Martyrs of the Vincentian Family in Spain on path the canonization.
They are referred to as: FATHER JOSÉ MARÍA FERNÁNDEZ SANCHEZ AND THIRTY-EIGHT COMPANIONS
On March 23rd, 2017, The Holy Father, Pope Francis authorized the publication of the following decree
This group of martyrs of the Vincentian family is composed of thirty-three members of the Congregation of the Mission, seventeen of whom are priests and sixteen are Brothers. This process was initiated in November 1960 by ecclesiastical authorities 1960 and now we must complete this process by adapting it to the new canonical norms.
To this group of thirty-three religious, we have joined six laymen, Knights of the Miraculous Medal, members of a lay group who nourished their faith under the maternal gaze of the Virgin at the Basilica in Madrid. Those individuals were formed in the school of St. Vincent de Paul, lived with the Vincentian martyrs, participated in their apostolic and charitable mission and, like them, were victims of a ferocious religious persecution that sought to exterminate the Church in Spain.
I must state here that they were not the only members of the Association who gave their lives in defense of the faith. These six have been selected from a list that was made by the administrators of the Basilica in 1939 and because reliable official documentation is available, stating with names and surnames that they were taken prisoner and murdered for the sole reason of serving in positions of leadership in the aforementioned Marian Congregation. In addition, we have direct testimony from among their relatives and friends. It is a beautiful page in the history of the Church and the Vincentian Family, and therefore, we want to approach this with respect and devotion, convinced that their example and their intercession will help us overcome the temptations of mediocrity and lack of hope that Constantly threaten us.
In 1936, the Congregation of the Mission had five communities dedicated to the Institute’s various ministries in the Diocese of Madrid, which ministries included preaching the Gospel and Christian morality during popular missions, authentic spiritual renewal in the parishes; ministering to the Daughters of Charity; public worship, the celebration of sacraments, especially the Eucharist and penance and service in all their parishes; a unique organization of charity and the promotion of the needy, through the Associations of the laity.
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
