Today, 23 April, is the feast of ...
Felix, Fortunatus and Achilleus, martyrs (212)
George, martyr, protector of the kingdom of England (303): Throughout
Europe in the later middle ages the *Legenda Aurea* rendition of the
story of St George was the best known. William Caxton translated the
work. In this translation St George's encounter with the halitosisian
dragon is related: One day St George came upon a city near a marshy
swamp. In the swamp lived a dragon which envenomed all the country. The
people had mustered together to kill it, but the dragon's breath was so
bad that all the people ran away. To prevent the dragon coming closer to
the city they fed it two sheep each day (I hope they included mint, it's
good for bad breath and it goes well with mutton!). But when the people
no longer had any sheep, they had no choice but to feed the dragon a
human being. The victim was selected by lot, and the lot had fallen on
the king's daughter. No one was willing to take her place, and the
maiden had gone forth dressed as a bride to meet her doom. Then St
George rode into town. Coming upon the princess making her way toward
the beast, he attacked the dragon and impaled it on his lance.
Ibar, bishop of Beggery (fifth century): Ibar is best known for his
association with the island of Beg-Eire (Beggery), where he had a famous
monastic school.
Gerard, bishop of Toul (994): Gerard pursued the policy of his
predecessor St Gauzlin in endeavouring to make Toul a centre of
learning. To this end he invited Greek and Irish monks to settle in his
diocese.
Adalbert, bishop of Prague, martyr (997): Was wont to say: "It is easy
to wear a mitre and carry a crosier, but it is a terrible thing to have
to give account of a bishopric to the Judge of the living and the dead."
With his two companions, Benedict and Gaudentius, he made some converts
in Danzig, but met with great opposition since these preachers were
regarded by many as spies. But they refused to abandon their preaching
mission and were martyred.
Giles of Assisi, companion of Francis of Assisi (1262): Though unlearned
and simple, Giles was endowed with an infused wisdom which led many to
seek him out for spiritual consultation. Experience soon taught those
who sought his advice to avoid certain topics or words, the very mention
of which sent the friar into an ecstasy. Even the street urchins knew
this, and whenever they caught sight of Giles they would shout
"Paradise! Paradise" and await the desired reaction.
Helen of Udine, tertiary of the Hermits of St Augustine (1458): Helen
was happily married for twenty-five years and the mother of several
children. After her husband's death, in her fortieth year she decided to
become a tertiary of the Hermits of St Augustine. Helen took a vow of
perpetual silence, which she observed all year round except on Christmas
night. (However, her vow of silence was not extended to her household
which included her servants and sister.) Udine was terrified of loud
noises and was beset by the temptation to commit suicide. She appears to
have been endowed with the gift of healing.
AND Margaret Cormack reminded of the following saint:
Jon Ogmundarson, first bishop of Holar (the diocese
of northern Iceland). An english translation of his
vita and a few miracles will be forthcoming in the
Garland collection of translated lives being edited
by Tom Head.
*************
Dr Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
phone: +44(0)117-928-8168
fax: +44(0)117-929-7850
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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