Fr. Claude Franklin recently gave a talk on Maronite Martyrs, specifically: Saint Shmouni and Her Seven sons; Saint Nourha; The Three Hundred and Fifty Maronite Martyrs; and The Three Massabki Martyrs.
Watch Bishop Gregory Mansours discussion about the lives of the Blessed Massabki Brothers, who will be canonized as Maronite saints. Connect with their inspirational lives of service and martyrdom.
The Pope approved the “favorable votes of the Ordinary Session of the Cardinals and Bishops for the canonization of Blessed Emanuele Ruiz and 7 Companions, of the Order of Friars Minor, and Francesco, Abdel Mooti, and Raffaele Massabki, Lay Faithful, killed in hatred of the Faith in Damascus (Syria) between July 9 and 10, 1860.”
1. The Blessed Lay Brothers, the Martyrs Francis, Abdul-Mooti and Raphael Massabki, from Damascus, who in their lives gave a wonderful testimony of their faith, and then sealed it with the testimony of their blood on the night of 9-10 July 1860, preferring death over the denial of Christ, are braiding upon the head of our Maronite Church a new crown of glory.
His Holiness Pope Francis has kindly accepted the petition to count them among the saints, in his interview with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on the morning of Saturday, December 17, 2022.