MEMORIAL OF SAINT SATURNINUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR AND BLESSED DENIS OF THE NATIVITY, RELIGIOUS – FEAST DAY ~ NOVEMBER 29TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Saturninus, Bishop and Martyr and Blessed Denis of the Nativity, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the season of Advent and the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world.🙏🏽
SAINT SATURNINUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Saturninus Bishop of Toulouse, France and Martyred November 29 A.D. 257. St. Saturninus went from Rome, by direction of Pope Fabian, about the year 245, to preach the faith in Gaul. He fixed his episcopal see at Toulouse, and thus became the first Christian bishop of that city. There were but few Christians in the place. However, their number grew fast after the coming of the Saint; and his power was felt by the spirits of evil, who received the worship of the heathen. His power was felt the more because he had to pass daily through the capitol, the high place of the heathen worship, on the way to his own church.
One day a great multitude was gathered by an altar, where a bull stood ready for the sacrifice. A man in the crowd pointed out Saturninus, who was passing by, and the people would have forced him to idolatry; but the holy bishop answered: “I know but one God, and to Him I will offer the sacrifice of praise. How can I fear gods who, as you say, are afraid of me?” On this he was fastened to the bull, which was driven down the capitol. The brains of the Saint were scattered on the steps. His mangled body was taken up and buried by two devout women.
PRAYER: God, You gave splendor to Your Church by granting St. Saturninus the victory of martyrdom. Grant that, as he imitated the Lord’s Passion, so we may follow in his footsteps and attain everlasting joys… Amen.🙏
BLESSED DENIS OF THE NATIVITY, RELIGIOUS: Blessed Denis of the Nativity (1600-1638) was born as Pierre Berthelotin in France and became a sailor at the age of twelve. He had a successful career as pilot-in-chief and cartographer in service to the Kings of France and Portugal, even being knighted for bravery. He later chose the religious life and became a Carmelite friar, taking the name Dionysius (Denis) of the Nativity. He was sent by his superiors on a diplomatic and missionary mission to the Sultan of Aceh (Sumatra). Once there, all the members of his party were seized at the instigation of the Dutch authorities. They were tortured by their Islamic captors and were told to renounce their Catholic faith and become Muslims. They refused and were martyred. St Denis was martyred last, as he desired, in order to be able to strengthen the others. He was killed by a scimitar blow that split his head in two. His last words were: “Jesus, Mary.”
Blessed Denis of the Nativity, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏