Today, 2 October, is the feast of...
The Guardian Angels: A votive mass, *Missa ad suffragia
agelorum postulanda*, was in use at least from the time of Alcuin (d.
804). In Spain, guardian angels not only of people but also of cities
and provinces were commemorated.
Eleutherius, martyr (?): All we know is his name and the place of his
passion (Nicomedia).
Leodegarius or Leger, bishop of Autun, martyr (679): Had many struggles
with Ebroin, who eventually became absolute master of Neustria and
Burgundy. Suffered tortures a number of times; once, after having his
eyes put out without groaning, he had his tongue and lips mutilated --
but he still could speak. When eventually sent to be murdered, the four
servants entrusted with this task begged his forgiveness; he forgave
them, and they cut off his head.
Two years ago Steven Botterill asked:
Is this the St Leger of the famous English horse-race? And, if so,
what's the connection? As I recall it isn't run on 2 October, and is a
post-Reformation institution anyway :-)
And John Parsons replied:
I believe the English horse race commemorates (was founded by?
originally run on the estates of?) a family named St Leger, but of their
connection with the seventh-century saint, deponent further knoweth not.
***********************************
Dr Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
phone: +44(0)117-928-8168
fax: +44(0)117-929-7850
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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