On September 22, 2025, the Dehonians around the world celebrated the memorial of Blessed John Mary of the Cross, SCJ.
The Dehonians around the world have celebrated this September 22, 2025, the memorial of Blessed John Mary of the Cross, SCJ. At the International College in Rome, the celebration brought together the entire community. Father Gilbert Kamta, SCJ, Superior of the community and main celebrant, recalled in his homily the historical context of the martyrdom of the Servant of God, highlighting the living and inspiring witness that still speaks to us today.
Born Mariano García Méndez, Blessed John Mary of the Cross, SCJ, was born in San Esteban de los Patos (Ávila), Spain, on September 25, 1891. He was ordained a priest on March 18, 1916. Nurturing a desire to live a religious life, he entered the Novitiate of the Priests of the Sacred Heart and made his first profession on October 31, 1926, in Novelda (Alicante). During the religious persecution in Spain, he was later imprisoned and ultimately killed on the night of August 23, 1936, at the foot of an olive tree on the farm “El Sario” (Silla, Valencia).
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