Blessed Francis Romeo Monzon, August 29

Blessed Francis Romeo Monzon, Dominican Priest and Martyr
Híjar, Spain, March 29, 1912 – August 29, 1936

Roman Martyrology: In the village of Híjar always at Teruel in Spain, blessed Francis Monzón Romeo, Priest and Martyr of the Order of Preachers, who in the same persecution confirmed with blood for his fidelity to the Lord.

Blessed Francis Romeo Monzon was Beatified as one of the Blessed Martyrs of the Spanish Dominicans of Aragon on March 11, 2001, one of 233 Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War Beatified that day by Pope John Paul II.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Aurelio Vinalesa (José Alcaide Ample), August 28

Blessed Aurelio Vinalesa (José Alcaide Ample), Priest and Martyr
February 3, 1896, Viñales (Valencia), Spain-August 28, 1938, Viñales (Valencia), Spain

Roman Martyrology: Near the village of Viñales still in the same area, blessed Aurelio (Joseph) Ample Alcaide, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin Priest and Martyr, who, during the same period in the battle for the faith brought the glorious prize.

Was born February 3, 1896 in Viñales (Valencia), third of seven children who were spouses D. Ample and Donna Manuela Vicente Alcaide. He was baptized the day after birth, ie February 4, in the parish of San Honorato bishop, and received Confirmation April 21, 1899.

“ He first studied the Seraphic Seminary of Massamagrell (Valencia). Wore the Capuchin habit in 1912, he made his temporary profession of vows on, August 10, 1913 and perpetual December 18, 1917. He was then sent to Rome to perfect himself in his studies and was ordained a priest in the Eternal City March 26, 1921 by the Archbishop of Filipos, Bishop Joseph Palica. Back in Spain, he was appointed director of the student of philosophy and theology of the Capuchins in Orihuela (Alicante), office held, and overall satisfaction with care until death.

“ “Among the faithful he enjoyed the reputation of a saint – said the priest Worker Diocesan D. Pascual Ortells – and that fame also joined the test. Was faithful observant of all the rules of St. Francis, commit itself to helping its total so that young men were perfect. “

“ During the Revolution of 1936 all the religious of the convent of Orihuela dispersed on July 13. P. Aurelio sought refuge in the family home in Viñales, in which, on 28 August, was captured by gunmen and taken to his place of death. Before being killed he urged all his comrades to die well, gave them absolution, and then added, “Cry aloud, live Christ the King.”

“ He was killed August 28, 1936. His body was interred in the cemetery of Foyos (Valencia), near where he had been killed. After the civil war, his remains were exhumed and carried into the cemetery Vinalesa September 17, 1937. He is currently buried in the chapel of the convent of the Capuchin martyrs Maddalena Massamagrell.

“ P. Aurelio retain the use within, since he was captured until death, all remaining faithful to Christ. “He kept the peace until the last moment – he says Rafael Rodrigo, the witness of his martyrdom – encouraging all of us that we were going to die. When everything was ready for execution, urges us to recite the formula of the act of contrition. So we did, and when the Servant of God was reciting the formula of a militiaman gave him two slaps. One of the militiamen said to his companion not to slap him more, because it was not worth the trouble, given the time of life we have left. The Servant of God remained unchanged and continued to injury before the acquittal until the end. As soon as the Servant of God had finished his sacred duty, a volley rang out and we fell with him all repeating the cry: ‘Long live Christ the King!’.

He was Beatified as one of the Blessed Spanish Capuchins, Martyrs of Valencia, 12 friars and 5 Poor Clares, who suffered martyrdom during the civil war and religious persecution that through their homeland in the 30s of the twentieth century. Pope John Paul II Beatified them on March 11, 2001, together with a group totaling 233 martyrs of the same persecution.

Source: Holy See

Blessed Raimondo Martí Soriano, August 27

Blessed Raimondo Martí Soriano, Priest and Martyr
August 27

Roman Martyrology: Along the road between the towns of Godella Bétera and in the same region in Spain, blessed Raimondo Martí Soriano, priest and martyr who shed their blood for Christ during the same persecution against the faith.On March 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II Beatified in St. Peter’s Square in Rome 233 Spanish martyrs, including the thickest cloud of witnesses of faith elevated to the glory of the altars in the course of his pontificate.

“ These numerous innocent lambs of the cause of Christ were killed out of hatred for their faith during the brutal religious persecution that characterized the Spanish Civil War in the 30s of the twentieth century. In this bloody massacre that through Spain, the number of victims over a million, affecting people of all ages and social class: bishops, priests, religious and laity of both sexes. It was well established by historians that, within this terrible massacre, anarchists and socialists-communists perpetrated a real persecution aimed at destroying the Catholic Church in Spain.

The martyrs were divided into smaller groups, based on their Archdiocese. Blessed Raimondo is part of the group known as José Aparicio Sanz and 73 companions, priests and laity of the Archdiocese of Valencia who were Decreed on Martyrs on December 18, 2000

Source:  Santi e Beati

Blessed Luigi Urban Lanaspa, August 25

Blessed Luigi Urban Lanaspa, Dominican Priest and Martyr
Zaragoza, Spain, June 3, 1882 – Valencia, Spain, August 25, 1936.

Roman Martyrology: At Valencia in Spain, Blessed Luigi Urban Lanaspa, Priest and Martyr of the Order of Preachers, who faced trial for the glorious Christ.

He was Beatified by Pope John Paul on March 11, 2001, together with 232 other victims of the Spanish Civil War as part of the group known as Blessed Martyrs of the Spanish Dominicans of Aragon

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Maximilian (Maksymilian) Binkiewicz, August 24

Blessed Maximilian (Maksymilian) Binkiewicz, Priest and Martyr
Gmina Żarnowiec, Poland, February 21, 1908 – Dachau, Germany, August 24, 1942

Blessed Maksymilian Binkiewicz, Polish diocesan priest, was born in Gmina Żarnowiec (Olkusz) February 21, 1908 and died in Dachau, Germany, August 24, 1942. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999 together with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp at Dachau near Munich in Germany, Monaco, blessed Maximian Binkiewicz, Priest and Martyr, who, during the war, was deported by the invading soldiers from Poland because of his faith in Christ and he died under torture and torture.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Salvatore Estrugo Solves, August 21

Blessed Salvatore Estrugo Solves, Priest and Martyr
August 21

He was Beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II, together with 232 others from the Archdiocese of Valencia who were victims of the Spanish Civil War.

Roman Martyrology: In the village of Alberic on the territory of Valencia in Spain, blessed Savior Estrugo solves, priest and martyr, who, during the persecution endured for the love of Christ every hardship to obtain the palm of victory.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Maczkowski, August 20

Blessed Ladislaus (Wladyslaw) Maczkowski, Priest and Martyr
Ociaz, Poland, June 24, 1911 – Dachau, Germany, August 20, 1942

Wladyslaw Maczkowski, priest of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar together with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Ladislaus Mączkowski, priest and martyr, who, of Polish origin, was deported during the war and to the persecutors of human dignity and defense of Christianity among the torture his faith until death.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Thomas Sitjar Fortiá, August 19

Blessed Thomas Sitjar Fortiá, Jesuit Priest and Martyr
Gerona, Spain, March 21, 1866 – Gandia, Spain, August 19, 1936

Father Tomás Sitjar Forti, professed Priest of the Society of Jesus, was born in the city of Gerona and joined the Society in 1880. He was Rector of the Novitiate and Superior of the Residence of Gandía. He was assassinated in Gandía Bianca Cruz at August 19, 1936 at the age of 70 years.

He was Beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II, together with 232 other victims of the Spanish Civil War.

Roman Martyrology: In the city of Gandía in the same territory, Blessed Thomas Sitjar Forti, a priest of the Society of Jesus and Martyr, who scattered in the same persecution for Christ his blood.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Albocacer da Modesto, August 13

Blessed Albocacer Modesto (Modesto Garcia Marti),Priest and Martyr
Modesto, Castellón de la Plana, January 18, 1880 – Valencia, August 13, 1936

Roman Martyrology: At the village of Albocàsser in the same region in Spain, Bl Modesto García Martí, a Priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and Martyr, who during the persecution against the faith with martyrdom crowned the evangelical precept.

Fr Albocácer was born in Modesto, the diocese of Tortosa and the province of Castellón de la Plana, January 18, 1880. He was the third of seven children of a Christian family, whose parents were D. Francisco Garcia and Donna Joaquina Martí. He was baptized on January 19, 1880 in the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción of Albocácer. As a child he entered the Seraphic Seminary of the Capuchins of the Province of Valencia in Massamagrell. He took the habit in the same convent on January 1, 1896; took his temporary vows January 3 1897 and perpetual vows on January 6, 1900. He completed his studies in philosophy and those of Orihuela to Massamagrell theology, and was ordained a priest on December 19, 1903. He lived most of his apostolic ministry as a missionary in Colombia in the Custody of Bogota. On his return to Valencia was appointed guardian for several years.

Those who knew him speak of him as a priest dedicated to apostolic preaching, spiritual exercises, spiritual direction, … which were, among others, his favorite activities. So said those who lived with him: “His field of apostolate favorite – said Sig.na Pilar Beltrán – was preaching, spiritual exercises and the direction of souls. I heard criticism ever in its work “. He enjoyed a reputation for holiness among the faithful. “His was a peaceful temperament. His most remarkable quality – notes Mr. Daniel Garcia – was kindness. He enjoyed good a reputation among his companions of religion and among the faithful. He was loyal observant of the Franciscan Rules and Constitutions.”

At the time of the Revolution was the guardian of national Olleria (Valencia), where “the community was violently destroyed, the convent and the church destroyed by fire, the pine wood cut from the same monastery, destroyed the walls, so that everything was reduced nothing “. When communications were restored, P. Modesto went to his country and took refuge in the house of his sister Teresa, along with his brother Miguel Mosen priest, pastor of Torrembesora. For her safety he fled the farm la Masa, where he was captured by armed militiamen. P. Modesto was delivered with gentleness and humility – said Mr. Arturo Adell – and without any protest. His attitude during this period – said Sig.na Pilar Beltrán – was the total abandonment to the Lord and an exemplary life.” He was killed at four in the afternoon of August 13, near the basin of the Valley Albocácer between the farm and the Masa, about 600 meters from the farmhouse, on the same road that goes from the farm to the country. After the release of Albocácer exhumations were the remains of P. Modest and then found that his skull had been crossed from side to side by a large nail. His remains – according to Mr. Felipe Mateu were buried in a mass grave of the cemetery in the country and are currently resting in a niche of the cemetery.

He was Beatified on March 11, 2001 as one of 17 Blessed Spanish Capuchins of Valencia.

Source: Holy See

Blessed Mauritius Tornay, August 11

Blessed Mauritius (Maurice) Tornay, Priest and Martyr

Rosière, Switzerland, August 31, 1910 – To Thong, Tibet, August 11, 1949

Blessed Mauritius (Maurice) Tornay, professed priest of the Order of Canons Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of Saints Nicholas and Bemardo “Montis Iovis”, was born in Rosière (Joint Orsières – canton of Valais), Switzerland, August 31, 1910 and died a martyr at To Thong, Tibet, on August 11, 1949. His tomb is located at the Mission Yerkalo, Tibet-China. He was beatified in Rome by Pope John Paul II on May 16, 1993.

Roman Martyrology: In the region of Tibet, Blessed Mauritius Tornay, Priest and Martyr who, canon regular of the Congregation of Saints Nicholas and Bernard of Mont Joux-announced engagement with the Gospel in China and Tibet and was killed by the enemies of Christ.

Blessed Edward Gryzmala, August 10

Blessed Edward (Edward) Grzymala, Priest and Martyr

Kolodziaz, Poland, September 29, 1906 – Dachau, Germany, August 10,

1940

Blessed Edward Grzymala, a diocesan priest, was born in Kolodziaz, Poland, September 29, 1906 and died in Dachau, Germany, August 10, 1940. He wasbeatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria inGermany, Drzewiecki blessed Francis of the Congregation of the Little Work of Divine Providence, and Edoardo Grzymała, priests and martyrs, who, ofPolish origin, during the devastation of their homeland in time of war were made by their persecutors in a foreign prison and reached Christ killed in a gas chamber.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed German of Carcaixent, August 9

Blessed German of Carcaixent (José Maria Hernandez Garrigues) Capuchin Priest and Martyr
Carcaixent, Valencia, Spain, February 12, 1895 – 1936

Roman Martyrology: In the village of Carcaixent in Valencia in Spain, Blessed Germanus ( José Maria) Garrigues Hernández, a Priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and Martyr, who, during persecution against the faith, won the tortures of body with precious death.

Father was born in Germán Carcagente (Valencia), in the bosom of a Christian family, February 12, 1895. He was baptized on his day of birth in the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción of Carcagente Confirmation was received on July 22, 1912 by Bishop Athanasius Fr. Royo Soler, duly authorized by the archbishop of the diocese. In the family of D. Juan Bautista and Donna Garrigues Ana María Hernández were born eight children, three of whom became like our Capuchin, José Maria.

Blessed Vladimir (Wlodzimierz) Laskowski, August 8

Blessed Vladimir (Wlodzimierz) Laskowski, Priest and Martyr
Rogoznica, Poland, January 30, 1886 – Gusen, Austria, August 8, 1940

Wlodzimierz Laskowski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Poznan, fell victim of the Nazis in their hatred of the Christian faith. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution. While they were beatified together, their deaths took place separately so there is not a collective memorial.

Roman Martyrology: At Gusen Germany blessed Vladimiro Laskowski, priest and martyr, who, in times of war, was deported for his faith in this prison camp and, cruelly tortured, reached the glory of martyrdom.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Salvatore Ferrandis Segui, August 3

Blessed Salvatore Ferrandis Segui, Priest and Martyr,Third Spanish Capuchins
August 3

Roman Martyrology: At Alicante in Spain, followed blessed Salvatore Ferrandis Segui, Priest and Martyr, who spilled the blood of Christ during the persecution against the faith and obtained the palm of victory.

Pope John Paul II Beatified him on March 11, 2001 in St. Peter’s Square, together wtih 232 other victims of the bloody Spanish Civil War. This wide range of martyrs is divided into several subgroups according to the diocese or congregation to which they belong. The Romanum Martyrologium commemorates those blessed individually or in small groups based on the date and place of where the slaughter occurred.

Blessed Salvatore is part of the subgroup José Aparicio Sanz and 73 companions, priests and laity of the Archdiocese of Valencia.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Francesco Tomás Serer, August 2

Blessed Francesco Tomas Serer Priest and Martyr

Alicante, Spain, Oct. 11, 1911-August 2, 1936

He professed his temporary vows on September, 15, 1928 and his perpetual vows on December 21. 1933. He was Ordained a priest on May 24, 1934, spent his 2 years of ministry in the reformatory of Amurri (Alava) and Carabanchel Bajo (Madrid). He was persecuted and martyred at 24.

Beatified by Pope John Paul II on December 18, 2000, together with 17 others of his order and a layman.

Roman Martyrology: In Madrid always in Spain, Blessed Francesco Tomás Serer, a Priest of the Third Order of St. Francis of hooded Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin and Martyr, in the same persecution that deserved to pay the blood of Christ.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Alex Sobaszek, August 1

Blessed Alessio Sobaszek Priest and Martyr
Przygodzice Wielkie, Poland, July 17 ,1895 – Dachau, Germany, August 1, 1942

Diocesan priest. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw, Poland on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Alessio Sobaszek, priest and martyr, who, of Polish birth, in time of war brutally deported by the invaders, dying for Christ under torture, defending his faith.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Michal Ozieblowski, July 31

Blessed Michal Ozieblowski, Priest and Martyr
Izdebno, Poland, September 28, 1900 – Dachau, Germany, July 31, 1942

Michal Ozieblowski, priest of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999 raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: Near Monaco of Bavaria in Germany in the prison camp at Dachau, Blessed Michael Oziębłowski, Priest and Martyr, who, deported to his faith in a foreign prison in Poland, his homeland, forced under an enemy of religion, brought to completion martyred under torture.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Sergio Pazo Cid, July 30

Blessed Sergio Pazo Cid, Salesian Priest and Martyr
Allariz, Spain, April 24, 1884 – Barcelona, Spain, July 30, 1936

Roman Martyrology: In Barcelona, Spain, Blessed Sergio Pazo Cid, a Priest of the Salesian Society and Martyr, who, during a time of persecution, died for his courageous witness of faith.

Born in Allariz (Orense) April 24, 1884. From the time he was small, he intuited his vocation. He did his seminary studies at Sarria (Barcelona), professing his vows in 1905. His was an exemplary life. All spoke of him with great respect and almost reverence for the goodness in everything he did. A tireless worker, he spent almost his entire life as a pastoral charge of Sarria. He was forced to leave his college in Sama July 22, 1936, sought refuge and was recognized and denounced. Stopped, he did not deny his condition: “Yes, I am a Salesian priest.” He was shot on July 30.

Beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II, together with 232 other Martyrs of the Diocese of Valencia.

Source: Salesians

Blessed José Calasanz Marqués, July 29

Blessed José Calasanz Marqués, Priest and Martyr
Huesca, November 23, 1872 – Valencia, July 29, 1936

Professed priest of the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco, born in Azanuy (Huesca), Spain, November 23, 1872, died at the Bridge of St. Josephon the road to Valencia, Spain, July 29, 1936. He is buried at the cemetery Benimaclet in Valencia. Pope John Paul II beatified him on March 11, 2001 together with 232 other victims of the Spanish Civil War from the Diocese of Valencia.

Blessed José Castell Camps, July 28

José Castell Camps, Salesian Priest and Martyr
Ciudadela, Minorca Island, Spain, October 12, 1902 – Barcelona, Spain, July 28, 1936

Roman Martyrology: In Barcelona, also in Spain, José Castell Camps, priest of the Salesian Society and martyr, through persecution earned his martyrdom with the glory of eternal life.

He was born in Ciudadela (Menorca) October 12, 1902, where he met the Salesians. He went with Campello (Alicante) and Carabanchel (Madrid) for his Salesian studies. His Religious profession was in 1918, his Ordination in 1927. In 1933 he was destined to the house of Tibidabo. In July of 1936, he saw them burn the temple, from a forest nearby, and went to Barcelona to seek refuge. On July 28 he was caught by a patrol of militiamen, questioned in front of another Salesian, and finally killed in the Stessanotte in a prison in Barcelona.

Beatified by Pope John Paul II, on March 11, 2001, together with 232 other Martyrs of the Diocese of Valencia, Spain, whose collective Feastday is on September 22.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Modesto Vegas Vegas, July 27

Blessed Modesto Vegas Vegas, Priest and Martyr

La Serna, Spain, February 24, 1912 – Llisa of Amunt, Spain, July 27, 1936

Roman Martyrology: In the village of Llisa, at Barcelona in Spain, Bl Modesto Vegas Vegas, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and Martyr, who in the persecution against the faith spilled his blood for Christ.

Saint George Preca, July 26

Saint George Preca, Priest
July 26
Valletta, Malta, February 12, 1880 – July 26, 1962

First Maltese Saint

He was born in Malta on February 12, 1880. As a child, according to the custom of the time, he was incorporated into the Carmelite Family through the imposition of the scapular. He was ordained a priest on December 22, 1906. In the early months of 1907 a small group of young people in their twenties gathered around him. Began as the Society of Christian Doctrine, known commonly Museum, initial letters of “Magister, utinam sequatur evangelium universus mundus” ( “Master, that the whole world follow the Gospel ‘), a work dedicated to education and religious education of children and of young people. Preca, as an adult, became a Carmelite Tertiary: July 21, 1918 then enrolled and professed his vows on September 26 the following year. When he professed, he chose the name of Franco. In 1952, as recognition of his tireless devotion to the disclosure of the Madonna del Carmine, he was affiliated with the Carmelite Order. He died July 26, 1962. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 9, 2001 in Malta and finally canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on June 3, 2007 in Rome.

Blessed Xavier (Javier) Piferer Bordas, July 24

Blessed Xavier (Javier) Piferer Bordas Salesian Priest and Martyr
July 24
San Pol de Mar, Spain, September 4, 1914 – Barcelona, Spain, July 23, 1936

Roman Martyrology: Still in Barcelona, Blessed Xavier Bordas Piferrer, religious of the Salesian Society and Martyr who, with his martyrdom witnessed the example of Christ’s life master.

He was born in San Poi de Mar (Barcelona) on September 24, 1914 to a deeply Christian family. His childhood was spent in a very Salesian lifestyle. For six years he studied at the College of Mataro. He took his Religious vows in 1932 and was sent to Rome to study philosophy at the Gregorian University. Together with Don Félix Vivet he went to Spain on holiday on July 17, 1936. In Sarria (Barcelona)he was surprised by the outbreak of civil war. On July 23, he tried to take refuge at a property his parents owned, but was recognized by some people; finding his passport and the identity card of a religious, he was shot on the spot.

He was Beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II, as one of the 201 Blessed Martyrs of Valencia, 42 of which were Spanish Salesians.

Source: Www.sdb.org

Blessed Vasil Hopko, July 23

Blessed Bishop Vasil Hopko Greek-Catholic martyr
July 23
Hrabske (Bardejov), April 21, 1904 – Prešov (Slovakia), July 23, 1976

Born of poor family, he decided to enter the seminary in 1923. He was ordained a priest by the Greek-Catholic Bishop of Presov on February 3, 1929. He graduated in theology in 1940 he was ordained as a bishop on May 11, 1947. Between 1950 and 1964, he was jailed by the Communist regime, undergoing torture. After his release, despite the precarious state of his health, Hopko actively contributed to the renewal of the Greek-Catholic Church. He died on July 23, 1976.

Pierluigi Molla, son of St. Gianna Beretta Molla to visit the Cathedral/Shrine of St. Paul on Aug. 3.

Five Bob to the Vicar.

Son of Italian saint is coming next month to St. Paul

By The Catholic Spirit

Thursday, 16 July 2009

The public is invited to a presentation next month at the Cathedral of St. Paul by Pierluigi Molla, son of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, who was canonized in 2004. News Notes The Catholic Spirit Staff Afterward, attendees will have an opportunity to venerate a third-class relic of the saint. Pierluigi Molla’s presentation is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. The St. Paul and Minneapolis Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, the cathedral and the archdiocesan Office for Marriage, Family and Life are sponsoring the event.

Blessed Pavol Gojdic, July 17

Blessed Pavol Gojdic

July 17, 1888, Ruské Peklany near Prešov-July 17, 1960,  Leopoldov

Son of the Greek-Catholic priest Štefan Gojdic and Anna Gerberyová. Attended elementary school at Cigelka, Bardejov and Prešov, finishing in 1907. Studied theology at Prešov and then Budapest where he consecrated himself and his work to the Sacred Heart. Finishing his studies on 27 August 1911, he was ordained soon after. Worked briefly as assistant parish priest with his father. Prefect of the eparchial seminary, and taught religion in a higher secondary school. Supervised protocol and the archives in the diocesan curia. Assistant parish priest in Sabinov. Director of the episcopal office in 1919.

Blessed Bartholemew of Braga, July 16

Blessed Bartholemew of Braga

May 1514, Verdela, Portugal-Viana do Castelo, Portugal, July 16, 1590.

If you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Bartolomeu, contact:

Dominicanos – Casa Provincial

Travessa do Corpo Santo, 32

1200-131 Lisboa, PORTUGAL

Blessed Bartholomew of Braga, later known as Bartolomeus a Martyribus (Bartolomeu dos Mártires in Portuguese), out of veneration for the church in which he was baptized, was a Portuguese Dominican theologian and Archbishop of Braga.

Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos, July 13

Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos

October 14, 1845, Yarumal, diocese of Antioquía, Colombia-July 13, 1926, Angostura, Antioquía, Colombia

Eldest son of a religious rural Colombian family in a time when the state was hostile to the Church. From age 16 he wanted to become a priest; entry the new Medellin Seminary at age 24, and ordained in 1872. Worked in the parishes of San Pedro and Yarumel, and in 1878 he was assigned as priest to Angostura where he spent the rest of his life.

Blessed Fidelis Jerome Chojnacki, July 9

Blessed Fidelis Jerome Chojnacki

November 1, 1906, Lodz, Poland-July 9, 1942, Dachau

Youngest of six children born to Waclaw and Leokadia Spurinska. Raised in a pious family. Studied in public schools and a military academy. Worked for a year at Szczuczyn Mowogrodzki in the Institute of Social Insurance. Worked at the Central Post Office in Warsaw. Member and administrator of Catholic Action. Worked against alcohol abuse and helped recovering alcoholics in his region. Joined the Secular Franciscan Order at the Capuchin church in Warsaw. Friend of Blessed Anicet Koplinski. Joined the Capuchins on 27 August 1933, taking the name Fidelis.

He developed a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Studied philosphy at Zakroczym. Founded a Club for Intellectual Collaboration for the seminarians. Continued his work with alcoholics, working a group of Franciscans. Studied theology in Lublin, begining in 1937; his studies were interrupted by the German invasion of Poland in September 1939.

Arrested for his faith on 25 January 1940 and held in the “Fortress of Lublin”. On 18 June 1940 he was moved to the prison camp at Sachsenhausen. To this point Fidelis has kept his optimism, hope and simplicity, but this camp broke him; the abuse of himself and the other prisoners sent him into depression. On 14 December 1940 he, with other priests and religious, was transferred to the Dachau concentration camp; tattooed with his prisoner number, and subjected to more abuse.

Abused, starved and over-worked, he developed a serious heart condition, and finally died of excessive abuse. His last words to fellow prisoners as he was being taken away were, “Praised be Jesus Christ; we’ll see each other in heaven.”

One of 102 Martyrs of World War II whose memorial is June 12.

Venerated March 26, 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Beatified June 13, 1999 by Pope John Paul II

Source: Patron Saints Index

Possible Miracle through the intercession of Blessed Francis X. Seelos

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

January 11, 1819, Fussen, Bavaria, Germany-October 4, 1867, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to investigate whether an Annapolis woman’s cure from cancer was a miracle, a possible step toward sainthood for a 19th-Century priest.

Mary Ellen Heibel was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2004 and early 2005 for malignant tumors in her lungs, liver, stomach and chest. After she was diagnosed, Heibel began praying to Blessed Francis X. Seelos, and urging others to pray as well.

Heibel, whose cancer was terminal, experienced a recovery her doctors did not expect and can’t explain. She continues to pray to the priest, who served in Maryland before dying in Louisiana while treating yellow fever victims.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to begin investigating the case in a few weeks, marking only the fifth such investigation in its history.

Source: Fox News

June 6: Blessed Józef Innocenty Guz, Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Józef Innocenty Guz, 1890 – 1940

May 24: Blessed Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau Of Canada

Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau, 1824 – 1901

May 23: Blessed Józef Kurzawa, New Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Józef Kurzawa, 1910 – 1940
Diocesan Priest Martyr

May 22: Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini

Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini, 1789 – 1868

Blessed Luigi Talamoni, May 20

Blessed Luigi Talamoni, Priest, Founder
Monza (Milan), October 3, 1848 – Milan, January 31,1926

Ambrosian priest, Luigi Monza Talamoni was born in October 3 of 1848 and died in Milan on January 31 1926. He was a professor in seminary school in his hometown and played an intense pastoral ministry and a healthy social activity. He was responsible, along with the widow Maria Biffi Levati, for founding a congregation of women, the Misericordine San Gerardo, involved in helping the sick poor.

Roman Martyrology: In Milan, Blessed Luigi Talamoni, a priest, who, by cultivating his vocation as an educator of young people, exercised his ministry with great dedication and active participation in the difficulties of the society of his time and established the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Misericordine Gerardo.

Blessed Jozef Czempiel , May 19

Blessed Joseph (Jozef) Czempiel priest and martyr
Jozefka, Poland, September 21, 1883 – Dachau, Germany, May 19, 1942

Jozef Czempiel, priest of the Archdiocese of Katowice, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. On June 13, 1999 Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: Near Monaco of Bavaria in Germany in the prison camp at Dachau, Blessed Joseph Czempiel, priest and martyr, who, of Polish origin, during the war joined the sacrifice of Christ dying in a gas chamber.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Stansilaw Kubski, May 18

Blessed Stanislaus (Stanislaw) Kubski Priest and Martyr
Ksiaz, Poland, August 13, 1876 – Dachau, Germany, May 18, 1942

Stanislaw Kubski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, fell victim of the Nazis in the famous German concentration camp at Dachau. On June 13, 1999, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honors of the altar with 107 other victims of that persecution.

Roman Martyrology: In the prison camp near Dachau Monaco of Bavaria in Germany, Blessed Stanislaus Kubski, priest and martyr, who, in time of war, locked in a gas chamber made the spirit of Christ.

Source: Santi e Beati

May 17: Blessed Ivan Ziatyk – Greek Catholic New Martyr

Blessed Ivan Ziatyk, 1899 – 1952

Blessed Gregory Frackowiak, May 5

Blessed GREGORY FRACKOWIAK, SVD – Brother
1911, Lowecice-May 5, 1943, Dresden
Receptionist and Bookbinder

The youngest of our four martyrs was 31 when he was beheaded on May 5, 1943, in the prison of Dresden. Brother Gregory consciously offered his life as a substitute for others. His willingness to claim responsibility for some thing he did not do saved several people (including his brother) from certain imprisonment and death. This heroic gesture makes him similar to another martyr of the same war — St. Maximilian Kolbe, who also gave his life for someone else in the concentration camp at Auschwitz.

Gregory is his religious name. He was born Boleslaw Frackowiak in Lowecice (a small village not far from Poznan). One of twelve children, he grew up in a deeply religious atmosphere. At the age of 18 he entered the SVD novitiate in Gorna Grupa. From the beginning he exhibited great joy in being a missionary Brother. He worked both as a receptionist and as a professional binder in the printing press. Among the people of the area he was remembered as someone with a special sensitivity towards the poor. He had numerous visitors, because he was known for providing something to eat, a warm welcome, and a good word for everyone. Some called him “the friend of the poor.”

May 3: Blessed Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis, Foundress From Canada

Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis, 1840 – 1912

May 2: Blessed William Tirry, Martyr Of Ireland

Blessed William Tirry, 1608 – 1654

May 1: Blessed Kliment Septyckyj, Greek Catholic New Martyr

Blessed Kliment Septyckyj, 1869 – 1951 

Blessed Stanislaus Kubista, April 26

Blessed STANISLAUS KUBISTA, SVD – Priest
Kostuchna, 1898- Sachsenhausen, April 26, 1940
Mission Animator and Communicator

It was very cold the morning of April 26, 1940, when the “capo” entered the barracks where Fr. Stanislaus Kubista and other priests were held. Since his arrival at the concentration camp in Sachsenhausen Fr. Stanislaus had been sick with pneumonia and diarrhea. He was getting weaker every day. Despite this he was forced to do a full workload, which included shoveling snow for long hours while exposed to the cold wind. On one of the last evenings of his life another priest, Fr. Dominic Jozef, covered him with a blanket. Fr. Stanislaus whispered to him: “This will not go on much longer. My God, I am so weak. May His will be done.” Although it was prohibited, Fr. Dominic heard his confession. When the capo entered the barracks and looked at the sick and exhausted prisoner, he told him, “You have no reason to live any more.” Then he began to stomp on Fr. Kubista’s throat and chest. Another prisoner later said: “We heard the breaking of bones and the last choked rattling. We knew Fr. Kubista was dying.” He was 42. He gave up his life without knowing why his tormentor was so cruel. But in dying he maintained his dignity. He could do so because his whole life was one of quiet dignity.

Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad, April 24

Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad
Faglavik, Sweden, June 4, 1870 – Rome, April 24, 1957

Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad was born in the village of Faglavik, Sweden on June 4, 1870, to a Lutheran family. At seventeen, she sailed for New York to seek employment, but once arriving there was hospitalized in an institution for the terinally ill. She prayed, If the Lord heals me, I will become a nurse. Elizabeth recovered, and was taken to Roosevelt Hospital. Her conversion was a reon August 15, 1902, she received baptism in the Catholic Church. In 1903, she went to Rome where she discovered the house of Saint Brigida, Piazza Farnese and realized that the Lord was calling her for a special mission. Undertaking a series of trips to Europe to make known her intention to resurrect the Order of St. Bridget, which numbered few who were scattered. Encouraged by S. Pius X, in 1911 she was able to begin her work, which was finally approved in 1940. Mother Elizabeth died in Rome at age 87, on April 24, 1957. An extraordinary pioneer of ecumenical dialogue, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 9, 2000.

April 20: Blessed Chiara Bosatta

Blessed Chiara Bosatta, 1858 – 1887

Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz, April 20

Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz, Priest and Martyr
Nagórzany, Poland, July 9, 1882 – Linz, Austria, April 20, 1942

Jakub Pankiewicz was born in Nagorzanach, Poland, July 9, 1882. He was accepted by the Friars Minor in the Province of the Immaculate Conception in 1900. He made his solemn profession of vows on February 24, 1904, taking the name Anastazy. Ordained a priest in 1906, he was Guardian in various fraternities, built the minor seminary in the industrial city of Lodz and was among the founders of the Congregation of the Sisters of Christ the King Antoniana. Arrested on October 10, 1941, he was interned in Dachau. He died April 20, 1942, on the road leading to the crematorium of Hartheim near Linz in Austria. Preparing himself for death with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he helped a fellow prisoner on board the car after a German soldier closed the door of the car cutting both his hands. His body was burned and the ashes were scattered. John Paul II beatified him in Warsaw on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Blessed Savina Petrilli, April 18

Blessed Savina Petrilli

Siena, August 29, 1851 – April 18, 1923

Roman Martyrology: In Siena, Blessed Sabina Petrilli, virgin, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena to meet the needs of girls in need and the poor.

Savina Petrilli was born in Siena on August 29, 1851, the second daughter of Celso and Matilde Venturini. At age 15, she was enrolled in the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and was elected president. Two years later, she issed her first vow of virginity for a year. In 1869 she was received by Pope Pius IX, who urged her to walk in the footsteps of St. Catherine. On August 15, 1873 in the chapel of the family home, with five others, she issued her vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, in the presence of her confessor and with the consent of Archbishop Mgr. Enrico Bindi, who granted permission to begin work for the benefit of the poor.

Piotr Edward Dankowski, April 3

Blessed Edward Peter (Piotr Edward) Dankowski

Priest and Martyr

Jordanow, Poland, June 21, 1908 – Auschwitz,  April 3, 1942

Blessed Edward Piotr Dankowski, diocesan priest, was born in Jordanow June 21, 1908 and died in Auschwitz, Poland, April 3, 1942. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw on June 13, 1999 with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: Close to Cracow in Poland in the extermination camp of Auschwitz, Blessed Peter Edward Dankowski, priest and martyr, who, in time of submission of the homeland to a foreign military regime, put in prison for his Christian faith, he he was tortured, thus achieving martyrdom.

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Nicholas (Mykolay) Charneckyj, April 2

Blessed Nicholas (Mykolay) Charneckyj Bishop and Martyr
Semakivtsi, Ukraine, December 14, 1884 – Lviv, Ukraine, April 2, 1959

Roman Martyrology: At Lviv in Ukraine, beato Čarneckyj Nicholas, Bishop, who carried out his apostolic ministry as exarch of Volyn and Pidljashja in times of persecution against the faith and, as faithful as a pastor in the footsteps of Christ, for His grace reached kingdom of heaven.

Mykolay Charneckyj was born December 14, 1884 at Semakivtsi, in Western Ukraine. In 1903 he entered the seminary of Stanislaviv, was a Ukrainian student of the College in Rome and crowned his studies with a doctorate in theology. In 1909 he received his priestly ordination and became a teacher in the seminar Stanislaviv, which was also his spiritual father. In 1919 he entered the Congregation of Missionaries Redemptorists.

In 1926, he was appointed Apostolic Visitor for the faithful Catholics of greek-Volyn, where the structures of the Church had been destroyed by the Russian czarist regime in the nineteenth century. In 1931 he was appointed Professor of Catholics of the Byzantine-Slavic rite in Polish territory and on February 8 of that year he received episcopal consecration in the Eternal City.

On April 11, he was arrested in Lviv by agents of the KGB, along with all the greek-ranking Catholic bishops. Initially sentenced to five years of forced labor, Bishop Charneckyj instead passed eleven years in prison, suffering torture and continued humiliation. He accepted and endured all this, however, with heroic patience and serenity, praying for his persecutors and trying to comfort his fellow concentration camp victims, in respect of which he proved a very good shepherd.

In 1956 he was finally released and returned to Lviv, dying. Against all expectations, he continued to exercise his ministry headed by his bed, the Church of the catacombs. Mykolay Charneckyj finally died in Lviv on April 2, 1959. He was immediately seen by the Ukrainian faithful a holy martyr, because of atrocious suffering long endured in hatred of the Catholic faith. Even today, many believers are accustomed to praying at his tomb.

Mykolay Charneckyj was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 27, 2001, along with 24 other Ukrainian natinonals who were victims of the Soviet regime.

Author: Fabio Arduino

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Lodovico Pavoni, April 1

Blessed Lodovico Pavoni Priest
Brescia, September 11, 1784 – Saiano, Brescia, April 1, 1849

Founder of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate – Pavoniani.

Roman Martyrology: At Brescia, Blessed Ludovico Pavoni, a priest, who with great care was devoted to the education of poverty-stricken youth, in particular to educate them according to Christian morals and to start a job, for founding the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate.

Lodovico Pavoni was born in Brescia on September 11, 1784 to noble and wealthy parents.
He immediately proved a lively and talented young man, endowed with great intelligence, open to many interests, sensitive to social problems.

Ordained a priest in 1807, he was devoted to an intense catechetical, soon founding an oratory cleverly arranged for the Christian education of children and adolescents poorer, so anticipating the modern day youth educational associations.

Bishop Gabrio Nava in 1812 chose him as his secretary, while allowing for continued management of the oratory, which flourished and had hundreds of students. In 1818 he was appointed canon of the cathedral and authorized him to devote himself entirely to the foundation of a College of Arts, which from 1821 would be called “Saint Pio Institute Barnabas, for teens and poverty-stricken youth or abandoned; later section for deaf-mutes was added.

In the three decades that followed Lodovico Pavoni developed a method of education, which places him at the most enlightened educators of the 1800’s; he organized education and the start of work, the prelude to modern schools. He also began exceptional printing and publishing activities, in advance of the current media apostolate of social communications, introduced the world of work wise reforms of absolute novelty, anticipating by half a century of the social doctrine of the Rerum Novarum and finally founded the religious congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate, which seemed so new and bold (the “brethren laborers”) that it long puzzled the civil and religious authorities, so that only after more than a decade of grueling practices they gave it official recognition.

Father Lodovico Pavoni died on April 1, 1849 at Saiano at Brescia, a victim of his heroic attempt to rescue children from the danger of fighting the Ten Days of Brescia.

The Church in 1947 recognized his heroic virtues and suggested this as a model of Christian life. Pope John Paul II declared him blessed on April 14, 2002.

Author: P. Giuseppe Rossi

Source: Santi e Beati