ARRAS, MARTYRS of, blessed. - This is the name given to the four “Daughters of Charity” of the religious house of A.: Maria Maddalena Fontaine, superior; Maria Francesca Lanel; Maria Teresa Fontou; and Giovanna Gérard, guillotined by the Commune at Cambrai on 29 June 1794 for reasons of religion. Witnesses to the heroic attachment of the clergy of A. to the faith and to the Roman Church, they too refused, in 1791, to take the oath of liberty-equality; but, protected by the sympathy of the population, they were able to continue their work of charity until the beginning of 1794. When, however, the commissioner of the people G. Lebon arrived at A., they were denounced and ar-
rested; then, when Lebon moved on to Cambrai, they too were taken there and appeared before the people’s tribunal on 26 June. The president offered them life and liberty if they would take the oath. They refused, and were therefore sentenced to death. Three days later they mounted the guillotine, their heads encircled with the rosary. They were beatified by Benedetto XV on 13 June 1920.