A relic of Blessed Sebastián de Aparicio, which became considered the “Angel of Mexico”, will arrive at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, where it can be venerated from July 18 to 21.
The relic that can be venerated is a rope of its Franciscan habit.
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Sebastián de Aparicio was born in the town of La Gudiña, in Galicia (Spain), in 1502; And he arrived in New Spain – the current Mexico – in search of better opportunities. He stood out as a pioneer in the construction of roads and carts, facilitating trade and development, and was a tireless defender of indigenous and poor, whom he taught agricultural techniques and offered protection.
His life was marked by humility, charity and a surprising relationship with animals, which earned him the nickname of “beast appeaser.” After widowing twice, without having children, he resigned from his fortune and joined the Franciscans (order of smaller friars), at 72, as a lego brother, dedicating his last years to the alms and at the service of the most needy, winning the love of the people.
According to Franciscan Mediapublication of the Franciscan province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (United States, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cuba), the blessed of the Blessed “won the nickname of ‘Ángel de México’.”
Blessed Sebastián de Aparicio died in 1600 in Puebla de los Ángeles, today Puebla de Zaragoza. His body, considered incorrupt, is venerated in the church of San Francisco in that city. He is considered a patron of carriers.
“An example of Christian values that never go out of style”
Speaking to ACI Press, Fray Enrique Carranco, vicepostulator of the cause of Blessed Fray Sebastian de Aparicio, explained that the objective of the visit of the relic to the Cathedral of Mexico City “is to publicize and remember” this Blessed.
“Formerly many people knew him, in addition to that he has always sought his canonization,” he said.
In addition, he stressed, this event is part of a special celebration: in 2024 500 years of the arrival of the first 12 Franciscans who arrived in Mexico were completed, known as the “12 apostles of Mexico.”
Fray Enrique stressed that Blessed Sebastián “is an example of Christian values that never go out of style. The Christian has to be a worker, to look for the good of all, to have the Lord Jesus Christ in the center in life. And to live above all happy with what God asks us.”
“The figure of Blessed Sebastián de Aparicio as a builder of a country, Mexico,” said, said, highlighting that the Blessed “never made distinction of races, and that the meeting of two worlds had just happened, it was always propositive, it is due to the construction of roads and the introduction of the carts, the development of livestock, etc.”
“It is necessary to publicize Sebastián and many figures that have been relegated in the history of Mexico and the Church,” he added.
Fray Jesús Silva, guardian of the Convent of San Francisco in Puebla, said that this visit of the relic aims to “continue promoting” devotion to the Blessed, so that “the grace of the canonization can be” can have and among many we can have a miracle that is acceptable and a saint of our church. “
David Ramos
Graduate in Communication Sciences by the Private University of the North in Trujillo, Peru. With more than 12 years of experience in Catholic journalism working in ACI Press, I am based in Mexico since 2018. I have covered the trips of Pope Francis to Ecuador, Paraguay, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Panama.