Saint of the Day: St. Andrew the Apostle

(First Century)

His life

+ Sacred Scripture tells us that Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was a fisherman and that he was also a disciple of Saint John the Baptist.

+ Andrew is often called the Protoclete—the “First-Called”—because he is remembered as the first of the Apostles to have said “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to follow. The Gospel of John also tells us that after Andrew heard John the Baptist call Jesus “the Lamb of God,” he introduced his brother to Jesus (cf. John 1:36-40).

+ Andrew demonstrated his faith when he brought Jesus the boy with five barley loaves and two fish, the simple elements that Jesus transformed into enough food to feed the multitude (cf. John 6:8-9).

+ Andrew was with Jesus on the mountain at the Transfiguration and was also with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

+ According to ancient tradition, Andrew preached in the Gospel in several places after Pentecost. Andrew is said to have been martyred in Patras, Greece, by being crucified on a cross in the form of an X.

+ Saint Andrew is honored as the patron saint of fishermen and fish mongers, as well as various places, including Austria, Greece, Russia, Scotland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, along with many other dioceses and cities.

For prayer and reflection

“Andrew was a humble fisherman who became a great martyr, a witness to the love of Jesus. But before he became a martyr, he made his share of mistakes, and he needed to be patient, and to learn gradually how to be a true disciple of Christ. So do not be afraid to learn from your own mistakes! Let the saints lead you to Jesus and teach you to put your lives in his hands. You know that Jesus is full of mercy.”—Pope Francis

Spiritual Bonus

On November 30, we also remember Thaddeus (Tadou) Liu Ruiting. A priest in the Sichuan region of China, he spent his ministry walking from village to village, ministering to persecuted Christians. Arrested on Pentecost Sunday 1821, he was imprisoned for two years before being martyred on November 30, 1823. He was canonized with other Chinese martyrs in 2000.

Prayer

We humbly implore your majesty, O Lord,
that, just as the blessed Apostle Andrew
was for your Church a preacher and pastor,
so he may be for us a constant intercessor before you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Prayer from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.