ST JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572 - 1641)

She was born in Dijon, in France, in 1572. She married a nobleman called de Chantal, by whom she had six children whom she brought up in the faith. When her husband died she placed herself under the guidance of Saint Francis de Sales and progressed rapidly along the way of perfection. She performed many good works for the poor and the sick. She founded the Order of the Visitation and guided it wisely. She died in 1641.

Saturday memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary

‘On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed.

  ‘Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This memorial derives from Carolingian times (9th century), but the reasons for having chosen Saturday for its observance are unknown. While many explanations of this choice have been advanced, none is completely satisfactory from the point of view of the history of popular piety.

  ‘Whatever its historical origins may be, today the memorial rightly emphasizes certain values to which contemporary spirituality is more sensitive. It is a remembrance of the maternal example and discipleship of the Blessed Virgin Mary who, strengthened by faith and hope, on that “great Saturday” on which Our Lord lay in the tomb, was the only one of the disciples to hold vigil in expectation of the Lord’s resurrection. It is a prelude and introduction to the celebration of Sunday, the weekly memorial of the Resurrection of Christ. It is a sign that the Virgin Mary is continuously present and operative in the life of the Church.

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Other saints: Blessed Isidore Bakanja (1886 - 1909)

Southern Africa

Today the Church in Africa remembers one of her youngest martyrs in the person of Isidore Bakanja. He was born in what was then the Belgian Congo around the year 1886. At the age of twenty he was baptized and, from that time onward, lived the faith to the full, until he died a martyr while working as a house servant of a Belgian colonist. Although he knew that his employer resented Christians, Bakanja insisted on wearing the scapular and saying the Rosary in his free time. In February 1909 his martyrdom began when he was severely beaten even to drawing blood, just because he was a Christian. The wounds inflicted by the strokes were so severe that he died on 15 August 1909, after having forgiven his aggressor.

Other saints: Saint Muredach

Ireland

He was a disciple of St Patrick and possibly a member of his family. He was put in charge of the church at Killala in 442 or 443. It is probable that he resigned his see after a few years, and retired to end his life in the lonely island in Donegal Bay which has ever since borne his name, Innismurray.

Other saints: Saint Attracta

Ireland

She lived in the fifth or sixth century and the details of her life have been obscured by legend. She may have received the veil from St Patrick. She is said to have founded several churches in the Counties of Galway and Sligo.

Other saints: Saint Lelia

Ireland

St Lelia is particularly venerated in the diocese of Limerick, but all details of her life have been lost. She clearly lived, but when and how is no longer known for certain.

Other saints: Saint Blaan (-590)

Argyll & the Isles

Saint Blane (Old Irish Bláán) was born on the Isle of Bute, a nephew of St Cathan, and was educated in Ireland under Saints Comgall and Kenneth. He became a monk, went to Scotland, and was eventually bishop among the Picts.

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