Blessed Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo
Augustinian priest in Mexico, shot in 1928 during the religious persecution
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Martyr, Priest, Religious
- Life
- 1882 – 1928
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 10 March
- Countries
- Mexico
Life story
Mateo Elías Nieves was born on 21 September 1882 in Yuriria, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, to a modest farming family. When he was twelve his father was killed by robbers, and he set his studies aside to help support the family. In 1904, at twenty-one, he was admitted to the Augustinian high school at Yuriria.
He professed vows in 1911 and added the name “del Socorro” (of Help), a reference to Our Lady of Help. He was ordained a priest in 1916 and served in several places. In 1921 he was named assistant priest at La Cañada de Caracheo, a very poor village in Guanajuato.
In 1926, during the persecution of the Church in Mexico, priests were ordered to move from small towns to the cities. He refused, hid in a cave in the hills outside the village and carried on his ministry in secret; one source from his order says this lasted 14 months.
At last he was discovered, admitted that he was a priest and was arrested with two laymen who had offered to stay with him. On 10 March 1928 the three were taken in the direction of Cortazar. The two laymen were shot on the way, and then he was shot. His last words are recorded as “Long live Christ the King!” His remains are kept in the parish church of La Cañada. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 12 October 1997 in St Peter's Square; as a martyr he did not need a miracle.
Works and witness
- Professed as an Augustinian in 1911 and ordained a priest in 1916
- Assistant priest at La Cañada de Caracheo from 1921
- Refused to leave his parish in the persecution and hid in a cave to serve the people
- Arrested and shot on 10 March 1928
- Beatified on 12 October 1997
Saints from the same country
References
- Augustinians (augustinian.org), page on Blessed Elías del Socorro Nieves
- Vatican, homily of John Paul II at the beatification, 12 October 1997
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.