Originally published at The Crux
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On Sunday, three Italians priests murdered by the Nazis during World War II were beatified, as they edge towards canonization and official recognition as saints.
Fathers Ubaldo Marchioni, Elia Comini and Martino Capelli were beatified at the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, with the Mass presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
The three men were killed during the Monte Sole massacre, perpetrated by the Nazis which left 770 dead between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5, 1944, as the Germans tried to kill local partisans.
The beatified, who now have the title of “blessed,” had the chance to save themselves, but decided to stay behind to serve the faithful.
“The secret of the martyrs is not heroism, but love that is given completely,” Semeraro said. “The death of the martyrs may seem like a plant without fruit or flower; however, that very emptiness became the place where God made charity flourish.”
“Just as Christ held nothing back for himself, so too did Father Ubaldo, Father Elia, and Father Martino hold nothing back, not even their own lives,” he added.
Even though the three men had the opportunity to save themselves,
