Carthusian Martyrs facts for kids

The Carthusian martyrs were members of the Carthusian monastic order. They were killed because of their Christian faith and their Catholic beliefs. Carthusians are a special group of monks who live a very quiet life. They usually don't ask for their members to be made saints, but others have done so for them.

About the Carthusian Order

The Carthusian order was started in 1084 by St. Bruno of Cologne. It is an order of eremitic (hermit-like) monks. They believe in living away from the world. Their lives are focused on silent contemplation (deep thinking) and prayer. They are often seen as hermits who live together. They do not usually do work outside their monastery, which is called a Charterhouse. Carthusian life is very different from other monk groups like the Benedictines. Today, the Carthusians are a small order. They have about 25 houses around the world. There are about 350 male members and 75 female members.

Why Carthusians Became Martyrs

Carthusian monks have faced danger and death many times in history. This happened because of their faith. Here are some examples of when and where Carthusians became martyrs.

Attacks During the Hussite Revolution

In the 15th century, the Hussite Revolution happened in Bohemia. During this time, Carthusian monasteries, like other Catholic places, were attacked. For example, in 1419, the Charterhouse in Prague was burned down.

Martyrs During Ottoman Raids

In 1529, Dom Andreas, who was the leader of Žiče Charterhouse, was captured. This happened during a raid by the Ottoman army. He was killed on March 3, 1529. The Mauerbach Charterhouse near Vienna, Austria, was also attacked. Ottoman troops burned and robbed it during the 1529 Siege of Vienna. It was attacked again in 1683 during the Battle of Vienna. We don't have exact records of the monks killed in these attacks.

The English Reformation Martyrs

In 1537, during the English Reformation, the London Charterhouse was closed. Its members were put in prison and later killed. Eighteen of these monks are known as the Carthusian Martyrs of London. They were honored by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. Three of them, Augustine Webster, John Houghton, and Robert Lawrence, were made saints in 1970. This was done by Pope Paul VI along with other English martyrs.

Deaths During the Dutch Revolt

In 1572, during the Dutch Revolt, Charterhouses in Delft and Roermond were attacked. This led to the deaths of Dom Justus van Schoonhoven and at least two other monks.

Carthusians in the French Revolution

During the French Revolution, many Carthusians were treated badly. This happened to other Catholic religious people too. Claude Beguignot and Lazarus Tiersot were Carthusian priests. They were told to take an oath against the Pope. When they refused, they were put in old slave ships. These ships were anchored in the Charente River at Rochefort. Like many others, they died in 1794 because of the terrible conditions. They were honored by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Martyrs in the Spanish Civil War

In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, Carthusians faced strong anti-religious feelings. Two monks from the Charterhouse of Montalegre have been recognized as martyrs from this time.

The Certosa di Farneta Massacre

In September 1944, during World War II, monks at the Charterhouse of Certosa di Farneta opened their doors. Troops from the 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division came. They said they had gifts for the monastery. Instead, they broke in to arrest 32 people. These were partisans (resistance fighters) and Jewish people hiding there. Some of the refugees managed to escape. More than sixty people were killed. Twelve of them were Carthusian monks. These twelve monks came from different countries. They included two Germans, one Swiss, one Venezuelan, and one Spaniard.

The monks killed were: