After saving the painting of the Virgin of Paloma, an image with extraordinary popular devotion in Madrid, Father Andrés Rodríguez Perdiguero went to his parents’ house. Hugely popular, he was accused of “disaffection with the Fuencarral militias.” He was executed “with open arms in the shape of a cross” after forgiving his murderers.
Confessing the faith before dying
Father Manuel Escribano came out in plain view before the militiamen who entered his home: “If you’re looking for the priest, it’s me!” Once arrested, he said goodbye to his relatives, saying: “See you in heaven!”
Father José Bermúdez was reported by a neighbor woman. Upon being arrested, he exclaimed: “Know that I will never renounce my faith; you can do whatever you want with me.” Taken to a makeshift jail, he was beaten before being killed.
Attorney Fernando Urquijo, killed at the age of 34, wrote before he died:
“I am dying a martyr for these ideals, and I proclaim it as my greatest stamp of glory, of having been a Catholic, Apostolic, Roman until the last moment of my existence, in which, if God allows it, I shall die shouting: ‘Long live Christ the King!’ and ‘Long live Spain!’”
Propagandists
There are eight members of the Catholic Association of Propagandists (Advocates) who are part of this cause for beatification.
Among them are José María de la Torre Rodas, a lawyer who was general secretary of the Propagandists. He was also a member of the Marian Congregations, a lay association established to foster holiness through Mary. He is described as an “exemplary man who combined the joy of dealing with him with the most severe austerity of his person and of his particular life.”
The first rector of the Center for University Studies (CEU), Federico Salmón, is also part of this cause. State attorney, he led the law students of the National Confederation of Catholic Students.
In the political sphere, he was national councilor and general secretary of the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights and Minister of Labour, Justice, and Health in 1935.
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This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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