"These martyrs died in terrible conditions [...]. Amidst this suffering, their extraordinary example of devotion is priceless," says Father Bernard Ardura. He is the postulator for the cause of canonization of the 50 French citizens killed by the Nazi regime during World War II, recognized as martyrs by the Catholic Church on June 20, 2025.
In this interview with I.MEDIA, the French priest, former president of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, tells us of these “Martyrs of the Apostolate,” who could be beatified in Paris at the end of the year.
“Martyrs of the apostolate”
Why do we give these martyrs the title “martyrs of the apostolate"?
Fr. Bernard Ardura: We need to look at the historical background of these martyrs. During World War II, prisoners of war were theoretically covered by the Geneva Convention, which guaranteed them the right to have chaplains. But about 300,000 young French people were in a special situation: They were sent to Germany as laborers, thanks to collusion between the Vichy regime and the Nazis.
As part of this Compulsory Work Service, these young people, aged between 19 and 25, were enlisted for at least two years to contribute to the war effort, particularly in the metallurgical industry. They received a symbolic wage and two weeks' vacation per year. However, it was impossible to give them spiritual assistance because they weren’t protected by the Geneva Convention.
French bishops, in particular Cardinal Emmanuel Suhard (1874-1949), Archbishop of Paris, and Father Jean Rodhain, founder of Secours Catholique, took up the cause of these young people. They set up what they called “the St. Paul Mission,” which consisted of sending priests, seminarians, religious, Catholic Action activists, and scouts to carry out apostolic work among the young deported workers. These volunteers knew when they left that they were going without any protection, to carry out clandestine apostolic work.
Things got worse when, on December 3, 1943, the Kaltenbrunner Order was issued, which was nothing less than a decree of persecution. It called for the elimination of all those who carried out religious activities among young French civilian workers.
From that moment on, everything these missionaries did was punishable by death. Their activities were considered anti-German, even though they were only helping in various ways, bringing the sacraments, encouraging some and supporting others. That’s why we speak of the “martyrdom of the apostolate.”
Their martyrdom: an experience of Calvary
These 50 martyrs died in various states of Germany. In the same way that their lives are linked by a common apostolate, are there similarities in their deaths?
Fr. Ardura: According to the technical term, they all died “as a result of the suffering associated with imprisonment.” Some were executed, some even massacred, many were tortured. Others died because typhus was raging and they weren’t treated. Or worse: Those who were infected were put in the “infirmary” and the so-called Nazi doctors carried out “experiments” to see how the disease spread.
Some lost their lives during the “death march.” As the Allies advanced, the Germans emptied the labor camps and sent the prisoners away, mostly on foot. Anyone who fell along the way was immediately killed.
These martyrs died in terrible conditions; they experienced Calvary. Amidst this suffering, their extraordinary example of dedication is priceless.
A representative group among many
In the decree of the dicastery for the Causes of Saints, four names are mentioned: Father Raymond Cayré (1915-1944), Franciscan friar Gérard Martin Cendrier (1920-1944), seminarian Roger Vallée (1920-1944), and layman Jean Mestre (1924-1944) and their 46 companions. Do these four people have a special history?
Fr. Ardura: Initially, the decision was made not to include any names. We did not want any names to be singled out, since they are all one. But in the meantime, the practice of the dicastery has changed.
So we came up with this system: We chose the names of those who died first in each of the four categories that make up the group — diocesan priests, religious, seminarians, and lay people. So we mention these four names and their 46 companions.
Could there have been more than 50 martyrs in this case?
Fr. Ardura: There are certainly dozens and dozens of others. Bishop Charles Mollette stopped at 51, otherwise the cause would have lasted another half-century. It was a conscious choice.
Did you say 51? Did one of them disappear during the trial?
Fr. Ardura: There was previously another, Marcel Callo (1921-1945), in this collective cause. At the time, the Archbishop of Rennes didn’t want to wait for all the other cases and removed him from the group. He was consequently already beatified in 1987.
Stand-out cases
What testimonies particularly struck you during the investigation? Is there a figure among these 50 martyrs who particularly touches you?
Fr. Ardura: There are some extremely interesting cases. For example, one of them had returned to France for a 14-day vacation, and his family and friends begged him to stay. “No, I will never abandon my comrades,” he replied.
This boy was engaged, and his fiancée always lived with his memory. She died a few years ago without ever marrying. Here we see the price of love.
There are some absolutely magnificent testimonies. The oldest of these martyrs, the Jesuit Victor Dillard (1897-1945), wrote in his diary in September 1943: "I have no difficulty with death; I see nothing I need to detach myself from. My life has been given once and for all. That it has not yet been taken is a matter of chance, or rather a grace. [...] Do not burden your existence with premonitions and fears. The Master instructs me and guides me. I will let him do as he will, even if it is his will to lead me down a difficult path."
No direct connection to the persecution of Jews
What is the symbolic and spiritual significance of the fact that Catholics died under the Nazi regime, which also persecuted Jews in the camps? Were Jewish theologians or historians consulted or involved in the reflection on this cause?
Fr. Ardura: In the direct testimonies we have, the martyrs do not speak of the Jews because they were not in the Jewish camps. The Germans had clearly separated the two. They wanted to prevent information about what was happening in the context of the Holocaust from spreading. When the Allies arrived, the workers were sent to Dachau, but they never got there.
On the other hand, the cause of these martyrs is very specific: Kaltenbrunner's Order specifically targeted the Catholic Church and Catholic priests. In the Reich at that time, there was an awareness that the Catholic Church was the most determined and opposed to Nazi ideology.
Next steps in their cause
The recognition of their martyrdom by Rome now paves the way for the beatification of these 50 martyrs. Are the date and place of this celebration already known?
Fr. Ardura: Since everything was concentrated in Paris for the diocesan trial, it was decided long ago that the beatification would take place at Notre Dame Cathedral. The date has not been set — nothing could be decided before the Pope's approval — but there was talk of beatifying them during the fourth quarter of 2025. This is the Jubilee year and also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
For the process to continue towards canonization, a “miracle” attributed to their intercession must now be recognized. Have any miracles already been presented and submitted for study?
Fr. Ardura: No, but there will certainly be some. I think they’re figures who speak volumes and who will speak to many young people — because they’re all young. The youngest was 19 when he left. They had hearts of extraordinary generosity. They’re all examples of an extraordinary spirit of brotherhood. Some of them are very well known in their parishes and dioceses.
