BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1833 in Quintana del Pidio (Burgos),
into a humble peasant
family, Ciriaco María was ordained as priest when
he was 24 years old.
He
exercised his ministry in Burgo
de Osma, Santiago de Cuba, Madrid, Avila, Valencia
and Toledo. In all of these
dioceses he was distinguished by his
ardent charity and simplicity, his commitment to the formation of priests, the promotion of workers, the protection of the Church, the
appreciation of consecrated life and his
intense work for the unity of the Roman-Catholics.
In Santiago de Cuba he founded the Sisters of the Poor and Disabled Poor Children -currently named Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha- and he suffered months of imprisonment and prosecution for his loyalty in defending the freedom of the Church.
As auxiliary bishop of Toledo he helped to found some religious congregations and he prepared the creation of Madrid-Alcala diocese.
As bishop of Avila Ciriaco María founded the first female Trappe Monastery of Spain in Tiñosillos, which is currently located in Alloz (Navarra).
He organized in Madrid the first National Catholic Congress and in Valencia he boosted the social and priestly Pastoral Ministry.
As Cardinal of Toledo, Primate of Spain, Ciriaco María helped Blessed Dolores Rodríguez Sopeña in the founding of the Catechist Ladies -currently called the Sopeña Catechetical Institute-, and he worked for the unity of the episcopate and the Spanish Catholics.
He died in Toledo on February 25, 1909 as a result of a heroic act of charity in favour of the poor, with whom he identified himself so much: "He lived poor, he died very poor."
The Apostolic Letters for Beatification (October 18, 2009) recognize him as a "diligent and tireless witness of Christ, father of the poor and servant of the unity of the Church."
In Santiago de Cuba he founded the Sisters of the Poor and Disabled Poor Children -currently named Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha- and he suffered months of imprisonment and prosecution for his loyalty in defending the freedom of the Church.
As auxiliary bishop of Toledo he helped to found some religious congregations and he prepared the creation of Madrid-Alcala diocese.
As bishop of Avila Ciriaco María founded the first female Trappe Monastery of Spain in Tiñosillos, which is currently located in Alloz (Navarra).
He organized in Madrid the first National Catholic Congress and in Valencia he boosted the social and priestly Pastoral Ministry.
As Cardinal of Toledo, Primate of Spain, Ciriaco María helped Blessed Dolores Rodríguez Sopeña in the founding of the Catechist Ladies -currently called the Sopeña Catechetical Institute-, and he worked for the unity of the episcopate and the Spanish Catholics.
He died in Toledo on February 25, 1909 as a result of a heroic act of charity in favour of the poor, with whom he identified himself so much: "He lived poor, he died very poor."
The Apostolic Letters for Beatification (October 18, 2009) recognize him as a "diligent and tireless witness of Christ, father of the poor and servant of the unity of the Church."
PRAYER
Merciful Father,
Merciful Father,
You who, through Ciriaco Maria,
have heaped consolation upon you faithful people,
grant us,
through his intercession,
the grace to remain fervent in love
and diligent in fostering the unity of your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Here make your own private petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father
(With ecclesiastical approval)
COLLABORATION WITH THE CAUSE FOR THE CANONIZATION
have heaped consolation upon you faithful people,
grant us,
through his intercession,
the grace to remain fervent in love
and diligent in fostering the unity of your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Here make your own private petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father
(With ecclesiastical approval)
COLLABORATION WITH THE CAUSE FOR THE CANONIZATION
OF CARDINAL SANCHA
To communicate favors obtained through his intercession or receive information
you may contact through the following ways:
- By mail:
Vicepostulación Causa del Cardenal Sancha
C/ Arco de Palacio, 3 - 45002 TOLEDO
- By email:
If you wish to contribute financially to the cause through a donation you can do so via bank transfer or by depositing at any branch of BANCO POPULAR in the account of the Cause for the Canonization of Cardinal Sancha:
ES80-0075-0217-17-0601010738
