catholicmartyrs - Fr. Janis Mendriks MIC

Fr. Janis Mendriks was born in Latvia, near Aglona, on the January 21, 1907. He joined the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in 1926. He took the perpetual vow on the January 6, 1933. He was graduated from the Catholic classical school and the theological seminary. He was ordained as priest in 1938. He served in the parishes of Latvia. In 1942, during the German occupancy of Latvia, he served in the parish of Ostron and refused the Christian burial of the German policeman, which was known as impenitent profligate. After that Fr. Mendriks was forced to hide till the end of the war. After the coming of the soviet army he began to serve as a pastor again. In 1950 he was arrested and sentenced to prison camp for 10 years. He was sent to Vorkuta in Komi republic, where he worked in the mine. In the prison he gave guidance secretly to the believers, served the Holy Masses and gave the Holy Communion, which he always carried with him. After the death of Stalin the prisoners who hoped for the liberation refused to go to work. The armed detachment was sent against the striking prisoners. Fr. Mendriks was aware that he would be killed with the others, but he stayed with them and prepared them to death. He was shot on August 1st 1953. The Congregation of Marian Fathers kept good opinion about his martyrdom.

“This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:12-14)

The prayer for the beatification of the Servant of God fr. Janis Mendriks

O God Almighty, Your Son suffered on the Cross and died for the salvation of people. Imitating Him, Your Servant father Janis Mendriks loved You from the bottom of his heart, served You faithfully during the persecutions and devoted his life to the Church Make him known in the assembly of Your blessed, so that the example of his faithfulness and love would shine before the whole world. I pray to You through his intercession, hear my request ……………through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The prayer has to be used in private, as well as in public, out of the Holy Mass.
+ Archbishop Thaddeus Kondrusiewich, St.Petersburg 05.04.2004
Postulator asks to inform about the graces received by mediation of the Servant of God.
Address: Fr. Bronislav Chaplicki, 1st Krasnoarmejskaya, D.11, 198005, St.Petersburg, Russia.