Feast of Blessed Denis and Redemptus

The memorial of Blessed Denis and Redemptus is still observed on November 29th within the Discalced Carmelite Calendar.

Collect

O God, 
You led Blessed Denis and Redemptus 
in a wonderful way 
through the perils of the sea 
to the palm of martyrdom. 
Grant that in the midst of the many things of this world 
and the attractions of this life, 
we may remain, through their intercession, 
faithful to death in the confession of your Name. 
This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Lesson iii

Denis of the Nativity was born at Huneflorii in the province of Neustra. His parents trained him in the ways of piety and he responded dutifully to their care. Skilled in the science of navigation, he traveled often to various regions of Europe and America. Journeying to the East Indies, he battled brilliantly against idolatrous nations. Then, enlightened by a calling to the supernatural life, he entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites in the convent of Goa, where he won the admiration of everyone by his example and the regularity of his religious observance. It happened, however, that the government of Portugal wished to send an envoy to Achim, Sultan of Sumatra, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty between the two countries. Because of Denis' skill in navigation, the envoy asked and received permission to take Denis as. His companion. When they reached the island of Sumatra, however, they were bound with chains and taken as captives to the Sultan. The envoy was released but Denis was thrown into prison and tortured in an effort to force him to adopt Mohammedanism. When the torture failed to shake his faith, his head was split open with a sabre and his body pierced with swords, and thus he died a martyr's death.

Redemptus of the Cross, a Portuguese from the town of Paredes, journeyed to the East Indies where he enlisted in the Portuguese army, becoming a commander. Then he took the habit of a lay-brother in the Order of Discalced Carmelites and was sent as companion to Denis to the island of Sumatra where he also, after many torments, received the palm of martyrdom. Pope Leo XIII added Denis of the Nativity and Redemptus of the Cross to the white list of blessed Martyrs.

Taken from the 1966 Discalced Carmelite Proper.