July 27 Blessed Rudolph Aquaviva, SJ

Rudolf was the oldest son of an Italian earl. He was raised in the family castle on the Abruzzi coast. When he stated his desire for priesthood, his family balked. His  uncle, a Jesuit, finally convinced the family to let him join. After taking final vows, he was sent off to Goa, India. From their he was sent on a diplomatic trip to Akbar the Great Mogul,  who had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a desire to bring peace and harmony to both his Muslim and Hindu subjects who, because of their religious beliefs, were at odds with each other. Akbar held weekly religious discussions at his court near Agra and decided to include Christian theologians in these discussions. When he invited the Jesuits to his court to instruct him in the Christian faith, Fr Acquaviva and another Jesuit arrived at his court in 1580 with a seven-volume copy of the Bible with the hope of converting the grand mogul. Akbar was greatly interested in Christianity and seemed convinced of its truth but was not prepared to give up his harem. Fr Acquaviva returned to Goa after three years, disappointed that Akbar would never be converted.

With in days of returning to Goa, he was sent off to the hostile area south of Goa called Salsette. Upon arrival he planted a cross outside the first village. Unfortunately it was the site of a Hindu temple. Father Rudolf and his band of merry men were immediately attacked. With a scimitar’s single slash, an attacker cut the back of the priest’s thighs and floored him. To show his readiness for martyrdom, Fr Acquaviva opened the collar of his cassock and exposed the left side of his neck. He was struck twice and the third blow hit his shoulder and his arm was nearly cut off. But it was an arrow in the breast that killed him. Fr Acquaviva’s last words were, “Forgive them, Lord. Francis Xavier, pray to God for me. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He was just thirty-three years old.