Saints & Seasons

July 7th: Saints Cyril & Methodius

Saints Cyril & Methodius
Bishops & Confessors
Cyril and Methodius were brothers, born in Thessalonica to a prominent family of the Byzantine Empire in the early ninth century. They studied in Constantinople, where they took holy orders and spent some time in a monastery. After Cyril saw success on a mission to the Khazars, he and his brother were selected to answer a request by King Rastislav for preachers and teachers of the faith in Moravia, in central Europe. Cyril and Methodius worked in Moravia for several years, establishing the Slavonic Liturgy and creating a script that would develop into the Cyrillic alphabet. They were opposed by Western missionaries, who convinced Rome to summon the brothers for investigation. Pope Adrian II welcomed the brothers, who brought with them relics of Pope St. Clement as a sign of communion, and not only approved their work, including the Slavonic Liturgy, but consecrated the brothers as bishops. Cyril died while still in Rome, in the year of Our Lord 869, but Methodius returned to central Europe and continued the work that earned both brothers the title “Apostles to the Slavs”, until his own death in the year of Our Lord 885. Cyril and Methodius, hailed as patrons of Europe along with St. Benedict, are also honored on February 14th in the modern calendar, May 11th or 24th in the East, and July 5th in some parts of Europe.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 7th
THE holy bishops Cyril and Methodius, who are mentioned on the 9th of March.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Claudius, notary, Nicostratus, assistant prefect, Castorius, Victorinus, and Symphorian, who were brought to the faith of Christ by St. Sebastian, and baptized by the blessed priest Polycarp. Whilst they were engaged in searching for the bodies of the holy martyrs, the judge Fabian had them arrested, and for ten days he tried by threats and caresses to shake their constancy, but being utterly unable to succeed, he ordered them to be thrice tortured, and then precipitated into the sea.
At Durazzo, in Macedonia, the holy martyrs Peregrinus, Lucian, Pompeius, Hesychius, Papius, Saturninus, and Germanus, natives of Italy. In the persecution of Trajan, they took refuge in the town of Durazzo, where seeing the saintly bishop Astius hanging on a cross for the faith of Christ, they publicly declared themselves to be Christians, when, by order of the governor, they were arrested and cast into the sea.
At Perugia, blessed Benedict XI, a native of Treviso of the Order of Preachers, who in the brief space of his pontificate, greatly promoted the peace of the Church, the restoration of discipline and the spread of religion.
At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Pantaenus, an apostolic man, filled with wisdom. He had such an affection and love for the word of God, and was so inflamed with the ardor of faith and devotion, that he set out to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles inhabiting the farthest recesses of the East. At length returning to Alexandria, he rested in peace, under Antoninus Caracalla.
At Brescia, St. Apollonius, bishop and confessor.
In Saxony, St. Willibald, first bishop of Eichstadt, who labored with St. Boniface in preaching the Gospel, and converted many nations to Christ.
At Clermont, in Auvergne, St. Illidius, bishop.
At Urgel, in Spain, St. Odo, bishop.
In England, St. Hedda, bishop of the West-Saxons.
At Gray, in Burgundy, blessed Peter Fourier, Canon Regular of the most holy Saviour, renowned for virtues and miracles.
In England, St. Edelburga, virgin, daughter of an English king.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 6th: Saint Maria Goretti

Saint Maria Goretti
Virgin & Martyr
Maria was born in the year of Our Lord 1890 to a farming family in Italy. After her father died, Maria and her family lived and worked on the farm of the Serenelli family. When Maria was nearly twelve, nineteen-year-old Alessandro Serenelli became obsessed with her, and one day cornered her in the farmhouse and threatened to kill her if she would not submit to his desires. The pious and chaste Maria refused, not only in defense of her own virginity, but to prevent Alessandro from committing mortal sin and going to hell. Alessandro choked her, then stabbed her over a dozen times before fleeing. Maria died in a hospital the next day, while expressing forgiveness for her killer. Alessandro remained unrepentant in prison, until he received a vision of Maria, dressed in white, smiling and handing him pure white lilies. The young man converted, and after his release he begged forgiveness from Maria’s mother, which she granted. Alessandro testified for Maria’s beatification, became a lay brother of the Capuchin friars, and was present with Maria’s family at her canonization. Also honored on this day are the Holy Prophet Isaiah; St. Romulus; St. Goar, patron of innkeepers; the birthday into heaven of St. Thomas More; St. Sisoes the Great; St. Palladius, Apostle of the Scots; and many other martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 6th
THE Octave of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.
In Judea, the holy prophet Isaias. In the reign of king Manasses he was put to death by being sawed in two and was buried beneath the oak Rogel, near a running stream.
At Rome, the birthday of St. Tranquillinus, martyr, father of the Saints Mark and Marcellian, who were converted to Christ by the preaching of the martyr St. Sebastian. Baptized by the blessed priest Polycarp, he was ordained priest by pope St. Caius. He was arrested while praying at the tomb of blessed Paul on the Octave of the Apostles, and stoned to death by the Pagans, and thus consummated his martyrdom.
At Fiesoli, in Tuscany, St. Romulus, bishop and martyr, disciple of the blessed apostle Peter, who commissioned him to preach the Gospel. After announcing Christ in many parts of Italy, he returned to Fiesoli, and was crowned with martyrdom with other Christians in the reign of Domitian.
In Campania, St. Dominica, virgin and martyr, in the time of the emperor Diocletian. For having destroyed idols, she was condemned to the beasts, but being uninjured by them, she was beheaded and departed for heaven. Her body is kept with great veneration at Tropea, in Calabria.
The same day, St. Lucia, martyr, a native of Campania. Being arrested and severely tortured by the lieutenant-governor Rictiovarus, she converted him to Christ. To them were added Antoninus, Severinus, Diodorus, Dion, and seventeen others, who shared their sufferings and their crowns.
In the vicinity of Treves, St. Goar, priest and confessor.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 5: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Confessor
Anthony was born in Cremona to a noble Italian family in the year of Our Lord 1502. His father died when Anthony was only two years old, and his young mother devotedly raised and educated her son on her own until he was old enough to study medicine. After serving the poor as a doctor for several years, Anthony discerned a vocation, and left all he had earned to his mother so he could pursue holy orders. He was ordained at the age of twenty-six, and angels were seen around the altar at his first Mass. He earned great renown as a preacher, first in his home region and then throughout northern Italy, especially in Milan. He founded the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, known as the Barnabites, and the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul, and he helped popularize the Forty Hours’ Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Anthony’s great zeal for preaching and charitable works took a physical toll, and he fell seriously ill during a mission. He returned to Cremona, and received the last sacraments in his mother’s house at just thirty-seven years of age, in the year of Our Lord 1539. His body was found to be incorrupt, and he was eventually canonized by Pope Leo XIII.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 5th
AT Cremona, in Insubria, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, confessor, founder of the Barnabites and the Angelic Virgins. Distinguished for all the virtues and for miracles, he was placed among the Saints by Leo XIII. His body is venerated in the church of St. Barnabas, at Milan.
At Rome, St. Zoe, martyr, wife of the blessed martyr Nicostratus. Whilst praying at the tomb of the apostle St. Peter, during the time of Diocletian, she was seized by the persecutors, and cast into a dark dungeon; then being suspended on a tree by her neck and hair, and suffocated by a loathsome smoke, she yielded up her soul in the confession of the Lord.
In Syria, the birthday of St. Domitius, martyr, who by his miracles confers many favors on the people of that country.
At Cyrene, in Lybia, St. Cyrilla, a martyr, in the persecution of Diocletian. For a long while she held on her hand burning coals with incense, lest by shaking off the coals she should seem to offer incense to the idols. She was afterwards cruelly scourged, and went to her spouse adorned with her own blood.
At Jerusalem, St. Athanasius, a deacon, who was apprehended by the heretics for defending the Council of Chalcedon, and after experiencing all kinds of torments, was put to the sword.
In Sicily, the holy martyrs Agatho and Triphina.
At Tomis, in Scythia, the holy martyrs Marinus, Theodotus, and Sedopha.
At Treves, St. Numerian, bishop and confessor.
St. Michael of the Saints, whose death is mentioned on the 10th of April.
At San Severino, in the March of Ancona, St. Philomena, virgin.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 4: Saint Ulrich of Augsburg

Saint Ulrich of Augsburg
Bishop & Confessor
Ulrich was born in Switzerland to a noble German family in the year of Our Lord 890. He was a sickly child, but proved himself an excellent student at the monastery of St. Gall. Ulrich considered becoming a monk himself, but a holy virgin, the future martyr St. Wiborada, prophesied his true vocation, and he received holy orders in Augsburg. After several years as a priest, Ulrich was appointed the new Prince-Bishop of Augsburg by King Henry of the Germans. Ulrich immediately reinforced discipline in the diocese, prioritizing the liturgy, preaching, and care for the poor. He was staunchly loyal to Emperor Otto the Great, and bravely guided Augsburg through a siege by Magyar invaders, leading prayers and processions constantly until relieved by Imperial forces. Near the end of his life Ulrich tried to resign in favor of his nephew, due to illness and a desire to retire to a monastery, but he was accused of nepotism, for which he earnestly apologized. He died soon after, and was interred in one of the many churches he had rebuilt in his see. Ulrich was the first confessor to be officially canonized by a pope, and he is hailed as a patron of expectant mothers and against rodent infestations.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 4th
THE prophets Osee and Aggaeus.
In Africa, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Jucundian, a martyr who was drowned in the sea for Christ.
In the diocese of Bourges, St. Laurian, bishop of Seville and martyr, whose head was taken to Seville, in Spain.
At Sirmium, Saints Innocent and Sebastia, with thirty other martyrs.
At Madaurus, in Africa, the martyr Namphanion and his companions, whom he strengthened for the combat and led to the crown of martyrdom.
At Cyrene, in Lybia, the holy bishop Theodore. In the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Dignian, he was scourged with leaded whips, and had his tongue cut out. Finally, however, he died a confessor.
The same day, the birthday [into heaven] of the Saints Flavian II, bishop of Antioch, and Elias, bishop of Jerusalem, who were driven into exile by the emperor Anastasius, in defense of the Council of Chalcedon, and went victoriously to God.
At Augsburg, in Bavaria, St. Uldaric, a bishop illustrious for extraordinary abstinence, liberality, vigilance, and the gift of miracles.
At Lisbon, St. Elizabeth, widow, queen of Portugal, whose festival is celebrated on the 8th of this month, by order of Innocent XII.
At Tours, the translation of St. Martin, bishop and confessor, and the Dedication of his Basilica, which took place on the anniversary of his elevation to the episcopate some years previous.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 3: Feast of Saint Leo II

Saint Leo II
Pope & Confessor
Leo was born in Sicily in the seventh century, and was known for both his piety and his excellent training in languages, music, and many other subjects. In the year of Our Lord 681 Leo was elected to succeed Pope St. Agatho, but his consecration was delayed for over a year and a half, due to an ongoing negotiation between Rome and the Byzantine Emperor regarding papal elections. Leo’s actual reign was even shorter than the delay between his election and consecration. Most notably, he confirmed the decrees of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, also known as the Third Council of Constantinople, which was held just before his pontificate. This council anathematized the Monothelite heresy, and famously included a censure of Pope Honorius, who had failed to actively suppress Monothelitism, and even worse had caused grave scandal in seeming to favor the heresy by his silence. Leo also reaffirmed the authority and jurisdiction of the papacy, contributed to reforming Gregorian chant, and composed several new hymns himself. He died in the year of Our Lord 683.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 3rd
AT Alexandria, St. Tryphon, and twelve other martyrs.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Eulogius and his companions.
At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, St. Hyacinthus, chamberlain of the emperor Trajan. Accused of being a Christian, he was scourged and thrown into prison, where, consumed with hunger, he breathed his last.
At Chiusi, in Tuscany, in the reign of the emperor Trajan, the holy martyrs Irenaeus, deacon, and Mustiola, a matron, who were subjected to various atrocious tortures and merited the crown of martyrdom. The same day, the holy martyrs Mark and Mucian, who were put to the sword for Christ. As a small boy cried out to them not to sacrifice to idols, he was whipped, but confessing Christ all the more vigorously, he was killed with a man named Paul, who had also exhorted the martyrs.
At Laodicea, in Syria, St. Anatolius, a bishop, whose writings were admired not only by religious men, but even by philosophers.
At Altino, St. Heliodorus, a bishop distinguished for holiness and learning.
At Ravenna, St. Dathus, bishop and confessor.
At Edessa, in Mesopotamia, the translation of the apostle St. Thomas from India. His relics were afterwards taken to Tortona.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 2: The Feast of the Visitation

The Visitation of Our Lady
To Her Cousin Saint Elizabeth, Mother of Saint John the Baptist
Today’s feast honors the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin St. Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with St. John the Baptist. The infant John leaps with joy in his mother’s womb at Our Lady’s greeting, and the Church considers this the moment of John’s sanctification. Elizabeth hails her cousin as the Mother of the Lord, and Our Lady responds with the glorious canticle called the Magnificat. The traditional date of July 2nd falls on the day after the Octave-Day of St. John the Baptist’s Nativity, which is the day the infant John would have been circumcised and named. Thus today fittingly celebrates the conclusion of Our Lady’s Visitation, which lasted about three months, as the Gospel attests. This feast was fixed to July 2nd and extended to the universal Church in the year of Our Lord 1389 by Pope Boniface IX, with the intention of asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession to end the Great Schism. In the modern calendar, this feast is moved to May 31st, replacing the feast of the Queenship of Our Lady.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 2nd
THE Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth.
At Rome, on the Aurelian road, the birthday [into heaven] of the holy martyrs Processus and Martinian, who were baptized by the blessed apostle Peter in the Mamertine prison. After being struck on the mouth, racked, scourged with thongs and whips tipped with pieces of metal; after being beaten with rods and exposed to the flames, they were beheaded in the days of Nero, and thus obtained the crown of martyrdom.
Also, at Rome, three holy soldiers, who were converted to Christ by the martyrdom of the blessed Apostle Paul, and with him merited to be made partakers of heavenly glory.
The same day, the holy martyrs Ariston, Crescentian, Eutychian, Urbanus, Vitalis, Justus, Felicissimus, Felix, Marcia, and Symphorosa, who were all crowned with martyrdom when the persecution of the emperor Diocletian was raging.
At Winchester, in England, St. Swithin, bishop, whose sanctity was illustrated by the gift of miracles.
At Bamberg, the holy bishop Otho, who preached the Gospel to the people of Pomerania, and converted them to the faith.
At Tours, the demise of St. Monegundes, a pious woman.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

July 1: Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
This feast dates back several centuries on local calendars, and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Bl. Pius IX. In the modern calendar it is missing, merged into the venerable feast of Corpus Christi, which is renamed “The Body and Blood of Christ”. The assumption, however, that the existence of these two feasts unnecessarily splits or duplicates devotion to the Blessed Sacrament ignores the rich nature of today’s feast. This day honors the Precious Blood as the source of redemption for mankind, not only under the appearance of wine at Holy Mass, but in every way that the Blood is depicted. It is presented for special devotion throughout Holy Scripture, particularly by St. Paul, and by St. John, who vividly describes the Precious Blood washing mankind clean from sin. Christian art, music, and literature have echoed the Apostles in this regard since the earliest days of the Church. Thus today’s feast resembles that of Our Lord’s Sacred Heart, honoring a great and specific aspect of devotion to Christ’s Passion and the Divine Love and Mercy of the Redeemer.
 
Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 1st
THE Octave of St. John the Baptist.
Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
On Mount Hor, the demise of St. Aaron, the first priest of the Levitical Order.
In England, the holy martyrs Julius and Aaron, who suffered after St. Alban, in the persecution of Diocletian. In the same country, a great number being at that time tortured in different manners and barbarously lacerated, ended their combat, and attained to the joys of the heavenly city.
At Mechlin, the martyrdom of St. Rumold, son of an Irish king, and bishop of Dublin.
At Sinuessa, the holy martyrs Castus and Secundinus, bishops.
At Vienne, St. Martin, bishop and disciple of the Apostles.
At Clermont, in Auvergne, St. Gal, bishop.
In the diocese of Lyons, the decease of St. Domitian, abbot, who was the first to lead there an eremitical life. After having assembled in that place many servants of God, and gained great renown for virtues and miracles, he was gathered to his fathers at an advanced age.
In the diocese of Rheims, St. Theodoric, priest and disciple of the blessed bishop Remigius.
At Angouleme, St. Eparchius, abbot.
At Emesa, St. Simeon, surnamed Salus, confessor, who feigned to be an idiot for Christ; but God manifested his high wisdom by great miracles.
At Vicenza, the demise of St. Theobald, of the Counts of Campania, hermit, who was added to the number of the saints by Alexander III on account of his holiness and miracles.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.