Modesto Maria Burgen
Cistercian lay brother of Casamari, martyr
Who they were
A native of Burgundy, he had been a lay brother in the Cistercian abbey of Sept-Fons and was received at Casamari when that monastery was suppressed, making his simple profession on 9 January 1797; he was shot in the entrance of the novitiate and died shortly afterwards. Pope Francis beatified him with Simeone Maria Cardon and his five companions on 17 April 2021.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
The decree on martyrdom records that he was shot in the entrance of the novitiate.
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
- Martyrs de Casamari 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“Pope Francis beatified him with Simeone Maria Cardon and his five companions on 17 April 2021.” — this site's research
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 113 (2021), p. 513 - decree on martyrdom
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 17 April 2021
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.