Daily Martyrology for January 12

In 689, the death of St. Benedict Biscop, abbot. He became a monk at Lérins, then journeyed from Rome to England with Theodore of Tarsus and Adrian. He preceded Adrian as abbot of St. Augustine’s, Canterbury. Drawing on his experience of continental monasteries, in 674 he founded his own abbey at Wearmouth, which he endowed with books he brought from the continent. His monastery became a center of liturgical practice, chant and calligraphy. In 682 he founded the monastery of Jarrow, to which he sent young Bede.

About 529, at Arles, St. Caesaria, a nun, and sister of St. Caesarius, who wrote a rule for her convent.

In 1167, St. Aelred of Rievaulx, Cistercian abbot. Aelred was born in Hexham, educated at Durham, and spent time at the court of King St. David I of Scotland. He entered Rievaulx in 1134, where he was later abbot for twenty years. He wrote history, biography, sermons, and treatises, including one On Spiritual Friendship.

In 1700, in Montreal, St Marguerite Bourgeoys. She went to Montreal at the request of its founder, Paul de Maisonneuve, and started a school that was open to all. Recruiting more helpers from France, she formed the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, one of the first uncloistered religious communities for women.

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Our daily martyrology was written by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB. Copyright © 2008 by the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, ID 83338.