Archive
April 14 Saint Bénéze
Patron Saint of Bridge Builders
A shepherd in the fields of France, during an eclipse he received a vision telling him to build a bridge over the Rhone at Avignon; In his vision, he was told angels would watch his flocks while he was gone. He was also commanded to build the bridge at a point where the force of the Rhône was so great that it had discouraged even Roman engineers in antiquity. When the church and civil officials refused to help him, he lifted a huge stone into place, and announced it would be the start of the foundation.
According to the legend, there were shouts of “Miracle! Miracle!” when Bénézet had laid the first stone. Eighteen miracles occurred in total: the blind had their vision restored, the deaf could hear again, cripples could walk; and hunchbacks had their backs straightened.
Bénézet thus won support for his project from wealthy sponsors who formed themselves into a Bridge Brotherhood to fund its construction.
After his death, Bénézet was interred on the bridge itself, in a small chapel standing on one of the bridge’s surviving piers on the Avignon side. His relics were enshrined there until 1669, when a flood washed away part of the bridge. His coffin, recovered, was opened and the body of Bénézet was found to be incorrupt. His relics were eventually placed in the Celestine church of Saint Didier. The remains of the bridge still remain a pilgrimage site.
April 12 Saint Alferius of La Cava
St. Alferius lead the model life of a nobleman in tenth century Italy. He was learned, acted as an ambassador for the duke of Salerno, Italy, traveled all over southern Italy. When he became seriously ill in Chiusa, Italy he was taken to the local monastery. Like many a sickly person, he made the clichéd pact that if he recovers he will join religious life. He did recover and he followed through on his promise to God. He became a monk in France and then was sent to his hometown of Salerno to reform the monasteries and local priests. He met with little success so he became a hermit in the foothills of Salerno.
His gentle teachings and wisdom earned a rather large following. He chose twelve of his favorite students and started his own monastery. The abbey became the motherhouse for scores of others in the region; this network of houses became a powerful force for civilization and religion in Sicily and southern Italy. Alferius lived to be 120, governing the abbey until the day he died, on Holy Thursday. On that day, he celebrated mass, and washed the feet of his brothers, including the future Pope Blessed Victor III. Twelve of the abbots of his monastery have gone on to be beatified.
April 9 St Hugh of Rouen
A French priest in the 700s, the most astonishing fact about him was that he held two bishop seats at the same time. In 724, he became both bishop of Paris and bishop of Bayeux. No word on how successful he was at being in two place at once.
April 8 St. Julia Billiart
Patron Saint Against Illness
St. Julia was born into a poor family in 1751 at Cuvilly, France. She had little education, but had memorized the catechism by age seven and began teaching other children. At age 22, she was sitting next to her father when some one shot at him; the shock left her partially paralyzed. During the French Revolution, a group of her friends helped organize the work she’d started by teaching young women and girls. Julia was miraculously healed of her paralysis in 1804 and resumed teaching and organizing the other women. Her organization became the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame (Institute of Notre Dame; Sisters of Notre Dame), dedicated to the Christian education of girls.
The real truth of why I picked St. Julia for today was because of a picture of her I found on the SQPN website. It made me want to know the woman in the painting.
St. Julia Billart
April 7 St. John Baptist de La Salle
Patron Saint of Educators
Born into a wealthy family on April 30, 1651 at Rheims, France, St. John began his studies for priesthood in Paris France. He left when to care for his siblings upon the death of his parents. When they had grown, he returned to his studies and was ordained in 1678. Founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Christian Brothers) in 1681. He instituted the process of dividing students into grades; established the first teacher‘s school, started high schools and trade schools, and was proclaimed the patron of all teachers of all youth by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Today, say a prayer for that special teacher (or teachers) in your life.
April 1 St. Hugh of Grenoble
Patron Saint of Headaches
St. Hugh was born in 1025 to a soldier and a church going mom. One of the original church ladies. He was an exceptional student and was ordained at age 25. He was sent to Grenoble, France to settle peace amongst the priests and towns people. Convinced that he had not improved the lives or the holiness of his priests. he resigned and became a monk. After a year, Pope Gregory ordered him back to Grenoble. This time his efforts were met with success. The clergy were infused with a new zeal for caring for the poor and preaching the Word. He oversaw the building of a large abbey and the start of a cathedral. A sufferer of headaches later in life. I am not sure if he is patron saint of headaches for his physical affliction or for the trials of his first attempt at reforming priests.
March 30 Saint Leonard Murialdo
After reading the news of various state governments restricting union rights, President Obama being called a socialist, and reduced funding (both private and public) for social services, today’s saint struck a chord in me.
St. Leonard was born in the early 1800s and educated in both Italy and France. Returning to his hometown of Turin, Italy he worked to reestablish a floundering college, started a program for teenage boys that became the model for Boys Town, supported the Catholic Workers Union, established a national federation to improve the level of Italian journalism and was an outspoken advocate for worker’s rights. He was labeled a socialist for lobbying for an eight hour work day and safe working conditions.
It is nice to know some of our public leaders (and some of their critics) are following in holy footsteps.
March 28 Saint Guntramnus
Born in France in the 500s, he married Mercatrude. But decided he did not like living with her, so divorced her. When she later became ill, he hired a doctor to save her. When the doctor could not and Mercatrude died, Guntramnus had the doctor killed. Guntramnus later converted to Christianity and spent the rest of his life in penance for his previous sins. He became a protector of the oppressed, care-giver to the sick, open with alms, especially during times of plague and famine. He even forgave, and went on to work with, the two people who tried to have him assassinated.
His skull currently resides in a silver box in the church of Saint Marcellus, which he had founded.
March 20 St. Clement of Ireland
First a quick biography: Born in Ireland ca. 750 AD, educated as a priest in France, returned to Ireland to start educating the masses. Had such great success that Charlemagne asked him and his companion, Ailbe, to return to France to serve the court. Started a palace school and a school in Paris. These became the seeds of the education culture in Paris that grew into the famed University of Paris. Died in 818 Ad while in retirement in Auxerre, France.
For me, there are two interesting facets of his life. One was the impact of the Irish intellect on the French Court. St. Clement and Ailbe brought intellect and logic to the forefront of the Court’s psyche. St. Clement influenced not only the current court of Charlemagne, but many future courts through his students such as Bruno, Modestus, and Candidus. His legacy of learning and thought was the foundation upon which Paris grew into a modern and urbane center of culture and learning. Yet another contribution of the Irish.
Second interesting fact: St. Clement was deposed from the priesthood for his belief that when Christ descended into Hell, he restored all the damned. This doctrine came from his belief as a Christian Universalist. CU’s believed that all immortal souls, because of the love and mercy of God, will ultimately be ‘reconciled’ with God. Despite being removed from the priesthood, he was still made a saint.
A small side note, the first biography of St. Clement was written while he was still alive by an unnamed Irish monk and the book was dedicated to Charles The Fat.
dailysaint 