For our Saint today, we will stay on the continent of Africa. There are estimated to be over 170 million Catholics in Africa, so it should not surprise anyone that the Catholic Church recognizes thousands of Saints and Blesseds of African origin.
The woman we feature today is a relatively recent Blessed, having been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989. Victoire Rasoamanarivo was born on Madagascar in 1848 and was raised by her paternal uncle. She started attending a Catholic School at the age of 13, and converted to Catholicism two years later. Her parents were hostile to this decision and threatened to disown her, but she persisted in her faith.
Victoire felt drawn to the religious life, but her parents arranged for her to marry a cousin in May 1864. Her husband turned out to be a violent and womanizing drunkard. Her friends urged her to divorce him, but Victoire recognized that her marriage was a sacred sacrament and she refused to seek divorce. Instead, she continually prayed for her husband's conversion - he did repent and seek baptism prior to his death.
In 1883, the political situation changed and Catholic churches, gatherings and other institutions were outlawed. Victoire and other faithful Catholics continued to live their faith. Victoire helped to lead the Catholics until peace was restored in 1885. After her husband's death, she spent her remaining years caring for the poor, sick and imprisoned. She died peacefully at the age of 46. Her feast day is August 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment