Yesterday, Sunday the 22nd, the liturgy, with the solemnity of Corpus Christi, celebrated the English martyrs Thomas MoreLord Chancellor of England, and John FisherBishop and Cardinal. In addition, the Pope has authorized the promulgation of new decrees of beatification of Spanish and French people.
In the framework of the Jubilee of Rulers, celebrated on the 21st and 22nd at the Vatican, Leo XIV entrusted them to St. Thomas More. His "willingness to sacrifice his life rather than betray the truth makes him a martyr for freedom and for the primacy of conscience," the Pontiff noted.
Indeed, in 1534, English citizens were required to swear an oath to the Act of Succession. It recognized the union of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn as a marriage. And it proclaimed the king supreme head of the Church of England, denying the Pope all authority.
John FisherBishop of Rochester, and Thomas MoreThe two men, Chancellor of the Kingdom, refused to swear the Act, and were imprisoned and beheaded in 1535. Both were faithful to their faith to martyrdom, and are also venerated by the Anglican Church.
Martyrs in France and Spain
At the audience On Friday, Pope Leo XIV gave the green light to some decrees granted to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Among them, those concerning 124 martyrs of the diocese of Jaen (Spain), killed between 1936 and 1938, in hatred of the faith. Also regarding 50 French martyrs of the years 1944 and 1945.
June 23rd, St. Joseph Caffaso
The Church celebrates on June 23, among other saints and blessed, the Italian St. Joseph Cafasso. In 1924, Pope Pius XI approved the miracles for the canonization of St. John Mary Vianney and the decree of authorization for the beatification of Don Cafasso. According to the Salesian websitePius XI said: "Not without a special and beneficent disposition of the Divine Goodness, we have witnessed the birth of new stars on the horizon of the Catholic Church. The parish priest of Ars and the venerable servant of God Giuseppe Cafasso".
