Saints celebrated on October 11
St. Alexander Sauli as Bishop, by Barnabitefather – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
October 11 Celebration of Saints
Our Lady of Begoña
Saint Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 28, 1881 in Sotto il Monte, in the Kingdom of Italy.
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was ordained to the priesthood on August 10, 1904 and served in a number of posts as he rose through the ranks of the Church. He was made the Cardinal of Santa Prisca and Patriarch of Venice by Pope Pius VII on January 12, 1953 and became Pope John XXIII at the age of 76 on October 28, 1958. He served as pontiff for four years, until his death on June 3, 1963.
In his relatively short time as prelate, Pope John XXIII accomplished many things. His goals were to modernize the Church by emphasizing its pastoral role increasing its activity in international affairs of with foreign states.
He called the Second Vatican Council, which opened on October 11, 1962 and ended in 1965, one year after his death. The Council made dramatic changes to the role of the Catholic Church.
Pope John XXIII died in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on June 3, 1963. He was beatified on September 3, 2000 by Pope John Paul II and was canonized a saint by Pope Francis on the same day as Pope John Paul II, April 27, 2014. Read more about Pope John XXIII.
Saint María Soledad Torres y Acosta
Saint María Soledad Torres y Acosta was born on December 2, 1826 as Manuela Torres y Acosta. She was a Spanish Nun and an original member of the Order of the Servants of Mary, dedicated to caring for the sick and the poor.
As a child María was educated by the Vincentian Sisters. She wanted to live a life of religion, but in 1850 was denied admittance to the Dominicans because of her frail health.
In 1851 she was accepted into a new religious cluster of women, formed by Father Miguel Martinez Sanz to minister to the poor and sick. There she accepted the habit and took the religious name of María Soledad.
In 1856 the new order was named the Servants of Mary. The order was lauded for their significant efforts in caring for the sick during the 1865 cholera epidemic. The Order received papal approval in 1876 by Pope Pius IX.
Saint María Soledad Torres y Acosta died from pneumonia in Madrid on October 11, 1887 at the age of 60. She was beatified in 1950 and canonized as a saint in 1970. Read more about Saint Maria Soledad.
Saint Alexander Sauli
Italian priest Alexander Sauli, C.R.S.P., known as the “Apostle of Corsica” was born in Milan, Itatly on February 15, 1534.
He was a member of the Congregation of Barnabites and a preacher, theologian, professor and bishop.
Alexander was ordained a priest in 1556 and he continued to minister and lecture on theological and philosophical topics, gaining a reputation as a theological scholar. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1560 and was admitted to the College of Professors of Theology in 1563. Three years later he became dean of the college.
In 1567, at the age of 33, he became the Superior General of the Congregation of Barnabites and in 1571 he was appointed bishop of Aleria, Corsica by Pope Pius V. He did well in rebuilding the see by rebuilding churches and establishing seminaries, and was known as the “Angel of Corsica.”
Alexander was appointed Bishop of Pavia in 1591. He died the following year in Colosso d’Asti, Corsica from a fever and gout.
Saint Alexander Sauli was beatified on April 23, 1742 by Pope Benedict XIV and canonized a saint by Pope Pius X on December 11, 1904.
Other Saints
Other saints for this day include:
Saint Agilbert, Saint Anastasius V, Saint Ansillo, Saint Canice, Saint Ethelburga of Barking, Saint Eufridus, Saint Firminus of Uzes, Saint Gummarus, Saint Juliana of Pavilly, Saint Kenneth, Saint Nectarius, Saint Peter Tuy, Saint Placidia, Saint Sarmata, Saint Tharacus.
