In this age of the persecution of Christians, Perpetua and Felicity seem more relevant than ever. The two women, whom we commemorate on March 7, were martyred for their Christian faith by the Roman Empire and have been venerated as saints ever since.
Pope St. John Paul II said of Saints Cristobal, Antonio, and Juan, the Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala (feast day: Sept. 23), “I hope that the example of these children may raise up an immense multitude of little apostles of Christ among the boys and girls of Latin America and the whole world."
The six Mexican Martyrs (feast day, May 21), canonized by Pope St. John Paul II on this day in 2000, were all priests and members of the Knights of Columbus, killed during the persecution of the faithful in the Mexican Cristero War in the 1920’s.
Martyred for his refusal to deny Christ, 14-year-old St. José Sánchez del Rio (feast day: Feb. 10) was a member of the Cristeros, a group of landowners, ranchers, and sharecroppers who revolted against the anti-Catholic government of Mexico in the 1920s. The first article in a new series on saints and future saints from Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
The Canadian Martyrs, also known as the North American Martyrs (feast day Sept. 26), are a group of 17th century Jesuit priests and volunteer missionaries martyred for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in modern-day New York State and Canada.
He may not have been born in Canada, but he was exiled and died there, and a national shrine of Canadian martyrs is named for him. He is Blessed Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky (feast day: June 27), a Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishop martyred for the faith after the Soviet Union’s takeover of Ukraine during World War II.
Saint Dominic Savio (feast day: May 6, formerly March 9) is the youngest non-martyr to be canonized in the Catholic Church. What made him so saintly? Father Dan Cambra, MIC, explains.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe is one of the 20th century's most famous saints and influential priests. Why? Father Dan Cambra, MIC, explains.
The Marian Fathers have opened the cause for canonization of the Servant of God Fabian and four companions, Andrew, Eugene, John, and Vladas. They died for the faith. Let us make sure they’re remembered, and ask for their prayers, especially during the month of November.
The world's values oppose our values, as martyrs have shown. Watch today's Advent video.
