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Feast Day: September 17
Birth: February 19, 1880
Death: September 17, 1936
Blessed Álvaro Santos Cejudo Moreno Chocano, also known as Blessed Álvaro Santos Chocano, was a married layman in the diocese of Ciudad Real, Spain. He is celebrated as a martyr of the Spanish Civil War.
Álvaro Santos Cejudo Moreno Chocano was born on 19 February 1880 in Daimiel, a town in the province of Ciudad Real, Spain. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and developed a deep faith from an early age. As he matured, Álvaro felt a calling to serve God through his vocation as a layperson.
He dedicated himself to living out his Catholic faith in all aspects of his life, particularly in his marriage. Álvaro was a loving and faithful husband, cherishing his wife and children and striving to create a Christian home environment. His commitment to his family and his strong moral values were evident to all who knew him.
During the turbulent years of the Spanish Civil War, which spanned from 1936 to 1939, Álvaro's unwavering faith and commitment to his Christian beliefs put him at great risk. As the conflict intensified, religious persecution became rampant, with government forces targeting Catholics and clergy who were seen as a threat to their ideology. Álvaro, being an exemplary Catholic, refused to renounce his faith and compromise his principles, despite the dangers that surrounded him.
On 17 September 1936, in the town of Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Álvaro Santos Cejudo Moreno Chocano was martyred for his faith. He was among the many courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives rather than renounce their Catholic beliefs.
Recognizing his heroic witness and steadfast commitment to Christ, Álvaro was venerated by Pope John Paul II on 28 April 2006, who issued a decree of martyrdom. Pope John Paul II officially beatified Álvaro Santos Chocano on 28 October 2007, affirming his sainthood and his place among the blessed in the Catholic Church.
Blessed Álvaro Santos Chocano's feast day is celebrated on 17 September each year, commemorating the day of his martyrdom. His life serves as a powerful example of unwavering devotion to the Catholic faith and an inspiration for all believers to remain steadfast in their religious convictions.