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On January 15, 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:

St. Alexander of Gomon (abbot, c. 440)
St. Arnold Janssen of Goch (German, priest, teacher, convent chaplain, journal editor, founder of missionary Society of the Divine Word [SVD], founder of Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, co-founder of contemplative Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration ["Pink Sisters"], died at about age 71 in 1909 [beatified 1975, canonized 2003])
St. Blaithmaic of Iona (Irish, abbot, missionary in Britain, martyred in 823)
St. Bonet of Auvergne (French, king's chancellor, bishop of Clermont, Benedictine monk after retirement, died at about age 87 c. 710)
Sts. Britta and Maura (martyred in 4th century)
St. Ceolwulf of Lindisfarne (Northumbrian [British], king, abdicated to become Benedictine monk, c. 764)
St. Emebert of Cambrai (Belgian, bishop, brother of two saints, c. 710)
St. Ephysius of Sardinia (Italian, martyred c. 303)
St. Francis Fernández de Capillas of Baquerín de Campos [Francisco] ["Proto-martyr of China"] (Spanish, Dominican missionary priest in Philippines, first Christian martyr in China, tortured and martyred [beheaded] at age 41 in 1648 [beatified 1909, canonized 2000])
Sts Gwrnerth and Llewellyn (Welsh, monks, 6th century)
St. Habakkuk [also spelled Habacuc] (Judean, prophet, author of Old Testament book, 6th century BC)
St. Isidore of Alexandria (Egyptian, priest, persecuted by Arians, d. 404)
St. Ita of Limerick [baptized Deirdre] (Irish, nun, c. 570)
St. Jeffrey of Peronne [Geoffroi] (French, Cistercian prior, d. 1147)
St. John Calybites of Constantinople ["kalabytes" means "hut-dweller"] (from Asia Minor [now called Turkey], hermit, c. 450)
St. Lleudadd of Bardsey (Welsh, abbot, 6th century)
St. Macarius the Elder of Alexandria (Egyptian, cattle herder, hermit priest, died at about age 90 c. 390)
St. Malard of Chartres (French, bishop, c. 650)
Sts. Maurus and Placid of Rome (Italian, disciples of St. Benedict of Nursia, Benedictine abbot and monk, 6th century)
St. Maximus of Nola (Italian, bishop, c. 250)
St. Micah of Moresheth [also known as Michaeas] (Judean, prophet, author of Old Testament book, 8th century B.C.)
St. Paul of Thebes (Egyptian, desert hermit, died at about age 111 in 342)
Bl. Peter of Castelnau [Pierre] (French, Cistercian priest, papal legate, inquisitor of Albigensians, martyred [lanced] by heretic in 1208)
St. Sawl (Welsh, chieftain, 6th century)
St. Secundina of Rome (Italian, virgin, martyred c. 250)
St. Tarsicia of Rodez (French, hermitess, c. 600)

[From St. Macarius the Elder:] "Receive from the hand of God poverty as cheerfully as riches, hunger and want as plenty, and you will conquer the devil and subdue all your passions."

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), December 27, 2004

Answers

-- (Godbless@our.Saints), January 15, 2005.

Thanks, Ty. I was away all day. JFG

-- ("jfgecik@hotmail.com), January 15, 2005.