July 17th is the Feast the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne, Victims of the French Revolution. In 1794 Mother Teresa of St. Augustine and her fifteen Companions were executed by guillotine during the Reign of Terror. Refusing to comply with the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which subordinated the Catholic Church to the revolutionary government, the Martyrs were arrested, tried for treason, and sentenced to death. Driven before an unusually quiet mob, they each renewed their vows and chanted hymns as they heroically ascended the scaffold towards the cold-blooded executioner. They were buried in a common grave in the Picpus Cemetery. In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne.
Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of
Compiègne, orate pro nobis
Prayer to the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne*
God our Father, you give us joy each year in honoring the memory of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and the Martyrs of Compiegne. May their prayers be a source of help for us, and may their example of courage and chastity be our inspiration. 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.
From The Liturgy of the Hours: Common of Several Martyrs—For virgin martyr
* Prayer reprinted from aleteia.org
