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The Church will have 12 new blesseds: 11 Spanish martyrs and one Argentinian layman
The Pope authorizes the promulgation of the decrees relating to the upcoming beatification of nine seminarians, a priest and a layman, martyrs during the Spanish Civil War of the last century, and of an Argentine family man, Enrique Ernesto Shaw, businessman, involved in various ecclesial works
On December 18, Pope Leo XIV authorized the promulgation of decrees relating to 12 new blesseds, 11 of whom were martyrs during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s—9 seminarians, a diocesan priest and a layman—and a family man, Enrique Ernesto Shaw, an Argentine businessman who died in 1962, and 3 new venerables—two Italians, Friar Berardo Atonna and Sister Domenica Caterina dello Spirito Santo, and the priest Joseph Panjikaran, from India—whose heroic virtues have been recognized.
The Spanish martyrs
There are eleven Spanish martyrs who were killed between 1936 and 1937 during the violent anti-Christian persecution of that period in Spain, in the territory of the current dioceses of Madrid, Getafe and Alcalá de Henares.
Seminarian Ignacio Aláez Vaquero, arrested for refusing to enlist in the army and preferring to study to become a priest, was murdered along with his father on November 9, 1936. Along with him, the following were recognized as martyrs: Pablo Chomón Pardo, seminarian, and his uncle, priest Julio Pardo Pernía, chaplain of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Ciempozuelos, murdered on August 8, 1936; Antonio Moralejo Fernández-Shaw, seminarian, and his father Liberato Moralejo Juan, who allowed himself to be arrested to defend his son and was murdered alongside him; and also the seminarians Jesús Sánchez Fernández-Yáñez, Miguel Talavera Sevilla, Ángel Trapero Sánchez-Real, Cástor Zarco García —who had to enlist as a reservist and was denounced by some colleagues for his behavior considered too peaceful, was murdered after suffering several humiliations and being forced to dig his own grave—, Mariano Arrizabalaga Español and Ramón Ruiz Pérez, subjected to torture along with about twenty lay people and with them imprisoned and murdered.
All of them were murdered out of hatred for the faith: their martyrdom is rooted in the anti-Catholic climate of those years in Spain. Extensive documentation demonstrates the seminarians’ clear willingness to give their lives for God, aware of the anti-Christian hatred unleashed against members of the Church. By remaining close to their families and friends, without hiding despite the danger, their fame as martyrs spread rapidly and endures to this day.
Enrique Ernesto Shaw
Enrique Ernesto Shaw, born in Paris on February 26, 1921, and later moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, his family’s homeland, will also be beatified. A young man of strong Catholic faith, he joined the Navy and during long periods at sea taught catechism to the sailors.
Called to work in the family business, he committed himself to applying the principles of the Church’s Social Doctrine in the business world, establishing a fraternal relationship of collaboration with all his employees. He married Cecilia Bunge, with whom he had nine children; he joined Catholic Action and the Christian Family Movement, promoting several other associations related to the world of work and publishing lectures, articles, and essays.
In 1961, he was appointed president of the Catholic Action Men’s Association. He died of cancer on August 27, 1961. The miraculous healing of a five-year-old boy, struck in the back of the neck by a horse’s kick on a farm near Buenos Aires on June 21, 2015, is attributed to his intercession. The boy suffered severe cranial and brain damage and underwent several surgeries. On July 15, to the doctors’ surprise, it was discovered that his ventricular system had returned to its normal size. In 2019, the boy was examined by two experts who found him to be in good health, with no significant neurological aftereffects. Today, he leads a normal life.
The Venerables
The heroic virtues of Friar Berardo Atonna and Sister Domenica Caterina dello Spirito Santo, both Italians, and Joseph Panjikaran, an Indian priest, were also recognized. For this reason, they are now Venerable.
Giuseppe Panjikaran, diocesan priest, founder of the Congregation of the “Medical Sisters of Saint Joseph”, born on September 10, 1888, in Uzhuva (India) and died on November 4, 1949, in Kothamangalam (India);
Berardo Atonna (in the world: Giuseppe), professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, born on July 1, 1843, in Episcopio di Sarno (Italy) and died on March 4, 1917, in Naples (Italy);
Domenica Caterina dello Spirito Santo (in the world: Teresa Solari), founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Little House of Divine Providence, born probably on December 8, 1822, in Ne (Italy) and died on May 7, 1908, in Genoa (Italy).
Exaudi Staff
What is Exaudi News? Exaudi News is an international Catholic media outlet that informs, shapes, and transforms daily in Spanish, English, and Italian. Through news, analytical articles, and live broadcasts of the Pope's events, Exaudi seeks to strengthen Christian unity and contribute to the evangelization of the world, always guided by the Church's social doctrine. We work to bring Christian truth and values to every corner of the planet. Help us transform the world with Exaudi! At Exaudi, we believe that evangelization and quality information can change lives. To continue our mission and expand our reach, we need your help. In addition, we are looking for committed people to join our team. With your support, we will reach more people, spread the message of Christ, and strengthen Christian unity. Will you join our mission? For more information on how to collaborate, visit Exaudi.org or contact us directly: [email protected] Exaudi: Informs, educates, and transforms.
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