Priest and Martyr (1873-1954)
His life
+ Vladimir was born in Istanbul, Turkeyand was the grandson of the last prince-ruler of the former kingdom of Moldavia.
+ As a young man, he studied in France, Romania, and Rome and went on to establish the first free hospital in Romania, as well as the country’s first ambulance service.
+ Ordained a priest in 1923, he served in the archdiocese of Bucharest, ministering in parishes and serving the sick and refugees who were forced to flee their homes during the Second World War.
+ Arrested by the Communist authorities in 1952 for the crime of being Christian, he was repeatedly tortured and abused. Blessed Vladimir died from the abuse on May 16, 1954, in Jilava, Romania. He was beatified in 2013.
For reflection
“This is the one who was not deserted by God on the day of struggle and now wears a crown of victory for faithfulness to the Lord’s commands, alleluia.”—Entrance Antiphon for the Mass of One Martyr During the Easter Season
Prayer
O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by adorning blessed Vladimir with the victory of martyrdom, graciously grant that, as he imitated the Lord’s Passion, so we may, by following in his footsteps, be worthy to attain eternal joys. 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 One Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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