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July 31

Zdenka Schelingová, martyr (1916–1955)

Martyr

Slovak nun and nurse, Zdenka Schelingová suffered imprisonment and torture for helping priests persecuted by the communist regime.

Biography

As a Sister of Charity of the Holy Cross she cared for the sick with competence and tenderness in Bratislava. In 1952 she facilitated the escape of a hospitalized priest and, after a police trap, was sentenced to twelve years in prison. The mistreatment destroyed his health; Released so that she would not die in prison, she died shortly after, forgiving those who had made her suffer.

Practical advice

Explicitly forgive an offense today and offer a prayer for someone who abused their power against you or others.

Example of

FortitudeFaithfulnessSacrifice

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