Monks (Seventh Century)
Their story
+ The two saints honored today as the “Apostles of Picardy”—Saints Caidoc and Fricor—evangelized the northern part of France in the first part of the seventh century.
+ Monks of Saint Columba’s monastery on Iona, they began their mission in 622.
+ Caidoc and Fricor won many converts, including Saint Richarius of Celles, who offered the missionaries a safe haven when they were being pursued by local pagans.
+ Saints Caidoc and Fricor died around the year 630 and their relics are enshrined together in the church of Saint-Riquier near Amiens.
For prayer and reflection
“You are a ‘chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”—1 Peter 2:9
Spiritual bonus
On this day, we also remember Saint Mary of Egypt. According to legend she was a prostitute who experienced a profound conversion while visiting Jerusalem. After living a life of prayer and penance in the deserts of Palestine for nearly fifty years, she died around the year 420.
Prayer
O God, who called our forebears by the preaching of blessed Caidoc and Fricor into the wonderful light of the Gospel, grant that through their intercession we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For Several Founders)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...