On November 6, the Congregation of the Adorers commemorates the martyrdom of 23 religious adorers who died as martyrs during the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War.

Last October 28th marked the 15th anniversary of the beatification of 498 martyrs, among whom were our 23 sisters. The ceremony was presided over by Benedict XVI in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Rome, on October 28, 2007.

We take advantage of this event to remember the life and death of our sisters, to highlight a few words from Sister Antonia Novoa. She underlines that these blessed martyrs are “the best gift that the Lord gave to the congregation” for their bravery, courage, testimony and example that they transmitted with their faith.

The sisters who lived at Costanilla street of Ángeles,15 in Madrid were accused without reason of having shot at a military man. This triggered a terrible hatred. That is why they were gathered at the door of the house and taken to a cell, located on street Fomento nº9.

The 23 nuns were detained all night, and although we do not know what they spoke to each other, we can assume that Mother Manuela gave them words of encouragement and confidence in God.

At midnight a group of military men put them in a truck to take them to the Eastern Cemetery, where they would all be shot.

In remembrance of our 23 blessed martyrs, the best request we can make on this day is that they send us faithful vocations to follow Christ and to carry out the Charism of the Holy Mother.