Monastic leader and papal representative, sometimes called Abbo of Fleury and Abbon. He was born in the region of Orléans, France, circa 945, and entered the Benedictine order at Fleury-sur-Loire after studying at Orléans, Paris, and Remis. St. Oswald of Worcester, England, brought Abbo to Ramsey, Huntingdonshrine, England, in 986. Abbo worked with Oswald but was elected abbot of Fleury in 988. This election was contested by a monk with the patronage of the bishop of Orléans and with royal favor. Gerbert, who became Pope Sylvester II in 999, had to resolve the issue, deciding on Abbo. As abbot of Fleury, Abbo attended the Synod of Basel and assisted Pope Gregory V, who had been expelled by the antipope John XVI. Abbo was also instrumental in calming thousands who believed the world would come to a catastrophic end at the start of the year 1000. Monastic affairs were also in turmoil in that era. In 1004, Abbo tried to reform the monastery of La Reole, in Gascony, France. He was caught in a severe confrontation between competing groups and was stabbed. He died as a result of his wound on November 13. Abbo was noted as a philosopher and scholar, especially in the fields of astronomy and mathematics, and wrote a life of St. Edmund.
Pope from 461-468 and guardian of Church unity. He was born in Sardinia, Italy, and was a papal legate to the Robber Council of Ephesus in 449, barely escaping with his life from this affair. Hilary ... continue readingMore Saint of the Day
Emma was a relative of Emperor St. Henry II and 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. ... continue readingMore Female Saints
St. Michael the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief ... continue reading
The name Gabriel means "man of God," or "God has shown himself mighty." It appears first in the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the ... continue reading
Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. ... continue reading
By Deacon Keith Fournier
This great defender of the faith insisted on the central claim of Christianity: God can be known and loved-indeed, that is why He came into our midst in the person of His Son; so that through a relationship with Jesus Christ, man could participate in the ... continue readingMore Christian Saints & Heroes