The Basics: Eighty-three women, born between 1721 and 1771; died between January 12-April 16, 1794, in France; beatified February 19, 1984, by John Paul 22; feast day, February 1; martyrs, laywomen, women religious.
The Story: They were mothers, daughters, sisters. Three of them were women 
religious. It appears they were everyday women… not leaders in their communities but lovers of the Lord. All told, 83 women were executed at Angers in a four-month period in 1794 for practicing or refusing to renounce their faith. (They and 11 diocesan priests and four laymen who died in roughly the same time period were beatified as a group.) The martyrs for the faith were among 2,000 or so who were killed at Angers during the French Revolution. Most were forced to face firing squads and then stabbed to death if the musket fire didn’t kill them.
Wisdom: “I have asked the good Lord for the peace and unity of all” (Marie Cassin, among those martyred).
What We Can Learn: Religious persecution goes on today. Like the women of Angers, we have the opportunity, privilege and responsibility to practice and speak up for and practice their faith every day. Do we, or do we stay quiet when persecution rears its head?
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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