Evangelization

Saints Julian and Olegarius, bishops of Toledo, Barcelona and Tarragona, Spain

The Catholic liturgy celebrates on March 6 Saints Julian of Toledo and Olegarius, bishops of Toledo and Barcelona respectively, although Saint Olegarius simultaneously held the archbishopric of Tarragona. The Church also celebrates today Saints Rosa de Viterbo, Italian, and Colette Boilet, French, reformer of the Poor Clares.  

Francisco Otamendi-March 6, 2025-Reading time: 2 minutes
Chapel of San Olegario in the cathedral of Barcelona.

Baroque tomb of Bishop San Olegario in the cathedral of Barcelona, next to the Santo Cristo de Lepanto (16th century), in this chapel by Arnau Barguès (1407). (José Luis Filpo Cabana, Wikimedia Commons).

St. Julian of Toledo (Spain), was born in the capital of Toledo of a Jewish convert family, although his parents were Christians, in the year 620 (VII century). He was educated in the cathedral school by another prelate of Toledo, St. Eugene II, and became a man of great personality and prudence. He was ordained bishop in 1980, convened three councilsIn his writings he expounded the Catholic doctrine and obtained for Toledo the primacy of the Spanish dioceses. He died in 690. He was accused without foundation of having encouraged the kings to persecute the Jews. 

On March 6, you can visit the Barcelona Cathedral the dressing room where the urn containing the incorrupt body of Saint Olegario (Sant Oleguer) can be seen. Olegario Bonestruga was born in Barcelona (1060), was presbyter and regular canon of the Cathedral of Barcelona, and adviser of the counts Ramon Berenguer III and Ramon Berenguer IV. In 1116 he was named bishop of Barcelona, and later archbishop of Tarragona. He promoted a reform in the church and died in 1137.

Saints Rose of Viterbo and Colette Boylet

Saint Rose of Viterbo (Italy, 1234) wanted to enter the Poor Clares at a very young age, but could not because of her age and poverty. A serious illness facilitated her rapid entry into the Third Order of St. Francis, according to the Franciscan Directory. When she recovered her health, she lived a life of prayer and penance, exhorting the love of Jesus and Mary, and fidelity to the Church. God granted him extraordinary charisms and through them he worked miracles. He died in 1252. In 1258 her incorrupt body was transferred to the Poor Clare monastery.

Saint Colette Boylet (Corbie, France, 1381), orphaned at the age of 18, distributed her possessions among the poor and undertook a varied religious experience that included wearing the habit of the Third Order and leading an eremitical life, until she professed in the Poor Clares. She wanted to bring back to the Order the spirit and observance of Santa Clara. With pontifical authorization, reformed monasteries and founded others. He died in Ghent (Belgium) in 1447. 

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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