martyrdom
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Sister Maria Laura Mainetti; murdered in a ritual act of satanism, will be Beatified.
They all (her killers) said she kept saying, “Lord, forgive them.” By Larry Peterson Teresina Elsa Mainetti was born in Colico, Italy, on August 20, 1939. She felt the calling to dedicate her life to helping others from when she was in grade school. Staying true to herself, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters…
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When World War II ended the nightmare for others began: Meet the Thirty-Eight Martyrs of Albania
By Larry Peterson When the Nazis fled Albania at the end of WW II, the communists took control of the small country. From 1945 through 1974, they ruled Albania with an iron hand banning religion, especially Catholicism. Many Catholics were brutally tortured and murdered during this period. What follows is about the 38 Martyrs of…
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This Teenage Christian was Martyred for praying for another Christian being Martyred. Meet St. Victor and St. Corona*
By Larry Peterson *Right in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic is the city of Anzu, Italy. There is a basilica in Anzu where the relics of St. Victor and St. Corona have been preserved since the ninth century. The name Corona is Latin for crown. The name, coronavirus, is given to the disease because…
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Sister Mary Rosina was teaching impoverished children about Jesus when she was attacked from behind and martyred
“Right from the time she could think for herself, she wanted to be a nun,” Evelyn McNally; Sister Mary Rosina’s sister. By Larry Peterson Constance Gladman was born in Koroit, Victoria, a small rural town in southwestern Australia. The date was December 23, 1922, and Constance would be the first of seven children born to…
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All Saint’s Day—- The Road to Sainthood is a Fascinating Journey into Human Holiness
By Larry Peterson November 1, we celebrate the Feast of All Saint’s Day. Interestingly, more than 10,000 saints are venerated in the Catholic Church. How did over 10,000 people manage to be canonized? For starters, it is probably safe to say that since the church has been around for 2000 years that only works out…
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The “Angel of Dachau” stared into the faces of the dying every day and never turned away—
By Larry Peterson The first concentration camp to be opened by the Nazis was known as Dachau. It opened in 1933 under the direction of Hitler’s primary henchman, Heinrich Himmler. The initial idea was for Dachau to house political prisoners, but it quickly evolved into a death camp primarily for Jews. Dachau also became known…
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Give us Silence or Give us Death: A Priest will accept death rather than violate this vow
By Larry Peterson On July 1, 2019, The Vatican issued the Note of the Apostolic Penitentiary about the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal aka the Seal of Confession. A Sacrament is of God—not man. “the sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by…
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Guilty by Bloodline; Blessed Margaret Pole’s life displays Courage to all Christians no matter the challenge.
By Larry Peterson Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, was born on August 14, 1473, in Somerset, England. She was the last daughter of George Plantagenet (Plantagenet Dynasty), the Duke of Clarence. King Henry VII officiated at her marriage to Sir Richard Pole whose mother-in-law, Edith St. John, was a half-sister of the king’s mother, Margaret…
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Lucien Botovosoa’s devotion to Christ and Family made him a Martyr—- Today he is counted among the Patrons of Married Couples and Fathers
By Larry Peterson Madagascar is a vast island nation located off the east-central coast of Africa. It was here that Lucien Botovasoa was born in the year 1908, the exact day is unknown. He was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters. Besides that, not much more is known about his early childhood. Lucien began…
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“Do not worry. All they can do is kill us, nothing more”
By Larry Peterson It was April 14, 1905, when Angela Ginard Marti knelt at the altar rail. Dressed all in white with hands palm to palm, she raised her head and extended her tongue to receive her First Holy Communion. It was a transformational moment for the youngster. As she brought Jesus into her heart,…
Cradling Catholic 