medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Just a few highlights of the saints of the past weekend:
May 3 was the feast day of:
James the Lesser (1st cent.) According to legend, the apostle James the
Lesser was a nephew of the Virgin Mary. He has frequently been confused
with James the brother of Jesus. As a result, he didn't even develop his
own separate legend.
Eventius and Theodolus (d. c. 113) Since 1969, these two saints have been
limited to regional observance. According to an uncertain tradition, the
two supported Pope Alexander I in conversion work in Roman prisons. They
were tortured and then beheaded.
Alexnder I (d. 116) Alexander was bishop of Rome 107-116. In art, he is
shown in prison, thanks to his conflation with the Roman martyr Alexander.
Philip of Zell (d. c. 800) Philip, perhaps an Englishman, made the
pilgrimage to Rome, and on his return became a hermit near Worms (c. 760).
The Benedictine monastery Zell developed from this hermit's cell,
especially thanks to the many miracles performed at Philip's tomb.
Aemilia Bicchieri (blessed) (d. 1314) Aemilia was born in Vercelli (Italy)
in 1238. She became a Dominican in Vercelli and served several times as
prioress. Aemilia was famous for her mystical gifts, most notably
receiving the paints of the crown of thorns. She was beatified in 1769.
May 4 was the feast day of:
Florian (4th cent.) The life of Florian is buried in legends. He is
supposed to have been born near Vienna and raised as a Christian. Florian
then became first a soldier and then the head of the chancery of the
governor of Lorch. During Diocletian's persecution Florian was imprisoned,
tortured, and then martyred by being thrown into the river Enns with a
millstone tied around his neck (40 of his companions were killed on the
same day).
Silvanos of Gaza (d. 311) Silvanos was first bishop of Gaza. In the
Christian persecution he was sent to forced labor; since he was too old to
bear the work, he was beheaded (along with 40 other martyrs).
Ladislaus of Gielniow (blessed) (d. 1505) Ladislaus is one of the patrons
of Poland, Lithuania, and Warsaw. He was born in 1440 in Gielniow
(Poland), and entered the Bernardine order in 1462. He served as order
provincial from 1487, founding numerous convents and promoting missionary
work in Lithuanian. Ladislaus was beatified in 1750.
May 5 was the feast day of:
Hilarius of Arles (d. 449) Hilary of Arles was an adult convert to
Christianity, who held several high offices in his homeland (the area of
modern Lorraine). Invited by his kinsman Honoratus to the monastery of
Lerins, Hilary converted there. He later followed Honoratus to Arles,
serving as the new archbishop's secretary. Hilary then became archbishop
himself. He won great fame for his care of the people in his diocese.
Godehard of Hildesheim (d. 1038) Godehard was born in Bavaria in 960/961;
in 990 he became a monk at Niederaltaich, and in 996 abbot. He went on to
reform other monasteries, and in 1022 Emperor Henry II made Godehard bishop
of Hildesheim. He was canonized in 1131.
Angelus the Carmelite (d. 1220) Angelus was born in c. 1185 in Jerusalem.
He became a Carmelite, and because of difficulties in the order went to
Italy to have the order's rule confirmed by the pope. But Angelus was
murdered by opponents in Sicily. He was canonized in 1584.
Jutta of Sangershausen (blessed) (d. 1260) After her husband's death,
Jutta lived a life of poverty and self-abnegation, caring for lepers. In
c. 1255 she went to Prussia, where she lived for some years as a hermitess.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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