Today, 19 June, is the feast of ...
* Gervase and Protase, martyrs (?) - venerated as the protomartyrs of
Milan; the remains of St Ambrose are buried along with those of these
martyrs
* Deodatus or Didier or Die, bishop of Nevers (679?) - after several years
as bishop, he resigned in order to lead a solitary life; however, he
attracted so many followers he had to establish a monastery for them in
the Vosges
* Bruno or Boniface of Querfurt, bishop and martyr (1009) - a hagiographer
of St Adalbert of Prague, he preached to convert Prussians; martyred in
eastern Masovia; his relics were purchased by Boleslaus the Brave, who
removed them to Poland
* Odo, bishop of Cambrai (1113) - attributed to him, among his many
writings, was a polyglot psalter in four languages
* Giuliana Falconieri, virgin (1341) - founded the Servite nuns, following
the example of her uncle, St Alexis, who was one of the founders of the
Servite Order; died in an ecstasy before the holy sacrament
Last year Maeve B. Callan told us about other saints who died in a similar
manner:
A slightly different story is told of two of Patrick's earliest converts,
the sisters Ethne and Fedelm. Ethne interrogated Patrick regarding the
nature of his God. The sisters were won over by his answers, but demanded
that they be able to look upon the divine. Patrick responded, "Unless you
taste death you cannot see the face of Christ, and unless you receive the
sacrament." Without hesitation, the sisters accepted the terms for their
consummation with the divine--their conversion culminated with their
death, immediately after taking the eucharist. Similarly, Brenainn
restored a mermaid to life, baptized her and asked if she would rather
return to her home or to heaven; she unhesitatingly chose the latter,
received the eucharist and went to Christ.
Not quite the same as Giuliana, but to my knowledge the only Irish saint
to be described as experiencing ecstasy is Samthann (facta est ipsa in
extasi) as she prayed a soul out of hell.
- Thanks Maeve!
Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
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