medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (12. December) is the feast day of:
Epimachus, Alexander, and companions (d. 250) These were natives of
Alexandria, burned to death in the Decian persecution. The
"companions" who don't rate individual mention were four women, who
were also tortured and killed. I guess one only rates "headline"
status if one is a (luscious, nubile) virgin martyr---one of these
women was old, another was a mother.
Finnian of Clonard (d. c. 549) Legend tells that Finnian was a
native of Ireland who went to become a monk in Wales, then came home
and founded several monasteries. The most important of these was
Clonard in Meath, which became a major center of learning. F. died
of the "yellow plague" (whatever that was). F. is known as the
"teacher of Irish saints," and is credited with teaching the "Twelve
Apostles of Ireland."
Corentin (Cury) (6th cent.) Corentin, says legend, was a hermit at
Cornouaille (Quimper) in Brittany, and became the first bishop there.
Edburga (d. 751) Edburga was a Kentish princess who became abbess of
Minster-in-Thanet. She met Boniface while on pilgrimage to Rome, and
became his regular correspondent. She was known as a calligrapher
and built a new church for her convent.
Vicelin (d. 1154) Vicelin was a native of Hemeln in Saxony. He
became a canon and head of the cathedral school at Bremen, but in
1126 began work as a missionary among the Wends. V. founded three
monasteries and enjoyed considerable success. In 1149 he was named
bishop of Staargard, but Frederick Barbarossa opposed the appointment
and probably kept V. from every being installed in his see.
A modern saint: Jane Frances de Chantal (d. 1641) Jane (Jeanne) was
a native of Dijon. She married a baron and bore seven children
before her husband died in a hunting accident. J's spiritual call
came when she heard Francis de Sales preach; she took him as
spiritual director and carried out his plans to found the
Congregation of the Visitation, intended for girls and widows who
wanted to follow a religious life but without excessive asceticism.
The order spread throughout France. J. was canonized in 1767.
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