Blessed Mamerto Esquiú
Franciscan friar from Catamarca, bishop of Córdoba and patriotic preacher
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Bishop, Priest, Religious
- Life
- 1826 – 1883
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 11 May
- Countries
- Argentina
Life story
Mamerto Esquiú was born on 11 May 1826 at Piedra Blanca in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. One biography says he was sickly at birth, his mother made a vow, and he wore the Franciscan habit from childhood. He entered the Franciscan convent at Catamarca as a boy and became a friar there. One source says he was ordained a priest in 1848.
On 9 July 1853, at the celebration of the oath to the Constitution, he preached a famous sermon calling for the union of the Argentine people. President Justo José de Urquiza had it printed and circulated. He wrote several patriotic sermons at difficult moments in the nation's history and is remembered as a defender of the 1853 Constitution. He also worked as a teacher, journalist and deputy for Catamarca.
In 1880 Pope Leo XIII appointed him bishop of Córdoba; he was consecrated in December 1880 and took possession of the see in January 1881. Biographies describe him as austere and close to his people.
He died on 10 January 1883 at La Posta de El Suncho, in Catamarca province, aged 56. The miracle accepted for his beatification was the unexplained cure of a newborn in Tucumán from severe bone infection in 2017. Pope Francis recognised it in June 2020, and the beatification Mass was celebrated at Piedra Blanca in September 2021.
Works and witness
- Entered the Franciscan convent of Catamarca as a boy
- Preached the Constitution sermon on 9 July 1853
- Worked as teacher, journalist and deputy for Catamarca
- Bishop of Córdoba from 1880
- Died 10 January 1883; beatified in September 2021
Saints from the same country
References
- Memo.com.ar: 'Quién fue y por qué el Vaticano beatificó a fray Mamerto Esquiú' (memo.com.ar)
- EFE and Canal 26 reports on the beatification decree, 19 June 2020 (place of death, miracle)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.