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 | | The Mercedarian Martyrs: Fr. Mariano Alcala Perez and his eighteen companions |
The Church bestowed on five hundred and twenty-two Spanish martyrs the title of "blessed" this month. The victims of anti-Catholic persecution during the Spanish Civil war, nineteen of these martyrs were our brothers, the Mercedarian friars of the Provence of Aragon.
We waited in anticipation as we read the news reports of the canonization of our brethren-martyrs, whose cause was approved by Pope Benedict XVI in December of 2011. Killed during the "Red Terror" of 1934 to 1936, our brothers embraced their cross, forgiving their tormentors just as Jesus himself did.
Administering the sacraments and preaching the Gospel in the face of anti-Catholic persecution, these priests and brothers would not betray Christ, even to spare their own lives. When captured and eventually executed, their final words were the proud cry of "Long live Christ the King!"
We Share in this Mercedarian Charism
Our foundress, Mother Maria del Refugio, started our order in 1910 in Mexico City as the Apostolate of the Blessed Sacrament. Eventually, we took on our Mercedarian Charism, and petitioned to be included into the Order of Mercy, a request which was granted in 1925. At that point, we received our name Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
Several of our brother Mercedarian friars attended the beatification ceremony this October 13th, in Tarragona, Spain. Cardinal Amato preached the homily for the Beatification Mass, in which he spoke of the martyrs,
"They did not hate anyone, [but] loved everyone, doing good to all. Their apostolate was catechesis in the parishes, teaching in the schools, caring for the sick, charity for the poor, the assistance of the elderly and marginalized. To the atrocity of the persecutors, they did not respond with rebellion or with arms, but with the gentleness of the strong."
"Today's celebration wants to scream again loudly to the world, that humanity needs peace, fraternity, peace. No one can justify war, fratricidal hatred, the death of the neighbor. With their charity, the martyrs opposed the rage of evil, as a powerful wall opposed the monstrous violence of a tsunami. By their gentleness, the martyrs deactivated the homicidal weapons of tyrants and executioners, conquering evil with good. They are always actual prophets of peace in the world."
These martyrs leave us the message of peace and forgiveness, both of which are no less necessary today! As Pope Francis said, mercy is the cure for the "cancer" of sin and evil, which plagues our world.
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Yours in Christ,
Sr. Jeanette Marie
Vocation Director
Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
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