Three Martyrs of Chimbote


Three Martyrs of Chimbote
Michał, Zbigniew and Alessandro in Catedral of Chimbote
Priests; Martyrs
BornMichał Tomaszek :
23 September 1960
Łękawica, Żywiec, Poland
Zbigniew Adam Strzałkowski :
3 July 1958
Tarnów, Poland
Alessandro Dordi :
23 January 1931
Gromo San Marino, Bergamo, Italy
DiedMichał Tomaszek :
9 August 1991 (aged 30)
Pariacoto, Ancash, Peru
Zbigniew Adam Strzałkowski :
9 August 1991 (aged 33)
Pariacoto, Ancash, Peru
Alessandro Dordi :
25 August 1991 (aged 60)
Riconada, Ancash, Peru
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified5 December 2015, Chimbote, Peru by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Feast
Attributes
Patronage

The Three Martyrs of Chimbote were a group of two Polish Franciscan priests and one Italian missionary priest murdered in Peru in 1991 by the Shining Path communist guerillas. Michał Tomaszek and Zbigniew Adam Strzałkowski, and Alessandro Dordi were murdered on 9 August and 25 August 1991 respectively.[1][2][3]

Both Polish Franciscans dedicated their work to the faithful of Peru in charitable and merciful acts that appealed to their Franciscan charism, taking as their models for their work both Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Maximilian Kolbe. In response to a drought in 1989, the two friars brought with them food from Caritas to cater to the immediate needs of the people. Yet the two also catechized the faithful and preached on various saints, in the process, revitalizing the faith of the Peruvian people.

Dordi served in Peru since 1980 and tended to the social needs of the Peruvian people while assisting with rural development programs and for his esteemed preaching abilities.

Pope Francis gave approval on 3 February 2015 to their beatification after affirming their martyrdom, and the celebration of beatification was celebrated in Peru by Cardinal Angelo Amato on 5 December 2015. A miracle attributed to the three will be required for their eventual canonization.

  1. ^ "Venerable Michal Tomaszek". Saints SQPN. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Venerable Alessandro Dordi". Saints SQPN. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Venerable Zbigniew Adam Strzalkowski". Saints SQPN. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.