A Manchester student who died from cancer at the age of 21 has formally begun the process that could eventually lead to him becoming the Catholic Church’s first saint from Gen Z. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford announced it had officially opened the cause for the beatification and canonisation of Pedro Ballester, marking the first stage in the Church’s saint-making process, as reported by the BBC.
“We are pleased to announce the opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many,” the diocese said. Ballester was born in Manchester and had been studying to become a chemical engineer before his education was interrupted by an aggressive form of cancer. He died in January 2018 at the age of 21.
Ballester was also associated with Opus Dei, the Catholic institution founded in Spain in 1928 by priest Josemaria Escriva. During his teenage years, Ballester committed himself to becoming a lay member devoted to religious life and service. Hundreds of mourners attended his funeral at Holy Name Church, which was led by the future Cardinal Arthur Roche, who travelled from the Vatican for the service.
The opening of a canonisation cause is the first formal step towards sainthood and involves a detailed investigation into the person’s life, writings and reputation for holiness before evidence is sent to the Vatican. Church authorities are now inviting people who knew Ballester to submit letters, diaries, personal testimonies and memories that may help document his life and faith.
Fr Joseph Evans, who administered Ballester’s last rites, welcomed the announcement. “I’m delighted having witnessed at first hand Pedro's heroic struggle in the last six months of his life,” he said. “I feel he can be a great model of joy in adversity particularly for young people.” More than 60 people, including family members, friends and acquaintances, have already been interviewed as part of the early stages of the process.
According to the Church process, investigators will now examine whether Ballester demonstrated what Catholic teaching describes as “heroic virtue” before a dossier is eventually submitted to the Vatican for further consideration. His grave at Southern Cemetery in Manchester has since become a place visited by Catholics from different countries who come to pay tribute.
