Beatification of Georgia Martyrs
October 31 All day
On January 27, 2025, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree declaring that Spanish missionaries Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez, Miguel de Añón, 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.
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, Saturday, October 31, at 11 a.m. at the Savannah Convention Center, 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.
Registration
There is no cost for the event; however, registration is required for all attendees as we need to know how many people to expect for parking, seating, distribution of Holy Communion, etc. We will not be issuing tickets and there is no reserved seating for the general public.
Transportation
A few parishes/deaneries have expressed an interest in offering mass transportation to Savannah—consult with your parish.
