From August 19-24, 2024, some parish churches in the Campo Sur Deanery of the Diocese of Chimbote, Peru, conducted meetings and celebrations to raise awareness about the Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote and to promote their cult. The martyrs are Friar Michał TOMASZEK, Friar Zbigniew STRZAŁKOWSKI and Father Sandro DORDI. The formation week was organized to prepare for the martyrs’ feast day, which is celebrated on August 25.
Various confraternities, parish groups, schools and members of the faithful came from the towns of Huarmey, Culebras, Casma, and Buena Vista to attend the event. They learned about the beautiful witness of the lives and deaths of the martyrs. A pilgrimage of the images and relics of Friars Michał TOMASZEK and Zbigniew STRZAŁKOWSKI was helpful in preparing for their feast day. In addition, participants were able to watch a film about the martyrs. They heard testimony about them, learned the hymn that was composed for their beatification, took part in the procession with their images and venerated their relics. The week culminated with Mass celebrated on Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Santa, Peru, where Blessed Father Sandro DORDI once served as Pastor. The Most Reverend Ángel Ernesto ZAPATA BANCES, Bishop of Chimbote, presided.
We hope that by learning about the mission of the martyrs and their commitment to evangelization, the truth of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for love of us, will inspire the perseverance and strengthen the faith of all those who participated in these celebrations.
Friar Jacek LISOWSKI
