DOMINICAN CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY
03, FEBRUARY Blessed Peter Cambiani of Ruffia
At Turin, Italy, Blessed Peter of Ruffia, friar and priest of the Order of
Preachers. Martyr.

Blessed Peter Cambiani was born at Ruffia, in Piedmont, Italy, around
1320. He entered the Order at an early age and was known for his personal
austerity, his sound doctrine and his spirit of self-denial. He was appointed
Inquisitor General of Piedmont in 1351 to deal with the Waldensians and was brought
many of them back to the faith. He
suffered martyrdom at Susa on February 2, 1365. Pope Pius IX, elevated him to
the honors of the altar in 1856.

On the same day
03, FEBRUARY Blessed Anthony of Pavoni
At Brichierazo near the Alps, Blessed Anthony Pavoni, friar and priest of
the Order of Preachers. Martyr

Blessed Anthony was born at Savigliano, Italy about 1326 and entered the
Order in his native city at an early age and was distinguished for his zeal and
spirit of joyful self sacrifice. Upon the martyrdom of Blessed Peter of Ruffia,
Anthony was appointed to succeed him as Inquisitor General in 1365 by Urban V.
Immersing himself to this task with enthusiasm, he preached through northern
Italy winning many souls for Christ and his prayer and practice of virtue
sustained him in this ministry. He was ambushed as he left the Church after
Mass on Low Sunday, April 9, 1374. Pope
Pius IX confirmed his cult in 1868.

On the same day,
03, FEBRUARY Blessed Bartholomew of Cerveri
At Cerveri, in Piedmont, Italy, Blessed Bartholomew of Cerveri, friar and
priest of the Order of Preachers.

Blessed Bartholomew was born at Savigliano, Italy about 1420 and entered
at an early age. He pursued theological studies and became a Master of Theology
in the faculty of Turi in 1452. His theological expertise and his apostolic
zeal led to his appointment as Inquisitor General in Piedmont. Blessed
Bartholomew worked untiringly to defend the true faith and for his efforts he
finally met the same fate as his courageous brethren, receiving the crown of
martyrdom on April 21, 1466. Pope Pius IX confirmed his cult in 1853.

These three martyrs who suffered for the faith in the same region are now
honored on the same day

04, FEBRUARY Saint Catherine de’ Ricci
At Prato, in Italy, St. Catherine de’Ricci, sister and virgin of the Order of Preachers.

Alessandra de’ Ricci was born of a noble family near Florence in 1522. At
the age of twelve she entered the Dominican convent of Saint Vincent at Prato
and took the religious name Catherine.
Inspired by Girolamo Savonarola, she soon proved remarkable for her
spirit of penance and her life of contemplative prayer, receiving many mystical
favors from God such as the mystical espousals and the sacred stigmata. Despite
her intense mystical life of prayer and penance she constantly promoted regular
life, Catherine served as prioress of the convent for thirty-six years. During
this time, not only he own sisters, but men and women of all ranks and every
station of life came to her for counsel; none of them went away unsatisfied.
She was noted as a kind and considerate superior, particularly gentle with the
sick. She died on February 2, 1590 at the age of sixty eight and was canonized
by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746. Her
uncorrupt body is enshrined beneath the main altar of the Basilica of Prato.

Liturgical note: “Memoria”

07, FEBRUARY Anniversary Deceased
Parents
In this celebration we remember our parents who have preceded us with the
sign of faith and rest in peace. The Dominican Family joins together to honor
our deceased parents with the same affection we showed them in life, for in
Christ they gave us birth and from the crib they showed us what it means to be
followers of Christ.

Liturgical note: “Commemoratio”.

12, FEBRUARY Blessed Reginald of Orleans
At Paris, in France, Blessed Reginald of Orleans, friar and priest of the
Order of Preachers.

Blessed Reginald was born at Saint Gilles, near Orleans, France about the
year 1180. He was first a Master of Canon Law at Paris and then Dean of the
Cathedral Chapter of St. Aignan in Orleans.
While accompanying his bishop on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he met
St Dominic in Rome in 1218. He was captivated by the holiness of the Patriarch
and the ideal of his Order. While there he fell dangerously ill, but was healed
through the intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He then received the habit
from Saint Dominic, the very habit which Our Lady had shown him.

After his return from the Holy Land, he was first sent to Bologna and to
Paris. In both places, his example and eloquent preaching attracted many young
men to the Order, among them Blessed Jordan of Saxony. Renowned for his
humility and his zeal for living the ideals of apostolic life, he passed to his
eternal reward in February1220 after scarcely two years in the Order and was
buried at Notre Dame des Champs in Paris. Pope Pius IX confirmed his cult in
1875.

Liturgical note: “Memoria optativa”

13, FEBRUARY Blessed Jordan of Saxony
At sea, Blessed Jordan of Saxony, priest and friar, Master of the Order of
Preachers.

Blessed Jordan of the noble family of Eberstein, was born at Burgberg,
Westphalia, around the year 1185. While studying in Paris he was attracted to
the Order by Blessed Reginald and received the habit on Ash Wednesday of 1220.
From the beginning of his religious life, he was remarkable for his prudence
and piety. On the death of Saint Dominic
the friars elected him Master of the Order although he had worn the habit for
scarcely three years. Once placed in
authority, he greatly augmented the Order both by the firm yet careful exercise
of his power and by the fervor of his preaching. For fifteen years he
ministered to his brothers and sisters by his preaching, his letters, his
edition of the Constitutions, his frequent visitations and the example
of his life. More than one thousand novices were attracted to the Order during
the tenure of his office. So great was his influence on the young that in
places he passed through, mothers used to hide their sons. He directed Blessed
Diana and her community in the way of perfection and governed all his subjects
with gentleness and kindness. His love for Mary, the Mother of God, expressed
itself by his decree that the Salve Regina was to be sung after
compline. While returning from a visitation to the Holy Land, he was
shipwrecked and drowned in 1237. Pope
Leo XII confirmed his cult in 1826. He is the heavenly patron of vocation
promoters and those who are dedicated in the vocation discernment.

Liturgical note: “Memoria”.

16, FEBRUARY Blessed Nicholas of Paglia
At Perugia, Italy, Blessed Nicholas of Paglia, friar and priest of the
Order of Preachers.

Blessed Nicholas was born at Giovinazzo, near Bari, Italy in 1197. While pursuing studies at Bologna, he was
drawn to the Order by a sermon of Saint Dominic who personally gave him the
habit and made him one of his travelling companions. At the death of the
patriarch, Nicholas was elected prior provincial for the Roman Province, and in
that capacity founded the priories of Perugia and Trani. He also compiled a
concordance of sacred scripture. His fame as a preacher and wonder worker had
spread throughout the Roman Province by the time of his death which occurred at
Perugia in 1256. Pope Leo XII confirmed his cult in 1828.

18, FEBRUARY Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico)
At Rome in Italy, Blessed John Mungello of Fiesole, or Blessed Angelico,
friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.

John Mungello di Vicchio was born in the region of Tuscany in 1386 or 1387
and studied art in Florence while still a young man. Feeling drawn to religious
life he entered the Order at the convent of San Domenico in Fiesole. This
convent had recently been established as a house of regular observance by
Blessed John Dominici whose name he took when he entered. He served as superior
of San Domenico, promoted regular observance and handed on the fruits of his
contemplation through his paintings for the altars at Fiesole and for the
convent of San Marco in Florence. He was called to Rome by Pope Eugene IV to
decorate two chapels, one in the Basilica of St. Peter and one in the Vatican.
Pope Nicholas V also commissioned him to decorate his private chapel at the
Vatican. His work is also found in the convent of San Domenico in Cortona and
the cathedral at Orvieto. Pope Eugene IV wished to appoint him archbishop of
Florence, but he declined in favor of Saint Antoninus. On February 18, 1455 he
died in Rome at Santa Maria sopra Minerva and was buried there. The special
quality of his painting earned him the title “Fra Angelico.”

The concession for the proper mass and office was given on October 3,
1982; He was proclaimed by Pope John Paul II as the heavenly patron of artists
in 1984.

Liturgical note: “Memoria”

19, FEBRUARY Blessed Alvaro of Cordoba
At Cordoba, Spain, Blessed Alvaro of Cordoba, friar and priest of the
Order of Preachers.

Born at Zamora, Spain, towards the middle of the fourteenth century,
Blessed Alvaro entered the Order in 1368 as a young man. He preached with great
effectiveness throughout Spain, as well as in Italy and the Holy Land. So great
was his reputation that the Queen Regent of Castille appointed him confessor
and adviser for herself and her young son Don Juan II. He used his influence at
court to sway the allegiance of Castille away from the anti-Pope, Pedro de Luna
and toward the duly elected Martin V, thus ending the Western Schism in Spain.

Blessed Alvaro is best remembered for founding the priory of Saint Dominic
of Scala Caeli just outside Cordoba where he promoted the reform of the Order
in Spain. Here he retired to engage in severe penance and contemplative
prayer. By his preaching and
contemplation of the Lord’s Passion he spread the practice of the Way of the
Cross throughout the West. He died on February 19, 1430 and was beatified by
Pope Benedict XIV in 1741.

20, FEBRUARY Blessed Christopher of Milan
At Taggia, Italy, Blessed Christopher of Milan, friar and priest of the
Order of Preachers.

Blessed Christopher was born at Milan around 1410 and took the Dominican habit
at the famed priory of San Eustorgio of Milan.
After the example of St. Vincent Ferrer, he dedicated his whole life to
itinerant preaching and became famous. He had the singular gift of moving the
hearts of the most hardened of sinners were notable. He was also a charismatic
prophet, warning his flock to repent in view of the impending calamities. The
austerity of his life and his zeal for souls led an ancient chronicler to say
of him: "He was truly a Christ-bearer, for he carried Christ not only in name,
but in his heart and on his lips." While Master of Novices he wrote a
treatise On the Service of God for them.

Blessed Christopher is especially associated with the city of Taggia where
he founded a church and priory dedicated to our Lady of Mercy. He lived to an advanced old age, dying in
March, 1484. Pope Pius IX confirmed his cult in 1875.

24, FEBRUARY Blessed Constantius of Fabriano
At Ascoli Piceno, in Italy, Blessed Constantius of Fabriano, friar and
bishop of the Order of Preachers.

Born at Fabriano in 1410, Blessed Constantius received the Dominican habit
at the age of fifteen. He had the privilege of having successively as priors
Blessed John Dominici, Lawrence of Ripafratta and St. Antoninus Pierozzi. He
was noted for his austere and prayerful life, as well as his efforts in
promoting peace. He was elected prior of Perugia and Ascoli where he labored
strenuously to restore observance in these houses and was a model
superior. He died at Ascoli on February
24, 1481 and his cult was confirmed by Pope Pius VII in 1821.

On the same day
24, FEBRUARY Blessed Ascension Nicol
At Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, Blessed Ascension Nicol Goñi, sister and
virgin of the Order of Preachers; foundress of a religious congregation.

Blessed Ascensión of the Heart of Jesus, born Florentina Nicol Goñi in
Tafalla, Spain, she entered the Dominican Third Order Nuns in Huesca. She was a
teacher and directress of the school adjacent to the convent. At 45, upon the
invitation of the Dominican Bishop Ramón Zubieta, she traveled to Peru and
pioneered the missionary work in the Amazon jungle, evangelizing the Amazonian
tribes and elevating the status of women and children through education and
social service. She helped found the Congregation of Dominican Missionary Sisters
of the Most Holy Rosary, which she led with prudence and wisdom as its first
general superior. She died in Pamplona, Spain, Feb. 24, 1940. She was beatified
by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. Her uncorrupt body is kept in the Motherhouse of
the Congregation in Barañain, Pamplona, Spain.

Liturgical note: For the greater China region: “Memoria optativa” being
the first woman Blessed to have come to
China.