medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (19. May) is the feast day of:
Pudens, Pudentiana, and Praxedis (1st cent.) The vita of Pudens reports
that he was a Roman senator, probably the father of Praxedis and
Pudentiana. He and his daughters are supposed to have given St. Peter
hospitality in their house in Rome, going on to care for the poor more
generally.
Alcuin of York (d. 804) Alcuin, born in c. 730/735, was one of the leading
Church figures of the eighth century. On a journey to Rome he met
Charlemagne, who invited Alcuin to his court. Alcuin proceeded to educate
the entire royal family and many of the men who helped create the
Carolingian renaissance. Although never a monk, Alcuin was rewarded with
the abbacy of several monasteries, including Tours.
Dunstan (d. 988) Dunstan, born in England in c. 909, became a monk and in
945 abbot of Glastonbury. In 957 Dunstan became bishop of Worcester, 959
bishop of London, and 960 archbishop of Canterbury. Throughout his life,
Dunstan was very active in the cause of monastic reform. (Isn't it
Dunstant who is supposed to have been working at his goldsmithing when the
devil came to tempt him, so he caught the devil's nose in his tongs?)
Humiliana de'Cerchi (blessed) (d. 1246) Humiliana was born to a noble
Florentine family in 1219. She was married at the age of 16, but after her
husband's early death she became a Franciscan tertiary. She was renowned
as a miracle worker and, according to the encyclopedia I'm looking at
"heroically bore unusually severe tests" (whatever that means). Humiliana
was buried in S. Croce, Florence, where her relics were elevated several
times, culminating in her beatification in 1694.
Celestine V (Pietro del Murrone) (d. 1296) Pietro, born in 1215 in Isernia
(Italy) became a hermit. He attracted so many other hermits that he formed
a community. At the age of 80, much to his surprise and dismay, Pietro was
elected pope. He stuck it out for five months, then abdicated. His
charming successor, Boniface VIII, had Celestine/Pietro imprisoned for fear
of a schism. Celestine was canonized in 1313 (pace Dante, who puts
Celestine in hell)
Ivo Helory (d. 1303) Born in 1253 in Brittany, Ivo Helory studied theology
and canon law. After a time as a lawyer, in 1284 he became a priest and
pastor in several small villages. In 1298 he gave up this work, in order
to work without pay as legal advocate for the poor, helpless, and
oppressed, while he himself led a life of self-abnegation and prayer. Ivo
was canonized in 1347.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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