Memorial of Saints (November 6)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Bertille
• Margaret of Lorraine
• Paul of Constantinople
• Leonard of Noblac
• Melaine
• Illtud
• Winnoc
• Demetrian
• Barlaam of Khutyn

St. Bertille entered the monastery of Jouarre, where she cared for the sick and the visitors to the monastery. Because of her efficiency, she was chosen to be the monastery's Prioress. When the Abbess of Chelles - another monastery - needed a group of nuns to lead her novices, she went to the Abbey of Jouarre to recruit a group of nuns. Bertille was chosen as leader of this group. Eventually, St. Bertille became the abbess of Chelles in 646 A.D. (died ca. 692 A.D.).

St. Paul of Constantinople succeeded Alexander to the see of Constantinople in ca. 336 A.D. Paul had to contend with Arians. Because of his orthodox stand, Paul was exiled to Pontus. He sought support from Pope Julius I, St. Athanasius, and the Western emperor Constans I. The continued struggle with the Arians caused him to experience further exiles. A traditional story says that Paul was strangled to death by the Arians in Cucusus, Armenia (died ca. 350 A.D.).

The feast of St. Paul of Constantinople is not on the General Roman Calendar, but it is celebrated on this 6th of November by the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches.

Learn more about the differences between the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches (like the Greek and Russian Orthodox which celebrate the feast of St. Paul of Constantinople), and the Christians of Eastern-rites which are in communion with Rome.

Learn more on the lives of the other Saints with Memorials on November 6

Memorial of Saints (November 5)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Elizabeth and Zachary (or Zechariah)
• Galation and Espisteme
• Bertilla, virgin

Sts. Elizabeth and Zachary (1st Century A.D.) were the parents of John the Baptist. Zachary was a priest in the temple of Jerusalem and his wife Elizabeth was the cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Elizabeth was way beyond childbearing age.

Both St. Zachary and St. Elizabeth are mentioned in the gospel of Luke:

"Both were just in the eyes of God, blamelessly following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They were childless, for Elizabeth was sterile; moreover, both were advanced in years. Once, when it was the turn of Zechariah's class and he was fulfilling his functions as a priest before God, it fell to him by lot according to priestly usage to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. While the full assembly of people was praying outside at the incense hour, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.(Luke 1:6-11), New American Bible Translation

The angel told St. Zachary that he and his wife would have a son and should name him John. When Zachary doubted this, he was struck dumb.

When Elizabeth was in her sixth month, Mary went to visit her. And Mary spoke the hymn of praise now known as the Magnificat. (This hymn of praise from the Mary is also written in the gospel of Luke 1:39-56, and is known in Tradition as The Visitation, which is also the 2nd Joyful Mystery in the prayer of the Holy Rosary).

After John the Baptist's birth, Zachary's speech was restored. And Zachary uttered a prophecy known as Zechariah's Canticle, Luke 1:67-79. [The Canticle of Zechariah is part of the Morning Prayer of the Breviary (after the Responsory and before the Intercessions)].

Today, November 5, the Society of Jesus traditionally honors all its members who are beatified and canonically elevated in the altar of Rome as Saints. This blog only mentions a few of these Jesuit saints and some books which refer to their religious order.

• St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest and founder of the Society of Jesus, Learn more
• "Heroic Leadership", by Chris Lowney, Learn more
• "Eight Days of the Spiritual Exercises", by Segura and Lumabao, Learn more
• St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Jesuit Scholastic, Learn more
• "Hearts on Fire", the prayers of Jesuits, Learn more
• St. Peter Canisius, priest, Jesuit, doctor of the Church, Learn more

Memorial of Saints (November 4)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Charles Borromeo, bishop
• Vitalis and Agricola, martyrs
• Pierius
• John Zedazneli and Companions
• Clarus, martyr
• Joannicus

Charles Borromeo (died 3 Nov. 1584 A.D.): at age 46; cardinal and secretary of state at age 22 for his uncle, Pope Pius IV; implemented reforms of Trent in his diocese of Milan; founder of seminaries; considered a model pastor by many bishops, including Francis de Sales; held five provincial councils and 11 diocesan synods; patron of catechists and of catechumens.

Prayer to St. Charles Borromeo

Most glorious Saint Charles, outstanding model to all of faith, humility, purity, constancy in sufferings, and of every best virtue, who devoted all the highest gifts received from God to promote His glory and the salvation of souls, even to the point of becoming a victim of your own zeal, we beseech you to obtain for us to be imitators of you as you were of Christ.

Obtain for pastors of souls a heart, like yours, full of charity; for missionaries, fortitude and courage; for us your children, firmness in our resolutions, spirit of sacrifice, an untiring zeal for the welfare of the emigrants; and for all Christians, fidelity to God, love for the Church, resignation in trials, and perseverance in doing good.

O God of mercy and Father of all consolation, who see the afflictions of the Christian family, and the dangers to which souls are exposed, be moved toward us; help us, save us. Do not look upon our unworthiness, but upon the merits of your servant and our protector Saint Charles. Hear his prayers in our behalf, now that he reigns triumphant in heaven, as You once heard the prayers he addressed to You for his people here on earth. Amen.