Memorial of Saints (September 20)

Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr
• Vincent Madelgarius, abbot;
• Martyrs of Korea

Andrew Kim Taegon was born in Seoul, Korea to converts to the faith. His father was a martyr. Baptized at the age of 15, he traveled 1300 miles to the nearest seminary in South China and was ordained Korea's first native priest. In 1846 A.D. he was tortured and beheaded along with his lay associates, St. Paul Chong Hasang. Between 1839 and 1867 A.D., 113 martyrs gave their lives for the faith in Korea.

Vincent Madelgarius (ca. 615-677 A.D.) was born in Hainault. In ca. 635 A.D., he married Waldetrudis, who bore him four children - all venerated as saints. In ca. 643 A.D., he became a Benedictine monk at an abbey he founded and which he became abbot. He founded another abbey on his estate at Soignies, Belgium, where he died on July 14.

Memorial of Saints (September 19)

Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints for September 19

• Januarius, bishop and martyr
• Peleus and Companions, martyrs;
• Sequanus or Seine, abbot;
• Goericus or Abbo, bishop;
• Theodore of Tarsus, bishop;
• Mary of Cerevellon, virgin;
• Theodore, David, and Constantine;
• Emily de Rodat, virgin;
• Alonso de Orozco

Januarius (died 305 A.D.): according to his legend, thrown to bears at Pozzuolo under Diocletian; bishop of Benevento; as early as 1389 A.D., his blood has liquefied on this and other days each year; patron of Naples. (September 19)

St. Peleus (d. ca. 310 A.D.) was an Egyptian bishop. Together with Nilus (another Egyptian bishop), Elias (a priest), and an Egyptian layman, they were all burned to death at Phunon near Petra, Palestine - persecuted and executed for their Christian faith during the time of Emperor Galerius.

Memorial of Saints (September 18)

Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints for September 18

• Joseph of Cupertino, confessor;
• Ferreolus, martyr;
• Methodius of Olympus, bishop and martyr;
• Richardis, widow;
• Ferreolus of Limoges, bishop

St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663 A.D.) was born of poor parents at Cupertino, Italy. Due to his clumsiness and below average intelligence, he found difficulty in entering religious life. But, he was eventually accepted as a servant and as a Franciscan tertiary by the Conventual Franciscans. An exposition of his life was portrayed in the movie, "The Reluctant Saint", which was produced in the 1960s. You can search for videos of this movie at YouTube. Joseph of Cupertino's life & mission is both a miracle and a wonder. Given by God the gift of levitation, he is able to levitate several feet into the air. Because of this extraordinary gift, he is the patron saint of air travelers and pilots.

Learn more details of Saints for September 18