Dominican Friars' Guilds Newsletter

On behalf of the Province of Saint Joseph, I am happy to announce the following news:

    Christopher Cardone, O.P. has been consecrated as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Solomon Islands.  Bishop Cardone was born on December 20, 1957, and lived on Long Island, New York.  He entered the Order of Preachers in 1980 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1986.  His consecration to the episcopacy took place in June 2001 in the Solomon Islands, where he spent most of his priestly life.  We rejoice with him.  Please remember him in your prayers.

    In March 2001, our Holy Father beatified a number of Spanish Dominican Friars who were martyred in the 1936 persecutions resulting from the civil war in Spain.  Here is a list of their names and a brief statement about each one.

Jacinto Serrano Lopez, O.P.
He welcomed death with the cry of "Long Live Christ the King."  He died at the age of 35.

Lucio Martinez Mancebo, O.P.
He was hidden by faithful friends.  When they were threatened he gave himself up and was shot.

Antonio Lopez Couceiro, O.P.
Mortally wounded, he murmured, "Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Felicismo Diez Gonzalez, O.P.
He would often speak of eternity.  He achieved this at age 29.

Saturio Rey Robles, O.P.
The night he was to die his nerves gave way but he found the courage he needed to face death.

Tirso Manrique Melero, O.P.
He worried that he would not measure up to the coming events of the persecution.  He did.

Gumersindo Soto Barros, O.P.
A Cooperator Brother, he was a hard worker, a model of simple and profound spirituality.

Lamberto De Navascues Y De Juan, O.P.
A Cooperator Brother for only three months when he met his death.

Manuel Albert Gines, O.P.
When captured he thanked God for participating in the sufferings due to the persecutions.

Jose Maria Muro Sanmiguel, O.P.
He entered the Order desiring to be a "missionary and a martyr."  His wish was granted.

Joaquin Prats Baltuena, O.P.
When promised freedom if he cried out "Long Live Communism," he replied three times with "Long Live Christ the King!"

Francisco Calvo Burillo, O.P.
Kicked, beaten, subject to insults, mockings and blasphemy, he responded by saying the Rosary.

Francisco Monzon Romeo, O.P.
His motto was to do God's will.  In reply, God desired him to be a martyr.

Ramon Peiro Victori, O.P.
Blessed Ramon had a great love and devotion to the Eucharist and the Rosary.

Jose Maria Vidal Segu, O.P.
In referring to what would happen to himself, he said that God would come to his aid.  He did.

Santiago Meseguer Burillo, O.P.
When faced with death for being a priest, he preferred death rather than deny his priesthood.

Luis Urbano Lanaspa, O.P.
He helped everybody he could, no matter what he might get in return, even to the loss of his life.

Constantino Fernandez Alvarez, O.P.
In spite of his anguish, he managed to be serene and a model of sacrifice and confidence in God.

Rafael Pardo Molina, O.P.
A Cooperator Brother, he followed the principle of sealing in his own blood his faith in Jesus Christ.