Blessed Félix Gómezpinto Piñero

Biography

Blessed Félix Gómezpinto Piñero, also known as Father Félix, was born on 18 May 1870 in La Torre de Esteban Hambrán, Toledo, Spain. He hailed from a devout Catholic farming family and was one of four children. His mother, a Franciscan tertiary, instilled in him a strong faith, which would shape his vocation and lifelong commitment to God.

In pursuit of his calling, Félix joined the Franciscan Friar Minor on 12 May 1886 at the convent in Pastrana, Spain. He made his solemn profession on 16 May 1890, dedicating himself fully to the Franciscan Order. Félix was ordained a priest on 19 May 1894 in Avila, Spain, marking the beginning of his influential pastoral ministry.

Driven by a strong missionary zeal, Blessed Félix embarked on a journey to the Philippines, where he aimed to share the Catholic faith with the people and provide spiritual support. His dedication to his mission led him to endure imprisonment from 1898 to 1899 during the Philippine fight for independence from Spain. Despite these challenges, Félix remained steadfast in his commitment to spreading the Gospel and continued his missionary work on the Philippine island of Samar from 1903 to 1913.

In his desire to serve Christ, Father Félix spent a brief period at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem before returning to Spain. From 1914 to 1917, he worked at Pastrana, setting an exemplary model for Franciscan novices and guiding them in their religious formation. However, Félix's calling to the Philippine missions remained, and he returned there in 1919, dedicating himself once again to the spiritual needs of the people.

Sadly, as his health began to decline, Father Félix was compelled to return to the convent in Pastrana. Yet, even in his weakened state, he steadfastly ministered to Catholics in secret during the persecutions of the Spanish Civil War. It was during this tumultuous time that he was captured by anti-Christian militiamen.

Refusing to renounce his faith, Father Félix firmly resisted their demands to blaspheme against God, Mary, and the Church. In an act of brutal violence, he was shot with a shotgun on 7 September 1936 on the road near Hueva, Guadalajara, Spain. His body was callously discarded on the side of the road.

Blessed Félix Gómezpinto Piñero was recognized as a martyr for his unwavering faith and dedication to the Catholic Church. On 19 December 2005, Pope Benedict XVI decreed his martyrdom. Nearly two years later, on 28 October 2007, Father Félix was beatified by the same pontiff, becoming Blessed Félix Gómezpinto Piñero.

His life serves as an inspiration to Catholics worldwide, reminding them of the importance of staying faithful to God's teachings even in the face of persecution and adversity. Today, Blessed Félix Gómezpinto Piñero's feast day is celebrated on 7 September, the day of his martyrdom, honoring his memory and his unwavering commitment to Christ and His Church.