BL. BENEDICT DASWA, MARTYR

BL. BENEDICT DASWA, MARTYR - 1 FEBRUARY

BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA, MARTYR

Blessed Benedict Daswa, born June 16, 1946, was a South African school teacher and principal. He took the name "Benedict" upon his conversion to the Catholic Faith; one of his patron saints was Saint Benedict of Nursia, whose motto "Ora et labora" [pray and work] was his motto, too. On February 2, 1990, a local mob martyred him after he refused to pay money to some villagers for collective witchcraft designed to ward off thunderstorms. He rejected these practices because they are incompatible with Catholic Christianity.

¹FROM A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO BL BENEDICT DASWA:

Sr. Angela Ruddy, a Missionary Sister of the Holy Rosary, who was the parish catechetical coordinator and worked closely with Benedict, said of him: "I would go so far as to say that everything about him was Christ-like. To me personally I felt in the presence of an exceptionally graced man, a virtuous man, a peaceful, joyful, contented person who not so much talked about his faith as lived it deeply and quietly. I would say he intensely loved Christ and the Church".

People remember Benedict as a man of strong faith. According to his sister, Thinavhuyo, "He was growing in his faith day by day. I believe this because although he was encountering many problems in his life, his faith did not waver". He used to tell youth groups, "I would die for my faith in Christianity". Michael Maliavusa, one of his youth leaders, related: "He believed strongly in Church doctrine which influenced and inspired him". Tshililo Mafenya, a relative, described him as, "a person full of love. He loved all people". Blessed Benedict was through and through Catholic with no compromise. He was a person who was committed to the Catholic way of life. He was not influenced by other churches, religions or practices.

Nourished by prayer, the Word of God and the regular reception of the Sacraments, he was deeply involved in the life of the parish. He was full of enthusiasm for the spread of the gospel through building up strong, local Catholic communities.

¹Source:

https://benedictdaswa.org.za/blessed-benedict-daswa/exemplary-christian/

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Benedict confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. 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.

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