Blessed Juan Otazua y Madariaga

His life:

+ Juan was born in Rigoitia, Spain, and entered the Order of the Most Holy Trinity (the Trinitarians) as a young man, professing religious vows in 1914. He was known in religious life as “Juan de Jesus y María.”

+ Following his ordination to the priesthood in 1921, he served in parish ministry and he was remembered for his musical abilities, especially for being an excellent cellist.

+ On March 13, 1936, the church were Juan was serving was burned by anti-Catholic forces in the Spanish Civil War. The Trinitarians were forced to flee and Juan was assigned to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Cabeza in Cerro del Cabezo. However, on July 28, the friars were expelled from the shrine and Juan was able find refuge in Andújar.

+ In spring 1937, Father Juan was arrested by the Communist forces and tried for the crime of being a priest. Although he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, he was shot to death in the cemetery of Mancha Real, Jaén, on April 3, 1937.

+ Blessed Juan Otazua y Madariaga was beatified with other Trinitarian martyrs in 2007.

For prayer and reflection:

“This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock.”—Entrance Antiphon for the Mass for One Martyr

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Juan to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.