Feast Day
November 30
Patron Saint of
Fishermen, Greece, Russia, and Scotland
About the Saint
St. Andrew, also known as Andrew the Apostle, was a Christian Apostle and the older brother to St. Peter.
According to the New Testament, Andrew was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Much like his younger brother, Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. Andrew's very name means strong and he was known for having good social skills.
In the Gospel of Matthew, it is said Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. It is then he asked the two to become disciples and "fishers of men." It is believed Andrew was one of the closer disciples to Jesus. It was he who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, according to John 6:8. Andrew was also present at the last supper.
Per Christian tradition, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was bound, rather than nailed, to a cross, as is described in the Acts of Andrew. He was crucified on a cross form known as "crux decussata," which is an X-shaped cross or a "saltire." Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus."
His saltire cross is featured on the flag of Scotland and is represented in much of his iconography. He is commonly portrayed as an old man with long white hair and a beard, often holding the Gospel book or a scroll.
Learn more at www.catholic.org
Feast Day
January 10
Patron Saint of
University of Paris and Gunsmiths
About the Saint
St. William was born around 1140 in Nevers, France. His father initially intended for Guillaume to join the army. However, Guillaume took the ecclesiastical way of life instead. William eventually abandoned worldly pursuits and joined the Order of Grandmont.
He stayed with the order for some time and followed their practices with immense dedication. When he discovered that the members were no longer cordial with each other, he left and joined the Cistercians. At the Pontigny Abbey in France, he donned the habit and was soon made Prior. He was appointed Abbot of Fontaine-Jean Abbey in 1184. Also in 1200, he was made abbot of Chaalis Abbey.
Saint William nurtured a genuine and true dedication to the Blessed Sacrament. For this reason, he was often at the altar, meditating on the true meaning of the Sacrament.
In 1200, William was appointed Archbishop of Bourges. He was reluctant to accept this new appointment because it meant abandoning his solitary life of meditation and prayer. Pope Innocent III, as well as other religious superiors, encouraged him to take the position. William agreed but continued his asceticism practices throughout the rest of his life. He always wore a shirt made from hair beneath his bishop’s habit and completely gave up meat.
Bishop William oversaw the ongoing building of the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Stephen that had been started by his predecessor in 1195. He paid visits to the poor and sick regularly. He did not forget the imprisoned as well. He also stood up for the rights of the clerics against government intrusion.
Saint William of Bourges died in 1209 at midnight while meditating at the foot of the altar. He died at the age of 59.
Learn more at www.saintoftheday.com