Blessed Spanish Martyrs of the 20th Century
2027-11-06
The Blessed Martyrs of Almeria were beatified in 1993. The Catholic Church holds dear anyone who endures the loss of life because they are Christians. During the first centuries of Christianity, this was the fate of thousands of early followers of Jesus. Sadly, this has happened in every century since the time of Jesus. In the 1930s, many were executed in Spain because they were religious leaders. Specifically, in 1936, seven Christian Brothers in Almeria, Spain, were arrested and condemned for teaching the Catholic faith.

Prayer

Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.

Lord, as we learn of the Brothers in Almeria, we remember that even closer to our time, in 1982, Brother James Miller from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was executed by the government in Guatemala for doing what Christian Brothers do: teach young people their religion and help them develop the talents that God has given them. It is so sad to learn what misguided people with power can do. Bless us with wise and loving leaders. Help us resist temptations to follow others who would lead us into evil. May we never martyr someone in body, soul, or spirit by what we say or do. Amen.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle… Pray for us.
Blessed Spanish Martyrs… Pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts… Forever!

Learn more about the Spanish Martyrs.

Commemoration of the Heroic Vow 1691
2027-11-21
November 21, 1691
John Baptist De La Salle, Nicholas Vuyart and Gabriel Drolin profess the ‘The Heroic Vow’, to remain together in society even if they would have to beg and live on bread alone.

“Most holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, prostrate in a profound respect before your infinite and adorable majesty, we consecrate ourselves entirely to you, to procure with all our power and with all our care the establishment of the society of the Christian Schools in the manner that appears to us to be the most agreeable to you and the most advantage to the said Society. And for this purpose I, John Baptist de La Salle, Priest; I, Nicholas Wiart, and I, Gabriel Drolin, from this moment and for always until the last survivor, or till the establishment of the said Society has been completely achieved, make the vow of ASSOCIATION and UNION to bring about and maintain the said establishment, without our being able to abandon it, even if we were to remain just we three in the said Society, and that we were obliged to beg alms and live on bread alone. In view of which, we promise to do unanimously and with a common consent, whatever we believe in conscience and without any human consideration to be for the greater good of the said Society. Done this twenty-first of November, the day of the Presentation of the Most Blessed Virgin, 1691, in faith of which we have signed.”

Learn more about the Heroic Vow.
