ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL
Saints celebrated on the 23rd of April
MARTYRS OF QUICHÉ
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| Courtesy of www.vaticannews.va |
In an interview with Vatican News, Bishop Rosolino Bianchetti Boffelli of Quiché diocese recalled the lives of the ten martyrs (three priests of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart: Jose Maria Gran Cirera, Juan Alonso Fernandez and Faustino Villanueva; and seven laymen: Rosalío Benito, Reyes Us, Domingo del Barrio, Nicolás Castro, Tomás Ramírez, Miguel Tiú and 12-year-old Juan Barrera Méndez, all of them were killed in "hatred of the faith" in Guatemala between 1980 and 1991) and said: "Our martyrs were truly missionaries on the move. They went from house to house, keeping the faith alive, praying with their brothers, evangelizing, imploring the God of life. They were men of great faith, of great trust in God, but at the same time of great dedication to bring about a change, a different Guatemala.” In the years from 1960 to 1996, Guatemala struggled through a conflict between its military regime and various leftist groups, during which time over 200,000 people were killed. Around the 1980’s the Church began to undergo systematic persecution for its role in the defence of the dignity and rights of the poor.
Bishop Bianchetti noted that the ten martyrs did not hesitate to join the process of new evangelization which was being promoted by Catholic Action as "a method, a way, a style of living the faith following Jesus of Nazareth." He added that in spite of the threats, they embraced their cross and were persecuted and eventually killed by those who considered the teachings of the Gospel a danger to the interests of the powerful.
"They were men of greater stature," he said, adding that with the Word of God and the Rosary in hand, they would go around communities assisting those in need. The priests would act as guides for the people, while the laypeople visited the sick, served in the church, and, after finishing their jobs as farmers, would help the peasants recover lands that had been unjustly stolen from them.
Speaking on the significance of the beatification of the martyrs for the Church in Guatemala, and in particular, the diocese of Quiché, Bishop Bianchetti said that it is the "culmination of a long journey that Jesus called these men to undertake."
Bishop Bianchetti also spoke about Juan Barrera Méndez, also known as “Juanito” who, though being only twelve years of age, showed deep spiritual maturity as a catechist for children preparing to receive their first communion, and even received the sacrament of Confirmation. He recounted that according to the testimonies they were given, Juan was passionate in following Jesus and even wanted to build a church near his house so that his father, who was not a firm Christian, could participate.
He added that Juanito was tortured the day he was captured in an army raid in his community and they cut off the soles of his feet. Then they made him walk along the riverbank. "He stood firm, testifying with his life, with his blood. He was hung on a tree and shot... Like 'Jesus crucified' on a tree. And Juanito shines today. His testimony went 'viral'...," the Bishop said. He also highlights that, "The Church here in Quiché, humbly, but with much hope, is walking and wants to continue building hand in hand with our martyrs, new heavens and new lands, with much faith, with much hope and with much passion for the Kingdom of God."
Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-04/beatification-ten-martyrs-quiche-guatemala.html - https://giveusthisday.org/2022/04/23/ten-martyrs-of-quiche-guatemala/#:~:text=These%20ten%20martyrs%2C%20beatified%20on,faith%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20early%201980s - https://aleteia.org/2021/04/24/12-year-old-martyr-beatified-in-guatemala/
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the Martyrs of Quiche may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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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