Father Osvânio Humberto Mariano, SSCC, provincial of Brazil and the Paraguay region, received from the hands of the Procurator General of the Congregation, Father Andrzej Lukawski, SSCC, a reliquary containing relics of the four Sacred Hearts priests beatified last week in Paris, France. The relics are of the first degree and will remain under the care of the Brazilian province.

The presentation took place during the Holy Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of the Martyrs of Picpus, in the chapel of the provincial house where the Congregation grew, on Rue de Picpus, in Paris. The ceremony, celebrated the day after the beatification, on April 23, was attended by provincials from various houses of the Congregation around the world.

The 4 Martyrs of Picpus

Father Ladislas Radigue He was born in 1823. He joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1843, and was ordained in 1848. He became the Superior of the mother house of this congregation located in Picpus, east of Paris. He was arrested on April 12, 1871, by the authorities of the Commune.

Father Polycarpe Tuffier, He was born in 1807 and was also a member of the Congregation called Picpus since 1823. Ordained in 1830, he was a chaplain in Paris for a long period and later became procurator of his congregation at the mother house.

Father Marcelino Rouchouze, Born in 1810, he was the 3rd member of the Picpus Congregation. A professor of Latin, mathematics, and philosophy, he was sent to Belgium to work in the congregation's schools. At the age of 42, he was ordained a priest. He was in Paris during the Commune and was executed along with the other priests.

Father Frézal Tardieu, Born in 1814, he also belonged to the Picpus Community, having been ordained in 1840. He was a comforter of the afflicted in the institutions where he taught. He was a professor of dogmatic theology and general counselor of the Congregation at the Picpus motherhouse in Paris, when he was arrested and executed.