medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (24. March) is the feast day of:
Latinus (d. 115 or 119) Tradition makes Latinus the third bishop of
Brescia (Italy), holding office from 84 until his death. Part of his time
in office was spent in prison, and he is supposed to have been tortured
several times.
Irenaeus of Sirmium (d. 304) Irenaeus was a bishop, caught in Diocletian's
persecution. According to early acta, the governor of Sirmium was
particularly inventive with torture, trying to get Irenaeus to recant his
beliefs---he had the saint racked, with his entire family standing around
him begging him to give in. He remained steadfast (or he wouldn't be on
this list) and was beheaded, after which his body was thrown in a river.
Macartan (d. c. 505) The Irish Macartan was, according to legend, one of
St. Patrick's first companions. Pat. consecrated Macartan as bishop of
Clogher. Tales report his great charisma and miracle-working powers.
Caimin of Lough Derg (d. 653) A member of the royal family of Connacht and
a notable scholar, Caimin became a hermit on an island in Lough Derg (later
named "Holy Island" because of Caimin's reputation). He later founded a
monastery there.
Hildelith (Hildelide) (d. c. 715) Hildelith was an English princess who at
the end of the seventh century entered either the convent of Chelles or
Faremoutiers-en-Brie in France. After Erkonwald founded the nunnery of
Barking in Essex he summoned Hildelith and made her the second abbess.
Aldemar (d. c. 1088) The Benedictine Aldemar became a monk at Montecassino
in c. 1070; from c. 1084 he is attested as abbot of Capua. He was famous
for his care of souls and miracles, and went on to found Bucchignano and
several other monasteries.
Katharine of Sweden (d. 1381) Katharine, the fourth child of St. Birgitta
of Sweden, was born in 1331. She married the noble Eggard Lydersson. With
her husband's consent, in 1350 Katharine joined her mother in Rome and
became Birgitta's closest helper. After Birgitta's death, Katharine
brought her mother's relics to Sweden (1374) and in 1375 became abbess of
Vadstena. She was canonized in 1484.
Simon of Trent (d. 1475) A vestige of a dark page in the history of
saints. Simon was a 2-1/2 year old boy who died under mysterious
circumstances. The local Jewish community was accused of having crucified
him; a number of Jews were killed, the synagogue destroyed, etc. In 1478
Simon's canonization was considered, but rejected. In 1588, however, the
cult was approved, especially because of the number of miracles that had
been worked at Simon's tomb. Simon was removed from the Roman martyrology
in 1965 and his veneration forbidden.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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