St. Daniel and Companions

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

Daniel, Franciscan provincial of Calabria, Italy, led a contingent of Franciscan friars who were inspired by the example of St. Berard to preach the Gospel in North Africa in 1227. The six other friars were Angelo, Domnus, Hugolino, Leo, Nicholas, and Samuel. They came to Ceuta, Morocco, where the Christian merchants warned them against preaching.

The friars, however, were so enthusiastic they preached openly and were immediately imprisoned. Unpersuaded by bribes, threats, and torture, they refused to renounce their faith and were martyred. All were canonized in 1516. Their feast day is celebrated on October 10.