24 July, feast of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara, gunned down by Republicans on this day in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. Holy, humble women killed for their love of Christ & his Church. In the difficulties we face today, may we emulate their fidelity & heroism ~ Fr. John S. Hogan, ocds (Twitter)
Monastery of the Precious Blood, Borough Park, Brooklyn
July 24th is the feast of Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart, Virgin: Catalan orphan, Teresian nun, school-teacher, and martyr of the Spanish Civil War—murdered by the Reds at Barcelona on this day in 1936. ~ Tradical (Twitter)
Earlier today, in celebration of the Feasts of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara, Spain and Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart, I repeated the penitential pilgrimage I made last week in memory of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne. Beginning and ending at the Monastery of the Precious Blood (5400 Fort Hamilton Pkwy.) in Borough Park, Brooklyn, I took the same route to Visitation Monastery (8902 Ridge Blvd.) in Bay Ridge, returning with brief stops at St. Anselm RC Church (356 82nd St.), St. Ephrem RC Church (929 Bay Ridge Pkwy.) and Leif Ericson Park. Neither the rain or heat kept me from completing the walk.
 |
| I recently learned the famed Norse explorer was a Roman Catholic |
 |
| Blessed Maria Mercedes |
Prayer to Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart (1)
God of infinite goodness, You gave Blessed Maria Mercedes, virgin, the courage to bring to fullness in martyrdom her offering to You and to the Church. Grant us, through her intercession, the grace to be so firmly rooted in the love of Christ that nothing can ever separate us from this love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
 |
| The Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara, Spain Blessed Maria Pilar, Teresa of the Child Jesus, and Maria Angeles |
Prayer for the Canonization the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara (2)
O most loving Jesus who accepted the offer that your faithful Servants Blessed Maria Pilar, Teresa and María Ángeles made of their lives, realizing the ardent desires they had to shed their blood for the triumph of your universal Reign! For the glory they gave you proclaiming your royalty and forgiving their enemies, make all hearts submit to the sweet empire of your love and that the gifts of reconciliation and peace always shine among men and in peoples.
Grant us the canonization of the Blessed and their ardor in the fulfillment of your Holy Will and help us with the special graces that we now ask of you through their intercession. Amen.
 |
| Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary outside St. Ephrem RC Church |
Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara, ora pro nobis.
Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart, ora pro nobis.
~ Giovanni di Napoli, July 24, Feasts of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara and Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart
Addendum: I later learned that July 24th is also the Feast of Blessed Xavier Piferer Bordas, a Salesian priest murdered during the Spanish Civil War. Blessed Xavier Bordas, ora pro nobis.
Addendum: I later learned that July 24th is also the Feast of Blessed Xavier Piferer Bordas, a Salesian priest murdered during the Spanish Civil War. Blessed Xavier Bordas, ora pro nobis.
Notes:
(1) Source for the Prayer to Blessed María Mercè of the Sacred Heart: www.ocarm.org
(2) Source for the Prayer to the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Guadalajara: www.martiresdeguadalajara.net
