Biblical Studies/Christianity/Roman Catholicism/History

History of the Catholic Church

Several approaches to describing the history of the Catholic Church after Christ's Ascension may be used. Three different methods are currently in use in this page. The first is to organize it by the succession of each Roman Pontiff. The second way is to organize it by what was taking place within the Church at large. The third is to organize it by date.

Biographies of the Roman Pontiffs/Categorization by Pontificate

• Saint Peter
• Linus
• Anacletus
• Clement I
• Evaristus
• Alexander I
• ...
• Gregory VII
• Victor III
• Blessed Urban II

He was born about 1042 with the name Otho of Lagery in Châtillon-sur-Marne in Champagne. He studied in Reims, and was promoted to the office of an archdeacon and canon while residing there. He went to Cluny about 1070 and joined the monastery there, and was later advanced to the position of prior. Saint Hugh sent him to Rome to assist Pope Gregory VII, and became Cardinal Bishop of Ostia in 1078. He was assigned to be the legate to Germany and France from 1082 to 1085. When he returned to Rome in 1085, Victor III had been elected to the papacy. After Pope Victor III died, Otho was elected to the papacy on March 12, 1088, and took the name Urban II. During the course of his papacy the possession of Rome frequently changed hands between him and the antipope Guibert of Ravenna. In November of 1095 he convened a council in Clermont, at which the First Crusade was proclaimed and Philip of France was excommunicated on account of adultery. Urban regained possession of the Castel Sant'Angelo in 1098, and convened a council in Bari to attempt a reconciliation with Eastern bishops by addressing the matter of the filioque clause. He died on July 29, 1099, was buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica, and was beatified on _______ by Pope Leo XIII. [1]

• ...
• Innocent III
• ...
• Julius II
• ...
• Saint Pius V
• ...
• Gregory XVI
• Pius IX

Pius IX was born with the name Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti in Sinigaglia on May 13, 1792. He ws ordained on April 10, 1819. He was promoted to the position of Archbishop of Spoleto by Pope Leo XII on May 21, 1827. He was assigned to the Diocese of Imola by Pope Gregory XVI.[2]

• Leo XIII

Leo XIII was born with the name Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci on March 2, 1810 in Carpineto to Count Lodovico Pecci and Anna ProsperiBuzi. Gioacchino entered the Collegio Romano in 1824, and received his doctorate in 1832. He was promoted to the rank of domestic prelate in January of 1837 by Gregory XVI. He was ordained on December 31, 1837 by Cardinal Odeschalchi at the chapel of Saint Stanislaus on the Quirinal. Pope Gregory XVI assigned him to Benevento, where he worked diligently to annihilate the brigands and smugglers infesting the region. Pope Gregory XVI then assigned him to Perugia, where Gioacchino started a savings bank specifically to assist farmers and small businesses in obtaining low interest rates. In January of 1843 Gioacchino was promoted to the position of nuncio to Brussels, and was consecrated titular bishop of Damiata on February 19, 1843 by Cardinal Lambruschini. Pope Gregory XVI appointed Gioacchino to the See of Perugia when it became vacant, but permitted him to retain the title of Archbishop. He was created a cardinal on December 19, 1853 by Pope Pius IX. He was appointed to be the Camerlengo in August of 1877, and was elected to the papacy on February 20, 1878, taking the name Leo XIII. He wrote the encyclical Rerum Novarum, dated May 18, 1891. He died in Rome on July 20, 1903.[3]

• Saint Pius X
• Benedict XV
• Pius XI
• Pius XII
• John XXIII
• Paul VI
• John Paul I
• John Paul II
• Benedict XVI

(see Wikipedia[4])

Organization by Era

After the Ascension of the Lord, the Apostolic Age was begun, which ended with the death of the last Apostle, Saint John the Evangelist.

This was followed by the Age of Martyrs.

After the death of Nero, persecutions of Christians were intermittent, and varied in rigor. This period was ended with the Edict of Milan, which was promlgated by the Emperor Constantine in 313. [5]

This was followed by the Dawn of the Early Heresies.

Soon after the Christians were no longer threatened with civil punishment on account of the Faith, heretical sects arose which frequently had a twofold aim: to both advance a particular doctrine and to also gain control of the Church through the aid of civil leaders sympathetic to their cause. Some of the principal heretical sects at this time were the Arians, the Nestorians, the Gnostics, and the Monophysites. An unusual reversal of the state of affairs occured during the reign of Julian the Apostate, who attempted to restore paganism and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, of which both attempts failed.

This was roughly at the same time as the Conversion of Europe to Christianity.

While large portions of the Roman Empire were coming under the control of heretical sects, large portions of Europe were also converting from paganism to Christianity, paticularly Ireland, France, and Germany. Eventually Europe became, in a sense, a Christian continent in which most of the inhabitants were either Catholic or belonged to a heretical or schismatic sect.

This was followed by the Middle Ages and the Crusades.

Hostility between nations, the possession of properties, and the quest for additional revenues and incomes frequently gave rise to clashes between the Church and rulers of nations and other principalities, particularly regarding the appointment of bishops. When the Muslims succeeded in their conquest of the Holy Land, Blessed Pope Urban II declared a crusade to regain the Holy Land in 1095, and subsequent crusades were declared when necessary. Toward the end of the Middle Ages the Bubonic Plague ravaged Europe, in which many pious clergy cared for the sick and also contracted the disease, while many of the less pious clergy fled and returned after the plague had subsided.

This was followed by the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Counter-Reformation.

Besides the bubonic plague, several factors also contributed heavily to the progression of the era: the "Avignon Captivity" and the "Great Schism," the conflicting interests of the Catholic Church and national governments (especially regarding revenues, property ownership, and the appointment of bishops), the conflicts between European nations (particularly the "Hundred Year's War" between France and England), the immoral lives of many of the clergy and many members of the upper classes, and the reintroduction of pagan culture. The French cardinal _________ was elected to the papacy on ___________ and took the name ______________, but Rome was the scene of much self-destruction by the local Italians. The French king __________ extended the invitation to Pope _________ to come to peaceful Avignon and take residence for a while, and the Popes did not want to leave Avignon and return to Rome for over one hundred years. When Pope _________ finally submitted to the entreaties and rebukes of Saint Catherine of Siena (?) and Saint Gertrude (?), it was only a few yers before he was disgustd with the situation in Rome and wanted to return to Avignon, which was only prevented on account of his death. His successor, the Roman (?) cardinal _____________ was elected on _________ and took the name ___________, but the cardinals soon disliked him and elected the French cardinal __________ as an antipope, who took the name ________________. An attempt to solve this division of the Church was later made to persuade the successors to both simultaneously resign and permit the cardinals to elect a new pope, but this only resulted in three "popes." Eventually this situation was ended at a conclave (?) when the Roman pope and third "pope" (Pisan?) simultaneously resigned, the cardinals eleced Cardinal ______________ to the papacy (who took the name _________), and the majority (or was it all?) of the European nations transferred their allegiance to the new pope.

Saint Peter's Basilica was in the process of construction, and Pope ______________ announced that an indulgence (plenary or partial?, also, did one have to follow the usual conditions to obtain it: pray for the pope, confession, communion, no attachment to sin?) could be gained when a person contributed (how much?) to its construction. The pope appointed the Dominicans to handle the collection of the funds, which was greatly resented by the Augustinians. One of the Augustinians, Martin Luther, voiced his distaste of the situation differently than most and began condemning the indulgences themelves, and his superior ____________ was delighted and encouraged Martin Luther to continue his denunciation of the indulgences. The Dominicans in turn invoked higher authority, and when Luther's superior found that the papal authorities were determined to censure Luther if he continued, he privately advised Luther to cease the accusations. Luther, however, enjoyed the publicity and respect he received, and decided to enter into complete rebellion instead. Flocks of commoners hastened to his side, and looted monasteries and churches to enrich themselves. A great number of princes declared their support of Luther, and hastily seized ecclesiastical properties for themselves.

King Henry VII of England's son Arthur had married Catherine of Aragon (daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand), but Arthur died during his father's reign, so Arthur's brother Henry married Catherine (now his brother's widow). This Henry ascended to the throne as King Henry VIII of England. Some time after his ascension to the throne, he published a rebuttal of Luther's doctrines, and received the title "Defender of the Faith" from Pope ____________. At one point, Henry had intercourse with Mary Boleyn, but did not publicise it. When he later wished to have intercourse with Mary Boleyn's sister Anne Boleyn, Anne Boleyn firmly said she would only do so if she was his queen. Henry VIII decided to try to get an annulment, and approached the matter by confiding to Cardinal Wolsey (the English Chancellor) that he was being tormented by scruples regarding the validity of his marriage to Catherine. Wolsey was delighted to hear this and porposed that the king marry the French princess ______________. Henry was not pleased and told Wolsey he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn. Wolsey wished to object to Henry's marriage to a mere local noblelady rather than a marriage that would strengthen the bond beween England and its most powerful ally at the time, but seeing the heightening anger of Henry, Wolsey acquiesced to his monarch's wishes. A delegation was sent to Pope ________ which related that Henry was concerned about his marriage to Catherine and asked about getting a n annulment. The pope's responded that he trusted Henry's judgement on the issue and told him to follow the normal local procedures to investigate whether the marriage was valid and issue an annulment if necessary, but the pope also asked Henry to wait until Charles V (Catherine's nephew) was defeated by the Italian and papal forces significantly enough in order that Charles V would not take revenge on the pope because of the annulment. After Charles V was no longer a threat, the process in England was started to investigate the validity of the marriage to Catherine, but soon was stalled by the lack of impediments in the marriage to Catherine and the existence of an impediment in the proposed marriage to Anne Boleyn. Another delegation was sent to the pope to request special permission to remove the impediment to the proposed marriage to Anne Boleyn, which the pope granted (?). The English bishops, however, were faced with a problem: to the best of their knowledge the marriage to Catherine was perfectly valid, but they knew Henry wished to get the annulment so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. Rather than attempt to declare a false annulment for which the bishops would be morally responsible, an attempt was made to deceive the pope into declaring an annulment through the pope's ignorance of the situation. (correct?) The pope, however, was growing suspicious of the matter and seriously began to doubt the honesty of Henry's statements regarding Anne Boleyn's exemplary virtue and piety. After being bombarded with a distasteful number of requests for the annulment, Pope __________ determined that the marriage to Catherine was valid. Cranmer proposed to Henry VIII that he free himself from the moral jurisdiction by taking control of the Church of England, which Henry promptly did. After Henry's death and his son Edward's death, Queen Mary I of England attempted to restore Catholicism to England, but when she was ready to die, King Philip II of Spain (who was married to Queen Mary) did want the monarchy to pass to Mary of the Scots (who was married to the King of France), as it could be a powerful alliance against Spain. Mary selected Anne Boleyn's daughter Elisabeth to be her successor, and Elizabeth promised Mary to keep England Catholic. Upon Mary's death and Elisabeth's coronation, Elisabeth promptly disregarded her promise and, by the end of her life, had completely undone the work of Mary and firmly entrenched England in Anglicanism.

An interest in pagan culture and a laxness in restraining immorality both arose during this era. The philosophies and writings of pagan authors were reintroduced, which were soon followed by the narratives of pagan deities and myths, the paintings and sculptures of pagan deities, and the required study of mythology. As for immorality, many of the clergy had mistresses, carnivals were reintroduced, and nudity and impurity were glorified in the works of the most skilled artists of the era. The Council of Trent was convened in ________ and addressed many of the problems wrought by heresy and the immoral conduct of the clergy.

This was followed by the Enlightenment.

The reintroduction of philosophies and writings by pagan writers, which were not suppressed or greatly opposed in the work of the Counter-Reformation, sowed the seeds of alternative ideals and alternative morality which greatly or completely excluded the Creator in philosophical reasoning processes. Self-made philosophers abounded, and were highly endorsed by those who were comforted by the new norms of morality these philosophers set. These philosophers frequently clashed with the Catholic Church, and many times resorted to violence, particularly in the case of the French Revolution.

This was followed by the Industrial Revolution.

Inventors were constantly discovering and designing faster and more efficient ways of performing common tasks which were frequently laborious, and were inventing new products to promote a better and higher standard of living. This era, which was so full of promise for the betterment of the whole human race, was instead beset by the poverty of many. A primary factor of this widespread poverty was the greed of business owners who, while living luxuriously themselves, paid their laborers wages which could scarcely support the laborers and their families. A second factor to this widespread poverty was the frivolity of many members of the lower classes who squandered their wages with amusements, alcohol, tobacco products, and other pleasures. In the United States a movement among workers called the Knights of Labor was begun to unite laborers together to require busness owners to pay higher wages. Regarding this, Pope Leo XIII wrote the encyclical Rerum Novarum which required the laborers to respect the property of their employers and to work well, while also requiring employers to pay a wage that would support them.

This was followed by...

Chronological Organization of Facts

• 1st Century AD

On Pentecost Sunday the Holy Spirit descended on the twelve Apostles in the Upper Room.

Saint Paul is converted to Christianity.

The Roman Emperor Nero begins his persecution of Christians after a fire devours much of the city of Rome.

Saints Peter and Paul are martyred in Rome.

Jerusalem is conquered by Roman forces

79 June 23 Emperor Vespasian dies. [6]

• 2nd Century AD

117 August 7 Emperor Trajan dies. [7]

• 3rd Century AD
• 4th Century AD

313 Diocletian dies. [8]

313 Constantine I legalizes Christianity by the Edict of Milan [9]

325 The first Council of Nicea was convened to make a determination on Arianism.

[10]

337 May Emperor Constantine the Great dies. [11]

Emperor Julian the Apostate attempts to restore paganism and rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem.

363 June 26 Emperor Julian the Apostate dies. [12]

387 Saint Augustine is baptised by Saint Ambrose.

• 5th Century AD

Saint Jerome completes the Vulgate Bible.

• 6th Century AD
• 7th Century AD
• 8th Century AD

741 October 21 King Charles Martel of the Franks dies. [13]

768 September 24 King Pepin the Short of the Franks dies. [14]

800 Charlemagne crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III

• 9th Century AD
• 10th Century AD

973 May 7 Emperor Otto I the Great dies. [15]

• 11th Century AD

1095 Blessed Pope Urban II preaches the First Crusade to regain the Holy Land.

• 12th Century AD
• 13th Century AD

1216 June 16 Pope Innocent III dies. [16]

St. Dominic founds the Dominican order. [17]

1226 October 3: St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order, dies in Assisi. [18]

• 14th Century AD

1309 Pope Clement V moves Roman Curia from Rome to Avignon.

1378 Pope Gregory XI moves papacy back to Rome from Avignon.

• 15th Century AD

Saint Joan of Arc mostly frees France from English rule.

Johannes Gutenberg begins prodction of the Bible with the printing press.

Columbus discovers America

• 16th Century AD

1547 January 28 King Henry VIII of England dies.[19]

1558 Charles V, former Holy Roman Emperor, dies. [20]

1558 November 17 Queen Mary Tudor of England dies. [21]

The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego

The Jesuit order is founded. [22]

1598 September 13 King Philip II of Spain dies. [23]

• 17th Century AD

1626 November 18: St. Peter's Basilica dedicated by Urban VIII. [24]

• 18th Century AD

American War for Independence begins

French Revolution begins

• 19th Century AD

The Louisiana Purchase is bought by the USA

The American Civil War is fought

Unification of Italy

Marian apparitions to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes, France

The Spanish-American War is fought

• 20th Century AD

Pope St. Pius X dies during World War I, succeeded by Pope Benedict XV

1917: Marian apparitions at Fatima

Lenin gains control of Russia

Creation of Poland

Pope Benedict XV dies, succeeded by Pope Pius XI

Pius XI signs treaty with Italy, recognizing the existence of the Vatican City State

Germany annexes Austria

Pope Pius XI dies, is succeeded by Pope Pius XII

World War II is declared

World War II is ended, large sections of Europe are dominated by Communist rule.

Pope Pius XII dies, is succeeded by Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII opens the Second Vatican Council

Pope John XXIII dies, is succeeded by Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI writes the encyclical Humanae Vitae

Pope Paul VI dies, is succeeded by Pope John Paul I

Pope John Paul I dies shortly after the beginning of his pontificate, is succeeded by Pope John Paul II

The Berlin Wall is razed.

• 21st Century AD

Pope John Paul II dies, succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI

Biographies of the Saints

Biographies of persons canonized by the Catholic Church are often used as reading materials to educate and inspire the faithful to greater acts of virtue. Some of the persons who are the subject of these biographies are:

• Saint Joachim (Memorial on July 26)
• Saint Anne (also Memorial on July 26)
• Saint Joseph (his role as husband of Mary is celebrated as a Solemnity on March 19, his career as a worker is celebrated as a Memorial on May 1)
• Saint John the Baptist (his birth is celebrated as a Solemnity on June 24, his Martyrdom as a Memorial on August 29)
• Saint Peter (Solemnity on June 29, the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter is February 22)
• Saint Mark (celebrated as Feast on April 25)
• Saint Paul (Solemnity also on June 29, his conversion is celebrated as a Feast on January 25)
• The Apostles (Feast of Philip & James on May 3, Feast of Matthias on May 14, Feast of Thomas on July 3, Feast of James son of Zebedee on July 25, Feast of Bartholomew on August 24, Feast of Matthew on September 21, Feast of Simon and Jude on October 28, Feast of Andrew on November 30, Feast of John on December 27)
• Saint Stephen (celebrated as a Feast on December 26)
• Saint Barnabas (Memorial on June 11)
• Saint Luke (Feast on October 18)
• Saint Titus (Memorial on January 26)
• Saint Martha (Memorial on July 29)
• Saint Mary Magdalene (Memorial on July 22)
• Saint Timothy (Memorial also on January 26)
• Saint Ignatius of Antioch (maryred in 107, Memorial on October 17)
• Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr (celebrated as a Feast on August 10)

Lawrence was martyred during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Valerian on August 10, 258.[25]

• Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr (Memorial on December 13)
• Saint Blase, martyr (martyred in the 300's, Optional Memorial on February 3)
• Saint Sebastian, martyr (martyred in Diocletian's persecution, Optional Memorial on January 20)
• Saint Agnes, virgin and martyr (Memorial on January 21)
• Saint George, martyr (Optional Memorial on April 23)
• Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr (married, but lived celibately with her husband)(Memorial on November 22)
• The Early Church Fathers, who wrote extensively to definine Catholic doctrines
• Saint Anthony of the Desert (Born about 250, died in 356, Memorial on January 17)

Anthony was born in Coma in the mid-200's. He lived as a hermit for a significant number of years. Later, he also gave guidance to others practicing a secluded ascetic life. He died in the mid-300's.[26]

• Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine I

Helena was born in the mid-200's. She and her husband Constantius Chlorus had a son, Constantine, in 274. Constantius became co-Regent of the West in 292, and he abandoned Helena to marry another woman. In 308 Constantine came to power and conferred the title of Augusta on his mother Helena. Helena converted to Christianity after her son's victory over Maxentius. She died about the year 330.[27]

• Saint Nicholas (died in mid-300's, Optional Memorial on December 6)
• Saint Cyril of Alexandria (born in 370, died in 444, Optional Memorial on June 27)
• Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (born in 315, died in 386, Optional Memorial is on March 18)
• Saint Athanasius (born in 295, died in 373, Memorial on May 2)

Athanasius was consecrated to the episcopate in 328. He was first exiled for nearly two and a half years during the reign of Emperor Conatantine I. About three weeks after Constantine I's death, his eldest son Constantine invited Athanasius to return to the see of Alexandria. He was exiled a second time during the reign of Emperor Constantius. Athanasius was exiled a third time in 356 for a period of about six years. Athanasius returned to Alexandria on February 22, 362. Athanasius died on May 2, 373.[28]

• Saint Ephrem (born about 306, died in 373, Optional Memorial on June 9)
• Saint Martin of Tours (born about 316, died in 397, Memorial on November 11)

Martin was born in Sabaria about 316. Martin went to Italy and joined the Roman Army while an adolescent. He went to Poiters in 361 to see St. Hilary. He was consecrated a bishop on July 4, ______. He died in Touraine about 397.[29]

• Saint Ambrose (born about 340, died April 4, 397, Memorial on December 7)

Ambrose was the third and youngest child of Ambrosius, Prefect of Gallia (he had a sister named Marcellina and a brother named Satyrus). He was consecrated bishop of Milan on December 7, 374. He died April 4, 397.[30]

• Saint Basil the Great (born in 330, died on January 1, 379, Memorial on January 2)
• Saint Gregory Nazianzen (also born in 330, died on January 25 of either 389 or 390, Memorial on January 2)
• Saint John Chrysostom (born about 349, died on September 14, 407, Memorial on September 13)
• Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine (born in 331, died in 387, Memorial on August 27)
• Saint Augustine of Hippo (born in 354, died in 430, Memorial on August 28)

Augustine was born on November 13, 354 in Tagaste. He was the son of Patricus (a pagan, and a member of the curial class) and Saint Monica. He and his son Adeodatus were baptised by Saint Ambrose in 387. Augustine was ordained by Valerius, Bishop of Hippo, in Hippo in 391. He was consecrated a bishop on __________. He died in Hippo on August 28, 430.[31]

• Saint Jerome, author of the Vulgate Bible (born about 340, died in 420, Memorial on September 30)

Jerome was born in the mid-300's in Stridon. He was baptised in Rome. He was ordained in Antioch. He died in Bethlehem on September 30, 420.[32]

• Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine Order (born about 480, died March 21, 547, Moemorial on July 11)

Benedict was born in Nursia about the year 480. His sister was Saint Scholastica. Benedict left Rome behind and went to Enfide, and later Subiaco. He lived as a hermit for three years. A community of monks asked Benedict to come be their abbot after the previous abbot had died. He consented, but the monks were immoral, and, after an attempt to poisin Benedict, Benedict returned to his hermitage. He later founded monasteries of his own. After encountering hostility from the locals, he left for Monte Cassino, where he founded another monastery. He was visited by Totila, King of the Goths, in 543. Benedict died at Monte Cassino.[33]

• Saint Scholastica (born about 480, died about 547, Memorial on February 10)
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (born in 1090, died in 1153, Memorial on August 20)
• Saint Patrick (born about 385, died in 461, Optional Memorial on March 17)

Patrick was born in 387 in Kilpatrick, Scotland. He was the son of Calphurnius and Conchessa. When Patrick was sixteen he was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland to Milchu, who was a chieftain and also a high priest of the Druids. He escaped after about six years. He was under the guidance of Saint Germain for several years, and was ordained a priest by him. At the suggestion of Saint Germain, Pope Saint Celestine I entrusted Patrick with the conversion of the Irish, a task originally assigned to Palladius. Patrick was consecrated a bishop by Saint Maximus in Turin, and arrived in Ireland in the summer of 433. Patrick decided to go to Dalriada to pay his ransom to his former master Milchu. He was intercepted on the way by Dichu, another chieftain, who wanted to slay Patrick, but Dichu's arm, sword in hand, was rendered immovable until Dichu promised his obedience to Patrick. Patrick later found that Milchu, aware of Patrick's coming, had gathered his belongings into his dwelling, set it on fire, and committed suicide. Dichu informed patrick of a pagan feast at Tara at which the Supreme Monarch of Ireland, Leoghaire, would be present. On his way there, Patrick stayed at the house of the chieftain Secsnen, who converted to Christianity and whose son Benen became a disciple of Patrick's. On the eve of Easter Patrick lit the Pascal Fire on the hill of Slane, on the other side of the valley from Tara, and the Druids were unable to extinguish it. In th morning Patrick and his companions advanced in a procession to Tara. The Druids summoned a dark cloud to cover the hill, but when challenged by Patrick to remove it they were unable to do so, after which Patrick prayed and light was restored. The Arch-Druid Lochru lifted himself high into the sky, but when Patrick prayer Lochru fell to his death. In the end, Leoghaire gave Patrick the freedom to preach thoughout all of Ireland. Patrick went to Tailten and baptized Leoghaire's brother Conall on April 5. He went to Killala and baptized about 12,000 persons. Patrick baptized two sons of the King of Leinster at Naas. Patrick's charioteer Odhran discovered a plot on the part of a local chieftain, Crom Cruach, to kill Patrick, so Odhran persuaded Patrick to take the reins of the chariot while Odhran took the place of honor. Unaware of either the plot or Odhran's true intentions, Patrick took the reins, and shortly thereafter Odhran was slain by a lance intended to kill Patrick. Patrick went to Munster, and while in the kingdom of Munster he baptised Aengus, son of the King of Munster. During the ceremony Patrick accidentally pierced the foot of Aengus with his crosier, which Aengus thought might be part of the ceremony. It is recorded that Patrick ordained at least 350 bishops before he died. Patrick died on March 17, 493 at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. [34]

• Saint Columban (died in 615, Optional Memorial on November 23)
• Saint Bede (commonly known as Venerable Bede, born in 673, died in 735, Optional Memorial on May 25)
• Saint Boniface (born about 673, martyred in 754, Memorial on June 5)

Boniface was originally born with the name Winfrid in England in the late 600's. He Joined the Benedictines and was ordained when he was thirty. He journeyed to Rome and on May 15, 719, he received Pope Gregory II's permission to preach to the pagan Germans on the east side of the Rhine. After successfuly converting many heathens and bringing many lapsed Christians back to the faith, he again returned to Rome and was consecrated a regional bishop. Boniface returned to Germany and continued his work in conversion and repentance, and also undertook the correction of heretics. Pope Gregory III appointed Boniface an Archbishop and permitted him to consecrate bishops as necessary. After further labors, Boniface went to Rome again to ask to resign, but Pope Gregory III congratulated Boniface for his work and would not permit Boniface to resign. Boniface returned to Germany again with additional authority as a legate of the Holy See and worked to reform the clergy. Boniface was appointed Archbishop of Mainz and Primate of Germany by Pope Zachary. Boniface resigned from the archbishopric of Mainz in 754 in order to work for the conversion of the Frisians. He was martyred by heathens while assembling new converts for confirmation.[35]

• Saint Methodius, brother of Saint Cyril (died April 6, 885, Memorial also on February 14)
• Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order (born about 1035, died in 1101, Optional Memorial on October 6)

Bruno was born in Cologne about 1030. He was ordained to the priesthood about 1055. Bishop Gervais assigned him to Reims in 1056 to help direct the school. He became the head of the school in 1057. In 1075 Bruno was appointed to the position of Chancellor of the church in Reims. Bruno left Reims and built a little monastery with six other followers. Eudes of Châtillon was elected to the papacy in 1088 and took the name Pope Urban II, and because he was a former student of Bruno's, he summoned Bruno to come be one of his advisors. He died on October 6, 1101.[36]

• Saint Wenceslaus (born about 907, assassinated in 935, Optional Memorial on September 28)

Wenceslaus was born to Duke Wratislaw and Dragomir, probably in 903 (other source says about 907). He was murdered by his brother Boleslaw and buried at the scene of the murder. Three years later his brother repented and ordered for his brother's remains to be moved to the church of St. Vitus.[37]

• Saint Margaret of Scotland (born about 1046, died in 1093, Optional Memorial on November 16)

Margaret was born about 1045 (about 1046 in another source) and was the daughter of Edward "Outremere." When attempting to leave England, the ship on which she was travelling was blown off course to Scotland. She married Malcolm III of Scotland some time between 1067 and 1070. She died in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 16, 1093. She was canonized by Innocent IV in 1250.[38]

• Saint Thomas Becket (born in 1118, martyred in 1170, Optional Memorial on December 29)

Thomas was born in London, possibly on December 21, 1118. He was ordained a deacon in 1154. When Thomas was thirty-six, King Henry II of England appointed him chancellor. After Archbishop Theobald died in 1161, Thomas was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1162, and was consecrated as archbishop the following day on June 3, 1162. Thomas resigned his position as chancellor. After several disputeswith Henry II, Thomas fled England in late 1164 and went to see Pope Alexander III. Pope Alexander III refused to permit Thomas to resign his archbishopric, so on November 30, 1164, Thomas went to the Cistercians in Burgundy and lived with them for a year. Meanwhile, King Henry II of England confiscated the archbishop's property and banished Thomas Becket's relatives. Eventually, Thomas was required to leave the Cistercian abbey where he was residing, as King Henry threatened the Cistercian order with vengeance if they continued to permit Thomas to reside with them. Thomas returned to England after it appeared that a relative agreement on some of the disputes had been reached. He was martyred in Canterbury by four knights on December 29, 1170. He was canonized on February 21, 1173, and King Henry II of England performed public penance on July 12, 1174.[39]

• Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order, born about 1170, died August 6, 1221, Memorial on August 8)

Dominic was born at Calaroga, in Old Castile. He was the son of Felix Guzman and Blessed Joanna of Aza (beatified by Leo XII in 1828). Dominic entered the University of Palencia in 1184. He founded the first convent of the Order of Preachers on April 25, 1215. He died August 6, 1221. He was canonized by Gregory IX on July 13, 1234.[40]

• Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Friars Minor (Franciscan Order)(born in 1182, died in 1226, Memorial on October 4)

He was born in Assisi in the 1180's to Pietro and Pica Bernardone. He was originally baptised Giovanni, but his father soon changed the infant's name to Francis. While a young man, he went to fight against the Perugia, but was taken prisoner and held in custody for over a year. Francis later joined an expedition against the emperor, but in the course of the journey Francis was told in a dream to return to Assisi, which he did. Francis made a pilgrimage to Rome. Francis restored the church of San Damiano and several neighboring churches. After being joined by eleven other men, Francis and his companions journeyed to Rome and received the approval of Pope Innocent III. Francis founded the Second Franciscan Order of Poor Ladies in 1212 with Saint Clare. He attempted to journey to Syria to convert the Saracens, but was shipwrecked and forced to abandon the idea temporarily. He attempted to journey to Morocco in 1214, but was also prevented. In 1219 Francis and eleven companions managed to visit the sultan in Damietta, but appear to have accomplished little. When they returned to Italy, the Franciscan Orders were in disarray. Francis resigned as general of the order and Peter of Cattaneo became the next general of the order. Francis began the tradition of the Christmas scene in 1223, received the stigmata in 1224, and composed the Canticle of the Sun in 1225. He died on October 3, 1226 at the Porziunicola, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228.[41]

• Saint Hyacinth

Saint Hyacinth was born in 1185 in the castle of Lanka and was the son of Eustachius Konski. He studied in Cracow, Prague, and Bologna. He went to Rome with his uncle (who was bishop of Cracow) and met St. Dominic. Hyacinth joined the Dominicans in 1220. He founded several communities and preached in Prussia, Pomerania, Lituania, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Lower Russia. He died in Cracow on August 15, 1257.[42]

• Saint Cyril, brother of St. Methodius (died February 14, 869, Memorial on February 14)
• Saint Clare (born in 1193, died in 1253, Memorial on August 11)
• Saint Albert the Great (born about 1206, died in 1280, Optional Memorial on November 15)

Albert was born in either 1205 or 1206 at Lauingen, Swabia. He was the eldest son of the Count of Bollstädt. He joined the Dominicans in 1223. He taught theology in Hildesheim, Freiburg, Ratisbon, Strasburg, and Cologne. He was told to return to Paris in 1245, and received a doctorate. He was elected the Dominican Provincial of Germany in 1254. He resigned from his position as provincial in 1257. He was appointed Bishop of Ratisbon in 1260, and resigned from his position as bishop in 1262. He died in Cologne on November 15, 1280, was beatified by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, and was canonized in 1931.[43]

• Saint Elisabeth of Hungary (born in 1207, died in 1231, Memorial on November 17)
• Saint Louis of France (born in 1214, died in 1270, Optional Memorial on August 25)

Louis was born on April 25, 1215 (other source says 1214) in Poissy. He was the son of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. Upon the death of his father King Louis VIII, he became king of France when he was eleven years old. While Louis was still a minor, his mother Blanche acted as regent from 1226 to 1234. Louis married Marguerite of Provence when he was nineteen and was the father of eleven children. He was involved in a crusade from 1248 to 1249. He concluded the treaty of Paris with King Henry III of England on May 28, 1258. He is remembered for the words of his mother which he followed: "I would rather see you dead at my feet than guilty of a mortal sin." While on another crusade in 1270, he succumbed to a plague and died near Tunis on August 25, 1270. He was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297.[44][45]

• Saint Bonaventure (born about 1218, died in 1274, Memorial on July 15)

He was born in 1221 (another source says 1218) in Bagnorea to Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritella. He was originally baptized with the name of John. He joined the Franciscans in either 1238 or 1243. He received the licentiate in 1248, and lectured at the University of Paris until 1256, when he was compelled to cease on account of the secular teachers. Upon the resignation of John of Parma, Bonaventure was elected Minister General of the Franciscans on February 2, 1257, even though he was not even thirty-six years old, and he and Saint Thomas Aquinas received their doctorates on October 23, 1257. In 1263 a general chapter was convoked in Pisa, at which the provincial boundaries were determined, a law was made whereby a bell was required to be rung every nightfall in honor of the Annunciation, the direction of the Poor Clares was renounced, a determination was made that only the biography of Saint Francis of Assisi writen by Bonaventure was officially approved, and a determination was made that other accounts of the life of Saint Francis of Assisi were to be excluded. Due to Cardinal Cajetan's request, Bonaventure resumed the direction of the Poor Clares in 1264. Bonaventure founded the Society of the Gonfalone in honor of the Blessed Virgin in 1264. Clement IV wanted to appoint Bonaventure to the vacant see of York and issued a Bull dated November 23, 1265, but Bonaventure, on account of his humility, did not wish to be promoted to the position, so the pope permitted him to decline to accept the position. In 1266 a general chapter was convoked in Paris, which required that all "legends" about Saint Francis of Assisi were to be destroyed. Bonaventure convoked the fourth general chapter in Assisi in 1269, and required that a Mass was to be offered every Saturday in honor of the Blessed Virgin. In 1272 a general chapter at Pisa determined that an anniversary was to be celebrated on August 25 in honor of King Louis IX of France, an act instrumental in the king's process for canonization. Bonaventure was created a cardinal on June 23, 1273 by Pope Gregory X. While a cardinal, Bonaventure retained his governance of the Franciscans until the General Chapter of Lyons on May 20, 1274, at which Jerome of Ascoli was elected to replace him. He died in Lyons on July 16, 1274. He was canonized by Pope Sixtus IV on April 14, 1482, and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Sixtus V on March 14, 1557.[46][47][48][49]

• Saint Thomas Aquinas, the writer of the Summa Theologica, a large set of volumes extensively used in theological studies (born about 1225, died March 7, 1274, Memorial on January 28)

Thomas Aquinas was born to Landulph, Count of Aquino, and Theodora, Countess of Teano, in the 1220's in Rocca Secca in the Kingdom of Naples. He was educated by the Benedictines at Monte Cassino, and attended the University of Naples. He entered the Dominican order, but while still a novice he was seized by his two elder brothers and confined in the family castle. Eventually he was released and sent to Rome. Thomas studied under St. Albert the Great, and went to Paris and Cologne. Thomas stopped writing the Summa Theologica on December 6, 1273, although he had not yet finished it. He died on March 7, 1274, in Fossa Nuova. His body was moved to Toulouse on January 28, 1369.[50]

• Saint Anthony of Padua (born in late 1100's, died in 1231, Memorial on June 13)
• Saint Gertrude (born in 1256, died on November 17, 1301, Optional Memorial also on November 16)
• Saint Bridget of Sweden (born 1303, died in 1373, Optional Memorial on July 23)
• Saint Catherine of Siena (born in 1347, died in 1380, Memorial on April 29)
• Saint Vincent Ferrer (born in 1350, died in 1419, Optional Memorial is April 5)
• Saint Joan of Arc

Joan was born in Domremy in Champagne in the early 1400's. She lead the French forces that raised the siege of Orléans. Joan was captured on May 24, 1430 outside the walls of Compiègne. She was executed on May 30, 1431. Pope Benedict XV canonized her in 1920.[51]

• Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order, born 1491, died in 1556, Memorial on July 31)

Ignatius was born in the Castle of Loyola to Don Beltrán Yañez de Oñez y Loyola and Marina Saenz de Lieona y Balda (their youngest son). He was originally baptized Iñigo (he took the name Ignatius later). On May 20, 1521 he was injured by a cannonball. He was taken to Loyola, and while convalescing, he read the lives of Christ and the Saints because there were no chivalric romances to read in the castle. He entered the University of Salamanca in 1527. He died in Rome on July 31, 1556. He was beatified on July 27, 1609 by Pope Paul V and canonized on May 22, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.[52]

• Saint Francis Xavier, one of the first members of the Society of Jesus (born in 1506, died in 1552, Memorial on December 3)

Francis was born in the catle of Xavier on April 7, 1506. He went to Paris in 1525 and entered the collège de Sainte-Barbe. Francis, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and five others took their vow on August 15, 1534. Francis left Paris on November 15, 1536. Francis and Saint Ignatius of Loyola were ordained on July 24, 1537. Francis left Rome for Lisbon, Portugal on March 16, 1540. Francis left for India by boat on April 7, 1541. He arrived at Goa on May 6, 1542. Francis landed in arrived in Kagoshima, Japan on August 15, 1549. Francis died on December 2, 1552 on the Island of Sancian. He was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, but the Bull was not published until the following year.[53]

• Saint Teresa of Avila (born in 1515, died in 1582, Memorial on October 15)
• Saint Peter Canisius (born in 1521, died in 1597, Optional Memorial on December 21)
• Saint Charles Borromeo (born in 1538, died on November 3, 1584, Memorial on November 4)

Charles Borromeo was born on October 2, 1538 in the Castle of Arona in Italy. He was the son of Count Gilberto Borromeo and Margherita (of the Medici family). He received the tonsure when he was twelve, and eventually became the titular abbot of SS. Gratinian & Felinus. His uncle was elected pope in December of 1559, and Charles received a summons to Rome on January 3, 1560. Charles was assigned the administrative duties of the papal states, and was created a cardinal on January 31, 1560. Charles was made the Cardinal Protector[54] of the following: the Kingdom of Portugal, Lower Germany, the Catholic cantons of Switzerland, the Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Humiliati, the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross of Coimbra, the Knights of Jerusalem/Malta, and the Portuguese order of the Holy Cross of Christ . He worked strenuously to reassemble the Council of Trent (which had been suspended since 1552), which resumed again on January 18, 1562. After his brother died on November 28, 1562, Charles was the head of his ancestral family and pressure was laid on him to get married, even from his uncle the pope. charles did not wish to do so, however, and instead chose to be secretly ordained as priest by Cardinal Federigo Cesa at Santa Maria Maggiore on September 4, 1563. He was consecrated a bishop on December 7, 1563, received the pallium on March 23, 1564, and was preconized[55] on May 12. Charles finally received permission from the pope to visit his diocese, departed September 1, 1565, and arrived in Milan on September 23, 1565, becoming the first resident archbishop of Milan in eighty years. He was met with great rejoicing by the populace. The first provincial council met on October 15, 1565, and was finished on November 3, 1565. Charles then went to Trent as a legate on November 6, 1565. His uncle Pope Pius IV died on December 10, 1565. Cardinal Michele Ghislieri was elected pope on January 7, 1566, taking the name Pius V. Charles returned to Milan on April 5, 1566. Charles began his visits of the three Swiss valleys of Levantina, Bregno, and La Riviera. The second diocesan synod was held in August of 1568, and the second provincial council was held in April of 1569. In October of 1569 an attempt was made to take is life by a member of the Humiliati, and led to the suppression of the order by Pope Pius V (Bull dated February 7, 1571). Pope Pius V died on May 1, 1572, and Charles went to attend the conclave, in which Pope Gregory XIII was elected on May 13, 1572. He arrived again in Milan on November 12, 1572, held the third provincial council in April of 1573, and held the fourth diocesan synod in November of 1574. Charles began his journey to Rome on December 8, 1574 on account of the Jubilee Year of 1575. A plague came to Milan in August of 1576, began to abate in 1577, and mostly disappeared by early 1578. Charles held the fifth diocesan synod in 1578, and also made a pilgrimage to Turin in 1578. He set out for Rome in 1582, and left Rome in January of 1583. He visited the cantons of Switzerland again. He left Turin on October 8, 1584 and went to Monte Varallo. The Cardinal of Vercelli summoned him to Arona on October 18, 1584, and Charles returned to Monte Varallo on October 20, 1584. He died on November 3, 1584 in Milan. He was canonized by Pope Paul V on November 1, 1610.[56]

• Saint Robert Bellarmine (born in 1542, died in 1621, Optional Memorial on September 17)
• Saint John of the Cross (born about 1542, died in 1591, Memorial on December 14)
• Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (born in 1568, died in 1591, Memorial on June 21)

Aloysius was born on March 9, 1568 in the castle of Castiglione. Aloysius went to Spain with his father in 1581, and was made a page of Philip II's son James. He presented himself to the General of the Society of Jesus on November 25, 1585, and professed his vows on November 25, 1587. He died on June 21, 1591, was beatified by Pope Gregory XV in 1621, and was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726.[57]

• Saint Thomas More
• Saint Juan Diego
• Saint Martin de Porres (born in 1579, died in 1639, Optional Memorial on November 3)
• Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc(born about 1580, martyred in 1623, Memorial on November 12)

Josaphat was born in either 1580 or 1584 in Volodymyr, Lithuania. In 1604, He entered a Basilian Monastery when he was twenty-four. He was ordained in 1609, was consecrated as bishop of Vitebsk on November 12, 1617, and was made an archbishop in 1618. He was martyred on November 12, 1623. He was beatified in 1643 and canonized in 1867.[58]

• Saint Peter Claver (born in 1580, died on September 8, 1654, Memorial on September 9)
• Saint Vincent de Paul (born in 1581, died in 1660, Memorial on September 27)
• Saint Rose of Lima (born in 1586, died August 24, 1617, Optional Memorial on August 23)

Rose was born in Lima, Peru on April 20, 1586. She received the Dominican habit in her twentieth year. She died in Lima on August 30, 1617, was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667, and was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671.[59]

• Saint Isaac Jogues (martyred on October 18, 1647, Memorial in US dioceses)
• Saint John de Brebeuf (martyred on March 16, 1648, Memorial in US dioceses also on October 19)
• Saint Louis de Montfort

Louis was born in Montfort on January 31, 1673. He went to Paris when he was nineteen, and was ordained when he was twenty-seven. He founded the Company of Mary and the Sisters of Wisdom. He died on April 28, 1716 at Saint Laurent sur Sevre. He was beatified in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII and canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII.[60]

• Saint Philip Neri (born in 1515, died in 1595, Memorial on May 26)
• Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (born in 1647, died on October 17, 1690, Optional Memorial on October 16))
• Saint Paul Miki (born between 1564 and 1566, martyred February 5, 1597, Memorial on February 6)
• Saint Francis de Sales (Born in 1567, died December 28, 1622, Memorial on January 24)
• Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (born in 1572, died in 1641, Optional Memorial on December 12)
• Saint Alphonsus Liguori (born in 1696, died in 1787, Memorial on August 1)

Alphonsus was born on September 27, 1696 in Marianella. He was the son of Don Joseph de Liguori, the Captain of the Royal Galleys. He received his doctorate in Law on January 21, 1713, at the age of sixteen. He was extremely successful in his legal career, and won the majority of his cases. In 1723, a sudden loss of a case soured his interest in the legal profession. He was ordained a deacon on April 6, 1726, and a priest on December 21, 1726. In 1762 the Pontiff required Alphonsus to accept a bishopric. Pius VI permitted Alphonsus to resign his see in May of 1775. He died in Nocera de' Pagani on August 1, 1787, was beatified by Pope_________ in 1816, and was canonized by Pope___________ in 1839.[61]

• Saint Elisabeth Ann Seton (born August 28, 1774, died January 4, 1821, Memorial is on January 4 in US dioceses)
• Saint John Vianney, parish priest (born in 1786, died in 1859, Memorial on August 4)

John Vianney was born in Dardilly, France on May 8, 1786, to a poor farming family (he had other siblings). As a youth he worked as a shepherd, and did not begin his education until the age of 20. John entered the seminary when he was significantly older than many of the other students, and he had a very difficult time learning Latin. While a seminarian at _________, he was drafted into the Napoleonic army. He had gone into a church to pray, and the army had already left the town. The officers told him to follow after them until he rejoined them. In the course of the journey he stopped to rest and another man offered to lead him on the route. Rather than lead him to the army, the man lead John to a small town where deserters were gathered. The mayor of the town persuaded John to stay, and John remained hidden there until ____________. After reentering the seminary, he was ordained on August 13, 1815 by the Bishop of Grenoble (Mgr. Simon) at ___________. He was assigned as an assistant in Ecully, then as pastor to Ars in 1818. Although there were still a few faithful souls in Ars, it was a poor state of affairs when he arrived. John Vianney fasted greatly, eating a few boiled potatoes. He tried to leave Ars for good several times. He had the ability to read souls. He was frequently tormented by Satan through loud noises and disturbances. He spent about 18 hours a day in the confessional. He was instrumental in promoting devotion to St. Philomena. Eventually, a large number of penitents came to Ars to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from him. He died on August 4, 1859 at Ars, was buried (where), was proclaimed Venerable by Pius IX on October 3, 1874, was beatified on January 8, 1905 by Pope _____________, and was canonized on May 31, 1925 by Pope Pius XI. He has been classified as one of the Incorruptibles.[62][63][64]]

• Saint Anthony Claret (born in 1807, died in 1870, Optional Memorial on October 24)
• Saint Catherine Labouré
• Blessed John Neumann (or Saint?)(born March 20, 1811, died January 5, 1860, Memorial on January 5 in US dioceses)
• Saint John Bosco (born in 1815, died in 1888, Memorial on January 31)
• Saint Dominic Savio
• Saint Charles Lwanga (martyred in 1880's, Memorial on June 3)
• The Doctors of the Church
• Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (born in 1850, died on December 22, 1917, Memorial on November 13)
• Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (born in 1873, died September 30, 1897, Memorial on October 1)

Thérèse was born on January 2, 1873 to Louis and Zélie Martin in Alençon, France. She entered the Carmelite Order on April 9, 1888. She died in Lisieux on September 30, 1897. She was beatified by Pope ____________ on _________ and canonized by Pope Pius XI (?) on ____________.

• Saint Bernadette
• Saint Maria Goretti (born in 1890, murdered in 1902, Optional Memorial on July 6)
• Saint Maximilian Kolbe (check spelling)

(list is close to chronological, but may be slightly mixed up; also, maybe these biographies should be made into a separate Lives of the Saints Wikibook, but we will leave it here for now)