Saint of the Day: Bl. Dedë Maçaj

Priest and Martyr (1920-1947)

His life

+ Dedë was born in Mali Jushit, Albania.

+ After studying at the Shkodra Pontifical Seminary and in Rome, he was ordaned a priest in 1944 for the archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult.

+ During the anti-Catholic Communist regime in Albania, he was ordered into military service, but was later arrested, tortured, and ultimately executed on March 28, 1947, on the accusation that he was a spy for the Vatican.

+ Blessed Dedë was beatified with other Albanian martyrs in 2016.

For prayer and reflection

“They preferred to submit to prison, torture and finally death, in order to remain faithful to Christ and to the Church. May their example help us to find in the Lord strength that supports in moments of difficulty and that inspires attitudes of goodness, forgiveness and peace.”—Pope Francis, speaking of the Albanian Martyrs

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also honors the memory of Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem. A monk and priest, he was noted for his biblical knowledge. He worked with Saint Jerome and Saint Cyril of Alexandria and wrote a commentary on the Scriptures, although very little has survived to the present day. Saint Hesychius died around the year 450.

Prayer

O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by adorning blessed Dedë 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, 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.