Blessed Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos

Life story

Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos was born on 14 October 1845 at Yarumal in Antioquia, Colombia, the eldest of seven children of Pedro Euse and Rosalía de Hoyos. His uncle, Fr. Fermín Hoyos, was a priest known for his virtue and learning.

In 1869, at 24, he entered the newly opened seminary of Medellín and was ordained a priest on 14 July 1872. He first served as assistant to his uncle at San Pedro until the uncle died in January 1875, then moved to Yarumal in 1876 and to Angostura in 1878.

At Angostura he remained, as parish priest, until his death. He completed the parish church, which had stalled for lack of funds, and built his own house, a bell tower, two chapels (of the Virgen del Carmen and of San Francisco) and the cemetery. He cared for the poor and the farm workers.

He died on 13 July 1926, fifty-four years after his ordination, aged 80, and was buried in the chapel of the Virgin of Carmen that he had built. On his deathbed he said that he had lived enough and that his greatest wish was to be united with Jesus. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 9 April 2000 in St Peter's Square.

Works and witness

• Entered the Medellín seminary in 1869; ordained 14 July 1872
• Moved to Angostura in 1878 and stayed there as pastor until his death
• Completed the parish church; built a bell tower, two chapels and a cemetery
• Cared for the poor and farm workers
• Beatified on 9 April 2000

Saints from the same country

Saint Laura Montoya, Saint Peter Claver, Saint Louis Bertrand, Saint Maria Bernarda Bütler

References

• Holy See: biography for the beatification of Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos, 9 April 2000 (vatican.va, ns_lit_doc_20000409_beat-Hoyos_sp)
• Catholic.net: 'Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos, beato' (es.catholic.net, article 36496)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.