What do you think?
Rate this book
The Catholic Martyrs of the Twentieth Century: A Comprehensive World History
From the Catholic martyrs at Auschwitz to Oscar Romero; from Ita Ford and her companions to the recent murders of Christians in India, it is estimated that more than one million Christians died for their faith in the “century of progress” we have just experienced. In The Catholic Martyrs of the Twentieth Century, Robert Royal presents a wide-ranging history of these martyrs. The book traces the specific situation of each incident and studies the political system and the reason for confrontation. Regions and topics include the Calvary of Romania, the death of Edith Stein, Miguel Pro and the Mexican tragedy, Soviet Russia, and China.
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2000
7 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 23, 2015
I've been reading this book for Lent for the past 3 years. It is very hard to read about so much death, and at the same time I very much admire these Christian men and women who risked their lives for Christ. Robert Royal makes their stories very interesting and backs up his research with many citations, useful if one wants to explore a particular martyr further. Why read it? Royal says: "The whole point in remembering those who died as witnesses for truth and goodness is that they literally participate in the Passion of Christ.... The only way out of the endless cycle of wrong and punishment is the free willingness to suffer wrong and forgive without revenge. The Christian story changed several cultures on those principles. It is still available to change our own" (389-390).
February 14, 2010
Excellent book that reminds us that religious persecution is not a thing of the past. Very well written.
June 25, 2017
One of the most inspirational and informative books I have ever read. A real gem.
March 16, 2024
This was a powerful read for Lent. This book is a stark reminder that Christian persecution is not a thing of the past, but it is a sobering reality of the present. Robert Royal says in his conclusion that in the 20th century, an estimated 170 million Christians were martyred for confessing Christ.
This is why Pope St John Paul II said, “At the end of the second millennium, the church has once again become a church of martyrs.”
The book is a collection of hundreds of inspiring examples of those who remind us of a central mystery of the Christian life: to suffer with Christ. It is a reminder that in Christ our suffering in this life is not always taken away, but it is always redeemed: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). Jesus redeems our sufferings so that we may participate in his sufferings for the salvation of the world.
One of my favorite stories from this book was the life of the Chinese Catholic Cardinal, Ignatius Kung Pin-mei “Cardinal Kung” (b. 1901, d. 2000). In 1955, Kung refused to join the Chinese Communist “Patriotic Church” and continued to preach Christ and minister to his congregation. He was then arrested on wild false charges and was tortured and imprisoned in solitary confinement for over 30 years. He spent 30 years away from the Bible, the sacraments, his fellow Christians, and the outside world entirely.
By 1984, the Chinese communist party thought they had worn down the now 83-year-old man. They brought him to a dinner party and allowed him to speak to a visiting Catholic Cardinal from the Philippines. They hoped Kung would “follow the script” and speak fondly of the “Patriot Church” and communism, proving to the outside world that the Church’s cause was hopeless in China.
This plan backfired. Instead of spouting communist propaganda, Kung took the opportunity to invite those communists at the table to sing a dinner song. When Kung got up to sing, he sang these words: “You are Peter and upon this rock, I will build my church.”
This is why Pope St John Paul II said, “At the end of the second millennium, the church has once again become a church of martyrs.”
The book is a collection of hundreds of inspiring examples of those who remind us of a central mystery of the Christian life: to suffer with Christ. It is a reminder that in Christ our suffering in this life is not always taken away, but it is always redeemed: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). Jesus redeems our sufferings so that we may participate in his sufferings for the salvation of the world.
One of my favorite stories from this book was the life of the Chinese Catholic Cardinal, Ignatius Kung Pin-mei “Cardinal Kung” (b. 1901, d. 2000). In 1955, Kung refused to join the Chinese Communist “Patriotic Church” and continued to preach Christ and minister to his congregation. He was then arrested on wild false charges and was tortured and imprisoned in solitary confinement for over 30 years. He spent 30 years away from the Bible, the sacraments, his fellow Christians, and the outside world entirely.
By 1984, the Chinese communist party thought they had worn down the now 83-year-old man. They brought him to a dinner party and allowed him to speak to a visiting Catholic Cardinal from the Philippines. They hoped Kung would “follow the script” and speak fondly of the “Patriot Church” and communism, proving to the outside world that the Church’s cause was hopeless in China.
This plan backfired. Instead of spouting communist propaganda, Kung took the opportunity to invite those communists at the table to sing a dinner song. When Kung got up to sing, he sang these words: “You are Peter and upon this rock, I will build my church.”
July 29, 2019
Es absolutamente increíble que haya habido y siga habiendo tantos y tantos asesinatos por el simple motivo de celebrar una misa o bautizar a una persona que está seseando ser bautizado.
Ha ocurrido durante muchos años y sigue ocurriendo es nuestros días.
Libro superbien documentado que aporta muchos datos sobre el trato anticristiano en cada unos de los continentes.
Es una maravilla comprobar que hay gente dispuesta a morir por no negar a Dios y prefieren quedarse con Dios antes de seguir viviendo.
El único punto débil del libro que es demasiado extenso y a veces da demasiado detalles.
Ha ocurrido durante muchos años y sigue ocurriendo es nuestros días.
Libro superbien documentado que aporta muchos datos sobre el trato anticristiano en cada unos de los continentes.
Es una maravilla comprobar que hay gente dispuesta a morir por no negar a Dios y prefieren quedarse con Dios antes de seguir viviendo.
El único punto débil del libro que es demasiado extenso y a veces da demasiado detalles.
October 25, 2019
I am particularly interested in the subject matter, but this account was poorly-edited and frustrating to read. The author seems to have an unreasonable dislike for "conventional piety" and to have been taken in by Americanism, often equating the mission of the Church with bringing democracy and defending human rights, rather than the salvation of souls.
September 13, 2021
A comprehensive account of catholic martyrdom in the 20th century, Royal has produced an excellent synthesis that is both appealing to a popular audience and the kind of book one might use in a history or theology undergraduate course. It is also a gripping read.
April 1, 2020
This book is a book of heroes. It reminds me that the inconveniences in life are small compared to the persecution that Christians accept with joy around the world. Great examples of Christ's love.
April 9, 2022
Outstanding book. Hard to read at times because of the details describing how the many martyers died. However, a great reminder of what we as Christians are called for.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews