17th July - The Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne
The secret of sweetening our sacrifices is to attend a little less to what costs us and a little more to what we value - Saint Teresa of Saint Augustine (Martyr of Compiegne)
As the French Revolution entered its worst days, sixteen Discalced Carmelites from the Monastery of the Incarnation in Compiègne offered their lives as a sacrifice to God, making reparation to him and imploring peace for the Church. On June 24th, 1794, they were arrested and thrown into prison. Their happiness and resignation were so evident that those around them were also encouraged to draw strength from God’s love. They were condemned to death for their fidelity to the Church and their religious life and for their devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Singing hymns, and having renewed their vows before the superior, Teresa of St Augustine, they were put to death in Paris on July 17th, 1794. They were beatified by Pope Saint Pius the 10th, on May 13, 1906. (Carmelite Quotes)
