23 Apr – Memorial for St. George, martyr; Memorial for St. Adalbert, bishop & martyr
St. George (d. 304) was a soldier who was martyred for his faith. That’s all we know for sure.
Several stories have been attached to St. George, the best known of which is the ‘Golden Legend’. In it, a dragon lived in a lake near Silena, Libya. Whole armies had gone up against this fierce creature, and had gone down in painful defeat. The monster ate two sheep each day; when mutton was scarce, lots were drawn in local villages, and maidens were substituted for sheep. Into this country came St. George. Hearing the story on a day when a princess was to be eaten, he crossed himself, rode to battle against the serpent and killed it with a single blow with his lance. George then held forth with a magnificent sermon, and converted the locals. Given a large reward by the king, George distributed it to the poor, then rode away.
Due to his chivalrous behaviour (protecting women, fighting evil, dependence on faith and might of arms, largesse to the poor), devotion to St. George became popular in Europe after the 10th century. In the 15th century, his feast day was as popular and important as Christmas. Many of his areas of patronage have to do with life as a knight on horseback. The celebrated ‘Knights of the Garter’ are actually ‘Knights of the Order of St. George’. The shrine built for his relics at Lydda, Palestine, was a popular point of pilgrimage for centuries.
He is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
- Patron Saint Index
St. Adalbert (957–997) was born to the Bohemian nobility. He took the name of St. Adalbert of Magdeburg, the archbishop who healed, educated and converted him. He became Bishop of Prague (in the modern Czech Republic) on Feb 10, 982. He was a friend of Emperor Otto III.
Adalbert encouraged the evangelization of the Magyars, and worked on it with St. Astricus. He was opposed by the nobility in Prague and unpopular in the area, so he withdrew to Rome, Italy and became a Benedictine monk, making his vows on Apr 17, 990. But Pope John XV sent him back to Prague anyway.
He founded the monastery of Brevnov, met more opposition from the nobility and returned to Rome. There being no hope of his working in Prague, he was allowed to (unsuccessfully) evangelise in Pomerania, Poland, Prussia, Hungary and Russia. He and his fellow missionaries were martyred by Prussians near Koenigsberg or Danzig at the instigation of a pagan priest. Not long before his death, Adalbert met and was a great inspiration to St. Boniface of Querfurt.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 8:26-40
Jn 6:44-51
“…and I will raise him up at the last day.”
At a recent core group meeting, one of my ministry heads remarked, “Wow. It looks like the Lord seems to have multiplied your time this year.” This was in reference to a decision I had made at the end of 2025 about continuing to serve in a particular retreat as well as to commit to our regular 2nd Saturday overnight vigils. Then, during a recent peer coaching chat, a fellow coach helped me to ‘unpack’ the decision I had made at the start of the year and it dawned on me how I have been managing to find even more time this year to serve the Lord, yet not feel unduly overwhelmed (compared to previous years).
Looking back, two words stood out for me – perseverance and intentionality. I had gone through a period of self-doubt and was questioning myself (and my motives), to the point of considering taking a sabbatical from ministry work. But, while serving in a retreat last year, He kept prompting me to persevere. The bible verses that He kept feeding me were a source of encouragement and, in the end, I decided to surrender my time this year to Him. Lo and behold, and in His time, He gifted me with the opportunities to continue serving Him; even adding on more responsibilities through another retreat, which I co-led in early March.
Once I had made the decision to be more intentional with my time, and hence, to be less ‘reactive’ and ‘accomodating’, it gave me the time to be more prepared. For the sessions I would be leading, to organising practices for vocalists, and…to spending more time with Him in the adoration chapel. I know that on my own strength, there is no way I would have been able to take on this current load. Yet, somehow, I am able to find more time these days to spend with those who matter to me.
The psalmist today cries out with joy and blesses our Lord for not withholding His love and for keeping him from stumbling. Looking back, it felt that I was literally stumbling through a fair bit of last year. This time round, being a lot more intentional with my time (and my intentions), I know that I am allowing Him to lead and guide me through what is a milestone year for me. Of this, I am 100% convinced and convicted – because it is God who gives life to my soul, who gives me a voice to cry out with high praise ready on my tongue — with new songs, new words, with a renewed zeal and fervour.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus rose from death to give us life. He rose so that WE, His Easter people, will rise with our heads held high, with voices always ready to praise Him. He rose so that we would proclaim the Good News to all who encounter us. Last year, I reflected on this same set of readings and chose to focus on Jesus’ silence. Today, I choose to ‘cry out with joy’ at how He has released me from doubt and from anxiety.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: We pray for You to enter into our lives again and to help us renew our commitment to serving in your vineyard as we, your branches, cling to the vines of life, of hope and of love that you provide.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for always being the source of life and love, of joy and of peace.
OXYGEN 
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