medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (3. September) is the feast day of:
Basilissa of Nicomedia (d. c. 303) A nine-year-old virgin martyr,
Basilissa is supposed to have so moved the governor of Nicomedia with her
steadfastness that he converted to Christianity.
Macanisius (Oengus Mac Nisse) (d. c. 514) Macanisius was an early Irish
saint and bishop, reputed to be a disciple of Patrick. M. became a hermit
at Kells and later bishop of his own clan in that district. Notable in his
late legend is the story that M had such high respect for the scriptures
that he always carried his gospel book on his shoulder, hunched up or on
all fours.
Gregory the Great (d. 604) Formerly celebrated on March 12 (his dies
natalis) but now on the anniversary of his consecration as pope. The last
of the four Latin fathers of the Church, Gregory was certainly one of the
most important of the popes and one of the most influential writers of the
Middle Ages. Gregory was the son of a Roman senator and entered public
service, but in 573 sold up all his property and became a monk, having
founded seven monasteries with the proceeds besides giving to the poor.
Benedict I brought Gregory from the monastery to become one of the deacons
of Rome, and his successor sent G. as ambassador to Constantinople. On his
return, Gregory happily returned to his monastery---but was elected pope
against his wishes (his protests seem to ring truer than most such).
Gregory was a highly active pontiff in an era of crisis, perhaps most
famous for sending Augustine's mission to England. His works are a model
of readable humility and wisdom.
Aigulf of Lerins (d. 676) Aigulf became a monk at Fleury and in that
capacity was responsible for bringing the relics of Benedict of Nursia to
Fleury from Montecassino. Clearly an ardent devoté of Benedict, Aigulf a
few years later introduced the Benedictine Rule to Lerins. This move,
however, aroused strong feelings, and Aigulf and four of his monks were
killed.
Guala of Brescia (d. 1244) (blessed) Guala was one of the first
Dominicans. Very soon after his profession, he became prior of Dominican
houses in Bergamo, then Brescia, then Bologna. Guala played an important
part in shaping the cult of Dominic, because he had a vision of Dominic
being drawn up to heaven by Christ and the Virgin Mary (which he discovered
afterwards had occurred at exactly the time that Dominic died). Guala
became bishop of Brescia in 1228, and was most notable for his skill as a
negotiator between all the warring factions that plagued Italy at that
time. G. resigned in 1242, entered the Vallombrosan monastery of San
Sepulcro, and spent the rest of his life as a hermit.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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