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August 8, 2023

Martyred family's 'unprecedented' beatification prompts theological reflection, pro-life prayers

Wiktoria Ulma is pictured in an undated photo with three of her children and the children of relatives outside the Ulma home in Markowa, a village in southeastern Poland. Wikotria, her husband, Józef, and their six children were executed March 24, 1944, by Nazis who discovered that the family had been sheltering eight Jews who had escaped internment by German occupying forces. Two of the Ulma girls, Stasia and Basia, are pictured in the middle near their mother, who is holding son Wlodzimierz.

When the Ulma family is beatified Sept. 10 as martyrs who gave their lives to protect Jews during the Holocaust, it may be the first time the Catholic Church has beatified an entire, specific family together, as well as the first beatification of an unborn child.

Published in Vatican
March 3, 2017

Comment: Sts. Perpetua, Felicitas’ martyr story is both horrific, inspiring

Bob Brehl writes about the horrific but inspiring martyr story of Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas, the patron saints of mothers and expectant mothers.

March 7 is the feast day for Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas — the patron saints of mothers and expectant mothers — and the story of these two courageous martyrs is appropriate to reflect upon.

Published in Robert Brehl