On Sunday, September 20, 2020, the community of Hălăucești of the Province of St. Joseph Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania commemorated the 60th anniversary of the death of Friar Anton BIȘOC.
The Most Reverend Petru GHERGHEL, Bishop Emeritus of Iași, celebrated a solemn Mass to commemorate the martyrdom of Friar Anton BIȘOC, who died on July 15, 1960, while under house arrest in the village of Fundata, Ialomița County, Romania.
A new book by Father Fabian DOBOȘ was presented for the occasion, entitled: “Father Anton Benedict Bişoc, OFM Conv., Priest, Teacher, Minister Provincial and Martyr”. The book was published in 2020 by the Sapientia Publishing House, Iași, Romania.
Friar Anton BIȘOC was born on August 15, 1888, in Hălăucești, Romania. He completed his studies at the Conventual Franciscan seminary in Hălăucești and went on to Rome, where he specialized in biblical studies and moral theology. Finally, on April 15, 1911, he was ordained to the priesthood. On his return to Romania, he served as a pastor in Adjudeni and Săbăoani. In 1927, he became the Director of Seraphic Publishing in Săbăoani, and edited the popular magazine Viaţa. Working with Friar Benvenut WIENER, he translated and printed the New Testament and left behind a manuscript translation of the entire Vulgate Bible. From 1938-1940, he was a professor of moral theology at the St. Bonaventure Faculty in Rome. He was twice elected Minister Provincial of Romania. He was an excellent preacher at retreats for priests and seminarians and was a worthy advisor to the Bishop of Iaşi. The Communist regime sentenced him to ten years in prison for teaching catechism to children. He died on July 15, 1960, under house arrest in Fundata. A few years after his burial in Fundata, his remains were transferred to the cemetery of the church in Hălăuceşti.
Friar Carol-Daniel SABĂU
