A few years ago, Carmen Aquino, a dear friend and parishioner, told me about one of her relatives who was martyred in Mexico during the revolution that plagued that nation during the early 20th century. My friend, Carmen, died in 2023 at the age of 92 and the relative she spoke of was a 25-year-old woman named Maria de San Jose Parra Flores (Josefa Parra) who died a martyr’s death on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1917. I'm pretty sure Josefa was Carmen's great aunt, but I might be wrong about the specific relationship. (Aging memory problems...)
Josefa, a Servant of God, died with a companion, a 21-year-old woman, Colette Meléndez Torres, when their purity was threatened by a band of rebels intent on rape. The rebels had attacked their town, Degollado, and were burning it to the ground. The two young women escaped by running into a burning building and ultimately succumbed to the flames.
A year or so before she died, Carmen asked me to pray for the beatification of these young martyrs, something I promised to do. But like so many promises, it was neglected and eventually forgotten…until in the midst of prayer a few weeks ago I heard Carmen’s sweet voice reminding me of my promise. The Holy Spirit is like that: He reminds us of our weaknesses and our unfulfilled promises, calling us to help with His work in the world.
So…I thought it would be wonderful if the people of our parish could aid in the cause of beatification of these two 20th-century martyrs. With this in mind, I decided to share this mission Carmen had given me with others who might want to join me in prayer. We have many people in our parish who need miracles in their lives, so perhaps each of us can all identify a family member, or a friend, or a neighbor who needs a true, life-giving, healing miracle. Then let them know you are praying for a miracle in their lives and tell them about the beatification cause of these young women. Miracles happen, dear friends. They happen all the time, so let us pray for miracles through the intercession of these two remarkable women. I've added a photo of each: Josefa (left) and Coleta (right).
I've also provided a link to a write-up I patched together describing Josefa and Coleta and their martyrdom. Click here to download a PDF version. The document also includes links to information on the Internet about these two courageous and holy women. I hope to provide more information soon.
And here's a prayer for Beatification given to me by Carmen:
Immaculate Mary, Mother of the Church and Model in the Family of God, intercede for us in our efforts to remain pure and chaste in a world that craves immediate pleasures and gratifications. Since Josefa Parra and Coleta Meléndez braved a fiery death rather than surrender to lustful men, we pray that the process for their beatification, introduced by the Church in recognition of that supreme sacrifice may be happily fulfilled. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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