Martyred French Priest to be Canonized

The Premonstratensian priest and canon, Pierre-Adrien Toulorge, died on the guillotine in 1793. (Via Laudem Gloriae)

The crowd was speechless with emotion as they beheld this young priest who went to his death filled with such inner peace. Just before the execution Fr. Peter-Adrian said: “My God, I place my life in Your hands! I pray for the restoration and preservation of Your Holy Church. Forgive my enemies.” After the execution the hangman grabbed the bloody head by the hair and held it up to show the people. It was 4:30. His body was taken to the cemetery of St. Peter in a cart.