Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them which you will find scattered along the calendar. Today celebrates the entire group.
Martyrs of Gaza
Profile
A group of Christian soldiers who were captured by Saracens invading the area of Gaza in Palestine. When the men continued to profess their Christianity, they were executed. We know the names of some of the martyrs - Himerius, John (2 of them), Kallinikos (Callinoco), Paul, Peter, Stephen and Theodore (2 of them).
Died
beheaded in Gaza, Palestine
Ten Martyrs of Antioch
Profile
Ten Christians murdered together by Arabs after their seizure of Antioch, Syria. No names or other details about them have come down to us.
Died
637 in Antioch, Syria
Saint Pinnock
Profile
A church in Cornwall, England is dedicated to this saint, but no information about him has survived.
Saint Felix of Fondi
Profile
Benedictine monk at Fondi, Italy. Held in high regard by Saint Gregory the Great.
Died
6th century of natural causes
Saint Stephen of Apt
Profile
Bishop of Apt, France in 1010. Re-built the cathedral there.
Born
975 in Agde, France
Died
1046 of natural causes
Saint Edwen of Northumbria
Profile
Seventh century consecrated virgin. Daughter of Saint Edwin of Northumbria.
Patronage
Llanedwen, Anglesey, Wales
Saint Efflam of Brittany
Profile
Son of a British prince. Founded a monastery in Brittany, France and served as its first abbot.
Died
c.700 of natural causes
Saint Valentine of Genoa
Profile
Bishop of Genoa, Italy from c.295.
Died
• c.307 of natural causes
• his relics were found and enshrined in 985
Saint Felix of Genoa
Profile
Second bishop of Genoa, Italy, c.400. Spiritual teacher of Saint Syrus of Genoa.
Died
relics enshrined in the basilica of Twelve Apostles in Genoa, Italy
Saint Leonard of Reresby
Profile
Crusader. Captured by Saracens, but miraculously freed.
Born
Thryberg, Yorkshire, England
Died
13th century Yorkshire, England of natural causes
Blessed Simon of Aulne
Profile
Cistercian lay brother at the Aulne Abbey in the diocese of Liege, Belgium. A mystic and visionary, known to fall into ecstasies during prayer.
Died
1215 of natural causes
Saint Felix of Thyniss
Also known as
Felix of Thynissa
Profile
Arrested for his faith, he was found dead in prison the day before for his scheduled execution.
Born
African
Died
Thyniss, north Africa
Saint Erlafrid of Hirschau
Also known as
Erlafrid of Calw
Profile
Count of Calw, Swabia (modern Germany). Founded Hirschau Abbey which he entered as a Benedictine monk, and where he eventually served as abbot.
Born
late 8th century
Died
mid-9th century
Blessed Bernard of Apiano
Profile
Mercedarian at the convent of Saint Martin in Perpignan, France. He was noted for his personal piety, hist observance of the Mercedarian rule, and his depth of education
Saint Severus of Barcelona
Profile
Bishop of Barcelona, Spain. Martyred by Arian Visigoths.
Died
nails driven into his temple in 633
Patronage
Barcelona, Spain
Representation
bishop with a nail or nails driven into his head
Blessed Leonianus of Autun
Profile
Lay man who was captured and taken to Gaul as a slave. When he regained his freedom he became a hermit near Autun (in modern France). Monk at the Saint Symphorianus Abbey at Autun.
Born
Pannonia (part of modern Hungary)
Died
c.570 in Autun (in modern France) of natural causes
Beatified
1907 by Pope Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Saint Barlaam of Novgorod
Also known as
Alexis
Profile
Born to a wealthy family. When his parents died, Alexis became a hermit on the Volga River. His reputation for holiness spread and attracted so many students that he founded a monastery for them, became a monk, and took the name Barlaam.
Born
Novgorod, Russia as Alexis
Died
6 November 1193 of natural causes
Saint Israel of Limoges
Also known as
Israel Limousin
Profile
Born to the nobility, his was a pious family. Priest. Vicar general of Limoges, France. Canon regular at Dorat, France. Taught theology in the diocese seminary. Wrote a lyric biography of Christ. Nursed plague sufferers during an epidemic in 994. Spiritual teacher of Saint Theobald of Dorat.
Born
950 at Dorat, France
Died
• 22 December 1014 of natural causes
• relics transferred to the Dorat collegiate church on 27 January 1130
Blessed Beatrice of Olive
Profile
Cistercian nun at the convent of the Olive in Morlanwelz, Belgium. Her life in the convent led her to question her vocation, and she became a pilgrim for 15 years after which she received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary telling her it was time to return to Cistercian life. Beatrice returned to the convent and spent the rest of her life there, known for her piety and Marian devotion.
Died
• c.1400 of natural causes
• relics venerated in the parish church of Morlanwelz, Belgium
Saint Demetrian of Cyprus
Also known as
Demetrio, Demetrius
Profile
Married. Widower. Monk at Saint Anthony's Monastery on Cyprus. Priest. Hegoumenos (abbot) of Saint Anthony's for 40 years. Reluctant bishop of Khytri, Cyprus for 25 years. When Saracens raided Cyprus and kidnapped local Christians to enslave them, Demetrian obtained their release.
Born
Sika, Cyprus
Died
912
Saint Theobald of Dorat
Profile
Born to a poor but pious farm family. Spiritual student of Saint Israel of Limoges at Dorat, France. Augustinian canon. Ordained a deacon, he considered himself unworthy of the priesthood. Treasurer and sacristan of the churches in Dorat. Had a ministry to the sick and the poor. Teacher and spiritual director of Saint Gauthier.
Born
990 in Bazeuge, France
Died
• 6 November 1070 of natural causes
• relics enshrined in the collegiate church of Dorat, France next to Saint Israel of Limoges
Saint Illtyd
Also known as
Elchut, Eltut, Hildutus, Illtud, Iltuto, Illtut, Iltutus, Iltud Farchog
Profile
Studied under Saint Germanus of Auxerre. Monk under the direction of Saint Cadoc. Founded the influential abbey of Llan-Illtut (Llantwit Major), which housed hundreds of monks, and became home to many Welsh saints. Defended his people against incursions from the north. To relieve famine, he assembled, stocked and led several corn ships to Brittany; in gratitude, some villages and churches there are named for him.
Born
5th century Wales
Died
c.505 in Brittany (in modern France)
Saint Emilian of Faenza
Profile
Bishop. Died while returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy where venerated the tombs of the Apostles.
Born
Ireland
Died
• c.780 in Faenza, Italy of natural causes
• burial site lost during the Lombard invasions
• his grave was re-discovered following a series of miracles, which vary by source
• relics enshrined in the cathedral of Faenza
Canonized
• Pre-Congregation
• cultus known to have been well-established in Faenza, Italy by the 12th century
• a synod in 1321 officially established his memorial in all cities of the diocese of Faenza
Patronage
Faenza, Italy
Saint Protasius of Lausanne
Also known as
Protase, Protasio
Profile
Seventh-century priest noted for his severe self-denial, and his ministry to widows, orphans and the homeless poor. Bishop of Lausanne, Kingdom of Burgundy (in modern Switzerland). He re-built and expanded what became the Saint-Maure chapel, supported the construction of the church and monastery in Baulmes, Switzerland, and re-built the cathedral of Lausanne after it had been damaged by invading pagans; he was visiting the workmen cutting timber for the cathedral when he had the accident that killed him.
Born
c.640
Died
• struck by a falling tree in the forest of Mont Tendre, Switzerland c.699
• buried in Lausanne, Switzerland
• relics transferred to the cathdral of Lausanne in the 14th century
Saint Paul of Constantinople
Also known as
• Paul the Confessor
• Paulus
Profile
Chosen Archbishop of Constantinople in 336. For supporting orthodox Christianity against Arianism, he was exiled to Pontus in 337. He returned in 338, but the Arians again exiled him, this time to Trier, Germany. He returned c.340, but Emperor Constantius clapped him in chains and exiled him to Mesopotamia. He returned in 344 but was exiled to Cukusus, Armenia. To prevent another return he was eventually imprisoned, starved and murdered. He never stopped trying to get to his diocese and tend to his parishioners, but spent most of his time as archbishop in exile. Martyr.
Died
strangled to death in 350 in Cukusus, Armenia
Saint Melaine of Rennes
Also known as
• Apostle of France
• Melan, Melanie, Melanio, Melanius, Melen, Mellion, Mullion
Profile
Monk. Bishop of Rennes, France during the 5th and 6th centuries when the Franks were conquering all of Gaul. Nearly eliminated idolatry in his diocese. Close friend and advisor to King Clovis. Required his priests to stop "wandering from cabin to cabin, celebrating Mass on portable altars, accompanied by women who administered the chalice to the faithful." Had a brief conflict with British evangelists who tried to introduce Celtic liturgical forms, confusing the new converts. Played a leading role at the Council of Orleans in 511.
Born
in Placet, Brittany (in modern France)
Died
• c.535 of natural causes
• the abbey of Saint Melaine, Rennes, France was built around his tomb
Patronage
• Mullion, Cornwall, England
• Saint Mellyan, Cornwall, England
Representation
• bishop standing on a devil
• bishop driving a devil before him
• dead bishop on a sailing ship carrying his body upstream
Blessed Thomas Ochia Jihyoe
Also known as
• Thomas Jihyoe di Sant'Agostino
• Thomas of Saint Augustine
• Kintsuba
Additional Memorial
28 September as one of the Augustinian Martyrs of Japan
Profile
Born to a Christian family, his parents were both catechists, and both died as martyrs. Thomas attended a Jesuit school in Arima, Japan, and when he felt a call to religious life, he continued his studies in Macao. In 1622 he went to Manila, Philippines to study, and there he joined the Augustinians, making his profession in 1624. He studied theology at Cebú, Philippines, and was ordained a priest. Father Thomas returned to Japan in 1631 to minister to Christians during an imperial persecution. Authorities who did not realize his vocation let him visit Christian prisoners, many of whom were missionaries. When the government realized he was conducting a ministry to them, he was forced flee and lived for a while in a cave, the subject of an intense man-hunt. From there, he used disguises, tricks and the name Kintsuba to minister to Christians in the region for years until finally caught, tortured for months, ordered repeatedly to denounce Christianity, and when he would not, he was executed. Martyr.
Born
c.1602 in Omura, Nagasaki, Japan
Died
hanged upside down on 6 November 1637 in Hill of Martyrs, Nishizaka, Nagasaki, Japan
Beatified
24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI
Blessed Christina of Stommeln
Also known as
• Christina Bruzo
• Christina Bruso
• Kristina...
Profile
Born to wealthy farmers Heinrich and Hilla Bruso. Though she learned to read, Christina could not write. At the age of five she received a vision of Jesus, and at age ten believed that she became a bride of Christ. When she was 12, the girl's parents arranged a marriage for her, but she ran off to become a Beguine nun in Cologne, Germany; her extravagant piety caused the nuns to question her sanity, and Christina went home where she taken in by the parish priest, Johannes. Throughout her life she and people near her would be tormented by what were considered demonic attacks - she was thrown around the room, her feet stabbed by invisible forces, and similar physical attacks. She received the stigmata in 1268, and it would return each Easter thereafter. In 1288 the mystical experiences ended and Christina spent the rest of her life living as a cloistered Beguine nun. The Swedish Dominican monk, Peter of Dacia, was a long-time correspondent and recorded many of the incidents involving her.
Born
24 July 1242 at Stommeln, duchy of Juilliers (part of modern Germany)
Died
• 6 November 1312 in an alms house in Cologne, Germany of natural causes
• buried in Stommeln, Germany
• relics moved to Nideggen, Germany in 1342
• relics moved to Jülich, Germany on 22 July 1569
• on 16 November 1944 the church was bombed, but the relics survived
• her skull shows marks and indentations corresponding to a crown of thorns
Beatified
12 August 1908 by Pope Saint Pius X (cultus confirmed)
Saint Winnoc of Wormhoult
Also known as
• Winnoc of Flanders
• Winnoc of Wormhoudt
• Vinocus, Vinnoco, Winnow, Winoc, Winocus, Winok, Wunnoc, Winnok
Additional Memorials
• 18 September (translation of relics)
• 20 February (exaltation of Saint Winnoc)
Profile
Born to the nobility, possibly a prince, and some sources say his father was Saint Judicael. Raised and educated in Brittany, his family running there to escape the Saxons. Monk. Founded Saint Winnow's church in Cornwall, England. Monk at Sithiu (Saint Omer) under abbot Saint Bertin. Founded the monastery, church and hospital of Wormhoult, Belgium, served as abbot, and used it as a base to evangelize the area.
Humble, and ever mindful of the apostolic precept "if any would not work, neither should he eat", Winnoc threw himself into the manual labour of the monasteries, doing as much of the tough and disagreeable as any monk in the house. When enfeebled by old age, Winnoc prayed for help to continue his work; he received divine help to work a hand corn mill, making flour for his brothers and the poor. Another monk, out of curiosity, peeped through a crack in the mill-house door to see how the old man did so much work; he was stuck blind for his impertinence, but was healed by Winnoc's intercession.
Born
7th century Wales
Died
• 6 November 716 or 717 at Wormhoult, Belgium of natural causes
• originally buried at Wormhoult
• relics translated to Bergues-Saint-Winnoc in 899
• people who stood along the route taken by the monks were reported to have been healed of many illnesses, especially coughs and fevers, and they have been brought out to stop drought
• the monastery was burned by Protestants in 1558 destroying some relics
Patronage
• against fever
• against whooping cough
• millers
Bl. Jos Mara of Manila
Feastday: November 6
Patron:
Birth: 1880
Death: 1936
Beatified: October 13th, 2013
Canonized:
José María Orozco was born in Manila, Philippines on September 5, 1880. His mother was Dońa Felisa Mortera y Camacho and his father, Don Eugenio del Saz-Orozco, was the last Spanish Mayor of Manila.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is del Saz-Orozco and the second or maternal family name is Mortera.
José María de Manila (born Eugenio del Saz-Orozco Mortera, 5 September 1880 – 17 August 1936) is a Spanish-Filipino Roman Catholic blessed, and was priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He was martyred in the early phase of the Spanish Civil War, and is the third Filipino to have been declared blessed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Biography
José María was born in Manila, Philippines on 5 September 1880 to Spanish parents Don Eugenio del Saz-Orozco de la Oz, the last Spanish Mayor of Manila, and Doña Felisa Mortera y Camacho. He spent his initial years of education at Ateneo de Manila University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and University of Santo Tomas.
He stayed in the Philippines until he was 16 years old, pursuing further studies in Spain. Despite objections from his parents, according to López, José María fulfilled his desire to become a Capuchin priest. Records also showed that he had his simple profession in Lecaroz in Navarra on 4 October 1905, while his solemn profession was held 18 October 1908. He was ordained a priest on 30 November 1910.
José María "remained a Filipino at heart" throughout his years in Spain, desiring to return to the Philippines to serve the local Philippine Church despite the fall of the Spanish East Indies government in 1898 due to the Philippine Revolution and the Spanish–American War. Circumstances prevented him from returning, and so he resolved to zealously proclaim the Gospel in Spain, which was still suffering from poverty brought about by the First World War.
There was a growing tide of anti-Catholicism and anticlericalism in Spain, as critics accused the Church of conspiring with the government to keep the people poor. The effects of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 pushed the working class to their limits, and military generals took advantage of the situation by staging an uprising in July 1936 that began the Spanish Civil War. Church property was seized or destroyed, and priests and religious were imprisoned. On 17 August 1936, Fr. José María was executed at the gardens of the Cuartel de la Montaña, a military building in Madrid.
Beatification
On 27 March 2013, Pope Francis approved the findings of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that José María and 521 other companions were indeed killed because of their Roman Catholic faith, clearing the way for their beatification. These twentieth-century martyrs of the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War were beatified on 13 October 2013 in Tarragona, Spain. The Beatification Rite and Mass was presided by the cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who read the Apostolic Letter declaring the martyrs "Blessed" and setting their common feast day for every 6 November, together with other previously beatified martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.[citation needed]
Martyr Companions
The Martyr Companions of Blessed José María de Manila who were also Franciscan Capuchins and were martyred during the Spanish Civil War include:
Miguel Francisco Gonzalez-Diez Gonzalez-Diez (Andres of Palazuelo) (1883 - 1936)
Fernando Olmeda Reguera (Fernando of Santiago) (1873 - 1936)
Geronimo Limon Marquez (Luis of Valencia) (1885 - 1936)
Jose Gonzalez Ramos Campos (Angel of Canete La Real) (1879 - 1936)
Andres Soto Carrera (Gil of Puerto de Santa Maria) (1883 - 1936)
Jose Maria Recalde Maguregui (Ignacio of Galdacano) (1912 - 1936)
Alejandro Casare Menendez (Jose of Chauchina) (1897 - 1936)
Juan Silverio Perez Ruano (Crispin of Cuevas de San Marcos) (1875 - 1936)
Rafael Severiano Rodriguez Navarro (Pacifico of Ronda) (1882 - 1936)
Joaquin Frade Eiras (Berardo of Visantona) (1878 - 1936)
Segundo Perez Arias (Ildefonso of Armellada) (1874 - 1936)
Angel de la Red Perez (Arcangel of Valdavida) (1882 - 1936)
Basilio Gonzalez Herrero (Alejo of Terradillos) (1874 - 1936)
Ezequiel Prieto Otero (Eusebio of Saludes) (1885 - 1936)
Juan Francisco Barahona Martin (Alejandro of Sobradillo) (1902 - 1936)
Facundo Escanciano Tejerina (Aurelio of Ocejo) (1881 - 1936)
Lorenzo Ilarregui Goni (Gabriel of Arostegui) (1880 - 1936)
Quirino Diez del Blanco (Gregorio of La Mata) (1889 - 1936)
Emilio Serrano Lizarralde (Saturnino of Bilbao) (1910 - 1936)
Bernardo Cembranos Nistal (Eustaquio of Villaquite) (1903 - 1936)
Felipe Llamas Barrero (Domitilo of Ayoo) (1907 - 1936)
Norberto Cembranos de la Verdura (1891 - 1936)
Andres Francisco Simon Gomez (Eloy of Orihuela) (1876 - 1936)
Jose Perez Gonzalez (Ramiro of Sobradillo) (1907 - 1936)
Ramon Juan Costa (Honorio of Orihuela) (1888 - 1936)
Ignacio Caselles Garcia (Juan Crisostomo of Gata de Gorgos) (1874 - 1936)
Alejo Pan Lopez (Ambrosio of Santibanez) (1888 - 1936)
Aproniano de Felipe Gonzalez (Miguel of Grajal) (1898 - 1936)
Jacinto Gutierrez Terciado (Diego of Guadilla) (1909 - 1936)
Pablo Merillas Fernandez (Carlos of Alcubilla de Nogales) (1902 - 1937)
Lucinio Fontanil Medina (Primitivo of Villamizar) (1884 - 1937)
Bl. Josefa Naval Girbes
Feastday: November 6
Birth: 1820
Death: 1893
Beatified: 25 September 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Image of Bl. Josefa Naval Girbes
Josefa Naval Girbes (1820-1893) when she was a young woman, took a vow of chastity. Josefa was very active in her parish life. Opened a school for girls in her own home where she taught needlework and prayer. Member of the Third Order Secular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Teresa of Jesus. Great devotion for the Virgin Mary.
Bl. Anthony Baldinucci
Feastday: November 6
Birth: 1665
Death: 1717
Beatified: April 23, 1893 by Pope Leo XIII
Image of Bl. Anthony BaldinucciAt the age of thirty, Anthony Baldinucci, of Florence, Italy, was ordained a Jesuit priest. Two years later, he undertook the apostolate of giving parish missions in central Italy. On his way to each parish, he would always walk barefoot as a penance with the intent "that God may be moved by my sufferings to touch the hearts of my hearers," as he once explained. During these missions, he allotted all his time to preaching, hearing confessions, catechizing children, visiting the sick, and continuing his own prayer life. Father Baldinucci was deeply devoted to the Eucharist, the Passion of Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He highly revered an image of the Blessed Virgin with the title, "Refuge of Sinners," attributing numerous conversions and miraculous cures to its veneration. When in 1717 Father Baldinucci fell ill with his final illness, he asked to be placed in his room this image of Mary, before which he repeatedly prayed, "Show yourself to be a Mother." As his end neared, he gazed sometimes heavenward, sometimes toward the picture, uttering the aspiration, "Jesus and Mary, my hope."
Anthony Baldinucci, S.J., was an Italian Jesuit priest and missionary, best known for his unusual methods of conducting missions.[1][2]
Contents
1 Life
2 Veneration
3 See also
4 Sources
5 External links
Life
Baldinucci was born in Florence, the son of the art historian and biographer Filippo Baldinucci. He attended the Jesuit school of Florence and was drawn to the priesthood. Initially he considered following his older brother into the Dominican Order, but he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus on April 21, 1681, and was ordained as a priest on October 28, 1695. He was then sent to study theology at the Roman College. He carried out his regency teaching at the Jesuit schools in Terni and Rome. He was admitted to the fourth vow of the Society on 15 August 1698.[3]
Baldinucci had wanted to become a missionary in Asia, but his poor health kept him from that path. Instead, he worked in central Italy, specifically in the cities of Frascati and Viterbo. He would continue to work in this area for the rest of his life.[1] For four months of every year he would conduct missions. Between 1697 and 1717 he visited 30 dioceses and gave an average of 22 missions per year. The missions were generally centered on meditations from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.[4]
Baldinucci’s preaching was simple, vivid and dramatic.[4] He organized processions which would start from various areas of the country to the place where he was holding the mission. Many of the people in these processions would wear crowns of thorns and scourge themselves.[1] Given the size of these processions, Baldinucci often employed a number of laymen (whom he called deputati) to help manage the crowd. Many of these "deputati" were drawn from the people he thought might otherwise be tempted to disrupt the processions.
Baldinucci himself walked barefoot to each mission assignment,[4] often carried a cross during his preaching, and often wore heavy chains. He would also walk through the assembled people scourging himself to the point of drawing blood and beyond. He would often finish these missions with the burning of various possible instruments of vice, including cards, dice, musical instruments, and the like, in the public square. People were reported to also lay their daggers and pistols at his feet at this time. His appearances were so popular and well attended that he often found crowds covering the walls of city when he arrived to deliver a mission.
Baldinucci had a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary, and made sure that a copy of miraculous picture of her as the Refuge of Sinners from the Church of the Gesu (Frascati) was carried with him in his travels. He also worked diligently to spread Marian devotions in his travels.
In addition to his preaching, Baldinucci also wrote two courses of sermons for Lent, gathered material for many more, composed a number of discourses, and maintained a long correspondence list.
After suffering from a myocardial infarction in the course of one of his preaching tours, brought on by fatigue, Baldinucci died in the village of Pofi, in the ancient region of Lazio, then part of the Papal States.[5]
Veneration
The process leading to Baldinucci's beatification began in 1753. He was declared Venerable in 1873, and was beatified on April 23, 1893. He is still under consideration for canonization.
The Jesuit Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Florence still preserves the crucifix he wore during his missions.[3]
St. Joseph Khang
Feastday: November 6
Death: 1861
Canonized: Pope John Paul II
Martyr of Vietnam. The servant of St. Jerome Hermosilla, Joseph tried to deliver St. Jerome from prison. He was caught in the attempt, lashed, and beheaded. Joseph was canonized in 1988 by Pope John Paul II
St. Romulus of Genoa
Feastday: November 6
Death: 641
Image of St. Romulus of Genoa
Bishop of Genoa, Italy. San Remo bears his name, and it is known that he died at Matuziano, on the Riviera.
Saint Romulus of Genoa (also Remo; Italian: Romolo, Ligurian: Rœmu) was an early Bishop of Genoa, around the time of Saint Syrus.[1] His dates are uncertain: since Jacobus da Varagine[2] traditional lists compiled from local liturgies generally place his bishopric fourth in a largely legendary list.[3] He fled from Genoa and never returned[4] He died in the cave he inhabited at Villa Matutiæ,[5] a town on the Italian Riviera which later adopted his name, becoming "San Remo" (from 15th century until the first half of the 20th century), and then later Sanremo.[6]
Veneration
In 876 the bishop Sabbatinus brought his remains to Genoa, to the church of San Siro, where a new structure was consecrated in 1023.
Since he was invoked in defence of Villa Matutiæ from its inhabitants during enemy attack, the saint is depicted with episcopal dress and a sword in hand.
St Romulus' feast day had been kept on October 13, the traditional date of his death, as well as on December 22. In the Archdiocese of Genoa his feast day is now celebrated on November 6, together with two more of its early bishops: Saint Valentine of Genoa and Saint Felix of Genoa.
Bl. Martyrs of Astoria during Spanish Civil War
Feastday: November 6
Beatified: Pope John Paul II
The martyrs of the Spanish Civil War are the Catholic Church's term for the people killed by Republicans during the Spanish Civil War for their faith.[1] More than 6,800 clergy and religious were killed in the Red Terror. As of June 2019, 1,915 Spanish martyrs have been beatified; 11 of them being canonized. For some 2,000 additional martyrs, the beatification process is underway.
History
During the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939, and especially in the early months of the conflict, individual clergymen were executed while entire religious communities were persecuted, leading to a death toll of 13 bishops, 4,172 diocesan priests and seminarians, 2,364 monks and friars and 283 nuns, for a total of 6,832 clerical victims, as part of what is referred to as Spain's Red Terror.[2]
Pope John Paul II
See also: 233 Spanish Martyrs
Pope John Paul II beatified 473 martyrs in the years 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2001. Some 233 executed clergy were beatified by John Paul II on 11 March 2001.[3] In 1999 he also canonized a Christian Brother and the nine Martyrs of Turon, the first group of Spanish Civil War martyrs to reach sainthood. Regarding the selection of Candidates, Archbishop Edward Novack from the Congregation of Saints explained in an interview with L'Osservatore Romano: "Ideologies such as Nazism or Communism serve as a context of martyrdom, but in the foreground the person stands out with his conduct, and, case by case, it is important that the people among whom the person lived should affirm and recognize his fame as a martyr and then pray to him, obtaining graces. It is not so much ideologies that concern us, as the sense of faith of the People of God, who judge the person's behavior."[4]
Pope Benedict XVI
See also: 498 Spanish Martyrs
Benedict XVI beatified 530 martyrs in the years 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2011, with the biggest being the 498 Spanish martyrs in October 2007,[5] in the largest beatification ceremony in the history of the Catholic Church.[6] In this group of people, the Vatican has not included all Spanish martyrs, nor any of the 16 priests who were executed by the nationalist side in the first years of the war. This decision has caused numerous criticisms from surviving family members and several political organisations in Spain.[7]
The beatification recognized the extraordinary fate and often brutal death of the persons involved. Some have criticized the beatifications as dishonoring non-clergy who were also killed in the war, and as being an attempt to draw attention away from the church's support of Franco (some quarters of the Church called the Nationalist cause a "crusade").[8] Within Spain, the Civil War still raises high emotions. The act of beatification has also coincided in time with the debate on the Law of Historical Memory (about the treatment of the victims of the war and its aftermath) promoted by the Spanish Government.
Responding to the criticism, the Vatican has described the October 2007 beatifications as relating to personal virtues and holiness, not ideology. They are not about "resentment but ... reconciliation". The Spanish government has supported the beatifications, sending Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos to attend the ceremony.[9] Among those present was Juan Andrés Torres Mora, a relative of one of the martyrs and the Spanish MP who had debated the memory law for PSOE .[10]
The October 2007 beatifications have brought the number of martyred persons beatified by the Church to 977, eleven of whom have been canonized as saints.[6] Because of the extent of the persecution, many more cases could be proposed; as many as 10,000 according to Catholic Church sources. The process for beatification has already been initiated for about 2,000 people.[6]
At 28 October 2007 beatifications, Pope Benedict underscored the call to sanctity for all Christians, saying it was "realistic possibility for the entire Christian people".[11] He also noted, "This martyrdom in ordinary life is an important witness in today's secularized society." [11]
Pope Francis
See also: 522 Spanish Martyrs
Pope Francis beatified 522 martyrs on 13 October 2013, at Tarragona, Spain; among them was Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera from Manila, Philippines, who became the first Filipino martyr of the Spanish Civil War. He also approved additional beatifications for Spanish martyrs that took place for a priest on 1 November 2014 as well as two sets of group martyrs on both 5 September 2015 and 3 October 2015. The pope also approved the beatification of 26 Capuchin martyrs, which took place on 21 November 2015. The beatification for Valentín Palencia Marquina and his four companions took place on 23 April 2016 in Burgos.[12] The beatification for Genaro Fueyo Castañon and his three companions was celebrated in Oviedo on 8 October 2016 and the beatification of José Antón Gómez and 3 companions was celebrated in Madrid on 29 October 2016.[citation needed] The 114 Almerian martyrs were beatified on 25 March 2017, and Antonio Arribas Hortigüela and his six companions were beatified on 6 May 2017 in Girona.[13][14] The beatification of Mateo Casals Mas & 108 companions were beatified in Barcelona on 21 October 2017 and Vicenç Queralt Lloret & 20 companions as well as José Maria Fernández Sánchez & 38 companions were beatified in Madrid on 11 November 2017. The beatification of Teodoro Illera del Olmo & 15 Companions was held on 10 November 2018. The beatification of Ángel Cuartas Cristobal and his 8 companions was held in Oviedo on 9 March 2019 while María Isabel Lacaba Andia and her 13 companions were beatified in Madrid on 22 June 2019.
Individual cases
Martyrs of Turon
Main article: Martyrs of Turon
The martyrs of Turon were a group of eight De La Salle Brothers, and the Passionist priest who was with them, who were executed by striking miners at Turon in October 1934. Although this was nearly two years before the outbreak of the civil war, their deaths were part of the same violence and anti-clerical feeling of that period in Spain's history, and are regarded as martyrs of the Spanish Civil War. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II on 29 April 1990, and were canonized by him on 21 November 1999.
Saint Innocencio of Mary Immaculate
Main article: Innocencio of Mary Immaculate
Saint Innocencio of Mary Immaculate, born Emanuele Canoura Arnau, was a member of the Passionist Congregation and martyr of the Spanish Civil War. Born on 10 March 1887 in Santa Cecelia del Valle de Oro in Galicia, Spain, he died at Turon, with his eight companions, on 9 October 1934. He was beatified on 29 April 1990 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on 21 November 1999.
Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal
Main article: Jaime Hilario Barbal
Jaime Hilario Barbal, born Manuel Barbal Cosán, was raised in a pious and hardworking family near the Pyrenees mountains. Entered the seminary at age 12, but when his hearing began to fail in his teens, he was sent home. Joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools at age 19, entering the novitiate on 24 February 1917 at Irun, Spain, taking the name Jaime Hilario. Exceptional teacher and catechist, he believed strongly in the value of universal education, especially for the poor. However, his hearing problems grew worse, and in the early 1930s, he was forced to retire from teaching, and began work in the garden at the La Salle house at San Jose, Tarragona, Spain. Imprisoned in July 1936 at Mollerosa, Spain when the Spanish Civil War broke out and religious people were swept from the street. Transferred to Tarragona in December, then confined on a prison ship with some other religious. Convicted on 15 January 1937 of being a Christian Brother. Two rounds of volley fire from a firing squad did not kill him, possibly because some of the soldiers intentionally shot wide; their commander then murdered Jaime with five shots at close range. First of the 97 La Salle Brothers killed in Catalonia, Spain during the Spanish Civil War to be recognized as a martyr. He was beatified on 29 April 1990, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on 21 November 1999.
Saint Pedro Poveda
Main article: Pedro Poveda Castroverde
He was a priest, the founder of the Teresian Association and a Martyr of the Spanish civil war. He was beatified on 10 October 1993 and canonized on 4 May 2003.
Passionist Martyrs of Daimiel
They were a group of priests and brothers of the Passionist Congregation killed by Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II on 1 October 1989. Eyewitnesses reported that all of the Passionists had forgiven their murderers before they died. A witness to the murder of Father Niceforo reported that after being shot the priest turned his eyes to heaven then turned and smiled at his murderers. At this point one of them, now more infuriated than ever, shouted:
What, are you still smiling?[15]
With that he shot him at point blank range.
Blessed Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera
Main article: Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera
Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera (Jose Maria of Manila) was born on 5 September 1880 in Manila, Philippines. He was a Franciscan Capuchin priest. He died a martyr on 17 August 1936, in Madrid, Spain, during the Spanish civil war. He is venerated in the Catholic Church, which celebrates his feast on 6 November. He was beatified on 13 October 2013.
Blessed Bartolomé Blanco Márquez
Main article: Bartolomé Blanco
Bartolomé Blanco Márquez was born in Cordoba, Spain in 1914. He was arrested as a Catholic leader—he was the secretary of Catholic Action and a delegate to the Catholic Syndicates—on 18 August 1936. He was executed on 2 October 1936, at age 21, while he cried out, "Long live Christ the King!" Born in Pozoblanco 25 November 1914, Bartolome was orphaned as a child, and raised by family with whom he worked. He was an excellent student, studying under the tutelage of the Salesians.
Blessed Victoria Díez Bustos de Molina
Main article: Victoria Díez Bustos de Molina
She was a religious, the member of the same congregation and also a Martyr of the Spanish civil war. She was beatified on 10 October 1993.
Blessed Pedro Asúa Mendía
Main article: Pedro Asúa Mendía
Pedro was educated by Jesuits. Trained as an architect, graduating in 1915. he worked on schools, churches and houses for religious. He was ordained priest in the diocese of Vitoria, Spain in 1924. He was executed on 29 August 1936. He was beatified on 1 November 2014.
Blessed Mariano Mullerat i Soldevila
Main article: Mariano Mullerat i Soldevila
Mariano was a Spanish Roman Catholic doctor who also served as the mayor for Arbeca from 1924 until March 1930. He died on 13 August 1936. He was beatified on 23 March 2019.
Joan Roig Diggle
Main article: Joan Roig Diggle
Joan was a young layperson of the Archdiocese of Barcelona. He died on 11 September 1936.
