Today, 4 May, is the feast of ...
* Cyriacus, or Judas Quiriacus, bishop (c. 133) - Principal patron of
Ancona. The local tradition of Ancona connects it patron with Judas
Quiriacus, a legendary Jew who is supposed to have revealed to the Empress
Helen the place in which the Holy Cross lay hidden. After being baptised
and made bishop of Jerusalem, he suffered martyrdom under Julian the
Apostate.
* Pelagia of Tarsus, virgin and martyr (c. 304)
* Florian, martyr (304) - Many miracles of healing were attributed to his
intercession and he was invoked as a powerful protector from fire or
water.
* Monica, widow (387) - Mother of Augustine. In the *Confessions*,
Augustine wrote about his reaction to his mother's death: 'If any one
thinks it wrong that I thus wept for my mother some small part of an hour
- a mother who for many years had wept for me that I might live to thee, O
Lord - let him not deride me. But if his charity is great, let him weep
also for my sins before thee.' Patron of married women and mothers.
* Venerius, bishop of Milan (409) - The second bishop of Milan, his
predecessor of course was Ambrose.
* Godehard/Gothard, bishop of Hildesheim (1038) - He built and restored
churches. He did much to promote education, especially in the cathedral
school. On a swampy piece of land on the outskirts of Hildesheim he built
a hospice where the sick and poor were cared for.
* Catherine of Parc-aux-Dames, virgin (thirteenth century) - The daughter
of Jewish parents, Catherine underwent a conversion. She changed her name
from Rachel to Catherine and became a Cistercian nun in the abbey of
Parc-aux-Dames.
* Gregory of Veruccio (1343) - Allegedly lived to the age of 118. In Reati
he was invoked as a patron when rain was needed.
* Michael Giedroyc , canons regular of St Augustine (1485) - His
austerities were extreme and were never relaxed during illness or in old
age. Moreover, he suffered physical and mental torment from evil spirits.
Carolyn Muessig
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