Bishops offer Mass at graves of Georgia Martyrs on St. Catherines Island

Bishops, priests, Franciscans, and pilgrims traveled to St. Catherines Island on Oct. 29 to celebrate Mass at the graves of the Georgia Martyrs. The group visited the site where the five Franciscan missionaries served and were buried.

The visit precedes the beatification of the friars, which is scheduled for Oct. 31, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia. The martyrs, identified as Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez, Miguel de Añon, Antonio de Badajóz, and Francisco de Veráscola, were Spanish missionaries to the Guale people. They were killed in 1597 following a dispute regarding Church teaching on marriage. Friars Antonio and Miguel served at the Mission Santa Catalina de Guale on the island.