Memorial of Saints (June 29)

Peter (died c. 64 A.D. in Rome under Nero); Galilean fisherman; spokesman for the Twelve who became "Prince of the Apostles"; two epistles are ascribed to him; patron of those in fishing industry.

Paul: according to tradition, was martyred in Rome c. 67 A.D.; Pharisee who became the "Apostle of the Gentiles"; his letters may be dated from c. 50-65 A.D.; patron of the lay apostolate, of Malta and Greece.

also on June 29:

• Cassius, bishop;
• Salome and Judith;
• Emma, widow

Cassius (d. 558 A.D.), was an exemplary bishop of Narni noted for his charity and devotion to the people of Narni. He died while on a pilgrimage to Rome.

Salome and Judith (9th century A.D.). Salome became an anchoress in a cell attached to the monastery-church built by Walter the abbot, a reputed relative. Judith, an aunt or cousin sent by the English king to find Salome, arrived at Altaich, decided to become an anchoress and occupied a cell built for her adjoining that of Salome. She remained on after Salome's death, and was buried next to the grave of her niece.

Emma (d. ca. 1045 A.D.), was married and had two children. The two were murdered during an uprising at the mines owned by her husband, Landgrave William of Friesach. Emma decided to devote her life to God.

Memorial of Saints (June28)

Irenaeus: (died 202 A.D.); from Smyrna; disciple of Polycarp; for 25 years the bishop of Lyons; wrote against the Gnostics, esp Adversus haereses; first to provide a coherent rationale for a Christian Bible including both Testaments, and the first to offer a comprehensive account of belief in God’s universal providential and redemptive economy. Learn more

also on June 28:

• Plutarch,
• Potamiaena and Companions, martyrs;
• Paul I, pope;
• Heimrad;
• Sergius and Germanus of Valaam, abbots;
• John Southworth, priest and martyr

Plutarch, d. ca. 202 A.D., was arrested for his faith during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Septimus Severus. He was executed together with others who attended Origen's catechetical school in Alexandria, Egypt.

Potamiaena was the daughter of Marcella who both attended Origen's catechetical school in Alexandria. Potamiaena was put to death in boiling pitch.

Paul I, d. 767 A.D., rebuilt churches and monasteries in Rome, opposed the iconaclasm of Emperor Constantine Copronymus, and died at St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome on June 28.

Heimrad experienced a lot of trouble in his life until eventually settled down to an austere life in a forest near what is now Wolfhagen, Hesse-Nassau, and died there. Many miracles were recorded at his tomb, which attracted great numbers of pilgrims.

Sergius and Germanus founded a Russian monastery on Valaam (Valamo) Island in Lake Ladoga in southeastern Finland, where they evangelized the pagan Karelians around the lake.

John Southworth, 1592-1654 A.D., was a Catholic priest who was hanged, drawn, and quartered for his priesthood at Tyburn on June 28.

Memorial of Saints (June 27)

Cyril of Alexandria is a bishop and doctor of the Church. St. Cyril was the most brilliant theologian of the Alexandrian tradition. His writings are characterized by accurate thinking, precise exposition, and great reasoning skill. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1882 A.D.

Other Saints (June 27):

• 1 Zoilus and Companions, martyrs;
• 2 Samson of Constantinople;
• 3 John of Chinon;
• 4 George Mtasmindeli of the Black Mountains, abbot;
• 5 Ladislaus of Hungary;
• 6 Benvenuto of Gubbio

1 Zoilus and 19 others suffered martyrdom at Cordova for their Christian faith during Diocletian's persecution.

2 Samson of Constantinople was a wealthy physician who became a priest and built a hospital for the sick.

3 John of Chinon was from Britanny. He became a hermit near Chinon, Touraine, and was famed as a healer and as a prophet. He was the spiritual director of Queen Radegund of Neustria.

4 George Mtasmindeli, 1014-1066 A.D., was a disciple of Hilarion Tvalei the monk. He lived as a hermit in Syria, and was for a time abbot of Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. He is remembered mainly for his translations of several theological treatises into Iberian and his revision of St. Euthemius' Iberian translation of the Bible.

5 Ladislaus of Hungary, 1040-1095 A.D., was elected King of Hungary by the nobles in 1077 A.D. He was chosen to lead the armies of the First Crusade but before he could do so died at Nitra, Bohemia, on July 29. He was venerated from the time of his death for his zeal, piety, and moral life, and was canonized in 1192 A.D. by Pope Celestine III.

6 Benvenuto of Gubbio joined the Franciscans in 1222 A.D. as a lay brother. He ws noted for his piety, visions and ecstasies.

Other Saints in the Month of June