calendar for the month of October

Calendar for the month of October

 

 

03 OCTOBER Blessed Dominic Spadafora

At Monte Serignone in Sicily, Blessed Dominic Spadofora, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Born in Sicily about the year 1450 to the noble family of the Spadofora, Blessed Dominic received the habit at the priory of St. Zita at Palermo in 1450. He studied at Padua and did so brilliantly that was chosen to be the socius of the Master of the Order. Outstanding for his assiduous practice of prayer and fidelity to regular observance, he became a zealous preacher of the Word in Sicily and throughout Italy, sparing himself no hardship in the fulfillment of this sacred duty. He had a special devotion to the Passion of our Lord and by his charity and humility converted many to the Lord, even attracting some to the Order. He founded the priory of Our Lady of Grace in Monte Cerignone, Sicily, where he remained as superior until his death on December 21, 1521. Pope Benedict XV ratified and confirmed his immemorial cult in 1921 on the fourth centenary of his death. This commemoration recalls the date of the translation of his remains in 1677.

04 OCTOBER Our Holy Father Francis of Assisi

At Assisi, in Umbria, Italy, Saint Francis of Assisi, deacon, founder of the Three Orders of the Franciscan Family.

Giovanni Francesco Bernadone was born at Assisi in 1182. After a carefree youth with little meaning and purpose, a series of misfortunes couple with war, imprisonment and illness, led him to live life earnestly. After frequently visiting Churches and spending time to prayer, he was converted to the Lord: leaving all his material possessions behind, and strove to conform his life to the poor Christ by simplicity of life and to the crucified Christ by his charity.

Francis attracted many followers to his way of life and in 1210 his first rule was approved and shortly after the first church was allotted to him the Portiuncula.

In 1221 in the house of Cardinal Ugolino in Rome he met Saint Dominic, the only meeting of the two founders that is sufficiently attested by historical data. From 1223 onwards with the formal confirmation of his revised rule, Francis’ life began to draw rapidly to a close. A year later, on Monte Alverno, he received the sacred stigmata, the first person known to be so favored. After this, his health failed; blindness threatened; internal dissension were already tearing at the fabric of his loosely knit brotherhood.

On October 3, 1226 at the age of forty-four, Francis returned his most pure soul to God, his profound and radiant joy and his love for all creatures in God had already made him a saint in the popular esteem. Pope Gregory IX formally canonized him two years later in 1228. 

The special celebration of his feast in the liturgy of the Order expresses the bond which exists between the Friars Minor and the Friars Preachers based upon that bond which existed between their founders. Saint Catherine of Siena said of them: “Truly Dominic and Francis were two pillars of Holy Church: Francis with the poverty that was his hallmark and Dominic by his learning.”

Liturgical note: “Festum” for the Dominican Family.

05 OCTOBER Blessed Raymond delle Vigne of Capua

At Nüremberg, Germany, Blessed Raymond delle Vigne of Capua, friar and priest, Master of the Order of Preachers.
 
Blessed Raymond delle Vigne was born at Capua, Italy, about 1330 and while studying at the University of Bologna entered the Order there in 1350. He held various administrative and teaching positions within the Roman Province. At the General Chapter of 1374 he was assigned by the Master of the Order to be spiritual director for Saint Catherine of Siena, who for the next six years shall enjoy the singular privilege of becoming the friend, confidant, biographer, guide and disciple of one of the most remarkable women in the history of the Church.  During this period he undertook many delicate diplomatic missions at her request, as well as continuing to hold positions of authority within the Order.

In May, 1380, only a few weeks after St Catherine’s death, Blessed Raymond was elected Master of that portion of the Order which had remained faithful to the Roman Pontiff, Urban VI. Armed with her advice and the assurance of her prayers, he began what was to be his great life work: the reform of the Order. For the next twenty years, by letter, bu visitations, by word and example, without regard for calumny or opposition, he labored to restore religious discipline in the houses under his obedience.   At the same time working to restore unity to the Church, rent asunder as it was by the Western Schism. He died at Nüremberg on October 5, 1399 while visitating the priories in Germany.  Pope Leo XIII beatified him five centuries later in 1899.

 
Liturgical note: “Memoria optativa”

06, OCTOBER Blessed Bartolo Longo

At Pompeii, Naples (Italy), Blessed Bartolo Longo,  lay person and married man of the Order of Preachers; Founder of a religious congregation.

Blessed Bartolo Longo was born in Naples in 1841 and obtained his degree in civil law at the University there. Faith was weak in the intellectual circles of the time and Bartolo had wavered in his own faith, even to the point of dabbling in spiritualism. He was converted through the work of Father Alberto Radente, O.P., and in 1872 became a tertiary with the name Rosario. Called to promote the Rosary by divine intervention he was responsible for building the Sanctuary of our Lady of Pompeii (1876) as well as the founding of a religious congregation, the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii (1877). He was zealous not only in promoting devotion to our Lady, but also in works of social justice. He died at Pompeii on October 6, 1926. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 26, 1980.

 
Liturgical note: “Memoria optativa”

 

 

 

 

07 OCTOBER, Our Lady of the Rosary

The Rosary, which places before us the chief mysteries of the Life, Passion and Resurrection of our Savior, has been one of the chief ways in which the Order has expressed the tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our brother, Alan de La Roche (1428-1478) helped to define the structure of the Rosary and zealously promoted its recitation. At Douai in 1470 he established the first Rosary Confraternity. In 1476 our brother Jacob Sprenger established at Cologne the first such Confraternity which had papal approval. Pope Saint Pius V gave the Rosary definitive form in is bull Consueverunt Romani Pontificis (September 17, 1569).

Today’s feast commemorates the great naval victory won by Christian forces over the Turks at Lepanto on Sunday, October 7, 1571. Pope Saint Pius V decreed that a feast in honor of Our Lady of Victories be celebrated each year on that day. His successor, Gregory XIII, transferred the feast to the first Sunday of October under the new title of the Most Holy Rosary, since it was precisely through the invocation of the Rosary that the victory was thought to have been gained. During the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII, a new impetus led to the propagation of this centuries-old Marian devotion as an instrument of Christian renewal and of social action and making the whole month of October as the month of the Rosary. During the conciliar reform of the liturgy, the feast was returned to its original day.

Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus (1974) restored the devotion of the rosary as a privileged form of Marian devotion for its biblical and catechetical value. As a true devotee and son of the Virgin, Pope John Paul II published the Rosarium Virginis Mariae in 2006, confirming this excellent Marian devotion for the Church in the new millennium and left an indelible mark in its development with the introduction of the “Mysteries of Light”.

This is also the titular patroness of the Holy Rosary Province.

Liturgical note: “Festum” for the Dominican Family., “Solemnitas” for the Holy Rosary Province.

08 OCTOBER Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni

At Siena, in Italy, Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Ambrose was born at Siena, Italy in 1220. At birth he was so hideously deformed that his parents, members of the Sienese nobility sent him away to be brought up by strangers.  But through the prayers of his nurse, who used to take him with her to the Church of the Friars Preachers, he as miraculously healed. On reaching the age of seventeen, he entered the Order and sometime after was sent to Paris to study under St. Albert the Great. Together with Thomas Aquinas and Peter of Tarentaise (Pope Innocent V) he studied at Paris and Cologne under Saint Albert the Great and he and Thomas began to teach at Cologne under Albert’s guidance. In addition to teaching and preaching, he was able to maintain a constant and uninterrupted prayer, even though he was often involved in diplomatic missions for both popes and monarchs. He was in addition one of the early lectors in sacred Theology for the Pontifical household. Blessed Ambrose died while preaching at Siena on March 20, 1287. His cult was confirmed by Pope Gregory XV on October 8, 1622. And this was fixed as the date for his liturgical memorial.

08 OCTOBER Blessed Matthew Carreri

At Vigevano, in Italy, Blessed Matthew Carreri, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Matthew Carreri was born at Mantua, Italy around 1420 and entered the Order there in 1440. Embarking on a life of severe penance and exact fidelity to regular observance, he contributed greatly by his example to the reform of the Order in his native region. Blessed Matthew was a great love of silence and, like St Dominic never spoke except of God or to God.  His life was marked by assiduous prayer, severe penance and an exact fidelity to regular observance, all of which prepared him for a life of apostolic preaching which he manifested with an ardent zeal for souls which moved even hardened sinners to repentance and conversion. So great was his charity that he once offered to deliver himself into slavery in order to rescue a mother and her daughter captured by pirates. Throughout his life Blessed Matthew labored to promote regular observance in the Order. He died a holy death at Vigevano on October 5, 1470, leaving as his spiritual heiress, Blessed Stephana Quinzani. His cult was confirmed on December 2, 1625 and September 23, 1742.

 

09 OCTOBER Saint Luis Bertrán

At Valencia, Spain, Saint Luis Bertrán, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.
 
Saint Luis, was born in Valencia, Spain January 1, 1526, and received the Dominican habit in 1544 against the wishes of his parents. He came to so exemplify the ideals of Dominican life that he was appointed master of novices, an office he fulfilled with great zeal and prudence.

Combining an austere life with zeal for spreading the gospel, he asked to be sent to the farthest parts of the Americas and in 1562 was sent to what is now Colombia. There he labored indefatigably for over seven years among the most savage and hostile Indian tribes of present day Columbia, Venezuela and the Caribbean. He was given the gift of communicating with the Indians in their own tongues and with the encouragement of Bartolomé de Las Casas defended their rights against the Spanish conquerors. But finally indignant at but unable to reverse the cruel and unjust treatment of the natives by their Spanish overlords, he returned to Spain in 1569 and resumed his duties as novice master. He later served as prior of various houses, including his own native Valencia where he died on October 9, 1581. He was canonized by Pope Clement X on April 12, 1671. Saint Luis is the patron of  Dominican novitiates and formation personnel.

Liturgical note: “Memoria”; “Festum” for the novitiates.

11 OCTOBER Blessed James Griesinger of Ulm

At Bologna, in Italy, Blessed James Griesinger of Ulm, friar of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed James Griesinger was born at Ulm, Germany, in 1407 and spent his early years as a mercenary soldier. Once when passing through Bologna he stopped to pray at the tomb of Saint Dominic. He experienced a conversion and asked to be admitted to the Order as a cooperator brother. He pursued the art of stained-glass making and his work can still be seen in the chapel of the Bentivoglio palace and in the cathedral of Saint Petronius in Bologna. Blessed James was silent and recollected at his work, diligent and prayerful and is noted for his faithfulness to regular observance. He is remembered for his humble obedience and his contemplation on the Passion of the Savior. Blessed James died on October 11, 1491 at Bologna and was beatified by Pope Leo XII in 1825.

13 OCTOBER Blessed Magdalen Panatieri

At Trino in Vercelli, Italy, Blessed Magdalen Panatieri, sister and virgin of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Magdalen was born at Turin, Italy in 1443 and while still quite young was received as a tertiary by the Sisters of Penance of Saint Dominic. She received many spiritual graces, including the stigmata, but was best known for her ministry to the children of the town, whom she cared for and catechized with Christ-like zeal and efficacy. In this way she not only guided little ones into the paths of virtue but through them, influenced their parents and families as well. Her prayer was always that she be in the world, but not of the world. Even during her lifetime, Blessed Magdalen was looked upon as the protectress of her native city and the townspeople unhesitatingly sought her intercession to avert the horrors of war, plague or famine. Rich in virtue and merits, she went to her heavenly reward on October 13, 1503. Her cult was confirmed by Pope Leo XII on August 25, 1828.

14 OCTOBER Blessed Marie Poussepin

At Sainville, Tours, in France, Blessed Marie Pouseppin, sister and virgin of the Order of Preachers and foundress of a religious congregation.

Blessed Marie Poussepin was born in 1653 at Dourdan (Isle de France). She was very active in the Confraternity of Charity founded by a follower of Saint Vincent de Paul and later assumed responsibility for her family and its business. Her life during those years was spent among her professional tasks, her charitable enterprises, always available collaborate with the parish ministry and her belonging to the Dominican laity. In 1691 she entrusted the family business to her brother. In 1696 she went to Sainville in Beauce in order to found a community of the Dominican women dedicated to charitable works and services which later evolved into the Congregation of  “Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation”. She died in January 24, 1774.

Her liturgical memorial was fixed on this date, the anniversary of her baptism (October 14, 1653).

19 OCTOBER Blessed Agnes de Jesus Galand

At Langeac, in France, Blessed Agnes of Jesus Galand, nun and virgin of the Order of Preachers.

A Dominican mystic of the XVII century, Mother Agnes is known principally for her providential role in the life of Monsieur Jacques Olier, founder of Saint Sulpice for the formation of priests. She was born in 1602 at Puy in Velay, France. From childhood she was known for piety, love of poverty and courageous charity; she was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady. At the age of 21 she was received into the Dominican laity in Puy; in 1624, after great discussion, she entered the Dominican Monastery at Langeac as a choir sister. Later she was elected prioress, deposed and reelected. Her humility, charity and especially her mystical graces often disconcerted those around her. Blessed Agnes died on October 19, 1634 and bequeathed a two-fold Dominican heritage: the nuns of St. Catherine at Langeac and the apostolic “Dominicans of Mother Agnes” at Puy whose foundation was inspired by her life and spirit.
 

21 OCTOBER Blessed Peter Capucci of Città di Castello

At Cortona, in Italy, Blessed Peter Capucci of Città di Castello, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Peter was born in Città di Castello in 1390 and at the age of fifteen received the habit in the reformed priory of Cortona where he was to spend his entire Dominican life. He devoted his life to contemplation and preaching.  He is said to have meditated frequently on death and the consequent vanity of all mortal creatures and urged his listeners to prepare for coming of death. A feature of his sermons was the skull which he held in his hands while delivering them.  Although of noble birth, he took upon himself the task of begging alms for his community and reportedly worked many miracles while engaged in this occupation. Blessed Peter died at Cortona on October 21, 1445 and was beatified by Pope Pius VII in 1816.
 

22 OCTOBER

(In consecrated Churches whose day of consecration is not known)

The Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church

 

Liturgical note: “Solemnitas”

25 OCTOBER Blessed Peter of Geremia

At Palermo, in Sicily (Italy), Blessed Peter Geremia, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Peter Geremia was born at Palermo in 1399. Unusually gifted he attended the University of Bologna to pursue the study of law even at an early age. However, he gave up a promising legal career and entered the Order, making his profession in 1423 at Fiesole in the priory of San Domenico where Saint Antoninus was prior.  Blessed Peter’s mind and great spiritual gifts found room for development in the Order and he became known as one of the finesse preachers in Sicily. Encouraged in his missionary labors by St. Vincent Ferrer, he devoted himself entirely to the preaching mission; and at the same time, also felt a great attraction to the contemplative life and spent a large part of his days and nights in prayer and in the practice of severe austerities in imitation of the ancient Fathers of the desert.

He himself served as prior in several houses and was a zealous promoter of regular observance, the life of study and the ministry of preaching. Pope Eugene IV summoned him to serve at the Council of Constanz in 1439. He returned to Sicily where he continued to foster the reform of the Order. Many miracles are reported to have been worked by this servant of God. Blessed Peter died March 3, 1452; Pope Pius VI confirmed his cult in 1784.

26 OCTOBER Blessed Damian of Finale

At Reggio Emilia, in Italy, Blessed Damian Furcheri of Finale, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Damian Furcheri was born towards the beginning of the fifteenth century at Perti, a city near Finario (now Finale Borgo), near Genoa.  He entered the Order in Genoa. After a brilliant career as a student, he went forth with great zeal to preach the word of God. So fiery and eloquent were his sermons that people flocked to them by the hundreds and were deeply moved to a sincere repentance and reform in their lives. After many years of fruitful ministry, Blessed Damian died at Reggio Emilia near Modena in 1484. His cult was confirmed by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1848.

27 OCTOBER Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza

At Vicenza, Italy, Blessed Bartholomew Breganza, friar and bishop of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Bartholomew Breganza was born at Vicenza around 1200 and received the habit from Saint Dominic at Bologna. For several years he preached throughout Lombardy and Emilia and labored to restore peace and public order. In 1253 he was named bishop of Limassol, Cyprus, and in 1255 was transferred to Vicenza, where again he worked to reconcile warring factions. He was present at the second translation of the remains of Saint Dominic in 1267 and preached the sermon on that occasion. He died at Vicenza in 1270.  His friend King Louis IX of France gave a portion of the crown of thorns of our Lord which he housed in a church built for this purpose.

30 OCTOBER Blessed Benvenuta Bojani

At Cividale del Friuli, in Italy, Blessed Benevenuta Bojani, sister and virgin of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Benvenuta was born on May 4, 1255 at Cividale del Friuli.  She became a member of the Sisters of Penance and devoted herself to a life of penance for the conversion of sinners. Through the intercession of Saint Dominic she was healed of a serious illness and devoted the remainder of her life to prayer and even greater penance. She also received many mystical graces.  She died on October 30, 1292 and was beatified by Pope Clement XIII in 1795.

30, OCTOBER Blessed Peter Higgins

At Dublin, Ireland, Blessed Peter Higgins friar and priest of the Order of Preachers, martyr.

Blessed Peter Higgins most likely was born in 1602 in the vicinity of Dublin, Ireland; there is no precise knowledge of the date and place of his birth. In 1622 there were eight Dominicans living on Cook Street, Dublin; it was probably there that he received the habit and made his novitiate. In 1627 his name appears on a list of Irish Dominicans living in Spain. In the early 1630s, he ministered the Word in Dublin and Naas. After the “Rebellion of 1641”, Naas was retaken by the Earl of Ormond in January 1642 and Blessed Peter Higgins was captured. He was taken to Dublin and hanged there on March 23, 1642. At the scaffold, he maintained his innocence and died loyal to his Catholic faith and to his religious profession as a son of St Dominic.

 

On the same day

30, OCTOBER Blessed Terence Albert O’Brien

At Limerick , in Ireland, Blessed Terence Albert O’ Brien, friar and bishop of the Order of Preachers, martyr.

Blessed Albert Terence O’Brien was born at Tough in the county of Limerick, near Cappamore, Ireland. In 1622 he entered the Dominican Order. He studied in Spain, probably at the priory of St. Peter Martyr in Toledo, Spain. In 1627 he was ordained and returned to Ireland. Blessed Albert Terence was twice prior of the Limerick community and also prior of the convent of St. Peter Martyr at Lorrha, near Portumna. In 1643 he was elected provincial; in 1644 he attended the General Chapter in Rome; and in 1647, he was ordained Bishop of Emly. Cromwell’s army under Ireton besieged Limerick in 1651. Terence Albert O’Brien was arrested while attending the sick in the plague-house. He was tried, sentenced to be hanged, and executed the next day. His head was hacked off and impaled on St. John’s Gate in Limerick.

These two Irish martyrs are remembered on this day.