Robert Défossez
Layman, died at Buchenwald
Who they were
Robert Défossez was a layman born at Cambrai on 3 June 1920 and baptised there on 13 June; enlisted in the artillery at the start of the war, he was taken prisoner in May 1940 and sent to Stalag VI G, where with the blessing of Father Harignordoquy he married Alfreda Pétasse by proxy, and where he recorded on the back of a photograph that he had made his Scout promise. Arrested on 8 August 1944, he died at Buchenwald on 17 January 1945, aged 24. He was beatified on 13 December 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.
The miracles
The source does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
He kept his Christian life and his Scout promise in the prison camp, and died at Buchenwald at 24.
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.
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - cayre-cendrier-vallee-mestre-e-46-compagni
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 13 December 2025
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.