THIRTIETH DOCUMENT

SOLEMN ELEVATION TO THE GLORY OF THE ALTARS OF 663 SAINTS, BY SOLEMN BEATIFICATION AND CANONISATION.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEAST OF CHRIST REPARATOR, AS ALSO THE FEAST OF THE PERPETUAL VIRGINITY OF MARY.

THE INCLUSION IN THE LITANY OF LORETTO OF THE INVOCATION “VIRGIN MOST HUMBLE.”

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We, Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of El Palmar de Troya.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, with the help of the Holy Ghost, taking the sense of the Church, and after the study of historical fact, solemnly proclaim the heroic virtue and life of sanctity of the 663 members, all distinguished, of the Mystical Body of Christ, whom today with jubilation we elevate to the glory of the altars, by means of their Solemn Beatification and Canonisation.

We, as Master and Guide of the Church, give assurance, while pledging our word, of the exemplary lives of these glorious saints.  Among these you will find a majority of holy martyrs of different nations, times and circumstances.  We recall again the high worth of martyrdom, inasmuch as their blood, united with the Most Precious Blood of the Redeemer, falls like a plentiful and purifying rain on the Church, marvelously watering and bringing wonderful freshness to the olive trees in the midst of the great desert.  These lovely green olives are the beauty of our path towards God. We urge you to meditate on this spiritual desert through which God Our Lord desires to lead us.  Indeed, the desert we have to traverse is full of dangers and beasts of prey, not to speak of the dry expanses, because it is very necessary to completely cross the desert in order to achieve sanctity.  Not all follow the identical route.  The Lord leads us individually by different paths within the same desert, all of which implies that this desert is the Church, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, and that the different paths represent the different crosses that the Lord entrusts to each on his path through the desert.  Studying the lives of the saints, you will always find the marvelous desert, since sanctity is not possible apart from this desert, which signifies the one, only and true Church of Christ.  Certainly the desert has its greatest beauty in that tremendous obscurity which we experience in our path towards sanctity, for there are moments when the Lord seems to have abandoned us.  Yet it is only an apparent abandonment, because He never abandons his children.  It is necessary to pass through this apparent abandonment, because Our Lord Jesus Christ, with arms extended on the Cross, experienced profoundly the apparent abandonment of His Father, and thus is perfectly followed the authentic way of the disciples of the Lord, who cannot expect to receive any better treatment than did their Divine Master.  Our Most Holy Redeemer spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, to teach us the hard way we have to go to reach Him.  Of course, after the desert, there follows the way of the cross up to Golgotha.  We should be foolish to attempt to reach Christ without following the way He marked out for us.  Our Divine Saviour puts in the hand of each one a most precious and artistic coin, the fair price to purchase heaven.  Of course, this precious coin has the form of a cross, indispensable for gaining heaven, thus fulfilling the words of the Divine Master:  “Take up thy cross, deny thyself, and follow Me.”

There you see how perfectly is understood the form of this precious coin.  Our Lord puts the coin in our hand, but He leaves the bearer free to invest it.  This precious coin can be turned to salvation or to eternal ruin, depending on how we use our freedom.  Beloved children, we desire to teach you that this marvelous coin grows in value as we wear it out with use. How glorious it will surely be when, at the end of our desert wandering, Our Lord meets us and says:  “My son, give me your coin,” and we reply, “Lord, here is my coin, worn away to nothing, wasted away by all my labours.”  In this majestic encounter, when we return our worn coin that had been our cross, behold the transformation into crown of glory.  Thus we teach that the wear of the coin is apparent, that it is not destroyed, rather that it is transformed,- because the crown of glory is not possible to attain without the cross.  Of course, the coins of each are different, proportioned as they are in weight to the strength of each one, no more, no less.

Beloved children, think and reflect, this coin is not subject to the same commerce as worldly coins.  It is not subject to the official rates of exchange, inasmuch as the bank teller is the Supreme Judge, who will pay the just equivalent to each one.  In this spiritual bank, there are not deceits; no one escapes Divine Justice, nor Him who holds the just scales.  The coin we receive in the form of a cross we have to turn to pure gold and deck with precious pearls.  However we do not find such treasures in the world of commerce and banking, since the precious metals and jewels that adorn the cross are found in the Sacraments.  In order to carry a cross so richly adorned, we need a metal that perfectly alloys, and we find the metal that perfectly blends with the metal of the Sacraments in the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who makes possible this beautiful and mystical alloy.  We can blend the most rich metal called Mary in limitless ways.  For example, as Cyrenean, for who understands crosses better than the Virgin Mary?  Again, as the holy Veronica, to wipe our face during the dolorous way of the cross.  Above all as Mother, most authentically so, since this most beautiful Mother will be on Golgotha, where each of us has to suffer.  Our body will rest in the arms of the Most Holy Virgin Mary.  Very dear children, We teach you that Christ entrusts this coin within a precious case or reliquary, which is precisely the Most Holy Virgin Mary.  It is but logical that when we go to meet Jesus, we return the coin in the same case in which it was received.  If we change the case, the Lord of the mint will not accept the coin, but will throw it to the flames.  Once more we have made clear the universal mediation and universal dispensation of all graces exercised by the Virgin Mary.

In the name of Christ, We say paternally, each of us has received the coin to attain sanctity.

We beseech all the saints we today elevate to the glory of the altars that they be our models and examples for attaining sanctity.

We establish the Feast of Christ Reparator, to be celebrated each year with great solemnity on the 22^nd October, ordaining a proper Mass with preface, sequence, communicants and hanc igitur.

We ordain that the Feast of Christ Reparator be preceded by a vigil, in which fast and abstinence is to be observed according to customary norms.

We proclaim the day of the Feast of Christ Reparator to be a day of pardon, when a most plenary indulgence can be gained by those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, having repented profoundly, confessed and communicated within the customary space of time.

We ardently desire that you penetrate the heart of this Feast, which recalls the principal object of the Passion, Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, since reparation is the principal object of Jesus in His Passion.  We must consider that sins are an infinite offence against God the Father, and that they require infinite reparation, such as Christ accomplished on the Cross and perpetuates on the altar.  Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the Eternal Father was angered against men.  The first thing Our Lord Jesus Christ did was to make reparation to the Father, and in consequence of this infinite Reparation, the precious Redemption comes gratuitously to us.  One ought to distinguish clearly between Reparation and Redemption, making it clear that Reparation is foremost.  Reflecting tranquilly, we find that Reparation was a necessary obligation, which creatures could not attain, since an infinite offence cannot be repaired by those who are not infinite.  Whence is understood the necessity of the incarnation of the Word of God, by which marvelous means, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, with Divine Nature and with Human Nature, by his Passion, Crucifixion and Death, accomplishes perfect Reparation and Redemption.  The Eternal Father could have left Heaven eternally locked against us, and in his just anger left us without Redemption, which consideration clearly shows that Redemption is the effect of infinite Reparation and the complacency of the eternal Father.  This truth shows the urgent need of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, in which is perpetuated the Sacrifice of Reparation on Calvary, which on Calvary was bloody, and on the altar, unbloody.  The logic of this doctrine leads us constantly to insist that Holy Mass is a propitiatory Sacrifice.

We urge you to think and meditate on the world situation in which you find yourselves,- that actually the greater part of humanity is living with its back turned to God, which is to say that the world is headed for perdition, through materialism.  To this state of the world, there is added as consequence the general apostacy and the lack of innumerable Masses required to make reparation to God.  The greatest disaster that could strike the world is the lack of innumerable Masses, since in the Mass, on each altar, is perpetuated the propitiation of reparation that brings abundant graces and blessings on the world.

We establish the Feast of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother, to be celebrated on the 25^th May each year.

We are disposed to proclaim to the whole world the truth that Mary was Virgin at the Birth of Jesus, before His birth and after His birth, because, disgraceful to say, in these apocalyptic times, the enemies of God furiously and satanically attack the perpetual virginity of Mary, under pretext of attaining unity with the Protestant heretics.

In honour of the Virgin Mary, We include in the Litany of Loretto the invocation “Virgin Most Humble” (Virgo humillima), preceding the invocation “Virgo Potens.”  With this addition to the Litany, we jubilantly sing the humility of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who, full of jubilation, exclaimed:  “Ecce Ancilla Domini” (Behold the slave of the Lord).  In this way, the true devotees of Mary shall learn to be humble, knowing that he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

We point out that, including the present Document, we have thus far raised to the glory of the altars the considerable number of 2,147 Saints, who will exercise their powerful intercession to help us in the desert we have to persevere in crossing.

We leave to these saints to speak through the historical accounts that follow.

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1.  Saint Charles of Austria.  When this scion of the glorious line of the Habsburgs was born, few imagined that he was to be the last Austrian Emperor and that one day he would attain the glory of the altars.  Elder son of Archduke Otto of Austria and of Maria Josefa of Saxony, he was born in the castle of Persenburg, 17th August, 1887.  As a child, he showed deep piety, goodness, sense of duty and love of the truth.  One day, while playing in the garden he accidentally damaged a statue of the Blessed Virgin.  This caused him such bitter tears, that for the rest of his life he would venerate with particular devotion all images of the Virgin, in reparation for his unintentional disrespect.  During his youth, he scrupulously guarded his purity.  He would often leave gatherings at the sign of an indecent story.  In 1911, he married Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, who gave him 8 children.  He said to his youthful spouse:  “Now it behooves us to help each other on the road to Heaven.”  He consecrated his family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and with special solemnity celebrated the First Fridays.  As often as possible he assisted at Holy Mass.  He dearly loved his children and devoted all his free time to them.  He prayed thus for them:  “Sweet Saviour, protect my children, keep them safe in body and soul, and let them die rather than commit a mortal sin.”  When the Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Carl had to succeed to the throne of the aged Franz Joseph, who died in November 1916, and his life because a true way of the cross.  The young Emperor, hardly 29 years old, inherited a tremendous burden when, not through his own fault, the empire was involved in the First World War.  Charles suffered deeply to see his people subjected to the ravages of war and did his utmost to alleviate their sufferings.  Wholeheartedly he supported the peace proposals of Pope Saint Benedict XV.  However, masonry had already conspired to make an end of the Catholic Austrian Empire.  The young monarch was obliged to sign a humiliating truce in the iniquitous treaty of Versailles.  The Empire was dismembered and Vienna proclaimed a republic.  A campaign of calumny was loosed against the innocent monarch and he was exiled, taking refuge in Switzerland.  The masons made three attempts to reach an agreement with him in return for his crown.  But to no avail, because, as he said, he could not accept from the devil what God had given him.  He contrived secretly to reach Hungary, where the people received him with great enthusiasm, hoping to re-establish the monarchy.  But he was betrayed by the regent Hortz and handed over to the English, who brought him to Madeira, where his example greatly edified the people of the island.  With heroic patience and submission to the will of God, the holy monarch accepted the cross of exile and the monstrous calumnies of the world press. He generously pardoned his enemies, calumniators, and those who had betrayed him.  He fell ill with pneumonia in March and on the 1^st April, 1922, he died, pronouncing the sweet name of Jesus.  Already in 1923, the preparatory steps towards his beatification were initiated.

2.  Saint Joseph Mindszenty, Primate of Hungary, martyr.  This heroic prince of the Church and glory of the Hungarian nation, was born 29^th March, 1892, in the town of Mindszent.  Ordained in 1915, he assisted in a parish, and later was professor of religion and Latin in Zalaegerszeg.  There he displayed the integrity of his character, boldly denouncing the brief communist dictatorship of Bela Kun in 1919, for which he was jailed.  When set at liberty, he was appointed parish priest at Zalaegerszeg.  There he devoted all his energy for 27 years, forming a model parish and showing himself a true pastor of souls.  In March 1944, he became Bishop of Veszprem, when the Nazis had already occupied Hungary.  He protested strongly against the persecution of the Jews and was imprisoned a second time.  When the Nazis withdrew, Easter 1945, he was released from prison and was able to contemplate the ravages of war.  With his accustomed energy, he set himself to relieve the greatest needs.  In September 1945, he was named Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary.  In such difficult circumstances he accepted the appointment, confiding solely in God and in the valour of his people.  He quickly proved how worthy he was of the trust placed in him by Pope Saint Pius XII the Great.  He was a tower of strength, not only as the valiant religious leader of his diocese, but as well of all Hungary.  Meanwhile, the communists had seized power and, as is their tactic, promised at first to respect the rights of the Church and religious institutions.  However, Mindszenty had studied well communist ideology and tactics and was not deceived.  As the best defence against atheistic materialism, he chose to deepen the spiritual life of the people.  Untiringly he visited his diocese and frequently participated in religious gatherings in other dioceses, speaking to hundreds of thousands of the faithful.  He proclaimed 1947 a Marian Year, and on the tenth anniversary of the Eucharistic Congress of Budapest, he celebrated a grandiose manifestation of faith in the Eucharist.  The communist government observed these things with disapproval and determined to eliminate the prelate.  When Mindszenty, with all the media at his disposal, defended Catholic education , open war was declared against him.  On the 26^th December, 1946, Feast of Saint Stephen Protomartyr, he was imprisoned, and an iniquitous process was initiated against him.  Using every means, physical and psychological, the communists tried to break his will.  Night after night, instead of sleeping, he was made to appear before different judges who took turns.  The guards clubbed him brutally and did everything to humiliate him.  With these measures and with drugs, they contrived for a time to neutralize his personality.  However, Mindszenty had sent, via trusted hands, a letter in which he had previously declared null any confession he might make in those circumstances.  The public trial gook place in February 1949, and he was accused of treason, conspiracy, and illegal trafficking, and was condemned to perpetual prison.  He was put successively in 7 different prisons and devoted the time to prayer and mediation.  His health improved somewhat, and at the beginning of November 1956, with the popular rising against the communist government, he was freed and led in triumph to Budapest.  Only a few days later, the revolt was crushed by the Russian troops.  At the last moment, Mindszenty took refuge in the Embassy of the United State  of America, where he remained for the next 15 years.  During this time he suffered intensely for being condemned to inactivity.  He prayed, meditated, studied and prepared his “Memoirs.”  In 1971, negotiations between the Vatican and the communist government opened the way to go to Vienna.  Then began the last phase of his life.  In spite of his age, he traveled throughout the free world, visiting the Hungarians, confirming their faith, and warning the nations against the threat of communism.  The greatest sacrifice of his life, as he himself said, came when the Vatican requested him to resign his Archbishopric and his Primacy.  After a trip to South America, he died unexpectedly in Vienna, 6^th May, 1975, having submitted to an operation.  His remains were brought to Mariazell, the principal sanctuary of Austria, and his tomb has become the object of pilgrimage.  Miraculous cures have been attributed to his intercession.  Although he did not die directly by martyrdom, he merits the tile of martyr by all he suffered.

3.  Saint Anastasius Hartmann, Bishop.  This great Swiss missionary was born 24^th February, 1803, in a country town in the Canton of Lucerne, to a family of ten children, and was baptized Joseph Alois.  After brilliant studies, he entered the Capuchins with the name Anastasius.  Ordained in 1825, he was, in different houses of the Order, preacher, confessor, master of novices, and professor of Theology.  His great hope was to bring the Gospel to the pagans.  In 1841 he was sent on the Capuchin mission to the Indies.  After two years preparation in Rome, he embarked in 1844 for the mission at Gevalior, and there he soon distinguished himself for extraordinary apostolic zeal.  Two years later, he became Vicar Apostolic in the new Vicariate of Patna.  In 1849, he was provisionally placed in charge of the diocese of Bombay, where grave problems had arisen with the division of the Catholics into three hostile parties.  It was a heavy cross; though by his prudence, energy, heroic fortitude and personal holiness, he solved the difficulties, and Saint Pius IX the Great appointed him Vicar Apostolic of Bombay.  Under his rule, the missions of the area began to flourish in every respect until, in 1858, the Jesuits were placed in charge.  The holy Bishop then traveled to Europe to restore his health and to seek aid for the missions of India.  Everywhere he went he awoke new missionary fervour.  With renewed health and zeal, he returned to Patna, again named Vicar Apostolic by the Holy See.  With every kind of difficulty and danger, amidst hostility, he visited his immense diocese, preaching and administering the Sacraments.  He converted Mohammedans and pagans, and reconciled thousands of schismatics with the Church, erected new mission posts, built churches, founded schools and publications, seminaries and convents of nuns, orphanages and homes for girls in danger and for widows.  He translated the New Testament into Hindustani and wrote a catechism and other works in 7 languages.  In his person were united indomitable energy and a goodness of heart for all those in need.  He lived as poor as a son of Saint Francis, laboured as an apostle, suffered like a martyr, and died a saint, 24^th April, 1866.  His cause of beatification was introduced in 1906.

4.  Saint Ezekiel Moreno Diaz, Bishop.  Son of a humble and pious family, he was baptized 10^th April, 1848, in the parish Alfaro.  At 15, he entered the Augustinian Recollects at Monteagudo.  He was sent to the Philippines before finishing his studies.  Ordained priest, his first assignment was to a military camp, in an unhealthy and burning climate, where he attended the soldiers with extraordinary zeal.  At 25, he returned to Manila, gravely ill, and was appointed Provincial Superior, already enjoying a reputation for sanctity.  In 1885, he was called to Spain as Rector of the College of the Order at Monteagudo.  Three years later, he was sent to Colombia to re-establish the Province of the order, after its expulsion by the anticlerical government.  In the shortest space of time, he won the veneration of the people of Bogota by his apostolic zeal.  In 1893, Saint Leo XIII the Great named him Vicar Apostolic of Casanare, a vast territory of the Eastern plains.  In constant poverty and burning climate, he organized ecclesiastical life.  At the end of 1895, he was named Bishop of Pasto, a diocese in the South-west.  The journey on horseback was a month of hardships.  In Pasto, the well organized diocese was quick to observe the holiness of the new bishop.  He was kind yet firm, intransigent with error, charitable towards all.  He had compassion for the sufferings of others, but not for his own.  Infirmity accompanied him constantly, yet he carried on with his work.  Besides enduring the hardships of his pastoral visits in a diocese that reached from the high ranges of the Andes to the torrid areas of the Pacific coast, his spirit of penitence urged him on to greater mortification, hairshirts, disciplines, etc.  Because of his bold and untiring fight against anti-religious ideas, the enemies of the Church did not desist from attacking the holy prelate with calumnies and in pamphlets.  Nor did the saintly prelate tire in defence of the faithful, who admired and loved him.  At the beginning of 1906, a cancer of the nose, palate and then the brain obliged him to return to Spain, where he twice submitted to painful surgery without anesthetic.  He did not complain amidst the most severe sufferings, but remained serene.  He gave up his heroic soul to God, 19^th August, 1906, and was beatified by Saint Paul VI, martyr, in 1975.

5.  Saint Thomas Frederick Price.  He was born 19^th August 1860, in North Carolina.  His parents were converts of great virtue, and on becoming acquainted with this family, Saint Pius IX the Great had referred to it as “the Holy Family.”  Like his mother, Thomas had the deepest devotion towards the Immaculate Virgin.  He was the first ordained priest from North Carolina.  He missioned to an extensive district, exercising an exhausting apostolate for 24 years, visiting his scattered Catholics, celebrating Holy Mass, preaching with impressive simplicity and sincerity.  He loved poverty and lived austerely.  He built churches and schools, preached missions, published a periodical called “Truth,” and never ceased doing good.  He established an orphanage, hoping that it would one day produce vocations.  The mission of North Carolina produced fruit, though not as Father Price had hoped, and he turned to another mission.  In collaboration with Father James Walsh, future missionary Bishop, with the support of all the North American Bishops and of Saint Pius X, he founded the “Missionary Society of Maryknoll.”  The holy founder laboured tirelessly in his foundation and left it a heritage called the “Spirit of Maryknoll,” which was his own joy, making every burden sweet and light.  He desired to work on the foreign missions, and at the age of 58 he came to China.  Although he could not speak the language, his presence was an inspiration to the missionaries, and the Chinese, who loved him, called him the “holy priest.”  He lived only a short time in China and died 12^th September 1919, Feast of the Sweet Name of Mary.

6.  Saint Matthew Crawley-Boevey.  He was born on the 18^th November, 1875, in Tingo (Peru), of an English father and Peruvian mother.  He studied at the College of the Sacred Hearts at Valparaiso (Chile), where he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, being ordained in 1898.  A zealous propagator of the Christian social apostolate, he founded in 1903 the Catholic University of Valparaiso.  He suffered a breakdown, arid was cured in the Chapel of the Apparition of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial (France), where he felt the inspiration to inaugurate a world crusade for the social reign of the Sacred Heart, by means of the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home. W ith the support of Saint Pius X, and later of his successors, Father Matthew preached with extraordinary success in the whole world. Through giving retreats, he brought his influence to more than 100,000 priests and religious. He preached ardently on the merciful love of the Divine Heart, attaining the conversion of a multitude of hardened sinners. Saint Pius XI the Great, asked him to preach Catholic Action in Italy.  His worldwide crusade notably influenced family life, and at times national life.  Despite his infirmities, Saint Matthew continued preaching generously the love of the Divine Heart.  He was always faithful to his priestly duties, the three vows of religion, and two additional vows:  to exert himself always to achieve sanctity, and to abandon himself completely to Divine Providence.  Saint Matthew Crawley- Boevey offered the sufferings of his last 14 years for the reign of the Sacred Heart. He died in Valparaiso, 4th May, 1960.

7.  Saint Solanus Casey.  Bernard Francis Casey was born in a log cabin near Prescot, Wisconain, 25th November, 1870.  He was the 6^th of ten sons and six daughters of a patriarchal family whose parents had emigrated from Ireland.  In the heart of this farming family of deep faith, Bernard grew in piety and habits of diligence, as in a school of sanctity.  At the age of 17 he sought work to help the family, until in 1891 he was able to begin ecclesiastical studies.  In 1896 he entered the Capuchins with the name Solanus.  He had difficulties with his studies, but his religious observance was so edifying that he was ordained in 1904 at the age of 33. Because of academic incompetence, he did not receive faculties to preach or hear confession, but he fulfilled the duties of a lay-brother. For more than 50 years he fulfilled the office of porter in various houses of New York and Detroit, and was sacristan also. There in his office at the house gate he exercised a marvelous apostolate among souls, who came in numbers seeking the counsel and consolation of the holy porter. He always had time to listen. He spoke few words, but his simple remarks were frequently, even daily, followed by miracles, cures, conversions, and always spiritual consolation.  The holy Capuchin attracted souls through his simplicity and was a marvelous representative of the primitive Franciscan spirit.  He loved the missions, and offered the sufferings of his last illness for the conversion of the world.  He died 31^st July, 1957, at the age of 86 years.

8.  Saint Johannes Baptista Reus.  The life of this saint was not remarkable for outward show, rather for the extraordinary depth of interior life. He was born 10^th July 1868, in Pottenheim (Germany) in a very pious family.  After receiving an academic degree, he served for a year in the army, where he became an officer. He did not desire a military career, since he felt called to the priesthood. In 1893 in Bamberg, he was ordained and laboured zealously for a year as assistant priest in a parish. However, in his desire to attain sanctity, and with this purpose, he entered the Society of Jesus, which has given so many saints to the Church.  In the novitiate, as spiritual father, he had the Servant of God, William Eberschweiler.  In 1900, he was sent to Brasil, where he spent the remaining 47 years of his life, in various houses in the south of this immense country. He discharged various offices, prefect, professor, superior, parish priest, spiritual father of seminaries, and so forth, always with the most perfect obedience. There were no extraordinary happenings, nor unusually successful accomplishments, only that in all his assignments he served God and man with the most generous devotion. He had taken a special vow always to do what is more perfect, and he accomplished this with all the integrity of his strong character, never seeking his own preference or satisfaction, but rather that of God. God rewarded his generosity in truly divine fashion, with every kind of mystical grace and favour.  The saint was by nature sober and reserved, and had little trust in extraordinary things.  Nevertheless, for 40 years, he found himself so frequently flooded with graces of Divine love, that he could not offer resistance.  He was favoured with mystical marriage, and received the stigmata invisibly in reply to his prayer to suffer with Christ. With the eyes of the spirit, he saw the supernatural, especially when celebrating Holy Mass. These graces were largely hidden from those who lived with him. Only his superiors became somewhat acquainted with the extraordinary interior life of Father Reus. He was obliged under obedience to write down all his divine favours, which the holy priest declared was the greatest humiliation of his life. During the years, he wrote more than 1,000 pages. He did not receive Messages, strictly speaking, but his life forms an eloquent message, especially for priests, and shows how God is never outdone in generosity to those who give themselves up wholeheartedly. God called him to eternal glory on the 21^st July, 1947, and his body was interred in the Jesuit cemetery at San Leopoldo. His grave at once became a place of pilgrimage, and the extraordinary favours received through his intercession have been innumerable. The process of beatification was begun in 1953.

9.  Saint.Joseph Passerat.  Joseph Armanda Constantine Fidele Passerat was born in Joinville (Haute-Marne, France), 30^th April 1772, of parents distinguished for their profound faith and piety.  Joseph conserved his innocence from childhood, and on his death-bed was able to say: "I have never committed a mortal sin".  He lived during the French revolution, and during the subsequent war with Austria, judging that God had greater rights over him than the state, he escaped from the army and went to Germany to find a seminary where he could study for the priesthood. Because of the heresies generally taught in the German seminaries of the time, he entered the Redemptorist house at Warsaw, founded by Saint Clement Hofbauer, who was then superior. The saint recognized the great worth of his postulant, and after the ordination of Joseph in 1797, wrote of him to Saint Alphonsus Liguori, saying that Father Passerat was the “first among the best," a "man of eminent sanctity and virtue."  The new priest received offices of high responsibility, and as favourite son of Saint Clement was to receive with him the title of "Illustrious propagator of the family of Alphonsus." Father Passerat founded a monastery in the diocese of Constanz, living in absolute poverty, the inspiration for all of the marvelous primitive spirit of the sons of Saint Alphonsus. Living under the constant persecution of that time, he accomplished an exhausting apostolate throughout the region.  When the Redemptorists were expelled, the holy superior and heroic community began their wanderings on foot through Switzerland seeking a home.  Repeatedly the persecution returned to expel them from their home, and each time they took up their baggage and set out on foot. They even crossed the snow-covered mountains in winter.  But they always left behind a Catholic life renewed by their example of holiness and apostolic zeal. The fervent Redemptorists experienced in a special way hatred, pillage, expulsion and the destruction of their monasteries, but the holy superior felt no bitterness towards his enemies, only the joy of being persecuted as was the Divine Master. In 1820 an extraordinary providence enabled him to found a house in Vienna, and shortly commenced the foundation of houses in Belgium, Holland, Bavaria, England, Lisbon, the United States of America. At the revolution of 1846, the saint was brutally expelled from Austria with his community, and he came to Belgium, there to pass the rest of his life. A man of deep and constant prayer, Saint Joseph Passerat shone with a personal sanctity that was the foundation for the transalpine Congregation of the Redemptorists and of its extension further abroad. Full of years, suffering illness and spiritual desolation amidst heavenly favours, Saint Joseph Passerat, great lover of the Blessed Sacrament, of Mary and Joseph, died on the 30^th October, 1857.

10.  Saint Thomas of the Virgin.  He was born in Villanueva de los Infantes (Ciudad Real, Spain) at the beginning of January, 1587, called in the world Rodrigo de Bustos y Sanchez, of parents eminently Christian. His father was a near relative of Saint Thomas of Villanueva. The child had the most tender devotion to the Most Holy Virgin, and practised a deep and simple piety. He was not at all gifted and remained behind in his studies.  At 19 he was received by Juan Bautista de la Concepcion, founder of the new reform of the Discalced Trinitarians, who recognized in Rodrigo a spirit full of God, and gave him the name of Thomas of the Virgin. Turning completely from the world, the new religious became in a few months a consummate master of the spiritual life. One day while praying with the community in choir, he tried to hide the divine favours he was receiving and did himself so great violence that 5 veins burst in his chest, with great loss of blood and high fever. So commenced the mysterious illnesses that Thomas bore to his death. In spite of his deficient studies, and the impossibility now of his studying, the Lord, who had called him to the priesthood so manifestly, filled him with all the gifts necessary, including infused knowledge. His sufferings did not leave him for a single day, and the holy priest had to confine himself to his bed in his very narrow cell. For more than 50 years, Saint Thomas of the Virgin accomplished from his bed of suffering a most fruitful apostolate towards every class of person, those who daily passed through his cell. There he dissipated tears, sorrows and afflictions. How many conversions, how many prodigies and mystical graces! The venerable invalid shone with the loftiest virtues of love, patience, humility and obedience, which Saint Pius VII declared to be heroic. In his lovable manner of speech he would communicate his own devotion to the Adorable Trinity. In his humility he knew how to give severe corrections with fatherly tenderness and a sweetness that won the heart of the sinner. When the longed-for hour of death arrived, Saint Thomas of the Virgin summoned his brethren and sweetly expired, the 7th October, 1647.

11.   Saint_Luigi Gentili.  He was born 14th July, 1801, the first of ten children of a good Christian family of Rome. He was a brilliant student, and achieved notable academic distinctions. Despite great worldly ambition and immense popularity in the elegant society of Rome, he was always a practising Catholic, of tender devotion towards the Blessed Virgin. He suffered a series of disappointments, was impressed by the vanity of this life, converted from all worldliness, and dedicated his great gifts of mind and heart to the life of perfection. Acquainted with the famous priest, Father Anthony Rosmini, who had recently founded the Institute of Charity, Luigi entered the Institute and was ordained in 1830.  He had given, during the years of preparation, a deep impression of holiness, austere observance and Marian devotion. The great apostolate of Father Gentili. was in England and Ireland, and coincided with the Restoration of Catholicism in the two nations. His personality and holy energy stands out among all the celebrated ecclesiastics of that time. The impact of his sermons and his sanctity actually gave to the awakening Catholicism of the two countries its proper impulse and direction. Father Gentili introduced the 40 hours, the yearly parish mission, Eucharistic processions, the Month of May, the wearing of the clerical collar, in fact the very practices which were to come from the Catholic traditions of England and Ireland.  He confronted all opposition with holy intrepidity, confounding the enemies and confirming the vacillating. He worked with all his strength to allay the hunger in Ireland, thus winning all hearts. When he died in Dublin, 26th September, 1848, he was universally mourned by the people, who said at once, "The Saint is dead".  He is buried in Dublin.

12.  Saint-Rupert Mayer.  Nothing is more characteristic of this great apostle that the words of Saint Paul:  “I have made myself all things to all men". He was born 23rd January, 1876, in a Catholic family of strong faith in Stuttgart (Germany). After receiving an excellent formation, he was ordained in 1899. The following year, in order better to serve God and the Church, he entered the Society of Jesus.  Worthy son of Saint Ignatius, he laboured first as a popular missionary and helped to found a community of sisters for the sanctification of the family.  When war broke out in 1914, he volunteered as military chaplain, distinguishing himself for his untiring zeal and fearlessness in danger. Thus he lost a leg, and for the remaining 30 years of his life, used an artificial leg.  His future apostolate lay in Munich.  In this large city he fulfilled every kind of apostolate with tireless zeal and complete self-denial.  He preached as often as 70 times in a month, spent hours and hours in the confessional, directed the great Marian Congregation for men organized by the Caritas movement, attended those without number who sought counsel or help, material or spiritual, meanwhile reducing his own needs to a minimum. His extraordinary zeal merits him the title of "Apostle of Munch". He saw the rise of the evil national socialism of Hitler. He quickly observed its anti-Christian character and began valiantly to oppose it in sermons and lectures. He was several times imprisoned but was not to be intimidated, and was put into a concentration camp. Even there, he contrived to give spiritual help to his companions. His enemies did not wish to make him a martyr, so they confined him to the Abbey of Ettal, where he lived for four years in complete isolation, under custody. Hardly had he been set free at the end of the war, when he resumed his Munich apostolate for some months, until death surprised him during the celebration of Holy Mass, at the moment when he began to preach on the Eucharist, fount of all sanctity. It was the Feast of All Saints, 1^st November, 1945. The translation of his remains to the Church of the Marian Congregation became the most grandiose manifestation in the history of Munich.

13.  Saint Joseph Johannes Bader.  Called the "Holy Cure of Ars of the region of Baden", he was born 6^th November, 1807 in Friburg of Breslau. His mother, Maria Mosch of Frick (Switzer land), was a decisive influence in his religious formation.  In contrast to the Cure of Ars, Joseph was highly gifted. While he was studying theology in company with Saint Alban Stolz at the University of Friburg, he acquired 5 new languages.  After ordination in 1830, he was professor at various colleges. He did not content himself with teaching only the subject matter, but penetrating the supernatural basis, he tried to educate his students above all, for an authentic Christian life. His reputation as counselor and confessor attracted both young and old, and he became the moot sought-out father confessor of Friburg. The civil authorities and the clergy of the time, imbued as they were with rationalism, became alarmed, and he was forbidden to hear confessions. As he continued to attend his penitents at their homes, he was removed from his office, after having taught for 15 years. The unjust action was providential, as he became parish priest at Neusatz, where he worked for 21 years like a second Cure d'Ars. He preached with a supernatural power that none could resist. His fame as confessor spread throughout the land, and even abroad, and from everywhere there came penitents. He occupied the confessional for many hours of day and night. He anticipated Pope Saint Pius X by 50 years, introducing frequent and early Communion for children in his parish. He celebrated divine cults with all splendor. Frequently he spent the whole night before the Tabernacle. He was a born catechist, wrote a book of devotions, and a popular catechism. He gave himself to works of charity, and initiated what later would be called Catholic Action. In order to have perpetual adoration in the Parish, and to continue works of charity, he founded a community of religious with this two-fold object. He had much to suffer from government authorities and from certain priests because he bravely fought against the errors of rationalism and liberalism, which prevailed in those days. After heroically suffering a painful illness, he died on Tuesday of Holy Week, 16^th April, 1867, and at his funeral on Good Friday was manifest the tremendous devotion of the people.

14.  Saint Appollinaire Morel, martyr.  This holy martyr, one of the numerous victims of the French revolution, was born 12^th June, 1739, in a village of the Canton of Fribourg. At 23 years he entered the Capuchins, and was ordained in 1764. He spent 10 years labouring zealously in the cure of souls. In 1774, he was named Lector in Philosophy and Theology at Fribourg, and was later director of the College of Stans. His great desire was to go on the missions among the pagans, and for this end he was sent first to Paris. Once there, he was provisionally given the cure of souls of German-speaking Catholics, at that time some 5 thousand persons. And there he was caught up in the bloody events of the French revolution. He opposed the anti-Christian constitution with valour, and refused to take the oath condemned by the Holy See. After prison and maltreatment, he heroically accepted martyrdom, the 2nd September, 1792. Beatified by Saint Pius XI, the Great in 1926.

15.  Saint David Garcia Muga.  Bernardo Garcia Muga was born on the 20^th August, 1913, near Burgos (Spain). In 1924, he entered the Congregation of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Renteria, Guipuzcoa. In 1929, he was professed, and continued his studies until the end of 1932, when he was sent to the Argentine republic, taking perpetual vows there in 1934. Brother David dearly loved his adopted country, to which he generously gave his heart of apostle. He was teacher and professor of youth.  He doctored in Philosophy, letters and economic science. He even became a master of the organ. To his exceptional gifts was united great Christian virtue.  In 1967 he was given two months to live. The holy brother, of profound faith and love for the Virgin, recommended himself to the Blessed Virgin of Carmen of Garabandal, promising that if she would restore his health, he would dedicate the rest of his life to the diffusion of her Messages. To the amazement of the doctors, he recovered, and traveled to Garabandal.  'When he returned, he began to preach.  He gave hundreds of conferences in the country and elsewhere. He founded 'Difusora Mariana Argentina', the White Legion of Our Lady of Carmen, and the Cenacles of Prayer. Thanks to his intrepid faith, he initiated and bore forward a Marian movement in Spanish America. He supported his sufferings with great patience, and on the morning of his death in Buenos Aires, the 11^th June, 1974, he had taken leave of the sister who had attended him, saying: "Today I go to Heaven, Sister. Thank you for all you have done for me.”

16.  Saint Kostka Wasel.  Joseph Wasel was born 28th March, 1868, in Albrath, in a poor dwelling of shepherds, near Grevenbroich, of the diocese of Cologne (Germany).  In his family the Blessed Trinity was venerated in a very special way. All the children received a painstaking Christian education. One day, the child confided to his mother that frequently he adored the Three Divine Persons. Years later, he confided to his spiritual director that from early childhood he saw, in an "interior light", the Blessed Trinity.  After elementary schooling, he worked to help the family, and everywhere he left a pleasing impression of diligence and seriousness. He prayed much, felt the call to religion, and in 1896, God led him providentially to the Society of the Divine Word in Steyl (Holland), where the founder, Saint Arnold Janssens, received him as a lay-brother with the name Kostka. The holy lay-brother began religious life with a new office, which he learned to perfection,- that of cook. He was never sent on the missions, but he was missionary in spirit, in his devotion to duty and penance. At the College of Saint Vendelin (Rhine), where he spent his long life, he found in the young future missionaries the presence of Jesus, and as though in another Holy Family, regarded them with paternal solicitude, giving them the love of Saint Joseph. Later, when he managed the bookshop, he exercised a vast influence on all who met him. He felt that God was asking him to repair the sins of men, and he offered himself as a victim, doing great penance for the conversion of the pagans. He used the discipline, hairshirts, chains with sharp points, and watched at the Tabernacle hours of the night, all in secret as, with his accustomed serenity, he fulfilled his ordinary duties of the day. At each Holy Mass, he saw with the eyes of the spirit all the scenes of the Passion as they are related in the Holy Gospels. He saw them too when he prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. He said to his father director: "I vividly perceive that the Holy Mass is the renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross. I see that the flagellation and crowning with thorns truly pertain to the Sacrifice of the Cross as well as to Holy Mass."  A certain brother said: "I do not understand brother Kostka. He never moves during Holy Mass."  The reason for this recollection remained hidden from him and from the rest. The college suffered great trials during the wars. Saint Kostka fulfilled his duties to the extent his infirmities permitted, until a general collapse kept him permanently in bed. He died on the 1^st December, 1946, at the age of 78.

17.   Saint Frederick Jansoone.  Frederick Cornelius was born on the 19^th November, 1838, in Ghyvelde, a village of French Flanders, of farming parents, who gave him a careful Christian education.  During his life, Frederick continued to hold his mother in reverence, a woman of exceptional piety and virtue. When his father died, Frederick had to interrupt his studies, but on the death of his mother, he entered the Franciscans, keeping the name of Frederick. After fervent preparation, he was ordained on 17th August, 1870. During the war, heroically he assisted the wounded and those afflicted with contagious diseases. After an apostolate of preaching, he received permission to mission in the Holy Land. For 12 years he accomplished a stupendous work of construction and diplomacy, and received the highest Franciscan dignity of Vicar Custodial. At the same time he was the zealous Franciscan missionary, man of prayer and exemplary observance. He passed the last years of his life in Canada, where he came in 1888, definitively to remain. He was witness of the prodigy of the Image of the Virgin, and initiated the great work of Our Lady of the Rosary of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, for 14 years the great apostle of the Virgin. After a long life, as contemplative as it was active, Saint Frederick Jansoone died in Montreal, 4^th August 1917, at the age of 77.

18.  Saint Charles of Saint Andrew Houben.  Andrew Houben was born the 11^th December, 1821, in the village of Munstergeleen (Limburg, Holland) in a farming family which, during the protestant reform, had tenaciously conserved the traditional faith. The family began the day with prayer, and at night recited the Rosary before the image of the Blessed Virgin. As an old man, Andrew writes to a brother:  "Thanks be to God for having given us such good and virtuous parents." Young Andrew knew two roads, one that led to the school, the other to church. He had great difficulty with his studies, but he also had the tenacity of his people. He wished to be a priest, and he persevered in his studies and in long hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. In 1845, he presented himself at the Passionist monastery near Tournai (Belgium), founded by Saint Dominic Barberi 5 years before, and entered with the name Charles of Saint Andrew. His character, serious but amiable, gained the affection of all. He was ordained in 1850, and shortly afterwards sent on the English mission. There, in an atmosphere hostile to Catholicism, he experienced contempt, ridicule, and the violence of protestant ruffians. Above all, he felt the misery of the Irish immigrants, who had fled from the hunger in the country, dominated by anti-Catholic landlords. He ministered day and night to the immigrants, going on foot everywhere to encounter those he called 'my people'. In 1857, he was sent to Dublin, to Mount Argus, the first Passionist foundation in Ireland where recently had died the superior Saint Paul Mary of Saint Michael Archangel. Saint Charles was not an elegant preacher, but a physician of souls. He had a horror of mortal sin, which he communicated to the innumerable penitents who came to his confessional. He was horror-struck at the thought of souls who do not confess, and thus he was able to attain the conversion of the most hardened sinners. He had also the gift of curing sicknesses. Daily he received pilgrims from all parts, including America, England and Australia, and gave each an individual blessing. Wherever he appeared the people would recognize him, and knelt to receive his blessing. This was quite painful for the humble religious, who only wished to fulfill his ministry and follow the austere life of the Passionists. He spent long hours before the Tabernacle, and during his last years he bore with perfect resignation the great sufferings of his illnesses. He died on the 5^th January, 1893, and for 5 days, there came many thousands of 'his people' of Ireland to "poor old Charlie,” as he had called himself, to venerate this "Knight of the Crucified", as he was called by others.

19.  Saint Konrad Scheuber von Altsellen.  This holy Swiss, grandson of the Father of Switzerland, Saint Nicholas von Flue, followed the footsteps of his holy grandfather.  He too was born in a country family of a mountain village of Nidwalden. His father was Johann Scheuber, and his mother Dorotea was the eldest daughter of Saint Nicholas.  He was born in 1481, at a time when his grandfather enjoyed great prestige among his compatriots for having freed the country from a fatal civil war. At the age of 6, he accompanied his mother to the death-bed of his grandfather and received an impression never to be forgotten.  Like his grandfather, he lived in the country with his family of two daughters.  As a soldier, he fought in defence of his country and of the Catholic religion, since the Protestant reformation had begun under the influence of Zwingli, and the Protestant cantons sought by force of arms to impose their heresy on the Cantons of central Switzerland, that had remained faithful to Catholicism. With an army of 24,000, the Protestants advanced against the Catholics with only 10,000. In the celebrated battle of Gudel, the Catholics gained a decisive and crushing victory, taking 21,000 prisoners, and losing no more than 10 men. Saint Konrad was a man of peace, and hated war, but as captain of his men, he was a valiant soldier. For his integrity, prudence and exemplary life, he was chosen for public office, although he had little formation. In spite of himself, he had to accept the highest office of 'Landammann,’ and became a true father of his people. At the age of 63, with his daughters married, and with the permission of his spouse, following the example of his holy grandfather, he went to pass the rest of his days as a hermit. He went to the same gorge of Ranft, sanctified by his grandfather, and remained three years. The large number of visitors obliged him to seek a more distant place, high on the mountain of Nidwalden, where his two sons-in-law built him a hermitage. God did not grant him, as to his grandfather, to live entirely without food, although he fasted continually; once a day he would take some vegetables and fruits. He contemplated principally the Passion of Our Lord, the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, and the Blessed Virgin. As he had requested, God sent him bodily and spiritual sufferings. He had sought solitude, but could not prevent persons of all classes from seeking counsel and intercessory prayer. Thus he became a bulwark of Catholic Faith in the time of the turbulent Protestant ‘reform.’  He died in sanctity, 5^th March, 1559, at 77, and at his funeral was manifest his immense prestige with the people.

20.  Saint Ricardo Pampuri.  He was born on the 2^nd August, 1897, in Trivolzo (Pavia, Italy), and, while still a child, set out to become a saint. He was successively, as college and university student, as soldier, surgeon and religious, an example who left in each place the memory of his virtues and apostolic heart deeply impressed. He cared for the sick with heroic charity, providing them with food and clothing, as wall as with medicines. He spent long hours in the company of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He worked to spread devotion to Our Lady's Rosary, which he himself prayed several times daily, always living in poverty, and practising penances and fasts. In 1927, he entered the Hospitallers of Saint John of God, and there his virtues developed to an extraordinary degree. He died the 1^st May, 1930 in Milan, and his body awaits the resurrection in the parish church of Trivolzo.

21.  Saint Meinrad Eugster.  This humble Benedictine was born on the 23^rd August, 1848, the last of 12 children of a schoolmaster of the mountains of the Swiss Canton of Saint Gallen, and he was baptized Joseph Gebhard. From childhood he manifested virtues of goodness and piety. He acquired the trade of tailor, which he practised in several places until, led by his desire to leave all for God, he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, whose marvelous basilica is the principle sanctuary of Switzerland's Marian devotion, yearly visited by hundreds of thousands of Pilgrims from all over Europe. Joseph Gebhard received the habit in 1874, taking the name of Meinrad, in honour of Saint Meinrad, over whose tomb the celebrated Abbey was built. There he spent 50 years of religious life as a lay-brother in the humble offices of tailor and sacristan. His sanctity consisted in accomplishing with complete self-surrender his ordinary duties, in an extraordinary manner. He was perfect model of religious observance, profoundly humble and devout, with spirit of mortification and self-denial, never seeking his own advantage, and never committing the least fault against charity. His favourite saying was: "Patience,- everything passes except eternity". His great joy was to assist at many Masses and to pass many hours in the Sanctuary of the Virgin, whom he loved with most tender devotion. When the monastery bells tolled his death, on the 14th June, 1925, they all said:  "A saint has died."  They began at once to invoke his intercession for their needs, and the many favours that have been received led to the opening of the Process of Beatification.  In 1960, Saint John XXIII decreed that Brother Meinrad had practiced Christian virtues to an heroic degree, according him the title "venerable."

22.  Saint Niklaus Wolf von Rippertschward.  This holy man of the countryside, true son of his local region, the Canton of Lucerne, was born in the parish of Neuenkirch, 1^st May, 1756, of a very religious family. At 19 he went on foot as pilgrim to Rome, for the Jubilee of 1775, an experience indelibly impressed on his spirit. At 23 he married, founding a family of 8 children, and becoming a model for all Christian families. His farm also was a model for the region, since Niklaus, with open mind, constantly studied his work, and became the best-informed farmer of the area. He was soon chosen for public office, in very difficult times, those of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, during which Switzerland also suffered. The revolutionary armies invaded Switzerland, as did later the troops of Napoleon, causing great havoc. Many souls were corrupted by revolutionary ideas, including part of the clergy, and the Catholic Faith was endangered. Niklaus knew that only God could remedy the evil. He renounced public office, and gave himself up to a life of intense prayer.  He began to pass the night in prayer, a chain of Rosaries. He invited the neighbours to join in the rosary on Mondays, thus starting a movement that spread throughout the country, the Union of prayer, which came to number some 10,000 Catholic men, all promising the weekly prayer of the Rosary. This contributed enormously to conserving and strengthening the Catholic Faith during those perilous times. God granted his faithful servant extraordinary graces, the curing of the sick, and the exorcism of demons.  Everywhere he was called a wonder-worker, and he, with staff in hand and with his rosary, traversed the country on foot, curing the sick in the name of Jesus, consoling and exhorting all to an authentically Christian life. There were even cases where he cured at a distance. Thus, without being an ordained exorcist, he obliged the demon on a certain occasion to sing the truth. Under the power of the holy man, the demon confessed how they seduce men. This confession was written down, and spread far and wide, becoming famous under the title the Sermon of the devil,. Soon the ecclesiastical and civil authorities became alarmed, and for a time prohibited Niklaus from exercising his charismatic gifts. Niklaus obeyed humbly, but when the people clamoured, he was permitted to resume his apostolate. Thus the holy man of the countryside passed the remaining years of his life, doing good, curing the sick, confirming the faith everywhere. Death took him by surprise, 18^th September, 1832, in the Cistercian Abbey of Saint Urban. Amidst a great throng, his body was taken to the parish church of Neuenkirch. In 1958 was begun the process of beatification.

23.  Saint Joseph Lo-Pa-Hong.  This extraordinary apostle of faith and charity is an example of how even very wealthy persons can attain sanctity, when they use their talents and riches in doing good. Joseph was born on the 27th March 1875 in Shanghai, the descendant of an old Catholic family. Due to his intelligence and ability he became one of the wealthiest industrialists of his country. Above all else he was an exemplary Catholic, with a missionary spirit difficult to equal. On Sundays he preached in the poor districts and in the country, to as many as 60,000. He taught religion, cared for the sick, visited the prisons, baptized the dying, and assisted those condemned to die. At the same time he was the generous apostle of charity, founding homes for abandoned orphans, even gathering them himself from the streets. He built many hospitals, and renovated many that were dilapidated, supporting them in large part from his own means. He promoted and supported all works of charity. During the war with Japan (1931-7), he went in person to the battlefields, at the risk of his life, to assist the wounded. He called himself the errand-boy of Saint Joseph, in whom his confidence knew no limits, and whose protection he frequently experienced. Joseph Lo-Pa-Hong participated actively in the Eucharistic Congresses of Chicago (1926) and Manila (1937).  In 1937 he was received in audience by Saint Pius XI the Great, and given the honorary title of "Private Chamberlain to His Holiness".  During the occupation, he made contact with the Japanese to alleviate the horrible misery of the country. His enemies accused him of being a traitor, and murdered him, on the 30th December, 1937, while he was traveling to visit one of his hospitals. Saint Joseph Lo-Pa-Hong died a victim of heroic charity.

24.  Saint Bernhard Lehner.  The life of this holy youth lasted hardly 14 years, from 1930 to 1944. Born in a parish of the Diocese of Regensburg (Bavaria), he displayed no extraordinary quality, only this, that his conscience was extremely delicate and that he had a horror of the least sin, and that he constantly strove to please God. He practised deliberately and constantly the virtues of his years, perfect obedience, respect and gratitude due to his educators, faithful fulfillment of his duties as a schoolboy, goodness and generosity towards his companions. He liked to play with them but was careful to avoid anything that might displease God. With intense devotion he assisted daily at Holy Mass, greatly edifying both priests and faithful by the fervor with which he fulfilled the office of acolyte. He visited the Blessed Sacrament several times a day, and his great joy was to receive Holy Communion. He longed to be a holy priest and, after elementary schooling, he entered the minor seminary at Regensburg, where his example edified professors and fellow students. The young Saint, it must be recalled, lived at a time hostile to the Christian faith, the time of German national socialism. He had to suffer the consequences of Hitlerian madness, when Regensburg, more than once, was bombarded. In 1943, Bernhard fell gravely ill, edifying all by his heroic patience and total surrender to God. After his death on the 24^th January, 1944, they began to invoke his intercession in their many necessities, and in 1950 the process of beatification was begun. As Italy claims the holy youth Saint Dominic Savio, so Germany claims Bernhard Lehner.

25.  Saint Joseph Leu von Ebersol, martyr.  The life of this holy martyr is much like that of Saint Niklaus Wolf Rippertschward, since he too was born of country labourers, and remained so all his life. He was born on the 1^st June, 1800, in Hohenrain, municipal town of the Canton of Lucerne. His mother, Maria Elmiger, a woman of great virtue, such as the Book of Proverbs describes the valiant woman, had a great influence over her son. When his sister was ill, the holy man Saint Niklaus was called. The saint recognized the exceptional qualities of the lad, and although they were separated in age by over half a century, they were united in the same ideals. Thereafter the two, day and night, planned together how to make their region once again a truly Catholic country. Joseph prepared himself by study and prayer, without neglecting his work. In 1829 he married a very virtuous young woman, who died after a few short years, leaving her spouse with three daughters. Joseph remarried, and there were two children of this union. The country people had chosen Joseph as representative in the assembly of the Canton, and Joseph Leu fearlessly opposed the anticlerical machinations of the government. Contrary to all law, he was put out of the assembly. In union with his holy counselor, Niklaus Wolf, he began to form a spiritual army, "the union of prayer", which became an authentic school of Catholicism. At the death of Saint Niklaus Wolf, the young Saint Joseph Leu assumed the direction of the movement. He became the religious guide of the people of the countryside, and soon their political leader, being elected once again their deputy. His house at Ebersol became in effect the town Council, where the Catholic leaders met to form a Catholic constitution. Mockery, insult, injury, threats of death,- nothing could move him from his project,- while the army of prayer produced its fruits. In the popular vote of the 23^rd January 1841, an immense majority approved the new constitution. Joseph Leu was the hero of the day. As he wrote in a letter; "All I do is not for me, but for my Church and Country."  His soul was not dazzled by success. He only aspired all the more to the things of heaven. He was made minister of Education in the new government. In this capacity he called the Jesuit fathers to Lucerne as educators, while for his rabid enemies, he had only words of pardon. The hatred of the anticlericals did not diminish: they hired a poor wretch to murder the Catholic leader. Saint Joseph Leu knew this perfectly well, and was not to be intimidated. On the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel he went with his family to confession, and on the 19^th Julv,- the Sunday on which they celebrated the Feast of Carmel according to their custome, he was assassinated.  His last words were:  "Jesus and Mary."  Some 10,000 Catholic men and 50 priests accompanied the body of the martyr for the Catholic faith to its burial place.

26.  Saint Claude Stephen Pernet.  He was born on the 23rd July, 1824, in Vellexon (Haute-Saone, France). His father, an honourable working man, died in 1838, and his mother continued to practise with great devotion her customary charity towards the poor and sick.  She was the inspiration of the priestly vocation and of the future mission of her son. The young Claude Stephen, with his extraordinary sweetness of character and love of obedience, was the perfect seminarian. When he had doubts about his own worth, he left the seminary, and divine providence led him to a convent of the Oblates of the Assumption. The Mother General sent him at once to the founder himself, Saint Emmanuel d’Alzon. Thus in 1849, the humble Claude Stephen presented himself at the college founded by the Saint in Nimes, and there he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the life of professor. The holy founder loved him as a favourite son, and persuaded him to enter among the first members of the Augustinians of the Assumption, and then to be ordained. He became a priest on the 3^rd April, 1858,- the very day, 41 years later on which he would die. Besides leading an exemplary religious life, he continued his apostolate to the poor, and was particularly anxious over the lack of religion in poor and worker families. The holy priest from childhood had tenderly loved the Lord and His Most Holy Mother, and unconsciously he left an impression of sanctity with everyone, many of whom have given very beautiful testimonies to his virtues. In 1863 he was sent to Paris, and there his apostolate to the poor showed him their deep misery. Considering the liberalism of the 19^th century, the declared independence of the human spirit, the prevailing sensuality, the persecution of the Church and the corruption of the family, he said: "God has been expelled from our schools and institutions. The rich and powerful increasingly exploit the poor and the workers. How is it possible to restore Christian society?" At once he saw revealed his great work. The memory of his good mother, who entered the houses of the poor and sick, showed him the ideal of his Congregation of the "Little Sisters of the Assumption", the consecrated women, worthy daughters of the Most Holy Virgin, who would enter the house of a poor sick mother, to tidy the house, care for the patient, wash the children, prepare the supper, and after some prayers leave, without accepting any money. The miracle was achieved. Divine providence sent the vocations who, with the same love of the holy founder, were to gain the hearts of the poor, and even convert the very workers who had been deceived by the pernicious doctrines of the masons. During the war of 1870-1 and the revolution that followed, Saint Claude Stephen Pernet laboured heroically, also among the combatants. He traveled to England where he introduced his Congregation, and with admirable sweetness and resignation supported his last illness, deeply loved by innumerable poor folk and workers.

27.  Saint Emmanuel d'Alzon, founder.  Emmanuel Joseph Marie Maurice Viscount d'Al zon was born in Viga (Midi, France), 30^th August, 1810, in a distinguished family, whose coat of arms a certain priest interprets thus: "The gold of charity, the strength of a lion, the courage of a warrior, the purity of the lily, and above all, the surrender of oneself to God and to the Church." So were his fathers, and so was this son, worthy of his lineage. When Emmanuel was born, his father said: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord". Young Emmanuel had great ideals, and in his studies he sought the most beautiful themes of philosophy and literature. In 1828, he writes: "I have found my object. I will devote myself fully to the defence of the Church". Meanwhile, through his integrity, purity, and Christian virtue, he had an enormous influence over all who knew him. At a time when French aristocrats felt contempt for the priestly vocation, Emmanuel entered the seminary. One of his great friends was Father de Lamennais, who had roused the dying faith of France and Europe. Tragic to recall, de Lamennais became the great heresiarch of liberalism, and young Emmanuel, although suffering keenly, showed his complete loyalty to the Vicar of Christ, saying: "Without the Church, de Lamennais is nothing". Ordained in 1834, his first apostolate was in Nimes, where Catholic life left much to be desired. The poor recognized in him their true father, since he gave them whatever he had. He spent hours in the confessional, and preached with great success. He prepared a home, attended by nuns, for fallen women and girls, thus rescuing innumerable souls and leading many to heroic sacrifice.  Besides fighting for Catholic education in France, he founded a Carmelite convent, an orphanage and, in particular, he gave the fire of his apostolic soul to two institutions: "The Augustinians of the Assumption", whose Missionary fathers Saint Pius IX sent to Bulgaria and Turkey, and the second: "The Oblate Sisters of the Assumption". He died on the Feast of the Presentation of the Most Holy Virgin, 21^st November, 1880. The Sacred Congregation of Rites said of Saint Emmanuel d’Alzon: "He is a giant".

28.  Saint Mary Ward.  She was born in Yorkshire (England) of an ancient Catholic family. Her father was a valiant Catholic, and her mother was the daughter of a woman who had been imprisoned for 14 years for harbouring priests. From the age of 5 Mary was educated by this grandmother in the hard school of persecuted Catholicism. At 15, of happy and sweet disposition, she went to live with relatives in whose house also was maintained the ancient faith and the sacred cults. Mary felt her vocation in these traditional surroundings, and heroically resisted brilliant offers of marriage. In 1606 she went to Saint Omer in Flanders, and founded a convent of Poor Clares for English women. This house had a glorious history, but Mary's vocation was not to be there. In 1609, again in England, she consoled many, visited prisons, worked day and night for the salvation of souls, always with sweet and happy manner. Mary attracted a group of young ladies with noble aspirations, and these became the foundation stones of the "Institute of the Blessed Virgin". In Saint Omer they opened schools and lived in great austerity. They opened schools in Liege, Treves, Cologne, Munich. Soon the spirit of the religious attracted attention, proceeding, as it seemed, with excessive independence from Ecclesiastical authority.  The English clergy complained, as did the Prince Bishop of Vienna, and the convents were closed. Mary Ward went to Rome to affirm the good faith with which she had acted. The case moved slowly, and in the meantime Mary opened schools in Rome, Bologna and Forli. She never replied to the accusations of her enemies and in 1631 the Institute was condemned, and the saint imprisoned as a heretic and a rebel. She did not lose her confidence during her sufferings, which were physical as well as moral, nor did she lose her courage, to the degree that the Pope himself described her as "a great servant of God". He said to Mary:  "From now and henceforth, no one will harm you. In the information of the process, we have found malice and absurdity." Mary returned to England at a very difficult time for Catholics, and she died 26^th January, 1645.

29.  Saint Mary Teresa Ball.  After the death of Saint Mary Ward, there was founded in York (England) a convent which later the great restorer of Catholicism in Ireland, Saint Daniel Murray, made use of to form the foundresses of his own institutions. The Irish daughters of Saint Mary Ward are called "The Sisters of Loretto", since the first foundation was the Abbey of Loretto. Frances Ball was born on the 9^th January 1794 in a devout Dublin family. At 9 she was sent to the convent school at York, where the spirit of the fervent community filled the child's soul. When her father died in 1808, Frances came home, and there she met Saint Daniel Murray, who recognized the remarkable spiritual qualities of the young woman. The great Archbishop explained his plans to Frances, and he sent her again to York, this time to become a nun. Frances gave herself to her new life with deep spirituality and exemplary observance, taking the name of Mary Teresa. In the life of the holy foundress there are no striking events. It was rather a life full of trials and labours, all the while she advanced in spirit, and let unfold a character of marvellous depth and spiritual beauty. She lived constantly in the presence of God, and communicated something of her spirit to all who knew her. She loved the Sacred Heart and had the most tender devotion towards the Immaculate Mother of God, and always tried to be a faithful daughter of Saint Teresa of Jesus in serving the Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph.  Her patience during trials, and her heroic sufferings during illness brought tears to the Protestant doctor who attended her.  Saint Mary Teresa was a summa of Christian virtue.  She died on Pentecost Sunday, 19^th May, 1861.

30.  Saint Marianne Cope.  The great Bishop of Philadelphia, Saint John Neumann, founded there in 1855 “The Franciscan Sisters".  In 1860, an independent branch was founded in Syracuse (New York), of which the second Mother Provincial, Saint Marianne Cope, founded in Hawaii a great work, successor of that of Saint Damien de Veuster, apostle of the lepers. The Protestant monarch, King Kalakaua, had entreated the vicar apostolic that "those blessed sisterhoods of charity" come to the assistance of his afflicted people.  Mother Marianne recognized the call of God and, in 1883, together with six sisters, came to Hawaii. The saint had great capacity for organization, and she founded hospitals, schools and homes, to help solve the great social problems related to leprosy. When the government sought a person willing to enter the leper colony, Saint Marianne responded with a profound and joyful Fiat. In 1888, she became the first nun to go to Molokai. She visited Saint Damien on his deathbed, and entered into his work with the spirit of the great apostle. In the spirit of martyrdom, she offered the last 30 years of her life, as heroic mother of a people isolated from the world. Foundress of the Franciscan Missions of Hawaii, Saint Marianne Cope, having accomplished a stupendous work of charity, died on the 9^th August, 1918.

31.  Saint Benigna Consolata Ferrero.  Maria Consolata Rosalie Teresa Filomena Caietana Ferrero was born in Turin (Italy), 6^th August, 1885, of parents distinguished for faith and piety. She was the joy of the family, and with her virtuous mother as teacher, she became practised in every virtue. She devoted herself to her family and to her neighbour from childhood. She communicated daily, and loved to withdraw herself and commune with her beloved Jesus in the intimacy of her pure heart. She struggled between the love of her family and her great love for God. Thus began those mysterious sufferings of her life as victim. One day she heard the Divine voice inviting her to a life of immolation for the salvation of souls. There began those marvellous daily colloquies with the Divine Spouse that endured all her life. Strange fact: when Jesus rested in that beautiful soul, she suffered real torments. Always examining the hidden recesses of her own conscience, she discovered the dark places of her own human nature. The fear of illusions was a torment, and the enemy of souls persecuted her to the end. Later, when she had suffered unparalleled torment, she said to the Divine Spouse: "Where were you my Jesus, during all those horrors?" Jesus replied: "My daughter, I was within your heart". Under obedience, she wrote down the sublime colloquies that took place with the Beloved.  Jesus would say to her: "My tender one, my sweet and dear Benigna, my daughter, my spouse, my white dove, the delight of my Heart". And the more the Divine Spouse cherished her, the deeper she plunged in the depths of the mysterious sufferings of her soul.  At 22, she entered the Visitation at Como, with the name Benigna Consolata. The Lord had explained to her that her sufferings would merit her the joy, in certain manner infinite, of being co-redemptrix of the human race. He had also indicated the grandeur of the Order of the Visitation for its devotion to the Sacred Heart. The humble victim said: "But my Jesus, what do you find in souls that you seem unable to live without them?" And Jesus replied: "I have a human Heart".  In 1916, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Benigna Consolata renewed her vows, and made the additional vow of doing all out of pure love, of total abandonment, of the sacrifice of her life, of always doing what seemed to her more perfect, and of humility. Amidst a sea of suffering, but with unspeakable joy, this sweet saint and faithful victim died, on the First Friday of September, 1916.

32.  Saint Margareta Bays.  One of the great mystics of the previous century, the glory of the Catholic Canton of Fribourg (Switzerland), is Margareta Bays, born in Pierraz on the 8^th September, 1815. Her father, Peter Anton Bays, was a shoemaker, and her mother, Josephine Morel, was related to Saint Apollinaire Morel. She spent all her life at home, unknown to the world, working as a simple seamstress. However this soul, that loved prayer and silence, was step by step ascending the heights of sanctity. On Sundays, she would spend hours in the parish church, practising her devotions, and praying for the great needs of the Church. At 38, on the 8^th December, 1854, while at Rome Saint Pius IX the Great was proclaiming the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Margareta was miraculously cured of cancer.  God had chosen her as victim soul for the sins of the people, and he wished to prolong her life for many years. Her way of the cross began when she received the stigmata and began to suffer the sacred Passion each Friday. Nevertheless, the humble seamstress continued almost entirely to hide these mystical graces. God was working in her. She worked as usual during the day, concealing the acute pain of the stigmata, and wearing a kind of half-glove to keep them hidden. During the night she experienced mystical graces, ecstasies, and the Passion. Only on Good Friday did she suffer the Passion during the day. The few persons who were aware of all this kept the secret. God also gave her the gift of prophecy, such as those concerning the future of her own canton. Thanks to her expiatory sufferings, as it seems, Catholic life in Fribourg returned again in vigour to flourish during the subsequent decades. After being, as it were, nailed to her bed, an expiatory host, for the whole of Lent 1879, the Lord called her to eternal glory, 27^th June. On the 26^th July, 1953, some 20,000 Catholic faithful from all Switzerland paid a deeply moving public tribute to the humble seamstress on the occasion of the official opening of her process of beatification.

33.  Saint Maria von Morl.  This extraordinary mystic from the first half of the 19^th century, celebrated in all of Europe, was born 15^th October, 1812, in the village of Kaltern, in the South of Tyrol (Austria). At 15, she lost her mother, and as the eldest of 9 children, she took charge of the household as well as her invalid father, with great competence and self-sacrifice. She did not neglect her intense life of prayer or her spiritual reading, which consisted preferentially of the Imitation, and the works of Saint Francis de Sales. At 18, she became a Franciscan tertiary, and chose as her patron Saint Teresa of Jesus, for whom she had special devotion. A new phase of her life began at the end of 1830,- mystic and victim soul. She was struck by a mysterious infirmity, inexplicable phenomena, and remained mute until shortly before death. She could speak only in the presence of her father confessor or ecclesiastical superior. The demons tormented her cruelly for more than two years, thus preparing her for the graces and mystical favours God was planning for her. Her ecstasies became more frequent and prolonged, sometimes for a day, or even several days. She saw all the scenes of the life of Jesus, from His birth to the Ascension. In 1833 she received the stigmata, visible until shortly before she died. The village of Kaltern quickly became the object of mass pilgrimages. They came from everywhere, on horseback, in carriages, mostly on foot, and praying the Rosary. First they went to the parish church for the Sacraments. Then they went to the house of the family, as many as 3,000 a day. The first two months there were 40,000 pilgrims. All were deeply moved and edified to see the young victim, in white, with angelic countenance, almost always on her knees on her bed. There were many conversions. Parish priests could testify to the spiritual renewal in their parishes. As to be expected, the authorities, civil and church, were alarmed. Maria was ordered under obedience to return from her ecstasy. The mystic obeyed, and there followed an edifying dialogue between the Bishop and Maria. The Bishop was impressed, but he prohibited the visits, and the civil authorities did so, too, while the people obeyed without complaint. Nevertheless, all visits could not be prohibited. High personages arrived from all Europe; princes of the Church, like Cardinal Wiseman, Bishops, priests, religious, heads of state, queens, princesses, the Empress of Austria, the learned, and men of letters like Joseph Gorres, painters and poets like Clemente Brentano. Biographies and other writings about the mystic of Tyrol appeared throughout Europe. The Franciscan Sisters of the Third Order built, beside their convent, a little habitation for Maria, in order to facilitate the visits. So passed this extraordinary life. The mystical phenomena disappeared shortly before she died. Then she suffered agonies in expiation for the Church and her country. At 55, the Lord called her to eternal glory, 11^th January, 1868.

34.  Saint Maria Lichtenegger.  This holy young woman proves the general rule that the saints are the fruit of saintly families. Maria was born in the parish of Saint Merein (Steiermark, Austria), 4th August 1906. Shortly before her birth, her mother Aloysia suffered a grave illness, and her father Wilhelm Lichtenegger vowed to live henceforth in perfect continence, if mother and daughter were spared.  The prayer was accepted and the two spouses lived their vow with complete fidelity. Maria was the only child of this holy marriage, which became for her a school of sanctity. From early childhood she grew in virtue and grace before God and men. The pure love of God already burned in her infant soul. She loved especially the Blessed Sacrament, making frequent visits, and her greatest joy was to receive Holy Communion. From early childhood she had a special devotion to the Holy Ghost, and most tenderly loved the Celestial Mother and her Most Chaste Spouse. She was all innocence and holy joy, a true apostle in her own parish. She worked enthusiastically for the missions, and wished one day to be a missionary in a pagan land, in order to save souls. But before she was 17, God placed her in the school of suffering with a painful illness, which she bore heroically. Thus matured for Heaven, God called Maria to glory, 8th July, 1923. She had received no extraordinary mystical favours, but the people began at once to invoke her as a saint. The process of beatification was begun in 1957.

35.  Saint Anna Henle von Aichstetten.  This German mystic was born in a village of Allgau (Southern Germany) in 1871. On the day of her first communion, an Angel offered her three things:  a crown of roses, a crown of thorns, and a harp. The child took the crown of thorns, and remained inexplicably paralyzed, bedridden for 66 years until her death. Three years later, at 16, she received the stigmata, and continued regularly to suffer the Passion of the Lord. The Lord gave her additional graces to live without food, also ecstasies and visions of the life of Christ, bilocation, to speak biblical languages, prophetic visions of the future, of the great crisis of the Church, the moral corruption of the German nation, the coming chastisements, especially the three days' darkness. Although these extraordinary favours lasted 66 years, the Lord ordained that they remain hidden. Only a few discreet faithful were allowed to share them, and Anna fulfilled perfectly what the Lord had ordained. She offered her constant sufferings for the great needs of the Church, especially for Christian unity, and for the German people who, during her lifetime, were chastised by two horrible world wars. At 79 she was called to eternal glory, 21^st February, 1950. Only after her death were the most extraordinary mystical graces and heroic life of this saint made known.

36.  Saint Anna Schaffer.  This "prodigy of human misery and heroic patience" was born in Mindelstetten (Bavaria) in 1882, of a very poor but religious family. On the day of her first communion she wrote: "Oh good Jesus, let me make satisfaction for such offences and insults with which you are dishonoured. If you will, make me a victim of expiation.”  While she longed to give herself totally to God in religion, when she was 16, she had a vision of her great sufferings to come. At 18, as the result of a companion’s practical joke, she fell into boiling lye, the beginning of a 25 years' martyrdom. She was subjected to 30 operations, at a time when anaesthetics were less effective than they are today.  She could not now become a religious, but God had accepted her as a victim of propitiation. She reveals her greatness of soul in not giving the least explanation of how she came to fall into the boiling lye, not wishing to expose her guilty companion.  Years after Anna's death, the companion confessed how she had caused the fatal accident. In spite of atrocious pain, Anna never complained,- rather she thanked God for being able to suffer for love of Jesus and for the salvation of souls. To her bodily pains were frequently added spiritual suffering, aridity, diabolical attacks, and the feeling of being abandoned by God. The Lord strengthened her soul with extraordinary favours, including the mystical espousals. On the 4^th October, 1910, feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, her spiritual father, being herself a tertiary, Anna received the stigmata visibly, and the additional sufferings that corresponded. She did what she could to conceal them, and only her mother and the parish priest knew of them. She implored God to remove the external signs, and instead to give her increased suffering. After a time God granted the prayer, took away the signs, but left the pain. She received invisibly the crown of thorns, which produced insupportable headaches. During her last years she suffered the Passion of Christ, as did later Saint Theresa of Konnersreuth. Often, in her mystical dreams, she saw the souls who had benefited by her mystical sufferings of propitiation, especially many soldiers of the First World War. The 5th October, 1925, she entered directly into Heaven, as was known later through that other German stigmatic, Theresa Neumann.

37.  Saint Dorotea Wyss Von Flue.  She was a virtuous young woman of the country, hardly 15, when an extraordinary man, Saint Nicholas von Flue asked for her hand, and led her to the altar in May 1446. For more than 20 years they lived in harmony, an ideal wife with a saintly husband. There were ten children, all educated in the holy fear of God, more by example than by words, the holy spouses being models of every Christian virtue. When Nicholas approached 50, he was called by God to live as a hermit, and to be separated from family and spouse. This required the permission of Dorotea who, with anguished heart, understood that God was claiming Nicholas. When the saint one day requested explicitly permission to be separated for always, his heroic spouse with bleeding heart consented, since God's will came first, and her husband's happiness before her own. Thus, on the 16th October, 1467, Niklaus, in hermit's garb, made by his own spouse, took leave of his family to go abroad and live as a hermit. However, God had his own plans in favour of Nicholas' fatherland, and he returned to his country. When the holy hermit was discovered by hunters, mockery and sarcastic comments made the rounds of the whole country, to the great distress of Dorotea. Nevertheless, the scorn was turned to wonder and veneration, when the authorities discovered that Nicholas, through a constant miracle, lived without any food whatsoever. The miracle lasted for 20 years, making Nicholas von Flue celebrated in all of Europe. Finally Dorotea found why God had asked of her this sacrifice when, thanks to the immense prestige of her holy spouse among his compatriots, Switzerland was spared civil war,- and in the international situation of that time civil war would have put an end to the Swiss confederation. Since then, Saint Nicholas von Flue is venerated as the saviour of his nation, and father of his country. When Nicholas died on the 21^st March, 1487, his holy spouse had the joy of seeing him ascend to heaven bearing the standard of victory. Soon she heard of the miracles attained through the intercession of Saint Nicholas. Meanwhile a younger son, also called Nicholas, reached holy orders and became Parish Priest in Sachseln, where the mother tended him in the priests' house. But this predilect son died in 1503, and she a little after, venerated by all as the spouse of a saint, and she, a saint, too.

38.  Saint Mary of Jesus.  Madeleine Marie Justine Dupont was born on the 18^th February, 1851, in Ales (France), to parents distinguished and convinced Catholics. The conscience of the intelligent and virtuous child soon awoke, and she suffered spiritual trials. In the midst of great temptations against purity she spontaneously made, at the age of 10, a vow of chastity. She passed some time with the Sisters of the Assumption at Lyons, where the interior life of the saint, who would practise different penances, continually grew. In 1872, she entered the Carmel of Rue d'Enfer in Paris, an historic convent, the first of the Reform in France. She took the name Mary of Jesus; in spite of her youth, she already showed a spirit mortified by spiritual sufferings. This generous soul suffered incomprehensions and other great trials with admirable abnegation and obedience, making her profession the 8^th September, 1873. Of her sicknesses, which the community could not understand, the doctor said, in the words of the great Reformer: "A little white butterfly shall emerge from that cocoon." The trials and purifications were preparing Mary of Jesus for her future great mission in England. Years previously, the great English convert Saint Frederick Faber had conceived the idea of establishing the Teresian Reform in his country, and with this intention had sent three of his penitents to the Carmel of the Rue d'Enfer to prepare for the future foundation. In 1877, community life began in the celebrated London convent of Notting Hill, then still under construction. Saint Mary of Jesus, matured by spiritual suffering, and full of knowledge of the divine, came to be superior. Years previously, the Lord had offered her a choice: eternal happiness at once,- or a life of labour for souls, and the holy nun had chosen to work in this vale of tears. She surrendered her heart, brimful of love, to her daughters, and to all with whom she came into contact, and with loving simplicity communicated the richness of her spirit to priests, cardinals and workers, always a fount of consolation to all.  From 1907 onwards, she made her foundations, numbering 33 convents in all.  Full of years, of sufferings and of virtue, Saint Mary of Jesus died, on Laetare Sunday, 15^th March, 1941.

39.  Saint Maria Teresa Ledokowska.  Maria Teresa Countess Ledokowska was born in Loosdorf of the diocese of Saint Hyppolite (Austria), 29^th April, 1863, in a distinguished family of the Polish nobility, of exemplary faith and piety. Maria Teresa had great gifts, artistic and intellectual, which developed harmoniously in a family where Christian joy and peace reigned. At 13, she expressed this noble sentiment: "Would that I could bring happiness to all of mankind". At 16, she visited the land of her fathers, and was profoundly impressed by the intense religious life of Catholic Poland. At 22, she became lady-in-waiting at the court of the Grand Duchess of Tuscany. She brought to the elegant life of the court all the grace of her noble character, and her deep piety, modesty and amiability, as well as her austerity, left their impression of sanctity. Ever open to the workings of grace, she responded deeply to the preachings of the mendicant friars who came seeking alms for the missions. Marie Teresa read an appeal of the great Cardinal de Lavigerie to the women of Europe, for a holy crusade against African slavery, and there she understood her vocation and her mission. Maria Teresa commences to write, to travel, to speak, to awaken the consciences of peoples and nations, begging alms, setting up committees, until she founded a religious institute uniting the multiple activity of her immense apostolate: "The Sodality of Saint Peter Claver", whose members do not travel abroad to the missions but, as auxiliary missionaries, send every kind of help to the missions. Saint Maria Teresa Ledokowska governed her institute from the Mother House at Rome, Our Lady of Good Counsel, until her death on the 6^th July, 1922. Despite her infirmities, she had laboured untiringly with heroic energy and love for the missions. Beatified in 1975 by Saint Paul VI, martyr.

40.  Saint Marie de Jesus Fage.  Marie Antoinette Fage was born in Paris, 7^th November 1824. The child knew poverty, as the father deserted, and left mother and daughter in complete misery. Antoinette loved her mother dearly, and under her care grew in piety and strength of character. She used to help the other children, and at the age of 5, would teach them to sing hymns. At 12, she lost her mother, and such was her grief that she was never able without tears to see poor orphans pass by on the street. Providence watched over her, and the Sisters of Charity prepared her for first Communion. Some friends adopted her, but she suffered a painful accident of the spine.  Without ever losing heart, Antoinette, in spite of her health, worked so as not to be a burden to others. Her interior life grew from day to day. She loved the Lord intensely, and desired to help those who suffered. The needy came to her door, and with absolute confidence in God, Antoinette gave them everything she possibly could. In spite of her deformity, she gave an impression of goodness and nobility. She was especially concerned for young women living in dangerous circumstances; and without thinking of a possible religious vocation, she accepted the direction of an orphanage. When divine providence led her to Saint Claude Stephen Pernet, Antoinette said:  "I do not understand what is passing in my soul, but I feel that that father is important for my future.” The holy priest recognized the most admirable qualities of her soul, and the providential answer to his prayers. Soon, Mother Marie de Jesus, as Antoinette was now called, became the superior of a little community consecrated to the poor and sick, the community itself being absolutely poor. Without resources, the holy mother Co-founder attained, both by personal industry and heroic confidence, marvellous interventions of divine providence. She was the first to visit the houses of the poor, to bear hardships and calumny with imperturbable serenity and courage. With inexhaustible patience she endured the years of war and anarchy, transforming her convent into a hospital, sleeping with her daughters in the cellar.  Suffering acutely, but always concerned with the needs of her daughters, Saint Marie de Jesus died, 18^th September, 1883.

41.  Saint Rosalie Rendu.  Jeanne Marie Rendu was born 8^th September in the village of Comfort (Gex, France), near the Swiss border. Her parents were honourable traders and faithful Catholics who, during the 'reign of terror’ harboured fugitive priests,- an offence punishable by death. The child received her first communion in a dark mountain cave, and resolved then to consecrate her life to God in religion, in order to make reparation for the false sons of France. At school, her piety and recollection were more those of a novice than a schoolgirl. At 14, in spite of poor health, she entered the Sisters of Charity in Paris. She was professed with the name Rosalie, and was sent to the convent of Rue Saint Marcel, in the poorest and most vicious quarter of the town.  She at once began her great apostolate, fighting uninterruptedly for more than 50 years against poverty and vice. When at the age of 28 she was made superior, her district which, before her arrival had been hostile to everything Catholic, celebrated the event like a feast. During the XlXth century, there were constant acts of violence and profanation. In the revolution of 1830, Sister Rosalie rescued the Archbishop by taking him under her roof. Relying on her popularity, she maintained order in her district. She passed through streets where the royal troops could not go, and put an end to the construction of barricades. When she was detained for having aided an insurgent to escape, she said; "I am a Sister of Charity. I help those in misery, no matter where. I cannot promise not to do the same thing on another occasion." In the revolution of 1848, the Archbishop was shot, after appealing for peace.  An officer fled towards the convent. Saint Rosalie and her religious formed a circle around him. On her knees she appealed: "For 50 years I have devoted myself to you, to your wives and families. For this I demand the life of this man". Saint Rosalie Rendu also showed her heroism during the cholera epidemics. While she fulfilled all her duties towards her community and the district, she never neglected to observe the holy Rule. She had great devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to Saint Joseph, and lived very austerely. She was totally blind the last year of her life, and supported operations and other sufferings in silent union with the Passion of Christ.  She died on the 7^th February, 1856.

42.  Saint Gertrude Marie Bernier.  Anne Marie Bernier was born in Lion d'Anger (Anjou, France) in October, 1870. The family was very poor, and Anne Marie used to go to the parish for the distribution of bread. Her soul opened early to grace. She loved to pray, to study the catechism, and to hear about God. At nine, when she received her first holy Communion, she already had the mystical perception of God and heard in her soul the voice of her Beloved. The child lived with Jesus as a daughter with her father. In the morning, Jesus would awaken her, and she would go early to Holy Mass, receive communion, and then remain in conversation with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Working as a seamstress, Anne Marie begged Jesus unceasingly to open the door for her to religious life. At 17, she entered the community of Saint Charles in Angers, and received the name of Gertrude Marie. Jesus continued to converse day and night with His beloved religious, and ordered her to write everything she experienced. The more Jesus cherished and favoured her, the more Sister Gertrude Marie sought refuge in humility, and with incomparable gentleness and patience served the needs of others. She asked Jesus with sweet simplicity: "Have you nothing for the others?" And she named her companions, her relatives, her father confessor and many others. Her heart embraced the world, the whole Church, triumphant, suffering and militant. She was frequently rapt to Heaven where, in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, she became acquainted with all the Angels and saints. She offered her prayers and sufferings for the holy souls in Purgatory, and more than ever prayed and suffered for priests. Desiring to extend the truth everywhere and to convert all sinners, she exclaimed: "I wish to be a true daughter of the Church". Raised to the highest union with God in mystical marriage, Gertrude Marie gave herself completely as victim for souls, exclaiming: "Love has chosen me, Love has called me, in love I sacrifice myself to Love.”  In her last years of love, Saint Gertrude Marie suffered greatly, dying on the 24^th May, 1908 at the age of 37.

43.  Saint Laura Vicuna.  Laura was born in Santiago (Chile), 5^th April 1891. Endowed with noblest qualities of nature and grace, she showed from her infancy signs of divine predilection:  she accepted suffering with a singular sweetness of character and later with heroic fortitude.  She was the jewel of her home, the delight of her college, for her innocent simplicity, piety, mortification, and the heroic sacrifice of her life. She spent 4 years with the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix at the mission College. The ideal child of Mary, model of young Christian apostle, she found her constant and joyful penance in the exact fulfillment of her duties, even in little details. Her happiness was in the Sacraments of penance and communion, and in prayer before the Tabernacle. She regarded sinners as poor unfortunates, who did not love God. Her unfortunate mother was the particular object of her tenderness, the secret martyrdom of her heart, the reason for the generous holocaust of her own life, and finally the recipient of the victorious grace of conversion. Saint Laura Vicuna consummated her life of love and sacrifice, supported by the Divine Spirit, on the 22^nd January 1904 at Junin de los Andes (Argentina). Courteous and obliging by nature and grace to all who knew her, she continues from Heaven to hear every supplication, and to implore graces, spiritual and temporal, for all who entreat her.

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Martyrs of England during the Reign of Henry VIII

At the beginning of the XVIth century, the state of the English clergy was very low, with all kinds of abuses, although with some signs of reform. But thanks to the vigilance of the then pious king, Henry VIII, accustomed to hearing three or more Masses daily, Protestantism had not established itself in the land. However, unleashed carnal passion, disdain and avarice turned the once worthy Christian prince against Rome, on the occasion when the Pope refused to grant him a divorce from his legitimate spouse, Catherine of Aragon. In 1534, he made himself head of the English Church. From 1536, he began to suppress all the monasteries in the realm. The result was disastrous. The defection of Bishops, ecclesiastics, intellectuals and Christian people was almost total. But there were not lacking generous souls, disposed to offer their lives in defence of the Church and in testimony of the truth. Among the religious Orders in general, the Carthusians offered most victims in the persecution. The Franciscans of strict observance showed equal heroism, when the entire Order rejected the Oath of Supremacy of Henry VIII, and their 7 London Houses were closed. 200 Franciscans were imprisoned, 50 dying as prisoners. Something similar took place with the Augustinians of Mount Sion.

Carthusian Monks of London

44.  Saint Sebastian Newdigate, priest, martyr.

45.  Saint William Exmew, priest, martyr, procurator.  These two Carthusians were martyred as traitors, 19^th June 1535, for having rejected the spiritual supremacy of the misguided monarch.

After the martyrdom of 6 London Carthusians, Henry VIII sought other means to persecute the remainder. Their diet was reduced to a minimum. Insolent persons were introduced into the monastery, who struck and maltreated the religious. Others provoked arguments with the monks. After a year of this persecution without effect, two of the foremost monks were sent to Hull, where they once more showed their constancy, and were hanged on the 11th May, 1537. These were:

46.  Saint John Rochester, priest, martyr.

47.  Saint James Walworth, priest, martyr.

Nine others died of hunger and maltreatment in Newgate gaol on different dates:

48.  Saint William Greenwood, brother, martyr. 6-VI-1537-

49.  Saint John Davy, deacon, martyr. 8-VI-1537.

50.  Saint Robert Salt, brother, martyr. 9-VI-1537.

51.  Saint Walter Pearson, brother, martyr. 10-VI-1537.

52.  Saint Thomas Green, priest, martyr. 10-VI-1537.

53.  Saint Thomas Scryven, brother, martyr.  15-VI-1537.

54.  Saint Thomas Redyng, brother, martyr.  16-VI-1537.

55.  Saint Richard Bere, priest, martyr. 9-VIII-1537

56.  Saint Thomas Johnson, priest, martyr. 20-IX-1537.  And finally:

57.  Saint William Horne, brother, martyr. From the same Charterhouse, executed as traitor at Tyburn, 4th August, 1540.

Franciscan martyrs

58.  Saint Antony Brorby, learned priest, martyr, strangled in Newgate prison, 19th July, 1537.

59.  Saint Thomas Cort, priest, martyr, died of hunger in Newgate in the summer of 1538.

60.  Saint Thomas Belchiam, priest, martyr, same as above.

61.  Saint John Waire, priest, martyr. Executed as traitor on the 8th July, 1539 in Southwark.

Benedictine martyrs

62.  Saint Elisabeth Barton, martyr.  Benedictine nun and mystic, known as the 'holy maid of Kent', she had protested vigorously against the divorce of the king. For which reason, and for rejecting the spiritual supremacy of the king, she was executed for high treason in 1535. Horribly vilified as both mad and a witch.

63.  Saint John Eynon, priest, martyr.

64.  Saint John Rugg, priest, martyr.  Benedictines of Reading, they were hanged in the entrance to the monastery, for having rejected the Supremacy of the King in spiritual matters, 15^th November, 1539.

65.  Saint John Thorne, priest, martyr, procurator.

66.  Saint Roger James, priest, martyr, sacristan.  Both monks belonged to the very ancient monastery of Glastonbury, and were executed for their loyalty to the Holy See, 15^th November, 1539, Glastonbury.

67.  Saint John Beche, priest, martyr.  The 38^th and last abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Colchester. Charged with high treason for refusing to hand over his monastery to the usurping king. Executed on the 1^st December, 1539.

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There were several popular risings which ought to be characterized as holy crusades. The principle one was the 'pilgrimage of grace', with some 35,000 persons protesting against the spoliation of religious houses. It was crushed under the heavy hands of Henry's followers, and many Catholics were executed.

In 1538, the Supreme Pontiff Paul III, after years of patient negotiations, finally published the Bull, so long delayed, which excommunicated Henry VIII and declared him deposed. Previously the Holy Father had sent his legate, Reginald Pole, to the erstwhile king, in a final effort to remedy the situation of the Catholics. The legate, from the noble house of York, enjoyed great prestige, and was most apt for the mission. But unhappily, the failure was complete, and two supporters of the legate were the object of the fury of the king, being executed as traitors in Tyburn, 4th August, 1540:

68.  Saint Edmund Brindholme, martyr, parish priest of the Church of Our Lady, Calais. 

69.  Saint Clement Philpot, martyr, layman.

Other martyrs of Henry VIII, priests and laymen:

70.  Saint Thomas Dingly, layman, martyr; decapitated on 9^th July, 1539, for rejecting the spiritual supremacy of the king.

71.  Saint John Griffith, martyr, parish priest of Wandsworth, executed as a traitor, 8^th July, 1539.

72.  Saint David Gonson, martyr, layman; executed as a traitor, 12^th July, 1541.

73.  Saint John Ireland, chaplain, parish priest, martyr.

74.  Saint German Gardiner, secretary and kinsman of the schismatic bishop of Winchester, martyr. These two saints were condemned to death as traitors for not recognizing Henry VIII as head of the Church, and they died with Saint John Larke, former chaplain to Saint Thomas More. Another person was condemned with them, who apostatized on the gallows and was pardoned by the king. But the others remained firm and won the martyrs' crown, 7^th March 1544 at Tyburn, London.

Most of the above martyrs were beatified by Saint Leo XIII the Great; others by Saint Pius XI the Great, and others had been declared venerable.

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Some Martyrs from the Reign of Elizabeth I of England.

76.  Saint Thomas Alfield, martyr.  Born in Gloucester, a learned convert, he received holy orders at Rheims in 1581. In 1582, he was in prison in London, and suffered torture with great constancy. Nevertheless, later he weakened, and conformed outwardly with the heretics. He was freed, and returned to Rheims, where he bitterly repented his cowardice. Again in England, he was arrested once more, this time for distributing the writings of Saint William Allen. He would not accept freedom by admitting the supremacy of the queen in matters spiritual, and was executed by hanging in Tyburn, 6^th July, 1585. (Previously beatified).

77.  Saint William Lampley, martyr. A layman, glovemaker from Gloucester, he was executed for "persuading to popery", and barbarously killed in his city, in 1588. Previously venerable.

78.  Saint Lawrence Humphrey, martyr.  A youth of good character, the Jesuit father who received him into the Church greatly praised his virtues, the zeal with which he taught the ignorant, and the care he devoted to his companions in prison. He confessed the faith at his trial, and was hanged, drawn and quartered in Winchester, 7^th July, 1591, at the age of 21. Previously beatified.

Although the first martyrdoms under Elizabeth I did not take place until 11 years after her accession, nevertheless, from the first year of her reign she caused frightful laws to be enacted against the Catholics, imposing ruinous fines, long terms of imprisonment. The bishops named by Mary Tudor, the Catholic, showed their heroism: of the 16, only one apostatized, and 11 died in prison. Numerous clergy and laymen chose death in prison rather than apostasy. Others died in penury as the result of the grave fines. This persecution lasted more than 200 years, until the latter half of the XVIIIth century.

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English Martyrs during the Reign of James I.

79.  Saint John Sugar, martyr.  After the death of the great persecutor of the Church, Elizabeth I, the Catholics had great hopes that the persecution would cease. However, another protestant king ascended the throne, James I, son of Saint Mary Stuart, the martyr Queen, whom unfortunately he had never known. After having granted pardon to the Catholics of his realm, he came to confirm all the iniquitous laws of Elizabeth I, motivated no doubt by popular opinion. The first priest to shed his blood for Christ during this reign was Saint John Sugar, born in Wombourn (Staffs), of a prominent protestant family. When about to receive his degree at Oxford, he fled on account of the oath he would have had to take, of loyalty to Elizabeth I, though he had not yet accepted the Catholic faith, for he continued to preach Protestantism. At length God conceded him the grace of conversion, and he went to Douai, returning as priest to England in 1601. In his own district he attended to the poorest and most wretched Catholics, a model of virtue. One day, he was arrested in the street with a layman and both were imprisoned for a year. Condemned for being a priest, he said to his friends on the day of his execution: "Be ye all merry; for we have not occasion of sorrow, but of joy: for though I shall have a sharp dinner, yet I trust in Jesus Christ I shall have a most sweet supper". With pardon for his enemies, and confessing the Catholic faith, he was hanged, drawn and quartered, 16^th July, 1604 in Warwick, offering his life for God and the conversion of England. The quarters of his body were exposed on the town gates. His virtues had previously been declared heroic.

80.  Saint Robert Grissold, martyr.  An exemplary layman of great piety, and resolute, he was most devoted to priests. Arrested with Saint John Sugar, he had several chances to escape, but his love for the priest, and his zeal for martyrdom, caused him to remain in prison. At the trial, he was asked if he would attend a protestant church, and he replied: "No, sir." Then they accused him of felony for helping a priest. The martyr replied: "I am not guilty of any felony." Once again he was asked if he would attend a protestant service, and he made the same reply as before. Then the judge said: "Then you will be hanged". The martyr replied: "I ask no favour of you, my lord, in this action."  Whereupon the judge, in a rage, condemned him to be hanged. He followed Saint John Sugar to the scaffold. Although previously the sight of a drop of blood would cause him dismay, now, fortified by the grace of the Holy Ghost, Saint Robert Grissold moistened the hangman’s rope in the blood of the holy priest. Confessing the faith and offering his life for God, he attained the glorious crown of martyrdom on the 16^th July, 1604 in Warwick. Previously venerable.

81.  Saint Lawrence Bailey, martyr.  A Lancashire miller, he fell into the hands of the persecutors for having helped a priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered August 1604 in Lancaster.

82.  Saint Thomas Welbourn, martyr.  Schoolmaster of Hutton Bushel (N.R. Yorks), he was a fervent Catholic and active in the apostolate. He was executed for the supposed offence of "persuading to Catholicism", 1^st August, 1605, in York.  Beatified by Saint Pius XI the Great.

83.  Saint William Brown, martyr.  Likewise a layman, he was condemned for the same reason as the above, and martyred 5^th September, 1605 in Ripon. From Northampton, he was previously declared blessed by Pius XI the Great.

84.  Saint Henry Garnet, martyr.  Born in 1554 into a protestant family, he became a Catholic while travelling in Spain, and in 1571 entered the Jesuits in Rome. He applied himself to study under eminent doctors, including Saint Charles Borromeo and Suarez, and became professor of Hebrew in Rome. In 1586, then a priest, he was sent to England, and when the superior fell into the hands of the persecutors, Father Henry Garnet took his place. As superior of the Jesuits, he gained the esteem of all. After the "gunpowder plot", in which certain desperados attempted to kill the king and destroy parliament at one stroke, Saint Henry Garnet and many others were arrested. This plot, if not initiated, was at least fomented by highly placed Protestants, with the purpose of discrediting the Catholics, especially the Jesuits.  The holy martyr was interrogated no less than 23 times, but without obtaining the evidence that was sought. The cunning authorities then lodged the holy martyr in a cell adjacent to another Jesuit father, Saint Edward Oldcorne, and the warden intimated to them that they might communicate through a crevice in the wall. While the two saints conversed, spies noted all that they said, and heard the martyr admit that he knew of the plot, but only through a confession. Moreover he had tried to dissuade the conspirator from his purpose. The persecutors brought him to trial, in the presence of the king and many nobles, doing everything possible to discredit and calumniate the saint. But the modest and gracious demeanor of Saint Henry Garnet, and his replies, convinced many spectators of his innocence. Nevertheless, the Protestant jury, disregarding the sacred seal of confession, condemned him to death. On the 3^rd May, 1606, feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, the martyr was brought to the gallows. The great crowd, until then screaming shouts and insults, became silent at the venerable appearance of the martyr, who spoke to them of the cross he was to take up that day. Officials renewed the accusations against him, but could not disturb his peace. Saluting the Virgin with a hymn, offering his life for God and the conversion of England, he was executed in the square of Saint Paul’s, London. Afterwards the multitude dispersed in silence.

85.  Saint Edward Oldcorne, martyr.  Born in Yorkshire, he studied in Rheims and Rome and was ordained in 1587. He entered the Jesuits, where the General, after dispensing him from the noviciate, sent him to his country in 1588. He labored fruitfully for 17 Years, zealous in the conversion of souls. After the 'gunpowder plot', he was arrested with Saint Henry Garnet, and cruelly tortured on the rack 5 times, to force him to name the conspirators. All in vain, and he was condemned for assisting his superior, as innocent as he. His accuser was executed with Saint Edward Oldcorne, and publicly begged God's pardon for his iniquitous accusation. The martyr prayed out loud for all who had co-operated in his death. Hanged, drawn and quartered 7^th April, 1606 in Worcester, his head and quarters were exhibited on poles in different parts of the city. His heart and entrails were thrown into a fire, where they continued to burn for 16 days. Beatified in 1929.

86.  Saint Ralph Ashley, martyr.  Jesuit brother and companion of Saint Edward Oldcorne, he was executed with him the 7^th April, 1606. Before entering religion, he had been a servant for some years in the seminaries of Rheims and Valladolid. (Previously Blessed)

87.  Saint-Robert-Drury, martyr.  Born of a good family in Buckinghamshire, he studied at Rheims and Valladolid, was ordained and sent to England in 1593. He worked in London, and was known as an exemplary priest. He was executed as a traitor for being a priest on the 26^th February, 1607, in Tyburn. (Venerable).

88.  Saint Matthew Flanders, martyr.  Born in Weston, Yorkshire, he was a seminarist at the English College in Douai. Ordained in Arras, 25th March, 1606, he returned to England, and that same year was exiled. He returned again, and shortly afterwards was seized by the persecutors, and attained the glorious crown of martyrdom, being barbarously executed 21^st March, 1608. (Venerable)

89.  Saint Roger Cadwallador, martyr.  Born in Stratton (Hereford) of a Catholic family of farmers, as a child he was diligent in serving the Lord. Seminarist at Rheims and Valladolid - where he was ordained,- he returned in 1594 to England. A learned priest, he had translated works of Greek patrology, and for 16 years was a zealous and prudent missionary. He was arrested on Easter Sunday 1610 and denounced as a priest; but for lack of witnesses, the persecutors obliged him to turn witness against himself. Put in chains, he suffered various infirmities in prison without receiving assistance, and in this condition was taken to a heretic bishop for an interview. He wrote to a friend: "If the manner of my death be shameful, yet not more than my Saviour's was: if it be painful, yet not more than my Saviour's was." After a night of prayer before his execution, a crowd came to see and speak with him. Many wept. The saint gave money to his executioners and refused the oath of fidelity to the king, which could have saved his life. The executioners showed him the instruments of the martyrdom, and the two fires,- one to burn his entrails, the other to boil his head and the quarters of his body, inviting him again to take the oath. But the martyr remained firm, pardoning his persecutors, and saying that he wished for the Anglican bishop a higher place in Heaven than his own. He died nobly on the 27^th August, 1610 in Leominster (Hereford), at the age of 43. His virtues were declared heroic.

90.  Saint Thomas Somers, martyr.  Born in Westmorland of a Catholic family, he was a schoolmaster, and took the occasion of his profession to teach Catholicism, encouraging some to enter the seminary in France. The advice that he gave to others, he took himself, and as a priest he returned to England in 1606. He worked in London amongst the poorest, and gained the title "Parish priest of London". He was banished together with 20 other priests, returned, and was arrested again, being condemned to death with Saint John Roberts for the crime of being priests. The following day Saint Luisa de Carvajal obtained the transfer of the two priests to the part of the prison where the Catholics were. That night in prison, 20 Catholics took supper together, among them the two martyrs. It was the eve of their martyrdom, and the fare was more spiritual than corporal. Saint Luisa was present, and one of the martyrs asked her: “Do you not think that my gaiety is a little unedifying, and that it were better to pray?"  She replied: "Rather it is better to show the others the fortitude and joy with which you are going to die for Christ". Before the end of the supper, Saint Luisa washed the feet of the martyrs. King James I was enraged when he heard of this act of homage. A great multitude had gathered at the scaffold, where Saint Thomas confessed his faith and innocence and, blessing all present, was executed, 10^th December, 1610, at Tyburn. The quarters of his body were placed in a pit, and over them the remains of 16 criminals who had been executed the same day. However, Saint Luisa de Carvajal with others, contrived to gather a large part of the relics, and some are preserved in Downside Abbey. Previously beatified.

91.  Saint William Scott, martyr.  He was born in Chigwell (Essex) of a Protestant family. Studying at Cambridge he was converted through reading Catholic books. He studied in Spain, and entered the Benedictines at Valladolid, being ordained in 1604. Returning to London he was captured within a few days, and after a year was banished. Several times this recurred. Finally he was denounced as a priest, and condemned on suspicion, since proof was lacking. Then the holy martyr gave thanks, and confessed that he was a priest and a religious. He attained the glorious crown of martyrdom on the 30^th May, 1612 at Tyburn. Beatified by Saint Pius XI, the Great.

92.  Saint Richard Newport, martyr.  Born in Ashby St. Legers (Northants), in a Catholic family, he became a seminarist at Rome, and was ordained there in 1599. He was an exemplary missionary in London, more than once in prison or banished. When the King's council warned him not to come back to England, the saint heeded rather the voice of God calling him to return. Again he was arrested, and the persecutors resolved to silence him forever. At his trial, he spoke with inspired courage, declaring that, as a citizen, he had always been faithful and respectful to the King, but that the Anti-Catholic laws violated the rights of God,- and that if Christ were then living, those same laws would condemn Him. He was condemned to death with Saint William Scott, and on the 30^th May, 1612, both were executed. (Beatified).

93.  Saint Thomas Atkinson, martyr.  Born in Yorkshire, he was ordained in Rheims in 1588.  For 30 years he was shepherd for his flock, traveling and ministering at night in order to avoid the enemies of the Church. One day, the Most Holy Virgin Mary advised him that he was going to glorify her Son through a cruel martyrdom. He was arrested shortly after, and God performed certain prodigies in his servant,- one when the chains which fettered his legs fell off. He was unjustly condemned and martyred on the 11^th March, 1616, in York. (Venerable).

94.  Saint John Thulis, martyr.  Born in Whalley (Lancs), he was ordained in Rome in 1592. He was imprisoned for many years in the Castle of Wisbeach, and had many crosses and trials to suffer on his path to martyrdom. Once again in prison, he contrived to escape with the help of a Catholic weaver, also a prisoner for his faith. All night they walked in haste to avoid recapture, but at dawn they found themselves once again close to the prison. Then they recognized God's will, and on the 18^th March 1616 in Lancaster, Saint John Thulis offered his life to God for the conversion of his country. (Venerable.)

95.  Saint Roger Wrenno, martyr.  A weaver from Chorley, he was the companion of Saint John Thulis, and was condemned to be hanged for assisting priests. But when they came to hang him, the rope broke, and the martyr, recovering his faculties, started to pray. The protestant ministers who were present seized the opportunity to praise divine providence, urging Saint Roger to take then the oath of allegiance to the king. But the martyr hurriedly climbed the steps of the scaffold, saying in reply to the constable: "Oh! if you had seen that which I have just now seen, you would be as much in haste to die as I now am". He received the crown of martyrdom 18^th March, 1616.

96.  Saint Thomas Tunstal, martyr.  Born in Whinfell (Kendal, Westmorland), he was ordained in Douai in 1609. In England, he soon fell into the hands of the persecutors, and spent some years in different prisons. He contrived to escape, but was recaptured. Condemned through false witnesses, he died heroically, 13^th June, 1616 in Norwich. (Beatified)

97.  Saint William Sootherne, martyr.  He was from Ketton (Darlington), and was ordained in Douai in 1601, dedicating himself to assist and convert the poorest in his own country. He was executed 30^th April 1618 in Newcastle. (Venerable)

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During the last six years of the reign of James I, there were no more martyrs. Plans for a marriage between prince Charles and a princess of Spain caused the persecution to decrease. But when the marriage plans fell through, and with the accession of the prince to the throne, the persecution revived its vigour, not due to the king, but rather to the puritan parliament, which imposed its will in this matter.

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English martyrs during the reign of Charles I.

98.  Saint John Goodman, martyr.  He was from Bangor (Wales), ordained in France in 1632, and was a zealous and vigorous missionary in his own land. He was several times imprisoned, and finally condemned. The king wished to pardon the martyr, but parliament insisted on the execution. Saint John Goodman sent a petition to the king to allow the execution, and thus resolve the differences between king and parliament. The king communicated the petition to parliament, and it seems the puritans were moved to compassion, since the martyr died in prison, 8^th April, 1642. (Venerable.)

99.  Saint Thomas Reynolds (Green), martyr.  Seminarist in Douai and in Seville where he was ordained in 1592, he was constantly persecuted for 50 years, several times imprisoned, always with dignity and good example. However, the puritan parliament wanted blood, and Saint Thomas was suddenly arrested and condemned. While they were dragging the martyr and his companion, Saint Alban Roe, to the scaffold, Protestants and Catholics alike were moved at the sight of the venerable octogenarian, through the grace of the Holy Ghost, full of courage and vigour. He preached to a large throng during half an hour of deep silence. He was allowed to die by hanging before executing the rest of the barbarous sentence, the 31^st January, 1642, at Tyburn.

100.  Saint John Lockwood, martyr.  Born in Sowerby (N.R. Yorks), he was ordained in Rome in 1597. He also was advanced in years when he came to be arrested for the last time during his long missionary life. He was brought on horseback to the city of York, while, because of his age, he frequently fainted, and several times fell. But when they arrived at the gaol, he gave money to his captor. He was dragged to the scaffold with another martyr whose fears of martyrdom were dissipated by the saint, who said: "Be strong. We have almost completed the journey. Shall we lose heart now that the prize is in sight?" The holy martyr of 87 had to be assisted up the steps of the scaffold. He died on the 13^th April, 1642, in York.

101.  Saint Edward Catherick, martyr.  Born in Carlton (N.R. Yorks), he was a zealous missionary for 7 years in his own land. He was executed with Saint John Lockwood, after whose death all his previous fears vanished. He fervently prayed for all, and died valiantly, 13^th April, 1642.

102.  Saint Edward Morgan, martyr.  Born in Bettisfield (Flints), he was ordained priest in 1618 in Valladolid. In England he spent 14 years in prison, suffering complete want, as well as the calumny that he had gone mad. Condemned to death, he was visited by many Catholics as well as Protestants, whom he impressed by the solidity and firmness of his faith on the one hand, and on the other hand by his modesty and charity. The Catholics cut pieces from his cape as relics. The martyr asked for their prayers, that he might die as a true Catholic priest, "with a constant humility and an humble constancy; that no fear may terrify me, nor presumption puff me up...’  On the scaffold he preached on the Gospel of the preceding Sunday: "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". When the executioner placed the rope around his neck, he joked: "Now you send me to Heaven in a string”. Saint Edward Morgan died at 57 at Tyburn, 26^th April, 1642. (Venerable)

103.  Saint Hugh Green, martyr.  Born in London, he studied at Cambridge, was converted, and became a priest at Douai in 1612. He laboured for 30 years as missionary in Dorset, winning the affection of the faithful. King Charles made a proclamation appointing a time limit for priests to leave the country. Saint Hugh desired to make use of this edict, but at the port he was told that the time-limit had expired. He was imprisoned for 5 months until the time came for his execution. When he received notice, he said: "Blessed forever be the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ." A Jesuit on horseback, at the risk of his life, gave absolution to the martyr shortly before his cruel execution, 19^th August, 1642, in Dorchester. Afterwards, the impious and hardhearted crowd played football with the martyr's head. Previously beatified.

104.  Saint John Baptist Thomas Bullaker, martyr.  He was born of pious Catholic parents in 1604 in Sussex. First a seminarian in Valladolid, he became a Franciscan in Abrojo (Spain), studying also in Segovia. Ordained priest, he asked to be sent with other missionaries to the Indies, but his superiors sent him to his own country in 1630. After a while in prison, he laboured with great fruit for 11 years in the provinces. Hearing of the martyrdom of Saint William Ward, he ardently desired to imitate him, and received his superior’s permission to work in London, the better to attain the coveted crown. In the capital he ministered to the poor, the sick and the prisoners. One day, at the 'Gloria’ of his Mass, an apostate entered his room and arrested him. The committee which questioned him was exasperated by his answers, and he was condemned at court without the jury having given a decision. He died with great joy, 12^th October, 1642, at Tyburn. Previously venerable.

105.  Saint Paul of Saint Mary Magdalene Henry Heath, martyr.  Also a Franciscan, he was born in Peterborough in 1600. As a protestant minister he lived a disciplined and pious life, rising at 2 a.m. daily in order to study. Reading Saint Robert Bellarmine, he observed that he was always faithful to his sources, in contrast with Protestant authors. He decided to examine Catholicism, and became inflamed with love for the ancient faith. With four companions, he was not only converted, but entered the religious life. For 19 years Saint Paul of Saint Mary Magdalene lived a life of extraordinary perfection in the Franciscan monastery at Douai, where he was several times superior and provincial, and wrote numerous learned works. Hearing of certain martyrdoms having taken place in England he wrote to others under condemnation: "O sweet Jesus, of what crime am I guilty of, for which I am not to be permitted to enjoy your company?" He sought permission to go on the mission, but it was repeatedly refused. Then he had recourse to the Mother of God, through whose intercession he had obtained great favours, and after a Marian pilgrimage, received the permission he desired. He came to London, and soon fell into the hands of the persecutors, and confessed to being a priest and to have come to convert them from sin and heresy. "What heresy?" they demanded. The holy martyr replied: "Even the Protestant heresy, the puritan heresy, the anabaptist heresy, the heresy of the brownists, and many more." At the trial, the judge soon concluded the proceedings, and the martyr, now condemned, had no rest on account of the numbers of those who wished to see him and to speak with him. Saint Paul of Saint Mary Magdalene wrote: "Let then the executioners come, let them come, let them tear my body in pieces, let them gnaw my flesh with their teeth, let them pierce me through and through, and grind me to dust. For I know, I know full well, how profitable it will be for me to die for Christ". He suffered the 17^th April, 1643, at Tyburn. Previously Venerable.

106.  Saint Francis Arthur Bell, martyr.  Another Franciscan, he was born in 1590 in Temple Broughton (Worcester), of worthy Catholic parents. After ordination he entered the Franciscans at Segovia (Spain) in 1617, and filled various offices in several houses before he was sent in 1634 to England. After 9 years of fruitful labour, he was arrested by soldiers under suspicion of being a spy, as they had discovered on his person a blessing of the Franciscan cord, something that seemed to them very dangerous. Later they suspected him to be a priest, and he was condemned to death. On the scaffold he embraced the executioner and gave him some good counsels. He died on the 11^th December, 1643 in Tyburn. Previously venerable.

107.  Saint Robert Price, martyr.  A layman from Huntingdon, he was asked in the street during the civil war by puritan soldiers: "Are you Price the papist?" The martyr replied:  "I am Price the Catholic and Roman." A soldier promptly shot him. It was the 7^th May, 1644 in Lincoln. (Venerable).

108.  Saint John Duckett, martyr.  Born in 1613 in Underwinder (W.R. Yorks), he was ordained priest at Douai. He practised mental prayer most devotedly during long hours of the night. After a year on the mission, he was arrested for being a priest. When condemned to death, his naturally pale countenance was transformed in an angelical manner, his cheeks glowing with colour, which lasted until his death. Several times there appeared to be possibilities for saving his life, which each time fell through, but the martyr remained unaffected. He was smiling on the way to the gallows, and had procured for himself the tonsure and a soutane. He replied to the Protestant minister: "Sir, I come not hither to be taught my faith, but to die for the profession of it." It was the 7^th September, 1644, at Tyburn. (Beatified)

109.  Saint Brian Cansfield, martyr.  From Tatham (Lancs), he entered the Jesuits in 1604. He was arrested during Mass, and after insult and injury was cast into a filthy prison, where the foulness and general misery brought about his death, on the 3^rd August, 1645, in York. (Venerable)

110.  Saint Edward Barber, martyr.  Born near Blackpool, he was ordained in Seville. For several years in his own country, he was a zealous and exemplary missionary; before his execution he suffered three years’ imprisonment. On the scaffold, Saint Edward exhorted a felon, who was to die at the same time, to repent and confess aloud his more grave public sins. The felon complied, and the martyr publicly absolved him, to the confusion of the Protestants. He was then cruelly martyred, 7^th August, 1646, with the convict and two other priests.

111.  Saint Martin John Woodcock, martyr.  Born in Lancashire in 1603, his mother was a fervent Catholic.  A seminarian in France, he entered the Franciscans and received the habit from Saint Paul of Saint Mary Magdalene, and when the latter was martyred, Saint Martin was filled with the same desire. He was captured the night he arrived in England, and spent two years in prison with much suffering. He was a martyr companion of the previous one. (Venerable)

112.  Saint Thomas Whitaker, martyr.  His parents were Catholics of Burnley (Lancs), and he was ordained in Valladolid, returning to England in 1638, where he laboured zealously and faithfully for 5 years. One day, he was seized by a mob, which did not cease to beat him with clubs until he had admitted that he was a priest. For three years he was a prisoner, and another priest, witness of his conduct, relates that he was constantly praying, or else ministering to his fellow prisoners, the priests particularly, whom he treated as his superiors. Before his trial, aware of his own timid disposition, he made a retreat, accompanied by fasts and penance, above all increasing his confidence in God. He was the last of the three above martyrs to die, and the Protestants, observing his timid character, tempted him, offering him his life if he would conform. But his penances had not been in vain, and the martyr replied: "Use your pleasure with me; a reprieve, or even a pardon, upon your conditions, I utterly refuse." He died pardoning his enemies, 7^th August, 1646.

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The differences between Charles I and the Puritans resulted in civil war. The English Catholics, as well as those of Ireland, supported the King against the Puritans, seeing in the king and his Catholic spouse, the hope for their Faith. But the king lost the war, and in 1649 he was beheaded in London. A republic was proclaimed, and endured 11 years. The persecution increased in vigour, the prisons filled with confessors of the faith, and parliamentary agents confiscated Catholic property. It was a time of suffering and martyrdom, though few were sent to the scaffold for their faith. Amongst these was:

113.  Saint Peter Wright, martyr.  Son of poor but virtuous parents of Slipton (Northants), the child on the death of his father had to earn his bread as a servant in a Protestant household. Thus he lost his faith until, on a journey to Rome, he providentially met with the Jesuits in Liege, became a student there, and finally entered the Society. First he was sent to work among the English soldiers in Flanders, and later he was sent to England during the civil war. The war being lost, he was captured by the persecutors and condemned to death. His friends and penitents lamented the loss of their zealous and virtuous pastor. When the guard called at his cell for the execution, the martyr said: “I come, sweet Jesus, I come". Some 20,000 persons were waiting at the scaffold. Confessing his faith, and the cause for which he died, he said: "God bless you all. I forgive all men. From my heart I bid you all farewell, till we meet in a happy eternity." He died 19^th May, 1651, at Tyburn, at 48. Previously beatified.

In 1660, at the restoration of the monarchy, the son of Charles I ascended the throne. Charles II died a Catholic, but was indolent and given to amusements. Given the fanaticism of the puritans, this reign became the occasion of the most rigorous persecution. The anti-Catholic atmosphere gave rise to the "Titus Oates plot". This former Protestant minister affirmed an attempt on the life of the king on the part of the Catholics. All historians agree on the falseness of his testimony. Probably motivated by desire for vengeance, and by penury, he directed his accusations principally against the Jesuits.

114.  Saint Edward Mico, martyr.  Jesuit, he was born in Essex, and when arrested by Titus Oates, he was suffering from a high fever. He died while prisoner in Wild House, 24^th November, 1678. (Venerable.)

115.  Saint Edward Coleman, martyr.  Son of a Protestant minister of Norfolk, he became a zealous and learned convert. A layman, he was secretary to the Duchess of York, a Catholic. Accused of the conspiracy, he was, because of the conflicting testimony, condemned rather for being a Catholic. Confessing his faith and his innocence, he was barbarously executed, 3^rd December, 1678, at Tyburn. (Beatified.)

116. Saint Thomas Bedingfield, martyr.  A Jesuit, born in Norfolk, and arrested for the conspiracy, he died in the prison of Gatehouse, 21^st December, 1678. (Venerable.)

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117.  Saint William Ireland, martyr.  Born in Lincolnshire in 1636, of pious and serene character, he entered the Jesuits at 19, and was sent to England in 1677. Together with:

118.  Saint John Grove, martyr, a layman, servant of the Jesuits in London, he was condemned on the false testimony of Titus Oates. On the 24^th January, 1679, they were brought to the scaffold at Tyburn, insulted and pelted at by the mob along the way. With pardon for all, they suffered a barbarous death. (Beatified.)

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119.  Saint Francis Nevill, martyr.  Born in Hampshire, Jesuit from 1616, he missioned for 49 years until, at 84 years of age, he was seized by the persecutors and thrown down the stairs. Shortly afterwards, he died in Stafford prison, at the end of February, 1679. (Venerable.)

120.  Saint Thomas Pickering, martyr.  A Benedictine lay-brother from 1660, he was condemned to death with Saint William Ireland, then pardoned, but later, 9^th May, 1679, was executed. On the scaffold he prayed aloud for his accusers, and, shortly before dying, he was told by one of them to confess his guilt. But, lifting his blindfold, he showed his innocent and smiling countenance, and said: "Is this the countenance of a man that dies under so gross a guilt?” He died with a joyful countenance at Tyburn, aged 58. (Beatified.)

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5 Jesuit martyrs:

121.  Saint Thomas Whitbread, martyr.  Born in Essex, a Jesuit from 1635, he was a zealous missionary for 30 years, with a fruitful apostolate.  Shortly after being named provincial in England, he was arrested by Oates.

122.  Saint William Harcourt, martyr.  Born in Lancashire, he also was a venerable missionary when he was arrested at 70 years of age, superior in London, loved by all who knew him.

123.  Saint John Fenwick, martyr.  From Durham, he was rejected by his family at his conversion. Jesuit from 1656, he was one of the first to be arrested in this persecution.

124.  Saint John Gavan, martyr.  A Londoner, he was called 'Angel’ at the seminary for his candour and innocence. A zealous Jesuit from 1660, he was 39 years of age.

125.  Saint Anthony Turner, martyr.  From Leicester, he was the son of a protestant minister, and became converted to Catholicism. At 24 he entered the Jesuits, becoming an admirable preacher, and with an ardent desire for martyrdom.

Despite the contradictory and false testimony given in evidence, prejudice against the Catholics, the clamour of the mob and the partiality of the court caused these five Jesuits to be condemned to death. On Friday 20^th June, 1679, they were dragged to the scaffold. Their modesty and good humour calmed the crowd. Each martyr gave a discourse on his faith and his innocence. When the ropes had already been placed around their necks, a courier on horseback came galloping up, to announce the king's pardon if the martyrs should undertake to reveal the alleged plot against him. They were executed at Tyburn, firm in their constancy. Beatified by Saint Pius XI the Great.

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126.  Saint Richard Langhorne, martyr.  An eminent lawyer and fervent Catholic, he was an obvious target for the false accusations of the scoundrel Oates. On the scaffold he said: "I consider it certain that my religion is the only cause which moved my accusers to charge me with the crime .... and that my being of that religion, which I here profess, was the only ground which could give them any hope to be believed." Pardoning the executioner, he died on the 14^th July, 1679 at Tyburn. (Beatified).

127.  Saint Nicholas Postgate, martyr.  Born at the close of the XVIth century, of parents much persecuted for the faith, he was ordained priest at Douai (France) in 1628. He laboured for 50 years as a missionary, serene and angelic. Of irreproachable life, he lived in a small hermitage. He was condemned for being a priest, attaining the glorious crown of martyrdom on the 7^th August 1679, in York. (Venerable)

128.  Saint Charles Mihan, martyr.  An Irish Franciscan priest, his ship ran aground in England as he was returning to his country. He continued on foot towards home, but was arrested in Wales. On the 12^th August, 1679 he was condemned for being a priest. Dragged in his Franciscan habit to the scaffold, he spoke there to the crowd: “Now God Almighty is pleased I should suffer martyrdom.  His holy name be praised, since I die for my religion. But you have no right to put me to death in this country, though I confessed myself to be a priest, for you seized me as I was going to my native country, Ireland, being driven at sea on this coast... However, God forgive you, for I do, and shall always pray for you, especially for those that were so good to me in my distress..." He was barbarously killed in Ruthin, Wales, not yet 40 years of age. (Venerable)

129.  Saint Francis Leveson, martyr.  Born in Willenhall (Staffs), Franciscan from 1664 and priest, he was imprisoned for the "plot". But they could neither find nor bribe witnesses against the martyr. After 14 months in prison, he died, 11th February, 1680, in Worcester gaol. (Venerable).

130.  Saint Thomas Thwing, martyr.  Born of an old Yorkshire family in 1635, he was a missionary priest in his own country for 15 years. Hatred of Catholics gave occasion for two evil men, moved by vengeance and avarice, to invent a new plot against the king. The testimony was so absurd that all the accused were freed, except the holy priest. He died on the scaffold at York, 23^rd October, 1680. (Beatified)

131.  Saint Paul Mathew Atkinson, martyr.  A Franciscan priest of Yorkshire, he had been a zealous missionary in his country since 1687. Denounced as a priest by a false convert, he was condemned to perpetual prison in 1700. Yet he enjoyed at first a certain liberty, since he celebrated Mass in the open before the church of Milford Haven, probably to make reparation for a sacrilege. He was at once strictly confined. His bed was a stone bench, and he suffered from scurvy and other infirmities. He died at 74, 15^th October 1729, and his body rests in the cemetery of Saint James in Winchester. He is the last canonized martyr of the protestant persecution in England, who died nearly two centuries after the first martyrs.

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Martyrs of the Holy Spanish Crusade, 1936-39.

In the province of Jaen, about one-third of the Diocesan clergy was martyred. Some of these had been in the prisons of the province or of the Cathedral, during which time, observing due precaution, they were able to celebrate Mass, pray in common, including the Office of Holy Thursday. However, their conditions were severe. There was almost a complete lack of food. Executions took place in mass or separately.

In the cametery of Mancha Real, the following priests were murdered by the communists, 3^rd April, 1937.

132.  Saint Miguel Barberan y Juan, martyr priest of Arjona.

133.  Saint Ildefonso Garcia Martinez, martyr priest of Begijar.

134.  Saint Jose Herrera Cano, martyr, parish priest of Villacurrillo.

135.  Saint Agustin Herrera Lopez, martyr.

136.  Saint Jose Ortega Carillo, martyr, chaplain of Santa Ursula.

137.  Saint Ildefonso Ortega Gonzalez, martyr, chaplain of the College Church of San Andres (Jaen).

138.  Saint Francisco Solis Pedrajas, martyr, parish priest of Mancha Real (Jaen).

139.  Saint Juan Maria Torres, martyr, parish priest of San tiago de la Espada.

140.  Saint Juan de Jesus y Maria, martyr, priest of the Discalced Trinitarians of Santuario de la Cabeza.

Bidding farewell to his companions, Saint Juan Maria Torres kissed the feet of all, as well as of the communist guards.

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Religious, Missionaries of the Heart of Mary (Claretians)

On the 19^th July, 1936, the communist committee of Jaen, at an extraordinary session, decided to dispose of the Claretians of the Church of the Merced. To this end, they would accuse them, falsely, of keeping arms in the monastery, and of using them against the people. Without further enquiry they stormed the priory on the following day, and barbarously lynched four members, while the others made good their escape. Later, the mutilated bodies were found in the priory.

141.  Saint Laureano de Frutos, martyr priest.

142.  Saint Jenaro Millan, martyr priest.

143.  Saint Santos Rodriguez, martyr priest.

144.  Saint Eduardo Gomez, martyr, lay-brother.

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Secular priests of the province of Jaen

145.  Saint Jose Maria Acuna, martyr.  Parish priest of Zocueca (Bailen), at first in the provincial prison of Jaen, and then, on the 10^th August 1936 transferred with others to the gaol of Alcala de Henares (Madrid). Before arriving, he was killed on the way, after suffering great hardships during the journey. It was the 10^th August.

146.  Saint Juan Pablo Garcia Vazquez, martyr, parish priest of El Molar (Gazorla, Toledo).

147.  Saint Lorenzo Mora Rojo, martyr, parish priest of Peal de Becerro, (Toledo).

148.  Saint Ramon Ruiz Perez, martyr, seminarian of Peal de Becerro.

149.  Saint Rogelio Rodero Matarranz, martyr, assistant priest of Villacarrillo, (Jaen).

150.  Saint Gregorio Gomez Molina, martyr, parish priest of Adamuz (Cordoba).

The four priests were confined in the Cathedral of Jaen, where also the holy martyr Bishop was imprisoned. They were put on a train with other priests, bound for Madrid. The first three were killed in Vallecas (Madrid), 12^th August '36. The fourth in Villaverde, on the same day. Concerning the place of execution of Saint Gregorio Gomez Molina, the general opinion is that he was killed in Adamuz, although some place him among the preceding group.

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Shortly after the National Movement started, the city of Almeria fell into communist hands. Many churches were burned, others were converted to civil or political offices, as well as barracks and prisons. Sacred images, ornaments and sepulchers were treated to barbarous profanation. On 10^th August, 1936, the arrests began. The prisoners were confined to various prisons, then to boats, later to be murdered. There were many prisoners on the ships 'Astoy-Mendi', and 'Capitan Segarra.’  Crowded into the holds of these floating prisons, without light or air, in suffocating heat, they were treated with extreme inhumanity. In the ‘Astoy-Mendi,’ together with more than 100 prisoners, were the two martyr Bishops previously canonised, of Almeria and Guadix, the first who received the crown of martyrdom. Successively, the prisoners were taken out in turn to be killed on the night of 30-31^st August. 1936.

Secular priests, martyrs.

151.  Saint Agustin Sabater Paulo, diocesan confessor.

152.  Saint Domingo Campoy Cavano, assistant priest of Santiago (Almeria).

153.  Saint Francisco de Haro Martinez, first cantor of the Cathedral of Almeria.

154.  Saint Franoisco Roda Rodriguez, capitular theologian of the Cathedral.

155.  Saint Pedro Martin Abad, Cathedral organist.

156.  Saint Gregorio Morales Membribes, trustee of Benitagla and Cathedral sacristan.

157.  Saint Miguel Morano Saez, parish priest of Felix (Almeria).

158.  Saint Joaquin Berruezo Prieto, trustee of Nijar.

159.  Saint Jose Maria Martinez Vizcaino, chaplain to the Bishop of Almeria.

160.  Saint Carmelo Coronel Jimenez, parish priest of Santiago (Almeria).

161.  Saint Jose Gomez Matarin, parish priest of Illar (Almeria).

162.  Saint Eduardo Romero Cortes, parish priest of Bentarique.

163.  Saint Jose Lara Garzon, assistant priest of Berja (Almeria).

164.  Saint Segundo Arce Manjon, chaplain of Sacro Monte, Schools of Ave Maria.

165.  Saint Luis Eduardo Lopez Gascon, p.p. of Adra, and archpriest of Berja (Almeria) 166.  Saint Lisardo Carretero Fuentes, parish priest of Canjaya (Almeria).

167.  Saint Angel Nogueras Gallego, parish priest of Alboloduy (Almeria)

The above were taken from one of the prison ships to the place of execution, the boundary of the town of Tabernas, at the pit of 'La Lagarta’, some 35 kilometres from the capital. When they arrived, having come roped together in single file during the night, and under military escort, they were led by a difficult ascent to the edge of the pit. They were placed on the edge, shot, and were caused to fall to the bottom. Many were in agony in the dark below, whence were heard terrible groans of pain. It was the night of the 30^th - 31^st August. (Saint Agustin Zabater had been killed 28^th August). When the convoy had passed the home of Saint Domingo Campoy, the leader called a halt, and said to the saint: "This is your home". Saint Domingo, deeply moved although exhausted, said to his parents: "I die gladly for Christ. I do not regret what they do to me, but I fear what later they might do to you". Saint Francisco Roda encouraged the group bravely during the trip towards execution. For praising God and for recriminating the soldiers, his tongue was removed, although he had said he would continue praising God without it.

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168.  Saint Angel Alonso Escribano, superior of the diocesan seminary of Almeria.  Diocesan confessor, martyred 2^nd Sept., 1936.

169.  Saint Juan Manuel Felices Pardo, p.p. of San Jose (Almeria).

170.  Saint Antonio Garcia Padilla, parish priest of Huercal (Almeria).

171.  Saint Nicolas Gonzalez Ferrer, assistant priest of Vera (Almeria).

172.  Saint Torcuato Perez Lopez, sacristan of the Cathedral of Guadix.

These four priests were killed with the two holy martyr bishops of Almeria and Guadix, in the gorge of the 'Chisme,’ at the city limits of Vicar, about 93 kilometres on the road Motril-Malaga, the 30^th August, 1936.

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Religious of various Orders, martyrs.

173.  Saint Manuel Luque Fontanilla.  Jesuit priest of Almeria, of acknowledged virtue and holiness, of great prestige among the workers. At a communist meeting at the ‘people's house' of Almeria, when death was demanded for all priests, Saint Manuel Luque was unanimously exempted. Several times he was able to pacify the criminal passions of the communist mobs in the streets, who dispersed cheering their venerable priest protector. Nevertheless, the holy priest was not spared martyrdom, and was the strong support of a group of fellow martyrs, to whom he gave heart.

174.  Saint Alfonso Payan Perez, Jesuit priest of Almeria.

175.  Saint Tomas Morales, Dominican priest of Almeria.  This last martyr suffered unspeakably before dying. He was the first to cry "Viva Christ the King", and give heart to his companions. The squad of soldiers reacted viciously, tied him by the neck, and dragged him to the edge of the pit. His body was horribly shattered when they shot him.

176.  Saint Fernando Grud Jimenez, Dominican priest of Almeria.

And the Christian Brothers (Lassalle), of Almeria:

177.  Saint Amalio.

178.  Saint Edmigio.

179.  Saint Valerio Bernardo.

These  6 religious were killed, together with other secular priests, at the pit of ‘La Lagarta’ (Tabernas), on the night of 30^th - 31^st August, 1936.

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Other Secular and Religious Priests Martyred in the Province of Almeria.

Five priests from Zurgena (Almeria), assigned in different places, returned to their village seeking refuge, and relying on the sympathy of their fellows. All went well the first months of the war. Later, the communists seized power, profaned the churches, and arrested the 5 Priests. They were placed in lorries and driven away in spectacular fashion from the village, being killed at the pit of La Lagarta, 1st September, 1936. Before execution, they had been submitted to a trial by the communist soldiers of Zurgena, and were acquitted - apparently - since they themselves had advised the soldiers from Madrid of their coming, thus to avoid the appearance of crime.

180.  Saint Andres Iniesta Egea, p.p. of Fuencaliente (Almeria).

181.  Saint Antonio Lorca Munoz, assistant priest of Albox (Almeria).

182.  Saint Juan Jose Egea Rodriguez, assistant priest of Zurgena.

183.  Saint Pedro Meca Rodriguez, parish priest of Sierro (Almeria).

184.  Saint Agustin Navarro Iniesta, chaplain to the nuns, and assistant priest of Carabanchal Alto (Madrid). He distinguished himself by his cries of "Viva Christ the King" on boarding the lorry and at his execution.

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Six more priests were sacrificed at the pit of ‘Cantavieja,’ at the limits of Tahal, 13^th August, 1936. They came from the prison of the Adoratrices, and from that of Astoy-Mendi. After mockery and maltreatment, they were taken during the night to the place of execution, after a long and arduous climb.

185.  Saint Juan Ibanez Martin, archpriest of Albox.

186.  Saint Pio Navarro Moreno, cathedral canon of Almeria.

187.  Saint Ramiro Arguelles Hevia, Master of the cathedral school of Almeria.

188.  Saint Jose Garcia Gonzalez, parish priest of Cabo de Gata (Almeria).

189.  Saint Juan Capel Sagura, priest of Hueroal.

190.  Saint Emilio Antequera Lupianez, rector of the Church of the Sagrado Corazon. 191.  Saint Jose Alvarez Benavides de Ia Torre, Cathedral dean.

On the 26^th September 1936, also killed at the pit of "Cantavieja,” having come from the prison ship "Astoy-Mendi,”:

192. Saint Gines Cespedes Jerez, p.p. of Fernan Perez-Nijar (Almeria).

In the action of the 13^th August 1936, together with the 6 secular priests, were also killed these two religious of the Christian Brothers (Lasalle) of Almeria:

193.  Saint Aurelio Maria

194.  Saint Jose Cecilio

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In the province of Grenada: On the 25^th July 1936, the communist soldiers established themselves in the city of Motril, which became the principal place for the slaughter of the clergy.

Religious Martyred

Six Augustinian Recollects were arrested without preliminary investigation, led through the mob amidst jeers and insults to the outskirts of the town. Near the Hermitage of 'La Virgen de Ia Cabeza,’ they were told that they could go, but at the same time they were fired upon, and five were killed, 25^th July, 1936.

195.  Saint Deogracias Palacios, priest.

196.  Saint Jose Rada de los Dolores, priest.

197.  Saint Leon Inchausti del Rosario, priest.

198.  Saint Julian Benigno Moreno de San Nicolas, priest.

199.  Saint Jose Ricardo Diez del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, lay-brother.

One priest, also an Augustinian Recollect, escaped when the religious were arrested in the monastery. He sought refuge in the rectory of the Divine Shepherdess, together with the parish priest. On the 26^th July, the same mob invaded the Church, and killed the two priests there, who displayed heroic courage:

200.  Saint Vicente Pinilla de San Luis, priest, Augustinian.  Also martyred:

201.  Saint Vicente Soler de San Luis, priest, another member of the community, and former General of the Order. He was put in the district prison where, until the day he died, he fulfilled a great apostolate. In utmost secrecy, he led the prayers in common. Leading the Rosary in a low voice, he nodded his head to indicate the end of the Ave Maria, so that the others could reply in strict silence. They even celebrated the novena of Our Lady of the Head, during the second week of August. He was executed the 15th August 1936 in Motril.

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Secular priests martyred

202.  Saint Manuel Martin Sierra, parish priest of the rectory of the Divina Pastora, of Motril. The holy martyr had the opportunity to leave town with relatives on the previous day, when the communist army entered, but he preferred to stay, rather than abandon his flock. He was shot in the vestibule of the church, with the crucifix in his hand, having refused to utter the blasphemous acclamations ordered by the communists. Saint Vicente Pinilla, mentioned above, died with him, 26^th July.

203.  Saint Manuel Vazquez Alfalla, priest, beneficiary of the major Church of Motril, executed 25^th July, 1936.

204.  Saint Lorenzo Palomino Villaescusa, assistant priest of Salobrena, executed by the communists, 9^th August, 1936.

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In the province of Malaga, half the diocesan clergy were murdered, the seculars being the most affected. The first were a group of 33 priests practicing the spiritual exercises in the seminary, who, with the addition of others from various parts, formed a number of 43 priests and religious under arrest, not counting the civilians and military personnel, mounting altogether to some 600 prisoners. The communist mobs, thirsting for blood, men, women and children, attacked the prison at various times, seized the prisoners, and horribly slaughtered them.

One of these raids took place on the 31^st August, 1936, the victims being priests, secular and religious, as well as others. The prisoners were subjected to frightful suffering, as some were taken, others left, according to the requirements of the communist soldiers. In the attacks on the prison, there took place among the victims scenes of great edification. On the 31^st August 1936, at the cemetery of Saint Rafael of Malaga, were martyred:

Secular priests of Malaga, martyrs.

205.  Saint Enrique Vidaurreta Palma, Rector of the seminary.

206.  Saint Jose Vera Medialdea, Archpriest of Marbella.

207.  Saint Jose Ortega Blanco, Chaplain of Malaga.

208.  Saint Jose Gil Pineda, priest of Malaga

209.  Saint Cristobal Reguera Rubiales, trustee of MaIaga.

210.  Saint Jose Santamaria Alvarez, priest of the seminary of Malaga.

211.  Saint Gomez-Becerra, priest of Malaga.

212.  Saint Jose Lucena Morales, professor of the seminary.

213.  Saint Antonio Nunez Nunez, assistant priest of Malaga.

214.  Saint Jose Corrales Montero, priest of the parish Church of La Victoria.

215.  Saint Francisco Palomo Baez, priest of Malaga.

216.  Saint Angel Ramos Ferrer, priest of Malaga.

Religious - Salesians, martyrs

217.  Saint Tomas Alonso Sanjuan, lay-brother in charge of the printing press at the College.

218.  Saint Vicente Reyes Pardo, priest, Prefect of the College of San Bartolome.

219.  Saint Felix Paco Escartin, priest, spiritual director of the College.

Religious - Franciscans - martyred.

220.  Saint Leonardo Larrazabal Goicuria, priest of the priory of Coin (Malaga).

Also martyred 31^st August 1936, in the cemetery of Malaga, were two secular priests found concealed in the baths of Carratraca, and brought to the prison at Malaga:

221.  Saint Rafael Martinez Navarro, canon of Cordoba.

222.  Saint Rafael Machuca y Suarez de Negron, assistant priest at the church of Santa Maria, Estepa (Seville).

Again, on the 20^th September 1936, another group became the victim of a criminal mob that invaded the prison of Malaga, with jeers and insults. The group included 47 prisoners, only one of whom was a priest, and who was in the company of his parishioners.

223.  Saint Manuel Hoyos Migens, parish priest of Alhaurin el Grande (Malaga).

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On the 24^th September 1936, a mob of some 1,200 communist soldiers again attacked the provincial prison of Malaga. Like howling beasts, they brought out the prisoners, insulting and abusing them. The sick were hauled out of bed. This time there were about 125 prisoners, among whom a good number of priests and religious. They came out two by two, praying with dignity, so that even the rabble were silenced, not daring to stop the prayers. They were executed while crying out "Viva Christ the King".  Included were the following secular Priests:

224.  Saint Nicolas Montero Estevez, Cathedral priest with benefice.

225.  Saint Placido Galvez Rosado, retired priest of Nerja.

226.  Saint Camilo Aragon Fernandez, aged priest of Malaga.

227.  Saint Juan Romero Morales, parish priest of Bobadilla.

Religious, Salesians, martyrs.

228.  Saint Manuel Gomez Contioso, priest, director of the Salesians.

229.  Saint Antonio Pancorvo  Lopez, priest.

230.  Saint Alfonso Cardenas, layman, servant of the Salesians, previously freed on the 31^st August, but this time executed.

Religious, Franciscans, martyrs.

231.  Saint Pio Mendata – Urigoitia Anitua, priest of the priory of Coin (Malaga).

232.  Saint Buenaventura Perez de Urrutia Larrea, priest of the same priory.

233.  Saint Juan Reyes Campos, lay-brother of the same priory.

Religious, Marist, martyr.

234.  Saint Guzman Becerril.

Religious, Hospitallers of the Sanatorium of San Jos6 (Malaga).

This sanatorium is situated on the slope of Mount Casa Bermeja, where the mentally sick were treated. The Brothers of Saint John of God were able to continue normally until the middle of August 1936, although the hospital was investigated several times by the anarchists. On the 17^th August, 1936, about 40 soldiers arrived in 10 vehicles, fully armed, and the arrested the 10 religious, to the astonishment of the poor patients. One of the religious had a high fever, another a broken arm. Inexplicably, the Father Superior was not arrested, although he asked to be allowed to accompany his religious. A brother of Colombian nationality was also excluded. In the first expedition, 7 religious were taken. One brother, Segundo Pastor, had contrived to hide himself. The communists said they would return to fetch him. The martyrdom took place on the 17^th August 1936:

235.  Saint Silvestre Perez, priest.

236.  Saint Baltasar del Charco.

237.  Saint Gumersindo Sanz.

238.  Saint Honorio Ballesteros.

239.  Saint Raimundo Garcia.

240.  Saint Estanislao de Jesus Pena.

241.  Saint Salustiano Alonso Donado.  These were shot at the cemetery of San Rafael.

242.  Saint Segundo Pastor, killed on the bridge Los Martiricos, near the sanatorium.

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In the city of Antequera (Malaga) were killed a secular priest and 7 religious, Capuchins.

243.  Saint Wilibardo Fernandez Luna, parish priest of the Church of San Miguel, killed on the road near the Capuchins, July.

From the 19^th July 1936, the Capuchin community of Antequera was constantly molested by the communists. From their windows they witnessed the martyrdom of Saint Wilibardo Fernandez, p.p. of San Miguel, and daily received visits from the communists, threatening death. The communist committee passed sentence of death against the community of 11 fathers and several brothers. On the 6^th August at 5 p.m. a group of armed soldiers invaded the priory of the Capuchins, situated in the Plaza del Triunfo, in the centre of which is a statue of the Immaculate Conception. A great mob had gathered in the square in front of the college, screaming death to the religious. One of the hotheads called for the religious to come out, and 5 Capuchins presented themselves, that being the number the committee believed to be in the community. The 5 martyrs were brought through the crowd, now observing respectful silence, being placed near the statue of the Virgin, in front of the 12 gunmen, who opened fire:

244.  Saint Angel de Canete, priest, guardian of the House.

245.  Saint Gil del Puerto Santa Maria, Priest, provincial definitor and vicar.

246.  Saint Ignacio de Galdacano, priest, professor.

247.  Saint Jose de Chauchina, deacon professor.

248.  Saint Crispin de Cuevas de San Marcos, lay-brother.

Saint Angel Canete had a small crucifix in his mouth and went to the fence around the statue, hoping to be able to touch the blue mantle of the Immaculate, but falling, wounded, his blood spattered the pedestal. Saint Gil was praying, and also tried to reach the fence, but was shot down. Gunfire shattered the shoulder of Saint Ignacio; he sat down, raised his arms to heaven, looked at the Immaculate, crying out: "Viva Christ the King!” then fell bathed in blood under another discharge. Saint Jose and Saint Crispin, clutching their Rosaries, fell by their brethren. Two other religious:

249.  Saint Luis Maria de Valencia, priest.

250.  Saint Pacifico de Ronda, lay-brother.  The former tried to flee through a window, but he broke a leg, and later on was killed by the inhuman mob. It was the 3^rd August 1936, when the convent had been sacked and death was threatened by the soldiers. Saint Pacifico was shot 7^th August, after some days in prison.

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In the province of Seville, 24 priests and 3 seminarians were killed, each in his own residence. A brutal slaughter took place in the central area of the prison of Cazalla de la Sierra, 5^th August 1936, when there were 70 victims, among them a priest and a seminarian. The communist soldiers behaved with extreme barbarity towards these innocent victims.

251.  Saint Antonio Jesus Diaz Ramos, parish priest of Cazalla de la Sierra.

252.  Saint Enrique Palacios Monroba, seminarian.

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In the city of Utrera (Seville), the communists killed the assistant priest of Santa Maria. The holy martyr was in the neighbouring prison, with other prisoners. A squad opened the gate and ordered them out. The first was the priest, who had hardly crossed the threshold, when he was shot and mortally wounded, 26^th July, 1936.

253.  Saint Miguel Borrero Picon, martyr.

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In the Province of Cordoba, the following places are prominent on account of the communist slaughter there of priests and religious:

In Bujalance, 7 priests and a sub-deacon were put in the municipal prison, and killed on the 1^st August 1936, in a field between Canete de la Torre and Morente:

254.  Saint Teodoro Martin  Camacho, parish priest of the Assumption (Bujalance)

255.  Saint Agustin Guadix Fuentes, assistant priest of Bujalance,

256.  Saint Antonio Guadix Fuentes, assistant priest of Bujalance.

257.  Saint Antonio Gutierrez Morales, assistant priest of Bujalance.

258.  Saint Nicolas Hidalgo Garcia, archpriest of Bujalance.

259.  Saint Francisco Garcia Pareja, assistant priest of Bujalance, who was given his freedom by the committee, but refused it unless his brothers received the same grace,

260.  Saint Rafael Cubero Martin, subdeacon.

In Fuenteovejuna, for two months 6 secular priests were confined in the district prison where, in spite of the hardships, they kept up their spirits, thanks to constant and fervent prayer. A good number of laymen were with them. In the prison of Valdelero, the palace of the Marquis, in similar circumstances were 7 Franciscans and a number of laymen.

The 20^th September 1936, 300 armed men, under the command of their hothead leader, entered Fuenteovejuna, proposing to finish off all the prisoners. The terrified people of the district shut their windows and doors at nightfall. Six lorries put up near the prison at night, and the secular priests as well as many laymen, a total of 43, were put on board. A seventh lorry carried the 7 Franciscans and a group of laymen. The first six lorries drove towards the cemetery of Granja de Torrehermosa. During the trip, each time that the group cried “Viva Christ the King," led by the zealous archpriest of Fuenteovejuna, they were subjected to maltreatment, and the occasional gunshot. They were killed at the walls of the cemetery.

261.  Saint Jose Castro Diaz, archpriest of Fuenteovejura, who was the last to be killed, since the soldiers hoped he would reveal the whereabouts of certain parish treasures. As nothing availed them, they tried to force him to blaspheme, but the holy martyr died crying: "Viva Christ the King!"

262.  Saint Juan Porras Redondo, parish priest of Ojuelos Altos.

263.  Saint Doroteo Barrionuevo Pena, parish priest of Cuenca, at the boundary of Fuenteovejuna.

264.  Saint lgnacio Carretero Sobrino, parish priest of the Canada del Gamo.

265.  Saint Diego Albanil Barrera, assistant priest of Fuenteovejuna.

266.  Saint Candido del Cacho Cruz, assistant priest of Fuenteovejura.

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The seventh lorry, with the Franciscan fathers and other laymen, took the road to Azuaga, where the victims were put into the dark prison cells without food and with little water. The soldiers insulted and mocked them. Two of the religious were killed in the very cell of the prison.

267.  Saint Jose Azurmendi, priest of the priory of Fuenteovejuna.  He was taken to the prison yard, where they tried to make him blaspheme. As they were unsuccessful, they shot him and carried the body away in a sheet, on the morning of 21^st September, 1936.

268.  Saint Felix de Echevarria y Gorostiaga, Father Guardian of the House.  He was the last to die, having been left in the jail. After horrible torture and interrogation, he was shot and bludgeoned to death, the morning of the 22^nd September 1936.

The other 5 Franciscans suffered greatly in the jail by interrogation, mockery and insults, but could not be forced to blaspheme. About 3 a.m. they were taken to the cemetery and shot at the walls, 21^st September, 1936.

269.  Saint Luis de Echevarria y Gorostia, priest.

270.  Saint Francisco Carles y Gonzalez, priest.

271.  Saint Miguel Zarruaga e Iturriaga, lay-brother.

272.  Saint Antolin Saiz de Ibarra y Lopez, lay-brother.

273.  Saint Simon Miguel y Rodriguez, lay-brother.

Seven laymen from Fuenteovejuna suffered the same death as the Franciscans, being killed in the early morning of the 21^st September, 1936, together with the 5 Franciscans:

274.  Saint Benito Navas

275.  Saint Juan Perea

276.  Saint Antonio Molina

277.  Saint Faustino Romero

278.  Saint Jose Fernandez de Henestrosa

279.  Saint Jose Barranco

280.  Saint Rosendo Cano

Six other laymen were horribly martyred during August, for refusing to blaspheme. They were beaten with canes, and suffered such other barbarities as the communist tribunal of Aznaga was wont to practise before at last killing their victims.

281.  Saint Placido Alejandro Moreno.  His face was half destroyed by gunfire. The soldiers then heaped refuse on the wound, and left him half buried in the cemetery.

282.  Saint Fernando Morillo.  A miller who was so cruelly beaten, that his groans struck fear into the hearts of his companions. Then they mutilated him, following which they electrocuted him to death.

283.  Saint Jose Moya, who was strangled.

284.  Saint Jose Antonio Castillo, bludgeoned to death

285.  Saint Juan Ortiz, shot to death.

286.  Saint Jose Martin, shot to death.

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Religious martyred in the province of Barcelona

Hospitallers of Saint John of God. Despite the assurances of the communist committee that for their humanitarian work towards the orphans, as far as they were concerned, the religious had nothing to fear, 15 brothers of Saint John of God of the Sanatorium Maritimo of Calafell were martyred for Christ. It happened that the committee of Calafell was subject to that of Villanuevo and Geltru, and the promises they had made proved to be empty words. The 23^rd July, 1936, the soldiers, after burning the church, entered the sanatorium, making the life of the brothers impossible for a week. The soldiers brought with them women of ill repute, upsetting the life of the brothers and the children. On the 30^th July, the communists took over, giving the brothers the option of remaining or leaving. Although they desired to remain, they preferred to leave, since life in the sanatorium had become impossible, given the base character of the personnel brought in to care for the children. Of 33 religious, 8 remained, so as not altogether to abandon the children. The other 25 left in groups for the railway stations of Calafell and San Vicente. However, all was foreseen by the communists, who were not going to permit anyone to escape. However, 10 religious miraculously did escape. Of the remaining 15, one was detained at the sanatorium under the pretext that he had some task to complete. Then they sent him off again, only to kill him nearby. This victim was:

287.  Saint Constancio Roca Huguet, first martyr of the Sanatorium, 30-VII-1936.

The others were arrested at the railway stations and taken to the principal square of Vendrell, where they were subjected to a mock execution. Then they were taken in a lorry, and killed near the tile factory on the side of the road, 1 1/2 kilometres from Galafell. The holy martyrs died on their knees shouting “Viva Christ the King", and pardoning their executioners. Although three escaped, they were captured and martyred in various places nearby.

288.  Saint Julian Carrasquer Ros, superior of the community.

289.  Saint Braulio Maria Corres, master of novices.

290.  Saint Eusebio Foncades Ferrate

291.  Saint Benito Jose Labre Manoso

292.  Saint Vicente de P. Canelles Vives

293.  Saint Tomas Urdanoz Aldaz

294.  Saint Rafael Flamarique Salinas

295.  Saint Antonio Llaurado Parisi

296.  Saint Manuel Lopez Orbara, overtaken on the mountain and killed.

297.  Saint lgnacio Tejero Molina

298.  Saint Enrique Beltran Llorca, overtaken near the sea and killed.

299.  Saint Domingo Pitarch Gurrea, overtaken in a vineyard and mortally wounded, entrusting his rosary and crucifix covered with his bloodto his executioners to give to his mother, dying soon after.

300.  Saint Antonio Sanchez Silvestre

301.  Saint Manuel Jimenez Salado

The day of martyrdom was 30^th July, 1936.

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Seven other Hospitallers of Saint John of God were martyred in Barcelona on the 9^th August, 1936. They were Colombians and had come from the Sanatorium of Ciempozuelos, Madrid. They came to Barcelona under the protection of their embassy, which had secured them protection. But their documents proved useless, as were the efforts of their consul at Barcelona. Arrested in the station, they were detained by the commissariat, and then shot:

302.  Saint Gaspar Paez Perdomo

303.  Saint Ruben de Jesus Lopez Aguilar

304.  Saint Esteban Maya Gutierrez

305.  Saint Juan Jose Velasquez Pelaez

306.  Saint Arturo Ayala Nino

307.  Saint Eugenio Ramirez Salazar

308.  Saint Melquiades Ramirez Zuloaga

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Religious,- Benedictines, martyrs.

Seven monks of the Monastery of Montserrat were martyred at the crossing of Dels Garrofers street with Victoria Avenue, Barcelona. They had been several days lodged at Ronda de San Pedro, with permission of the civil authorities, and there they continued in fervent prayer. On the 19^th August 1936, they were arrested by a group of soldiers. One of these, uttering a curse, knocked down one of the monks, who was very old, and he fell clown the stairs, face down to the ground. Shortly afterwards were martyred:

309.  Saint Jose Maria Fontsere_Masdeu, priest.

310.  Saint Domingo Gonzalez Millan, priest.

311.  Saint Juan Roca Bosch, priest.

312.  Saint Ambrosio Maria Busquets Creixal, priest.

313.  Saint Placido Maria Feliu Soler, priest.

314.  Saint Eugenio Maria Erausaquin Aramburu, lay-brother.

315.  Saint Emiliano Maria Guila Ximenes, lay-brother.

Killed on the 28th July, 1936:

316.  Saint Odilon Maria Costa Canal, priest.

317.  Saint Narciso Maria Vilar Espona

318.  Saint Hildebrando Maria Casanova

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Religious,- Augustinians, martyrs.

Nine Augustinians, taking refuge in the infirmary of Promenade Gracia, were killed the night of the 12^th October 1936, being as follows:

319.  Saint Agustin Alvarez Rabanal, priest.

320.  Saint Eustaquio Heria Luis, priest.

321.  Saint Vicente Ferrer Prieto, priest.

322.  Saint Dionisio lbanez Argondona, priest.

323.  Saint Santiago Perez Gomez, priest.

324.  Saint Fulgencio Rodriguez Rodriguez , priest.

325.  Saint Cleto Palacios Jimenez, priest.

326.  Saint Niceforo Merino Rodriguez, priest.

327.  Saint Gumersindo Diez Diez, priest.

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Discalced Carmelites, martyrs.

In the Carmelite convent of La Diagonal, Barcelona, a national unit offered resistance to the communists on 18^th July 1936, having to surrender the following day due to the overpowering number of armed communists. The religious martyrs, who had merely attended the wounded, were machine-gunned in the convent, 20 July.

328.  Saint Lucas de San Jose, priest, provincial.

329.  Saint Jorge de San Jose, priest.

330.  Saint Juan Jose de Jesus Crucificado, lay-brother.

331.  Saint Jaime de Santa Teresa, priest, mortally wounded, died in the Military Hospital of Calle Tallers.

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332.  Saint Celestino Fumet, martyr. Carthusian of Montealegre (Barcelona), who was shot to death by the communists, 20^th July 1936, near Badalona, where he was taken with 35 of his brethren after the attack on the monastery.

333.  Saint Pedro Riba Pala, martyr, chaplain of the brothers of the Sanatorium of the Holy Cross, in company with the Carthusians of Montealegre. He was killed along the road to Badalona, 20^th July, 1936.

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Jesuit religious, martyrs.

The first Jesuits martyred in Barcelona, 21^st July 1936 were arrested in the house of the spiritual exercises of San Jose, and killed in full daylight, in San Gines dels Agudells:

334.  Saint Jose Roma Carreras, priest.

335.  Saint Felix Cots Oliveras, priest.

336.  Saint Felipe Iriondo Amundarain, lay-brother.

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Brothers of the Christian Schools (de la Salle), martyrs.

337.  Saint Arnoldo Julian

338.  Saint Mariano Leon

339.  Saint Vicente Justino

340.  Saint Jose Benito

341.  Saint Benedicto Jose

These were martyred in the cemetery of Moncada, 25^th July 1936.

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Brothers of Charity of the Holy Cross, martyrs.

They attended several charitable institutions in Barcelona. The 16^th August, 1936, they were killed in Cornella, being the superior general and the superior of the Institute of Mental Illness, respectively:

342.  Saint Juan Aguilar Font

343.  Saint Joaquin Serra Plana

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Dominican religious, martyrs.

From the House at Calle Zaragoza, Barcelona, they were arrested in a nearby lodging house, where they had taken refuge, and were killed 27^th July 1936.  Two of the martyrs were resident in Rome, and were passing through Barcelona:

344.  Saint Candido Fernandez, priest, professor at the Angelicum, Rome.

345.  Saint Jose Garcia Diez, priest, as above.

346.  Saint Florentino Fernandez, priest.

347.  Saint Manuel Escavias, lay-brother.

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Religious of the Institute of Saint Peter Advincula, martyrs.

They served a boarding school in San Feliu de Llobregat. Killed 27^th July 1936 in Palleja:

348.  Saint Teodoro Illera del Olmo, priest, director of the Institute.

349.  Saint Joaquin Gomez Pena, lay-brother.

350.  Saint Joaguin Puente Gonzalez, lay-brother.

351.  Saint Jose Franco Ruiz, lay-brother.

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Capuchin Religious, martyrs.

Four Capuchins of Sarria (Barcelona) were killed near the station del Norte, the 29^th or 30^th July, 1936:

352.  Saint Eloy de Vianya, priest.

353.  Saint Miguel de Vianya. lay-brother.

354.  Saint Jorge de Santa Pau, lay-brother.

355.  Saint Cebrian de Tarrasa, lay-brother.

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Missionaries of the Heart of Mary (Claretians), martyrs.

Six religious from the Sanctuary of the Heart of Mary at Sabadell were confined in the municipal prison. On the 4^th August, 1936, 15 criminals entered the prison and, with a paper signed by the authorities, demanded the prisoners, who were then handed over, shortly after to be murdered in the roads nearby:

356.  Saint Jose Puig Bret, priest.

357.  Saint Mateo Casals Mas, priest, superior.

358.  Saint Jose Claveria.Mas, lay-brother.

359.  Saint Juan Rafi Figuerola, lay-brother.

360.  Saint Jose Sole Maymo, lay-brother.

361.  Saint Jose Cardona Dalmases, lay-brother.

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Five more religious of the monastery at Sallent, a town 15 kms. from Manresa, after being evicted from their House, remained hidden in the town. They were soon arrested, 4 being killed in the cemetery, the fifth on the road to ManIleu:

362.  Saint Juan Mercer, priest.

363.  Saint Jaime Payas, priest, whom the communists tried to persuade to abandon religion and adopt a profession in the world, in order to gain his freedom. Father Payas had won the sympathy of some members of the committee, and these sought a way to free him. However, the holy martyr did not for a moment show interest in the proposal. During his imprisonment he wrote: "I pardon all who have done me injury, and embrace them as friends. I feel no bitterness, even toward those who drove me from my house like a dog. Thus they behaved even towards Thee (Christ).”  He had previously sought refuge in various houses, but was refused.

364.  Saint Marcelino Mur, brother.

365.  Saint Mariano Binefar, brother.

All were killed in the cemetery on 24^th July, 1936. The last:

366.  Saint Jose Capdevilla, priest, superior, contrived to escape, and remained hidden on a farm near Vich until 24^th September, when he was arrested. He was shot to death on the road to Manlleu, 29^th September, 1936.

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Marists of Barcelona, villages and other cities, martyrs.

The Marist province of Spain had its provincial seat in Barcelona, to which all their houses were subject. When the terrible communist persecution began, the religious dispersed to boarding houses and private houses. One of the Marists under arrest proposed that, for a certain sum of money, all the Marists of Barcelona be sent to France. An agreement was reached, and after payment, brought by another religious from the Mother House in France, 120 religious gathered from their places of refuge, and sailed for France. Another agreement was proposed, on similar terms. Again the same religious went to fetch the sum of money. As before, the religious gathered from their places of refuge, being invited, but not obliged, to take the occasion to escape. On the 7^th October 1936, 107 Marists embarked on the San Agustin, at anchor in the port of Barcelona, later to be transferred to a French vessel that would carry them to France. Nevertheless, not all the religious went on board, as they entertained certain fears. During the night of the 7^th October, the communist soldiers behaved well. In the morning they changed their behaviour, ordering the religious back to their quarters. They were deprived of their belongings, transferred to buses, and brought to the prison of Saint Elias. Brother Laurentino Alonso, provincial superior, was taken out at night with 44 others. Breaking the silence imposed by the soldiers, Brother Laurentino said:  “Adios, until we meet in Heaven". The vehicles proceeded to the cemetery of Moncada, where, at the wall, with cries of "Viva Christ the King", the following 45 martyrs were machine-gunned without pity:

367.  Saint Laurentino Alonso, provincial superior.

368.  Saint Alberto Maria Vivar, of Mataro.

369.  Saint Angel_Andres Izquierdo, of Madrid.

370.  Saint Anselmo FaIgueras, of Vich.

371.  Saint Antolin Roig, of Gerona.

372.  Saint Baudilio Ciordia, of Mataro

373.  Saint Bernabe Riba Pi, of Badalona.

374.  Saint Carlos Rafael Brengaret

375.  Saint Dionisio Martin Cesari, of Las Avellanas.

376.  Saint Epifanio Suner

377.  Saint Felipe Jose Latienda, of Las Avellanas.

378.  Saint Felix Leon Ayucar

379.  Saint Fortunato Andres Ruiz, of Las Avellanas.

380.  Saint Frumencio Garcia

381.  Saint Gabriel Eduardo Hidalgo, of Las Avellanas.

382.  Saint Gaudencio Tubau, of Gerona.

383.  Saint Gil Felipe Ruiz, of Lerida.

384.  Saint Hermogenes Badia, of Torello

385.  Saint Isaias Maria Martinez

386.  Saint Ismael Ran Goni, of Lerida.

387.  Saint Jose Carmelo Faci, of Sabadell.

388.  Saint Jose Federico Pereda, of Torello

389.  Saint Juan Crisostomo Pelfort, of Mataro.

390.  Saint Juan de Mata Menchon, of Las Avellanas.

391.  Saint Laureano Carlos Sitges, of Igualada.

392.  Saint Leonides Mesegue, of Mataro.

393.  Saint Leopoldo Jose Redondo, of Mataro.

394.  Saint Licarion Roba Osorno, of Lerida.

395.  Saint Lino Fernando Gutierrez, of Las Avellanas.

396.  Saint Martiniano Serrano, of Valencia.

397.  Saint Migael Ireneo Rodriguez

398.  Saint Porfirio Perez

399.  Saint Prisciliano Mir

400.  Saint Ramon Alberto Ayucar

401.  Saint Salvio Gomez, of Las Avellanas.

402.  Saint Santiago Zugaldia, of Las Avellanas.

403.  Saint Santiago Maria Saiz

404.  Saint Santos Escudero of Lerida.

405.  Saint Teodulo Zudaire of Las Avellanas.

406.  Saint Victor Conrado Ambroa, of La Garriaga.

407.  Saint Virgilio Lacunza, of Murcia.

408.  Saint Victoriano Jose Blanch

409.  Saint Vitor Jose Elola, of Las Avellanas.

410.  Saint Vivencio Nunez, of Gerona.

411.  Saint Vulfrano Mill, of Gerona.

These 45 Marist Brothers were killed on the 8^th October 1936. The other religious in the prison of Saint Elias were transferred to Carcel Nodelo since, thanks to the intervention of a brother of one of the religious, this decision was taken in their favour.

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Gabrielist Brothers of Barcelona, martyrs.

These religious belonged to the novitiate house that the Congregation of Saint Gabriel had founded in Cans de Valls (San Vicente de Montalt), and there, even though they were prisoners, they were able during the first three months of the war to live according to their rule in community, until the eve of their execution, which took place on the night of the last day of October, 1936, at the cemetery of Moncada.

412.  Saint Adolfo (in the world: Bonifacio Revilla Temino).

413.  Saint Alfredo Maria (in the world: Daniel Villaverde Duenas).

414.  Saint Angel Maria (in the world:  Rufino Barga Domingo).

415.  Saint Angel Maria (Angel Termino Valdivielso).

416.  Saint Bautista Maria (Marcelino Lopez Hernando).

417.  Saint Bonifacio (Andres Lopez Hernando)

418.  Saint Celestino (Isidoro Moreno Camarero)

419.  Saint Constancio (Sergio Martinez Alonso)

420.  Saint Domingo Maria (Manuel Arnaiz Saenz)

421.  Saint Eduardo (Teodoro Martinez Diez)

422.  Saint Elias (Agustin Pascual Fuentes).

423.  Saint Eugenio Maria (Isidoro Gastaminza Fernandez).

424.  Saint Estantislao (Lorenzo Ortega Garcia), provincial.

425.  Saint Felicisimo (Villamor Lopez de Abechuco).

426.  Saint Gonzaga Jose (Aniceto Alvarez Lopez).

427.  Saint Isidro (Victoriano Martinez Velasco).

428.  Saint Jacinto (Julio Romo Arlanzon).

429.  Saint Jeronimo (Dionisio Alejos Garcia).

430.  Saint Jose Maria (Rufino Ochoa Perez).

431.  Saint José Oriol (Balbino Moreno Pascual).

432.  Saint Julio (Constancio Marina Mones).

433.  Saint Juan de Dios (Vicente Diego Perez).

434.  Saint Luis Gabriel (Crescensio Gutierrez Monedero).

435.  Saint Martirian (Salvador Pigem Roset).

436.  Saint Matias (Sergio Gastaminza Fernandez).

437.  Saint Mauricio (Miguel Alvarez Garcia).

438.  Saint Pascual Bailon (Augusto Vegas Cortes).

439.  Saint Pedro Claver (Emilio Revilla Sancho).

440.  Saint Placido Maria (Demetrio Moreno Moncabrillo).

441.  Saint Rufino (Jesus Romo Lara).

442.  Saint Salvador (Ramoa Arrieta Martinez).

443.  Saint Tarcisio (Cesareo Villanueva Iriarte).

444.  Saint Teofilo (Clemente Ruiz Saenz).

445.  Saint Timoteo (Laurentino Serana Perez).

446.  Saint Victoriano (Antonio Iturbe Alegre).

447.  Saint Zacarias (Luciano Monedero Diez).

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448.  Saint Manuel Bereaguer Clusella, Chaplain to the Gabrielist Brothers, together with them he was martyred.

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Province of Lerida

The Claretians of Cervera, martyrs.

These religious conducted the famous University of Cervera, founded by King Philip V. More than one hundred of these Missionaries of the Heart of Mary left their institution on the 21^st July 1936, in vehicles provided by the municipality, and took refuge in a convent of the Mercedarians in Manresa, until the 23^rd, on which day they left in groups, fearing a communist assault. Besides these groups, there were other religious who sought refuge individually, in private houses, or, in the case of sickness, in hospital. Some found refuge on the farm Mas Claret. However, much suffering, hardships and anxieties followed these holy martyrs to the end.

The first to be executed were in a group directed by Father Jove, 14 students and a priest. On their painful journey down from the sanctuary of La Bovera to the road San Martin de Malda – Rocafort, they were accosted by some persons from Ciutadilla, and brought before the communist committee.  After 24 hours of intense suffering, tied two by two, hands and feet, they were taken in a lorry and killed in the cemetery.  Each was asked before being shot:  “Do you wish to die for God?" Each replied: "I also.”  After their execution, the bodies were given over to the bestial mob for them to outrage and to satisfy their infernal hatred. It was the 26^th July 1936.

449.  Saint Manuel Jove had the opportunity to escape with friends, but he chose to share the death of those entrusted to him. When he appeared before the committee, these tried to make him trample on a crucifix, but he refused. They gave it to him to kiss, but with a cruel blow on the mouth. He was struck and maltreated, so that his blood came to stain the straw he slept on. Saint Manuel Jove was an illustrious Claretian, founder and director of the Review "Can-

didatus Latinus", later called “Palestra Latina".  He collaborated on "Alma Roma,” and his works were awarded prizes at the International competition of Munich. He had been admitted to the French Academy of Latin Studies. He translated a work of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, compiled a Latin grammar, and was preparing a Latin-Spanish dictionary, all of which added to his distinction as eminent scholar.

The students:

450.  Saint Onesimo Agorreta

451.  Saint Amado Amalrich

452.  Saint José Amargant

453.  Saint Pedro Caball

454.  Saint José Casademont

455.  Saint Teofilo Casajus

456.  Saint Antonio Cerda

457.  Saint Amadeo Costa

458.  Saint José Elcano

459.  Saint Luis Hortos

460.  Saint Senen Lopez

461.  Saint Miguel Oscoz

462.  Saint Luis Plana

463.  Saint Vicente Vasquez (Cemetery of Lerida; 26^th July, 1936)

464.  Saint Jaime Giron, priest, rector of the University of Cervera, had taken refuge in the hospital nearby. The 3^rd September, because of the dangerous circumstances, he set out for a certain house near Solsona. On the way, he was denounced by a shepherd, taken in arrest by the committee of Tora, where he was put in prison and killed on the 5^th September, 1936, in the cemetery of Castellfullit.

465.  Saint Pedro Sitges, priest, also a fugitive from the hospital of Cervera, executed between 10^th -12^th September 1936, at the boundary of San Martin de Tous.

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Eleven Claretians who were among the sick and the refugees at the Hospital of Cervera, were executed in the cemetery of Cervera, 17^th October, 1936:

466.  Saint Heraclio Matute, priest, former provincial of Castilla, who was almost blind, and was hospitalised.

467.  Saint Luis Jove, priest, aged and disabled.

468.  Saint Jose Serrano, priest, also very ill.

469.  Saint José Auselle, student with tuberculosis of the bones.

470.  Saint Jose Ros, lay-brother, former missionary in China, also almost blind.

471.  Saint Buenaventura Reixach, lay-brother, aged and disabled.

472.  Saint Miguel Rovira, lay-brother, aged and disabled.

473.  Saint Evaristo Bueria, student, who disregarded every opportunity to escape in order to attend to his sick brethren to the last.

474.  Saint Francisco Canals, lay-brother, who showed the same heroic dispositions as the previous.

475.  Saint José Loncan, student.

476.  Saint Manuel Sole, student.

The communists appeared and presented a document from the committee of Barcelona to the Sister in charge, also a religious of the Heart of Mary, requiring that those patients who were religious should be transferred to a home. A few minutes afterwards, gunfire was heard, the religious being killed at the place mentioned above.

477.  Saint Juan Buxo, priest, also a prisoner of heroic charity, acted as doctor in the hospital and was killed 18^th October, 1936.

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Seventeen Claretians had taken refuge on a farm belonging to the Missionary Institute, called Mas Claret. The committee of Cervera made frequent visitations, permitting them to remain, with the obligation of tending the animals and working in the orchard, but delivering the produce to the soldiers. The religious were under constant tension, celebrating Mass in complete secrecy, and practising their pious exercises. On 19^th October 1936, on one of their visits, the soldiers came armed and ordered the religious to the courtyard for a photograph. They were then handcuffed and led to the road Dels Hostals, where they were killed:

478.  Saint Manuel Font, priest.

479.  Saint Julio Leache, priest.

480.  Saint José Ribe, priest.

481.  Saint Francisco Simon, student.

482.  Saint Antonio Elizalde, student.

483.  Saint Emilio Pascual, student.

484.  Saint Francisco SoIa, student.

485.  Saint  Constantino Miguel, student.

486.  Saint Eusebio de las Heras, student.

487.  Saint Francisco Milagro, lay-brother.

488.  Saint José Ferrer, lay-brother.

489.  Saint Dionisio Arizoleta, lay-brother.

490.  Saint Juan Senosiain, lay-brother.

491.  Saint Nicolas Campo, lay-brother.

492.  Saint Francisco Marco, lay-brother.

493.  Saint Narciso Simon, lay-brother.

494.  Saint Fernando Castan, lay-brother. (The bodies were burned).

Three others were executed on different dates and at different places by the soldiers who kept watch at Mas Claret, at times when the martyrs were wandering in the neighbourhood:

495.  Saint Fernando Soperas, lay-brother, in Tarrega, 12^th August, 1936.

496.  Saint Antonio Casany, lay-brother, in Mas Toni, 10^th August, 1936.

497.  Saint Ramon Roca, lay-brother, in Cervera, 24^th September, 1936.

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Calced Carmelites, martyrs.

The Carmelites of Tarrega were 12 in number. Given the terrible circumstances, they abandoned their priory about the 27^th July, and took refuge amongst families devoted to their Order, being accepted with heroic generosity. They decided each on his own, to leave the area in disguise with personal documents. However, at the station, they were arrested and brought before the local committee. Brought to Cervera, near the cemetery, they were killed, and burned at once, the ashes thrown on a heap of rubbish.

498. Saint Angel Prat Hostench, priest;

499. Saint Eliseo Mancus Besalduch, priest;

500. Saint Eduardo Serrano Buch, priest;

501. Saint Anastasio Dorca Coromina, priest of Olot;

502. Saint Pedro Ferrer Marin;

503. Saint Andres Sole Rovira;

504. Saint Miguel Soler Sola;

505. Saint Juan Puigmitia Rubio;

506. Saint Pedro Tomas Prat Colldecarrera;

507. Saint Eliseo Font de Cava Quiroga;

508. Saint José Escoto Ruiz;

509. Saint Elias Garre Egea. Martyred 29^th July, 1936.

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Franciscans, martyrs.

The Franciscans of Balaguer were constrained to leave their House and College, 21^st July, taking refuge in private homes in and near the town. Two of the Fathers were executed on the 2^nd August 1936, the first martyrs from this community;

510.  Saint Jose Gabriel Bosom, priest.

511.  Saint Jose Vila Ollet, priest.  The two holy martyrs had held high offices within the Order and were professors at the College.

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On the 5th August, the communist soldiers, under orders from the committee of Balaguer, arrested the religious from their places of refuge and brought them together. Two were released for their youth. The others were driven, according to hearsay, toward Lerida, in a lorry and tourist buses with machine guns. At a point 12 kms. on the road from Balaguer to Tarrega, they were taken down and machine-gunned by the gutter, along with religious from other Orders, with secular clergy, and laymen. The Franciscans were:

512.  Saint Francisco Marine Salomo, priest.

513.  Saint José Portella Castella, priest.

514.  Saint Anton Galiano Sauret, lay-brother.

Three other Franciscans were killed together with many other priests, religious and secular, on the night of 20-21^st August, 1936, at the walls of the cemetery of Lerida:

515.  Saint Manuel Cobeceran Curia, priest of Villareal.

516.  Saint Antonio Vilalta Areny, priest of San Antonio (Lerida).

517.   Saint Ramon Cabus Blanch, lay-brother of Balaguer. (They had come from the prison of Lerida).

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Escolapians, martyrs.

Three religious of the Pious Schools were martyred in Bellmut, 5^th August, 1936, after arrest in Balaguer, part of the group of martyrs mentioned above:

518.  Saint José Badia Gabarro, priest of Balaguer.

519.  Saint Alberto Galiano Castella, priest of Caldas de Montbuy.

520.  Saint Jose Caliano Castella, priest of Sarria.

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Missionaries of the Heart of Mary from Lerida (provincial capital), martyrs.

The municipal prison of Lerida was assaulted several times by communist mobs. The 24^th July, 1936, four Claretians were taken out from among the prisoners, because they were religious:

521.  Saint Manuel Torres, priest.

522.  Saint Miguel Baixeas, priest.

523.  Saint Arturo Tamarit, priest.

524.  Saint Rafael Raiz, a youth. They were executed in the Campo de Marte.

Five Claretians from the House at Lerida were killed in the famous action, involving 74 victims, of the night of 20-21^st August 1936, mentioned above, here referring to this group of religious imprisoned in the municipal gaol:

525.  Saint Javier Morell Cabirol, priest.

526.  Saint Luis Albi Aguilar, priest.

527.  Saint Agustin Llosses Trullos, priest.

528.  Saint Juan Garriga Pages, lay-brother.

529.  Saint Angel Dolcet, lay-brother. (Cemetery of Lerida.)

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Mercedarians, martyrs.

530.  Saint Tomas Campo Morin, priest.

531.  Saint Francisco Llagostera Bonet, priest.

532.  Saint Serapio Sanz Iranzo, lay-brother.  Martyred in the cemetery of Lerida the night of 20-21^st August 1936.

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Discalced Carmelites, martyrs.

533.  Saint Silverio de San Luis Gonzaga, priest. (In the world: Jaime Perucho Fontarro). Of Tarragona.

534. Saint Francisco de la Asuncion, priest (Francisco Segola Sole), of Lerida. Killed in the cemetery of Lerida the same night.

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535.  Saint Abraham Marino Ruiz, lay-brother of Lerida, killed in the cemetery of Lerida, as above. Marist.

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Secular Priests of the Dioceses of Lerida and Solsona, martyrs.

536.  Saint Manuel Sabate Gardenes, parish priest of Balaguer.

537.  Saint Natividad Puig Bellera, beneficiary priest of Balaguer.

538.  Saint Jose Roige Garrofe, p.p. of Sendres.

539.  Saint Pablo Vidal Vidal, priest of Urgel.

540.  Saint Joaquin Torreguitart Blanch, p.p. of La Portella.  Martyred in Bellmut, 5^th August, 1936.

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In the great communist action of 20-21^st August, a good number of secular clergy gave their lives for Christ. In the Lerida gaol, which normally housed a hundred prisoners, nearly 700 were confined, in conditions only to be imagined in that dark and unwholesome place. With customary brutality, the communists invaded the gaol, well armed, and brought out those they had on their list. In the central corridor of the prison, they were tied two by two, back to back by the elbows, and put on the lorries as though they were cattle. On the trip the holy martyrs, in the silence of the night, sang the Credo, the Ave Maris Stella and the Magnificat. Having passed the cemetery, they were stopped by 200 soldiers, who made the lorries return to the walls of the cemetery. Shoved and beaten, they were brought to the graves, where they were shot to death. This procedure was frequently used by those murderers. Here we refer to some of the victims of this operation.

Priests:

541.  Saint Jose Escola Quintilla, of the Cathedral Chapter of Lerida.

542.  Saint Juan Nata Pujol, of the Cathedral Chapter of Solsona.

543.  Saint Juan B. Altisent Jove, priest with benefice of Solsona.

544.  Saint Luis Anelo Felip, trustee of Lerida.

545.  Saint Pedro Armengu Marti, director of the seminary.

546.  Saint Narciso Azeon Ferraz, priest of Lerida.

547.  Saint Monserrat Badia Alos, priest of Lerida.

548.  Saint Ramon Baltasar Roca, parish priest of Lerida.

549.  Saint Victor Badia Capdevila, priest of Lerida.

550.  Saint Miguel Baro Bonet, priest of San Jose, Lerida.

551.  Saint Jose Bascunana Rodes, priest of San Lorenzo, Lerida.

552.  Saint Antonio Benedet Guardia, parish priest of Lerida..

553.  Saint Jose Besa Bonet, preparatory school of Lerida.

554.  Saint Jose Borras Borras, beneficed priest of Lerida.

555.  Saint Ramon Catala Garretes, chapter of Lerida.

556.  Saint Ramon Consul Prior, assistant priest of Lerida..

557.  Saint Domingo Escola Badia, assistant priest of Lerida.

558.  Saint Ramon Escola Solani, parish priest of Lerida.

559.  Saint Jaime Folguera Pla, parish priest of Lerida.

560.  Saint Jose Ramon Franch_Mora, parish priest of Lerida.

561.  Saint Benito Gomez Revez, chaplain of Lerida.

562.  Saint Jaime Graells Lleum, parish priest of Lerida.

563.  Saint Jose Maria Grino Farga, beneficed priest of Lerida.

564.  Saint Nicolas Jimenez Castorlenas, parish priest of Lerida.

565.  Saint Jose Lamolla Esteve, assistant priest of Lerida.

566.  Saint Ramon Llavaneras Borras, priest of Lerida.

567.  Saint Luis Mola Pinto, beneficed priest of Lerida.

568.  Saint Mariano Moles Novials, assistant priest of Lerida.

569.  Saint Francisco Pujol Serrate, priest of Lerida.

570.  Saint Francisco Pujol Eroles, parish priest of Lerida.

571.  Saint Ramon Reig Prenafeta, beneficed priest of Lerida.

572.  Saint Anselmo Reig Sabate, regent of Lerida.

573.  Saint Luis Reig Sabate, parish priest of Lerida.

574.  Saint Ramon Rene Oro, professor of the seminary of Lerida.

575.  Saint Ramon Rosinach Capdevila, beneficed priest of Lerida..

576.  Saint Ramon Ramirez Miravall, priest of Tortosa.

577.  Saint Miguel Santacena Lacosta, priest of Lerida.

578.  Saint Pedro Soler Latorre, parish priest of Lerida.

579.  Saint Jose Maria Subirana Serra, regent of Lerida.

580.  Saint Victor Tenez Comas, parish priest of Lerida.

581.  Saint Jaime Torrento Marselles, assistant priest of Lerida..

582.  Saint Francisco Torres_Escola, regent of Lerida.

583.  Saint Angel Turmo Pellicer, priest of Lerida.

584.  Saint Felix Valls Capell, chaplain of Lerida.

585.  Saint Bienvenido Valverdu Bullich, parish priest of Lerida.

586.  Saint  Jose Viladegut Grau, parish priest of Lerida.

587.  Saint Miguel Villar Ibars, parish priest of Lerida.

588.  Saint Antonio Morera Sauret, beneficed priest of Lerida.

589.  Saint Salvador Fabregas Aran, beneficed priest of Lerida.

590.  Saint Jose Carulla Vilalta, of the diocese of Solsona.

Secular Priests of other Dioceses.

591.  Saint Jose Maria Bosch Abella, parish priest of Barvens (Urgel).

592.  Saint Miguel Colom Farre, parish priest of Santa Enfracia (Urgel).

593.  Saint Jose Lleguiu Espot, chaplain of San Andres de Palomar (Barcelona).

594.  Saint Pedro Segala SoIe, trustee of Monroig (Urgel).

595.  Saint Jose Monserrat Boronat, parish priest of Fulleda (Tarragona).

596.  Saint Ramon Palau Recasens, parish priest of Vinaixa (Tarragona).

In the diocese of Lerida, 15 more secular Priests were martyred in Fraga (Huesca). Persecuted, maltreated, imprisoned, they gave their lives for Christ, shot to death by the communists, 24^th July, 1936, crying Vivas to Christ the King and to the Virgin of the Pillar:

597.  Saint Justo Perez Muro, parish priest and archpriest.

598.  Saint Francisco Arnora Sune

599.  Saint Andres Ruiz Llusa, assistant priest of Lerida.

600.  Saint Joaquin Badia Arellano, of Fraga.

601.  Saint Tomas Badia Arellano, organist, Lerida.

602.  Saint Benito Bassol Jover, of Fraga.

603.  Saint Manuel Cabrera de Dios, beneficed priest of Lerida.

604.  Saint Miguel Clario Montull, regent of Lerida.

605.  Saint Jose Espitia de Dios, parish priest of Albalate de Cinca (Lerida).

606.  Saint Ricardo Galicia Malofre, parish priest of Lerida.

607.  Saint Felix Launed Carrera, regent of Lerida.

608.  Saint Ramon Lozano Colom, parish priest of Lerida.

609.  Saint Antonio Navarros Serveto, parish priest of Lerida.

610.  Saint Rafael Piquer Comellas, parish priest of Lerida.

611.  Saint Juan Vilar Ibars, parish priest of Lerida.

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Province of Tarragona

The 21^st July, 1936, the communists seized the government of Tarragona and began at once to free from prison all those guilty of common misdemeanors, and to imprison all those suspected of being out of sympathy with the now anti-Christian ideology. The prisons were filled. The hold of the ship Rio Segre contained 300.  The 25^th, the 28^th of August, and the 11^th November were the principal dates of the slaughter. We begin with the following Secular Priests:

612.  Saint Antonio Prenafeta Soler, parish priest of San Francisco (Tarragona).

613.  Saint Pedro Farres Puig, Cathedral cantor, Tarragona.

614.  Saint Miguel Grau Antoli, trustee of San Juan, Tarragona.

615.  Saint Jose Maria PanadesTerre, chaplain to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

616.  Saint Juan Monraba Martorell, Cathedral beneficiary of Tarragona.

617.  Saint Mariano Lopez Ananos, as above.

618.  Saint Juan Palau Domenech, seminary professor of Tarragona.

619.  Saint Juan Clotet Circuns, retired priest of Tarragona.

620.  Saint Luis Rius Farre, parish priest of Cattlar, Tarragona.

They left the prison ship, Rio Segre, together with other religious and, tied hand and foot, were transported by lorry to the neighbourhood of Valle, singing loudly all the way. Having passed the city, they were killed two kilometres from the cemetery, 25^th August, 1936.

621.  Saint Isidro Fabregas Gil, parish priest of Cambrills (Tarragona). Taken from the Rio Segre with 6 brothers of the Christian Schools, he was killed with them on the Puente Riera Castellets, boundary of Reus, 28^th August 1936.

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Also prisoners on the Rio Segre, five other priests were martyred with others, secular and religious, in the early morning of the 11^th November 1936, at the cemetery of Torredembarra:

622.  Saint Jose Bru Raldua, canon, secretary to the Cardinal of Tarragona,

623.  Saint Jose Maria Domingo Sole, assistant priest of San Juan, Tarragona,

624.  Saint Miguel Soludes Ciuret, p.p. of Borjas del Campo, Tarragona.

625.  Saint Juan Roca Vilardell, Cathedral beneficiary and cantor, Tarragona.

626.  Saint Antonio Pujol Ferre, priest of Tarragona, returned from Argentina in 1935.

==================

Religious, martyrs.

627.  Saint Antonio Vilamassana, Missionary brother of the Heart of Mary (Claretian), of Tarragona, killed in Valls, 25-VIII-1936.

628.  Saint Carmelo de Colomes, Capuchin brother of the House at Tarragona, killed at the boundary of Valls, 25-VIII-1936.

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Christian Brothers (de la Salle), martyrs.

629.  Saint Benildo Jose

630.  Saint Fausto Luis

631.  Saint Elmo Miguel

These three religious, from the prison ship Rio Segre, were killed in the early morning of 26^th August 1936, near the river Francoli, in front of the tobacco factory, in the city of Tarragona.

==================

Six other Christian Brothers from the novitiate of Cambrills, also imprisoned in the Rio Segre, were killed on the bridge of Riera Castellets, Reus, on the 28^th August, 1936.

632.  Saint Eladio Vicente

633.  Saint Anselmo Felix

634.  Saint Elias Paulino

635.  Saint Jacinto Jorge

636.  Saint Daniel Antonino

637.  Saint Agapito Modesto

==================

Five more Christian Brothers from the House in Tarragona offered up their lives at the place called Tomb de Marine, 8 kms. on the road from Tarragona, 18^th September, 1936:

638.  Saint Augusto Maria, escaped, recaptured; at a later date was killed.

639.  Saint Anastasio Lucas

640.  Saint Clemente Faustino

641.  Saint Honorio Sebastian

642.  Saint Nicolas Adriano

They had taken refuge at the Hotel Nacional, living a recollected and pious life. They were denounced by a maid of the hotel, arrested and killed. With them was killed the owner of the hotel.

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643.  Saint Jenaro

644.  Saint Gilberto de Jesus

==================

Discalced Carmelites, martyrs.

Prisoners on the Rio Segre, they were killed at the cemetery of Torredembarra, 11^th November, 1936, being from the community in Tarragona:

645.  Saint Elipio de Santa Teresa, priest.

646.  Saint Pedro de San Elias, priest.

647.  Saint Damian de la Santisima Trinidad, lay-brother.

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648.  Saint Faderico Vila, Missionary Priest of the Heart of Mary of Tarragona, he was martyred 11^th November 1936 at the cemetery of Torredembarra.

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Carmelite Tertiary Teaching Brothers, martyrs.

649.  Saint Buenaventura Toldra Rodon

650.  Saint Luis Domingo Oliva

651.  Saint Isidro Tarsa Girbs

652.  Saint Julio Alameda Camarero

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Martyred on the 11th-November 1936 at the cemetery of Torredembarra.

653.  Saint Andres Alfonso Vallespin, layman, proprietor of Hotel Nacional of Tarragona, who harboured the 5 Christian Brothers mentioned above, was arrested and killed with them, 18^th September 1936, at Tomb de Marine.

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Hospitallers'of Saint John of God, from the community of Ciempozuelos (Madrid), martyred in Paracuellos del Jarama.

654.  Saint Diego de Cadiz Garcia Molina

655.  Saint Roman Touceda Fernandez

656.  Saint Miguel Rueda Mejias

657.  Saint Arturo Donoso Murillo

658.  Saint Jesus Gesta de Piquer

659.  Saint Antonio Martinez Gil Leones

660.  Saint Niceforo Salvador del Rio

Imprisoned in the San Anton gaol, they were killed by communist soldiers, together with more than 70 religious of other Orders, in the famous prison raid of the 30^th November, 1936, in Paracuellos del Jarama (Madrid).

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Granada

661.  Saint Francisco Pinar Navarro, layman, president of Catholic Action of the parish of Montejicar (Granada). He accomplished a great apostolate in the Youth group of Catholic Action. Of exemplary life, he had cultivated his Christian formation and communicated to the young members his own faith and virtue. Receiving his insignia, he took the oath before the banner of Catholic Action, and affirmed unhesitatingly: "I cannot say aught but that I will defend this banner with my blood". He worked in a nearby farm, Las Encebras, where he was martyred by other farmhands who were communists.

662.  Saint Juan Ramon Domingo Hayas, layman also, a young farm worker, he held office in the Youth group of Catholic Action of Montejicar (Granada), and was a great apostle. He was taken from his place of work to the socialist centre and committee of war, where he was accused of working on the formation and organization of Catholic youth. Condemned to death, he was transported in a lorry to the place of execution, on the route toward Iznalloz. The leader of the soldiers said to the holy youth:  “You are not like these, with your hands hardened by labour. Aren't you ashamed to be a Catholic?" The saint replied: "It is my greatest honour". "One word could save you", said the soldier; "tell me you are no Catholic, that you do not believe these pious frauds, and you are a free man". However, Juan replied: "I am a Catholic". The murderer threatened him: "Repeat that, and I empty this gun in your head". He repeated: "I am a Catholic", was shot, and fell, crying: "Viva Christ the King!” Towards the end of July, 1936.

663.  Saint Adolfo Lopez Guzman, a youth of 19, militant member of Catholic Youth of Montejicar (Granada), also a farm Iabourer of exemplary life. He was killed with his father in Guadix, during a journey, at the end of July 1936.

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Given in Seville, at the Apostolic See, Feast of the Queenship of Mary, 31^st May, of the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ MCMLXXIX.

With Our Apostolic Blessing.

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