Martyrs
The Latest
‘I am prepared to die a martyr’: Freed Nigerian monk recounts kidnapping, murder of brother monk
Brother Peter Olarewaju recounts the horrific kidnapping and torture he and other monks suffered, including the murder of a brother... Read more
Pope Francis calls for applause for 20 martyrs of Spanish Civil War beatified in Seville
At Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis called for applause for the 20 martyrs beatified in the Seville cathedral on Nov. 18. Read more
Ukrainian Greek Catholics observe 400th anniversary of St. Josaphat Kuncewycz’s martyrdom
The 17th-century saint is called the “Apostle of Unity” because of his efforts to heal the divide between the churches... Read more
Mexican diocese building new shrine to martyrs of Cristero War
The Archdiocese of Durango in Mexico has begun the construction of a shrine dedicated to the martyrs who offered their... Read more
Who are the Korean martyrs?
On Sept. 20, the Catholic Church remembers the many men, women, and children who died for their faith in Korea. Read more
Vatican to collect stories of Christian martyrs killed since 2000
“To all of them we owe a great debt and cannot forget them,” Pope Francis said. Read more
Pope Francis adds Coptic Orthodox martyrs to liturgical book of saints
After receiving relics of the Coptic martyrs beheaded by ISIS, Pope Francis announced the 21 men will be added to... Read more
Another 140 Spanish laymen, priests martyred for their faith considered for beatification
The diocesan phase of the beatification processes of 140 priests and laymen murdered in Spain during the religious persecution of... Read more
Pope Francis: Conscientious objector Bl. Franz Jägerstätter an example for youth
Pope Francis on Monday invited young people to learn the story of Bl. Franz Jägerstätter, a conscientious objector who was... Read more
Meet the 10 newest blesseds of the Catholic Church
The 10 Elizabethan sisters were murdered by Red Army soldiers in 1945. Read more
Pope Francis praises 'example of faith' of newly beatified Polish nuns martyred in WWII
Sister Paschalis Jahn and nine fellow Elizabethan sisters were beatified Saturday in Wroclaw, Poland. Read more
Catholic priests martyred under Ottoman Empire beatified in Lebanon
Father Leonard Melki and Father Thomas Saleh were martyred in 1915 and 1917 respectively. Read more
Who was Titus Brandsma?
Pope Francis will canonize the World War II martyr in May. Read more
Pope Francis opens special process to canonize 16 Carmelite martyrs of the French Revolution
At the request of the bishops of France and the Order of Carmelites Discalced (OCD), Pope Francis agreed on Feb.... Read more
Pope Francis honors newly beatified El Salvador martyrs for their ‘heroic example’
Father Cosme Spessotto, Father Rutilio Grande, and two lay companions were declared blessed. Read more
Pope Francis recognizes miracle attributed to WWII martyr Bl. Titus Brandsma’s intercession
The decision paves the way for the Dutch Carmelite friar’s canonization. Read more
Poland commemorates anniversary of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko’s martyrdom
The blessed was killed on Oct. 19, 1984. Read more
St José Sánchez del Río's witness highlighted at Mexican Martyrs Shrine statue dedication
At the dedication of the statue of Saint José Sánchez del Río at Guadalajara’s Martyrs Shrine, the city’s archbishop highlighted... Read more
Argentine bishops welcome Vatican recognition of priests' 1683 martyrdom
Bishops in Argentina have welcomed the promulgation of a decree by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that regards... Read more
Relics of first Korean Catholic martyrs identified with DNA testing
The martyrs were among the first of thousands of Catholics to be tortured and executed. Read more
