Memorial of Saints (July 10)

St. John Gualbert had an early Christian education, but did not practice it; he instead led a sinful life. His conversion experience was triggered by something that happened in his family. His only brother Hugo was killed. He wanted to take revenge, but when his brother's killer pleaded for mercy, he was moved, and saw his own sinfulness. He spent some time in church in tears asking the Lord forgiveness for his sinful life. This conversion led him to join the Benedictines. As a Benedictine, he made progress in the practice of virtues. But when he felt called to a greater solitude, he left the Benedictines, and settled at Valle Ombrosa in Tuscany, Italy. It was here that St. John Gualbert laid the foundation for the Order of Vallombrosa (died ca. 1073 A.D.).

St. Canute is the patron saint of Denmark. He became the Duke of southern Jutland, fought against Viking raids, and aided the missionary activities of St. Vicelin. In 1129 A.D., Emperor Lothair III recognized Canute as king of the Western Wends - a political move opposed by his uncle, King Nils of Denmark. This volatile situation led to his death near Ringsted, when two of his cousins killed him (died ca. 1131 A.D.).

Sts. Rufina and Secunda were siblings - daughters of a Roman senator. Both were engaged to be married, but their fiancés renounced their Christian faith during the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Valerian. So both Rufina and Secunda fled from Rome to escape the persecutions. However, Valerian's soldiers scoured the Empire until both of them were included among those captured. They were tortured and then beheaded (died ca. 257 A.D.).

St. Amalburga married Count Witger and had three children. After their children all came of age, Witger decided to become a Benedictine monk at Lobbes. On her part, Amalburga entered the Benedictines at Mauberg, Flanders, where she spent the rest of her years (died ca. 690 A.D.).

Sts. Antony and Theodosius Pechersky were the fathers of Russian monasticism. Antony lived as a hermit at first, until others sought him. Antony organized the Caves of Kiev (in the region of the Ukraine). This is the first Russian monastery established by Russian monks. Theodosius soon joined Antony here at the Caves of Kiev. St. Theodosius reformed St. Antony's concept of monasticism, by stressing the participation of the monks in secular affairs (died ca. 1073-1074 A.D.).