Decrees Open the Way for 43 to Be Beatified

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 20, 2005 (ZENIT.org).- Benedict XVI has authorized the Congregation for Sainthood Cause to publish the decrees of acknowledgment of martyrdom or of miracles which open the door to 43 beatifications.

Among them are 34 martyrs of the religious persecution that took place in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.

On Monday, during a private audience granted to Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Vatican congregation, the Pope also authorized the publication of the decrees that recognize the heroic virtues of eight other people.

One of the decrees acknowledged the martyrdom of 22 Friars Minor (Franciscans).

Other martyrs to be beatified include Antero Mateo García, a father and member of the Third Order of St. Dominic (1875-1936) and 11 fellow martyrs, men and women, of the Second and Third Order of St. Dominic.

The remaining future blessed are not martyrs; they will need a miracle attributed to their intercession in order to be canonized as saints.

Among these is Augustin Thevarparampil, an Indian priest of the Eparchy of Palai who dedicated himself to the "untouchable" caste.

The other future blessed are six Italians (three priests, a founder and two women religious), a Dutch priest missionary in Brazil, and a German founder.

The promulgated decrees refer to the causes listed here.

Miracles

-- Luigi Boccardo, Italian, priest of the archdiocese of Turin, founder of the Order of Sisters of Christ the King, a contemplative branch of the Poor Sisters of San Gaetano (1861-1936).

-- Luigi Monza, Italian, priest of the Archdiocese of Milan, founder of the Secular Institute of the Little Apostles of Charity (1898-1954).

-- Mose Tovini, Italian, priest of the Diocese of Brescia (1877-1930).

-- Augustin Thevarparampil, known as "Kunjachan," Indian, priest of the Eparchy of Palai (1891-1973).

-- Eustaquio Van Lieshout, Dutch, professed priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Picpus). He died in Brazil (1890-1943).

-- Maria Teresa of Jesus, born Maria Scrilli, Italian, founder of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Carmel (1825-1889).

-- Maria Teresa of St. Joseph, born Anna Maria Tauscher van den Bosch, German, founder of the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. She died in the Netherlands (1855-1938).

-- Maria of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, born Grazia Tarallo, Italian, of the Institute of Crucified Sisters Adorers of the Holy Eucharist (1866-1912).

-- Elijah de St. Clement, born Teodora Fracasso, Italian, professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (1901-1927).

Martyrs

-- Víctor Chumillas Fernández, Spanish, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1902-1936), and 21 companions, of the same Order of St. Francis.

-- Antero Mateo García, Spanish, husband and father, of the Third Order of St. Dominic (1875-1936), and 11 companions of the Second and Third Orders of St. Dominic.

Heroic virtues

-- Blessed Simon of Lipnica, Polish, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1440-1482), whose cult was confirmed by the Holy See in 1685.

-- Blessed Camilla Battista Varano, Italian, professed nun of the Order of Poor Clares (1458-1524) whose cult was confirmed by the Holy See in 1843.

-- Carlo Bascape, named at birth Giovanni Francesco, Italian, of the Congregation of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, bishop of Novara (1550-1615).

-- Massimo Rinaldi, Italian, of the Congregation of Missionaries of St. Charles, bishop of Rieti (1869-1941).

-- Paul Josef Nardini, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family (1821-1862).

-- Eustachius Kugler, German, professed religious of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God (1867-1946).

-- Isabella De Rosis, Italian, founder of the Congregation of Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart (1842-1911).

-- Josefa Segovia Moron, first director of the Teresian Institute (1891-1957).