Based on the memoirs of Bishop Gabriele Neviani, Bishop of Sappa

Summary: Throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period, Albania and its surrounding regions produced or hosted numerous figures of great sanctity within the Franciscan tradition. Many of them lived during times of intense religious conflict, especially during the Ottoman expansion in the Balkans. Their lives reflect a deep commitment to the Christian faith, missionary zeal, and the endurance of persecution.

Notable Albanian Franciscans and Those Living in Albania

Blessed Demetrio Albanese

A member of the Third Order of St. Francis, known as Albanese because he journeyed to Albania during a mission against the Turks. There he suffered severe torments and imprisonment. Afterward, he lived as a hermit for thirty years at Monte Luco near Spoleto. Near death he retired to the Convent of St. Paul, where he died. His sanctity was widely recognized.
Commemoration: April 21.

Blessed Vitale Albanese (Lay Franciscan, †1460)

A fervent lay brother renowned for prayer and extraordinary mystical gifts, including ecstasy and levitation. He was esteemed for the prophetic spirit and became famous for miracles after his death.
Feast: October 19.

Blessed Andrea Albanese (Priest, †1355)

A Franciscan priest remembered for the miracles performed after his death.
Commemoration: December 26.

Brother Michele Albanensis

A lay Franciscan celebrated for piety and virtue. His tombstone identifies him with the Albanian name Albanensis. He shared an austere missionary life with Fr. Giovanni de Buca.
Feast: January 29.

Fr. Giovanni de Buca Albanensis

A Franciscan priest noted for extraordinary austerity and miracles. His preaching converted many people to the Christian faith. He died and was buried in Traù (Trogir) in Dalmatia.
Feast: August 13.

Fr. Nicola Albanese

A Franciscan tertiary martyred in Constantinople while preaching against the law of Mohammed.
Commemoration: October 14.

Blessed Francesco da Durazzo

A lay Franciscan from Durazzo (Durrës), known for extreme abstinence and miraculous gifts. He died in Oria in the Gulf of Taranto, where his feast was celebrated with Papal approval.

Blessed Peter of Durazzo (†1477)

Originally a sea pirate, he converted deeply, entered the Franciscan Third Order, and lived as a hermit in Forlì. With alms he founded and built the shrine of Santa Maria di Fornovo, where he was buried.

Franciscan Martyrs in Albania (17th–18th centuries)

During the Ottoman era the Franciscan missions in Albania suffered constant persecution. Many were imprisoned, tortured, or killed for defending the Christian faith and providing pastoral support to Albanian Catholics.

1648 – Martyrdom of Franciscan Missionaries near Scutari

Fathers Ferdinando da Albisola and Giacomo da Sarnano were publicly tortured and impaled for refusing to abandon Christianity. A Franciscan tertiary and companion of the missionaries, Fr. Giovanni Iubani, was also impaled for the faith the same year.

1649 – Martyrdom in Antivari

Fr. Giorgio Summa, a tertiary and student of the missionaries, was killed out of hatred for the Church.

1710 – Martyrdom of Father Antonio da Sora

A missionary priest who served as parish priest in Scialla (Shijak) for fourteen years, known and loved among Catholics of Scutari. Regarded by local Turks as a dangerous adversary, he was ambushed and murdered while returning from Scutari.
Date: May 9, 1710.

Conclusion

The Franciscan presence in Albania has produced a remarkable legacy of spiritual endurance and martyrdom. From hermits and preachers to missionaries and martyrs, these blessed Albanians contributed significantly to the preservation of Christianity under harsh persecution. Their witness forms a vital chapter in the religious history of Albania and the Franciscan Order.

Chronological table

Name	Order / Role	Region / Activity	Death / Martyrdom	Notes & Significance
Blessed Andrea Albanese	Franciscan Priest	Albanian heritage, died in Dalmatia	1355	Miracles after death; commemorated Dec. 26.
Blessed Antonio I of Durazzo	Archbishop of Durrës (Franciscan)	Durazzo (Durrës), Albania	1319 (included for direct Albanian episcopal service)	Preached to Saracens; famous for miracles.
Blessed Adamo da Cattaro	Franciscan, missionary companion of Archbishop Antonio	Missionary in Durazzo	14th c.	Prophetically announced his death; known for miracles.
Brother Michele Albanensis	Lay Franciscan	Albania / Dalmatia	Before 1355	Praised for austerity and virtue.
Fr. Giovanni de Buca Albanensis	Franciscan Priest	Albania & Dalmatia	14th–15th c.	Noted for austerity and miracle-working preaching; buried in Traù.
Blessed Vitale Albanese	Lay Franciscan	Albania	1460	Mystic, ecstasies, levitation, miracles; feast Oct. 19.
Blessed Francesco da Durazzo	Lay Franciscan	Durazzo (Durrës)	15th c.	Known for strict abstinence; feast granted papal approval.
Blessed Peter of Durazzo	Franciscan Tertiary, hermit	Durazzo → Forlì	1477	Former pirate turned saint; built shrine of S. Maria di Fornovo.
Fr. Nicola Albanese	Franciscan Tertiary	Constantinople (martyred)	15th c.	Killed for preaching against Islam; feast Oct. 14.
Blessed Demetrio Albanese	Franciscan Tertiary, hermit	Albania & Italy	Late 15th c.	Tortured by Turks in Albania, later hermit 30 years.
Fr. Giovanni Iubani	Franciscan Tertiary	Scutari region	1648	Impaled after refusing to renounce faith.
Fr. Giorgio Summa	Franciscan Tertiary	Antivari (Bar), Albania	1649	Martyred from hatred of the faith.
Missionaries Ferdinando da Albisola & Giacomo da Sarnano	Franciscan Missionaries	Scutari region, Albania	28 Feb 1648	Publicly impaled while preaching Christianity.
Fr. Gaudioso da Cuneo	Franciscan Missionary in Albania	Gruda	1688	Beheaded by local Turks.
Fr. Antonio da S. Giacomo	Franciscan Missionary	Potgovitz	1693	Killed out of hatred for Christianity.
Fr. Antonio da Sora	Franciscan Priest & Missionary	Scialla / Scutari	9 May 1710	Ambushed and murdered after 14 years pastoral work.

References

Arturo, Father. Martyrologium Seraphicum (Mart. Seraphicum).
Primary source documenting Franciscan blessed figures and martyrdoms.

Bollandists. Acta Sanctorum, Vol. IV.
Scholarly hagiographical collection produced by the Belgian Bollandist Society.

Fabianich. Storia Minoritica.
Historical work concerning the development and membership of the Franciscan Order.

Farlati, Daniele. Illyricum Sacrum.
Monumental ecclesiastical history of Albania and the Illyrian provinces.

Lisboa, Marco da. Chronicles of the Franciscan Order (Croniche dell’Ordine dei Frati Minori).
Franciscan chronicling including biographical and missionary accounts.

Neviani, Gabriele. Memoirs of the Bishop of Sappa.
Records and testimony concerning Albanian Franciscans and mission work.

Tosignano. Franciscan Chronicles (Cronache Francescane).
Collection of narrative documents detailing miracles and deaths.

Wadding, Luke. Annales Minorum.
The largest historical compilation of documents and biographies of the Franciscan Order.