Martyrs of La Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Servants of God Antonio Cuipa and companions
Roberto, one of the martyrs of La Florida
Died	Spanish Florida
Venerated in	Catholic Church
Feast	October 3

The Martyrs of La Florida were a group of Native American and Spanish Catholics who died in Florida between 1549 and 1706. They were killed during the time when the Spanish Empire was expanding its lands in North America.

A total of 86 people are part of this group. They include priests and regular people. They were killed by Native Americans and people from the British Empire. The main person in this group, chosen to represent them, is a Native American man named Antonio Cuipa. Other important people include Father Luis Cáncer, who was a Dominican priest. Many other Dominicans, Jesuits, Franciscans, and other laypeople (people who are not priests) are also part of this group.

The process to recognize them as saints, called a canonization cause, began in 2015. Bishop Gregory Parkes from the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee started it. Other bishops from Florida also supported this effort. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has also given its support.

Exploring Florida's Early History

During the time of the Spanish Empire's growth, many Catholic communities were started in North America. Some of these were in what is now the United States, especially in Spanish Florida. The first lasting Spanish settlement there was St. Augustine, Florida.

Fort Mose: A Place of Freedom

Near St. Augustine, a special fort was built called Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. This fort was for Black Catholics who were seeking freedom from difficult conditions in the British areas of Georgia and South Carolina. These people later helped protect the Spanish lands from attacks. Many people living there lost their lives during these conflicts.

Conflicts and Martyrs

During this period, there were often disagreements and fights between the local Native American groups, the Spanish colonists, and Catholic missionaries. These clashes sometimes led to deaths. Attacks by the British also resulted in the deaths of many civilians and religious people.

In total, 86 Catholics were later recognized as having died in a way that qualifies them as martyrs for the Church. The Catholic bishops leading the effort to make them saints chose Antonio Cuipa, a Native American, to be the main martyr. Father Luis de Cáncer was also among those who died, along with other Dominicans, Jesuits, Franciscans, and many laypeople.

In 1743, Pope Clement XI and King Philip V of Spain declared October 3 as a special day to remember these martyrs. The official process for their canonization began in 2015, led by Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee. Bishops from other Florida dioceses also supported this cause. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has also approved the effort.

Remembering Luis Cáncer

Luis Cáncer was a Dominican priest. The people working on the cause for the martyrs see him as the first martyr of Florida. In 1860, Bishop Augustín Verot decided that the first church on Florida's west coast should be named St. Louis Church in his honor. Also, in 1918, a picture of Father de Cáncer was put into a large stained glass window at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in New York, which is run by the Dominican Order.

In 1998, the Diocese of St. Petersburg created an award named after Father Luis de Cáncer. This award is given every year to a priest who shows great selfless service to the people. Espíritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, Florida, which is close to where he died, also has a stained glass window showing his martyrdom. In 2011, the diocese placed a special marker at the entrance of that church. This marker remembers his efforts and those of other early Catholic missionaries in the Tampa Bay area.

Future Shrine

A special place of worship, called a shrine, is being planned for the Martyrs of La Florida. It will be built on land in Tallahassee, Florida. The designs for this shrine were finished in 2022.