Pope Leo XIV has advanced several causes for canonization, highlighting the witness of martyrdom, sacrificial love, and heroic virtue within the life of the Church. During a recent audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Holy Father authorized the promulgation of decrees that recognize the sanctity of men and women who lived the Gospel with fidelity, even to the point of death.
Among the most striking developments is the recognition of the martyrdom of 49 Spanish Catholics who were killed during the civil war in the 1930s. These Servants of God include Stanislao Ortega García, born Lorenzo, along with 48 companions from the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Saint Gabriel, as well as the diocesan priest Emanuel Berenguer Clusella. They were put to death between July and November of 1936 in various parts of Catalonia, amid a period marked by intense religious persecution. Their deaths were inflicted in hatred of the faith, confirming their witness as true martyrs who remained steadfast in their devotion to Christ and His Church.
The Holy Father also recognized the offering of life of Pietro Emanuele Salado Alba, a layman associated with the community known as Hogar de Nazaret. Born in Spain in 1968, he later died in Ecuador in 2012. His life stands as a testimony to the Gospel lived in the lay vocation, demonstrating that holiness is not confined to religious life but is fully attainable in the ordinary circumstances of the world. The recognition of his offering reflects the Church’s understanding that sanctity often unfolds through quiet fidelity and self-giving love.
In addition, Pope Leo XIV approved the recognition of heroic virtue in the lives of three women whose dedication to God took shape in religious life.
Maria Eletta of Jesus, a Discalced Carmelite born in Italy in 1605, lived a life of deep prayer and contemplation before her death in Prague in 1663. Her witness reflects the enduring strength of the Carmelite tradition, rooted in silence, sacrifice, and union with God.
Maria Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity, born in the Netherlands in 1897, served as a member of the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus. Her life, though brief, was marked by profound devotion and service, culminating in her death in St. Louis in 1926.
Likewise, Maria Raffaella De Giovanna, founder of the Tertiary Minim Sisters of Saint Francis of Paola, dedicated her life to building a religious community grounded in humility and charity. Born in Genoa in 1870, she remained there until her death in 1933, leaving behind a legacy of faithful service.
These decrees represent meaningful progress in the journey toward canonization for each of these Servants of God. They also serve as a reminder to the faithful that holiness takes many forms. Whether through martyrdom, consecrated life, or the hidden sacrifices of daily living, the call to sanctity remains universal.