Pope Francis has officially advanced the causes of five individuals on the path to sainthood, marking a significant moment for the universal Church. The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints promulgated the decrees on March 28, approving the canonization of three blesseds and furthering the recognition of two other holy individuals.
According to a Holy See Press Office announcement, “Blessed Peter To Rot of Papua New Guinea, Blessed Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan of Turkey, and Blessed María Carmen of Venezuela will be proclaimed saints of the Church.” Additionally, Pope Francis approved the beatification of Italian diocesan priest Carmelo De Palma and declared Brazilian priest José Antônio de Maria Ibiapina a “venerable” of the Church.
The First Canonized Saint of Papua New Guinea
Blessed Peter To Rot, a lay catechist, will become the first canonized saint from Papua New Guinea. To Rot was born on March 5, 1912, and remained steadfast in his faith despite persecution during World War II. According to Vatican sources, “Beatified by St. John Paul II during his apostolic journey to the Oceania nation on Jan. 17, 1995, To Rot is recognized by the Church as a defender of Christian marriage and a faithful catechist who continued his ministry until his death in prison.”
His martyrdom has inspired devotion throughout the Pacific region, including the Solomon Islands and Australia, where his legacy continues to impact the faithful.
A Martyr for the Armenian People
Blessed Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan, an Armenian Catholic archbishop, was martyred in 1915 during the Armenian Genocide. Born on April 19, 1869, he was ordained in Lebanon in 1883 and later became Archbishop of Mardine in 1911.
According to Vatican records, “Following the great persecution of Armenians in the country with the outbreak of World War I, Maloyan, alongside other priests and Christian faithful, were executed by Turkish officers in June 1915 after refusing to convert to Islam.” St. John Paul II beatified Maloyan on October 7, 2001, recognizing his deep devotion to Scripture and his courage in the face of persecution.
Venezuela’s First Canonized Saint
Blessed María Carmen Rendíes Martínez will be Venezuela’s first canonized saint. Born in Caracas on August 11, 1903, she dedicated her life to serving the Church through the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1946, she co-founded the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus in Venezuela, helping to spread devotion to the Eucharist through education and parish ministry.
Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to her intercession: “the healing of a woman diagnosed with idiopathic triventricular hydrocephalus.” This miraculous healing was a decisive factor in her path to sainthood, affirming her legacy of faith and service to the Church.
Further Advancements in Sainthood Causes
In addition to these canonizations, Pope Francis has also recognized the heroic virtue of José Antônio de Maria Ibiapina, an influential Brazilian priest, and approved the beatification of Italian priest Carmelo De Palma. These recognitions highlight the universal call to holiness within the Church and the diverse ways in which individuals have lived out their faith.
The Vatican has announced that the canonization ceremonies of Blessed Peter To Rot and Blessed Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan will be discussed in an upcoming consistory. As these holy individuals are formally recognized as saints, they serve as powerful witnesses to the Catholic faith, inspiring the faithful worldwide.
As the Church prepares to celebrate these canonizations, Catholics are invited to reflect on the lives of these holy men and women and to seek their intercession. Their witness to Christ’s love and truth remains a beacon of hope for the Church today.
