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| Seven Visitation Martyrs, orate pro nobis |
I will not hide it that I am a religious, because I want to die like my sisters. ~ Sister Maria Cecilia Cendoya
November 18th is the Feast of the Visitation Martyrs of Madrid, seven Visitation nuns who were killed for their faith in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War (1836-1939). Captured and interrogated by an anarchist militia in Madrid, the sisters were dragged from their convent and summarily executed. They were among almost 8,000 clergy and religious killed by anticlerical revolutionaries during the Red Terror.(1) The Blessed Martyrs are Sisters Gabriela de Hinojosa, Teresa Cavestany, Josefa Barrera, Ines Zudaire, Engracia Lecuona, Angela Olaizola and Cecilia Cendoya. They were beatified on May 10, 1998 by Pope St. John Paul II.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer by Fr. Seán O’Mannion to Blessed Maria Gabriela and Her Companions. Pictured is the book And They Gave Their Lives… by Sister Martina Lopez, R.A., an inspiring account of the martyred Visitation Sisters. Viva Cristo Rey!
Prayer to Blessed Maria Gabriela and Her Companions
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, You crowned with the palm of martyrdom Blessed Maria Gabriela and her companions. We ask You to grant us the grace to imitate their life of generous surrender and loving fidelity, and the favor we now ask through their intercession (state intention), if it be for Your greater glory and the good of our souls. Amen
(Recite three times) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You!
(1) During the Spanish Civil War the total number of Martyrs were 13 bishops, 5,255 priests, and 2,669 religious (nuns, etc.). Source: And They Gave Their Lives… by Sister Martina Lopez, R.A., p.ix, 1997, Lesher Printers, Inc.
