Memorial of Saints (June 25)

on June 25: William of Vercelli, abbot; Febronia, virgin and martyr; Gallicanus; Prosper of Aquitaine; Prosper of Reggio, bishop; Maximus of Turin, bishop; Moloc or Luan, bishop; Adalbert of Egmond; Eurosia, virgin and martyr; Gohard, bishop, and Companions, martyrs

William of Vercelli (1085-1142 A.D.) became a hermit on Monte Virgiliano and attracted so many disciples that he organized them into a community that by 1119 A.D. became known as the Hermits of Monte Vergine. There were conflicts within that community and so he organized other communities. He founded more monasteries at Conza, Guglietto, and Salerno opposite the palace where he became adviser to King Roger I of Naples.

Febronia (d. ca. 304 A.D.) refused a marriage and remained constant in her Christian faith. She was scourged, roasted, had her teeth pulled out and her breasts and limbs cut off, and then was axed to death.

Gallicanus (d. ca. 352 A.D.) became famous for his charity and good works, and was forced into exile by Emperor Julian the Apostate when he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods.

Prosper of Aquitaine (ca. 390-465 A.D.) was probably a layman who may have been married. He wrote poetry and treatises, notably his Chronicle, a universal history from creation to the Vandal capture of Rome in 455 A.D.

Prosper of Reggio (d. ca. 466 A.D.) was bishop of Reggio, Emilia, Italy, who was known for his charities and ruled his see for twenty-two years until his death.

Maximus of Turin (ca. 380-467 A.D.) was born probably at Vercelli, Rhaetia, Italy. He attended the synod of Milan in 451 A.D. and the Council of Rome in 465 A.D. He is mainly remembered for his writings - sermons, homilies and ascetical writings.

Moloc or Luan (d. ca. 572 A.D.) may have been born in Scotland of a noble family, educated at Birr, Ireland, and was trained by St. Brendan the Elder. He returned to Scotland to work as a missionary bishop near Lismore.

Adalbert of Egmond (d. ca. 705 A.D.) accompanied St. Egbert to Ireland and became a deacon at Rathmelsigi Monastery. Miracles were reported at his tomb, which became a center of pilgrimage.

Eurosia (8th century A.D.) may have been a native of Bayonne, France, who was murdered by the Saracens at Jaca in the Pyrenees of Aragon near the French border when she refused to marry a Moorish leader.

Gohard and Companions (d. 843 A.D.) was murdered with a large number of priests, monks, and laypeople while saying Mass in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Nantes by marauding Normans, who then pillaged and destroyed the entire city.

Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from) Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist (B), June 24, 2012

Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 139
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66, 80

"His name is John"

As with the events surrounding the birth and naming of Jesus, it was also the angel Gabriel who appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth and naming of John the Baptist. The Scriptures present the truth that, unlike some present-day trends, names are sacred; and not only names of persons but also of places - like where Moses encountered Yahweh, and where Jacob had a dream of angels ascending and descending from heaven. The name John given by the angel Gabriel denotes a special mission for the child to be born of Zechariah and Elizabeth (for no one in their family's tradition has that name).

As with the birth of Jesus, the birth of John the Baptist was also a miracle. Jesus was born of a virgin, while John was born from Elizabeth, who was already way advanced in years, and known by her community as barren. The parallelism of the birth narratives of Jesus and John makes all see the importance of their mission - that both would call the people back to God and His commands. In their mission, John would baptize by water, while Jesus will baptize in the Holy Spirit. And since John the Baptist's mission introduces the mission of Jesus, he is honored well in Catholic tradition: his name appears in the Litany of Saints right after the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the angels.

We can reflect on the events surrounding the birth of St. John the Baptist. What does it mean when God overrides a family tradition of naming? What was the reason for the Lord to strike Zechariah with speechlessness until his son was born? And how can a woman so advanced in years still find strength to bear a child? We can derive many truths from these questions for reflection. One truth that can be derived is the majesty and greatness of God. And since John's birth has a mission entrusted by God, his name is sacred (John means "graced by God"). It relates to the mystery of God as the Author of all life and all that is good.

Memorials of Saints: John the Baptist, Simplicius, Bartholomew (June 24)

The Birth of John the Baptist: This feast, dating from the 4th c. A.D. in both East and West, came to be celebrated, in accord with Lk 1:36, six months before the Lord’s birth; quoting Jn 3:30, Augustine found this date (near summer solstice) appropriate for the birth of John, when the daylight begins to grow shorter, whereas after Jesus’ birth, it begins to increase. (June 24)

also on June 24: The martyrs under Nero; Simplicius, bishop; Bartholomew of Farne

St. John the Baptist is one of the great saints honored by the Catholic Church. His preeminence is verified by the fact that in the Litany of the Saints, he ranks just below the Blessed Mother and the angels, and above all the other saints. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets, and heralds Christ as the Messiah.

Below are just some of the Scripture passages where he is mentioned:

• Luke 1:57-66, birth of John the Baptist
• Mark 1:1-6, Matthew 3:1-6, Luke 3:1-6, John the Baptist's proclamation
• Matthew 3:7-10, Luke 3:7-9, John's preaching on repentance
• Luke 3:10-14, John's preaching to special groups
• Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:15-18, John's Messianic preaching
• Luke 3:19-20, John's imprisonment
• Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, Baptism of Jesus by John
• Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39, mention of John in the question of fasting
• Luke 7:18-23, John's question to Jesus
• Matthew 11:7-19, Luke 7:24-35, Jesus' words about John
• Matthew 14:1-2, Mark 6:14-16, Luke 9:7-9, Herod thinks Jesus is John risen

Simplicius was elected bishop of Autun in 390 A.D. Details of his life are not certain but it is believed that he signed the decrees of the Council of Sardica in 347 A.D.

Bartholomew of Farne became a monk at Durham. He then became a solitary in the desolate island of Farne off the coast of Northumbria, where he spent the next forty-two years. Bartholomew was reputed to have performed miracles.