Memorial of Saints (October 20)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Caprasius, martyr;
• Artemius, martyr;
• Acca, bishop;
• Andrew of Crete, martyr;
• Maria Bertilla (Ann Francis Boscardin), virgin

Memorial of Saints (October 19)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companions
• Paul of the Cross, priest;
• Peter of Alcantara, confessor;
• Ptolemaeus and Lucius, martyrs;
• Cleopatra, widow, and Varus;
• Ethbin;
• Aquilinus, bishop;
• Frideswide, virgin;
• Philip Howard, martyr

John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companions: French Jesuit and oblate missionaries to the Hurons and Iroquois of North America, (died 1642-1649 A.D.); Isaac was tomahawked to death by Iroquois on 18 Oct. 1646 A.D. near Albany; John was savagely mutilated and slain 16 Mar. 1649 A.D. near Georgian Bay; other martyrs were Antony Daniel, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Noel Chabanel and oblates Rene Goupil and Jean de la Lande; secondary patrons of Canada.

The Jesuit martyrs St. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brebeuf, and their companions, were among the many who ministered to the spiritual and temporal needs of the native Americans. These early founding fathers and other missionaries also helped establish French Catholic outposts on the Great Lakes and down through the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, ('History of Catholic Church in America', Learn more)

Memorial of Saints (October 18)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Luke, apostle and evangelist
• Justus of Beauvais, martyr

Luke (died 1st c. A.D.): Syrian physician from Antioch and companion of Paul; authored c. 70-85 A.D. Acts of the Apostles and the gospel for the gentile Christians; it speaks of God's mercy, universal salvation, love of the poor and marginalized, absolute renunciation, prayer and the Holy Spirit; represented by a winged ox (cf. Ezekiel 1); patron of the medical profession, painters, artists, sculptors and butchers.

The gospel of Luke is often referred to by post-Vatican II bible scholars as a two volume book known as Luke-Acts. The author of the gospel is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles. When reading both books, one can see the missionary works of Jesus continued by the missionary works of His followers. The apostles and St. Paul continue the mission of Jesus in the book of Acts. Learn more