Saint of the Day: The Blessed Martyred Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God

Religious and Martyrs (d. 1936)

Their story

+ These 12 martyrs of the Order of Hospitallers of St. John of God (including 11 religious brothers and 1 priest) were serving at the Institute San José de Carabanchel Alto, an isolated hospital for those suffering from epilepsy.

+ Although the community escaped the violence that claimed the lives of thousands of religious in July 1936 (including dozens of members of their order), the militia did search the hospital on July 29 and forbade the brothers to pray or take part in any religious services.

+ The brothers continued to pray in secret, just as they continued to serve the patients in their care. On August 29, the mayor of Carabanchel arrived with an armed escort and confiscated hospital records and money and appropriated the hospital.

+ On September 1, the brothers shot to death near Boadillo del Monte. In 1942, their remains were moved to the hospital chapel, and they were beatified in 1992.

For prayer and reflection

“In times of hardship, one must believe that Jesus stands before us and he does not cease to accompany his disciples.”—Pope Francis

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also remembers Saint Giles. A hermit, Giles later founded a monastery near Nimes, France, serving as the community’s first abbot. Saint Giles died around 724 and is honored as the heavenly patron of those with physically disabilities; he is celebrated as one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers.”

Prayer

Grant us in your compassion, O Lord, we pray, an increase of that faith which brought glory to your holy Martyrs as they maintained it even to the shedding of their blood, and may the same faith bring to us, who truly follow it, justification in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For Several Martyrs)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.