TODAY'S SAINT (Blessed Apollinaris and Compaions)
BLESSED APOLLINARIS AND COMPANIONS
Martyrs
Between 1617 and 1632 a fierce anti-christian persecution raged in Japan which produced two hundred and five martyrs for the Christian Faith. In this number were eighteen First Order Franciscans and twenty-seven Third Order Franciscans.
The leader of the Franciscan martys was Apollinaris Franco, the Commissary Provincial of the Order of Japan. Defying an imperial decree condemning to death all who proclaimed themselvees as Christians, Apollinaris upon landing in Japan openly announced himself as a disciple of Christ. He was soon cast into Omura prison where he spent five years catechizing and baptiziing his fellow prisoners. On September 12, 1622, he and several other Franciscans were burned alive.
PRAYER
Lord, we devoutly recall the sufferings of Blessed
Apollinaris and his companions. Give success to
our joyful prayers and grant us also constanncy in
our Faith. Amen.
Feast: September 12
posted by US Catholic @ 12:13 AM
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