Saint of the Day ~ November 30

SAINT ANDREW (?-1^st century), Apostle and martyr
Patron saint of fisherman, Scotland, Russia and Greece

Today, the universal Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Andrew, considered the first of the original Twelve Apostles who followed Jesus throughout His ministry. And the Scriptures tell us that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, both being fishermen from Bethsaida, a fishing town on the north side of the Sea of Galilee.

Andrew, together with his brother, as well as John and his brother James were the first of the disciples of Christ. While he was first a disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew, who was still a young man at the time, showed an ardent desire to give himself to a radical search for and service of the Truth.

He demonstrated his willingness to leave all and follow Christ the day after our Lord’s Baptism in the Jordan River: “The next day, John the Baptist was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

Saint Andrew is said to have spread the Gospel in Russia and Asia Minor after Pentecost. He was crucified by the Romans in Greece on an X-shaped cross. Legend has it that he preached for two days from the cross before dying. The X-shaped cross has become Saint Andrew’s distinctive symbol as well as the symbol of Scotland, of which he is the patron.

Some of his remains were brought to Scotland in the fourth century, though parts of his skeleton lie in the crypt of the cathedral in Amalfi, Italy, where they are removed twice a year and reportedly produce a clear, water-like substance called “manna” which is said to have miraculous attributes.

We celebrate this special Feastday of Saint Andrew the Apostle on November 30.

(From catholicnewsagency.com, saints.sqpn.com, americancatholic.org, catholicculture.org and newadvent.org)

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PRAYER

(The following prayer is from the Roman Breviary from the Proper for the Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle)

“Lord, in Your kindness hear our petitions. You called Andrew the Apostle to preach the Gospel and guide Your Church in faith. May he always be our friend in Your Presence to help us with his prayers.

“We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”