Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, virgin and martyr

October 20 – feast day

Magdalene was born in 1611 near Nagasaki, Japan, the daughter of devout Christian parents.
While she was still young her mother, father, and siblings were martyred for the faith. In 1624 she
became acquainted with two Augustinians, members of the Recollect Congregation, Francis of Jesus and
Vincent of Saint Anthony, and was attracted by their deep spirituality.

She became an Augustinian tertiary, teaching catechism to the young, seeking alms for the poor,
encouraging her people in times of persecution. When these two friars were martyred, she placed
herself under the spiritual guidance of two other Augustinians who eventually also received the crown
of martyrdom. In 1629 she sought refuge in the hills of Nagasaki, sharing the sufferings of her fellow
Christians, baptizing the young and visiting the sick. Because many Christians were renouncing their faith
in the face of torture, she decided to encourage them through her own acceptance of persecution.

In September 1634, dressed in the habit of a tertiary, she turned herself in to the anti-Christian
civil authorities. In October of that same year she was subjected to the torture of the pit for 13 days. On
the last day the pit was filled with water and she was drowned. Her body was burned and her ashes
were dispersed to prevent the Christians from having any relics of her. Magdalene was beatified in 1981
and canonized by John Paul II on October 18, 1987.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Saint Magdalene followed
the example of Jesus by accepting physical suffering in order to strengthen the spiritual resolve of her
fellow Christians. She is a convincing example of a young person totally devoted to the Gospel and the
service of others, whose love for God and neighbor knew no limit.
Mary, our Mother of Consolation

September 4 – feast day

The title of Our Mother of Consolation has been the principal devotion to Mary within the Order
at least since the 17th Century. Its origin among the Augustinians is directly tied to the life of Saints
Monica and Augustine who are commonly depicted together with the figures of Mary and the Child
Jesus in renditions of the image.

The other title of the devotion is Our Lady of the Cincture. According to tradition, Monica,
immersed in sorrow because of the death of her husband and the waywardness of her son, was granted
a vision of Mary and the Child Jesus, who sought to offer her comfort or consolation.

Mary handed her a leather cincture which she asked Monica to wear as a continual reminder of
her presence and thus, a visible sign of encouragement. From that moment Monica wore the cincture
and, after his conversion, recommended it also to her son as an indication of Mary's abiding protection.
Thus, by this same tradition, it became historically, the principal and common symbol for all who follow
Augustine's Rule.

The various titles by which the Order venerates Mary - Help, Grace, Good Counsel, and
Consolation - all suggest an understanding of the Mother of God as benefactress or patroness of her
people, as one who responds to the many needs which humanity experiences. Mary is truly mother and
sister to us, because as faithful disciple of her Son, she learned well the lessons of selfless love and
generous service. As Mother of Consolation she is particularly near to those in need of companionship
and comfort.