Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - In the early evening of Saturday 29 October Pope Benedict XVI went down to St Peter’s Basilica to address to those gathered there for the beatification of a group of Spanish martyrs. In his brief address in Spanish the Holy Father said “For us, these new Blessed are living examples of priestly identity and religious consecration. Let us give thanks to God for the great gift of these heroic witnesses of the faith. Blessed Josep Tapies and Blessed Maria de los Angeles, pray for the ecclesial communities of Urgell, Madrid, Mallorca and all Spain! Amen”. The Mass had presided by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints who, charged by the Pope, read out the Holy Father’s apostolic letter announcing that the Servants of God Josep Tàpies and six Companions (priests and martyrs + 1936) and María de los Ángeles Ginard Martí (virgin and martyr 1894-1936,) had been inscribed in the register of the Blessed.
“During the religious persecution in Spain," the Holy Father said in his address to bishops, priests, religious, laity and civil authorities in St Peter’s, "the exemplary group of priests of Urgell gave up their lives for their faithfulness to the priestly ministry, which they carried out with great commitment in the parish communities entrusted to their care. Bearing witness to their priestly condition and forgiving their persecutors, they gave their lives while invoking the King of the Universe... suffered martyrdom in Madrid during the same period of persecution. Totally committed to the Lord in religious life, she dedicated long hours to the adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament, yet without neglecting her service to the community. Thus did she prepare herself to give her life as a supreme expression of love for Christ."
“The saints are demanding of themselves but understanding and patient with others, always ready to forgive” said Cardinal José Saraiva Martins in his homily during the mass. “This we see in the lives of the Blessed Martyrs José Tapies Sirvant and 6 companions and Blessed Martyr Sr María de los Ángeles Ginard Martì who were humble and hardworking servants of others, and who carried the burdens of others … Dearest Brothers and Sisters the world today has more than ever need to understand the great lesson offered by these visible witnesses of Christian love, because only love is credible. For all of us "poor Christians" that we are, our martyrs encourage us to live the Gospel seriously and integrally, making the sacrifices, great and small, normally demanded of Christian life, lived in fidelity to the word and example of Jesus. Martyrs are the most authentic imitators of Jesus in his passion and death. This is why the Church has always seen them as the truest disciples of Jesus, and has honoured their memory and in every age held them up to Christians as examples to imitate”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2005, righe 34, parole 516)
