Today, 14 April, is the feast of ...
Justin Martyr (165)
Tiburtus, Valerius and Maximus, martyrs (date unknown)
Ardalion, martyr (300): Started his career as a pagan actor. On stage
before a great crowd he was pretending to be a Christian who refused to
renounce his faith and was about to be executed. The excellence of his
acting aroused the enthusiasm of his audience and also convinced him to
convert to Christianity.
Lambert, archbishop of Lyons (688)
Bernard of Tiron, abbot (1117): One of the all time great wandering
preachers.
Lanvinus, Carthusian monk (1120): He died on 11 April 1120, but his feast
is kept in the Carthusian order on 14 April.
Caradoc, hermit (1124): Caradoc had great power over animals. On one
occasion by a gentle movement of his hand he was able to calm a pack of
viscious hounds that were quite out of the owner's control.
Benezet, or Little Benedict the Bridge Builder (1184): This is a good
story. Little Benedict was a pious lad, thoughtful beyond his years, and
reflected much on the perils of crossing the Rhone. One day, during an
eclipse of the sun, he heard a voice which addressed him three times,
bidding him to build a bridge over the Rhone. The construction and repair
of bridges was regarded as a work of mercy, for which rich men were often
urged to make provisions in their wills. But Little Benedict was only an
ignorant, undersized youth, without experience, influence or money. But he
did not hesitate, he went for it and listened to the call. The little lad
went to the Bishop of Avignon to ask for help. Benedict, after performing
a few miracles, received approval from the bishop to build a stone bridge
over the Rhone. For seven years Little Benedict directed the operations,
and when he died in 1184, although the bridge was not yet complete, the
main difficulties of the enterprise had been overcome. His body was buried
upon the bridge itself. The wonders which attended the construction of the
bridge from the moment of the laying of the foundations and the miracles
wrought at Little Benedict's tomb induced the city fathers to build a
chapel on the bridge. There the tomb of Little Benedict remained until
1669 when part of the bridge was washed away. The coffin was rescued and
when it was opened the body was incorrupt. It was afterwards translated to
the church of the Celestine monks. The Order of Bridge Brothers regarded
Little Benedict as their founder.
Peter Gonzalez, Dominican friar (1246)
John, Antony and Eustace, martyrs (1342)
Lydwina of Schiedam, virgin (1433): Her saintly life began as a result of
a skating accident. While skating with a group of children, she collided
with one of her friends. She suffered a broken rib. From that day sometime
in the year 1396 to the day of her death in 1433, she suffered unbearable
pains and illnesses which she perceived as God calling her to be a victim
for the sins of others. (A good example of vicarious suffering!)
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Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
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