Tyrolean Franciscans are canonized by the Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

The men were murdered in 1860 in a Catholic neighborhood in what is now the Syrian capital Damascus, which was then under Ottoman rule. The beatification of the martyrs took place on October 10, 1926 in Rome by Pope Pius XI. instead of. Engelbert Kolland is buried near a side altar in St. Paul’s Church in Damascus.

300 believers came
More than 300 people from the Diocese of Innsbruck and the Archdiocese of Salzburg – including delegates from Kolland’s home parishes, such as Dean Ignaz Steinwender – traveled to Rome for the canonization in St. Peter’s Basilica. Archbishop Franz Lackner of Salzburg, Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck and Auxiliary Bishop Hansjörg Hofer and the Franciscan Order also took part in the ceremony.

Several stops along the way
Those from Kolland’s home communities left the Zillertal for Rome on Saturday, mostly by bus. There were a few stops along the way – for example, a Holy Mass was held in the crypt of the Basilica of San Francesco.

The three other people canonized on Sunday had founded religious communities, including two Italians: the nun Elena Guerra, who died in 1914, and the missionary Giuseppe Allamano, who died in 1926. Francis also canonized Canadian Marie-Léonie Paradis, who died in 1912.

The Italian president was also there
“Throughout humanity’s painful history, the new saints have been faithful servants, men and women who served in martyrdom and in joy. They are priests and consecrated women inspired by missionary passion. They lived in the style of Jesus: service,” the pope said in the presence of thousands of faithful, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Several criteria must be met
Beatification is one of the conditions for canonization. People who are declared saints must also have been dead for at least five years, have lived an exemplary Christian life and have certified at least two miracles.

During the Angelus prayer, the Pope called for prayers for peace. “Let us continue to pray for the peoples suffering from the wars: for the martyrs in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the martyrs in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and all others. We ask for the gift of peace for all of them,” Francis said.

Party planned in the Zillertal
In the parish of Zell am Ziller, the canonization will be celebrated in a triduum from October 25 to 27. On Friday, October 25, vespers (6:30 PM) and a festive mass (7:00 PM) will be celebrated with Franciscans in the parish church. A field mass is planned for October 26 at 10 a.m. in the birthplace in Ramsau, chaired by Auxiliary Bishop Hofer. In the afternoon, a blessing prayer led by Pastor Jürgen Gradwohl is planned at 3 p.m. in the church of Ramsau.

On October 27, a festive mass at 10 a.m. in the parish church of Zell am Ziller led by Archbishop Lackner and a thanksgiving vespers at 3 p.m. in the parish church led by Dean Bernhard of St. Margarethen are planned. After the festive mass there will be an agape in the courtyard in front of the Widum and there will be an opportunity to visit the Engelbert Museum.

Biography has been republished
In time for the canonization, the parish of Zell republished Father Gottfried Egger’s biography of Engelbert, with some additions and expansions. The biography contains a foreword by Archbishop Franz, Dean Steinwender and Father Gottfried. There is also a section on pilgrimage opportunities in the Zillertal, as well as devotional articles and literature. The biography also contains some prayers, the Engelbert novena and many color photographs. It consists of 213 pages and is available for 15 euros at the parish office of Zell am Ziller. The parish has also reissued the Engelbert novena with colored images and the parish’s Engelbert prayer (1.50 euros each).