Martyred during the French Revolution (1794)
Their story
+ Charlotte Lucas was born in 1752 in the village of Chalonnes-sur-Loire. An unmarried woman, Charlotte was among a group of Christians murdered in her village by Revolutionary forces for her refusal to deny her Catholic Faith.
+ Charlotte was one of 99 martyrs from the Diocese of Angers, France, killed during the French Revolution. With the exception of the priest Blessed Jean-Michel Langevin (who was murdered on October 30, 1793), all the martyrs died in 1794.
+ The Martyrs of Angers include 11 diocesan priests, 3 women religious (including two Daughters of Charity and a Benedictine nun), 4 laymen, and 80 laywomen.
+ The Martyrs of Angers were beatified in 1984. They are honored with a common commemoration on February 1.
Spiritual bonus
In 1926, Pope Pius XI beatified another martyr of Angers: the priest Blessed Noël Pinot. Born in Angers in 1747, Noël was ordained in 1771. Having served in several parishes, he was known for his special care for the sick. Because he refused to abandon his parishioners after being told to give up his ministry by Revolutionary authorities, he was arrested in on February 9, 1794, and executed 12 days later. Blessed Noël wore his priestly vestments to his execution and died reciting the opening words of the Mass. He is honored on February 21.
Quote
“See how rich is the Saints’ reward from God; they died for Christ and will live for ever.”—Communion Antiphon for the Mass “for Several Martyrs”
Prayer
Grant a joyful outcome to our prayers, O Lord, so that we, who each year devoutly honor the day of the passion of the holy Martyrs of Angers, may also imitate the constancy of their faith. 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—For Several Martyrs Outside the Easter Season)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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