Martyrdom seems to be a thing of the past to many people. However, for the next two Tuesdays, a group of theological studies majors will remind students, staff and faculty that martyrdom continues still.

Their presentation entitled “Martyrs of the Twentieth Century,” will examine 10 martyrs of the past century.

It is being presented by the senior seminar class taught by Wayne Hellman, O.F.M., and will take place Tuesday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 30 at 3:45 p.m. in Humanities Building Room 142. The public is welcome to attend this event.

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of her death, a special emphasis will be placed on former Saint Louis University mathematics professor and alumnae Sister Shirley Kolmer.

After spending 13 years at SLU, Kolmer became dedicated to the education of students in Liberia, which was engulfed in civil war. In Liberia, Kolmer served as the first woman principal at St. Patrick’s High School, a Catholic school, which was said to have been one of the best schools in the country. In 1992, opposition forces in Liberia executed Kolmer and four other sisters in the Adorers of the Precious Blood order.

Members of the class visited the tombs of Kolmer and the other four martyrs at Ruma, Ill.

Her sister, Sister Elizabeth Kolmer, continues to serve as a professor in American Studies.

The presentations also will highlight the Hispanic martyrs because Pope John Paul II has canonized more than 100 of them.