Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

memorial Ordinary Time

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Revelation 14:14-19

And I saw: and behold a white cloud and upon the cloud one sitting like to the Son of man, having on his head a crown of gold and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat upon the cloud: Thrust in thy sickle and reap, because the hour is come to reap. For the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth: and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire. And he cried with a loud voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying: Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vineyard of the earth, because the grapes thereof are ripe. And the angel thrust in his sharp sickle into the earth and gathered the vineyard of the earth and cast it into the great press of the wrath of God:

Feast Days

Agnes Lê Thi Than Martyr, Laywoman 1781–1841

Saint Agnes Lê Thi Than was a Vietnamese Christian woman born in 1781 in Cochinchina, whose life is remembered with gratitude and reverence in the Church. Living in a time and place where fidelity to Christ could demand great courage, she stands as a witness to steadfast faith and quiet perseverance. Agnes died in 1841, leaving behind the enduring example of a disciple who belonged wholly to the Lord. Honored among the saints, she continues to inspire believers to hold fast to the Gospel in every circumstance. Her feast is celebrated on November 24, and she is especially associated with St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Parish, which bears her name and keeps her memory alive in prayer and devotion.

Andrew Dũng-Lạc Priest, Martyr 1795–1839

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc was born around 1795 to a poor family in Bắc Ninh province in northern Vietnam. When his family moved to Hanoi, the young Trần An Dũng was welcomed by a Catholic catechist who sheltered him, taught him the faith, and led him to baptism, when he received the name Andrew. Drawn to serve Christ more deeply, he was ordained a priest on March 15, 1823. His humble life and fervent preaching brought many to the Church, even as persecution intensified under Emperor Minh Mạng, who outlawed missionaries and demanded public denial of the faith. Arrested in 1835, Father Andrew was ransomed by the faithful and took the name “Lạc” while moving to avoid capture, yet he continued his ministry. In 1839 he was seized again in Hanoi with Father Peter Thí; after imprisonment and torture, both were beheaded on December 21, 1839. Canonized in 1988 among the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, he is venerated as a patron of Vietnam, persecuted Christians, and Vietnamese Catholics. His feast day is November 24.

Firmina Virgin, Martyr 250–400

Saint Firmina is venerated as a third-century Italian virgin and martyr, traditionally born into a noble Roman family, the daughter of Calpurnius, said to have been prefect of Rome. According to ancient tradition, a high official named Olympiadis sought to draw her away from Christ, but Firmina’s steadfast witness instead led to his conversion; for confessing the faith, he suffered martyrdom. Firmina then renounced privilege and withdrew to a life of prayer and hidden holiness, living in seclusion near Amelia in Umbria. During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, she is believed to have sealed her consecration with martyrdom, her victory for Christ symbolized by the palm she is often shown holding. Other traditions place her final witness at Civitavecchia, where devotion to her is especially strong and where miracles are remembered, including the calming of a violent storm at sea through her intercession. Saint Firmina is honored as patroness of Amelia and Civitavecchia. Her feast day is November 24.