Commemoration of Saints (February 8)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Jerome Emiliani
• John of Matha, confessor
• Nicetius or Nizier of Besancon, bishop
• Elfleda, virgin
• Meingold, martyr
• Cuthman
• Stephen of Muret, abbot

St. Jerome Emiliani (1483-1537 A.D.) was the founder of the Somoscan Fathers. This is a religious order that runs schools and orphanages in Italy.

Born in Venice, Italy, he became an officer of the Venetian army. In 1518 A.D., while a captive of enemy forces, he had a conversion experience. This led him to decide to be a priest and devote his life to the care of suffering people in a time of widespread famine and plague. In 1531 A.D., after he himself got sick from the plague, he recovered and accomplished many things:

• he founded orphanages,
• hospitals,
• houses for former prostitutes,
• and a small congregation of priests

The congregation was named after their place of origin, Somasca, which was between Bergamo and Milan. He died from an illness he contracted while caring for the sick.

St. Jerome Emiliani was canonized in 1768 A.D. and declared patron saint of orphans and abandoned children in 1928 A.D.

St. John of Matha was co-founder with Felix of Valois of the Trinitarians - the Order of the Most Holy Trinity. His feast is commemorated on December 17, his day of death or "dies natalis" (day of birth into eternal life). But he is also commemorated today, February 8.

In reading about the Lives of the Saints, one is bound to encounter this discrepancy in some of the Saints' feasts. One reason is with the most recent Vatican Council II teaching which emphasize the "dies natalis" as the primary day for commemorating saints. This was in line with the ancient tradition and highlighted the saint's entrance into heavenly life.

But as one studies the lives of the Saints, there are many existing sources that are pre-Vatican II, where they record the saints' feasts on other significant dates, such as the anniversary of the dedication of a church in their honor or the translation of their relics. These feast days had historical or local significance. So, even if the universal calendar of Saints' feasts days was revised by Vatican II, there was still room for local calendars and traditions to honor saints who were particularly venerated in specific regions or communities.

The feast commemorating St. John of Matha is an instance of this liturgical reality. His feast today on February 8 is most likely based on traditions or commemorations within the Trinitarian Order.

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 8]

• St. Theodore, the great Martyr
• St. Zacharias, the Prophet

St. Theodore Heraclea or Theodore Stratelates, was mentioned yesterday, February 7, as the traditional date to commemorate him in the Catholic calendar. In the Byzantine calendar, he is commemorated today, February 8. In the Byzantine tradition, he is known a great Martyr or megalomartyr. Learn more at Wikipedia.org

Memorial of Saints (February 7)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Colette, virgin
• Adaucus, martyr
• Theodore of Heraclea, martyr
• Moses, bishop
• Richard, "King"
• Luke the Younger

St. Colette (1381-1447 A.D.) was a daughter of a carpenter at Corbie Abbey in Picardy, France. She began as a Franciscan tertiary who lived at Corbie as a solitary. In 1406 A.D., in response to a dream, she saw her calling to reform the Poor Clares. Receiving the Poor Clare habit from Peter Luna, with orders to reform the Order and appointing her superior, she began her work in reforming all the convents of the Poor Clares. Despite great opposition, she was successful in her reformation of the Order and founded seventeen more convents with the reformed rule. She was canonized in 1807 A.D. and a branch of the Poor Clares known as the Colettines was named in her honor.

St. Theodore of Heraclea (date of death unknown) was a resident of Heraclea in Pontus. He became a general in the army of Emperor Licinius and also a governor of Pontus. When it was discovered that he was a Christian, he was tortured and then beheaded by order of Licinius. Theodore is often surnamed Stratelates (general) and is one of the four honored by the Greeks as "a great martyr".

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 7]

• Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsachia
• Luke

Memorial of Saints (February 6)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Paul Miki and Companion Martyrs
• Mel and Melchu, bishop
• Vedast or Vaast, bishop
• Amand, bishop
• Guarinus, bishop
• Hildegund, widow
• Dorothy, martyr

Saints for February 6, Learn more

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 6]

• Bukolus, Bishop of Smyrna

St. Bukolus or Bucolus, was a disciple of the St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, and became the first bishop of Smyrna. He peacefully died in the years between 100-105 A.D. His flock was entrusted to St. Polycarp, who was also a disciple of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. Learn more from OCA.org