St. Severinus of Noricum was an ascetic. He loved the contemplative life and also his mission among the Roman peoples of Noricum in Austria. From his life and mission in Noricum, he moved on to become superior of different monasteries - teaching his monks love for the poor, the sick and the oppressed. St. Severinus was also known for his prophecies and his miracles. One of his miracles was to help the famine-stricken city of Faviana. Through his intercessory prayers, the ice in the river Danube (next to Faviana) cracked. Because of this miracle, the city acknowledged him as their wonder-worker (died ca. 533 A.D.).
St. Apollinaris the Apologist defended the faith through a letter he sent to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (ca. 161-180 A.D.). Apollinaris pointed out that a recent military victory had been achieved mainly because of the Emperor's twelfth legion - which was composed mainly of Christian soldiers. Apollinaris argued that both the prayers and the fighting skills of these Christian soldiers contributed much to the victory of the Emperor. The prayers of the Christian soldiers produced a miraculous rain shower that quenched their thirst. When this rain shower then turned into a thunderstorm, it blinded and then frightened the Emperor's opponents (died ca. 179 A.D.).
St. Lawrence Giustiniani was an archbishop of Venice known for his concern for the poor. Early in life, he entered an Augustinian monastery and was ordained priest in 1046 A.D. He eventually became superior general of the Augustinian canons from 1424-1431 A.D. As general, he wrote works of an ascetical and mystical nature. When he became archbishop, his episcopate was noted for its austerity and charity to the poor -in the form of food and clothing (died ca. 1455 A.D.).
St. Lucian of Beauvais was a missionary in Gaul. Catholic tradition says that he is a companion of St. Denis of Paris. Lucian was made bishop of Beauvais. He was martyred there together with Maximian and Julian. Lucian's companions were martyred earlier before his own execution (died ca. 290 A.D.).
St. Severinus of Septempeda was the brother of St. Victorinus. Severinus became bishop of Septempeda in Ancona, Italy. The area in which he administered his see was later on to be known as San Severino (died ca. 550 A.D.).
St. Erhard was an Irishman. Tradition says he became auxiliary bishop of Ratisbon and then abbot of Ebersheimmünster Abbey. Nothing more is known of St. Erhard save for these little biographical details about his life (died ca. 686 A.D.).
St. Gudula was educated at Nivelles under her cousin St. Gertrude. After her cousin Gertrude's death in 664 A.D., she returned to the family castle near Morzelles. It was here that she led a holy life dedicated to God until her death. She was noted for her help to the poor in her area and became patroness of Brussels (died ca. 712 A.D.).
St. Pega was the sister of St. Guthlac. She lived a secluded life near her brother's hermitage at Croyland in the Fens in England. She was reputed to have cured a blind man. After her brother's death, she made a pilgrimage to Rome where she passed away (died ca. 719 A.D.).
St. Thorfinn was a Norwegian who became a canon of the cathedral at Nidaros. In time, he became bishop of Hamar. His support of the archbishop of Nidaros against King Eric caused his exile. In his exile he experienced a shipwreck, but was eventually able to reach the Cistercian abbey of Ter Doest near Flanders. His life was commemorated in a poem written by Walter de Muda (died ca. 1285 A.D.).
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