June
5 - Saint Boniface, Bishop, Martyr (680-754)
Boniface was born at Crediton, in Devon, at the end of the seventh
century. He became a Benedictine monk and was later sent by Pope
Gregory II to Bavaria and Hesse in Germany.
Often called the Apostle of Germany, he was instrumental in converting
many through his preaching and devout life. Around 747 he became
the archbishop of Mainz, but left that position to return to
care for the Church of Utrecht in Frisia, his old mission.
He was martyred, along with thirty of his monks, at the hands
of the Frisians in 754. Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers
of Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed,
ye may be glad also with exceeding joy . (The day's gradual,
page E 65, People's Anglican Missal) Catholic
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June 9 -
Saint Columba, Abbot (c. 521-97)
Born in Ireland around 521, Saint Columba left his native land
in about 563, along with twelve of his fellow monks, for Iona,
an island off Scotland. He then did his great work, that of the
conversion of the Northern Picts, including Brude, king of the
Picts.
His willingness to go wherever called by Christ is an holy example
for all Christians. The Lord prospered their works in the
hand of the holy prophet. They went through the wilderness that
was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay
no way . (The day's gradual, page E 66, People's Anglican
Missal) Catholic
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June
10 - Saint Margaret of Scotland (c. 1045 - 93)
Saint Margaret was queen of Scotland for thirty years. Fleeing
persecution after the battle of Hastings (1070) due to being
one of the last members of the Anglo-Saxon royal family, she
was offered refuge by Malcolm III, king of Scotland. They later
married.
Her devout faith carried over into significant almsgiving, giving
her the name of mother of the orphans by her subjects. Her Christian
example also led to the conversion of her husband and also influenced
her eight children into living Godly lives.
May God grant us like-minded charity, both in word and deed,
toward our neighbors and family. Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies. Favour is deceitful, and beauty
is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised
(The day's epistle, page F 44-45, People's Anglican Missal)
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June 11
- Saint Barnabas the Apostle
Saint Barnabas was a first century disciple who introduced Paul
to the apostles in Jerusalem. Because he assisted Paul for twelve
years in evangelizing the island of Cyprus and in Asia Minor,
he has been honored with the title of apostle, although he was
not one of the original twelve. Paul refers to him in his letters
to the Corinthians and Galatians.
Legend has it that Barnabas was martyred at the hands of the
Jews of Salamis in Cyprus. Pray that God raises up men in the
church to be apostles for Christ, and that they may be, like
Barnabas, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith
. (Acts 11:24). (The day's epistle, page E 67, The People's
Anglican Missal) Catholic
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June 13
- Saint Anthony of Padua, Confessor and Doctor (1195 - 1231)
Saint Anthony was born at Lisbon in 1195 and into a noble Portuguese
family. He became a Franciscan friar and priest and was stationed
to a hermitage at San Paolo. There he became well known for his
gifted intellect and preaching abilities, which he used to bring
many to the Christian faith.
Since the 17th century, many people have asked for his intercession
in finding lost articles, probably because a student of his who
borrowed a psalter without permission was compelled in an apparition
to return it. He is also the patron of the poor, and alms given
to obtain his intercession are known as "Saint Anthony's
Bread".Catholic
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June 14
- Saint Basil the Great, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor (C. 330
- 379)
One of the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil was born at Caesarea in
Cappadocia around 330. His brother was Saint Gregory of Nyssa
and his sister Saint Macrina. He was a brilliant theologian,
a founder of monasticism and a devout bishop.
While receiving his education at the highly esteemed schools
in Constantinople and Athens, he befriended Gregory
Nazianzus, who no doubt influenced
his decision to choose the monastic life. Later he was made bishop
of Caesarea. Basil is recognized for his significant contribution
on the development of dogma regarding the Holy Ghost. His efforts
provided the Church protection against those Arians who tried
to deny the full divinity of Christ by denying the full divinity
of the Holy Spirit.
His labour for Christ was instrumental in keeping the Church
from being torn asunder during this heretical time. Pray for
more such defenders of the Faith. Catholic
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June 18
- Saint Ephraem Syrus, Deacon, Confessor and Doctor. (C. 306-373)
St. Ephraem was born around 306 at Nisbis (Mesopotamia). During
the Persian takeover of Nisbis in 363, he became a hermit in
the desert of Edessa. With a cave as his home, he wrote many
poetical works and hymns, earning him the title of harp of the
Holy Ghost. He was also instrumental in establishing charitable
relief for the poor of Edessa.
Writing his voluminous works mostly in verse, they include exegetical,
dogmatic and ascetical writings. In the midst of the congregation
he opened his mouth: and the Lord filled him with the spirit
of wisdom and understanding . (The day's introit, page F
26, The People's Anglican Missal) Catholic
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June
22 - Saint Alban, Protomartyr of England
St. Alban was born in the third century in England, and was martyred
around 304. According to the English Christian historian, the
Venerable Bede, Alban was a pagan soldier who offered refuge
to a priest named Amphibalus during a persecution. The priest
ended up converting him, and when soldiers arrived at his home,
Alban dressed in the priest's clothes to protect him. Alban was
taken prisoner allowing the priest to flee. When compelled to
offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Alban refused and was martyred
as a consequence.
He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth
his life for my sake shall find it. (Matt. 10:39). (The day's
gospel, page F 6, People's Anglican Missal) Catholic
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June 24
- Nativity of Saint John Baptist (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of this Saint)
This feast day is a commemoration of the birth of Saint John
the Baptist. Throughout the history of the Church, this feast
day has been regarded as a "Summer Christmas". When
dispute arose as to the name of the child, his father Zacharias,
still without speech caused by God for his unbelief, wrote on
a tablet that the child's name would be John. Immediately Zacharias
was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied saying: Blessed
be the Lord of God of Israel: for he hath visited and redeemed
his people. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in
the house of his servant David. . . (St. Luke I: 68-69) (The
day's gospel, page E 74, The People's Anglican Missal) Catholic
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June 28 -
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (c. 130 - c. 200)
Saint Irenaeus was born around 130 in the East, most likely in
Smyrna, whose first bishop was Polycarp, a disciple of Saint John the Apostle. Irenaeus
became priest and later bishop of Lyons, an important trading
center in Gaul of the western Roman empire.
Despite his dislike of the teachings of the Montanist and of
the other heretical sects, he often favoured peacemaking and
unity instead of persecution in order to win heretics back to
the fullness of the Faith. Nonetheless, through his great works,
Adversus Haereses and the Demonstration of Apostolic
Preaching, he refuted Gnosticism. He emphasized Christian
monotheism, our Lord's Incarnation, and advocated the creation
of a Canon of Scripture as well as protection of the tradition
of apostolic succession of the episcopate.
Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast
been assured of: knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and
that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14). (The day's epistle, page
E 76, People's Anglican Missal) Click
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June 29
- The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (Saint Peter's Day) (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of these Saints)
Tradition affirms that both Saints Peter and Paul were martyred
in Rome under the Roman Emperor Nero in the year 67. However,
their martyrdoms probably did not occur on the same day, and
this feast puts them together possibly for the translation of
their relics, rather than for the feast of the martrydom.
It is believed Peter was crucified and Paul was beheaded. According
to the accounts of Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome, and
Irenaeus, Peter most likely set up his apostolate in Rome following
his governing of the Church in Jerusalem. Paul also preached
in Rome, although this was toward the end of his ministry. In
the Early Church, their martyrdoms were celebrated in the basilicas
which had been built over their tombs.
June 30
- Commemoration of Saint Paul the Apostle (Davies
Jewelry has Medals of this Saint)
Paul was born a Jew at Tarsus, educated by Gamaliel as a pharisee.
Prior to his conversion, he was a leading persecutor of the early
Church. However, through God's grace, he witnessed the Resurrected
Lord on his way to Damascus, as he was traveling in order to
persecute more Christians.
After his conversion, he gave heart, mind, soul and strength
for the furtherance of the Gospel. It is through his labours
that God used him as His instrument in bringing the Gentile world
into the Christian Faith.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my Name's sake; but he
that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matt. 10:22). (The
day's gospel, page E 82, People's Anglican Missal) Catholic
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