List of Filipinos venerated in the Catholic Church

Contents

This is a list of Filipino saints, beati, venerables, and Servants of God by the Catholic Church. Majority of these men and women of religious life were born, died, or lived within the Philippine archipelago.

Ferdinand Magellan's expedition of 1521 to the islands included Catholic priests and missionaries among the crew. Some Catholic missionaries became the explorers of the native lands while converting and coercing the Indios towards Christianity. Because of the Spanish colonization started by Miguel López de Legazpi, Christianity was introduced in Cebu, which remains a bastion of the Catholic faith in the Philippines.

Several Filipino Catholics have been considered for sainthood over the past centuries. Most are from the 20th century and later.

The first Filipino canonized as saint was Lorenzo Ruiz, a married lay Dominican member of the Confraternity of the Rosary. Ruiz died a martyr of faith in Nagasaki, as Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate regularly conducted anti-clerical campaigns and widespread persecution of Christians. Ruiz was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila in 1981, and later canonized at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, in 1987. 25 years later, the title of “Saint” was bestowed upon another martyr, Pedro Calungsod, martyred on Guam. He was canonized in October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Saints

ImageNameBornDiedChurch StatusDioceseType of CauseRef.
Lorenzo RuizNovember 28, 1594 in the Captaincy General of the PhilippinesSeptember 29, 1637 in Nagasaki, Tokugawa ShogunateMarried layperson; Member of the Confraternity of the Rosary;ManilaMartyr in odium fidei, uti fertur[1]
Declared "Venerable": October 11, 1980; Beatified: February 18, 1981 by Pope John Paul II; Canonized: October 18, 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Pedro CalungsodJuly 21, 1654 in one of the Visayan islands, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesApril 2, 1672 in Tumon, Guam, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesYoung laypersonCebuMartyr in odium fidei, uti fertur[2]
Introduction of Cause: February 4, 1994; Declared "Venerable": January 27, 2000; Beatified: March 5, 2000 by Pope John Paul II; Canonized: October 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI

Blesseds

ImageNameBornDiedChurch StatusDioceseType of CauseRef.
Diego Luis de San VitoresNovember 12, 1627 in the Burgos, Spanish EmpireApril 2, 1672 in Guam, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesProfessed Priest of the Jesuits;Martyr in odium fidei, uti fertur
Declared "Venerable": November 9, 1984; Beatified: October 6, 1985 by Pope John Paul II
Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera (rel. name: José María of Manila)September 5, 1880 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesAugust 17, 1936 in Madrid, SpainProfessed Priest of the Friars Minor CapuchinMartyr in odium fidei, uti fertur
Introduction of Cause: February 4, 1994; Declared "Venerable": March 27, 2013; Beatified: October 13, 2013 by Cardinal Angelo Amato
Iustus Takayama Ukon (Hikogorō Shigetomo)1552 in Haibara, Nara, Ashikaga shogunateFebruary 1615 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesLaypersonManilaMartyr in odium fidei, uti fertur[3][4]
Introduction of Cause: 1630 by the Archdiocese of Manila / Reintroduced: 1963; Declared "Venerable": January 21, 2016; Beatified: February 7, 2017, by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Venerables

ImageNameBornDiedChurch StatusDioceseType of CauseRef.
Isabel Larrañaga Ramírez (rel. name: Isabel of the Heart of Jesus)November 19, 1836 in Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines (Insurales Filipino)January 17, 1899 in Havana, American CubaProfessed religious, Founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of JesusHeroic Virtues[5]
Declared "Venerable": March 26, 1999
Ignacia del Espíritu Santo de JucoFebruary 1, 1663 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesSeptember 10, 1748 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesProfessed religious, Founder of the Religious of the Virgin MaryManilaHeroic Virtues[6][7]
Declared "Venerable": July 6, 2007
Consuelo BarceloJuly 24, 1857 in Barcelona, SpainAugust 4, 1940 in Manila, Philippine CommonwealthProfessed religious, Cofounder of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of ConsolationHeroic Virtues[6][8]
Introduction of Cause: September 2002; Declared "Venerable": December 20, 2012
Aloysius SchwartzSeptember 18, 1930 in Washington D.C., U.S.March 16, 1992 in Manila, PhilippinesProfessed priest, Founder of the Sisters of Mary of Banneux and Brothers of ChristManilaHeroic Virtues[9][10]
Introduction of Cause: 2003; Declared "Venerable":January 22, 2015
Alfredo María ObviarAugust 29, 1889 in Batangas, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesOctober 1, 1978 in Quezon, PhilippinesBishop of Lucena; Founder of Missionary Catechists of Saint Thérèse of the Infant JesusLucenaHeroic Virtues[6]
Declared "Venerable": November 7, 2018
María Beatriz del Rosario de ArroyoFebruary 17, 1884 in Molo, Iloilo, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesJune 14, 1957 in Iloilo City, PhilippinesProfessed religious; Founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines (Dominican Sisters of Molo)JaroHeroic Virtues[6]
Declared "Venerable": June 11, 2019
Francisca del Espíritu Santo de Fuentes1647 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesAugust 24, 1711 in Manila, Captaincy General of the PhilippinesProfessed religious; Founder of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of SienaManilaHeroic Virtues[6]
Declared "Venerable": July 5, 2019
Teofilo CamomotMarch 3, 1914 in Carcar, Cebu, Philippine IslandsSeptember 27 1988 in San Fernando, Cebu, PhilippinesCoadjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro; Titular Archbishop of Marcianopolis; Founder of the Daughters of Saint TeresaCatherine of SienaCebuHeroic Virtues[6]
Declared "Venerable": May 21, 2022

Servants of God

  • Diego de Herrera (1521–1576), Professed Priest of the Augustinians (Spain - Catanduanes, Philippines)[11][12]
  • Jerónima Yañez de la Fuente (Jerónima of the Assumption) (1555–1630), Professed Religious of the Poor Clare Nuns (Toledo, Spain - Manila, Philippines)
  • Francesco Palliola (1612–1648), Professed Priest of the Jesuits; Martyr (Naples, Italy - Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines)
  • Cecilia Rosa de Jesús Talangpaz (1693–1731), Cofounder of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters (Bulacan - Manila, Philippines)
  • Dionisia de Santa María Mitas Talangpaz (1691–1732), Cofounder of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters (Bulacan - Manila, Philippines)
  • Pedro Pelaez (1812–1863), Priest of the Archdiocese of Manila (Laguna – Manila, Philippines)[13]
  • Ines Joaquina Vicenta Barcelo Pages (Rita) (1843–1904), Founder of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (Barcelona, Spain - Manila, Philippines)
  • María Ángeles Rodríguez de Rivera Chicote (1882–1936), Layperson of the Diocese of Málaga; Martyr (Maguindanao, Philippines – Málaga, Spain)[14]
  • Wilhelm Finnemann (1882–1942), Professed Priest of the Society of the Divine Word; Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan; Martyr (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany - Batangas, Philippines)
  • Joseph Verbis Lafleur (1912–1944), Priest of the Military Ordinate of the United States (Louisiana, USA - Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines)
  • Alfredo Verzosa (1877–1954), Bishop of Lipa; Founder of the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart (Ilocos Sur, Philippines)
  • Cesar Maria Guerrero (1885‒1961) Bishop of Lingayen and San Fernando (Manila, Philippines)
  • Florencia Cuesta Valluerca (Trinidad of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) (1904–1967), Professed Religious of the Carmelite Nuns of the Ancient Observance (Madrid, Spain - Manila, Philippines)
  • Carlo Braga (1889–1971), Professed Priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco (Sondrio, Italy - Pampanga, Philippines)
  • Dalisay Lazaga (1940–1971), Professed Religious of the Canossians Daughters of Charity (Laguna - Manila, Philippines)
  • Amador Tajanlangit Sr. (1911–1977), Married Layperson of the Archdiocese of Jaro (Iloilo, Philippines)
  • George J. Willmann (1897–1977), Professed Priest of the Jesuits (New York, USA - Manila, Philippines)[15]
  • Niña Ruiz Abad (1979–1993), Child of the Diocese of Laoag (Quezon City, Philippines)
  • Richard Michael Fernando (1970–1996), Professed Cleric of the Jesuits; Martyr (Quezon City, Philippines - Angk Snuol, Cambodia)
  • Rhoel Gallardo (1965–2000), Professed Priest of the Claretians; Martyr (Zambales - Basilan, Philippines)[16]
  • Giuseppe Aveni (1918–2010), Professed Priest of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (Messina, Italy - Parañaque, Philippines)
  • Laureana Franco (1936–2011), Layperson of the Diocese of Pasig; Member of the Legion of Mary (Manila, Philippines)[17]
  • Darwin Ramos (1994–2012), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Cubao (Quezon City, Philippines)

Group martyrs

This section includes the list of martyrs pending for the Cause for Sainthood. Majority of them are underway for canonization proposed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (CCS).

  • Jesuit Martyrs in Micronesia, Jesuit and lay missionaries in Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia who died for the Christian faith and mission. Companion martyrs of Pedro Calungsod and Diego Luis de San Vitores.
  • De La Salle Martyrs of 1945, The Companion Martyrs of William Kelley (Egbert Xavier). All Professed Religious' of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers)
  • Religious Martyrs of Santo Tomas, professed religious' of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, martyred on March 15, 1945. Anna Unterscher (Adelheida) Born: July 27, 1898 – Höhenmoos, Rohrdorf, Rosenheim, Germany; Margareta Nieder (Aloysius) Born: March 16, 1903 – Illingen, Neurkirchen, Germany; Agnes Hoffman (Ansberta) Born: December 7, 1903 – Answeiler, Marpingen, Sankt Wendel, Germany; Paula Diancourt (Benedicta) Born: October 6, 1899 – Dortmund, Erzdiözese Paderborn, Germany [18]; Maria Weisert (Bernia) Born: April 8, 1907 – Sigmaringen, Germany; Palmaria Molina (Celia) Born: December 2, 1908 – Tayum, Abra, Philippines; Petronilla Arjonilla Coral (Cesaria) Born: April 29, 1907 – Mérida, Yucátan, Mexico; Maria Klara Schnettler (Cleophana) Born: July 14, 1898 – Hagen, Germany; Sophie Hörth (Franciscetta) Born: July 15, 1903 – Neusatz, Bühl, Germany; Maria Piebler (Gumberta) Born: August 30, 1911 – Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria; Elisabet Faulstich (Isburga) Born: September 20, 1908 – Cologne, Germany; Elisabeth Maria Anna Hartelt (Passima) Born: July 15, 1903 – Niesse, Opole, Poland; Elisabeth Schofs (Placida) Born: July 15, 1884 – Tönisvorst, Viersen, Germany; Margarete Mzyk (Richarde) Born: April 3, 1910 – Königshütte, Poland; Bernardina Jurcovic (Victimaria) Born: October 25, 1913 – Vištuk, Pezinok, Slovakia; Died: March 15, 1945 – Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines
  • Vincentian Martyrs of the Philippines, priests and religious' of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) Alfonso Sandaña Díez, priest Born: January 6, 1884 – Tardajos, Burgos, Spain; Died: September 20, 1942 – Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines; Aniano González Moreno, priest Born: April 25, 1890 – Isar, Burgos, Spain; Died: October 21, 1944 – Baguio, Philippines; Prisciano González Moreno, priest Born: October 12, 1885 – Isar, Burgos, Spain; Crispín Gómez Vallejo, priest Born: December 4, 1895 – Hontauas, Burgos, Spain; Rafael Martínez Rojo, brother Born: October 24, 1876 – Ferrero, León, Spain; Gumersindo Novero, seminarian Born: Unknown in Cavite, Philippines; Died: February 8, 1945 – Mandaluyong, Manila, Philippines; José Tejada Merino, priest Born: March 18, 1892 – Covarrubias, Burgos, Spain; Luis Ejeda Martínez, priest Born: August 18, 1881 – Albarracin, Teruel, Spain; Adolfo Soto de Celis, priest Born: March 17, 1884 – Rebolledo, Burgos, Spain; Julio Ruiz Sánchez, priest Born: May 22, 1890 – Villodrigo, Palencia, Spain; José Fernández Fernández, priest Born: October 24, 1891 – Madrid, Spain; José Aguirreche Aguirre, priest Born: August 27, 1891 – Régil, Guipúzcoa, Spain; Antolín Marcos Pardo, brother Born: September 1, 1879 – Pedrosa de Río Úrbel, Burgos, Spain; Valentín Santidrián Bermejo, brother Born: February 12, 1901 – Villadiego, Burgos, Spain; Gregorio Induráin Echarte, brother Born: 1870 – Ozcoidi, Urraúl, Alto, Navarra, Spain; Alejandro García García, brother Born: Unknown in Spain; Died: February 9, 1945 – San Marcelino, Manila, Philippines; Jerónimo Pampliega Melgosa, priest Born: Unknown in Rabé de las Calzadas, Burgos, Spain; Died: February 19, 1945 – Intramuros, Manila, Philippines; Anselmo Andrés, priest Born: 1875 – Spain; Died: February 26, 1945 – Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines

References

  1. 1."St. Lorenzo Ruiz, Filipino layman who became a martyr in Japan". Asian Catholic Directory. UCA News. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  2. 2."St. Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay martyr and patron of catechists". Asian Catholic Directory. UCA News. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  3. 3."Filipino bishop wants future Japanese saint for his diocese". UCA News. February 6, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  4. 4."Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon". Intramuros Administration. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  5. 5."Cardinal CBCP president lead thanksgiving mass for Venerable Mother Ignacia". UCA News. January 31, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  6. 6.[6.2][6.3][6.4][6.5][6.6]Punay, Edu (July 8, 2019). "Another Filipino nun closer to sainthood". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  7. 7.Benedictus XVI (July 6, 2007), Decretum super virtutibus (in Latin), Rome
  8. 8."Cause for beautification". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 22, 2002. p. H2. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  9. 9.Esmaquel, Paterno II (January 26, 2015). "Priest buried in Cavite a step closer to sainthood". Rappler. Retrieved January 19, 2025. Schwartz's virtues prompted the Catholic Church in the Philippines, in 2003, to begin to work to have him declared a saint.
  10. 10.Prieto-Valdés, Jordan (March 16, 2022). "Healing poverty: Fr. Aloysius Schwartz". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  11. 11.Fray Diego de Herrera - Augustinian Churches and History
  12. 12."Kanonisasyon ni Augustinian Missionary Fray Diego de Herrera, pinagpoproseso na". GMA News. February 3, 2024.
  13. 13."Causes Under Consideration". Hagiography Circle.
  14. 14.Martyrs of the Religious Persecution during the Spanish Civil War (62), Hagiography Circle
  15. 15."Beatification process for Knights of Columbus founder in PH starts". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  16. 16.Macairan, Evelyn (May 4, 2021). "Priest tortured, executed by Abu Sayyaf up for sainthood". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  17. 17."2011". Hagiography Circle. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  18. 18.Moll, Helmut (2015). ZEUGEN FÜR CHRISTUS (Helmut Moll ed.). FERDINAND SCHÖNINGH. p. 1597. ISBN 978-3-506-78080-5.