Thursday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Alena was born in Dilbeek, near Brussels in present-day Belgium, to the noble pagan parents Levold and Hildegaart. Drawn by grace to Christ, she sought baptism in secret and, still hidden from her family, would slip away to attend Mass. When her father discovered her new faith, he believed she had been bewitched and sent guards to seize her and bring her home. Alena resisted, and in the struggle she lost an arm; imprisoned and grievously wounded, she soon died, around the year 640, offering her suffering as a witness to the Lord she loved. After her martyrdom, many graces were reported at her burial place. Tradition tells of a blind man restored to sight through her intercession, and of an angel bearing her severed arm to the chapel where she had prayed—signs that moved even her parents toward conversion. Venerated especially in Forest (Brussels), she is invoked for eye troubles and toothache. Her feast day in Lectio is June 18.

Saint Calogerus was born around 466 in Chalcedon and later became known as a humble anchorite whose life of prayer would bless the Church in Sicily. In a time of turmoil and persecution, he fled from Africa to Sicily with Bishop Gregorius and the deacon Demetrius, standing firm against Arianism and helping strengthen the faith of the Christian communities they served. Tradition remembers him laboring for the Gospel around Fragalata near Messina, and also as a missionary on Lipari in the Aeolian Islands. Drawn ever more deeply to silence and communion with God, Calogerus eventually withdrew to Monte Kronio, where he lived as a hermit until his death on June 18, 561. His witness of steadfast orthodoxy, missionary zeal, and hidden holiness made him beloved among the Sicilian people, who honor him especially in places such as Campofranco, Cesarò, Naro, Petralia Sottana, San Salvatore di Fitalia, and Torretta. His feast day is celebrated on June 18.

Saint Gregorio Giovanni Gaspare Barbarigo was born on September 16, 1625, into a noble Venetian family in Venice, Italy. Gifted in learning and languages, he first served in public life, even traveling to Münster as secretary to the Venetian ambassador during the negotiations that led to the Peace of Westphalia. Yet the Lord drew him from politics to the priesthood. After earning doctorates in canon and civil law, he was ordained a priest in 1655 and soon poured himself out in charity during a plague in Rome, nursing the sick, caring for mothers and children, and burying the dead. Appointed Bishop of Bergamo in 1657, he became known as a tireless shepherd, personally visiting every parish. Created a cardinal in 1660 and later made Bishop of Padua, he strengthened seminaries, promoted sound formation in the spirit of the Council of Trent, and preached and taught throughout his diocese. Remembered for deep compassion for the poor and steadfast pastoral zeal, he died in Padua on June 18, 1697. He is honored as patron of Monterosso. His feast day is June 18.