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CALENDAR of the SAINTS
08 October 2006 A.D.
Saint Birgitta of Sweden, Widow
Daughter of Birger Persson, the governor and provincial judge of Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter. Her father was one of the greatest landowners in the country, her mother was known widely for her piety, and the family were descendants of the Swedish royal house. Related to Saint Ingrid.
Saint Birgitta began receiving visions, most of the Crucifixion, at age seven. Her mother died c.1315 when the girl was about twelve years old, and she was raised and educated by an equally pious aunt. In 1316, at age thirteen, she wed prince Ulfo of Nercia in an arranged marriage. Mother of eight children including Saint Catherine of Sweden; some of the other children ignored the Church.
Friend and counselor to many priests and theologians of her day. Chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur in 1335, from which position she counseled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. After Ulfo's death in 1344 following a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, she pursued a religious life, for which she was harassed by others at the court. She eventually renounced her title of princess. Franciscan tertiary. Cistercian. Mystic, visionary, and mystical writer. She recorded the revelations given her in her visions, and these became hugely popular in the Middle Ages.
Saint Birgitta founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior at Vadstena in 1346. It received confirmation from Pope Urban V in 1370, and survives today, though few houses remain. Saint Birgitta regularly traveled to Rome, and additional Italian holy sites, as well as the Holy Lands.
Saint Birgitta chastened and counseled kings and Popes Clement VI, Urban VI, and Gregory XI, urging them to return to Rome from Avignon. Encouraged all who would listen to meditate on the Passion, and of Jesus Crucified.
Saint Birgitta died on 23 July 1373 at Rome, Italy, and was buried in 1374 at the Vadstena, Sweden convent she founded.
Saint Ambrose Sansedoni of Siena
The son of a book illuminator, he was born so badly deformed that his mother gave him off to the care of a nurse. The nurse claimed that the only time the child was peaceful was in the local Dominican church, especially when near the altar of relics. Legend says that one day in church, the nurse covered the baby's face with a scarf; an unknown pilgrim told her, "Do not cover that child's face. He will one day be the glory of this city." A few days later the child suddenly stretch out his twisted limbs, pronounced the name "Jesus", and all deformity left him.
A pious child, getting up during the nights to pray and meditate. At age two he was given the choice of two of his father's books - and chose the one about saints. From age seven he daily recited the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. Charitable, and even when young he worked with the poor, the abandoned, and the sick.
When he announced he wanted to join the preaching friars, his parents and friends tried to talk him out of it. But Ambrose had heard the call, and joined the friars in Siena in 1237 on his 17th birthday.
Studied in Paris, France, and Cologne, Germany with Saint Thomas Aquinas and Blessed Pope Innocent V under Saint Albert the Great. Taught in Cologne. Ambrose wanted to write, but saw the greatness of Saint Thomas, decided he could not match it, and devoted himself to preaching.
Worked on diplomatic missions for popes and secular rules. Evangelized in Germany, France, and Italy. Mystic with deep contemplative prayer life. Received ecstacies. Visionary. Known to levitate when preaching, and was seen circled in a mystic light in which flew bright birds.
Saint Amor of Aquitaine Saint Badilo Saint Benedicta Saint Demetrius of Sermium
Born wealthy and raised Christian. Soldier. Deacon. Martyred in the persecutions of emperor Maximian. His story was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Reported to have appeared during a battle in 586, two centuries after his death, to help defend Thessalonika. Over 200 churches in the Balkans are known to have been dedicated to him. Saint Demetrius was run through with spears c.306 at Sirmium ( in modern Serbia ) - refusing to deny the Most Holy Trinity. His relics were originally housed at Sirmium and Thessalonika where they were reported to exude holy oil; a bone relic is reported to still be in a monastery on Mount Athos. Saint Gratus Saint Hugh Canefro Saint Iwi Saint John Leonardi Saint Keyna Saint Laurentia Saint Martin Cid Saint Matthew Carreri Saint Matthew de Eskandely Saint Nestor Saint Palatias Saint Pelagia the Penitent
A dancer who attended a sermon by Bishop Nonnus of Edessa He spoke of a stripper who worked to make herself beautiful and her dance perfect, but did nothing for the work of God. Pelagia immediately converted, confessed, was baptized, turned away from her former life, moved to Jerusalem, and lived as a hermit the rest of her days, possibly wearing men's clothes so people would leave her alone. Saint Pelagia is the patron saint of actresses. Saint Peter of Seville 
Saint Reparata
Baptized very young during the 3rd century in Caesarea, Palestine. At age 11, Saint Reparata was arrested and tortured for her faith during the persecution of Emperor Decius. She was thrown into a furnace to die. She sat in the flames for a while, emerging unharmed. Rather than see this as divine intervention, the authorities simply offered her another chance to deny Jesus Christ as God; when she refused, she was beheaded.
Saint Thais Saint Triduna
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