Martyrs of Griñon

Biography

The Martyrs of Griñon, also known as the De La Salle Brothers of Griñon, were a group of ten professed religious in the Brothers of the Christian Schools (commonly known as the De La Salle Brothers) and a layman who were martyred together during the Spanish Civil War. Their names were Blessed Andrés Merino Báscones, Blessed Antonio Solá Garriga, Blessed Celestino Ruiz Alegre, Blessed Evencio Castellanos López, Blessed Germán Arribas y Arribas, Blessed Graciliano Ortega Narganes, Blessed Joaquim Oliveras Puljarás, Blessed José Gorastazu Labayen, Blessed Lázaro Ruiz Peral, Blessed Manoel José Sousa de Sousa, and Blessed Teodoro Pérez Gómez. The Martyrs of Griñon's story begins in Spain during a tumultuous period of political and social unrest known as the Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939. This war pitted various factions against one another, including Republicans and Nationalists, with the latter backed by the fascist regime of General Francisco Franco. The ten De La Salle Brothers, along with layman Blessed Manoel José Sousa de Sousa, were dedicated educators and followers of the teachings of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. They lived and worked together in Griñon, a town in the province of Madrid, Spain. Their primary aim was to provide education to young people, particularly the poor and marginalized. In August 1936, during the war, the town of Griñon fell under the control of Republican forces. As religious, the Brothers were seen as enemies by the anti-religious elements within the Republican faction. On August 28, 1936, the Brothers and Manoel José Sousa de Sousa were forcibly taken from their residence and arrested for their religious affiliations. Taken to various prisons and detention centers, the Martyrs of Griñon faced persecution, torture, and harsh conditions. Despite these hardships, they remained steadfast in their faith and commitment to their vocation as educators. On August 28, 1936, the same day they were arrested, the Martyrs of Griñon were ultimately martyred, giving their lives for their faith. They were in Griñon, Madrid, Spain, which became the place of their martyrdom. Their deaths were marked by their unwavering faith in the face of extreme violence and opposition. Their martyrdom serves as a testament to their dedication to their duty as educators and their deep love for God. The martyrdom of the Martyrs of Griñon did not go unnoticed. They were recognized for their heroic witness and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their faith. On December 19, 2011, Pope Francis issued a decree of martyrdom, officially recognizing them as martyrs. Their beatification took place on October 13, 2013, again under Pope Francis. While the Martyrs of Griñon do not currently have any specific patronages or representations, they are remembered and venerated as inspirational figures within the De La Salle Brothers and the Catholic Church. Their feast day is celebrated annually on August 28th, the day they were martyred. The Martyrs of Griñon's lives and sacrifices continue to be an inspiration to educators and faithful individuals around the world, reminding us of the importance of faith, resilience, and the transformative power of education.