A living martyr comes to Ireland

Cardinal Ernest Simoni, Wiki image

Michael Kelly from ACN Ireland wrote today:

"A blessed Feast Day of the Korean Martyrs! ACN Ireland was privileged to welcome someone who has been described as a 'living martyr' to its offices for a few days last week.

Cardinal Ernest Simoni is a 97-year-old Albanian cleric who survived nearly three decades of imprisonment, torture, and forced hard labour by the communist Hoxha regime in Albania.

What prompted this were his actions on Christmas Eve in 1963. Following Christmas Mass, Cardinal Simoni was arrested by communist authorities.

His 'crimes' included celebrating a Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of United States President John F Kennedy, operating as an exorcist, and refusing to renounce his allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to 25 years of hard labour. He spent 18 years in strict confinement, primarily at the notorious Spaç Prison labour camp, where he bravely ministered to fellow inmates.

During this terrible ordeal he regularly celebrated Mass from memory in Latin using bread crumbs and juice squeezed from grapes for the Eucharist.

He also continued to hear confessions and offered spiritual guidance to prisoners at immense personal risk.

In 1973, he was sentenced to death for a second time, but the execution was halted after other prisoners testified on his behalf.

Today, Ernest Simoni's story inspires millions of faithful around the world who are currently suffering for their faith.

In September 2014, Pope Francis visited Albania and was moved to tears by Cardinal Simoni's live testimony of endurance and his profound willingness to forgive his torturers.

Recognising his lifelong witness to the faith, Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of Cardinal on 19 November 2016 at 88 years of age, assigning him the titular church of Santa Maria della Scala.

Last week's trip to Ireland was the Cardinal's first at almost 98 years of age.

The Cardinal spoke to ACN Ireland staff, celebrated Mass in Dublin, and visited the seminary at St Patrick's College, Maynooth to inspire the next generation of priests in Ireland.

What a humbling experience it was to spend these past few days with a living martyr like the great Cardinal Simoni.

He is proof that good always overcomes evil."

God bless you,

Michael Kelly

ACN Ireland

LINK

ACN Ireland: www.acnireland.org/