SIJEČANJ 2023
NED 1 NOVA GOD.; MARIJA BOGORODICA
PON 2Bazilije Veliki; Grgur Nazijanski
UTO 3Ime Isusova, Mladenka
SRI 4Anđela; Borislav; Emanuel
ČET 5Miljenko; Emilijana; Radoslav
PET 6BOGOJAV. TRI KRALJA
SUB 7Rajmund; Rajko; Lucijan
NED 8 Krštenje Gospodinovo. Gospa od brze pomoći; Severin; Teofil
PON 9Julijan; Miodrag; Julijana
UTO 10Agaton; Dobroslav; Grgur X.
SRI 11Honorat; Higin; Neven
ČET 12Ernest; Tatiana
PET 13Hilarije; Veronika
SUB 14Feliks; Srećko; Rajko
NED 15 2. KROZ GOD. Pavao pustinjak; Mavro
PON 16Marcel; Oton; Mislav
UTO 17Antun Opat; Vojmil; Lavoslav
SRI 18Margareta; Izabela; Priska
ČET 19Mario; Kanut; Ljiljana
PET 20Fabijan i Sebastijan
SUB 21Agneza; Janja; Neža
NED 22 3. KROZ GOD. Vinko đakon i muč.; Vinka
PON 23Emerencijana, Milka; Vjera
UTO 24Franjo Saleškj; Bogoslav
SRI 25Obraćenje Sv. Pavla; Ananija; Henrik
ČET 26Timotej i Tit; Bogoljub; Tješimir
PET 27Angela Merici; Pribislav
SUB 28Toma Akvinski; Tomislav
NED 29 4. KROZ GOD. Valerije; Konstancije; Zdeslav
PON 30Hijacinte; Martina; Gordana
UTO 31Ivan Bosco; Marcela; Vanja
SVECI / SAINTS:
Sveti Bazilije Veliki / Bazilije iz Cezareje (329.-379.) - Rođen kao plemić, bio je iz pobožne obitelji – njegova majka, otac i četvero od njegovih devetero braće i sestara proglašeni su svetima, uključujući svetog Grgura iz Nise. Unuk svete Makrine Starije. Basil je kao mladić bio poznat po organiziranju pomoći gladnima, te po tome što je sam radio u kuhinji, što je bilo prilično neobično za mladog plemića.
Studirao je u Carigradu i Ateni kod svog prijatelja svetog Grgura Nazijana. Vodio je školu govorništva i prava u Cezareji. Basil je bio toliko uspješan, toliko tražen kao govornik, da je bio u iskušenju ponosa. U strahu da to ne nadvlada njegovu pobožnost, prodao je sve što je imao, razdijelio je novac i postao svećenik i redovnik.
Osnivao je samostane i izradio pravila za redovnike koji žive u pustinji; smatra se ključnim za utemeljenje istočnog monaštva kao što je sveti Benedikt Nursijski bio na zapadu. Biskup i nadbiskup Cezareje. Vodio je mise i propovijedao mnoštvu dva puta dnevno. Borio se protiv arijanstva. Grčki crkveni učitelj. Otac Crkve.
Saint Basil the Great / Basil of Caesarea (329-379) -Born to the nobility, his was a pious family – his mother, father, and four of his nine siblings were canonized, including Saint Gregory of Nyssa. Grandson of Saint Macrina the Elder. As a youth Basil was noted for organizing famine relief, and for working in the kitchens himself, quite unusual for a young noble.
He studied in Constantinople and Athens with his friend Saint Gregory Nazianus. Ran a school of oratory and law in Caesarea. Basil was so successful, so sought after as a speaker, that he was tempted by pride. Fearful that it would overtake his piety, he sold all that he had, gave away the money, and became a priest and monk.
Founded monasteries and drew up rules for monks living in the desert; he is considered as key to the founding of eastern monasticism as Saint Benedict of Nursia was to the west. Bishop and Archbishop of Caesarea. Conducted Mass and preached to the crowds twice each day. Fought Arianism. Greek Doctor of the Church. Father of the Church.
Sveti Grgur Nazijanski (330.-390.) - Sin svetog Grgura Nazijanskog Starijeg i svete None. Brat svetog Cezara Nazijanca i svetog Gorgonija. Mladost je proveo lutajući u potrazi za učenjem. Prijatelj i suučenik Svetog Vasilija Velikog. Monah u Vasilijevom pustinjskom samostanu.
Nevoljki svećenik; vjerovao je da je nedostojan i da će odgovornost ispitati njegovu vjeru. Pomogao je svom ocu biskupu da spriječi arijanski raskol u biskupiji. Suprotstavio se arijanstvu i vratio njegove heretičke sljedbenike u stado. Biskup Cezareje oko 370., što ga dovodi u sukob s arijanskim carem Valensom. Sporovi su naveli njegovog prijatelja Bazilija Velikog, tadašnjeg nadbiskupa, da ga premjesti na malu, udaljenu dužnost na rubu nadbiskupije.
Biskup Konstantinopola od 381. do 390., nakon Valentove smrti. Mrzio je grad, prezirao je nasilje i klevetu uključenu u te sporove i bojao se da će biti uvučen u politiku i korupciju, ali je radio na tome da arijance vrati vjeri; zbog svoje nevolje bio je klevetan, vrijeđan, pretučen, a suparnički “biskup” pokušao mu je preuzeti biskupiju. Poznati propovjednik o Trojstvu. Kada se činilo da je pravovjerno kršćanstvo obnovljeno u gradu, Grgur se povukao da živi ostatak svojih dana kao pustinjak. Pisao je teološke rasprave i poeziju, neke religiozne, neke autobiografske. Otac Crkve. Crkveni doktor.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) - Son of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder and Saint Nonna. Brother of Saint Caesar Nazianzen, and Saint Gorgonius. Spent an wandering youth in search of learning. Friend of and fellow student with Saint Basil the Great. Monk at Basil‘s desert monastery.
Reluctant priest; he believed that he was unworthy, and that the responsibility would test his faith. He assisted his bishop father to prevent an Arian schism in the diocese. He opposed Arianism, and brought its heretical followers back to the fold. Bishop of Caesarea c.370, which put him in conflict with the Arian emperor Valens. The disputes led his friend Basil the Great, then archbishop, to reassign him to a small, out of the way posting at the edge of the archbishopric.
Bishop of Constantinople from 381 to 390, following the death of Valens. He hated the city, despised the violence and slander involved in these disputes, and feared being drawn into politics and corruption, but he worked to bring the Arians back to the faith; for his trouble he was slandered, insulted, beaten up, and a rival “bishop” tried to take over his diocese. Noted preacher on the Trinity. When it seemed that orthodox Christianity had been restored in the city, Gregory retired to live the rest of his days as a hermit. He wrote theological discourses and poetry, some of it religious, some of it autobiographical. Father of the Church. Doctor of the Church.
Sveti Raymond od Peñaforta (1175.-1275.) - Rođen u aragonskom plemstvu. Školovao se u katedralnoj školi u Barceloni, Španjolska. Učitelj filozofije oko 20 godina. Svećenik. Diplomirao pravo u Bologni, Italija. Pridružio se dominikancima 1218. Pozvao ga je u Rim, Italija 1230. papa Grgur IX. Dana mu je zadaća prikupljanje svih službenih pisama papa od 1150. Raymond je prikupio i objavio pet svezaka i pomogao napisati crkveni zakon.
Izabran za generalnog magistra dominikanaca 1238. Pregledao je Pravila Reda, uvjerio se da je sve zakonski ispravno, a zatim dao ostavku na svoj položaj 1240. kako bi se posvetio župnom radu. Nudili su mu i nadbiskupsko mjesto, ali je on to odbio i vratio se u Španjolsku župničkom poslu koji je volio. Njegovo suosjećanje pomoglo je mnogim ljudima da se vrate Bogu kroz pomirenje.
Tijekom godina provedenih u Rimu, Raymond je čuo o poteškoćama s kojima su se misionari suočavali pokušavajući doprijeti do nekršćana u sjevernoj Africi i Španjolskoj. Raymond je pokrenuo školu za poučavanje jezika i kulture ljudi koje je trebalo evangelizirati. Sa svetim Tomom Akvinskim napisao je knjižicu kako bi objasnio istine vjere na način razumljiv nevjernicima. Njegov veliki utjecaj na crkveno pravo doveo je do njegovog pokroviteljstva odvjetnika.
Saint Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275) - Born to the Aragonian nobility. Educated at the cathedral school in Barcelona, Spain. Philosophy teacher around age 20. Priest. Graduated law school in Bologna, Italy. Joined the Dominicans in 1218. Summoned to Rome, Italy in 1230 by Pope Gregory IX. Assigned to collect all official letters of the popes since 1150. Raymond gathered and published five volumes, and helped write Church law.
Chosen master general of the Dominicans in 1238. Reviewed the Order‘s Rule, made sure everything was legally correct, then resigned his position in 1240 to dedicate himself to parish work. He was offered and archbishopric, but he declined, instead returning to Spain and the parish work he loved. His compassion helped many people return to God through Reconciliation.
During his years in Rome, Raymond heard of the difficulties missionaries faced trying to reach non-Christians of Northern Africa and Spain. Raymond started a school to teach the language and culture of the people to be evangelized. With Saint Thomas Aquinas, he wrote a booklet to explain the truths of faith in a way that non-believers could understand. His great influence on Church law led to his patronage of lawyers.
Sveti Hilarije iz Poitiersa - Malleus Arianorum (315.-368.) - Rođen u bogatom politeističkom, poganskom plemstvu, Hilarijev rani život bio je bez ikakvih događaja jer se oženio, imao djecu (uključujući svetog Abru) i studirao sam. Kroz svoje studije je došao do vjerovanja u spasenje kroz dobra djela, zatim u monoteizam. Dok je prvi put proučavao Bibliju, doslovno se učitao u vjeru i obratio se na kraju Novog zavjeta.
Hilarije je tako dobro živio vjeru da je postao biskupom Poitiersa u Francuskoj od 353. do 368. Hilarije se usprotivio carevom pokušaju da upravlja crkvenim stvarima i bio je prognan; iskoristio je vrijeme da napiše djela koja objašnjavaju vjeru. Njegovo učenje i spisi preobratili su mnoge, uključujući svetu Firencu od Poitiersa, a u pokušaju da smanji svoju ozloglašenost vraćen je u mali grad Poitiers gdje su se njegovi neprijatelji nadali da će nestati u mraku. Njegovi su spisi nastavili obraćati pogane.
Uveo je istočnu teologiju u zapadnu Crkvu, borio se protiv arijanstva uz pomoć svetog Vivencija, te je 1851. godine proglašen crkvenim učiteljem (Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis).
Saint Hilary of Poitiers - Malleus Arianorum (315-368) - Born to wealthy polytheistic, pagan nobility, Hilary’s early life was uneventful as he married, had children (including Saint Abra), and studied on his own. Through his studies he came to believe in salvation through good works, then monotheism. As he studied the Bible for the first time, he literally read himself into the faith, and was converted by the end of the New Testament.
Hilary lived the faith so well he was made bishop of Poitiers, France from 353 to 368. Hilary opposed the emperor’s attempt to run Church matters, and was exiled; he used the time to write works explaining the faith. His teaching and writings converted many, including Saint Florence of Poitiers, and in an attempt to reduce his notoriety he was returned to the small town of Poitiers where his enemies hoped he would fade into obscurity. His writings continued to convert pagans.
He introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church, fought Arianism with the help of Saint Viventius, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851.
Sveti Antun Opat - Antun Pustinjak (251.-356.) - Nakon smrti roditelja kada je imao oko 20 godina, Antun je osigurao da njegova sestra završi školovanje, zatim je prodao svoju kuću, namještaj i zemlju koju je posjedovao, dao prihod siromasima, pridružio se isposnicima koji su živjeli u blizini i preselio se u praznu grobnicu. U dobi od 35 godina preselio se u pustinju kako bi živio sam; živio je 20 godina u napuštenoj tvrđavi.
Antun je zabarikadirao mjesto za samoću, ali su obožavatelji i potencijalni studenti provalili unutra. On je čudesno liječio ljude i pristao biti duhovni savjetnik drugima. Njegova je preporuka bila temeljiti život na Evanđelju. Glas se proširio i stiglo je toliko učenika da je Antun osnovao dva samostana na Nilu, jedan u Pispiru, jedan u Arsinoi. Mnogi od onih koji su živjeli u njegovoj blizini uzdržavali su se izradom košara i četki, a odatle je proizašlo i njegovo pokroviteljstvo nad tim zanatima.
Antun je nakratko napustio svoju izolaciju 311. godine, otišavši u Aleksandriju, u Egiptu, kako bi se borio protiv arijanstva i utješio žrtve Maksiminusovih progona. U nekom trenutku svog života ponovno se susreo sa svojom sestrom. I ona se povukla iz svijeta i vodila zajednicu časnih sestara. Anthony se povukao u pustinju, živeći u spilji na planini Colzim.
Opisi ga prikazuju kao jednolično skromnog i uljudnog. Njegov primjer naveo je mnoge da preuzmu monaški život i slijede njegov put. Kasno u životu Antun je postao blizak prijatelj svetog Pavla Pustinjaka i on je pokopao ostarjelog isposnika, što je dovelo do njegovog pokroviteljstva nad grobarima. Životopis mu je napisao njegov prijatelj sveti Atanazije Aleksandrijski.
Njegov odnos prema svinjama i pokroviteljstvu svinjara malo je kompliciran. Kožne bolesti ponekad su se liječile primjenom svinjske masti, što je smanjivalo upalu i svrbež. Kako je Anthonyjeva intervencija pomogla u istim uvjetima, prikazan je na umjetnosti u pratnji svinje. Ljudi koji su vidjeli umjetničko djelo, ali nisu dobili objašnjenje, mislili su da postoji izravna veza između Antuna i svinja – a ljudi koji su radili sa svinjama uzeli su ga za svog zaštitnika.
Saint Anthony the Abbot- Anthony the Hermit (251-356) - Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, Anthony insured that his sister completed her education, then he sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an empty sepulchre. At age 35 he moved to the desert to live alone; he lived 20 years in an abandoned fort.
Anthony barricaded the place for solitude, but admirers and would-be students broke in. He miraculously healed people, and agreed to be the spiritual counselor of others. His recommendation was to base life on the Gospel. Word spread, and so many disciples arrived that Anthony founded two monasteries on the Nile, one at Pispir, one at Arsinoe. Many of those who lived near him supported themselves by making baskets and brushes, and from that came his patronage of those trades.
Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria, Egypt to fight Arianism, and to comfort the victims of the persecutions of Maximinus. At some point in his life, he met with his sister again. She, too, had withdrawn from the world, and directed a community of nuns. Anthony retired to the desert, living in a cave on Mount Colzim.
Descriptions paint him as uniformly modest and courteous. His example led many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. Late in life Anthony became a close friend of Saint Paul the Hermit, and he buried the aged anchorite, leading to his patronage of gravediggers. His biography was written by his friend Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.
His relationship with pigs and patronage of swineherds is a little complicated. Skin diseases were sometimes treated with applications of pork fat, which reduced inflammation and itching. As Anthony’s intervention aided in the same conditions, he was shown in art accompanied by a pig. People who saw the art work, but did not have it explained, thought there was a direct connection between Anthony and pigs – and people who worked with swine took him as their patron.
Papa Sveti Fabijan - Fabianus (200.-250.) - bio je rimski biskup od 10. siječnja 236. do svoje smrti 20. siječnja 250., naslijedivši Anterusa.Po predaji mu se golubica spustila na glavu kako bi ga označila kao neočekivanog izbora Duha Svetoga da postane sljedeći papa. Naslijedio ga je Kornelije.
Većinu njegova papinstva karakterizirali su prijateljski odnosi s carskom vladom, a okončan je i raskol između rimskih kongregacija Poncijana i Hipolita. Podijelio je Rim na đakonate i imenovao tajnike koji su prikupljali zapise o mučenicima. Poslao je sedam "apostola u Galije" kao misionare, ali vjerojatno nije pokrstio cara Filipa Arapa kako se tvrdi. Uzašašćem cara Decija privremeno je prestala tolerantna politika rimske vlade prema kršćanstvu. Decije je naredio svima u Carstvu, osim Židovima, da pokažu lojalnost Rimu prinoseći tamjan kultnim slikama božanstava koja su predstavljala rimsku državu. To je bilo neprihvatljivo mnogim kršćanima, koji su, iako se više nisu pokoravali većini zakona Staroga zavjeta, ozbiljno shvaćali zapovijed protiv idolopoklonstva. Fabijan je bio jedna od prvih Decijevih žrtava, umro je kao mučenik 20. siječnja 250., na početku decijanskog progona, iako vjerojatno u zatvoru, a ne pogubljenjem. Fabijan je sahranjen u Kalikstovoj katakombi u Rimu. Grčki natpis na njegovoj grobnici je preživio i nosi riječi: "Fabijan, biskup, mučenik". Papa Klement XI. je kasnije ponovno sahranio Fabijanove ostatke u San Sebastiano fuori le mura, gdje je kapela Albani posvećena njemu u čast.
Pope Saint Fabian - Fabianus (200-250) - was the bishop of Rome from 10 January 236 until his death on 20 January 250,succeeding Anterus. A dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.He was succeeded by Cornelius.
Most of his papacy was characterized by amicable relations with the imperial government, and the schism between the Roman congregations of Pontian and Hippolytus was ended. He divided Rome into diaconates and appointed secretaries to collect the records of the martyrs. He sent out seven "apostles to the Gauls" as missionaries, but probably did not baptize Emperor Philip the Arab as is alleged. With the ascension of Emperor Decius, the Roman government's tolerant policy toward Christianity temporarily ended. Decius ordered everyone in the Empire, with the exception of Jews, to demonstrate loyalty to Rome by offering incense to the cult images of deities that represented the Roman state. This was unacceptable to many Christians, who, while no longer obeying most of the laws of the Old Testament, took the commandment against idolatry seriously. Fabian was one of the earliest victims of Decius, dying as a martyr on 20 January 250, at the beginning of the Decian persecution, though probably in prison, rather than by execution.
Fabian was interred in the catacomb of Callixtus in Rome. The Greek inscription on his tomb has survived, and bears the words: "Fabian, Bishop, Martyr".Fabian's remains were later reinterred at San Sebastiano fuori le mura by Pope Clement XI where the Albani Chapel is dedicated in his honour.
Sveta Agneza Rimska - Ines del Campo (291.-304.) - Udomiteljica svete Emerentiane. U dobi od 12 ili 13 godina Agnezi je naređeno da se žrtvuje poganskim bogovima i izgubi nevinost silovanjem. Odvedena je u rimski hram k Minervi (Ateni), a kada je dovedena do oltara, napravila je znak križa. Prijetili su joj, a zatim su je mučili kad je odbila okrenuti se protiv Boga. Predstavilo se nekoliko mladića koji su joj ponudili brak, ne zna se da li iz požude ili sažaljenja. Rekla je da bi to bila uvreda za njezinog nebeskog Zaručnika, da bi svoje posvećeno djevičanstvo sačuvala netaknutim, prihvatila smrt i vidjela Krista. Mučenik. Spominje se u prvoj euharistijskoj molitvi. Na njezin blagdan blagoslovljena su dva janjeta u njezinoj crkvi u Rimu, u Italiji, a zatim je njihova vuna utkana u palije (trake bijele vune) koje papa dodjeljuje nadbiskupima kao simbol njihove jurisdikcije.
Saint Agnes of Rome -Ines del Campo (291-304) - Foster-sister of Saint Emerentiana. At age 12 or 13 Agnes was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Minerva (Athena), and when led to the altar, she made the Sign of the Cross. She was threatened, then tortured when she refused to turn against God. Several young men presented themselves, offering to marry her, whether from lust or pity is not known. She said that to do so would be an insult to her heavenly Spouse, that she would keep her consecrated virginity intact, accept death, and see Christ. Martyr. Mentioned in first Eucharistic prayer. On her feast day two lambs are blessed at her church in Rome, Italy and then their wool is woven into the palliums (bands of white wool) which the pope confers on archbishops as symbol of their jurisdiction.
Sveti Franjo Saleški - Nježni Krist od Ženeve (1567.-1622.) - Rođen u dvorcu Château de Thorens u dobro situiranoj savojskoj obitelji, najstariji od dvanaestero djece Françoisa de Boisya i Françoise de Sionnz. Njegovi su roditelji namjeravali da Francis postane odvjetnik, uđe u politiku i nastavi obiteljsku lozu i moć. Studirao je u La Rocheu i Annecyju u Francuskoj, gdje su ga poučavali isusovci. Pohađao je Collège de Clermont u Parizu u Francuskoj s 12 godina. U ranim tinejdžerskim godinama Franjo je počeo vjerovati u predodređenje i toliko se bojao da će biti unaprijed osuđen na pakao da se razbolio i na kraju ostao prikovan za krevet . No, u siječnju 1587. u Crkvi svetog Stjepana prebrodio je krizu, odlučio da je ono što mu Bog namijeni najbolje i posvetio svoj život Bogu.
Studirao pravo i teologiju na Sveučilištu u Padovi, Italija, i stekao doktorat iz oba područja. Vratio se kući i našao mjesto zastupnika u Senatu. U tom je trenutku primio poruku koja mu je govorila: "Ostavi sve i slijedi me." Shvatio je to kao poziv za svećenika, potez kojemu se njegova obitelj žestoko protivila, osobito kad je odbio brak koji mu je bio dogovoren. Međutim, vodio je predan molitveni život, a njegova nježnost osvojila je obitelj.
Svećenik. Godine 1593. imenovan je prepozitom ženevske biskupije u Švicarskoj, uporišta kalvinista. Propovjednik, pisac i duhovnik u okrugu Chablais. Njegova jednostavna, jasna objašnjenja katoličkog nauka i njegov nježan način prema svima, mnoge su vratili Rimskoj crkvi. Čak je koristio znakovni jezik kako bi prenio poruku gluhima, što je dovelo do njegovog pokroviteljstva gluhih osoba.
Ženevski biskup 1602. Putovao je i evangelizirao po Savojskom vojvodstvu, radeći s djecom kad god je mogao. Prijatelj svetog Vinka Paulskog. Odbio je bogatu francusku biskupiju kako bi nastavio raditi tamo gdje ga je Bog postavio. Sa svetom Jeanne de Chantal pomogao je osnovati Red Pohođenja. Bio je plodan dopisnik, mnoga su njegova pisma preživjela.
Vrijednost njegovih spisa dovela je do toga da ga je papa blaženi Pio IX. 1877. proglasio crkvenim naučiteljem, a papa Pio XI. 1923. zaštitnikom pisaca i novinara. Salezijanci Don Bosca, Oblati svetog Franje Saleškog , a Misionari Svetog Franje Saleškog nazvani su u njegovu čast kao i atol Saint François na Sejšelskim otocima.
Saint Francis de Sales -Gentle Christ of Geneva (1567-1622) - Born in the castle of Château de Thorens to a well-placed Savoyard family, the eldest of twelve children born to François de Boisy and Françoise de Sionnz. His parents intended that Francis become a lawyer, enter politics, and carry on the family line and power. He studied at La Roche and Annecy in France, taught by Jesuits. Attended the Collège de Clermont in Paris, France at age 12. In his early teens, Francis began to believe in pre-destination, and was so afraid that he was pre-emptorily condemned to Hell that he became ill and eventually was confined to bed. However, in January 1587 at the Church of Saint Stephen, he overcame the crisis, decided that whatever God had in store for him was for the best, and dedicated his life to God.
Studied law and theology at the University of Padua, Italy, and earned a doctorate in both fields. He returned home, and found a position as Senate advocate. It was at this point that he received a message telling him to “Leave all and follow Me.” He took this as a call to the priesthood, a move his family fiercely opposed, especially when he refused a marriage that had been arranged for him. However, he pursued a devoted prayer life, and his gentle ways won over the family.
Priest. In 1593 he was appointed provost of the diocese of Geneva, Switzerland, a stronghold of Calvinists. Preacher, writer and spiritual director in the district of Chablais. His simple, clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, and his gentle way with everyone, brought many back to the Roman Church. He even used sign language in order to bring the message to the deaf, leading to his patronage of deaf people.
Bishop of Geneva in 1602. He travelled and evangelized throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could. Friend of Saint Vincent de Paul. He turned down a wealthy French bishopric to continue working where God had placed him. With Saint Jeanne de Chantal he helped found the Order of the Visitation . A prolific correspondent, many of his letters have survived.
The value of his writings led to his being declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1877, and a patron of writers and journalists by Pope Pius XI in 1923. The Salesians of Don Bosco, the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, and the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales are named in his honour as is the Saint François Atoll in the Seychelles Islands.
Sveta Angela Merici (1474.-1540.) - franjevačka trećoredica u dobi od 15 godina. Dobila je viđenje koje joj je govorilo da će nadahnuti pobožne žene u njihovom pozivu.
Na Kreti, tijekom hodočašća u Svetu zemlju, oslijepila je. Njezini su se prijatelji htjeli vratiti kući, ali ona je inzistirala da nastavi, posjećujući svetišta s toliko odanosti i entuzijazma kao da ima vid. Na putu kući, dok se molila pred raspelom, vid joj se vratio na istom mjestu gdje je i izgubljen.
Godine 1535. okupila je grupu studentica i započela ono što će postati Institut svete Uršule (sestara uršulinki), osnovan za poučavanje djece, počevši od religije, a kasnije se proširivši na svjetovne teme; njezine prve škole bile su u talijanskim gradovima Desenazno i Brescia.
Saint Angela Merici (1474-1540) - Franciscan tertiary at age 15. She received a vision telling her she would inspire devout women in their vocation.
In Crete, during a pilgrimage to Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return home, but she insisted on going on, visiting the shrines with as much devotion and enthusiasm as if she had her sight. On the way home, while praying before a crucifix, her sight was restored at the same place where it had been lost.
In 1535 she gathered a group of girl students and began what would become the Institute of Saint Ursula (Ursuline Sisters), founded to teach children, beginning with religion and later expanding into secular topics; her first schools were in the Italian cities of Desenazno and Brescia.
Sveti Toma Akvinski - Doktor Angelicus (1225.-1274.) - Sin grofa od Aquina, rođen u obiteljskom dvorcu u Lombardiji blizu Napulja, Italija. Obrazovali su ga benediktinci u Monte Cassinu i na Sveučilištu u Napulju. Potajno se pridružio prosjačkoj braći dominikancima 1244. Njegova obitelj ga je otela i zatvorila na godinu dana kako bi ga sklonila od očiju i deprogramirala, ali nisu ga uspjeli pokolebati, te se ponovno pridružio svom redu 1245.
Studirao je u Parizu u Francuskoj od 1245. do 1248. pod svetim Albertom Velikim, a zatim je pratio Alberta u Köln u Njemačkoj. Zaređen 1250., zatim se vratio u Pariz da predaje. Predavao teologiju na Sveučilištu u Parizu. Pisao je obrane prosjačkih redova, komentare na Aristotelove i Lombardove rečenice i neka djela povezana s Biblijom, obično diktirajući tajnicima. Doktorirao je, predavao je u nekoliko talijanskih gradova. Kralj i sveučilište su ga 1269. pozvali u Pariz, a zatim 1272. u Napulj gdje su ga imenovali regentom studija dok je radio na Summa Theologica.
Dana 6. prosinca 1273. doživio je božansko otkrivenje koje ga je toliko oduševilo da je napustio Summu, rekavši da su ona i njegovi ostali spisi slamka u vjetaru u usporedbi sa stvarnošću božanske slave. Umro je četiri mjeseca kasnije dok je bio na putu za Vijeće u Lyonu, predebeo i zdravlja narušenog prekomjernim radom.
Njegova su djela od tada ključna za razmišljanje Crkve. Oni su sistematizirali njezine velike misli i učenja, te spojili grčku mudrost i metode učenja s istinom kršćanstva. Papa Lav VIII zapovjedio je da njegovo učenje proučavaju svi studenti teologije. Crkvenim doktorom proglašen je 1567. godine.
Saint Thomas Aquinas -Doctor Angelicus (1225-1274) - Son of the Count of Aquino, born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples, Italy. Educated by Benedictine monks at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. He secretly joined the mendicant Dominican friars in 1244. His family kidnapped and imprisoned him for a year to keep him out of sight, and deprogram him, but they failed to sway him, and he rejoined his order in 1245.
He studied in Paris, France from 1245 to 1248 under Saint Albert the Great, then accompanied Albertus to Cologne, Germany. Ordained in 1250, then returned to Paris to teach. Taught theology at University of Paris. He wrote defenses of the mendicant orders, commentaries on Aristotle and Lombard’s Sentences, and some bible-related works, usually by dictating to secretaries. He won his doctorate, and taught in several Italian cities. Recalled by king and university to Paris in 1269, then recalled to Naples in 1272 where he was appointed regent of studies while working on the Summa Theologica.
On 6 December 1273 he experienced a divine revelation which so enraptured him that he abandoned the Summa, saying that it and his other writing were so much straw in the wind compared to the reality of the divine glory. He died four months later while en route to the Council of Lyons, overweight and with his health broken by overwork.
His works have been seminal to the thinking of the Church ever since. They systematized her great thoughts and teaching, and combined Greek wisdom and scholarship methods with the truth of Christianity. Pope Leo VIII commanded that his teachings be studied by all theology students. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1567.
Sveti Ivan Bosco -Giovanni Melchior Bosco (1815.-1888.) - Sin časne Margarete Bosco. Ivanov otac je umro kada je dječak imao dvije godine; i čim je stasao, Ivan je pomogao svojoj obitelji. Bosco bi išao u cirkuse, sajmove i karnevale, vježbao trikove koje je vidio kako izvode mađioničari, a zatim bi priređivao predstave. Nakon nastupa, dok je još imao publiku, ponovio bi propovijed koju je čuo ranije tog dana u crkvi.
Radio je kao krojač, pekar, postolar i stolar dok je pohađao fakultet i sjemenište. Zaređen 1841. Učitelj, neprestano je radio s mladima, pronalazio mjesta gdje bi se sastajali, igrali i molili, poučavao vjeronauku siročad i šegrte. Kapelan u hospiciju za djevojke. Pisao je kratke rasprave s ciljem da djeci objasni vjeru, a zatim ih učio kako ih tiskati. Prijatelj svetog Josipa Cafassa, čiji je životopis napisao, i ispovjednik blaženog Josipa Allamana. Osnovao Salezijance Don Bosca (SDB) 1859. godine, svećenike koji rade i odgajaju dječake, pod zaštitom Gospe, Pomoćnice kršćana i svetog Franje Saleškog. Utemeljio Kćeri Marije Pomoćnice 1872. i Savez salezijanaca suradnika 1875.
Saint John Bosco -Giovanni Melchior Bosco (1815-1888) - Son of Venerable Margaret Bosco. John’s father died when the boy was two years old; and as soon as he was old enough to do odd jobs, John did so to help support his family. Bosco would go to circuses, fairs and carnivals, practice the tricks that he saw magicians perform, and then put on one-boy shows. After his performance, while he still had an audience of boys, he would repeat the homily he had heard earlier that day in church.
He worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker, and carpenter while attending college and seminary. Ordained in 1841. A teacher, he worked constantly with young people, finding places where they could meet, play and pray, teaching catechism to orphans and apprentices. Chaplain in a hospice for girls. Wrote short treatises aimed at explaining the faith to children, and then taught children how to print them. Friend of Saint Joseph Cafasso, whose biography he wrote, and confessor to Blessed Joseph Allamano. Founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, priests who work with and educate boys, under the protection of Our Lady, Help of Chistians, and Saint Francis de Sales. Founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875.
