The Basics: Born between 1879 and 1906 in Spain; died between August 12, 1936, and February 11, 1937, in Spain; beatified October 13, 2013; feast day, November 6. Women religious and martyrs.
The Story: There were fifteen of them, and they were part of two larger communities in the Madrid area. They were doing what Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul women religious had been doing for more than two hundred years and continue to do today: educating people and helping those in need. Their faith would cost them their lives.
The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936, when the women were between fifty-seven and thirty years old. But religious persecution, including the burning of convents, had begun earlier. Surely, they all knew that as Catholics, they were in danger.
Less than a week after the war began, the sisters were rounded up and placed in a school community room. After they were freed, some went to their
Beatification of the 522 Spanish martyrs, including the Daughters of Charity. By miquelco [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The killings began on August 12. Five of the sisters were taken into custody and, refusing to renounce their faith, were shot and and tossed into a common grave. Two more were killed the same day. On September 3, three sisters went to visit one woman’s relative. He refused to accept them and in the process, they were identified by their clothing. Two of the three were stoned, then executed; the third was shot under a bridge. October 31 brought the roadside deaths of two more women religious; three more disappeared and were believed to have died between November 17 and February 11.
In total, nearly 7,000 men and women religious were killed during the war. It’s been postulated that the Spanish Civil War resulted in more martyrdom than anywhere else in the 20th century.
The Martyrs’ Wisdom: “Long live Christ the King!” (the final words of many of the women)
What We Can Learn from the Martyrs: Even if we stay out of politics, as the sisters did, serving Christ can be risky here on earth. Pray for the faith and courage not to renounce the Lord when you are asked to do so today.
To Learn More About Martyrs: Check out the Vincentian Encyclopedia’s biographies of each of the sisters, and the closing days of her life.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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