We are glad to inform you that at its plenary session on May 15, 02012, the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, approved the process of martyrdom of the Servants of God Hermenegildo de la Asunción, Buenaventura de Santa Catalina, Francisco de San Lorenzo, Plácido de Jesús, Antonio de Jesús María and the brother Esteban de San José. The process will be submitted to the Holy Father for the promulgation of the decree of martyrdom which will clear the way for their beatification.
The Fathers in the community of Alcázar de San Juan gave their witness to Christ by shedding their blood at dawn on June 26, 1936, together with the community of Friars Minor and a Dominican novice who happened to be there. Brother Esteban did not die with them because he had been placed in a nursing home as he was sick; from there he went to prison and it was then that he was called to give his supreme witness to his faith on September 12, 1936.
The community of Alcázar was dedicated, as it is today, to running the school which honors the Order in that area; they were already proud of having educated a great number of the children of the town. Fr. Plácido, a brilliant Philosophy and Theology professor from the Gregorian University of Rome, was the head teacher; he was respected and loved by his pupils, who spoke of him with admiration during the
process. Fr. Buenaventura taught the youngest; he was blessed with a great voice and taught them the multiplication tables by singing; he was jovial and was confident of the love of those he had taught, as well as that of those who found a job with his help. His charity was great and he asked the parents of the children to pay only whatever they could afford. Fr. Francisco was the director of the society of Nocturnal Adoration, to which belonged Blessed Santos Cejudo, who is buried with them in the convent church; he was also director of the group of Tarsicios who helped him with the pastoral ministry to the youth. Fr. Francisco was a great singer and quite jovial, and he was helped by Fr. Buenaventura in conducting these activities. Fr. Antonio was the organist; a musician by vocation, he wrote the hymn to Jesus of Nazareth which has been sung with great devotion by all the people in Alcazar de San Juan even to this day. Brother Esteban was particularly charitable; he often gave part of the convent food to the poor. Fr. Hermenegildo, the minister of the community, was a renowned spiritual director and confessor. He had just arrived in the community and was aware of the danger that existed. He said that he had not arrived to be the superior but for the sacrifice.
None of them wanted to run away; none wanted to leave his brothers; and all together they received the palms of victory. Let us ask God that we may see them canonized before long.
P. Antonio de Jesús y María
P. Hermenegildo de la Asunción
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