WOMEN SAINTS AND MARTYRS JUNE 27-JULY 3

June 27

St. Emma. Emma was a relative of Emperor St. Henry II and was also known as Hemma. She was raised at Henry's court by St. Cunegund, and according to legend was married to Landgrave William of Friesach. Their two children were murdered during an uprising of mines owned by William. Grief-stricken, he made a pilgrimage to Rome and died on the way back. Emma then decided to devote her life to God. She gave liberally to the poor, founded several religious houses and a double monastery at Gurk, Austria, she may have become a nun there. Despite the above legend, scholars believe she was of the Friesach family rather than William and that her son was killed in a battle twenty years after the death of her husband, Count William of Sanngan, about the year 1015, and it was at this time that she began her foundations. Her cult was confirmed in 1938. Her feast day is June 27th.


June 28

St. Vincenza Gerosa, 1847 A.D. Co-foundress of the Sisters of Charity. A native of Lovere, Italy. Originally named Catherine, she was orphaned in her youth and ever after gave her life to aiding the poor. About 1824, she and St. Bartolomea Capitanio founded the Sisters of Charity of Lovere to help the poor and sick and educate children, following the passing of Bartolomea in 1833; Vincenza assumed the directorship of the Order and expanded its efforts until her death after a long illness on June 29. She was canonized in 1975 by Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-1978).

St. Theodichildis, 660 A.D. She was the first abbess of the Benedictine house of Jouarre, Meaux, France. In some lists she is called Telchildis.

June 29

St. Mary, 1st century. Mother of John surnamed Mark, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Her home in Jerusalem was a gathering place of the Apostles. Peter went to Mary’s home when he was released from prison by King Herod.

Sts. Salome and Judith. Anchorites - (An anchorite is a woman who lives in seclusion for religious purposes). According to legend, St. Salome was an Anglo-Saxon princess in the ninth century. While on a trip home from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she was temporarily blinded. When she reached Altaich, Bavaria, she was without possessions and became an Anchorite in a cell attached to the monastery church. Salome's aunt, Judith, was sent by the king of England to look for Salome. When she finally located her at Altaich, she decided to become an Anchorite also. She remained there for the rest of her life after Salome died. At times she suffered from diabolical attacks and night terrors, and the shrieks which came from her cell sometimes brought the monks running from the neighboring abbey to find out if she was being murdered. She was buried beside her niece at Ober Altaich. It is stated that in 907, when the monastery was destroyed by the Hungarians, the relics of both recluses were translated to Nieder Altaich, where they are still venerated.

June 30

St. Lucina, 1st century. Martyr mentioned by Sts. Processus and Martinianus. Other martyrs named Lucina were also recorded, including one who ministered to martyrs and died about 250, and another connected to St. Sebastian’s martyrdom.

St. Clotsindis, 714 A.D. Benedictine abbess also called Clotsend and Glodesind. She was born circa 635, the daughter of Sts. Adalbald and Rictrudis. Educated by her mother, the abbess of Machiennes Abbey in Flanders, in Belgium and France, she became the abbess there 688.

St. Erentrudis, 718 A.D. Benedictine abbess, and a relative of St. Rupert of Salzburg, she was also called Erentruda. She cared for lepers in Worms, Germany, until Rupert founded Nonnberg Monastery for her in Salzburg.

St. Eurgain, 6th century. Virgin foundress of Wales. The daughter of chieftain Caradog of Glamorgan, Wales, she founded Cor-Eurgain, later called Llanwit.

First Martyrs of the See of Rome, 64 A.D. The holy men and women are also called the “Protomartyrs of Rome.” They were accused of burning Rome by Nero. Some martyrs were burned as living torches at evening banquets, some crucified, and others were fed to wild animals. These martyrs died before Sts. Peter and Paul, and are called “disciples of the Apostles, whom the Holy Roman Church sent to their Lord before the Apostles’ death.”


July 2

St. Monegundis, 570 A.D. Hermitess of Tours who inspired the foundation of St. Pierre-le-Puellier convent. She was born in Chartres, France, and married. When her daughters died, Monegundis received her husband’s permission for her to become a recluse. She started a hermitage at Chartres but then moved to a site near the tomb of St. Martin at Tours. Disciples who joined her forced her to establish a rule that led to the convent founding. Many miracles took place at her tomb.

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