Cardinal Semeraro presides over beatification of priest and 19 companions on Ibiza

On October 17, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presided over a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Ibiza, Spain, where he declared Father Juan Torres Torres and 19 companions blessed. The cardinal highlighted that the martyrs were killed during the religious persecution of the summer of 1936. He stated that their witness challenges believers in the choices they make each day. Referring to the Gospel reading, the cardinal recalled Jesus sending his disciples like sheep into the midst of wolves. He noted that Saint Augustine explained this metaphor as sending a small flock of sheep into a pack of wolves, not placing a single wolf among sheep.

The cardinal said Jesus revealed his intention was not to discourage but to encourage disciples to move forward without fear, assuring them of his presence. He added that Jesus did not hide the difficulty of the mission but stood beside his disciples like a brother, holding their hands, inspiring them, and giving them strength. The cardinal emphasized that following Christ means being ready to witness for him even at a heavy cost. He pointed out that Father Torres was killed at age 24, just two months after his ordination, and his body was thrown into the sea.