Day 18 -- Martyrs of Valencia, Spain

Do you know how many martyrs there have been in the 20th century? More martyrs in our last century than in the first 19 centuries combined! Today we commemorate the feast of the 218 Martyrs of Valencia, Spain who were killed between the years 1934 and 1938. There were 22 different groups represent these people who were martyred. They were beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II and await canonization. Some groups include:

1. Diocesan priests of the Archdiocese of Valencia
2. Women of Catholic Action of the Archdiocese of Valencia
3. Men and Youth of Catholic Action of the Archdiocese of Valencia
4. Dominicans
5. Capuchin Sisters of the Order of Saint Clare
6. Carmelite Sisters of Charity
7. Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly

There were 266 martyrs beatified from the 20th century. Below is what is on the Vatican's website in reference to all the martyrs of the 20th century who were beatified, including Maximilian Kolbe who was canonized.

"Like Jesus they died at the hands of their executors, they died for their people, forgiving and asking God to hasten the hour of reconciliation. We are sure that even in the hour of their own glorification these martyrs cried out with the voice of their innocent blood to ask that peace and reconciliation may soon be a joyful reality among all peoples. Here is the list following the chronological order of the beatifications. Besides the year of death, also indicated is the manner of death and in brackets the date of beatification and, when celebrated outside the Vatican, where it took place."

Day 10 -- Saint Crescentius of Rome

According to tradition, Saint Crescentius of Rome was born to a noble Roman family around the year 289. His father was St. Euthymius. He and his parents were baptized together by St. Epigmenius. During the persecutions of Christian by Diocletian, his family fled to Perugia where his father died. When he was 11 years old arrested, tortured, beheaded and martyred for the crime of being Christian.

Wow, what an incredible story for such a young boy!! He must have had remarkable faith to be martyred at such a young age. Would I have that kind of faith if something like this was happening to me?

I also think it is so neat to know that his father is a saint and he was baptized by a saint. I often think -- is there anyone I know in my lifetime who will become a saint?

Day 7 -- Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre

Today's saint that I chose is Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre, who was one of eight children, and born in France on January 6, 1802. At at 16 he followed his brother Louis to the seminary and joined the Congregation of the Mission of Saint Vincent on Christmas Day 1818. He was ordained in Paris on September 23, 1825. He was a professor of theology, seminary rector, and assistant director of novices. His brother Louis died on his way to China for a mission and John Gabriel was asked to replace him. In March 1835 is sailed to China and began his mission in June 1836. Three years later widespread persecution of Christians began. John Gabriel was denounced and tried on September 16, 1839. He was tortured by hanging by his thumbs and he was flogged with bamboo rods and was martyred by being strangled on September 11, 1840. He is the first saint associated with China. He was beatified in 1889 and canonized in 1996.

Today as we remember the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on our country, I think of all the men and women who died for our country....all 2,996 of them. The many firefighters and police officers who gave their lives for our country; I see the similarities between them--our country's heroes and the Church martyrs.

God Bless America!