Ezequiel Moreno y Díaz
Encyclopedia
Ezequiel Moreno y Díaz, also Ezekiel Moreno y Diaz was a member of the Order of Augustinian Recollects and now venerated as a Saint
in the Roman Catholic Church
. He was born on 9 April 1848 in Alfacro, La Rioja, Spain and later on served as a missionary to the Philippines
. He also became the Bishop
of Pinara and later of Pasto, both in Colombia. His brother Julián Moreno, OAR is also venerated as a Blessed
because of his martyrdom in Motril. He is invoked as the Patron of Cancer Patients.
in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain
on 21 September 1864. Later, he made his solemn vow in Marcialla (also in Navarra) on 22 September 1868.
. Therefore, as expected, the saint sailed to Manila
, the colonial capital of the Captaincy General of the Philippines
, and set foot to her shores on 10 February 1870.
At the middle that year, St. Ezequiel sailed to Jaro, Iloilo
where he received and finished his minor orders
. A year later, he sailed back to Manila
in order to receive his sacerdotal orders
from the Manila Archbishop Grogorio Melitón Martínez. Today, the letter of the archbishop informing him of his sacerdotal ordination is one of the best preserved manuscript during that time.
. There, he became proficient in Tagalog
that made the Filipinos
rejoiced in his canonisation, saying that Tagalog
is now a language of the saint
s.
Two years after his arrival to the Philippines, the arduous task of being the Military Chaplain
of a penal colony in Puerto Princesa City
was added to his missions. There, he was instrumental in the foundation of the towns of Arbolan and Inagawan. Unfortunately, he was struck by malaria
which forced him to leave the islands.
When he was able to recover from the disease, he was again made in charge of a mission in Calapan. Though only 28 years of age, both the Archbishop of Manila and his Recoleto Prior
assigned him as Vicar Forane of the Island.
In 1876, he was transferred to Las Piñas and worked zealously for the development of the lives of the people in the area. The city suffered many major calamities during his pastorship, yet the people did not lose hope because of his example. It was because of this saintly way of life that he exemplified that the people of Las Piñas opposed his transfer to Sto. Tomas, Batangas
.
The appeal, as strong as it was, was not successful and Fray Ezekiel was transferred to Santo Tomas. However, he was recalled to Manila because he was appointed as the General Preacher of the order. The people of Santo Tomas also made an appeal to suspend the order but like what happened in Las Piñas, their request was not granted. It was October 1880 when he assumed the post in Manila. Just starting his post as Preacher General, he was assigned as parish priest of the nearby Santa Cruz Parish in the modern-day Sta. Cruz, Manila
. He assumed the popst on February 1881.
A year later, he was assigned to take charge of the Recollect Hacienda in the towns of Imus
and Bacoor
in Cavite
. During his stay, the towns were struck by cholera and the priest worked hard to make the last rites available to his faithful. in fact, of the 3,200 who perished in the tragedy, only 3 died without the blessings of the priest.
It was in 1888 that he once more crossed the Atlantic Ocean and became the head of the Recollect mission in Columbia. He served as Vicar apostolic of Casanare
and was named bishop of Pinara, Colombia on 23 October 1893. He became Bishop of Pasto, Colombia on 2 December 1893. He was noted for his generous charity to the faithful of his diocese.
. During the Thousand Days War
, he used his writings and preaching sermons to attack the Colombian Liberal Party
and to urge Catholics to fight the liberals and to "defend their religion with Remingtons
and machete
s", promising automatic Absolution
.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He was born on 9 April 1848 in Alfacro, La Rioja, Spain and later on served as a missionary to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He also became the Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Pinara and later of Pasto, both in Colombia. His brother Julián Moreno, OAR is also venerated as a Blessed
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
because of his martyrdom in Motril. He is invoked as the Patron of Cancer Patients.
Entry to the Order of Augustinian Recollects
Born in the city of Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain to Felix Moreno and Maria Josefa Diaz. He is the third offspring of five : Eustaquio, Juana, Ezeqiel, Valentina and Benigna. He had another sister named Maria de las Candelas who passed away at a very early age. Ezequiel first wore the habit of the RecoletosRecoletos
Recoletos may refer to:*The Order of Augustinian Recollects*Paseo de Recoletos...
in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
on 21 September 1864. Later, he made his solemn vow in Marcialla (also in Navarra) on 22 September 1868.
Arrival & Ordination in Manila
The monastery in Monteagudo was known to be the monastery that sent missionaries to both the Americas and the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Therefore, as expected, the saint sailed to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, the colonial capital of the Captaincy General of the Philippines
Captaincy General of the Philippines
The Captaincy General of the Philippines was an administrative district of the Spanish Empire. The Captaincy General encompassed the modern country of the Philippines and associated Spanish Pacific possessions...
, and set foot to her shores on 10 February 1870.
At the middle that year, St. Ezequiel sailed to Jaro, Iloilo
Iloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
where he received and finished his minor orders
Minor orders
The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. The most recognized minor orders are porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte. In the Latin rite Catholic Church, the minor orders were in most cases replaced by "instituted" ministries of lector and acolyte, though communities that use...
. A year later, he sailed back to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
in order to receive his sacerdotal orders
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
from the Manila Archbishop Grogorio Melitón Martínez. Today, the letter of the archbishop informing him of his sacerdotal ordination is one of the best preserved manuscript during that time.
Philippine Missions
After ordination, he was immediately sent to his first mission in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, MindoroMindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
. There, he became proficient in Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
that made the Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
rejoiced in his canonisation, saying that Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
is now a language of the saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s.
Two years after his arrival to the Philippines, the arduous task of being the Military Chaplain
Military chaplain
A military chaplain is a chaplain who ministers to soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and other members of the military. In many countries, chaplains also minister to the family members of military personnel, to civilian noncombatants working for military organizations and to civilians within the...
of a penal colony in Puerto Princesa City
Puerto Princesa City
The City of Puerto Princesa is a city located on the western provincial island of Palawan, one of 80 provinces which make up the Philippines...
was added to his missions. There, he was instrumental in the foundation of the towns of Arbolan and Inagawan. Unfortunately, he was struck by malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
which forced him to leave the islands.
When he was able to recover from the disease, he was again made in charge of a mission in Calapan. Though only 28 years of age, both the Archbishop of Manila and his Recoleto Prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
assigned him as Vicar Forane of the Island.
In 1876, he was transferred to Las Piñas and worked zealously for the development of the lives of the people in the area. The city suffered many major calamities during his pastorship, yet the people did not lose hope because of his example. It was because of this saintly way of life that he exemplified that the people of Las Piñas opposed his transfer to Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
.
The appeal, as strong as it was, was not successful and Fray Ezekiel was transferred to Santo Tomas. However, he was recalled to Manila because he was appointed as the General Preacher of the order. The people of Santo Tomas also made an appeal to suspend the order but like what happened in Las Piñas, their request was not granted. It was October 1880 when he assumed the post in Manila. Just starting his post as Preacher General, he was assigned as parish priest of the nearby Santa Cruz Parish in the modern-day Sta. Cruz, Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. He assumed the popst on February 1881.
A year later, he was assigned to take charge of the Recollect Hacienda in the towns of Imus
Imus, Cavite
The Municipality of Imus is a first-class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines, and it is the officially designated capital of Cavite...
and Bacoor
Bacoor, Cavite
The Municipality of Bacoor is a first class urban municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. It is a lone district congressional district of Cavite...
in Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
. During his stay, the towns were struck by cholera and the priest worked hard to make the last rites available to his faithful. in fact, of the 3,200 who perished in the tragedy, only 3 died without the blessings of the priest.
Election as Superior of Moteagudo
His saintly life made him elected as Superior to the Seminary in Monteagudo in 1885. Through this post, St. Ezequiel imparted his missionary zeal to many missionaries to the Americas and the Philippines.It was in 1888 that he once more crossed the Atlantic Ocean and became the head of the Recollect mission in Columbia. He served as Vicar apostolic of Casanare
Casanare
* Casanare Department a subdivision of the country of Colombia* Los Llanos del Casanare a province of the Viceroyalty of New Granada* Casanare River a tributary of the Meta River in Colombia* Casanare, Colombia a city in Colombia on the Casanare River...
and was named bishop of Pinara, Colombia on 23 October 1893. He became Bishop of Pasto, Colombia on 2 December 1893. He was noted for his generous charity to the faithful of his diocese.
Involvement in Colombian Politics
As most of the Colombian Catholic Church hierarchy, Ezequiel Moreno aligned himself with the Colombian Conservative PartyColombian Conservative Party
The Colombian Conservative Party , is a conservative political party in Colombia. The party was unofficially founded by a group of Revolutionary Commoners during the Revolutionary War for Independence from the Spanish Monarchy and later formally established during the Greater Colombia...
. During the Thousand Days War
Thousand Days War
The Thousand Days' War , was a civil armed conflict in the newly created Republic of Colombia, between the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and its radical factions. In 1899 the ruling conservatives were accused of maintaining power through fraudulent elections...
, he used his writings and preaching sermons to attack the Colombian Liberal Party
Colombian Liberal Party
The Colombian Liberal Party is a center-left party in Colombia that adheres to social democracy and social liberalism.The Party was founded in 1848 and, together with the Colombian Conservative Party, subsequently became one of the two main political forces in the country for over a century.After...
and to urge Catholics to fight the liberals and to "defend their religion with Remingtons
Remington Arms
Remington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
and machete
Machete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
s", promising automatic Absolution
Absolution
Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This concept is found in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Anglican churches, and most Lutheran churches....
.