Saints’ of the Week

S. Justin – 1st June

Justin was born c. 100, of pagan parents, at Nablus in Samaria. After a long search for the truth in pagan philosophies, he finally embraced Christianity in about 130 and first taught at Ephesus. He later moved to Rome where he opened a Christian school and wrote many works in defence of Christianity of which the two ‘Apologies’ and his ‘Dialogue with Trypho’ still survive. He gives us the earliest description of the rite of Baptism and of a Sunday Mass. Around 165 Justin and some of his disciples – five men and one woman – were denounced as Christians and, on refusing to sacrifice, were scourged and beheaded.

S. Marcellinus & Peter – 2nd June

Marcellinus and Peter were both martyrs from the time of the Diocletian persecution. Very little is known of their lives – Marceliinus was a priest, Peter an exorcist. Both were said to have used their imprisonment to evangelise, and managed to convert their jaoler and his family to Christianity. They were beheaded by an executioner who also became a Christian after their deaths and related their story to Pope Damasus I.

S. Charles Lwanga and his Companions – 3rd June

These twenty-two martyrs were burnt alive on June 3rd 1886 by King Mwanga of Uganda who objected to their Christianity and their resistance to his impure demands. Some of those who died were quite young boys, but all were baptised by Charles Lwanga before their deaths. All died with faith and joy that they were going to meet Christ their Lord.

S. Boniface – 5th June

Boniface was born about 673 at Crediton, Devon. He was consecrated Bishop by Pope Gregory II during a visit to Rome in 722 and he then travelled throughout Germany establishing or restoring dioceses and setting up monasteries – including the founding of the famous Abbey of Fulda. Around 747 he became Archbishop of Mainz, but never gave up his missionary life and resigned his see to return to Frisia where he was killed by pagans in 754.

S. Norbert – 6th June

Norbert was born about 1080 – the younger son of a noble family of Xanten in the Rhineland. He was converted in 1115 when in danger of death from a thunderstorm and ordained priest in the same year. He lived a life of penance and apostolate and encouraged other clergy to do the same. As a result of hostility from those who resented his zeal he left Germany and travelled to France where he established a community of Canons who followed the rule of S. Augustine – living in community, celebrating the Divine Office and preaching to the people. From this evolved the Premonstratensian Order. In 1126 he was appointed Archbishop of Magdeburg and in 1133 became Chancellor for Italy. He died in 1134 and was canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII