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On November 23, we members of the Catholic Church family honor, in a special way, the following friends of God -- "saints" and "blesseds" whose souls are now in heaven:

Pope St. Clement I of Rome (Italian, disciple of Christ's Apostles, probably ordained to priesthood by St. Peter, chosen fourth pope c. 88, reigned until martyrdom [possibly by drowning] c. 97)
Bl. Michael Augustine Pro of Guadalupe [Miguel Agustin] (Mexican, ordained Jesuit priest in Europe, master of disguise in persecuted homeland, martyred by firing squad at age 36 in 1927 [beatified 1988]) [On U.S. “particular calendar”]

St. Amphilochius of Iconium (from Asia Minor [now called Turkey], bishop, c. 392)
St. Clement of Metz (French, bishop)
St. Columban of West Leinster (Irish, Benedictine abbot in France, died at about age 72 in 615)
St. Felicity of Rome (Italian, widow, martyred in 165)
St. Gregory of Girgenti (Sicilian, Byzantine Catholic bishop, c. 638)
St. Guy of Casauria [Guido] (Italian, Benedictine abbot, d. 1045)
St. Lucretia of Mérida (Spanish, virgin, martyred in 306)
Bl. Margaret of Pinerolo [Marguerite] (French, queen of Savoy, widow, Dominican tertiary, nurse of plague victims, visionary, died at about age 82 in 1464 [beatified 1669])
St. Paternian of Fermo (Italian, bishop, c. 343)
St. Paulinus of Caermarthen (Welsh, abbot, c. 505)
St. Rachildis of Saint-Gall (Swiss, Benedictine hermitess, c. 946)
St. Sisinius of Cyzicus (from Asia Minor, bishop, c. 325)
St. Trudo (northern European, Benedictine abbot, c. 695)
St. Wilfetrudis of Nivelle (Belgian, Benedictine abbess, c. 670)

[A few thoughts and prayers of Bl. Miguel Pro:]
"We ought to speak, shout out against injustices, with confidence and without fear. We proclaim the principles of the Church, the reign of love, without forgetting that it is also a reign of justice."
"Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with sufferings? Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord, Jesus Christ. "
"I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith... Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love. Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee. Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life."
"Viva Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King!"

If you have anything to share about these holy people, please reply now -- biographical episodes, prayers through their intercession, the fact that one is your patron -- whatever moves you. If you are interested in one of these saints or blesseds and want to find out more about him/her, please ask. Additional information is sometimes available on the Internet.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik ("jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 20, 2004

Answers

-- ("jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 23, 2004.

Mentioned above is St. Guy (Guido) of Casauria. Omitted above is the following confrere of his. [Some observe their memorial on the 24th or 25th.]

St. Adalbert of Casauria [Adalberto] (Italian, Benedictine monk, c. 1045)

-- ("jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 27, 2004.