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Feast Day: November 29
Death: November 29, 1735
Blessed Bernardo Francisco De Hoyos Seña, also known as Bernardo Francisco De Hoyos, was born on 21 August 1711 in Torrelobatón, Valladolid, Spain. He was the son of Don Manuel de Hoyos and Doña Francisca de Seña. Baptized at the age of 16 days, he was named after two great saints, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Francis Xavier.
At the age of nine, Bernardo was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Displaying great intellectual promise at a young age, he began his studies at the Jesuit College in Medina del Campo, Spain, when he was just ten years old. Bernardo's passion for learning and his deep spirituality led him to join the Jesuit novitiate on 11 July 1726, becoming a Jesuit when he was not even fifteen years old. He took his perpetual vows at the age of seventeen.
During his theological studies, Bernardo became acquainted with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Inspired by this devotion, he dedicated himself to spreading it throughout Spain and Spanish America. Bernardo's fervent preaching and writings on the Sacred Heart touched the hearts of many, prompting a renewal of faith and a deeper spiritual devotion among the people.
On 2 January 1735, Bernardo was ordained as a priest, acquiring a special dispensation due to his young age of only twenty-three. His priestly ministry was marked by his tireless commitment to promoting the devotion to the Sacred Heart. The profound impact of his preaching and spiritual guidance earned him a reputation as a holy and inspired priest.
Tragically, on 29 November 1735, Bernardo fell victim to typhus and passed away at the Colegio de San Ignacio in Valladolid, Spain. He was laid to rest at the Colegio de San Ignacio, although the exact location of his remains is unknown due to lost records.
In recognition of his exemplary life and spiritual influence, Bernardo Francisco De Hoyos Seña was beatified on 18 April 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. The beatification ceremony was celebrated by Archbishop Angelo Amato at Plaza de Colón in Valladolid, Spain. The miracle attributed to his intercession involved the healing of young Mercedes Cabezas on 22 April 1936 in San Cristóbal de la Cuesta, Salamanca, Spain. Mercedes was suffering from typhoid and a serious tumor, and her recovery was deemed miraculous by the Catholic Church.
Blessed Bernardo Francisco De Hoyos Seña remains a cherished figure in Catholic history, an example of devotion to the Sacred Heart and a source of inspiration for all who seek a deeper relationship with Christ. His life and teachings continue to impact the faithful, reminding them of the transformative power of love and devotion to Jesus Christ.