Rare first and only edition of this devotional work comprising novenas in honor of the Franciscan Martyrs of Morocco.

The Martyrs of Morocco—also known as the Martyrs of Marrakech—were the first five Franciscan friars sent to evangelize Muslims in North Africa and are venerated as the first martyrs of the Franciscan Order. In 1219, Saint Francis of Assisi dispatched these missionaries to Morocco to preach Christianity. According to tradition, their public preaching led them to be regarded as mad; they were imprisoned and, after refusing to renounce their faith and continuing to denounce Islam, were executed by beheading by the the Sultan of Morocco. They were canonized in 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV.

This Portuguese devotional work, containing important musical notation, was composed by an anonymous Franciscan of the Province of Arrábida, reflecting the continued veneration of these early martyrs within the Order.

Title: Novena dos Gloriosos Ss. Martyres de Marrocos
Imprint: Lisboa, na Regia Officina Typografica, 1796

Physical description: Small 8vo (14 x 9 cm), 59 pp., printed mainly on bluish paper.

Binding: Contemporary burgundy morocco, gilt dentelle; decorated endpapers.

Condition: Complete and in overall good condition. Endpapers stained, with minor loss at the inner edge and slight detachment. Occasional marginal soiling to text leaves. Binding rubbed and scratched; front joint slightly strained, causing minor misalignment in the first gathering. A few pale stains to rear cover; small loss at foot of spine, neatly restored.

A scarce Lisbon imprint and an attractive example of late 18th-century Portuguese devotional printing associated with the Franciscan tradition.

Subjects: Franciscan martyrs of Morocco, Martyrs of Marrakech, Saint Francis of Assisi missionaries, Portuguese religious book 18th century, Lisbon Regia Officina Typografica, Arrábida Franciscan music scores, antique Catholic novena book, early Franciscan history, Morocco missionary martyrs canonized Sixtus IV,