Today, 8 March, is the feast of ...
* Pontius, Deacon (c. 260)
Wrote the *Vita et passio Cypriani*.
* Philemon and Apollonius, martyrs (c. 305)
Before Phileomon's execution, he requested that a great pot be brought before him
and a baby put inside. The executioners did so. Then Philemon asked them to shoot
at the pot with bows and arrows. They again complied shooting the pot full of
arrows. But the child inside was found to be unscathed. Thereupon Philemon said:
'The Christian's body like the pot may be riddled with wounds, whilst the soul
within, like the baby, remains unhurt.'
* Senan, bishop (560)
Established a monastery on Scattery Island. The monastery soon became famous and
many men came there, but it was Senan's rule that no woman should be allowed to
land on the island. However, St Cannera, knowing that she was about to die,
greatly desired to receive the viaticum and to be buried there. An angel brought
her across the water, but on the shore she was met by Senan who refused to allow
her to proceed. Cannera asked: 'If Christ will receive my soul, why should you
reject my body?' Senan replied: 'That is true, but for all that, I will not allow
you to come here: go back and do not plague us. You may be pure in soul but you
are a woman.' Cannera replied: 'I will die before I go back.' And at that moment
she did die and was buried on the island.
* Felix of Dunwich, bishop of the East Angles (648)
Through preaching converted many in the counties of Norfolk.
* Julian, archbishop of Toledo (690)
Among his literary works was a revision of Mozarbic liturgy, a book against the
Jews, and three books which discuss death and the state of the soul after death.
* Humphrey or Hunfrid, bishop of Therouanne (871)
By his order the feast of the Assumption became generally observed throughout his
province.
* Duthac, bishop of Ross (c. 1065)
He is said to have foretold the invasion of the Danes which took place ten years
after his death.
* Veremund, abbot (1092)
Distinguished especially for his boundless love of the poor.
* Steven of Obazine, abbot (1154)
Lived an austere life in a small community of men dedicated to extreme fasting,
prayer, reading and manual labour.
* Vincent, bishop of Cracow (1223)
Best remembered for his *Chronicle of the Kings and Princes of Poland*.
* John of God, founder of the Brothers Hospitallers (1550)
Butler writes: 'He was particularly careful to provide for young girls in
distress to protect them from temptations to which they are often exposed.'
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George Ferzoco tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
Director of Studies for Italian fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
University of Leicester e-mail [log in to unmask]
School of Modern Languages
LEICESTER LE1 7RH UNITED KINGDOM
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