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Today, 5 April, is the feast of ... * Derfel Gadarn (sixth century?) - Before the Reformation there was a wooden image of Derfel in the church of Llandderfel in Merioneth, and in 1538 Mr Commissary Price wrote to Thomas Cromwell asking what should be done about this image "in whom all the people have so great confidence, hope and trust that they come daily in pilgrimage unto him, some with kine, others with oxen, or horses, and the rest with money. The innocent people have been sore allured and enticed to worship the said image, is so much that there is a common saying as yet amongst them that whosoever will offer anything to the said image of Derfel Gardarn he hath the power to fetch him or them that so offers out of Hell when they be damned." * Ethelburga, abbess of Lyminge (c. 647) - Daughter of King Ethelbert of Kent and Berta. Married the pagan king of Northumbria Edwin whom Ethelburga finally persuaded to convert. During the reign of Edwin, Christianity progressed throughout Northumbria. However, after Edwin's death, his pagan adversaries overran the land. Ethelburga had to return to Kent where she founded the abbey of Lyminge. * Gerald of Sauve-Majeure, abbot (1095) - Instituted the practice of offering Mass and reciting the office of the dead for thirty days after the death of any member of the community, and he also ordered that bread and wine should be served for a whole year for the deceased member and given to the poor. * Albert, bishop of Montecorvino (1127) - After losing his sight he was endowed with the gift of prophecy. * Juliana of Mount Cornillon, virgin (1258) - The introduction of the feast of Corpus Christi was due to Juliana of Mount Cornillon. After the death of her parents she grew up in the double Augustinian monastery of Mount Cornillon. She learned how to read and studied Augustine, Bernard and other theologians. After becoming prioress of Mount Cornillon she sought to institute the feast of Corpus Christi. Although supported by such men as John of Lausanne and Hugh of St Cher, she was criticized for being a visionary. She was ultimately driven away from Mount Cornillon. She ended her days in Fosses as a recluse. The Feast was finally sanctioned by Urban IV (an early supporter of Juliana). Thomas Aquinas composed the office for the feast. * Vincent Ferrer, preacher (1419) Converted a number of Jews, notably the Rabbi Paul of Burgos, who died bishop of Cartagena in 1435. Through his preaching he won a great following known as the "Penitents of Master Vincent". Vincent preached the usual suspects: sin, death, hell, eternity, and especially the speedy approach of the day of judgement. He spoke with such force and energy that some of his hearers would faint from fear, while the sobs of his congregation often caused him to take .... long ..... dramatic ...... pauses ...... * * * * * * * * 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] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%