During the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, religious from all orders were persecuted and killed by radical militias. After militias discovered a cassock during a raid on his residence, Fr. Miguel and two laypeople were martyred on July 28, 1936. Bros. Sabino, Joaquín, Florencio, and four others were discovered on September 13, 1936. They were all taken to a secret prison, beaten, and martyred by firing squad in the early hours of September 14. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI beatified Bros. Sabino, Joaquín, Florencio, and Fr. Miguel. May their example of faith, perseverance, and sacrifice in the face of persecution inspire us as we celebrate their journey to sainthood.
Let us pray:
"Lord, our God, who granted to the blessed martyrs Joaquín, Sabino, Florencio, and Miguel the grace of dedicating their lives to education under the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of courageously professing their faith, grant that we, strengthened by their witness, might give witness to our faith in word and deed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
Boccardi, SM, Donald, ed. 2019. Marianist Family Prayer Book. Second edition. Dayton, Ohio: NACMS.
Published in the November 2023 edition of our Newsletter.