St Andrew of Scotland: Lessons To Be Learned
Caption for the above image…
And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers). And He saith to them: “Come ye after Me, and I will make you to be fishers of men. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20)
Brief History of St Andrew as Patron of Scotland…
St Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were fishermen, born in Copernicum. Prior to becoming a follower of Christ and an apostle, Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist.
According to many legends, the relics of Andrew were transported from Constantinople to the modern Scottish town of St. Andrews. Read more here
Editor writes…
As with all Feast Day threads, feel free to discuss any relevant issues. We might consider the immediate response of our patron saint to the call of Our Lord, unhesitatingly leaving his employment to follow Christ. This is quite a contrast with those who are so fearful of losing their employment these days that they are willing to compromise their consciences in the matter of the abortion-tainted vaccines – so often, unfortunately, the subject of discussion on this blog. Let’s pray to our patron saint to imbue our fellow countrymen with his clear vision and perspective on this, as well as the example of his acceptance of (a most horrific) death, in resignation to God’s holy will, as we suffer the ongoing – and worsening – madness around us.
Share, too, your favourite prayers and stories about the saint. As always, jokes and funny stories of the good clean fun variety are welcome, like this interesting anecdote…
An American visitor, at the conclusion of his holiday in Scotland, having endured awful weather, constant rain and wind, asked the taxi driver who was taking him to Glasgow Airport for his return journey home, if the sun ever shone at all in Scotland. “I don’t know” the driver replied “I’m only 28!”
A very happy Feast of St Andrew to one and all! Enjoy!
Comments (15)
Time to start the St Andrew Christmas Novena (Nov 30th – Dec 24th) with the intention of getting us out of the various pickles we’re in. Traditionally prayed 15 times per day from now until Christmas:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, oh my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of His blessed Mother.
Andrew Q,
That’s the first I’ve heard of that novena – interesting, and thank you for posting.
Andrew Q,
I’ve never heard of the St Andrew Christmas novena – why does it have to be prayed 15 times per day, that seems a lot and a strange number. I’m curious about the reason for that.
Happy Feast everyone!
A very happy St Andrew’s Day to one and all at CT.
The calling of Andrew (and Peter) made me think hard about their willingness to give up everything for Jesus, while we are seeing our bishops discouraging us from attending church so we can “stay safe” from a mere virus. It’s really thought-provoking.
Laura,
I agree about the willingness to give up everything, while people today are taking an immoral vaccine rather than risk losing their jobs, and that does make us think, but to be fair, Andrew and Peter would hardly have had mortgages and car payments to make, would they? I’m not sure it’s comparing apples and apples here.
Not that I want to be a Martyr Bernie. But I think that Dying for The Faith 2000 Years ago is no Different from Dying for it in this Day and Age . In fact probably in lots of cases where the Moslems are concerned it’s maybe even worse.
Anyhow I Actually Heard a Good Joke .
I Heard Someone Say , that The Pope Is A Catholic.
Faith of our Fathers,
I don’t want to be a martyr either but I also don’t want to end up in court for not paying my bills, LOL!
That’s a great joke – made me fairly crack up!
Here’s a joke – I hope it fits the “good clean fun” bill –
A Scottish man walks into an off-licence and asks for 15 litres of the best whisky they have. “Did you bring a container for this?” The shop assistant asks. “You’re speaking to it.”
LOL! Happy Feast everyone!
The St Andrew Christmas Novena is also sometimes called the Anticipatory Novena. The 15 daily repetitions of the prayer, from St Andrew’s to Christmas, are believed to echo the 15 decades of the rosary. One prayer book I have claims the novena goes back to St Colette, reformer of the Poor Clare’s (15th Century). It was given the imprimatur of the Archbishop of New York in the 19th Century.
A very happy Saint Andrew’s Day to everyone. And two jokes, and, I hope everyone enjoys them.
What do dentists call their X-rays?
Answer: Tooth pics!
Did you hear about the first restaurant to open on the moon?
Answer: It had great food but no atmosphere.
Theresa Rose,
Great jokes, especially the one about the moon restaurant, LOL!
Theresa Rose,
The restaurant on the moon is very funny – I must remember that one. I found this one to post, and it did make me laugh.
Jock was out working the field when a barnstormer landed.
“I’ll give you an airplane ride for £5,” said the pilot.
“Sorry, cannae afford it,” replied Jock.
“Tell you what,” said the pilot, “I’ll give you and your wife a free ride if you promise not to yell. Otherwise it’ll be £10.”
So up they went and the pilot rolled, looped, stalled and did all he could to scare Jock. Nothing worked and the defeated pilot finally landed the plane. Turning around to the rear seat he said, “Gotta hand it to you. For country folk you sure are brave!”
“Aye,” said Jock “But ye nearly had me there when the wife fell oot!”
LOL!
This short video about St Andrew is quite interesting. It mentions that he is also patron of Russia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_cr9ggFMW0
Happy Feast Day everyone!
Here is the rousing hymn to St Andrew, only it doesn’t have the words, just the organ. I searched for the lyrics, to post underneath, plus a link to the sheet music.
When Christ Our Lord to Andrew Cried
E M Barrett (pre 1913)
1 When Christ our Lord to Andrew cried:
“Come, thou, and follow me,”
The fisher left his net beside
the Sea of Galilee.
To teach the truth the Master taught,
to tread the path he trod
was all his will and thus he brought
unnumbered souls to God.
2 When Andrew’s hour had come, and he
was doomed, like Christ to die,
he kissed his cross exultingly,
and this his noble cry:
“O noble cross! O precious wood!
I long have yearned for thee;
uplift me to my only good
who died on thee for me.”
3 The faith that Andrew taught once shone
o’er all this kingdom fair;
the cross that Jesus died upon
was honoured everywhere.
But times once changed and Andrew’s name
was for a while forgot;
the cross, though set in kingly crown,
became a sign of shame.
4 St Andrew now in bliss above,
thy fervent prayers renew
that Scotland yet again may love
the faith, entire and true;
that I the cross allotted me
may bear with patient love! ‘
Twill lift me, as it lifted thee,
to reign with Christ above.
As the Feast day draws to an end, I’ll close this thread to comments, with sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.
God bless.
Comments are closed.