November 5
Vincent Prennushi and 37 fellow Albanian martyrs (+1945–1974)
Martyrs
Thirty-eight Albanian Catholics—bishops, priests, religious, a seminarian, and lay people—remained faithful to Christ during the persecution of the atheistic communist regime.
Biography
The group is headed by Vincent Prennushi, a Franciscan, writer and archbishop of Durrës, who refused to lead a national Church separate from Rome. Through false trials, imprisonment, forced labor, torture and shootings, the regime attempted to destroy all religious life. The martyrs belonged to different ages and conditions, but they shared the decision not to deny the faith or break the ecclesial communion.
Practical advice
Pray today for Christians living under persecution and avoid being publicly ashamed of your faith.
Example of
FortitudeFaithfulnessSacrifice