Bl. Miguel Goñi Ariz (1902-1936)

Fr. Miguel Goñi Ariz was born in Imarcoain (Navarra) April 27, 1902. Manifesting the desire to become a priest even as a child, he would enter the Redemptorists on September 8, 1918 and professed his vows on August 26, 1920.

Despite poor health and a shy nature, he was ordained a priest on September 27, 1925 and proved to be a strong and tireless preacher of popular missions.

After serving in the communities of Nava del Rey (Valladolid), Granada, Santander and Vigo, he was transferrred in 1932 to Cuenca, where he ministered especially in the Redemptorist Church of St. Phillip Neri. On August 31, 1936 he was arrested by the militia, shot and left to bleed to death.

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.