November 29 | Blessed Denis of the Nativity & Blessed Redemptus of the Cross

Born: 1600 (Denis), 1598 (Redemptus)

Died: 1638

Nationality: French (Denis), Portuguese (Redemptus)

Attributes: cross and daggers

Beatification: 1900 by Pope Leo XIII

Born in 1600 in France, Blessed Denis became a sailor at the age of twelve. He served as cartographer for the kings of France and Portugal before traveling to India. There, he entered the Discalced Carmelites and became a monk. He made his profession of vows in 1636 and received the name Blessed Denis of the Nativity. He was ordained a priest in 1638. God gave him the gift of contemplation. 

Around the year 1598, Thomas Rodriguez was born in Portugal. He joined the Carmelites as a lay brother and took the name Blessed Redemptus of the Cross. 

In 1638, the ambassador to the sultan of Achén (Sumatra) asked Denis to accompany his delegation for his spiritual counsel as well as maritime expertise. Denis accepted and chose Redemptus for a companion on the voyage to Sumatra. However, after a successful voyage the delegation were soon imprisoned and tortured for their Christian faith. Denis and Redemptus were treated the most brutally in an attempt to force them to renounce their faith and convert to Islam. 

Both were condemned to death. On November 29, 1638, Redemptus died first and Dennis died last so he could strengthen those who were to die before him. He was killed by a sword-blow that split his head in two. 

Blessed Denis of the Nativity and Blessed Redemptus of the Cross, pray for us.