Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo
Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo was a Mexican Catholic priest martyred during the Cristero War. He is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church for his faith and obedience, particularly his care for the sick and his refusal to abandon his flock when threatened by anti-clerical forces.
- Feast Day
- January 17
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Mexico
Key Facts
- ›He was born on 19 September 1886 in Agualele, Jalisco, Mexico.
- ›Sánchez Delgadillo was ordained a priest on 20 August 1911.
- ›He focused his ministry on caring for the sick and teaching catechism.
- ›He was jailed for reading a pastoral letter defending the Church's rights.
- ›He was executed by the Mexican military on 17 January 1927.
- ›He was beatified in 1992 and canonized in 2000.
About Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo
Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo was a Mexican Catholic priest who is honored as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. His life and death are intrinsically linked to the religious persecution experienced in Mexico during the Cristero War.
Life and Historical Context
Born on September 19, 1886, in Agualele, Jalisco, Sánchez Delgadillo was the son of Cristóbal Sánchez and Julia Delgadillo. He entered the seminary of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara on a scholarship and was ordained a priest on August 20, 1911, by Archbishop José de Jesús Ortíz y Rodríguez. He served as a curate in several parishes, where he was known for his humility, obedience, dedication to caring for the sick, and teaching catechism to children. While stationed in Cocula, Jalisco, he also taught at a minor seminary.
The period of his ministry coincided with significant governmental interference in the affairs of the Catholic Church in Mexico. In 1917, Archbishop Francisco Orozco y Jiménez issued a pastoral letter detailing the Church's struggles against government control. For reading this letter publicly during a Sunday service, Sánchez was arrested by local police.
By 1923, Sánchez had been appointed vicar of Tamazulita. Due to government prohibitions on public worship, he conducted secret Masses in private homes. He and his parents found refuge with the Castillo family at their home on Rancho La Cañada.
Martyrdom
On January 17, 1927, while out hunting with several companions, Sánchez was ambushed by soldiers. Despite pleas to escape, he chose to remain and face the consequences. He and his companions were captured, tied back-to-back, and the others were released. Soldiers then hanged Sánchez from a nearby tree. Before dawn, soldiers returned, shot him in the shoulder, and then pierced his chest with a bayonet. His body was taken to a private home and subsequently buried in the cemetery of Tecolotlan.
Veneration
In 1934, the remains of Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo were transferred to the parish church in Tecolotlan Cocula, Jalisco. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 22, 1992, and canonized by the same pope on May 21, 2000, during the Jubilee of 2000, recognizing him as a martyr of the faith.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo born?
Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo was born on September 19, 1886, in the town of Agualele, within the municipality of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
What was Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo's role in the Catholic Church?
He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and served in various parishes, focusing on the care of the sick and teaching catechism. He was appointed vicar of the village of Tamazulita.
Why was Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo executed?
He was executed by the Mexican military during the Cristero War. This was a result of rising tensions between the Catholic Church and the government, and he had previously been jailed for reading a pastoral letter defending the Church's rights.
When did Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo die?
Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo died on January 17, 1927. He was executed by being hanged from a tree by soldiers, and later shot and bayoneted.
When was Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo recognized as a saint?
He was beatified on November 22, 1992, by Pope John Paul II and canonized by the same pope at the Jubilee of 2000, on May 21 of that year.
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