Publications by Year: 2022

2022
McCleary, Rachel M.Catholic Child and Youth Martyrs, 1588-2022.” Catholic Historical Review 108, no. 3 (2022): 469-508.Abstract

Child and youth martyrs throughout the history of Christianity are few. New emphasis on their presence in the twentieth century raises questions about the nature of sanctity. Using a new data set on child, adolescent, and youth martyrs beatified and canonized since 1588, this article discusses early modern to contemporary models of sanctity for males and females while at the same time showing how the ancient motif of puer senex continues to be relevant in their narratives. With Catholic teachings adapting to contemporary views on child agency and autonomy, several problems arise, requiring the Church to re-evaluate its models of sanctity for young people.

McCleary, Rachel M., and Robert J. Barro. “Martyrs of Latin America, 1854-2022.” Fe y Libertad (2022).Abstract
Pope John Paul II began the recent trend of beatifying martyrs and confessors of Latin America. Together, Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have beatified 111 martyrs and 53 confessors in Latin America. These numbers represent 87% and 72%, respectively, of all Latin American martyrs and confessors sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church since 1588 when Pope Urban VIII established the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Pope Francis accelerated the rate of beatifications of Latin American blesseds to 5.0 a year as compared to 3.5 for John Paul II and 3.4 for Benedict XVI. These beatifications of Latin American martyrs and confessors must be understood from the perspective of the intended audience, which we view as the Catholic faithful. Specifically, we view this saint-making during the last three papacies as attempts to invigorate the faithful and, thereby, deter conversions into Protestantism.