Franciscan Priest and Martyr (1894-1936)
His life
+ Francisco was born in 1894 in San Julián de Requeijo, Pontevedra, Spain, and entered the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans) in 1909.
+ Following his ordination in 1917, he served in the shrines of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, all of which were under the care of the Franciscans.
+ After learning Arabic, he served the Catholic community in Aleppo, Syria, and later as a parish priest near Jerusalem.
+ Francisco returned to Spain in 1934 and worked at the College of Chipiona in Cadiz. He was martyred with other members of his community in Azuaga, Spain, on September 22, 1930. These martyrs were beatified in 2007.
For prayer and reflection
“Triumphant the saints reach the kingdom to be wreathed in splendor by the hand of God.”—from the Liturgy of the Hours
Spiritual bonus
On this day, we also remember Saint Augustinus Yu Chin-Kil. A married layman and catechist in Korea, he petitioned Pope Gregory XVI to send missionaries to Korea. He was martyred for his faith on September 22, 1839. He was canonized with other Korean martyrs in 1984.
Prayer
O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of blessed Francisco and his companions, grant in your mercy that we, who honor their heavenly birthday, may also imitate their courage in suffering. 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 Several Marytrs)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...