Daily Martyrology for March 21

At Monte Cassino, the death of St. Benedict, abbot and patron of Europe. The first mention of a feast of St. Benedict on this day is in the martyrology of St. Bede the Venerable, written around 730. There are several explanations why Bede chose this date. He may have derived it from St. Benet Biscop, the founder of Bede’s monastery at Jarrow, who had visited Monte Cassino. Alternatively, Bede may have chosen this day because it was the vernal equinox, and the date was later adopted at Monte Cassino.

At Ronco, in Italy, in 1858, Blessed Benedicta Frassinello. She wanted to enter religious life, but at her parents’ urging she married. After two years the couple decided to live as brother and sister. In 1825, Benedicta entered the Capuchins and her husband became a Somaschi brother. Benedicta felt called to emulate St. Jerome Emiliani and devoted herself to impoverished and endangered girls. Her husband came to help her in that work. They created a lay community of young women from among those who helped them. Forced to cede the project to the bishop, she established a similar community in Rocco, where she founded the Benedictine Sisters of Providence of Rocco Scriva, whose work was to welcome and care for vulnerable young women.

Previous Day   |   Next Day   |   Pick a Day...

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