Biography of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos

Blessed Mariano de Jesus Eues Hoyos

Also known as

Padre Marianito

Profile

Eldest son of a religious rural Colombian family in a time when the state was hostile to the Church. From age 16 he wanted to become a priest; he entered the new Medellin Seminary at age 24 and was ordained in 1872. Worked in the parishes of San Pedro and Yarumel, and in 1878 he was assigned as priest to Angostura, Colombia where he spent the rest of his life.

Mariano had a great love for the poor, especially rural labourers. His preaching was simple and effective, his time spent ministering to the spiritual and social needs of his flock, and the people who knew him considered him a saint in life. However, his parish was in an area beset by civil war, and neither side seemed sympathetic to the Church; several times Mariano had to hide in nearby caves to escape the fighting.

Padre Marianito was beatified after confirmation of a miracle in the life of Father Rafael Gildardo Velez Saldarriaga of Medellin. Velez underwent prostate surgery in 1970; in 1982 he developed cancer on the scar. He had surgery, cobalt and estrogen therapies, and seemed to have recovered. In March 1987 he developed an oedema of the legs that turned into elephantiasis followed by metastasis of the spinal column, and the 75-year-old priest was pronounced terminal. But in September 1987 he began to improve. In two months the oedema was reduced, the cellulitis and bone metastasis had disappeared. Doctors and scientists examined Father Velez in June 1991 and declared his cure had no scientific explanation. Additional analyses carried out in 1997 showed complete recovery, and on 4 April 1998, the Medical Commission of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints acknowledged unanimously that the priest's cure could not be scientifically explained, and was attributed to Padre Marianito's intercession.

Born

14 October 1845 at Yarumal, diocese of Antioquía, Colombia

Died

13 July 1926 at Angostura, Antioquia, Colombia of severe urinary system infections

Beatified

• 9 April 2000 by Pope John Paul II
• first Colombian to be beatified

Patronage

against cancer

Readings

I have already lived long enough. Now my greatest desire is to be united with my Jesus. - Blessed Mariano on his deathbed

[Father Mariano] knew how to integrate himself totally in the life of the people, sharing in the sorrows and joys of all. For all of them, he was a diligent Father, teacher and trustworthy counsellor, and a faithful witness of Christ's love among them. The poor, whom he called 'Christ's nobles,' were his favourites. He never hesitated to use his own goods to alleviate the penury and indigence of the weakest. He frequently visited the sick and was available at all times of the day and night to help them. He took care of children and youth with infinite gentleness and simplicity to lead them on the road of good habits and prudence. - Vatican Information Office