Feast Day: St. Andrew, Apostle

Today is the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, brother of St. Peter.  St. Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross when trying to evangelize the Greeks -- he lived for two days on that cross, continuing his preaching!

Tonight, we'll make St. Andrew Scones (with x's on the top, of course) from the recipe at Catholic Cuisine (altho I'll probably change them slightly and will post our version tonight).

 

Feast Day: Sts. Simon (the Zealot) and Jude, Apostles

Simon, called the Zealot to distinguish him from the apostle whom Jesus renamed Peter, was one of the original 12 apostles.  He was sent to spread the Gospel in Egypt, Persia and Mesopotamia. Jude, also an apostle, was a nephew of Mary and Joseph and preached with St. Simon.  St. Jude was a healer and an exorcist; he is now best known as the patron saint of lost or impossible causes. Tradition teaches that both Simon and Jude were martyred, although the exact places of their martyrdoms are unknown.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude ... you carried the good news of Jesus throughout the eastern regions with no thought to your own safety ... please help us to be as fearless in our daily living of the Gospel.  Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us!

 

Feast Day: St. Matthias

Happy feast day, Uncle Matt!

Feast Day: Sts. Philip and James (the lesser), Apostles

James (sometimes called "James, the Lesser" since he died after the other St. James, brother of John) and Philip were two of the twelve and were martyred for the faith.  James wrote an epistle to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, a letter meant to boost and nurture all those who believed but were in the midst of trials to their faith.  This is a short epistle and well-worth reading the entire letter. 

St. Philip was from the same region as Peter and Andrew and went on to evangelize in Turkey where tradition says he was buried in Hierapolis with some of his daughters who helped in his ministry.

Sts. James and Philip, pray for us!