Dictionary of Saints

[eschator83]

Today's feast is of St Clodulf (c605-c696) aka Clou, also Cloud, who succeeded his father, St Arnoul as bishop of Metz in 657 and is reported to have served wisely for 40 years. 

[eschator83]

Today's feast is of St Ephrem (c306-373) the only Syrian acclaimed as Doctor of the Church.  He was ordained deacon in Nisibis, but declined priesthood and episcopal consecration.  He was famous as a teacher but preferred an austere, simple life and fled to Edessa to escape Persian domination, and lived the rest of his life in a small cave.  He was known as the Harp of the Holy Spirit for the many hymns he composed.  Pray for us, St Ephrem.

[eschator83]

Today is the feast of St Landry (dc 660), aka Landericus, Bishop of Paris from 650 to 660.  He was renowned for his devotion to the poor, and founded Saint Christopher's Hospital which became world-famous as Hotel-Dieu. 

[Shin]

I truly appreciate the St. Cloud and cloud posts eschator.

[eschator83]

Pope St Leo III was Cardinal-priest at Santa Susanna when he was elected Pope in 795.  His feast was June 12, and Delaney reported Leo founded the Holy Roman Empire at Christmas 800 when he crowned Charlemagne as Emperor at St Peter's.  Please pray for us, St Leo.

[eschator83]

Today is the feast of Archbishop St Bardo of Mainz (c982-1053), who also served for a time as chancellor and chief almoner of the Holy Roman Empire.  His lifestyle was austere and he was noted for aid to the  poor, enforcement of clerical celibacy, and opposition to simony.  He was educated at the abbey of Fulda, became a Benedictine monk there, and served as abbot of Kaiserwerth (1029) and later of Horsfeld (1031).

[eschator83]

However can I understand and overcome my inconsistency in making these posts.  I still love reading the lives every day.  I first look for prior posts for the St of the day, and would quote/copy it and add a thought if I could.  When no Saint is already posted for the day, I look in Delaney or Foley and almost always find several, but then I face both the decision of which Saint to select, and which elements of their lives to celebrate.  Often little is reliably known about the Saints, but I but that doesn't seem worth mention.  I find myself struggling, and even more today when both Ss Peter and Paul are celebrated.  May they both pray for us.

[Shin]

It's fine reading these as pleasant surprises my friend to look forwards to. Irregularity has its purpose too. Whatever you prefer and find happiness with.

 

St. Peter and St. Paul, pray for us.

[eschator83]

Thank you, Shin, for your encouragement.  Today is the feast for Ss Aquila and Prisca, the couple who were so helpful to St Paul.  They were expelled from Rome c42 by the Emperor's edict expelling all Jews.  St Paul visited them in Corinth, and they went with him to Ephesus where they resided until the Emperor's death.  It seems they returned to Rome, and their house served as a church, until they were martyred, according to the Roman Martyrology, although it was also reported they returned to Ephesus and were martyred there.  Pray for us Ss Aquila and Prisca.

[eschator83]

Today is the feast of St Bonaventure (1221-74), who served as Minister General of the Franciscan Friars Minor, and later as Cardinal-Bishop of Albano when he developed the agenda for the 14th General Council of Lyons seeking reunion with the Eastern Church.  He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1588.

[eschator83]

Today is the feast of St Joseph Barsabbas, also called Justus, who was considered as replacement for Judas Iscariot as Apostle although St Matthias was chosen instead.  Delaney reports that some scholars believe Joseph was one of the 72 disciples that St Luke wrote about.

[eschator83]

Today is the feast of St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619).  He served as minister general of the Capuchin Franciscan order, also Papal emissary to many countries, and was named Doctor of the Church for his prolific writing and fluency in eight languages including Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.  At the age of 23 he had completed philosophy and Theology studies and was ordained  a priest.  St Lawrence, pray for us. 

[CyrilSebastian]

Today is the feast of St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619).  He served as minister general of the Capuchin Franciscan order, also Papal emissary to many countries, and was named Doctor of the Church for his prolific writing and fluency in eight languages including Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.  At the age of 23 he had completed philosophy and Theology studies and was ordained  a priest.  St Lawrence, pray for us. 

   
Would not twenty-three have been considered too young for a man to be ordained a priest?

[eschator83]

It's a fair question about priesthood qualifications, but so many doctrines have been changed it is sadly difficult to think of much that is constant.  The primary Capuchin website confirms his age was 23 at ordination.  My book of canon law is at home, and also a bit out of date, but my intent is to check what is there.  Also to search web, unless anyone else can help.

[eschator83]

Quora.com cites canon law for ordination is 25, but adds that bishops can dispense for age over 24 1/2 and also apply to Rome for dispensation for a younger ages.

[eschator83]

Today's feast is for St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Doctor of the Church, and founder of the Redemptorist congregation in 1732.  He received doctorates in both canon and civil law from the University of Naples at the age of 16, but in 1726 was ordained as Oratorian priest and focused on apostolic missions. His books on Moral Theology and Glories of Mary have been widely acclaimed.