Bl. Julián Pozo Y Ruiz de Samaniego (1903-1936)

Fr. Julián Pozo Y Ruiz de Samaniego was born in Payueta (Álava) January 7, 1903.

He entered the Redemptorist seminary of El Espino in 1913, where he was much appreciated for the seriousness of his spiritual journey. He professed vows in 1920 and was ordained a priest on September 27,1925.

Suffering from tuberculosis since 1921, he was able to accept the disease with resignation, devoting himself to prayer, hearing confessions and caring for the sick. Of a serene disposition, he was much sought after for his gifts as a confessor and spiritual director.

In 1928 he was transferred to the apostolic community of Cuenca. He then moved to the seminary because of the outbreak of persecution. There, on August 9, 1936. he was arresed while praying the rosary, and was shot along the road that leads from Cuenca to Tragacete.

On October 13, 2013 the town of Tarragona, Spain, witnessed the beatification of six Spanish Redemptorist martyrs: Rev. José Javier Gorosterrazu and five of his confreres. December 20, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree about their martyrdom. Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the congregation in matters of saints and a delegate of Pope Francis, led a celebration of the beatification of this large group of over 500 martyrs.

These 6 new blessed belonged to the same community of the Redemptorist Fathers in Quenca, which was marked by heroic courage and apostolic zeal, even to the point of sacrificing their lives in difficult times that were marked by illusions of the omnipotence of great totalitarian systems. These new martyrs became an icon of this religious order which is united around Christ the Redeemer and passionately preaches the Gospel, in other words, is a true Redemptorist community, which is committed to Redemption. Following the example of the first Christian martyrs these six Redemptorists showed their persecutors and all the disciples of Christ the clear evidence of complete commitment to God and the Church. Their evangelicalmeekness is a quiet but effective defense against violence and harassment and a clear example of consistency and faithfulness to the end. In this Year of Faith these Spanish martyrs become an example of holiness and desire for life to all Redemptorists in a total commitment to God and the missionary work of the Congregation.

November 6th was designated as a day of their Liturgical remembrance.

A prayer:

God, our Father, through the cross and through self-sacrifice, you included the blessed José Javier and his confreres (Ciriaco, Miguel, Julian, Victoriano and Pedro) in the mystery of the Great Redemption of Your Son and through their martyrdom made them your faithful witnesses. We ask that through Your intercession we be brave in our profession of faith and generous with our love. Amen.