St. Andrew... Pray for us!

November 30, 2018

Today, November 30th, we remember St. Andrew, brother of Simon Peter, and, with John, the first to encounter Jesus.  After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew finds his brother and exclaims, “We have found the Messiah!” and brings him to Jesus. What a wonderful example of an evangelist! Not keeping Christ to himself but going with great joy to share the good news with his brother. And he immediately increases the number of disciples!

Both Matthew and Mark tell of Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee when he sees Simon Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the water. When he calls to them, they immediately drop their nets and follow him. They have no idea where Christ will lead them, but they have been given the gift of faith and have answered the call. They hold nothing back. Let us ask St. Andrew to pray for us to follow our vocations, giving our all to whatever Christ asks of us. And please pray for St. Andrew to intercede for those on our Catholics Come Home list, that their hearts will be moved to return to the Church during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and Russia. He was martyred by crucifixion on an x-shaped cross, the symbol of which is reflected in the flag of Scotland. According to The Passion of Andrew, an ancient story that dates back to the sixth century, Andrew spoke the following words when he was crucified, not fearing the cross, but joyful to soon be reunited with Jesus. 

 

Hail, O Cross, inaugurated by the Body of Christ and adorned with his limbs as though they were precious pearls. Before the Lord mounted you, you inspired an earthly fear. Now, instead, endowed with heavenly love, you are accepted as a gift.

"Believers know of the great joy that you possess, and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared. I come to you, therefore, confident and joyful, so that you too may receive me exultant as a disciple of the One who was hung upon you.... O blessed Cross, clothed in the majesty and beauty of the Lord's limbs!... Take me, carry me far from men, and restore me to my Teacher, so that, through you, the one who redeemed me by you, may receive me. Hail, O Cross; yes, hail indeed!".

The St. Andrew Christmas Novena begins on November 30th and ends on Christmas Eve.  Traditionally the novena is prayed 15 times a day, every day, for 25 days. 

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires (mention your intentions here) through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. 

Amen.

By Prayer, Civic Action and  Outreach Director, Susan Platt

Tags: st. feast day, christ, blog

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