Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz

Biography

Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz, also known as Saint Miguel of Ecuador, was born on 7 November 1854 in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador. He was born into a prominent family but had an unknown disability that left him unable to stand until he reached the age of five. It was at this age that he had a vision of Our Lady, which granted him the ability to walk. At the age of eight, Miguel experienced a miraculous event when he was protected from being mauled by a wild bull. This event further deepened his faith and commitment to God. In 1863, at the young age of nine, he enrolled in a school run by the Christian Brothers, an Order which had recently come to Ecuador. Miguel's dedication to education and his love for teaching became evident at an early age. He became a school teacher at El Cebollar School in Quito, where he held his position for an impressive 32 years. Throughout his career, he proved to be a gentle, dedicated, and enthusiastic teacher who touched the lives of countless students. At the tender age of 17, he even wrote his own textbooks, some of which were adopted by the government and used throughout the country. Apart from being an accomplished teacher, Saint Miguel was also a prolific writer. He wrote odes, hymns, discourses on teaching methods, plays, inspirational works, and retreat manuals. His contributions to literature and education were recognized when he was elected to the Ecuadoran Academy of Letters in 1892, followed soon after by the Academies of Spain, France, and Venezuela. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Saint Miguel conducted religious retreats and prepared children for their First Communion. His dedication to the spiritual growth of his students was evident in his work and interactions with others. From 1901 to 1904, he became the novice director for his house, guiding and mentoring those who sought to follow a religious life. In 1905, Saint Miguel was sent to Europe to translate texts from French to Spanish for use by the Christian Brothers' Order. He primarily worked in Belgium. Unfortunately, his health began to deteriorate in 1908, and he was transferred to the school near Barcelona, Spain. Despite his declining health, he continued his work, albeit at a slower pace. Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz ultimately succumbed to pneumonia and passed away on 9 February 1910 in Premia del Mar, Spain. His body was found to be incorrupt, a miraculous preservation that further emphasized his holiness. During the Spanish Civil War, his grave was disturbed, but he was re-interred in Quito, Ecuador, becoming a pilgrimage site for the faithful. On 16 March 1970, Pope Paul VI declared the heroic virtues of Saint Miguel, paving the way for his eventual canonization. He was beatified on 30 October 1977 by Pope Paul VI and finally canonized on 21 October 1984 by Pope John Paul II. Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz is remembered for his various talents and accomplishments, making him not only a religious role model but also a national hero in Ecuador.