Under the direction of Romain Lizé, President, Magnificat Editor, Magnificat: Isabelle Galmiche Editors, Ignatius: Vivian Dudro, Thomas Jacobi Translator: Magnificat • Ignatius Proofreader: Kathleen Hollenbeck Layout Designers: Armelle Riva, Gauthier Delauné Production: Thierry Dubus, Audrey Bord Original French edition: Enfants Saints © Mame, Paris, 2023 © 2024 by Magnificat, New York • Ignatius Press, San Francisco All rights reserved ISBN Magnificat 978-1-63967-070-3 • ISBN Ignatius Press 978-1-62164-714-0 Portraits by Stéphanie Son Comics by Tristan Garnier
Fifteen Extraordinary Lives from Blandina to Carlo Acutis Charlotte Grossetête MAGNIFICAT ● Ignatius
4 Contents Saint Blandina (c. 162–177) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Saint Tarcisius (third century). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (1568–1591) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Saint Dominic Savio (1842–1857) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto (1908–1919, 1910–1920) . . .42 Venerable Anne de Guigné (1911–1922) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
5 Saint José Luis Sánchez del Rio (1913–1928) . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Blessed Marcel Callo (1921–1945) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Venerable Antonietta Meo (1930–1937) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Servant of God Claire de Castelbajac (1953–1975) . . . . . . . .72 Blessed Sandra Sabattini (1961–1984) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Blessed Chiara Badano (1971–1990) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
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7 Saint Blandina (c. 162–177) Blandina was a young slave, whose life was of no importance in the unequal society of the Roman Empire. But she belonged to the newborn Christian Church, where there were no masters or slaves, only children of God. And these children of God were incredibly brave. A Slave Blandina came out of the house, two empty baskets in her hands. Such a beautiful day to go shopping for her mistress! Lyon1 was a rich city, and even at this early hour, the market was already buzzing with activity. Blandina, quiet and cheerful, liked the joyous uproar of the merchants and customers chatting loudly between stalls packed with merchandise and overflowing with fragrances. She wove her way through the crowd. No one paid attention to her, since her simple clothes revealed her status as a slave. People kept their eyes instead on the wealthy marketgoers in their fine dress. And yet, Blandina felt free, with an inner liberty that no one could steal from her. The Secret of Freedom “Hello, my little Blandina!” called out a familiar voice. The young slave turned around, and her face lit up. The old man calling her was Bishop Pothinus, accompanied by Biblis, a woman from their community. They were coming to buy wine for the Lord’s Supper—the Christian celebration that recalls the last meal Jesus Christ shared with his disciples. “Are you coming tonight?” Pothinus asked. “Yes, I am,” Blandina answered with a radiant smile. “My mistress gives me the evening off.” 1. Today in France. During the Roman Empire, the city was called Lugdunum.
8 This is the secret of Blandina’s freedom. She belongs to a family of Christians, who consider all as children of the same Father. In their eyes, there are neither slaves nor masters, only the baptized, saved by Jesus Christ. Market Gossip “These Christians are suspect,” a customer nearby said in a low voice, once Pothinus and his two companions had moved away. The wine merchant turned to him, eyes widening. “And why is that?” “Their meetings,” the customer replied. “Terrible things happen there! They commit crimes that neither you nor I can even imagine.” The merchant stammered: “Do you—do you really think so? Christians seem like nice and honest people.” “Don’t be fooled by appearances,” the customer said. “They refuse to worship the emperor. Remember the floods this winter? That was their fault! They angered the goddess Cybele. And then,” the customer added, even lower, “they eat human flesh!” “We Are Christians, and We Have Done Nothing Wrong.” As time passed, rumors continued to spread. Before long, no one would risk defending Christians, so horrifying were the things said about them. One day, Roman authorities decided to put an end to their community. Blandina was arrested, along with fifty other Christians. Bishop Pothinus died of exhaustion in prison. The others were tortured. To save her life, a terrified Biblis told her accusers that she no longer believed in Jesus. But then she remembered that life on the earth is nothing compared to the eternal life promised by Jesus. So, she cried in a loud voice: “That’s not true! I am a Christian, and I’m proud and happy to be one!” Despite the Romans’ abuse, Blandina kept her cheer, repeating, “We are Christians, and we have done no wrong.” Her accusers grew angry. “That’s a lie!” they exclaimed. “And for it, you will be put to death in the arena!” But Blandina kept repeating the same words, in a clear voice: “We are Christians, and we have done nothing wrong.” Many witnesses were impressed. They knew that she was telling the truth. Later, despite the danger, some would dare to follow her example and ask to be baptized.
9 Some spectators were furious, yet others were amazed. In the amphitheater of Lyon, a wild crowd was waiting with excitement in the sun. Father, look at this girl! She is my age. She looks like me. She’s a slave. And a Christian. Nothing like you. OOOOOH! KILL HER! LOOK AT THESE ANIMAL TRAITORS! A slave, but she has the composure of a princess! What is the secret of her strength? Boring! Unbelievable! This girl is protected! Blandina was eventually beheaded, but her martyrdom inspired many in Lyon to embrace her faith. The Church in Lyon was alive, and it continued to bear fruit.
10 First name: Blandina Born: ca. 162, in what is now Lyon, France Died: 177, in what is now Lyon, France Occupation: Slave Moments of weakness: Unknown Moments of strength: Joy, moral courage, and confidence in front of her executioners Patroness of: Young girls and the city of Lyon, France Blandina, the Gentle Strength of Faith Biblis According to Eusebius of Caesarea, Biblis, another Christian martyr, momentarily renounced her faith (as Saint Peter did after the arrest of Jesus). A person who claims to renounce his religion under threat or torture is called a "renegade" or an "apostate." Eusebius added that Biblis recovered herself quickly. Eusebius of Caesarea (ca. 265–339) Eusebius was bishop of the city of Caesarea, in Palestine. He survived the persecution of Diocletian and became close to Emperor Constantine I, who granted the freedom of worship to Christians in 313. Eusebius wrote the story of the early times of the Church and recalled the martyrdom of Saint Blandina in book 5 of his Church History. Christian artists represent Blandina as a serene young girl with a lion at her feet, to remind us that the animals in the amphitheater did not want to kill her. She also holds a palm in her hand. The palm is the symbol of the martyrs, in reference to the book of Revelation, where Saint John has a vision of a crowd of people dressed in white, holding palms in their hands and standing in front of the throne of the Lord. The angel explains to him that they are the ones “who have come out of the great tribulation” (Rev 7:14). Did You Know? Foundation of Lyon (called Lugdunum, in what is now France) Birth of Jesus The Church of Lyon flourishes under Bishop Pothinus and his assistant, Irenaeus. Martyrdom of Blandina, Pothinus, and many other Christians in Lyon A.D. 157 A.D. 177 43 B.C. 0 Eusebius of Caesarea publishes Church History, in which he recounts Blandina’s story. ca. A.D. 330 Birth of Blandina (precise date unknown) ca. A.D. 162
11 Prayer to Saint Blandina Saint Blandina, the Word of God set you free; it was your strength and your joy; it became your reason for living. Help us to listen to God’s Word, to allow it to transform us and bring us happiness. Help us to live as disciples of Jesus, proclaiming his love all around us. May your radiant faith and your smile inspire us. Watch over all Christians who, today, are persecuted around the world and need help from heaven to stand firm. Amen.
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13 Saint Tarcisius (third century) Rome, A.D. 257. Emperor Valerian launched a vast persecution against Christians. Imperial soldiers arrested them without cause and con scated their belongings, lling the empire’s treasury. Many Christians languished in prison, and the ones who were still free lived in fear. Among these who lived under threat was the young altar server Tarcisius. Danger in the Air The celebration was over, but the Christians in the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus took their time finishing their silent prayer. No one was in a hurry to go back into the daylight. Over the past few months, Rome had become a dangerous city for Jesus Christ’s followers. The number of arrests was growing, especially among Christians whose nobility and wealth were coveted by the emperor. Even the catacombs were not a safe refuge, since soldiers knew these underground tunnels well. Pope Stephen I had been put to death in there just a few weeks before, while he was celebrating Mass. Despite the risk, it was comforting to stay together to pray in these cool, dark galleries, the resting place of many fellow Christians who had already returned to God. Important Mission Suddenly, the voice of the priest broke the silence: “Who would like to go and give Communion to our brothers in prison? I have to visit Trophimus, who is sick at home.” A boy looked up. He was Tarcisius, the altar server. Under the light of the torch, he looked at the faces around him and saw that everyone was hesitating. Visits to the prisoners were allowed, but if you came across an unwilling guard, you risked finding yourself on the wrong side of the bars, or even thrown into the dungeon without a trial. “I will go!” Tarcisius said. “No, not you,” the priest replied. “You are too young.”
14 All eyes turned to him, and Tarcisius stood up straight. “Precisely,” he said calmly. “My youth will offer the best shield for the Eucharist. I won’t interest them. What could they confiscate from me?” A Great Honor The priest stifled a sigh. Tarcisius was right, alas! It was money that the emperor wanted above everything. He wrapped in a white cloth the little piece of bread that had become the Body of Christ at the celebration of the Eucharist. “Go and take Jesus to our brothers,” he said quietly, handing the little package to Tarcisius. The child hid the precious parcel under his tunic, pressed close to his heart. He was happy. He received the Eucharist as often as possible, but this was the first time that he had been entrusted with the honor of carrying God with him! Then the priest added, “I don’t need to tell you that you have to be extremely cautious.” Tarcisius smiled at him. He put the folds of his clothes back in place to hide the discreet bump of Jesus against his heart. “I would rather be killed than let someone attack Jesus,” he replied. In Good Company The priest made a final announcement: Tomorrow’s assembly would take place at the home of Lawrence, a Christian who lived in another part of town. It was safer to change locations for each meeting. The Christians left through the gallery to go back into the open air. Tarcisius and the priest came out last. “Which route will you take to go to the prison?” the priest asked the young boy. “Via Appia! It is the shortest path,” Tarcisius answered. “Avoid any encounters. I don’t like advising you to be suspicious, but you will be alone, so—” “Alone?” Tarcisius repeated with a little grin, pointing to the place where he was hiding Jesus. “I have never walked in such good company!”
15 Tarcisius gave his life to protect the Host. He is the patron saint of altar servers and First Communicants. On the Via Appia that crosses Rome… These people seem to be waiting for me. Lord, lead me toward safe roads, in spite of those I encounter on my way. Oh, hello, Tarcisius. In a hurry? What are you hiding? Let me go. He is a Christian! Death to all Christians! “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”* *Psalm 23:4
16 Did You Know? Tarcisius, God’s Brave Young Courier The Catacombs of Saint Callixtus Located near the Via Appia and excavated around the middle of the second century, the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus are the largest in Rome. The complex has four underground levels and spans more than twelve miles. It is the oldest Christian cemetery in Rome. About a half million early Christians were laid to rest there, including Saint Tarcisius. The Epitaph of Tarcisius It was Pope Damasus I (305–384) who passed on the story of Tarcisius by having these lines inscribed on the young martyr’s tomb: “The virtuous Tarcisius carried off the trophy from the enemy; when a crowd of wicked people urged him to show it to the impious, he preferred to lose his life and be killed rather than surrender the divine body to raging dogs.” In the third century, the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus served as the official cemetery of the Church in Rome. Sixteen popes who died between the second and fourth centuries were among those buried there. What Were the Catacombs Used For? Although they occasionally served as meeting places, the Christian catacombs were initially cemeteries (from the Latin coemeteria, or "dormitories," places where the dead awaited the resurrection). Unlike Romans, Christians refused to burn the bodies of the deceased. Thus, they had to bury them outside the city in accord with the law; the catacombs are located outside the walls of the ancient city. Persecutions of Nero. Emperor Nero accuses the Christians of having set fire to the city of Rome. Saints Peter and Paul are executed. Persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. Martyrdom of Saint Blandina and her companions. Persecutions of Valerian. Martyrdom of Tarcisius by stoning. A.D. 177 A.D. 257–258 A.D. 64 Persecutions of Decius. The emperor imposes the obligation to make sacrifices to the Roman gods to protect the empire; Christians who refuse are put to death. A.D. 249–250 Persecutions of Diocletian, the most violent of all. Thousands of Christians— even members of the army and the imperial administration—are killed for disloyalty to the empire and its gods. A.D. 303–304 Chronology of Persecutions against Christians in the Roman Empire Ancient Christian sources refer to ten waves of persecutions of varying magnitude. Here are six of them: Persecutions of Trajan. Christianity spreads and worries the authorities. The emperor allows Christians to be punished for causing public disorder. A.D. 112 Name: Tarcisius Born: Third century, in Rome, Italy Died: 257, in Rome, Italy Occupation: Altar boy Moments of weakness: Unknown Moments of strength: Demonstrated great love for the Eucharist, died defending the Sacred Host Patron of: Altar servers and children receiving their First Communion. His feast day is August 15.
17 Prayer to Saint Tarcisius Saint Tarcisius, you were a friend of Jesus, defending the Host they wanted to take from you. You knew that God was there, sheltered by your hands. Watch over us when we receive the Eucharist. Help us to receive him with an ardent faith so that we honor and love Jesus as he deserves, as our Savior, teacher, and friend who comes to dwell in us. Amen.
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