Interim Saints - July 18th
SYMPHOROSA and her seven sons (circ. A.D. 125)
Symphorosa was the widow of Getulius the martyr, commemorated with
Cerealis on June 10th. The Acts of these martyrs have been attributed
to Julius Africanus, so also have those of S. Symphorosa and her Sons,
neither on even plausible grounds. It is questionable whether both are
not an early Christian romance.
THENEW, matron (A.D. 514)
Thenew, or, as she is called in Welsh, Duynwen or Denyw, was a daughter
of Llewddyn Lueddog of Dinas Eiddyn, that is, of Edinburgh . . . Her
father, highly incensed, ordered her to be stoned and cast in a chariot
from the top of a hill. Miraculously saved, she was put in a coracle
of platted twigs, tarred and covered with leather, and carried to the
Isle of Man, whence she was sent adrift . . .
Och aye, Thenew.
ARNULF, Bishop of Metz (A.D. 640)
The story is told of him, that as he was crossing a bridge over the
Moselle, he looked down into the rushing stream, and drawing a gold
ring from his finger, cast it in, saying, "I shall not believe that my
sins have been pardoned till I see this ring again." Years later, when
he was a priest, a fisherman brought him a large fish . . .
We can guess the rest.
FREDERICK, bishop and martyr (A.D. 838)
S. Frederick, a Frieslander, was brought up at the feet of S. Ricfried,
bishop of Utrecht . . .
[He] was foully murdered. He had been saying mass, and was returning
from the alter, when he was attacked by two assassins and stabbed in
the bowels. He expired reciting the verse of the psalm (cxl.), "I will
praise the Lord in the land of the living."
CAMILLUS OF LELLIS, confessor (A.D. 1614)
He persevered [in his studies], distanced his youthful companions, and
was ordained priest in 1584. He founded his Congregation in the same
year. Only two men joined him. they cleansed the hospital wards, made
the beds, applied poultices, and did all that was possible to succour
and cheer the sick. The Order grew, and was given a house and church
in Rome, spread to Naples, Milan, Genoa. In 1591 it received the
sanction of Gregory XIV.
[Baring-Gould does not give the name of the congregation founded by
Camillus, but apparently they were at first known as the 'Camillians';
because of their spiritual assistance to the dying, they are known also
as 'Fathers of a Good Death' or 'Agonizantes'. I can't say that I've
ever come accross them, but perhaps other members have done so - ed.]
ADVANCE WARNING - CHRISTINA THE WONDERFUL
I give due warning that the feast of Christina the Wonderful falls on
July 24th. I intend to give her life at some length, as it deserves.
Esteemed members may think that I'm making it up, but here in advance I
swear and affirm that every word will be excerpted from Baring-Gould.
I would not have the imagination to make up such a story.
Oriens.
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