Daily Martyrology for May 16

Around 250, St. Alexander of Caesarea, bishop of Jerusalem and martyr. He studied in Alexandria. He went to Jerusalem where he was urged to become auxiliary bishop. He succeeded to that see. Origen says he was the kindest of prelates. Eusebius of Caesarea made use of the fine library Alexander assembled at Caesarea.

About 440, in Numidia, St. Possidius, bishop. He was the friend and biographer of St. Augustine (August 28). In his diocese of Calama, he worked hard to combat the Donatists, schismatic rigorists who denied the validity of sacraments administered by Catholic bishops who had been unfaithful in times of persecution. He was driven from his diocese by the invading Vandals.

About 575, St. Brendan of Clonfert. He founded several monasteries in southwest Ireland. Mount Brandon is named after him, and he is the hero of the immensely popular medieval story, the Sea Voyage of St. Brendan.

In 1265, in Bordeuax, St. Simon Stock, who was an important figure of the development of the Carmelite Order. His relics are now venerated at Aylesford in Kent.

In 1657, St. Andrew Bobola, martyr. He was born of Polish parents and joined the Jesuits in Vilnius. He served as parish priest in several churches. Cossack brigands who wanted to expel Catholics from the area captured him and tortured him horribly.

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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.