天主教长青家园

BOSWELL Also known as Boisil Memorial 23 February Profile Spiritual student of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne. Monk. Abbot at Melrose, England. Teacher and spiritual director of Saint Cuthbert and Saint Eghert. Bible scholar. Had the gift of prophecy. Noted preacher. Born unknown Died 661 of the yellow plague; relics at Durham, England Canonized Pre-Congregation

Botulph Also known as Botolph Memorial 17 June; 1 December (translation of relics) Profile Born to a Christian Saxon noble family. Brother of Saint Adulph. Educated with his brother at the monastery of Cnobersburg (Burgh Castle), Suffolk under the direction of its founder, Saint Fursey. When Mercian forces under King Penda invaded the region, the boys were sent to study at the monastery at Bosanham, Sussex. He became a Benedictine monk at Farmoutiere-en-Brie, Gaul (modern northeastern France), and was sent back to the British Isles in 647 to establish the Benedictine Order there. With the support of Saint Syre, Saint Aubierge, and their brother, King Anna of East Anglia, Botulph founded the monastery of Ikanhoe in East Anglia, declining the offer of a part of the royal estate, and settling for a wild, barren site that was removed from people, reported to be haunted by demons, and which would require endless work to sustain the monks. For many years it was believed that the area that grew up around it came to be called Botulph's Town, contracted to Botulphston, and later contracted to Boston in Lincolnshire, but recent reasearch has shown that the original site is another location. The Saxon Chronicle indicates that by 654 Botulph had attracted enough brother monks and hermits that work begain on the monastery. Through hard work and faith, the monastery grew in population; the monks built several structures, turned large areas of marsh and scrub into productive farming and grazing lands, and dispelled the people's fears of demons. Botulph served as spiritual director for Saint Ceolfrith, and worked as a travelling missionary through rough, bandit-plagued areas of East Anglia, Kent and Sussex. His legacy continued for centuries in the strength of the Benedictine movement in the Isles, and in the dozens of churches named for him, many of them built at city gates to serve as safe-haven for travellers in times when robbers roamed the roads, and many in port or river towns. Born c.610 in East Anglia (part of modern England) Died 17 June 680 of natural causes following a lengthy illness; he died while being carried to chapel for compline services; buried at Ikanhoe; relics moved in 870 to keep them from being destroyed by invading Danes; relics transferred to Grundisburgh in 983; relics later distributed to monasteries at Thornery, Westminster, and Edmundsburg, Suffolk; tradition says that for safety the cask of relics destined for Edmundsburg were taken there in the middle of the night, but the travellers were guided by a light that hovered above the relics' new shrine; processions of the relics through Edmundsburgh has ended droughts there Canonized Pre-Congregation Patronage agricultural workers; Bossal Yorkshire England; Boston Lincolnshire England; Boston Massachusetts USA; Botesdale, Suffolk, England; Botolph Bridge, Huntingdonshire, England; Botolph's Bridge, Kent, England; Botolphs, Sussex, England; farm workers; sailors; travellers Representation abbot holding a church in his hand; abbot holding a monastery in his hand; blue field with undulating silver lines superimosed with an inverted gold chevron with a gold cross at its point (his coat of arms)

Readings The wearied man of God looked about him everywhere, till at last he found, by the mercy of God, such a desert spot which was just the God-forsaken, devil-possessed place he was in search of. - unknown ancient writer describing Botulph's selection of sites for his monastery -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The evil spirits who people the place were disturbed at his coming. A noxious vapour was exhaled from the ground, and the daemons gave vent to terrifying groans. They had dwelt there, they said, for a long time, and had thought to do so for ever. They had no other place to go to. Why could not Saint Botolph seek some other spot, since the whole world was singing his praises? He was acting unkindly in disturbing them. - unknown ancient writer describing the problems Botulph caused evil spirits that inhabited the site of his Ikanhoe monastery -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saint Botulph sought a desert spot And found a lonely mound, He opened there a house of prayer And made it holy ground. He lived a humble, quiet life, From crowded scenes apart; Yet others often sought him out To share his joy of heart. - from a hymn by Jane Dansie, Castle Methodist Church, Colchester, England

BOTWID Also known as Botuid; Botuidus; Botwinus Memorial 28 July Profile Raised a pagan. Converted to Christianity in England, and then return to Sweden as a missionary. Murdered by an apostate pagan whom he had instructed in the faith, but who had turned against Christianity. Martyr. Born province of Sudermannland, Sweden Died martyred in 1120; buried at Botkirk, Sudermannland, Sweden Canonized Pre-Congregation

ELIAS of Bourdeilles Also known as Elie of Bourdeilles Memorial 5 July Profile French nobility. Franciscan at age ten. Priest. Bishop of Périgord in 1437. In 1452 he authored a report vindicating Saint Joan of Arc. Archbishop of Tours in 1468. Cardinal in 1483. Confessor to King Louis XI. Defended the rights of the Church against the power of the king. Born 1407 at Périgord, France Died 1484 of natural causes Beatified process begun in 1526, never completed, but he has been referred to as "Blessed" for centuries Canonized pending

STEPHEN du Bourg Memorial 4 January Profile Canon of Saint Rufus at Valence. Companion of Saint Bruno at the foundation of the Grande Chartreuse. Founded the charterhouse at Meyria in 1116. Died 1118 at Meyria, France

MARGUERITE BOURGEOUS

Also known as Margaret Bourgeoys; Marguerite Bourgeoys; Marguerite Bourjeoys Memorial 12 January Profile The sixth of twelve children of devout parents. When Marguerite was 19, her mother died, and the young lady cared for her younger brothers and sisters; her father died when she was twenty-seven. The family raised, Marguerite prayed to know what to do with her life. The governor of Montreal, Canada, was in France looking for teachers for the New World. He invited Marguerite to come to Montreal to teach school and religion classes. She said yes and spent the rest of her life in North America. Marguerite gave away her share of her parents' inheritance to other members of the family, and in 1653 sailed for Canada. Began construction of a chapel to honor Our Lady of Good Help. Opened her first school in 1658. Returned to France in 1659 to recruit more teachers, and returned with four; in 1670, she went to France again, and brought back six more. These brave women became the first sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. Marguerite and her sisters helped people in the colony survive when food was scarce, opened a vocational school, taught young people how to run a home and farm. Marguerite's congregation grew to 18 sisters, seven of them Canadian. They opened missions, and two sisters taught at the Native American mission. Marguerite received the first two Native American women into the congregation. In 1693, Mother Marguerite handed over her congregation to her successor, Marie Barbier, the first Canadian to join the order. Marguerite's religious rule was approved by the Church in 1698, and Marguerite spent her last few years praying and writing an autobiography. On the last day of 1699, a young sister lay dying. Mother Marguerite asked the Lord to take her life in exchange. By the morning of 1 January 1700, the sister was completely well, Mother Marguerite had a raging fever, suffered 12 days, and died on 12 January 1700. Born 17 April 1620 at Troyes, France Died 12 January 1700 of fever Venerated 1878 Beatified 12 November 1950 by Pope Pius XII Canonized 31 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II Patronage against poverty; impoverishment; loss of parents; people rejected by religious orders; poverty

Readings Our Lady's love is like a stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source. Saint Margaret Bourgeoys

FELIX of Bourges Memorial 1 January Profile Bishop of Bourges, France. Had a special devotion to the Eucharist. Attended the Council of Paris in 573. Many miraculous cures attributed to his intercession. Praised by Saint Gregory of Tours, there was poetry dedicated to him, and he is still venerated at Bourges. Died c.580 of natural causes Canonized Pre-Congregation

William of Bourges Also known as Guillaume de Bourges; William Berruyer; William de Don Jeon; William the Confessor Memorial 10 January Profile Member of the family of the Counts of Nevers, his father Baldwin planned a military life for William. Educated by his maternal uncle Peter the Hermit, archdeacon of Soissons. Drawn to religious life from an early age. Priest; canon of Soissons, and canon of Paris. Monk in the Order of Grandmont, noted for his austerities, his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and for the time spent praying at the altar. Internal dissession in the Order caused him to leave Grandmont for the recently formed Cistercians, taking the habit at Pontigny. Abbot at Fontaine-Jean in Sens, France. Abbot at Chaalis near Senlis, France in 1187. Reluctant archbishop of Bourges in 1200, accepting the position only after receiving orders from the general of his order, and from Pope Innocent III. Lived an even more austere life, defended clerical rights against the state, cared personally for the poor, sick, imprisoned and debauched, and converted many Albigensians in his diocese to orthodox Christianity. Witnesses claim he performed 18 miracles during his life, and another 18 after his death. Born 12th century in Nevers, France Died 10 January 1209 at Bourges, France of natural causes while in prayer Canonized 17 May 1217 by Pope Honorius III

Bartholomew of Vicenza Also known as Bartholomew of Braganza Memorial 27 October Profile Joined the Dominicans at Bologna, Italy, receiving the habit from Saint Dominic himself. Noted preacher throughout Lombardy and Emilia. Bishop of Limassol, Cyprus in 1253. Bishop of Vincenza, Italy in 1255. Worked as a peace maker between warring factions in the region. Friend of King Saint Louis IX of France. Preached at the second translation of the relics of Saint Dominic in 1267. Born c.1200 at Vicenza, Italy Died 1270 in Vicenza, Italy Beatified 1793 Canonized pending

PETER of Braga Memorial 26 April Profile First bishop of Braga, Portugal. Martyr Canonized Pre-Congregation

SIMPLICIUS of Bourges Memorial 1 March Profile Married and father of a large family when he was chosen bishop of Bourges. Defended his see against Visigoth Arianism and attempts to weaken the Church by lay officials. Died 1 March 477 Canonized Pre-Congregation

GERARD OF BOURGOGNE Memorial 28 April Profile Cistercian Benedictine monk. Abbot at Cambron. Died 1172 Canonized pending

GABRIEL BOURLA Also known as Marie-Ursule Bourla Memorial 17 October Profile Ursuline nun. Martyr. Born 1746 Died 1794 at Valenciennes Name Meaning God is my strength; God is mighty; strong man of God; the strength of God

Marmaduke Bowes Memorial 26 November; 22 November as one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales Profile Married layman and father. Fearful of the persecutions of the day, he was a covert Catholic who put in appearances in the Established church to keep the authorities away. He sheltered priests on the run, and had his children raised Catholic. In 1585 his children's tutor was arrested and bribed to apostatize, turn informer, and denounce Bowes for helping priests. Bowes and his wife were arrested and imprisoned in York; she was released, but Marmaduke was convicted on the statements the tutor. First layman executed under the law that made helping priests a felony. One of the 85 Martyrs of England, Scotland and Wales. Born in Ingram Grange, Yorkshire, England Died hanged on 26 November 1585 in York, Yorkshire, England Venerated 10 November 1986 by Pope John Paul II Beatified 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II Canonized pending

BROGAN Also known as Bearchan; Bracan; Broccan; Brochan Memorial 8 July Profile Sixth or seventh century scribe and bishop of Mothil, Waterford, Ireland. May have been the nephew of Saint Patrick, and may have served as his secretary. Canonized Pre-Congregation

MARTIN of Braga Also known as Bracara; Martin of Dumio Memorial 20 March Profile Nothing certain is known of him until 550 when he introduces communal monasticism into Galatia. Abbot at Dumio. Bishop of Dumio by May 561. Archbishop of Braga by 572. Missionary to the Arian Suevians. Writer who left text of his homilies and sermons, and moral, liturgical, and ascetical treatises. Born 515-520 at Pannonia Died 580 at Braga, Portugal

Flora Bracaval

Also known as Giovanna Maria of the Eucharistic Jesus Profile Nun in the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul. Born 3 May 1861 in Mouscron, Hainault, Belgium as Flora Bracaval Died 26 January 1935 in Arienzo, Caserta, Italy of natural causes Venerated 8 March 1997 by Pope John Paul II Beatified pending

Teresa Bracco

Memorial 28 August Profile Born to Giacomo Bracco and Anna Pera, two humble and devoutly Catholic farmers. A pious child, she early developed a devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, and as she grew older would go into ecstatic trances while staring at the Blessed Sacrament. Went to Mass daily, and prayed her rosary while doing daily chores. Murdered by a Nazi officer while she fought to keep from being raped. Born 24 February 1924 in Santa Giulia, Dego, Savona, Italy Died shot on 28 August 1944 in the woods bear Santa Giulia, Dego, Savona, Italy Venerated 7 July 1997 by Pope John Paul II Beatified 24 May 1998 by Pope John Paul II Canonized pending

VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI

Also known as Virginae Centurione Bracelli Memorial 15 December Profile Daughter of Giorgio Centurione, and imposing and controlling individual who became the Doge of Genoa, and Lelia Spinola. Raised in a pious family, she felt drawn to religious life as a child. However, due to family position she agree to an arranged marriage to Gasparo Grimaldi Bracelli on 10 December 1602. He was a drinker, a gambler, and though the couple had two daughters, Lelia and Isabella, he was little of a father or husband. Virginia was widowed on 13 June 1607 after five years of marriage, aged 20, and with two small children. Virginia moved in with her in-laws, cared for her children, and dedicated her free time to prayer and charity. When her daughters were grown and married, Virginia devoted herself entirely to caring for the sick, aged, and abandoned children. In late 1624 and early 1625 war in the region led to many orphans, some whom Virginia took in and cared for, and she worked with refugees in the town. When her mother-in-law died in August 1625, Virginia poured herself into the work, turning her house into a refuge and founding the Cento Signore della Misericordia Protettrici dei Poveri di Gesù Cristo Her house was overrun with the needy during a plague and famine in 1629-1630. To house them all Virginia rented the vacant convent of Monte Calvario and moved her charges there in 1631. Due to crowding, extra housing was built in 1634, Virginia was soon caring for 300 patients, and in 1635 she received official government recognition for her hospital. Virginia worked closely with the young women in her houses, teaching them religion and ways to earn a living. The expenses of Monte Calvario were excessive, so Virginia bought two villas and started construction of a church dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. It became the mother church of the Institution, whose Rule was written between 1644 and 1650 and which was divided into two congregations: Suore di Nostra Signora del Rifugio di Monte Calvario (Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary) and Figlie di Nostra Signora al Monte Calvario (Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary). When the group of Protectors, the superiors and governors of the Institute was selected in 1641, Virginia retired from administration, working as the humblest sister, doing chores on the grounds and begging for alms for the Institute. Sadly, though the Institute was a success, healing the sick, educating children, training adults, and helping the dissolute return to productive lives, assistance, personal and financial, began to decline. Without the chance to work with Virginia, many of the middle and upper class did not participate, fearing the poor and rough residents. Though her health was failing, Virginia returned to active administrative duties. She worked for general spiritual development throughout the region, working for the choice of the Blessed Virgin Mary as patron of the republic of Genoa in 1637, for the institution of the Forty Hours' Devotion in 1642, and the revival of home missions in 1643. She acted as peacemaker between noble houses, and aided in the reconciliation of Church and Republic authorities in 1647, ending a dispute caused by the government abandoning support of the Institute. Virginia continued working up to the end of her days, and in later years received the gifts of visions and interior locutions. Born 2 April 1587 in Genoa, Italy Died 15 December 1651 in Genoa, Italy of natural causes Beatified 22 September 1985 by Pope John Paul II Canonized 18 May 2003 by Pope John Paul II at Vatican Basilica

Maria Caridad Brader