François Massabki
?-1860 19th century Feast day: July 10
What cannot be taken from us, even when everything is taken.
Who was François Massabki?
A silk merchant in Damascus, married to Elizabeth Chiha and father of eight, he kept a shop in the khan al-Tuttun and acted as procurator for the Franciscans of Bab Touma, whose Third Order he had joined along with his two brothers. On the night of 9-10 July 1860, sheltering in the convent of St Paul during the Damascus massacres, the three were offered their lives if they would turn to Islam; a sheikh to whom Francis had lent a fortune was there to persuade him. They were killed before the high altar, and canonised on 20 October 2024.
In their own words
Sheikh Abdallah can take the money I lent him, and he can take my life as well; but no one can make me deny my faith. I am a Maronite Christian, and in the faith of Christ I shall die.