Guatemala’s ‘Fray Augusto’ is a martyr of the confessional, vice postulator says

Guatemala’s ‘Fray Augusto’ is a martyr of the confessional, vice postulator says

(OSV News) -- At first glance, the official photo of Venerable Augusto Ramírez Monasterio -- known simply as "Fray Augusto" -- shows a smiling Franciscan friar standing in a small garden, hands clasped and slightly hidden within the sleeves of his brown habit. Yet the joyful and peaceful demeanor of the friar masked the horrors

Guatemala's 'Fray Augusto' is a martyr of the confessional

The image, taken in June 1983, shows the Guatemalan Franciscan moments after he endured hours of military torture. His martyrdom was formally recognised by Pope Leo XIV on 22 January.

Guatemala's 'Fray Augusto' is a martyr of the confessional, vice postulator says

At first glance, the official photo of Venerable Augusto Ramírez Monasterio — known simply as “Fray Augusto” — shows a smiling Franciscan friar standing in a small garden, hands clasped and slightly hidden within the sleeves of his brown habit. Yet the joyful and peaceful demeanor of the friar masked the horrors he was subjected to before his 1983 martyrdom, which was recognized by Pope Leo XIV Jan. 22. The photo was taken in June 1983, moments …