Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate eight decrees: six recognizing the “heroic virtues” of six faithful, including Pope John Paul I; a German Blessed of the 15th century, and two recognizing the martyrdom of a Hungarian diocesan priest in 1957, Father Janos Brenner; and an Italian nun killed in Somalia in 2006, Sister Leonella Sgorbati.
On Wednesday afternoon, November 8, 2017, the Pope received in audience in the Vatican Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of this Dicastery.
So the two martyrs who could ipso facto be beatified soon are:
- Father Janos Brenner, Hungarian diocesan priest, a Cistercian novice before the arrival of Communism (Szombathely, December 27, 1931 – Rabakethely, December 15, 1957);
- Sister Leonella Sgobarti (baptized Rose), Italian nun, a Consolata Missionary (Rezzanello di Gazzola, December 9, 1940 – Mogadishu (Somalia), September 17, 2006, martyred at 65.
The decrees also recognize six faithful who lived human and Christian virtues heroically. They are:
- German Blessed Bernard de Bade, Marquis of Bade (Hohenbaden Castle (Baden-Baden, Germany) 1428/1429 — Moncalieri (Italy), July 15, 1458). He was known for his piety and care of the poor. Many healings took place on his tomb at Moncalieri. He was elevated to the rank of Blessed in 1769. He could be canonized.
- Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani, 1912-1978), Pontiff for 33 days after Paul VI’s death.
- Gregorio Fioravanti (baptized Lodovico), Italian Franciscan priest, Founder of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (1822-1894);
- Tomas Morales Perez, Venezuelan Jesuit who died in Spain, Founder of the secular institutes: Cruzadas and Cruzados of Saint Mary (1908-1994), he was particularly linked to the Fatima message;
- Marcellino da Capradosso (baptized Giovanni Maoloni), Italian Capuchin friar (1873-1909);
- Teresa Fardella, widow of De Blasi, Italian born in the United States, who died in Sicily. She was the Founder of the Poor Sisters, Daughters of Mary Queen (New York, 1867 – Trapani, 1957).
For the five Servants of God to be beatified, a miracle due to their intercession must be recognized. Two cases are currently being examined for John Paul I’s cause.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
JF
