op proper november
NOVEMBER
03, NOVEMBER Saint Martin de Porres
At Lima, in Peru, Saint Martin de Porres, friar of the Order of Preachers.
Saint Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579, the son of a Spanish nobleman and a black freedwoman from Panama. At first the father abandoned his little family and Martin’s earliest years were spent in dire poverty. Later, his father’s conscience smote him and taking the two children to himself, gave them at least the rudiments of an education. As a boy was apprenticed to a barber –surgeon to learn from him the unlikely combination of skills expected in those days of a man who wielded a straight razor. Thus he was launched on his life long career of healing and solacing which would embrace all the sick who came his way.
Martin was received as a servant at the priory of the Holy Rosary in Lima. In this capacity, he gave himself to the lowliest duties in the house. It was only after several years that, seeing his evident good will and holiness, his superiors invited him to make solemn profession as a cooperator brother. Besides his skill with the sick and his charity to the poor, Martin was noted in his religious life for his spirit of penance, radical poverty, and extraordinary obedience. He cherished a deep devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and to the Passion of Our Lord and longed to repay the immense blessings of redemption with some acts of piety or devotion. He died at Lima on November 5, 1639 and was canonized by Blessed Pope John XIII on May 5, 1962. He is the first negro from the New World to attain the rank of sainthood. He is the heavenly patron of all cooperator brothers of the Order and those who dedicate their lives in the work of justice and peace ministry.
Liturgical note: “Festum” for the Dominican Family..
05 NOVEMBER
Blessed Simon Ballachi
At Sant’ Arangelo near Rimini, in Italy, Blessed Simon Ballachi, friar of the Order of Preachers.
Blessed Simon was born at Sant’arcangelo (di Romagna) near Rimini, Italy about 1240 and entered the Order at Rimini when he was twenty -seven. Despite his noble birth, he chose to become a humble lay brother. He was put in charge of the garden , where he used the hard manual labor and the closeness to nature to life his heart to God. In imitation of his Holy Father Dominic, Simon practiced severe penances for the conversion of sinners. He was noted for his simplicity of life and his compassion for others, especially for little children whom he taught the fundamental truths of the Christian life. Blessed Simon became completely blind at the age of 57 and some time after that lost his strength altogether. But even in bed, he was a shining example to his brethren by reason of his humility and self denial. He passed to his eternal rewards at Rimini on November 3, 1319. Pope Pius VII confirmed his cult in 1820.
06 NOVEMBER
Blessed Bonaventure García de Paredes, friar, priest and Master of the Order of Preachers, and companions martyrs of the Dominican Family
At Madrid, in Spain, Blessed Bonaventure Garcia de Paredes, priest and friar, Master of the Order of Preachers and companions martyrs.
During the Spanish Civil War, a violent religious persecution broke out where thousands of Christians were hunted and killed for their beliefs. Blessed Bonaventure Garcia de Paredes leads the group 74 martyrs, representing all the branches of the family of St Dominic: 40 priests, 18 cooperator brothers, 3 clerical students, a clerical novice, a contemplative nun, 7 Dominican Sisters of the Anunciata, 2 Dominicans Teaching Sisters of the Immaculate and 2 lay Dominicans. These blessed martyrs offered their lives for the faith as a testimony of their fidelity to Christ and to the Church.
Blessed Bonaventure Garcia de Paredes (1866-1936) was born on 19 April 1866 in Castañedo de Valdés, (Asturias, Spain). He entered the Order in 1883. After his theological and civil studies, he was sent to the Philippines where he taught at the University of the Santo Tomas. In 1910, he was elected as Provincial of the Holy Rosary Province in the Far East with prudence and foresight, he led the Province to a renewed fervor and interest for the foreign missions despite the heavy losses as a consequence of the Philippine revolution with new foundations and institutions. By the expressed will of His Holiness Pope St. Pius X, he had to continue in his office as Provincial until 1917. He was elected Master of the Order in 1926 but had to resign due to ill health three years later. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, he was arrested and killed in Fuencarral (Madrid) on August 12, 1936. In the circular letter written by his successor, Master Martin Stanislaus Gillet writes thus: “His life can be summarized in the desire towards a perfect supernatural union with God, which was reached through exquisite humility and meekness, the practice of simplicity and exemplary magnanimity, in such a degree that these were so natural in him. He thus earned a worthy end: martyrdom”. Blessed Bonaventure is the first and only successor of St. Dominic to be beatified as a martyr.
Liturgical note: “Memoria optativa” for the Order, “Memoria” for the Holy Rosary Province
07 NOVEMBER
All Saints of the Order of Preachers
Today we faithfully remember “those who have gone before us in the family of Saint Dominic and who offer us the example of their way of life, their company in the communion of saints, and the help of their intercession. By this celebration may we be moved to imitate them and be strengthened in the spirit of our vocation." (LCO nn. 16,67 )
Liturgical note: “Festum.”
08 NOVEMBER
Anniversary Deceased Brothers and Sisters of the Order
The practice of the universal Church has associated the feast of All Saints with that of All Souls, emphasizing the fundamental truth of the communion of saints.
According to the custom of our Order, after celebrating the feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers, we too remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us with the sign of faith and pray that they might enjoy eternal rest with the Lord.
Liturgical note: “Memoria”.
14 NOVEMBER
Blessed John Liccio
At Cacciamo, in Sicily, Italy, Blessed John Liccio, friar and priest of the Order of Preachers.
Blessed John was born around 1430 in Caccamo, Sicily, around 1426-1430 and entered the Order at the age of fifteen at the priory of Saint Zita (Palermo) at the urging of Blessed Peter Geremia who clothed him in the habit. Known for his cheerful spirit and his charity, Blessed John promoted regular observance and devotion to Mary through the rosary. Because of his preaching and concern for the poor he was called the “apostle of Sicily”; and many charming stories have survived concerning the miracles he worked on their behalf. He died in Cacciamo, on November 14, 1511 and Pope Benedict XIV confirmed his cult in 1733.
Also on the same day
14 NOVEMBER Blessed Lucy of Narni
At Ferrara, in Italy, Blessed Lucy of Narni, sister and virgin of the Order of Preachers.
Blessed Lucy was born in Narni, Italy in 1476. In 1491 she was betrothed to Count Pietro de Alessio, a Milanese nobleman, but he respected her decision to live in virginity and allowed her to remain with her family; He eventually became a Franciscan friar.
Lucy now free to pursue her true vocation received the habit in 1494 and was sent to the community of Saint Catherine of Siena in Rome. After a year, she was sent to Viterbo to found a similar convent of the Order in the city; it was here that she received the holy stigmata of Christ Our Lord. Three years later, at the request of the Duke of Ferrara and the command of Pope Alexander VI, she proceeded to Ferrara where she founded another convent, becoming its first prioress. At the request of her confessor she wrote an account of her reception of the stigmata and of her interior life.
Bl. Lucy was noted for the mystical graces bestowed on her, particularly the stigmata. However she also shared in the passion of Christ in a still more intimate and painful way. Due to misunderstanding and jealousy her community turned against her. She was deposed from office, deprived of the scapular and confined to the monastery dungeon where she spend the remaining thirty one years of her life in heroic resignation and patience. Blessed Lucy of Narni died at Ferrara on November 15, 1544 and miracles occurring at her tomb immediately testified to her holiness. She was beatified by Pope Clement XI in 1720 and in 1935 her incorrupt body was transferred to Narni where it is held in high honor.
15 NOVEMBER
Saint Albert the Great
At Cologne, in Germany, Saint Albert, surnamed the Great, friar and bishop of the Order of Preachers; Doctor of the Church
Saint Albert of Lauingen was born in Swabia (Germany) at the beginning of the thirteenth century. While a student at the University of Pavia he was attracted to the Order by Blessed Jordan of Saxony. He attributed his vocation to the Virgin Mary, to whom he bore a tender devotion, he soon excelled in his studies and so vast was his knowledge both of the natural and sacred sciences that he was called the great and Doctor universalis. From 1242 until 1248 he taught at the University of Paris where Thomas Aquinas was one of his students. Like Thomas Aquinas, he had the distinction of serving as Regent Master of Theology twice at the University. Albert helped to introduce Aristotelian physics as interpreted by Jewish and Arabian philosophers into Western thought. From 1248 he taught at Cologne and served as provincial of Germany (1254-1257). Together with Saint Bonaventure, he defended the right of the Mendicant Orders to teach in the universities.
He was named bishop of Ratisbon in 1260, but after two years he resigned because he considered himself unworthy. He continued his teaching at Wurzburg, Strasbourg and Cologne. In his attempts to blend the wisdom of the saints with human knowledge he was a distinguished writer and teacher, but he was even more distinguished in his life of holiness and his pastoral charity. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Virgin Mary who according to legend led him to the Order of Preachers.
He died at Cologne on November 15, 1280. In 1459 Pius II declared him a doctor of the Church; in 1931 Pius XI declared him a saint; and Pius XII named him patron of those involved in the natural sciences.
Liturgical note: “Festum” for the Dominican Family.
19 NOVEMBER
Blessed James Benefatti
At Mantua, in Italy, Blessed James Benefatti, friar and bishop of the Order of Preachers.
Blessed James was born at Mantua, Italy in the latter half of the thirteenth century. He entered the Order there and came to the notice of Nicholas Boccassini, Master of the Order, who made him his socius. Blessed James continued as his advisor when Nicholas was created cardinal in 1298 and when Nicholas became Pope as Benedict XI he was named bishop of Mantua in 1304. For eighteen years, he perfectly fulfilled the role of the good shepherd as he fought against the hatred and division which plagued the city. Because of his devotion to the poor during a time of pestilence and famine he was called “Father of the Poor.” He died on November 19, 1332. He was beatified in 1859.
22 NOVEMBER
Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr
The Acts of St Cecilia say that she was brought up as Christian amidst all the luxury of a patrician family in Pagan Rome. Though she had vowed virginity, her father forced her to marry a young pagan named Valerian. Cecilia told Valerian of her vow and he was converted by a vision of her guardian angel. Later Valerian and his brother Tiburtius (also a convert) were beheaded for having given burial to a Christian martyrs. When Cecilia interred the bodies of Valerian and Tiburtius at her villa on the Appian Way, she herself was arrested. After the persecutors had tried unsuccessfully to suffocate her in the bathroom of her own home , she was beheaded. St Cecilia has been chosen as the saint of musicians because of the following sentence in her Acts. “While the instrument were playing ( at her wedding feast) profane music, Cecilia sang rather to God in her heart.”
She is considered as one of the secondary patrons of the Order of Preachers.
24 NOVEMBER
Saint Ignatius Delgado, friar and Bishop, Saint Vincent Liem, friar and priest, Saint Dominic An-Kham, lay person and married man of the Order of Preachers and Companions, Martyrs
At diverse locations in Tunkin (Northern Vietnam), Saint Ignatius Delgado friar and bishop of the Order of Preachers, and the CXVI companions martyrs.
This group of 117 martyrs suffered for the name of Christ during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in the region known today as Vietnam. Of this number 96 were Vietnamese, 11 were Spaniards, and 10 were French; 58 were associated with Missions Étrangères of Paris and 59 were members of the Dominican Family.
The members of the Dominican Family included six bishops, sixteen priests, three members of the Priests’ Fraternity of Saint Dominic, ten members of the Dominican laity, and twenty-four of the faithful from Dominican missions. They were martyred at different times and places, e.g.: Eighteenth century: the priests Francis Gil de Federich (1745) and Vincent Liem (1773); 1838-1840: the bishops Ignatius Delgado (1838) and Dominic Henares (1838), the priests Joseph Fernández (1838) and twenty three others; In the year 1861: the bishops Valentine Berrio-Ochoa and Jerome Hermosilla, the priests Joseph Tuâm and Peter Almató, and the catechist Joseph Khang; During the years 1857-1862: the bishops José María Diaz Sanjurjo (1857) and Melchior García-Sampedro (1858); several indigenous priests; and Dominic Pham Trong (An) Kham (1859), a member of the Dominican laity.
Leading the Dominican martyrs in Vietnam are
Saint Ignatius Clement Delgado Cebrian (1762-1838) He was born in Villafeliche (Zaragoza, Spain) on November, 1762. He was the son of the Convent of Calatayud, he joined the Holy Rosary Province and worked for a time in Manila. He was later sent to Vietnam in 1792. He was first Vicar provincial and later Vicar Apostolic of Tunkin in 1794. At the height of the religious persecutions, he was arrested in 1838 and was locked up in a cage, exposed to numerous torments for 44 days and dying as as a consequence of harsh and inhumane treatment while at prison on 12 July, 1838. His body was later beheaded as execution of a capital punishment.
Saint Vincent Liem (1732 – 1773) was born in Tra-lu, (North Vietnam). A scholar of the King of Spain, he was sent to the Philippines for training to the priesthood. He entered the Order of Preachers in Manila and after his ordination, he was reassigned to the Vietnamese missions arriving in 1759. He tirelessly preached the word of God despite persecutions and He was arrested and after suffering interrogations and imprisonment, he was condemned to die by beheading with his companion, Saint Hyacinth Castañeda on November 7, 1773.
Saint Dominic Pham Trong (An) Kham (1779-1859) was a venerable layman born in Quan-cong, North Vietnam. A member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, he was respected for his prudence and as one of the affluent leaders of the Christian community. He was accused to giving shelter and hiding the European missionaries. While in prison, he did not stop to preach the Christian faith and was able to confirm the faith of the many captives. He died on January 13, 1859.
All the martyrs of Vietnam though beatified in different occasions, were canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988. They were proclaimed patrons of the Vietnamese Church on December 14, 1990.
Liturgical note: “Memoria” for the Dominican Family; “Festum” for the Holy Rosary Province.
25 NOVEMBER Saint Catherine of Alexandria
This holy virgin is said to been martyred at Alexandria, Egypt. She was famous for her sharp mind and no less than her strength of soul. Her body was venerated lovingly in the famous monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai. She is invoked as the patroness of philosophers and of wheelwrights. Though for a time her feast was dropped in the Roman Calendar, her memorial was restored during the additions commanded by Pope John Paul II in 2003. She is considered as the secondary patroness of the Order.
Liturgical note: “Memoria optativa”
Also on the same day
25 NOVEMBER Blessed Margaret of Savoy
At Alba in Piedmont, Italy, Blessed Margaret of Savoy, nun and widow f the Order of Preachers.
Blessed Margaret, a member of the noble family of the Dukes of Savoy, was born probably in 1382 and married the Marquis of Monferrat, a widower with two children. They lived a model Christian life, sharing their wealth with the poor, educating the ignorant, and caring for victims of the plague. Upon the death of her husband she vowed herself to widowhood and with the encouragement of Saint Vincent Ferrer took the habit of the Sisters of Penance. She was joined by several women of the nobility and together they devoted themselves to works of mercy and piety. Later she founded the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalen at Alba where she and her companions made solemn vows and were incorporated as nuns of the Order of Preachers.
In her lifetime, Blessed Margaret courageously endured calumnies, illnesses and persecutions which were previously revealed to her under the symbols of three arrows: “Sickness,” “Slander,” and “Persecution.” She endured all of these with heroic abnegation, offering her sufferings for the peace of the universal Church, for the Western Schism had begun a short time before. She died on November 23, 1464. Pope Clement IX raised her to the altar in 1669. Her uncorrupt body is still preserved in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Alba.
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