Sunday, February 21, 2016

February 22-28

We’ve got one biggie this week – St. Peter. As you may know, he was the main apostle, and also the founder of the Catholic Church. I’ll bet you didn’t know, though, that you can invoke him “against frenzy.” So, next time you’re feeling particularly frenetic, just think of ol’ St. Pete.


10.  Serenus the Gardener (Feb 23)

Serenus was your basic hermit, but he also had quite a garden, with which he supported himself. One day, he was visited by the wife of one of the imperial guard, but basically told her to skedaddle (she may have come onto him – accounts differ). He got in trouble for this, but was able to explain himself. In so doing, however, he also gave away that he was a Christian and, for this, was subsequently martyred.


“Go on, get outta here!”

Fittingly, Serenus is the patron saint of gardeners, but also of the falsely accused. All of this happened around the year 300, in what is now modern-day Serbia.


9.  Margaret of Cortona (Feb 22)
Patronage:  hoboes

There are a surprising number of patron saints for those who ride the rails. In addition to Margaret, we’ve also got:
  • Benedict Joseph Labre
  • Edwin of Northumbria
  • Elizabeth of Hungary
  • Lufthild

Margaret was something of a Mary Magdalene figure. She was some guy’s mistress for a number of years, and had a child out of wedlock with him, before seeing the light. An attractive woman, she was still pursued – and occasionally succumbed – even after her conversion experience.


Free on Amazon Kindle

Eventually, Margaret formed her own community (called the Poverelle, or “poor little things”), which ministered to the sick. She never, though, truly lived down her previous life.

Cortona? It’s in Tuscany. Hoboes? I’m not totally sure.


8.  Émilie d’Oultremont d’Hoogvorst (Feb 22)

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Emilie is also known as Baroness Émilie d’Oultremont van der Linden d’Hooghvorst.  

The daughter of a Belgian count, Emilie would subsequently marry a Belgian baron. Widowed before she turned 30, she would then enter religious life and also found her own order.

All of this happened in the 19th Century.  And that means we have actual photographs of her. 



7.  Ludwig Mzyk (Feb 23)

Short, sweet, and totally unpronounceable …

Ludwig is another recent saint – living, in fact, in the 20th Century. Ludwig was born in 1905, in Poland, to a poor family in a coal-mining district. After becoming a priest, he would be placed in charge of novitiates (priests in training).


He was martyred by the Nazis in World War II.


6.  Praetextatus of Rouen (Feb 24).

This guy sounds more like a politician than a saint. First, he gets himself exiled as Bishop of Rouen for political intrigue and “fomenting rebellion.” He is then reinstated as bishop, gets in hot water with the queen, and subsequently gets assassinated by her. 


“You!  You did this to me!”

In addition to Pratextatus, the cast of characters for this drama includes such great names as Chilperic, Brunhilda, Guntrim, and Fredegund. Interestingly, Pratextatus usually went by the much shorter “Prix.” 

All of this took place in 6th Century France, by the way.


5.  Caesarius of Nanzianzen (Feb 25)
Patronage:  bachelors

Geez, couldn’t this be just about any male saint?

Caesarius was not your typical 4th Century saint. He was physician at the Byzantine court and a politician as well (quaestor of Bythnia, no less). In fact, this pretty worldly guy was only baptized (and decided to give up the world) right before his death.


He did, however, have some major family connections. His brother was the well-known and very holy Gregory Nazianzen. His father, Gregory the Elder, and mother, Nonna, were saints as well. Oh, sis Gorgona got in on the saintly act too. Heck, can’t leave out Caesarius now, can we?


4.  Callistus Caravario (Feb 25)

Astonishingly awesome alliteration.

Another 20th Century saint, Callistus was a Salesian missionary, in China. He was killed, along with his bishop, by “Bolshevik pirates who planned to abduct and enslave the girls on [his] ship.” He was less than 30 years old.

I don’t know why, but I always get a kick out of seeing photos of real, live saints:



3.  Walburga (Feb 25)
Patronage:  against mad dogs

So, should I assume that there’s some other saint out there who is for mad dogs?

Does that name sound familiar? This one is also known as Walpurgis, and the eve of her holy day is called Walpurgis Night. And that’s when witches traditionally get together. 


Happy Walpurgis Night, everybody!

Now that last fact actually has nothing to do with Walburga. Her feast day simply used to be on May 1, a day that was traditionally associated with pagan celebrations of Spring.

Walburga herself was born in England, but later migrated to Germany to convert the still-pagan Germans. She was an abbess, author, and miracle worker. 

She, too, came from a very religious family. Her father was St. Richard the Pilgrim, a minor Saxon royal; her mother was the sister of the fairly well-known St. Boniface; and her two brothers, the wonderfully named Winibald and Willibald, would become saints as well. 


2.  Polycarp of Smyrna (Feb 22) 
Patronage:  against dysentery

I guess some patronages are a little more glamorous than others …

Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle. He was a 2nd Century bishop and martyr.


Early hound’s tooth?

As for the diarrhea? I haven’t a clue. And neither does this blogger, though he does have a good suggestion:

And finally, my personal favorite, St. Polycarp, the patron siant of diarrhea. Typical martyr story, he was burned at the stake but didn’t die, so they had to stab him with daggers.  Why he gets the dubious honor of patron saint of massive colon blowouts  is a mystery. As we know, the Lord works in mysterious ways, and Catholicism in out-right weird ways. But what an easy costume to assemble. A white toga with strategically placed brown stains. Done.

By the way, “Polycarp” means “much fruit,” in Greek.


1.  Alexander of Alexandria (Feb 26)

Of the Alexandria Alexanders …

Alexander was a 4th Century pope, but – interestingly – not a pope of Rome. He was a pope of Alexandria, of the See of St. Mark. Personally, I actually had no idea there were any other popes. 

Turns out these popes are actually still around, as head of the Coptic Church. And the Catholic Church recognizes them as popes as well.


Looks like he and Polycarp shop at the same store

Alexander was one of the leading early fathers of the church. He devoted a lot of his time battling Arianism (he personally excommunicated Arias) and played an important role at the Council of Nicaea.


Honorable Mention
  • Cumine the White
  • Nestor of Side
  • Milburga
  • Alnoth 
  • Papias of Heirapolis
  • Lazarus Zographos
  • Zebinus of Syria
  • Mark Barkworth
  • Pupulus of Alexandria
  • Procopius of Decapolis

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Feb 15-21

Can't believe I forgot to include Ash Wednesday last week. For some reason, it remains one of the church’s most well-attended feast days. Which is kind of funny, as it’s not a holy day of obligation. In other words, no one has to go. 

Always wondered why this feast day was so popular. Do people think it’s obligatory? Do they like that visual symbol of their faith? Are they really into Lent? Did they just party way too hard on Mardi Gras? 


#10  John Pibush (Feb 18)

I’m hoping this is pronounced “pie bush,” but I really have no idea.

Poor John is only a beatus. That means he’s referred to, not as St., but as The Blessed. In other words, he’s one step away from real, honest sainthood. 

And that’s quite a common thing for British Catholic martyrs from the Reformation era. The typical story is of a young man who studied for the priesthood in France, came back to England, was found out, was convicted of the “crime of priesthood,” and was then executed in some terrible fashion. Except for a small handful of them, though, these poor fellows almost never quite make it to saint.


#9  Claude de la Colombiere (Feb 15)
Patronage: toy makers

But why he’s the patron saint of toy makers is the question … Honestly, I couldn’t find a thing (and neither, it seems, could anyone else).
What we do know about Claude is that he lived in 17th Century France, was a Jesuit, and was noted for his devotion to the Sacred Heart. As far as I can tell, he never even played with a toy – even as a child.


#8  Conrad of Piacenza (Feb 19)
Patronage:  Against hernias

I understand Conrad’s representation was of a Franciscan, turning his head to the left and coughing.

Sorry about that. A couple of Conrad’s miracles, though, did indeed involve the curing of that unfortunate affliction. He’s also known for “The Miracle of the Bread,” where he personally fed much of famine-ravaged Sicily (all you had to do is show at his door, and he’d hand you a loaf).


I’m not sure what it is, but you can buy it on Etsy

Conrad was born Corrado Confalonieri, into a noble family in 13th Century Italy. There’s an interesting story about how he became a monk and hermit:

One day, as he was engaged in his usual pastime of hunting within his family's domain, he ordered his attendants to set fire to some brushwood in which game had taken refuge. The prevailing wind caused the flames to spread rapidly to the surrounding fields and forest. A peasant who happened to be found near where the fire began was accused of starting the blaze and was imprisoned, tortured to confess, and condemned to death. As the man was being led to execution, a remorseful Conrad publicly admitted his guilt to the Signoria of the city. As punishment and reparation for the damages he had caused, the city seized all his assets, only sparing his life due to his noble status. (Wikipedia)


#7  Francis Regis Clet (Feb 18)

A quick Google of “clet” gives me:
  • A French street artist
  • The College for Law, Education and Training, in Australia
  • A dining hall at the University of Niagara
  • Clet Koshatka’s farm equipment store, in Iowa
  • A dolphin in Scotland
  • Our guy (but only at result #20)


Francis Regis Clet was a Lazarist (a missionary brother) who was born in 18th Century France. He taught at seminary there, where he was known as “the walking library.” He then fled the French Revolution to become a missionary in China, where he would subsequently also become a martyr. 


#6  Antoni Leszczewicz (Feb 17)

If this guy’s last name was legal in Scrabble, you could theoretically get 400 points for it…

Not a whole lot on this guy. Unlike most of the people in this blog, he’s a fairly modern saint. In fact, he’s one of many Polish priests who were martyred by the Nazis during World War II. They were a very popular group with John Paul II, and he beatified and canonized quite a few of them.


I have no idea why he’s green

By the way, if you have any information that might help Antoni go from Blessed to Saint, send mail to the following seemingly random mishmash of letters:

Postulacja Generalna Procesu Meczenników Kosciola w Polsce
ul. Karnkowskiego 3
87-800 Wloclawek, POLAND


#5  Barbatus of Benevento (Feb 19)

In Latin and Italian, this just so happens to translate as The Bearded One, from The Place Where Good Things Happen. 


Peace out, St. Barbatus

Barbatus (AKA Barbato and Barbas) was a bishop in 7th Century Italy. He was a bit of a scold to his fellow townsmen, but he did save them from a barbarian siege. He’s also venerated in some of the local towns, one of which celebrates him in the following rather odd manner (or maybe it’s just the translation):

On this day, to Castelvenere, his hometown, there is the traditional ‘Day of Thunder’, a competition between three pyrotechnic disabled firemen.  (Wikipedia)


#4  Wulfric of Haselbury (Feb 20)

If my Anglo-Saxon is up to speed, I believe this one translates as Ruler of the Wolves, from the Grove of Hazels.


Wulfric was a priest, hermit, miracle worker, and counselor to English kings. He was a tad on the extreme side, going vegetarian, depriving himself of sleep, wearing a hair shirt under heavy chain-mail, being permanently enclosed in his cell, and spending hours reciting the psalms while sitting in a bath of cold water. When he died, there was a pitched battle over who would get his remains.


#3  Fortchern of Trim (Feb 17) 

I haven’t a clue what this one means.

We do know, however, that Fortchern was a guy, a guy who lived in Ireland during the 6th Century. We also know he was a bishop, is the patron saint of bell founders, was formerly a pagan chieftain, and was also called Forkernus. 



#2  Ercongotha (Feb 21)

Nor this one. Suffice it to say, though, you probably don’t want to seriously consider it as a possibility for your new, adorable, little baby girl. 

Ercongotha just so happens to be another obscure early English saint. She was a Benedictine nun and a royal princess to boot. In fact, she was the daughter of the King of Kent and his wife, the wonderfully named St. Sexburga.

By the way, Google really wanted to steer me toward Enercon Gotha on this one.


Enercon errichtet Logistikzentrum mit rund 80 Arbeitsplätzen in Gotha
(Enercon is erecting a new logistics center with 80 jobs in Gotha [a German town])


#1  Juliana of Nicomedia (Feb 16)
Representation:  naked young woman hanging by her hair

You mean they were allowed to put that on a holy card?

Fortunately, I could not find this on Google Images. That representation does, though, accurately reflect her martyrdom:

[The judge] ordered people under his authority to remove her clothing and submit her to a series of tortures. First, she was flogged, then she was hanged by her hair and afterward it was pulled from her scalp.  (Wikipedia)

All of this came about when Juliana refused to be married to a Roman senator named Eleusius. In fact, it was Eleusius who acted as her judge, torturer, and executioner. Nice guy!


Another legend has her boiled in oil


Honorable Mention
  • Auxibius
  • Ethelina
  • Druthmar of Corvey
  • Severus of Syrmium 
  • Zenobius of Antioch
  • Paregorius of Patara
  • Bolcan of Derken
  • Evermod of Ratzenberg
  • Polychronius of Babylon
  • Onesimus of Ephesus

Monday, February 8, 2016

February 8-14

St. Valentine is the big man this week. And he’s up there with Santa Claus when it comes to saints that pretty much everybody has heard of. I’ll bet you didn’t know, though, that in addition to lovers, he’s also the patron saint of greeting card manufacturers (makes sense), travelers (not so much), and bee keepers (not at all). You can also invoke him against epilepsy, fainting, and the plague. He was a bishop (and a physician as well), who was martyred in Rome in the 3rd Century.


10.  Alto of Altomunster (Feb 9)

Alto was an Irish monk who ended up in Bavaria somehow during the 8th Century. There, he founded an abbey, called … Altomunster. Since “munster” means “monastery,” “Alto of Altomunster” basically means “Alto from Alto’s monastery.” Which sounds a tad circular, if you ask me …


Be sure to check out what’s in the cup


9.  Scholastica (Feb 10)
Representation:  nun with dove flying from her mouth

Patron saint of magician’s assistants?

St. Scholastica was actually the twin sister of St. Benedict, the famous monk (and author of the Benedictine Rule). She was herself a nun, and led a community of women. The two would traditionally meet once a year.

Their relationship actually explains Scholastica’s rather interesting representation as well. Turns out Benedict, at the moment of Scholastica’s death, had a vision of a dove leaving his sister’s body.

There is a St. Scholastica College, by the way – up in beautiful Duluth, Minnesota.


The Saints I get. The dog, not so much.


8.  Polyeuctus of Melitene (Feb 13)

Not to be confused with Melieuctus of Polytene …

Polyeuctus was a rich Roman army officer who converted to Christianity in the 3rd Century. Not the shy and retiring type, he subsequently:

went to the city square, and tore up the edict of Decius which required everyone to worship idols. A few moments later, he met a procession carrying twelve idols through the streets of the city. He dashed the idols to the ground and trampled them underfoot. (Wikipedia)

Unsurprisingly, he was later tortured and beheaded. All of this happened in Melitene, a city in Armenia.

Somehow or other, Polyeuctus became the inspiration for a play by Corneille, an opera by Gounod, another by Donizetti, and an overture by Paul Dukas.


A dramatic presentation


7.  Teilo of Llandaff ( Feb 9)
Representation:  man riding a deer

Yeehah! Ride ‘em, deerboy!

Teilo was a saint of many names. In addition to Teilo, I’ve also go him down for Teliarus, Teliavus, Teliau, Telo, Theleau, Teilan, Teilio, Teilou, Teilus, Teio, Teiou, Teliou, Thelian, Theliau, Dillo, Dillon, Dol, Elidius, Elios, Eliud, Eliau, and Eillieau. 

He seems to have come from quite the religious family, with a father, nephews, and a cousin all being saints as well. Teilo was a monk, bishop, and founder (of churches and monasteries), operating in Wales during the 6th Century.


The deer? In one of the many legends that surround Teilo, we learn that:

When a local lord offered him all the land he could encircle between sunset and sunrise, Teilo chose to ride on a stag to cover as much ground as possible in the time available.


6.  Elfleda of Whitby (Feb 8)

She was certainly no Teilo, but I do have Elfleda also down as Edifleda, Elfeda, Ethelfieda, Edilfreda, Ethelfreda, Ethelfleda, Elgiva, and Aelflaed.. None of these, though, can compare to what Wikipedia calls her – Ælfflæd.

And what she was was a genuine royal princess (of Northumbria, the early English kingdom). She was consecrated to God at age 1 when her father, Oswy, won a major battle. Whitby is the abbey she was eventually abbess of. We’re speaking of the year 700 or so here.


5.  Cuthman (Feb 8)

A neglected super-hero?

Actually, another obscure Anglo-Saxon saint, I’m afraid. This one was a poor shepherd. He’s also called Cuthman of Steyning, from the little town where he built a church. Finally, he’s also fairly well-known for carting his poor disabled mother around in a wheelbarrow (see below).


“Cuth” actually means “famous.” So, Cuthman could theoretically don his superhero cape and tights and be better known as Famous Man!


4.  Humbeline of Jully (Feb 12)

Like Scholastica, Humbeline also had a famous brother. In her case, it was St. Bernard, another very well-known monk type (and founder of the Cistercians). 

Humbeline herself originally led a pretty wild life. At some point, though, she turned her back on the world, joining a convent in the French town of Jully. She would eventually become abbess. All this good stuff happened around the year 1100.


Oddly, the only result when you Google Image “humbeline of jully”
(Psst: I don’t think it’s her.)


3.  Appolonia of Alexandria (Feb 9)
Patronage:  dental technicians

Please tell me this has nothing to do with her martyrdom. 

Unfortunately, it does. I won’t go into the gory details, but her typical representation – “with pincers” – should tell you all you need to know.


Poor Appolinia … It didn’t get much better after her death. Her relics were scattered across Europe, with different Roman churches housing her head, arms, and jaw, and other parts and pieces ending up in Antwerp, Brussels, Liege, Porto, and Cologne.


2.  Austrebertha of Pavilly (Feb 10)

I’m tempted to make a joke about her younger twin sister Afterbertha, but I won’t …

7th Century France. Nun, prioress, abbess. Daughter of St. Framechildis and Count Badefrid. Visionary and miracle worker. Some crazy legend about a wolf that delivered her laundry. A surprisingly popular name among Latinas.




1.  Julian the Hospitaller (Feb 12)
Patronage:  clowns, circus workers, jugglers, fiddle players, murderers 

I’m not sure what a hospitaller is, but it sounds like it has something to do with entertainment … and maybe the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another as well.

Actually, a hospitaller is exactly what it sounds like. The guy built hospitals. 


In addition to the above patronages, Julian is also looking out for ferrymen, hunters, pilgrims, knights, shepherds, travelers, and childless people. In other words, he’s quite the busy guy.


Honorable Mention
  • Hyacinth the Solider
  • John Nutter
  • Baldegundus
  • Erluph of Werden
  • Oncho of Clonmore
  • Benignus of Todi
  • Dyfnog
  • Felicula of Rome
  • Baptus of Magnesia
  • Gobnata

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February 1-7

No particularly big feast or saint’s day this week. There is the Presentation of the Lord (where he basically went to church for the first time).  There is also the Feast of St. Blaise, which involves an interesting blessing (which I describe below).


#10  Relindis of Eyck (Feb 6)


If you know how that last item is pronounced, you just might be Dutch (it’s “ike,” like the president, by the way).

Not a whole lot out there on Relindis. We do know that she was a girl, and had a sister with the even less feminine name of Herlindis. They were both nuns, living in the 8th Century. Relindis was particularly known for her painting and embroidery. She was also an abbess.


#9  Blaise (Feb 3)

Patronage:  musicians who play wind instruments


Forget it, flugelhorners. It ain’t gonna happen, harpers. No chance, cellists. This day is strictly for flautists, hornpipers, bassoonists, bagpipers, and their ilk.

St. Blaise is actually the patron of no less than 57 causes. In addition to wind instruments, he’s also looking out for motorists, cowherds, and sock makers, as well as sufferers of blisters, goiters, and dropsy.

He’s probably best known, though, for curing throat problems. In fact, his feast day involves a blessing where the celebrant crosses two candles and touches recipients on their throats with them. Turns out Blaise was a doctor and once cured someone with a fish bone in their throat.


Actually not St. Blaise (just some cute Catholic 
school kid who was forced to dress up as him)


#8  Indract (Feb 5)

Hmm, sounds like one of those words I missed on the SAT.


Actually, Indract (AKA Indract of Glastonbury) was an Irish prince who was murdered by some Anglo-Saxon outlaws while returning from a pilgrimage.  


A tiny (really tiny) chapel on the spot where Indract was supposedly martyred

There’s a bit of confusion surrounding this guy, with later legends bumping up his fellow martyrs to 100 and making Indract a friend of St. Patrick’s – neither of which are likely true.

BTW, spell check really wants me to change “indract” to “infract,” “interact” or “indirect.” I’m pretty sure I at least know what those last two mean.


#7  Lawrence the Illuminator (Feb 3)


I thought for sure this guy was an “electroluminiscent LCD backlight development used in some Casio watches” (thanks, Google). Turns out all he did was heal the blind. 


Lawrence was the bishop of the Italian town of Spoleto, in the 6th Century. He was originally from Syria, fleeing there because of some evil Monophysites (basically –  along with the Arians – the bad guys of the time).

Lawrence is a pretty popular name, so you shouldn’t be surprised that there are many St. Lawrences out there. Others include O’Toole, Giustiniani, Ruiz, of Rome, of Canterbury, of Brindisi, of Siponto, of Arabia ... (Okay, I made that last one up.)


#6  Vaast of Arras (Feb 6)


I dunno, I think I just like the sound of this one. 

It appears that Vaast just couldn’t come to a decision on what he wanted to be called. I’ve got him down for Vaast, Vedast, Vedastus, Waast, and even Gaston and Foster.

What he was was a priest, bishop, advisor to the king, and healer of the blind.  He lived in the 6th Century, in France.


He may be most famous for the beautiful cathedral, in Arras, dedicated to him
(quite different from Indract's)



#5  Amaand of Maastricht (Feb 6) 

Patronage:  bar staff


“So, youse wants anudder one?”


From this awesome site.

I hate to break this to you, but Amaand actually was not a bartender himself. That particular patronage comes from his preaching in beer- and wine-making regions.

Amaand himself was a monk, abbot, and founder of several monasteries and convents. He lived in the 6th Century.



#4  Ia of Cornwall (Feb 3)

And the winner in the category of shortest name goes to …

Interestingly, there seem to be several dozen ways to spell this one – Eye, Ias, Iia, Iies, Ita, Itha, Iva, Ives, Hia, Hya, Tia, Ye, Eia …

Turns out Ia was an Irish princess who was looking to sail to Cornwall so she could evangelize there. Unfortunately, she got left behind … though she did manage to subsequently sail there all by herself on a big cabbage leaf! In spite of those efforts, she was – sadly – later martyred there as well.


Believe it or not, there is actually a second St. Ia, from Persia. Both are often confused – with each other, and with Sts. Eve, Ives, Yves, Yvo, and Ivo. 

Perhaps Ia should be retitled The Confusing, or possibly made the patron saint of bad spellers.


#3  Bertulph (Feb 5)

Known as St. Bertie to his friends …

Not really a lot out there on ol’ St. Bertulph. We do know that he lived in the 7th Century, in what is now Belgium. He was a parish priest and later a monk, and also founded a monastery. 

What’s probably most interesting about this guy is the many things that happened to his relics (i.e., his holy remains) over the years:
  1. He was first enshrined at Harelbeke, in Belgium
  2. He was then moved to Ghent
  3. Somebody stole him
  4. He was returned to Ghent
  5. His remains were destroyed by Huguenots (French-speaking Protestants)

He’s also known as St. Bertulph of Renty. In addition, he has a couple of interesting representations as well:
  • Monk handing out alms with an eagle nearby
  • Monk in prayer being sheltered from the rain by an eagle with its wings outstretched over him
  • Monk with a ship in his hand
Those are all from various “pious legends.”


Just make sure you don’t confuse him with this guy 



#2  Calamanda of Calaf (Feb 5)

I understand she’s the patron saint of calamari preparers, as well as calligraphers and calamine lotion manufacturers.

Unless you understand Spanish, St. Calamanda’s a tad on the obscure side. In fact, there’s a good chance that Calamanda didn’t even exist. Nonetheless, I did at least find a church named after her, in Catalonia.

If she did indeed exist, it would have been around the year 300. Seems she would also have earned that wonderful sobriquet for female saints, “virgin and martyr.” 

Unfortunately, though, we’re not really sure who may have martyred her. It could have been one of Diocletian’s henchmen, some Goths, or even her own father. Whoever supposedly did it, it sounds like they cut off her arms first (supposedly, so she couldn’t make the sign of the cross). And that particularly gruesome image is how she’s typically represented.


I'll spare you that


#1  John of the Grating (Feb 1)

Patron saint of parmesan cheese?

Nah, a grating is also a word for “a grill or network of bars set in a window or door or used as a partition; a grate” (www.freedictionary.com).  All clear now?

John was an abbott and bishop, in France, around 1100. He’s also called John de Craticula, which is basically just the same thing in Latin. Almost forgot … he’s really just “The Blessed.”

Oh, the grating part? Right, right. That’s just what he had around his tomb. Boring, I know …
I was afraid of that (but thanks nonetheless, Google Images)


Honorable Mention
  • Eugenie Smet
  • Mun of Lough Ree
  • Liafdag
  • Bruno of Ebsdorf
  • Werburga of Bardney
  • Kichi Franciscus
  • Fingen of Metz
  • Mucius the Lector
  • Vulgis of Lobbes
  • Flosculus of Orleans