Saints of the Month - July 2023: The 26 Passionist Martyrs of Daimiel

The 26 Blessed Passionist

Martyrs of Daimiel

True and Faithful Sons of the Passion

Memorial: July 24th

The horrible Spanish Revolution of the 1930s saw the persecution and death of hundreds of Catholics; many of them unrecognized by the Church, despite their heroic and steadfast loyalty to Christ and our Holy Faith.  Fortunately, though, some have managed to make it through the rigorous canonization process to be declared Blesseds so that they, in a limited manner, may be publicly honored and imitated by the rest of us for their bravery and sacrifices.  The men featured in this month's Saint of the Month blog are among the beatified Martyrs of Spain - collectively, they are known as the Passionist Martyrs of Daimiel... or, as Bl. Niceforo Diez and his 25 Companion Martyrs.

This group of Blesseds were all members of the Passionist community residing in the Monastery of Santo Cristo de la Luz in Daimiel, Spain, during the time of the revolution.  Most of them were youthful seminarians between the ages of 19 and 21, while a handful were older priests and brothers of the Order; all were led by their provincial superior, Fr. Niceforo.

On the night of July 21, 1936, after hearing rumors of a potential attack in Daimiel, the community gathered in their chapel to pray, confess, and receive Holy Communion.  Not long after, a large troop of armed soldiers arrived at the monastery, taking all the men into custody.  At first, the group was taken to the local cemetery where they were subjected to intimidation and death threats, but none wavered in their resolve to hold true to their religious convictions.  Subsequently, they were divided into 6 small groups - likely, an attempt to weaken their resolution - and driven to different locales.  Once separated, the killing began at staggered intervals.

A monument to the Passionist Martyrs,

erected in Daimiel, Spain.

In a couple of the towns where the religious were taken, several of them were cruelly tricked into believing that they were set free, without knowing that kill orders were already issued against them; others were paraded about and physically harassed by their captors and hostile townspeople.  In the end, the 26 Passionist members died for the Faith, via gunshots, on the following dates:

July 23rd, 1936 (Manganares)

Fr. Niceforo Diez, Superior (aged 43); Abilio Ramos (20); Epilanio Sierra (20); Fulgencio Calvo (19); Jose Estalayo (21); Zacarios Fernandez (19)

July 23rd (Carabanchel)

Bro. Anacario Benito (30); Bro. Felipe Ruiz (21); Fr. Felipe Valcabado (62); Fr. German Perez (30); Jose Oses (21); Jose Ruiz (21); Julio Mediavilla (21); Laurino Proano (20); Maurilio Macho (21)

July 25th (Erda)

Bro. Benito Solana (38); Felix Ulgade (21); Fr. Pedro Largo (29)

September 25th (Carrion de Calatrava)

Fr. Juan Pedro Bengoa (46); Bro. Pablo Maria Leoz (54)

October 23rd (Manzanares)

Eufrasio de Celes (21); Honorino Carracedo (19); Ildephonso Garcia (38); Jose Maria Cuartero (19); Fr. Justiniano Cuesta (26); Tomas Cuartero (21)

Witnesses present during the multiple executions, including former soldiers, later testified in favor of the courage of all the holy men who died; how they refused to renounce the Faith; and how, following the example of the Divine Master whom they served, forgave their executioners before being murdered.

Relics of the mixed bodily remains

of the Martyrs, gifted to this ministry

by a Passionist priest.

The Martyrs of Daimiel were beatified as a group on October 1, 1989.  May their faith-example serve as a guiding light in today's darkening world.

Bl. Niceforo & Companion

Martyrs, pray for us!