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Carmelite Saints, Martyr

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Denis of the Nativity, Feast Day Nov. 29

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Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross Public Domain Image
Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross
Bl. Denis of the Nativity on the left

 

The feast day of St. Denis of the Nativity is celebrated on November 29.  He was a Carmelite priest and a martyr.

Peter Berthelot was born on December 12, 1600 in Calvados, France. He became a sailor at the age of twelve, traveling to Spain, England and America. In 1619 he traveled to India where he was a cosmographer and first pilot of the Kings of France and Portugal. In 1635 he met his spiritual counselor Father Philip of the Most Trinity and decided to join the Discalced Carmelites. He chose the name Denis of the Nativity when he made his profession on Dec. 25, 1636. He was given the gift of contemplation and known for his holiness.

As a missionary, he and his companion Redemptus left for Goa in 1638 where they were taken prisoner. They were tortured in an attempt to force their conversion to Islam. During his captivity, Denis helped others by sacrificing his needs. He always had encouraging words and set a strong example.

Both Denis and Redemptus were condemned to die. He was killed by a sword that split his head in two.

Both Carmelites were beatified on June 10 1908 by Pope Leo XIII.

 

Prayer is a mighty weapon,

an unfailing treasure,

a wealth which is never expended,

a harbor that is always calm.

Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast day September 13

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Faith

Advent: The Season of Waiting

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Advent Wreath
Advent Wreath

The period of four weeks before Christmas is called Advent. It is a period of anticipation and hope. In today’s culture it is a busy time, filled with shopping and socializing. However, in ages past, it was a quiet and sacred time of prayer and waiting… anticipating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, we look with hope to our salvation. Jesus was born of Mary. He became man to redeem us. By the cross, we are saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life. What a tremendous mystery! How can a little baby be both human and divine?

The omnipotence of God is shown by his humbling himself and becoming a man. His humble beginnings, being born in a manger, tells us of his connection to the poor and lowly. He was not the type of king the Jewish people were expecting. The kingdom of God is an important thing to reflect on during the Christmas Season. Are we trying to follow the teachings of Jesus…to love not only our neighbor but our enemies? Are we helping the poor and downtrodden?

God is love. When we look at a little baby it is easy to define love. However, we need to be loving our neighbor at all times. Celebrating the incarnation (God becoming Man) this year, let’s try not to lose sight of the spiritual nature of Christmas. Waiting helps us to slow down.  Hopefully, we will be spending time in prayer… sharing with God our hopes, difficulties, fears and love.

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul. 

Quote of St. John of the Cross

 

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patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Berchmans, Feast Day Nov. 26

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St. John Berchmans
St. John Berchmans

The feast day of St. John Berchmans is celebrated on November 26.  He is the patron saint of altar boys.

St. John Berchmans was born in 1599 at Diest, Belgium. His father was a shoemaker. At a very young age he wanted to become a priest. After his mother’s death, in 1615 he entered the Jesuit College At Melines. He journeyed to Rome where he continued to study. He was known for his holiness and his desire for perfection in small things.   In 1621, at the age of 22, he died after becoming ill, possibly from dysentery.

Many miracles were attributed to him after his death. He had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady. He composed a Chaplet in honor of her Immaculate Conception. He also composed a poem called ‘To an Altar Boy’.

 

“Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us.

What we really are consists in what God knows us to be.”

Quote of St. John Berchmans

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Feast Day Nov. 25

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St. Catherine Alexandria
St. Catherine Alexandria

 

The feast day of St. Catherine Alexandria is celebrated on November 25.  She is the patron saint of Christian philosophers, teachers and librarians.  She is considered a virgin and martyr.

While there is no historical evidence regarding St. Catherine of Alexandria there is a strong tradition about her martyrdom.  St. Catherine was born around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt.  She was the daughter of a wealthy pagan couple. She had a love of learning and studied philosophy and religion. After studying Christianity, she converted.

Legend tells us that she was imprisoned and tortured by Emperero Maxentius after she refused to marry him. He forced her to debate the most learned pagan philosophers hoping she would commit apostasy, however the debates resulted in many conversions to the Christian faith.

St. Catherine was tortured by being placed on a wheel full of spikes in an attempt to kill her. The wheel broke into two pieces and fell apart. She was then beheaded.

 

“Strength for a person who desires to acquire virtues,

consists in not losing heart when one happens to fall,

but in continuing once more on the way.

Not to fall is characteristic only of angels.”

Quote of St. Moses

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Faith, Feast Days, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew Dung, Feast Day Nov. 24

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St. Andrew Dung
St. Andrew Dung

 

The feast day of St. Andrew Dung and companions is celebrated on November 24.  St. Andrew Dung was a priest and martyr of Vietnam.

 

St. Andrew Dung represents the 117 martyrs of Vietnam; 97 of the martyrs were Vietnamese and 21 were foreign missionaries. The missionaries included 11 Spaniards and, 10 French; 8 were bishops, 50 were priests and 59 were lay people. They were martyred during a period of persecution between 1625 and 1886.

St. Andrew was the born in 1795 to a poor pagan family in North Vietnam. He moved to Hanoi when he was twelve. He was educated by a Christian and after three years was baptized. He became a catechist and continued to study theology.

In 1823, he was ordained a priest.  He was imprisoned under Emperor Minh Mang. His congregation made donations to free him. He changed his name to Andrew Lac to avoid persecution and changed locations. He was arrested a second time along with Father Peter Thi another Vietnamese Priest. Again his freedom was bought. They were soon arrested a third time and beheaded after being brutally tortured.

The 117 martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 27, 1900. The memorial celebrates all the Vietnamese Martyrs of the 17th, 18th and 9th centuries.

 

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,

in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.

Quote by Dante Alighieri

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

 

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Martyr, patron saints, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Clement of Rome, Feast Day Nov. 23

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St. Clement of Rome
St. Clement of Rome

St. Clement of Rome was the third successor of St. Peter and the fourth pope of the Catholic Church.  He is the patron saint of mariners.

St. Clement was Jewish by birth.  He converted to Christianity and became a follower of St. Paul and St. Peter.  He was ordained a priest by St. Peter.  Because he knew the Apostles he is considered one of the five Apostolic Fathers.

As Pope, St. Clement wrote a letter to the Corinthian Church.  The Corinthian Church was in turmoil.  He urged charity and obedience.  His letter brought peace and order to the Church.

St. Clement lived during a time of persecution.  He was banished and sentenced to work with other prisoners in a stone quarry.  He continued to successfully convert people.  Because of the success  he had in converting people,  he was sentenced to death.  He was put to death by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea.

 

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.”

Quote of St. Clement of Rome

 

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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