September 26 - Saint Cosmos, patron saint of surgeons, born in Arabia, practiced medicine in Aigéai, Cilicia, along with his twin brother Damien, patron saint of pharmacists. They were born in Cilicia or Arabia and practiced medicine in the seaport of Aegean and later in the Roman province of Syria.

They accepted no payment for their services, earning them the nickname "anargyroi," meaning "without money," and thus attracted large numbers of people to the Christian faith. The most famous of their reported miraculous cures, the grafting of a Moorish leg to replace a patient's necrotic leg, was the subject of numerous paintings and miniatures.

During the persecutions of Diocletian, Cosmos and Damien were arrested on the orders of the prefect of Cilicia, a certain Lysias, of whom this is the only known initiative. He ordered them to abjure under torture. According to the legend they remained faithful to their faith in spite of a whole series of terrible tortures to which they remained insensitive; finally they were beheaded. Their younger brothers Ancient, Leonce and Euprepius, who followed them everywhere, shared their martyrdom.

The remains of the two brothers were buried in Cyrrhus (now in Syria), and the bodies were brought back to Rome, without the heads that were brought back later. The heads of St. Cosmos and St. Damien are also believed to be in a shrine in the treasury of the Abbey of Brageac in the Cantal, where they were brought back by Guy and Raoul de Scorraille on their return from the First Crusade around the year 1105.

Diocese of Miarinarivo

Pope Francis has accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Miarinarivo, presented by H.E. Mgr Jean Claude Randrianarisoa. At the same time, the Supreme Pontiff has appointed H.E. Mgr Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, as Apostolic Admnistrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Diocese.

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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