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2 word searches Forwards and Backs - answer sheet included.

Saint Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta, was co-founder of the Society of Jesus and led first Christian mission to Japan. He was born at the castle of Xavier (Javier) in Navarre. He was a companion of Ignatius Loyola and was one of the first Jesuit priests to take vows of poverty and chastity at Montmartre, Paris in 1534. He led an extensive mission in Asia and was influential in evangelization work most notably in Portuguese India. For 7 years he worked among the Paravas in southern India. He went among the poor as a poor man himself, sleeping on the ground in a hut and eating mainly rice and just drinking water. He had immense success with the low-caste, almost non with the Brahmins. He was the first major Christian missionary to venture into Borneo, the Maluke Islands and Japan. He had less success than he had enjoyed in India due to language problems. In Japan he changed tactics - he smartened up his appearance and gained protection and the use of an empty Buddhist monastery. He was about to extend his mission to Ming China when he died, aged 48, on Shangchuan Island****. He had suffered extreme hardship, had worn himself out with ceaseless activity, yet enjoyed a high degree of union with God in prayer.** His vast correspondence survives so it is possible to authentic a study of his character. Francis Xavier is considered to be one of the greatest missionaries since Paul the Apostle in the New Testament. He was beatified by Pope Paul V on25th October 1619. Canonized by Pope Gregory XV on12th March 1622 Declared Patron of Foreign Missions by Pius XI in 1927 Feast Day 3rd December. *Society of Jesus * - separate notes Sources Wikipedia ( 17 pages) Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

Vincent gained acclaim as a preacher, missionary and logician. He was named Vincent after Vincent Martyr, the patron saint of Valencia. He began classical studies aged 8. He studied theology and philosophy at 14. Aged 18 he entered the Order of Preachers - the Dominican Order. During his first year he was tempted to leave but through prayer and penance he overcame his trials. He successfully completed his probation year and advanced in his profession. For 3 years he solely read Sacred Scripture and eventually committed it to memory. In 1379 he was ordained a Catholic priest in Barcelona. He became a Master of Theology and was commissioned to deliver lectures on philosophy. Sent to Barcelona. Went to the University of Lleida and earned his doctorate in Theology. The Western Schism (1378-1417)divided the Catholic Church. With first two, then three claimants for the papacy. Vincent , with his brother - Boniface, General of the Carthusians, were involved and supported Cardinal de Luna. Cardinal de Luna was elected and took the name Benedict XIII. For 21 years he travelled through many European countries preaching the Gospel and converting many. Many biographers believe he could only speak Valencian but was endowed with the gift of tongues . His style has been described as ’ innovative’ His voice was strong and powerful, at times gentile, resonant and vibrant. He is said to be responsible for many Jews being converted to Catholicism. ( ReadConversion of Jews and controversy) Compromise of Caspe. He became involved, as a respected figure, to choose Aragon’s next king because there were 5 potential candidate… He voted for the Castilian prince Ferdinand of Castile who became the next king. On 28th June Vincent publicly proclaimed him as king. Vincent died on 5th April 1419 at Vannes in Brittany aged 69. Pope Callixtus III had him canonized on 3rd June 1455. Vincent’s Feast Day is 5th April. Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

15th April 2025 Pope Francis has authorised a decree declaring the Catalonia born architect 'venerable. 3 pictures from BBC News. Brief notes on Antoni from Wikipedia

Turibuis Alfonso de Mogrovejo was Spanish Catholic priest who served as Archbishop of Lima from 1579 until his death (1606). As a child he was recognised as pious with a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. He fasted once a week and recited the rosary often. He entered the college of Valladold in 1550 where he studied Humanities.At the university of Salamanca he studied law where he became a university professor. At the behest of King Philip II he became Grand Inquisitor without no previous experience. In 1558 he was ordained into the priesthood and consecrated as an archbishop before setting off on his mission to Peru. An eminent and charismatic preacher he set about baptizing, catechising the indigenous people. Alone he covered every parish covering thousands of metres on foot. (Read* Vast territory*) He championed the indigenous people. He was seen as a champion of the rights of natives. He learned the local dialects and fought for their rights and liberties A staunch advocate for reform he set about restoring some order to the priests of his diocese by instituting new educational programmes in priestly training. King Philip II requested that Turbuis oversaw the Third Provincial Council from 1582/3, 1591 and 1601 - served as president- guiding rather than leading. In Pacasmayo he contracted a fever. He arrived at the St. Augustine convent in a critical condition Aged 67 he died. His final words were Lord into your hands I commit my spirit Luke ch 23 v 46. He was canonized in 1726. Turibuis’s feast day is 23rd March. Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

Stephen was an English born monk and abbot,he and one of the founders of the Cistercian Order. He is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church. He spent his youth at Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. He travelled to Scotland and France and went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Back in France he joined a monastery at Molesme in the Burgundy region. In 1098 Stephen, along with Robert and Alberic, left Moleme to found a new monastery at Citeaux. Robert was the first abbot but called back to Molsme by Pope urban II. Alberic for 9 years became the second abbot. On his death Stephen became the third abbot. To begin with it was difficult to get new members but when Bernard of Clairvauz joined with 30 companions it greatly improved. Together they spearheaded the order. In 1119 the order received the Charter of Charity an important document for the Cistercian Order- it established its unifying principles. The rapid growth in the 12th century were certainly due in some part to Stephen’s leadership. He insisted on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life. He was an accomplished scribe and one of his greatest achievements was the Harding Bible. Stephen was abbot for 23 years. He resigned in 1133 because he was going blind. He died on 28th March. 1134. Stephen Harding’s feast day is 26th January. Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

Serguis, baptized Bartholomew as child, moved from the Rostov principality with his parents and brothers Stefan and Peter when it fell into the hands of Ivan 1, and moved to Radonazh. After his parents died he went to Khotkovo, near Moscow, to join his elder brother Stefan who was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to live the ascetic life. Deep in the forest at Makovets Hill they decided to build a monastic cell and a church dedicated to honour the Trinity. Bartholomew became a monk, his hair was tonsured (centre shaved) and given the name Serguis. He spent over a year as a hermit in the forest. He was joined by other monks. He became their abbot and he was ordained into the priesthood. They all had to live by their own labour. More and more monks came. It became a posad - a settlement which grew into the town of Sergiev Posad and other villages… This started the history of the great Trinity -St. SergIus Lavra which is now the most venerated monastic house in Russia. During the reign of Dmitri Donskoi, his disciples started to spread his teaching across central and northern Russia. They settled in the most impractical places and founded numerous monasteries (40). Metropolitan Alexus, Metropolitan of Moscow, asked him to be his successor. He remained a simple monk rather than become a bishop. Sergius died in 1392 aged 78. He was canonized in 1448 or1452. He exerted the greatest influence of any personage on the Russian Orthodox Church. Together with Seraphim of Satov, he is one of the most highly venerated saints in Russia. ( See separate profile) Historian Serge Aleksandrovich Zenkovsky said that Sergius was one of the 4 who signified the Russian spiritual and cultural revival of the late 14th and early 15th century. ( The other 3 were Epiphanius the Wise, Stephen of Perm and Andrei Rublev (painter)) Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

Saint Seraphim, born Prokhor Isidorovich Moshnin, is one of the most renowned Russian saints and is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. He was the son of a builder. He studied hard as a boy and became a monk at Sarov near Moscow in 1779. The regime was austere. In 1780 he was bedridden for 3 years and was consoled by visions of the Blessed Virgin and the Apostles. On his recovery he built an altar of cypress wood for the infirmary chapel. Ordained priest in 1793. On the death of his abbot in 1794 he became a hermit . In 1804 attacked by brigands with his own axe and left to die. Recovered but left with a perpetual stoop and needing a stick. 1807 abbot died and he was offered the position. Refused and submitted himself to a ‘trial of silence’. In 1810 returned to the monastery and gave up his solitary life to devoted himself instead to the numerous visitors who came to see him and to the nuns of Diveiev.For the next 20 years he extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson. He taught the purpose of the Christian life was to receive the Holy Spirit. Acquire the Spirit of Peace and thousands around you will be saved, his most popular quotation He died on the 14th January 1833. He was found dead in his cell, his clothes burnt by a candle which had fallen from his hand. in 1903, he was canonized by the Catholic Church, after some opposition He is generally considered the greatest of the 18th Century startsy (elders). Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

This is a brand new event starting this week-end in Kingston Jamaica. Former sprinter Michael Jackson is behind this idea. 48 of the top world track runners will run in competition 24 men, 24 women- (see the 2 lists) against 48 invited Grand Slam Challengers There will be 6 events for both men and women each with 8 starters. Short Sprints, Short Hurdles, Long sprints, Long Hurdles, Short Distance and Long Distance (Read the notes for fuller explanations) I have included a list of all 48 competitors. Plus profiles of the 7 GB competitors. GB have Zharnel Hughes, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Josh Kerr in the top24 for men. Neil Gorney is a Challenger. GB have Daryll Neita in the top 24 for women. Dina Asher-Smith and Mekissa Courney-Bryant are Challengers. Dina is going to compete in Long Sprints 200 and 400 m. I have included a Phrase and Vocabulary sheet and a Poem Aid. Plus 32 pictures of the Grand Slam Track competitors.

This Satuday, April 5th the World Triathlon Championships come to the London Aquatics Centre. There are morning heats. The finals of the top 10 men and women will start at 6pm. Please read the notes. I have include profiles on GB’s 6 competitors. Beth Potter is ranked No1 in the world for the elete women. Alex Yee is ranked No3 in the elete men. We have a chance of winning both elete events. Phrase and Vocabulary sheet Poetry Aid Profiles on our top 3 elete men and women. Plus World Ranking sheets. Hope there is some useful information for you to use.

GB’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson won bronze at the Championships. Pictures Phrase and Vocabulary sheet Poetry Aid Word Search (with answers) Figure Skating terms

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Stanislaus was a Polish Catholic prelate who served as Bishop Of Krakow and was martyred by Polish King Boleslaus II the Bold. Stanislaus was a Polish priest who became a famous preacher. He was appointed bishop in 1072. He first threatened cruel King Boleslaus II with excommunication if he did not change his ways after he attempted to abduct a nobleman’s wife. Stanislaus then excommunicated him which resulted in the king accusing him of treason and the royal court finding him guilty. The king sent his men to execute him but they didn’t dare to touch the bishop. He decided to kill the bishop himself. He is said to have slain him while he was celebrating mass in the Skalka outside the walls of Krakow. His body was cut into pieces by the guards and scattered to be devoured by wild beasts. The murder of Stanislaus stirred anger throughout Poland and led to the dethronement of King Boleslaus II. The cult of Saint Stanislaus, the martyr, began immediately after his death. Many Roman Catholic churches belonging to the Polish community are dedicated to him. Every year on the first Sunday after May 8th a procession is led by the Bishop of Kracow, goes out from Wawel to the Church of the Rock. (Read Veneration as a saint). Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Framer The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Old Testament Exodus 20: 1-17 and Deuteronomy 5: 1-21. Photocopied both versions from the New International Bible for discussion. Source New International Bible

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Samson was the son of Amon and Anna. He was born in southern Wales. Due to a prophecy concerning his birth he was place under the care of Illud, Abbot of Fawr where he was raised and educated. He wanted more austerity so moved to the island monastery Caldey. He became the abbot there on the death of abbot Pyr -he fell down a well when he was drunk. Samson abstained from alcohol. He became a hermit and lived near the river severn… He travelled to Ireland where he is said to have founded or revived a monastery. He travelled also to Cornwall. He made his final home Brittany. At Dol (Brittany) and Pental (Normandy) he founded monasteries. We only have one ‘certain’ date 486 He was ordained bishop by Bishop Dubricius on the feast of the Chair of st. Peter (22nd February) He was perhaps the most important British missionary of the 6th century. He was an excellent example of a wandering Celtic monk-bishop. Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

John Roberts was the first prior of St, Gregory’s, Douai ( now Downside Abbey). He was born in Snowdonia, North Wales. He was baptised into the Anglican faith at St. Madryn church. He spent 1593/5 at St. John’s College, Oxford. He went on to study law at Furnical’s Inn, London. On his travels in Europe he left behind both law and his former faith and was converted to Catholicism on a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In Spain he joined St. Benedict’s Monastery, Valladolid and became a member of the community in 1598. He was known as Brother John of Merioneth. He made his novitiate and profession at San Martin Pinario in 1600. In 1602 he finished his studies, ordained and sent to England. In 1603, although observed by a Government spy, he entered the country in April and appointed vicar of the English monks of the Spanish congregation. He was arrested and banished on 13th May. 24th May returned and worked among the plague victims 1604 arrested again but he was not recognized as a priest so released and banished again 5th November, 1605, arrested at house of Mrs. Percy, first wife of Thomas Percy- one of the gunpowder plot conspirators! Acquitted of any complicity in the plot itself but imprisoned in the Gatehouse Prison at Westminster for 7 months. Exiled in July 1606. Back in Douai,France he founded and became the first prior of a house for English Benedictine monks.This eventually became the monastery of St. Gregory’s. On his fifth time of visiting England in a year he was captured on 2nd December 1610. This time there was no reprieve. On December 5th, along with Thomas Somers, he was hung, drawn and quartered but not disembowelled while still alive because of the kindness he had shown to the people of London during the plague. When the executioner raised John’s heart and proclaimed Behold the heart of a traitor the crowd did not provide the standard response Long live the King! there was a deathly silence. The introduction of the cause of beautification was approved by Pope Leo Xlll in the Decree of 4th December 1886. On 25th October 1970 Roberts was canonised by Pope Paul Vlll as one of the representative Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer

Robert of Knaresborough, born Robert Flower, was a hermit who lived in a cave by the River Nidd, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Very early in his life he became a sub-deacom and a novice at the Cistercian Newminster Abbey but only stayed for a few months. Seeking a life of solitude he visited and stayed with a knight-hermit who lived in a cave hiding from King Richard 1. On Richard’s death the knight returned home leaving Robert on his own… The cave had a small chapel dedicated to St. Giles built around it. He lived there for many years until Juliana offered him a cell at St. Hilda’s chapel in nearby Rudfarllngton. He developed a reputation as a wise and holy man who cared for the poor. He stayed for just a year because his hermitage was destroyed by bandits. He lived for a time under the church wall at Spofforth.He tried living with the monks at Hedley- they were too easy going. He returned to Rudfarlington- the area had calmed down. His favourite form of charity was helping ex-prisoners. William de Stuteville, the constable of Knaresborough, accused him of harbouring thieves and outlaws. His hermitage was destroyed for the second time. He returned and stayed at his cave at Knaresborough. Towards the end of his life pilgrims flocked to see Robert for spiritial guidance and healing of physical ailments. He established an order of Trinitarian Friars at Knaresborough Priory ( See information about Trinitarians) His brother Walter, mayor of York, came and paid for some new buildings. The floorplan for the chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross can still be seen alongside his cave. He died on 24th September 1218, aged 57/8, and was buried in his chapel cut from the steep rocky crags by the river. It is said that medicinal oil flowed from his tomb and pilgrims came to be healed by it. 7 stained-glass panels of his life, originally from Dale Abbey, can be seen at St. Matthew’s church in Morley , Derbyshire. The cave, carved into a limestone cliff, can still be visited by the public. A small chapel and evidence of a small living area are all that remain. His feast day is 24th September, but he not yet been officially canonised.

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is the day after Shrove Tuesday (Pancake day!) and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter (40 days not including Sundays). Many Christians attend a service on Ash Wednesday and have a cross, made from the ashes of the previous Easter Day crosses, marked on their forehead by their religious leader. It was a sign of repentance in biblical times. An Anglican website speaks of mixing the ashes with small amount of holy water or olive oil as a fixative. Many Christians choose to keep the mark visible throughout the day. The liturgy for Ash Wednesday reads We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need to repentance and our need for the love and forgiveness shown to us in Jesus Christ. I invite you therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a Holy lent, by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting , by practicing works of love, and by reading and reflecting on God’s Holy Word. Source Wikipedia

Richard of Chichester, also known as Richard de Wych, lost his parents as a child. His elder brother was too young to inherit the estates so the land was subject to feudal wardship. On coming of age his brother had to pay a medieval form of death duties. This left the family impoverished and Richard had to work for his brother. The elder brother made Richard heir to the estate but he reconveyed it back to his brother preferring a life of study and the church. He studied at the University of Oxford, under Edmund of Abingdon, and then taught there. He then went to Paris and Bologna where he distinguished himself in canon law. Back in the UK he was elected Oxford’s chancellor in 1235. Edmund, now Archbishop of Canterbury (A of C), appointed him chancellor to the diocese of Canterbury in 1237. Richard joined him in Pontigny when he was exiled. Edmund died in 1240. He decided to become a priest and for 2 years he studied Theology with the Domunicans at Orleans. Back in the UK became priest at Charing and Deal. Quickly reappointed chancellor of Canterbury by new A of C, Boniface of Savoy. 1244 elected Bishop of Chichester -Henry lll and part of chapter unhappy with appointment but Pope Innocent lV confirmed his election He was merciless to usurers, corrupt clergy and priest who mumbled the mass. He was a stickler for clerical privilege. He produced a body of statutes with the help of his chapter. His term in office (1244-1253) was marked by the favour which he showed to the Dominicans and his earnestness in preaching a crusade. Pilgrims visiting the Shrine of St. Richard believed miracles happened. Level of popularity approached those who visited the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. HenryVlll had the shrine destroyed in 1538. Nearly 400 years later it was re-established in 1930 by Dean Duncan Jones. (Read paragraphs on** Shrine**) Sources Wikipedia Oxford Dictionary of Saints by David Farmer