15th April
A group of twenty friends and John’s family members, among them Fr. Joan Guardiola, vicar of Sant Isidor’s Parish, in Barcelona, started the Association “Amics de Joan Roig i Diggle” (John Roig Diggle’s friends). The aim of the association is to promote the canonization process and to share John’s life story. This way, if it’s God will, John can be an example for present and future generations.
4th October
Cardinal Archbishop of Barcelona, Fr. Ricard Maria Carles Gordó, accompanied by John’s family members and friends, asks for the solemn opening of the canonization process of John Roig Diggle, as a result of his martyrdom, in the throne room in the Archdiocese during the ceremony presided by the Ecclesiastical Court.
2nd March
God’s servant, Rosa Deulofeu, diocesan delegate for the Youth Ministry, is elected as President of the Association Association “Amics de Joan Roig i Diggle”.
16th May
Archbishop Cardinal of Barcelona, Fr. Ricard Maria Carles Gordó asks for the solemn closure of the beatification process of John Roig Digglein the throne room in the Archdiocese.
18th May
The postulator P. Llorenç Galmés O.P, delivers the process of beatification of the martyr John Roig Diggle to the Congregation of the Causes of Saints of the Vatican.
19th May
The positio of the beatification process is presented at Vatican City. The ones in charge are Francesc Figueras, Youth Ministry Delegation, Ramon Santos, president of the association “Amics d’en Joan Roig Diggle”, Fr. Rupert, member of the piarist community in their Mother House in Rome and Fr. Felip Juli Rodríguez Piñel.
20th January
Celebration of the burial of John’s remains at Sant Pere (Saint Peter) church in Masnou. Cardinal Archbishop of Barcelona, Fr. Lluís Martínez Sistach, presides over the ceremony.
4th October
The Vatican makes public that Pope Francis has signed the decree recognising the martyrdom of the young catholic John Roig Diggle, killed “in odium fidei” in 1936 at the Santa Coloma Cemetery. Pope Francis’ decision cleared the way towards John’s beatification.
7th November
John Roig Diggle’s beatification takes place at Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona. A message from the early years of the church has been confirmed: “The blood of the martyrs is a seed of Christians”. For this reason, John’s beatification is for us a great hope.