Pope Francis Praises Beatification of Six Martyred Cistercian Monks

Pope Francis has praised the beatification of six Cistercian monks who were killed by French soldiers while trying to protect the Eucharist from desecration more than 200 years ago.

The six who included Blessed Siméon Cardon were martyred in Frosinone, Italy in 1799.

The April 17 beautification ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

In his Regina Coeli address on Sunday April 18, Pope Francis said the six were a perfect example of how Christians should commit themselves to God.

“In 1799, when French soldiers, in retreat from Naples, sacked churches and monasteries, these meek disciples of Christ resisted with heroic courage, unto death, to defend the Eucharist from desecration,” the pope said.

“May their example spur us to a greater commitment of fidelity to God, capable of transforming society and making it more just and fraternal.

Addressing pilgrims from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the Pope stressed the significance of the “the Eucharistic banquet” to the Christian faith.

“Eating together the Body of Christ: this is the core of Christian life,” Pope Francis said.

“Being Christian is not first of all a doctrine or a moral ideal; it is a living relationship with Him, with the Risen Lord: we look at him, we touch him, we are nourished by Him and, transformed by his Love, we look at, touch and nourish others as brothers and sisters,” he said.

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