The solemn ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 18, and will be presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Spain – Seville (09/03/2022 17:03, Gaudium Press) The Cathedral of Seville, Spain, will be the stage for the beatification of 27 Dominican martyrs. Pope Francis already approved these beatifications in December 2019, only postponed because of the pandemic.
The solemn ceremony is scheduled for June 18. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, will preside over it accompanied by the Archbishop of Seville, Most Rev. José Ángel Saiz Meneses and Friar Gerard Timoner, O.P., Master of the Order of Preachers.
Priest Martyrs
The future new Blessed were killed for their Faith between the summer of 1936 and the beginning of 1937. During the years preceding the Spanish Civil War, a strong religious persecution began. Thousands of religious, priests and laypeople were assassinated out of hatred for the Faith.
Among the new martyrs, there are 20 priests of the Convent of the Assumption in Almagro (Spain), expelled from the convent, imprisoned in a house, and martyred in Almagro and nearby towns between July and August 1936. Their relics will be transferred to Seville and venerated in the church of Santo Tomás.
A journalist and a nun
Fructuoso Pérez Márquez, a well-known journalist, director of “La Independencia” and contributor to various national newspapers, will also be beatified.
The list of new Blessed includes the name of a Dominican nun, Sr. Ascensión de San José, who lived in the Mother of God Monastery of Huéscar, tortured and murdered in February 1937, at the age of 76. She will be the second Dominican nun beatified in Spain up to date.
300 Dominicans blessed
Marking the occasion, the Dominicans of Spain launched a website showcasing complete information about the beatification process and the life story of the future Blesseds.
Along its 800 years of existence, the Order of Preachers has 300 beatified members. Now, 27 new martyrs will be added to the list as a model and example for all Catholics. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
