Today, 15 May, is the feast of ...
Torquatus and his Companions, martyrs (first century?) -
The first Christian missionaries to attempt the
evangelization of Spain.
Isidore of Chios, martyr (251) - After his martyrdom, his
body was thrown into a well. The well became famous for its
healing powers.
Peter of Lampsacus and his Companions, martyrs (251)
Hilary of Galeata, abbot (558) - According to his legend,
Hilary was always visibly protected by his guardian angel
in times of danger - notable when Theodoric the Goth
threatened to destroy Hilary and his monastery because he
refused to pay tribute.
Dympna, martyr (650) - Her cult flourished in the
thirteenth century in the town of Gheel which is located 25
miles from Antwerp. Dympna's shrine was frequented by
people who sought cures for mental illnesses.
Last year Marleen Cre offered this useful information:
Dympna's town, Geel, is even today renowned as a place where
mentally ill people are integrated within the community. Through the
centuries many Geel families provided a home to mentally ill people,
who learned to function within the family and who were appreciated
for what they were and could contribute to family life. There was
(and is) also a central institution that monitored the patients and
the families they resided in. This treatment of the mentally ill
proved very successful. My aunt once told me that she frequently heard
people speak of their "fool" ("onze zot") affectionately. There are
also quite some good-natured jokes about Geel because of the
visibility of the patients in the life of the town.
Every so many years there is also a Dympna procession that celebrates
the life and martyrdom of the town's patron saint.
Thanks Marleen!
Bertha and Rupert, martyrs (840) - The cult of these
martyrs was popularized by Hildegard of Bingen.
Hallvard, martyr (1043) - Patron of Oslo.
Isaias, bishop of Rostov (1090) - His preaching was often
followed by many miracles.
Isidore the Husbandman, (1130) - Patron of Madrid. This
farmer was known for his kindness to the poor and to
animals.
Magdalen Albrizzi, nun (1465) - Although very wealthy, she
decided to join a very poor convent of the Hermits of St
Augustine in the mountains at Brunette.
Carolyn Muessig
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