By Visitation Sisters of the Second Federation (and Kevin Banet)
One hundred years ago, anti-Catholic sentiment in Spain was high, and nearly 8,000 martyrs suffered for their faith. Among them were seven nuns of the Visitation Order from Madrid, now known as Blessed Maria Gabriela and her Companions.
A new video tells their story and reveals the mystery of the seventh martyr, who was the youngest and who died last. The Seventh Crown — Martyrs of the Visitation is only 35 minutes long but delivers a compelling portrait of the struggles of the nuns while their monastery was under the surveillance of the authorities.
In 1931, Spain witnessed a political upheaval, and the uneasy climate led the superior of the Visitation in Madrid to order the 83 nuns there to wear lay clothes and leave the monastery. They eventually returned, only to leave again. Seven were chosen to remain, but eventually moved to an apartment. On November 18, 1936, the sisters were apprehended, put into a truck and driven a short distance. When they got out of the truck, six of them were shot dead, and the seventh — Sr. Maria Cecilia, age 26 — escaped by running away.
The movie is told in a flashback mode through the eyes of this sister, whose whereabouts after her escape remained a mystery for five years. Her tense story is revealed in the last scene with her martyrdom.
The sisters had many opportunities to flee, so the question might be asked, “Why did they not try to escape martyrdom?” The primary reason, as stated in the movie was, “We are awaiting the palm of martyrdom and if by shedding our blood Spain can be saved, Lord, may it be as soon as possible.”
The martyrs were beatified on May 10, 1998 by Pope St. John Paul II and await canonization.
The Order of the Visitation was founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in 1610 in Annecy, France. The aim of the Visitation is: “to give to God daughters of prayer, and souls so interior that they may be found worthy to serve His infinite Majesty and to adore Him in spirit and in truth.”
The acting in the movie is realistic and rich in imagery of the Visitation nuns and their monastic surroundings. It was produced by Home of the Mother, an international public association of the faithful with pontifical approval. It has been viewed on YouTube 54,200 times since its premiere on November 22nd. The movie, La Séptima Corona — Mártires de la Visitación is in Spanish, but English subtitles can be turned on.
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