THE SAINTS THIS WEEK
29th November
Blesseds Denis and Redemptus, martyrs [Carmelites]
Denis of the Nativity, a priest, called in the world Pierre Berthelot, was born in Honfleur in France in 1600. He was a cartographer and naval commander for the kings of Portugal and France before he joined the Discalced Carmelites in Goa in 1635. It was also at Goa that the Portuguese lay brother, Thomas Rodriguez da Cunha, born in 1598, had made his profession in 1615, taking the name Redemptus of the Cross. They were sent to the island of Sumatra, where, in the town of Achen, they received the martyr's crown on November 29, 1638.
Readings
Psalm 94(95):1-7
Luke 21:34-36
30th November
St Andrew, apostle, principal Patron of Scotland
The brother of St Peter, born in Bethsaida, disciple of John the Baptist, until, with Peter, he answered the call of Christ. He is mentioned several times in the gospels: he brought the Gentiles to Jesus, and pointed out the boy with the loaves and the fishes. He is thought to have preached in Scythia, and to have been at Patras in Achaia.
Readings
Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37
1st December
Bl Alexander Briant, martyr
A holy priest, with "A sweet grace in preaching," who a short time before his martyrdom, joined the Society of Jesus. While in prison for the Faith, he was severly racked and otherwise put to many tortures. He suffered at Tyburn, with Bl Edmund Campion and Bl Ralph Sherwin, December 1, AD 1581.
Readings
Psalm 121(122):1-9
Matthew 8:5-11
2nd December
St Chromatius
The successor of St Valerian (AD 387) in the See of Aquileia near Venice. He was a zealous Pastor of souls, and is styled by St Jerome, who dedicated to him several of his works, "a most learned and most holy man". He is eulogised likewise by St John Chrysostom, his friend and contemporary, whom he defended and supported. He passed away AD 406. Of his numerous works only a part of his commentaries on St Matthew has come down to us.
Readings
Psalm 71(72):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24
3rd December
St Francis Xavier, priest
Born in 1506, in Spain, he was an original member of the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius - he took vows of poverty and chastity, and committed himself to evangelise the pagans. He is one of the greatest of all Christian missionaries, preaching in Goa, South East Asia, Japan - when he landed in 1549. He learned Japanese, and formed a Church that endured long drawn-out persecution. He died while on his way from Goa to China, in 1552. Not only was his preaching effective in drawing people to Christ, but he was able to organise the communities so that they could survive when he left them.
Readings
Psalm 22(23)
Matthew 15:29-37
4th December
St John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church
Born in Damascus about 675. After holding public office for a time, he withdrew to the monastery of Sabas near Jerusalem. He wrote the Fount of Western, in which he presented a comprehensive teaching on Christian doctrine, which had great influence on later theology. He died about 750.
Readings
Psalm 117(118):1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
5th December
Bl Bartholomew Fanti, priest [Carmelite]
Bartholomew Fanti was born in Mantua: the year is unknown, but in 1452 he was already a Carmelite priest of the Congregation of Mantua. For 35 years at the Order's church in Mantua he was spiritual father and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which he composed a rule and statues. He is especially remembered for his love of the Eucharist. He died in 1495.
Readings
Psalm 146(147):1-6
Matthew 9:27-31
6th December
St Nicholas, bishop
Bishop of Myra in Lycia in the third century. Practically nothing is known of his life, though there has been popular devotion to him from early times.
Readings
Psalm 26(27):1, 4, 13-14
Matthew9:35-10:1, 6-8
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