Saint Rafael Guizar Valencia
Saint Rafael Guízar Valencia (born April 26, 1878 AD in Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, Mexico; died June 6, 1938 AD in Mexico City, Mexico) was a Mexican bishop known as the "Apostle of Veracruz" and the first Mexican bishop to be canonized. During the Cristero War and the anti-clerical persecutions in Mexico, he traveled in disguise, administering sacraments and ordaining priests while hunted by government forces. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. His feast day is June 6.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Rafael Guizar Valencia
| Saint Rafael Guizar Valencia | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 06 |
| Profession | Bishop of Veracruz; seminary rector; apostle under persecution; confessor |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Diocese of Veracruz; Mexican Catholicism; Cristero War era; first Mexican bishop canonized; incorrupt body |
| Patronage | Veracruz; Xalapa; Mexican bishops; seminarians; those who minister under persecution; those who disguise themselves to serve God |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; secular disguise (hat, merchant's clothes); seminary building; Mexico; incorrupt body in glass reliquary; the phrase "A bishop who does not risk his life for his sheep..." |
| Birthplace | Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, Mexico |
| Death Place | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died June 6, 1938, in Mexico City; he had spent decades under persecution, living in poverty while traveling in disguise to minister to his flock; his health was severely depleted by his years of exile and hardship; he died surrounded by his clergy |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Xalapa (Jalapa), Veracruz, Mexico — his incorrupt body in a glass reliquary; principal pilgrimage site; the Diocese of Veracruz considers him their founding apostle; feast June 6 celebrated with solemnity |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); June 6; Feast in Mexico |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar (canonized 2006) |
Biography
Rafael Guízar Valencia was born on April 26, 1878, in Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, Mexico. Ordained a priest in 1901, he served in parishes and as a seminary rector before being appointed Bishop of Veracruz in 1919.
His episcopate coincided with the anti-clerical policies of the Mexican government and the Cristero War (1926–1929). During the years of persecution, he traveled in disguise — as a merchant, farmer, or doctor — administering sacraments and ordaining priests while hunted by government forces. He was exiled multiple times to Guatemala, Cuba, and Colombia, but returned to Mexico as soon as possible. He kept his seminary operating in secret, moving it from city to city. He ordained 40 priests during the most severe persecution years.
He died in Mexico City on June 6, 1938. His body is incorrupt and displayed at the Cathedral of Xalapa, Veracruz.
Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1995. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 15, 2006, making him the first Mexican bishop to be canonized.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, Mexico
Death location: Mexico City, Mexico
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of Xalapa (Jalapa), Veracruz — his incorrupt body; principal shrine.
Feast day
June 6
Veneration
Saint Rafael Guízar Valencia is the first Mexican bishop to be canonized. He governed the Diocese of Veracruz in disguise during the Cristero War, ordaining 40 priests under persecution. His incorrupt body is displayed at the Cathedral of Xalapa. His feast is June 6.
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