Feast day: November 30

The Apostle, Older brother to St. Peter

Andrew was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when he is called by Jesus to be a "fisher of men" with his brother Simon Peter in the Gospel of Matthew.  In the Gospel of John, we hear that Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist and then chose to follow Jesus.  He mentioned only a few times throughout the Gospels.

Catholic tradition holds that St. Andrew preached the Good News around the Black Sea and in modern day Greece and Turkey.  He was martyred by crucifixion, traditionally being bound rather than nailed to an "X" shaped cross.  It is said he requested this shape in order to be different than Christ as he was unworthy to crucified on the same shape.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Play "Go Fish"
• Pray the St. Andrew Novena or the "Christmas Anticipation Novena"
  • This is not a traditional nine day novena, nor is it a novena asking for St. Andrew's intercession.  This prayer starts on November 30 (St. Andrew's feast day which is why it holds his namesake) and continues until Christmas Eve.  It is repeated 15 times EACH DAY for a specific intention.
  • The prayer:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.  At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grand my desires.