Saint Rafael Guizar y Valencia
"Bishop of the poor"
April 26, 1878-June 6, 1938
Feast Day: June 6
Patronage: Persecuted Christians
Saint Rafael Guizar y Valencia was the first bishop canonized in Mexico. He founded the Congregation of Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope. He became a priest in 1901 during a turbulent anti-Catholic government. Throughout this persecution, he educated the youth, did missionary work, promoted love of the Holy Eucharist and devotion to Our Blessed Mother by evading authorities and disguising himself as a street seller, musician, and doctor. After the government ordered him to be "shot on site." he left Mexico and ministered in Guatemala, Cuba and the U.S. Bishop Rafael died from complications of a heart attack and his heart is incorrupt at the Cathedral of Xalapa in Veracruz where he was bishop.
