Batiz Sainz, Luis, St.

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BATIZ SAINZ, LUIS, ST.

Martyr, pastor; b. Sept. 13, 1870, San Miguel del Mezquital, Zacatecas, Archdiocese of Durango, Mexico;d. Aug. 15, 1926, Puerto de Santa Teresa, near Zacatecas. At 12 he entered the seminary of Durango, where he was known for his piety. From his ordination (Jan. 1, 1894) until his death, he served as spiritual director of the seminary and parish priest at San Pedro Chalchihuites. His involvement with Catholic Action led him to found elementary and technical schools. After convening a meeting of the National League in defense of religious freedom before the bishops closed the churches, Batiz was denounced as a conspirator plotting to overthrow the government and forced into hiding. He was arrested Aug.14. When the townspeople demanded his release, he was transferred to Zacatecas. En route he was executed together with three members of Catholic Action (SS. Manuel morales, Salvador lara, and David roldÁn). Fr. Batiz was both beatified (Nov. 22, 1992) and canonized (May 21, 2000) with Cristobal magallanes [see guada lajara (mexico), martyrs of, ss.] by Pope John Paul II.

Feast: May 25 (Mexico).

Bibliography: j. cardoso, Los mártires mexicanos (Mexico City 1953). v. garcÍa juÁrez, Los cristeros (Fresnillo, Zac. 1990).

[k. i. rabenstein]

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