Saint David Uribe-Velasco
Also known as
- David Uribe
- 12 April
- 21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution
Profile
Son of Juan Uribe Ayal and Victoriana Velasco Gutierrez, the seventh of eleven children in an inevitably poor family. Baptized on 6 January 1889. Entered seminary at Chilapa in 1903 at age 14; excellent student. Sub-deacon in 1910, deacon in 1911, and ordained on 2 March 1913.
Parish priest at Buenavista de Cuéllar. Secretary to Bishop Antonio Hernandez Rodriguez of Tobasco. In 1914 David and the bishop were ordered to relocate to Chilapa, Guerrero ahead of the anti-religious violence that was sweeping the country; their ship sank, but David, the bishop, and four others survived. Parish priest at Zirandaro, but Zapatista uprisings forced him to return to Chilapa. Parish priest at Buenavista de Cuéllar, Telotlsapan and Iguala in Guerrero. Had a devotion to Our Lady of Tepeyac.
On 30 July 1926, as a matter of public safety, the bishops of Mexico ordered a halt to public worship, and for churches to close; David, reluctant but obedient, accepted the order, but later returned covertly to his pastoral duties. Arrested by the military on 7 April 1927, and taken to Cuernavaca. Offered freedom if he would become a bishop in the schismatic church that was subservient to the government; he declined. He wrote his will on 11 April 1927, and the next day was driven to a remote location near San Jose Vidal, Morales. He prayed for himself and his executioners, gave them his belongings, promised to pray for them in the next life, and was martyred.
Born
- 29 December 1888 at Buenavista de Cuellar, Guerrero, Mexico
- 7 March 1992 by Pope John Paul II (decree of martyrdom)
- 21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee of Mexico
Readings
I forgive all my enemies, and I ask God and whoever I have offended to forgive me. -from the last will and testament from Saint David
MLA Citation
- “Saint David Uribe-Velasco“. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 April 2024. Web. 28 April 2024. <>