Memorial of Saints (January 23)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Ildephonsus of Toledo, bishop
• Henry Suso, mystic
• Emerentiana, virgin and martyr
• Asclas, martyr
• Agathangelus and Clement, martyrs
• John the Almsgiver, patriarch
• Bernard or Barnard, bishop
• Lufthildis, virgin
• Maimbod, martyr

Blessed Henry Suso (ca. 1295-1366 A.D.) was the third great mystic produced by the German Dominicans in the 14th century A.D. After joining the Dominicans at an early age and influenced by Meister Eckhart, he aspired to an academic career. However, upon Eckhart's condemnation, Henry was attacked by his confreres. Henry gave up teaching, concentrated on preaching, and worked as an adviser to the Dominican nuns.

These are the written works of Blessed Henry Suso:

• The Little Book of Truth
• The Little Book of Wisdom
• The Little Book of Letters
• The Life of the Servant

The Life of The Servant is the work for which Blessed Henry is most known today. His The Little Book of Wisdom is also widely known. The Latin version of the writing is even more widely known than the German version, because the Latin version was translated into eight languages and had more than six hundred manuscripts - second to Thomas a Kempis' The Imitation of Christ.

Author's note: The three great German Dominican mystics are Meister Eckhart, Johannes Tauler, and Henry Suso. They were major writers in the 14th century German mystic movement.

Learn more on Saints in the Roman Calendar [January 24]

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [January 24]

• St. Clems, Priest-Martyr
• St. Agathangel, Martyr

St. Agathangel or Agathangelus was the deacon of St. Clement (d. ca. 308 A.D.), who was bishop of Ancrya, Galatia. Agathangelus was converted by Clement. At a young age, Clement already devoted himself to the education of the young and poverty-stricken. Both St. Clement and St. Agathangelus were tortured for years because of their Christian faith. Both were reportedly miraculously saved from death many times until they were finally executed by sword at Ancrya.

Today in the history of Christianity in England

January 23, 1645 A.D. is the day of death of Mary Ward. Mary founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the period of anti-Catholic persecution in England. She was inevitably imprisoned. Upon her exile to the European continent, she continued in her efforts to secure papal approval for the Institute she founded. Her detractors worked to have the Institute suppressed. Imprisoned temporarily in a convent, she returned to England where she died in 1645 A.D. The Rule of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary was finally approved by Pope Clement XI in 1703 A.D. It had a marked infuence on religious life in the European continent.