New Blesseds in the Capuchin Order

Today is the great day for the Capuchin Order as 33 new blesseds will be declared in Spain. Its a proud moment for all of us. Br. Mauro, General minister is participating in the ceremony along with many Capuchin Friars.

The following is the part of General's circular letter. I am reproducing it.

On October 13, 2013 in Tarragona, in a celebration that will be large because of both the number of blesseds - more than four hundred - and its reach, involving more than thirty Spanish dioceses and twenty-fi ve Orders and religious Congregations, thirty-three Capuchin friars, victims of the Spanish Civil War killed in odium fi dei during the years 1936-1937, will also be declared blessed.

The Beatification of Br. Andrew of Palazuelo and that of his thirty-two companion martyrs calls to mind the tragic and unfortunate events of the Spanish Civil War during the years 1936-1937. It is recent history, recalling the ferocity of a fratricidal hatred that, in the name of totalitarian ideology, claimed somany innocent victims and continues to cast, in our own time, a hulking and menacing shadow. How is it possible - we will continue to ask ourselves - for human beings to arrive at such brutality against their own? How is it possible that this story, hate between Christians in particular, persists down to our day? Is it that the word of Jesus might be fulfi lled, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (John 15: 18, 20)? Our brothers were killed because they were religious and represented a reality, that of the Christian faith, that some wanted to eliminate from the face of the earth. Their memory is a reminder and encouragement to remain steadfast in a faith that calls for witness even where it is threatened and challenged. May the intercession of these our Blessed brothers sustain us as we now get to know them in greater depth.

The long list of Capuchin martyrs that begins with Br. Andrew of Palazuelo, killed July 31, 1936, was formed by the unifi cation of six diocesan inquiries. The list follows, arranged by the dioceses where the inquiries were made and indicating the day on which each of the martyrs was killed.

Madrid:

Br. Andrew of Palazuelo † 31 July 1936

Br. Fernando de Santiago † 12 August 1936

Br. José Maria de Manila † 17 August 1936

Br. Ramiro de Sobradillo † 27 November 1936

Br. Aurelio de Ocejo † 17 August 1936

Br. Saturnino de Bilbao † 26 August 1936

Br. Alejandro de Sobradillo † 16 August 1936

Br. Gregorio de la Mata † 27 August 1936

Br. Carlos de Alcubilla † 15 January 1937

Br. Gabriel de Aróstegui † 23 August 1936

Br. Primitivo de Villamizar † 20 May 1937

Br. Norberto Cembronos de Villalquite † 23 September 1936

Oviedo:

Br. Bernardo de Visantoña † 14 August 1936

Br. Arcángel de Valdavida † 14 August 1936

Br. Ildefonso de Armellada † 14 August 1936

Br. Domitilo de Ayoó † 14 August 1936

Br. Alejo de Terradillos † 14 August 1936

Br. Eusebio de Saludes † 14 August 1936

Br. Eustaquio de Villalquite † 14 August 1936

Malaga:

Br. Ángel de Cañete La Real † 6 August 1936

Br. Luis de Valencina † 3 August 1936

Br. Gil Del Puerto de Santa María † 6 August 1936

Br. Ignacio de Galdácano † 6 August 1936

Br. José de Chauchina † 6 August 1936

Br. Crispín de Cuevas Alta † 6 August 1936

Br. Pacífi co de Ronda † 7 August 1936

Br. Eloy de Orihuela † 7 November 1936

Br. J. Crisóstomo de Gata de Gorgos † 25 December

1936

Br. Honorio de Orihuela † 2 December 1936

Oriuhel:

Br. Eloy de Orihuela † 7 November 1936

Br. J. Crisóstomo de Gata de Gorgos † 25 December 1936

Br. Honorio de Orihuela † 2 December 1936

Santander:

Br. Ambrosio de Santibáñez † 27 December 1936

Br. Miguel de Grajal † 29/30 December 1936

Br. Diego de Guadilla † 29/30 December 1936