St. Francesco Caracciolo was born in Abruzzo (Italy) in 1563. He studied theology in Naples and was ordained a priest in 1587. He immediately dedicated himself to the works of mercy. He joined the project of founding a new congregation (Clerics Regular Minor), of which he is considered the founder. On his initiative, a fourth vow was included, not to accept ecclesiastical dignities. He died in Naples with the names of Jesus and Mary in his mouth. He was called the saint of the Eucharist. Pope Pius VII canonized him in 1807.
St. Peter of Verona, Dominican friar of the 13th century, son of a Cathar family, worked to eradicate the heresy. He was martyred by Cathars, who set him a trap. Tradition says that when he died, with his blood he wrote the Creed, a synthesis of his life of dedication and fidelity to Christ Crucified whom he imitated and loved. He was the first martyr of the Order of Preachers, founded by Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
They lived the faith in Dachau
The Polish Blesseds Anthony Zawistowski, priest, and the layman Stanislaus Starowieyski, died martyred by the Nazis in 1942 and 1941. Antony was ordained a priest in 1906 and held various positions in his diocese. He was arrested in November 1939 and carried out his priestly ministry clandestinely in the concentration camp of Dachau (Germany).
Stanislaus was born in Poland in 1895, married and had six children. He was a promoter of the lay apostolate in Catholic Action, and deserved pontifical recognition. He escaped arrest by the Soviets, but in June 1940 he was arrested by the Nazis. He died in the Dachau camp.
