Category Archives: Modern Martyrs

NEW BOOK – Martyrs of the Eucharist: Stories to Inspire Eucharistic Amazement

It is sometimes said that were we truly to realize to the depth of our soul precisely the awesome what and the tremendous WHO the Blessed Sacrament is, we might never be able to get our faces up from off … Read More

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14 August – St. Maximilian Kolbe : priest, martyr, ham. Also, the 3rd path to beatification: “Oblatio Vitae”

Today, 14 August, is the Vigil of the Assumption (purple).  It is also the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe (red), a Franciscan priest put to death at Auschwitz. St. Maximilian Kolbe, has a special relevance for Catholic media. Today, dear … Read More

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26 July: Fr. Jacques Hamel, martyred 8 years ago in France

Begone, Satan,’ were the last words of Catholic priest Jacques Hamel, who was assassinated on this day eight years ago by Islamic State terrorists while celebrating Mass at Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray church in Rouen, France. pic.twitter.com/sV8hMpBulk — Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) July 26, … Read More

Posted in Modern Martyrs, SESSIUNCULA |
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17 July: Martyres of Compiègne: “Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation of virtue.”

Happy Feast of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and Companions, the Martyrs of Compiègne.  Carmelites. In 1794, the Place de la Nation on the east side of Paris was called the Place du Trône-Renversé… Toppled Throne Square. In 1792 a … Read More

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“Katonda!” The Feast of St Charles Lwanga, Martyr. A patron saint for LGBT

“Katonda!” This year, using the Traditional Missale Romanum, we celebrate today the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga.  The decree Cum sanctissima allows for the celebration of Saints canonized after 1962 provided that the day is not some feast that would … Read More

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Saints: Stories & Symbols, SESSIUNCULA, Sin That Cries To Heaven |
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What would they think about what’s going on in the Church?

As I look news items about this or that prelate doing whatever, bishops crushing people’s hearts by closing down traditional worship even as nutty stuff is not only tolerated but fostered, unheard of doctrinal propositions, priests and even bishops cancelled, … Read More

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ROME 23/10 – Day 17: #freejimmylai

The sun rose in Rome at 07:22.  It is a truly beautiful October day, classic.  The sun will set at 18:28.  The Ave Maria bells in better times would ring forth at 18:45. Welcome registrants: ThomasT20 Hoyt1940 Richard the Lionhearted … Read More

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“In the face of such barbs, how can I convince my Protestant and non-Christian allies that our Catholic teachings are not hypocrisy?”

There is an important article at the National Catholic Register written by a Chinese priest under a pseudonym. The plight of Catholics and the complicity – both active and passive – on the part of Rome are palpable. […] And … Read More

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26 July: Fr. Jacques Hamel, martyred 7 years ago in France

Interrupted while saying Mass at his parish church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the 85-year old priest struggled to repel his two 18-year old attackers with his feet. “Go away Satan!”, he repeated. Fr. Jacques Hamel was murdered, in odium fidei, a martyr to … Read More

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Nicaraguan Bishop chooses to stay in jail rather than compromise – “CARDINALE SUBITO!”

Reuters: July 5 (Reuters) – Nicaraguan Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez was returned to prison on Wednesday after negotiations between the government and church representatives broke down over the terms of his possible release, according to local news outlet Confidencial. Citing … Read More

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25 July 2023 – Card. Burke – Pontifical Mass for China in honor of Our Lady of SheShan

On Tuesday, 25 July, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke will celebrate a Pontifical Mass in honor of Our Lady of SheShan and to pray for China. The Mass will be celebrated at 6PM at the Basilica of St. John … Read More

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“I’ll see your ‘Wakanda!’ and raise you a ‘KATONDA!'” The Feast of St Charles Lwanga, Martyr – A saint we can all take pride in!

“Katonda!” This year today is in the Vetus Ordo calendar Ember Friday in the Octave of Penance.  However, it is also the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga.    That said, because of the decree Cum sanctissima we can now celebrate St. … Read More

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New online course on “St. Edith Stein as Modern Witness”

The great folks at The Catholic Thing have been holding online courses.  For example, there were courses with Robert Royal on Dante’s Divine Comedy, on Augustine’s City of God and on Thomas More’s Utopia. They are now going to have … Read More

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10 February – José de Jesús Sánchez del Río, Martyr: “Tell Christ the King I shall be with him soon.”

Today is the Feast of José Sánchez del Río. I would very much like a relic of this wonderful saint.  Anyone? I suspect many people, perhaps even among the readers here, have convinced themselves that the persecution of the Church … Read More

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26 July: Fr. Jacques Hamel, martyred 6 years ago in France

Today is the 6th anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr. Jacques Hamel in France. And there is this… HERE. Sts. Nunilo and Alodia, pray for us. St. Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us. St. Pius V, pray for us. Martyrs … Read More

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“Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation of virtue.”

Happy Feast of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and Companions, the Martyrs of Compiègne.  Carmelites. In 1794, the Place de la Nation on the east side of Paris was called the Place du Trône-Renversé… Toppled Throne Square. In 1792 a … Read More

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NEW BOOK on St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher!

How does the phrase go from… is it Kipling?… if you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you…. Something like that.  It describes rather aptly these days how tradition-oriented Catholics  are … Read More

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29 July 1941 – An “offering of life”

On 29 July 1941 ten prisoners from an block at Auschwitz were chosen to be starved to death because a prisoner from that same block had escaped. Fr. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan who founded the Militia Immaculatae, offered his life, … Read More

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Five years ago today.

Interrupted while saying Mass at his parish church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the 85-year old priest struggled to repel his two 18-year old attackers with his feet. “Go away Satan!”, he repeated. Fr. Jacques Hamel was murdered, in odium fidei, a martyr … Read More

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6 July: St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

Today is the Feast of St. Maria Goretti, who died defending her virginity and also in the attempt to prevent her killer from committing a terrible sin. The story of her appearance to him, Alessandro Serenelli, in prison, and his … Read More

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