December 9
Liborio Wagner, priest and martyr (1593–1631)
martyr priest
Practical advice
Avoid a useless religious discussion today; bear witness to your faith through a coherent and respectful decision.
Biography
German priest and martyr during the Thirty Years' War, Liborio Wagner remained faithful to the Catholic Church in the face of torture and promises of freedom. Born and educated in a Protestant environment, he studied theology with the Jesuits, embraced Catholicism and was ordained a priest in 1625. As a parish priest of a predominantly Protestant population, he exercised his ministry patiently in the midst of resistance and conflict. Captured by Swedish soldiers, he endured five days of torture to force him to apostatize. He died repeating that he wanted to live, suffer and die as a Catholic.
Example of
FortitudeFaithfulnessSacrifice