Saints' Days August 11- 24

Remarkably contemporary the names this week! Magnus, Helena, Beatrix, Caspar, and Jane all have made an appearance in my world of the under six set. I was shocked to find a Blane, and the simple Ebba was new to me. Double whammy with the last two weeks of saints’ days in one post, I’m a bit behind on these. If you ever should need it immiediately, I get most of my info here.

AUGUST 11

Blane- Gaelic for “yellow”; A Scottish monk who studied in Ireland and eventually became a Bishop in Scotland. Many miracles are credited to him. Also known as Blaan, this is perhaps the most surprising saint’s name I have come across to date. I had thought Blane was a newer name, exemplified best by hi-pro-glo Blayne on this season’s Project Runway. Could the meaning not be more perfect for him?

Clare- Latin, “clear, bright”; A follower of St. Francis and founder of an order of nuns now reffered to as the Poor Clares, this beauty cut off her hair and lived in complete austerity, wearing no shoes and refusing meat.

Lelia- This Irish saint is now identified as Saint Liadhain, baptized by St. Patrick and the great-grand-daughter of Prince Cairthenn.

AUGUST 12

Just- Latin, “just, justice”; Alternately described as a hermit and a martyr, there may be several “Just” saints. Also known as Justus, this makes an interesting word/virtue name for a boy should you be on the lookout for one.

Merewenna- Daughter of Brychan of Brecnock, with a really intruiging name.

AUGUST 13

Junian- Sixth century abbot and founder of Maire Abbey in Poitou, France.

Maximus- Latin, “greatest”; Born in 7th century Constantinople, St. Maximus the Confessor was a theologian and a mystic. You might also recall Russell Crowe’s memorable character in “The Gladiator”, and is an appealling way to get to crowd pleaser Max.

AUGUST 14

Anastasius- Greek, “resurrection”; 11th century Benedictine archbishop from Hungary.

AUGUST 15

Neopolus- Egyptian martyr who suffered under the persecutions of Diocletian. This might make a great name for a sci-fi character á la Neo in “The Matrix.”

AUGUST 16

Beatrix- Latin, “blessed voyager” and “bringer of joy”; Born into Portuguese nobility, Beatrix da Silva accompanied Princess Isabel to the court of Spain. There she joined the Cistercian convent of Santo Domingo de Silos in Toledo, and founded the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception. Near and dear to my heart, this one.

Titus- Related to Latin titulus meaning “title of honor”; Roman who was killed by Visigoths during the sack of Rome while trying to feed the poor.

AUGUST 17

Bartholomew- From the Aramaic meaning “son of Talmay”; Born in Mexico City in the 1500s, this Franciscan monk traveled to The Philippines to study medicine before being executed in Japan because of his faith.

Caspar- Persian, “treasurer”; Martyred in Nagasaki in 1627 with his wife Mary Vaz. One of relatively few Japanese saints.

AUGUST 18

Helena- Greek, “torch”; The mother of Constantine the Great and modern Christianity, she became a devout Christian and humanitarian of Rome.

AUGUST 19

Joachim-Hebrew, “raised by Y_hweh”; A Spanish ship captain in charge of carrying the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, captured by Dutch pirates and marytred in Japan.

Magnus- Latin, “great”; 7th century native of Avignon, France, Benedictine monk, and father of Saint Agricola. Wonder how many father-son saint pairings there are out there?

AUGUST 20

Bernard- From the Germanic bern meaning “bear” and hard “brave, hardy”; Patron saint of Candelada, Spain.

AUGUST 21

Cyriaca- From the Greek kyriakos, meaning “of the lord.” Roman martyr who housed St. Dominica while they distributed alms to the poor.

AUGUST 22

Sigfrid- From the Germanic sigu “victory” and frid “peace”; Deacon at the Benedictine Wearmouth Abbey, in Durham, England. Erudite in the scripture.

AUGUST 23

Ebba- Abbess of Coldingham, England, who mutilated her own face in order not to be raped during the Danish invasion in 870. As American name tastes Ebb and flow, this might make a nice alternative to Emma, Ella, or Etta.

Zacchaeus- Greek form of the Hebrew name meaning “pure”; Fourth Episcopal head of Jerusalem. A mighty fine historic alternative to Zachary or Zachariah.

AUGUST 24

Jane- “God is gracious”; St. Jane Antide Thouret entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and founded the Institute of the Daughters of Charity in 1798.

Above: “St. Helena Holding the Cross” by Lucas Cranach