Filipino Seminarian Richie Fernando First to Have Cause for Canonization As a Saint Opened Under New, Fourth Path to Sainthood

[mdgspencer]

see pagadiandiocese.org/2017/08/02/filipino-seminarian-richie-fernando-first-to-have-cause-opened-under-new-fourth-path-to-sainthood/

Brother Richie was 26 years old when he was killed in the explosion, giving his own life, when he prevented a hand grenade from being thrown at disabled students at a school in Cambodia where he was serving.

 

[Jestersage]

I always feel that St Kolbe is the unofficial first person who is granted sainthood under this rule… they almost can’t name him as a Saint, but only by stretching “martyr for faith” did he get canonized.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I always feel that St Kolbe is the unofficial first person who is granted sainthood under this rule… they almost can’t name him as a Saint, but only by stretching “martyr for faith” did he get canonized.

St. Kolbe would have eventually been a saint under the “living a life heroically of Christian virtues” path if he hadn’t been declared a martyr. It might have taken a little longer but he still would have become a saint. Plus, I don’t find the martyrdom such a stretch given that he was constantly persecuted in the camp for being a priest.