Saint Rafael Guízar y Valencia

Life story

Rafael Guizar y Valencia was born on 26 April 1878 at Cotija in Michoacan, Mexico. He entered the seminary at Cotija in 1891 and was ordained a priest in 1901. In 1905 he became spiritual director of the seminary in Zamora.

During the Mexican Revolution he was targeted by revolutionary forces. He lived in exile in the southern United States until the end of 1915, then worked in Guatemala and Cuba. As bishop he kept a seminary running clandestinely in Mexico City for about fifteen years, moving it often. He is described as disguising his priestly work, when needed, as a street seller, a musician or a homeopathic doctor.

In 1919 he was elected bishop of Veracruz and was consecrated in the cathedral of Havana on 30 November 1919. He took possession of the diocese on 9 January 1920 and, according to biographers, helped after the earthquake that struck Veracruz that month. During his time as bishop he spent nine years in exile or fleeing for his life, and was driven out of his diocese.

In December 1937 he had a heart attack while on a mission in Cordoba. He died in Mexico City on 6 June 1938. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 29 January 1995, and Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on 15 October 2006. His feast is 6 June.

Works and witness

• Ordained in 1901; spiritual director of the Zamora seminary in 1905
• Bishop of Veracruz from late 1919
• Kept a clandestine seminary that changed location often
• Died in Mexico City on 6 June 1938

Saints from the same country

Saint Juan Diego, Blessed Miguel Pro, Saint José Sánchez del Río, The 25 Martyrs of Mexico

References

• Holy See, canonization of Rafael Guízar y Valencia, 15 October 2006: biography (vatican.va)

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