Saints

A 7th century Irish missionary and martyr, Saint Kilian left from Mullagh for Germany with 11 companions. They crossed the North Sea, arriving at Ascaffenburg on the Rhine, then sailed up the Rhine and the Main to Wurzburg, where Kilian converted the local ruler. He then visited Pope Conon who is said to have asked him to form a mission to Thuringia and Eastern Franconia in about 686. St Kilian ... Read More

A 10th century Irish princess and nun. According to legend, Sunniva set sail from Ireland with several companions in search of a haven in which to live lives consecrated to Christ. The group reached an uninhabited island called Seije off the west coast of Norway and settled there in caves, praying and living off fish. One day a Viking called Jarl Haakon landed and started looking for them. They ... Read More

These were a group of 19 Dutch religious, including Franciscans, Dominicans Premonstratensian Canons and diocesan priests, who were executed by militant Dutch Calvinists at Briel in 1572, during the war of independence with Spain. After imprisonments and tortures, a mob hauled them before the fanatical pirate Admiral Lumey. William of Orange ordered their release and the local authorities deplor... Read More