Today, August 12, is the memorial of Blessed Isidore Bakanja.
Carmelite martyr.
Isidore was born in 1887 in Bokendela, Congo. He was a member of the Boangi tribe. The young Isidore had to work as a bricklayer and farmer in order to survive.
He was converted to Christianity in 1906. He was working in a plantation run by a colonialist in Ikili and was forbidden by the owner to spread Christianity among his fellow-workers.
In 1909, the superintendent of the business saw that Isidore was wearing the Carmelite Scapular. The boss tore off the Brown Scapular from Isidore, who wore it around his neck as an expression of his Christian faith. Isidore was severely beaten even to drawing blood.
He bore his condition serenely while forgiving his aggressor. He said, “When I am in heaven, I shall pray for him very much.”
Isidore died that same year as a result of the wounds inflicted in punishment for his faith. He was aged around 21 to 22.
He was beatified by Pope St John Paul II in 1994.