Morales, Manuel, St.

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MORALES, MANUEL, ST.

Martyr, married layman; b. Feb. 8, 1898, Mesillas near Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Diocese of Durango, Mexico co; d. Aug. 15, 1926, Puerto de Santa Teresa near Zacatecas. After Manuel's birth, his family moved to Chalchihuites, where he later met St. Luis batiz. He attend the Durango seminary but left to support his poor family, married, and sired three children. Known for his piety, he was secretary to the Circle of Catholic Workers and a member of the Mexican Youth for Catholic Action. As president of the National League, he announced at its first meeting that its mission was to peacefully petition the government to repeal laws suppressing religious liberty. After Batiz's arrest, he organized the locals to secure the priest's freedom. Instead he was himself arrested, tortured, then shot near Zacatecas. Morales was both beatified (Nov. 22, 1992) and canonized (May 21, 2000) with Cristobal magallanes [see guadalajara (mexico), Cristóbal de Morales. Cristóbal de Morales.] by Pope John Paul II.

Feast: May 25 (Mexico).

Bibliography: j. cardoso, Los mártires mexicanos (Mexico City 1953). v. garcÍa juÁrez, Los cristeros (Fresnillo, Zac. 1990).

[k. i. rabenstein]

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