The youngest of eight children, Isabel Sánchez Romero was born in a country house in Spain in 1860. From her childhood, she suffered from a rare disease that covered her body in painful sores, but she never complained about her affliction. She entered the Dominican order at 17 and was known as humble, hardworking, and quick to help others. When she was 76, the Spanish Civil War forced her convent to disperse to avoid Communist persecution. Isabel was found staying with relatives and arrested. They tried to get her to blaspheme, but instead, she prayed out loud. She was beaten until near death, taken to a cemetery where they forced her to watch other Catholics shot, and then she was killed with a rock.
CHALLENGE
Blessed Isabel Sánchez Romero underwent the most severe test of faith anyone could ever experience. Fortunately, few people are forced to suffer such treatment at the hands of others, but that doesn’t mean we won’t face a severe test of our faith in some form. Today, spend half an hour in prayer, and ask that if your faith is ever tested you will be given the grace of courage.
The end of life is a difficult time, and the Catholic Church has a rich history of teachings and traditions to help people have a holy death, as well as grieve and pray for those who have departed from this world. Passing Time is a rich resource on the topics of suffering, death, and Purgatory, compiled from a variety of classical Catholic texts. Buy your copy today.
