André de Soveral was born in Brazil around the year 1572. After his schooling, he became a Jesuit novice around the age of 21 and studied Latin, moral theology, and the Indios language. After training at a catechetical center he was sent off to his first missionary assignment, then later Fr. André became a diocesan priest assigned to a parish. When Dutch Calvinists invaded the region and began persecuting Catholics, Fr. André continued to serve his parish. In 1645 he was celebrating Mass for 69 parishioners when a group of Indios led by the Dutch emissary came in, blocked the exits, and brutally martyred Fr. André and the parishioners.
CHALLENGE
Blessed André de Soveral simply did the ordinary well: he spread the Gospel, he brought people into the faith, and he brought the sacraments—especially the Eucharist—to the people around him without fear of the consequences. Whether in remote villages or downtown parishes, the Church simply cannot function without her priests. Today, thank your parish priest for undertaking the rigors of his vocation and pray a Rosary for all priests.
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