“By their untimely demise, they became one with ‘him who loved us and gave his life for us’ [Galatians 2:20]. Their deaths were the consequence of a life choice made much earlier and kept perseveringly to the end. They are our inspiration and a source of strength for our vocation and mission. We recall that martyrdom can be one possible outcome for each of us as we look at a life coupled with a daily reparatory oblation of Christ.”
Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ, Superior General, Priests of the Sacred Heart
SCJ Memorial Day, Wednesday, November 26
In 2004 the General Administration established November 26 as “SCJ Memorial Day,” a time of remembrance for members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart who gave their lives as martyrs. It was on November 26, 1964, that Bishop Joseph Wittebols, along with six other SCJs, were martyred in Congo. They were among 28 members of the community who were killed during the country’s Simba Revolution. In total, there are 49 SCJ martyrs.
We remember…
Blessed Juan María de la Cruz, SCJ
Executed during the Spanish Civil War on Aug. 23, 1936.
Fr. Franz Loh, SCJ
Died in a Nazi prison camp in Germany in 1941.
Fr. Joseph Stoffels, SCJ
Died in a Nazi gas chamber in Austria on May 25, 1942.
Fr. Nicolas Wampach, SCJ
Died in a Nazi gas chamber in Austria on Aug. 12, 1942.
Fr. Nicolas Capelli, SCJ
Executed in Italy during World War II in 1944.
Fr. Petrus Cobben, SCJ
Fr. Andreas Gebbing, SCJ
Fr. Wilhelmus Hoffmann, SCJ
Fr. Franciscus Hofstad, SCJ
Fr. Theodorus Kappers, SCJ
Fr. Isidorus Mikkers, SCJ
Br. Mattheus Schulte, SCJ
Br. Theodurus van der Werf, SCJ
Fr. Petrus van Eyk, SCJ
Fr. Franciscus van Iersel, SCJ
Fr. Heinrich van Oort, SCJ
Died in a Japanese concentration camp in Indonesia from 1944-1945.
Fr. Kristiaan Muermans, SCJ
Died in a Nazi concentration camp in Germany on Feb. 12, 1945.
Fr. François Musslin, SCJ
Murdered in his mission station in Cameroon on Aug. 30, 1959.
Fr. Laurent Héberlé, SCJ
Br. Valentin Sarron, SCJ
Shot and beheaded at their mission station in Cameroon on Nov. 29, 1959.
Fr. Franciscus ten Bosch, SCJ
Fr. Amour Aubert, SCJ
Fr. Hermanus Bisschop, SCJ
Fr. Gerardus Nieuwkamp, SCJ
Br. Henrik Vanderbeek, SCJ
Fr. Henricus Verberne, SCJ
Br. Martinus Brabers, SCJ
Br. Jozef Paps, SCJ
Fr. Jean Trausch, SCJ
Fr. Joseph Conrad, SCJ
Fr. Henricus van der Vegt, SCJ
Murdered during the Simba Revolution in the Congo on Nov. 25, 1964.
Bishop Joseph Wittebols, SCJ
Fr. Jacques Moreau, SCJ
Fr. Clément Burnotte, SCJ
Br. Jozef Laureys, SCJ
Fr. Jeroom Vandemoere, SCJ
Fr. Karel Bellinckx, SCJ
Fr. Christian Vandael, SCJ
Fr. Leo Janssen, SCJ
Fr. Josephus Tegels, SCJ
Murdered during the Simba Revolution in the Congo on Nov. 26, 1964.
Fr. Henricus Hams, SCJ
Fr. Joannes Slenter, SCJ
Br. Wilhelmus Schouenberg, SCJ
Fr. Joannes de Vries, SCJ
Fr. Petrus van den Biggelaar, SCJ
Fr. Arnoldus Schouenberg, SCJ
Fr. Wilhelmus Vranken, SCJ
Murdered during the Simba Revolution in the Congo on Nov. 27, 1964.
Fr. Aquilino Longo, SCJ
Murdered during the Simba Revolution in the Congo on Nov. 3, 1964.
Fr. Paulo Punt, SCJ
Assassinated by organized crime in Brazil on Dec. 15, 1975.
We Pray…
Jesus,
as you completed your oblation to the Father
on the wood of the cross, you confidently prayed,
“Into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Our deceased brothers, who have gone before us in faith,
have also completed their life of oblation.
We entrust them to your mercy, and with steadfast hope
we pray they are with you in paradise.
We pledge to stay united to them through prayer,
trusting that our community, drawn together
and held together by your love,
will find its full realization in eternity.
Prayer service
Click here to download an Adoration Service for SCJ Memorial Day, Wednesday, November 26. It can be used as a replacement for the communal recitation of the Divine Office during Adoration.
