Saint Bonaventure Province receives First Class Relics of the Franciscan Martyrs of Pariacoto, Peru
In March, Saint Bonaventure Province received First Class Relics of the Franciscan Martyrs of Pariacoto, Peru, Friars Michał Tomaszek and Fr. Zbigniew Strzałkowski. On the evening of August 9, 1991, in the small mountain village of Pariacoto, Peru, the two were taken from their friary by members of the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path). The next day, their bodies were found, each having been executed with a gunshot to the back of the head. On December 5, 2015, the Church officially recognized their sacrifice by proclaiming them Blesseds. (Learn more about these witnesses of peace – )
Making the presentation was Friar Jan Hruszowiec, the Postulator for their canonization cause, accompanied by Friar Dawid Furgał as his translator.
Friar Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud, Vocations Director for the Province, takes an acrylic, lockable case for relics with him when he is traveling to vocation fairs or to make presentations at parishes. “It’s a great conversation starter about our life, and people think it’s amazing.”
Because these saints belong to our Order, it’s another sign that although we’re not perfect, over the 800 years the Order has produced amazing saintly men and women. ... People are so interested to learn more about these Friars and their martyrdom and their story. ... I’m in the process of creating holy cards as well to help spread devotion to them and their witness, and hopefully inspire more vocations to our Order.
