Using new path to sainthood, Spaniard who saved drowning kids in Ecuador now “venerable”

Receiving Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, on Monday morning, the Pontiff approved a decree recognizing the martyrdom of 50 Spaniards during the civil war that tore the country apart from 1936 to 1939. The text names Brother Stanislao Ortega García — born Lorenzo — and 48 of his companions from the Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel, as well as diocesan priest Manuel Berenguer Clusella. They were killed "in hatred of the faith" — the Catholic Church's established formula — between July and November 1936 in Catalonia.

Their names join the thousands of martyrs who fell victim to the same religious persecution, whose causes have been presented in Rome over recent decades. The number of those already recognized as blesseds or saints is nearing 2,500.

This decree paves the way for the upcoming beatification of the new group, the first step toward canonization. The latter will require the recognition of a miracle attributed to their intercession.

Another decree recognizes the "offering of life" of Pedro Manuel Salado Alba, a consecrated layman from the Hogar de Nazaret association. He died on February 5, 2012, on the beach in Tonsupa, Ecuador, after saving seven children from drowning.

The Spanish lay missionary, born on January 1, 1968, was a beloved youth leader who loved playing the guitar for the children. After feeling a calling during a pilgrimage to Taizé, he committed to missionary work in Latin America in 1999. In this context, he took on the leadership of a school with over 500 children.

His last words were, "I must save my children," as he threw himself into the water to rescue seven kids who were at risk of being swept away by the tide. He managed to pull them all out before collapsing from exhaustion. He was only 44.

This recognition of the "offering of life" follows the pathway established by Pope Francis in 2017. It recognizes the holiness of someone who risked their life, even if it doesn't fall directly under martyrdom received in hatred of the faith. A recognized miracle attributed to Salado Alba's intercession will be necessary for his potential beatification.

Another decree concerns the heroic virtues of Italian nun Maria Eletta di Gesù (1605-1663), born Caterina Tramazzoli. Originally from Umbria in the early 17th century, the Carmelite nun founded three convents: in Vienna in 1638, Graz in 1642, and Prague in 1656, where she died. When her tomb was opened three years after her death, her body was found intact. It's still preserved today.

Furthermore, the Holy See recognized the heroic virtues of Dutch Carmelite nun Mary Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity (1897-1926), born Teresia Ysseldijk. A missionary in the United States, she died there after a slow agony that she faced bravely in prayer.

Finally, the heroic virtues of Italian sister Maria Raffaella De Giovanna (1870-1933) were recognized. She founded the Congregation of the Minim Sisters of St. Francis of Paola in 1902.

The recognition of a miracle will be needed for these three venerables to be beatified.