Memorial of Saints (October 31)

St. Wolfgang became a Benedictine at Einsiedeln and was ordained in 971 A.D. He was a missionary to the Magyars and was appointed bishop of Regensburg by Emperor Otto II. Though active in politics, he became a hermit for a time. He was however brought back to active life until his death near Linz, Austria (died ca. 994 A.D.).

St. Follian and his brothers built a monastery in England and worked as missionaries among the East Angles. When their monastery was destroyed by the Marcians, Foillan and his brother Ultan, went to Gaul and founded another monastery. St. Foillan had great success converting many. He was however killed by a band of outlaws in the forest after celebrating the Mass (died ca. 655 A.D.).

St. Quentin went to Gaul as a missionary and settled at Amiens in Picardy. Because of his success in preaching, he was imprisoned by the Prefect of his area. He was then tortured twice and beheaded in a place now called Saint-Quentin (died ca. 287 A.D.).

Blessed Alphonsus Rodriguez studied under the Jesuits. On the death of his father, he went home to oversee the family business. He married and had a son. After the death of his wife, and then his son, he was admitted to the Jesuits as a lay brother. He served as hall porter in a Jesuit College on Majorca for twenty-four years. Known for his holiness, simplicity and obedience, he suffered from ill health during the last years of his life (died ca. 1617 A.D.).

Memorial of Saints (October 30)

St. Marcellus was a centurion in the court of Emperor Maximian. On the birthday feast of the Emperor, Marcellus refused to participate in the rituals for the gods; he also declared publicly his Christian faith. The Prefect of the legion had him arrested and imprisoned. Marcellus was condemned to death for desertion and irreverence. He was executed and beheaded (died ca. third century A.D.).

Bl. Benvenuta of Cividale was a Dominican tertiary. Drawn to the contemplative life, she however went to excess with her ascetical practices. Her confessor ordered her to lessen and moderate her austerities, and not to start any new ascetical practice without his permission. Most of the time she was confined to bed because of her asthmatic condition. She was suddenly miraculously cured on March 25, feast of the Annunciation (died ca. 1292 A.D.).

St. Serapion of Antioch was well-known for his wisdom and learning. He became bishop of Antioch in 190 A.D. As bishop, he opposed the heresies in his diocese - that of Montanism and Docetism. He also did not allow the reading of the apocryphal gospel of Peter in the Church of Rhossos (died ca. 211 A.D.).

St. Asterius was educated by someone schooled in Antioch. Asterius was good at rhetoric and because of his education was ordained. Eventually, he was appointed bishop of Amasea. St. Asterius became an outstanding preacher, with some twenty-one of his homilies still existing to this day (died ca. 410 A.D.).

St. Germanus became bishop of Capua in southern Italy. In 519 A.D., Pope St. Hormisdas asked Germanus to be part of a delegation that was sent to Emperor Justin. The mission of this delegation was to negotiate with Emperor Justin so that the Acacian schism may be finally resolved and ended. This mission in which St. Germanus was part of was successful (died ca. 540 A.D.).

St. Ethelnoth was dean of the cathedral church at Canterbury when he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1020 A.D. Noted for his goodness, his holiness and learning was instrumental for King Canute's liberal contribution to the rebuilding of the cathedral of Chartres (died ca. 1038 A.D.).

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez studied under the Jesuits in Alcala, Spain. On the death of his father, he returned home to oversee the family business. He got married and sired a son. When his wife and son passed away (within a span of a few years), he joined the Jesuits at about 50 years of age. Rejected at first for lack of schooling, he was then admitted as a lay brother by a special ruling of the provincial. He then served as the hall porter at Montesion College on Majorca for 24 years. St. Alphonsus was soon known for his holiness, simplicity, obeidience and devotion to Mary (died ca. 1617 A.D.).