Martyrs

The Latest

Fr. Jacques Hamel.

Moved by priest's martyrdom, French businessman returns to the faith

Oct 10, 2017

Patrick Canac was baptized, but like so many others, drifted away from the Church over time.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Casa Santa Marta on April 11, 2016.

Pope Francis beatifies two Colombian martyrs

Sep 8, 2017

During Mass in Colombia on Friday, Pope Francis beatified two martyrs from the country, both of whom were killed in... Read more

Pope Francis.

Who are the martyrs Pope Francis will beatify in Colombia?

Jul 28, 2017

By Elise Harris

During his six-day visit to Colombia in September, Pope Francis will beatify martyrs Bishop Jesús Emilio Jaramillo Monsalve and Fr.... Read more

A year after his murder, Fr. Jacques Hamel remembered

Jul 25, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

One year after the brutal killing of Fr. Jacques Hamel, French bishops recalled the beautiful example of the man who... Read more

Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni, who was killed for the faith June 3, 2007 in Mosul, is seen with a group of young adults. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

This priest and three companions were killed for the faith in Iraq

Jun 9, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

When Fr. Ragheed Aziz Ganni was confronted by armed men after celebrating the Eucharist at his Chaldean Catholic parish in... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday 2015.

Who conquers the devil's hatred? God's new martyrs, Pope says

Apr 22, 2017

By Elise Harris

The devil’s hatred for Christ and for our redemption is the root cause of all persecution since the beginnings of... Read more

Joseph Mayr-Nusser.

This man was killed for defying Hitler – and now he's been beatified.

Mar 21, 2017

By Mary Farrow

Italian layman Joseph Mayr-Nusser who refused to take the Hitler oath was beatified March 18 in his home town of... Read more

Fr Rother.

Fr. Stanley Rother, first US-born martyr, to be beatified in September

Mar 13, 2017

Father Stanley Rother, the Oklahoma-born martyr who served as a priest in Guatemala, will be beatified in Oklahoma City on... Read more

Samurai.

Samurai martyr beatified in Japan

Feb 8, 2017

A 17th century Catholic Samurai and martyr was beatified during a Mass in ‎Osaka, Japan on Tuesday.  Read more

Pope Francis and the cross at the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

Pope: MidEast Christians reflect heroism of St. Stephen

Dec 26, 2016

Pope Francis has said the heroic martyrdom of St. Stephen is mirrored in the persecution of modern-day Christians, particularly in... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in memory of Fr. Jacques Hamel Sept. 14, 2016.

Pope Francis: 'killing in the name of God is satanic'

Sep 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Referencing the recent murder of French priest Fr. Jacques Hamel, Pope Francis said the persecution of Christians happening today, under... Read more

Sister Sally speaks at the Jubilee for Workers of Mercy and Volunteers.

Only sister to survive Yemen attack: despite danger, 'we chose to stay'

Sep 3, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

A year before a March 4 attack killed four sisters, the Missionaries of Charity opted not to leave, but to... Read more

Nun who escaped with her life talks about ISIS attack in France

Jul 27, 2016

Sister Danielle, one of the religious who was held hostage by ISIS at a church in France, was able to... Read more

The body of Saint Maria Goretti is venerated by the faithful at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Photo by George Martell/Archdioese of Boston via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0).

Saint Maria Goretti calls us to be 'witnesses of forgiveness'

Jul 6, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has marked the feast of the young martyr St. Maria Goretti by calling the faithful to follow her... Read more

Saints, martyrs and the cross – Archbishop Gomez on true freedom

Jul 5, 2016

As church leaders rallied U.S. Catholics to defend their faith against an increasingly antagonistic society and government, the relics of... Read more

St. Thomas More. Public domain.

Now touring America: two English saints who died for their faith

Jun 21, 2016

A relic tour currently taking place in the United States highlights the virtues of two English saints who stood up... Read more

They died for the faith: 115 Spanish Catholics recognized as martyrs

Jun 14, 2016

Pope Francis has officially recognized 115 Catholics who were killed during the Spanish Civil War out of hatred of the... Read more

Trevi fountain.

Trevi Fountain in Rome to be dyed red for Christian martyrs

Apr 20, 2016

On April 29, the Trevi Fountain, one of the most popular and emblematic tourist spots in Rome, will be dyed... Read more