Laval is a town in the Mayenne department of northwest
France (see picture). The Roman Catholic Church came under severe pressure
during the French Revolution, and Laval was subjected to a particularly savage
episode of persecution early in the year 1794. The revolutionary authorities
demanded that all churchmen must swear an oath of allegiance to the Revolution,
and those who refused were usually sentenced to death.
Hundreds of priests and other ordained persons in Laval were
executed by guillotine, of whom 19 were later beatified. On 21st
January 14 priests were executed, the most prominent being Jean Baptiste Turpin
du Cormier, who was the parish priest and rural dean of Laval. The 14 are
collectively known as the Martyrs of Laval, who are remembered on 19th
June.
© John Welford
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