In 373, in Syria, St. Ephraem, deacon and doctor of the church. When he was 18, he was baptized in Nisibia. When the Persians took over the city, he went to live in a cave near Edessa, and there he wrote the theological works and hymns that earned him designation as a doctor of the church. Near the end of his life, he was chosen to oversee distribution of food supplies in the Edessa region during a famine, because he could be counted on to be honest and impartial.
In 597, at Iona, St. Columba or Columcille. He was born in Donegal of parents of royal descent. He was ordained a priest and founded monasteries at Derry, Durrow and Kells. He loved learning. When he was forty he and some companions moved to Iona, from where they evangelized the inhabitants of Scotland. He wrote poetry and was transcribing a psalter the day before he died. For the next century, Iona was a great center of evangelization, particularly for Northumbria.
In 1348, at the Camaldolese monastery of St. Mary in Florence, Blessed Silvester of Valdiseve. He entered the community when he was 40 and served many years as a cook. He was highly esteemed for his advice and his devotion to the divine office.
In Rome, in 1837, Blessed Anne Mary Taigi. The daughter of domestic servants, she became a servant herself and married Domenico, another servant. They had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. In spite of their limited means, she was generous with those in need. She led the family in prayer each morning and evening. Her spiritual directors testified to her holiness, and many sought her advice.
Our daily martyrology was written by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB. Copyright © 2008 by the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, ID 83338.
