Biography
St. Wenceslaus was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century. He was the son of a Christian father; Wratislaw I, Duke of Bohemia, and a pagan mother; Dragomir, who converted to Christianity when she married. Around the age of 18, St. Wenceslaus assumed power and was a fair ruler. St. Wenceslaus was murdered by his brother, Boleslaw, for religious and political reasons. St. Wenceslaus is the patron saint of the Czech Republic and is mentioned in the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslaus.” [1] St. Lawrence Ruiz was born in the Philippines in the early 1600’s. His mother was Filipino and his father was Chinese. He was educated in the Dominicans, married and fathered three children. He became a member of a Rosary Confraternity as well as a local church clerk. He was helped to escape prosecution for a false murder accusation and sent to Japan, as part of a missionary expedition. But St. Lawrence Ruiz was captured, he was tortured and killed along with his companions; 4 priests and a leper, under the Christian persecutions imposed by Tokugawa rulers. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the first Filipino martyr so honored. [2][3] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Wenceslaus.” [2] Vatican News Services, Lawrence Ruiz, laymen et al, October 18, 1987. [3] Catholic News Agency, Filipino community celebrates first native martyr, October 22, 2011. Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate these Saints as you worship Christ. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now