You Can’t Call It “It”!

Casilda.  Macaria.  Brychan.  Ruadan.

This list is full of new discoveries for me, and I hope for you as well.  If you find “this week’s” saints’ post to be a little long, it is because I’ve been a bad girl and have not kept to my Sunday ritual of posting.  Sometimes they overwhelm, but I promise to keep being diligent and bang these puppies out as often as I can!  

Any you would use?

April 6

Brychan- Welsh, “speckled.”  King of Wales, notable for having 24 children, all of whom were saints.  Visually, he’s connected to popular choices like Bradon and Bryson.  Yet  this is a venerable old classic that hasn’t gotten much attention.  With this name, your son would fit right in, and have a long history of which to be proud.  

April 7

Finnian / Finan- Old Irish, “white.”  6th century disciple of St. Brendan, he founded a monastery in Kinitty, Offaly, Ireland.  Finan is yet another one of many innumerable ways to get to the newly hot Finn.  

April 8

Januarius, Maxima, and Macaria- African martyrs killed together by Romans.  Maxima- Latin, “greatest.” Macaria- Greek, “blessed, happy.”  Macaria has great potential, while Maxima’s meaning might be too much.  It’s working for the Dutch princess though.  January might be more portable than Januarius, and could be worn on a boy or a girl.  A girl is going to have an easier time of it though. 

April 9

Casilda- Latin “dwelling place.”  11th century hermitess from Toledo, Spain.   Gorgeous, no?

April 10

Apollonius- Greek, derived from Apollo, god of sun, medicine, music, and poetry. Egyptian martyr persecuted by Emperor Diocletian for being a Christian.  He and his convert, Philemon, were sewn shut into sacks and thrown into the sea to drown.  Apollonius is a lot to carry on a modern child.  Sneak this one in the middle or choose one of its derivations.

April 11

Gemma- Latin, “Precious stone.”  Gemma Galgani lived most of her life very ill.  She had many visions and a passionate spiritual life, but her health prevented her from being admitted to a nunnery.  She received the stigmata several times, and died in 1903.  The Gemma love has yet to take over this country.  Be one of the first to choose it for your precious jewel.  

April 12

Vissia- Ancient Roman.  Virgin and martyr persecuted under Emperor Trajan in Italy.  Vissia’s a snazzy choice for a young lady or a fictional character.  It’s got style, spice, and a bit of bite.  

April 13

Caradoc- Welsh, “beloved.”  Never formally canonized, but believed to be celebrated as a saint from the thirteenth century onward.  Welsh harpist who played for Prince Rhys in South Wales.   He is buried at St. David’s Cathedral, and his remains were long believed to be those of St. David.  The prefix here leans feminine in modern times, but Caradoc may have its day.  

April 14

Lydwine- Scandinavian, “people’s friend.”  Dutch patron saint of the sick, she suffered multiple illnesses throughout her life.  Accompanying the illnesses were visions of heaven and hell which she believed were sent from God.  Could be quite lovely.  Try also Lydwina.  

April 15

Ruadan- Gaelic, “red-haired.”  A disciple of St. Finian, he was one of the twelve apostles of Ireland.  He established the monastery of Lothra in Tipperary.  Kind of yummy, no?

April 16

Bernadette- French, Old German, “brave bear.”  During her life, she received many visions from the Virgin Mary herself.  The Holy Mother told her to dig a spring in Lourdes, France, where people migrate for its healing miracles.  Wonder if Bernadette made Madge’s short list?  

April 17

Elias- Greek and Hebrew, “the lord is my god.”  A Spanish ninth century priest from Cordoba who was martyred alongside St. Paolo and St. Isidro, patron of Madrid.  You say “eh-LIE-us”, and I say “eh-LEE-us.”  This has been a friend’s experience with the name, but I would love to see it used a *bit* more.  

April 18

Agia- Benedictine woman who made the decision with her husband, St. Hidulphus, to part ways and join in the service of God.  She became a nun, he a monk.  Almost reminiscent of the Aegean sea.

April 19

Timon- Greek, “respect.”  One of the Seven Deacons mentioned in the Bible who helped the Nazarenes in first century Jerusalem.  Proximity to Simon and Timothy aside, I’m liking this one.  ”Tee-MOHN.”

April 20

Agnese- Greek, “chaste.”  An extremely important Tuscan saint, particularly in Montepulciano.  She entered a convent at age 9, and became head of another at 15.  She had multiple visions which included holding baby Jesus in her hands, and receiving communion from an angel.  Pronounced “ahn-YAY-zay” more or less, try to think of this one as gorgeous rather than fugly.  Not convinced yet?  You need to hear an Italian say it. 

April 21

Maximian- Latin, “greatest.”  Patriarch or Constantinople and friend of Pope Celestine I.  We haven’t maxed out of Max names just yet.  If Maximilian’s too poncey but Maxwell feels to homey, give this a shot.

April 22

Leonides- Greek, “lion.”  Scholar from Alexandria who was beheaded under the rule of Septimus Severus in the year 202.  His life is recorded by Eusebius.  Cool Leo names may be in short supply.  While Leo works beautifully on his own,  Leonides gives this up-and-comer an ancient vibe.

April 23

George- Greek, “farmer.”  Behind the dragon fable is a soldier who took on his leader, Emperor Diocletian, for being so merciless to Christians.  George was then tortured and eventually executed, but his bravery remains an inspiration for anyone facing adversity.  Poor George.  Gets such a bad rap these days, but I argue this is an eternal classic and you will be ahead of the curve!

April 24

Sabas- Roman martyr persecuted under Emporer Aurelian.  Also known as Sabas the Goth.  Sabas feels as if it could go unisex.  While I don’t necessarily advocate it, this one could be easily worn on a girl as well as a boy.  

April 25

Mella- Eighth century abbess and widow from Connaught, Ireland.  Her children, Cannech and Tigernach, were also saints.  Ostensibly easy to pronounce and to spell.  A worthy competitor for Ella and Bella. 

April 26

Alda- Old German, “old, prosperous.” One of the patron saints of Siena, Italy who chose to live an ascetic life, give everything to the poor and administer to the sick.  She was known for her visions.  Also known as Aldobrandesca.  Always on the search for fresh names that end in A, Alda suits today’s naming climate perfectly.  

Cletus- Greek, “called forth, invoked.”  Third bishop of Rome and one of St. Peter’s early disciples.  He is buried in the Vatican next to St. Linus.  Come on.  What’s more likely to cause a stir than Cletus?  Recommended for urban kids only.  

 St. Casilda, 1630–35  Francisco de Zurbarán;  Bernadette Soubirous

Modern sounding 8 and 10 point letters come tidily packaged in venerable saints’ names this week:  Zeno, Octavian, Felix all imminently usable. For an edgy hip choice for your little girl, why not Musa or Agape?  (Three syllable pronunciation on that last one, please).  A lot of other gems here too– take liberties with your child’s name!  As long as it’s spelled correctly, please.  

March 22

Lea- From the Hebrew Leah, which may mean “weary.”  A fourth century widow who traded her wealth for a life of piety and austerity and became the superior of a Roman monastery.  St. Jerome expressed concern in a letter to St. Marcella that she be rightly remembered and praised.

Octavian- Latin, “eighth.”  Fifth century archdeacon from Carthage, executed by Vandals.  

March 23

Felix- Latin, “happy.”  An African saint martyred with twenty companions when persecuted by Vandals. 

March 24

Aldemar- Old High German, “noble” + “famous.”  A favorite of an Italian regional Princess Aloara, St. Benedict was called upon often to help her when he was reassigned to a monastery in Monte Cassino.  The Princess was very angry, and tried to have him killed.  He had to flee to Abruzzi, where he founded several religious institutions. 

March 25

Lucia, Lucy- From the Latin, lux, “light.”  A native of Tuscany, she founded the childrens’ school the Insitute the Maestre Pie, or Filippine, which are widespread in Italy today.  

March 26

Margaret- Originally from the Greek, “pearl.”  Margaret Clitherow was born a Protestant in mid-16th century England.  She married into a Catholic family, and converted.  She became so devout that she harbored fugitive priests in her home.  For this she was imprisoned and in typical Medieval fashion, pressed to death.  

March 27

Augusta- Latin, “great.”  Fifth century noblewoman, the daughter of the Duke of Friuli, Italy.  She insisted on not marrying and remaining a virgin, and it is said that this so angered her father that he killed her himself with bare hands.

Rupert- Germaic, “fame” + “bright.”  Once sitting pretty as the Bishop of Worms, Germany, he took it upon himself to become a missionary.  He and his sister Eerentrudis built a church and abbey in what is now Salzburg, Austria, and is now the Apostle of Bavaria and Austria.

March 28

Conon- Basilian Abbot at a Greek Monastery in Sicily.  

March 29

Berthold- German, “bright” + “ruler.”  He and his brother Aymeric went on the Crusades together.  At Mount Carmel they discovered a group of hermits, and there founded the Carmelite Order.  

March 30

Zosimus- Greek, “viable.”  Seventh century Bishop of Syracuse, known for giving alms to the poor and attention on education. 

March 31

Benjamin- Hebrew, “son of the right hand.”  Persian martyr imprisoned under Abdas.  He was eventually released with the agreement that he wouldn’t continue to preach Christianity.  An agreement he could not comply with, he was apprehended again and tortured with reeds inserted and removed from beneath his fingernails.  

April 1

Hugh- From the Germanic hug, “heart, mind, spirit.”  Benedictine Bishop of Grenoble, he is also the patron of St. Bruno, who founded the Carthusian Order at the Grande Chartreuse.  

Theodora- Greek, “gift of God.”  Administered to her brother St. Hermes while he was in prison.  Not to be confused with the Empress.  

April 2

Musa- A child mystic from Rome, whose visions were recorded by St. Gregory. 

April 3

Agape- Greek, “love.”  She and her Macedonian sisters, Irene and Chionia, were sentenced to death when found to be in possession of scripture– a direct defiance of Emporer Diocletian at the time.  

April 4

Benedict- Latin, “blessed.”  Patron saint of African-Americans, this slave was set free and became a devout hermit and later reknowned convent chef in Italy.

Isidore- Greek, “gift of Isis.”  Also known as Isidro, Bishop of Seville, Spain in the 600s.  He fostered learning and enlightenment in an otherwise dark era.

April 5

Zeno- Greek, possibly related to the Indo-European word for “shine” or “sky”, and related to Zeus.  Third century Bishop of Verona whose story is vague, though is mentioned in the writings of both St. Gregory and St. Ambrose.   Also the name of two prominent Greek philosophers, Zeno of Elea and Zeno of Citium, founder of the Stoic School.  

Francesco del Cossa, Portrait of St. Lucy,, 1470