Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 11 a.m.
Savannah Convention Center
Doors open at 8 a.m.
Open seating. No ticket necessary.
The beatification will be livestreamed on all Diocese of Savannah social media platforms and the Diocesan website, as well as on EWTN.
Exciting News! On Jan. 27, 2025, Pope Francis authorized the beatification of Venerable Servant of God Pedro de Corpa, OFM, and his four companions. Commonly known as the Georgia Martyrs, the five Spanish friars gave their lives for their faith in 1597 in what is today the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia. Read more here: Pope Clears Way for Beatification of Georgia Martyrs
The Church was in the American South (la Florida) fully two centuries before St. Junipero Serra was building missions in California. These southern missionaries were preaching the Gospel to the indigenous peoples in an area that is today made up of the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The missions in coastal Georgia included missions among the Guale peoples, and our five martyrs labored among that particular nation of peoples.
In September of 1597, five of the missionaries were murdered in a rebel uprising that sought to wipe out all the missionaries in the land. One of the central issues was the friars’ defense of the sacrament of Christian marriage. Those rebels eventually lost out, and more Franciscans were invited back by the Guale people, serving the tribe for generations.
Eventually, the British colonies wiped out all traces of the Catholic missions as well as the Guale peoples, who were no more. Nevertheless, the martyrs’ legacy lives on. The first book (now lost) that was written in what is today the United States was a catechism and primer in the language of the Guale people.
Learn More about the Beatification Cause of the Five Georgia Martyrs through the Resources below:
The Beatification of the Georgia Martyrs
Celebration at Mary Our Queen on November 1
Mary Our Queen will celebrate the beatification of the Georgia Martyrs on Sunday, November 1. At the 11 am Mass, we will bless our Georgia Martyrs mural and celebrate this historic occasion together. Following Mass, please join us for a festive potluck lunch with a “Spanish flair” in St. Joseph’s Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share—Spanish cuisine is encouraged, but any dish you think will be a crowd-pleaser is welcome! We are honored to be joined by local dignitaries as we celebrate the faith and sacrifice of these courageous martyrs. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for this special day of faith, fellowship, and celebration!