October 23rd is the Feast of the Blessed Martyrs of Valenciennes. In 1794 eleven Ursuline nuns were arrested and beheaded by French revolutionaries for teaching the Catholic Faith. The nuns were Sr. Clotilde Paillot, OSU, superior; Sr. Marie Louise Ducret; Sr. Marie Magdalen Desjardin; Sr. Marie Louise Vanot; Sr. Françoise Lacroix; Sr. Margaret Leroux; Sr. Anne Marie Erraux; Sr. Anne Joseph Leroux; Sr. Gabrielle Bourla; Sr. Jane Louis Barré; and Sr. Jane Rievie Prin. They went to their deaths singing penitential psalms and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
Blessed Martyrs of Valenciennes,
orate pro nobis
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer for the virgin martyrs. Pictured is the Martyrdom of the Blessed Martyrs of Valenciennes by Diogène Maillart (1840-1926).
Prayer for Blessed Martyrs of Valenciennes
God our Father, you give us joy each year in honoring the memory of Mother Clotilde and Companions. 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, God, for ever and ever.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.