Ezequiél Moreno y Díaz

Ezequiél Moreno y Díaz was a Spanish Catholic prelate and a member of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, known for his extensive missionary work and his service as a bishop in Colombia. Born on April 9, 1848, in Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain, he was the third of six children. His father was a tailor.

Early Life and Religious Vocation

Moreno developed a devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary from a young age, serving as an altar boy for Dominican nuns. Following his older brother's example, he entered the Recoletos in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain, on September 21, 1864, taking the religious name Fray Ezequiel Moreno de la Virgen del Rosario. He made his solemn vows in Marcialla, Navarra, on September 22, 1865.

Missionary Service in the Philippines

In 1869, Moreno embarked for the Philippines, arriving in Manila in February 1870. He received and completed his minor orders in Jaro, Iloilo, and was ordained a priest on June 3, 1871, by the Archbishop of Manila. His first mission was in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, where he became proficient in the Tagalog language. He later served as Military Chaplain to a penal colony in Palawan and was among the founders of the town of Aborlan and Barangay Inagawan. He also served in Las Piñas, Santo Tomás, and as parish priest of Santa Cruz Church in Manila. During a cholera outbreak in Cavite, he worked tirelessly to administer the Last Rites to the faithful.

Service in Colombia and Episcopacy

In 1888, Moreno transitioned to missionary work in Colombia, heading the Recollect mission there. He served as Vicar Apostolic of Casanare and was named bishop of Pinara, Colombia, on October 23, 1893. He became Bishop of Pasto, Colombia, on December 2, 1893, where he was noted for his charity and promotion of the Rosary of the Dawn. Moreno aligned himself with the Colombian Conservative Party and was vocal in his critique of the Liberal Party, famously stating, “liberalism is a sin,” a controversial remark.

Canonization and Legacy

Ezequiél Moreno y Díaz was canonized in 1992 by Pope John Paul II and is widely venerated as the patron saint of cancer patients. His life exemplifies dedication to missionary work and pastoral care, leaving a lasting spiritual legacy.