On October 12, 2014 Pope Francis will be listing the ‘Servant of God’, Friar Francis Zirano, a Conventual Franciscan Friar, among the ranks of the blessed.
Friar Francis Zirano, born in 1564 in Sassari, Italy, professed his Franciscan vows in 1580 and was ordained a priest in 1586. In 1599, Pope Clement VIII authorized him to collect funds to ransom Christians who were being held as slaves in North Africa. Friar Francis journeyed to Algiers arriving in 1602.
Anfang 1603 wurde Bruder Franziskus gefangen genommen und wegen seines christlichen Glaubens zum Tode verurteilt. Er weigerte sich, seinem Glauben abzuschwören, und verbrachte seine letzten Tage damit, andere Christen im Gefängnis zu ermutigen. Er erlitt am 25. Januar 1603 den Märtyrertod.
Die christlichen Sklaven sammelten seine Gebeine und sein Fell als Reliquien. Die Kirche sah in ihm ein Vorbild christlichen Lebens und einen Fürsprecher im Himmel.
Fr. MarcoTasca, Minister General for the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, points out
“how topical the ministry is that occupied much of the life of our brother martyr, namely, his care for abductees and slaves; those deprived of liberty and exploited with the most blatant disregard for basic human rights. Who are the immigrants of today, if not people suffering violence over and over on their journey towards hope? War, famine, poverty and injustice- all these call into question our identity as friars, as “universal brothers”, able to welcome people without borders and with love expressed in tangible gestures of attention to the person.
Given the characteristics of his life experience, our Francis Zirano would have all the credentials to become the patron saint and protector of the kidnapped, and the enslaved, as well as immigrants crossing desert and sea to recover their freedom. It’s up to us, his confreres, to give life and presence to his witness throughout the various ministries that Providence has entrusted to us.”
Journey to Sainthood:
Over the last 35 years much work has been done to promote the beatification of Friar Zirano. Study and research took place in archives and libraries – led largely by the Friars Minor Conventual in Sardinia. The process continued with a diocesan inquiry culminating in a public meeting on September 7, 1991 in the Church of St. Mary of Bethlehem, Sassari, where Friar Francis Zirano had lived for 22 years.
After the Dercree of Legal Validity from the diocesan inquiry (6/3/92) an examination of the “Position on the Martyrdom of the Servant of God” was conducted by three sections of the Congregation: Historical Experts (giving their endorsement 3/4/03); Theological Consultors (endorsing on 5/16/13); and Cardinals and Bishops (endorsing 2/4/14).
Then comes the Decree of Beatification signed by Pope. A martyr such as Friar Zirano may be beatified without a miracle. For canonization a miracle must be verified and be in response to the intercession of the candidate saint.
