Memorial of Saints (November 14)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Dubricius
• Lawrence O' Toole, bishop
• Alberic
• Nicolas Tavelic
• Joseph Pignatelli
• Sidonius

St. Dubricius (ca. 545 A.D.) was probably born at Madley, Wales. He became a monk and founded monasteries at Henllan and Moccas. He attracted numerous disciples to these monasteries and founded more monasteries and churches. He and St. Deinol were the two prelates who convinced David to attend the synod of Frefi. Known also as Dyfrig, Dubricius spent his last years at Bardsey.

St. Joseph Pignatelli was a Jesuit who played an important role during the history of his Order - during the 1773 suppression and the 1814 restoration. Joseph journeyed to Russia to join the Jesuits that escaped the suppression of their Order through the political influence of Russia's Catherine the Great. Joseph eventually became master of novices, provincial of Italy, and a teacher in diocesan seminaries. Three years after his death, Pope Pius VII restored the Jesuit Order throughout the world (died ca. 1811 A.D.).

Historical details:

1. Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus in 1773 A.D.
2. All the members, including St. Joseph Pignatelli, were secularized.
3. Joseph Pignatelli lived in Bologna, Italy for the next twenty years and helped some of his less fortunate companions.
4. In Russia, since Empress Catherine refused to allow the bull of suppression by Pope Clement XIV to be published, the Jesuits continued in existence there.
5. In 1792 A.D., with the help of the duke of Parma, three Italian Jesuits in Russia journeyed to Italy to established themselves in Parma.
6. Joseph Pignatelli then obtained permission from Pope Pius VI to bring back the Jesuits from Russia back to Italy.
7. Joseph Pignatelli became the superior and he began a quasinovitiate at Colorno, Italy, in 1799 A.D.
8. In 1801 A.D., Pope Pius VII gave formal approval to the Jesuit province in Russia.
9. Joseph Pignatelli continued in his efforts to revive the Order. In 1804 A.D., the Society of Jesus was re-established in the Kingdom of Naples with Joseph Pignatelli as provincial.
10. He then restored the Order in Sardinia.
11. St. Joseph Pignatelli died in 1811 A.D. but three years after his death in 1814 A.D., the Society of Jesus was restored.
12. Pope Pius XII called him the "restorer" of the Jesuits when he was canonized in 1954 A.D.

Saints (November 14), Learn more