“Simon was a simple Galilean, a brother of Jesus, as the ancients called one’s close relatives — aunts, uncles, first cousins; he was one of Our Lord’s four first cousins, with James the Less, Jude and Joseph, all sons of Mary, the wife of Alpheus, or Cleophas, either name being a derivative of the Aramaic Chalphai. The latter was the brother of Saint Joseph, according to tradition. All the sons of this family were raised at Nazareth near the Holy Family. (See the Gospel of Saint Matthew 13:53-58) Simon, Jude and James were called by Our Lord to be Apostles, pillars of His Church, and Joseph the Just was His loyal disciple.

Saint Simon the Zealot or the Zealous, was the name this Apostle bore among the twelve. He preached in Egypt, Mauritania (Spain), and Libya, leaving behind him the fertile hills of Galilee, where he had been engaged in the healthful cultivation of the vineyards and olive gardens. He later rejoined his brother, Saint Jude, in Persia, where they labored and died together. At first they were respected by the king, for they had manifested power over two ferocious tigers who had terrorized the land. With the king, sixty thousand Persians became Christians, and churches rose over the ruins of the idolatrous temples.

But the ancient enemy, who never sleeps, rose up, and when the two went elsewhere the pagans commanded them to sacrifice to the sun. Both Apostles, just before that time, had seen Our Lord amid His Angels. Simon said to Jude, “One of the Angels said to me, I will take you out of the temple and bring the building down upon their heads. I answered him, Let it not be so; perhaps some of them will be converted.” They prayed for mercy for the people and offered their lives to God. Saint Simon told the crowd that their gods were only demons, and ordered them to come out of the statues, which they did, revealing themselves under hideous forms. But the idolaters fell on the Apostles and massacred them, while they blessed God and prayed for their murderers.Saint Jude has left us a short but powerful epistle, written after the death of his brother James, bishop of Jerusalem, and addressed to the new Christians being tempted by false brethren and heretics. ”

- translated from “Lives of the Saints for Everyday” by Abbe Jaud.

 

 

 

Defenders Of The Faith In Word And Deed Author: Fr. Charles Connor

Forgotten Catholic Heroes   Author: Michael Genin

Mysteries, Marvels, Miracles In the Lives of the Saints   Author: Joan Carroll Cruz	The Primitive Church: The Church in the Days of the Apostles   Author: Rev. D. I. Lanslots, O.S.B.
The Saints Show Us Christ: Daily Readings on the Spiritual Life   Author: Fr. Rawley Myers	Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church   Author: Pope Benedict, XVI
The Twelve: The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary   Author: C. Bernard Ruffin	We Look for a Kingdom: The Everyday Lives of the Early Christians   Author: Carl J. Sommer
St. Jude: Novenas and Prayers	St. Jude Thaddeus: Helper In Desparate Cases

To browse our selection of books on the Early Church and the Apostolic Age please click here.

 

To browse our selection of books on the Lives of the Saints please click here.

 

 

“Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

‘All generations will call me blessed’: ‘The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.’ The Church rightly honors ‘the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God’, to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.’ The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel,’ express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.”

- from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 971

 

 

 

 

 

The Church dedicates the month of October each year as the “month of the Holy Rosary”

 

 

Brown Wood Sterling Rosary	Deluxe Black Wood Rosary
Red Cloisonne Heart-Shaped Bead Rosary   Pewter Crucifix and Center	Crystal Beads Sterling Rosary

We carry one of the largest selections of rosaries anywhere. Are you looking for a truly special and unique gift or devotional item? From
simplest wood or stone beads, to precious metals and beautiful gemstones, you will find the perfect rosary when you browse our extensive collection here.

Gold and Silver Crucifixion Rosary Box	Mother of Pearl Rectangular Rosary Box
Gold with Ruby Mary Rosary Box	Our Lady of the Streets Rosary Box

 

To browse our complete selection of rosary boxes and cases, please click here.

We offer a rosary repair service, please click here for more information.

We also make custom rosaries, please click here for information about our custom rosary services.

 

 

Are you a Catholic sports fan or do you know one?! We have a great book, a great gift idea for you! Danny Abramowicz was recently in our area to speak at a diocesan men’s retreat, attended by hundreds of men, and his book was an enormous hit! Danny is an engaging speaker and writer. We recommend the book and we have even discounted it’s already very reasonable price for you. Take a look.

 

Spiritual Workout Of A Former Saint

Author: Danny Abramowicz

 

 

Here’s another great gift idea for Catholic sports fans or Catholic youth who are involved in athletics:

 

 

 

 

Champions of Faith DVD

 

 

 

 

A Special Seasonal Announcement from Aquinas and More Catholic Goods for Autumn and Advent:

2008 Ordos (for each Province and Diocese in the U.S.) are now available, please click here for information.

2008 Calendars are now available, please click here to view our selection.

Christmas cards are now available, please click here to view our selection.

Prayer on the Feast of the Holy Apostles Saint Simon and Saint Jude

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles,

and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray

that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we

may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with

You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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