In the course of the fighting in Syria and Lebanon in 1860, a great number of Christians died for their faith. Among them were the Franciscan Fathers and the Massabki brothers who were all martyred at Damascus in Syria. The Franciscan Fathers Ruiz, Colta, Escanio, Solar, Alberca, Binazo, Fernadez and Colanda were murdered during the night of July 10th. Among the thousands of lay Christians who shed their blood for Christ were the Massabki brothers. On that same night they fled to the Church for safety, but their assailants were able to enter and demanded them to abandon their religion. In the name of all, one of the brothers, Francis, refused their demand and said: We do not fear the one who kills the body ... a crown is prepared for us in heaven, we have our souls ... and we do not wish to lose them, we are Christians and we wish to die as Christians. They were martyred in the Church before the altar and their bodies were buried in the Maronite Church of Damascus. Pope Pius XI declared them blessed on October 10, 1926. May their prayers be with us. Amen.