The priest Valera and 124 Spanish martyrs will be blessed

During the hearing granted to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicasterio of the Causes of the Saints, Pope Leo XIV authorized to promulgate the decrees referring to 124 martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, 50 French martyrs of World War II, the beatification of a Spanish priest and 4 new venerables of Italy and Brazil.

The “Cura Valera”, closer to the altars

The venerable priest Salvador Valera Parra, pastor of Huércal-Overa in Almería (Spain), popularly known as “The priest Valera”, will be proclaimed Blessed after the Holy Father approved a miracle attributed to his intercession.

This diocesan priest was born on February 27, 1816 in Huércal-Overa, within a poor and humble family. Despite the convulsive times due to epidemics and famine, Fr. Valera remained firm in faith.

He stood out especially for his deep humility, simplicity, admirable generosity and dedication to others, even spending nights while taking care of anger patients. In fact, he has been called “The Spanish Ars”.

He never abandoned the faithful of his land, where he died on March 15, 1889 after a priestly delivery life and with a reputation for holiness. His cause of canonization began in 1991 and his remains rest in the parish church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Huércal-Overa.

Leo XIV has authorized the promulgation of the decree on a miracle attributed to its intercession. The extraordinary event occurred in Providence (United States), where a newborn baby, without a pulse and in a critical condition, returned to life after the invocation of the “priest Valera” by the doctor who attended him, originally from Huércal-Overa. The recovery was immediate and complete, without leaving any sequel.

Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

The Pontiff also approved this Friday the martyrdom of the servants of God Manuel Izquierdo, Diocesan priest, and 58 companions of the Diocese of Jaén (Spain), killed in the Spanish Civil War, between 1936 and 1938.

He also approved the martyrdom of the servants of God Antonio Montañés Chiquero, Diocesan priest, and 64 companions of the Diocese of Jaén (Spain), killed during the Spanish Civil War, in which the Church suffered a bloody religious persecution at the hands of the Republican side.

In this way, the “124 martyrs of Jaén”, among which there are 109 priests, a religious and 14 lay people, will be proclaimed blessed.

These Spanish martyrs gave their lives for the love of Christ leaving a deep testimony of faith. Among them is the priest Francisco de Paula Padilla, who delivered his life in exchange for a family father; the doctor and lay Pedro Sandoica, dedicated to the care of the poorest and most vulnerable; and Obdulia Puchol Merino, a widow who built a residence for homeless person.

The martyrdom of 50 French during World War II

Pope Leo XIV has also recognized the martyrdom of the servants of God Raimond Cayré, diocesan priest; Gerard Martin Cendrier, a religious professor of the order of the younger brothers; Roger Vallée, seminarian; Jean Mestre, faithful lying, and 46 companions, killed between 1944 and 1945 for hate to faith during World War II.

In 1940, the north of France was occupied by the Nazis and many citizens were sent to work in Germany. A large number of religious, priests and laity infiltrated incognito to help the French and attend them spiritually in Nazi Germany.

They were therefore tortured and killed, many of them in concentration camps and others were executed after remaining imprisoned.

4 new venerables

Likewise, the Holy Father has approved the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Raffee Mennella, a professor of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts, born on June 22, 1877 in Torre del Greco (Italy) and died there on September 15, 1898.

Also the heroic virtues of the Servant of God João Luiz Pozzobon, Permanent Deacon and Family Father, born on December 12, 1904 in the district of Cachoeira, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), and died in Santa Maria (Brazil) on June 27, 1985;

The Servant of God Teresa Teresa, Baptized as María Olga), a religious professed of the Daughters of Charity of San Vicente de Paúl, born on January 17, 1884 in Revere (Italy) and died on February 23, 1964 in Cagliari (Italy), will also be declared venerable.

Finally, Leo XIV approved the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Anna Fulida Bartolacelli, faithful Laica, of the Association of the Silent Workers of the Cross, born on February 24, 1928 in Rocca Santa Maria (Italy) and died on July 27, 1993 in Formigine (Italy).