Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo

Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo (21 September 1882 – 10 March 1928) was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest who was also a member of the Order of Saint Augustine who assumed the name of Elias del Socorro when he became a member of the order.[1]

Blessed
Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo
O.S.A.
Mexican Roman Catholic priest
Priest
Born(1882-09-21)21 September 1882
Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico
Died10 March 1928(1928-03-10) (aged 45)
Cañada de Caracheo, Guanajuato, Mexico
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified12 October 1997, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Feast10 March
AttributesCassock
Patronage

Pope John Paul II beatified him on 12 October 1997 without a miracle because he was killed "in odium fidei" and therefore did not require a miracle. Instead it was proved that he was killed in hatred of the faith. A miracle is now under investigation for prospective sainthood.[2]

Life

Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo was born on 21 September 1882 as a sick child to Ramón and Rita and was baptized on the same day due to fears that he would not live for long.[3] He almost died of tuberculosis at the age of twelve and his father soon died after he rallied from his ailment.

Castillo was admitted to the Augustinian college in Yuriria at the age of 22 which was older than the standard admission age. He took his vows in 1911 and took the name of "Elias del Socorro". He was ordained to the priesthood on 9 April 1916 and served as a vicar in Cañada de Caracheo in 1921.

At the time of the government persecution of the Roman Catholic Church he refused to submit and moved to the hillside where he served his parish during the night so as not to be caught. He was arrested and was shot to death on the side of the road. His final words were: "Long live Christ the King!"[4][5]

Beatification

The beatification cause for the Servant of God commenced in Morelia in October 1957 and concluded its work in June 1959. The process was ratified in 1992 and the Positio - documentation on his murder being "in odium fidei" - was sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1994.

Pope John Paul II approved the decision that Castillo died in hatred of the faith and beatified him on 12 October 1997.[6]

A miracle attributed to him was discovered and was investigated. The process was ratified in 2010. This miracle will have to be approved before his canonization can proceed.

References
  1. Elias do Socorro Nieves (1882-1928) Article in Spanish
  2. "Blessed Elias del Socorro Nieves". Saints SQPN. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  3. "Blessed Elias dal Socorro Nieves (in Italian)". Santi e Beati. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  4. "Blessed Elias del Socorro Nieves". Saints SQPN. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  5. "Blessed Elias dal Socorro Nieves (in Italian)". Santi e Beati. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  6. Table of Beatifications during the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II
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