medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. February) is the feast day of:
Brigid of Kildare (d. c. 524) One of the great saints of Ireland,
Brigid is such a figure of legend that she even appears to
incorporate elements of the goddess Brig. B. was probably born in
the mid-fifth century. She was abbess of the double monastery of
Kildare, which became the mother house of an important web of
monastic foundations, so the abbesses of Kildare had a great deal of
authority in pre-Norman Ireland.
Sigebert (d. 656) Sigebert was a Merovingian who became king of
Austrasia at the age of 6 or 7. He actually got along peaceably with
his brother, who ruled western Francia. S. had a reputation for
piety, and also endowed monasteries (he founded either 12 or 20) and
churches, before dying at the age of 24.
Raymund of Fitero (blessed) (d. 1163) Raymund was abbot of the
Cistercian monastery of Fitero, near Toledo. He won his place in the
history books when a Muslim force threatened the border town of
Calatrava. R. persuaded the king to give Calatrava to his monastery,
got together a crusade, and eneded up founding the military religious
order of Calatrava. R's cult was approved in 1719.
John of the Grating (d. c. 1170) John was a Breton Cistercian, sent
to found a new monastery at Begard (and later another monastery at
Buzay). After some years as abbot, he was elected bishop of Aleth.
Much of his episcopate was occupied in lawsuits with the monks whom
he had replaced with canons regular at the cathedral. J. was known
for his asceticism and charity toward others; he also founded and
reformed other religious communities. His nickname comes from the
iron railings that were placed around his tomb.
Reginald of Orleans (blessed) (d. 1220) Reginald taught canon law in
Paris before becoming dean of the collegiate church of Saint-Aignan
in Orleans. While on pilgrimage to Rome in 1218 he met St. Dominic
and became a Dominican, upon which R. was sent to oversee Dominican
houses in Spain. He was very successful at getting recruits both
there and in Paris, but died the following year. R's cult was
confirmed in 1875.
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