Cristobal of Saint Catherine
 | |
| Priest | |
| Born | 25 July 1638 Mérida, Badajoz, Habsburg Spain |
| Died | 21 July 1690 (aged 51) Córdoba, Habsburg Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 7 April 2013, Córdoba, Spain by Cardinal Angelo Amato |
| Feast | 21 July |
| Patronage | Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Jesus of Nazareth |
Blessed Cristobal of Saint Catherine (25 July 1638 – 21 July 1690), born Cristóbal López de Valladolid Orea, was a Roman Catholic Spanish priest and a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. He was the founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Jesus of Nazareth.
After his death he was cleared for beatification in 2012 after a miracle found to have been attributed to his intercession was formally ratified, and he was beatified in Spain on 7 April 2013 by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of Pope Francis.[1]
Biography
Cristóbal López de Valladolid Orea was born in 1638 as the son of poor laborers. He became a priest when he was ordained on 20 March 1663 and felt an attraction to the rule and teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was for this reason he became a professed member of the Third Order of Saint Francis in 1671. He established the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitellers of Jesus of Nazareth in Córdoba in 1673 which pushed the boundaries of religion and social issues.[2]
He died of illness in 1690 and it was said after his death several miracles were attributed to his direct intercession.
Beatification
The cause of beatification commenced on 27 June 1770 under Pope Clement XIV and the late priest was declared a Servant of God. On 28 June 2012 Pope Benedict XVI declared him to have lived a life of heroic virtue and named him Venerable. On 20 December 2012, Benedict XVI approved a decree that recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession which cleared the way for him to be beatified. It was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Amato on 7 April 2013 in Spain.
References
- ^ "Blessed Cristóbal López de Valladolid Orea". Saints SQPN. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ^ "Padre Cristóbal (in Spanish)". Córdobapedia. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2015.