GUADALAJARA, Mexico, SEPT. 2, 2005 (Zenit.org).- A group of 13 martyrs who died during the 1920s religious persecution in Mexico will be beatified Nov. 20 in Guadalajara, announced the archbishop of the diocese.
Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez also announced that Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes, will preside over the Mass.
In July 2004, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See published the decrees of martyrdom of the 13.
Cardinal Martins said during that ceremony that this recognition should be «Their glorification on earth will certainly augment the efficacy of their example and confidence in the power of their intercession before God.»
Among the future blessed are Father José Trinidad Rangel Montaño, of the Diocese of Leon; Spanish-born Father Andrés Solá Molist, Claretian missionary; and layman and celibate Leonardo Pérez Larios.
All three were killed «out of hatred for the faith» on April 25, 1927, in Rancho de San Joaquín.
Another decree recognized the martyrdom of Father Darío Acosta Zurita of the Diocese of Veracruz, killed in Veracruz on July 25, 1931, three months after his ordination.
The Holy See also recognized the martyrdom of Anacleto González Flores, layman, lawyer and father of a family, and of seven other martyred companions. All were killed in 1927-1928. Like Anacleto, three of them were members of Catholic Action of Mexican Youth.
The last decree recognized the martyrdom of José Luis Sánchez del Río, a 14-year-old killed on Feb. 10, 1928.
«To these Servants of God, especially the martyrs, who were victims of religious intolerance and hatred against the Church, we commend the peace of the world,» Cardinal Saraiva Martins said in the presence of the Pope.
