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Saint Denis Died c. 258
Also known as: Denys; Dionysius
Missionary to Paris. First Bishop of Paris. His success roused the ire of
local pagans, and he was imprisoned by Roman governor. Martyred in the
persecutions of Valerius with Saint Rusticus and Saint Eleutherius, who
may have been his deacons. Legends have grown up around his torture and
death including one that has his body carrying his severed head some
distance from his execution site. Saint Genevieve built a basilica over
his grave. His feast was added to the Roman Calendar in 1568 by Pope Saint
Pius V, though it had been celebrated since 800. One of the Fourteen Holy
Helpers.
Died: beheaded c.258 at Montmarte (= mount of martyrs); his corpse
was thrown in the Seine, but recovered and buried later that night by his
converts
Patronage: against frenzy, against strife, France, headaches, Paris,
possessed people
Representation: beheaded bishop carrying his severed head - the head
sometimes wears its mitre, and there is often a vine growing over his neck
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintd03.htm
Saint John Leonardi 1541 - 1609
Also known as: Giovanni Leonardi
Worked as a pharmacist's apprentice while studying for the priesthood.
After ordination on 22 December 1572, he worked with prisoners and
the sick. His example attracted some young laymen to assist him, most of
whom became priests themselves. This group formed Clerks Regular of the
Mother of God, a congregation of diocesan priests which, for reasons
having to do with the politics of the Reformation and an unfounded
accusation that John wanted to form the group for his own personal
aggrandizement, provoked great opposition. The Clerks were confirmed on 13
October 1595 by Pope Clement VIII, but John was exiled from Lucca for most
of the rest of his life. John was assisted in his exile by Saint Philip
Neri, who gave him his quarters — and his pet cat!
In 1579 he formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and published a
compendium of Christian doctrine that remained in use until the 19th
century. He died from a disease caught while tending plague victims. By
the deliberate policy of the founder, the Clerks Regular of the Mother of
God have never had more than 15 churches, and today form only a very small
congregation. The arms of the order are azure, Our Lady Assumed into
Heaven; and its badge and seal the monogram of the Mother of God in Greek
characters.
Born: 1541 at Diecimo, Lucca, Italy
Died: 9 October 1609 at Rome, Italy from natural causes; buried in
Santa Maria in Portico
Venerable: 1701
Beatified: 1861 by Pope Pius IX
Canonized: 1938 by Pope Pius XI
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj47.htm
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