On Sunday, October 20, Pope Francis presided over the canonization Mass for 14 new saints. This ceremony marks the 23rd canonization of his pontificate, bringing the total number of saints proclaimed by Pope Francis to 926.
During his homily, Pope Francis highlighted the humility and selflessness of the new saints: “The faith and the apostolate they carried out did not feed their worldly desires and hunger for power but, on the contrary, they made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters.”
Martyrs of Damascus Among the Newly Canonized
Among the 14 new saints are eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites, collectively venerated as “the martyrs of Damascus.” These men were brutally murdered “out of hatred for the faith” in Damascus, Syria, during a night of sectarian violence on July 9-10, 1860. The attackers were members of the Druze, an ethno-religious group in conflict with Christians at the time.
The Druze militia stormed the Franciscan convent, massacring Friar Manuel Ruiz, his companions, and three lay brothers—Francis, Abdel Mohti, and Raphaël Massabki. They refused to renounce their Christian faith or convert to Islam, leading to their deaths by beheading, stabbing, or clubbing.
Two Women Recognized for Their Devotion
Elena Guerra, known as “an apostle of the Holy Spirit,” was one of two women canonized. Born in 1835, she was a spiritual writer and close friend of Pope Leo XIII. Elena also taught St. Gemma Galgani and is remembered for her deep devotion to the Holy Spirit.
Marie-Léonie Paradis, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, was also canonized. Born in 1840 in L’Acadie, Quebec, she dedicated her life to supporting religious communities in educational work, especially in New Brunswick, Canada.
Italian Priest Among the New Saints
Giuseppe Allamano, an Italian priest, was also honored among the new saints. He founded two religious congregations: the Consolata Missionaries for men and the Consolata Missionary Sisters for women, focusing on missionary work and spreading the faith worldwide.
These new saints reflect a diverse and rich history of faith, martyrdom, and dedication to serving others across different times and regions.
Adapted by Jacob Stein
