Today we commemorate the Memory of all the Martyrs of our Congregation. The Holy See approved on 31 January 2019 the inclusion of the memory of Blessed Felipe de Jesús Munárriz Azcona and his fellow religious martyrs in the calendar of the Congregation of Claretian Missionaries for the 1st of February.
From this year onwards, every 1st of February – the day on which the attack against Fr. Claret in Holguín, Cuba, is commemorated – will be dedicated to jointly honour the memory of the 184 members of the Congregation of the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who died during the persecution against the Church in Mexico (1927) and in Spain (1936-1939).
All of them remained faithful to their missionary vocation and gave clear witness of forgiveness of their executioners, love for the Heart of Mary and the Church, concern for the most needy and fervent missionary zeal.
We pray for them and ask for their intercession to be faithful to our missionary vocation and to let ourselves be inflamed by the fire of God’s love until the end. The memory of their lives and their intercession kindle the same fire of love in us.
