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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 ofa 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!) **************** 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] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%