Blessed Sebastián de Aparicio
Spanish farmer who built ox-cart roads in Mexico and became a Franciscan brother in his seventies
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Religious
- Life
- 1502 – 1600
- Era
- 16th century
- Feast
- 25 February
- Countries
- Spain, Mexico
Life story
Sebastián de Aparicio was born on 20 January 1502 at A Gudiña in the region of Ourense, Spain. In 1533 he went to New Spain and landed at Veracruz, then settled in the newly founded city of Puebla, where he farmed and raised cattle.
He became known for training oxen to pull carts and for opening transport routes, including one from Veracruz toward Puebla and the road from Mexico City to Zacatecas, and for running a freight service. Biographies say he was twice widowed, but the timing and details of his marriages vary by source.
After selling his property and helping the Poor Clares in Mexico City, he received the Franciscan habit as a lay brother in 1574, at about seventy years old, and made his vows on 13 June 1575 at the convent of Saint Francis in Mexico City. For about the last 25 years of his life he served as the friars' alms collector, usually travelling with an ox-cart.
He died on 25 February 1600 at Puebla, aged 98. Pope Pius VI beatified him on 17 May 1789. He is regarded as a patron of drivers and transport workers.
Works and witness
- Went to New Spain in 1533 and farmed and raised cattle at Puebla
- Opened ox-cart transport routes, including Mexico City to Zacatecas
- Became a Franciscan lay brother in 1574 and professed on 13 June 1575
- Collected alms for the friars for about 25 years
- Died in 1600; beatified in 1789
Patron of
Drivers and transport workers
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic.net (Spanish): 'Sebastián de Aparicio, beato' (es.catholic.net, article 34751)
- ACI Prensa: 'Beato franciscano Sebastián de Aparicio...' (aciprensa.com, patron of drivers, beatification 17 May 1789)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.