THE MARTYRS OF UVIRA

On August 18, 2024, a beatification ceremony took place in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, represented Pope Francis.

The martyrdom of four priests in the Democratic Republic of Congo “was the crowning achievement of a life spent for the Lord and for the brethren,” Pope Francis said in Rome at the conclusion of the Angelus on the same day.

Tragically, these missionaries fell victim to a turbulent period in the Democratic Republic of Congo history, in the early 1960s, fraught with violent unrest. Quite a few missionaries left. However, the Xaverians chose to stand faithful to their mission, accompanying the local people in their sufferings.

Father Luigi Carrara and Brother Vittorio Faccin, two Xaverian missionaries, were martyred in Baraka on November 28, 1964 by militants taking part in the Kwilu Rebellion. Later that same day, the rebels moved to the town of Fizi where they killed Father Giovanni, a fellow Xaverian; and Father Albert Joubert, a Congolese-born French priest.

Vittorio Faccin (1934-1964) entered the Xaverians in 1950. He had wanted to be a priest, but struggled with his studies and opted to be a brother, making his first profession in 1952. After he was sent to the Diocese of Uvira in 1959, he looked forward to making his perpetual profession, accepting that he would not be a priest. “I long for this day to come soon to offer myself as a victim forever to Jesus for the salvation of souls,” he reflected. “In prayer, Jesus has made me understand that it is better for me to be the one sacrificed to Him than for Him to sacrifice Himself in my hands.” He was killed on November 28, 1964, in Baraka.

Brother Faccin was commanded by a rebel leader to board a military jeep halted at the Baraka Church.

His refusal led to a tragic outcome, as he was ruthlessly shot. Father Carrara, who was hearing confessions, emerged from the Church and, rather than complying with the assailants, knelt by his fallen brother. His unwavering solidarity cost him his life, becoming another victim of this senseless violence.

Luigi Carrara (1933-1964) was an Italian priest who entered the Xaverian Missionaries in 1947. He made his perpetual profession in 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. He was sent to Fizi, a territory in the east of the newly independent Congolese state, where he was caught in an uprising known as the Simba rebellion. The rebels falsely accused the Xaverian Missionaries of communicating their movements to government forces, leading to heavy defeats. On November 28, 1964, they killed Father Carrara in the city of Baraka.

A few hours later, in Fizi, the same fate befell Fathers Didoné and Joubert. The rebel squadron arrived in Fizi and the leader knocked on the door of the mission, killing Father Didoné in cold blood when he came to the door, and shortly afterwards doing the same to Father Joubert.

Giovanni Didoné (1930-1964) joined the Xaverian Missionaries in 1950, making his perpetual vows in 1954. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1958. A year later, he was sent to serve in the Diocese of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping to build a church in Fizi. He was shot dead by a rebel leader on November 28, 1964, a few steps from the church.

Albert Joubert (1908-1964) was born in the colony of Belgian Congo to an African mother and a French father who had served in the Papal Zouaves before moving to Africa. He was ordained a priest in 1935, serving in parishes and schools until he was sent to Fizi, where he worked alongside Father Didoné. He too was murdered on November 28, 1964.

The proclamation of these new blesseds is a testament to unwavering faith, resilience, and the ultimate sacrifice made by individuals dedicated to their mission. Their legacy transcends time and stands as an inspiration for all, a poignant reminder of the strength derived from faith in the face of adversity. We remember and celebrate them because even today we need their example and intercession to continue announcing and witnessing the love of Christ for all humanity.

Taking the occasion of their beatification on Sunday, Pope Francis prayed that their “example and intercession might foster paths of reconciliation and peace for the good of the Congolese people”. He asked for continued prayers that paths of peace may be opened wherever war rages.

Blesseds Luigi Carrara, Albert Joubert, Giovanni Didoné, and Vittorio Faccin, pray for us!

Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-08/pope-may-new-blesseds-be-an-example-of-reconciliation-and-peace.html

https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/five-beatification-ceremonies-to

https://philippines.xaverians.org/sfxp/three-xaverian-missionaries-martyrs-declared-as-new-blesseds-by-pope-francis

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blesseds Luigi, Albert, Giovanni, and Vittorio 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.

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

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