Welcome to the traditional Catholic daily devotional.

Today's Sunday, February 16th, 2025, Septuagesima Sunday, a second-class feast with the color of violet.

In this episode, The Meditation, the Season of Septuagesima.

Today's news from the church, the Vatican and Ukraine,

and today's thought from Archbishop Marcel Lefev. But first, the call-act of today's Mass.

O Lord, we beseech thee, graciously hear the prayers of thy people, that we who are justly punished

for our sins may be mercifully delivered for the glory of thy name.

We'll look at the symbolism of Septu Chezima here in a moment, but let's look at the saint of the day as well.

Born a young noble in the court of Portugal, John de Brito had everything, wealth, status, a future of influence.

But his heart burned for something greater. Inspired by

St. Francis Xavier, he longed to bring the gospel to India. His family resisted. The royal court

objected. Even the papal nuncio tried to stop him. But John's answer was firm. God is calling me to

India. Not to go would be to provoke his justice.

And so he went.

For 14 years he preached in Madura, baptizing thousands despite persecution and suffering.

He was beaten, imprisoned, and banished.

But nothing could keep him away.

He returned, knowing full well the risks.

Then came his final trial. A powerful woman angered that a newly converted king had set her aside,

demanded revenge. Like St. John the Baptist before him, John de Brito was sentenced to die. He was imprisoned, tortured, and finally beheaded. His death in

1693 was not the end. His legacy lived on, and today he is honored as the martyr of India,

a nobleman who laid aside his title to serve Christ and a missionary who never turned back.

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