medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (11. December) is the feast day of:
Daniel Stylites (d. 493) Daniel was born in c. 409 in Maratha (Syria). In
460 he erected a column in Anaplus (north of Constantinople) and spent the
last 33 years of his life on top of it. He was famous as a preacher and
spiritual advisor---even the empress and several patriarchs sought him out
for advice.
Tassilo III of Bavaria (d. c. 800) Tassilo was born in c. 730, and from
748 was duke of Bavaria. He was one of the most important promoters of
the Church in Carinthia and the South Tyrol; he founded and renewed
numerous monasteries and organized the Church organization of the region.
Tassilo's most important monastic foundations were Kremsmunster and
Wessobrunn. In 788 Charlemagne condemned Tassilo to death for refusing to
support the Frankish army, but reduced the sentence to lifetime monastic
imprisonment. From 784 on, Tassilo lived in the monastery of Lorsch in
Hesse.
Lukas Stylites (of Chalcedon) (d. 979) Lukas was born in c. 880 in
Phrygia. After a time as a soldier, he became an ascetic; after being
consecrated as a priest, Lukas first spent several years in a monastery.
On the feast day of Daniel Stylites (today) in 935, though, Lukas climbed a
column near Chalcedon, remaining on it 44 years until his death. He won
great popular acclaim for his gift of miracles and wisdom.
Ida of Nivelles (blessed) (d. 1231) Ida was born in c. 1190 in Nivelles
(Belgium). At the age of 16 she entered the Cistercian nunnery of Kerkheim
near Lowen, later moving to another convent. Her life was filled with
visions and ecstasies, and was credited with numerous miracles in her
lifetime. She is most frequently depicted in art either with the Christ
child, or lying on a sickbed.
Wilbirg (d. 1289) (I suspect not formally canonized, but am not sure)
Wilbirg (Wilburg) was born in Austria in c. 1230. Her parents died while
she was young, leaving Wilbirg destitute and ill. Despite this, at the age
of 17 Wilbirg undertook a pilgrimage to Santiago---where she was
miraculously healed. In 1248 Wilbirg became a recluse attached to the
church of St. Florian near Linz, where she lived for the remaining forty
years of her life. She was a noted spiritual advisor, and was famed for
her humility, ascetic practices, and mystical experiences. One of her
disciples wrote her vita.
Franco Lippi (blessed) (d. 1291) Franco of Senis was from the region of
Siena. He had a dissolute youth and his lawlessness led to time in prison.
As he grew older, though, he went blind, went on a pilgrimage to Santiago,
and recovered his vision. Thereupon Franco repented his evil ways and
entered the Carmelite order as a laybrother. He spent the last years of
his life in penitence and self-abnegation. His cult won formal approval in
1308 and 1670.
Hieronymus Ranuzzi (blessed) (d. 1455) Hieronymus was born in c. 1390 in
Sant'Angelo in Vado (Italy) and entered the Servite order at a young age.
He held various offices in the order, but was mostly concerned with
pastoral care. He was also one of the most significant devotees of the
Virgin Mary of his time. In the last years of his life, Hieronymus lived
in solitude. He was beatified in 1775.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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