Agatangelo of Vendôme and Cassiano of Nantes, Blessed

AGATANGELO da VENDÔME and CASSIANO da NANTES, blesseds. - The former was born on 31 July 1598 at Vendôme, the latter on 15 Jan. 1607 at Nantes. Both were martyred at Gondar (Abyssinia) on 7 Aug. 1638 and beatified by Pius X on 23 Oct. 1904. A. entered the Order of Capuchins in 1619, C. in 1622. The desire for the missions inflamed their souls, so that as early as 1628 A. is found enrolled in the Eastern missions entrusted to Father Giuseppe da Parigi; but only in 1633 do we find our two martyrs united in the Egyptian missions. When the mission to Ethiopia was entrusted on 18 Nov. 1636 to the Reformed Minors and the Capuchins, A. was placed at the head of five other companions. For reasons of prudence, the expedition was divided into groups of two each. A. and C. left Cairo on 23 Dec. 1637 and, in disguise, reached Serawa, where, having been discovered, after horrible sufferings they were taken to Gondar and stoned to death. Their feast is celebrated on 7 Aug.