Saints with Feasts & Memorials of Celebrated in May

Joseph the Worker May 1

also on May 1 Amator or Amatre, bishop; Brioc or Brieuc, abbot; Sigismund of Burgundy; Marculf or Marcoul, abbot; Theodard of Narbonne, bishop; Peregrine Laziosi, Riccardo Pampuri

Athanasius: (died 373 A.D.): 45 years the bishop of Alexandria; champion of Nicea (325 A.D.); prolific polemicist against Arians who exiled him five times; one of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church; wrote On the Incarnation, the Discourses Against the Arians and the Life of Anthony; known as the "Doctor of the Incarnation". (May 2)

also on May 2: Exsuperius or Hesperus and Zoë, martyrs; Waldebert, abbot; Ultan, abbot; Wiborada, virgin and martyr; Mafalda or Matilda

Philip: (died 1st c.); from Bethsaida; among the first disciples called by Jesus (Jn 1:43-44); tradition holds he preached in Phrygia, dying on a cross at Hierapolis; two apocryphal works attributed to him; with James, venerated as the patron saint of Uruguay. (May 3)

James (died 62 A.D.): son of Alphaeus and cousin or "brother of the Lord"; surnamed "the less" or "the just" for his piety; leader of the Jerusalem church; an epistle is ascribed to him; believed to have been beaten or stoned to death; patron of the dying; with Philip, both saints mentioned in the Roman Canon. (May 3)

also on May 3: Alexander, Eventius and Theodulus, martyrs; Juvenal, bishop

on May 4: Cyriacus or Judas Quiricus, bishop; Pelagia of Tarsus, virgin and martyr; John Houghton, Robert Lawrence, Augustine Webster, Richard Reynolds, priests and martyrs; Venerius, bishop; Godehard or Gothard, bishop; Florian, martyr

on May 5: Hilary of Arles, bishop; Maurantius, abbot; Mauruntius, abbot; Avertinus; Angelo, martyr; Jutta, widow

on May 6: Evodius, bishop; Edbert, bishop; Petronax, abbot

on May 7: Domitian, bishop; Liuhard, bishop; Serenicus and Serenus; John of Beverly, bishop

on May 8: Victor Maurus, martyr; Acacius or Agathus, martyr; Gibrian; Desideratus, bishop; Boniface IV, pope; Benedict II, pope; Wiro, Plechlem and Oteger; Peter of Tarentaise, bishop

on May 9: Beatus; Pachomius, abbot; Gerontius, bishop

on May 10: Antoninus of Florence, bishop and confessor; Gordian and Epimachus, martyrs; Calepodius, martyr; Alphius, Cyrinus and Philadelphus, martyrs; Catald and Conleth, bishops; Solangia, virgin and martyr; John of Avila, priest

on May 11: Mamertus, bishop; Comgall, abbot; Asaph, bishop; Gengulf or Gengoul; Majolus or Mayeule, abbot; Ansfrid, bishop; Walter of L'Esterp, abbot; Francis di Girolamo; Ignatius of Laconi

Nereus and Achilleus: (died c. 304 A.D.); Roman soldiers until their conversion to Christianity; tradition holds they were either burned or beheaded. (May 12)

Pancras: (died c. 304); martyred probably in the persecution of Diocletian at the age of 14; perhaps from Syria; buried on the Via Aurelia. (May 12)

also on May 12: Epiphanus of Salamis, bishop; Modoaldus, bishop; Rictrudis, widow; Germanus of Constantinople, bishop; Dominic of Causeway

on May 13: Glyceris, virgin and martyr; Mucius or Mocius, martyr; Servatius or Servais, bishop; John the Silent; Erconwald, bishop; Euthymius the Illuminator, abbot; Peter Regalatus

Matthias (died 1st c.): chosen to replace Judas; qualified because he witnessed Jesus' ministry and resurrection; mentioned in the Roman Canon. (May 14)

also on May 14: Pontius, martyr; Carthage, Carthach or Mochuda, abbot; Erembert, bishop; Michael Garicoits; Mary Mazzarello, virgin

Isidore was born of poor parents in Madrid. Married to a poor woman, Maria de la Cabeza, who is also a saint, he worked as a hired ploughman. Because of his diligence, his employer allowed him to worship in church daily though Isidore took care that his devotion did not interfere with his work. He remained poor, but gave generously to his neighbors in need. He died on May 15, 1130 A.D. As patron of farmers, he is an example of a laborer who values both prayer and work. (May 15)

also on May 15: Torquatus and Companions, martyrs; Isidore of Chios; Hilary of Galeata, abbot; Dympna and Gerebernus, martyrs; Bertha and Rupert; Hallvard, martyr; Isaias of Rostov, bishop; Peter of Lampsacus and Companions, martyrs

on May 16: Ubaldus, bishop and confessor; Peregrine of Auxerre, bishop and martyr; Possidius, bishop; Germerius, bishop; Brendan, abbot; Domnolus, bishop; Carantoc or Carannog, abbot; Honoratus of Amiens, bishop; Simon Stock; John Nepomucen, martyr; Andrew Hubert Fournet

on May 17: Paschal Baylon, confessor; Madron or Madern; Bruno of Wurzburg, bishop

John I: Pope (523-526 A.D.); A native of Tuscany, he was a deacon from the time of his election to succeed Pope Hormisdas. He was the first pontiff to visit Constantinople and made one of the objectives of his reign the restoration of ecclesiastical peace with the Eastern Church after the divisive Acacian Schism 482-519 A.D.). (May 18)

also on May 18: Venantius, martyr; Theodotus, Thecusa and Companions, martyrs; Potamon, bishop and martyr; Eric of Sweden, martyr; Felix of Cantalice

on May 19: Peter Morrone or Peter Celestine V, hermit and pope; Prudentiana and Pudens, martyrs; Calocerus and Parthenius, martyrs; Dunstan, bishop; Ivo of Kermartin

Bernardine of Siena (died 1444 A.D.); O.F.M.; famous reformer and eloquent preacher who traveled throughout Italy; encouraged devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus; known for his use of the monogram, IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator); patron of advertisers and advertising; invoked against hoarseness. (May 20)

also on May 20: Thalelaeus, martyr; Basilla or Basilissa, virgin and martyr; Baudelius, martyr; Austregisilus or Outril, bishop; Ethelbert, martyr

Cristobal Magallanes was joined in martyrdom by twenty-one diocesan priests and three devout laymen, all members of the Cristeros movement, who rose up in rebellion against the Anti-Catholic Mexican government during the 1920s. Having erected a seminary at Totatiche, he secretly spread the Gospel and ministered to the people. Captured by authorities, he was heard to shout from his jail cell: "I am innocent and die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico." (May 21)

also on May 21: Godric; Andrew Bobola, martyr; Theophilus of Corte, Eugene de Mazenod

Rita of Cascia: Born in 1381 A.D. in the little town of Roccaporena, in the Province of Umbria, Italy, Saint Rita was married and raised two sons. After the violent murder of her husband, Saint Rita urged forgiveness in contrast to the customary vendetta of the day. She was, however, repeatedly denied entrance to the Augustinian nuns due to the constant threat of violent revenge by her husband's relatives. Through her personal intercession a promise of forgiveness and peace was secured and she began forty years in prayer, contemplation and service to the sick and the poor. Toward the end of her life she received a wound from a thorn from the crown of thorns. (May 22)

also on May 22: Aemilius and Castus, martyrs; Quiteria, virgin and martyr; Romanus; Julia, martyr; Aigulf or Ayoul, bishop; Humility, widow

on May 23: Desiderius or Didier, bishop and martyr; Guibert; Leonitus of Rostov, bishop and martyr; Ivo of Chartres, bishop; Euphrosyne of Polotsk, virgin; William of Rochester, martyr; John Baptist Rossi; Peter Fioretti

on May 24: Donatian and Rogatian, martyrs; Vincent of Lerins; David I, King of Scotland; Nicetas of Pereaslav, martyr

Bede: (died 735 A.D.); O.S.B. born in Northumbria; called "Venerable" while still living; authored the Ecclesiastical History of the English People and wrote Scriptural expositions, commentaries and homilies; known as the "Father of English History" (May 25)

Gregory VII, (died 1085 A.D.); from Tuscany; O.S.B.; championed reform of the clergy against simony, clerical marriage and lay investiture, leading to excommunication of Henry IV; expanded the authority of the Roman See. (May 25)

Mary Magdalene of Pazzi: (died 1607 A.D.); Carmelite mystic of Florence; instrumental in the reform of the Order. (May 25)

also on May 25: Dionysius of Milan, bishop; Zenobius, bishop; Leo or Lye, abbot; Aldhelm, bishop; Gennandius, bishop; Madeleine Sophie Barat, virgin

Philip Neri (died 1595 A.D.): founded the Congregation of Priests of the Oratory to promote holiness of priestly life and foster effective preaching; noted for his joyful and simple spirit. (May 26)

also on May 26: Quadratus, bishop; Priscus or Prix and Companions, martyrs; Lambert of Vence, bishop; Marian of Quito, virgin

Augustine of Canterbury: (died May 26, ca. 604 A.D.); O.S.B. monk of Mt. Coelius in Rome; sent with 40 other monks by Pope Gregory I to England; baptized Ethelbert, king of Kent; ordained bishop 597 A.D.; established the sees of Canterbury, London and Rochester; in 601 A.D., received the pallium as primate of England. (May 27)

also on May 27: Restituta of Sora, virgin and martyr; Julius and Companions, martyrs; Eutropius of Orange, bishop; Melangell or Monacella, virgin

on May 28: Senator, bishop; Justus of Urgel, bishop; Germanus or Germain, bishop; William of Gellone; Bernard of Menthon or Montjoux; Ignatius of Rostov, bishop

on May 29: Cyril of Caesarea, martyr; Maximinus, bishop; Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander, martyrs; Theodosia, virgin and martyr; William, Stephen, Raymund and Companions, martyrs

on May 30: Isaac of Constantinople, abbot; Exsuperantius, bishop; Madelgisilus or Mauguille; Walstan; Ferdinand III, King of Castile; Joan of Arc, virgin; Eleutherius, pope; Luke Kirby, priest and martyr

Feast of the Visitation; Petronilla, virgin and martyr; Cantius, Cantianius and Cantianella, martyrs; Mechtildis of Edelstetten, virgin (May 31)

St. Pius V, Our Lady of the Rosary, and the Battle of Lepanto

St. Pius V and the Battle of Lepanto

St. Pius V was the great reform pope after the Council of Trent. His greatest triumph is in international politics - the naval victory of the Catholic fleet against the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto. Victory was attributed to the aid of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Brief biographical sketch

St. Pius V (1504-1572 A.D.), was born at Bosco near Alessandria, Italy, on January 17. His real name was Antonio Michael Ghislieri. He entered the Dominican Order at fourteen years of age and was ordained in 1528 A.D. After teaching philosophy and theology for many years, he was appointed bishop of Nepi and Butri by Pope Paul IV in 1556 A.D. When in January 7, 1566 A.D., he was elected pope, he set at once into effect the decrees of Trent.

A saintly Dominican pope and achiever

As pope, St. Pius V continued to live the ascetic life and the virtuous practices he learned as a Dominican. He combined mystical union with God in prayer and a fervent zeal to reform the Church. He was known for his charity - especially of giving large sums to the poor. He also visited the sick in hospitals. In his work on Church reform, three are attributed to him: the Catechismus Romanus (1566 A.D.), the revised Roman Breviary (1568 A.D.), and a new Missale
Romanum (1570 A.D.). It was these achievements that gave him the honor as the great reform pope after the Council of Trent.

His international politics

Though St. Pius was able to reform the internal structure of the Church, he did not do as well in the realm of international politics. Especially noted was his excommunication (1570 A.D.) of Elizabeth of England. This only increased the persecution and oppression of English Catholics. Also, his conduct towards Spain and France brought about unfortunate outcomes.

The Battle of Lepanto

The greatest triumph of St. Pius V in international politics was the naval victory over the Turks at Lepanto (October 7, 1571 A.D.) - a naval battle fought off the coast of Lepanto, Greece. This was the first major defeat of the Muslims. The victory is attributed to the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose aid was invoked through praying the rosary. To commemmorate the victorious event, St. Pius V instituted on October 7 the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and inserted the title Help of Christians in the Litany of the Virgin Mary.

Historical details of the Battle

The naval Battle of Lepanto was a battle between the Catholic fleet against the fleet of the Ottoman Empire. The Catholic armada consisted of 200 galleys, mostly Venetian and Spanish, and was commanded by Don Juan of Austria. This Catholic armada engaged in battle with the Turkish fleet of 300 ships inside the entrance to the Gulf of Lepanto. The Turks suffered a crushing defeat in spite of their superior numbers. This victory the Catholics attributed to the aid of strength provided them through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Death of St. Pius V

After the naval victory at Lepanto, St. Pius attempted to form an alliance of the Italian cities, France, Poland, and other Christian nations of Europe to march against the Turks. However, he died in Rome on May 1, 1572 A.D. He was canonized in 1712 A.D.

Related resources:

• "A History of the Church", by August Franzen and John P. Dolan
• "A Year with the Saints", by Don Bosco Press Inc.
• "Dictionary of Saints", by John J. Delaney
• Encyclopedia International, volume 10

The Knowledge of God through the Spiritual Experience of the Mystics

The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism

Edited and with an Introduction by Bernard McGinn

Christian Mysticism defined
Author John A. Hardon, S.J., in his book, Pocket Catholic Dictionary, defines Christian mysticism as:

"The supernatural state of soul in which God is known in a way that no human effort or exertion could ever succeed in producing. There is an immediate, personal experience of God that is truly extraordinary, not only in intensity and degree, but in kind. It is always the result of a special, totally unmerited grace of God. Christian mysticism differs essentially from the non-Christian mysticism of the Oriental world. It always recognizes that the reality to which it penetrates simply transcends the soul and the cosmos; there is no confusion between I and Thou, but always a profound humility before the infinite Majesty of God. And in Christian mysticism all union between the soul and God is a moral union of love, in doing His will even at great sacrifice to self; there is no hint of losing one's being in God or absorption of one's personality into the divine.

Excellent reference for Christian mysticism
A good book to learn more in detail about Christian mysticism is, "The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism", by editor Bernard McGinn. This book is an accessible anthology of the Western Christian mystical tradition. It is very comprehensive, apt in its selection of texts, and is intelligently organized in one handy and easy to carry volume.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria, whose feast is celebrated on May 2, is featured in Part One of the book, while St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast is celebrated in April 29, is featured in Part Three of the book.

Book is divided into three main parts
In nearly one hundred selections spanning seventeen centuries, the book explores how human life is transformed through the search for direct contact with God. Uniquely organized by subject, this book includes accessible headnotes for each section, biographical sketches of the mystics, and a selected bibliography.

• Part one examines the preparation for encountering God through biblical interpretation and prayer;
• part two focuses on the mystics' actual encounters with God;
• and part three addresses the implications of the mystical life - showing how mystics have been received over time, and how they practice their faith through private contemplation and public ministry or apostolate.

Outline of the book


• Part One: Foundations of Mystical Practice
Mystics featured in Part One: Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Meister Eckhart, Madame Guyon, Athanasius of Alexandria, Evagrius Ponticus, James of Vitry, Catherine of Genoa, John of the Cross, Ephrem the Syrian, John Cassian, Symeon the New Theologian, Hadewijch of Antwerp, John Tauler, Teresa of Avila, Guigo I, Aelred of Rievaulx, Miguel de Molinos, Richard of St. Victor, Bonaventure, Marguerite Porete, Walter Hilton
• Section 1: Biblical Interpretation
• Section 2: Asceticism and Purgation
• Section 3: Prayer, Liturgy, and Sacraments
• Section 4: Inner and Outer Practices
• Section 5: Mystical Itineraries
• Part Two: Aspects of Mystical Consciousness
Mystics featured in Part Two: Augustine, William of Saint-Thierry, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Gregory Palamas, John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Henry Suso, Julian of Norwich, Simone Weil, Nicholas of Cusa, Johann Arndt, Dionysius, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Gregory the Great, Symeon the New Theologian, Hildegard of Bingen, Hugh of St. Victor, Richard Rolle, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, George Fox, Angela of Foligno, John Tauler, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, Maximus the Confessor, Meister Eckhart, Macarius, John Ruusbroec, Francis de Sales, Marie of the Incarnation
• Section 6: Living the Trinity
• Section 7: Encountering Christ
• Section 8: Love and Knowledge
• Section 9: Positive and Negative Ways to God
• Section 10: Vision, Contemplation, and Rapture
• Section 11: Distress and Dereliction
• Section 12: Deification and Birthing
• Section 13: Union with God
• Part Three: Implications of the Mystical Life
Mystics featured in Part Three: Francois Fenelon, Gregory the Great, Bernard of Clairvaux, Meister Eckhart, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Merton
• Section 14: Mysticism and Heresy
• Section 15: Contemplation and Action