Today is Oct. 9, optional memorial of St. Denis, bishop and martyr, and his companions, martyrs.
At today’s Mass, we pray in the Psalm: “Praise the Lord, all you nations, / glorify him, all you peoples! / For steadfast is his kindness toward us, / and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.”
According to tradition, St. Denis, the first bishop of Paris, was sent from Rome by Pope Fabian (AD 236-50). He was an effective preacher and reportedly made many converts.
Gregory of Tours (who died in 593 or 594) writes of St. Denis, “Blessed Denis, Bishop of Paris, having been afflicted with various sufferings for the name of Christ, ended this present life by the sword.” It’s a simple testimony, but it’s sound history. St. Denis is said to have suffered martyrdom along with two companions — Rustique, a deacon, and Eleuthère, a priest — at the temple dedicated to the god Mercury on a hill outside Paris.
Montmartre, the hill where St. Denis was executed and then interred, became a popular place of pilgrimage. So much so, that on Aug. 15, 1534, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier and five other companions professed vows in the Martyrium of St. Denis, a chapel believed to be the burial site of St. Denis. It was the first step in founding the Jesuits.
The significance of the place and this historic moment can’t be missed. Many members of the Society of Jesus have gone on to lay down their lives for the Faith, just like St. Denis. Each of us, too, is reminded today that our faith is not just for moments of peace and comfort but for times of trial and adversity. How do we live out our faith when confronted with opposition, hardship or ridicule?
A prayer invoking the intercession of St. Denis and his companions:
O God, who sent saint Denis and his companions to preach your glory to the nations and strengthened them for their mission with the virtue of constancy in suffering, grant, we pray, that we may imitate them in disdaining prosperity in this world and in being undaunted by any trial.
Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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