Martyrs de Casamari
Christian martyrs
Feast: 16 May (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
On the evening of 13 May 1799, as they were about to pray Compline, the Cistercian monks of the abbey of Casamari, near Frosinone, were attacked by about twenty French soldiers retreating from Naples after the fall of the Parthenopean Republic. The soldiers were fed, but soon began to loot the abbey; most monks escaped, but several were killed by gunfire or bladed weapons as they tried to protect the Eucharist, sacred vessels and vestments. Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, Brother Modesto Maria Burgen and Brother Maturino Maria Pitri died that night; the prior, Father Simeone Maria Cardon, died the next morning at seven, forgiving his attackers.
A sixth monk, Brother Zosimo Maria Brambat, hid for three days and, on trying to leave the abbey to receive the last sacraments, died of his wounds just outside its walls on 16 May. The six were beatified by Pope Francis on 17 April 2021 in the abbey church of Casamari, where their remains have been venerated since 1951; their liturgical memorial falls on 16 May, the day Brother Zosimo died.
The miracles
As martyrs they were raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Six Cistercian monks of Casamari abbey killed by retreating French soldiers during the sack of the abbey, 13-16 May 1799; beatified by Pope Francis on 17 April 2021.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Albertino Maria Maisonade Blessed“Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, Brother Modesto Maria Burgen and Brother Maturino Maria Pitri died that night; the prior, Father Simeone Maria Cardon, died the next morning at seven, forgiving his attackers.” — this site's research
- Maturino Maria Pitri Blessed“Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, Brother Modesto Maria Burgen and Brother Maturino Maria Pitri died that night; the prior, Father Simeone Maria Cardon, died the next morning at seven, forgiving his attackers.” — this site's research
- Modesto Maria Burgen Blessed“Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, Brother Modesto Maria Burgen and Brother Maturino Maria Pitri died that night; the prior, Father Simeone Maria Cardon, died the next morning at seven, forgiving his attackers.” — this site's research
- Simeone Maria Cardon Blessed“Father Domenico Maria Zawrel, Brother Albertino Maria Maisonade, Brother Modesto Maria Burgen and Brother Maturino Maria Pitri died that night; the prior, Father Simeone Maria Cardon, died the next morning at seven, forgiving his attackers.” — this site's research
- Zosimo Maria Brambat Blessed“A sixth monk, Brother Zosimo Maria Brambat, hid for three days and, on trying to leave the abbey to receive the last sacraments, died of his wounds just outside its walls on 16 May.” — this site's research
- Santi, beati e testimoni (santiebeati.it) - Beati Sei Martiri Cistercensi di Casamari
- Wikidata Q121945074 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.