Today, 6 March, is the feast of ...
* Perpetua, Felicity and companions, martyrs (203): In the fourth century
the acts of these martyrs were publicly read in the churches of Africa.
They were so highly esteemed that Augustine of Hippo found it necessary to
issue a protest against their being placed on a level with Scripture.
* Fridolin, abbot (sixth century?): Known as the 'Traveller'. Fridolin was
born in Ireland. He became a priest and wandered from city to city
preaching. He went to France to continue his preaching. He travelled as an
itinerant preacher until he reached Poitiers where, he joined the
monastery of St Hilary. He want on to establish several monasteries. He
also founded a school for young boys in which he encouraged sports and at
times joined in them.
* Cyneburga, Cyneswide and Tibba (seventh century): Cyneburga founded a
convent on the borders of Northampton and Huntingdon. Cyneburga became
abbess and was respected by the nuns of convent for her learning and
holiness. Later her sister Cyneswide joined the convent. A third holy
woman who is associated with the other two and was venerated on this day
is their kinswoman Tibba.
* Chrodegang, bishop of Metz (766): Among the activities of Chrodegang was
the building and restoration of churches, monasteries, and charitable
institutions. The abbey of Gorze was one of his foundations.
* Balred and Bilfrid, hermit (eighth century): Baldred was a priest who
led a solitary life in the kingdom of Northumbria. After a life of great
austerities and trials, Balred died at Aldham. A dispute arose with the
neighbouring parishes of Tyningham and Preston for the possession of the
body. The next morning three bodies of Balred were found, so each parish
was able to have its own. The relics were lost during a Danish attack, but
two centuries later a priest called Elfrid discovered through a dream the
body of St Balred, which was removed to Durham together with the remains
of another hermit, St Bilfrid the goldsmith.
* Cadroe or Cadroel, abbot (976): Was sent to Ireland from Scotland for
his education. He so greatly distinguished himself at Armagh that he was
credited with having read 'all that every poet has sung, orator spoken and
philosopher thought.'
* Ollegarius or Oldegar, archbishop of Tarragona (1137): Butler writes:
'In 1123 Ollegarius went to Rome to attend the First Lateran Council where
he asked Pope Callistus II and the assembly to enact that the privileges
which were being offered to those who would take part in the crusades in
Palestine should be extended to those who would fight the Moslems in
Spain. His petition was granted, and he returned home as apostolic
delegate charged to preach a crusade against Moors.'
* Cyril of Constantinople, General of the Carmelites (1235?): To say the
least, much mystery surrounds his name. Perhaps Paul Chandler can
enlighten us about this elusive character?
* Giordano da Pisa, Dominican (1311): In Florence he sometimes preached
five times a day, in the churches, and in the open air. Often he would
begin to discuss one subject in the morning in one church, continue it at
noon, in another, and finish it in the evening in a third, with the
Florentines following him from church to church.
* Colette, Poor Clare (1447): Reformer of the Poor Clares. Altogether she
founded seventeen new convents, besides reforming numerous old ones, and
several houses of Franciscan friars accepted her reform.
* * * * * * * *
Carolyn Muessig
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