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Feast Day: July 27
Birth: January 4, 1895
Death: July 27, 1936
Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas was a priest of the diocese of Córdoba, Spain, serving in the Puente Genil community. He was born on January 4, 1895, in Baena, Córdoba, Spain, and dedicated his life to the service of God and his community.
Ordained as a priest, Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas carried out his pastoral duties with great devotion and love. He served the people of Puente Genil, offering the sacraments, providing spiritual guidance, and offering solace to those in need. His compassionate nature and genuine care for others endeared him to the community.
Tragically, during the Spanish Civil War, Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas became a victim of religious persecution. On July 27, 1936, he was martyred in Puente Genil, Córdoba, Spain, for his unwavering faith and refusal to renounce his Catholic beliefs. Despite the dangers he faced, he remained steadfast and resolute in his commitment to Christ and the Church until the very end.
Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas is remembered for his unwavering faith, sacrificial love, and martyrdom. His life and death serve as a powerful example of fidelity to Christ and the Gospel. Through his courageous witness, he inspires others to stand up for their faith, even in the face of adversity.
Recognizing his heroic virtues and martyrdom, Pope Francis declared the veneration of Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas on November 23, 2020, through a decree of martyrdom. This significant step towards his beatification was further realized on October 16, 2021, when Pope Francis officially beatified him. The beatification ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Córdoba, Spain, and was presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro.
Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas remains a beloved figure in the Catholic Church, particularly in the diocese of Córdoba, where his memory is cherished and his intercession sought. His feast day is celebrated on July 27th each year, a day to honor his life, sacrifice, and his eternal presence among the community of saints.
As we remember and venerate Blessed Juan Lucena Rivas, let us draw inspiration from his unwavering faith and commitment to the Gospel. May his life continue to be a testament to the power of God's love and the strength of the human spirit in times of trial and persecution.