medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (31. August) is the feast day of:
Paulinus of Trier (d. 358) Bishop Paulinus of Trier is sometimes venerated
as a martyr; it is certain that he died while banished for the faith.
Paulinus was born in c. 300, and became bishop of Trier in 346/347. He was
a strong defender of catholic Christianity against Arianism. Since the
emperor of the time was Arian, Paulinus was deposed from his see and
banished to Phrygia. When Arius' teachings were defeated in 381, Paulinus
bones were returned to Trier.
Aidan of Lindisfarne (d. 651) Aidan is one of the greatest missionary
saints of the Irish Church, and is known along with Augustine of Canterbury
as the apostle to the English. He was an Irish monk of Iona, which by his
time was actively engaged in the evangelization of Scotland. Among those
converted by Iona monks was Oswald, a Northumbrian prince who had spent
time in exile on the island. When Oswald became king of Northumbria in
634, he asked for a mission from Iona to help convert his people. At first
the abbot of Iona sent a harsh monk, who soon returned to the monastery
discouraged by his lack of success. So Aidan was sent in his turn to
become bishop for Northumbria in 635, as Bede says: "a man of outstanding
gentleness, devotion, and moderation, who had a zeal for God. . . ."
(III.3) He enjoyed great success in converting especially the people of
Bernicia, and founding churches and monasteries, most notably Lindisfarne.
Cuthberga (d. 725) Cuthberga was the wife of King Aldfrid of Northumbria,
but separated from him to become a nun. With her sister Quenburga she
founded the nunnery of Wimborne, which she led as abbess. Lioba was one of
her nuns.
Wala (d. 836) Wala, a cousin of Charlemagne, was educated in the
Carolingian palace school, after which he became a royal official. He did
not get along with Louis the Pious and was banished several times, finally
in 816 becoming a monk at Corbie. Acting with his brother Adalhard, in 822
Walla founded the monastery of Corvey, as well as the nunnery of Herford
near Osnabruck. In 826 Wala succeeded his brother as abbot of Corbie.
Wala was one of the leading reformers of his time, but had continuing
political problems; he was banished yet again from 830 to 833. From 833 on
he was abbot of Bobbio, where he died.
Raimundus Nonnatus (d. 1240) Raimund(us) was among the first members of
the Mercedarian order, which was dedicated to the purchase and release of
Christian captives, and became the order's second general. He was born in
c. 1204 in Portello, Spain. His nickname "Nonnatus" ("unborn") was gained
because he was cut from his mother's dead body. Raimund as an adult worked
especially in Africa, where he was imprisoned and tortured. In 1239
Gregory IX made him a cardinal; on the journey to Rome to celebrate the
honor Raimund died. His cult was approved in 1628, although in 1969 it was
limited to the regional calendar of Cardona, Spain, where he died.
Domingo del Val (c. 1250) A folk saint of Spain, highly venerated in
Aragon. San Dominguito (in Spain the diminutive of his name is typically
used) was a seven year old server at the alter in the cathedral of
Saragossa when, according to tradition, he was dragged out and killed by
opponents of the faith.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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