Pope Authorises Decrees for Two Future Blesseds and Four New Venerables

Vatican, Jan 22, 2026: Advancing the Church’s recognition of holiness, Pope Leo on Thursday authorised the promulgation of key decrees identifying two future Blesseds and four new Venerables.

The Pope approved a decree acknowledging the martyrdom of Fr. Augusto Rafael Ramírez Monasterio, a Franciscan priest, and another recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Sr. Maria Ignazia Isacchi, founder of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Asola. With these recognitions, both are to be proclaimed Blessed.

At the same time, the heroic virtues of Nerino Cobianchi, a layman, and of Sisters Crocifissa Militerni, Maria Giselda Villela, and Maria Tecla Antonia Relucenti were formally recognized, granting them the title of Venerable.

Guatemalan priest and martyr

Fr. Augusto Rafael Ramírez Monasterio was born on November 5, 1937, in Guatemala City into a large and devout Catholic family. Feeling called to religious life, he entered the Franciscan novitiate in Jumilla, Spain, and after completing studies in philosophy and theology, was ordained a priest on June 18, 1967.

In 1978, he became guardian and parish priest of San Francisco el Grande in Antigua, Guatemala. There, amid the violence of the country’s civil war, he devoted himself to pastoral ministry and to assisting the poor and vulnerable.

He was arrested on June 2, 1983, tortured, and later released, but remained under close surveillance and received repeated death threats. On November 7, 1983, he was detained again by soldiers and killed while being transferred to the outskirts of the city. The decree confirms that his death occurred out of hatred for the faith.

Italian Ursuline Superior General

Maria Ignazia Isacchi, born Angela Caterina and also known as “Ancilla,” was born on May 8, 1857, in Stezzano, in Italy’s Bergamo province. Slightly over the age of twenty, she entered the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca.

She was elected Superior General and moved the congregation’s motherhouse to Asola, continuing to govern the institute there until 1924, when ill health obliged her to resign. Even so, she was granted the honorary title of Superior General for life. She died on August 19, 1934, in Seriate, and was declared Venerable in 2022.

The miracle attributed to her intercession involves the healing of Sister Maria Assunta Zappella in 1950. The sister suffered intense abdominal pain caused by enterocolitis of probable tubercular origin. At the conclusion of a novena, her condition suddenly improved. A chest X-ray the following day showed a regression of the illness, and doctors recorded an unexpected, rapid recovery that led to complete healing within days.

New Italian and Brazilian Venerables

Nerino Cobianchi, now declared Venerable, was born on June 25, 1945, in the Italian province of Pavia, into a strongly religious farming family. After relocating with his family to Cilavegna in 1974, he became deeply involved in parish life, worked closely with young people, and helped found a scout group.

He organised prayer groups, volunteered in relief efforts after the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, and promoted numerous charitable projects, extending his outreach to countries in the Sahel region. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 1996, he continued his charitable work until his death on January 3, 1998. His life was characterized by sustained charity grounded in a deep faith, nourished by prayer, daily Mass, Scripture reading, and devotion to the Rosary.

Crocifissa Militerni, born Teresa on December 24, 1874, in Cetraro in Calabria, demonstrated from an early age a strong attraction to prayer and apostolic service, especially among the young. She played a role in establishing the “Princess Mafalda” nursery school and dedicated herself to caring for the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the dying. Known for her humility and detachment from material possessions, she endured serious illness with serenity and died on March 25, 1925.

Maria Giselda Villela was born in Brazil on January 12, 1909. Her life was marked by chronic illness, and she eventually became prioress of the Carmelite monastery in Pouso Alegre. Affectionately called Mãezinha (“little mother”) for her kindness and welcoming spirit, she became a source of spiritual guidance for many. Despite living a cloistered life, she remained open to the needs of others, receiving visitors at the parlor who sought comfort or counsel. She died on January 20, 1988, sustained by deep faith and trust in Divine Providence.

Maria Tecla Antonia Relucenti was born on September 23, 1704, in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. She committed herself to founding the Congregation of the Pious Worker Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and was appointed Superior for life on December 8, 1744. She dedicated her life to education and formation, helped draft the congregation’s Constitutions, and died on July 11, 1769. She is remembered for her steadfast faith and charitable spirit.

Courtesy: Vatican News