Franciscan Priest and Martyr (1881-1948)
His life
+ Mati was born in Shkodrë, Albania. After studying in Austria and Italy, he entered the Franciscan order, receiving the religious name “Pal.”
+ Ordained a priest in his hometown in 1904, he served as pastor of several parishes before being named vicar provincial.
+ He was arrested by Communist authorities on November 15, 1946, for his fidelity to Rome and refusal to cooperate with the newly established state-sponsored church.
+ After a show trial, he was condemned to death. Blessed Pal was executed on March 11, 1948, and beatified with other Albanian martyrs in 2016.
For prayer and reflection
“While persecutors dissolve like so many black shadows which are lost forever in the darkness of eternal oblivion, martyrs are guiding lights that shine in the sky of humanity, showing the true face of man’s goodness, his profound identity created in the image of God.”—Pope Francis speaking of the Martyrs of Albania
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Church also remembers a Franciscan priest and martyr, Blessed Seán Ó Cearnaigh (aka Kearney). After his formation and ordination in Belgium in 1638, Blessed Seán served the persecuted Catholic community in Ireland, at a time when it was a crime to be a priest in the British Empire. After living as a wanted man for more than nine years—all the while serving his Franciscan brothers in various roles—he was arrested in early 1653 and hanged on March 11 of that year. He was beatified with other Irish martyrs in 1992.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Pal Prennushi to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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