Five 16th Century Franciscans Receive Catholic Beatification

Five Spanish Franciscan friars were formally declared beatified by the Catholic Church on October 31, 2025, in Savannah, Georgia. The ceremony recognized the men as martyrs for their faith after they were killed in 1597. The beatification is a formal step toward sainthood in the Catholic canonization process.

The five individuals are Friar Pedro de Corpa, Friar Blas Rodriguez de Cuacos, Friar Miguel de Anon, Friar Antonio de Badajoz, and Friar Francisco de Verascola. They arrived in the region in 1593 as part of a Jesuit mission. Their work focused on converting the Guale people, a Native American tribe located along the southeastern coast of the United States.

The friars were killed during a conflict between local leaders. Friar Pedro de Corpa was the first to die, beaten to death by his adopted Guale son. The remaining four friars were killed in a single incident. They were stabbed and beaten while attempting to mediate a dispute. The violence occurred after the friars opposed a baptized Guale leader taking a second wife, a practice that conflicted with Catholic marriage laws.

The beatification ceremony took place at the Savannah Cathedral. Approximately 2,100 attendees participated in the event. The gathering included family members, clergy, and community leaders. The Catholic Church in the United States held the first beatification ceremony in the nation. The event was held in the diocese of Savannah, which has jurisdiction over the southeastern part of the state.

Friar Peter Kafumu, vice rector of St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, traveled to Savannah for the ceremony. He brought a group of six seminary students and the school's musical director. The students are discerning for the priesthood. Kafumu stated that witnessing the event would add value to their discernment process. He noted that the friars were Franciscans and that their story is relevant to the students' formation.

Kafumu said the group felt a deep connection to the friars because of their shared religious order. He described the event as a historical moment that was previously inaccessible to the students. He noted that the beatification is not a church event but a historical one. He explained that the young men could see the process and understand the steps involved in recognizing a martyr.

The five friars are now known as the Blessed Georgia Martyrs. They are the first group of Native American and Spanish missionaries to be beatified in the United States. The process of beatification requires proof of martyrdom and a formal investigation by the diocese. The diocese of Savannah submitted the documentation to the Vatican. The Vatican approved the beatification in a decree issued in 2024.

The ceremony included readings and prayers. A musical performance was part of the service. The students from St. Lawrence Seminary participated in the music. The event concluded with a blessing. The five men will be venerated as saints in the Catholic Church. Their feast day is not yet set. The beatification allows for the public veneration of the five friars and the celebration of their lives.