September 19 has given the Catholic Church many memorable moments. On this date, great saints died, an important Marian apparition was reported in France, that apparition was later officially approved by the local bishop, and modern popes carried out important missions in Africa, Europe, America and the Middle East.
Here are 10 memorable and important events that happened on September 19 in Catholic Church history.
1. September 19, 690 – St. Theodore of Tarsus Dies
St. Theodore of Tarsus died on September 19, 690. He had been appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Vitalian and became one of the most important Church leaders in early England.
Theodore travelled throughout the country, organized dioceses, appointed bishops and helped bring greater unity among Christians who followed different traditions.
He also helped establish a famous school at Canterbury where students learned Scripture, theology, Latin and Greek. By the time of his death, the Church in England had become much better organized. His work had a lasting influence on the way Christianity developed in England.
2. September 19, 1591 – St. Alonso de Orozco Dies in Madrid
St. Alonso de Orozco died on September 19, 1591, in Madrid, Spain. He was an Augustinian priest, preacher and writer. Although he served as a preacher at the royal court, Alonso chose to live a simple life and was especially concerned about poor people, sick people and prisoners.
He wrote many books to help ordinary people understand prayer and the Christian life. Even though he was close to powerful people, he did not seek wealth or luxury. He died at about 90 years old. Pope John Paul II later declared him a saint in 2002.
3. September 19, 1846 – The Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette Is Reported in France
On September 19, 1846, two young shepherds, Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat, said they saw a beautiful woman surrounded by light on a mountain near La Salette in the French Alps.
They later identified her as the Blessed Virgin Mary. They said Mary was crying and gave them a message calling people to return to God, pray and change their lives.
The event became known as the Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette. It attracted great attention, and many pilgrims began travelling to the area. La Salette later became an important Catholic place of pilgrimage and prayer.
4. September 19, 1851 – The Bishop of Grenoble Approves the La Salette Apparition
Exactly five years after the reported apparition at La Salette, an important Church decision was announced. On September 19, 1851, Bishop Philibert de Bruillard of Grenoble officially stated that, after years of investigation, the apparition had the characteristics of truth and that Catholics could believe it.
This did not make the apparition part of the basic teachings that every Catholic must believe. Instead, it allowed devotion to Our Lady of La Salette to grow within the Church.
A shrine was later developed at the site, and the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette were established to spread a message of reconciliation and conversion.
5. September 19, 1852 – St. Émilie de Rodat Dies
St. Émilie de Rodat died on September 19, 1852, in France. She had dedicated much of her life to helping poor children who could not afford an education.
In 1815, she began teaching poor girls, and this work eventually developed into the Sisters of the Holy Family of Villefranche. Her religious community opened schools and also helped orphans, prisoners, poor families and other people in need.
By the time Émilie died, the community had grown greatly and was serving people in many places. Pope Pius XII later declared her a saint in 1950. Her feast is celebrated on September 19.
6. September 19, 1987 – Pope John Paul II Celebrates a Huge Mass in Detroit
On September 19, 1987, Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass at the Pontiac Silverdome near Detroit, Michigan, during the final day of his pastoral visit to the United States.
He thanked Catholics who had helped build the Church in the region, including missionaries and generations of immigrant families. He encouraged Christians to live in a way that truly reflected the Gospel.
On the same day, he also met permanent deacons and spoke to people in Detroit about human dignity, justice and peace. He later left the United States after completing his ten-day pastoral journey through the country.
7. September 19, 1995 – Pope John Paul II Addresses the African Synod in Nairobi
On September 19, 1995, Pope St. John Paul II addressed bishops and Catholics gathered at Resurrection Garden in Nairobi, Kenya.
The gathering was connected with the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. The Pope spoke about the faith and mission of the Catholic Church in Africa.
He greeted bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians and ordinary Catholics from Kenya and other parts of Africa. His visit was important because the African Church was growing quickly.
The Synod encouraged Catholics in Africa to strengthen evangelization, family life, justice, reconciliation and the building of peaceful communities.
8. September 19, 1996 – Pope John Paul II Begins an Important Visit to France
On September 19, 1996, Pope St. John Paul II began a pastoral visit to France that continued until September 22. He arrived as a pilgrim and said he wanted to meet French Catholics and visit places that had played an important part in the Christian history of France and Europe.
On his first day, he met French President Jacques Chirac in Tours and later took part in evening prayer at the Basilica of Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre.
The Pope used the journey to remind Catholics about the Christian roots of their country and to encourage them to continue living and sharing their faith in modern society.
9. September 19, 1999 – Pope John Paul II Beatifies Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek
On September 19, 1999, Pope St. John Paul II travelled to Maribor, Slovenia, and declared Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek blessed. Slomšek had been a nineteenth-century Slovenian bishop who worked hard to teach the Catholic faith, improve education and strengthen Christian life.
He also supported efforts for greater unity among Christians. His beatification was especially important for Slovenia because he became the first Slovenian to receive this honour from the Catholic Church.
Thousands of people took part in the celebration. Pope John Paul II presented him as an example of holiness, education, service and love for the Gospel.
10. September 19, 2009 – Pope Benedict XVI Announces a Special Synod for the Middle East
On September 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI met patriarchs and major archbishops from the Eastern Catholic Churches at Castel Gandolfo.
These Churches have ancient Christian traditions and are in full communion with the Pope. During this period, Benedict XVI announced a Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East.
The Synod was later held in Rome in October 2010. It brought bishops together to discuss the lives of Christians in the Middle East, Christian unity, relations with other religions and the difficulties facing Christian communities in the region.
The September 19 announcement began an important worldwide Church discussion about Christians in the Middle East.
Saint of the Day – St. Januarius
September 19 is also strongly associated with St. Januarius, also known in Italian as San Gennaro.
Januarius was the Bishop of Benevento in Italy and was killed for his Christian faith during the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church remembers him as a bishop and martyr on September 19.
He is especially loved in Naples, Italy, where he is the city’s patron saint. The Cathedral of Naples keeps small containers traditionally believed to hold his blood.
On his September 19 feast, these relics are brought out during a special celebration. Catholics in Naples have a centuries-old tradition connected with the blood becoming liquid. The Archdiocese of Naples continues to hold the September 19 celebration each year.
Special Marian Event – Our Lady of La Salette
September 19 is especially important for Catholics devoted to Our Lady of La Salette.
The reported apparition happened on September 19, 1846, and the local bishop gave his official approval exactly five years later, on September 19, 1851.
The message associated with La Salette strongly emphasizes conversion, prayer and reconciliation with God.
For this reason, September 19 remains a major day for pilgrims and for the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette around the world.
What Can We Learn From September 19?
September 19 gives us a simple but powerful message: God can use very different people to serve His Church.
St. Theodore used education and leadership.
St. Alonso used preaching and writing.
St. Émilie used education to help poor children.
The story of La Salette calls Christians to prayer and conversion.
St. Januarius reminds us of Christians who remained faithful even when following Christ was dangerous.
And the modern popes remind us that the Catholic Church is not limited to one country or one culture. From Nairobi to Detroit, France, Slovenia and the Middle East, Catholics belong to one worldwide Church.
The lesson of September 19 is simple: keep the faith, help others, seek reconciliation and use the gifts God has given you to serve His people.
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