ST. SIMON
ST. SIMON
FEAST October 28
LIFE Also called Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Zealot since he may have originally belonged to a vehement sect trying to expel Romans from the area. One of the most obscure among the Apostles of Jesus. Little is recorded of him in Scripture aside from his name. Some claim he was the bridegroom at Cana, where Jesus performed his first recorded miracle.
Evangelized in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Martyred circa 107. Possibly crucified, beheaded, or sawn in half alongside St. Jude.
SYMBOLS St. Simon holds a saw representing his martyrdom and a scroll signifying the Good News he shared.
PATRONAGE sawmen, tanners
SCRIPTURE TO PONDER My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him. Sirach 2:1-6 NRSV
Docile
We know so little about St. Simon’s life, yet we trust that he had a meaningful impact within the Kingdom of God.
Do I sometimes feel that my efforts go unnoticed? What kind of legacy would I like to leave?