First canonisation by Pope Francis- 800 martyrs murdered by Muslim soldiers

When Pope Benedict XVI on 11 February before the cardinals gathered in ordinary consistory announced his resignation in Latin, another statement was missed completely. In the same context, he announced three canonisation and fixed the 12 May as the date  for the solemn act which will be the first canonization of his successor Pope Francis.

The first relates to canonization Antonio Primaldo and 800 companions , who suffered martyrdom together in 1480  in the southern Italian city of Otranto at the hands of Muslim troops after they refused to deny Jesus and convert to Islam.

The second canonization is of Mother Laura Montoya Upegui from Colombia. Mother Laura (1874-1949) is the founder (1914) of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mary Immaculate and St. Catherine of Siena. The Order has branches in many countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Italy and Angola. Mother Laura is now recognized as the first saint of Colombia after she was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala (1878-1963) is also raised to the altars on May 12. The Mexican nun is known as Mother Lupita. In 1901 she founded the Congregation of the Servants of Saint Margaret Mary and the Poor. (SSMMP). The Order has some 150 sisters and is active  in Mexico, Peru, Greece, Iceland and Italy in ministry to the poor. Mother Lupita was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

Source

Cathcon story about Pope Benedict's announcement

More historical details

Comments