South American Saints!
1. Saint Oscar Romero (El Salvador)
Today is the feast of this recently canonized Bishop and martyr. While Bishop, Romero spoke up about the violence and oppression of the poor in his country brought on by political power struggles. This led to an assassination being carried out while Romero celebrated Mass.
2. Venerable Enrique Ernesto Shaw (Argentina)
This Argentinian businessman also served in the military. He sought to integrate his Catholic faith with honest and fair business practices. He founded the Christian Association of Business Executives in order to encourage others to follow suit. He also published Christian books in order to share his faith with others.
3. Saint Narcisa de Jesús Martillo Morán (Ecuador)
This consecrated virgin and Dominican Tertiary lived a life of penance and prayer. When her mother died, she continued to care for her family, becoming a seamstress to earn money. Upon her death, there was reported the odor of sanctity, where a fragrance emerged in her room.
4. Blessed Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos (Colombia)
Coming from poor, simple origins, this priest became a defender of the poor in his country and promoted devotion to the Rosary and the Sacred Heart. Though he showed promise in math during college, he wanted to serve God as a priest and was able to for over 50 years.
5. The Martyrs of Natal (Brazil)
These 30 martyrs, two priests as well as some children, consisted of natives of Brazil as well as Portuguese immigrants. They gave their lives at the hands of Dutch Calvinists, who sought to stifle the spread of Catholicism in the country.
