Martyrs
The Latest
10 little-known facts about the early visionary St. Perpetua and her companion St. Felicity
As the Church celebrates the feast of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity on March 7, here are some interesting things to... Read more
St. Agatha, the early Church martyr who tradition says was visited by St. Peter
Agatha was ruthlessly tortured and martyred under the Roman Emperor Decius in the third century and credited after her death... Read more
The origins of St. Agnes, child saint and martyr
Although not much is known about the life of St. Agnes, there are many stories passed down since her martyrdom... Read more
Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization
Mother Teresa of St. Augustine and her 15 companions, who were guillotined in Paris as they sang hymns of praise,... Read more
St. Thomas the Apostle: more than just a doubter
A closer look at Scripture reveals that there’s a lot more to the story of the apostle who went on... Read more
Joy in Syria: Pope Francis gives ‘green light’ for canonization of ‘Martyrs of Damascus’
The Vatican has announced that eight Franciscan friars and three laymen who were killed for their faith in Syria will... Read more
Cardinal leads Holy Week prayer vigil for recently martyred Christians
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, presided over the vigil... Read more
Vatican hosts veneration of relics of 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya on first feast day
The relics of 21 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS in Libya will be venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday... Read more
The first Mexican-born martyr: a castaway friar who was crucified in Japan
Only 25 when he was killed, San Felipe de Jesus — St. Philip of Jesus — is celebrated Feb. 5... Read more
Today the Church honors 3 groups of martyrs as Christians worldwide continue to face persecution
On Jan. 12, we honor the feast days of several martyrs and groups of martyrs at a time when there... Read more
Report: Over 130 Catholic priests and religious arrested, kidnapped, or murdered in 2023
Throughout 2023, more than 130 Catholic priests and religious were either arrested, kidnapped, or murdered, according to a new report. Read more
St. Stephen: Visiting the spot where the first martyr died
A chapel of one form or another memorializing Stephen’s martyrdom has existed at the site since at least the fifth... Read more
‘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
