[Robert Drobot]

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Commemorating The Feast of † Saint John Almond, Martyr and Confessor of the Faith † Artist Unknown This holy priest was born about A.D. 1577; passing his childhood at Allerton near Liverpool, where he was born, and at Much-Woolton as well. His later boyhood and early manhood were spent in Ireland, until he went to the English College, Rome, at the age of twenty. He concluded his term there brilliantly by giving the "Grand Act" -- a public defence of theses which ocver the whole course of philosopy and theology -- and was warmly congratulated by Cardinals Baronius and Tarugi, who presided. The account of his death describes him as "a reprover of sin, a good example to follow, of an ingenious and acute understanding, sharp and apprehensive in his conceits and answers, yet complete with modesty, full of courage and ready to suffer for Christ, that suffered for him." He was arrested in the year 1608, and again in 1612. In November of this year seven priests escaped from prison, and this may have sharpened the zeal of the persecutors, The Church of England in the person of Dr. King, the heretic Bishop of London, being especially irritated against Almond. Saint John Almond displayed to his last a great acuteness in argument, and died with the Holy Name of Jesus Christ upon his lips. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on 5 December 1612 at Tyburn, London, England for the crime of being a Catholic priest.

[Robert Drobot]

CALENDAR of the SAINTS Anno Dómini 5 December 2010 "....and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. ~ ~ Apocalypse Α ☧ Ω Saint Anastasius, Martyr Martyr whose death was recorded in the Roman Martyrology. The account states that Anastasius turned himself into the authorities joyfully. Α ☧ Ω Saint Aper of Sens First priest in 7th century LaTerrasse, diocese of Grenoble, France. After years of bickering among his parishioners and slander from every corner, he retired to live as a hermit at LaChambre, diocese of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, France. Built a cell for private prayers, and a nursing home to care for the poor. Spiritual director of a man later known as Aprunculus ( little wild boar ). The town of Saint-Avre, France grew up around the cloister. Α ☧ Ω Blessed Bartholomew Fanti of Mantua Carmelite priest at Mantua, Italy for 35 years. Spiritual director and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which he composed a rule and statutes. Spiritual teacher of Blessed John Baptist Spagnuolo. Noted preacher and healer with a strong devotion to the Eucharist. Α ☧ Ω Saint Basilissa of Øhren, Martyr Benedictine nun. Abbess of Oehren (Herren; Horreum) Abbey, Trier, Germany. Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Bassus of Nice, Martyr First bishop of Nice, France. Martyred in A.D. 250 during the persecution of Catholics by Roman Emperor Trajanus Decius. His death came as he was nailed by two large metal brads to a board. Α ☧ Ω Saint Cawrdaf Chieftain in Brecknock (in modern Wales) and Hereford (in modern England). Abdicated and retired to a monastery under the leadership of Saint Illtyd. Α ☧ Ω Saint Christina of Markyate Born to the Anglo-Saxon nobility, the daughter of Autti, a rich and influential guild merchant. At age 15 she visited Saint Albans Abbey where she made a private vow of celibacy. Her parents opposed her vow, and arranged a marriage for her with a man named Berktred. Christina took her case to Bishop Robert Bloet who initially sided with her, but who was later bribed into changing his ruling. Christina was betrothed and married against her will, spending the first years of married life as a prisoner, refusing to consummate the union. With the help of a hermit named Eadwin, she escaped, and fled to Flamstead where she lived for two years with an anchoress named Alfwen. She moved to a hermitage at Markyate, Hertfordshire, England in 1118, becoming the spiritual student of the hermit Blessed Roger of Albans. In 1122, She obtained an annulment from Thurstan, Archbishop of York, England. This and the death of bishop Bloet in 1123 allowed Christina to return to Markyate where she lived the rest of her life. Her reputation for holiness soon attracted others, and her house became a priory of nuns. She was offered the position of abbess in York, Fontevrault, and Marcigny, but stayed at Markyate. A skillful needle worker, Christina embroidered mitres and sandals for the English Pope Adrian IV, a former student of Saint Albans. Α ☧ Ω Saint Crispina, Martyr Born a wealthy Roman citizen, she was a married lay woman, and mother of several children. Arrested for her Christianity during the persecutions of Diocletian. Tried, abused, humilitated and threatened in Thebeste ( Thebessa ) by Roman proconsul Anulinus, she gave a spirited defense of the faith. When she finished, she was sentenced to death by beheading in A.D. 304 at Thebeste, Numidia, North Africa ( modern Tunisia ). Saint Augustine of Hippo routinely brought up the devout Saint Crispina in his homilies on martyrs. Α ☧ Ω Saint Dalmatius of Pavia, Martyr Raised a pagan. Adult convert to Christianity. Preached in Gaul and northern Italy. Bishop of Pavia, Italy for the last year of his life. Martyred during the persecution of Catholics by Roman Emperor Maximian Herculeus in A.D. 304. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Firminus Bishop of Verdun, France, the seventh bishop appointed to that see. Α ☧ Ω Saint Galganus Hermit of Siena, Italy, who lived on Mount Siepe in Tuscany. After his death he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. His shrine was given to the Cistercians in 1201, including a church built on the site of his hermitage. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Gerald of Braga Benedictine monk at Moissac, France. Worked with the archbishop in Toledo, Spain, and served as cathedral choir director. Reforming bishop of Braga, Portugal in 1100. Stopped ecclesiastical investiture by laymen in his diocese. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint Gerbold Benedictine monk at Ebriciacum (in modern France). Founder and abbot of the abbey of Livray, France. Bishop of Bayeux, France. Α ☧ Ω Saint Gratus, Martyr One of twelve Africans martyred in A.D. 302 at Thagura, Numidia, North Africa during the persecution Catholics By Roman Emperor Diocletian. Α ☧ Ω Saint John Almond, Martyr Grew up in Ireland. Educated at Much Woolton, in Rheims, France, and at the English College, Rome, Italy at age 20. Ordained in 1598. Returned to England as a home missioner in 1602. Arrested in 1608 and 1612 for the crime of being a priest. The effectiveness of his debating skills against the anti-Catholic powers of the time led to his being one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Saint John Almond was hanged, drawn, and quartered on A.D. 5 December 1612 at Tyburn, London, England. Α ☧ Ω Blessed John Gradenigo Born to the Italian nobility. Benedictine monk at Cuxa in the Catalonian Pyranees of Spain. Friend and fellow monk with Saint Peter Urseolo. In later life he retired to live as a hermit near Monte Cassino Abbey in Italy. Α ☧ Ω Bishop Saint John the Wonder Worker, Martyr Bishop of Polybotum, Phrygia. Defended orthodox teachings and the use of images against emperor Leo the iconoclast. His reputation as a miracle worker was such that the emperor feared to act against him. Α ☧ Ω Saint Julius, Martyr With Saint Potamia, Saint Felix, Saint Crispin, Saint Gratus, and companions who were martyred in Numidia, Africa. Α ☧ Ω Saint Justinian, Martyr Born to the Breton nobility. Well educated. Priest. Left his country to become a travelling evangelist. Settled to live as a hermit on the Isle of Ramsey near southern Wales, living with a pious layman named on Honorius; he moved in on the condition that all the women of the household were sent away. He visited Saint David of Wales, who was so impressed with the man’s holiness that he gave him hermitages on the mainland and a nearby island. Justinian is listed on very ancient Welsh calendars of saints and martyrs, and the church at Llanstinan is dedicated to him. Some wonderful stories have become attached to the holy hermit. Once some sailors landed at the island hermitage. They said that Saint David was very ill, and that they had been sent to bring Justinian to the mainland. En route, Justinian discerned that the sailors were actually devils in disguise. The saint recited Psalm 79; the devils changed to blackbirds and flew, leaving the boat to sail itself safely to shore where Justinian found David in excellent health. Justinian died when he advised his servants that they should apply themselves to their jobs. Goaded by devils, the three of them became enraged, assaulted Justinian, and beheaded him. At the place where the body fell, a spring of healing water emerged from the ground. The killers were struck with leprosy, and lived out their days in the caves and rocks near the hermitage. Justinian had already specified a location for his burial; a church was built over the tomb, and became known as a scene of miracles. Saint David later moved the body to his own church. Α ☧ Ω Saint Nicetius of Trier Born to a Gallo-Roman family, he was a religious youth. Monk at Limoges. Abbot. Knew and was highly thought of by King Theodoric I. Bishop of Trier, Gaul (part of modern Germany) in 532. A reformer and revitalizer, Nicetius rebuilt the cathedral and worked to bring back love of the faith in an area that was indifferently Christian. He travelled his diocese, preaching daily and speaking out against low morals of both commoners and aristocracy. Excommunicated King Clotaire I for the king’s immorality; Clotaire exiled him. Attended the synods of Clermont in 535 and 549, Orleans in 549, Toul in 550, and Paris in 555. Reformed the clergy in his see, restoring discipline and stamping out clerical vice. Fought heresy, especially Monophysitism. Α ☧ Ω Saint Nicholas Tavigli, Martyr Franciscan martyr of Jerusalem, also called Nicholas Tavelic. A native of Dalmatia, he entered the Franciscans and subsequently worked in the region around Bosnia, especially among the Paterine heretics. He then went to the Holy Land to preach among the Muslims and was murdered by them at Jerusalem. He was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. Α ☧ Ω Saint Pelinus, Martyr A martyr who was put to death in Confinium during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate. Α ☧ Ω Blessed Philip Rinaldi Philip met Don Bosco at age 5, and apparently instinctively understood the importance of the future saint. Though he felt a call to a religious vocation, Philip was torn, and was seriously considering marriage when he decided to become a disciple of Don Bosco at age 22. The Christian Brothers immediately saw something in him, and made him an assistant novice master even before he took his vows as a Salesian on 13 August 1880. Though he had no intention to become a priest, his superiors, who saw his potential better than he did, ordered him to study and take the tests, and he was ordained on 23 December 1882. In addition to his work as novice master, Philip was placed in charge of the “late” vocations, those like himself who came to the Order as adults. Director of the Salesian community of Sarriá, Spain in 1889; he opened several new houses, and brought in many new vocations. Salesian provincial director in Spain from 1892 to 1901. Began publication of in 1895. Helped the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians expand in Spain. Vicar-General of the Salesians on 1 April 1901. Founded centres to minister to the daily and spiritual needs of young women. Helped found the World Federations of Past-Pupils, and assisted the Salesian Sisters. Organized the Salesian International Congress of 1911. With Zelatrici di Maria Ausiliatrice he helped found the group that would evolve into the Volunteers of Don Bosco. Rector Major of the Salesians on 24 May 1922, the third successor to Don Bosco, and the last one to have been personally trained by him. From that position he worked to bring Doc Bosco’s vision to the 20th century, and the 20th century to the vision, doing all he could to spread Salesian spirituality and trust in God. He sent many young Salesians to learn foreign languages and customs so they would become more effective missionaries, and he asked Pope Pius XI to grant the “indulgence for sanctified work”. He travelled extensively, preaching, encouraging vocations and the spiritual life of the laity. During his tenure the number of Salesians went from 6,000 to 10,000, there were 250 new houses and centres opened, and his teacher Don Bosco was recognized as a saint. Α ☧ Ω Saint Sabbas of Mar Saba, Martyr Spiritual student of Saint Euthymius the Great at age 20. Anchorite from age 30, living in a cave, devoting himself to prayer and manual labor. He wove ten willow baskets each day. On Saturday he would take them to the local monastery, led by Saint Euthymius, and trade them for a week’s food, and a week’s worth of willow wands for more baskets. Took over leadership of the monks upon the death of Saint Euthymius. Co-superior with Saint Theodosius over 1,000 monks and hermits in the region. Sabbas was a simple man with little education, but with a firm belief in the spiritual benefits of simple living. The combination of his lack of education and his severe austerities caused some of his charges to rebel. Sabbas tired of the squabbling, and he missed his time in prayer, so he fled to TransJordania. There he found a cave inhabited by a lion; the lion moved on, finding a new home, and giving the cave to the holy man. A distorted version of this tale reached the rebellious monks; they seized on it, reported to the patriarch that Sabbas had been killed by a lion, and requested a new leader be appointed. As this message was being formally presented to the patriarch, Sabbas walked into the room. This led to a confrontation during which the complaints of the monks were aired. However, the patriach took Sabbas’s side, and the two restored order and discipline to the lives of the anchorites. Sabbas led a peaceful uprising of 10,000 monks who demanded the end of the persecutions of Palestinian bishops of Anastatius I. At age 90, Sabbas travelled to Constantinople where he successfully pled for clemency from Justinian for Samarians who were in revolt. Α ☧ Ω