medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (12. November) is the feast day of:
Lebuin (d. c. 780) Lebuin was from Ripon, England, and became a monk
there. After the death of Boniface (754), Lebuin came to help Gregory of
Utrecht in missionary work to the Frisians. The church Lebuin erected at
Deventer became the center for his monastic work, and the saint is buried
there.
Machar (d. c. 595?) Machar was an Irishman, a companion of Columbanus' to
the island of Iona. Machar evangelized the area around Aberdeen in
Scotland, and according to later tradition was Aberdeen's first bishop. A
more exotic late story reports that Gregory the Great consecrated Machar as
"archbishop" of Tours, and that M. ruled there until his death
Himerius (d. c. 610) Himerius was a hermit in what is now French
Switzerland, and also worked in the area as a missionary. The monastery of
St-Imier grew up over his grave, and the valley where he lived was later
renamed "Val-St-Imier" in his honor.
Benedict and Companions (the five Polish brothers) (d. 1003) According to
the vita quinque fratrum of Bruno of Querfurt, Boleslav Chrobry of Poland
requested missionaries from Romuald's monastery of Pereum. Benedict and
Johannes agreed to go, and set off in 1001. They founded a little mission
center in Mesertz, which the Poles Isaac, Matthew, and Christian entered.
All five were murdered by robbers in 1003. The vita, written in 1008 by
Bruno (also one of Romuald's disciples and a close friend of the murdered
Benedict; Bruno was part of the intended mission, but was delayed on his
way to Poland), is the most immediate and personal saint's life I know of.
Also very beautifully written.
Anastasius of Hungary (d. 1036) Anastasius was a member of the circle of
Adalbert of Prague. Adalbert sent him in 993 as a missionary to Hungary,
where Anastasius became abbot of the Martinsberg and in 1006 archbishop of
Gran. He is regarded as the "apostle of Hungary."
Giovanni della Pace (blessed) (d. c. 1335) Giovanni Cini was born in Pisa
in c. 1270. At first he was a soldier, but from 1305 on he became a hermit
living in the Porta Pacis in Pisa (thus his nickname "della Pace). He was
very active in organizing charity, founding several institutes to care for
those in need of help. His cult won formal approval in 1857.
Gabriele Ferretti (blessed) (d. 1456) Gabriele Ferretti was born in Ancona
in c. 1385, and at the age of 18 entered the Franciscan order. He led a
very active life propagating his order. His cult was approved in 1753.
Diego of Alcala (d. 1463) Diego was born in c. 1400 in S. Nicolas
(Andalusia). He became a Franciscan laybrother, and in 1441 went as a
missionary to the Canary Islands. From 1450 on Diego worked in Rome, where
he was noted for his care of plague victims and was credited with the
ability to heal the sick. Diego was canonized in 1588 (hmmm---I wonder
what possible agenda could have been behind THIS timely canonization?).
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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