Blessed Denis of the Nativity & Blessed Redemptus of the Cross

1600 + 1598 - 1638 - Memorial - November 29

Denis of the Nativity (a.k.a: Dionysius of the Nativity), a priest, was called Pierre Berthelot in the world. He was born in 1600 at Honfleur, France.

Denis was a sailor from the age of twelve, then a pilot-in-chief, cartographer, and cosmographer to the king of Portugal, and to the French court.

He still was a member of the royal court when around the age of 35, Pierre realized that he was called to the religious life. He left all his possessions and he became a Discalced Carmelite in 1635 at Goa, India. With Blessed Redemptus of the Cross, he traveled as a missionary to the king of Achin.

He was ordained in 1638. That same year he was sent on an embassy to Sumatra as both pilot and Chaplin.

Pope Leo XIII beatified him in 1900.

Redemptus of the Cross was called Thomas Rodriguz da Cunha in the world. He was born in 1598 in Portugal. He made his profession in 1615 as a lay brother, with the Discalced Carmelites in Goa, India. With Denis of the Nativity, he traveled as a missionary to the king of Achin.

Pope Leo XIII beatified him in 1900.

While living in the Carmel at Goa, Denis & Redemptus met and formed a friendship. They spent several years together in Carmel and each developed their prayer life and spirituality. In 1638 Denis was asked to serve as pilot for a Portuguese diplomatic mission to Sumatra. After reaching Sumatra, they were both captured and told to deny their Faith. Both refused and were tortured to death on November 29, 1638 on the Malay Archipelago, giving the ultimate witness to their faith in Christ.

Pope Leo XIII beatified this pair of Carmelites in 1900.