him all the
persons of his parish who were to die during the coming year.
JUNE asth.
St. Prosper of Aquitain so surnamed to distinguish him from
the Bishop of Orleans, is this day honoured by the Church. Ht
apparently was a layman only but was a poet and author of greai
merit. Pope Leo the Great recognized this, when in 440 tt
called him to Rome and appointed him his secretary, while even
later St. Prospcr's writings against the Pelagian heresy wis
deemed of such value and importance that as late as 1 7 1 1 a com-
plete edition of them was republished, and a revised edition again
in 1732 while in 1757 some of his writings were added to those of
St. Austin, and published in Paris thus showing the value placed
upon Ibem by the Church ol Rome.
The Church also on this day recognises St. Maximus Bishop o^
Turin, another of the lights of the V. century whose name ha^s
come down through the long centuries as one of the great aD£^
strong writers of his generation, and whose Homilies are e
to-day read and regarded with veneration.
JUNE 26th.
In Roman Martyrology we read that on this day the Chur
honours " at Rome on Mount Ccelian the holy martyrs John a
Paul who were brothers. The former was steward and the lati
secretary of the Virgin Constantia, daughter of the Emperor
stand ne."
I feel certain that some at least of my readers will recall t!
SS. JOHN AND PAUL
303
IS of the
xlian Hill and the view from it looking across to the r
ilatine and the quaintly beautiful old Church of SS. Giovanni e
lolo, which has stood on its brow since A. D. 499 and was
ccted on the site of the dwelling of these two brothers, of whom
Irs, Jatneson, in her '■ Sacred and Legendary Art," says : " They
ere officers in the service of Constantia, whom the old legends
:rsist in representing a
Christ!
hough 1 — Mrs. J, — believe
ic was far otherwise) • •
* The site of the hill being
ie of the most beautiful in
icient Rome." From their
hit and social position as
ell as from their offices these
■others naturally carried
re at influence and trust.
^heii Julian the Apostate
) the t h r
: he I
mpted to persuade them to sacrifice to Roman idols but they
fused, saying : " Our lives are at the disposal of the emperor
It our souls and our faith belong to our God." Then Julian,
iring to bring them to public martyrdom lest their popularity
ould cause a rebellion and the example of fortitude be an en-
uragement to others, sent off soldiers to behead them privately
their own house. Hence the inscription on Ihe spot " Locus
artyrii SS. Joannis et Paoli in adibus proprus." This church
as built by Pammachus the friend of St. Jerom on the site of
e house of the saints.
In this church lies the body of " St. Paul of the Cross." who
ed in 1776. and who was the founder of the Order of Passionists
whom I shall speak later.
In devotional art SS. John and Paul arc always represented in
e ancient Roman military custom with sword and palm. In the
og Almanacs they also bear the sword and palm crossed as in
e illustration.
There is also a famous church in Venice erected to these martyrs
304 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
by the Dominicians who emigrated from the convent in Rom
which stands near the church on Ccelian HilL
JUNE 27th
Is the festival of St. Crescius who was a disciple of the Apostle St
Paul. He was born in Galatia and became a missionary in Gaul
where he was most successful in converting many to the Christian
faith. When the strength and vigour of his manhood began to fail
him and he was unable longer to endure the hardships of his mis-
sionary work m Gaul he once more returned to Galatia, where he
became Bishop and laboured faithfully to the end of his life con-
firming his people in the faith, until Trajan condemned him to
suffer martyrdom. Only one more of that devoted band of early
Christians whose name is hardly known in these later days but it
is to just this class of noble martyrs that the Christian Church
owes its preservation nay even existence to-day.
Another royal personage St. Ladislas I. King of Hungary, is also
honoured this day, though we can give him but a brief mention.
He was a younger son of Bela I. who died in 1063 and, much
against his wishes after his elder brother's death, Ladislas was
compelled in 1077 to assume the sovereignty of his country.
While of a quiet retiring nature, when once he had put his hand to
the plough he looked not backward but devoted himself to his
country and yet more to his Divine Master. To his prowess in
war. his wisdom in diplomacy and his watchfulness at all times,
Hungary under his rule was freed from the Huns whom he drove
out of his domains as well as from the Poles, Russians and Tar-
tars, whom he vanquished. In 1095 Ladislas was about starting
at the head of his army on an expedition to the Holy Land against
the Saracens, when death suddenly came to hinri on July 30th.
Roman Martyrology, however, has changed the date of his festival
to June 27th. His life was full of good deeds and endless num-
ber of miracles were placed to his credit, both before and after his
death. He was canonized by Celcstine III. in 1198.
ST. IREN^US 305
JUNE 28th.
•
St. Irenxus the noted roan whose naroe is honoured this day by
the Church, was by his own statement bom " near the times of
Domitian/' or about the beginning of the reign of Adrian A. D.
120, still his fame seems to rest largely upon his power as a writer
against the heresies that even at that early day had begun to creep
into the church. Of these writings St. Gregory of Tours and St.
Jerora speak in most enthusiastic terms : for his zeal and earnest
work in the vineyard of the Lord was very great and we find him
in 177 selected as the second bishop of Lyons at a time when as
already alluded to the Christians at Lyons were being sorely tor-
mented and persecuted. It is thus we find St. Irenxus named as
one among the •* martyrs of Lyons."
Dates disagree somewhat as to the exact year when he testified
to his faith by yielding his life but most writers make the date in
202, but some fixing it in 208.
THE REASON THE POPE CHANGES HIS NAME.
A pertinent and proper inquiry as to why the popes change their
natnes when elevated to the pontificate is often asked. Prior to
S84 this was not done, but in that year Peter di Porea was elected
pope and took the name of Tergius IL from a feeling of humility:
since he did not deem himself worthy to bear the title of Peter IL
and from the same sentiment no pope who has ever yet occupied
the pontifical chair has ever assumed the name of Peter. Just
ivhy each successor of Peter di Porea has followed the example
-which he set is not very clear, yet the fact remains that each of
the holy fathers upon assuming their high office have adopted a
name by which they chose to be known.
SYMBOLS OF THE APOSTLES.
From the earliest period to which archaeologists have been able
to trace Christian art the " Four Holy Evangelists " who recorded
the words and acts of our Lord have naturally taken precedence
of others. Next to them came those Apostles whom Christ
3o6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
chose to preach His gospel " through all nations." The first tcp'
resentation of those twelve apostles like those given the evangel-
ists were purely embicmatical. They were figured as twelve
sheep, with Christ as the Good Shepherd standing in their mid»i
bearing a lamb in his arms. Soon we find Christ represctiled u
Himself the " Lamb of God," standing on a slight BtnlnenH.
crowned with a cruciform nimbus, with the apostles as sheep
inding on either side of Him, In some of
the oldest of the Roman churches this form is
a degree varied and Christ is seen as "the
II Lamb " standing on a hill from which the four
ers of Paradise are flowing (sec illustration
article of April 19th), with six sheep coming
THE cruciform""' f"™ Jerusalem on the one side, and m
NIMBUS. more sheep issuing from the city of Bethkhem,
on the other side of the hill. The next step shows the twelve
apostles as men, each however, accompanied by a sheep ; and
still later the apostles stand with scrolls in their hands, and
the sheep left out from the picture. The several especial en>-
blems by which we in these later days have come to recognise each
apostle were assigned them at a far later period, not a few having
been given long after their death. Of these, I will speak as I
record the life of each one and therefore omit them here ; except-
for convenience of the reader I will make a list of them 1
Si. Peter — Keys, or a fish ; St. Paul — One. or at times. lw<=J
swords ; St. Andrew — A transverse cross ; St. James (Major) — — '
A pilgrim s staff ; St. John — A chalice with a serpent ; when ^ '^^
eagle is given it is in his character of an evangelist ; St, Thom^»-*
— A builder's rule or square ; but sometimes a spear ; St. Janice
(Minor) — A club ; St. Philip — A staff or crosier surmounted t^)'
a cross ; or a small cross in his hand ; St. Bartholomew — A larg^e
knife ; St. Matthew — A purse ; St. Simon — A saw : St, Tha -«d-
diua, Of Jude — A halberd or Lance ; St. Matthias — A lance.
together ; or where □
are standing o'
308 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
JUNE 39th
Is the day which has been fixed upon by the Church as the " Inrtli-
day " of " The Prince of the Apostles," as St. Peter is sometimes
In both Biblical and profane history the names of SS, Peter and
Paul are naturally, constantly and intimately connected. The
early Christian Church was at all times considered under its two
great divisions ; that of the converted Jews, and that of the con-
verted Gentiles, the former represented by St. Peter and the latter
by St. Paul, and this combined for the universal Church of Christ,
not as Apostles only, but also as founders of the church. For
this reason, in correct Christian art we find them constantly seen
r Lord is introduced into the picture, they
icr side of Htm. The same is true where the
Blessed Virgin appears or where they are at
the altar, one being seen at each end of it.
In the Greek types the portrait of " the
Pilot of the Galilean lake " is taken from the
description (so often quoted) given by Nke-
phorus. He is : " A robust old man with a
broad forehead and rather coarse features,
with an open, undaunted countenance,
short gray hair and a short thick beard,
silvery white and curled." But, strangely,
according to this description Nicephonis
adds an unexpected feature that "he had
red, weak eyes," a peculiarity which has not
' been preserved in his portraits. Mrs,
Jameson says: "In some of the early
pictures he is bald on the top of his bead
and the hair grows thick around in a circle, somewhat like a
priestly tonsure, and in some examples this tonsure has the form
of a triple row of curls, close to the head, like a tiara. " The same
authority says that in Anglo-Saxon art : " St. Peter is always
beardless and wears the tonsure."
One of the legends of St. Peter says the Gentiles shaved his
ST. PETER.
ST. PETER'S KEYS
309
head to make him an object of derision, and that from this the
tonsure originated. In Greek art St. Peter's dress is a blue tunic
with white drapery thrown over it, but blue and green are now
regarded by the best artistic authorities for the saint's robes.
Of the two keys now universally recognized as St. Peter's pecu-
liar attribute there seems to be no mention until after the begin-
ning of the VIII. century.
In all the ancient mosaics
and upon the early catacomb
sarcophagi St. Peter (as in
the illustration) bears in his
hand a scroll or book, and
later examples show him still
imth the gospel in one hand
and the cross in the other.
The keys seem to have
l>een given St. Peter only
after the commencement of
the VIII. century. While in
rare cases he bears a single
^cy, in general he has two,
one of gold and one of iron,
opening the gates of Heaven
and Hell. Or these keys are
of gold and silver, which is
interpreted to signify his power "to absolve or to bind," A
mosaic on the tomb of Otho II. (Lateran Mus.) shows St. Peter
with a third key, expressing dominion over Heaven, Earth and
Hell. But such examples are very rare.
At times St. Peter wears a papal tiara and carries his key, as
Milton drew him :
" Last came and last did go
The pilot of the Galilean lake .
Two massy keyes he bore of metal twain,
(The golden opes, the iron shuts amain)
He shook his mitred locks, and stern
bespake."
It would be a work of supererogation, (if not conceited on my
3IO SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
part), after Ihe many and graphic sketches of this wonderful mail's
life and character which have been written by theologians of every
possible shade of Christian (aith. for me to re-tel) his remarkable
story, while a volume would be needed to recount the many
legends of his varied career.
Of his dtath wc are all familiar with the story of how Nero
after the burning of Rome accused the Christians of the crime,
and how St. Peter, under the counsel of friends started to flee
from the city but was met by a vision of ottr Saviour who warned
him to return, as he did only to be seiacd by Nero's soldiers and.
with his fellow apostle, St. Paul cast into the Mamertinc prison
from which he emerged only to meet his death. The records of
this event vary somewhat. According to one St. Peter suflcred
martyrdom in the Circus of Caligula at the foot of the Vatican
and was crucified between two melae (i. e., the goals or terminal)
in the circus, round which the chariots turned in the races.
Another tradition says he was put to death in the courtyard of a
barrack or military station, on the summit of Mons Janicula where
the Church of San Pietro in Montoreo now stands on an eminence
above the site of the Circus of Caligula, Of this event Dr.
Butler writes : " St. Peter, when he was come to the place of exe-
cution, requested of the officers that he might be crucified with
his head downwards, alleging that he was not worthy to sufTer in
the same manner his Divine Master had died before him, • • •
Accordingly the executioners easily granted the apostle his extra-
ordinary request. St. Chrysostom. St. Austin and St. Austeriui
say that he was nailed to the cross : Tertullian mentions that he
was tied with cords. He was probably both nailed and botmd
with ropes."
JUNE 30th
Is the festival of St. Paul the apostle and martyr, the fellow pris-
oner of St. Peter as he had been his companion and fellow worker
in earlier days.
There must have been as striking a contrast between St. Paul
and St. Peter in person as there evidently was in character. That
Images, or what we to-day would call " statuettes " of noted per-
ST. PAUL 311
sons even those of Christ, were common with the Romans is seen
by St. Augustine's allusions to the " Lalarium of Marcellina/*
when he names among her household effects images of " Homer,
Pythagoras, Jesus Christ and Paul the Apostle," from which pic-
tures later were made. Lucian refers to St. Paul as " the bald-
headed Galilean with a hook nose." According to several ancient
traditions St. Paul was a man of " small and meagre stature," with
an aquiline nose, a high forehead and unusually bright, sparkling
eyes. In the early Greek pictures of him his face is long and oval,
the nose aquiline, the forehead high and quite bald. His beard
is always long, flowing and pointed and of a dark brown colour,
Mrs. Jameson saying : " I recollect no instance of St. Paul with a
gray beard." In dress the pictures of St. Paul give him the same
blue tunic and white mantle accorded to St. Peter. As attributes,
St. Paul in all the earliest pictures bears a scroll or book, or
twelve rolls intended to designate his epistles. Later on he was
awarded the sword, as in illustration, as a double attribute, first to
evidence the manner of his death, and next as emblematical of
the faithful battle fought with " the sword of the Spirit which is
the word of God." (Ephesians vi., 17) for, as we all know, his life
from the time of his conversion was one long spiritual struggle.
The position of the sword in every case is the point to be noticed.
If, as shown in illustration, the saint leans or rests upon it, it is his
attribute as a martyr. If held aloft or brandished it is then his
attribute as the apostle of Christ. Sometimes two swords are
^ven St. Paul to indicate the dual attributes, but this is not fre-
c^uent. The traditions regarding the martyrdom of SS. Peter and
X'aul, (although in Roman Martyrology the death of St. Peter is
marked on the 29th and that of St, Paul on the 30th of June) as
generally accepted is that the two apostles attained their glorious
tmmortality on the same day, but in different places. As a Ro-
Ynan citizen, St. Paul escaped the ignominy attached to public
^^ecution in the circus, as well as the prolonged torture of death
Vipon the cross. That he was beheaded at a point two miles from
^ome beyond the Ostian way known as " Tre Fontane," is gener-
^ly accepted, his legend running that as his head fell beneath the
sword it struck the earth three times before resting and at each of
312
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
these spots a fountain sprang forth that continues flowing even
DOW. Legends of St. Paul are far less numerous than those of SL
Peter, one, the last, being that a Christian Ro-
man matron named Ptautilla stationed herself
□n the Ostian way to look upon him for the last
time and ask his blessing. As the apostle
turned from her he begged that she would loan
him her veil to bind his eyes at the fatal
moment, promising to restore it after his death.
It was given him amid the mocking jests of the
laughing soldiers. But, the legend continues,
after St. Paul's death, true to his promise, he
did appear to Plautilla and returned her the
blood-stained veil,
A great monastery was later erected on this
dirk and marshy spot where a church " Su
* Paolo alle Tre Fontane," was built in 1590 for
Cardinal Aldobrandini, which contains, it is
said, the marble pillar St. Paul was bound to when beheaded.
The following description of this historic martyr is from Cony-
beare and Housons' long and graphic account of the event:
" Through the dust and tumult of that busy throng, the small
troop of soldiers threaded their way silently under the bright sky
of an Italian midsummer. They were marching, though they
knew it not, in a procession more really triumphal than any they
bad ever followed in the train of general or emperor along the
Sacred Way. Their prisoner, now at last and forever delivered
from captivity, rejoiced to follow his Lord ' without the gate.*
The place of eicecution was not far distant, and there the sword of
the headsman ended his long course of sufferings .and released
that heroic soul from that feeble body. Weeping friends took up
his corpse, and carried it for burial to those subterranean laby-
rinths where, through many ages of oppression, the persecuted
church found refuge tor the living and sepulchres for the dead,"
For the same reasons I failed to comment on the life of St.
Peter, I must omit any remarks on that of St. Paul ; but no Bible
reader need search long for such details.
JULY
This month was originally the fifth month in the Roman year
and hence denominated Quintilis. In ancient Alban Kalendars it
had thirty-six days, Romulus gave it thirty-one and Numa
reduced it to thirty; but Julius
Ciesar restored the lost day and
it has so remained. After
Caesar's death, Mark Anthony
changed the name to July in
honour of the great Julius.
Among the Romans the influ-
ence of the " Dog-Star " was
believed to be all powerful.
Our illustration is from an an-
tique Roman gem and pictures
•* The Dog-Star " as the Ro-
mans were used to call it.
The Saxons termed July the ;
" Hey Monath " and also the
" Maed Monath," this being
the time of their hay-harvest and when the maed was in bloom.
Is the Octave of St. John the Baptist, and has a typical office in
the liturgy of certain churches of the Roman faith.
Among a long list of saints the Roman Church honours this day
is St, Theobald, or Thibault, as he is sometimes designated. Hfa
314 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
legend is only another which illustrates the peculiar fasdnation
that seemed to hang round devoutly inclined men and women
down to the Middle Ages, and was confined to no rank or station
in life.
Theobald belonged to a family of the "Counts Palatins" of
Champagne ; born at Provins in Brie in 1017, and was a nephew
of " Theobald Archbishop of Viennc " for whom he was named.
In his youth the lives of St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, the Hermit
St. Antony and St. Arsenius in their retreats in the wilderness
were always his favourite books over which he spent days and
nights '' in ecstasies of delight " and they so charmed him that " he
sighed for the like sweet retirement." Frequent converse with a
hermit named Burchard who had a cell on a small island in the
Seine, only added to his fervent desire to become also a hermit.
The many days he spent with this holy man confirmed him in his
desires and strengthened his resolve to follow a life of solitude in
prayer and holy study. No attraction of Court life nor the bril-
liant marriage his family had arranged for him could wean him
from his set purpose. In 1034 Rodolph (the last King of Bur-
gundy), an uncle of Theobald died, and a cousin Eudo claimed
the crown and the sovereignty over Provence, Savoy, Viennois and
Burgundy, (though the Duke by a sort of vasselage yet held Bur-
gundy) but the Emperor Conrad " the Salic " seized upon it by
virtue of the will and testament of the late King and a war ensued
in which Theobald's father wished him to take the head of an
army he had raised to aid his cousin Eudo. Then it was Theo-
bald informed his father of his intended eremitical life and declined
in any way to take part in the struggle. Theobald then was
barely eighteen years old ; but with a young nobleman named
Walter the two, having given their courtly garments in exchange
for the robes of beggar pilgrims set out for their quest of a
hermitage. It all reads like one of those old tales ; how they
wandered barefooted throuj^h Germany and on to Rome and at
last found a spot named Salanigo near to Vincenza. Italy where
they built their cells and " Walter " died. For years Theobald
then led his lonely life known far and wide as ** the Hermit
of Salanigo" whose sanctity had attracted the notice of the
VISITATION OF VIRGIN 315
Bishop of Vincenza through whom at last the parents learned for
the first time of the whereabouts of their son.
The denouement is somewhat dramatic when the father and
mother found their son in rags, and came away with the enthusi-
asm of his pleadings, the mother resolved to become a hermit and
the son built for her a cell near his own. Theobald died in 1066
and was canonized by Clement III.
JULY 2d.
On this day is commemorated in both the Roman and Protes-
tant churches the " Visitation of the Virgin Mary," to her cousin
Elizabeth as recorded in St. Luke's (I., 39, 40) gospel, when the
Virgin went into the mountains of Judea to see the mother of St.
John the Baptist. This festival had been observed for some time
by the devout members of the church, but with no degree of
regularity, when in 1383 Urban VL instituted it as a prescribed
festival. The council of Basle in 1441 enjoined it to be observed
in all the churches and fixed the date. It is also called ** The
Salutation of Elizabeth." This scene has so often been repro-
duced by artists, that few tourists will not recall some one of the
many pictures in the galleries of Europe.
JULY 3d
Is the festival of an humble but devoted servant of our Lord, St.
Phocas of Sinope, only a gardener, whose field served to furnish
food for his Christian brethren, and his cottage a shelter from the
storm. Yet this was enough to bring upon him the wrath of
those persecutors who in those fateful years of 303 and 4 pursued
every Christian with relentless hate. His legend tells of his
unremitted charities and self-sacrifice, until one stormy night
when two strangers sought shelter and received it. They told
him they were in search of one Phocas ; to slay him for his faith.
3i6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
From his humble stores he fed them and later, with his ble&sings.
sent them to rest. Then he went to his garden and beneath his
vines dug his own grave. In the morning, when questioned, he
led his guests to the opien grave
and told them who he was.
The strangers, loih as they were
to slay so saintly a man. dared
not to disobey the orders they
had received and therefore be-
headed him by the grave he bad
prepared in which he was
buried. Me is only to be found
represented in Byzantia:
: he i
show
1 hb
fO
gardener's dress hold i n g his
spade which in Clog Almanacs
is given him as an attribute.
On November nth the fes-
tival of the Great St. Martin of
Tours occurs at which time we
must speak of him at some
length ; but on this day
both the Roman and An-
glican church celebrate the
translation of his remains in
A. D. 481 from the humble
resting place in which they
were deposited after his
death in 397 to that mag-
nificent cathedral at Tours
which many of us have seen
and admired.
ST. MARTIN OF TOURS.
CHRISTIANITY IN BRITAIN 317
JULY 5th.
I will mention to-day only St. Peter of Luxemburg though he is
one who well deserves more extended notice. One "whose
miracles " Dr. Butler says, '* would fill volumes ; " one of which
made him the patron saint of Avignon.
The same is true of St. Modwina, a noble Irish virgin who
migrated to Scotland and there founded two monasteries, one at
Sterling and the other at Edinburgh. Later she came to England
and about A. D. 840 founded a monastery in the forest of Arden
where she secured and educated the daughter of the pious King
Ethelwolf, which bore her name, *' St. Editha " and who became
its second abbess.
THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN BRITAIN.
While I in no way pretend to trace the story of the church, it
naturally is interwoven with our subject matter, and before speak-
ing of St. Palladius, whose name is a prominent one in the Kalen-
dar of both the Roman and Reformed churches it is necessary to
speak of the progress Christianity had made in Britain before the
advent of this holy man. During the occupation of the island by
the Romans the Christian religion had unquestionably made some
progress in such provinces as were under the domination of
Roman arms ; but beyond or outside of this influence the natives
were pagans. When Severus, the Roman general, made his ad-
vance northward and came among the southern Picts there are
found some slight traces of Christianity having been taught the
conquered tribes. But it was nearly two centuries later that any
material progress seems to show itself in this direction ; or to be
more exact, a few years only before the Romans in 410 finally
evacuated Britain. Ptolemy places a tribe of the Novantae of the
Southern Picts along the north shore of Solway Frith at a point
he terms, " Leukopibia.** on the west side of Wigton Bay. Before
that time a Christian missionary named Ninian had appeared
among them and built a church. Several important facts are con-
nected with this church. First, Ninian tells us he sent to Martin,
3iS SAINTS AND FESTIVALSlj
Bishop of Tours, for workmen to build his church ■' after "
Roman mannEr." That is, of sione and cement. Thus this i$
the first stone structure we have any authentic record of built
north of the Solway Frith. Next from the fact that Ninian heard
of Martin's death while he was building his church we get an
almost exact date, not usual in those days ; for we know Martin
died in 397. On September i6ih, on St, Ninian's festival, I shall
have more to say of this church and man.
Whatever advance may have been made after Ninian's death
the Novantfe and any other of the Picts who had listened to
Ninian quickly apostatized and lapsed into paganism, for we hear
no more of Chrisliaoity till we come to the record of Falladitis.
JULY 6ih.
There is a long, dark interval of more than a century between
the death of Ninian and the advent of Columba (lately mentioned)
among the Southern Picts. In the meantime the only bre^
referring to Christianity is the advent of St. Palladius, who we an
told was sent by Pope Celestine in 430 as a missionary " to lit
Scots." Now unfortunately as history shows, there were "o"
Scots in Scotland," as both Burton and Skene tell us so conclu-
sively ; perplexing as the assertion sounds, for the land now
called Scotland was then called either Alban or Pictavia accord-
ing to the writer who was speaking of it, and the only Saw
then known were the Dalriadan Scots of the north of Ireland wlw
later colonized Argyle under Fergus mor mac Ere. Indeed ibe
Story of Palladius taken from either ecclesiastical or profane his-
tory is at best a very tangled skein which I cannot undertake to
straitthtcn out in these pages.
After careful study of a translation of a portion of the " Book of
Armagh" (compiled in or about 801), which contains the oldest
authentic life of St. Patrick, one cannot fall to be struck by the
fact that there is here no mention of Si. Palladius. Again read-
ing the fictitious account of Fordun in which the Scots colonized
Scotland several centuries before Christ and had been convened
ST. PALLADIUS 319
to Christianity by Pope Victor I. in the year 203. we wonder what
sort of a church they had until in 430 Palladius became their first
bishop. After thus sifting the various phases of the story of Pal-
ladius it seems the most natural to accept the one that he first
had gone to Ireland ; that while there, according to Fiech of
Sleibath, he founded three churches. " Nevertheless, (says Skene)
he was not well received by the people, but was compelled to go
round the coast to the north/' and thus on his homeward way to
Rome came into Pictavia, where at a place called Forddun in the
plain of Girgin he died. Whether a martyr or not seems quite
too uncertain to be asserted. This place, Forddun, is beyond
doubt in Mearnes, and it seems a natural sequence that, driven
northward from Ireland through the Pentland Frith along the east
coast, Palladius reached Kincardineshire, to die at Forddun, fif-
teen miles from Aberdeen.
Of the character of this saint who is termed in Roman Martyr-
ology " the apostle of the Scots," it is hard to pass judgment upon
it with the scant material available ; but none can deny that only
heroes in those early days gave themselves to a missionary life
such as his was. In some of the old Scotch and English Kalen-
dars the festival of St. Palladius is named for December 1 5th, but
later English and Roman Kalendars agree upon July 6th as the
proper date.
JULY 7th
Marks the anniversary of St. Pantaenus one of the noted " Fathers
of the Church " in its early struggles. He was by birth a Sicilian
and by profession a Stoic philosopher, so remarkable for his elo-
quence that he gained the name of the " Sicilian Bee." Attracted
by the virtuous lives and the character of their conversation, he
entered the celebrated school which the disciples of St. Mark had
established at Alexandria in Egypt in order to study the Holy
Scriptures. Once convinced of their truth he delved still deeper
in the study of sacred learning. His natural ability and habits as
a critical student early won for him the rank and reputation he
320 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
deserved. By choice he would have remained in obscurity devot-
ing himseH entirely to his sacred studies ; but the need of such
men as he was urgent, anci before A. D, 179 he was called 10 ibe
head of one of the schools where his rare ability as a teacher and
bis deplh of learning quickly raised the reputation of his seminaty
to the first place among " the schools of the philosophers." Hii
reputation had long before extended beyond the confines of Ata;-
andria and Christian envoys from India begged him 10 visit the
East 10 confute the subtle arguments of the Brachmans (Brah-
rains), and Demetrius, who had been made Bishop of Alexandrii
in 189 appointed him '■ preacher to the Eastern nations," and be ,
spent several years in preaching and teaching in India. Then he
returned to Alexandria where the remainder of his arduous life
was passed as a leader and teacher in those famous schooU, end-
ing his noble career, still " in the harness," about 2iG, leaving 1 |
well earned reputation for his erudition and faithful labours in [he
cause of Chris L
To-day is also sacred to the memory of St Willibald. a son of
St. Richard one of those early Christian kings of West Saionj,
Willibald as early as 721 with one of his brothers made a pilgrim-
age to the Holy Land and later becoming a missionary to Aich-
stadt in Franconia. where he was ordained as Bishop and lot
nearly forty-five years served his Great Master. He died iheTih
of June 790, but his festival has been held on July 7th. He ■»
canonized in 938 by Pope Leo VH.
This day also is the festival of St. Benedict XI. Pope and Con-
fessor. He was bom in 1240 and when fourteen years of
took on the habit of St. Domiuick. in 1 298 he became a cardinal
and on the death of Boniface VIII. on October n. 1303.
chosen to fill the pontifical throne but he only occupied it
eight months and seventeen days dying July 7, 1304.
SANT ISABEL DE PEZ 321
JULY 8th
set apart by the Roman Church as the festival of Queen Elizabeth
Portugal. She was the daughter of the King of Arragon and wife
the profligate King Dionysius of Portugal to whom she was
irried when but twelve years of age thus for forty years com-
lled to do penance for the misdeed of those who had thus con-
mned her to this life of suffering. Yet through it all, bearing
r trials with such saintly submission as to win for her the love
d reverence of all who knew her. Indeed she won for herself
her patience the title of " Sant Isabel de Pez." It may interest
me of my readers to know that she was the original of Schiller's
rridolin," a German, though the scene is laid in Germany and
5 name given her : " Die Graft n von Savern." Her story is one
ig sad romance. She died July 4, 1336. For her virtues and
arities she was canonized by Urban VIII. in 1625 who at that
le appointed this day as sacred to her memory.
To-day also is remembered for St. Grimald of St. Omer who
s the especial honour of being the ftrst professor of divinity ever
pointed to the University of Oxford. On the death of Eldred,
'chbishop of Canterbury, King Alfred strove to secure Grimald's
cisent to accept the archbishopric, but he refused it. He died
holy sanctity on July 8, 903, at the ripe old age of eighty-three.
One other name, that of St. Procopius, appears in the Kalendar
this day and must not be passed if for no other reason than
it he was the proto-martyr at Bethsan under that fatal decree of
oclesian which reached Palestine in 303. He was an interpreter
the Greek into the Syro-Chaldeac tongue ; but a devout Chris-
n and being brought before Paulinus prefect of the province
s, as usual, ordered to sacrifice to the heathen gods or the four
;at emperors, Diodesius, Herculius, Galerius and Constantius
t true to his faith refused and won the crown of martyrdom.
By a coincidence the festival of St. Procopius King of Bohemia
10 relinquished his crown to become a hermit also falls on
322 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the same day with that of his namesake, St. Procopitu ol riilhiiiw
I find for King Procopius a Clog Almanac symbol, given her^^s
which is almost identical with tha^^
of St, Giles and was given for ^^
similar reason, bis kindness to tb^s:
wild animals around his hermi[^e_
JULY 9th.
According to the MBrtyrologyoT
the Venerable Bede this day is the
festival of St. Ephrem of Edessa
of whom Dr. Butler in his " Lives
o( the Saints " says : " This humble
deacon was the most illustrious of
all the doctors who by their doc-
trines and writings have adorned
the Syriac church," He was a hermit in Syria ; but his wonderful
writings even now after over fifteen centuries are yet read ; while
as late as 1743 they were esteemed worthy of being republished
in six folio volumes at Rome, a fact which fully justifies Butler's
This day is also recognized as the festival of St. Veronica
Guiltaiii, virgin, who must not be confounded with the St.
Veronica whose festival occurs on Shrove Tuesday ; since St.
Veronica Guiliani was born in 1660, She was christened UrsuU^
and from her infancy was noted for her devout character. At the.
ageof eighteen she became a novitiate of the Capuchine nuns of
Citta del Castillo when she took the name of Veronica. Shft
successively filled every office in the community until when thirty-
four years ol age she was appointed " Mbtress of the Novices "
becoming in 1716 Abbess.
Without relating the legend in its entirety, mention should be
made of St. Veronica's remarkable vision and the terrible suffer-
ing she endured but it would be impossible to explain how after
ST. FELICITAS* SONS 323
that she bore upon her brow marks that were the counterpart of
those left by *' the Crown of Thorns '* which our Saviour bore
after His Crucifixion ; and to which those who were duly to examine
her " testified under oath " she bore these marks until her death,
as evidence of her " espousal " of Christ ; Butler, explaining this
word " espousal " as denoting : " A more intimate union formed
between God and the soul, by the most perfect love."
The legend is one of the most remarkable ones found in the
Lives of the Saints ; and yet is verified by authorities that it seems
impossible to question. Her death came from consumption.
Veronica was beatified by Pius VII., and canonized by Gregory
XVI. on Trinity Sunday, May 20, 1830.
JULY loth
Is somewhat remarkable as the festival of seven brothers the
sons of a noble and wealthy Roman widow who all fell victims
to the persecutions of Christians in the reign of Marcus Aurelius
Antoninus. One by one these noble young men were brought
before Publius the prefect first tempted then threatened and tor-
tured, but without avail for their mother St. Felicitas stood by and
exhorted them to remain faithful to Christ. One brother was
scourged to death with whips whose lashes were loaded with lead;
two were beaten to death with clubs and one cast over a precipice
while three were beheaded. These are commemorated this day ;
but the noble matron, their mother, is remembered on November
23d.
JULY nth.
Pius I. Pope and martyr is this day honoured by the Roman
Church. He was elevated to the Papacy in 142. From the
records of Tillemont we see he had served with the clergy at
Rome a number of years and succeeded St. Hyginus in the
government of the Church. The records of his life are meager
324 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
some contending 3(>;a.in5t his title as a martyr. As there are emi-
nent writers on both sides 1 prefer not to judge. Ail that seems
certain regarding this early Pope is that he was born in Aiiuileia
and died in 1 57 ; being buried at: the foot at Vatican Hill.
This day is also devoted to the honour of St. James, Bishop of
Nisibis. He was one oi those early saints 10 whom according
to his legend had been given the gift of prophecy and who is
credited with many remarkable miracles. The most wonderful of
the latter being when he saved the city at the time it was besieged
by the Persian Sapor ; and utterly helpless. Then in answer to
the prayers of the Bishop as in the days of the Egyptians under
Moses clouds of gnats and flics came. They entered the cars and
nostrils of the elephants and horses stinging them to madness and
pmting the army into utter confusion and disorder. After this
followed pestilence and a famine which in time caused the bariu-
rian Persian to withdraw his hosts and the city was relieved.
Much confusion covers the date of the death of St. James rarg-
ing from 301 to 3^0 the date accepted by Dr. Butler. Thus the
festival of the saint is recognized by the Latins on the 1 ith of Jul;
by the Eastern and on the i5ih of July by the Western Churcbe.
by the Greeks on the 13th of January and 31st of October; bf
Syrians on the iSih of January and by Assyrians on a Saturday in
December. Certainly a variety of days to choose from.
The writings and learning of St. James have given' him a rank
among the doctors of the Syriac Church, next to that of St.
Ephrcm. while the Armenians honour him as one of the princip^'
doctors of their national church.
JULY I2th.
St. John Gualbert came of a rich and noble family in Florence.
He was given in his youth to all the usual follies of wealthy tuta
until in an hour he was suddenly taken from bis worldly life. ^
brother had been murdered. Impelled by a spirit of revenge he
sought for the assassin to mete out to hira the vengeance whic"
FESTIVAL OF MIRACLES 325
a honour seemed to require. At last the two met but to his
prise the assassin fell on his knees and craved mercy in the
ne of Jesus Christ. The plea seemed to touch an unusual
>rd in John Gualbert's heart. He could not resist it. His feel-
of revenge was gone. Not only did he grant forgiveness but
mised future friendship. From this interview he hastened to
monastery of St. Minias of the Order of St. Bennet and
»lied for admission to the order. Despite his father's protest
I pleading he was at last admitted but in humility he never
aid take even " Minor Orders," though he might have been
K>t of the monastery at a later time.
»ometime after this with a single companion he sought out
tude where they could in privacy indulge in such austere
otions as met their wishes happily finding two devout hermits
a valley called Vallis Umbrosa a half day's journey from
rence in Tuscany when the four established their new order
ich in 1070 Alexander H. approved and from which the Order
His Umbrosa grew. The order received lay brothers as well as
nks " who were exempt from certain penances and silence and
•e employed in external offices.'* This, Dr. Butler says : " Is
i to be the first example of such distinction ; but it was soon
tated by other orders." The holy man died at Passigrano at
age of seventy-four in 1073. Pope Celestine HI. canonized him
be year 1193.
JULY 13th.
Vhen the 13th day of July falls on Sunday (or upon the Sunday
aediately following the 13th) there is celebrated at Brussels
Belgium, a local feast called
THE FESTIVAL OF THE MIRACLES.
i'he legend very much abridged runs as follows :
a 1369 a Jew named Jonathan lived in Enghien in Hainault
5 was very rich. For the purpose of profanation he desired to
lire some of the consecrated wafers used in the Holy Sacra-
326 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
inent of the Eucharist. To accomplish this he hired a poor Jew
named Jean dc Louvain who after a lime on an October nighi,
managed to steal from the altar of Si. Catherine's Church in
Brussels the pix which contained the sacred wafers. In some-
what graphic words the legend tells of Jean's adventure. He
must have been a very stolid dolt or a most brave man to havt
carried out his purpose as he did amid the strange demonstraEiaos
that accompanied the theft. But he did so and duly delivered to
Jonathan his spoils receiving the reward the rich man had prom.
ised. Jonathan did not hve to carry out his sacrilegious purpose
for very shortly thereafter while walking in his garden he was mur-
dered by unknown hands. His widow seems to have known his
wishes and soon after his death delivered to a coterie of Jevrs liit
pix with its sacred contents. Upon a day, evidently selected with
the utmost malice for it was Good Friday in the year [370 these
Jews assembled and taking from the pbc the sixteen wafers it con.
tained spread them out on the table around which they stood.
At a signal they began to stab the wafers with their poinards. It
was then the Miracle occurred, for from each wafer there flott'eda
stream of blood as the poinard was wiihdrawn. Affrighted and
amazed the sig^ht struck them dumb as chcy stood unable to move- '
At last they fled in terror ; but like all cowards they began CO
take counsel with each other how to conceal their vile work. ■^
woman was found who was engaged to carry the defiled wafeC^
to Cologne. Just what was to be done with them there by soiC^*-*
strange inconsistency the legend does not tell nor yet where th^? ^
were left when the woman returned to Brussels, It was h^^'^
own conscience began to reproach her and she confessed to tl» ^
clergy of St. Guduli her share in the sacrilege and how the sacre- ^
emblems could be recovered.
Later this was done and the sacred wafers confided to the car^^
of St. Guduli church where they yet may be seen bearing th*
blood stains and marks of the Jewish poinards. Later the mis-
creants were captured, tried and condemned for their sacrilege
and on May 22, 1370 were burned at the stake for their crime.
On several occasions thereafter these holy wafers proved their j
miraculous powers in staying epidemics. One most notable
ST. EU GENIUS 327
instance being in 1529 when they caused a grievous epidemic
which then raged in Brussels to cease. From that time a festival
in their honour was ordained and duly observed ; until during the
political struggles of half a century later in the Netherlands,
from 1579 to 1585, they were omitted. Again during the Rev-
olution of 1789 to 92, they were neglected, but in 1804 with due
solemnity^ they were renewed and have since been observed.
This day is set aside in especial memory of St. Eugenius and
his fellow martyrs who won their crowns of glory in 505. The
Roman provinces in Africa were for years the richest and
most favoured of the entire Roman empire. Cartagenian bar-
barism had given place to the lights of science and the true
religion of Christ had dispelled heathenism. African princes vied
with their kings in their efforts towards a higher and better life
when the Romans, to preserve Italy, abandoned many of their
outside provinces to preserve its great center from the onslaughts
of the Goths and Vandals. Already they had as our historical
readers know though they had abandoned Britain thus felt no
fear for Africa though Geneseric, King of the Vandals and Alaus
bad gained a foothold in Spain. Strange as it sounds these
Vandals were mostly Christians but of the Arian types of faith.
When in 454 Geneseric late returned from plundering Rome he
allowed them to choose St. Deogratius for their bishop after
ne had razed the public buildings of Carthage, while still per-
secuting those of the Orthodox faith. After a reign of thirty-
seven years this tyrant was succeeded by his son Huneric if
possible a more barbarous persecutor of Orthodox Christians
Lhan his father. But in 481 Huneric so far relented that he
allowed the long vacant bishopric to be filled. The universal
choice fell upon Eugenius. From thence on life was indeed a
burden to the good bishop though he came safely through the
first stormy conflicts with the Arians, It was Dr. Butler says,
during this quarrel that the Orthodox church took the name of
" Catholic " they have since retained. We cannot follow
Eugenius in his arduous life ; while constantly opposed by
Thrasimund the African king then reigning, until with St.
323 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Vindemial, Biiihop of Caspa in Africa, he was condemned to ;Jie
unless he would accept ihe Arian heresy. Bolli he and Vinde-
mial refused and the latter was beheaded ; but for some reason
the king chose to send Eugenius into banishment in the Lan-
gucdoc under the King of the Visigoths where he died in 505.
JULY 14th.
St. Bonaventure who is honoured by the Church this day was
one of the " bright lights " of the order of St. Francis who
for his attainments in sacred learning was given the title of
"Seraphic Doctor," He advanced rapidly in the church and
in 1256. was made " Doctor of the Church " by Pope Alexander
IV. King Louis IX., (St. Louis) held Bonaventure in very high
esteem; frequently sending for him to consult upon intricate
points and always having a place for him at his table.
The writings of Bonaventure hold a high place in the literature
of the Roman Church. Especially is this true of his homiletic
writings, though not a few of his controversial efforts show dee£7
learning and a great command of language.
The last public function where St. Bonaventure appeared wa^0
the Council at Lyons to which he had accompanied Pope Gregor^^
X., which he addressed on May 7th. Later his fatal illness came.- -
and he died when fifty-three years of age on this day in 1374, leai — '
irig a memory for his learning, humility and loving charity sud^K^
as is not often accorded even to canonized saints.
JULY 15th
Is the festival of St. Swithin (as the Saxons called him) 01
Swithun. Bishop and patron of Winchester, a city which even
in the early days of the Romans in Britain had attained some
note, and is mentioned by Ptolemy under the name of Venta.
Later it was the chief seat of the kings of West Saxony, one of
whom in 625 built a church here. When, under Egbert. King of
ST. SWITHIN
Wessex, in S2S, Britain c
capital of the kingdom, ai
save his erown, under
orders from Pope Inno-
cent III. did homage to
the Papacy.
This is an historic spot
where Kenewalch, son
of Ktnegils, in 643 com-
pleted the church hisji
father began and
founded the monastery
where St. Swithin re-
ceived both his educa-
tion and took upon hii
e under one rule Winchester was the
s here that King John in 1214 to
self
rder
being ordained by Helinstan, Bishop of
'Winchester, and made provost or dean
of the " Old Monastery." Such was
Swithin's reputation thus early in his
career that King Egbert committed to
: the education of his son Ethel-
wold, and also often consulted him in
affairs of his kingdom. After Egbert's
death (837-8) Ethelwold (who had been
ordained a sub-deacon) by a dispensa-
L from Pope Leo returned to secular
life and succeeded his father as king,
n 852 procured for his old teacher,
Swithin, the Bishopric of Winchester,
and also made him Chancellor. Swithin
accompanied Alfred the Great (the
youngest son of Ethelwold) when he
went to Rome to be confirmed. Through
the influence of Bbhop Swithin King Ethelwold bestowed a tithe
or tenth part of ail his lands in the kingdom on the Church,
H
H
330 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
After presiding over ihe see of Winchester for nearly eleven
years the good man departed this life on July 2, 86j. and through
humility requested his body should be baried outside of the Cathe-
dral, " Where the fe«t of
passersby might tread
and the rain of heaven
fall on his tomb," Thi*
request was complied
with and his tomb was
on the north side of tbc
church, where it received
the droppings from the
eaves, and there it resttd
until on July 15. in 9?'
his relics were with gtMi
pomp and
ihe
IS said the old-
translated to the tomb within the church, and again
(then) new Cathedral where tlicy now
time quartrain :
" St. Swiihin's day. if thou dost rain.
For forty days it will remain ;
St. Swithin's day, if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair."
originated from the eaves dripping on the saint's tomb and bM
been repeated in a score of different ways. We find it in PoW
Robin's Almanac of 1697 in a poem of
twenty lines. The poet Gay also in his
" Trivia " recounts the story, but cautions
in finishing :
" Let not such vulgar tastes debase the
Nor Paul, Swithin, rules the clouds and
wind."
The Clog Almanac symbols given to
St. Swithin are three in number. The first is supposed to be his
attribute as a bishop. But It is beyond my power to guess even
ST. EUSTATHIUS 331
vhat it or either of the other two are intended to signify. They
10 doubt had some runic signification to the possessors of these
Clog sticks, and no doubt it was cases like this which gave these
sticks the name of " runic."
JULY i6th
Is the festival of St. Eustathius, a native of Sida in Pamphylia,
who from being Bishop of the insignificant Beraea in Syria while
under the rule of the Arian emperor Constantius» by his learning,
sanctity and zeal for the orthodox faith became famous and in 324
he was made Patriarch of Antioch. Here as elsewhere the ardent
efforts of Eustathius against heresy made him many enemies
among the Arian bishops who laid a plot to secure his removal
from Antioch; In 331 these plotters assembled at Jerusalem, and
in a synod there convened tried and condemned Eustathius of an
heinous sin upon the testimony of a debauched woman, suborned
for the purpose. They also accused him of " Sabellianism*."
'Whereupon Eustathius was first sent to Constantinople whence he
ivas banished to Trajanopolis in Thrasia (Thrace), where he died
in exile. Before his death the base woman confessed her crime.
In a foot note Dr. Butler refers to the opinion St. Jerom held of
St. Eustathius and quotes from Sozomen to show the wonderful
eloquence of this saint and the inestimable value of his elegant
\^tings, though most of them have been lost.
JULY 17th
Commemorates St. Alexius, the son of Euphemian, a rich Roman
senator, whose story reads like a romance. From youth he had
been devoutly inclined and his life was patterned after the highest
types of virtue and true nobility. At the urgent solicitation of his
parents Alexius was induced to marry a yoimg, beautiful and rich
maiden ; one whom he respected and it is said — but herein is the
strange inconsistency — loved. But even while consenting his
332 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
mind was ill at ease, for he felt Chat the fascinations ol sach tem-
poral happiness and honour as then awaited him would draw him
aside from the higher purposes of his life. By what course of
reasoning he at last was led to act as he did is unknown. But
while he consented to follow out his parents' wishes even to the
point of permitting the cercraony of a marriage to be performed,
he on his wedding nigbt, quietly slipped out of his house and was
seen no more. Disguised as a pilgrim he wandered inio a distant
land, "living in poverty and sanctity." At last he returned to
Rome not as the Prodigal Son. for he did not dbclosc himself, but
as a beggar sought refuge in his father's house. He was received
as a mendicant by his father who never suspected his identity-
In those days it was no uncommon event for rich men to support
several mendicants in their great houses, and so for seventeen
years Alexius lived under his father's roof bearing meekly the con-
tempts of the pampered servants. Only after his death was ihc
truth made known by a letter his son left.
This day is also the festival of Leo IV., who was elected to the
pontificate in 847. To him the Roman Church owes the restora-
tion of St. Peter's after it had been plundered by the Saracens, and
also for his fortifying the city against future disasters from similar
causes. Among many miracles attributed to Leo was the extin-
guishment of the great fire in 853 which threatened the destruc-
tion of the Church of St. Peter. He died July 17, 855.
JULY i8tb
Is sacred to St. Bruno, Bishop of Segni, and noted as the founder
of the famous Order of Carthusians and the first Abbot of that
Order.
He was from the illustrious family of the Lords of Asti in
I^edmont. Studying first at the monastery of St. Perpetuus in
Asti, later he was taught theology at Paris under" Raymond," and
then later himself taught as a theologian at Rheims. where Urban
II. was his pupil. When Urban became Pope he sent for Bruno
THE CARTHUSIANS 333
and bestowed many honours on him. Already, in 1081, Gregory
VII. had made him Bishop of Segni and Urban wished to make
him Archbishop of Reggio, but the honour was declined. With
six companions in 11 01 Bruno established the first Carthusian
monastery at Chartreux. It^ rules are among the most severe of
all the many monastic orders, almost perpetual silence being im-
posed as the monks may talk with each other but one day in each
week. They never eat meat and take but one meal daily, and this
is eaten alone. The robes and hoods of the order are white, and
the entire head of each monk is closely shaven.
One curious fact is worthy of note, that in spite of their asceti-
cism they are great lovers and patrons of art. Indeed no other
monastic order in early days did as much for pure art as the
Carthusians.
St. Bruno died on August 31, 1125; was canonized by Lucius
III. in 1 183, but his festival is kept on July i8th.
JULY 19th
Marks the saint's day of St. Vincent de Paul, one of the most
romantic as it is one of the most beautiful stories of a pure, spot-
less, Christian life, and a true philanthropist. Happily his story
has been often and well told so my brief mention is all that is
needed.
St. Vincent was born in Gascony near the Pyrenaen mountains
on a small farm. His father seeing in the lad such evidences of
talent placed him in the Franciscan monastery school at Acqs.
At the age of twenty he went to the University of Toulouse
where he spent seven years, and his course of study was marked
by many exhibitions of his great talent. In 1605 a legacy of 500
crowns was left him and he went to Marseilles to receive it. On
his homeward journey the fellucca in which he and his companions
were was captured by African brigands and Vincent was sold as a
slave to a fisherman, but later was bought by an alchemist and
physician who died within a year, and finally was sold to a *' rene-
gado " Christian from Nice, whom in time he brought back from
334 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
his apostacy and the two crossed the Mediterranean sea in 3 sina!t
open boat. Vincetit reached Rome in June, 1607, and entered
the Convent of Fate — Ben-Fratelli. In 1609 he came 10 Paris.
The story ol his founding of the " Lazarttes," or ■' Fathers of the
Mission," and later " The Congregation of the Sisters of Charily."
and the wonderful work done by these good people and his own
5e I ('Sacrifices, have been so often and fully told, as well as the
Btory of his work for " The Magdalenes of Paris " and the " Hos-
pital La Magdalen " and the first of the " Foundling Hospitals "
for which Paris is noted it needs not be repeated. As a friend of
Cardinal Richelieu and of Louis Xlll.. he became a most influ-
ential man. I will therefore add no more, only to record his death
at St. Laiare, September 37, 1660. at the great age of four scow
and five years ; and was buried in the Church of St. Laxarus ia
Paris, leaving a memory sacred to every true Christian of what-
ever faith. He was canonized by Clement XIL, in 1737,
Margaret, virgin and martyr, in whose honour both the
Anglican and the Roman branches of the church hold tbis day-
sacred has for ages been re-
garded as the special type of
maiden innocence and humSity.
The name signifies a pearl. Her
legend is one of the oldest
among the many of the saints
of the early days ; and even
from the Middle Ages was one
of the most popular. Sbe vras
the daughter of a pagan priest
named Theodosius of Antioch ;
but being a delicate child she was sent into the country and placed
in the care of a nurse who proved to be a Christian and who
educated her young charge in that faith, a fact that was un-
known to her family. As she developed into maidenhood she
l™
ST. MARGARET
335
displayed such wonderful beauty both of feature and person, that
when by chance Olybrius, the Roman governor of the province
saw her, he was captivated and wished to marry her ; but the
young girl rejocted his offers and to free herflclf from liis attention
declared herself to be a Christian, The anger of her relatives
knew no bounds and when Olybrius in order to overcome her
opposition cast her into prison, they did not interfere. As she
remained obdurate, the governor next tried
torture and imprisonment in a dungeon, but
still she was inflexible. While thus confined,
the legend tells us the devil in the form of a
dragon appeared to her to frighten her from
her (aith, but when she presented the cross
before the fiend he fled. Another form of
this legend says, the dragon swallowed her
bodily ; but immediately thereafter she burst
from him unhurt. Next, the devil appeared
to her as a man ; but she overthrew him and
vitb her foot on his head compelled him to
confess his base purposes. The fame of her
wonderful power was spreading and under
its influence many were being converted.
Once more she was tortured but with no re-
sult cicept to confirm her more surely in the
faith, and to prevent further trouble she was condemned and bc-
lieaded. From her miraculous delivery from the dragon St. Mar-
f^aret became the patron of women, who call on her in time of
childbirth. Her attributes are usually the palm and a dragon.
She is often shown in art standing on the dragon and piercing him
with a tall cross with a sharpened foot. Occasionally she is seen
burst from the body of the dragon. The Clog Almanac symbol
is as shown above, two white crosses on a black background. St.
Margaret's popularity in England is best shown from the fact that
her festival-service is one of the very few found in the " MSS. of
Hours " and that 238 churches are named in her sole honour.
Only as interesting by comparison I add St. Nicholas has 380,
St. Laurence 350, St. George 170, and St. Martin 16$.
ST. MARGARBT.
336 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Joseph Barsabas, whose festival is also held this day, was
one of the disciples of our Lord who competed to be the successor
of the traitor Judas.
JULY 2ist
Is the festival of St. Praxedis, a sister of St Prudentia of whom 1
spoke May 21st. It was at the house of Pudens, the father of
these noted sisters, that St. Peter dwelt when he came to Rome.
After the death of their father these noble women devoted their
great wealth to the succour of suffering Christians in Rome, add-
ing thereto their time and persona) services in nursing those of
the faith who were sick or wounded by the persecuting Romans.
To-day also is the festival of a noted soldier, Victor of Mar*
seilles. When the Emperor Maximian arrived in Marseilles with
the blood of the Thebasan legions and other martyrs in Gaul yet
fresh upon his garments, he found there the most flourishing and
in numbers the most numerous church of the provinces. One of
the officers of the German army then stationed at Marseilles was
named Victor, who was a Christian and who in spite of his posi-
tion as an army officer dared to proclaim the fact, thus proving bis
courage for it required brave men to profess Christianity in those
days. The emperor heard of Victor and directed him to be
brought before him, later ordering him to be tortured on the radc.
Faithful even in prison, Victor by words and example converted
two of his guards. When Maximian heard this he was more
incensed than ever and once more ordered Victor into his pres-
ence, having previously had a statue of Jupiter placed in tbc
presence chamber and an altar by its side. Here Victor was
commanded to worship, but instead the brave soldier kicked over
the altar and statue. For this act his foot was first chopped off
and later his body placed under a millstone and he was crushed
to death by its revolution. Even this did not abate the fury of
the vindictive emperor for he caused the lifeless body to be
ST. MARY MAGDALENE 337
beheaded. In art Victor is represented as a Roman soldier with
his foot on a millstone.
JULY 22d
Is the day set apart both in the Roman and English Church
Kalendars for the festival of St. Mary Magdalene. Of all the
persons who figure in sacred history and in Christi
Magdalene is one of the most difficult to treat of.
we attempt to tix her identity ; so real as the ac-
cepted and recognized impersonation of the peni-
tent sinner absolved through faith and love.
Whether Mary Magdalene, " out of whom Christ
cast seven devils," Mary of Bethany, and " the n
man who was a sinner " be, as some assert, three J
separate persons or, as others affirm, one and ihe \
same individual, under different designations is
of those mooted points that it is not likely will '
ever be settled, and since the doctors of the church
like St. Chrysostam hold one view and SS. Clement
and Gregory another, it is hardly fitting for a lay-
roan to presume to decide. An eminent English
^vriter says in speaking of the matter " that e
St. Gregory wrote a general opinion prevails thai ST. marV
if not all three, two at least, ■ the woman who was "AGDALENE.
a sinner and Mary Magdalene,' are identical."
This day in memory of Mary Magdalene was retained in the
first Book of Common Prayer of Edward VI, and the Collect,
Epistle and Gospel — this last from St. Luke vii.,36, to end of
the chapter — most appropriate ; but the identity of the person
being questioned the service was omitted in the second of
Edward's prayer books. Nothing of any moment in the history of
Mary Magdalene which is perfectly authentic is known beyond
what is told in Holy Writ ; but it is believed that after our Lord's
Ascension she dwelt in Ephesus with the Blessed Virgin and St
John. There is a widely credited legend and not wholly unsup-
338 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
ported by evidence ihat Mary Magdalene, the Blesseil Virgin,
Martha and Mary of Salome, finding themselves much persecuted
by the Jews of Ephesus, set sail to cross the Mediterranean ; that
their boat was a poor and leaky cratt, and that it was only by a
rniraculous intervention the party was saved and landed on the
south toast of Gaul ; where they separated and Mary Magdalene
went to Marseilles and finally returned to St. Baume where she
spent the remainder o( her days, and that it was in this retreat
she closed her earthly pilgrimage. The finding of her relics at a
■ called St. Masimin's, and those of Si. Manha at
Zarascon on the Rhone
as related by Dr. Butler.
seems to bear out the
truth of the legend as
above told. Another
legend, possibly 3 part of
the fir.st one for these
tales often become sadly
mixed by their being fre —
quenily orally repeated —
tells of St. Mary Mag —
dalene living for thirt^fl
years in a cave near Mar— ^
seilles weeping for he^c
past sins, while angels*
daily ministered to her wants.
In art Mary Magdalene Is always represented carrying a vase,
or a box of a peculiar form supposed to contain the " predon^B
ointment." At times this box lies at her feet and in some rarc^
cases an angel is bringing it to her. Her hair Is always goldo^v
in colour and very abundant, falling down and covering her'
shoulders. Again, she is represented as kneeling before »-
" death's head " and clasping the foot of a cross, but the " alabas-
ter box " and her long, beautiful hair are never forgotten. From
her being the first witness of the Resurrection she b especially
reverenced by the Greek Church while both the Greek and Latin
Churches honour her on the same day.
ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN 339
The Clog Almanac symbol given is supposed to represent the
" alabaster box/* yet like many of these it requires a great stretch
of imagination to see it.
JULY 23d
Is the festival of St. ApoIIinaris, who» according to Bede, " was
crowned with martyrdom " during the reign of Vespasius —
Roman Emperor from 9 to 79 — '* after having sat as Bishop for
twenty years." The saint had gone with the Apostle Peter to
Rome from Antioch. While at Rome St. Peter, " after having
laid hands upon him, sent him into east Italy to preach. Here,
later, he became the First Bishop of Ravenna. While Dr. Butler
styles Apollinaris '* Martyr," he does not agree with Bede for he
thinks the " martyrdom," of the faithful bishop consisted in the
usual suffering and privations every true Christian must pass
through.
This day also is the festival of a very remarkable woman, St.
Bridget of Sweden, widow of Ulpho, Prince of Nevicia, who died
July 23, 1372. She seems to have been peculiarly favoured in
that she received a" far higher degree of education than most
women of her times and is termed a " scholar," while her volumi-
nous writings on religious subjects are yet quoted and regarded
with esteem. She founded the Order of Brigantines, a peculiar
one from the fact that it associated under the same roof nuns and
monks. The regular establishment of a *' House of Brigantines "
numbered sixty nuns and thirteen monks, four deacons, and eight
lay-brothers, all under the control and government of a " Lady
Abbess." Henry V. at about 1420 founded the " Brigantine
House of Sion," on the bank of the Thames (now the palatial
residence of the Duke of Northumberland) as a memorial of the
battle of Agincourt, the nuns being almost entirely ladies of rank.
It flourished until about 1589 then seems to have gone into
decadence, and the nuns there remaining went to sister orders on
340 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the continent. St. Bridget of Sweden was canonized by Pope
Boniface IX.
JULY 24th.
SS. Romanus and David, Patrons of Muscovy, are this day
honoured by the Church. They were brothers and sons of
Uladimir, Muscovite Prince and a Christian, and were named
Boris and Hliba, or Cliba ; but in Latin were called Romanus
and David. Uladimir had in 908 founded a great monastery near
Klow, where these two for their faith were basely murdered in
loio by their brother, Suatopelch, who had usurped his father's
throne. If for no other reason these two are worthy of mention,
in that they alone are honoured by the Catholic Russians of Lithu-
ania and Poland who keep this, and no other saints-day festival
except of these brothers, the Patrons of Muscovy.
JULY 25th
Is the anniversary of St. James (Major), the Apostle and brother
of the Evangelist St. John. Beyond what fs told of him in the
gospels very little is known save that by order of Herod Agrippa,
sometimes called Herod the Great, he was beheaded about four-
teen years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and that he was
the first of the Apostles who suffered martyrdom. But in Spanish
legends as the patron saint of Spain they enter into other details
of his life that a volume would hardly suffice to repeat. They
say that Santiago (James) was not a poor fisherman, but a
nobleman's son who for pleasure accompanied his father and
brother attended by servants in their boat, but attracted by the
miracles of Christ he followed Him. That at thirty-eight differ-
ent times St. James after his death appeared at the head of the
Spanish army. That after Christ's death for a time he preached
in Judea, then came to Spain as a missionary. I may repeat here
ST. JAMES MAJOR
341
the Spanish legend of his victory over Hennogenus, a noted
sorcerer, and how he converted him, and Chat they were beheaded
at the same time.
According to these Spanbh legends St. James after preaching
the gospel in Spain returned to Palestine
and was the first Bishop of Jerusalem,
and that it was while preaching there he
was seized and thrown from the battle-
ments of the temple and killed by the
Jews. The recovery of his body was
more miraculous than any event in his
life as was the voyage of the ship from
Joppa, through the Pillars o( Hercules
and its final arrival at Iria Flavi;
sometimes called, Padron. Here the
txxly was laid upon a stone which became
like wax, and the body sank into it until
at last it enveloped it and it became St.
James' sarcophagus. This stone was,
the legend continues, revealed by a vision
to a priest in 800 and the sacred remains
moved to Comportella where a church was built, and many won-
derful miracles wrought for pilgrims. Of these it is said often an
hundred thousand persons visited the shrine in a single year. Dr.
Butler says : " It was the accuser of St. James who, repenting,
was beheaded with the Apostle," and the same authority gives the
place of the burial of St. James at : " Iria Flavia " on the border
of Galicia, and that the relics were translated to Comportella to
which place Pope Leo III. transferred the see of Iria Flavia. The
military Order of St. James, surnamed the Noble, was instituted
by Ferdinand II.. in 1175.
ST. JAKBS MAJOR.
Is sacred to the memory of St. Anne, the Mother of the Blessed
Virgin, This name Anne, in Hebrew signifies "gracious."
342 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Among the Hebrews for a woman to be barren was looked upon
as the greatest possible affliction, and according to the legends of
St. Anne, this was her case, and it was
only in answer to her prayers that " the
curse ■' was removed. No doubt, there-
fore, that the earliest representations we
find in Christian art ol St. Anne in the
attitude of prayer with her arms ex-
tended, refer to this. From the very
eatiiest records of the Church St. Anne
and tier husband St. Joachim have been
honoured, and their names appear in both
the Roman and English Church Kalen-
dars : though both history and Holy Wiii
are silent as to their lives and acts. Ai
early as $$o a magnificent church wu
erected in Constantinople in her honont
and ill 710 her relics were translated from
Palestine and placed there. Even in the Catacombs about Rotne
St. Anne's figure appears as above mentioned in tbe attitude ^
prayer, often accompanied by a dove. In
later times (as in illustration) she holds a
book and is teaching
the Blessed Virgin t
"■ 1 read. Occasionally
^r^f ^\v^'" J**^*^''™ stands by
^ I J ^St. Anne's side. The
jj^ ^^\ Clog symbol here
) " given some may be
' able to decipher ; I am ^
obliged to confess I
cannot. There is yet
another of these Clog
symbols quite as mysterious as the one given
and 1 copy it though I cannot explain it. There must be as I
have said before, some " runic " significance to some of these
symbols lost to us of modem days.
ST. ANNE.
y^
THE SEVEN SLEEPERS 343
JULY 27th.
THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SLEEPERS
Whose festival the Roman Church celebrates this day, is a curious
story, as the legend runs, transmitted orally as all those old Folk
Tales were. The Emperor Decius set up a statue in the city of
Ephesus (191-25 1) commanding everyone to worship it. Seven
young men who were Christians disobeyed the mandate, but
unambitious to become martyrs they fled to Mount Coelius and
concealed themselves in a cavern. Decius, unable to locate them,
caused all of the caves on the mountain to be sealed up. From
that time nothing was heard of them until in the year 479, when
persons digging for the foundation of a stable they intended to
build disturbed the stones with which the cavern had been sealed
and the young men were awakened by the noise. Feeling hungry
they with due precaution sent one of their number into the city to
buy food. The strange dress and the antiquity of the coin the
young man offered for the food he had bought aroused the curi-
osity of the merchant, and he was tracked to the cave where all
were found well and alive after a miraculous sleep of two hundred
and twenty-nine years.
Like others of these legends there is in it a soupgon of truth.
The young men were walled in and it was the discovery of their
relics in 479 that gave rise to the fable. A similar one may be
read in the Koran, only in the Mohammedan legend a dog named
Kratius accompanied the sleepers who were all animals, and he,
with eight other animals, yet sit in the Mussulman paradise. These
are the ass of Balaam, the ant of Solomon, the whale of Jonah,
the ram of Isaac, the calf of Abraham, the camel of Falch, the
cuckoo of Belkia, the ox of Moses and the mare of Mohammed.
These Seven Sleepers are highly honoured by the Greek and
Oriental nations and in early martyrology have a prominent place
and are commemorated on this day.
344 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
JULY 38th.
Among those early fathers of the Church to whom we all ow^
great debt is St. Victor, who is this day remembered. He was
native of Africa and succeeded St. Eleutbenua in the pontificate
the year 192 and the XIX. of Commodus. Already heresys af
schisms had begun to enter the church one of which, " that Ji
Christ was but a man," was then being taught, and which Victt^:^''
by his earnest efforts checked, even if he could not overcome. ^^^
watchful, faithful servant whose strenuous life had but one puv: — '
_ pose in view. It was du*"-
ing Victor's pontificate toc^.
that the first question ^
about the time for celebrar-
ing Easter began and coura-
cils were held in Rome,
Gaul, Palestine, at Corintli
and elsewhere. The edicts
ot Severus tor Victor's per-
secution were issued in aoa
but the good man had al-
ready gone to his reward
in loi. Some place this
date in 197 and others ia
302. The date given it
from Dr. Butler's " Lives of
the Saints."
Another Pope, Innocent
I., is also honoured tbb
day. He ascended the
pontifical throne as succes-
sor of Anastatius in 402
when Alaric the Goth threatened to overrun Italy, and InnoceDt
personally strove to effect a reconciliation but in vain. The over-
throw of Abric in 403 for a time gave Rome rest and after the
ST. MARTHA 345
last struggle of the Goth in 410 the good Pope devoted himself to
his pontifical duties and to combating the Pelagian errors, which
brought forth those letters which have so long kept him in mem-
ory. He died in 417.
JULY 29th.
St Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, b the saint whom
the Church honours this day. Beyond the story told of her in the
Gospels there is little known of her. After the Ascension of our
Lord her legend tells us that she accompanied Mary Magdalene
to Provence and, according to all the Provencal legends Martha
was the first person who founded a convent for holy women.
This it is said was at Aix. One of the legends told of Martha at
this time is that a fearful dragon called Tarasque ravaged the
country lying concealed during the day in the river Rhone. Mar-
tha watched for him, and meeting him, overcame him by sprinkling
holy water over the beast. Then she bound him with her girdle
(some say with her garter), and when thus he was helpless she slew
him. A magnificent church was built in the city of Tarasgon, the
alleged scene of Martha^s conflict with the dragon, which was
richly endowed by King Louis XI., who also gave the church a
gold bust of St. Martha and which is reputed to contain her head.
The usual attribute of St. Martha is some implement for cooking.
Sometimes she is shown holding the asperge and the dragon lying
bound at her feet. St. Martha is the recognized patroness of
housewives and cooks.
JULY 30th
Is the festival day of St. Julitta, one of the many martyrs who
proved their faith in that fatal year 303. When Diocletian issued
his first edict against Christians in the year 303 he disbarred them
from all protection by the laws and to be without any of the
privileges of citizens, thus by one unjust act opening the door for
346 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
fraud of many kinds, as was the case with Julitta. She was rick
had estates about Cxsarea in Cappadocia with flocks and herds,
coveted by a wicked man who, when all other means had failed
him to obtain possession of her property haled her into court
where he accused her of being a Christian. The judge ordered
fire and incense brought into court and demanded the woman to
sacrifice to the Roman gods. Exasperated by her refusal the
usurper was awarded her estates. Because she bore her poverty
with such meekness exhorting her Christian brethren to hold firm
to the faith, she was condemned to be burned in the vault where
they confined her. Strangely though while stifled to death by the
dense smoke her body was untouched by the flames and her
friends buried her remains entire.
JULY 31st
Is the anniversary of St. Ignatius Loyola, a man whose influence
has been more far-reaching in its results than many who have
filled the papal throne. The story of his life has been told many
times and from many points of view, from those who almost idolize
his memory to those who treated him with vindictive bigotry. He
has been pictured as an angel of light and as the incarnation of
evil. Space permits only a brief outline in which many of the
most dramatic scenes must be omitted.
He was born in 1491 of an ancient and noble family. Bred at
the court of Ferdinand V. as a page, but emulous of his brothers
he became a soldier and hidalgo, his veins full of hot Biscayan
blood when in 1521 in the defense of Pampeluna against the
French he was wounded. From boyhood he had high, noble
ideas free from avarice. He hated gaming but was addicted to
gallantry (as that word then implied) and full of the maxims of
worldly honour and a genius for poetry. His confinement dur-
ing convalescence was long and painful. We cannot undertake
to follow the train of his thoughts which ui>on his recovery led
him to seek the ancient monastery of Mount Serrat, where he
hung up his arms and on the morning of the Annunciation of the
ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA 347
essed Virgin in 1522 took on himself the holy vows which
dered bis future life and started on a pilgrimage as a beggar
Jerusalem, reaching there September 4th, 1523. On his return
Spain he completed his university course and in 1528 went to
iris. But let no reader think that either his pilgrimage or the
ars since have been devoid of incident. Indeed they are full of
markable happenings though I cannot recall them here. At
iris Ignatius completed his study of Latin and his course in
lilosophy. It was here he met and became intimate with the
'c young men — Francis Xavier, Peter Faber, (a Savoyard),
mes Laynez, Alphonso Bodadilla (a Spaniard), and Simon Rod-
juez (a Portuguese) — who with Loyola were to found his
mous Society of Jesus. By degrees Loyola inspired these
»ung men with his ardent spirit of devotion. It is a long and
teresting story which at last culminated in an underground
lapel of the Church of Montmartre where they took solemn
iws of celibacy, poverty, and the devotion of their lives to the
ire of Christians and the conversion of infidels. Such on the
^ht of August 15th in 1534 was the beginning of the most
irld renowned order but it was only completed at the time fixed
the closing of their studies, the Feast of the Assumption of
r Lady, January 25, 1537.
*he plan of the new order was laid before Pope Paul III. who
r some objections finally approved it and a bull granting them
nstitution was issued September 27, 1 540.
) write the story of Ignatius Loyola's life from this point
d be to write almost in its entirety the early history of the
is, as he was elected the first president and established at
*, as the director of all the movements of the society. Even
lost casual reader must be aware of the vast and varied
^stations of this famous society, but few can imagine the
rful executive ability required in its inception. The plan-
the thousand and one details for the success which, to
Tom an ultra-Calvinistic writer, they secured " as sharp-
{ and skirmishers, that made them the most dangerous
ists of Protestantism." The rules which Ignatius ordained
far-reaching foresight as well as the purity of his inten-
348 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
tions, whatever the world may think or in later days may have been
the aim of the order, and no true Christian can read the " Spirit-
ual Exercises " Loyola wrote and not be sure the author was
inspired hy only true and holy motives, tor it is the man we are
considering and not the order he instituted. One of his best and
most truthful biographers gives us in a single sentence the true
inwardness of this man's character when he says: "This interior
strength he chiefly maintained by an eminent spirit o( prayer and
the constant and closest union of his soul with God."
Worn out by his labours Loyola died July 31, 1556, aged sixty-
five years. He was beatilied by Pau! V. in 1609 and canonized
by Gregory XV. in i6z3, though the bull was^not published until
the following year by Urban VIIL
-1
AUGUST
The eighth was August, being rich arrayed
In garment all ofgold, down to the ground :
Yet rode he not, but led a lovelv maid
Forth by the lily hand, the which was crowned
With ears of corn, and full her hand was found.
— Spenser,
the old Roman Kalendars August bore the name of Sextilis
le sbcth month and it contained but twenty-nine days. Julius
ar in reforming the Kalendar, added a day to it ; but when
ustine conferred upon it his own name he took a day from
nary and added it thus making the thirty-one days now
rded it.
AUGUST ist.
LAMMAS.
bis was one of the four great pagan festivals of Britain, the
rs being on ist November, ist February and ist May. The
val of the Gule of August as it was called most probably
crated the realization of the first-fruits of the earth and more
Icularly that of the grain-harvest. When Christianity was
xluced the day continued to be observed as a festival for the
e reason, a loaf being the usual offering at the church service,
consequently the day came to be called Hlaf-mass, subse-
itly corrupted into Lammas, just as hlaf-dig (bread-dispenser)
applicable to the mistress of a house and came to be softened
the familiar and extensively used term lady. This we would
the rational definition of the word Lammas. There is an-
350 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
other,
dral
', but of a somewhat uncertain derivation pointing to the
im oC bringing a lamb on this day as an offering to the cathe-
church of York. Without doubt this custom which was
purely local had its rise
from the term Lammas,
after the true original
signification of that word
had been forgotten.
It was once customary
in England in conlraven-
lion of the proverb, thai
'■ a cat in mittens catches
no mice " to give money lo
servants on Lammas-day
lo buy gloves ; hence the
term Glove -Silver. The
Clog symbol is supposed lo
represent the completion of
the first half of the year
and the gathering of the
First Fruits.
The Roman Church to-day celebrates the feast of
THE SEVEN MACHABEES.
This word is sometimes written Maccabees. These were sev*''
brothers but their mother must not be confounded, as is often ■^^
case with St. Feliciias and her seven sons mentioned on July ic»*
These seven brothers were holy Jewish martyrs who suffeC
death in the persecution of Antlochus Epiphanes the impious ku ^^
of Syria 164 B. C. Why they have a place in the Roman Chur
Martyrotogy is a most natural question. In the Catholic Dictie^-"
ary of Addis and Arnold many Old Testament saints arc m^^*
tioned and attention is called to the fact that " Abel and Abrahs^^
are invoked by name in the Liturgy for the dying prescribed f^
ST. PETER AD VINCULA 351
man ritual." The same authority says: " The list of feasts
3y Manuel Comnenus mentions one feast of an Old Testa-
aint Elias, though the Church of Jerusalem had many such
and at Constantinople churches were dedicated to Elias,
ob, Samuel, Moses, Zacharias and Abraham. But the Mac-
are the only Old Testament saints to whom the Latin
assigned a feast to be kept by the whole church ; though
-melites keep the feast of St. Elias and at Venice there are
ss dedicated to Job, Moses, etc."
personal letter from an eminent professor at St. Bernard's
iry to whom I wrote for reference, and to whom I am in-
for the above quotation as well as for an endless number
ly acts in citing to me historical authorities ; he replies to
:ry why these Jewish martyrs who fell victims for the faith
r Church, as truly ks ever a Christian fell for his faith —
lus included in the Roman Church list of martyrs, he says :
*eason, as Thomassen thinks for the exception in the case
Machabees is that the mode of their martyrdom so closely
led that suffered by Christian martyrs and that the date of
iffering was so near to the Christian era," later adding :
30se that as the Old Covenant or Dispensation was but a
ition for the new the church authorities did not consider it
stent to select certain personages of the Old Testament as
of virtue even for Christians."
ay at Rome, there is an especial office in honour of
ST. PETER AD VINCULA.
chains and prisons of the saints have ever been their great-
All Bible readers are familiar with the story of St. Peter
ifter Herod Agrippa had slain St. James the Great he cast
ice of the Apostles into prison and loaded him with chains
w he was delivered the night before the day when Herod
3ected to win for himself great applause by permitting the
ipostle to be put to death. Thus this is naturally a great
and kept by the Church in memory of that miraculous
The celebrated church Roman tourists are familiar with
352 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Pietro in Vincoli is said to have been originally founded in A.
D. 109 by Theodora a sister of Hermes Prefect ot Rome. A
bolder legend attributes the foundation to St. Peter himself who
is believed to have dedicated this church to his Divine Master.
But history can assign no earlier foundation for this church than
that in 442 by the Empress Eudoxia wife of Valentinian HI., from
whom the church takes Its name of the Eudoxian Basilica and who
placed there one of the famous chains which now form its great
attraction to Roman Catholic pilgrims.
Hemans gives also the following legend :
" The chains left in the Manicrtine prisons after St. Peter's con-
finement there are said to have been found by the niartji, St.
Balbina, in 126, and by her given to Theodora, another sainted
martyr, sister lo Hermes, Prelect of Rome, from whom they
passed into the hands ot St. Alexander, the first Pope of thai
name, and were finally deposited by him in the church erected by
Theodora, where they have since remained."
AUGUST 2d
Is sacred to the memory of St. Stephen " Pope and Martyr.
When St. Lucius was going to martyrdom he urged upon the
brethren to choose Stephen as his successor. Accordingly in May
253 this was done; though Stephen filled the high office onlja
little over four years. But they seem to have been four busy
anxious years. Between the internal disturbances in the Cbutch
and persecution from without the holy Father had little tcsL It
is a weary story of those early heresies which had entered the
Church and which Stephen was called on to combat, and my
readers would find scant satisfaction in them unless I told ibe
story in detail so thai the merits of the controversy could be
understood ; a thing I cannot do.
But the fact remains that through all these troublous times
Stephen was ever true and loyal to the Catholic — Orthodox—
Chttrch. In passing let me say, that in its proper place in the
course of these articles, I shall give readers the story of the origin
RELICS OF ST. STEPHEN 353
*
of this word Catholic, and the significaoce attached to it by the
Church, as a distinguishing title.
St. Stephen died August 2, 257 and was buried in the cemetery
of Calixtus, Rome. He is styled martyr in the Sacramentary of
St. Gregory the Great, and in many ancient Martyrologies, though
nothing of a definite character is given. We know the persecu-
tion of Valerian began in 257 and it is but natural to suppose
Stephen would be among the first to be sought out as a victim.
St. Stephen's relics were translated to Pisar, in 1682, and Dr.
Batler says : " His head is kept with great respect at Cologne."
AUGUST 3d.
This day is sacred to the memory of the discovery of the relics
of St. Stephen the proto-martyr ; or as it is termed in Roman Mar-
tyrology, *• The Invention of St. Stephen." The same puzzling
term that is used about the finding of the Cross of our Lord.
Through some fatality, neglect or whatever it was, the place of
burial of the First Martyr of the Church had been forgotten and
neglected though it was found to be but twenty miles from Jeru-
salem at a spot called Capahargmala (the borough of Gamaliel)
and while the story of St. Stephen had so often been related the
place where his mortal remains rested had seemingly been blotted
from the memory of those who told of his glorious martyrdom.
The legend is an interesting one. At Caphargamala in 415
there stood an old basilica in the charge of a venerable priest
named Lucian who slept in the baptistry. On the night of Decem-
l>er third in 415 the old man lay half-waking, meditating upon
some sacred theme when he saw by his couch a tall comely old
man, of venerable aspect. He wore a long white beard and was
clothed in a garment of white bordered with plates of gold
whereon were crosses and in his hand he held a golden wand.
" Who " asked Lucian, " art thou ? "
" I " was the reply " am Gamaliel who instructed Paul the
Apostle in the law. But go thou to Jerusalem and tell the Bishop
John to come here and open the tombs in which on the east side
1
354 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
lieth Stephen who was stoned by the Jews without the north gale.
His body lay unguarded (or a day atid a nighl but was untouched
by birds or beasts. Then I caused his relics to be secretly carried
to my house in the country, by the faithfial and for forty daj-s
funeral rites were celebrated when I had him laid here in my own
tomb. Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night did I also bring
into my house and he lies honourably buried in ttiy tomb where 1
likewise buried my son Abibas. His body is in the third sarcoph-
agi on higher ground next to that o( my own. My wife and my
eldest son, Semelias lie in another spot called ' Capharseinalia,'
Go therefore and tell this to the bishop."
Lucian (earful kst he might be regarded as an impostor
hesitated. But Gamaliel appeared to him again this time with
two baskets one of gold filled with red and white roses and one of
silver full of saffron of delicious smell. Asking what they meant
he was told : " The red roses represent St. Stephen and the
white Nicodemus who was without stain."
But Lucian still hesitated, until, on the same day he was
upbraided by Gamaliel for his neglect.
To cut ^ort the voluminous details
of the legend Lucian at last did re-
pair to Jerusalem and told of his
visions. Thus it was that the relics
of St. Stephen were recovered.
The relics of St. Stephen were first
translated to the Church of Sion and
later by the younger Theodosius to
Constantinople and, lastly, by Pope
Pelagius conveyed to Rome and when
lowered into the tomb where SL
Laurence lay the legend continues:
" St. Laurence moved aside to give
the place of honour on his right band."
This was the origin of the Spanish title conferred upon St. Lau-
rence (of whom I will speak August loth) the title " II cortosc
Spagnuolo " the courteous Spaniard. In art St. Stephen is repre-
sented as young with a mild and beautiful aspect always habited
ST. DOMINIC 355
in the rich dress of a deacon, the Dalmatica being of a crimson
colour covered with delicate embroidery. The sleeves are loose
and flowing, while heavy gold tassels hang from his shoulders,
both over his breast and at the back. But the attribute that is
everywhere recognized as the one most 6tting for the glorious
protomartyr is the simple palm branch of victory. On December
26th St. Stephen's Day I spoke at length of this holy man.
Naturally the festival day selected for St. Gamaliel and St.
Nicodemus was that of the discovery of the relics of St. Stephen.
Outside of what we read in Holy Writ regarding these two men
with what is told in the legend there is no record, beyond the fact
that Nicodemus when turned out of the synagogue and deserted —
possibly persecuted — by his former companions, sought out
Gamaliel and was by him given a home and Christian burial.
AUGUST 4th.
In the long list of the canonized saints of the Roman Church it
would be a difficult task to select the favourite one. But I run no
risk when I name St. Dominic as one of the foremost in the
affections of the laity of the Roman Church and of not a few of
the English church as well. Imprimis he was born a Spanish
gentleman, and I think that we of to-day, hardly realize the true
significance attached to those words in the XII., century ; for
they implied then the best type of a true noble-man. Not a
hidalgo or bravado to whom might made right. A class of men
to whom Spaniards now look back upon with justifiable pride.
He was born in Old Castile at Calaruega in the diocese of Osma ;
of the famous family of Guzman of whom the ex-Empress
Eugenia is a descendant. Had Dominic de Guzman so chosen
there were few honours at the Spanish court he could not have
with a fair degree of security looked forward to ; but he preferred
to resign worldly honours for the service of his Great Master. I
have before me as I write a sketch of the life of St. Dominic writ-
ten by a clergyman of the Church of England forty years ago in
356 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
which he says; '■Protestants hardlj' lio justice to such z
Think of their objects as we will we must own that in confining
themselves to a diet of pulse and a beiJ of boartis, In giving away
everything they had to the poor, in depriving themselves out of
every earthly indulgence and giving nearly their whole time to
religious exercises they established such a claim to popular
admiration, that the influence they acquired was not to f>e won-
dered at." And I am fain to believe with him as I read the life
of this man.
He was fourteen years of age when he entered the public schools
of Palenlia from which he went to the University of Salamanca.
Even then we know the associations a young man met at those
universities were not such as to lead them in the paths of holiness.
Yet one incident in Dominic's life at the university when he was
but twenty-one years of age which is no legend or fable shows the
earnest heartfelt longing he had, to sacrifice himself when in his
walks one day he met a poor woman who begged alms to help
secure for her brother the ransom needed to save him from becom-
ing a slave to the Moors. Dominic had not money to secure this
yet at once offered himself as a substitute to take the place of the
captive. Happily this end was gained without such a sacrifice but
it proved the metal the man was made of. Let my readers tura to
the Gospel of St. John and read xv; v. 13.
Alphonsus IX. King of Castile, chose the Bishop of Osma as
Ambassador to arrange the marriage of Prince Ferdinand with
[he daughter of the E»[l of La Marche — some claim this was a
province of North Germany and others of Sweden, while still
other historians make it France — and the Bishop took Dominic
with him. As they passed through Languedoc then the center of
the Albigneses heresy Dominic's heart took fire. It was this
Waldensian " heresy " that first put him into great activity. His
success in restoring many of the Vaudois to the Church seems to
have suggested to him that he, and others associated with him.
might greatly advance the interests of religion by a practice of
going about preaching and praying continually, while at the same
time abstaining in their own persons from every sort of indulgence.
Id the course of a few years he had thus established a new order
I
ROMAN BASILICAS 357
of religious called the Black or Preaching Friars, or later after his
own name the Dominicans (the term black referring to the hue of
the cloak and hood which they wore). This order was sanctioned
by Pope Innocent III. in 121 5 and very soon it had its establish-
ments in most European countries. There were in England at
the Reformation forty-three monasteries of the Blackfriars, and in
Scotland fifteen. Dominic was un-
r^^^^^ remitting in his exertions to extend,
^^^^^^ sustain and animate his institution.
^^^^ He performed many journeys always
^ on foot. He braved every sort of
y danger. He never showed the slight-
/ est symptom of pride in his success
for all with him was for the glory of
God and the saving of men. The
contemporary memoirs which describe
his life are full of miracles attributed
to him. He had on several occasions
restored to life persons believed to be
dead. Often in holy raptures at the
altar he appeared to the bystanders
elevated into the air. It was his
ardent desire to shed his blood for the cause he had espoused, but
in this he was not gratified. The founder of the Dominicans
calmly died of a fever at Bologna, at the age of 51. He was
canonized by Gregory IX. in 1224. St. Dominic has several
attributes. A dog is often given him as a symbol of fidelity. He
is also represented in the full canonical robes of a Bishop and
holding a lily in one hand and a book in the other while in Danish
Clogs he has a star as in illustration.
AUGUST sth.
There are three patriarchal churches in Rome in which the
Pope officiates upon different festivals and in one of which he
resides when in the city. These are the Basilica of St. John
I
35S SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Lateran, St. Peter's on the Vatican Hill and Sia. Maria Magpore."
the last named because of its antiquity and was the first church
erected in Rome to the honour of God, that was dedicated to the
Virgin Mary. It is sometimes called Uberian Basilica, as il was
founded by Pope Liberius and John a rich Roman patrician to
commemorate a miraculous event which has sometimes given il
the name of Sta. Maria Ad Nives. The legend was that on the
Sth day of August there was a fall of snow that covered the plot
where the Basilica now stands and that the Holy Virgin appeared
there in a vision and that the snow covered no other ground than
that she had selected for the site of a new temple.
It is in commemoration of this event that on Mount Esquilin in
each year the " Festa La Madonna della Nive"is celebrated at
Sta. Maria Magg^ore when, during a solemn high Mass in the
Borghese chapel, showers of white rose-leaves are thrown down
constantly through two holes in the ceihng " like a leafy mist
between the priests and worshippers,"
This church, in spite of many alterations, is in some respects
internally the most beautiful and harmonious building in Rome,
and retains much of the character which it received when rebuilt
between 432 and 440 by Sixtus III., who dedicated it to Sta. Mater
Dei, and esublished it as one of the four patriarchal ba^ticas.
whence it is provided with the " porta santa," only opened by 'be
Pope with great solemnity four times in a century.
It is in this basilica that the manger from Bethlehem, in wbkh
our Saviour lay. has been preserved and upon Christmas day it ii
taken from its silver case and shown.
AUGUST 6th.
The Transfiguration of our Lord on Mount Tabor in the
presence of St. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, SS, James
and John, who were later to be also witnesses of his bloody
agony in the garden, is one that marks a Holy Mystery as told in
Mat. xnii., Mark ix., and Luke ix. And thus the day has been
MONOGRAMS 359
selected by all branches of the Christian Church as a sacred
festival*
Just when the festival was first observed is not quite certain.
The Greeks as their records show made it a holy day in the VI.
century and according to Dr.
Butler : " The ninety-fourth ser-
mon of St. Leo which is on this
mystery shows this festival to have
been observed at Rome in the
middle of the V. century." Pope
Calixtus III. made it more univer-
sal by a bull dated in 1457. The
only Clog symbol I find for this day is an English one, a simple
Latin cross.
This day also commemorates St. Xystus, or Sixtus IL the 25th
successor of St. Peter. He only filled the high office for a single
year and fell a martyr under the persecution of Valerian in 258.
AUGUST 7th.
The early Christians made constant use of a variety of mon-
ograms of the name of Christ in endless varieties. These mono-
grams were of Greek origin and the Latins long used the Greek
letters only modifying them to conform to the Roman letters at a
very late period and as in Clog symbol given, thus combining
both the Greek and Roman letters. A monogram of Christ was
written at Chartres in Latin in the XIII. century ; but the
first two letters are Greek, the third and fourth might be either
Greek or Latin, and the last two are exclusively Latin XPITVS.
" The first sigma is omitted. Here (referring to the illustration)
the monogram of Christ is Greek, while the adjective noster is
Latin." It will also be observed that the Greek letter chi takes
on the form of the Latin Cross, whereas in the usual monogram
of the letter X (chi) P (rho) the Greek Cross is used in some of the
raised familiar forms like these, or by contracting the names of
36o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
k^ P
our Lord by using Ihe first and last tetters I C which stood for
Jesus. The I (Iota) and C (ancient sigma) o£ IHCOYC are
, the X (Chi)
I from XPICTOC a
these combintd read ^
Christ. In the West,
^ however, they altered the original Greek
letters into those used in their country and
ind by using the first two and the
, last letter of the name of Jesus in Greek
d the clever device of mak-
I ing the sign of contraction
I intersect the h (Eta), added ^
"the significant Cross.
In another common form |
the same result is
by crossing the lota and using *
the later form of the Greek
letter Sigma (S),
Referring to the very commonly used monogram given here 1
wish to quote from the calendar of the Book of Common Prayer,
edited by the Rev. W. D. Macray of Oxford. Eng-
land : " It is a mistake to suppose that these initials
' vfere originated to convey the meaning of 'JesiW
JHominum Salvator ' (Jesus Saviour of Men), for the}
were not. being of Greek and not Latin origin," ^
verd simple form known as the Vesica
Picis (in illustration) is also often used as
an emblem of the name of Jesus.
The dedication of the 7th of August/J
to the name of our Blessed Lord was\ |
) the English church calendar i
time of the Reformation from the Office Books of ^
the Sarum Use. In the Roman Church this least, of
the name of Jesus is fixed for the second Tuesday after Epipha"/'
Jesus in Greek
k-
ft
introduced i
ST. ROMANUS 361
AUGUST 8th.
Under that fatal edict of Dioclesian in 303 the number of vic-
tims who suffered seems to be endless. Again to-day the Church
honours SS. Cyriacus, Largus and Sinaragdus, who with twenty
companions had been executed on the i6th of March and hur-
riedly buried by friends on the Salarian way; but on this day
brought to the sacristy of Sta. Maria in Via Lata and placed at
rest. This is therefore a day of abstination.
AUGUST 9th
Is observed in the Roman Church as the " Vigil of St. Laurence
Martyr."
To-day the Church remembers St. Romanus, a Roman soldier
who was so convinced of the truth of Christianity as taught by St.
Laurence, while this holy man was in prison, that he begged of
him to be baptised then and there knowing as he did that the act
meant nothing less than death, that by making even the request
he was signing his own death warrant. If we needed evidence of
the potent power of St. Laurence as a preacher and earnest
worker in his master's vineyard, St. Romanus gives the proof for
the soldier was instantly arrested, tried, condemned, and on the
day before his worthy preceptor he won his crown of glory.
AUGUST loth.
Of St. Laurence, the principal saint whom the Church honours
this day, Mrs. Jameson truthfully says : " It is singular that of this
young and renowned martyr honoured at Rome next to SS. Peter
and Paul, so little should be known and it is no less singular that
there has been no attempt to fill up the lack of material by inven-
tion." Even Dr. Butler who terms him "the glorious St. Lau-
rence," confesses that " the ancient fathers made no mention of
362 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
hU birth and education," while at the same time he also says thai
with St. Maximus " the whole church joins in a body to honour."
Nor is [his honour contined to the Roman Church, for again to
quote (rom an eminent writer of the English church : " This saint
has ever been famous throughout all Christendom. His heroic
firmness and constancy under intense suffering
having caused him to be most highly honoured
since mediKvai days."
The claim of the Spaniards thai St. Laurence
was of Spanish birth is generally conceded, but
beyond this Laurence appears as a deacon at
Rome under Bishop Xystus (Sixtus II.) while
his legend much condensed from the " Flos
Sanctorum, " is as follows though my version
is not verbatim.
About the time Valerian was a prisoner of
Sapor, King of Persia, Sixtus 11.. Bishop of
'Rome had for his deacon a young and pious
priest named Laurence who was a Spaniard.
ST. LAURBNCB. a native of Osca or Huesca in the kingdom
N™X)l^'chu!S "' Arragon. Being very young he walked so
K<n>' meekly and blamelessly before God that Sixtus
chose him for hb archdeacon and gave into his care the treasures
of the church as they were then styled, consbting of a little money,
some vessels of silver and gold and copes of rich embroidery for
the service of the altar which had been presented to the church
by certain great and devout persons.
Sixtus, on being denounced to the prefect at Rome, was impri-
soned and soon after condemned to death. When Laurence saw
this he was in great afniciion and clung to his friend and pastor,
saying : ' Whither goest thou, O my father, without tby son and
servant ? Am 1 found unworthy to accompany thee to death, and
to pour out my blood with thine in testimony to the truth of
Christ ? St. Peter suffered his deacon, Stephen, to die before
him. Wilt thou not suffer me to prepare thy way ? ' All this be
said and much more, when the holy man replied : ' I do not leave
thee, my son. In three days thou shalt follow after me and thy
ST. LAURENCE 363
battle shall be harder than mine for I am old and weak and my
course shall be soon finished ; but thou who art young and strong
and brave, thy torments will be longer and more severe and thy
triumph the greater, therefore grieve not Laurence the Lcvite
shall follow Sixtus the priest.' Then he commanded Laurence to
take all the possessions of the church and distribute them among
the poor. Then Sixtus was put to death and Laurence walked
through the city seeking out the poor, the sick, the naked and
hungry fulfilling Sixtus' command, arriving at night at a house on
Coelian Hill where dwelt a Christian woman named Cyriaca, who
sheltered many fugitives and ministered to their wants. When
Laurence reached there he found her sick, but healed her by lay-
ing his hands upon her. The legend follows Laurence for sev-
eral days in his good work before the satellites heard that the
possessions of the church had been confided to him and searched
him out (these details I omit) and arrested him, confining him in
a dungeon under a man named Hippolytus whose whole family
had been converted.
When brought before the prefect and the question put where
he had hid the treasures of the church, Laurence said that in three
days he would show them. To quote from this point as I have
not done before : " The third day being come, St. Laurence
gathered together the sick and poor to whom he had dispensed
alms and placing them before the prefect he said : * Behold the
treasures of Christ's church.' Upon this
the prefect, thinking he was mocked, fell
into a great rage and ordered that St. Lau-
rence should be tortured till he made known
where the treasures were concealed, but no
suffering could subdue the patience and con-
stancy of the holy martyr. Then the pre-
fect commanded he should be carried by night to the baths of
Olimpias, near the villa of Sallust the historian, and that a new
kind of torture should be prepared for him more strange and cruel
than had ever before been used or had entered the heart of a
tyrant to conceive, for he ordered him to be stretched on a sort of
bed formed of iron in the manner of a gridiron and a fire to be
LS ■
364 SAINTS AND FESTIVAL
lighted benealh whicli should gradually consume his body to
ashes," an order that was carried out literally, and is told in all
its horrid details and then continues thus :
" In the midst of his torlures Laurence, to further triumph over
the cruelty of the tyrant said : ' Seesl thou not, oh foolish man,
that I am already roasted on one side and that, if thou wouldst
have me well cooked, it is time to turn rne on the other."
The well-known attribute of St. Laurence is Ihe gridiron (lagra-
ticola), to which the palm branch is often added. Sometimes the
gridiron is omitted and St. Laurence bears a dish with gold and
silver coins in it.
AUGUST iiO.
As we turn the pages of history the terrible peraecations of
Dioclesian seem to meet us everywhere. In Roman Martyrology
we read to-day : " At Rome between the two laurels is celebrated
the birthday of St. Tiburtius the martyr, who under the jud|>;e
Fabian in the persecution of Dioclesian, after he had walked bare-
footed on burning coals still confessed Christ with great constancy,
and was led three miles from the city and there struck with the
sword," Dr. Butler locates the scene of the martyrdom on the
Lavican road. With Tiburtius' name is coupled that of Chroma-
titis and the somewhat curious cause for the conversion of this
man, erstwhile " vicar to the prefect of Rome." as told in Butler's
" Lives of the Saints " is that " in Ihe first year of Dioclesian, St.
Tranquillinus being brought before him," Agustins Chromatins,
vicar to the prefect, " assured him that having been afflicted with
the gout he had recovered a perfect state of health by being bap-
tized. Chromatius was troubled with the same disease and being
convinced by this of the truth of the gospel sent for Polycarp, the
priest who had baptized Tranquillinus, and receiving the sacrament
was freed from that corporal infirmity, * * * and resigned his
dignity and was succeeded by Fabian," only to become himself a
martyr. This Tiburtius above mentioned was a son of Chroma-
tius and while all details are lacking, it is easy to see how as in
ST. CLARE 365
other Roman families the truth of Christ had been discussed be-
tween father and son, and whatever first led up to their convic-
tions they were among those true heroes who gave up their earthly
lives rather than to recant and lose their life eternal
AUGUST 1 2th
Is especially recognized as the festival of St. Clare virgin and
abbess named in Roman Martyrology to be honoured on this day.
" At Assisi in Umbria Sl Clare Virgin who was the first of the
poor women of the Order of Minorites and being celebrated for
the holiness of her life was numbered among the holy virgins by
Alexander IV." But the story of St. Clare or Clara cannot end
with such brief mention. It has been told for ages as a folk-tale
repeated in grave severe form by the fathers of the church in the
middle ages and half-satirically told by an English clergyman of
late days. Each in their way do this noble woman injustice. Let
us strive to sift the true story, of a maiden born of a rich and
noble family in Assisium, in Italy whose father Phavirino Sciffo
had proved his prowess as a knight on more than one stricken
field. The period when St. Francis, (Francisco d' Assisi founder
of the Order of Franciscans, 1 182-1226) appeared was one of
great darkness in the history of the Roman Church though the
enthusiastic faith of some barbarian kings and nobles, " bred of
the self-devotion and earnestness of the missionaries had led to
their endowing the church largely so that bishoprics begat wealth
and men of noble birth sued for them to the power which accom-
panied these places." The Church as we know from Dean Mil-
man and others, was not then prosperous. But the story of St.
Francis must not be intruded upon here beyond the point of the
influence the Saint had over St. Clare.
The first great gathering of the order St. Francis had founded
was in 1 21 2 on Palm Sunday and that day Francis spoke from the
pulpit.
Among those who heard him were Phavirino Sciffo, his wife
Hortulana (sometimes written Ortulania) and their daughters
366 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
CIar«, Agnes and Beatrix. Aa FTaacia mppcniM hi* " goldea
thought " of the dxitj of each to cut uide the worid, wMhb, Ine-
ury and personal aggrandisement and accept eneo poverty Car du
love ot Christ, none listened with tnore r^>t attentino diaa dan
ScifFo. The desire to serve ber master had penetrated her lodl.
She bad all that wealth beauty and worldly atatioii could give;
but what were tbcM compared to that
''"pricelcM treasure." From that hoar
her mind was fixed and she would ghe
her whole life to the serricc ot Qirist,
That u^ht she went to the Ch^d el
ihe FortiuiKnila where Francis was ^
stalled, and implored to be recdTcd aid
given work to do no matter wbat, at the
same time taking off her }ewclB and rich
garmentB. Francis was as unable as be
} unwilling to refuse the maiden, and
casting over her a coarse habit, she was
enrolled among the Champions of Pov-
As Francis had no other female
adherent, he took Clare to the Bene-
*dictine convent of St, Paolo for the time
l>eing and in spite of the protestations
of her parents, when Francis had com-
pleted a dwelling for her-and others who also had joined her.
established the Order of Franciscan nuns, as they were later
called, the " Poor Clares," and she became the " Madre Serafica"
in October of the year 1212. As the rules of Francis enjoined
strict poverty, the only support of the nuns at St. Damian as the
little nunnery was called, was brought them by the monks,
Gregory IX. objected to such free intercourse as thus obtaiited,
but Clare was Arm, telling him " that if the holy brothers may
not minister to us the Bread of Life, they shall not provide tis
with the bread that pierisheth." Gregory, who could defy an
emperor as he did Frederick at Barbarossa met his match in this
determined young woman and finally had to yield to her. But I
may not elaborate the long and interesting story of Sl Clare and
ST. CLARS.
ST. HIPPO LYT us 367
the wonderful results attained by the Franciscan nuns. She died
in 1253 at the age of sixty. She was canonized by Alexander IV.,
in 1255.
AUGUST 13th.
It is but the natural sequence that the bold Roman soldier Hip*
polytus converted by St. Laurence while awaiting his own crown
of glory, did not escape the fury of Decius, and it is equally fit-
ting that the Church honours him as it does this day*
The respite given Hippolytus was brief, between the horrible
death inflicted on his instructor and the time he and his family,
even to his aged nurse Concordia, stood before the implacable
tyrant — not judge — it could have been hardly less than torture
for the noble soldier to see the nurse he had loved from infancy
actually scourged to death because she would not yield her faith,
and then one by one to see nineteen of his own family beheaded
before him for the same cause, while he, not knowing yet his own
doom, was obliged to witness the horrid sight. We may well rev-
erence Roman courage with an example like this set before us,
when this hero, despising clemency if
he would apostatize preferred to be, as
he was, " tied to the tails of wild horses
and thus perish by a cruel and terrible
martyrdom."
By a curious mingling of pagan
mythology and Christian traditions this
Christian Hippolytus has received the
attributes of his pagan namesake, the
son of Theseus, and is the patron saint of horses. The name
in Greek signifies "one who is destroyed by horses." In art
Hippolytus is usually represented as a Roman soldier with a
bunch of keys at his belt. On the Clog sticks he has as an
attribute the same as is seen in St. Hippolytus* hand in a picture
in the Academy of Florence and is said to be an ancient curry
comb. There are several noted paintings of the martyrdom of
368 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Hippolytus showing him fastened to the wild horses'
who are rearing before starting on their mad race.
ll
AUGUST uth.
By a curious coincidence two saints bearing the same name are
honoured this day. One. St. Eusebius, who for his defense of tht
Catholic faith was confined by the Arian emperor Constanline Ux
seven months and died from the effects of it. The other St.
Eusebius was a martyr of a time antedating the decrees of Dm-
clesian so often mentioned, and still his martyrdom in all its
essential features is like those of other days a few years later, bii
offense being a refusal Co sacrifice to the Roman gods. Tix
exact date of his death is not known, but was not tar from 295.
AUGUST 15th.
On this festival the Church commemorates the translation of
the Mother of our Lord into His kingdom. There is literallf
nothing known regarding the life of the Blessed Virgin after tli«
Ascension of our Lord. An endless number of legends erist and
not a few wilh more than a soupgon of truth in them. I wish I
might quote some of ihem, but I cannot. Still I can refer mj
readers !o Mrs. Jameson's invaluable and reliable '■ Legends of
the Madoniu " that will more than repay Che time required for
their perusal.
There seems little doubt that St. John the Evangelist hilfilkd
the sacred trust committed to him. We find ample evidence tlvl
St. John in his old age retired to Ephesus, but whether the Holy
Virgin went there with him is too " vexed " a question to entw
upon ; or whether, as many believe, she died at Ephesus or Jeru-
salem and was laid in " her sepulchre cut in the rock at Geth-
semane." All authorities agree that she lived to an advani^ old
age before she paid the debt of nature. The festival of her
Assumption is one of the oldest recognized in the Roman Church
ASSUMPTION OF VIRGIN 369
as well as that of the Greeks, mention being made of it in pontifi-
cal records of the early part of the VI. century. The Assump-
tion of the Virgin had even before this been recognized, as
mention is made of a sermon by St. Proclus in 428 ** on the day of
her festival"
This festival is by far the most sacred of the many paid by the
Roman Church to the Blessed Virgin.
AUGUST i6th.
The saint which the Church honours this day, and whom eccle-
siastical historians call " the apostle of the North and the Thauma-
turgus of his age/' is St. Hyacinth. He was descended from an
ancient house of the Oldrovans, one of the most illustrious of all
Silesia, then a part of Poland. He was born in 11 85 in Breslau,
educated at the celebrated universities of Cracow, Prague and
Bologna, taking his degree as doctor of laws and divinity from the
last named university. Then he became prebend of the Cathe-
dral of Cracow. After that in 121 8, accompanying his uncle Yvo
of Konski, chancellor of Poland, to Rome, Hyacinth there met St
Dominic and took upon himself the habit and vows of the Domin-
ican Order and became a missionary on the banks of the Baltic,
and founded churches in Prussia, Pomerania and adjacent coun-
tries, including the Isle of Rugen and the peninsula of Geden.
Later he pushed on to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Gothia,
and yet later to Little, or Red Russia and penetrated the Tartar
country.
A typical man among that great army of those early mission-
aries that we of to-day do such scant justice to, who not only
" took his life in his hand," but forgetting self in the service of his
great Master, stands forth justly glorified among saintly heroes of
those bygone ages, to whom the Christian Church owes a debt I
am fain to believe few recognise. After travels which covered
oyer 4,000 leagues, he at last reached Cracow in 1257 when seventy-
two years of age and upon the feast of the Assumption of tlie
370 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
He was canoiiized by Qem-
1S94.
AUGUST 17th.
In Roman Mattyrology this day is named as
THK OCTAVE OF ST. LAURZNCK.
I
Perhaps no one story can better illustrate ihe bitter vindjctivt-
ness of the so-called Arian Christians toward their Orthodox
brethren than that of St. Liberaius and his six Brothers of the
Church who occupied a small monastery near Capsa in the prov-
ince of Ryzacecena, whom the Church honours this day. In 483
under Huneric, the Arian Vandal King in Africa, because \iity
would not abjure the orthodox faith of one baptism, they were
dragged from iheir quiet monastery and subjected to unheard of
torments. Lastly, when they refused to acknowledge any change,
they were bound to the wood by which they were to be burned.
Again and yet again did these vandals strive to light this wood,
but in vdn ; the wood would not take fire. Then in his anger
Huneric commanded that they should be beaten to death by iron
bars, an order faithfully carried out. The event is worth remem-
bering to emphasize the bitterness of these Anans toward their
fellow Christians.
AUGUST 1 8th
Is the festival day of St. Helena, wife of Constantine Chloris (the
Pale) and mother of Constantine the GreaL But perhaps the one
act of her varied life which has and ever will tnalce her name
memorable was that, when over four score years of age, through
her agency the true cross upon which our Lord Christ had suf-
fered was dbcovered after nearly three centuries, during whiidi
time its hiding place had been kept a profound secret.
Naturally the life of this woman has been often told, but it can
never fail to be of interest to every true Christian.
ST. HELENA 371
French historians have vainly tried to prove that at the time she
married Constantine Chloris she was " an inn-holder " (Stabularia)
in Bithynia, but the most reliable traditions show her to have been
a Briton by birth and probably a native of Colchester, though
some eminent English historians name York as her birthplace.
To understand clearly the story the reader should turn to his
Roman history and read up the events which led the two Roman
emperors, Dioclesian and Maximian, in 293 to choose two other
" inferior emperors '* to aid them in the government of the vast
empire. Dioclesian chose one Galerius and Maximian took Con-
stantine Chloris for assistants. Prior to this Constantine had
married Helena the Briton. Then read on through those long
pages of events which rendered it necessary from a diplomatic
standpoint, for Chloris to divorce Helena in order to marry Theo-
dora, the daughter of Maximian, and thus follow the wonderful
story by which Constantine the Great, the son of Chloris and
Helena, rose to power. All history of a most interesting nature
and which carefully read would add greatly to the clear under-
standing, not only of St Helena's story, but of scores of the
saints referred to.
The Empress Helena and her son were not separated by the
divorce and he always honoured her, as shown by calling her
" Augusta," or empress of his armies. But Helena was not con-
verted at the time her son was ; indeed it was only after his mirac-
ulous victory that she renounced paganism. I will not give details
of her interesting life down to 325-6, when Constantine became
master of the East and concurred in the assembling of the Coun-
cil of Nice and resolved to build a magnificent church on Mount
Calvary. It was then that St. Helena took charge of the enter-
prise and, although over eighty years of age, went to Jerusalem,
to discover if possible where the true cross was then hidden.
As the legend is told under date of May 3d when speaking of
the " Invention of the Cross " it need not be repeated here.
The temple of Venus which profaned the sacred spot where
this is reputed to have occurred was destroyed by order of
Empress Helena A. D. 3^6.
On her return to Rome after this wonderful discovery, the noted
372 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
empress passed quietly away in the year 32S, on Au^st iSth.
The " Church of the Nativity " at Bethlehem was built by Si.
Helena in 327. and is the oldest church in the world.
AUGUST 19th.
While Dioclesian yet reigned and during the second year of ihe
great persecuiion of the Christians. Urban, then president til
Palestine, became especially vindictive against the faithful, visiting
condign punishment upon them for the most trivial offense
against Roman law, or in not a few cases on suspicion only th:ii
any one was a Christian. This was so with the several saints
whose names are to be honoured by the Church grouped together
this day. In regard to St, Timothy no pretext seems to ha«
been offered for the cruel treatment he received except that he
openly avowed his faith, and for that was stretched upon the rack
and his flesh torn with iron combs to make bim recant ; upon bis
refusal, he was burned to death before " a slow fire," at Gan, 00
May I, 304, while SS. Agapius and Thecia, upon similar grounds
were sent to Cxsarea under guards, where after being tortured,
they were condemned to be torn to pieces by wild beasts in Ibe
amphitheater. Thecia was the first to fall a victim to this barba-
rous punishment ; then with a refinement of cruelty, Agapius wu
remanded to his prison and only after two years of constant tor-
ment did he gain his martyr's crown in the same manner, ij
common consent both the Latin and Greek churches have nnited
the festivals of these three saints and nanied the 19th day of
August for its celebration.
AUGUST 20th.
In every age and class of society there are men who seem to be
bom leaders, men whom their associates recognize at once and
willingly follow. It has been thus in the Church as well as in the
world at large, as is seen in so many cases; but never perhaps,
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX373
more strikingly illustrated than in the case of St. Bernard of Clair-
vaux, whose festival occurs this day, and who is often styled
" the last of the Fathers/' while he was beyond question one of
the greatest men of the Middle Ages.
He was the son of a knight of a ancient and noble fannily, and
was born at Fontaines near Dijon in Burgundy, in 1091. His
mother Aliz was a devoutly pious woman and encouraged her son
in his religious tendencies which he began to show at a very early
age, and when he was still but a lad he declared his intention of
leading a monastic life. His mother died in mo when Bernard
was but nineteen years of age, and he soon thereafter entered the
Cistercian monastery of Citeaux, though his brothers and friends
plead against such a course. Instead — and this early incident
shows that gift of leadership above spoken of — in the end he
persuaded thirty of his companions including his brothers to join
him in his monastic life. The discipline of the Cistercians is very
rigourous but did not reach the standard Bernard set for himself,
and he imposed many restrictions on his life which the order
would permit but did not command, while in every way he was
rising in the estimation of his superiors.
A capable man like Bernard was not to be lost in privacy. As
Citeaux became crowded with devotees, the Abbot, a shrewd judge
of character, selected Bernard and sent him into the wilderness at
the head of twelve companions to found a new settlement. After
wandering northwards for ninety miles they fixed their abode in a
woody valley called Wormwood in Champagne, and erected a log
hut that, under Bernard's genius, grew into the renowned Abbey
of Clairvaux, of which he became abbot when he was but twenty-
four years of age.
I may not follow the interesting details of this great man's life.
An incident or two must suffice.
The saintly rigour of his life, his eloquence as a preacher, and
his courage in attacking civil and ecclesiastical wrong-doers
gradually raised Bernard into European fame, and letters and
visitors from far and near drifted to Clairvaux. The force of his
influence became especially manifest in 1 130 when on the death
of Pope Honorius H. two popes — Innocent II. and Anacletus II.
.. ., ^iui>wortn wrote he no c
ated a thought, but St. Bernard
when he wrote one of his pupils :
experience. You will find somethi
than you will find in books. Stones
which you will never learn from n:
suck honey from the rock, and oil fro
the mountains drop sweetness, the hil
and the valleys stand thick with com t
controversies was with Abelard, th
century, who was accused of unsoui
speculation on the mystery of the Ti
Bernard to a public logical disputation.
A and refused. " When all fly before hi
selects me, the least, for single combat
but a child, and he a man of war from
were overcome by his friends and a cou
which the king of France and a crowd
repaired. Abelard came with a troop c
> two or three monks, as it behoved a (
* Abelard seems to have discovered thai
1 He was used to address the reason of 8
f at Sens was made up of men on whose i
slight effect whilst his adversary's impt
irresistible. Bernard had scarcely opei
the speechless astonishment of all, Ab
fused to hear m/^*- -
i
ST. JANE 375
Perhaps the crowning glory of St. Bernard's life was his efforts
for the second crusade when our saint was fifty-five years ot age.
The writings of St. Bernard fill many volumes and are highly
prized. His first published book " On the Twelve Degrees of
Humility" even now widely read, was followed in 1 120 by his
" Homilies on the Gospels." But I cannot enumerate. Perhaps
his masterpieces are " The Cross of Abelard " and his " Five
Books of Consideration." All of his writings are characterized by
their vigour, terseness and a high degree of literary ability, even
when judged by our modem standards.
St. Bernard died at Clairvaux, August 20th, in the sixty-third
year of his age, and was buried before Our Lady's high altar in
the monastic church.
He was in every way a truly great man whether we view him
from an ecclesiastical or moral standpoint ; one of those rare men
whose virtues and accomplishments cannot be justly summed up
in a brief sketch like the present.
AUGUST 2ist
Is the festival of St. Jane Frances De Chantal, the grandmother of
the celebrated Mme. de Sevign6. The father of St. Jane was a
man of some note being one of the presidents of the Parliament
of Burgundy, but more particularly for his loyalty to Henry IV. in
his struggle with the league. While Jane Freniot was still an
infant she lost her mother by death, but her father by his prudent,
pious care, as far as possible supplied the mother's place. When
Jane was twenty years of age, in obedience to her father she was
married to the Baron de Chantal, an officer of distinction in the
French army and a favourite with King Henry IV. While thus
complying with her father's wishes the union was one that she
would have avoided not from any just reason so far as the baron
went, for he was in all ways a thoroughly acceptable man and
proved a kind husband, but that the maid had earnestly desired to
lead a religious life. In those days a father's command on such a
subject was recognized as supreme. She therefore yielded, but
376 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
in so doing made a mental vow that if in God's providence she
became a widow, from that hour she would devote her life to the
service of God and the poor,
A happy, contented life followed for eight years during which
four children were born. Then on a day when the baron and a
friend were hunting deer in his forest at Bourbitly (the name of
bis estate), this friend in the dim light mistook the dull, dun color
of the baron's hunting coat for a deer moving behind a clump of
bushes and shot him. The baron lived nine days only and then
the baroness found herself at twenty-eight years of age, the
widow she had pictured herself : but hampered by her duty la
four young children, a duty she did not either shirk or deny, and
though her inclinations for a rdigious life were unchanged she
recognized where her paramount duty lay. After her year of
mourning was over she began her consultations with her old
friend. St. Francis de Sales, who after months of careful consider-
ation at last broached to her his project for the establishment of
"a Congregation of the Visitation of the Virgfin Mary." In the
formation of this order the baroness lent him her aid and con-
tributed largely from her wealth. But her children were neither
neglected nor forgotten, and before she left the world to assume
the direction of the new order as " La Mere Chantal " she saw her
eldest daughter happily married to the young Baron de Thouns, a
nephew of St. Francis ; a second daughter also married to the
Count de Touloujon, a nobleman of great virtue, prudence and
honour ; while God, in his wisdom, had taken to himself the third
daughter. Her son the young Baron de Chantal, then fifteen
years old, she committed to the care of her father, President Fre-
ntot. Thus when her children no longer needed her care, she
took tipon herself the arduous duties she had determined upon.
The vicissitudes o( her life from this point would fill a volume and
be the entire early history of the Order of the Visitation, as It was
known. How faithfully she fulfilled those duties is well known in
the Roman Church, She died December 13, 1641 ; was beatified
by Benedict XIV. in i75i,and canonized by Clement XIV. on
September 2, 1769, who then fixed the day of her feast for the 21st
of August.
ORDER OF SERVITES 377
AUGUST 22d.
Of St. Hippolytus, the primitive prelate and illustrious doctor,
who flourished in the beginning of the III. century, and whom
the Church honours this day, outside of his writings very little is
known. Even St Jerom was obliged to say that he was unable
to learn of what city he was bishop, yet such was the force of his
wonderfully gifted pen that not a few of its products live even
now after seventeen centuries have come and gone, and we are
apt to wonder if the writings of any of the prelates of the twen-
tieth century will be found so wise and valuable that men will
read them in the thirty-seventh century, as a half score of this
man's writings are read to-day. Even in his own day or very
near it, his fame must have been beyond that of most of his con-
temporaries for there stands now in the Vatican library a statue
of St. Hippolytus which was dug up in 1551, and which bears
evidence of its having been erected far back in the di^sty days of
the past, in his honour. " The Greeks and Ethiopians," Dr. Butler
says, "honoured St Hippolytus on our 29th of January; the
Latins on the 22d or 23d of August"
AUGUST 23d.
Of the several saints named in the Kalendar of this day I will
take space to mention but one, St. Philip Beniti, or Benize as he is
sometimes called, the principal ornament and propagator of the
religious " Order of Servites " in Italy,
As a young man St Philip had studied medicine in Paris and
later took his degree of doctor from the University of Padua,
whence he returned to Florence.
The Order of Servites or the servants of God had been founded
some fifteen years before his return. Some very rich merchants
of Florence by mutual agreement, had retired from the world
to Monte Senario, six miles from the city ; where in little cells
they lived, having all things in common. To St. Philip their lives
seemed to be peculiarly attractive as -meeting his own ideal of
1
378 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
self-sacrifice for others. Attending service one evening s
chapel ihe Epistic was from Acts viii., ag. and in it the words
occur " Draw near and join thyself to the chariot," which were
addressed to his namesake, Philip ; and which he fell were
addressed to him in person. A vision which came to him that
night confirmed him in this, and with no little dread he applied,
and in due time was " admitted to the habit of the order by Father
Bonfilio," the superior of the community. This was in Sep-
tember, 1233. F'rom thence his life was devoted to charity and
the propagation of his order, passing through every grade froia
that of servitor to that of dcfinitor and at last in 1:67 he became
the fifth General of the Order.
After the death of Clement IV. he was sought tor by many as
a successor lo the pontifical throne ; but when he heard of this he
fled to the mountains and lay concealed until after the election of
Gregory X., and thenceforward gave his life to the service of his
order. He 'died ia 1285 and for his sanctity was canooued u
1726 by Benedict XIII.
THE NOBLE ARMY OF MARTVRS PRAISE THEE.
In Opening the chapter on early martyrs Mrs. Jameson says:
"When in the daily service of the church we repeat these words
of ihe sublime hymn I wonder sometimes whether it be with a full
appreciation of their meaning. Whether we do really reflect on
all that this noble army of martyrs hath conquered for us ? " As
I record in the Kalendar the names of these " noble " martyrs this
question constantly recurs to me, and how utterly, except for the
Roman Church we in this utilitarian age should forget them and
let the memory of their sacrifices sink into oblivion. From our
comfortable, well upholstered pew, with a due and reverent mieii
we echo baclc the glorious words as they (alt on our ears ; yet
how many of us in the privacy of our own homes ever give this
" noble army of martyrs " a second thought, much less to stop
and compute the debt every Christian no matter what his creed
may be, owes them, or reflect on the true heroism they displayed.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW 379
Their names even are but empty sounds wbile their noble deeds
are quite forgotten though done in imitation of their Divine
Master and to prove, their faith in His promises.
AUGUST 24th.
This is St. Bartholomew's Day. As this apostle is not
menttooed in any of the canonical books except when enumerat-
fal2 the names of the twelve, legend has filled the gap with tbe
usual result, and we find ourselves
much at a loss in regard to his true
history. One of these legends makes
him the son of an husbandman, while
another makes him the son of Prince
Ptolomcus, supposed to tje the Tholo-
mew or Tolmai family mentioned by
Josephus, while Jensenius and other
learned vnicers take the apostle to
have been the same person with
Nathaniel, a native of Cana in Galilee,
a doctor of Jewish law. All legends
agree that after the Ascension of
Christ he travelled into many distant
lands preaching the gospel ; some say-
ing he even reached India ir
joumeyings. It was at Hierapolis in f
Phrygia he met St. Philip. It is said
that in all of his travels he carried
with him a copy of the Gospel of i
Matthew from which he constantly quoted. Returning from his
travels he preached in Armenia and Cilicia and while in the city
of Albanopolis he was seized and condemned to a most cruel
death ; for he was first Rayed alive and later crucified. The proper
attribute of St. Bartholomew is a knife of very peculiar form. If
we could get an exact copy of an ancient Jewish " flesher's knife "
I
380 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
we should have it in its proper shape. The illustration allies
the knife in an old Florentine picture of St. Bartholomew and
I give it as found, not assuming 10 vouch for its correct form.
The other illustration is from an English Clog-silck, for I find
none o( this saint on ibe Danish sticks.
The martyrs of Utica who had suffered under the decree of
Valerian in 358, are this day
honoured by the Roman
Church, in Carthage. St.
Austin places their number at
one hundred and fifty-three
persons, and ibis holocaust is
universally spoken of as the
" White Mass " and the ques-
tion is often asked why. The
following, taken verbatim from
the American edition of
Roman Martyrology, not only
answers the query but shoH's
the propriety of the appclla-
; " Among other tormenti
;ted on them, a limekiln
was set on fire by order of the
governor and live coals wiih
incense being brought to him
he said to the confessors:
* Choose one of these two things, to offer inceuse to Jupiter on
these coals or to cast yourselves into the kiln.' Armed with the
faith and confessing Christ to be the son of God, they each with
a rapid step precipitated
themselves into the kiln .
and amidst the vapours ^
of the lime were reduced
to dust." It is difHcutt 10 conceive of a higher degree of moral
courage and heroism than this " Noble Army of Martyrs " dis-
played on that memorable 34th day of August in 258. Even
those gallant three hundred Spartan heroes at Thermopylae.
ST. LOUIS 381
who for ages have been held up as models of courage were not
superior to these humble Christians.
AUGUST 25th
Is the feast of St. Louis, King of France, a saint who in France
has had few that have been held in greater esteem. He was born
in Poissey, in 121 5, and therefore often signed himself *' Louis of
Poissey." By the death of his grandfather, Philip H. in 1223 his
father, Louis VIIL, became king, but only for three brief years
as he died November 7th, 1226, and our saint when only in his
twelfth year of age became nominally King of France.
His mother Blanche, a daughter of Alphonsus IX., (sometimes
called VI IL) King of Castile, was proclaimed regent during his
minority, and happily for the young monarch she proved herself a
woman of more than ordinary worth and ability. She was not
only a devout church-woman, but a most devoted mother from
the hour of the birth of the heir to the French throne. From
infancy Louis was a docile, loving child, and from the earliest
dawn of his intellect Queen Blanche directed and personally super-
vised his education. Even the burden of care which the regency
placed upon her was not allowed to interfere with this — as she
felt it — her paramount duty. She must have been a woman of —
for that period — unusual education, and to her care, and in part
we are told, by her personal teaching, young Louis became a per-
fect master of the Latin language, as well as to speak with a
grace, ease and dignity in public. But over all the teachings of
the Church at all times dominated ; while the tender, mutual love
between the mother and her son is one of the pleasantest pictures
of the life of St. Louis. In a like manner Louis was most fortu-
nate in the wife that was selected for him, Margaret of Provence,
whom he married May 27, 1234. But I must not enlarge on bio-
graphical matters. In Dr. Butler's notice of St. Louis I read the
following : *• Baldwin II., the Latin emperor of Constantinople
in 1239, made St. Louis (in gratitude for his great largesses to the
Christians in Palestine and other parts of the East) a present of
382 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Ibe Holjr Crows of TboriB wfaicb was fonscHr kept in the Im-
pcml palace but was tben in ibe band of die Venexiaas, as a
pfedge for a coasid«xable loan of mooey botrowed oj iheta aod
wtiich St. Loms disdiarged," and (oOowteg dns the amboc leUs of
the disposition of tba holy rdic
The sioiy of the Cnisades of King Loius to ibe Holj Land are
loo iritc to repeat here save to mention ibe date, wben after hav-
ing gone to the Abbey of SL Denis '■ lo take the Oriflamc " (the
ancient standard borne by the kings of France in war and so
called from its being of a red or flame colour) be sec sail from
Aiguesmortis on August 27, I148, for Palestine and not to return
until afler over sis years of this terrible war. to Vincenocs on
September 5. 1254.
The second crusade was undertaken ^larcb 35, 1267, but King
Louis only finally sailed wiih his army from Aiguesmortis July I,
1270. with his sons Philip, John (Count of Nevcrs) and Peter
(Count of Alen^on) and a numerous retinue among whom was
Theobald, King of Navarre, a son-in-law of St. Louis.
It was to be the last of the great king's efforts, for he died from
"distemper" 00 August 25th in 1270 and his relics were brougbc
to Paris and deposited in the Church Of St. Denis. He was
canonized by Benedict VIIL in 1297.
AUGUST 36th.
The Church to-day remembers St. Zephrinus, one of those
early fathers who Hllcd the pontifical chair in 202 when Sevehis
raised the tifch of those bloody persecutions which mark the entire
history of the Christian Church from the day when our Lord suf-
fered upon Calvary. Like so many of those devoted men, little is
known of him beyond the fact oF his having suffered for the cause
of Christ and that during Che sixteen years he was looked up to as
the Head of the Church, he comforted the suffering, giving
strength to the wavering and at the last won his own immortal
crown of glory in 218.
ST. GELASINUS (ACTOR) 383
Another saint who is also this day honoured is St. Gelasinus ;
who is one of whom we wish we knew more. At best his story
is a mythical" Folk-Tale," told from the chronicles of Alexandria.
The man was an actor and for a jest in a warm bath» in a scene
in a play given on an Alexandrian stage, he had been in mock
solemnity baptized. From that moment a strange solemn feeling
had seized upon him. The thing which had begun as a jest had
materialized into a solemn reality, and as he came forth from his
bath he proclaimed himself a Christian in truth. The story of his
arrest, trial and condemnation is without any marked features
from others of its kind and the chronicle of his execution briefly
states " he was stoned to death."
AUGUST 27th.
In Roman Martyrology for this day we read of the death of St.
Joseph Calasanctus, Confessor : *' Illustrious by the innocence of
his life, who to instruct youths in piety and letters founded the
Order of the Poor Regular Clerks of the pious schools of the
Mother of God." His life had been one continued self-sacrifice
for the sick and destitute ; for whom he gave up the wealth and
social station of the noble family in Arragon from which he came.
He was, in short, a man with an ideal priesthood in his mind
which he sought by both precept and example to establish. He
had laboured for this twenty years when in 1617 Paul V. allowed
him and his companions to form themselves into a congregation
under simple vows, which in 162 1 Gregory XV. changed to reli-
gious vows and gave them the name they bear. The Order passed
through many vicissitudes. Alexander VII. in 1656 brought them
back to the simple vows of 1617. Clement IX., again in 1669
raised them to a religious order which Innocent XI. confirmed
in 1689. They teach philosophy, divinity, mathematics, the learned
languages and all the classics as well as the elementary branches.
They have houses in most cities of Italy, Austria-Hungary. Poland
and Spain. St. Joseph Calasanctus died at the wonderful old age
384 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
of ninety-two in 1648. An office in tlie Roman Breviary was
established (or him in 1769. ^^^^J
AUGUST 38th.
St Augustine, to whom this day is dedicated is often called
" The Greatest of ibe Fathers " and is one of those saints who
are held in equal rerenence by both the Roman and Proiescani
Churches. He was one of the " Four Laiin Fathers " who as
logicians and advocates wrote and sufterEd for the cliurcfa militant
in its early and fierce struggle, and who fixed
the articles of laith which thereafter were
received for their guidance. Of these " Latin
Fathers " St. Augustine appears as the third
in usual order. SS. Simon and Ambrose
occupying the first and second places aad
St, Gregory the fourth.
Augustine was an African being bora
at Tagaste, a city of Numidia, in 354. His
father was a pagan and his mother, Monica,
a Christian of earnest piety who longed with
exceeding desire for her son's conversion.
In his boyhood falling seriously ill, he desired
to submit to the rite of baptism, but llie
danger being averted, the rite was deferred.
As he grew up, his morals became corrupted
and he lapsed into profligate habits. In bis
. nineteenth year the perusal of Cicero's Hor-
(a work now lost) made a deep
impression on his mind, and stirred within
01 Hippo. jjjjjj aspirations after a nobler life. At this
juncture be became a convert of the Manicbaens and for nine
years an able advocate of their opinions. The Manichaens were
a set founded by one Manes, about z6i. He confounded the
teaching of Christ with that of Zoroaster and held that the
ST. AUGUSTINE
ST. AUGUSTINE 385
government of the universe was shared by two powers, one good
and the other bad ; the first, which he called Light, did nothing
but good ; the second, which he called Darkness, did nothing
but evil. Meanwhile, Augustine taught grammar at Tagaste and
then rhetoric at Carthage, but growing disgusted with the vicious
character of his pupils he determined to go to Rome, much against
the will of his mother. In Rome he attracted many scholars, but
finding them no better than on the other side of the Mediterranean*
he removed to Milan where he was elected professor of rhetoric.
The intrepid Ambrose ruled at that time as Archbishop in Milan
and by his ministry Augustine was delivered from the Manichaen
heresy. The vacation of 386 he spent at the country seat of his
friend Verecundus, in the diligent study of the Scriptures; and
in the Easter of the following year he and his son, Adeodatus,
a youth of singular genius, were baptized by Ambrose.
It was on this occasion it is said, that the " Te Deum " was
composed and chanted by Ambrose and Augustine alternately
as they advanced to the altar At the request of his mother, St.
Augustine accompanied her (who had been in Milan to witness
his baptism) to Aplina, but she died on the way and he retired to
a villa near Hippo where after three years spent in monastic
seclusion in 391 he took on himself holy orders, and in 396, was
made Bishop of Hippo, where he presided nearly thirty-five years
until in 430 when the town was besieged by the Vandals. It was
during this siege that he died in the month of March. When the
city some months after his death was captured and burned, his
library was fortunately saved, which contained his voluminous
writings — two hundred and thirty-two separate books or treatises
on theological subjects, besides a complete exposition of the
psalter and the gospels, and a copious magazine of epistles and
homilies. The best account of Augustine is found in his Confes-
sions, in which with unflinching and sorrowful courage he records
the excesses of his youth, and the progress of his life in Christ.
It is these writings which have made St. Augustine the patron
saint of theologians and scholars. The representations of St.
Augustine in Christian art make too long a list for me to venture
upon them, beyond mentioning that such great names as Reubens
and Vandyke bead the Hit of aitiMS. wUk JOutt Mnr «m
proad to be the engrarcr o( Vaodjte'a pictara.
AUGUST 99th.
This day in the Koman Chnfch it held an oAce in autaeKftt
the beheading of J6bn the Baptbt. The story m told fafSSb
Matthew and Marie are like honiebald worda. We all bcfe faeird
it from our childhood. Pointiiig aa thia event doea, lo botfc a
great moral and an hiatoric mtat of no ordinary characHr. k U
eminently fitting U ■hould be remembered wfth amiable oOBei by
the Church.
Well authenticated tnulittona tell na that after the deooOrtkn of
John the Baptist hts diaciples secured his body and that tbi^
entombed it at Sebasti, or Samaria, but that during those trou-
blous days when Julian the Apostate reigfned, the tomb was devas-
tated and rifled by the pagans who then burnt a part of the sacred
bones, but that faithful Christians secured the rest and sent then
to Alexandria whence in later days they were distributed to many
places. Tbeodosius in 386 had built a church in honour of St
John the Baptist on the site of the ancient temple of Serapis. which
had been destroyed. It was here the remainder of the relics were
preserved. But the head of John had never been found, uatQ it
was discovered in Entesa in Syria.
According to a tradition for which I am indebted to my kind
friend at St. Bernard's Seminary, Herod in grief over his act had the
head of St. John the Baptist concealed and buried in his palace U
^tare it from further indignities on the part of his courtiers. Then
it remained until after the discovery of the holy cross by St. Helena
which, as history tells us, brought many pilgrims to Jerusalem,
and the head was found by two pilgrims to whom St. John had
appeared in a vision, and it was brought to Cilicia under Emperor
Valeses and later to Constantinople under Emperor Tbeodosius.
From Constantinople it was stolen by a Greek and brought to
Emesa in Syria, and its location was unknown until the year 453
when it was again brought lolight bythe Archimandite Marcellns.
ST. JOHN'S DECOLLATION 387
Emesa was captured by the Moslems in 635 and the head of the
Baptist was saved from their hands by being taken to Cappadoda
or Armenia, and kept until in the year 850 it was again brought
back to Constantinople. Here it was at first kept in the imperial
palace but was afterwards confided to a monastery (Kloster
Studuim) where it still was in 1025. The front part of the head
was taken to Amiens, France, in the time of the Holy Roman
Empire, where it is still kept in great veneration. Dr. Butler says :
" Part of the head is said to be kept in St. Sylvester's Church in
Campo Marzo, Rome, though Sirmond thinks this to be the head
of St. John the Martyr of Rome."
The celebration of the feast of " the Decollation of St. John the
Baptist," according to the " Kirchenlexikon " seems to have origin-
ated from a particular
festival that has been ob-
served in Sebasti,
Palestine, since the IV.
century on the 29th of
August, though the event
Itself may have taken place
earlier in the year ; " pos -
sibly in February." It has
according to ancient
Sacramentaries been ob-
served in Italy since the
V. century. In some
churches it was celebrated
within the octave of the
•' Festum Nativitatis of
St. Joannes." But it was
introduced into the Roman Missal from the Sacramentaries of
Pope Gelasius, and Gregory extended it to all churches of the
West, fixing the date (IV. Kal. Sept.) on August 29th. The
Greek Church in addition to this festival celebrates the Synalis
St. Joannes (Synalis " getting together ") as a triple festival. The
first, •• the Inventio Caput Joannes " on February 29th, another on
the 3d, or 6th of May. The Clog symbol for this festival is an axe
388 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
at Ml ancient form, donbtku the InvcDrion ot the Qqip^dd
AUGUST 3ath
Is the festival of the onljr cuioaial saint yet dioaen from Ok
western shores of the Atlantic St. Rose, or "SanU Ron d
Lima." She was chnsteoed Isabel, hut from the mmdront colour
of her complexion as she lay in her cradle, which rrfrmhlnil the
delicate tints o( a rose, her mother called her : " My Roa^" ■
name which clung to ber throng life and by xrtiicfa she m
canonized. From infancy her life was one beautiful story of loK
and patience. At a veiy eariy age she took the batnt and vows of
the third Order of St. Dombic, and her legend tells that to fcec^
constantly her mind intent upon her Saviour she wore a thin
circlet of silver on her head within which were sharp points or
nails to remind her continually by their tiny prickings of tbe
crown ot thorns. She died when but thirty-one years of age U
Lima, Peru, on August 24, 1617.
The Peruvian legend regarding her says that when Clement X.
was asked to canonize her he refused, exclaiming : " India y
Santa! asi como blueven rosas." (India and saint! as Ukelyas
that it should rain roses). The words had hardly left Clement's
lips before a literal shower of roses began to fal! in the Vatican and
"continued until the Pope acknowledged his incredulity." This
was in 1671 when, after the examination of one hundred and
eighty witnesses, Clement X. canonized St. Rose and named
August 30tb as her festal day.
This day is (be festival of St. Raymund Nonnatus. Tbe sur-
name appended from the peculiar circumstances attending his birth.
His legend unfortunately is devoid of many details we would like
ST. RAYMOND 389
to know. He was a Spaniard born at Portel, in Catalonia, in
1204^
As Raymund passed from youth to young manhood, with his
ability and agreeable manners he might, if he would have done so,
by pushing his fortune at the court of Arragon, backed by the influ-
ence of his friends and his family who all urged him to such a
course, have easily attained to almost any reasonable ambition,
either for wealth, rank, or official position he desired ; but he
would not consent. Almost from his cradle, certainly from the
time when he could reason with himself, he had a higher aim than
worldly power. It was only after strenuous opposition, and
through the mediation of his relative, the Count of Cordova, that
his father at last consented and young Raymund took the vows
and habit of the then newly organized ** Order of Our Lady of
Mercy for the Redemption of Captives," an order which came
from the necessities of the time when so many Christians were
suffering captivity under the Moors. One of those organizations
which offered neither personal glory nor honour, whose members
were prompted and stimulated to action by pure love of their
fellowmen. Their convent was at Barcelona and Raymund early
took rank among his associates, so that hardly had three years
elapsed after his entry there before he was named by his superiors
to the office of " Ransomer," a position which demanded a high
degree not only of executive ability but a clear, cool head and
great judgment.
His first assignment to active service sent him into Barbary
with a considerable amount of money to negotiate for the release
of Christian slaves. This accomplished, he still found so many
captives remaining that his heart was wrung with pity, and to
secure their release he himself became a hostage that they might
go free while he remained until their ransom was paid. From
our standpoint Raymund 's conduct during this interval may not
have been wise ; for urged by the love of Christ he preached to
the Mohammedans the doctrines of the Christian religion only to
be punished by chains, torture and imprisonment, and he would
have been put to death but for fear that by such an act the
ransom he was an hostage for would be lost. At last this was
39°
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
paid and Raymund relumed to Barcelona but his sufferings had
brought upon him disease and when barely thirty-seven years of
age he died. He was made a Cardinal but he never took upon
himself either the dress or the usual equipage of bis high oRi«.
" Pope Alexander 11. inserted his name in the Martyrology in
I6s7."
■i
SEPTEMBER
Next him September marched eke on foot.
Yet was he hoary, laden with the spoil
Of harvest riches, which he made his boot.
And him enriched with bounty of the soil.
— Spenser,
When the year began in March as the seventh month, Septem*
ber was properly named, but when the Kalendar was changed by
placing two months before March, the name, like those of the
three following months, October, November and December, all
seem inappropriate, but through all the mutations their names
have not been changed as others have, though Julius Caesar added
a day to the month which Augustus again took away, and it has
since remained so. In old English days this month was called
Gerst monat or barley month, because of the barley harvest
SEPTEMBER ist.
To the denizens of London there is no name in the entire list of
saints mentioned in the Kalendar more familiar than that of St.
Giles who is this day honoured by all branches of the Christian
Church, especially in France, Germany, England and Poland, as
well as in Greece and Rome, for he was by birth an Athenian of
noble extraction who in Latin is called Aequidius.
From a desire to secure perfect isolation from the world St.
Giles migrated into France and set up a hermitage in a forest
near the mouth of the Rhone in what is now the diocese of
Nismes, devoting himself wholly to his prayers and holy reflec-
tions. His legend tells us of a hind who came daily to his cell
392 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
and thus furnished the hermit with milk. One day the King of
France while hunting happened to stalk this hind and chased it
until it found refuge in the cave of St. Giles and it was thus the
secret of his retirement was discovered ; bat
nothing could induce him to leave his loved
solitude. He did, however, consent to allow
a few disciples to join him, and a monastery,
which ai its inception was like the early Irish
s begun and St. Giles be-
e its abbot. From this later grew an
ledictine
order bearing his name and the town
of St. Giles which was famous in the
wars of the Albigcnses. The church,
it is said, still remains and is a remark-
able example of the architecture of
the VIII. century, being '■ covered '
with bas-reliefs on the outside and
has a remarkable staircase in the in-
terior." St. Giles is the patron of
cripples from his refusal to be cured
of an accidental lameness, in order
that by his deformity he might be
able the more thoroughly and com-
pletely to mortify his pride. St. Giles'
Cripplegaic is one of the many
churches that have been dedicated t<
this saint. This church antedates ih
Conquest. Where I h c Church of '
■' St. Giles-in-the-Fields" now stand.s i
Queen Matilda, wife of Henry 1.,
erected a hospital for lepers. While
in Scotland to this day on one side of the coat-armorial of the city
of Edinburgh you may see figuring as a supporter the hind which
ancient legend represents as nurturing the holy anchorite in the
forests ol Languedoc twelve hundred years ago.
ST. STEPHEN OF HUNGARY 393
In art St. Giles is usually represented in full canonical dress with
a crosier and hind as in our illustration. In some cases the hind
has an arrow in its neck» but the usual Clog symbol is a mysteri-
ous emblem given above, the form often being varied into the
shape shown here and supposed to be some old Athe-
nian symbol or hieroglyphic. St. Giles died at his
abbey some time between the years 720 and 725.
The exact date is unknown but for centuries the feast
day of September ist has been observed both by
the English church and in Roman Martyrology in
honour of this saint.
SEPTEMBER 2d
Is sacred in the Roman Church as the festival of St. Stephen, the
first Christian king of Hungary. His father, Geysa» was the
fourth duke of the Hungarians, and with his wife, Sarloth, under
the teaching of Adalbert, a Northumbrian missionary and who
afterward became Bishop of Prague, were baptised. The legend
of St. Stephen tells that Sarloth, his mother, was warned in a
dream to give her son the name of the great proto-martyr and
when in 977 he was born he was at once thus christened, and
from his infancy educated in the tenets of the church. In 997 his
father, Geysa, died and the young duke set about the task of
Christianizing his province, he himself often acting as a mission-
ary. As his strength grew he added by conquest much territory,
and at last asked Pope Sylvester II. to confirm him as king of
Hungary. Not only was this done, but the pope sent him a
present of a cross which was to be carried before him, and the
legate of the Vatican, Astric, placed the crown on Stephen's head.
This was in the year 1000. I am reminded in passing of an inter-
esting historical fact connected with this crown, which was pre-
served at Presburg, that it was used to crown Maria Theresa as
empress. But I must not try to follow the intricate story of this
first Christian king of the Hungarians beyond referring to his
remarkable " code of laws ** in fifty-five chapters, which even
to-day are noted for their justice, wisdom and moderation, and
394 SAINTS AKD FESTIVALS
which are the foundatioa of Hangnfau kw. Of Stqihan'S idcl-
ity to the church and of tut own panooal pori^ of lift, one can
hardly speak too hig^j. T<x thres locy yewi ba nSerad tran
painful maladies borne with die tne Christian patieDce, yct Hnw
failing to watch bia klng^ dntiea. At the list on Aupitt 15.
1038, he passed to rest after forty-one yean of mis and trbea
over three-score yean of age. He was canoniied by Pope Bene-
dict IX., but Pope Innocent XI., in 16S6 fixed bi> festival for the
2d of September with an office (or the whole chtnxh, tbat being
the day Emperor Leopold recovered Buda out of the bands of tbe
Turks. But in Htugary tbe festival is kept on Augost 20th, tbe
day on which his relics were translated to the great Chnrdk of
Our Lady at Buda erected in St Ste[A«i's hoooor by tbe hcAj
King Ladislas.
SFPTEMBER 30
Is devoted to St. Simeon Stylites the Younger, of whom I may
make but brief mention. He was one of those famous " Pillar
Saints " of whom 1 already have made mention. His legend
reads : " For three-score and eight years he lived successively on
two pillars within the inclosure of the monastery in the exercise of
assiduous contemplation." He died in 593.
SEPTEMBER 4th.
St. Cuthbert, who died March 30th in 687 or 8, and was Abbot
of " Old Melrose," is again espiecially honoured on this day, the
anniversary of the translation of hfs relics in the year 995.
Readers must not confound " Old Mebose " with the well-
known ruins of Melrose Abbey. Back in the Vll. century io
a rude woody country occupied by a few half-savage tribes of
southern F^cts and Angles, on a high promontory around two
sides of which flows the Tweed, stood the monastery of Mailros,
a small connection of " wattled huts " such as before described.
This was " Old Melrose " as it is termed, in order to distinguish it
from its successor whose beautiful ruins many of my readers have
ST. CUTHBERT 395
seen. It was of this monastery of Mailros that Cuthbert, who
had entered it as a shepherd-boy, at last came to be its Abbot.
The incursions of the Danes had come before the death of St.
Cuthbert often disturbing the monks of Mailros, and the Abbot
had commanded if after his death the monks should be driven out
by these Danes, they should take his remains with them wherever
they went. The holy man was much honoured during his life,
but when eleven years after his death, in order to give his remains
a more prominent place, his tomb was opened, they found bis
body untouched by decay ; the monks became convinced that he
was indeed a saint, and not a few miracles are recorded as having
been performed at his new shrine where his body remained until
875 when the monks, driven out by the Danes, took St. Cuthbert 's
relics to find rest at Chester-le-Street.
But even this resting place was in a certain sense temporary, for
in 995, a new incursion of the Danes sent them off once more
upon their travels. They were kept some time at Rippon in
Yorkshire, and when the danger was past the monks set out on
their return to Chester-le-Street, bearing the relics with them.
They were miraculously arrested, at a spot called Duirholm (the
deer's meadow), on the River Wear, and there they finally settled
with the precious corpse of their holy patron, giving rise to what
has since been one of the grandest religious establishments of the
British empire, the cathedral of Durham. This is the event
which was for some ages celebrated as the Translation of St.
Cuthbert.
For upwards of an hundred years the tomb of St. Cuthbert
with his uncorrupted body continued to be visited by devout pil-
grims, and in 1 104 on the erection of the present cathedral of
Durham it was determined to remove his remains to a shrine
within the new structure. Some doubts had been expressed as to
the permanence of his incorruptibility, and to silence all such mis-
givings the clergy of the church, having met in conclave beside
the saint's coffin the night before its intended removal, resolved to
satisfy themselves by an actual inspection. After preparing them-
selves for the task by prayer, they removed, with trembling hands,
the external fastenings and opened the first coffin within which a
».«M
396 saints; AND FESTIVALS
second was found, covered with roc^ fakles and enclorit^ a thifd
coffin enveloped in several folds of Hoeii. On removing tiio 6d
of this last receptacle a second lid Bppeaxtd. whicb on hdag
raised with much fear and agitatidn^ the swathed body of the
saint lay before them " in a ^pcdtd state."
For the greater part of three centimes more the body of St.
Cuthbert lay here undisturbed* He wais not forgotten dnrii^ this
time but a legend prevailed that the ate of hb tomb was imown
only to the Catholic
<:lergy. three of whom, k
was alleged, and no moie
were intrusted widi tiie
secret at atime,onebetiig
admitted to a knowle^^
of it as another died —
all this being in the hope
of a time arriving when
his shrine might be re-
erected, and the incorrupt
body presented once
more to the veneration of
the people.
In 1827 St. Cuthbert's
tomb was opened once
more and lying on the breast of the swathings, was found the gold
cross St. Cuthbert is reported to have worn, and it is shown in
the illustration copied from an illustrated description of Durham
Cathedral. But as on March 20th I spoke of this saint I will
not enlarge further upon his story here except to mention the
legend of " St. Cuthbert 's Beads," as told in " Marmion " :
On a rock, by Lindisfame,
Saint Cuthbert sits, and toils to frame
The sea-born beads that bear his name ;
Such tales had Whitby's fishers told,
And said they might his shape behold.
And hear his anvil sound ;
A deadened clang — a huge dim form.
Seen but, and heard, when gathering storm
And night were closing round. ,
ST. LAURENCE JUSTINIAN 397
It was an ancient Northumbrian legend a thousand years old
when Scott wrote, and while modern science shows these beads
with which the shore is strewn after every storm to be the fossil-
ized remains of animals ,
called c r i n o i d s which
once inhabited the deep
io myriads, now seldom
found complete, yet if
the reader examines
these ill u St rations, ST. CUTHBERT'S BEADS,
selected from thousands no two alike he will not wonder back in
the old days when superstition reigned, men could believe the
legend that St. Cuthbert forged these beads in his cave under the
sea for the faithful to use on their rosaries.
SEPTEMBER sth.
St. Laurence Justinian who is honoured by the Church this day
was a native of Venice, bom in 1380 of an illustrious family, even
amid the host of Venetian nobles of tliat period ; but from his
earliest childhood he constantly desired to lead a religious life.
His mother, a devout woman, had been left a widow and there-
fore hoped to see the family honour perpetuated in her son, and
thus an honourable alliance had been arranged for Laurence when
he was nineleen years of age, ISut this was never completed as
the young man then secretly fled to the monastery of St. George
in Alga and was admitted to the religious habit. From that
time on his life was that of the usual novice save that it was
marked by an unusual degree of humility, a trait which he never
overcame even when his profound wisdom and learning had
placed him among the leaders of the church.
Talents such as Laurence Justinian displayed never are long
without recognition, and his reputation spread far beyond the
walls of his monastery. Pope Eugenius IV. in 1433, much
against the wish of Laurence, not only nominated him to the
episcopacy of Venice but insisted upon his accepting the high
398 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
office which he so worthily lilled until t4;i. trhen Dominic
Mictielli, the Patriarch of Grado, died, and Nicholas VI. cram-
fcrred the patriarchal dignity to the see of \'enice, and invested
Laurence with it; thus conferring on him the high honour of
being the first Patriarch of Venice, an honour which he held until
January 8, I4S5. when he passed peacefully to rest. The cere-
mony of beatification was perfarmcd by Clement VII. in 1514.
and that of his canonintiin by Alenader VIIL la 1691^ ^w
September sth, tl
fixed upon (or his festivaL
SEPTEHBER Ml.
The especial name boaonred at Rome fai KattfrtHagf on tkii
day b St. EleuUKrins, a man noted for his beantifol tiaflSdtf at
character and noble virtues which won for him the friendship of
St. Gregory the Great, nay more, hb love and reverence, and we
read in Roman Martyrology of " this servant of God who, accord-
ing to the testimony oE Pope St. Gregory, raised a dead man to
life by his prayers and teats." SL Eieutherius died at the Monas-
tery of St. Andrew's in Rome about 585, and his remains were
translated later to Spoleto.
SEPTEMBER 7th
Is the saint-day or festival of St. Evurtius, or Evurchus who
holds a place in the Anglican Kalendar, as well as in that of tbc
Roman Church ; yet singularly almost nothing is known of him.
His brief legend tells that during the reign of Constantine (the
Great) he was sent to secure the release of some captives ; bat
fails to tell by whom held, and that he arrived at Orleaiu jnst
when the faithful happened to be electing a bishop ; that as be
waited and watched the ceremony, a dove twice came and lighted
upon his shoulder and the last time remained there.
The incident so impressed the congregation as to his sanctity
that they elected him — nem. eon.— Bishop of Orleans. Ttus
ST. CLOUD 399
election was duly confinned and he assumed his office. Still
later, the legend tells when he was about to erect his Cathedral
Church of the Holy Cross he directed the men where to dig for its
foundation, and that as the workmen dug they came upon a spot
containing gold amply sufficient to meet the expense of the edifice.
Dr. Butler says : "His name is famous in the ancient Martyr-
ologies ; but his history has no authenticity, as Stilting complains/'
and adds, " his relics had three translations," but beyond this
furnishes us with no details. He is supposed to have died in 34a
St. Cloud is another saint also honoured this day, a prince of
the royal family of the first race in France, a son of Chlodomir,
King of Orleans and a grandson of St. Clotilda, of whom and of
whose machinations to secure the control of the entire country I
spoke lately. In 524 Chlodomir was killed in Burgundy when
St. Cloud was hardly three years old. His grandmother at
that time came to Paris bringing with her his two older brothers,
Theobald and Gunthaire.
Childebert, King of Paris, and Clotaire, King of Soissons, the
brothers of Chlodomir, at once conspired to kill their children and
thus to secure Burgundy to be divided between them. They suc-
ceeded in murdering Cloud's two brothers, Childebert killing one
by his own hand and Clotaire in turn the other ; but by a mys-
terious Providence, Cloud escaped and was hidden in a monastery
until all danger was over. It is a long and interesting bit of
French history how Cloud might have gained the kingdom of
Burgundy until in 551, of his own wish he was ordained to the
priesthood by Eusebius, Bishop of Paris, and later built a monas-
tery at Nogent (now St. Cloud) and collected pious men to join
him in his efforts for the good of mankind, and his holy life, and
his death in 560, when his inheritance was by his directions
divided among the poor of Nogent and the churches of the see of
Paris. It is a true and beautiful story of one who might have
been a king, but preferred to serve his Great Master, and while I
would gladly tell it cannot do so here. The monastery built by
St. Cloud is now changed into a Collegiate Church of canons.
400 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Is A sacred festival which is observed alike in the Greek, the
Roman and the English branches of the Christian Church.
In the birth of the Holy Virgin we come one step nearer to the
accomplishment of those prophecies which abound in the Old
Testament and to appreciate duly the wonderful importance <rf
this event " we must," as Dr. Butler says, " consider her trans-
cendant dignity and the singular privileges by which she was
distinguished above all other pure creatures." Her dignitr is
expressed by the Evangelist when he says; "Of whom was
bom Jesus, who is called Christ." (Matthew i., 16). Again the
venerated St. Bernard says : " Choose which you will most
admire, the most beneficent condescension of the Son or the sub-
lime dignity of the Mother, etc."
The legends of the Nativity of the Virgin are almost endless in
number, a. favourite one describing the Concert of Angels who
hovered over the mother and child. In Le Clerc's Almanac this
concert is presented and the Angels at the same time arc seen
strewing flowers over them.
Most of the traditions regarding Joachim and Anne tell us that
NATIVITY OF B. VIRGIN 401
they were " exceedingly rich," and thus in many of the early
works of art that present " La Nascita della B. Vergine " the
room is full of gorgeous furniture and magnificent decorations of
the ancient Hebrew type, and the child Mary as she rests on her
mother^s breast is surrounded by "a
Glory" and never without " a Nimbus." The
Clog symbol is a simple heart without any
adornments.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin has
been kept by the Church with great solem-
nity from very early days. The "Roman
Ordo" mentions homilies and litanies ap-
pointed by Pope Sergius (687-701) in 688
and a procession to be made on this day from St. Adrian's
Church to the Liberian basilica (Sta. Maria Maggiore, lately
mentioned) and a prescribed office for the ceremony, not to
speak of them in detail, many especial prayers and collects, at
close intervals from the feast as mentioned by St. Idlefonsus in
the VII. century down through intervening ages. The Greeks,
the Copts in Egypt and all Christian Churches in the East kept
this feast with the utmost solemnity and when after the Refor-
mation the ceremonials of the dissenting church were revived, this
feast was retained.
On this day also the festival of St. Adrian is observed. He was
a Roman officer and the church above mentioned was erected in
his honour. He suffered martyrdom under Maximian Galerius in
the year 306.
Under this date Dr. Butler speaks of " The Festival of the Holy
Name of the Virgin Mary " to be observed " on the Sunday within
the Octave of her Nativity." This festival was appointed by
Pope Innocent IX. and the occasion was a solemn thanksgiving
for the relief of Vienna when it was besieged in 1063.
402 SAINTS AND FESTITALS
SEPTEMBER gth.
Again this day the cmeltiei of Diocletiu an bnufgKt bcfon w
by the names of SS. Darotbew, Gorgonira lod tfadr eauftaikm, .
who as martyrs for the faith of Qirkt ■offered imlcr tfaoM IMll-
Ue edicts of this brutal Roman en^teror.' DoroAsBS «m fbe
first chamberlain of the Emperor Diodesian whUe GacfBMiui aaA .
Peter were under chomberlaina. These three wcfe the |«'h>Ll|Mt
eunuchs of the palace and liad aometimea borne tiM «e{|^ of the
most difGcult affaira ot State and been the atqifMut ot the ttnfmK -
and his court. When the palace of NJcooiedia «M aet an tn,
an event already mentioned, which readera will nateaixr vaa ,
charged to the Cbriitiana by Galeriaa, the jmat empttor tMi Dto- ■
clesian, Dorotheus and a nnmber of hit companions wbo knew .
how unjust and untrue the assertioD was had the mwnhooti to
deny boldly the falsehood. The anger and suspicions of the
emperor were aroused and he accused his eunuchs of being Chris-
tians. This was not true in fact yet once these three men had
been nearly converted to the faith. They were thoughtful men
not time servers and were considering in their own minds the
weighty question of the salvation of their souls. By a mere word,
an assertion and a vain act they could then have saved their
earthly lives hut with solemn deliberation they saw the truth and
their nohle Roman blood knew no deceit. They had decided for
themselves and the inexorable Dioclesian sacrificed these men.
true to him in all matters of state, but who refused to sacrifice to
Roman gods they knew were but myths. The cruelties they were
subjected to seem beyond the humanity of man to inflict on a
fellow man. The fiendish cruelties of the wildest savages are
gentle when compared with those these sturdy brave men were
called on to endure as the price they paid for holding fast to the
faith of Christ. The details of these horrors are told in the narra-
tive of their persecution and death that lies before me as t write,
but they are too brutal to transcribe. Yet I cannot help asking
myself whether 1 would have endured them as these " saints " did.
ST. PULCEHRIA 403
SEPTEMBER loth.
St. Pulcehria, the Virgin Empress of the East whom the Roman
Church has chosen for honour on this day is one of those remark-
able and exceptional characters that from time to time come to light
as we turn the pages of ancient history. She was born in 399, the
granddaughter of Theodosius the Great. Her father, Arcadius,
was a weak man governed by his wife, Eudoxia, and his eunuchs ;
but his daughter, Pulcehria, had evidently inherited from her
grandfather the noble traits which marked her character.
She was hardly fifteen years of age when in 414, she with her
brother Augustus — two years her junior — were jointly invested
with imperial power ; while the care and education of her brother
devolved upon Pulcehria at an age when we to-day would
regard her as hardly more than a child herself. We must not
forget the fact — too patent for debate — that the women of the
East mature both mentally and physically at a much earlier age
than with us of the West. Yet there was a certain precocity of
wisdom and a provision of her future which induced Pulcehria to
make a public vow of chastity, and thus warn off possible suitors
for her hand. In like manner she induced her sisters to take sim-
ilar vows and thus save the empire from being embroiled by some
marriage that would be disastrous to the State. Her influence
over her brother was unbounded and whatever else may have
been the outcome of her teaching she at least held him true to the
faith of his grandfather, Theodosius, at a time when many here-
sies were creeping into the Church. A writer very near to this
period says ; " The imperial palace under her discretion was as
regular as a monastery," while another of later date says : " Far
from making religion subservient to policy, all her views and pro-
jects were regulated by that virtue, and by this the happiness of
her government was complete." She was skilled in both the
Greek and Latin tongues, proficient in history and other branches
of science and literature, and a generous patron of art, but above
all, a just and generous ruler who by her wisdom had kept her
people at peace and in prosperity and won their love.
When her brother was about twenty years of age, an Athenian
404 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
lady appeared at Court seeldnj^ aid to aeciire jiistioe in tier liOiief^
will by which she was disinherited. The young man wat o^iti*
vated by her beauty and he married her.
At first there was no chai^ in any way so far aa Foiodiria «is
concerned. But soon the story, as dd as the institation of Idng^
powers, was again reenacted. The Queen Eudosia, jealoiis of the
influence Pulcehria exercised, plotted for her downfall. Sfie had
neither grounds nor reason for so doing «noe the devoted ainer
already weary of power was only too hi^py for an excoae to he
relieved and quickly sought redrem^it.
Eudosia had been brought up and educated bf her father, an
Athenian philosopher, as an idolator ; but before her marriage had
been baptized, and as soon as Pukehria was removed from her
path began those historic presecutions of 447 and 449^ This
providentially was of but short duration, for the emperor died ia
July of 450 and Pulcehria again resumed her control over the
Empire of the East and brought peace to the Christians. It was
then the Empress felt the need of help in her duties and was
married but with the agreement that she yet should be permitted
to keep her early vow. The man thus chosen was worthy of the
confidence reposed in him and to their joint efforts the Church
owed much of the peace it enjoyed in the East during this reign,
while Dr. Butler says of her : " Historians assure us that volumes
would be required to sum up all the churches, monasteries and
especially the hospitals which St. Pulcehria founded and richly
endowed."
She died upon September loth in 453, and for centuries both the
Greek and Latin Churches have celebrated hers as the feast of a
holy virgin.
SEPTEMBER 14th.
The history of the " Invention of the Cross " has been told
already ( see May 3d ) and how from this discovery by St. Helena,
Constantine the Great was led to build a magnificent church on
Mount Calvary for its preservation. But before this came the
EXALTATION OF THE CROSS 405
wonderful " Labarum," This story as briefly told is thai when
Constantine { who was not then converted ) was about to meet
the Emperor Maventius, he put up a prayer '■ to the One True
God," [or help and in
response to this prayer
there appeared in mid-
day the monogram of
Christ known as t h e
Labarum (see first
illustration) and caused
a banner to be made,
that bore upon it the
monogram of Christ
and beneath it the por-
traits of himself and
hb two sons. This was
the banner carried in
the decisive battle
when Maxentius was
defeated and after
which as history tells
us, he drowned him-
self in the Tiber. Still
another form is given
which is said to have ~ *.. ■...•*..
bom upon it the in- ftW WoMlf tl) tft l^alhOWl
scription ( as in illustra- •» '5^ ^jlg t^XOllt
tion ) in Greek the words : By this Conquer.
The first form, however, is beyond doubt the one placed upon
the banner. ~
Naturally the discovery of the true Cross, made Christians of
Jerusalem and the hosts of pilgrims who flocked to the city anxious
to see the sacred piece of wood. Therefore in 338 it was deter-
mined that the Holy Rood, ( cross ) should be " raised " or " ex-
alted " in full view of the people.
Our illustration given is taken from a reprint in 1876 of a Dutch
Legendary History of the Cross originally published in 1433.
4o6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
This custom of the Exalution of the Cran od tUk d«r WM cod-
tinued annually through teveral ceaturiM.
Iq £03 Phocas, the cniel and cevetoas En^ienr.of ibe EMt.«as
Tcigning, when Cbosroes 11^ Kins <i Perria, broke peace wUi Us
Qpoa aspeckxit preteaae and meet-
ing no aerlotu oppMition pIoDdcnd
Heaopotamla and part of Syria.
f Heradhu, then Prefect of Africa
(afterward Emperor of die Ea«)
wai begged by the people to «•-
atune the purple and rid tbemof
tbe trrant Pbocaa. This he dU
— though I may not teU the atory
here — and sou^t for peace with
Chosroes. Bat the baitarian re-
fused all overtures and pushed
forward until in 613 be captured
Damascus, and in 614 Jenualem,
THB LABARUM. ^^j j^ ^ doing Secured the sacred
relic of the Cross, It was then that as history tells us Chosroes
defiled the sacred relic and carried it,
among his plundered treasures from
Jerusalem, Then, by his wonderful vic-
tory over Chosroes, Heraclius once more
secured the Holy Cross and brought it
to Jerusalem. The next illustration taken
from the same Dutch book already
spoken of is in two parts, the left show-
ing an angel closing the gates of the city,
on account oE the pomp and show of
Heraclius, and the right where the veil
hides the Cross as it is being taken into
the Basilica. This last event occurred
in €29 when the ceremony of Elevation of
the Cross was for a lime resumed but thelabaruhbaNNBR
with the late prostitution of the holy relic OF CONST ANTiKt
it ceased at Jerusalem until revived by decrees of the Church.
HOLYROOD DAY
407
Many churches in Britain were dedicated to the Holy Rood or
Cross. One at Edinburgh became the nucleus of the palace of
the Scottish kings. Thus Holyrood Day was one of much sacred
observance all through the middle ages. The same feeling led to
a custom of framing, between the
nave and choir of churches what was
called a rood-screen or rood-loft, pre-
senting centrally a lai^e crucifix with
images of the Holy Virgin and St.
John on each side. A winding stair
led up to it and the epistle and gospel d
were often read from it. Some of!
these screens still remain, models of '
architectural beauty but numbers w
destroyed with reckless fanaticism at
the Reformation, when the people did
not distinguish between the objects
which had caused what they deemed
idolatry and the beautifully carved
work which was free from such a
charge.
SEPTEMBER isth
Is the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin and is observed
in the Roman Church by an especial office.
Iq the " Ordo " for this day, I note an office for St. Nicomedes,
a holy priest, who during the persecution of Domitian, was t>eaten
to death with clubs, because of his aid and comfort to other mar-
tyrs and his refusal to sacriiice to idols, saying : " I do not sacrifice
except to the Omnipotent God, who reigns in Heaven."
Saints Sabas and Nicetas are the two most famous saints among
the Goths. The first of these — Sabas — is honoured on April
I3th and the last on this day ; especially by the Greeks, who name
him as one of the " great martyrs." When Valens became
Emperor of the East in 364 the nation of the Goths was divided
into two kingdoms. Athanaric, King of the Eastern Goths,
4o8 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
whose territory bordeFcd on the Roman enqure ton
370, raised a furioiu penecutim agatut the Chriitiaas. Bj la
orders an idol wai placed in a chariot and canied thnagh tlw
towns and villages and any Christian who refiuod toadoe it waa
put to death ; their usual custom being to burn them and thnr
children in their houses. Thus Nicetas, a noble Goth, who had
accepted the Chrbtian faith and proved his constancy within the
holocaust of hb own dwelling.
«
ST. NINIAN 409
SEPTEMBER i6th.
This day the Roman Church honours another of those noble men
of whom she has so many to be proud of, St. Ninian, the Apostle
to the Southern Picts, and to whom I already have alluded. Of his
early life, as is the case with many of those old-time worthies, little
seems to be known beyond the fact that he was the son of a
Cumbrian Briton prince in or about Galloway ; in the borderland
between what is now England and Scotland, but then was in
North Umbria and a part of Bernecia, The same section I have
spoken of as that occupied in the II. century by a tribe which
Ptolemy termed the " Novantae " and who came to be known as
the Picts of Galloway/* and still later as the locus habitat of the
Wild Scots of Galloway." How Ninian *s house had come to
know anything of Christianity is untold and we can only infer that
it had come about through intercourse with his Irish neighbours.
Thus in a vague, uncertain way we are told how Ninian had
quitted " court and its attractions *' and made a journey to Rome
where he spent many years. The next we hear of him is toward
the close of the Roman occupation of Britain, as a missionary
located on the north shore of Sol way Frith and on the west side of
Wigtown Bay, at a town which Ptolemy calls " Leukopibia/' now
called Whithorn. St. Ninian's story here first connects him with
St. Martin of Tours for whom we know through many incidents in
his later life he had a great veneration and love. It also first
mentions the foundation of the ** Magnum Monasterium " founded
by Ninian at Whithorn, and variously called "The House of
Martin " and " Candida Casa, " the latter probably from the white
stone of which the church edifice was constructed. The legend
tells us that Ninian sent to St. Martin of Tours for workmen to
build this church '' after the Roman manner," and it is the first
stone structure of which we have any authentic account north of
the Solway Frith. While no date is given in regard to this we
know St. Martin died in 397. and therefore this could not have
been at a later date. This monastery became known as a great
seminary for secular and religious learning. It was here that St.
Finian, or Finbarr, was educated and later established the great
4IO SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
school at Magh-BUe, or HogMie fai Monty Down, Idfeland, of
which I spoke on Jaoe ytb, wfaen AaaMog tiie life of St
Columba.
From this great nwwmtlc adwd both Niniaa and Us {"Vfli
went forth as missioDaries among the Sootbera Fka and paps
Britons from Mount Grampiu — as it was then called — dvongh
Cumbria and Northumbria; and from this gained the title; of the
"Apostle to the Southern Ficts."
In early days the residence of the Picts altaniated betweeo the
Northern and the Soutbeni Rets and also the ciqntoi of Ibe natiaa
changing with each alteniate dynasty, an interesting subject lean
not enter on here Ethnologically these Kcts were one race and
descended from the same cruithnigta ; but while united to geocnl
purpose they were dual in certain essential pcunta. In Nioiaa's
time the king was a Southern Pict, Tndivald t^ name ; as fiercean
idolater as Columba encountered in Brude at Inverness. Yet
Minian seems to have overcome him as it was by his aid the won-
derful church which Ninian built was completed. It is singular
though, that there is no account of the conversion of King Tndi-
vald to be found either in Bede's or Siacginui's Chronicles, or in
any of the Folk-tales of the time as was the case when tbe doon
and gates fell before 5S. Columba and Conegal at Inverness.
Whatever of Ninian's teachings resulted in had passed by SL
Columba's time and the tribes again lapsed with Ninian's depar-
ture into a state of serai-paganism.
Again there comes an aggravating hiatus in the life of Ninian :
yet in an old " Irish Life of St. Ninian " it is recorded that he left
Whithorn and went to Ireland where be founded a church in
Leinster called Cluain Couairc, and in"BolIaudus Acta Sancta"
it is recorded he is commemorated on September i6th under the
name of Morenn. " Mointnd Tomain hi tuaiscert h Fallan "
glossed — Monenni of Cluain Toman in the north of Hy-Fallan
in Leinster. The Martyrology of Talsnacht says "Monenni" is
merely Nenn, or Ninian, " i. e., Ninianus Episcopus Candida
Casa." Bede, the Saxon historian, is the authority — now univer-
sally accepted — for the date of St. Ninian's death in 433 ; but no
details of any kind exist, as to when, where or bow be died except
ST. CYPRIAN 411
that MonteIambert's» " Monks of the West " says Ninian died at
Whithorn 432.
Another honoured name this day is St Cyprian, one of the
most famous of the Latin Fathers and second only in eloquence
to Lactantius. He was a native of Carthage and became a con-
vert to Christianity at an advanced period of life having been led
to renounce paganism through conversation with an aged presby-
ter called Cecilius, whose name he adopted as an addition to his
own. The enthusiasm which he displayed on behalf of his new
faith caused him soon to be admitted as a priest, and within less
than a year afterwards to be raised to the dignity of Bishop of
Carthage as successor to Donatus. In the exercise of his office
he manifested such zeal that the pagans, in derision styled him
Coprianus, in allusion to a Greek term for filth ; and on the com-
mencement of the Christian persecution under the Emperor Decius
the heathen populace rushed into the market-place shouting:
" Cyprian to the lions ! Cyprian to the wild-beasts ! " The danger
that threatened him seemed so imminent that he deemed it expedi-
ent for a time to retire from Carthage though in doing so he
exposed himself to some severe animadversions from his brother-
clergy of Rome for thus shrinking from the storm and suffering
his flock to perish. From his place of retreat, however, which
seems to have been carefully concealed, he despatched numerous
letters to guide and animate his people under their trials. At last
on an abatement of the persecution taking place, Cyprian returned
to Carthage and continued his episcopal ministrations with great
zeal and success till a fresh season of tribulation commenced for
the church under the Emperor Valerian, in A. D. 257. On this
occasion the Bishop of Carthage showed no disposition to cower
before the blast but bravely remained at his post to encourage and
strengthen his hearers. In the autumn of the last-mentioned year
he was himself apprehended and brought before the African pro-
consul, who ordered him into banishment to the city of Curubis,
about fifty miles from Carthage. After remaining there for about
a twelve month the expectation of still bloodier edicts arriving
from Rome caused him to be brought back to Carthage and lodged
412 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
for a time under lurvefflance bt Ui own coaatrf-boiue near ths'
city. On the reception of the fatal ordeni tht Vmcooaal rriiirlM
Maximus caused Cyprian to be brought before hiin at his couiitfy>
seat of Sextus, six milea from Carthage. The tide of popular
opinion had now turned entirely in favonr of tbe bishop ; wbo had
while a pestilence was raging in the dty, exerted faimielf with the
most heroic ardour both personally and by caUing forth tbe ct»-
operation of others in relieving the uBeriiigB and '"'"■«*-*tTH to
the necessities of the sick. A nohle huge-heartfdmm had daa
been shown by him in proclaiming to his people dM duty of aadi^
ing all sufferers in this terriUe visitadon without regard to die di^
cumstance of their being Christian or pagan. An immenae aad
sympathizing crowd accompanied him oa the mad to tbe proeob-
sul's house. The proceedings before that functionary ^>pe*r to
have been of a very summary description as Cy[»ian on baviiv
replied to a few interrogations and steadily refusing to conform
to the pagan ceremonies, was forthwith ordered to be beheaded.
This was in the year 338.
SEPTEMBER 17th.
In Roman Martyrology mention b made and in the Ordo for
this day there is in the Roman Church an especial ofRce directed
in commemoration of the " Impression of the sacred wounds
which St. Francis, founder of the Order of Minorites, received
through a wonderful favour of God, in his hands, feet and sides
on Mount Alvemia." St. Francis' festival occurs on October 4tli,
but this day is a special occasion to mark this event which won (or
him the title of " the Seraphic." The legend is a very long <Me
and must be condensed into a few words devoid of the incidents
which make it a graphic picture. After a fast of fifty days in his
cell on Mount Alvemia he had a vision of a seraph with six wings
descending from Heaven and standing beside him. When the
angel left he found indelibly impressed on his hands, feet and side
imprints of the wounds our Saviour Lord had received on the
Cross of Calvary, imprints he carried mih him until his death. It
ST. THOMAS, "ALMONER" 413
is this event that the Roman Church celebrates to-day in especial
honour of St. Francis, though his festival occurs later in the year
when I shall have much to say of this notable man.
SEPTEMBER i8th.
The Roman Emperor Domilianus can hardly be counted a saint
but since the name of this heartless monster is closely connected
with the death of so many of the " noble Army of the Martyrs "
it seems proper to mention this as the anniversary of his death.
He was foully though no doubt deserving of his fate — assassi-
nated in the year 96 as Roman history tells us, but I must forego
giving the details.
This day is the festival of St. Thomas of Villanova, or Villanu-
cva, surnamed " The Almoner ; " the glory of the Church of
Spain in these later days. He was bom at Fuelana in Castile in
1488. When fifteen years of age he was sent to the University of
Alcala which was founded by Cardinal Ximenes, Prime Minister
under both Ferdinand and Charles X. Later on, after graduation
he taught moral philosophy at Alcala and at the celebrated Uni-
versity of Salamanca. In 1 518 he took the habit and vows of the
Hermits of St. Austin at the house of that institute at Salamanca.
His legend tells us the singular coincidence that ** he pronounced
his vows on the very day and in the same hour." when Luther
publicly renounced his connection with the Roman Church. The
title Almoner was bestowed upon him because of his generosity
to the poor. It is told of him that from a child his one aim in life
seemed his desire to help others. That as a lad he would disrobe
himself in the street even, in order to clothe some poor child he
met in rags and that throughout his life he was ever ready to
forego any comfort, deny himself every luxury and endure priva-
tion, even to the extent of personal physical suffering, if thereby
he was able to alleviate the necessities of others. As a pulpit
orator he was wonderfully eloquent and Charles V. held him in
such veneration that in 1 544 he named him Archbishop of Val-
encia. Thomas rducuntly •ccapml tbs mlted position but
secretly resolved to use the iqe^th the office would ineviubl;
bnog to him for the {ood of hfe fdknr meti. He arrived a[
Valencia so poorly clad and providdd for that tik canons sent him
a purse of four thousaad crowna with wfaidi to equip himself for
hb new state. He thanked the donors and then sent the maaef
to a hospital for the side and appeared wearing the same bat he
had worn for twenty-six years. He damified as pbibudhnplMs
to-day might well do ; the poor, dividbg Aeni faito iJK dasMS to
be treated accordingly. First the faashfid poor who onoe had
been independent and were now ashamed to b^. Second, peer
girls whose poverty enforced them to temptation, ahi and ri>aa&
Third, poor debtors. Fonrth, oq>han> and fonndBngs. Flftli,
the lame, sick and infirm. And lastly strangets wlio iamd
themselves without the means to secure for tbemaehres food aad
lodging.
While he gave all his income save barely enough to maintun hii
simple establishment, barren of every luxury or anything ostenta-
tious, his charities were not indiscriminately bestowed. A pro-
fessional beggar (tramp or hobo we term them) found no mercy
at his hand ; but the deserving never left him empty handed.
Had 1 the space to tell the story, some of his methods would give
points to our generous but unsystematic philanthropists.
But the choicest gift this holy man bestowed was given aO
unconsciously to himself by his personal visits to the poor, Ktk
and suffering, where his presence seemed to bring comfort and
peace at all times. I regret thus to briefly memorize a life so full
of love and charity. He died in 155; and was beatified by Paul
V. in 1618, who then directed St. Thomas' attribute should be
"An Open Purse." He was canonized by Alexander Vll. mi65S.
SEPTEMBER 19th.
This day is the festival of St. Theodore, the first Archbishop ol
Canterbury after St. Austin, who had been consecrated by Pope
Vitilian in 668.
ST. AGAPETUS 415
The Roman Church holds this day in honour of SS. Januarius,
Bishop of Beuenvento ; Sosius, Deacon of Miseno ; Provennilus,
Deacon of Puzzuoli and two eminent laymen named Eutychius
and Acutius of Puzzuoli, all victims of the cruel persecution of
Dioclesian. This is but the repetition of the oft-told story of
chains* imprisonment, exposure to wild beasts in the ampitheater,
and they were at last beheaded in 305 because they had visited
and comforted Christian prisoners, and that they themselves held
firmly to the faith of Christ. The body of St. Januarius was
brought to Naples and with it a bottle which contained some of
his blood, and his legend says that even to-day after these centur-
ies of time have elapsed when this bottle is placed by the head of
its martyr the congealed blood at once liquifies. Pope Pius II.
mentions this as a fact in 1450.
SEPTEMBER 20th
Is sacred to the honour of St. Agapetus, Pope and Confessor.
In 535 when Pope John II. died, Agapetus was only an Arch-
deacon of the Church of SS. John and Paul of Rome,- but his
learning and sanctity were widely known and he was elected suc-
cessor to the Holy See and ordained on May 4, 535, ten days
after the death of John II. His influence was at once felt for by
his interposition the unhappy schism of Diosconis against Boni-
face II. in 529 was quickly healed. Justinian not only recognized
him but sent to him an especial profession of faith which Agape-
tus received as orthodox and the two became warm, loyal friends.
In February, 536, Agapetus went to Constantinople to interview
the emperor, where he died on April 17th of the same year after
a brief but eventful period of only eleven months and a few days
as a dominant power of the Church. His festival has been fixed
for this day.
THE SIBYLS.
The author has been asked several times in regard to the Sibyls
and their connection with the Church. While it cannot be said
4i6 SAINTS AND F-E&TIVALS
the Church recognised tbcM mTtUcal penooagn tt Mcnw doar it
used them as a qoui-argument in the eaify utd iniddte Iget «
shown by this vene, from a hymn tM to have been written bgr
Pope Innocent IIU (i7»l Pope. 1198-131$} and tranaltted la tfce
English version ol the Missal aa follows :
" Tbe dreadful day, the day itf ice
Shall kindle the avenging fire
Around the ennriiv world ;
And earth, as S%1 cud at old.
And as the pmphet king foietcid.
Shall be in ruin borled."
Both the origin and number of the Sbyls is obacttre and nBoe^
tain. Varro one hundred years B. C. gave their number a> tea
and their names came from their habitation : Sibylla Peiaica, from
Persia, Libyca (Libyea), Delphica CDclphi), Erybaea (Erthyrae),
Cumana (Cumae), Samia (Samos), Sinomeria (Black Sea), Tibur-
tina (Tivoli), Hellespontina (Hellespont), and Phrygia (Phrygia).
There were others afterward named like the Agrippa. the Hebriaca
and the Europas ; while the Queen of Sheba is also termed one of
these wonderful creatures. They were prophetesses and foretold
the coming of Christ to the Gentiles as the Prophets of old did to
the Jews. Much disagreement existed among the Early Fathen
as to the value of their prophesies. Some even regarded them as
emissaries of the devil. Traditions and legends innumerable are
told of these Sibyls ; but 1 can make room for none, and only
mention the especial office of a few.
The Sibylla PcFsica was supposed to be a daughter-in-law of
Moses. She predicted the coming of the Messiah. She is repre-
sented as holding down a serpent beneath her feet and with a
lantern in her hand.
The Sibylla Libyea prophesied the manifestation Of Christ to
the Gentiles. Her legend says she was twenty-four yean old at
that time. Her attribute is a lighted torch.
The Sibylla Eryhaea seemed to have a varied mission. She
appears as the prophetess of divine vengeance and of the Trojan
war, and as such bears a naked sword as her attribute. But she
THE SIBYLS 417
is said to have also foretold the Annunciation, and in this charac-
ter has for her attribute a white rose.
The Sibylla Cimmeria when eighteen years old prophesied the
crucifixion of Christ, and for this bears as an attribute a cross or
crucifix.
The Sibylla Cumana foresaw and foretold the Nativity and that
it should take place in a stable, and thus her attribute is an ancient
stone manger.
The Sibylla Delphica for her prophecy of the mock regal adorn-
ment of Christ, has for her attribute a crown of thorns.
The Sibylla Cania was of the time of Isaiah, and has as
attribute a reed and a cradle. Just why is not apparent in her
legend.
The Sibylla Phrygia prophesied the Resurrection of Christ,
and therefore bears the Resurrection Cross with its banner.
The Sibylla Tibertina is represented as dressed in skins of ani-
mals. Her attribute, a bundle of rods, seemingly symbolizes
Christ's flagellations, and in like manner the Sibylla Agrippa has
a scourge in her hand.
The Sibylla Hellespontina prophesied the incarnation and also
the crucifixion of Christ, and thus has the double attributes of a
crucifix and a budding rod.
Finally the Sibylla Europa is represented as but fifteen years old.
It was she who prophesied the massacre of the Innocents and
thus has a sword for her attribute.
From this brief mention of the Sibyls we can easily understand
the quasi-recognition given them by the Church, mythical though
they were.
SEPTEMBER 21st.
This is the festival of St. Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist.
Among the Apostles St. Matthew ranks as the seventh or eighth.
but as an Evangelist is placed first, since theologians in general
concede it was the first of the Gospels written. Others place it as
KAiiTiwim^MAia»i
ST. MATTHEW
419
the third and its date is fixed by these in A. D. 66. There is very
little positive knowledge about St. Matthew's personality. He
alludes to himself but once in his own Gospel, while in the Gos-
pels of the other Evangelists he is named but twice and then only
incidentally. He was a Hebrew, the son of Alphaeus of the tribe
of Issachar; by profession "a publican" or tax-gatherer under
the Romans, an office which while very lucrative to him was pecu-
liarly odious and offensive in the eyes of his fellow Jews. His
original name, Levi, in Hebrew signifies " Adhesian/' (See Gene-
sis xxix., 34) while the name Matthew in the same language means
*• Gift of Jehovah." To the point where Christ bids Matthew
follow him, the sacred records as well as traditional and legendary
history are equally scant.
Beyond this we have
almost wholly to depend
on tradition for every-
thing we find regarding
St. Matthew. From the
" Perfecto Legendario "
and other traditions that
confirm it, we learn that
St Matthew wrote his
Gospel to satisfy the
wishes of the converts in
Palestine and that after
the Ascension when the
Apostles were dispersed,
he went into Egypt and
Ethiopia to preach ; that
while at the capital of
Ethiopia he lodged at the
house of the eunuch who had been baptised by Philip. At
that time there were two terrible magicians who by their spells
and enchantments held the Ethiopians in terror and subjection.
St. Matthew quickly overcame these magicians, and having bap-
tized the people they were free from the diseases which the incan-
tations of these sorcerers had inflicted on them. St. Matthew
420 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
spent twenty-three yean !a Egypt and Etbiopli. and daring Alt
time is reported to have patanati aaaj miradea.
Both Eusebiiu and St Epiphamitu in their dirooidea ciafai that
St. Matthew spent several years |»«acbiog in Jndea belon be
went to the Easfand was richly rewarded by the naodier of ooo-
verts he made and that hii Gospel was writtea before be d«|'Mnsd
on his long missian.
That Sl Matthew reached a very old age and died in Um •!■•■
tieth year of the Christian Era seems to be generally beOsM:
but the manner of his death is uncertain. The Gredt kgends Ufl
of him dying in peace in Partbia, but Venantius Fortnnams ratatcs
that he suffered manyrdom at Nadabar. According to DorotltBai
he was honourably interred at Hier^iolis in ParthEa. His TeBeX
were long since brought to the West. Pope Gregory VII. in tola,
saying they were kept in a church bearing his name at Salerno^
In art St. Matthew as an Evangelist, holds in his hand a book,
(see illustration ) or a pen while an angel — his proper attritniU
— stands by pointing toward heaven. As an Apostle he usual);
holds a purse or money-bag as significant of his former voca-
tion. The grotesque winged-man, his frequent symbol, I
have before spoken of, while the Clog Almanac symbol is pnrdf
" Runic."
SEPTEMBER 22d.
The story of St. Maurice and his noble companions of the
Thebean legion of which Maurice was the commandant may be
somewhat trite to readers of ancient history, but it is peculiady
fitting to be told now as it marks the inception of what have come
to be known as the Dioclesian persecutions.
Among the troops which accompanied Maximian into Gaul wis
the Thebean legion raised in Thebais, Upper Egypt, a country tltea
full of zealous Christians. Maxiraian's expedition was wondcTfoIly
successful and when the army had crossed the Alps and reached
Octodurum on the Rhone ( now Martini in the Valais ), Maximiaa
THEBEAN LEGION
421
issued an order that the whole army join in sacrificing to the gods
for their success.
It was then the Thebean legion rose in their might, inspired by
the heroic Christian Maurice, and withdrew from the main army to
Agaunum (a village now called Maurice in honour of this brave
man) and to a man openly but firmly refused obedience to the
r order to sacrifice to the Roman gods.
They were loyal, as soldiers ; would fight
the battles of the Empire " a la mort,"
I but they would worship only the one
i^ God, whom Christ represented. The
I anger of the emperor knew no bounds.
^Vs^ He ordered the legion decimated, one in
iWnr every ten as the lot fell to be put to death,
and that the rest return to camp and obey
his order. Encouraged by their officers
not one man faltered in his given purpose
even after that first decimation. Again
the emperor threatened them with death
rl to every man of them if they refused to
I sacrifice to the gods. Their reply was as
before, adding : " We have arms in our
hands, but we shall not resist because we
would rather die than live by any sin.*'
This Thebean legion was six thousand
strong, the finest soldiers of the Roman
Army when by Maximian's order they
were surrounded. Although well armed
and while their officers were skilled men of war and brave ; yet
when the final order came they silently submitted without one
blow in self defense but allowed themselves from their comman-
ders Maurice, Exuperius and Candidus, down, to be slaughtered.
Save to encourage each other to stand firm in the faith and submit
to their martyrdom they opened not their lips. The camp was
literally filled with their dead bodies lying in pools of bood.
Maximian, to encourage his army to this brutal massacre, had
given them permission to loot the Thebean camp and each to
422 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
reuin sudi spoilt u be amid Hcnre. WUIe dtw wgifBjl k
veteran Roman soldier wbo had hdd aloof from tlw Uoody woc^
came among them. Thii K^dier, Victor bjr name, tbtrf lo^ttd to
B joinliMi revels M dM^fcMltd
W on the viaoda thejr tut
^^p lecuredt but be refnaed. ^Aif
1^ Uumted him and cried : 'Ait
Iboa tbeii,too^ a riiitalwr"
to whidi both be and a coi^
paoion named Unos nfAad:
^ V "We are. and ^ocr in a«
X X I" ^
X X "
//■
.
cut down.
HiIawaBon September sad
a 386 and tbeir festival was
long known as that of ** the
Happy Legion."
SEPTEMBER 33d.
On this day the Greek
Church especially bonoun St.
Thecia, a virgin martyr of the
first century. The Latin
Church as well reverences her
SVMBOL OF THB HAPPY LEGION, ^tfa but little less veneration.
She was a native of Isanria, and St. Methodius in his " Banquet
of Virgins " tells us she was " well versed in profound philosq>hy
and the various branches of polite literature." Her legend b
that she was betrothed to a youth named Thanryris ; but on
hearing St, Paul preach she resolved upon leading a religious life
and to do so refused to marry the young man. At last tired of
entreating Thecia, Thanryris applied to the governor, and this
caused Paul to be imprisoned. Bribing the jailor with her earrings
and a sil^'e^ mirror, she gained access to Paul and sitting at his
ST. THECLA 423
feet listened to his words and became all the more convinced in
her resolves. In the end Paul was scourged and driven from the
city, but St. Thecla was condemned to be burned. She was
brought naked to the stake and though a huge fire was built round
her, it burned itself out leaving the virgin unhurt. After this
her legend tells, but does not say how she escaped and went
with Paul to Antioch where she was again arrested and con-
demned by the governor to be torn to pieces in the amphitheatre
by wild beasts. The day came and she was again stripped of
her clothing and led by a chain fastened to a girdle around her
waist But as the flames had refused to bum her, so now the
wild beasts came and lay quietly at her feet as if they slept.
The governor marvelled as well he might, and cried out : " Who
art thou, woman, that no beast will harm thee ? ** " I," she replied.
" am a servant of the living God and His Son, Jesus Christ/' The
governor ordered her clothing brought and said : " Put on thy
garments and get thee hence."
Then Tinsinia, a widow, took Thecla to her house where she
entertained her giving her " much money" to aid Paul in his work,
and with a store of clothing for the poor, she sent her again to
Paul,
At last Thecla retired to a mountain cave to dwell as a recluse
but the sick sought her out and she healed them by her prayers.
The physicians of Silicia said she was a priestess of Diana and
healed others by reason of her perfect chastity of thought and
deed. So they sent evil men to do her violence but as she ran with-
in her cave for safety a great rock rolled itself before its mouth
and shut the wicked men out from harrassing her. Her long
legend adds that thus, partly in journeying and partly in the mo-
nastic seclusion of her cave, she spent seventy-two years of her
life having been eighteen when she left Iconium and ninety " when
God translated her." Thecla was the first female honoured by
the Greek Church. Her attributes are a palm branch in her hand
and wild beasts of every kind lying quietly at her feet.
424 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
SEPTEBOER a^
T^is day is maHred In the Roman nuis u the Feut of Ov
Lady of Mercy,
In the English ctmrch the day is racogniwd «■
THE FKAST OF IHGATHKUMG.
Wberever througfaout the earth there is sach a thing as • iomid
harvest, there also appears an inclination to mark 'a with a festive
celebration. The wonder and gratitude felt towards the great
Author of Nature when it is brought before as that, once mgre^
as it has ever been, the ripening ot a few varieties of gran has
fumisbed food for earth's
teeming millions, make it
natural that there shodd
everywhere be some sort of
t of ingathering. In
. England this festival passes
'^ ^^^^^^ under the endeared name of
Harvest Home. In Scotland
where that term is unknown
the festival is hailed under
: of the Kim. Id
I b of England its
ordinary designation is the
Mell Supper. And there
'' arc perhaps other local
While thb day is marked in the ritual of the Church it is not like
our Thanksgiving a national feast, but rather it may be called a
movable feast which every farmer regulates to suit his own Har-
vest Home, that few of the great estates or larger farmers even
now fail to observe.
But if you would read of the old-time Harvest Home take
down your volume of Herrick. that quaint, genial, lovable English
poet of the old days, and read his lines beginning
M
ST. BARR 425
Come, sons of summer, by whose toile.
We are the Lords of wine and oile ;
By whose tough labours, and rough hands.
We rip up first, then reap our lands."
The only Clog Almanac symbol I find for this day is ab English
one, which represents a sickle, the reaper's implement from the
earliest days.
SEPTEMBER 25th.
To St. Barr or Finbarr, as he is at times called (or yet again
Barms, or Barrocus ; for in those old days seemingly, no two per-
sons spelled the same name in the same manner), every Irishman,
bom in Cork, pays reverence on March 17th and December ist,
for it was to this saintly man, who established a monastery at
Lough Eric, that the city of Cork owes its inception. The church
has named this 25th of September his festival day. The name by
which he was baptized was Lochan ; that of Fin-bar, or Bar the
White was given him afterward. He served as Bishop at Cork
seventeen years and died at Cloygen, fifteen miles from there, but
his relics rest in a silver shrine in his cathedral at Cork. The old
monastery is called Gill Abbey, or Gill Acda o Mugin after the
famous Bishop of Cork in 1170, who had so increased its impor-
tance that it bore his name as if he had founded it.
SEPTEMBER 26th
Is dedicated to SS. Cyprian and Justina who were brought
together under somewhat peculiar circumstances, St. Cyprian has
as a surname the title " the Magician,^^ for the reason that prior to
his conversion he was a soothsayer and practiced the arts of
magic. It was in this capacity that a young pagan nobleman
came to consult him and employed him to use his art of divination
to enable the young man to overcome the objections of a beautiful
426 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
youDg Syrian lady named JiutinB whh whom ha was fe Ion,
Her father was a " Priest of the Idota " ia AntiodL ' But sbe had
been converted to Chifatiaiilty and dnoosh her ''*f™ boCta ber
parents had become Ctariatianfl, and aha natarallj waa varj none
to granting the wish of tbe yoang; pagan. Cyprian waa not lotb
to make the trial and pot forth everj arttfice he knew to awontpllih
his purpose ; but aoon found himself sautt«i with tbe dtanna of
the yonng lady aa well aa larprised at his want of SDOoesfc
Justina was well aware of whA Cyprian's poipooe was. and in
his " Confessions " the Magadan aays : " She armed berscH
with the sign of the Crass and orercame the intocatiens of
the demons," and wondering what the secret power cooU be
began in earnest to search for the truth. He oooaidied a
priest named Eosebius who encouraged Itim in the work of oon-
ver»on which he ultimately consummated by brnninf all his
magical books, giving his substance to the poor, and enmlUiv
himself among the Christian catechumens. On the breaking oat
of the persecution under Dioclesian, Cyprian was apprehended and
carried before the Roman governor at Tyre. Justina, who had
been the original mover in his change of life, was at tbe same
time brought before this judge and cruelly scourged, vriulst
Cyprian was torn with iron hooks. After this tbe two maityn
were sent to Nicomedia to the Emperor Dioclesian who forthwith
commanded their heads to be strucic o&. Ttie history of St.
Cyprian and St. Justina was recorded in a Greek poem by tlie
Empress Eudocia, wife of Tbeodosius the Younger, a woric wiocb
is now lost.
SEPTEMBER sytb.
This day b the festival of another somewhat remarkable conple-
Saints Elzear, Count of Arian, and his wife, Delphina. Botb
were from rich and noble families in tbe kingdom of Naples.
When Elzear was but ten years old, Charles II., King of Sicily
and Count of Provence, caused him to be betrothed to I>elphiDk
of Glandeves, the daughter of the Lord of Pui-Micbel, a girl of
SS. ELZEAR AND DELPHINA427
twelve years of age. In 1308, three years later, the marriage was
celebrated with great pomp. But as it happened, Delphina as
well as her husband was a devotee to religious life ; for the two
had been brought together solely for the aggrandizement of their
respective families and for state purposes. By a mutual agree-
ment, the newly wedded couple resolved to live together in perfect
chastity and sanctity as brother and sister, a compact which was
never broken. When Elzear was twenty-three years old, by the
death of his father, he inherited his rank, titles and great wealth.
But these the noble couple looked upon only as "talents"
entrusted to them for the benefit of the poor, sick and needy.
Delphina had also inherited the great estates of Glandeves. From
that hour their lives were unostentatiously given to the work of
their Master ; as in the meantime they both had been enrolled in
the " Third Order of St. Francis," of whom and his Orders of
Franciscans I shall speak on October ist.
I must omit all further details of his advancement at Court
though still living for the great purpose he set before him, until we
find Elzear, attended by the flower of the nobility of Naples, as
the ambassador of King Robert, at Paris, to demand of Charles
IV. the hand of Mary, the daughter of the Count of Valois in
marriage for the Duke of Calabria. It was in Paris he sickened
and died on September 27th, 1323, when in his twenty-eighth
year of age, leaving a memory for his brief life redolent for its true
beauty and sanctity.
After Elzear's death, Delphina spent some time at the court of
Naples as the friend and companion of Queen Saucia, wife of King
Robert. But on the king's death in 1343, Delphina was retired to
the nunnery of St. Clare, where she died, in the seventy-sixth
year of her age, on September 26th, 1369, but her festival has
most appropriately been kept on the same day with her sainted
husband.
SEPTEMBER 28th.
St. Lioba, who is this day honoured by the Roman Church, was
held up by them, both in England and Germany, at the close of
428 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the X, century, u a model of Christiui perfectkm irilidh wn to
be followed. She waa of an illufltrions Anglo-Saxon tuiulj and
born in West Saxony. At an early age she vaa placed in the
monastic school of the great doable monastery of Winbam ta
Dorsetshire where she was nnder the care of the Abbcia Zetta.
For her day she was an unusually learned woman. St. BonifMe
was fully aware of both her leammg and her viitoes, therefore wn
anxious to secure her services for hU infant church in Germany; a
wish which Lioba shared most heartily, and wfakh at length «ai
gratified and St. Boniface quickly placed her at the head ot a
small monastery, called Bischafsheim, or the Bishop's House. Her
teachings and precepts soon made the little nunnery famous and
many nuns were sent from it to other parts of Germany to be
taught by her ; while kings and princes recognized her worth and
virtue. Especially among these was Pepin, the King of the
Franks, and later his son, Charles, or Charlemagne, when be came
into power, often sent for her to come to Aiz-la-Chapelle for cod-
sultation, and bis wife, Hildegardb, would have kept her perpetu-
ally by her if she could have done so. The departure of St
Boniface to Friesland and
his martyrdom was a cmsb-
ing blow from which LmIh
never fully recovered, and in
her old age she resigned her
cares and retired to a little
nunnery at Scomscheim near
Mentx, dying there in 77^
SEPTEMBER 29th
Is the feast of St. Midiael
and all the Angels, or as it
is popularly called, Michael-
mas Day.
Michael is regarded in the Christian world as the chief of
angels, or an archangel His history is obscure. In Scripture he
S. MICHAEL.
ST. MICHAEL
429
>
P^
is mentioned five times and always in a warlike character ; namely,
thrice by Daniel as lighting for the Jewish church against Persia ;
once by Sl Jnde as fighting with
the devil about the body of Moses ;
and once by St. John as fighting at
the head of his angelic troops
against the dragon and his host.
The festival is one which i
strictly observed by both branches
of the Christian Church: the
Anglican and Roman.
On the Clog Almanac St. Mich*
ael has for his ^tribute a pair of
scales of the earliest type.
According to St. Dionysins
(called Che Areopagite) and other
theologians there are three classes
of angels, each division consisting
of three orders, or choirs, thus making nine orders ; viz. :
1st THE COUNCILLORS OF THE MOST HIGH.
And of these First, SERAP-
;. HIMS. Usually represented as
fflcovered with eyes. Second
gjcHERUBIMS, each having six
wings. Third THRONES,
nd GOVERNOR.
Of these First. DOMINA-
TIONS, who bear a sword,
triple crown and sceptre.
Second VIRTUES, in complete
ir. Third POWERS,
U chaining devils.
Illd MESSENGERS.
Of these First. PRINCEDOMS. These hold a city, or are in
complete annor and bear a pennon. Second ARCHANGELS.
430
SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St Michael and St Raphael, beariog a pilgrim's staff. St
Gabriel, An{i:el of the Aanunciadon, and St Uriel. All thete
wear complete armor and
■ometimei carry trumpen.
Third ANGELS. Tbeae
generally carry a wand.
Of the en<Uess varieCf of
^^^ conception' by artists as to
the forms of the Angels and
Archangels I cannot ben
speak, though it is a mos
interesting subject The
two illustrations given are
from the painted glass win-
dows in the Chapel of Ne*r
College. Oxford, while the
CABDMONMS. WINDOW IN ANTE- two Others, a Cherutwn
X. CENTURY. CHAPEL, MKRTON and Seraph, are from sourcej
COLLEGE, OXFORD. ^ ^j,^^ j^ ^^^^ sutecriptta.
of each. The canonical colour for this Feast of St Michael and
All Angels is white.
Ic
It take space to speak of why : —
save to call attention to the ci
SEPTEMBER 30th.
The day is especially sacred to St. Jerom in
churches ; not alone because he stands as the 6rst, of the " Four
Latin Doctors of the Church," but because of his importance and
dignity as founder of Manachism in tbe West ; and also as the
author of tbe universally received translation of the Old and New
Testaments called " The \''ulgate."
ST. JEROM 431
Jerom — as his name is spelled in the earlier writings of the
Fathers — was born at Striddonium (now Idripui) on the confines
of Pannonia, Dalmatra and Italy in 342. His father, Eusebius,
was rich and as young Jerom displayed especial aptitude for study
he was sent to Rome for his later education, where he had for his
tutors the famoUs pagan grammarian Donatus and the celebrated
Victorinus, the rhetorician, who by a decree of the Senate was
honoured with a statue in Trajan's square — later perfecting him-
self in logic by studying the works of Aristotle and Porphry.
Jerom tells us, that while thus engaged : " I was wont to visit the
tombs of the Apostles and Martyrs," and of the deep impression
they made upon his mind. In spite of it all, he like other students
even in modern days, fell into temptation and for a time aban-
doned himself to the pleasures of gay Roman life. But his in-
born love of virtue and learning at last triumphed over this
youthful lapse from " the straight and narrow way." His perfect
knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages and his naturally
critical mind led him to study for the bar, and he early became
eminent for his eloquence as a pleader before tribunals and his
accurate knowledge of law. When past thirty he began his
travels in Gaul, visiting the various schools of learning of Mar-
seilles, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Autun, Lyons and the then imperial
city of Triers. It was at this latter place he became converted
and was baptised, a most interesting story, as read in the " Chron-
icle and Letters of St. Jerom ; " though too long for repetition here ;
but culminating in his vowing perpetual celibacy on his return to
Rome, where for a time he was secretary to Pope Memasus.
In 373 he traveled in the East later studying divinity with Greg-
ory, Nazianzen, Epiphanius and Didymus, and the Hebrew with a
learned Jew named Barraban, but spending most of his time at
the monastery in Bethlehem in deep study ; later retiring into the
deserts of Egypt and Syria among Amhorites to gain instruction
and edification from their conversation.
But we cannot follow the details of his studious life though
from the day of his consecration in Holy Orders in 377, there is no
period that is not replete with interest. Twice before he began
the work that has made his name immortal, he had corrected from
432 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
the ancient Italic, books of the Old Testament and Psalter, once
at Rome in 3S3 and next in 389 while yet in Palestine.
The new and correct translation of St. Jeram's Vulgate mi
published only when Dom Martiany (1647-1717) the French Ben»
dictine and Commentator brought it before the world under the
title of "The Sacred Library" though the council of Trent bad
in 1546 declared it to be the aothentic version of the Bible. But
the history of this would of itself fill a volume to cover it in de-
tail, and cannot be crowded into a few lines, such as are at my
disposal.
After three years of resideDce in Rome, Jerom once more
returned to the monastery be
had founded in Bethlehem,
where he died in peaceful M
age' in 420.
The legends and traditions
of St. Jerom are replete with
interest, but like the brief stog
of his life which I have so un-
satisfactorily to myself told
^ \ must be curtailed.
^ I Sitting at the gateway of his
/ monastery in Bethlehem, Si.
Jerom saw a huge lion come
It VcoeUan cdiiioo of bii limping toward him holdingone
writiDfts and life.) front paw in the air. The holy
man did not move until the lion crouched at his feet and held bis
paw before him. On examining, St. Jerom found the paw had
been penetrated by a sharp thorn which he carefully removed and
then applied some healing ointment, bound up the wounded (oi^
and assigned to the lion to lie down within his own cell where be
attended him until the paw was healed. From that time the lion
became the saint's constant companion, following him like a dog
everywhere. Later an ass that used to bring fire^wood for the
monks, was confided to the care of the lion while he grazed in a
neighbouring meadow, but while the lion slept the ass strayed
away. The lion searched in vain and returned to the monastery
ST. JEROM'S LION 433
shame-faced and with a drooping head. Jerom, thinking the lion
had devoured the ass, ordered that the daily burden of fire-wood
should be paciced on the lion's back, to which the beast humbly
submitted and performed the duties of the ass. One day the
lion having performed his duties, set out again to search for the
ass. A caravan was just then passing and the lion saw it was led
by an ass in whom he recognised his erstwhile charge, and the
ass also remembered the lion. At once the lion drove the camels,
merchants and attendants into the gates of the monastery, where
the merchants at last confessed to having stolen the ass. St.
Jerom pardoned them and set them free. From a score of such
legends the lion early became the attribute of St. Jerom and
appears in all pictures of the saint. Another reason being that
the proud, fiery nature of the lion was peculiarly characteristic
of St. Jerom.
OCTOBER
Then came October, full of merry glee ;
For yet his noule was totty of the must.
Which he was treading in the wine-fat's see,
And of the joyous oyle. whose gentle guat
Made him so frolic and so full of lust:
Upon a dreadful Scorpion he did ride,
The same which by Dianae's doom unjust
Slew great Orion, and ceke by his side
He had his ploughing-share and coulter ready tyde.
October received its name from bein;
the eight month in the old Alban or
Latin Kalendars when there were but ten
months in the year. The ancient Saxons
styled this month the '' Wyn-monath," ot
" wine- month," yet there was no wine
made at that time in old Saxony. The
early Germans termed it " Winter-fyUith,"
as being the precursor of winter.
OCTOBER ist.
St. Remigius, who is this day honoured by the Roman Church,
was the great Apostle of the French, and one of the brightest
tights of the Gaulish Church ; alike illustrious for his leamiog.
eloquence, sanctity and miraclES. His name still has a place also
in the Calendar of the English church. Youthful precocity did
ST. REMIGIUS
435
Dot, as it does sometimes, belie the future in Remigius ; for at the
age of only twenty-two years we find him (reluctantly on his
part ) made Bishop of Rheims. The result proved that the
pontiiicate, in insisting upon his accepting the perlerment, made
no mistake. Qovis was at this time king, and though yet a pagan,
held Remigius in high esteem and listened to him as he did to bis
wife Clotildis, who was a Christian. It was not
until after the battle of Talbiac in 496 that Clovis
was converted as the result of securing Divine
interposition, the legend running that : " When
Clovis was starting to meet the Sueve and Alemani,
Clotildis had said : ' In the hour of your need, if
you cry to our God He will help you.' The battle
was going against Clovis ; his troops had already
begun to retreat before the enemy, when Clovis
in desperation cried : ' Oh Christ ! whom Clotildis
invokes as Son of the living God, I have called on
my gods, but they have no power ; 1 implore Thy
succor. Deliver mc from my enemies and I will
be baptized in Thy name.' From then the legend
said, the tide of battle changed, and Clovis won
bis great victory and soon after fulfilled his vow."
came to Rheims for the remarkable ceremony, Remigius perform-
ing the solemn rite. After his baptism Clovis bestowed many
lands and much wealth on Remigius who distributed them among
the churches. King Clovis died in jii but Remigius survived
him many years, dying in 533 when ninety-four years of age and
after he had served as bisbop and archbbhop of Rheims over
seventy years.
OCTOBER 2d.
In the Ordo of the Roman Church to-day is an office for " 5S.
Angelonim Custodium," or "The Feast of the Holy Angel-
Guancaus."
This day is also the festival of a somewhat noted Englishman
436 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
whose name is alike honoared in the one English church apd in
Roman Martyrology, St. Thomas Cantelupe, some time High-
chancellor of England and Bishop of Hereford. His father was
the celebrated William Lord Cantelupe, one of those generab who
succeeded in the overthrow of the Barons and the French, thereby
fixing the crown on the head of Henry HI . The family was
descended from one of the Norman Knights who made up the
train of William the Conqueror, and had by many felicitous
marriages by the XIII. century become one of the most powerful
families in England allied to the earls of Pembroke, the Fitz-Wal-
ters, earls of Hereford, the Brenses, earls of Abergavany and
others. Thomas was first placed under the care of Walter
Cantelupe, Bishop of Hereford, later under that remarkable man
Robert Kilwasby, the learned Dominican who was successively
Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal, Bishop of Porto, and the
Founder of the Black Friars of London.
When Thomas resolved to consecrate his life to the church
after his studies in England, he perfected himself at Orleans
in the study of civil law as a preliminary to a better knowl-
edge of canon law. Pope Innocent IV. recognising his ability
nominated him as his chaplain but he within a few months
resigned his office and returned to England to complete his course
of canon law at Oxford and later was chosen chancellor of that
famous university ; an office he held when King Henry III. created
him lord high chancellor of the kingdom. At his own request
Thomas was granted leave by Edward I. to resign again and retire
to Oxford where his time was given to study and devotion. In
1275, he was canonically chosen Bishop of Hereford, an office he
filled until his death in 1282. The sanctity of the man and the
reverence in which he was held is testified by the fact that in
1287 Edward III. personally attended the translation of his relics
to the marble tomb where he now rests. He was canonized by
John XXII. in 1310, when his festival was fixed for October 2d.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI 437
OCTOBER 3d
Is sacred to St. Dionysius, the Areopagite.
Among the judges of that most venerable and illustrious senate
of the Areopagites who listened to St. Paul on that memorable
day described in Acts xvii. about the year 51, was a noted scholar,
named Dionysius, an Athenian philosopher. The convincing logic
of Paul added to his own knowledge of the facts in regard to the
life and death of Jesus Christ left the philosopher no alternative
and he frankly and publicly acknowledged the same, receiving
from the Apostle the rite of baptism, and from his great learning
at once became an active and most valued assistant and later was
appointed by St. Paul as bishop of Athens.
Of the death of this holy man not a little uncertainty exists.
The Greeks in their menologies say he was burned at the stake in
Athens for his faith.
A long list of works written by St. Dionysius the Areopagite is
to be found in Butler's " Lives of the Saints."
OCTOBER 4th
Is the anniversary of one of the most interesting characters in the
entire list of the canonized saints of the Roman Church. St.
Francis of Assisi, " The Seraphic " as he was termed for his
fervid eloquence and his devout love and service of his Divine
Master. Yet with it all such a miracle of personal humility. A
large volume that lies before me finds scant room to record the
events of his noble life of self-sacrifice ; therefore this brief
mention can be but a testimony of his worth. The son of a mer-
chant of Assisi near Florence, he was baptized Giovanni (John)
but gained his name of Francis (the Frenchman) from his being
taught French as a preparation for the business he bad been
intended for by his father ; but Providence changed this. In one
of those local provincial quarrels Francisco was taken a prisoner,
and for a year, held a captive in the fortress of Perugia. Sickness
followed upon his release, and as he lay upon his sick bed he
438 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
resolved to devote his life to God. From thenceforth his whole
life was one of poverty, for his father had cast him off; yet he in
the midst of his own poverty still went bravely on in his life's
work until he succeeded in founding the Order of Friar Minors, or
better known as Franciscans, one of the three Mendicant Orders
of Friars, that later was supplemented by the Order of " Poor
Clare's '* described in the account already given of St. Clare of
Assisi, the " Grey Sister," The fundamental character of each
being either personal poverty ; relying wholly upon the charity of
others not alone for their own meagre wants, but as well for the
means whereby to carry on their own great work for the benefit
of the sick, the suffering and the poor whom they fed. It is
a wonderful story which I regret not to repeat ; but it would
involve the entire early history of this noted order of FrandacanSi
OCTOBER 5th.
THE FESTIVAL OF THE ROSARY.
The first Sunday in October is fixed by the Ordo of the Roman
Church as the Festival of the Rosary. By means of its beads and
their arrangement the rosary is used by members of this church to
assist their memory in the repetition and counting of the prayers
said in accordance with its ritual. These consist of fifteen Pater
Nosters and a hundred and fifty Ave Marias which, for the con-
venience of worshippers, are counted on a string of beads. Each
rosary or string of beads consists of fifteen decades, each of these
decades contains one Pater Noster marked by a large bead, and
ten Ave Marias, marked by ten smaller beads. The festival of the
rosary was instituted to implore Divine mercy in favour of the
church and all the faithful and to return thanks for the benefits
conferred on them, more especially for the victory of Lepanto in
1 57 1 over the Turks.
Pope Pius V. ordained the festival for all the churches under the
title of Sta. Mary de Victoria, but Gregory XIII, changed the title
to that now used.
THE ROSARY 439
The rosary itself in its present form is said to have been invented
by St. Dominic ; though it had its first origin in the East and had
long been used by hermits, anchorets and the Benedictine monies
before its introduction into the use of the church as a body.
The Roman Church pays honour this day to St. Placidus, the
Abbott of Messina in Sicily and his companion martyrs. Placidus
was the son of Tertullus, a Roman senator, and like so many sons
of noble Roman families was at the age of seven committed to
the care of St. Benedict at his monastery at Sublaco. It was
here, legend tells us, St Benedict performed a wonderful miracle.
The lad Placidus in some way had fallen into the water of the lake
and when St. Benedict was told of it he called a monk, named
Maurus and blessing him sent him to the rescue. The child,
" was floating a bow-shot from the shore when Maurus, walking
on the water, seized the lad and drew him ashore, his (Maurus)
melote (a sheep-skin the monks wore on their shoulders) not even
having been wetted." This power having been given Maurus
through the blessing of St. Benedict.
How much influence this rescue had on young Placidus in
determining his future is not told in direct words ; but it could
not have failed under all the circumstances and his surroundings
to have impressed him deeply ; for he took upon himself the
monastic vows at an early age. In or about 541 he went to Sicily
where he founded a monastery at Messina ; he then being twenty-
six years of age. In this act he was nobly aided by his father
Tertullus. Here, too, he was joined by his two brothers Euty-
chius and Victorinus, with his sister, Floria, devoting their lives to
devotion and to works of charity. A few short years only were
granted them when a party of Arian Goths headed by a pirate
named Manrechas landed on the island and some thirty or more
monks with Placidus, his virgin sister and his brothers were
brutally murdered and their monastery plundered and destroyed
on October 5, 546.
440 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
OCTOBER 6lh.
The memory of St. Faith to whom a crypt in the cathedral d
St. Paul in London is dedicated, is one' of the saints which both
the Anglican and Roman Churches select for honour on this day.
Among those Christians whose invincible constancy triumphed
over the malice of Dacian under Dioclesian and Maximian, none
better deserves notice than the — almost — child whose pareots
had named at her baptism " Faith." A girl endowed with sndi
exquisite, wondrous personal beauty of both
face and form, that even passing strangers
stopped and watched her with longing, linger-
ing eyes that they might fix in their memories
her pure, saintly face. No woman, however
young, is insen^ble of her own charms, nor was
Faith so. She knew also what such beauty as
hers could win for her in the outer world ; but
hers was a higher, purer and nobler ambition
for she had been taught only the simple failb
of Christ crucified, risen and all powerful to
save. Thus when apprehended and brought
before Dacian she needed none to instruct her
how to answer him. Her legend purports to
give these verbatim as she stood sturdy and
steadfast to her name and all it represented.
ST. FAITH. Nor could all the wiles, threats or promises
of Dacian avail against her strong purpose. Even the on-lookers
were struck with pity and horror as they exclaimed ; " How can
this tyrant torment this innocent young virgin ! " For which
many were then and there arrested and suffered death as the
penalty of their sympathy. Of course St. Faith's fate was sealed
from the moment when she refused to sacrifice to Diana and
she was beheaded on October 6, 290.
To-day is also the festival of the celebrated St. Bruno, Founder
of the Carthusian Monks.
The story of how St. Bruno with his companions first conceived
ST. BRUNO 441
the project of the order at Rheims and at a later date retired to
the wilderness of Chartreaux and founded a church and small
monastery from whence the order was finally evolved is a long
and interesting one. The event is said to have occurred in 1085
or 86, authorities differ, Dr. Butler naming June, 1084.
The rules of the Carthusians are the most severe of any of the
monastic orders. Almost perpetual silence is maintained among
the brothers, for they never speak if a sign can serve the purpose
except on one day in each week when for a time they may con-
verse together. They never taste meat and a single meal of
" pulse, bread and water," is allowed daily. This too is eaten
separately. Their dress is white.
St. Bruno might have had preferment in the Church but he
declined all to carry out his cherished ideal community. He died
in iioi. Pope LeoX. instituted an office for St. Bruno in 1514
for the church of St. Stephen ; but in 1623 when he was canon-
ized by Gregory XV. the office was extended to the whole Church.
This St. Bruno must not be confounded with St. Bruno, Bishop
of Segni, mentioned July i8th, as he sometimes is, even by
writers, for I have a volume before me, purporting to be " Stories
of the Saints," in which the lives of the two saints are sadly
jumbled.
OCTOBER 7th
Commemorates St. Mark, Pope and Confessor, who held the high
and holy office but for eight months from January i8th, 336,
when he was placed in the Apostolic chair, until his death on
October 7th of the same year. »
The day is also sacred to St. Justina, the patroness of both
Padua and Venice who like the gentle St. Faith was yet another
victim of the terrible persecutions of those twin monsters Diocle-
sian and Maximian ; who recognized neither youth, beauty nor
virtue as an excuse for the heinous crime of being a Christian.
This beautiful virgin was the daughter of King Vatalicino of
442 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Padua, a Christian who educated her in his faith« On his death
Maximian accused the princess of holding the faith of her father.
Far from denying it, she boldly affirmed her belief in Christ. As
usual, no mercy was given and she was condemned to demth and
her legend tells how when the executioner aqppeared, "she
opened wide her arms and received without flinriiing the fatal
sword thrust in her bosom."
OCTOBER 8th
The Church honours St. Bridget of Sweden, the Founder of the
Order of Brigitines. or Brigitta. She was the wife of Ulpho.
Prince of Nericia, who died in 1544. After her husband's death
and when she had distributed his estate among her children she
instituted the Order bearing her name, whose object was, in
addition to charity and other good works, to observe particular
devotions for the Passion of Our Lord and in honour of His Holy
Mother. She built the great monastery of Wastein in which were
housed sixty nuns, and in a separate building friars numbering
thirteen priests, four deacons, four doctors of the Church and
eight lay brothers of the Order. The Order itself apparently was
not confirmed until after her death when it was approved by
Martin V. (Pope 1417-1431), while she died in 1373.
The Order of the Brigitines appeared as the Third of the Order
of St. Augustine. One monastery only of this Order ever was
founded in England, that of Sion-house built in 141 3, by Henry V.
and of which f have already given an account in a previous article.
St. Bridget was canonized in 1 391 by Boniface IX., and her
canonization confirmed by Martin V. in 1419.
This day is also the festival of St. Pelagia. the penitent come-
dian, who is such a prominent character in Charles Kingsley's
remarkable novel. " Hypatia,"
ST. DENIS 443
OCTOBER 9th.
This day is sacred to St Denis. Denys, or Diooysius, who must
not be confounded, as is often the case, with St. Dionysius the
Areopagite spolcen of on October 3d.
Sl Denis was of all the Roman missionaries in Gaul the indi-
ndual who, in preaching the doctrines of the
Cross, penetrated furthest into the country, and j
fixed his seat at Paris of which he became the
first bishop. He is said to have been put to <
death during the persecution of Valerian, and
a well-known legend is related regarding him.
that after suffering decapitation, he miracul-
ously took up his head, carried it in his hands t
for the space of two miles and then lay down 1
and expired.
The bodies of St. Denis and bis companions
are recorded to have been interred by a Chris-
tian lady named Catalla not far from the plac
where they had been beheaded. A chapel wa
thereafter erected over their tomb and in th
fifth century a church which was greatly n
sorted to by pilgrims. St. Denis is the patroi
of France.
To-day is also kept the festival of St. Lewis Bertrand. He was
one of a noble band for whom too high praise cannot be spoken,
who in those early days dared the dangers of crossing the broad
Atlantic to carry the gospel to the Indians of the New World.
He was a Spaniard by birth, bom in Valencia, where as a youth
he became a novice in a Dominican monastery, passing through the
various degrees in the order with credit both to himself and his
teachers. For years his one ambition had been to become a mis-
sionary to the savages of America. He was not ignorant of the
discomforts and dangers which attended such a lile or the proba-
bility of its costing him his own life. It was not until 1352
when he was thirty-six years of age, that he received permission to
444 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
undertake such a mission, and South America was selected for
his field of work when accompanied by one of his fellow friars he
started, and after a long and tedious voyage landed at Golden
Castile. The scene of his laboiurs for the next three years lay m
the Isle of Tobago, the province of Carthagena, and upon the
Isthmus of Panama. Even at that early day the Dominicans had
established themselves in South America but the territory St
Lewis Bertrand penetrated was new ground and the hardships he
and his companion endured from hunger arid exposure were
beyond description. A stone for a pillow. Mother Earth for abed,
and wild fruits for their food. It would seem as if the " gift of
tongues " had been bestowed on this man, so quickly did he
acquire the varied dialects of these untutored savages ; but it was
this above other things which won for him their confidence. The
next objective point of our missionary was the Caribbees, where in
the mountains of St. Martha he baptized over 15,000 persons.
Again in the country of Mopaia and on the Isle of St. Thomas he
gained many converts to Christ, protected always ^by unseen
hands from dangers only later discovered. In 1569 to protect
these savages from ruthless plunder and persecutions of lawless
Spanish adventurers who infested these new countries, St. Lewis
Bertrand resolved to sail for Spain and seek from the Spanish throne
the needed relief in which he was partially successful ; but his
superiors thought they had other and more needed work for him
in Spain, and he could not therefore return to his missionary work,
much as he desired to ; but devoted himself to preparing others
for the Master's vineyard by his holy life, example and teachings,
until in 1 580 when one day preaching in the cathedral at Valencia,
he was taken ill and carried from the pulpit to what proved to be
his death bed. He was beatified by Paul V., in 1608, and canon-
ized by Clement X. in 1671.
OCTOBER loth.
This day is kept sacred to the memory of another of the noted
men of the Jesuits, St. Francis Borgia, the Fourth Duke of
ST. FRANCIS BORGIA 445
Gandia and the Third General of the Jesuit Order, and named by
his mother out of love and devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. He
was a precocious child. At the age of seven he read fluently his
native Spanish language and as he advanced in years no pains or
expense were spared to furnish him with the best and most
learned tutors and masters in each branch of learning. He early
disclosed a desire for a strict religious life ; but his father opposed
it (his mother had died in 1520) and in 1528 when he was eighteen,
in order to turn his thoughts into other channels he was removed
from Saragossa and placed at the court of Charles V., then one of
the gayest courts in Europe. Here he gained the esteem of the
Empress, who planned to marry him to Eleanor de Castro, a
Portuguese lady of the first rank, with great wealth and very
accomplished as well as possessed of rare beauty, while added to
these she was a woman of fervent piety, and Francis' father gave
him no opportunity to decline so advantageous an offer.
In 1 539 the pious Empress died and shortly thereafter the Mar-
quis was made Viceroy of Catalonia, and created knight of the
order of St. James or the " Red Cross," the most honourable order
of Spain. Barcelona was the seat of the government and it was
here that Francis first became acquainted with the tenets of the
Jesuit order and began to study their objects. Encouraged as he
had always been by his wife, Francis' life had at all times been a
devout and religious one ; but now he began to strive for some-
thing beyond the life he was then living. In the meantime
Francis' father had died, and he now was Duke of Gandia, and in
1543 he returned to his native town where he soon founded a
college for the Society of Jesus. In 1 546 his devoted wife died
and about that time Peter Le Fever, one of St, Ignatius Loyola's
associates in founding the order, came to Gandia and laid the first
stone for the new college. It was then the Duke resolved on the
most momentous act of his life and applied for admission to the
Society of Jesus, laying aside wealth, honours, and rank to be a
servant and to renew his studies in order to become a doctor of
theology.
In 1549 St. Francis visited Rome and with the money he had
brought from Spain built a church for the " Professed House "
446 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
and Uid the fouadation (though he declined the honour and title
of Founder) of the great Jesuit institution called the Roman Od-
lege completed by P&pe Gregory XIII., then resigned bis Doct^
to his eldest son and in January, 1551, took his final vows as a
member of the Society of Jesus,
The zea! with which Francis carried out his votra during the
succeeding; years justly entitles him to the title given him trf Dr.
Butler as " the second founder " of the Order, for urtiile bis gifts in
money had been lavish, his wisdom and prudence bad done even
more for the Order.
On July 2, 1565, on the death of St. Laynez, the second General
of the Society, Francis Borgia was elected the third GeoersI in
succession, an ofRce he filled until his death in 1572.
St. Francis Borgia was beati-
fied by Pope Urban VIIl. io
1634, canonized by Clement IX
in 1671 and his festival fixed for
October loth by Innocent XI.
in 1683.
OCTOBER nth.
This b the festival of SL
Ethelburge or Edeliburge, the
virgin Abbess of the first Bene-
dictine nunnery founded ia
England by St, Erconwald,
Bishop of I.ondon. Ethelburge
was an Anglo-Saxon princess,
and a sister of Erconwald. Al-
though there were then no
English houses to which she could repair to carry out her vows
of religious life, she secluded herself from the world, even in her
father's " Rath " in the privacy of her own apartments. When,
however, her brother, Erconwald, then Bishop of London, founded
ST. ETHELBURGE.
ST. WILFRID 447
a Benedictine nunnery at Barking in Essex, she consented to
become its head and was its first Abbess. Her life was one of
those quiet, unostentatious ones we sometimes see devoted to
silent and secret good works; her greater and more sterling
qualities only once being called out when in 663 the plague
appeared within the walls of the Barking nunnery. Then her true
heroism displayed itself in a most marked manner by her attention
and devotion to her sick and dying sisters. Giving herself no rest,
performing even the most menial duties without complaint and
giving succor and support to all until the last victim had been
claimed by the dread disease no earthly power could resist.
When at last the survivors were safely removed from danger
and her hour of rest seemed near, she herself fell a victim to her
devotion to others and went to her reward, on this nth of Octo-
ber in 664,
OCTOBER 1 2th.
Both the Anglican and Roman Churches commemorate on this
day the memory of St. Wilfrid or as the Anglo-Saxons wrote it
Willferder, Bishop of York, who was born in the ancient kingdom
of Northumberland in 634 and educated at the monastery of Lindis-
fame, then one of the noted monastic schools. Indeed these
monastic schools were, down to the tenth century, the only ones in
Britain where any high degree of education was to be obtained.
At the age of nineteen in 653 ambitious still to attain a degree of
knowledge beyond that of Lindisfarne Wilfrid started for France
and Italy and in passing through Kent met the noted Bennet
Biscop the founder of the celebrated monasteries of Wearmouth
and Jarrow into whose churches this advanced thinker and theolo-
gian introduced the first paintings ever placed in a church in
Britain. In company with this learned man young Wilfrid
traveled to Rome, where by good fortune he met St. Boniface
then an archdeacon and through him was introduced to the pope.
From Rome he proceeded to Lyons where after three years of
study he received the ecclesiastical tonsure and was ordained
returning to Britain in 658 when the great controversy over
448 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Easter was at its height and in which he bad a part. From
thence on his was a busy missionary liFe, not only in Northumber-
land but in Bernecia and the North which if 1 might tell it in
detail would show how constant and earnest were those faithful
men who laid the foundation tor Christianity in Britain. The
contest over his bishopric was long and tedious and would inter-
est none save ecclesiastics therefore I omit it. Yet even doting
all this persecution Wilfrid was never idle in his Master's woifc
literally " dying in the harness " in 709.
OCTOBER 13th.
TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS OP EDWARD THE CONFESSOI.
Towards the dose of ia6j
this pious m o n ar c h com-
pleted the rebuilding of the
Abbey at Westminster and
at Christmas " he caused
the ncwly-built church to be
hallowed in the presence of
the nobles assembled during
that solemn festival."
The king's health contin-
ued to decline till on the jth
of January he felt that the
hand of death was upon him.
Every reader of history
knows how the Confessor's
last hours were embittered
by the b i c k e r i n g s of his
court as to who should suc-
ceed him until worn out he
at last told Harold and the
rest to settle the matter any
way they could, then turned
ST, EDWARD THE coNPESSOR. „„ ^is bed commending his
soul to God thus dying on January 5, to66.
ST. EDWARD
449
The Confessor's first burial place was in front of the high altar
to the church dedicated to St. Peter (now called Weslminsler
Abbey) begun by Ethelbert and completed by his son Edward
sumamed " The Confessor." This tomb was then a very simple
aSair and the early Chronicles tell us that William the Conqueror
presented a pall to cover it : " Very richly was it worked in fine
gold and silver, which King William had made to the honour and
fame of Si. Edward."
When Westminster Abbey was rebuilt by Henry III. the coffin
of the Confessor was for a time placed in
the palace of Westminster from whence
it was brought to the gorgeous new
shrine the monarch had prepared for it,
in the new Abbey, on October 13, 1269.
The coffin on this occasion was carried
by King Henry, his brother Richard,
Earl of Cornwall {King of the Romans),
bb two sons, Edward (afterwards Ed-
ward I.) and Edmund, Ear! of Lancaster;
the Earl of Warren ; Lord Basset and as
many other nobles " as could come near
to touch it." And we are told. " this was
the first time that Divine Service was
celebrated in this Church after the King
rebuilt it.'"
The present tomb that some of us have
seen is but the mutilated remains of the
magnificent structure erected by Henry
HI. for only the basement of that XIIL
century work is now standing. It was Italian design erected in
Purbeck marble then profusely adorned with glass mosaic. The
material and workmen were brought from Italy by Abbot Ware
and an inscription may yet be seen that tells us " Peter the Ro-
man citizen finished the work in 1269." On either side of the
shrine north and south are the niches wherein in old days they
laid sick persons in hopie of a miraculous cure from St. Edward
whose body now actually lies above those niches.
450 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
To quote from Mr. Troutbeck's valuable monograph ; " The
body formerly lay in a golden shrine above the marMe and
mosaic base and this shrine was adorned by many splendid
jeweled images. There were among others an image oC St
Edmund King and Martyr, his crown set with two large sapphires
a ruby and other precious stones, a figure of the Virgin and Child
set with rubies emeralds and garnets, a figure of St. Peter holdiog
in one hand a Church in the other the keys ; upon his breast there
appeared a large sapphire, meanwhile the saint was trampling
on the heart of Nero." This will give my readers a faint idea of
the splendors of this now vanished shrine.
Henry Vlll. in 1536 despoiled the shrine of its treasures, whHe
all that he left of any value the " Reformers " of Cromwell carried
away. Lest these vandals should even desecrate the tomb itself
the Monks for a time, secreted the Confessor's body ; but in time
of Queen Mary it was restored to its proper place. This Queen
presented many jewels and imagoes for St. Edward's shrine but its
pristine beauty had forever departed.
OCTOBER 14th
Is the festival of St. Callistus, or Calixtus as that name is some-
times written. He was elected to the pontificate August 2, 218,
and held the high position for live years and two months ; but the
uncertainty of these early dates lead others to limit this time to
four years and a few months.
OCTOBER isth
Is held sacred in memory of St. Teresa, or Theresa, Virgin
Foundress of " The Barefooted Carmelites." Her story, if I
could tell it in extenso is one of the many real romances that are
to be found amon|^ the devotees of the Roman Church. I take
space for but an epitome of it.
ST. TERESA
451
Shewas Spanish, boro at Avila in Castile in 1515. Her parents
were of gentle blood but not wealthy yet not in that most unhappy
of all lots in life, in any age or country, " genteel poverty." In
one of the fortress- houses of Avilon says Miss G. C. Graham in
her life of Sanu Teresa : ■■ Where on the shield over the gateway
the bucklers of the Davilas were quartered with the rampant lion
of the Cepedas she was horn and passed her childhood."
For a time after her mother's death Teresa was in the Convent
of Encamacion not as a novice but pupil. It U right here a
pretty love story comes in had I -
place for it. For in spite of the k
dearth of eligible suitors for many 5
maidens owing to the hegira of j|
the more enterprising young Span- ^
iards to the Eldorado of the New (
World Teresa had no lack of then
Then, too, she had fallen into tt
habit of reading those old-time "H
thrilling anecdotes of Knight-
errantry then so much the vogue ir
Spain. But the romances and tic- j
tion each were ended by a sudden E
and for a time dangerous illness. [
During her convalescence at
manor-house of her Uncle Pedro |
de Cepeda, a grave formal 1
who read religious books only ; J
she was called upon to read to l
him. The courteous respect of the I
young tor their elders, left her r
alternative while she concealed her I
dislike to such books as best she
could. At last the epistles of St. Jer
and it was from the reading of these that her resolution came to
take upon herself the vows of a Carmelite nun. It was not the
inspiration of a moment but after a long struggle which fills many
pages in her own writings in describing ; for unlike many who
ST. TBRBSA.
n were given her to read
452 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
in those days entered religious retreats she was sincere and earn-
est. The nunnery of Encamacion it may be said in passing was
then far from being what many think of such retreats.
Under her newly inspired devoutness this far from met Teresa's
ideas though perforce she for a long time endured it. In fact,
twenty years lapsed, full of many interesting experiences, failures
and falterings before the hoped for time came.
Even the story of the Reformation of the Carmelite Nuns most
be abridged. The discipline of the Encamacion was lax, lacking
in almost every way the essential features of a religious house
during the twenty years St Teresa waited before her opportunity
came and then, it was accomplished only through difficulties she
might well have shrank from. Briefly told it came about thus :
An elderly nun of the Carmelite Order had observed St. Teresa
often talking with her regarding the restoration of the primitive
rules that once governed houses like the Encamacion. It was not
without hesitation that the Superior and the Provincial were in-
duced to give their consent that Teresa and thirteen nuns should
start a convent to be governed by the old-time strict mles. In-
deed the Provincial very quickly changed his mind and forbade
the new enterprise to be entered upon. But Teresa had forestalled
this. A house had been secured and through friends both a Papal
brief and the consent of the Bishop had been obtained and on St.
Bartholomew's Day in 1 562 the little band of enthusiastic ascetics
set up their altar in their new home. What followed seems to
us to-day a sort of comedy. The Prioress had taken alarm, the
Town-Council and Chapter of the Cathedral joined in the fray
when St. Teresa was ordered by them to return to the Encama-
cion and close the new house. But she held the Papal brief and
the authority of the Bishop, which she flourished in the face of
the Provincial and to quote from a descriptive verse before me of
this affair : " The city magnates in high dudgeon appealed to the
sovereign Philip II." In the end but not until after a year Teresa
came off victor.
This then was the origin of the Reformation of Barefooted
Carmelites. But her eager active mind now that she had her dis-
calceated nuns, resolved to enlarge her field and secure an order of
ST. GALL 453
friars as well which through a General of the Society of Jesus at
Medina she later succeeded in founding in 1568. A story quite as
curious in all its details as had been the founding of her discalce-
ated nuns. But I will not enlarge beyond saying that through
the aid of an excellent priest Antonio de Heredia and St. John of
the Cross the foundation for the Order of the Barefooted Friars
began in Medina and the Order soon began to spread under St.
Teresa's earnest work. For she was practical as well as enthusi-
astic and from the hour she started out from the Encarnacion
convent for her new purpose her life was one of incessant toil
until in October 1 582 worn out with her labours for the Carmelites
Brothers and Sisters of the Strict Observance she went to her
reward. She was canonized by Gregory XV. in 1621.
OCTOBER i6th
Is devoted to the memory of St. Gall, one of those learned Irish-
men who went forth from those remarkable monastic schools of
Ireland as missionary to the pagans of the continent in the year
585 ; first preaching in Austrasia and Burgundy finally settling
with a few devoted brethren on the banks of Lake Constance in
the Switzerland of to-day : where they dwelt in their little cells.
The legend tells us " by the casting out of a devil, from the beauti-
ful daughter " of Gunzo, the Duke or Governor of the surrounding
country. St. Gall had won them great favour so that the Duke as
well as the Bishops, would have placed him in the Episcopal see
of Constance ; but he preferred his mission work and cell by Lake
Constance from which he only emerged to preach among the
pagans many of whom he brought to the knowledge of Christ.
He went out to be a missionary and as such he faithfully remained,
in spite of hardships and all tempting offers of ease until his death
October 18, 646.
His festival has been fixed for the i6th of this month.
454 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
OCTOBER 17th.
The Ang«Iican Church honour in their Kolendar on this dif
St. Etheldreda. Abbess of Ely (or whom the Ronun Chnrch bidds
a festival June 23d, on which day I told her Uttory.
On this day the name of St. Hedwiges, Ducheu of Poland,
appears in Roman Manyrology. A remarkable woman who
despite her almost royal birth saw nothing in the pomps and nni-
ties of Court life worthy to compare with the love of Christ in the
soul. Her father Bertold III, of Ao-
dectia. Marquis of Menu. Count of
Tivol and Prince of Carintbea bad be-
stowed her in marriage on Henry, Duke
of Silesia when she was but twelve years
old. Henry was also descended from 1
great and noble family and himself a
man of note. Not to dwell on the early
years of her married life in which she
faithfully fulfilled her marital duties we
hasten on for those stirring times in Po-
land. Henry of Silesia proved himself
I pawn on the board while the great
^ game was being played. In 1335 as all
readers of Polish history know, the crisis
S. HEDWIGES. came started in 1233 when the nobles of
Greater Poland expelled Ladislas Ortonis who bad made Henty
their Duke. His wife urged him not to accept the flattering offer
for she foresaw what only too surely came as it did in most of the
governing houses of that period when her own sons would be
quarreling for supreme authority in the State.
This conflict came even sooner than Hedwiges had anticipated
for Duke Henry having marched agaicist Cracow and some other
provinces of Poland had easily overcome them. Out of love for
his second son Conrad the Duke wished to place him in control.
To this Hedwiges demurred regarding the rights of the elder
brother Henry as paramount. To make our story brief tbe armies
ST. LUKE, EVANGELIST 455
of the two brothers met in deadly conflict and despite the support
Conrad received from his father Henry was victorious and Conrad
died soon afterward in retirement. But I must not follow Polish
history any further.
For years before Duke Henry died it had been the wish of the
Duchess to found a great monastery for Cistercian nuns at
Trebuitz, three miles from Breslau the capital of Silesia. To
this the Duke although at first opposed at last consented, but to
secure her end Hedwiges sacrificed her entire dower while her
husband aided by settling upon the new monastery as an endow-
ment the town of Trebuitz, and other estates thus providing for
the maintenance of one thousand persons. It was hither she
retired after her (amicable) separation from Duke Henry took
place that she might more earnestly fulfil her charitable and
religious ambitions. From this time her life was devoted solely
to penance and good works too numerous for detail here. Her
death took place on October 15th, 1243. In 1 266 Pope Clement
IV. canonized her, but it was Pope Innocent IX. who fixed the
date for her festival.
OCTOBER 1 8th.
St. Luke, the third in rank among the Holy Evangelists is this
day remembered and honoured by Christians throughout the world.
He was not one of the Apostles having been converted after
Christ's ascension. But he was the companion and beloved friend of
Paul and after his death Luke preached the gospel in Greece and
Egypt. He was a proficient in the science of physics and also an
artist of no mean talent, as the pictures he drew of both our
Saviour and the Virgin Mary prove. One of these pictures of the
Blessed Virgin ascribed to the pencil of St. Luke, Pope Paul V.
had placed in the Borghesion chapel of Sta. Maria Via Lata in
Rome, where it is still shown. While Mrs. Jameson (see her
Sacred and Legendary Art) does not credit St. Luke as having
456 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
been an artist she concedes that he is the recognixed Patron of
Painters.
H is gospel was — it is generally believed — written much later
than either St. Matthew or St.
Mark. His s y m b o 1 is the
" Winged Ox." Callot's im-
ages represent him as paint-
ing the Virgin and Child. His
death occurred on or about A.
D. 63. The illustration above
is the Clog Almanac symbol
of St. Luke and purely Runic
OCTOBER tgth.
: is curious, as I have al-
ready remarked, how in the
early days of the Church personal quarrels and a desire for revenge,
used the popular prejudice the laws and the antipathy to the Chris-
tian religion as a cloak beneath which any one of the Christian
Faith could be punished. Ptolemy, Lucius and another companion
in their martyrdom whom the Church remembers to-day furnishes
another instance of the truth of this remark. Ptolemy was a
zealous Christian at Rome and through his earnest endeavours and
pleadings with a Roman matron he had succeeded in converting her
and she openly proclaimed her belief. Her husband was deeply
angered and vowed vengeance not only upon her but also on
Ptolemy. Under a Roman law the matron at last secured a legal
separation from the man who had so wantonly abused her. This
was the signal for the Roman to use his best eHorts to secure
vengeance against Ptolemy. Appearing before Antoninus ( Mar-
cus-Aurel a Consul of Rome, who died A. D. 202)a known
opponent of Christianity he lodged his complaint and it was sent to
Urbicius, the prelect. Here the Roman accused Ptolemy o( being
a Christian, a crime that needed only the confession of the faithful
man to secure for him condemnation to death. It was then that
ST. FR IDES WIDE 457
Lucius another Roman Christian came upon the scene and pro-
tested against the injustice of the decree and Urbicius demanded
of him : " Art thou too a Christian ? " The reply : " I am ! " was
enough ; Lucius was condemned to suffer with Ptolemy. Still a
third noble man rose to protest and declared his faith, a man whose
name has never been known though he like the other two suffered
at the same time, the same death, on October 19, 166 and is
honoured, according to Roman Martyrology : " At Rome with the
other faithful worthies."
I can but briefly speak of St. Frideswide, Patroness of Oxford
whose father, Didon was Prince of Oxford and the neighbouring
territory during the early years of the VII 1. century and who as a
Christian Prince in 750 founded a nunnery in honour of St. Mary
which he committed to the care of his daughter Firdeswide as its
Abbess. She had not been without a romance in her life. Before
she had become an Abbess her beauty, virtues and rank had
captivated a Mercian prince named Algar who had tried in vain to
secure her hand, since her resolution to live a religious life had
been taken in early life. Even when she had entered the nunnery
he pursued her and laid a plot to carry her off by force as her
legend tells of her escape by hiding for a long time in a hog-stye
and how the prince was mysteriously struck with blindness during
his search for her ; but he repented and after the earnest prayers
of the saint his sight was miraculously restored. Later St. Frides-
wide built for herself a cell and oratory near Thornbury to which
she retired living in holy sanctity until her death about 790.
OCTOBER 20th.
The Church to-day honours a saint from out of Pagan Persia.
Euginius called by the Orientals Abus and the Chaldaens Avus
(both meaning Our Father) Avas a disciple of St. Anthony, and
one of the earliest missionaries into the far East. He established
a large monastery near Nisibis from whence he sent out his
emissaries through Syria and among the Persians and Saracens.
458 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Among the converts thus made was one disciple of Abus named
Barsabias who with some companions suffered under the first
persecution of the Christians in Persia begun by Sapor or Cbah-
pour II. and Sassanide, King (died 380) thus he is among the
earliest martyrs in that country and therefore remembered on
this day by the Church. With his ten monks Barsabias was
preaching against the religion of the Magians and teaching that
of Christ when they were apprehended loaded with chains and
brought before the Governor at Astahara — a city near the famous
ruins Persepolis — where after a mere farce of an examination
was had, a death sentence was pronounced. This was in 342
and is especially interesting as being the inception of those relent-
less persecutions of Christians in that region and which was to
continue for centuries.
St. Zenobius, Bishop of Florence and patron of that dty, is also
honoured this day at Florence, although his name appears in
Roman Martyrology on May 25th.
OCTOBER 2ist
Is the festival of St. Ursula and her virgin companions. Few
tourists who ever visited Cologne have failed to listen to her leg-
end, as they gazed at the gruesome row of skulls ranged around
her chapel in the cathedral the remnant of the original eleven
thousand virgins. There are a score of versions of this legend
almost any of which would fill many pages, but probably the best
that may be read is that given in Mrs. Jameson's "Sacred and
Legendary Art," and known as the Cologne version.
It is impossible to condense any one of these legends within
reasonable space and I shall not attempt it but only mention a few
bald facts — if any of these legends has a right to credence — as
told.
First Ursula was the daughter of a king of Brittany, and her
beauty was hardly less than angelic while her mind was a perfect
ST. URSULA 459
Storehouse it was said of wisdom and a knowledge of every event
from the days of Adam in the Garden until her own time. But
rank, wealth, beauty and accomplishments were all secondary to
her love of Christ. Naturally she was early sought in marriage
and Prince Conon a pagan and the only son of King Agrippinus
of England was among those who desired to win her. Thinking
by onerous terms to escape any marriage she demanded that she
should have ten virgins of the noblest blood of the kingdom for
her ladies, that each of these should have a thousand virgins to
attend them and she herself should have another thousand maid-
ens, and lastly that she should have a respite of three years in
which " to honour her virginity," The report of the ambassadors
only made Prince Conon more eager and all she demanded was
granted. The virgins were therefore gathered and sent to Brit-
ain. The prince was also so anxious to see this marvel of beauty
and wisdom that he too came. Then Ursula had a revelation,
that before her marriage she must make a pilgrimage to Rome
with her virgins. At Cologne she had a vision that foretold that
on her return she and her virgins would suffer martyrdom at that
place. Prince Conon followed her to Rome where he was bap-
tized by Cyriacus, receiving the name Ethereus. Leaving out all
the details which led up to the event, St. Ursula and her virgins as
well as Ethereus, her betrothed were while on their homeward
journey, and in fulfillment of Ursula's vision slain by the pagan
Huns at Cologne.
The Ursuline Order named in honour of this virgin was founded
by Bishop Angela of Bresica in 1537. It was approved by Paul
III. in 1544 and declared a religious order under the rule of St,
Austin by Gregory III. in 1572.
OCTOBER 22d.
In the festival of SS. Nunelo and Alodia, Spanish Virgins and
Martyrs whom the Church honours this day we are again reminded
of how widely personal ambition or a desire for revenge lay back
of and were often the indirect cause of not a few Christian
46o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
martyrs. In this case nearly two centuries intervened between
the original cause and these sufferers. But to tell it would be to
recount pages of Spanish history and tell how in revenge for the
vile outrages of Roderic the Gothic king had put on a sister of
Count Julian, he had first brought the Moors and Saracens into
Spain who later had possessed themselves of Mount Calpie which
became the world famed Gibraltar, and so trace that wonderful
conflict which continued long after the two virgins with which we
have to do, had sealed with their blood, their faith as Christians in
a town which through this conflict came under the control of the
Saracens.
The father of these sisters was a Mohammedan ; but like many
others of his day had married a Christian wife and the children
had been brought up in the faith of their mother. Had they as
they came to mature age been less lax in their views they could
have escaped their terrible fate. But their beauty won for them
the undesired attention of many Saracen lovers for whom they
were called upon to renounce their religion or suffer. Then was
enacted that often repeated story of persecution on one side and a
firm refusal to yield on the other. It involved a pretty romance
that I can make no record of here, beyond its hard unjust con-
clusion whereby when their lovers backed by all the persuasions of
the king's officers and endless promises of wealth and honour, these
virgins chose for themselves death rather than the loss of their
faith in Christ, and so, without a tremor, they went to their
execution on October 22d in 851.
OCTOBER 23d.
Under the persecutions which Julian the Apostate instituted
there was hardly a nobler example of Christian heroism and faith
than that displayed by St. Theodoret whom the Church remembers
on this day.
Julian the uncle of the emperor had been made " Count or
Governor of the East"; a district which embraced the city of
Antioch in which dwelt so large a number of Christians as well
ST. THEODORET 461
also, a large contingent of Arians. Among the Orthodox, ( or as
I have before explained Catholic ) priests then living at Antioch,
was a zealous priest who had during the reign of Constan-
tine been active in destroying idols and in building churches
over the relics of martyrs. To this faithful man's hands had been
committed the care of the sacred vessels used by the church in its
various ordinances and ritual. The intrinsic value of these had
been greatly exaggerated but when Julian ( the Governor ) heard
that a vast store of gold and silver vessels were in the hands of
the Christians he resolved to confiscate them and as a first step
ordered the clergy to be banished from Antioch. The priest Thco-
doret refused to obey this mandate and he was brought bound
before Julian who accused him of having "thrown down the
statues of the gods " during the previous night. Then began a
series of tortures akin to those of the so-called Spanish Inquisition
such as the *' bastinado," the " stretching of the body/' and similar
acts. But I cannot bring myself to transcribe all the acts this
fiend Julian ordered to be inflicted on this faithful man until in his
impotent rage he commanded he should be beheaded.
Julian secured the treasures of the Church but unsatisfied yet
he profaned and defiled them to crown his atrocities. Nemesis or
more truly God's vengeance quickly punished Julian but this story
my readers may find in any Roman history. This story of St.
Theodoret is only an incident in Julian's life. It occurred in 562.
OCTOBER 24th.
St. Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople, whose name appears
in the Kalendar of to-day was one of the marked characters of his
generation and his influence very widespread. He had from his
ordination as Deacon been famous as a pulpit orator and had
been chosen as the Archbishop of Cyzicus the metropolis of the
Hellespont but the people refused to acknowledge the jurisdiction
of the Bishop of Constantinople who had appointed him and for
this declined to receive Proclus who returned to his native city
462 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
but daily gaining in reputation for wisdom, until in 434 when he
was promoted to the high honour of Archbishop of Constantinople.
Perhaps the most noted of the many writings which have kept
the name of St. Proclus in memory are those he addressed to the
Armenians in 436 when the Armenian Bishops came to consult
with Proclus about the doctrine and writings of Theodorus then
gaining ground among the Armenians.
The year 447 is yet notable for the earthquakes which befell
many parts of Egypt including Constantinople from whence the
people fled in consternation ; even the Emperor Theodoslus and
his court being among these, but everywhere the figure of St
Proclus is named in his arduous efforts to comfort his scattered
flock and it was through this incessant labour that death overtook
him on October 24, in 447. In addition to Roman Martyrology
St. Proclus* name appears in the Greek Menologues and in the
Muscovite Kalendar for this day.
In the Ordo for this day in the United States, I notice an
office in honour of the Feast of St. Raphael, Archangel.
OCTOBER 25th.
St. Crispin's Day is one of the most famous of the Saint Days
not only in England, but in many parts of Europe.
St. Crispin and his brother Crispianian were natives of Rome
and having become converts to Christianity traveled northwards
into France to propagate the faith. They fixed their residence at
Soissons where they preached to the people during the day and at
night earned their subsistence by the making of shoes. In this
they followed the example of the Apostle Paul, who worked at his
craft of tent-making and suffered himself to be a burden to no
man. They furnished the poor with shoes it is said at a very low
price and their legend adds that an angel supplied them with
leather. In the persecution under Emperor Maximian they
suffered martyrdom and according to a Kentish tradition their
relics after being cast into the sea were washed ashore at
ST. EVA R I ST US 463
Romney Marsh. In medieval art the two brothers are repre-
sented as two men at work in a shoemaker's shop and the emblem
for the day in the Clog Almanacs is a
pair of sandals or feet shod with them.
From time immemorial Crispin and
Crispianian have been regarded as the
patron-saints of shoemakers who used to
observe and still in many places yet cele-^*
brate their day with great festivity and
rejoicings. One special ceremony used
to be a grand procession of the brethren
of the craft with banners and music
whilst various characters representing
King Crispin and his court were
sustained by different members.
r
OCTOBER 26th.
In the Roman Church this day is sacred to the memory of St
Evaristus who in the year 102 succeeded St. Anacletus as the
head of the Christian Church in Rome and governed its affairs for
nine years. In Pontifical records this pope is honoured with the
title of Martyr, but beyond such trials as every Christian endured
during the reign of Trajan there seems to be no record of a cruel
death and he was buried : " near to St. Peter's tomb on the
Vatican," the chronicles record. It was Evaristus who first
divided Rome into separate parishes and assigned to each its
especial priests and also named seven deacons to attend upon the
Bishop. Some writers have ascribed to him the creation of the
rank of Cardinal ; but of this I cannot speak with any degree of
certainty. Pope Evaristus died in 112.
OCTOBER 27th.
This day the name of St. Frumentius, the Apostle of Ethiopia is
held in honour by the Church in Abyssinia.
464 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
During the reign of Constantine the Great, a scholar named
Metrodosus had traveled into Farther Persia called by . the
ancients Ethiopia. Although he had been despoiled of many
valuables by Sapor II. or Chahpour he brought home many rich
treasures, diamonds and precious stones. This had inspired
" Meropius, a philosopher of Tyre/' (as chronicles call him) with
an ambition to secure like treasures ; he therefore planned for him-
self a similar expedition. On this, Meropius took with him his
two nephews who were then only lads. The ship which MerofHus
had chartered for his voyage put into a small port to secure pro-
visions when the barbarians attacked them and slew all except
the two boys whom the prince took as his slaves. The lads
seem to have in some way won the heart of the barbarian for
they received only kindness at his hands and upon his death-bed
he gave them their liberty. The Queen also who during the
childhood of her son governed the land entreated them to remain
with her and aid her in the governnient for by that time they were
men. They consented and did so remain until the young prince
assumed the government. Then the younger of the two erst-
while slaves returned direct to Tyre but Frumentius the elder
who had never during all those years of his captivity failed to
wish for the conversion of these heathens went first to Alexan-
dria, where he sought out St. Athanasius to whom he related
his story and expressed a hope that the Archbishop would
send some one to Axuma as a missionary. A synod of Bishops
was called who after long and careful consideration selected
Frumentius himself as the proper person ; whereupon he was
duly ordained Bishop of Ethiopia. How truly and faithfully he
fulfilled this new and arduous duty is too long a story to repeat
here. But it is one of those records of early missionary work the
Church justly prides itself upon. The Bishop continued his earnest
work with apparently great success until about the year 405 when
the " Supreme Pastor called him to his recompense. " The Latin
Church has ever honoured St. Frumentius on October 27th while
the Greek Church commemorates him on November 30th. The
Abyssinians adding to his name the title of the " Apostle of the
Country of the Axumites."
SS. SIMON AND JUDE 465
OCTOBER 28th.
In passing; it is not out oF place to mention that this is the
anniversary of the birth in 1467 of Desiderius Erasmus, who
despite Luther's sarcasm was an influential factor in brining
about the great Reformation of which Luther was the exponent.
Erasmus died on July 12, 1536.
In all ChrisUao Churches this day is set apart for the honour of
SS. Simon Zeloius (the Zelot) and Jude (Thaddaeus, or Lebbeaus)
whose names have for ages been connected. Yet even in
ecclesiastical biographies there is so much uncertainty, contra-
diction and confusion in ___
regard to these Apostles /^~\
that one hesitates as to
what should be said.
According to one tradi-
tion these were the same
persons of whom St.
Matthew speaks as breth-
ren or kinsmen of our
Saviour. But in quick
succession another tradi-
tion telb us this could
not be so; for according ^
to this last they were two
brothers who were
among the shepherds to
whom the angel revealed
the birth of Christ. The only point wherein all agree seemingly is.
that these Apostles preached the Gospel together in Syria and
Mesopotamia. But whether they suffered martyrdom together or
not is again a mooted point. One tradition claiming that both
were put to death in Persia; St. Simon being sawn asunder with
a timber saw and St. Jude killed by a halbert. Thus in some of
the illustrations of the Apostles, St. Simon bears a saw as his
attribute and St. Jude a halbert.
ST. )UDE.
From RoodKrecD
Prition Ctaurtb,
466 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
One tradition of St Simon says that he came to England and
was there crucified by the ancient Britons. In Greek art, St
Simon is represented as suffering martyrdom on a cross and so
much like those of our Saviour, that but for the superscription
" O CIMON " (the last O, being the Greek omega) they cannot
be distinguished. In Greek art also singu-
larly St. Jude and St Thaddaeus are shown
as two distinct persons ; though we know
mm ^^ St. Jude was called both Thaddaeus and
W^ ^^^ Lebbaeus and the gospels show was a
\^^^ kinsman of Christ (See Matt xiiL, 55.) In
" some of the Runic Clog Kalendars SS.
Simon and Jude's day is marked by a ship
to represent their occupation as fishermen.
The more common ones being like our illus-
tration. To conclude this list of contradic-
tions, I have before me another illustration
of the martyrdom of St. Jude showing him being shot to death
with arrows as if to add to the confusion already mentioned.
Even the careful painstaking Dr. Butler, finds it necessary to
qualify his words by saying : " If this Apostle preached in Egypt,
etc.," in his remarks on St. Simon. Thus showing how limited
the knowledge of our best authorities is in regard to these
Apostles.
OCTOBER 29th.
In St Narcissus the venerable Bishop of Jerusalem whom the
Church honours on this day we have if in no other respect a most
remarkable instance of longevity. Bom toward the close of the
first century he was almost four-score years of age when he was
placed at the head of the Church in Jerusalem as its Thirtieth
Bishop. In 195 we find him with Theophilis, Bishop of Caesarea,
jointly presiding at the council of the Bishop of Palestine held in
Cxsarea convened to consider that vexed question which so long
troubled the Church as to the proper time for observing Easter.
NEW YEAR CUSTOMS 467
Despite the reverence the holy Bishop was held in by good men
of his day it is evident he had his enemies even " in his own
household " because of his severity and strictness in observing
the obligations imposed upon all Christians by the laws of the
Church and by them was driven into exile for several years. But
in the end he returned and supported by his faithful flock aided by
a Coadjutor St. Alexander in his extreme old age once more min-
istered to his people until as I read in the Roman Martyrology for
this day : '* The blessed Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem, distin-
guished by his holiness patience and faith went to God at the age
of one hundred and sixteen years."
OCTOBER 30th.
The Church holds a festival this day for St Asterius, one of the
early Fathers of the Church who wrote about A. D. 400 and
whose works even yet are held in reverence for their wisdom and
vigour. But they are more especially interesting to us from his
mention of the keeping of the festivals of the Resurrection and
Epiphany (or " of lights/' as he calls it) as well as of Christmas.
Another most interesting point is his sermon (still preserved)
decrying against the pagan custom of going from door to door to
" wish each other a Happy New Year." Showing how ancient
that custom is, Asterius' objection being not the joyous wish but
the wild riotous conduct of those who engaged in the act.
Few of us I fancy realise the obligation antiquarians and
scholars owe to the Roman Church, for the preservation of ancient
manuscripts like these sermons of St. Asterius which throw such
a flood of light on those early customs in the old world ; filling out
many gaps where profane history is silent.
OCTOBER 31st. ^
It is also the Vigil of All Saints and for which, both in the
Anglican and Roman Churches, especial offices are ordained.
468 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
HALLOWE'EN.
There is perhaps no night in the year, which the popular imagi-
nation has stamped with a more peculiar character than the
evening of the 31st of October, known as All Hallow's Eve, or
Hallowe'en. It is clearly a relic of pagan times, for there is nothing
in the church observance of the ensuing day of All Saints to have
originated such extraordinary notions as are connected with this
celebrated festival, or such remarkable practices as those by which
it is distinguished.
The leading idea respecting Hallowe'en is that it is the time of
all others when supernatural influences prevail. It is the night
set apart for a universal walking abroad of spirits, both of the
visible and invisible world ; for one of the special characteristics
attributed to this mystic evening is the faculty conferred on the
immaterial principle in humanity to detach itself from its cor-
poreal tenement and wander abroad through the realms of space.
A good sized volume would hardly suffice to record the super-
stitions which even yet to some degree hover round this evening
and the variety of games which have become inseparably con-
nected with it. Burn's Hallowe'en gives some of them and is well
worth the reading again.
St. Quintin, the saint which is held in especial reverence this day
is another of those noble examples which the history of the early
Church furnish so many ; and prove how earnest were those men
who then professed the Christian faith. Descended from a Roman
senatorial family he was a soldier by profession and already held
high rank in the army when he became convinced of the truth of
Christianity.
No sooner had he done this, than casting aside his worldly
ambitions and a life of ease, he entered the service of his Divine
Master, and attended by a single friend St. Lucian they took up
the arduous life of missionaries, which then seemed to inspire the
best and noblest men who abjured the Roman gods and professed
the Christian faith ; the same spirit which had scattered Christ's
ST. QUINTIN 469
disciples to the " ends of the earth." Thus they went into Gaul
in the end during 287, in the early years of the joint reign of
Maximian Herculeus and Dioclesian to receive their crown of mar-
tyrdom ; and win for themselves crowns of glory in another world.
NOVEMBER
This month was anciently styled the " Wint Monat " or Wind
Month or Blot-Monath, Blood-Month, from the custom of slaugh-
tering the cattle during this month for use during the winter for
food ; and also from ancient pagan sacrifices held in this month
during which '* blood offerings " to their deities formed part of the
ceremony.
NOVEMBER ist
ALL SAINTS DAY.
This festival takes its origin from the conversion in the seventh
century of the Pantheon at Rome into a Christian place of wor-
ship, and its dedication by Pope Boniface IV. to the Virgin and all
the martyrs. The anniversary of this event was at first celebrated
on the 1st of May, but the day was subsequently altered to the ist
of November which was thenceforth, under the designation of the
"Feast of All Saints/' set apart as a general commemoration in
their honour. The festival has been retained by the Anglican
church.
As early as the IV. century the Greeks kept a festival on the
first Sunday after Pentecost in honour of " All Martyrs and
Saints." There is still preserved in the archives of the Roman
Church a sermon preached by St. Chrysostom (died September 14
A. D. 407) upon one of these anniversaries.
The feast was introduced into the Western Church by Pope
Boniface IV. after the dedication of the ancient temple of the Pan-
theon as a Christian church under the name of '* Sta Maria ad
Martyrs/' in 608. The temple having been made over to him by
ALL SAINTS DAY 471
the Emperor Phocas, the feast was held on May 13th. About 731
Gregory III. constructed a chapel in St. Peter's Church in honour
of " All Saints," since which time the " Feast of All Saints " or " All
Saints' Day " as it is popularly known, has been kept by the Church
on November ist. After the Reformation this festival was one of
those the Reformers retained, and in doing so they retained as
well the day fixed by Gregory III. as the one on which to cele-
brate it. In 834, Pope Gregory IV. at the request of Louis
" the Mild," extended the festival to the " Universal Church."
I can to-day name only one of the several saints whose names
appear in the Kalendar, that of St. Cxsarius.
At Terracina among the pagan rites on certain occasions held
in honour of Apollo, the tutelar deity of the city, it was the custom
of some young man to offer himself as a voluntary sacrifice to the
god. After having been for weeks pampered, carried and hon-
oured by the citizens, decked with the richest apparel and most
glittering ornaments, on the specified day the young devotee,
immediately after the ceremonies of sacrifice to the god would
rush from the temple and running at full speed through a crowd
of eager spectators who lined each side of the way to a high
precipice he would plunge into the sea, and be forever lost
beneath its waves. According to pagan belief this act secured for
the voluntary victim such favour from the hands of the gods in
the next world, as could be no otherwise secured.
Caesarius was a Christian deacon lately come from Africa where
in A. D. 300 he happened to witness this vain, impious act, and
regardless of Dioclesian's lately promulgated decree, dared to
deprecate the act as useless. Two of the priests of Apollo over-
heard his words and hardly had they fallen from his lips, when he
was seized, bound and dragged before the governor and accused,
only of course to be condemned. The deacon did not deny his
words but gave testimony to his faith in Christ and was taken
from the presence of the governor, tied in a sack and cast from
the same precipice where Apollo's voluntary victim had made his
sacrifice.
472 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
NOVEMBER id..
ALL SOULS' DAY.
This is a festival peculiar to the Roman Church and is celebra-
ted on behalf of the souls in purgatory, for whose release the
prayers of the faithful are offered and masses performed in the
churches from altars decked in black and with every insignia of
mourning.
In explanation Dr. Butler says : " By purgatory, no more is
meant by Catholics than a middle state of souls» namely of purga-
tion from sin by temporary chastisement for a punishment of some
sin and inflicted after death, which is not eternal. As to the
place, manner or kind of these sufferings, nothing has been
defined by the church. ♦ ♦ ♦ "
This festival was first introduced by St. Odilo, the abbot of Cluni,
who, to quote verbatim from Roman Martyrology, ** was the first
to prescribe that the commemoration of all the faithful departed
should be made in his monasteries on the next day after the
Feast of All Saints. This rite was afterward received and
approved by the universal church. "
Odilo de Mercoeur was the sixth abbot of Cluni and bom in
962, dying in 1049, and his festival occurs on January isL This
especial festival of All Souls was instituted in the early part of the
XI. century but its observance soon was esteemed of such
importance that in event of its falling on Sunday it was directed
that it should not be postponed as in the case of some ceremo-
nials, until Monday ; ** that the departed might suffer no detriment
from the lack of the prayers of the church of the faithful."
On this day the Church pays honour to the memory of St
Victorinus, a father whom St. Jerom termed " one of the pillars
of the church." He was a professor of oratory in Greece and is
noted in Grecian annals of A. D. 290. It was as a writer and
commentator on the Scriptures that he most excelled, though as
Bishop of Pettan in Upper Pannonia, now in Styria, his eloquence
ST. HUBERT
473
bore wonderful fruit. Like many another he could not escape the
far-reaching xlecrees of Dioclesian, and won his crown of glory in
304.
NOVEMBER 3d
Is sacred to St. Hubert, patron of huntsmen and of the chase.
His is one of those interesting legends constantly met with as we
read the lives of the saints of the Church, showing the mysterious
working of Providence in turning many lives by some slight inci-
dent. Young, gay, rich and very handsome, no noble at the court
of Theodebert HI., King of Austrasia, was more courted or led a
wilder life. In passing I notice this king is called Theodore by
Dr. Butler and others. There was no king by that name in
Austrasia, and the two names evidently have been confounded.
Theodeberfs father, Theode-
bert II., died in 612, and
Theodebert III. was, though
but a child, named his suc-
cessor.
It was when Theodebert's
court was at its height that
Hubert of Aquitaine first ap-
peared and made hunting in
the forest of Ardennes so
fashionable. There was no
day too sacred for Hubert to |
refrain from his favourite sport and no remonstrance potent
enough to keep him from indulging in it. Thus it was that
in the early gloaming of an holy day in the forest of Ardennes,
a young white stag stood before him. Its first horns were just
sprouting and devoid of branches : but either from the shad-
ows of the branches, or in his fancy, Hubert thought he saw a
cross between them. The legend as told claims it was an actual
cross. Be that as it may, the effect was the same to set his
thoughts on the teachings he had neglected so long. His life
474 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
quickly was a changed one. At first he sought out a band of
brigands who infested the forest and some of whom he had met
in hb wanderings, and told them his story and won some of them
over to seek a better life. At length Hubert went to the ven-
erable St. Lambert, Bishop of Maestricht and patron of Leige,
with whom he studied and by whom he was ordained. In 68i
the holy prelate was murdered. Already Hubert had been
advanced to the administration of the diocese as assistant of Sl
Lambert, and on his death he became the Bishop of Leige, as the
see had been transferred thither. St. Hubert administered his
holy office until May 50, 727, when he died. He was buried in
the Church of St Peter in Leige. His clog symbol is as in illus-
tration a stag, sometimes with a cross between its horns.
NOVEMBER 4th.
" St. Charles Borromeo, the model of pastors and the reformer
of ecclesiastical discipline in these degenerated ages," is the
manner in which Dr. Butler opens the narrative of the life of one of
the saints the Church remembers on this day. The story is too
long an one to repeat in detail, yet most difficult to condense. He
was the second son of Gilbert Borromeo, count of Arona, and
Margaret of Medicis, a sister of John Angelus, afterward Pope
Pius IV., while the Borromeo family was among the most ancient
of the long list of which Lombardy can boast. From infancy he
was destined for the church yet when a child of only 1 2 years of
age, an uncle Julius Caesar Borromeo, resigned to him the rich
revenues of the Benedictine monastery of SS. Gratinian and Felin,
uncontrolled by anyone older and wiser to guide him. He studied
Latin and " humanity " at Milan and civil and canon law at the
University of Pavia during which time in 1558 when 20 years old,
his father died, but he quickly returned from home and took his
degree in 1559 and in 1561 his uncle, Pius IV., created him a car-
dinal. Enough one might think between his great wealth and
rank to turn the head of an ordinary young man.
His uncle had been raised to the pontificate in 1559 and early
ST. BERTILLE 475
in the next year named his nephew as the head of the council, and
another uncle added the benefices of another abbey or priory
which he controlled, to the young priest's income. The record
of his life shows that all this wealth, honour and power had no
influence upon his simple mode of living. Of his executive
abilities and the promptness with which he disposed of the vast
number of ecclesiastical affairs that came under his care, everyone
speaks in the highest terms ; but it was as a reformer of ecclesias-
tical abuses he was most noted. For this purpose he established
the noble college of the Borromeos at Pavia, and sent missionaries
into every part of his diocese to see that his people were cared
for. Naturally he won the hatred of a class of priests who had
used the Church revenues for their own indulgences, and one
attempted to kill him as he was celebrating evening service.
It seemed as if the world had combined to spoil him by heaping
wealth and honours on him, for King Philip II. settled an annual
pension on him of 9,000 crowns and gave him the principality of
Osia, but none of all these favours ever changed his simple life or
led him to vary from the one great object set before him. As
became his rank, he gave feasts of which he personally never par-
took. He died at Milan on the 4th of November, 1584. His last
words were " Ecce Venio " ( Behold I come).
NOVEMBER 5th
Is the festival of St. Bertille, Abbess . of Chelles which was
refounded by St. Bathildes, wife of Clovis II., and was about four
leagues from Paris. This nunnery is chiefly remarkable for the
number of noted females, of royal and noble birth that from time
to time were gathered within its protecting walls, both of French
and of foreign lineage. Among them we read the names of
Hereswith, the Queen of East Angles, who became a nun at
Chelles in 646. and also of Queen Bathildes who retired here in
665 after the close of her regency and Clotaire III. ascended his
throne.
St. Bertille was herself from one of the noblest families in
476 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Soissons in the reign of Dagobeit I. and had been educated at
Jouarre, a great double monastery at Brie, the nuns of which were
under the famed St. Thilchildes ; who selected St. Bertille at the
request of Queen Bathildes as the first Abbess of the refoanded
nunnery abbut 646, and over which she ruled forty-six years until
her death in 692.
NOVEMBER 6th
Is kept in honour of St. Leonard by both the Anglican and
Roman Churches. He was a nobleman of high rank at the Court
of Clovis I. where he was converted by St Remigius who later
instructed him in divinity.
Leonard had been a favourite with the king and still retained
much of his old influence though he had after
his conversion spent far less time at court than
of old, his greatest pleasure now being to go from
prison to prison in Paris striving to comfort the
prisoners, learning from them their stories and
providing for their wants. Not a few of those
he thus met he found either were unjustly held
or had by their long imprisonment been amply
punished for their offences as the lax laws and
indifferent judges often left such persons im-
prisoned for years awaiting even accusation. Such
were the cases Leonard took in charge and as he
discovered the truth brought them to the notice of Clovis and
thus many were set at liberty. It was for this we find in the Clog
Almanacs the symbol of a rude hammer is given him, or some-
times a broken chain. After a time Leonard decided in spite o(
the entreaties of the king to enter the monastery of Micy in
Orleans, where he took on the religious habit and discipline, and
devoted himself to study and reflection. Later he became a her-
mit, building for himself a cell and oratory near Limoges. After
a period of retirement and devotion, though still leading his hermit
ST. LEONARD
477
life he began to instruct the neighbouring peasantry, thus filling
up the measure of his years with good worlcs until his death in
559. He had received the order of deacon but
declined further advancement and so is usually
represented in art in a deacon's dress and the
broken chains of prisoners. He has ever been
held in high honour by the English church as
evidenced by the dedication of about one hundred
and fifty churches to his name.
NOVEMBER 7th.
The Roman Church this day honours another
of those early missionaries who forgetful of them-
selves went forth to fulfil Christ's injunction, in
the person of St, Willibrord who was born in the
kingdom of Northumberland in 638 or about that
date. The story of St. Willibrord in certain ways ^^ leonarI).
resembles that already told of others except that Sandringhais
he was in some respects a man of far greater ac- *^''""* ^'^'"^
complishments. Before he was seven years of age he had been
placed in the then celebrated monastery o[ Rippon, in Britain,
which was still under the control of St. Wilfrid, its founder,
a man o( great learning and one who had the rare gift of inspiring
his pupils with ambitions of the highest and noblest character.
As I have before said, the Irish monastic schools were at that day
hardly second to those upon the continent and drew to them the
best class of students. Thus it was that when twenty years of
age Willibrord went to Ireland where he joined St. Egbert and
others and spent many years there in the study of the sacred
sciences. It was not until he was thirty years old that he was
ordained a priest. In the meantime one of Willibrord's early
companions who had come from Rippon with him had gone from
Ireland to Friesland as a missionary and after two years had
returned. His other friend, St. Egbert, had also wished to go to
Friesland, but for good reasons had not done so. Still this Frie^-
478 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
land mission was one of such importance that Willibrord wis
inspired by a desire to undertake himself the arduous task, and at
last in 699 he obtained permission to go to Lower Geraatany, or
Friesland. It had long before been a missionary field, but the
good work of the early workers had been nearly overcoaie by
pagan priests when he reached there with his companioos» and
under the protection of Pepin of Herstel (or Pepin the Big), Duke
of Friesland began their work which was ultimately to become so
successful. I must not tell this long and interesting story for it is
the history of the Early Church in Lower Germany. His monas-
tery at Utrecht and the schools he built thus prepared the way for
the good St. Boniface thirty years later ; all under difficulties few,
save men of such energy as Willibrord, could have overcome.
Literally worn out with his labours his peaceful end came at
extreme old age. The chronicles are greatly at variance on the
point as to just when he died. If we accept Dr. Butler's dates ~
viz., birth about 638 and death in 738, he was a centenarian. All
concur in his having reached great age and in testifying to his
earnest, self-sacrificing labours and the wonderful ability which be
at all times displayed in the management of his ecclesiastical
duties, and of the love he inspired among his people and contem-
porary ecclesiasts.
NOVEMBER 8th.
By a coincidence, another Northumberland saint follows St
Willibrord in the Kalendar of those whom the Roman Church so
justly honours, in the name of St. Willehad, Bishop of Bremen and
the Apostle of Saxony, and whose mission evidently was inspired
by the wonderful success of SS. Willibrord and Boniface in Fries-
land and Germany ; for his first effort in 772 was in Friesland at a
place called Docknow in West Friesland. His stay here was very
brief. Crossing the Issel he made his way through the country
now called Ober-Inel, not without a narrow escape of his life at
the hands of infidels at a village called Humark. But a Provi-
dence seemed to watch over him and he continued his journey to
LATERAN OBELISK 479
Wigmore where Bremen now stands and was the first Christian
missionary to cross the Elbe. The Saxons had at that time spread
themselves from the Oder to the Rhine and the Germanic ocean ;
thus occupying the greater part of the provinces of Northern Ger-
many ; and though divided into several cantons or tribes, they
were in case of general war under one commander. It was here
that St. Willehad preached until the great Saxon rebellion against
Charlemagne broke out in 782 instigated by Whitikind, a West-
phalian Saxon, who had been in rebellion in ^^^ and escaping had
fled to Denmark. But we must not mix history, interesting as it
is, with our story. During the three years of active warfare
Willehad spent his time in retirement at the tomb of St. Willibrord
engaged in transcribing the epistles of St. Paul and other sacred
literature.
With the close of hostilities the Duke Whitikind was baptized,
and with restored peace St. Willehad resumed his missionary work
and upon July 1 5, 787, was ordained Bishop of Saxony fixing his
see at Bremen, the city seemingly having about this time been
founded and his cathedral church, we are told, was built of wood^
but his successor rebuilt it of stone. St. Willehad lived but a
short time after the completion of his church, his legend telling us
that he died in a Friesland village in 789.
NOVEMBER 9th.
THE DEDICATION OF ST. JOHN LATERAN.
It would be difficult to find a more remarkable group of build-
ings than those which surround the " Piazza di San Giovanni," in
Rome, in the center of which stands the Obelisk of the Lateran ;
the oldest object in all that wonderful city of antiquities, it having
been — according to the translators of the hieroglyphics it bears —
originally raised in memory of the Pharaoh Thothmes IV. in the
year 1740 B. C. It was brought from the Temple of the Sun in
Heliopolis, to Alexandria by Constantine, and later to Rome
where it was used together with the obelisk now standing in the
48o SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Piazza del Popolo, to ornament the Circus Maximus. By order of
Sixtus V. it was transferred in 1588 to its present site. Facing
this venerable obelisk are the Baptistery and Basilica of the
Lateran. The remaining edifices I must not take space here to
notice. The Baptistery of the Lateran — sometimes called "St
Giovanni, in Fonte " — was built by Sixtus III. (450-40), though
only portions of the original structure now remain. The Lateran
derives its name from its having been the residence of a rich
patrician, Piautius Lateranus, whose estates Nero confiscated and
who was put to death for participating in the conspiracy of Pisa
It became an imperial residence and Maximianus gave a portion
of it to his daughter, Fausta, the second wife of Constantine.
When Constantine the Great, by his victory over Maxentius in
312, became master of Italy and Africa, Christians everywhere
began to erect sumptuous churches — checked in the East for a
time in 319 by the persecutions — and among them Constantine
built a church sometimes called " Constantinian Basilica," but
now universally termed St. John Lateran. It was given to Pope
Melchiades in 312 by Constantine who had laboured upon it with
his own hands. It was consecrated on November 9, 324. The
Lateran church is styled the heart, the mother and the mistress of
all churches as an inscription on its walls imports : " Sacrosancta
Lateranensis Ecclesia, Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesianum Mater
et Caput." The chapter of the Lateran takes precedence even
over St. Peter's who once contested this, but by the bull of
Gregory IX. and Pius V. the right of the Lateran was confirmed
and therefore every newly elected Pope comes here for coronation.
The story of the old Basilica is full of interest, and is told in many
of the Roman guidebooks so fully I must not repeat it here. The
consecration of a church edifice with the Roman Church is a very
solemn observance and the rites and prayers are very strictly pre-
scribed, hence the anniversary of this, the acknowledged Mother
of Churches, is regarded as no ordinary festival
MARTINMAS 481
NOVEMBER loth,
St Justus, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose name appears in.
the Kalendars of both the Anglican and Roman Church this day
was a Roman by birth and a monk of St. Gregory's monastery ;
but his learning and virtues had won for him a very great reputa-
tion both in Rome and elsewhere. Therefore when St. Austin
begged for some one to be sent to aid him in preaching in England
Justus was selected as the man above all his brethren most fitted
for the position. He arrived in England in 601 but his wonderful
talent and the success that followed his work was so marked that
in 604 he was created Bishop of the important see of Rochester,
and for twenty years ministered to his people, winning not alone
their love but adding many souls to the number of the faithful.
In 624, on the death of St. Mellitus, Justus was raised to the Arch-
bishopric of Canterbury, but filled it only during three years when,
to quote Dr. Butler's quaint and most appropriate expression :
" He went to receive his reward from the hands of the Prince of
Pastors on the loth of November in 627," leaving a name so pure
and a memory so sweet that to quote again from a Church of Eng-
land prelate : " We keep green his memory both because of the
love we bear him and for the example he left us by his earnest
holy life."
NOVEMBER nth.
MARTINMAS
Is without doubt one of the most favourite festivals of both the
English and Roman Churches in England ; and the story of St.
Martin is one of the noblest and truest that it will be my privilege
to tell, even abridged as it must be.
St Martin, the son of a Roman military tribune, was born at
Sabaria in Hungary about 316. From his earliest infancy he was
remarkable for mildness of disposition ; yet he was obliged to be-
come a soldier, a profession most uncongenial to his natural
character. After several years* service he retired into solitude
482 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
from whence he was withdrawn, by being elected Bishop of Tours
in the year 374. The zeal and piety he displayed in this office
were most exemplary. He converted the whole of his diocese to
Christianity, overthrowing the andent pagan temples and erecting
churches in their stead. From the great success of his pious
endeavours Martin has been styled the Apostle of the Gauls ; and
being the first confessor to whom the Latin Church offered public
prayers, he is distingtiished as the father of that church. In
remembrance of his original prt>fession, he is also frequently
denominated the Soldier Saint
The true story of St. Martin's life is in itself a romance while
the legends and fables told of him would fill a volume.
While a soldier he won the love of everyone with whom he
came in contact for his true whole-hearted benevolence. The
winter of 332 was one of unusual severity in Amiens where
Martin was then stationed. Marching with his company one
bitter day Martin saw a man scantily clothed shivering with the
cold. Many already had passed but none had tried to succour him.
Martin's impecuniosity was proverbial in the army, not from his
extravagance but from his never failing generosity. But this day
he surprised even those who knew him best. Having neither food
nor money for the poor stranger Martin took the cloak from his
shoulders and with the sharp blade of his sword divided it in
half — laying one part over the shivering pauper and covering his
own exposed person with the rest. The act was quickly done and
so wholly unostentatiously that few saw it. Later he bore without
a word the witty jibes of his fellows over his abbreviated garment.
This much is literally true. His legend tells us that that night he
had a vision in which he saw Jesus Christ wearing the half of the
divided cloak, and saying to his angel host : " Martin, the catechu-
men hath clothed Me in this garment."
The name then given to this cloak was " chape " and according
to Collin de Planey, the English words " chapel " and " chaplain "
are both derived from it.
While I might fill pages with legends of St. Martin, I will limit
myself to one, which may be termed a palindrome. St. Martin
was enroute for Rome, journeying on foot. Satan, ever on watch.
ST. MARTIN OF TOURS 483
took occasion to taunt him on his not having a conveyance more
suitable to his dignity as a bishop. On the instant St. Martin
touched his Satanic Majesty and he was transformed into a mule
upon whose back St. Martin rode. Whenever the transformed
demon grew lazy or tired the saint would spur him on at full
speed until the devil defeated and worn out exclaimed :
" Signa te Signa : temere me tangis et angis :
Roma tibi subito motibus ibit amor."
In English — " Cross, cross thyself : thou plaguest and vexest me
without necessity ; for, owing to my exertions* thou wUt soon reach
Rome, the object of thy wishes." The singularity of this distich
consists in its being palindromical — that is, the same, whether read
backwards or forwards. Angis, the last word of the first line»
when read backwards, forming signa,
and the other words admitting of being
reversed in a similar manner.
St. Martin, at the time of his vision
above spoken of, was yet unbaptized ; but
very soon thereafter the sacred rite was
performed, and when 40 years of age he
left the military taking holy vows and
for many years leading a hermit's life
until in 371 he was named as Bishop of
Tours. His life was ever one of those examples of Christian
virtue that makes him one of the best loved both in the English
and Roman Churches of almost any in the entire Kalendars. In
art he is presented in the full robes of a Bishop with a naked
beggar at his feet, the illustration given above being one of
several of a similar design on Clog Almanacs.
NOVEMBER 12th
The Church remembers St. Martin, Pope and Martyr, who died
in 655. He was a man who early in life became renowned
for his learning, as was evidenced when Pope Theodorus sent
484 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
him — while yet but a deacon — to G)nstantinopIe in the quality of
".Apocrisiarius," or nunqio. Pope Theodorus died in July, 649,
and in October of that year Martin was elected to the pontifical
chair. The enmity of the Emperor G>nstans to Martin was well
known but ineffective for when the time came for election he
was chosen without a dissenting voice. In June, 653 the exarch of
the Emperor arrived in Rome with orders to make charges against
the Pope of concealing arms in his palace but none were found.
Despite this, on the i8th of the same month the Pope, who had
been sick in the Lateran, was seized and carried in a boat down
the Tiber and thence to the island of Nucos where he was kept
under guard for a year and in September, 654, carried on to Con-
stantinople, and in December condemned to die. First he was
stripped of his clothing save a tunic, an iron collar was put on his
neck and thus he was dragged from the palace through the city to
his prison where he was confined until in May, 655, when for some
reason he was sent to Taurica Chersonesus, a pagan country where
at that time a famine prevailed through which he suffered great
privations, but happily on September i6th of that year death
released the sufferer. The Latin Church selected November 12th
for his festival, the Greeks naming April 13th and also Sepember
16 and 2oth for his honour, while the Muscovites hold their festival
for him on April 14th.
NOVEMBER 13th.
The list of canonized saints of the Roman Church has by no
means been confined to their priesthood or the holy women from
their nunneries. Thus to-day commemorates the name of St.
Homobonus, a merchant, who was happily thus named. A man
whose life story is a model for every young man — nay, and old
men, too, if he has prospered in business — to follow. An earnest,
hard-working Christian who was not •* slothful in business ; " on
the other hand, a shrewd, far-seeing man but one whose honest
gains were not hoarded for self-gratification or the accumulation
of wealth. A man who provided liberally for his own household
ST. LAURENCE 485
but who held himself responsible as an almoner of the Giver of all
good gifts for the use of the wealth entrusted him. I cannot,
of course, follow in detail the beautiful story of his " secret "
charity ; not content with paying " tithe of mint and anise and
cummin " he did not omit weightier matters and beyond doubt he
reaped his just reward when at matins in the very act of joining in
the Gloria in Excelsis his summons came. In 1 198 Pope Inno-
cent III. canonized this just man.
Both the English and Roman Martyrologies name this day for
St. Britius, or St. Brice, the successor of St. Martin of Tours in
that famous bishopric.
This day is also named for one of the youngest saints in the
entire Kalendar of the Church, St. Stanislas Kostka, son of John
Kostka, a senator of Poland, and Margaret Kirska, sister of the
Palatine of Muscovia in 1550. His is one of those stories some-
times met with of a pure young life which even from infancy was
untainted by sin in any form and an inborn desire to do good to
others that was only and continually coupled with a desire to give
his life and service to the Society of Jesus. This last wish was
violently opposed by his father and therefore he left his home
secretly in 1567 and at length succeeded in reaching Rome and
becoming a disciple of St. Francis Borgia, then general of the
order. But his life was soon cut short for he died in August,
1568 when but seventeen years and nine months old. The
sanctity of his short life was so marked that in 1604 Pope Clement
VIII. was lead to beatify him — that is, to " declare him happy."
He was canonized by Benedict XIII. in 1727.
NOVEMBER 14th
Is the festival of St. Laurence, Archbishop of Dublin. He was
a son of Maurice O'Tool, a rich and powerful Prince in Leinster.
His experiences in life began young for he was only ten years of
age when his father was compelled to deliver his son to Dermond
486 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
MacMerchad, King of Leinster, as a " hostage." This man
seems to have been a brutal fellow, and the sufferings of the poor
child were horrible. At last O'Tool heard of them and the
legend as it runs says " he obliged King MacMerchad to place
the child in the care of the Bishop at Glendaloch."
But how he was able to coerce the King is not apparent, sdll it
is evident the father must have been a man o( more than ordinary
power to control thus the acts of a king. Glendaloch was in
County Wicklow and its Bishop was also Abbot of the monastery.
Here Laurence remained receiving his education and ordination
and ultimately, upon the death of the good prelate who bad stood
by him for those fifteen years, the young man found bimself
Abbot of the monastery and but for the canon of the Church
regarding age, would have been then raised to the episcopate.
When five years later Gregory, Archbishop of Dublin, died, so
well established had Laurence's reputation both for learning and
executive ability become, that he was chosen by a unanimous
vote as the successor to this metropolitan see despite the (act that
he was barely thirty years of age and just within the limit of
canonical law. The manner in which Laurence conducted his
see fully justified his having been chosfen while ye: so young.
In II79 when Pope Alexander III. summoned the third general
council of Lateran " for the reformation of manners and extin-
guishing of heretical errors " Archbishop Laurence was one of
the delegates and made himself so valuable in many ways that the
Pope named him " Legate of the Holy See in the Kingdom of
Ireland." When Henry II. of England was offended at Doderic
the Irish monarch, Laurence attempted to mediate, but he was
refused by the King who soon set out for Normandy. But
Laurence was a man who seemed to know no such word as
" fail " and in due time followed Henry into France and renewed
his efforts for peace, and the King was so won by both his logic,
loyally and piety that he at length yielded to the wishes of Lau-
rence. It was the last victory of the noble prelate for at the
monastery of Eu, on the confines of Normandy, when enroute
(or home the worthy saint sickened and died November ■4th
iiSa Pope Honorius issued the bull of his canonization in 1226.
ST. EDMUND 487
NOVEMBER 15th
Is the festival of an English saint recognized by both the
Anglican and Roman Churches, St. Malo or Mallou. the first
Bishop of Aleth in Brittany. Though bom in England he was
educated in Ireland, as was the case of most men who attained
any note for learning during the VI. century. His great ability
was early recognized by everyone and he might have had pre-
ferment in the church in his own country but there arose some
political difficulty just at the time that induced him to leave his
native land and seek a refuge in Bretagne where he settled as a
companion of a holy recluse near the city of Aleth. His name
had preceded him and in 541 when the city was erected into a
bishopric, he was chosen as its first Bishop, and later the city itself
came to be called after his name. He died in 565.
NOVEMBER 16th.
St. Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, whom the English and
Roman Church both honour to-day presents a rare combination of
characteristics. Possessed of an intense desire for the attainment
of knowledge with the facilities which were granted him, he
became a very learned man. Coupled with this was an equally
great love for religion and devotion to sacred thoughts. The two
naturally led him to seek retirement and seclusion from the world
but when circumstances called him to the front he laid aside his
personal wishes and threw himself into the work laid out for him
by his superiors.
As a child he had 6rst been placed in the monastic schools at
Evesham, from thence going to Oxford and lastly to Paris where
for a time he taught in the schools, but later returned to his native
land and from 12 19 to 1226 was a professor of logic in the, even
then, famous University of Oxford. A canonry at Salisbury
being offered, he accepted it but had been there only a short time
when a mandate from the Pope directed him to go forth and
488 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
" preach the crusade against the Saracens/* which he did with
such vigour that his influence was felt far and near.
The see of Canterbury had long been vacant when Gregory IX.
selected Edmund to fill it, and Henry III. most gladly coo6rmed
the nomination and he was consecrated to his high office on
April 2d in 1234. The exactions . laid upon the clergy by Henry
III. fill many pages in the life of Edmund and caused him endless
trials and conflicts we may not enter upon here, but they ulti-
mately compelled him to flee to France for safety where he died
near Provins in Champagne on November i6th in 1242.
St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, whose name appears this day
in the Kalendar of the English church was one of those characters
of sterling virtue to whom all creeds alike pay a respectful hom-
age. Even if we pass the eulogy paid her by her confessor,
Turgot, as too flattering, enough remains of true history for us to
understand why Scotchmen revere her memory. She was a niece
of Edward the Confessor and Edmund Ironside. Her youth was
spent in exile under the guardianship of the King of Sweden, and
it was through being wTecked on the Scottish coast Margaret
came to meet King Malcolm, which resulted in their marriage. Her
charity to the poor was unbounded and her kindness to English
prisoners captured by the King won for her the veneration of the
English. It was through her influence that the observance of the
Sabbath, which had at that time become much neglected in Scot-
land, was again restored. Her last days were full of adversity
borne with exemplary resignation. The Roman Church observes
her festival on June loth but in the Kalendar of the English
church it appears on this day.
NOVEMBER 17th
Is the festival of St. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, and the builder of
the Cathedral in this quaint, historic English town. The original
church had been founded by William II. surnamed Ruber the
Red — sometimes improperly termed " Rupert or Rufus " — at some
ST. HUGH
489
period prior to 1 100; but the Cathedral was this church rebuilt
during the reign of Henry II. (1154-1189), the first building hav-
ing been wrecked by an earthquake.
The early life of SE. Hugh until he was nineteen was spent ia
Burgundy where he was bom, but in 1159 he entered the monas-
tery at Chartreuse where he was educated and duly
ordained. In 1181 Henry II., who had founded
the first Carthusian monastery in England i
Witham in Somersetshire, sent for St, Hugh t
become its abbot. Despite the fact that St. Hugh
had not hesitated to criticise severely the King
(or certain acts, Henry held him in such high
esteem that in 1 186 he named him Bishop of Lin-
coln and lent him all the aid in his power, added
to royal gifts of money to reconstruct the ol
church which had been begun by Remigius i
early as 1086. As a result of St. Hugh's wonder-
ful taste and knowledge of architecture, the beauti-
ful Cathedral as it stands to-day, saving
York-Minster, b the finest specimen of pure Gothic
architecture to be found in England. No end of
legends are still told in Lincoln of St. Hugh dur-
ing the building of the Cathedral, of how, with — ^ ,-y--\
bis own hands he carried material for the workmen l^Si^i^^V
and even laid some of its stones. St. Hugh died
on November 17, 1200, and so greatly was he re- from S. Mury'i
vered that King John (who came to the throne in T"""' O*'"'*-
1199) and King William, assisted by many of their nobles, three
archbishops, fourteen bishops and more than one hundred abbots,
carried his body to the tomb where it rested in a silver shrine.
NOVEMBER i8th
Is honoured by especial Offices and Masses in the Roman Church
as the day of the dedication of the Vatican Churches of SS. Peter
and Paul, the second patriarchal church at Rome and in which
490 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
rest the bodies of those s&inted men. It is irapossible to recount
the story of the Vatican here and a garbled ooe is quite out of
place ; but none can doubt the fitness of observing with solemn
rites the anniversary of this historic and venerable cburdi.
St. Hild or Hilda is one of the several saints, named in the Kal-
endar for remembrance on this day. With royal blood in her
veins and all that it implied in those old days she, for the love sbe
bore her Great Master, voluntar-
I ily laid aside earthly honours
I and left the court of King
] Edwin, her uncle, and took the
I habit of a humble nun. Her
piety and holy life led S. Aiden
ire her appointment as
J abbess of (to quote a quaint
phrase often used) a "numer-
" monastery at Heartca,
/ Hartlepool in the bishop-
ric of Durham. In passing it
may be added this nunnery was
'• Isle of Stags." and
was founded by " Hein," the
an ever known in the
kingdom of Northumberland.
Afier some years spent here
Hilda founded another great,
ST. HILDA. double monastery — i. e.. for
monks and nuns, in separate buildings — on the bay of Light-
house afterward called Prestby (from the great number of priests
assembled and living there), and at present Whitebay in York-
shire. Both of these were destroyed by the Danes, and no vestige
is left of them.
The wonderful wisdom of St. Hilda not alone in spiritual but in
temporal affairs won for her so great a reputation that kings from
far and near came to seek from her advice and counsel. To
quote again from the chronicle of the period : " In the year of the
ST. ELIZABETH 491
Incarnation of Our Lord 680, on the 17th of November, the Abbess
Hilda * * * died and was carried into Paradise by Angels, as
was beheld in a vision by one of her own nuns ; then at a distance
on the same night." The nun who saw this was later known as
" St Bees."
Those who desire to know more of this saintly woman may read
a fuller account of her interesting life in S. Baring Gould's " Vir-
gin Saints and Martyrs."
NOVEMBER 19th
Is the festival of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, daughter of the valiant,
Christian King, Alexander II. who was bom in 1207. And
thereby hangs another of those old world, old-time tales ; when
children were betrothed by their parents while yet in their
cradles. Such was the fate of Elizabeth when Herman the Land-
grave of Thuringia and Hesse planned with King Alexander to
marry her to his son Lewis, a child of her own age. It thus came
that when Elizabeth was but four years of age she was sent from
her home to the court of the Landgrave to be brought up and
educated. Accompanied by twelve maidens from her father's
household, *' a silver cradle and a rich wardrobe," she reached
the castle of Wartberg at Eisenach ; and on the next day amid
imposing ceremonies the babies were betrothed and laid side by
side in the cradle. From thence on for several years the two were
never separated and grew to love each other intensely. Despite
the fact that little or no attention was paid to religion or religious
ceremonies in the household of the Landgrave, our little saint
never slighted her duties, being taught them by an unusually
learned and pious priest, one Conrad of Marpurg. The charity
which was one of her marked characteristics in life, early showed
itself and in Herman she had a true friend ; but upon his death,
and when Lewis (or Louis as he is sometimes called) became
Landgrave great opposition arose against the marriage ; but Lewis
proved true to the love of his childhood and the two were mar-
ried when they were twenty years old and their life was one of
492 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
perfect content. I will not recount her endless acts of kindness
to the poor or the wondrous miracles her legend telb of ; but I
must make room to record how in the famine in Thuringia and
during the plague which followed it she not only gave her jewels
for the benefit of the sick but clothed them in her own royal gar-
ments ; and how — to his credit it should be recorded — when the
state officials complained of her having depleted the treasury by
her g^fts, her husband not only kissed, thanked and blessed her,
but bade his Ministers to : " Let her do as she will."
The next year, 1227 Lewis set forth for the Crusade in Pales-
tine but died in Calabria in the arms of the Patriarch of Jerusalem,
on September nth.
Then it was the hitherto suppressed hatred toward the loving,
generous Landgravine broke forth and the jealousy of Henry the
brother of Lewis, which during his lifetime he had not dared to
show, was vented on the devoted widow and mother of his chil-
dren whom he drove from her castle. In her poverty she sup-
ported herself and children by spinning wool.
When the Knights of the Holy Crusade returned they compelled
Henry to take a different course until Elizabeth's son, Herman,
came to his majority and to give her as her dower the city of
Marpurg. But in the meantime she had drunk of the very dregs
of sorrow. A brief three years later this saintly woman followed
her loved and loving husband and died on November 19, 1231.
Many pictures remain of St. Elizabeth, the most noted being
that painted by Murillo for the church of Castad, at Seville.
NOVEMBER 20th.
St. Edmund, King of the East- Angles, whose festival is held
to-day, reached his throne when his cousin, Offe, resigned it to
spend the remainder of his days in penance at Rome. Edmund
was then but fifteen years of age but a boy of unusual qualities
and most persistent in his pursuit of learning, as well as devout
and religious. His reign for fifteen years was one of unusual peace
ST. EDMUND 493
for his subjects, until the invasion of the Danes, under Hengar
and Hausa (or Hubba, as some write it) in 870. Of these bloody
raids by the Danes so many and full accounts have been written
in every English history no description need
be repeated. They all were alike in their
bloody, heartless fury. In this one King
Edmund and his court were made captives
and, had they consented to abjure their
Christian faith and adopt the religious
rites of the pagan Danes their lives might have been saved. St.
Edmund refused and after scourging he was tied to a tree and
shot to death with arrows. The Clog symbol above is intended
to represent a quiver of arrows. His legend tells how after his
death, his head was thrown among briars and bushes, and that
the Danes in departing from the scene of their
butchery were lost and constantly misled by
.. the head calling out ■' Here ! " " Here ! " and
^ that the head was at last discovered by means
I pillar of light which stood over it and
illuminated the space and that when found a
wolf was standing guard over it, St. Edmund
was buried at a place now called St, Edmunds-
bury and the arms of the town are the " three
crowns of the East-Angles, and has for its crest
a wolt, holding the King's head between its
paws." St. Edmund has always held a high
place in the Kalendar of the English church as
well as in that of the Roman Church.
ST. BDMimD.
NOVEMBER 3
F THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Is one of the most impressive festivals of the Roman Church. It
bad its origin from an ancient Jewish rite first mentioned in Holy
Writ in the history of Samuel, and one so universally followed
494 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
from that day. How early the festival was first introduced into
the Christian Church is not known; but the most ancient of the
Greek menologies extant mention the entrance of the Virgin into
the Temple, and it was a Feast celebrated by the Greeks long
before it was adopted by the Latin Church. The one central
thought always being the consecration of herself (the Holy Virgin)
to God.
Many legends are extant of the act itself but far too often they
are confounded with the act of the presentation of the Christ^child
himself at the Temple, That Mary lived a retired life is plainly
true and some even claim the espou-
sals were at first simply a " betrothal "
instead of a marriage. In certain
places this espousal has an especial
ofRce on January 33d, the date also
assigned by some for the marriage of
the Virgin.
NOVEMBER 22d
Is devoted to Sl Cecilia, a virgin
martyr.
This saint was a Roman lady of
good family and having been educated
as a Christian was desirous of devot-
ing herself to heaven by her life of
celibacy. Compelled, by her parents
to wed a young nobleman named
Valerian, she succeeded in converting both her husband and his
brother to Christianity and afterwards shared with them the
honours of martyrdom. Accounts differ as to the death which she
suffered, some asserting that she was boiled in a cauldron, and
others that she was left for days to expire gradually after being
half decapitated. The legend states that the executioner, after
striking one blow found himself unable to complete bis task.
ST. CECILIA 495
St Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of church music and of
music generally ; but the reason for her holding this office is not
very satisfactorily explained. Dr. Butler says that it was from her
assiduity in singing the divine praises, the effect of which she
often heightened by the aid of an instrument. She is generally
represented singing and playing on some musical instrument, or
listening to the performance of an angelic visitant. This last
circumstance is derived from an ancient legend which relates
that an angel was so enraptured with her harmonious strains as
to quit the abodes of bliss to visit the saint. Dryden thus alludes
to the incident in his ode for St. Cecilia's Day :
At last divine Cecilia came,
Inventress of the vocal frame ;
The sweet enthusiast from her sacred store,
Enlarg'd the former narrow bounds.
And added length to solemn sounds.
St. Cecilia is generally represented playing on the organ or harp,
or with organ-pipes in her hand. In the Church of St. Cecilia in
Trastevere at Rome (rebuilt on the site of a church founded in
the IX. century), she is represented as a recumbent figure, with
the face downwards and a deep wound on the back of her neck,
evidently alluding to the legend which says that the executioner
being unable to behead her, left her half dead to linger three days.
She is sometimes represented as being boiled in a cauldron and
occasionally carries a sword in one hand and an instrument of
music in the other.
NOVEMBER 23d.
St. Clement, the third Pope of the Church of Rome, is this day
honoured both by the Roman and English Churches.
Clement was a Roman by birth but of Jewish extraction. He
was converted to the Christian faith by St. Paul and it is claimed
with much reason, that he is the person alluded to in the Philip-
pians iv. 3 ; since it is well known that Clement was a constant
496 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
attendant of both St. FeCer and St, Pan! in their labours, and upon
the death of St. Cletiu in A. D. 91 be was made Bishop or Pope of
Rome and accordingto the Liberian Kalender sat in the Apostolie
chair for " nine years and eleven
months." It was through his teach-
ing that Domitilla, the daughter of
the Emperor Doinitian, became a
Christian and through her influeoce
Clement secured immunity where
others suSered. But when Trajan,
who governed Rome during the
absence of the emperor, instituted his
persecution Clement was hanishrd to
the island quarries worked by con-
victs; a punishment but little less
terrible than death by torture. There
was no water for these miserable
creatures and Clement in prayer
begged for their deliverance. As he
opened bis eyes he saw a lamb stand-
ing on a hill and went thither where he digged a well and found
a spring of clear fresh water. It was for this act bis legends say,
be was condemned to death. This was accomplished by tying
him to an anchor and afterward cast into
legend continues that when Christians prayed '
waters of the sea were driven back and a ruined temple
was disclosed in which his body still fast to the anchor f
was found," and still more marvelously it adds
that for many years on the anniversary of St,
Clement's death the water each year receded.
and remained so for three days. For this
reason in art St. Clement is always, as in our
illustration represented with an anchor.
k In Clog Almanacs his symbol is sometimes a
water boitle. Plot in describing a "Clog Ala-
manak " said, " that a pot is marked against the 23d of November
for the feast of St. Clement, from an ancient custom which doubt-
isneo oy lying
His I
thet_y\
BAREFOOTED CARMELITES 497
less took its rise from some tradition of the above mentioned
miracle of going about on that night to beg drink to make merry
with." Herewith also I give another from an English Clog but
it, like many of them, seems to have a secret or Runic meaning.
Many miracles are credited to St. Clement both before and after
his death, but I must omit mention of thenL
NOVEMBER 24th.
St. John of the Cross whose festival the Church keeps this day,
was by birth a Spaniard from Old Castile ; who took upon himself
the habit of the Carmelites, when twenty-one years of age enter-
ing the monastery at Medina. When St. Teresa set about her
work of reforming the Carmelite Order the reputation of the
Medina monk had reached her ears and she sought him out His
humility and the purity of his life won her admiration and she
chose him as one of her chief assistants in establishing the Order
of Our Lady of Carmel ; and on Advent Sunday in 1 568 John
entered the poor little house in the village of Dunville, from which
was evolved the " Barefooted Carmelite Friars," whose institution
was approved by Pope Pius V, and in 1580 confirmed by Gregory
Vin. The austerities of this order I have already commented on;
but John added if possible, even greater trials for himself, and his
life was indeed a series of crosses. The old Carmelite Friars did
not take kindly to St. Teresa's reformations and found in John the
victim whom they sought, and in their chapter condemned him to
imprisonment. After many months his release came and with it
a series of preferments, until in 1588 he became Vicar-Provincial
of Andalusia and first definitor of the Order. In 1591 he found
himself again in disfavour with the Order when its chapter met at
Madrid, and he retired in disgrace to the solitude of a small con-
vent in the mounuins of Sierra Morena; where he composed
several works that have made his name famous and where he
passed his last hours. St. John was canonized by Benedict XHI.
in 1726, and his office in the Roman Breviary was fixed for this
day.
498 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
NOVEMBER asth.
St. Catharine, who u honoured alike by the AngUcan and Ro-
msn Churches on this day, was the daughter of Cortis (a half*
brother of Constantinc), King of Egypt.
Among the earlier saints of the Romish Kalendar St Catharine
holds an cxaked position both from rank and intellectual abilities.
She was one of the most distinguished ladies
of Alexandria in the beginning of the fourth
century. From a child she was noted for her
ac<)uirements in learning and philosophy and
while still very young she became a convert to
the Christian faith. During the persecution
instituted by the Emperor Maximinus II., St.
Catharine assuming the office of an advocate
of Christianity, displayed such cogency of
argument and powers of eloquenceas to
silence thoroughly her pagan adversaries.
I Maximinus, troubled with this success, assem-
bled together the most learned philosophers in
B Alexandria to confute the saint ; but they were
-< both vanquished in debate and converted to a
ST. CATHARINE, beijgf j^ (he Christian doctrines. The enraged
From Slaincd Glm, , , . , .
Wen wickium tyrant thereupon commanded them to be put
Church, KcDL. ^^ aea.ih by burning, but for St, Catharine be
reserved a more cruel punishment. She was placed in a machine
composed of four wheels connected together and armed with
sharp spikes, so that as they revolved the victim might be torn to
pieces. A miracle prevented the completion of this project.
When the executioners were binding Catharine to the wheels a
flash of lightning descended from the skies, severed the cords with
which she was tied and shattered the engine to pieces, causing the
death both of the executioners and numbers of the bystanders.
Maximinus still bent on her destruction, ordered her to be carried
beyond the walls of the city where she was first scourged and then
beheaded. The legend proceeds to say that after her death her
body was carried by angels over the Red Sea to the summit
ST. CATHARINE 499
of Mount Sinai. The celebrated convent of St. Catharine is
situated in a valley on the slope of that mountain and was founded
by the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, and contains in its
church a marble sarcophagus, in which the relics of St. Catharine
are deposited. Of these the skeleton of the hand covered with
rings and jewels is exhibited to pilgrims and visitors.
In art St. Catharine bears a sword, indicative of the mode of
her death, but even thus, as seen in our illustration, the wheel,
symbolic of the suffering intended for her, is often
introduced. In the Clog Almanacs the wheel al-
ways appears.
The legend of St. Catharine of Alexandria is by
no means an ancient one — as these saintly
legends run — for even among the Greeks it can-
not be traced back beyond the eighth century, for
it is first told in the Greek menology of the Emperor Basil in the
ninth century. It apparently had its birth among the monks of
Mount Sinai and was brought from the east by the Crusaders of
the eleventh century who told it in gratitude for the protection
this " Invitissimo Ervina " was credited with giving protection to
the Christian Warriors in the Holy Land. In the fifteenth century
an attempt was made to remove St. Catharine from the Kalendar
by certain prelates of France and Germany, but she has not only
retained her place in Roman Martyrology but as well in the Eng-
lish Reformed Church, and probably, next to Mary Magdalene is
to-day the most popular among the female saints in both the
Kalendars.
St. Catharine of Alexandria must not be confounded with St.
Catharine of Siena, a saint of the fourteenth century, whose festi-
val is held April 30th.
NOVEMBER 26th.
Among others of the saints the Church pays honour to on this
day is St. Conrad, Bishop of Constance, whose name has more
especial interest to my English readers, as he was connected by
500 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
blood with the illustrious house of the Guelphs, whose pedigree is
derived from Clodion, King of the Franks, and Wittekind the
Great (first Duke of Saxony), and consequently from Woden, the
chief god, and thus of the stock of the principal royal families of
the Saxons who founded the Heptarchy in England. The name
Guelph, or Guelf, was only taken during the reign of Charlemagne,
when the family were simply " Counts of Altrofif,"now called
Weingarten, in Suabia, and not to be confounded with the Altroff
near Nuremberg in Franconia, nor with the capital of Uri in
Switzeriand. But I have digressed too far akeady, and I must
not follow this interesting genealogy of our saint, from Conrad
Rudolph, the second Count of Altroff, the founder of the house of
Guelph, to our St. Conrad.
From childhood Conrad had displayed his desire for a religious
life and the temptations and ambitions of worldly rank and power
had no influence over him, and from the time he entered the
monastery his biographer tells how " everyone approached him
with awe, veneration, mixed with confidence and affection inspired
by his tender charity and humility." He was rapidly promoted
from the time of his ordination as a priest until in 934 he was
named as Bishop of Constance to fill a vacancy which happened
in that year. From his wealth he richly endowed the church at
Constance as well as providing for the poor of his flock. For
forty-two years he filled this sacred ofRce, dying in 976 full of
years and good works.
Thus with this day we complete the list of the Feasts, Fasts and
Festivals of the Christian Church and mention of most of the holy
men, whom both the Roman and Reformed Churches have hon-
oured ; though to keep within required limits I have been com-
pelled to leave unmentioned not a few I would gladly have spoken
of.
In concluding this series of articles I should not be doing jus-
tice if I failed to acknowledge the great obligations I am under to
more than one of the reverend gentlemen connected with St. Ber-
nard's Seminary for not alone placing at my service many rare and
valuable books from the rich library of the Seminary, but far more
AUTHORITIES QUOTED 501
than this ; their kindly suggestions as to where among these books
I would find the information I desired and without which I
many times would have been sadly at a loss for definite data.
It has been an ever-increasing debt, and one I cannot repay,
made all the greater by the gentle, kindly hearts behind which
constantly were ready to aid and advise me.
I also desire to acknowledge the references I have in many
cases made to such valuable books as :
" Die Attribute der Hallinger Hanover, 1843 *" " Conybeare and
Housons ;" •• Catholic Dictionary of Addis and Arnold ;" " Kir-
chenlexikon ; " "The Golden Legend," printed by Wynkin de
Worde from the Latin of Jacobus de Viragine, and re-printed by
T. Fisher Unwin with a preface by S. Baring-Gould and an intro-
duction by John Ashton. " The Catalogus Sanctorum et Ges-
torum,"ctc. (1538). **Thc Lives of the Saints," by Dr. Alban
Butler, and many other works I have tried to name as I quoted
from them.
A Chronological List
OF THE
BISHOPS AND POPES
of the Christian Church from the death of St. Peter.
A. D.
A. D.
65 St. Peter.
253-257 i
3t. Stephen.
65-76 •
' Linus.
257-258
" Sixtus H.
76- 89 •
' Cletus.
259-269
" Dionysius.
89-100 '
' Clement.
269-275
" Felix.
100-109 *
' Anacletus.
275-283
" Eutychian.
109-109 *
' Evaristus.
283-296
** Caius.
109-119 '
* Alexander.
296-304
" Marcellinus.
1 19-128 *
' Sixtus L
308-310
" Marcel lus.
128-139 •
* Tilesphorus.
3ic>-3io
" Eusebius.
139-142 •
• Hyginus.
311-314
" Melchiade^s,
142-157 •
* Pius I.
3H-335
" Sylvester.
157-168 •
' Anicetus.
336-336
" Mark.
168-176 •
* Soter,
337-352
" Julius.
176-192 '
• Eleutherius.
352-366 Liberius.
192-202 *
' Victor.
366-384
St. Damasus.
202-218 '
* Zephyrinus.
385-398
" Sericius.
218-223 •
' Calistus.
399-402
" Anastasius.
223-230 '
' Urban.
402-417
" Innocent L
230-235 '
* Pontian.
417-418
" Zozimus.
235-236 '
' Anterus.
418-422
" Boniface.
236-250 •
' Fabianus.
422-432
" Celestine.
251-252 '
' Cornelius.
432-440
" Sixtus III.
252-253 *
' Lucius.
440-461
" Leo " The Great"
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST
503
A. D.
A. D.
461-468 St Hilary.
676-679 Domnus.
46»-483 " Simplicius.
679-682 St. Agatho.
483-492 " Felix II.* (or III ?)
682-683 " Leo II.
492-496 " Gelasius.
684-685 Benedict II.
496-498 " Anastasius.
685-686 John V.
498-514 Symmachus.
686-687 Conon.
514-523 Hormisdas.
687-701 Sergius.
523-526 St. John I.
701-705 John VI.
526-529 Felix III.* (or IV.)
705-707 John VII.
529-531 Boniface II.
708-708 Sisinnius.
532-535 John II.
708-715 Constantine.
535-536 Agapctus.
715-731 St. Gregory II.
536-538 St. Sylverius.
731-741 Gregory III.
538-555 Vigilius.
741-752 St. Zachery.
555-559 Pelagius I.
752-752 Stephen II. (four days)
559-572 John III.
752-757 Stephen III.
573-577 Benedict I.
757-767 Paul I.
577-590 Pelagius II.
768-772 Stephen IV.
590-604. St. Gregory "the
772-795 Adrian.
Great."
795-816 Leo III.
604-605 Sabinian.
816-817 Stephen V.
6c6-6o6 Boniface III.
817-824 Paschal.
607-614 Boniface IV.
824-827 Eugenius II,
614-617 Deusdedit or Adeodu-
827-827 Valentine,
tus.
828-844 Gregory IV.
617-625 Boniface V.
844-847 Sergius II.
626-638 Honorius I.
847-855 St. Leo IV.
640-640 Severinus.
855-858 Benedict III.
640-642 John IV.
858-867 Nicholas L
642-649 Theodoras.
867-872 Adrian IL
649-655 St. Martin.
872-882 John VIII.
655-658 Eugenius I.
882-884 Marin or Martin II.
658-672 Vitalian.
884-885 Adrian III.
672-676 Adeodatus.
885-891 Stephen VI.
♦ See Dr. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Saints/'
504 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
A, D.
891-S96 Formosiu.
896-S97 Stephen VII.
S97-S98 Romacus,
898-898 Theodtmu IL
898-900 John IX.
900-903 Benedict IV.
903-90S Leo V,
905-911 Sergius III.
91 1-913 Anastuius III.
913-914 Landa
914-938 John X.
938-939 Leo VI.
939-951 Stephen VIII.
931-936 John XI.
936-939 Leo VII.
939-943 Stephen IX.
943-946 Martin IIL
946-956 Agapetus 11.
956-964 John XIL
964-964 Leo VIIL
964-965 Benedict V.
965-973 John xin.
97J-974 Benedict VI.
974-975 Domnus II.
976-984 Benedict VII.
984-985 John XIV.
986-996 John XV. •
996-999 Gregory V,
999-1003 Sylvester II,
1003-1003 John xvn.
1004-1009 John XVIII.
1009-1012 Sergius IV.
1012- 1024 Benedict VIIL
1024-1033 John XIX.
A.D.
f033-'044 B
1045-1046 Gpq;oiy VL
1046-1047 Clement II.
1048-1048 Damasos II.
1049-1054 St. Leo IX
1055^1057 Victor II.
1057-1058 Stephen X.
1058- 1061 Nicholas IL
1061-1073 Alexander IL
1073-1085 St. Gregoiy VII.
1086-1087 Victor IIL
1087-1099 Urban IL
1099-1118 Paschal H.
1118-1119 Gelasius H.
1119-1134 Calixtus n.
1 134-1 130 Honorius II,
1130-1143 Innocent II.
1 143- 1 144 Celestine II.
1144-114; Lucius II.
1145-1153 Eugenius IIL
1153-1154 Anastasius IV.
1154-1159 Adrian IV.
1159-1181 Alexander IIL
1181-11S5 Lucius in,
1185-1187 Urban III.
1187-1187 Gregory Vin.
1187-1191 Clement IIL
1191-119S Celestine IIL
1 198- 1216 Innocent III.
1216-1227 Honorius IIL
1227-1341 Gregory IX.
1341-1241 Celestine IV.
1343-1254 Innocent IV.
1354-1361 Alexander IV.
* John XVI., appears as an antipope 997-8, when he died.
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST 505
A. D.
I261-I265
I265-I268
I271-I276
I 276-1 276
I 276- I 276
I 276-1277
1277-1280
I281-I285
I285-1287
I288-I292
1 294- 1 294
tine
1294-1503
Urban IV.
Clement IV.
Gregory X,
Innocent V.
Adrian V.
John XX. or XXL*
Nicholas III.
Martin IV.
Honorius IV.
Nicholas IV.
St. Peter Celes-
V.
Boniface VIII.
The following Popes sat at
Avignon.
1503-1304 Benedict XL
1 305-1 314 Clement V.
1316-1334 John XXII.
1 334-1 342 Benedict XII.
1 342- 1 352 Clement VI.
1 352-1 362 Innocent VI.
1 362-1 370 Urban V.
1 370-1 378 Gregory XI.
The following Popes sat at
Rome while others sat at Avig-
non.
1378-1389 Urban VI.
1389- Boniface IX.
Contemporary Popes at Avig-
non
A. D.
1 378-1 394 Clement VII.
1 394- 1 398 Benedict XII.
Who was chosen by the French
and Spaniards.
In 141 3 Benedict XIII. was
restored, but deposed in 14 17
when Clement VIII. was elected
but not acknowledged.
1 389- 1404 Boniface IX. At
Rome.
1404-1406 Innocent VII.
1406 Gregory XII.
1409 Gregory XII.
Deposed.
1409- 1 410 Alexander V.
1410 John XXIII.
141 5 John XXIII.
Deposed,
1417-1431 Martin V.
143 1 -1447 Eugenius IV.
1 447- 1 45 5 Nicholas V.
1455-1458 Calixtus III.
1458-1464 Pius II.
1464-147 1 Paul II.
1471-1484 Sixtus IV.
1484- 1492 Innocent VIII.
1492- 1 503 Alexander VI.
1 503-1 503 Pius III.
1 503-1 5 13 Julius II.
1513-1521 Leo X.
1 522-1 523 Adrian VI.
1 523-1 534 Clement VII.
1 534-1 549 Paul III.
♦ St. John XVI. as Antipopc makes the succeeding numbers
certain.
5o6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
A. D.
1555-1559
1 559-1 565
1 566-1 572
1 572-1 585
1 585-1 590
1 590-1 590
1590-1591
1591-1591
1 592-1605
1605-1605
1605-162 1
1621-1623
I 623- I 644
1644-1655
1655-1667
1667-1669
1670-1676
Julius III.
Marcellus II.
Paul IV.
Pius IV.
St. Pius V.
Gregory XIII.
Sixtus V.
Urban VII.
Gregory XIV.
Innocent IX.
Clement VIIL
Leo XI.
Paul V.
Gregory XV.
Urban VIII.
Innocent X.
Alexander VII.
Clement IX.
Clement X.
A. D.
1676-1689
1689-169I
169I-1700
1700-172 I
1721-1724
1724-1730
1730-1740
174O-1758
1758-1769
I769-1774
1775-1779
I80O-1823
1823-1829
I 829- I 830
183I-1846
1846-1878
I 878- I 903
1903
Innocent XI.
Alexander VIIL
Innocent XII.
Clement XL
Innocent XIII.
Benedia XIIL
Clement XI L
Benedict XIV.
Qement XIIL
Clement XIV.
Pius VL
Pius VIL
LeoXIL
Pius VIIL
Gregory XVI.
Pius IX.
Leo XIIL
PiusX.
In the earlier days, the head or chief ruler of the Christian
Church was termed Bishop.
The name Pope (Latin Papa, or Father) was, according to the
Catholic dictionary : ** given at first as a title of respect to eccle-
siastics generally, and among the Greeks is lo-day given ail
priests and was thus used as late as the Middle Ages by inferior
clerics. In the West it seems very early to have become the
spiritual title of Bishops. Even as late as the VI. century the
title of Pope was given to all Metropolitans in the .West. Grad-
ually, however, the title was limited to the Bishops of Rome and
we find a synod of Pavia in 998 rebuked an Archbishop of Milan,
for calling himself Pope. **
Gregory VII. at a Roman council in the year 1073 formally
prohibited the use or assumption of this title by any other than
Roman Bishops.
Alphabetical Index
OP
CANONIZED SAINTS
AND OTHERS.
Letters indicate, A. Abbot ; Ab. Archbishop ; B. Bishop ; C.
Confessor* ; H. Hermit or Anchorit ; M. Martyr ; R. Recluse ;
V. Virgin ; V. A. Virgin Abbess.
The date indicates the day which the Roman Church has
selected as their saint-day, or the day on which they are
honoured.
A.
St. Aaron. A. June 21.
•• Aaron, M. July i.
" Abbam, A. Oct. 27.
*• Abdon, M. July 30.
" Abraamius, B. M. Feby 5.
" Abraham, H. March 15.
Abrogastus, B. C. July 2.
Acepsimas, A. March 14.
»M
Mt
St. Adalard, A. Jan. 2.
" Adalbert, B. M. April 23.
Adamnan, A. Sept. 23.
Adelbert, C. June 25.
Adjustre, Sept. 30.
" Ado. B. C. Dec. 16.
Adhelm, M. May 25.
Adrian, M. Sept. 8.
i«
«
««
it
ti
^ CoNFBSsoK— From the Dictionary of Addis and Arnold, I take the following :
** Confessor. A name used from the earliest times for persons who con/tssed
the Christian faith under persecution, thus exposing themselves to danger and
suffering, but who did im/ undergo martyrdom. For a time the martyrs were the
only saints who received special and public honour after death from the Church
and Martyrs only (with the Blessed virgin and the Apostles) are mentioned in
the Canon of the Roman Mass, though toe Cumbrosian Canon has the names of
other saints also. But at the beginning of the IV. century public honours were
also given to persons of heroic sanctity even if thev had not been martyred.
Thus St. Anthony, as St. Jerom tells us, directed that nis body after death should
be concealed, because he did not wish " Martyrium ** enacted in his honour.
Thus the name Confessor got the technical meaning which it now has in the
Missal and Breviary— i. /.—it was applied to all male saints who did not fall
under some special class, such as martyr, apostle, evangelist, etc. St. Martin,
Bishop of Tours, who died in 397, was the first or among the very earliest of the
Confessors that the church honoured with " an office and feast.^* In the office on
Good Friday, the word " Confessor,** means ** singer ** because in the Scriptures
** confessing ^* to God— is used for singing his praises.
5o8 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
««
<«
««
•«
«
St. Adrian of Scotland. B. M.
March 4.
" Adrian of Palestine. M.
March 5.
'* Adrian, A. Jan. 9.
" Adulph, M. June 17.
" Aelred, A. Jan, 12.
" iEmilianus, M. Dec. 6.
iEngus, B. C. March ii.
Afra, M. Aug. 5.
Agape, M. April 3.
Agapetus, M. Aug. 18.
Agapetus, Pope, C. Sept 2a
Agapius, M. Aug. 19.
" Agatha. V. M. Feb. 5.
" Agatho, Pope, Jan. 10.
" Agilbert, M. Jan, 25.
•* Agilus, A. Aug. 30.
" Agnes, V. M. Jan. 21 and
Jan. 28.
" Agnes of Monte Pulciano,
V. A. April 20.
'* Agoard, M. June 25.
Agricola, M. Nov. 4.
Agulus, B. C. Feb. 7,
" Aibcrt, B. April 7.
" Aicard, A. C. Sept. 15.
" Aid, A. April II.
" Aidan of Mayo, B. Oct. 20.
" Aidan of Lindisfarne, B. C.
Aug. 31.
" Aithilahas, M. March 24.
" Ajutre, R. C. April 30.
" Alban, Protomartyr of Bri-
tain, June 22.
Blessed Albert, Patriarch of Jer-
usalem, April 8.
II
u
M
M
«<
M
•<
•«
M
«
St Albeus, B. C. Sept. 12.
** Albinos, B. March i.
Alcmond, M. March 19.
Alchmuod, B. C Sept. 7.
Aldegondes, V. A. Jan. 50.
Alden, (see Maidoc).
Aldehelm, B. May 25.
Aldric, B. C. Jan. 27.
Alexander of Caesarea, M.
March 28.
Alexander, B. of Jerusalem,
M. March 18.
Alexander, B. of Alexandria,
C. Feb. 26.
Alexander, Pope, M. May 3.
" Alice, or Adelaideof Cologne,
V. A. Feb. 5.
" Alice or Adelaide, Empress
of Germany, Dec. 16.
*' Alipius, B. C. August 15.
Almachus, M. Jan. i.
Aloysius Gonzaga, C. June
21.
Alphasus, M. Nov. 18.
Alphonsus Turibius, M.
March 23.
Alphonsus Liguori, Aug. 2.
Alto, A. Sept. 5.
Amand, B. C. June 18.
Amandus, B. C. Feb. 6.
Amator, B. C. May i.
" Amatus of Sion, B. C. Sept
'* Amatus of Loraine, A. Sept.
13.
•• Ambrose, B. C. Dec. 7.
" Ambrose, B. of Milan, Apr. 4.
«i
II
i«
II
II
M
«l
II
II
CANONIZED SAINTS
509
**
««
«(
St. Ammon, H. Oct 4.
Amphilochius, B. C. Nov. 23.
Anacletus, Pope, M. July 13.
Anastasia, M. Dec. 25.
" Anastasia "the Elder,"
Dec. 24.
" Anastasius, M. Jan. 22.
•• Anastasius "the Sinaite,"
Apl. 21.
" Anastasius, Patriarch, April
21.
Anastasius " the Younger,"
B. M. April 21.
Anastasius, Pope, C. April
27.
Andeolus, M. May i.
Andrew Corsini, B. C. Feb.
Andrew of Crete, M. Oct.
17.
Andrew Avellino, C. Nov.
10.
Andrew, Apostle, Nov. 30.
Angelus, M. May 5.
Anian, B. C Nov. 17.
Anianus, B. April 25.
Anicetus, Pope, M. April 17.
Anysia, M. Dec. 30.
Anne, Mother of the B, V.
Mary, July 26.
Anno, B. C. Dec. 4.
Ansbert, B. C. Feb. 9.
Anscharius, B. C. Feb. 3.
Anselm, B. C. March 18.
Anstrudis, V. A. Oct. 17.
Anterus, Pope, Jan. 3.
Anthelm, B. C. June 26.
M
M
M
St.
«•
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•«
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it
•4
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M
•«
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tt
tt
tt
tt
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tt
tt
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tt
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tt
tt
it
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tt
tt
Anthimus, B. M. April 27.
Anthony of Padua, C. June
13.
Anthony, M. April 14.
Antipas, M. April 11.
Antoninus, B. C. May 10.
Antony (or Anthony), A,
Jan. 17.
Anthony Cauleas, B. C. Feb.
12.
Aper, B. C. Sept. 15.
Aphraates, H. April 7.
Apian, M. April 2.
Apollinaris, B. Jan. 8.
Apollinaris, B. M. July 23.
Apollinaris Sidonius, B. C
Aug, 23.
Apollo, A. Jan. 25.
Apollonia, V, M. Feb. 9.
Apollonius in Egypt, M.
March 8.
Apollonius " the Apolo-
gist," M. April 18.
Arbogastus, B. C. July 2i«
Arcadius, M. July 12.
Archinimus, M. March 29,
Armogastes, M. March 29.
Amoul of Soissons, B. C.
Aug. 15.
Amoul, B. C. July i8,
Arsenius, H. July 19.
Artemius, M. Oct. 20.
Augustine of England, B.
C, May 26.
Augustine of Hippo, Aug.
28.
Aulanus, M. April 28.
5IO SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
It
II
St Aunaire, B. Sept, 25.
" Aurea, V. A. Oct, 4.
" Aurelian, B. C. June 16.
" Austremonius, C. Nov« i.
Auxentius, H, Feb. 14.
Azades, M. April 22*
B.
Babolen, A. June 26.
Babylas, B. M. Jan. 24.
Bademus, A. M. April io«
Bain, B. June 2a
Baldrede, B. C. March 6.
Barachius, M. March 29.
Baradat, Solitary, Feb. 22.
Barbara, V. M. Dec. 4.
Barbasceminus, M. Jan. 14.
Barbatus, B. C. Feb. 19.
Barhadbesciabas, M. July 21.
Barlaam, M. Nov. 19.
Barnabas, Apostle, June 11.
Barr, B. C. Sept. 25.
Barsabias, M. Oct. 20.
Barsanuphius, H. Feb. 6.
Barsimaeus, B. M. Jan. 30.
Bartholomew of Dunelin, C.
June 24.
Bartholomew, Apostle, Aug.
24.
Basil of Ancyra, M. March
22. '
Basil the Great, B. C. June
14.
Basilides, Quirinus, etc., M.
M. June 12.
Basiliscus, M. May 22.
Basilissa, M. April 15.
St.
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St Bathildes, Queen of France,
Jan. 30.
•• Bavo, H. Oct. I.
" Bauhus, M. Oct 7,
" Beanus, B. Dec. 16.
^ Becan, A. April 5.
" Becket (Thomas &), M.
Dec. 29.
•• Bede, C. May 27.
Bega, V. Sept 6.
Begga, A, Dec. 17.
" Benedict Biscopy A. M. Jan.
12.
" Benedict of Anian, A. Feb.
12.
•• Benedict, Patriarch of West-
em Monks, March 21.
" Benedict II., Pope, C. May
7.
Benedict XL, Pope, C. July
7.
Benezet, C. April 14.
" Benignus, M, Nov. i.
" Benignus of Ireland, B. Nov.
9.
*• Benjamin, M. March 31.
Bernard of Menthon, C
June 15.
Bernard of Clairvaux, A.
Aug. 20.
Bernard Ptolemy, C. Aug.
21.
Bernardin of Sienna, C. May
20.
" Bernward, B. C. Nov. 20.
" Bertha, A. July 4.
" Bertille, A, Nov. 5.
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II
II
CANONIZED SAINTS
5"
St.
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Benin, A. Sept $•
Bertran, B. July 3.
Bettelin, H. C Sept. 9.
Beuno, A. April 2i.
Bibiana, V. M. Dec, 2.
Birinus, B. C. Dec 3.
Blaan, B. Aug. 10.
Blaithmaic, A. Jan. 19.
Blase, B. M. Feb. 3.
Bobo, C. May 22.
Boisil. C. Feb. 23.
Bolcan, A. July 4.
Bona, V. A. April 24.
Bonasus, M. April 21.
Bonaventure, B. C. July 14.
Boniface, M (under Dio-
clesian). May 14.
Boniface of Scotland, B. C
March 14.
Boniface of Mentz, Apostle
of Germany, June 5.
Boniface of Magdeburg,
Apostle of Russia, June
Boniface I., Pope, C. Oct. 25.
Bonitus, B.Jan. 15,
Bonosius, M. Aug. 21.
Botulph, A. June 17.
Braulio, B. C. March 26.
Breaca, V. June 4.
Brice, B. C. Nov. 13.
Bridget or Bride, Patroness
of Ireland, Feb. i.
Bridget of Sweden, Widow.
Oct. 8.
Brieuc, B. C. May i.
Brinstan, B. Nov. 4.
«
<«
St, Brithwald, B. Jan. 9.
Briocus of Wales, M. May
I.
Bronacha, V. A. April 2.
Bruno of Segni, B. C. July
18.
" Bruno, C. Oct. 6.
" Brynoth, B. C. May 9.
" Burckard, B. C. Oct. 14.
" Buriana, June 4.
Dr. Butler (Alban), Author.
May 15.
C.
St. Cadoc or Cadroc, A. Jan. 24.
'* Cadroe, C. March 6,
'' Caesarius, C. Feb. 25.
" Caesarius, B. C. Aug. 27.
" Caesarius, M. Nov. i.
Poet Caedmon, Feb. 1 1.
St. Caius, Pope, Aug. 20.
•' Cajetan, C. Aug. 7.
•* Calais, A. July i.
" Calixtus, Pope, M. Oct. 14.
** Callinicus, M. Jan. 28.
*' Camillus de Lellis, C. July
14.
" Cammin, A. March 25.
" Canicus or Kenny, A. Oct.
II.
" Cantianus, M. May 31.
** Cantius, M. May 31.
** Canut, Jan. 7.
** Canutus, King. M. Jan. 19.
** Caradoc, H. April 13.
" Caraunus, M. May 28.
** Carpus, B. M. April 14.
512 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St Casimir '' the Good '\ Earl
of Flanders, C. Mar. 4.
" Cassian, M. Aug. 13.
'' Castus, M. May 22.
" Cataldus, B. May 10.
" Cathan, B. C. May 17.
** Catharine of Alexandria, V.
M. Nov. 25.
" Catharine of Bologna, V.
Mar. 9.
" Catharine of Genoa, Widow,
Sept. 14.
" Catharine of Sienna, V.
April 30.
" Catharine of Sweden, V.
Mar. 22.
" Catharine of Ricci, V. Feb.
13.
•* Ceadda, B. M. Mar. 2.
" Cecilia or Cecily, V. M. Nov.
22.
** Ceciliuis, C. June 3.
" Ccdd, B. Jan. 7.
•' Celestine, Pope, C. April 6.
" Cels'us, B. April 6.
" Ceolfrid, A. Sept 25.
*• Ceslas, C, July 20.
Chair of St. Peter, Antioch,
Feb. 22.
Chair of St. Peter, Rome. Jan.
18.
Blessed Charlemagne, £. Jan.
28.
St Charles ''the Good", M.
Mar. 2.
*' Charles Borromeo, B. C.
Nov. 4,
St Charles V. of Rome, Aug. i.
*• Chef, A. Oct 29.
*' Chelidonius, M. Mar. 3.
" ChiUen or Kilian, C. Nov. 13.
** Christina, V. M. July 24.
*' Christopher, M. July 2$.
" Chrodegang, B. C. Mar. 6.
" Chromatius, C. Aug. 11.
'* Chronan, A. April 28.
'• Chuniald, Priest, Sept 24.
•• Chrysanthus, M. Oct 25.
*• Chrysogonus, M. Nov. 24.
" Cianan, B. C Nov. 24.
" Ciman, M. Dec. 12.
" Clare, V. A, Aug. 12.
(Founder of Order of Poor
Clares).
St. Clare of Monte Falio. V.
Aug. 18.
•' Clarus, M. Nov. 4.
" Claud, B. M. June 6.
" Claudius, M. Aug. 23.
** Clement I., Pope, M. Nov.
23.
•* Clement of Alexandria, B.
C. Dec. 4.
•* Clement, B. M. Jan. 23.
•* Cletus. M. April 26.
" Clotildis, Queen of France.
June 3.
•* Clou, B. C. June 8.
•* Cloud. C. Sept 7.
" Co^mgen. B. C. June 3.
Blessed Collette, V. M. Mar. 6.
St. Colman, B. C, June 7.
" Colman Elo, A. C. Sept 26.
" Colman. M. Oct. 13.
CANONIZED SAINTS
513
««
«<
««
St Colman, A. Dec 12.
Columba, Apostle of Picts,
A. June 9.
Columba, V, M. Sept 17.
Columba, V. M. Dec. 31.
" Columba, A. Dec. 12.
** Columban, A. C. Nov. 22.
'* Comgall, A. May 10.
'* Comgall, A. July 27.
'^ Conall, A. May 22.
•* Concordius, M. July 2.
" Conon, B. Jan, 26.
" Conon and Son, MM. May
29.
** Conrad, B. C. Nov. 26,
** Conran, B. C. Feb. 14.
" Constant, C. Nov. 13.
Blessed Constantine, King of
Scotland, M. April 2.
St. Constantine (supposed to
have been a king in Britain),
Mar. 14.
'* Constantine, one of the
Seven Sleepers, July 27.
•* Corbinian, B. C. Sept. 8.
'• Corentin, B. C, Dec 12.
" Cormac, B. C. Sept. 14.
** Cormac, A. Dec. 12.
** Cornelius, Pope, M, Sept.
16.
** Cosmas, M. Sept. 27.
** Crispin, M. Oct. 25.
** Crispinian, M. Oct. 25.
** Crispina, M. Dec. 5.
SS. Crowned Brothers, MM.
Nov. 8.
St. Cucufas, M. July 25.
St.
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Cumin, B. Aug. 19.
Cunegunda, Empress, Mar.
Cuthbert, B. C. March 30.
Cuthbert, Translation of
Relics, Sept 4.
Cuthburge, Q. Aug. 31.
Cuthman, Founder of the
Order of Trinitarians,
Feb. 8.
Cybar, R. July i.
Cyprian, B. M. Sept i6«
Cyprian, M. Sept 26.
Cyriacus, M. Aug. 8.
Cyrian of Carthage, M«
Sept 16.
Cyril, Patriarch of Alexan-
dria, Jan. 28.
Cyril, Ab. of Jerusalem.
Mar. 18.
Cyril, M. May 20,
Cyril, M. C. Dec, 22.
Cyrus, M. Jan. 31.
D.
St Dabius, C. July 22.
" Damasus, Pope, C. Dea 11.
** Damhnade, V. June 13.
" Damian, M. Sept, 27.
" Daniel, M. Feb. 21.
Daniel, B. C. Nov. 23.
Daniel, the Stylite. C.
Dec. II.
Daria, M. Oct 25.
Datira, M. Dec. 6.
Daterus, M. Feb. ii.
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David, of Wales, B.
March i.
David, Patron of Muscovy,
July 24.
Declan, B. July 24.
Deicolus, A. Jan. 18.
Delphine, M. Sept. 27.
Dennis, see Dionysius.
Desiderius, B. M. May 23.
Deusdedit, C. Aug. jo.
Didacus, C. Nov. 13.
■Didymus, M. April 28.
Die, or Dio, B. June 19.
. Dionysia and Dativa, MM.
Dec. 6.
Dionysius, the Areopagite,
B. M. Oct. 3.
Dionysius of Alexandria, B.
Nov. 17.
Dionysius of Corinth, B. M.
April 8.
Dionysius, or Dennis of
Paris. M. Oct. 9.
Dionysius. Pope. C. Dec. 26.
Dionysius, One of the Seven
Sleepers. July 27.
Disen. B. C. Sept. 8.
Docmail, C. June 14.
Dominic, Founder of the
Order of Friar Preachers,
Aug. 4.
Dominic Loricatus. C. Oct.
14.
Domninus, M. Oct. 9.
Donatian, B. C. Oct. 14.
Donatus, B. C. Oct. 22.
Donatus. B. M. Aug. 7.
St Dorotheas, of Tyre, M.
June 6.
•• Dorothy, V. M. Feb. d.
** Dositheus, Monk, Feb. 23.
•• Dotto, A. April 9.
" Droctrovius, A. March la
" Drosun, A. July 11.
" Druon. B. April 16.
Dubricius, B. C. Nov. 14.
Dumhade, A. May 25.
Dunstan, B. C. May 19.
Duthak, B. C. March 8.
Dympna, V. M. May 1 5.
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Eadbert, B. C. May 6.
Eadburge. A. Dec. 12.
Eanswide, V. A. Sept. 12.
Ebba. M. April 2.
Ebba or Abba of Colding-
ham, V. A. Aug. 25.
Ecrigan, King of Scotland.
April 21.
Edana, V. July 5.
Edburge. V. Dec. 21.
Edelburga, V. July 7.
Edelwald, C. March 23.
Editha, V. Sept. 16.
Edmund. King of England.
M. Nov. 20.
Edmund. B. C. Nov. 16.
Edward, King of England.
M. March 18.
Edward. King, Translation
of Relics of the Confessor,
June 20.
CANONIZED SAINTS 515
St.
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Edward "the Confessor,"
King. Oct. 3.
Edwin, King of Northum-
bria, Oct. 4.
Egwin, B. Jan. ii.
Eingan, C. April 21.
Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia,
C. Oct. 27.
Eleutherius, B. M. Feb. 20.
Eleutherius, Pope, M. May
26.
Elias, M. Feb. 16.
Elier. H. M. July 16.
Eligius, B. C. Dec. i.
Elizabeth o f Hungary,
Widow, Nov. 19.
Elizabeth, Queen of Portu-
gal. July 8.
Elizabeth of Sconauge, V. A.
June 18.
Elizian, M. Sept. 27.
Elphege, B. M. April 19.
Elphege **the Bald," B.
April 19.
Elzear, M. Sept. 27.
Emerentiana, V. M. Jan. 23.
Emiliana, V. M. Dec. 24.
Emmeran, B. M. Sept. 22.
Enna. A. March 21.
Ennodius. B. C. July 17.
Enric, Nov. 4.
Ephrem, Deacon, C. July 9.
Epimachus, M. Dec. 12.
Epiphanius of Pavia, B. Jan.
21.
Epiphanius of Salamis, B.
May 12.
St. Epipodius. M. April 22.
•• Equitius, A. Aug. 11.
*' Erasmus of Antioch, B. M.
Nov. 25.
" Erasmus, B. M. June 2.
" Erhard, A. C. Feb. 9.
" Eric, King of Sweden, M.
May 18.
" Erlulph, B. M. Feb. 10.
" Eskill, B. M.June 12.
" Ethbin, A. Oct. 19.
" Ethelbert, King of Anglia,
M. May 20.
" Ethelbert, first Christian
king in Britain, C. Feb.
24.
Ethelburge of Barking, V. A.
Oct. II.
Etheldreda or Audry, V. A.
June 23.
" Etheldreda or Audry, of Ely;
V. A. Oct. 17.
" Etheldritha, V. Aug. 2.
" Ethel wold, B. C. Aug. i.
" Eubulus, March i.
" Eucherius. B. C. Feb. 20.
" Eucherius, B. C. Nov. 16.
" Eugendus, A, Jan. i.
" Eugenia, V. M. Dec. 25.
" Eugenius, B. C. July 13.
" Eugenius, of Ireland, B.
Aug. 23.
" Eugenius of Paris, M. Nov.
15.
" Eulalia, V. M. Dec. 10.
" Eulogius, M. March 11.
«
•I
5i6 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Eulogius, Patriarch of Alex-
andria, B. C. Sept. 13.
Eunan, B. Sept. 7.
Euphemia, V. M. Sept. 16.
Euphrasia, V. March 13.
Euplius, M. Aug. 12.
Eusebius, M. at Gaza, Sept.
8.
Eusebius, B. M. June 3i,
Eusebius, A. Jan. 23.
Eusebius, M. at Rome, Aug.
14.
Eusebius, C. Aug. 14.
Eusebius, Pope, C. Sept. 26.
Eustachius, M. Sept. 2a
Eustasius, A. March 29.
Eustathius, B. C. July 16.
Eustochium, V. Sept. 28.
Eustochius, B. Sept. 19.
Euthymius, A. Jan. 20.
Eutropius, M. Jan. 12.
Evaristus, Pope, M. Oct, 26.
Evcrildis. V. July 9.
Evertius, B. C. Sept. 7.
Evroul, A. Dec. 20.
Ewalds (The Two) MM.
Oct 3.
Exuperius, B. Sept. 28.
F.
St. Fabian, Pope, M. Jan. 20.
" Faine, sec Fanchea.
•• Faith of Rome, V. M. Aug. i.
Faith of Gaul, V. M. Oct. 6.
Fanchea, V. Jan. i.
" Fara, V. A. Dec. 7.
•• Faro, B. C. Oct. 28.
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Faustinus, M. July 29.
Faustus, M. Oct. 13.
Fechin, A, Jan. 20.
Fedlemid, B. C. Aug. 9.
Felan, A. Jan. 9.
Felicitas, M. March 7.
Felix of Nola, Priest, Jan.
14.
Felix, B. C. Aug. 9.
Felix of Cantalido, C. May
21.
Felix I, Pope, M. May 3a
Felix, Pope, M. July 29.
Felix of Nantes, B. C. July
7.
Felix of Carthage, M. Sept.
10.
Felix of Dunwich, M. Mar.
8,
Felix of Thiabura, B. M.
Oct. 24.
Felix of Valois, C. Nov. 20.
Ferdinand III., King of
Castile and C. May 30.
Ferreol, M. Sept. 18.
Ferreolus, M. June 16.
Ferrutius, M. June 16.
Fiachna, C. April 29.
Fiaker, H. C. Aug. 30.
Fidelis o f Sigmaringen,
M. April 24.
Fidharleus, A. Oct. i.
Finan of Lindisfame, C.
April 7.
Finbar, A. July 4.
Fmian **the Leper" Mar.
16.
CANONIZED SAINTS
517
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tt
St Finian, B. C. Sept. 10. *
" Finian. A. Oct, 21.
Finian, B. C. Dec. 12.
Fintan, A. Feb. 17.
•' Fintan, A. Oct. 21.
" Flavia Domitilla, V. M.
May 12.
Flavian, B. M. Feb. 17.
Flora, V. M. Nov. 24.
" Florence (An Irish Saint)
A. Dec. 15.
Flour, B. C. Nov. 3.
Foilan, M. Oct. 31.
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste,
March 10.
** Four Crowned Brothers,
M. Nov. 8.
" Francis of Assisium, C.
Oct. 4.
" Francis Borgia, C. Oct 10.
Francis di Girolamo, May
II.
Francis of Paula, C. April
2.
Francis of Sales, B. C. Jan.
29.
Francis Solano, C. July 24.
Francis, Stigmas of, Oct.
4.
** Francis Xavier, C, Dec. 3.
" Frances, Widow, March 9.
•* Frederick of Utrecht, B. M.
July 18.
SS. Friar Minors, The Five, M
M. July 6.
•* Friar Minors, The Seven,
MM. Oct. 13.
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St Frideswide, Patroness of
Oxford, V. Oct. 19.
** Fridian, B. C. March 18.
** Fridolin. C. March 6.
SS. Fructuosus, B. and others,
MM. Jan. 21.
St Fructuosus, B. C. April 16.
" Frumentius, B. C. Oct 27.
" Fulgentius, B. C. Jan. i.
" Fursey, A. and an Irish King
Jan 16.
'• Fuscian, M. Dec 11.
G.
Gal, B. July i.
Galdin, B. C. April 18.
Galdus, B. Jan, 31.
Gall. A. Oct 16.
Galla, Widow, Oct 5.
Galmier, C. Feb. 27.
Gamaliel, C. Aug. 3.
Gatian, B. C.Dec. 18.
Gaucher, A. April 9.
Gaudentius of Brescia, B. C.
Oct 25.
Gelasinus, M. Aug. 26.
Gelasius, Pope, C. Nov. 21.
Genebrard, M. May 1 5,
Genesius. B. C. June 3.
Genesius, M. Aug. 26.
Genesius, of Aries, M. Aug.
26.
Genevieve, V. Jan. 3.
George, Patron of England,
M. April 23.
Gerald, B, March 13.
I " Gerald, A. April 5,
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5i8 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Gerald, Count of Aurillac,
C. Oct. 13.
*• Gerard of Tours, B. C. Apr.
23.
" Gerard of Chonad, B. M.
Sept. 24.
•• Gerard, A. Oct. 3.
" Gerimonia, Sept. 7.
•• German, M. Feb. 21.
" Germanus, Patriarch of Con-
stantinople, B. May 12.
" Germanus, B. C.May 28.
" Germanus of Auxerre, B. C.
July 26.
Germanus of Capua, B. C.
Oct. 30.
Germer, A. Sept. 24.
" Gertrude, V. A. Nov. 15.
Gervasius, M. June 19.
Gery, B. C. Aug. 11.
SS. Getulius and others, MM.
June 10.
St. Gilasinus, M. Aug. 26.
" Gilbert, A. Feb. 4.
" Gilbert, B. April i.
" Gildard, B. C. June 6.
" Gildas ** the Wise," A. Jan.
29.
" Gildas, ** the Albanian," C.
Jan. 29.
" Giles, A. Sept. i.
" Glastian of Scotland, B.
Jan. 23.
" Goar, C. July 6.
" Gobain, M. June 20.
" Godard, B. C. May 4.
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St.*Godeschalc Prince of tUe
Western Vandals, M.
June 7.
" Godfrey of Amiens, B. Nov.
8.
Godric, H. May 21.
Gontran, King of Burgundy,
C. Mar. 28.
Gregory, B. Jan. 4.
Gregory II. Pope, CFeb. 13.
Gregory X. Pope, C. Feb. 16.
Gregory of Nyssa, B. C
Mar. 9.
" Gregory " the Great" Pope,
C. Mar. 12.
•• Gregory Nazianzen, B. C
May 9.
" Gregory VII. Pope, C. May.
25.
Blessed Gregory, B. C. June 15.
St. Gregory of Ulnith, A. C.
Aug. 25.
Gregory, Apostle of Arme-
nia, B. C. Sept. 30.
Gregory Thaumaturgus, B.
C. Nov. 17.
Gregory of Tours, B. C.
Nov. 17.
Gregory, M. Dec. 24.
Grimbald, A. July 8.
Grimonia, V. A. C, Sept. 7.
Gudula, V. Jan. 8.
" Gudwall, A. Oct. 9.
" Gummar, C. Oct. 11.
" Gundleus. C. Mar. 29,
" Gunthiern, A. July 9.
** Guthlake, H.April 11.
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CANONIZED SAINTS
519
St, Guy, C. March 31.
St.
'* Guy, C. Sept. 12.
II
•• Gybrian, Priest, C. May 8.
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•* St. Harold VI. of Denmark.
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King, M. Nov. i.
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•• Hedda. B. C. July 7.
•' Hedwiges, Widow, Oct. 17.
•1
** Hegesippus, C. April 7.
•* Helen, M.July 31.
«
** Helen, Empress, Aug. 18.
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** Hemma, Widow, June 29.
*• Henry, H. Jan. 16,
II
*' Henry of England, Blessed,
B. M. Jan. 19.
II
•* Henry of Treviso, C. June
to
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•* Henry II., Emperor of Ger-
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many, July 15.
Blessed Herman Joseph, C.
April 7.
St
St. Hermas, C. May 9.
««
** Hermenegild, M. April 13.
««
•• Hermes, M. Aug. 28.
•1
•* Hidulphus. B. July 11.
II
•' Hi^opn, A. Oct. 21.
II
** Hilary, B. Jan. 14.
II
•• Hilary of Aries, B. C. May
" Hilda, A. Nov. 18.
II
11
'* Hildegardis of Monte St.
i<
Disibode,V. A. Sept. 17.
II
*• Hippolytus, M. Aug. 13.
" Hippolytus, Early Author,
II
B. M. Aug. 22.
II
•• Homobonus, C. Nov. 13.
Honoratus, B. Jan. 16.
Honoratus, B. C. May 16.
Honorius, B. C. Sept. 30.
Hope of Rome, M. Aug. i.
Hormisdas, M. Aug. 8.
Hospitius, R. Oct. 15.
Hubert of Liege, B. C. Nov.
3.
Hugh of Lincoln, M. Aug.
27.
Hugh, B. C. April i.
Hugh of Cluni, A. C. Aug.
29.
Hugh of Lincoln, B. C.
Nov. 17.
Humbert, B. M. Nov. 20.
Hyacinth, C. Aug. 16.
Hyacinthus, M. Sept. 11.
Hyginus, Pope, M. Jan. 11.
I.
Ibar, B. April 23.
Ida, Widow, Sept. 4.
Idaberga, V. June 20.
Idus, B. July 14.
Ignatius, B. M. Feb. i.
Ignatius Loyola, C. July 31.
Ignatius, Patriarch of Con-
stantinople, Oct. 23.
Ildephonsus, B. Jan. 23.
Illidius, B. C. June 5.
Iltutus, A. Nov. 6.
Innocent I., Pope, C. July
28.
Irchard, B. C. Aug. 24.
Irenxus of Sirmium^ B. M.
March 24.
520 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Irenaeus, B. M. June 28.
Isaac, B. M. Nov. 30.
Isabel, V. Aug. 31.
Ischyrion, M. Dec. 32.
Isaias, M. Jan. 14.
Isidore, Hospitaler of Alex-
andria, Priest, Jan. 15.
Isidore of Scete, H. Jan. 1 5.
Isidore of Pelusium, Monk,
Feb. 4.
Isidore, Patron of Madrid,
C. May 10.
Isidore of Seville, B. April
4.
Ita, V. Jan. 15.
Ivia, B. April 25.
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James of Sclavonia, C. April
20.
James, M. April 30.
James, " the Less " Apostle,
May I.
James, ** Major," Apostle,
July 25.
James of Nisibis, B. C.
July II.
James (Intercisus) M. Nov.
27.
James La Marca of An-
cona, C. Nov. 28.
Jane, or Joan of Valois,
Queen of France. Feb. 4.
Jane Frances de Chantal,
Widow, Abbess, Aug.
21.
«
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St Januarius and others* B. M.
M. Sept 19.
Januarius of Cordova, M.
Oct 13.
Jariat B. C. Dec. 26.
Jeremy, Caesarea, M. Fdx
16.
Jerom iEmiliani, C. July 2a
Jerom, Priest, Doctor of
the Church, C. Sept 30.
Joachim, C. April 16.
Jonas, M. March 29.
Joannicius, A. Nov. 4.
Joavan, B. C. March 2.
Jodoc, C. Dec. 13.
John, "the Almoner" Pa-
triarch, Jan. 23.
John Calybite, R. Jan. 15.
John Chrysostom, B. C
Jan. 27.
John of Rheomay, A. Jan.
28.
John of Matha, C. Feb. 8.
John Joseph of the Cross,
March 5.
John of God, C. March 8.
John of Egypt, B. March 27.
John Climacus, A. Mar. 30.
John at Latin gate, May 6.
John Damascen, C. May 6.
John of Beverley, B. C May
7.
John "the Silent" B. C.
May 13.
" John Nepomucen, M. May
16.
" John of Prado, M. May 24.
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CANONIZED SAINTS
521
■*
«
St. John, Pope. M. May 27.
" John of Sahagun, C. June
12.
John Francis Regis, C. June
16.
John of Rome, M. June 26.
" John of Moutier, Priest. C.
June 27,
John, one of the "Seven
Sleepers." July 27.
John Gualbert, A. July 12.
" John Columbini, C. July 31.
John the Baptist, Nativ-
ity of. June 24.
John the Baptist. Decolla-
tion of, Aug. 29.
John "the Dwarf." R.
Sept. 15.
John of Bridlington, C. Oct.
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John Capistran, C. Oct. 23.
John Lateran, Dedication of
the Church, Nov. 9.
John of the Cross, C, Nov.
24.
Blessed John Marinoul, C. Dec.
13.
St. John, Apostle, Evangelist,
Dec. 27,
SS. Jonas and others, MM.
March 29.
St. Joseph of Leonissa, C. Feb.
" Joseph of Arimathea, Mar.
17.
*' Joseph, Husband of the
Virgin Mary, Mar, 19.
St. Joseph Barsabas, C. July 20.
" Joseph Calasanctius, C.
Aug. 27.
" Joseph of Cupertino, C.
Sept. 18.
" Jude, Apostle, Oct. 28.
'• Julia, V. M. May 23.
** Julian, M. Jan. 9,
Julian of Manns, B. Jan. 27.
Julian of Palestine, M. Feb.
17.
Julian of Toledo, B. C. Mar.
8.
Julian of Cilicia, M. Mar. 16.
Julian, H. July 6.
Julian Sabas, H. Oct. 18.
" Julian, M. Aug. 28.
Juliana, V. M. Feb. 16.
Juliana Falconieri, V. June
19.
Julitta, M. July 30.
" Julius, Pope, C. April 12.
" Julius, M. May 27.
SS. Julius and Aaron, MM.
July I.
" Justa and Rufina, MM.
July 20.
St. Justin, M. June i.
" Justin, M. Oct. 18.
" Justina, V. M. Oct. 7.
Justinian, H. M. Aug. 23.
Justus, B. C. Sept. 2.
SS. Justus and Pastor, MM.
Aug. 6.
St. Justus, B. C. Nov. 10.
SS. Juventin and Maximin,
MM. Jan. 25.
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522 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
K.
St Kebius B. April 25.
Kenelm, King of Mercia,
M. Dec. 13.
Kenney, A. Oct. 11.
" Kennocha, V. March 13.
Kentigem. B. Jan. 13.
Kentigema, Widow, Jan.
7.
Kcyna, V. Oct. 8.
Kiaran, B. C, March 5.
Kiaran, A. Sept 9.
SB. Kilian, Colman and others
MM. July 8.
St Kings. V. July 24.
*• Kinnia. V. Feb. i.
SS. Kyneburge, Kyneswide
etc. MM. March 6.
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Ladislas, King of Hungary,
C. June 27.
Lamalisse, C. March 2.
Lambert, B. M. Sept 17.
Landelin, A. June 15.
Landry, B. C. June 10.
Largus, M. Aug. 8.
Laserian, B. April 18.
Laurence of Canterbury, B.
Feb. 2.
Laurence the Spaniard, M,
Aug. 10.
Laurence Justinian, B. C.
Sept 5.
Laurence of Dublin, B. C.
Nov. 14.
Lea, Widow, March 22.
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St Leander, B. C. Feb. 27.
Lebwin, C Nov. 12.
Leo, M. Feb. 18.
Leo the Great, Pope» Apr!
II.
Leo IX., Pope, C. April 19
Leo IL, Pope, C. June 28.
Leo IV., Pope, C. July 17.
Leocadia, V. M. Dec 9.
Leocritia, M. March 15.
Leodegarius, B. M. Oct 2,
Leonard, H. Nov. 6.
Leonides, M. April 22.
Leonorus, B. July i.
Leopold, Marquis of Mar
gams, Austria, C. No^
15.
Lethard, B. C. Feb. 24.
Leucius, M. (245) Jan. 28.
Leufredus, A. June 21.
Lcwine, V. M. July 24.
Lewis, B. C. Aug. 19.
Lewis, King of France (s»
Louis).
Liberatus, M. Aug. 17.
Liborius, B. C. July 23.
Licinius, B. C. Feb. 13.
Lidwina, V. April 14.
Lifard, A. June 3.
Limneus, M. Feb. 22.
Linus, Pope, M. Sept. 23.
Lioba, V. A. Sept. 28.
Livin, B. M. Nov. 12.
Lo, B. Sept 21.
Loman, B. C. Feb. 17.
Lomer, A, Jan. 19.
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CANONIZED SAINTS
523
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Louis, King of France, C.
Aug. 25.
Luanus, A. Aug. 4.
Lucia, M. Sept. 16.
Lucian, Priest, Jan. 7.
Lucian of Beauvais, M. Jan.
8.
Lucian of Nicomedia, M.
Oct. 26.
Lucius, Pope, M. Mar. 4.
Lucius, M. (166) Oct. 19.
Lucius, an early king of Bri-
tain, C. Sept. 19.
Lucy, V, Sept. 19.
Lucy, V. M. Dec. 13.
Ludger, B. March 26.
Luican, C. July 27.
Luke, Evangelist, Oct. 18.
Lullus, B. C. Oct. 16.
Lupicinius, M. Feb. 28.
Lupus of Troyes, B. C.
July 24,
Lupus of Sens, Archb. Sept.
I.
M.
'* Macarius of Alexandria, H.
Jan. 2.
Macarius " the Elder,"
Jan. 16.
Maccai, A. April 11.
Mac-cartin, B. C. Aug. 15.
•* Macedonius, A. Jan. 24.
SS. Machabees, "the Seven,"
MM. Aug. I.
St. Mackessoge, B. C. Mar. 10.
•• Macrina, V. July 19.
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Macull, C. April 25.
Maculindus, B. Sept. 16.
Madelberte, V. A. Sept. 7.
Maden, C. May 17,
Magloire, B. C. Oct. 24.
Magnisius. B. Sept, 3.
Maguil, May 30.
Maharsapor, M. Nov. 27,
Maidoc, (also called Alden),
B. Jan. 31.
Maieul, A. May 11.
Main, A. Jan. 15.
Majoricus, M. Dec. 6.
Malchus of Caesarea, M.
March 28.
Malchus, one of the Seven
Sleepers, July 27.
Malachy, B. C. Nov. 3.
Malo, B, November 1 5.
Malrubius, A. April 21.
Malrubius, B. M. August 27.
Mamas, M. August 17.
Mammertus, B. C. May 11.
Mammolin, M. October 16.
Mans or Magnus of Orkney,
B, M. April 16.
Mansuet, B. Sept, 3.
Marcella. Widow, Jan. 31.
Marcellina, V. July 17.
Marcellinus, M. June 2.
Marcellus, Pope, M. Jan. 16.
Marcellus, M. Sept. 4.
Marcellus, M. Oct. 7.
Marcellus, M. Oct. 30.
Marcellus, B. C. Nov. i.
Marcellus, A. Dec. 29.
Marcian, Priest, Jan. 10.
524 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
«
«
«
«
St. Marcian, M. Oct. 4.
" Marcian, H. C. Nov. 2.
Marciana, V. A. Jan. 9.
Marcou, A. May i.
Marcus, M. June 18.
Marcus, M. Oct 4.
Blessed Margaret, Princess of
Hungary, V. Jan. 28.
St. Margaret, Queen of Scot-
land, June 10.
Margaret of England (XII.
century). V. Feb. 3.
Margaret of Cortona, Peni-
tent, Feb. 22.
Margaret of Antioch, V. M.
July 20.
Margaret, V. M. Sept. 2.
•* Marina, V. June 18.
Marinus, M. March 3.
Maris, M. Jan. 19.
" Marius, A. Jan. 27,
" Mark of Arethusa, Syria, B.
C. March 29.
Mark, Evangelist, April 25.
Mark, Pope, C. Oct. 7.
Mark of Jerusalem, B. C.
Oct. 22.
" Maman, B. C. March 2.
" Maro, A. Feb. 14.
" Martha, V. July 29.
" Martial, B. June 30,
" Martin of Tours, B. C.
Nov. II.
" Martin, Pope, M. Nov. 12.
" Martina, V. M. Jan. 30.
*• Martinian, one of the Seven
Sleepers, July 27.
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St Martinanus, H. Feb. 13.
SS. Martyrs for the Holy Scrip-
tures, Jan. 2.
Martyrs of Japan, Feb. 5.
Martyrs of Alexandria (in the
pestilence) Feb. 28.
Martyrs Forty, of Sebaste, Mar.
10.
Martyrs of Alexandria in 303,
March 17.
Martyrs of Hadiab, April 6,
Martyrs of Massylitan, April 91
Martyrs, Roman Captives,
April 9.
Martyrs of Saragossa, April 16.
Martyrs of Rome, under Nero,
June 24.
Martyrs of Gorcum, July 9.
Martyrs, Seven Brothers, July
10.
Martyrs, Seven Sleepers, July
27.
Martyrs of Utica, Aug. 24.
Martyrs, Twelve Brothers, Sept
I.
Martyrs of Triers, Oct 4.
Martyrs, Seven, of Samosata,
Dec. 9.
Martyrs, Ten, of Crete, Dec. 23.
St. Maruthas, B. C. Dec. 4.
Mary, B. V. Purification of,
Feb. 2.
Mary, B, V. Annunciation of,
March 25.
Mary, B. V. Visitation of, July
2.
Mary, B, V. ad Nives, Aug. 5.
CANONIZED SAINTS
525
Mary, B. V. Assumption of,
Aug. 15.
Mary. B, V. Nativity of. Sept. 8.
Mary, B« V. Presentation of,
Nov. 21.
Mary, B. V. Conception of,
Dec. 8.
St. Mary of Egypt, April 9.
Mary of Pazzi. V. May 23.
Mary, niece of St. Abraham,
Penitent, March 15.
Mary of Oignies, June 23.
Mary Magdalen "the Sin-
ner." July 22.
Mary, M. Nov. i.
Mary of Cordova, V. M.
Nov, 24.
Matthew. Apostle, Sept 21.
Matthias, Apostle, Feb. 24.
Mathurin, C. Nov. 9.
Maud, Queen of Germany,
March 14.
Maura, V. Sept. 21.
Maurice, M. Sept. 22.
Maurilius. B. C. Sept. 13.
Mauront, A. May 5.
Maurus, A. Jan. 15.
Maw, C. May 17.
Maxentia, V. M. Nov. 21.
Maxentius, A. June 26.
" Maximian. one of the Seven
Sleepers, M. July 27.
" Maximilian, M. March 12.
" Maximinus. B. C. May 29.
Maximinus, B. C. June 8.
Maximus, M. April 30.
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Maximus of Normandy, M.
May 25.
Maximus. B. C. June 25.
Maximus of Riez. B. C. Nov.
27.
Maximus, C. Dec, 30.
Mechtildes. V. A. April 10.
Medard. B. C. June 8.
Mel. Feb. 6.
Meen. A. June 21.
Melania " the Younger,"
Dec. 31.
Melanius. B. C. Jan. 6.
Melchiades. Pope, Dec. 10.
Meleusippus. M. Jan. 17.
Melito, B. C. April i.
Mellitus. B. C. April 24.
Mello. B. C. Oct. 22.
Memmius. B. Aug. 5.
Meneve. A. July 22.
Mennas. M. Nov. 11.
Merriadec, B. C. June 7.
Merri. A. Aug. 29.
Methodius. Patriarch of Con-
stantinople. C. June 14.
Methodius of Tyre, B. M.
Sept. 18.
Methodius. C. Dec. 22.
Michael. Apparition of. May
8.
Michael, Dedication of, Sept.
29.
Milburge of Shropshire,
V. A. Feb. 23.
Mildred. V. A. Feb. 20.
Milgithe. V. Jan. 17.
Milles, B. M. Nov. 10.
526 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
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Mitrius, M. Nov. 13.
Mochoemoc, A. Mar. 13.
Mochteus, B. C Aug. 19.
Mochua or Cronan of Bella,
Ireland, A. Jan. i.
Modan, A. Feb. 4.
Modomnoc, B. C. Feb. 13.
Modwena, V. July 5.
Molingus, B.C. June 17.
Moloc, B. C. June 25.
Monan, M. March i.
Monegondes, R. July 2.
Monica, Widow, May 4.
Moninna, V. July 6,
Monon, M. Oct. 18.
Montanus, M. Feb. 24.
Mummolin, B. C. Oct, 16.
Munde, A. April 15.
Mungo, see Kentigem.
Muredack, B. Aug. 12.
N.
Nabor, M. July 12.
Narcissus, M. Oct. 29.
Nathalan, B. C. Jan. 8.
Nathy. Priest, Aug. 9.
Nazarius, M. July 28.
Nemesianus, M. Sept. 10.
Nemesion, M. Dec 19.
Nennius, A. Jan. 17.
Nennus of Aran, A. June 14.
Nenoc, V. June 4.
Neot, H. C. Oct. 28.
Nereus, M. May 12.
Nestabulus of Gaza, M.
Sept. 8.
Nestor of Gaza, M. Sept. 8.
St.
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Nestor, B. M. Feb. 27.
Nicander, M. June 17.
Nicasius, B. M. Dec 14.
Nicephorus, M. Feb. 9.
Nicephorus, Patriarch c
Constantinople, C. Ma
Nicetas, A. April 3.
Nicetas, M. Sept. 1 5.
Nicetius, B. C. April 2.
Nicetius, B. C. Dec. 5.
Nicholas of Lincopen, B. C
May 9.
Nicholas of Tolentino, (
Sept. 10.
Nicholas, B. C. Dec. 6.
Nicodemus, Aug. 3.
Nicomedes, M. Sept. 15.
Nicon, C. Nov. 26.
Nilammon, H. Jan. 6.
Nilus "the Younger," A
Sept. 26.
Nilus, H. C. Nov. 12.
Nincon, Jan. 4.
Ninian, B. C. Sept. 16.
Nissen, A. July 25,
Norbert, B. C. June 6.
Nunilo, V. M. Oct, 22.
Nympha, V. M. Nov. 10.
O.
St. Odilo or Olon, A. Jan, i.
" Odo, B. C. July 4,
" Odo, A. C. Nov. 18.
Odrian. B. May 8.
Odulph. C. July 18.
II
II
CANONIZED SAINTS 527
St.
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Oduvald or Odwald. A, C.
May 26.
Olaus, King of Norway, M.
July 29.
Olmypias, Widow, Dec. 17.
Omer, B. C. Dec. 9,
Onesimus, disciple of St.
Paul, Feb. 16.
Onuphrius, H. June 12.
Oportuna, V. A. April 22.
Optatus, B. C. June 4.
Osith, V. Oct. 7.
Osmanna, V. Sept. 9.
Osmund, B. C. Dec. 4.
Oswald, B. Feb. 29,
Oswald, King of Northum-
bria, M. Aug. 5.
Oswin, King of Deira, M.
Aug. 20.
Othilia, V. A. Dec. 13.
Otho, B. C. July 2.
Oudoceus, B. July 2.
Ouen, B. C. Aug. 24.
P.
Pachomius, A. May 14.
Pacian, B. C. March 9.
Pacificus of San Severino,
Sept. 24.
Palladius. B. C. July 6.
Pambo of Nitria, A. Sept. 6.
Pammachus, C. Aug. 30.
Pamphilus, M. June i.
Pancras, M. May 12.
Pantaenus, Father of the
Church, July 7.
Pantaleon, M. July 27.
St.
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Paphnutius, B. C. Sept. 11.
Papoul, M. Nov. 3.
Paregorius, M (at Patara)
Feb. 18,
Paschal, Baylon, C. May 17.
Paschasius Radbert, A. C.
April 26.
Pastor, M. Aug. 6.
Patemus, B. C. April 15.
Patiens, B. C. Sept. 11.
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland,
B. C. March 17.
Patricius, B. M, April 28.
Paul, the first Hermit, Jan.
15.
Paul and 36 Companions in
Egypt, MM. Jan. 18.
Paul of Verdun, B. C. Feb.
8,
Paul** the Simple," H. Mar.
7.
Paul of Leon, B. C. Mar. 12.
Paul of Narbonne, B. C.
Mar. 22.
Paul of Constantinople, B.
M. June 7.
Paul, M. (at Rome, A. D.
362) June 26.
Paul, Apostle, June 30.
Paul, Conversion of, Jan.
25.
Paul, H. Dec. 20.
Paul of Gaza, M. July 25.
Paula, Widow, Jan. 26.
Paulinus, Patriarch, Jan, 28.
Paulinus of Nola, B. C.
June 22.
528 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
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St. Paulinos of York, B. C. Oct
lO.
Pega, V. Jan. 8.
Pelagia, V. M. June 9.
" Pelagia, Penitent, Oct 8.
Peleus, M. Sept 19.
Pellegrina, B. Aug. i.
Blessed Pepin of Landon, C,
Feb. 21.
St Perpetua, M. Mar. 7.
" Perpetuus, B. C. April 8.
** Peter of Pisa, Founder of
Hermits of St. Jerom,
June I.
" Peter Balsam, M. Jan. 3,
" Peter of St Austin's, A.
Jan. 6.
Peter of Sebaste, B. C. Jan.
9.
Peter Nolasco, C. Jan. 31.
" Peter Damian, B. Feb, 23.
" Peter Gonzales, C. April 15.
" Peter, M. (1252), April 29.
Peter of Tarentaise, B. May
8.
Peter Regalati, C. May 13.
Peter, M. (250), May 15.
Peter Celestine, Pope, C.
May 19.
Peter, M. (about 304), June
2.
" Peter, Prince of the Apos-
tles, June 29.
" Peter of Luxemburg, B. C.
July 5.
** Peter of Alcantara, C. Oct
19.
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St Peter of Alexandria, B. M.
Nov. 26.
" Peter Chrysologus^ B. C
Dec 4.
Peter Paschal, B. M. Dec 6.
Peter ad Vincula, Aug. i.
SS. Peter and Paul, Dedication
of their diurches at
Rome, Nov. i8,
St Petroc, A. June 4.
Petronilla, V. May 31.
Petronius, B. C. Oct. 4.
•• Phaebadius, B. C. April 25.
" Philastrius, B. C. July 18.
" Phileas, B. M. Feb. 4.
** Philibert, A. Aug. 22.
** Philomen, Nov. 22.
** Philoromus, M. Feb. 4.
" Philip, Apostle, May i.
** Philip Neri, C. May 26.
'* Philip "the Deacon," June
6.
** Philip Beniti, C. Aug, 23.
" Philip of Heraclea, B. M.
Oct. 22.
** Philogonius, B. C. Dec. 20.
'* Phocas, M. July 3,
" Piat, M. Oct. I.
** Pionius, M. Feb. i,
** Pius I., Pope, M. July 11.
** Pius v.. Pope, M. May 5.
** Placidus, A. M. Oct 5,
" Plato, A. April 4.
** Plechelm, B. C. July 15.
** Plutarch. M. June 28.
** Poemen, A. Aug. 27.
" Pollio, M. April 28.
CANONIZED SAINTS
529
St. Polycarp of Smyrna, B. M.
Jan. 26.
" Polycuctus, M. Feb. 13.
" Pontian, Pope, M. Nov. 19.
" Pontius, M. May 14,
" Poppo, A. Jan. 25.
'* Porphyrius, B. C. Feb. 26.
" Postidius, B. C. May 17.
*' Potamiana, M. June 28.
** Potamon, B. M. May 18.
" Pothinus of Lyons, M, June
2.
Martyrs of Pontus, Feb. 5.
St. Praxedes, V. July 21.
** Pretextatus, B. C. Feb. 24.
•* Primus, M. June 9.
Prior, H. June 17.
Prisca. V. M. Jan. 18,
** Priscus, M. Mar. 28.
** Prix, B. M. Jan. 25.
** Probus, M. Oct. 11.
** Processus, M. July 2.
** Proclus, B. C. Oct. 24,
'* Procopius, M, July 8.
" Projectus, B. M. Jan. 25.
" Prosdecimus, B. M. Nov. 7.
" Prosper of Acquitain, C.
June 25.
*' Protasius, M. June 19.
•* Proterius, B. M. Feb. 28.
** Protus, M. Sept 11.
** Prudentius, B. C. April 6.
" Psalmod, H. Mar. 8.
** Psalmodius, H. June 14.
** Ptolemy, M. Oct. 19.
** Publius, B. M. Jan. 21.
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St. Publius, A. (near Zeugma,
in Syria), Jan. 25.
** Prudentiana, V. May 19.
Pulcheria, V. Sept. 10.
Q.
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St. Quadratus, B. C. May 26.
Quintin, M. Oct. 31.
Quiricus, M. June 16.
** Quirinus. B. M. June 4.
R.
St. Radbod, B. C. Nov. 29.
** Radegundes, Queen of
France, Aug 13.
Blessed Raingarda, '* the Ven-
erable Widow, June 26.
St. Ralph, B. C. June 21.
** Randaut, M.Feb. 21.
" Raymund of Pennafort, C.
Jan. 23.
" Raymund Nonnatus, C.
Aug. 31.
** Regina, V. M. Sept. 7.
*' Regobert, M. June 4.
•* Regulus, B. Mar. 30.
** Remaclus, B. C. Sept. 3.
** Rembert. B. C. Feb. 4 .
** Rcmigius, B. C. Oct. i.
** Respicius, M. Nov. 10.
" Restituta, V. M. May 17.
•* Richard, King of West Sax-
ony, C. Feb. 7.
•* Richard. B. C. April 3.
** Richard, B. C. June 9.
** Richard of Andria. B. C.
Aug. 21.
530 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Richaritis or RiquieTy A«
April 26.
" Rtctrudes, A. May 12.
'' Rigobert, B. Jan. 4.
Blessed Robert of Arbrissal, C.
Feb. 23.
Blessed Robert of Chaise Dieu,
A. April 24.
St. Robert, A. April 29.
*' Robert of Newminster* A.
June 7.
'* Rock or Roch, C. Aug. 16.
Blessed Roger, A. Feb. 13.
St. Roger, C. Mar. 5.
*' Romanus, Patron of Mus-
covy, A. Feb. 28,
** Romanus, M. July 24.
'* Romanus (Roman Soldier),
M. Aug. 9.
*' Romanus of Rouen, B. C.
Oct. 23.
** Romanus of Palestine, M.
Nov. 18.
** Romaric, A. Dec. 8.
** Romuald, A. Feb. 7.
** Rosa of Viterbo, V. Mar. 8.
** Rosalia, V. Sept. 4.
** Rose of Lima, V. Aug. 30,
** Rouin, A. Sept. 7.
'* Ruadham, one of the
Twelve Apostles of Ire-
land, B. April 15.
** Ruffin, M. July 24.
" Rufina, V. A. July 10.
** Rufina, V. M. (under Dio-
clesian), July 20.
** Rufinus, M. June 14.
St. Rafos, H. April 22.
" Rafos, BiL Dec. 18.
*' Rtundd, P^troQ of MecUiii.
B. Bf. July I.
*' Rumon, B. C. Jan. 4.
" Rumwald, C. Nov. 3.
" Rupert or Robert of Salts-
burg, B. C. Mar. 27.
" Rusticus, B. Sept. 24.
S.
St. Sabas, M. April 12.
•' Sabas, A. Dec. 5.
" Sabina, M. Aug. 29.
*' Sabinianus, M. Jan. 29.
** Sabinus, B. M. Dec. 30.
*• Sadoth. B. M. Feb. 20,
Saints, All, Nov. i.
St. Salvius. B. Jan. 11.
** Salvius. B. Sept lo.
** Sampson, B. C. July 28.
** Samthana, V. A. Dec. 19.
*• Sapor, B. M. Nov. 3a
** Saturninus, B. M. Nov. 29,
" Saturninus, M. Feb. 11.
** Saturninus, M. Nov. 29.
** Saturus. M. Mar. 29.
" Scholastica, V. Feb. 10.
" Sebastian, M. Jan. 20.
" Sebbi or Sebba, King of
Essex, C. Aug. 29.
*' Secundin of Meath, Ireland,
B. Nov. 27.
** Secunola, M, (II. century),
July 10.
" Senan, B. C. Mar. 8.
** Sennen, M. July 30.
CANONIZED SAINTS
531
St.
ti
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Sequanus, A. Sept. 19.
Serapion, M. Jan. 31.
Serapion "the Sindonite,"
Mar. 21.
Serapion **the Scholastic/*
A. March 21.
Serapion, B. C. Mar. 21.
Serenus, M. Feb. 25.
Serf, B. April 20.
Sergius, M. Oct. 7.
Servatius, B. May 13.
Servulus, C. Dec. 23.
Severianus, B. M. Feb. 21.
Severin, B. C. Oct. 23.
Severin or Surin, B. Oct. 23.
Severinus, A. Jan. 8.
Severinus, A. Feb. 11.
Sexburg, A. July 6.
Sidronius, M. Sept, 8.
Sigebert II., King of Aus-
trasia, C. Feb. i.
Sigefride, B. Feb. 15.
Sigismund, King of Bur-
gundy, M. May i.
Silave. B. C. May 17.
Silverius, Pope, M. June 2a
Silvin, B. C. Feb. 17.
Simeon Stylites, C. Jan. 5.
Simeon, B. M. Feb. 18.
Simeon of Ctesiphon, B. M.
April 17.
Simeon, July i.
Simeon Stylites **the
Younger," Sept. 3.
Simon, an Infant, M. Mar.
24.
Simon Stock, C. May 16.
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St. Simon, Apostle, May 28.
" Simplicius, Pope, C. Mar. 2.
" Simplicius, M. July 29.
Sina, Deacon, M. Nov. 10.
Sindulphus, Priest, Oct. 20.
" Siran, A, Dec. 4.
Sisinnius, M. May 29.
Sisoes, H. July 4.
Sixtus I., Pope, M. April 6.
Sixtus III., Pope, Mar. 28.
Smaragdus, M. Aug. 8.
" Socrates of Britain, M. Sept.
17.
" Sola, H. Dec. 3.
" Sophia, V. M. April 30.
Sophronius, B. C. Mar. 11.
Soter, Pope, M. April 22.
" Soteris, V. M. Feb. 10.
Souls, All, Nov. 2.
St. Speratus, M. July 17.
" Speusippus, M. Jan. 17.
" Spiridion, B. C. Dec. 14,
Stanislas, B. M. May 7.
Stanislas Kostka, C. Nov. 13.
Stephen of Grandmont, A.
Feb. 8.
" Stephen, A. Feb. 13.
Stephen of Citeaux, A. C.
April 17.
Stephen, Pope, M. Aug. 2.
Stephen, King of Hungary,
C. Sept. 2.
Stephen of Britain, M. Sept.
17.
Stephen " the Younger," M.
Nov. 28.
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532 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Stephen, Proto-martyr, Dec
St. Tcrtius, M. Dec. 6.
26.
" Thais, " the Penitent/' Oct
•• Stephen, " Invention of his
8.
Relics/* Aug. 3
" Thalassius, M. C. Feb. 22.
" Sulpicius, Pious, B. C. Jan.
" Thalilaeus, R. C. Feb. 27.
17.
" Thca, M. July 25.
'* Sulpicius le D6bonnaire, B.
" Thecla, V. M. Sept. 23.
Jan. 17.
" Thcliau, B. C. Feb. 9.
•• Sulpicius Severus, Jan, 29.
" Theobald, C. July i.
*' Sulpicius, B. Jan. 29.
" Theobald, A. July 8.
" Suranus, A, M, Jan, 24.
'* Theodora, a Greek Saint,
" Susanna, V. M. Aug. 11.
Empress, Feb, 1 1.
" Swidbert ** the Ancient,"
" Theodora, V. M. April 28.
B. C. Mar. i.
" Theodore, B. C. Sept. 19.
•* Swithin, B. C. July 15.
" Theodorct, M. Oct. 23.
" Syagrius, B. C. Aug. 27.
" Theodoras (Stratilatcs), M.
•• Sylvester Gozzolini, A. Nov.
Feb. 7.
26.
" Theodoras, B. C. April 22.
" Sylvester, Pope, C. Dec. 31.
" Theodorus (Tyro), M. Nov.
•• Symmachus, Pope C. July
9.
19-
" Theodoras " the Studite,"
" Symphorian, M. Aug. 22.
A. Nov. 22.
" Symphorosa and her Seven
" Theodorus Grapt, C. Dec
Sons. MM. July 18.
27.
" Syncletica, V. Jan 5.
" Theodoras of Tabenna, A.
" Syra, V. June 8.
Dec. 28.
" Theodosia of Caesarea, V.
T.
M. April 2.
St. Tanco. B. M. Feb. 16.
" Theodosius, Cenobiarch,
" Tarachus, M. Oct. 11.
Jan. II.
" Tarasius, Patriarch of Con-
•• Theodota, M. Sept. 29.
stantinople, C. Feb. 23.
" Theodotus, M. May 18.
" Tecla, V. A. Oct. 1 5.
" Theodulus. M. Feb. 17.
" Tclesphorus VII., Pope, M.
" Theonas, B. C. Aug. 23.
Jan. 5.
** Theophancs, A. C. Mar. 13.
" Teresa, V. Oct. 15.
" Theophilus, B. C. Dec. 6,
" Ternan, B. C. June 12,
" Thierri, A. July i.
CANONIZED SAINTS
533
««
«<
St. Thillo, R. Jan. 7.
'* Thomas of Aquino, D. C.
March 7.
" Thomas of Alexandria,
Archb. Aug, 23.
" Thomas of Villanova, B. C.
Sept, 18,
" Thomas of Hereford, B. C.
Oct. 2.
" Thomas, Apostle, Dec. 21.
" Thomas k Becket, see
Becket,
Thomas 4 Kempis, Nov. 10.
St. Thrasilla, M. Dec. 24.
Thyrsus, M. Jan. 28.
Tibba, M. (VII. century)
March 6.
*• Tibertius, M. Aug. 11.
" Tiburtius, M. April 14.
•• Tigcrnach. B. C. April 5.
" Tilberht, B. C. Sept. 7.
" Timothy, disciple of St.
Paul, B. M. Jan. 24.
*• Timothy of Qesarea, M.
Aug. 19,
Timothy of Antioch, M.
Aug. 22.
Titus, B. Jan. 4.
Tochumra, V. June 11.
Totnan, M. July 8.
" Trcsain, C. Feb. 7.
" Tron, C. Nov. 23.
Trypho, M. Nov. 10.
Turiaf. B. July 13.
" Turibius, B. April 16.
Tuminus, C. July 17.
Tygrius, M. Jan. 12.
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St. Tyrannio, M, Feb. 20.
St.
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U.
Ubaldus, B. May 16.
Ulfrid, B. M. Jan. 18.
Ulmar, A. July 20.
Ulpian, M. April 3.
Ulrick, R. Feb. 20.
Uh-ick, B. C. July 4.
Ultan, B. Sept. 4.
Urban, Pope, M. May 25.
Ursmar, B. April 19.
Ursula, M. Oct. 21.
V.
St. Valentine, Priest, M. Feb.
14.
" Valcntina, V. M. July 25.
Valerian, M. April 14,
Valerian of Lyons, M. Sept.
4.
Valery, A. Dec. 12.
" Vandrille, A. July 22,
" Vancng, C, Jan. 9.
" Vanne, B. C. Nov. 9.
Vaugc or Vaught, H. June
15.
Vedast. B. C. Feb, 6.
" Venantius, M. May 18.
" Venerand, M. (in Nor-
mandy), May 25.
" Verda. V. M. Feb. 21.
Veronica of Milan, V. Jan.
Veronica Giuliani, V, July 9.
♦♦♦ Vettius Epagatus, M. June
2.
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534 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Victor of Arci«, H. C Feb.
26.
Victor, M. April I2«
Victor, M. (early) May 8.
Victor of Marseilles, M.
July 21.
Victor. Pope, M. July 28.
Victoria, V. M. Dec 23.
Victorian, M. Mar. 23.
Victoricus, M. Dec ii.
Victorinus, M. Feb. 25.
Victorious, B. M. Nov. 2.
Vigilius, B. M. June 26.
Vimin, B. C. Jan. 21.
Vincent or Vivian, M. Jan.
22.
Vincent Ferrer, C. April 5.
Vincent of Lerins, C. May
24.
Vincent, M. June 9.
Vincent de Paul, C. July 19.
Virgil. B. C. Nov. 27.
Vitalis, M. April 28.
Vitalis, M, Nov. 4.
Vitus, B. C. Feb. 5.
Vitus, M. June 15.
Vulgan, C. Nov. 2.
Vulsin, B. C. Jan. 8.
W.
St. Walburge, V. A. Feb. 25.
** Walstan, C. May 30.
" Walter, A. May 8.
•' Walter, A. June 4.
" Walthen, A. C. Aug, 3.
" Waltrude, Widow, April 9.
*• Wasnulf, C. Oct. i.
St.
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WencesIaSy Duke of Bo-
hemia, M. SepL 28.
Wenefride, V. M. Nov. 3.
Werebarge, V. A. Feb. 3.
Werenfrid, C Nov. 7.
Wigbert, A. C Aug. 13.
Wilfrid of York. B. C Oct.
12.
WiUehad, B. C. Nov. 8.
William, B. C. Jan. la
William of Maleval, H. Feb.
10.
William of Norwich, M.
Mar. 24.
William of EskiUe, A. C
April 6.
William. B. C. June 8.
William of Monte Vergine,
June 25.
William of Brieuc, B. C.
July 29.
William of Roschild, B. C.
Sept. 2.
Willibald, B. C, July 7.
Willibrord, B. C. Nov. 7.
Wincbald, A. Dec. 18.
Winoc, A. Nov, 6.
Winwaloe, A. Mar. 3.
Wiro, B. May 8.
Wistan, M. June i.
Witen, see Guy.
Withburge, V. July 8.
Wolfgang, B. Oct. 31.
Wulfhad, M. July 24.
Wulfhilde, V. A. Dec. 9.
Wulfran, B. Mar. 20.
Wulstan, B, C. Jan. 19.
CANONIZED SAINTS
535
X.
St. Xistus, see Sixtus I,
Y.
Blessed Yvo of Chartres, B. C.
May 20.
St. Yvo, C. (1353), May 22.
Z.
St. Zachary, Pope, C. Mar. 1 5.
" Zachaeus, M. (under Dio-
clesian), Nov. 18.
Readers must not think this list comprises all of the Canonized
Saints, for it does not. There are many others, this list naming
only the more noted ones.
St. Zeno, B. C. April 12.
" Zeno, M. (at Gaza), Sept. 8.
" Zenobius, B. C. Oct. 20.
" Zenobius, M. Feb. 20.
" Zephyrinus, Pope, M. Aug.
26.
" Ziu. V. April 27.
Zoticus, B. M. July 21.
Zozimus of Syracuse, B.
Mar, 30.
Zozimus, M, (116). Dec. 18.
GENERAL INDEX
Abelard, The Rationalist . 374
Abbey, Benedictine of St.
Giles . •
Clairvaux .
Denis (St) .
Mailros
Melrose
Westminster
Acta Sanctorum
Advent (Introductory) XIII
Aiden, First Columban
Bishop in Scotland
Alcuin, An early teacher
at York
Alfred, The Great .
Almanac (Introductory)
XII ... ,
Alphonsus, King]of Castile 381
All Saints Day 47© ct seq.
All Souls Day . 472 et seq.
Altera Quadragesima
(Introductory) . XIII
Ambrosian Chant . 178, 385
Andrews Cross (St) Edin-
burgh .... 5
Agnes Eve (St) . . .75
Angels and Archangels
428 et seq.
Angel of Annunciation 146, 430
392
373
382
394
394
448
240
175
147
329
330
Animals, Sacred of Mussel-
men • • •
Annunciation of Blessed
Virgin
Apostle to Andalusia
'* Axumites • •
" Ethiopia
*• France
*• Gaul .
** Germany .
** India ,
•* Ireland
•♦ North .
** Picts Northern ,
** Picts Southern
" Russia
Apostle of Saxony .
** " Sweden
" The Twelve
April
Arabian Shamrock
Areopagites, The
Arian Doctrine
** Heresy
** Vandals
** Visigoths
Arians, The
Arianism .
Arius, Promulgator of
Arianism .
343
. 146
. 128
. 464
. 463
. 434
. 4S2
. 271
184 et seq.
. 183
. 3^
• 280
. 408
. 294
141.478
. los
. yo6
. 172
. 139
. 437
. 66, 169
• 28, 117
. 327
. 118
. 108, 129
. 140
28, 117
GENERAL INDEX
537
(t
<(
Aries, See Burgundy Sec-
ond . • • .
Armagh, Book of . • I39
Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh . 71
Ascension Day . . .231
** Customs . 232
" Vigil . , 242
Ash Wednesday . .115
Ass, The procession of the 1 57
Athanaric, King of Eastern
Goths , . . 407
August .... 349
Aurelius Prudentius, Poet 17
Authorities quoted . . 501
B
60
Bannockbum, Battle of
Barbarossa, Emperor of
Germany . • .185
Barefooted Friars, See
Friars
Basil II. (The Macedonian)
Emperor of the East . 34
Basilica Eudoxian . . 352
Lateran John 358,480
Liberian . 358
Pietro in Vinculo . 352
Roman, The . . 3S7
Beads, Cuthberts (St.) . 397
Beatification . . .56
Benedictines . . . 97
Berengarius III.
Margrave of Jurea . 24
Bernard (St) Writings of . 375
Bible, See Vulgate
King James Author-
ized version of . .81
«(
tt
44
44
14
Blanche, Queen of France 381
Black Friars, See Friars
Blessed Albert, The . .185
*' Alexius Falconeri, The 106
** Barbadigo, Gregory
Lewis The . . . 290
" Eulychian, The . .15
" Pepin, The . , 1 10
•* Peter Damian, The .113
Bobadillo, Alphonso . . 347
Bogoris, King of Bulgaria , 34
Bridewell .... 90
Brigitlnes, House of Sion
339» 442
Bruce, King of Scotland , 60
Brude, King of the Picts , 283
Burgundy, " The Second "
sometimes called Aries 24
Caedmon . . • .101
Calvinists . . . .211
Candida Casa (The White
Church) . 409 et seq.
Candlemas . • . 90
Canonization of Saints 56, 275
Carthage .... 144
Catholic, Name first used . 327
Centurion, Who pierced our
Saviour's side . .13$
Chapel, Derivation of name 482
Charlemagne, Emperor 51, 479
Charles I. King of England 87
Charles II. (The Bold) King
of Burgundy . . 24
Chelles, Royal Nunnery
475. 86
538 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Childebert, King of Paris . 399
Childermas Day . • 44
Chosroes, King of Persia . 406
Christmas^. • • 37 ^ ^^*
Christmas, Date Fixed « 191
Christian religion in Britain 317
Church St. Cloud • . 399
** Columbate (Scotland) 285
*' Cluain Couairc Leins-
ter Ireland . . « 410
" St. Genevieve Paris . 52
'' St. Giles London , 392
•* St. Guduli . . 326
" John Lateran 358,479,480
" Lazarus . , •334
** Mother of . . . 480
" Nativity Jerusalem . 227
" Nives (snow) The
Maria Ad . . . 358
" Oldest in the world , 227
" At Bethlehem . . 372
*• Peter and Paul . 52, 489
Scotland, First Stone
Church . . . 409
Churching of Women . 91
Circumcision of Christ . 50
Clodomir of Orleans, Son
of Clovis L King of
France . . . 399
Clog Almanacs (Introduc-
tory) ... Ill
Clonard, See Cluin-Irard
Clotaire, King of Soissons 399
Clovis I., King of France
52, 96, 435
Cluin-Irard . . ,19
Coenobiarch on Coenobite . 62
«
u
Coinage of Qeopatra . 67
*« " Clovis II. and
Dagobert, Kings of
France . • .6,7
College of Borromeos at
Pavia .... 475
" Roman • . .44^
Common Book of Prayer
97. 337. 3^
Conal, King of Scotch
Dalriadans . . .281
Conference at Carthage . 47
" " Hampton
Court . , • ,81
Congregation de Propro-
ganda . . .211
Sisters of Charity . 334
Visitation of Virgin
Mary. . . .376
Conrad, (The Salic)
Emperor . . . 314
Conrad of Marpurg , . 491
Constantine, Emperor of
Rome (355) . . 23
Constantius (The Great)
Emperor, 48, 168, 370, et seq,
404 et seq.
Constantine (Copronymus) 133
Convent Aix . . .34$
'* Barcelona . . 389
" Catharine (St)
Mt. Sinai . . . 499
Fate (Ben-Fratclli) 334
Lucy (St) . .126
Paolo (St) . . 366
" Sierra Morena , 497
Corfe Castle . .140, 295
«<
It
«(
GENERAL INDEX
539
««
««
<«
««
««
«<
(4
<«
««
<«
•«
((
Corpus Christ! Day . . 263
Council at Aries (353) . 66
Beziers (356), . 66
Cxsarea (195) . 466
Chalcedon (451) . 106
£phesus(43i) . 256
Lateran (1179) . 486
Lateran (1215) . 186
Lyons (1274). . 105
Nice (318) . . 28
Nice (325), (Ecu-
menical . . 48, 165
Nice (806) . ,133
Toledo (656) . 146
Trent (1546). . 432
Cripplegate, See St Giles.
Cross Andrews (St) . . 5
** Ecclesiastic . .182
" Elevation of . . 406
" Exaltation of . .186
" Invention of . 224, 404
" Pomme . . .165
•• Resurrection . . 165
St. Stephen's . . 353
Symbolic . • . 204
Triple .181
Triumphant . . 165
Crown of St. Stephen . 393
Croyland Isle . . .191
Crucifix, The . . .151
Crusades, St. Louis . . 382
Culdees, The Scotch 130 et seq.
D
Dacia, Petrus de (Introduc-
tory) . . . .VIII
Dacian, Roman Emperor , 77
«
«<
t*
tt
(«
«
Dagobert, King of France 1 10
Damian, Peter the Blessed 113
December .... 6
Decius, Persecutions of 28, 240
Dioclesian, Roman
Emperor . . .214
Distaff Day . • • 57
Doctors of the Latin Church 132
" *' Syriac Church 324
" " Western
Church , • .127
Domitianus, Roman
Emperor . . .413
Donatus of Carthage . 41 1
Donatus, Pagan Gramma-
rian .... 431
Doway, College of . .46
Dragon of St. George . 209
Druids . . . 138, 283
Durham Cathedral . . 395
£
Easter, 162 et seq., 166 et seq.
466
" English Customs . 167
" Emblems • . .165
" Octave . . .180
Edict of Severus . . 344
Egbert, King of Wessex . 328
Elizabeth, Queen of Portu-
gal . . . .321
Elizabeth, Salutation of .315
Ember Days . . . 253
Emblems of Apostles
150, 151 etseq.
*• ** Christ 151 etseq.
** " Easter . . 165
** •** the Passion 151, 160
540 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Epiphany . . 53> 54 et seq.
" Greater and Lesser . 55
Erasmus, Desiderius . . 465
Ethelred, King of Mercia . 190
Eudocia, Roman Empress 426
Eugenius IV., Pope . . 397
Eulychian, Pope . • 15
Eustratius Proculus . .216
Eutychius of Puzzuoli . 415
Eutycia, Mother of St. Lucy 20
Eutropia, sister of Nicasius 22
Exarch, a Viceroy . . 4S4
Exaroh, a Superior-General 1 1
Expiation, Preparation for 116
Faber, Peter. One of the
Founders of the Soci-
ety of Jdsus . 8, 347
Father of the Gaulish
Church .... 482
Fathers Four Latin . . 384
" Mission . . . 334
Feast of All Saints 470 et seq.
" All Souls 472 et seq.
" Exaltation of the Cross
186
Heart of Jesus . . 273
Holy Angel — Guan-
caus .... 435
Holy Name of Jesus 7 1
Ingathering . . 424
Immaculate Concep-
tion . . . • IS
" John the Baptist. De-
collation of . , . 387
Kings • . •56
«
u
«<
«
i«
<<
«<
««
«
«
«<
«
Feast of Madonna del Nive
(of Snow) . . .358
'* Michael St. and All
Angels . . . 42S
Name of Jesus . . 360
Nativity of Blessed
Virgin . , . 401 *
" St. Nicholas . . 13
Orthodoxy . . loi
Our Lady of Mercy . 424
*' Paschal . 163 et seq,
" of St Paul. . . 80
" Presentation of B.
Virgin . . .493
St. Raphael, Arch-
angel .... 462
Sacred Heart of Jesus 273
Festival of Harvest Home . 424
Holy Name of the
Virgin Mary . . 401
" Mid-summer, . 301
•• " Miracles . . 325
" the Mother of God 146
" the Rosary . . 438
Friars, Barefooted Carmel-
ites . . . .497
*' Black, of London, .
The . . . .436
" Carmelite, Old . . 497
" Five Minor, The . 69
" White, The . . 186
Friesland . 147, 477 et seq.
Fontane, Tre, Rome . 31 !
G
Gauge Day . . .228
Genseric, King of Arian
Vandals • . 144, 327
« «
«<
i<
«(
GENERAL INDEX
541
Gibraltcr, First name.
. 460
Glasgow, City of
. 66
Good Friday .
, 160
Goths Arian
. 22
Eastern .
. 118
Gregory V. Pope
133, 258
Guelph, The name .
. 500
H
Hallowe'en . . . 468
Harvest Home . . . 424
Helena, Empress of the
East 224 et seq., 370
Henry III. of England 176, 489
•• III. (The Black) of
Germany . . .10
Heraclius . . . .47
Hereswith, Queen of East
Anglia , . .475
Heresy, Albigneses . .356
" Arian (see Arius)
28, 117
" Early Church . . 43
" Ebonites . ,107
" Eutychian . . 62
" Felix . , ,102
" Manes (Manichaen)
384 ct seq.
" Montanus . . 206
" Monothelism . . 47
•• Nazareans . .107
" Pelagian 121, 184, 345
" Privatus . .75
" Sabellianism . . 33^
" Waldensian . . 356
Hermenegild, Prince of
Visigoths . . .118
«<
<«
n
Ci
ii
Hermits of St. Austin .413
Hildebald of Cologne . 147
Hildebrand, see Gregory V.
Hipparchus of Samosata 16
Holy Rood 405 et seq.
Thursday . .231
Saturday . . .161
" Week . 157 et seq.
Homo Signorum (Intro-
ductory) . . VIII
Honorius II., Pope . .373
Hospital of St. Bernard . 291
Foundling . 334
La Magdalen . 334
Lepers . 392
House of Brigitines . . 339
Sion , . . 339, 442
Huguenots, Vindictive . 149
Huneric, African King of
Arian Vandals • , 370
Hypatia . . . 83,442
I
Iconoclasts • . • 3
Iconoclastic Bishops • .134
Immaculate Conception
. 14 et seq.
Innocents^ Day . . •44
Innocent III. Pope . .176
Innocent VIII. Pope . . 174
Invention of the Cross 224, 404
Invention of St. Stephen's
Relics . . . 353
lona 281
Irish Martyrology , .131
Isdegerdes, Son of Sapor
III 170
Isle of Stags • • • 496
542 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
January • • , .49
Jarchus Solomon, (Intro-
ductory) . . .VIII
Jesuits, See Society of
Jesus
Joan of Arc • • • 56
Joseph of Arimathea, 248, 250
John, King of England . 74
John St., Decollation of
386 et seq.
Judas . • . • 152
Julian, The Apostate
167 et seq., 386, 460
July 313
June 266
Justinus, (The Ancient)
Emperor . . .62
Kalendar Old and New
Styles . . . • 49
Kalendars (Introductory) VII
Kildare, or Kil-dara, The
City of . . .90
Kim, Scotch Harvest Home
424
Knights of the Holy Cru-
sades .... 492
Koran, The . • •47
Labarum, The . . . 405
Lactantius, the Orator . 41 1
Ladislas, King of Hungary 394
Lady Day .... 146
Lammas Day . . . 349
Lanfranc . • .20$
Lateran, The .480
Latin Fathers (The Four) 384
Latin Gate at Rome, The 42
Laura, A retreat and school
for novitiates . 11,240
Laurence, Legend of St. 21
Laynez, James . . .347
Lazarites, Fathers of the
Mission . . .334
Legend, Mohammedan . 343
Legion, The Happy . . 422
" Thebcan
420 et seq.
" Thundering . .129
Leinster . . . 410,485
Lent . . . .115
" Mid . . . .143
Leo the Armenian . .134
Leo III. (The Isaurian)
Emperor ... 3
Leo I. (The Great), Pope . 189
Leo IX., Pope . . .200
Lewis, Landgrave of Thur-
ingia . . . .491
Lewis (le Debonnaire), Em-
peror . . . .51
Liberian, see Basilica
Lincoln Cathedral . . 488
Longinus the Centurion . 135
Lothaire, King of France . 24
Lothaire, King of Italy . 24
Louis IX., King of France
(St) . . . 328, 381
Louis XIII., King of France 94
Loyola, Founder of the So-
ciety of Jesus 8, 185, 347
GENERAL INDEX
543
Lucian, Priest of Palestine 41
Luivigild or Leogivild,
King of the Visigoths
118, 193
M
Macarius of Jerusalem . 226
Maccabees, See Machabees
Machabees, The Seven
350 et seq.
Magdalene, Foundling
Hospital of Paris . 334
Magi, The Three Wise
Men . . 55 et seq.
Magi, The Druid . 283, 285
Mahomet, or Mahommed . 47
Mailros, See Melrose
Malcolm, King of Scotland 488
Mahnsbury, William of.
Historian . . .141
Manichaens, The 384 et seq.
March . . .4 120
Mariners, See Patron Saints
Martiany, Dom, French
Benedictine . • 432
Martin, Legend of St. . 483
Martinmas Day . . .481
Martyrology-Irish . .131
Martyrs, Alexandrian . 118
" . Dioclesian . » 214
England, The Proto
of ... . 292
Lyons . . . 268
" Nicomedian . .215
" Noble Army of . 378
" Samosata . .17
" Sebaste . .130
<«
«
Martyrs Utican . • 380
Marcellus, The Archiman-
dite .... 386
Margaret of Provence * 381
Mary. The Three . . 337
Mass, Gregorian . .150
The White . . 380
Maunday Thursday 1 58 et seq«
Maximian, Roman Em-
peror . • 16, 215, 336
May 220
Mell-Supp^r, Harvest
Home. • • . 424
Melrose Abbey, Old and
New .. . . 142, 394
Meropius Philosopher of
Tyre ..... 464
Michael (The Drunkard)
Emperor of the East . 33
Michaelmas Day • .428
Mid-Lent .... 143
Mid-Summer . • • 301
Missionary, The t fi
Scotland • . . 280
Mohammedan Legends . 343
Monasteries . . . 276
Monastic, See Schools
Monasterium Magnum . 409
Monastery Andrew (St)
Rome . . . 398
Bethlehem . . 432
Beverly . . .231
Bischafsheim . . 428
Cassino . , . 143
Cell-Comgall , . 236
Chartreuse . . 489
Chartreux . . 333
544 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
«<
«
««
<«
««
««
«<
««
41
«
Monastery Citeaux (Cister-
cian) .
" Cloud (St)
" Conversano
" St. Cornelius
Cropin
Croyland
Ebba (St)
Ely . ' . .92
Eu
George, Alga (St)
Glastonbury
" Glendaloch
Gill Abbey
Gregory (St) .
Heartea (Now Har-
tlepool, Eng.)
" House of Martin
lona
Jarrow
Jouarre, St. Brie
" Kloster Studuim
" Lindisfarne
" Lough Eric
" Luxeuil
•* Mailros
" Mark (St) .
" Medina
" Messina .
Micy (Orleans)
Minias (St)
" Mortuva •
" Mount Serrat
" New Corbie
Nisibis
Nogent
Perpetuus
«
ti
It
i<
«i
*t
««
«
373
399
205
102
184
191
175
299
486
397
250
486
425
481
490
409
281
64
476
387
447
425
16
395
173
497
439
476
32s
185
346
51
457
399
332
Monastery Prestby . . 490^
Regular Canons of
St. Austin .
Relz
Rippon
Rosnat
Seine
Sublaco .
Trebuitz •
Utrecht .
Wastein .
Wearmouth
Werden .
Whithorn
Winbum
Winchester (The
Old) ....
Witham, The first
Carthusian in England 489
Monks ... 19, 276
Called Mourners . 189
of Mt. Sinai . .170
Monogram Christ's
204, 359 ct seq.
Monothelism, See Heresy,
««
M
M
««
M
M
««
(f
«<
««
««
M
«<
«<
• 253
I
. 477
. 183
• 102
• 439
.455
. 478
• 442
^447
. 14T
. 408
. 428
. 329
«(
tt
252
377
34
480
143
69
Monte de Piete .
Monte Senario .
Moravian Bishops
Mother of Churches
Mothering Sunday
Moors in Seville
Muilros see Meh-ose •
N
Nathaniel, Supposed to be
same as St. Bartholo-
mew . • . .379
GENERAL INDEX
545
Nativity of Christ 37 et seq.
" Eve of . . 35
" " John the Bap-
tist . . . . 299
** " ' Virgin Mary . 400
Nebridius, Treasurer of
Emperor Theodosius 25
New Style (Introductory)
XII . . . .49
New Years . . .50, 467
Nicene Creed . . .23
Nimbus, Cruciform . . 306
Nostrandum Michael, Al-
manac (Introductory) VIII
Novantae, Pictish tribe . 409
November . , , 470
Numa Pompilius, (Kalen-
dar) . . . •49
Nunnery, Barking, The
first Benedictine in
England . 446 et seq.
" Clare (St) . . 427
" Encamacion • . 452
" Heartea . . . 490
" Mercia . . •92
Mary (St) . . 457
Royal at Chelles 86, 475
" Scornscheim . . 428
Nuns, Barefooted Carmel-
ites .... 452
" Benedictine . .123
" Capuchine . . 322
*' Cistercian . .218
** Franciscan . . 366
*• Hein, the first in North-
umberland . . . 490
•• Ursuline, The . . 459
tt
tt
Obelisk of Lateran . . 479
Octave of Christmas . . 50
" Epiphany . . 62
*• Laurence (St) . 370
" Nativity of the
B. Virgin . . 407
October . . . 434
CEcumenical Council
(Nice 325) . . 48
Olaus, King of Sweden . 104
Old Style, (Introductory)
XII. . . . ,49
Order Augustine (St)
Third .... 442
" Barefooted Carmelites
4S2. 497
" Barefooted Friars . 453
" Barefooted Trinitar-
ians .... 99
" Basil St) . . 32
" Benedictine . 97, 142
" Bennet (St) . . 325
" Black Friars . 357, 436
" Brigantines or Brigi-
tines . . . 339, 442
" Camaidoll . . 97
" Carmelites . .184
" Carmelites, See Bare-
footed
" Carmelites, Brothers
and Sisters of Strict
Observance . . . 453
" Carthusians . . 332
" Carthusian Monks . 440
" Charity of , • 128
546 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Order Cistercians . .217
'' Congregation of the
Visitation . • .85
*' Dominic (St) . • 388
*^ Dominicans . • 357
Francis (St) . . 328
Francis (Third) . 427
Franciscans, • 21a 438
Franciscan Friars . 204
Franciscan Nuns • 366
Friar Minors • . 438
Gray Friars . 210
Hermits of St Aus-
tin . . • . 413
Hermits of St. Jerom
268
Holy Trinity. The 99
James (St) . . . 445
James (St) Military 341
Jesuits . . 347, 445
Knights of St. George 208
Mendicant Friars . 438
((
((
<(
«
«
IS
l(
««
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
Mercy, Of . . .99
Minims, Of . .173
Mitigated Clares,
(Uroanists) . .126
Nuns of the Annun-
ciation . . • 94
Oratorians . .261
Our Lady of Carmel . 497
Our Lady of Mercy,
For the Redemption of
Captives . . . 389
Passionists . . 303
** Penitents . . .126
** Poor Clares . 366, 438
Poor Regular Clerks 383
ift
II
IC
II
l(
iC
Order Red Cross • 44s
'' Servants of Blessed
Virgin • • 106
" Servites . . .377
*' Stifler der Pramon-
stratenser . . .274
" Trinitarians . . 98
" Urseline Nuns • . 459
" Vallis Umbrosa • 32$
** Visitation of Virgin
Mary . . .376
« White Friars . . 186
Organ Introduced into
Churches * • . .188
Oster or Easter • • .164
Ostrogoths . . .118
Oswi, King of Northtunber-
land .... 64
Otho L Emperor of Ger-
many • .24
Otho IL Emperor of Ger-
many • • • 2$
<i
II
((
Paintings. First used in
Churches in Britain 63, 447
Palms, Blessmgof • .156
Procession of .156
Sunday . • i5S
Sunday in Eng-
land . . . .157
Pantheon. The 52, 239. 470
Paschal Feast . 163, et scq.
Passion, Emblem of 151,
160 et seq.
" Week . . .150
GENERAL INDEX
547
Patriarch, of Monks . 70
Patrick, Confessions of St. 138
" Metrical Life of St. 384
Patron Saints . 153 et seq.
" of Actors and Dan-
" Architects
" Builders
" Cities
" Brussels
" Boulogne
" Cantania
" " Florence
" " Leigc
" " Malta
" Oxford
" " Padua
" *■ Paris .
" " Winchester
Patron of Countries
" " Bohemia
" " East Indies
" " France
" " Muscovy
" Saxony
" Scotland
" Sicily .
" Wales
Patron of Cooks
" Housewii
" " Huntsmen and
" " Medicinal Springs
291
Patron of Nurses
Patron of Order of St. An-
drew's Cross in Russia
■' Order of Golden
Patron of Painters
" " Sailors and Mari-
ners . . 12,
" School-boys
" Shepherds
" *■ Women in child-
binh .
" " Theologians
Patrophjlis, Arian Bishop
Paul (St) in England . 80
Pawn-shop, The First
Pentecost . . 161,
Pepin, King
Peter's Chair, Rome 71 et n
" " Antioch
'■ Keys
Peter the Hermit
Picts, Northern and South-
ern .. ,
Pillar Saints
Pius v., Pope .
Pius X., Pope .
Plot, Dr. Robert (Introduc-
tory)
Plough Monday
Polycarp
Pope's Change of name,
The;
Priestby or Prestby ,
Rince of Apostles ,
Ptolemy, Egyptian Astron-
omer (Introductory) . \
Purgatory
548 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Purification of the Blessed
Virgin . . .90
Quadragesima (Introduc-
tion) XIII ... 98
Quigrich of St. Fillan . 60
Quinquagesima Sunday . 97
Quodvultdeus, Bishop of
Carthage , . . 144
R
Relics of St. Cuthbert . 395
" ** Edward the Con-
fessor . , . 295
" •* St. Stephen . 353
Resurrection . . .162
Restoration of St. Peter's,
Rome. . . . 332
Rheims, Seigeof . . 22
Rivers of Paradise . . 203
Robert, King of Paris . 427
Rock Day . . . 57
Rocking .... 57
Rodriguez, Simon, one of
the Founders of Jesuits 347
Rogation Days . .227
Roman Basilica . . 357
Rosary, The . 438 et seq.
Runic, The word (Intro-
ductory) . . .X
Sabellianism, Heresy . 331
Sacred Animals of Mussel-
men ...» 343
Saint, The Soldier . .482
Saints and Saint Days . 181
Saints Canonized, named
in text See page num-
bers following
St Abdas , . .170
Abraham . . .136
^bus, see St. Eugenius
Achilleus . . . 238
Adalard . . . $1
Adalbert . . . 393
Adelaide, see St. Alice
Adrian . • .401
Aebba • . .175
JEngus . . .130
Agapetus I., Pope . 415
Agape tus II., Pope . 24
Agapius . . .372
Agatha . 94 et seq.
Agnes . 76 et seq.
Aidan . . .142
Aiden . . . 490
Alban, Proto-Martyr of
England . , .292
Alberic . • .218
Albert . . .184
Alexander, Patriarch of
Alexandria . .116
Alexander I., Pope . 352
Alexander V., Pope . 94
Alexander . . 467
Alexius . • .331
Alice .... 24
Alodia . 459-^
Alphege, see St Elphege
Alphonsus Turibius , 14$
GENERAL INDEX
St.
ft
<<
««
«
«<
<<
«<
«<
(«
II
«<
«
If
II
II
«
II
i<
«
II
II
II
II
<i
Ambrose of Milan
Anacletus II., Pope . 373
Anastasia . . .196
Andrew, Apostle . . 4
Angelonium and Com-
panions . . . 435
Anicetus, Pope . .198
Anne, Mother of B.'
Virgin Mary . . 341
Anno • • • • 10
Anselm. . . I5i 205
Anthony • . . 68
Anthony of Padua . 288
Anthony, Patriarch of
Monks in Egypt . . 70
Antonio or Antony, see
St. Anthony
Apollinaris , . . 339
Apollonia . . • 99
Apollonius " the Apol-
ogist " . 198 et seq.
Asaph .... 66
A.sterius . . . 467
Athanasius 23, 222, et seq.
Augustine of England
259 et seq.
Augustine of Hippo
146, 156, 384 et seq.
Auscarius . . .104
Austin, see St. Augus-
tine of Hippo
Auxentius ** of the
Mount," see St. Stephen
Avus, see St. Euginius
Bademus . , .188
Balbina • • .352
St. Barbatus or
II
II
II
II
tt
tt
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
•I
II
II
<«
•I
II
II
I*
««
II
n
n
II
II
II
II
549
Barbas
107 et seq.
. 286
• 425
Barnabas, Apostle
Barr
Barr, see St. Finian
Barsabias . . . 458
Bartholomew . . 379
Basil the Great . 129, 289
Basilissa . . 60, 196
Bathildes, Queen of
France . . 86, 475
Becan .... 183
Bede, Historian 261 et seq.
Bees .... 491
Benedict 142 et seq., 439
Benedict of Anian . 102
Benedict XL, Pope . 320
Benedict Biscop 63,447
Bennet, see St. Benedict
Biscop
Benezet . . .194
Benjamin . 170 et seq.
Bernard of Menthon . 291
Bernard of Clairvaux
373 et seq.
Bernardino of Siena . 252
Bertille . . . 475
Bibiana ... 7
Blasius or Blase . • 93
Bonaventure . . 328
Boniface, Apostle of
Germany . , 27, 271
Borromeo, see St. Charles
Brendan . . 19, 243
Brice, see St. Britius
Bride, see St. Bridget
of Ireland
550 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Bridget of Ireland 89, 140
St Cement, Pope 4
49S
etseq.
" Bridget of Sweden 339, 442
'' Getus, Pope
. 214
" Britius . . • .485
" Clotilda
• 399
" Bruno, Apostle of
'« Clotildis .
.269
Russia . . . 294
•' Cloud .
• 399
" Bruno of Segni . . 332
" Colette
. 126
•* Bruno, Founder of Car-
'' Columbai9, 140,
279
etseq.
thusian Monks • . 440
" Columba, His Death
.286
" Caesarius . . .471
" Columkille " the
" Caimach of Archaboe . 283
Younger" .
. 19
" Caius, Pope . . . 207
" ComgaU .
.282
** Callistus . • . 450
" Conon .
. 82
" Calixtus, see St. Callistus
" Conrad
499
etseq.
Canonization of Saints,
•• Crescius
. 304
56. 275
" Crispin .
. 462
St. Casimir, Prince of
" Crispianian .
. 462
Poland . . .124
•• Cunegunda or
Cune-
•• Catharine of Alex-
gundes
• 122, 123
andria . . 498 et seq.
" Cuthbert
. 142
" Catharine of Siena 2 1 8 et seq.
" Cuthbert
394-5
" Ceadda, see St. Chad
" Cyprian
. 4"
" Cecilia . . 494 et seq.
" Cyprian
. 425
" Celestine, Pope . .184
" Cyriacus
.361
" Chad . • . .122
" Cyril .
. 83
** Charles Borromeo . 474
" Cyril of Jerusalem
. 140
" Chromatius. . . 364
** Cyril, Missionary
. 32
" Chrysogonus. . . 196
" Daniel the Stylite
. 18
** Chrysostom . . ,26
" David .
. 340
" Chrysostom. . . 89
" David of Wales
[2o etseq.
" Chrysostom (John) 29, 82
" Deel, see St. Deio
dIus
** Chysostomus, see St.
" Deicolus
. 73
Chrysostom
" Delphina
. 426
'• Clara, see St. Clare
" Deogratias ,
144. S
'* Clare . . 365 et seq.
" Denis .
. 443
** Clare of Assisi . . 438
" Dennis.
. 7
•
'* Clement of Alexandria
" Didymus
. 216
114
" Dionysius .
. 23
GENERAL INDEX
551
St. Dionysius ** thc^Arcopa-
gitc •• ... 437
" Dionysius, see St. Denis
" Dominic . 355 et seq.
" Dorotheas . « . 402
'' Drugo, see St. Dnion
" Druon . . . .197
*' Dunsun . 143, 201, 247
" Dunstan, Legends of 249
" Ebba, see St. Aebba
" Edmund . . .487
" Edmund, King of East
Angles . • . 492
" Edward the Confessor
448 et seq.
" Edward, King^of Eng-
land .... 140
" Edward, Translation of 295
" Egbert . . .477
" Eleuthenus . . . 344
** Eleutherius . . . 398
** Eligius ... 6
Elizabeth of Hungary . 491
Elizabeth of Portugal . 321
•' Elphege , . . 200
" Elzear .... 426
" Ephrem . . . 322
** Epiphanius . . . 420
" Ere . . , .243
" Erconwald , . . 446
" Ethelbert . . .251
" Ethelburge . . .446
" Etheldreda . . 298, 454
." Eugenius . . . 327
" Euginius . , . 457
*' Eulalia . . .17
" Eusebius . . . 368
«
«<
««
«
Another St. Eusebius . 368
St. Eusebius of Samosata 296
" Eusebius of Vercelli . 23
" Eustathius • . ,331
" Euthymius • • ,11
" Eutychian . . . 207
" Evaristus, Pope . , 463
" Evurchus, see Evurtius
•' Evurtius . . . 398
" Fabian, Pope . . 74
" Faith .... 440
«• Felan, see St. Fillan
" Felicitas* Sons . . 323
" Felix . . , .252
Felix I., Pope • . 264
Ferdinand III., King of
Castile and Leon . 264
" Fidelis . . .210
" Fillan .... 59
" Finan, see St. Finian
" Finbarr, see St Barr
" Finian . . • • 19
" Finian .... 409
" Flavia Domitilla . . 238
•• Flavian . • .106
" Foelan, see St. Fillan
*' Francis of Assisi
68, 365, 437
" Francis Borgia
444 et seq., 485
'* Francis di Girolamo . 237
" Francis of Paula,
Founder of the Minims 173
" Francis of Sales 84, 376
" Francis "the Seraphic" 412
" Francis Xavier 8, 184, 347
" Frideswide , . . 457
552 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St. Frumcntius .
463-4
" Gabriel.
146, 430
" Gall .
. 453
" Gamaliel
. 41
" Gamaliel
. 355
" Gelasinus .
. 383
** Genevieve . 5
I et seq.
** George . • .
. 207
*' Germanus .
. 262
'' Gildas the Historiar
i . 86
" Gildas the Wise .
. 85
" Giles . 391 ct scq.
" Godeschalc .
. 274
•* Gontran
. 149
" Gorgonius .
. 402
" Gregory II., Pope
. 103
" Gregory X., Pope
. 105
** Gregory I., the Great,
Pope . . 35,
131. 259
" Gregory Nazianzen
. 235
" Gregory of Nyssa
. 129
" Grimald
. 321
'* Gudula . . 58 et seq.
" Guthlac
. 190
" Hedwiges .
. 454
" Helen .
. 48
** Helena, Empress
224, 370 et seq.
" Henry .
. 134
*• Henry of Germany,
King of Rome
. 123
" Hermenegild
. 193
•« Hilary . . .
. 66
" Hilary of Aries .
. 229
" Hild. see St. Hilda
" Hilda .
xoi, 490
*' Hippolytus .
363- 367
«
«<
«<
«<
«
«
St. Hippolytus . . .377
" Hliba, see St. David
" Homobonus . . 484, 5
" Honoratus , . . i
" Hubert . . . .473
" Hugh of Grenoble . 172
'* Hugh of Lincoln 488,9
Hyacinth . , ,369
Hyginus, Pope . . 62
Ignatius • . .32
Ignatius of Antioch . 88
" Ignatius Loyola 184. 346
Innocent I., Pope . • 344
Irenseus of Lyons . 305
" Irenxus of Sirmium . 145
Sant Isabel de Pez, see St .
Elizabeth of Portugal
St. Isidore . . . ,156
" Itha, or Ita . , .243
" James the Great . . 42
" James Intercisus . 2
" James the Less . . 220
James Major . . 340
James of Nisibis . . 324
'* James of Sclavonia . 204
Jane Frances de Chantal
375-6
Jane, Queen of France 93
Januarius . . 108, 41$
Jerom . . 57.67,430
Joachim * . 342, 400
" Joan, see St. Jane,
Queen of France
John the Baptist . . 43
John the^Baptist, Decol-
lation of . . .386
*' John of Beverly . . 231
«
<(
«
i<
((
«
«
(I
M
GENERAL INDEX
553
St. John Climacus . .169
•• John Chrysostom, sec
Chrysostom
" John of the Cross . 497
" John of Egypt . . 148
" John the Evangelist
41, 229
John Francis Regis . 292
John of God. . .127
John Gualbert . . 324
John Joseph of the
Cross .... 125
John Lateran . , 479
John at Latin Gate . 230
John of Matha . . 98
John Nepomucen . .241
John, Pope . . .261
" John of Rome, Martyr . 302
John of Sahagun . . 287
John the Silent . .239
" Joseph Barsabas . . 336
Joseph Calasanctus . 383
Joseph, Husband of V.
Mary . . . . .141
Joseph, His Marriage . 141
Jude . . . . 465
Julia .. , . . 254
*' Julian . ... 60
" Julian of Cilicia . .137
" Juliana . . . 294
** Julitta . . . .345
" Julius I., Pope . .191
" Justina . . .425
*' Justina of Padua and
Venice . . .441
" Justus .... 481
" Kenerin, see St. Kiaran
i(
<(
tt
<i
««
«
•<
«
«
«
«
It
tt
tt
tt
tt
St. Kentigern , 65 et seq.
** Kiaran . . 124 et seq.
** Kiaran . . . .19
*' Ladislas I., King of
Hungary . . .304
" Lambert of Leige . 474
" Largus .... 361
" Laurence
21, 41, 78, 354. 361 et seq.
" Laurence of Dublin 485-6
" Laurence Justinian . 397
" Laynez, Second General
of Jesuits . . . 446
" Leander . . .117
" Leo IV., Pope . . 332
" Leocadia . . .17
" Leonard . . . 476
" Lewis Bertrand . 443-4
" Liberatus . . . 370
" Lioba .... 427
•• Louis IX., King of
France . . 328, 381
* Loyola, see St. Ignatius
Loyola
St. Lucia . . . .20
" Lucian .... 468
" Lucian of Antioch . 57
'* Lucian of Beauvais . 58
" Lucifer of Cagliari . 23
" Lucius . . . . 456
" Lucius, Pope . . 352
** Lucy, see St. Lucia
" Ludger . . . .147
'* Luke. Evangelist . 455-6
SS. Machabees, The Seven 350
St. Mallou, see St. Malo
" Malo , . . .487
554 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
St Mammertus
" Marcellianus
Marcel linus, Pope
Marcellus, Pope .
" Marcus
Margaret
Margaret of Cortona
•c
««
f<
««
<«
. 236
• 293
. 314
. 68
• 293
334-5
. 112
Margaret, Queen of
Scotland . 286,488
*' Mark, Apostle and
Evangelist . .212
•* Mark of Greece . .167
" Mark, Pope ' . .441
" Martha . . . 345
" Martin, Pope 483 et seq.
" Martin of Tours
7. 316. 409»48i etseq.
Mary of Egypt . 186-7
Mary Egyptica, see St.
Mary of Egypt
Mary, Niece of St Abra-
ham .... 136
Mary Magdalene . 337
" Mathildas, see St. Maud
" Matthew, Apostle and
Evangelist 4^7 ct seq-
** Matthias . . .114
" Maud, Queen of Ger-
many . , . ,134
" Maurice . • . 420
" Maximus , . . i
" Maximus . . .47
" Maximus of Provence 278
" Maximus of Turin . 302
" Maximus . . . 362
Melchiades, Pope 17, 48
68
«
II
«
«
«<
«i
Marcellinus, Pope
St
««
««
««
««
««
<«
M
M
«
«<
«f
<•
11
«<
«<
«<
«l
II
• I
<l
II
If
II
II
tt
II
II
II
II
It
II
f«
If
Methodius . . 34. 422
Michael and All Angels 428
Michael, Apparition of 234
Modwina . . .317
Monica . . 228,384
Mungo, or Kentigem . 66
Narcissus . • . 466
Nemesien . • .27
Nereus . • .238
Nicasius . . • 22
Nicephorus . • 133
Nicetas . • 407-8
Nicholas of Myra 1 1 et seq.
• 354, 355
• 407
409 et seq.
. 273
459 et seq.
• 50, 472
. 25
Nicodemus
Nicodemus
Ninian
Norbert
Nunelo
Odilo
Olmypias
Olon, see St Odilo
Onesimus . . .105
Optatus . , .271
Owen .... 7
Palladius . . 184, 318
Pamphillus . . .267
Pancras . .. .237
Pantxnus . . . 319
Patrick
138 et seq., 184, 257
Patrus, see St. Peter
Paul, Apostle . .310
Paul, of the Cross . 303
Paul, First Hermit . 67
Paul of Rome, Martyr 302
Paulinus . . .297-
Pelagia . . .442
GENERAL INDEX
555
St. Perpetua . . . 127
** Peter, Apostle 308 et seq.
•* Peter ad Vincula . 351
*' Peter Gonzales . • 195
" Peter Nolaseo . . 99
" Peter of Pisa . . 268
" Petronilla . . .265
'' Phillip, Apostle . . 220
" Philip Beniti or Benize 377
" Philip Neri . . 261
'* Philogonius . . 28
" Phocas . . . 315
'' Piran, see St. Kiaran
" Pius I., Pope . . 323
" Pius, Pope . 198, 200
" Placidus . . , 439
'* Polycarp . . 81, 164
" Pothinus . . . 269
** Prassede . . . 250
" Praxedis . . .336
" Prisca . . . .72
** Proclus • . . 369
" Proclus of Constanti-
nople ' • • • • 461
" Procopius , . .321
" Procopius, King of Bo-
hemia . . . .321
*' Prosper of Aquitain . 302
** Provennilus . .415
'* Ptolemy . . . 456
** Pudens . . . 250
'' Pudenziana . .250
" Pulcehria . . . 403
Quintin . , . 468
Quirinus . . .270
Raphael , . 430, 462
Raymund . 78 et seq.
M
<«
««
«<
«(
<«
St. Raymund Nonnatus
388 et seq.
Regis, John Francis . 292
Remigius 434 et seq. 489
** RestituU . . • 244
" Richard . . ,176
" Richard, Anglo-Saxon
King . . . . 27
** Robert of Molesme
217 et seq.
" Romanus of Muscovy . 340
" Romanus, Roman Sol-
dier . . . .361
'' Romaric . . .16
'' Romaricus, see St
Romaric
" Romuald . 96 et seq.
" Rose di Lima • . 388
'' Sabas • . . 407
•* Sadoth . . .109
*' Sales, Francis of . 84
Santiago, see St. James
Major
St. Satuminus of Toulon . 4
*' Scholastica • . . 100
" Sebas . . .10
" Sebastian • . • 7S
" Servulus . . .35
" Sigefride . . 104-5
" Silverius, Pope . . 296
** Simeon, see St. Simon
** Simeon Stylites . 18, 53
'* Simeon Stylites the
Younger . . . 394
** Simon . . .107
" Simon Stylites, see St.
Simeon Stylites
556 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
It. Simon Zelotus , 465
" Siiuu-agdus . , . 3S1
" Sixtus I., P(^ , . 183
" Sixtus II., Pope . 359, 363
" Sixtus III., Pope .
" Sixtus IV., .Pope . . 69
" Sosius . . . 415
" Soter, Pope
" Stanislas Kostlu . . 485
" Stephen of Citeaux . 200
" Stephen of Hungary 393-4
" Stephen, Invention of
Relics of . , . 353
" Stephen, Pope . . 353
" Stephen, Proto-martyr
40,41
" Stephen the Younger 2, 3
" Swithin . . . 328
" Sylvester . . .48
" Teresa 450 et seq., 497
" Thaddaeus . . 465
" Theau ... 7
" Thecia 372, 432 et seq.
" Theobald , . .313
" Theodora . . .216
" Theodora . . . 352
" Theodora, .Empress o(
the East . . .101
" Theodore . . . 414
" Theodoret 460 et seq.
'' Theodosius , . .62
" Theresa, see St. Teresa
" Thilchildes . , 476
" Thomas the Almoner 413
" Thomas of Aquino . 126
" Thomas i Becket 45 et seq.
" Thotnas Cantelupe . 436
St. Thomas D t d y m n >,
Apostle .29 et seq.
" Tibantos . .364
" Tigernach . . tSi
" Timothy . . .372
" Timothy of Ephesoa . 79
" Titus .... S3
" Tranquillinus , . 364
" Uriel . . . .430
" Ursula and Eleven
Thousand Virgins . 4s8
" Valentine , . . 103
" Valeria . . , 393
" Vedast ... 96
" Veronica Guiliani . 333
" Veronica of Milan 64 et seq.
" Victor. Pope . . 344
" Viciorinus . . 472
" Vincent . 77 et seq.
" Vincent of Lerins , 255
" Vincent de Paul . . 333
" Vindemial . , .327
" Vitalb . . .293
" Vitus . . . 290-1
" Walburga . . 26, i7
" Wereburg . . .92
" Wilfrid . 122, 447, 477
" Willehad . . .478
■■ Willferder, see St. Wilfrid
" William of Bourges . 61
" William of York . 278
■■ Willibald . 36, 27, 320
" Willibrord . , ,477
" Winebald ... 36
" Wulstan . 73 et seq.
Xa^er, see St. Francis
Xavier
GENERAL INDEX
557
<•
4t
- 458
. 382
187-8
St. Xystus, see St. Sixtus
II., Pope.
Yvo .
Zeno •
" Zenobius
•* Zephrinus, Pope
" Zosimus
Sapor II., King of Persia . 170
Sapor III., King of Persia 170
Sapor's Persecutions
188 et seq. 362
Saturday before Septua-
gesima . . . 96
Saturnalia, Roman 36 et seq.
Schism of Diosconis . 415
Schools and Colleges Mon-
astic
School at Acqs, Franciscan 333
• 267
. 441
. 487
««
<t
«
««
c«
««
and
. 474
. 235
280, 410
of Berytus ,
at Charteaux
" Evesham ,
of Gratinian
Felin SS. .
of Ireland
at Mogbile ,
Magnum Monaste-
rium of St. Ninian . 409
Scotland's First Missionary 280
September . . .391
Septuagesima Sunday . 97
Seven Brothers, Martyrs . 323
Seven Martyrs, Samosata , 17
Seven Sleepers, The . 343
Sevignd, Mme. de *. . 375
Sexagesima Sunday . 97
Shamrock, The • 139, 257
Sibyls, The. Their connec-
tion with the Church
and Functions and
names . 416 et seq;
Simnel Cakes . • . 144
Sixtus IV., Pope . .174
Society of Jesus 9, 347, 445
Strathfillan, Scotland . 59
Styles of date Old and
New (Introductory) XII
Symbols . * . , 192
of Apostles . 305-6
of Evangelists
202 et seq.
" " St. Mark . .213
" The Trinity 257 et seq.
««
«
<«
Thebean Legion, The
4.20 et seq.
Theobald, Archbishop of
Canterbury . . 45
Theobald (Gregory X.)
Pope . . . .105
Theodebert, King of Aus-
trasia. . , . 473
Theodora, Empress . • 296
Theodorus, Doctrines and
Writings . . • 462
Theodosius, Emperor 178, 386
Theophilis . . , 466
Thundering Legion, The
127 et seq;
Tomb of Edward the Con-
fessor . 449 et seiq.
Transfiguration, The , . 358
558 SAINTS AND FESTIVALS
Translation, Relics of Ed-
ward the Confessor . 448
Tre Fontane, Rome • 312
Triads, The . • .121
Trinity Sunday . . 256
Trinity, The . 257 ct seq.
Tudivald, King of South-
em Picts . . • 410
Turgot, Confessor of Queen
Margaret of Scotland 488
Twelfth Day ... 54
U
Urban, President of Pales-
tine . . . .372
Ursuline Nuns . . 459
Valens, Emperor of the
East .... 407
Valeses, Emperor , , 386
Vatican, The . , . 489
Venus, Temple of . . 226
Veronica, (St) and our Sa-
viour . . . .65
Vera Iconica, The . , 65
Vespasius, Roman Em-
peror. . . .339
Victor, Roman Soldier, of
Marseilles . . . 336
Victor, Roman Soldier and
Martyr . . . 422
Victorinus, Rhetorician . 431
Vigil of Agnes (St) , Eve . 75
" " All Saints 467 et seq.
" *• Ascension, The . 242
•• " Laurence (St) . 361
««
4«
Virgin, Assumption of the
Blessed . . 368, etc.
Nativity of the Blessed
400
Presentation of the
Blessed . . . 493
" Purification of the
Blessed . . .90
" Visitation of the
Blessed . . ,315
Visigoths, The . . 118
Vulgate, The . . .430
W
Well, Anthony's (St) . 71
Well Dressing . . . 232
Westminster Abbey 448 et seq.
Whitikind, Duke . . 479
Whit-Sunday . . . 245
William of Malmsbury,
Historian . . . 202
William (Rufus), King of
England . 206, 488
Winchester, The City of . 328
Wise Men, Adoration of the 55
Wool-comb . , -93
Wulphere, King of Mercia 92
Xerophagie, The • • 158
Xistus, See Sixtus
Yule
• • •
40
Zeno, Emperor . . 240
tx"^