Congolese appeal for martyrs’ canonisation

Joining in a tradition sometimes seen in St Peter’s Square, the Congolese faithful sent a message to Pope Francis about two African martyrs who are awaiting canonisation as saints.

The Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte (Martyrs of Pentecost Stadium), in the centre of Kinshasa, was filled for Pope Francis’ meeting with young people and catechists from all corners and parishes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to listen to the Holy Father.

Prime Minister Jean Michel Sama Lukonde was also present, together with delegations from neighbouring countries.

Some of the congregation displayed a banner with the Italian inscription “Santi subito” (Saints at once), accompanied by images of Blessed Anuarite and Bakanja. On two sides of the podium from which Pope Francis spoke were images of the two martyrs.

The animation of the crowd before the Pope’s arrival testified to the living faith and remarkable vitality of the Church in the DRC.

Blessed Anuarite was beatified by John Paul II in Kinshasa during his second visit to Congo (then known as Zaire) in 1985. Blessed Bakanja followed in Rome in 1994.

Since then, the Catholic faithful in Africa have nourished a great devotion to the two and, in his address, Pope Francis mentioned them as models of faith, courage, perseverance and forgiveness.

Martyred in 1964 in the north-east of the DRC for having preserved her purity until death, Blessed Anuarite was a religious of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Bafwabaka. Blessed Bakanja is the patron of the Congolese laity and the youth. He died on 15 August 1909 from wounds inflicted on him as “punishment” for his faith, which he bore patiently while forgiving his aggressor.