3 Spanish martyrs beatified

September 07, 2015

Three Spanish religious sisters who were slain during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 were beatified as martyrs on September 5.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at the beatification of Sisters Fidela Oller, Josefa Monrabal and Facunda Margenat at the cathedral in Girona, Spain, and noted that “even today, Christians are the most persecuted minority in the world.”

Following his September 6 Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis said that “they were sisters of the Institute of Religious of St. Joseph of Girona, killed for their fidelity to Christ and the Church.”

“Despite threats and intimidation, these women courageously remained where they were to assist the ill, trusting in God,” he added. “May their heroic testimony, to the shedding of their blood, give strength and hope to so many today who are persecuted for their Christian faith. And we know that there are many of these people.”

 

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Further information:

• Ceremonia de beatificación de las hermanas Fidela Oller, Josefa Monrabal y Facunda Margenat (SIC)
• Angelus Domini 2015.09.06 (Vatican YouTube)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Zenit translation
• FacundaFidelaJosefa.org