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Venerable Servants of God Pedro de Corpa and Companions

Georgia Martyrs to be Beatified October 31, 2026


Media Contact
Jill Parks, Managing Director of Communications
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912-201-4051

 

Savannah, GA — The Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah, is pleased to announce that the beatification of the Venerable Servants of God Pedro de Corpa and his Four Companions – commonly known as the Georgia Martyrs – will take place on All Hallows Eve (October 31) 2026 in Savannah, GA. Cardinal Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, will represent the Holy Father as Papal Legate and preside over the beatification liturgy. Out of the handful of beatifications to occur on American soil, this will be the first in Georgia and the first in the South. Details regarding the ceremony and associated events are forthcoming.

“Their beatification will be a date of great significance for the faithful within the Diocese of Savannah and the Archdiocese of Atlanta,” said Bishop Parkes. “The year is also noteworthy, as these Franciscan friars will be declared ‘Blessed’ while the Catholic Church honors the 800th anniversary of the death of their order’s founder, St. Francis of Assisi, in 1226.”

On January 27, 2025, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the Decree declaring that Spanish missionaries Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez, Miguel de Añon, Antonio de Badajóz, and Francisco de Veráscola were true martyrs for Christ, killed in odium fidei ("hatred of the faith") on what is now the coast of Georgia in September 1597.

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Related Stories:

Franciscan Friars Welcome the Announcement of the Beatification of the Georgia Martyrs
Cardinal Frank Leo to Represent Pope Leo XIV at Beatification Rite of the Georgia Martyrs

 

Ven. Servants of God Pedro de Corpa and Companions, pray for us!

Traveling Exhibit

A traveling, museum-style exhibit on the Georgia Martyrs is available for use by your parish, school, or organization. Please contact the Catholic Pastoral Center at 912-201-4046 for more information.

Martyrs' Prayer

Please pause and consider a prayer intention

O Lord Jesus Christ, reward the
apostolic zeal of Friar Pedro de Corpa
and his four companion friars,
Blas, Miguel, Antonio and Francisco,
who labored for the spiritual well-being
of the native Guale people of Georgia
and gave their lives in witness
to the Christian faith.
Through their merits and intercession,
graciously grant the favor
I humbly ask of You,
so that, for the glory of Your Name,
their heroic sacrifice may be officially recognized by the Church.

Oración

Haga una pausa y reflexione en una intención de oración.

O Señor Jesucristo, recompensa
el celo apostólico de Fray Pedro de Corpa
y sus cuatro compañeros,
Blas, Miguel, Antonio y Francisco,
quienes trabajaron por el bienestar espiritual
del pueblo indígena Guale de Georgia,
y entregaron su vida en testimonio
de la fe cristiana.
Por sus méritos e intercesión,
concédeme el favor
que humildemente te pido,
para que así su heroico sacrificio
pueda ser oficialmente reconocido por la Iglesia
para la gloria de Tu Santo Nombre.

Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah

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