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Feast Day: September 22
Birth: July 15, 1893
Death: September 22, 1936
Blessed Félix Echevarría Gorostiaga, born on 15 July 1893 in Ceánuri, Vizcaya, Spain, came from a devout family. Two of his brothers also followed the path of religious vocation and became Franciscan priests and missionaries. Inspired by their example, Félix joined the Franciscan Friars Minor and made his solemn vows on 7 September 1912.
After his ordination to the priesthood on 16 July 1916, Father Félix served in various capacities within the Franciscan community. He became a college rector, professor, organist, and choirmaster at Librija, Spain in April 1919. Later, he served as the vicar of the college in Estepa, Spain, in 1921 and also directed the Franciscan tertiaries.
From 1922 to 1926, Father Félix held the chair of dogmatic theology, and then he taught world literature and Spanish from 1926 to 1928. His intellectual pursuits were accompanied by his devotion to pastoral ministry, as he served as the first superior and rector of the college of San Pantaleon de Aras in Santander, Spain, from 16 November 1930 to 16 July 1932.
In 1933, Father Félix fulfilled his missionary calling and was sent to Morocco. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was forced to return to Spain after only a short period of time. Despite the setbacks, his fervor for spreading the Gospel remained undeterred.
During the tumultuous period of the Spanish Civil War, Father Félix Echevarría Gorostiaga was tragically martyred on 22 September 1936 in Azuaga, Badajoz, Spain. A true exemplar of faith, he became one of the revered Martyred Friars Minor of Granada.
Recognizing his virtuous life and ultimate sacrifice, Pope Benedict XVI decreed his martyrdom on 28 April 2006, and on 28 October 2007, Father Félix Echevarría Gorostiaga was beatified by the same pontiff. His feast days are celebrated on 22 September and 6 November, commemorating his martyrdom and honoring him as one of the blessed Franciscan martyrs.