Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni 1972 – 2007

Pray for us.

 

Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni, 1972 – 2007

 

May 4: Saint Richard Reynolds, Martyr Of England

Saint Richard Reynolds, 1492-1535

May 24: Blessed Juan de Prado

Blessed Juan de Prado, 1563 – 1631
Spanish Franciscan priest, missionary and martyr in Morocco.

May 23: Blessed Wincenty Matuszewski

Blessed Wincenty Matuszewski, 1869 – 1940

Saint Augustine Webster, Martyr Of England

Saint Augustine Webster, +1535

June 6: Saint Alessandro di Fiesole

Saint Alessandro di Fiesole

May 25: Saint Cristobal Magallanes

Saint Cristobal Magallanes, 1869 – 1927

May 25: Saint Agustin Caloca Cortes, Martyr of Mexico

Saint Agustin Caloca Cortes
1898 – 1927

May 23: Blessed Józef Kurzawa, New Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Józef Kurzawa, 1910 – 1940
Diocesan Priest Martyr

May 17: Blessed Ivan Ziatyk – Greek Catholic New Martyr

Blessed Ivan Ziatyk, 1899 – 1952

May 5: Blessed Grzegorz Boleslaw Frackowiak, New Martyr Of Poland

  Blessed Grzegorz Boleslaw Frackowiak, 1911-1943

May 4: Saint John Houghton, Martyr Of England

Saint John Houghton, 1486 – 1535

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.

April 24: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Counter-reformationist Martyred By Calvinists

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, 1577 – 1622

Born in 1577, at Sigmaringen, Prussia, of which town his father Johannes Rey was burgomaster; died at Sevis, 24 April, 1622. On the paternal side he was of Flemish ancestry. He pursued his studies at the University of Freiburg in the Breisgau, and in 1604 became tutor to Wilhelm von Stotzingen, with whom he travelled in France and Italy. In the process for Fidelis’s canonization Wilhelm von Stotzingen bore witness to the severe mortifications his tutor practised on these journeys. In 1611 he returned to Freiburg to take the <!––>doctorate<!––> in <!––>canon<!––> and civil law, and at once began to practise as an advocate. But the open corruption which found place in the law courts determined him to relinquish that profession and to enter the Church. He was ordained priest the following year, and immediately afterwards was received into the Order of Friars Minor of the Capuchin Reform at Freiburg, taking the name of Fidelis. He has left an interesting memorial of his novitiate and of his spiritual development at that time in a book of spiritual exercises which he wrote for himself. This work was re-edited by Father Michael Hetzenauer, O.F.M. Cap., and republished in 1893 at Stuttgart under the title: “S. Fidelis a Sigmaringen exercitia seraphicae devotionis”. From the novitiate he was sent to Constance to finish his studies in theology under Father John Baptist, a Polish friar of great repute for learning and holiness. At the conclusion of his theological studies Fidelis was appointed guardian first of the community at Rheinfelden, and afterwards at Freiburg and Feldkirch. As a preacher his burning zeal earned for him a great reputation.

From the beginning of his apostolic career he was untiring in his efforts to convert heretics nor did he confine his efforts in this direction to the pulpit, but also used his pen. He wrote many pamphlets against Calvinism and Zwinglianism though he would never put his name to his writings. Unfortunately these publications have long been lost. Fidelis was still guardian of the community at Feldkirch when in 1621 he was appointed to undertake a mission in the country of the Grisons with the purpose of bringing back that district to the Catholic Faith. The people there had almost all gone over to Calvinism, owing partly to the ignorance of the priests and their lack of zeal. In 1614 the Bishop of Coire had requested the Capuchins to undertake missions amongst the heretics in his diocese, but it was not until 1621 that the general of the order was able to send friars there. In that year Father Ignatius of sergamo was commissioned with several other friars to place himself at the disposal of this bishop for missionary work, and a similar commission was given to Fidelis who however still remained guardian of Feldkirche. Before setting out on this mission Fidelis was appointed by authority of the papal nuncio to reform the Benedictine monastery at Pfafers. He entered upon his new labours in the true apostolic <!––>spirit<!––>. Since he first entered the order he had constantly prayed, as he confided to a fellow-friar, for two favours: one, that he might never fall into mortat sin; the other, that he might die for the Faith. In this Spirit he now set out, ready to give his life in preaching the Faith. He took with him his <!––>crucifix<!––>, Bible, Breviary, and the book of the rule of his order; for the rest, he went in absolute <!––>poverty<!––>, trusting to Divine Providence for his daily sustenance. He arrived in Mayenfeld in time for Advent and began at once preaching and catechizing; often preaching in several places the same day. His coming aroused strong opposition and he was frequently threatened and insulted. He not only preached in the Catholic <!––>churches<!––> and in the public streets, but occasionally in the conventicles of the heretics. At Zizers one of the principal centres of his activity, he held conferences with the magistrates and chief townsmen, often far into the night. They resulted in the conversion of Rudolph de Salis, the most influential man in the town, whose public recantation was followed by many conversions.

Throught the winter Fidelis laboured indefatigably and with such success that the heretic preachers were seriously alarmed and set themselves to inflame the people against him by representing that his mission was political rather than <!––>religious<!––> and that he was preparing the way for the subjugation of the country by the Austrians. During the Lent of 1622 he preached with especial fervour. At Easter he returned to Feldkirch to attend a <!––>chapter<!––> of the order and settle some affairs of his community. By this time the Congregation of the Propaganda had been established in Rome, and Fidelis was formally constituted by the Congregation, superior of the mission in the Grisons. He had, however, a presentiment that his laborers would shortly be brought to a close by a martyr’s death. Preaching a farewell sermon at Feldkirch he said as much. On re-entering the country of the Grisons he was met everywhere with the cry: “Death to the Capuchins!” On 24 April, being then at Grusch, he made his <!––>confession<!––> and afterwards celebrated Mass and preached. Then he set out for Sevis. On the way his companions noticed that he was particularly cheerful. At Sevis he entered the <!––>church<!––> and began to preach, but was interrupted by a sudden tumult both within and without the <!––>church<!––>. Several Austrian soldiers who were guarding the doors of the <!––>church<!––> were killed and Fidelis himself was struck. A Calvinist present offered to lead him to a place of security. Fidelis thanked the man but said his life was in the hands of God. 0utside the <!––>church<!––> he was surrounded by a crowd led by the preachers who offered to save his life if he would apostatize. Fidelis replied: “I came to extirpate <!––>heresy<!––>, not to embrace it”, whereupon he was struck down. He was the first martyr of the Congregation of Propaganda. His body was afterwards taken to Feldkirch and buried in the <!––>church<!––> of his order, except his head and left arm, which were placed in the cathedral at Coire. He was beatified in 1729, and canonized in 1745. St. Fidelis is usually represented in art with a <!––>crucifix<!––> and with a wound in the head; his emblem is a bludgeon. His feast is kept on 24 April.

Publication information

Written by Father Cuthbert. Transcribed by Joseph P. Thomas.

Pope Saint Caius, April 22

Pope St. Caius
Martyred 296
Pope from 17/12/283 to 22/04/296

We have little definite information about Pope St. Caius. Iit was said that he was a relative of the Emperor Diocletian and was also an uncle of an unidentified holy Susanna. He also made up the final structure of the lower orders. The information is not verifiable, but seems to preclude his martyrdom, because – on the threshold of Peter from 283 to 296 – he died before the Diocletian persecution was unleashed.

Roman Martyrology: At Rome in the cemetery of Callistus on the Via Appia, the deposition of St. Caius, pope, who fled from the persecution of Diocletian, dying a confessor of the faith.

Legend has it that Caius was born in the Dalmatian city of Salona (nda: Solin is about 5 km NE of Split), to a noble family related to the Roman emperor Diocletian.

Pope Caius was consecrated on December 17, 283. However, during his pontificate, the anti-repression was much attenuated. There were concessions for the construction of new churches and the expansion of cemeteries.

At the same time, on the home front, heresies multiplied. The last in chronological order was that of “Mitra” (nda: manicheistic type of heresy, of Asian origin, for which God assumed the heavenly contrast of light and of darkness).

His remains were first placed in the cemetery of San Callisto, in 1631, in what was his house in Rome, which then became a church. In 1880, when the church was demolished to build the Ministry of War, in via XX settembre, his relics were transferred to the chapel of the Barberini family.

Author: Franco Prevato

Source: Santi e Beati

April 21: Saint Apollonio Of Rome, Martyr

Saint Apollonio Of Rome, †175

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.

March 25: Blessed Omeljan Kovc, Greek Catholic Martyr & Righteous Among The Nations

Blessed Omeljan Kovc, 1884-1944

Greek Catholic Martyr & Righteous Among The Nations

March 25: Blessed Omeljan Kovc, Greek Catholic Martyr & Righteous Among The Nations

Blessed Omeljan Kovc
1884 – 1944

Greek Catholic Martyr & Righteous Among The Nations

March 23: Blessed Metod Dominik Trčka, Greek Catholic New Martyr Of Slovakia

 

Blessed Metod Dominik Trčka

1886-1959

March 22: Blessed Bronisław Komorowski – New Martyr Of Poland

Blessed Bronisław Komorowski
1889-1940

March 21: Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza, Martyr of Mexico

Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza,
1888 – 1928
Martyr of Mexico

He just looks like a real man’s man – a tough son of a gun. Happy are we who can call on his friendship as a Christian who is still very much alive in Christ!

March 13: Finding Of The Murdered Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho

Prayers for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Archbishop Paulos.  His body was found one year ago today.

December 26: Blessed Agatha Phutta, New Martyr Of Thailand

Blessed Carolina Kozka

Blessed Karolina Kozka

August 2, 1898, Wal-Ruda – November 18, 1914, Wal-Ruda forest

She was born on August 2, 1898 at Wal-Ruda (Tarnów, Poland), in a poor peasant family. As a young woman was accompanied by her spiritual father, Ladislao Mendrala, who inserted religion in the life of the parish of the village. She was a catechist for her brothers and children of neighboring houses. She was also dedicated to helping elderly and sick. In May 1914 she received confirmation and six months later, on November 18, 1914, during the First World War, in the area that saw eastern Prussia invade Russia and Poland with a rather mixed result, Carolina was attacked by a Russian soldier and dragged into the forest of Wal-Ruda by force. The young are opposed to sexual violence and for this she was killed: she was 16. Her body was found just sixteen days later, on December 4 and buried in the cemetery of the parish. Her martyrdom caused much sensation among the inhabitants of the region and on June 18 ,1916, near the Church of Zabaware, a monument in her memory was blessed. At the location of the crime in the woods, a cross was placed. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 10 1987, in Tarnów in Poland.

SOURCE: Santi e Beati

October 30: Blessed Oleksa Zarytsky, Greek Catholic Martyr, 1912-1963

Blessed Oleksa Zarytsky
Greek Catholic Martyr 
1912 – 1963

Hear Father Ragheed Ganni, New Martyr of the Chaldeans

“Hear the voice of a Christian Martyr singing a hymn in Arabic to the Blessed Mother, while watching a slideshow of his funeral mass. Hear the angelic voice of Father Ragheed Ganni, a 35 year old Chaldean Catholic Priest killed on Sunday
June 3rd, 2007 with subdeacons Basman Yousef Daoud, Wadid Hanna and Ghasan Bida Wid right after celebrating mass at Holy Spirit Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul, Iraq. The car of Father Ragheed and the three deacons was stopped by terrorists shortly after leaving the church.

“They were forced to get down from the car and asked to declare their conversion to Islam. When the four martyrs refused they were brutally gunned down with machine guns. Lord, protect all the innocent people of Iraq and all those trying to defend them. Jesus we trust in you and we are sustained by the prayers of your most holy mother to whom you never refuse a request. We pray for the repentance and conversion of Father Ragheed’s killers and all other terrorists. May she who gave birth to us at the foot of the cross beg you for mercy. “

source: http://www.ankawa.com/

It is really tough to listen to or watch this with dry eyes.

UPDATE: Someone emailed the following to me, I wanted to share it – I hope that is alright.”I clicked over to your blog and found your post on Fr. Ragheed from Iraq.He came to visit our parish back in 2002 or 2003 (I forget?)… and we got to know him personally very well. My husband and I took him out to lunch on a couple occasions…He was a beautiful person… I enjoy reading about him. Thanks for your blog post.”

I had not known Father Ragheed had spent any time in America. That was fascinating to learn. Thank you for sharing that.

Aid Worker Gayle Williams Shot Dead In Afganistan By Taliban

For the blessed repose of the handmaid of God Gayle Williams.

Aid Worker Gayle Williams Shot Dead In Afganistan By Taliban

KABUL – A female aid worker was shot dead in the Afghan capital yesterday in a killing claimed by the Islamic Taliban which accused her group of “preaching Christianity.”

Gayle Williams, 34, of British and South African nationality, was shot several times as she was walking to work in a western suburb of Kabul, said the SERVE Afghanistan aid organization for which she had been working for 2-years.

President Hamid Karzai condemned the killing of Ms. Williams

October 15: Blessed Narciso Basté Basté

Blessed Narciso Basté Basté
1866 – 1936

October 14: Blessed Ana María Aranda Riera

Blessed Ana María Aranda Riera
1888 – 1936

October 12: Blessed Pacifico de Valencia

Blessed Pacifico de Valencia
1874 – 1936

October 11: Blessed Ángel Ramos Velázquez

Blessed Ángel Ramos Velázquez
1876 – 1936

October 9: Blessed Julián Alfredo, Martyr of Spain

Blessed Julián Alfredo
1904 – 1934

October 7: Blessed José Llosá Balaguer, Martyr Of Spain

Blessed José Llosá Balaguer
1901 – 1936

October 4: Blessed Alfredo Pellicer Muñoz

Blessed Alfredo Pellicer Muñoz
1914 – 1936

October 3: Blessed Crescenzio García Pobo

Blessed Crescenzio García Pobo
1903 – 1936

October 2: Blessed Bartolomeo Blanco Marquez

Blessed Bartolomeo Blanco Marquez
1914 – 1936

October 1: Blessed Alvaro Sanjuan Canet

Blessed Alvaro Sanjuan Canet
1908 – 1936

September 29: Blessed Dario Hernández Morato

Blessed Dario Hernández Morato
1880 – 1936

September 28: Blessed Amalia Abad Casasempere

Blessed Amalia Abad Casasempere
1897 – 1936

September 27: Blessed Herminia Martínez Amigó

Blessed Herminia Martínez Amigó
1887 – 1936

September 26: Blessed María Jordá Botella

Blessed María Jordá Botella
1905 – 1936

September 25: Saint Albert, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem & Martyr

Saint Albert of Jerusalem
1149 – 1215

September 25: Blessed Antonio Cid Rodriguez

Blessed Antonio Cid Rodriguez
1890 – 1936

September 16: Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Martyr Of Korea

Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
1821 -1846

September 14: Saint Gabriel John Tauin du-Fresse

Saint Gabriel John Tauin du-Fresse
1750 – 1815

September 11: Blessed Francesco Giovanni Bonifacio

Blessed Francesco Giovanni Bonifacio
1912 – 1946

Martyred September 11, 1946 at Villa Gardossi, Krasica, Istarska, Italy (now in Croatia)

August 29: Blessed Francisco Monzón Romeo, O.P., New Martyr Of Spain

Blessed Francisco Monzón Romeo
1912-1936