medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (24. June) is the feast day of:
The Nativity of John the Baptist (d. 1st cent.) Is John unique in having
his corporeal birth celebrated, instead of his dies natalis (death-day)?
Except of course for Jesus. John was a cousin of Jesus whose first great
appearance in the gospels is prenatal---while still inside Elisabeth, he
quickened when the Virgin Mary (pregnant with Jesus at the time) visited.
John grew up to become an ascetic preacher, attracting large numbers of
penitents and baptizing them, the self-proclaimed "preparer of the way of
the Lord." After publicly criticizing King Herod's marital arrangements,
John was beheaded.
Simplicius (4th cent.) Simplicius was a bishop in Gaul, whose life was
recounted by Gregory of Tours. When he became bishop of Autun, Simplicius'
wife did not want to separate from him, so they lived together in chastity,
but the populace misunderstood and was scandalized. The wife proved her
innocence, though, by submitting to an ordeal.
Bartholomew of Farne (d. 1193) Bartholomew was the subject of a bit of
naming confusion: he was the son of Scandinavians and originally named
Tostig, but changed his name to William to avoid mockery. Then when he
became a monk he took the name Bartholomew. Soon after profession B.
became a hermit on Inner Farne, where he remained for the last 42 years of
his life. B. lived a life of great privation (which brought him into
conflict with several other hermits). He experienced visions and miracles
were reported at his tomb.
Antonio Turriani (blessed) (d. 1484) Antonio was born in Milan in the
early fifteenth century. He became a physician, who worked on the
principal that all illness is caused by sin. He began all his medical
cures with a general confession. Eventually Antonio entered an Augustinian
community that was dedicated to care of the poor, and dedicated the rest of
his life to spiritual/physical healing.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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