Feast Day: | June 26 |
Born: |
9 January 1902, Barbastro, Aragon, Spain |
Died: | 26 June 1975, Rome, Italy |
Canonized: | 6 October 2002, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
Major Shrine: | Our Lady of Peace, Prelatic Church of Opus Dei, in Rome |
Three years later the young Christian Pelagius still remained a prisoner. By this time, he was a handsome, lively boy of thirteen. Although many of his fellow prisoners were men who had formed evil habits, Pelagius would not follow their example. He had a strong will and knew how to keep himself good.
The ruler of the Moors heard good reports about Pelagius and sent for the boy. Pelagius was handsome and well-behaved. The ruler felt generous and wanted to get him out of prison. After all, he was only a boy.
He offered Pelagius his freedom, plus fine clothes to wear, beautiful horses and money. All this, only if he would give up his faith and become a Muslim like them.
"All those things you named mean nothing to me," answered the boy firmly. "I have been a Christian. I am a Christian now. I shall continue to be a Christian." The ruler was surprised. Now instead of promises he threatened Pelagius, but this had no effect.
Thirteen-year-old Pelagius was killed for his faith in Jesus and died a martyr in the year 925.