The Martyrs of Cuenca and Madrid

In the first two hundred years of the Redemptorists’ existence, the Congregation produced a number of saints and blesseds (four of each), but no martyrs. This changed in the summer of 1936. Social upheaval and civil war in Spain brought anti-religious violence to the Spanish Redemptorist communities of Madrid (Perpetuo Socorro and San Miguel) and Cuenca (San Felipe Neri). Between July and November of 1936, seventeen Redemptorists gave their lives as witnesses to the faith. Their number was made complete at eighteen in May of 1938, with the imprisonment and death of Rev. Pedro Romero Espejo. The Spanish Redemptorist martyrs were beatified in two groups. The six martyrs of Cuenca were beatified in 2013, and the twelve martyrs of Madrid were beatified in 2022. Both groups now share the same annual liturgical memorial on November 6th. May the witness and intercession of these holy men inspire and strengthen us to testify to the faith courageously in our own time.

Cuenca Martyrs

Madrid Martyrs