Today, 1 April, is the feast of ...
* Melito, bishop of Sardis (c. 180) - His name occurs in some of the old
martyrologia, he was unmarried, but beyond that nothing is known of his
life or death.
* Walaricus or Valery, abbot (c. 620) - William the Conqueror has
Walaricus's body publicly exposed so that the saintly relics might obtain
favourable wind for William's English expedition.
* Macarius the Wonder Worker (c. 830) - A model monk, he was chosen abbot
of the monastery of Pelekete where he soon became famous for his miracles
and healing. Crowds flocked to Pelekete to be cured of diseases both of
body and mind. Ended his days banished to the island of Aphusia off the
shore of Bithynia.
* Hugh, bishop of Grenoble (1132) - Temptations to blasphemy sometimes
beset him causing him great distress. He told this to Gregory VII who
reassured Hugh by explaining that God permitted these trials to purify him
and render him a more fitting instrument for divine purposes.
* Hugh of Bonnevaux, abbot (1194) - Had the power to read minds and was
quick to detect any evil spirit which had access to the minds of his
brethren.
* Gilbert of Caithness, steward and patriot (1245) - Built several
hospices for the poor as well as the cathedral of Dornoch
* Catherine of Palma, virgin (1574) - Like Hugh, bishop of Grenoble,
Catherine was also tempted to blasphemy. Better known for her trances and
gift of prophecy.
* Catus, tabby tom (date unknown) - only animal to be canonized, invoked
to cure hairballs
Poisson d'avril!
* * * * * * * * * * *
Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
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