March 11 -- St. Eulogius

During the ninth century, the Cordoban caliph was persecuting Catholics in a most violent way. 

In answer to these persecutions, faithful Catholics offered themselves as voluntary martyrs, thereby, gaining the admiration of public opinion and creating a threat to the Muslim regime.

Fearful of a Catholic uprising, Caliph Abd-er-Rahman II convened a council to forbid anyone from offering himself for martyrdom. 

Unfortunately, the bishops of Cordoba, obeyed the caliph's orders fearful of more persecution by the Muslim authorities. 

St. Eulogius however, was not swayed and he continued to preach and to support the martyrs against the wishes of the Islamic Council.  For this act of heroic bravery, St. Eulogius was beheaded on March 11, 859.

May St. Eulogius give his courage to act in defense of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.