Saints and Martyrs of the Vincentian Family

The following material the English translation of material appearing in Italian on the web site of the Postulator General Fr. Robert d’Amico, CM http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/8081/

St. Francis Regis Clet
St. Francis Regis Clet, C.M.

Francis Regis Clet was born in Grenoble on August 19, 1748, and was baptized the next day in the parish church of St. Louis. He was the tenth of fifteen children, and belonged to a deeply religious family. We know little or nothing about the first years of his life. Very probably he attended the Royal College of Grenoble where he pursued classified studies. At about twenty-one years of age he followed a call to the religious life, entering the novitiate of the Priests of the Mission in Lyons, where he took vows on March 18, 1771. Granted dimissorial letters by Monsignor DeCairol de Madaillan, bishop of Grenoble, he received the required orders, and was finally ordained a priest on March 27, 1773 in the same city of Lyons. The superiors then assigned him to be professor of theology at the Grand Seminary of Annecy. Here he spent fifteen years in great esteem and admiration for his sanctity and learning, so much so that he was called “a living library.” Many priests came to him to be enlightened.

He was delegated by his confreres to take part in the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission held in Paris in June of 1788. He was named, despite his protests, by his Superior General, Father Cayla dela Garde, to the important position of director of Novices at St. Lazare, Mother House of the Congregation.

The following year the revolution broke out. The mob invaded the house of St. Lazare. The memory of the good works of St. Vincent and his successors were unable to protect it, and it was savagely pillaged. This event was a cruel trial for our saint. Forced to leave France, he asked and received permission to leave for the China missions. In April of 1791 he embarked for the Orient.

For thirty years he lived the sacrificial life of a missionary. With a tireless zeal he evangelized three huge provinces of the Chinese empire: Kiangsi, Hou-Kouang, and Hunan. During this time he carried on an edifying correspondence with his older sister, Marie Therese Clet, and with one of his brothers, Dom Francis Clet, a Trappist religious. In these letters he recounted his adventures with joy, as well as his pains and disappointments, without ever complaining, feeling that he was treated very well, and often repeating “God wills it, that is my motto.” Nevertheless his ambition was to give his life for Jesus Christ. But he did not dare to hope for it because he deemed himself unworthy. His desires were to be realized.

In 1819 when a violent persecution broke out, he was forced to leave his poor house and flee to the forest, hiding in the caves. One day he was betrayed by a Christian who revealed his hiding place to those who hunted him. Like his Divine Master he was sold to his persecutors for thirty coins, brought before judges, several times appearing before the mandarins and governors of Hunan. He was spared no suffering. Made to kneel on the points of nails while bound to beams by his hands and feet, he bore all the brutality of his jailers, who were driven by a never before equaled rage who beat him till he bled. All the while during his most atrocious pains his spirit was calm, sweet and patient, with a smiling countenance. He bore it all without the least complaint. The emperor finally ordered him to be strangled. The execution of this sentence was carried out on Friday, February 17, 1820 at Wunan.

In 1833 St. John Gabriel Perboyre a future martyr in China, director of novices showing the relics of our blessed confrere, said: “This is the garment of a martyr, this is Father Clet’s garment, this is the cord by which he was strangled. What a joy it would be for us, if one day we would have the same fate.”

The Holy Father Pope John Paul II, in a public consistory on March 10 decreed that Blessed Francis Regis Clet was to be canonized on October 1 of the Jubilee Year 2000, together with the other blessed martyrs killed in China.

The Martyrs of the Vincentian Family in the 20th Century

On the occasion of the celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee in the year 2000, the Holy Father John Paul II has several times underscored the importance of martyrdom in the life of the Church: “…as in every century during the life of the Church, so also our century has given many saints and blessed, and especially numerous martyrs…and we deem it proper that during this year of jubilee we are afforded the opportunity to develop a ‘contemporary martyrology,’ that takes into account all the particular Churches from an ecumenical dimension and prospective.” (Discourse to the 5th Extraordinary Consistory, 6-13-94 – Osservatory Romano)”

In the upcoming third millennium, the Pope affirms “in our century the martyrs have returned, often unrecognized,” like “unknown soldiers” in the cause of Christ. So far as it is possible their witness must not go unrecognized in the Church.”

And again in the introductory reflections to the “Angelus” on December 26, 1994, he reiterated: “in its two thousand years of life and in a particular manner in our century, the Church is constantly reinvigorated by the contributions of the martyrs… consequently the Christian people cannot forget the gift that its elect members have made: they form a common patrimony for all believers…”

Everyone knows the great persecutions which confronted the Church and the Gospel this century: it suffices to point out the Spanish religious persecution, and the Bolshevik ones in Communist countries, especially in China.

It is true that many regimes did not wish to create martyrs in the strict sense of the term, because many times, before they died, the victims were put out of prison and were made to die natural deaths, after having spied on them and tortured them over many years, as in Latin America where the murders of missionaries and catechists were many.

The Holy Father from within the Central committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year Two Thousand, named a commission for “The New Martyrs” who was given the charge of preparing a new contemporary martyrology. On the day of the Ecumenical Commemoration of the New Martyrs, the celebratory moment occurred on May 7, 2000.

On October 2, 1995 Father Camillo Maccise, OCD, and Sister Josephine Fragasso, ASC as presidents of the Association of Superiors and Superiors General invited all the religious families to make known during the month of April 1996 the names of all who were martyred in the twentieth century from the various religious communities.

The Office of the General Postulator of the Causes of Saints, with the aid of the General Secretariat of the C.M. and the D.C.’s, sent a letter to all the Visitors and Visitatrixes requesting that during the Easter time of 1996, they transmit a list of the martyrs of the Vincentian family.

During February of 1996 nearly all the responses were received both from the Visitors and Visitatrixes.

After a careful evaluation and inspection and the first draft in March 1996, on June 8, 1998 the above noted commission received the definitive draft of the martyrology of the Vincentian family of the twentieth century.

Excluded from this martyrology were some who are not considered to be martyrs, but were killed for political motives. Such were Father Morosini of the Province of Rome whose death was ordered by the Gestapo; also Fathers Jose Tejada, Alfonse Saldana, Jose Aguirreche, Prisciano Gonzalez and Aniano Gongalez, and coajutor brothers Marcos, Antolin and Valentin Sadidian. These died in 1944 in the Philippines, victims of the war against the Japanese.

At the same time, so far as the Daughters of Charity are concerned, no word can be found about the innumerable sisters who died in the service of charity during epidemics.

To sum up, keeping in mind the several branches of the Vincentian family and the martyrs of this century, we arrive at the following figures:

For the Congregation of the Mission, we have 81 confrere-martyrs, of whom 22 were in China; 56 in Spain; 2 in Czechoslovakia, and one in Panama, for a total of 81.

The Company of the Daughters of Charity counts 35 martyrs, of whom 20 were in Spain, one in Slovakia, one in the Czech Republic, and 2 in Brazil.

The Association of the Children of Mary has given the Church 13 martyrs, 2 of whom were in Mexico and whose process of beatification has been initiated, and 11 in Spain.

The Association of the Miraculous Medal in Spain gave 60 martyrs.

The Conference of St. Vincent DePaul in Spain counts 586 of its members, martyrs. Their names are listed on the walls of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Madrid, the national temple of the conference.

For some of the martyrs for whom we have abundant documentation and witnesses, Diocesan inquiries have started in view of future beatification and canonization. This is so for some members of the Congregation of the Mission in Spain, of the Daughters of Charity in Spain, and of the Association of the Children of Mary in Mexico. For the others, we are certain that their names are written in heaven, and remain in our memory and veneration. In the “mission of heaven,” holding the palm of martyrdom according to the vision of the Apocalypse, they praise the Lamb of Sacrifice. This is the tribute in blood in the last century that the Vincentian family has rendered as witness in its service to the Gospel, to the Church and to the faith in love for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Accompanied by so many brothers and sisters who lived and died for Christ, we have come into the third millennium of the Christian era, with its burden of pain, but also with the strength and witness that comes from them.

SERVANTS OF GOD Situation of the Causes As of June 30, 1998

1. Sister Rosalie Rendu, DC (1786-1856) Province of Paris. Six years have passed since the introduction of the “Positio”, and the time for the examination by the Congress of Theologians. The diocesan inquest into a presumed miracle occurring in 1952 began in Paris in June of this year is immanent.

2. The servant of God, Sister Josephine Nicoli, D.C. (1863 – 1924) Province of Sardinia. Early in March, 1998 the “positio” regarding the virtues and “fame of Sanctity” was presented. Now the matter must await its turn (at least five or six years) before being examined. The route that the process in Milan is to follow, is being looked into.
3. The Servant of God, Father Salvatore Micalizzi, C.M. (1856-1937) Province of Naples.

The “Positio” about the virtues and “fame of Sanctity” of the servant of God was handed to the Congregation of the Saints on the 27th of June. For Fr. Micalizzi also it will be necessary to await the stipulated turn (for about five or six years) before the “Positio” may be examined by the Commission of theologians. A physician from the Congregation is studying several extraordinary graces obtained through the intercession of our Servant of God, looking to learn if they can be analyzed according to medical practice.

4. The Servant of God, Monsignor John Francis Gnidovec, C.M., Province of Slovenia, Bishop of Skopje, of the former Jugoslavia, (1873-1939). Following the discovery of many other documents, the “Summary” was completed, which had been stamped with the note “Additional.” The “Information” is being prepared. Meanwhile an alleged miracle which occurred in Santiago, Chile in 1985 is being investigated, and the diocesan inquest will soon open.

5. The Servant of God Monsignor Antonio Ferreira Vicoso, C.M., Province of Portugal and Brazil, (Portugese) Bishop of Mariana in Brazil, (1844-1875) The diocese of Mariana, Brazil, a co-sponsor of the cause is following its progress with great interest, even supporting it financially. The First Diocesan Process was finally found after it was lost in the archive of Mariana, for which the decree of validity was obtained. The work of the “Positio was concluded in December of 1997. What remains now is to translate it into a language admissible by the Congregation, so that it may be examined by the Historical Commission regarding the firmness of the documentation, as well as its thoroughness and solidity.

6. The Servant of God Mother Justa Dominguez Vidaurreta, D.C., (1875 – 1958), Visitatrix of Madrid from July 24, 1932 until her death. The “Summary” of witnesses and of the documents has been printed. The work of the “Positio” is proceeding slowly. An alleged miracle of 1972 is presented to the Congregation. The “miracle” took place in 1972 in behalf of Sister Prudencia Zuazo, D.C.

7. The Servant of God Sister Margaret Rutan, D.C. (1736 – 1794). She was martyred in Paris during the French revolution. Her cause was abandoned in 1936. The Postulation requested that the cause be reopened at the insistence of some lay people and of the Vincentian Family in Toulouse. The Bishop of Dax has named a Commission and has prepared a “dossier” on the martyrdom and continued fame of the martyrdom of the Servant of God. The Congregation is to issue a decree concerning the validity of the process. The work on the “Positio” will now begin.

8. The Servant of God Sister Josefa Martinez Perez and 12 Sisters, Daughters of Charity, Martyrs in Valencia, 1936 – 1939. These are 13 Daughters of Charity martyrs killed during the Spanish persecution in 1936 in Valencia. The process begun in 1960 was interrupted in 1966 for “pastoral prudence”, and resumed in 1995, and was concluded on May 22, 1996.

The process was opened in the Congregation of Saints in Rome on June 3, 1996. The decree concerning “validity” was given on February 22, 1998. The work of formulating the “Positio” has started.

9. The Servant of God Sister Marta Maria Wiecka, D.C., (1874-1904), Province of Krakow. She served the sick in the hospitals at Leopoli, Podhajce, Bochnia, and Sniatyn. She was called “benefactress” and “little Mother.” Her life entwined by prayer and the joy of serving, was crowned by the gift of her life. At her tomb to this day both Catholics and Orthodox can be seen praying together. The diocesan inquest which began on June 26, 1997 in the cathedral of Leopoli (Ukraine) was concluded at the same place on June 30.

10. The Servants of God Sister Melchora Adoracion Cortes Bueno and fourteen Sisters, Daughters of Charity of the Province of St. Vincent, Madrid.

On the occasion of the celebrations of the third centenary of the deaths of St. Vincent DePaul and St. Louise DeMarillac, the process was opened in Madrid for 17 priests and 17 coadjutor brothers and 15 Daughters of Charity, 49 martyrs in total. Various difficulties of local and general character excluded the possibility of continuing such a process. Now the Daughters of Charity of the province of St. Vincent DePaul of Madrid have put together a rich documentation, and the diocesan inquest was resumed on April 29, 1998.

CAUSES WITH SOME DIFFICULTIES

1. The Servants of God Fathers Fortunato Velasco Tobar and 14 C.M. confreres, Province of Spain, killed during the Spanish persecution, together with others of various dioceses. In December 1995 some difficulties arose with the Reporter of the Cause, and we are now awaiting the resumption of the work.

2. The Servant of God Father Gianbattista Manzella, C.M. (1855-1937). There are some difficulties, and we will wait for better times until the problems are resolved… so we hope…Officially all is quiet…

NEW DIOCESAN INQUESTS

1. The Servants of God Sister Clemencia Oliveira, D.C. (1896-1966) Province of Fortaleza, Brazil. Completely devoted to the service of the poor, she had the charismatic gifts of healing. The diocesan inquest opened in Baturite on September 6, 1995.

2. The Servant of God Monsignor Bonaventure Codina, C.M. Bishop of Canaria, diocese of the Canary Islands. A man of God, poor and lover of the poor. Willing to give his resignation as Bishop so that he might stay in the Community. The Diocese of the Canaries is co-sponsor for the cause of the servant of God. The diocesan inquest opened on January 19, 1995.

3. The Servant of God Sister Anna Cantalupo, D.C. (1888-1983) Province of Naples. The “fame of sanctity” is strong especially in Catania, where the Daughters of Charity, a Neopolitan, became the point of reference of all charitable and caechetical activities. The diocesan inquest opened on October 27, 1997.

DIOCESAN INQUESTS… For the Future

1. Monsignor Emilio Francisco Lisson Chaves, C.M. Arch-bishop of Lima (1918-1931) Lived from 1872-1961.

His mortal remains were moved from Spain to the cathedral in Lima on July 24,
1991 (Cf “Vincenziana” no. 33 (1991) pg. 261-265
A vice-postulator was named so that a Diocesan Inquest might be started, one that is very complex, because of factors to be looked into and clarified.

2. Monsignor Peter Schmacher, C.M. (1839-1902) Bishop of Porto vejo, Ecuador, founder of the seminaries of Ecuador. He was named bishop of Portovejo in 1885. He was slandered and persecuted by the masonic lodges during the revolution in Quito. He was confessor to those condemned to death. He was exiled to Samaniego by the border with Colombia where he died. The Archbishop of Portovejo and the Bishop of Ipiales-Narino Colombia, are intending to open a Diocesan Inquest for the beatification and canonization of our confrere.

3. Father John Baptist Tornatore, C.M. (1820-1895) Co-founder of the “Daughters of St. Ann”. The “Daughters of St. Ann” after Vatican II, when their rule was brought up to date, rediscovered the role that Fr. Tornatore played in the founding of their community, and the sanctity of our confrere from the Province of Rome, after having for many years cancelled his historical memory from the history of their congregation.
These religious assumed it as a community undertaking…”to initiate the process of beatification, not waiting for a more auspicious time”, and at the same time wishing that “the Vincentian Fathers could do more to help bring it about” (cf “Annals of the Mission 1993, pg 111). In July 1981, his mortal remains were translated from the cemetery of St. Lazarus in Piacenza, to the mother house of the Daughters of St. Ann in Piacenza.

Following in the train of all these names and dates, there are lives of sanctity and of self-giving which are truly marvelous.

The General Postulacy has attempted to be attentive to this super-abundance of grace present in the Community, and to help the different provinces to bring out the evidence of men and women who are shining instruments of this grace.

Through the means of canonization, these brothers and sisters of ours, positioned on the candelabra in the House of God, might illumine by their example and sustain by their intercession the Vincentian Family in its mission of building up the reign of God day by day.

Related FAMVIN Posts:

• No Related FAMVIN Posts