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Basque Saints and Epithets of the Virgin Mary

This is a tentative list of Basque saints. The primary characteristic is their birth in a part of the Basque Country. Some identified with being Basque and they spoke Euskara, while with others it is less certain.

San Fermin

St. Ferminus (272-303)

Feastday:  July 7; Sept. 25
Birthplace:  Pamplona, Nafarroa

Fermin is said to have been the son of a Roman of senatorial rank in Pamplona in the 3rd century, who was converted to Christianity by St. Honestus, a disciple of St. Saturninus.  According to tradition, he was baptised by Saturninus (in Navarre also known as Saint Cernin) at the spot now known as the "Small Well of Saint Cernin"  Fermin was ordained a priest in Toulouse and returned to Pamplona as its first bishop. On a later preaching voyage, Fermin was beheaded in Amiens, France; and is now considered a martyr in the Catholic Church.  It is believed he died on September 25, AD 303. There is no written record of veneration in Pamplona of the Saint until the 12th century. Saint Fermin, as well as St. Francis Xavier, are now the two patrons of Navarre.  At Pamplona, Saint Fermin; is now sometimes said to have met his end by being dragged through the streets of Pamplona by bulls, a fate more commonly attributed to his mentor, Saturnin.

 

Saint Martin LoynazSt. Martin Loynaz of the Ascension (1567-1597)

Feastday:  Feb. 6
Birthplace:  Bergara, Gipuzkoa

Franciscan martyr of Japan. He was born at Bergara, Gipuzkoa and became a Franciscan in 1586 . Martin was assigned to Mexico and Manila, in the Philippines, before serving in Japan. He was crucified at Nagasaki and was canonized in 1862.

 

San InazioIgnazio Loiolako | St. Ignatius of Loyola 

Feastday: July 31
Birthplace: Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa
Canonized: 1622

St. Ignatius was born in the family castle in Gipuzkoa, the youngest of 13 children, and was called Iñigo. When he was old enough, he became a page, and then a soldier of Spain to fight against the French. A cannon ball and a series of bad operations ended his military career in 1521. While St. Ignatius recovered, he read the lives of the saints, and decided to dedicate himself to becoming a soldier of the Catholic Faith. Soon after he experienced visions, but a year later suffered a trial of fears and scruples, driving him almost to despair. Out of this experience he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises". After traveling and studying in different schools, he finished in Paris, where he received his degree at the age of 43. Many first hated St. Ignatius because of his humble Lifestyle. Despite this, he attracted several followers at the university, including St. Francis Xavier, and soon started his order called The Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. There are 38 Jesuit members who have been declared Blessed, and 38 who have been canonized as saints. He died at the age of 65.

 
San Francisco Xabier

St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Feastday: December 3
Birthplace:  near Pamplona, Nafarroa

Born in the family castle of Xavier, near Pamplona in the Basque area of Spanish Navarre on Apr. 7, he was sent to the University of Paris 1525, secured his licentiate in 1528, met Ignatius Loyola and became one of the seven who in 1534, at Montmartre founded the Society of Jesus. Working against great difficulties, language problems (contrary to legend, he had no proficiency in foreign tongues), inadequate funds, and lack of cooperation, often actual resistance, from European officials, he left the mark of his missionary zeal and energy on areas which clung to Christianity for centuries. He was canonized in 1622 and proclaimed patron of all foreign missions by Pope Pius X. F. D. Dec. 3.

 

St. Vincenta Maria Lopez Vicuna (1847-1890)

Feastday:  December 26
Birthplace: Cascante, Nafarroa

Saint Vincenta Maria Lopez y Vicuña was born at Cascante, Navarre Spain in March 24, 1847. Vicenta had a happy childhood. She was a daughter of a famous lawyer, reared in a Catholic home and educated in Madrid. She may have had a good chance of living a comfortable life yet she chose the way of austerity and sacrifice. Vicenta’s uncle was a priest while her aunt was a nun who founded a home for domestic servants. This perhaps, fostered her attraction to religious life. At 23, she too became a nun and organized a group of ladies to protect and promote the welfare of the working girls- This was the beginning of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate. Along with this, Vicenta Maria founded several foundations, technical training schools, hostels, canteen, and provided these working girls boarding houses while they are away from home. She was a mother and homemaker to them, helping and teaching them in the ways of the Lord.  Her congregation spread throughout Spain and other parts of Europe as well as in Latin America. She endured many trials and difficulties which she faced with courage and faith. Saint Vicenta Maria died on December 26, 1890. Sixty years after her death and through numerous graces obtained through her intercession.

 
Saint Balentin Berrio-Otxoa

St. Balentin Berrio-Otxoa (1827-1861)

Feastday: July 4
Birthplace: Elorria, Bizkaia
Canonized: 1988

Related Link: Patron Saint of Mountain Home, Idaho and Elko, Nevada

St. Balentin Berrio-Ochoa, was a martyred Dominican bishop of Central Tonkin in Vietnam. He was born in 1827 at Elorrio, Bizkaia and he was killed Nov. 1, 1861 at Hải Dương, Tonkin. Following his profession in the Order of Preachers, he was sent to the Philippines, where he was known as an especially devout member of the order. In 1858, he was consecrated titular bishop of Tonkin and appointed vicar apostolic. Upon his arrival in Vietnam, he faced persecution by the government and worked in extremely difficult conditions. Similar to Christ, the bishop was betrayed and was imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded with Bishop Hermosilla and Fr. Almatĩ. He was canonzied in 1988 by Pope John Paul II. Website source: saints.sqpn.com

Letter he wrote to his mother:

Neure Amatxo maitia, eta gure Atso bizkorra:

Bizi da oindik ala urten eban mundu onetatik? Desiua etxata falta, neure Amaren letra azartua ikusteko; urte bat eta erdi da iya, nere Amaren notiziarik eztauka(da)la.

Asarratuta dago nigaz, ala aiskide gera? Gorroto guztiyak alde batera itxi bihar dituguz Mariya Birjiñiagaz aiskide izateko. Nere partetik behintzat maite dot nere Amatxo, eta alperrik otzak izan nere oraziñuak. Jaungoikoaren aurrian presente eukiten dot gure Atso piña, eta Ama Birjiña Mariyari eskatuten deutsat, libratu deiyela peligru guztietatik, ezteiyola itxi pekatuan jausten, eta eriotza on bar emon deiyola. Jaungoikuaren arpegi ederra zeruan ikusteko sekula guztiyetan. Amen. Akabatu da sermoia.

Amatxo, alkar zeruan ikusten garianian erdera berba egin biarko dogu, zergaitik euskeria ia aztu da. " Allí hablar castellano, Madre; no puede vascuentze, y así con soldados aprender castellano es necesario. Usted, Madre, ahora vieja, difícil aprender castellano, yo creer, y mucho doler cabeza; pero ahora no aprender, y después el Madre hablar no puede a la hijo en el cielo. Entender, Madre, o no entender?

Ni bizkor eta osasunagaz nabil. Urtebete baño geiyago da etxe baten naguala, eta palaziyo eder onek lastozko tellatua dauko, kakamasazko ormia, kañazko postiak, kañazko kuartoiak eta kapiriyuak, kañazko atiak; eztauko suelo bat baño, eta au da lurrekua. Palaziyo aundi onetan Erregiña berian baño obeto bizi naiz. "Por eso no tener cuidado, Madre. El hijo bien vivir; yo no tener envidia del Reiña"

Illunduko dau eta orregaitik asko da gaurko. Konke ondo bizi, Ama, errosariyo senduari ez itxi eskuetatik jausten, eta erregutu asko berorren seme bakartxuagatik. Gorantziyak aide guztiai eta sazerdote jaun guztiari.

" Yo ser su hijo humilde."
FRAY VALENTIN BERRIOTXOA

 
St. Mixel Gariloitz

St. Mixel Garikoitz (1797-1863)

Feast-day May 14
Birthplace: Ibarre (Donaixtiko) Benafarroa

Related link: Patron saint of Chino, CA

Mixel (Michael) was born on April 15, 1797, the eldest son of Arnold and Gratianne Garicoits. They were poor and Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy to a farmer. His desire to become a priest always met with "No, we are too poor" by his parents, but his grandmother talked the matter over with the parish priest. Through his efforts Michael earned his expenses for college by working after school hours for the clergy and in the bishop's kitchen.

In December 1823 he was ordained priest in Bayonne cathedral by Bishop d'Astros. Michael's first assignment was at Cambo where he remained two years. He did much to revive religion there, combat Jansenism by the custom of frequent communion as well as by introducing Sacred Heart devotions. Father Garicoits' next call was to a professorship in the senior seminary for priests at Betharram, and then to be superior. In 1838, Father Garicoits drew up a constitution largely based on that of the sons of St. Ignatius. Like them, his missionaries were to take life vows and to spread far and wide. Associates gathered round him at Betharram, and all seemed promising, when the bishop disapproved of his idea of founding a new congregation. Not till 1852 was the community allowed to choose its own superior. He died on Ascension day, May 14, 1863. Fourteen years later the Society of Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram was approved by the Holy See on the lines the founder had laid down. He was canonized in 1947. His feast day is May 14th
Related link: http://www.paroisse-garikoitz-lapurdi.org/garicoitz.html .

 

San Migel AozarazaSan Migel Aozaratzakoa (1598-1637)

Feast Day: September 28
Born: In the Triana neighborhood of Oñati, Gipuzkoa

Also known as San Miguel Gonzalez de Aozaraza de Leibar. He was a Dominican friar, theologian, missionary and martyr.

In 1635 he began working as a missionary in the Philippine Archipelago. In 1636 he joined a secret missionary expedition toOkinawa, Japan to help Christianize the Japanese who were persecuted by local authorities. He was arrested upon arrival and imprisoned for a year. He was then transferred to to Nagasaki and condemned to death. He refused to renounce his faith and was hanged upside down with his head in a pit for three days and finally was beheaded on September 29, 1637. He was 39.

 

Others

Santua

Jaioterria

Herrialdea

Kanonizazio-data

Antso Albakoa Alba (Agurain)  Araba  
Bitor Elorriaga  Araba  
Jesusen Bihotzeko Maria Josefa Gasteiz  Araba 2000
Prudentzio Armentia (Gasteiz)  Araba  
Ama Kandida Andoain  Gipuzkoa 2010
Santo Domingo Erkizia Errezil  Gipuzkoa 1987
Veremundo Arellano  Nafarroa  

From Wikipedia:  http://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euskal_Herriko_santuen_zerrenda

 
   

Online Source: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Given_names_derived_from_epithets_of_the_Virgin_Mary

Ama BirjinaBasque given names derived from epithets of the Virgin Mary

This is a table of given names based on Roman Catholic epithets of the Virgin Mary. Such names are popular in Iberian culture, mainly as women's names. They may derive from feast days celebrating the life of Mary (Asuncion), from miracles attributed to her (Pilar), from abstract qualities (Mercedes) or from places associated with a certain cult or image of Mary (Lourdes).

Spanish
given name
(pet forms in parentheses)

Spanish
full title

Meaning, or Roman Catholic title in English

Name
day

Basque given name

Adoración

La Adoración de la virgen María

Adoration of the Virgin
Mary (by the Magi)

06/01

Agurtzane, Gurtza, Gurtasun

África

Santa María de África

of Africa

05/08

Apirka

Amparo

Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados
de Valencia

Amparo ("protection"), Our Lady of the Helpless Ones, of Valencia

11/05

Itzal

Angustias

Nuestra Señora de las Angustias

w:Our Lady of Sorrows (=Dolores)

15/09

Angustia

Anunciación

La Anunciación de la virgen María

w:Annunciation (by angel Gabrie)

25/03

DeiñeIragartze,AnuntxiDeñe,Iragarne

AránzazuArancha)

Virgen de Aránzazu

Virgin of Arantzazu

 

ArantzazuArantza,Arantxa

Ascensión

La Ascención de Jesucristo

w:Ascension of Jesus

40 days after Easter

Egone

Asunción(Asunta, Chicha)

La Asunción de la Virgen

w:Assumption of Mary

15/08

JasoneEragone

Begoña

La Virgen de Begoña

Our Lady of Begoña,
patron of Vizcaya, from Basque Beg-oin-a, 'the place of the dominant hill'

11/10

Begoña

Belén (Bel)

Nuestra Señora de Belén

Our Lady of Bethlehem

25/12

Ostatxu

Carmen,Carmela,Carmelo(Carmina, Carmiña, Carmencita, Maica, Mamen)

Nuestra Señora del Carmen

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

16/07

Carme, Carmela

Concepción(Concha, Conchi, Conchita, Chita, Chona, Cota)

María de la Concepción

w:Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

08/12

SorneSorkunde,KonxesiKontzeziona

Consolación(Consuelo, Consuelito, Lito)

La virgen de la Consolación

consolation

04/09

Atseguiñe, Pozkari

Cruz(Maricruz, Crucita)

María de la Cruz

cross

 

Gurutz

Dolores (Lola, Loles, Loli, Lolita, Lita, Mariloli)

La Virgen de los Dolores

w:Our Lady of Sorrows

15/09

Nekane

Encarnación(Encarna, Encarni, Maita, Nita)

La virgen de la Encarnación

incarnation (the act of God taking on the human form of Jesus)

25/03

Gizane, Gizakunde, Gixane, Maite

Engracia

Santa Engracia

grace

06/04

Geaxi, Ingartze

Estrella(Estela, Estrellita)

María en las Ietanías (Stella matutina)

star, morning star

15/08

Izarra, Izarne, Izar

Fe (Marifé)

María y de Fe, Santa Fe

faith

 

Fede

Guadalupe(Guadalupita, Gualupita, Lupe, Lupita, Pita)

La virgen de Guadalupe

w:Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of Mexico

12/12

Godalupe, Lupe

Inmaculada(Inma)

María de la Inmaculada Concepción

w:Immaculate Conception

08/12

Sorkunde, Garbiñe

Jesús(Jesusa, Chucha, Chusa)

María de Jesús

of Jesus

01/01

Josu, Josune

Larraitz

Nuestra Señora de Abaltzisketa

Our Lady of Abaltzisketa

 

Larraitz

Liernia

Nuestra Señora de Liernia

Our Lady of Liernia, the Basque patron of mothers without milk or who are unable to conceive.

 

Liernia

Loreto

La virgen de Loreto

w:Our Lady of Loreto

10/12

Lorete

Lourdes(Lurdes, Lorda, Milú, Malú)

María de Lourdes

w:Our Lady of Lourdes BasqueLorde, 'steep slope, height'

11/02

Lorda, Lurdes

Luz (Lucita)

Nuestra Señora de la Luz

Our Lady of Light

15/08

Argine

Mar (Marimar)

Nuestra Señora del Mar

Our Lady of the Sea

15/09

Itxaso

Mercedes(Meche, Mercé, Merche, Cheché)

La virgen María de las Mercedes

Our Lady of Mercy

24/09

Mertxe, Mesede

Milagros,Milagrosa(Mili)

Nuestra Señora de los Milagros

Our Lady of Miracles, miraculous

09/07, 27/11

Alazne, Mirari

Misericordia

La virgen de Misericordia

compassion

25/09

Gupide, Erruki

Nieves

María de las Nieves

w:Our Lady of the Snows

05/08

Edurne

Nuria

La virgen de Núria

Virgin of Nuria, from Basque N-uri-a, 'place between the hills'

08/09

Nuria

Paz(Pace)

Nuestra Señora de la Paz

w:Our Lady of Peace

24/01

Paz

Piedad

Nuestra Señora de la Piedad

Our Lady of Piety

08/09

OneraspenErrukiñe,Pietate

Presentación

La Presentación de la virgen María

presentation (of Jesus at the temple)

21/09

Aurkene

Purificación(Puri)

La Purificación de la virgen María

w:Purification of the Virgin (after childbirth)

02/02

Garbiñe

Remedios

Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

Our Lady of Remedies

03/02

Osane

Resurrección

Resurrección de Jesucristo

Resurrection of Jesus

Easter

BerbixePizkunde

Rosario(Charo, Charito)

La virgen del Rosario

w:Our Lady of the Rosary

07/10

AgurtneAgurtzane,Arrene,Txaro

Socorro

Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro

w:Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

08/08

Laguntzane,Sorospen

Soledad(Chole, Sole, Marisol)

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

Our Lady of Solitude

Good Friday

Bakerne

Catholic Association from Elorrio, Bizkaia Donates Saint Berrio-Otxoa Statue to U.S. Basque Communites

Elko, NV – July 2012—The Balentin Berriotxoa (originally in standard Basque Berrio-Otxoa) Santuaren Kofradia of Elorrio, Bizkaia has donated a statue of Saint Balentin Berrio-Otxoa to be shared by the Basque communities of Elko and Mountain Home, Idaho in hopes of establishing a lasting tradition of honoring the Basque Saint as well as strengthening bonds with the Saint´s birthplace of Elorrio in Bizkaia, the Basque Country. As a part of the Elko Euzkadunak Club´s 49th National Basque Festival on July 6, 7 and 8, 2012, mass being held at the Elko City Park at 11 a.m. will introduce the life of Saint Balentin Berriotxoa, patron saint of the Basque province of Bizkaia, and will receive the statue recently brought to the American Basque communities from the Basque Country.

Statue of Balendin Deuna

Saint Balentin Berriotxoa statue donated to the communities of Elko and Mountain Home, Idaho (the latter the home of some of his U.S. relatives).

Born in 1827 in the town of Elorrio in the Basque Country, Balentin Berriotxoa entered the Dominican order of priests and set out for Asia to fulfill his life work. He was later ordained a bishop in Ninh-Cuong Vietnam. In 1861, he was beheaded in Vietnam, along with 116 other martyrs, for refusing to renounce Jesus. Pope Jean Paul II canonized him as St. Balentin Berriotxoa at a ceremony in Rome in 1988 in which a group of Berriochoa relatives from Idaho were in attendance.

The project to incorporate Saint Balentin Berriotxo into the U.S. Basque community festivals was inspired by the late Bishop Karmelo Etxenagusia, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Bilbao and native of Iurreta, Bizkaia, whose wish was that there would someday be a presence and devotion to the Saint here in the U.S. which he saw as fitting since there are so many Catholic Bizkaians and descendants of Bizkaians in the Northwestern United States.

CofradesThree members of the Balentin Berriotxoa Santuaren Kofradia donating the Statue to U.S. communities. (Vicente Gallastegi, Jaime Bolinaga, Father Juanito Gallastegi with José Luis Egiluz)

Friends of Bishop Etxenagusia have pursued his idea by carrying out research on which Basque communities were the most interested in joining the effort and with great satisfaction, the statue, which had previously travelled to Colombia to serve as a model for a rendering of the Saint, has been hand delivered to Elko for the 2012 festival weekend. The Basque clubs of Elko and Mountain Home, the Elko Euzkaldunak and the Euskal Lagunak Club, look forward to working out the details of sharing the Saint Balentin Berriotxoa statue and creating lasting traditions.

Contact: Michelle Alzola (Volunteer, Saint Balentin Berriotxoa Project)
michellealzola@yahoo.com

Patron Saint of Chino Basques

Following the tradition of the Basque Country, Chino area Basques have adopted their own patron saint, Mixel Garikoitz, who they celebrate in conjunction with their annual festival Labor Day weekend.

Mixel (Michael) was born on April 15, 1797, the eldest son of Arnold and Gratianne Garicoits. They were poor and Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy to a farmer. His desire to become a priest always met with "No, we are too poor" by his parents, but his grandmother talked the matter over with the parish priest. Through his efforts Michael earned his expenses for college by working after school hours for the clergy and in the bishop's kitchen.

In December 1823 he was ordained priest in Bayonne cathedral by Bishop d'Astros. Michael's first assignment was at Cambo where he remained two years. He did much to revive religion there, combat Jansenism by the custom of frequent communion as well as by introducing Sacred Heart devotions. Father Garicoits' next call was to a professorship in the senior seminary for priests at Betharram, and then to be superior. In 1838, Father Garicoits drew up a constitution largely based on that of the sons of St. Ignatius. Like them, his missionaries were to take life vows and to spread far and wide. Associates gathered round him at Betharram, and all seemed promising, when the bishop disapproved of his idea of founding a new congregation. Not till 1852 was the community allowed to choose its own superior, and even then it was tied down by regulations which hampered its activity. Father Garicoits submitted, but with a heavy heart.

He died on Ascension day, May 14, 1863. Fourteen years later the Society of Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram was approved by the Holy See on the lines the founder had laid down. St. Michael Garicoits, who was at one time spiritual director of the Basque house of the Daughters of the Cross at Igon, received much encouragement in his foundation from St. Elizabeth Bichier des Ages, and he was all his life a close friend of her congregation in the Basque country. Both of them were canonized in the year 1947. His feast day is May 14th.

 

 

 

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