Blessed
Blessed Juan Nepomuceno Zegrí Y Moreno
Priest, founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, Malaga, 1831-1905
Early life
Juan Nepomuceno Zegrí Y Moreno was born at Granada on 11 October 1831 into a Christian family.[1] His parents were Antonio Zegrí Martín and Josefa Moreno Escudero.[1] He followed studies in the humanities and in law.[1]
Vocation and ministry
He studied at the Seminary of San Dionisio in Granada and was ordained a priest in the cathedral of Granada on 2 June 1855.[1] As a priest he served in the parishes of Huétor Santillán and of San Gabriele di Loja (Granada).[1] He was synodal examiner in the dioceses of Granada, Jaén and Orihuela, synodal judge and secretary in the competitions for parish priests in the diocese of Malaga, canon of the cathedral of Malaga and visitor of religious women.[1] He was also a formator of seminarians, preacher to Queen Isabella II and royal chaplain.[1]
Foundation
Concerned with social problems and the needs of the most disadvantaged, he felt called to found a religious congregation, which he founded at Malaga on 16 March 1878 under the protection of Maria della Mercede.[1] Its purpose was to practise all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the person of the poor.[1] Within a few years the Congregation spread to many Spanish dioceses.[1]
Death and recognition
Slandered and removed from the work he had founded, first by the Church and then by the religious themselves, he died on 17 March 1905 in the city of Malaga.[1] He was beatified on 9 November 2003 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
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Sources and notes
- Juan Nepomuceno Zegrí y Moreno
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints · Italian
Accessed 2026-09-05
Editorial notes
Translated and condensed from the Dicastery's official Italian profile by an automated pass on 2026-09-09; identity matched on the death date and name; editorial review pending.
This is an AI-assisted draft prepared from the sources above. Its citations identify its evidence; they do not replace a historical review.
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Blessed Juan Nepomuceno Zegrí Y Moreno, also known as John Nepomucene Zegrí y Moreno or Johannes Nepomuk Zegrí y Moreno, was born on 11 October 1831 in Granada, Spain. He was the son of Antonio Zegrí Martín and Josefa Moreno Escudero. From a young age, Blessed Juan exhibited piety and a strong religious inclination, leading him to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.
He received an excellent religious education and began his studies at Saint Dionysius Seminary in Granada. On 2 June 1855, he was ordained a priest in Granada. Following his ordination, Blessed Juan served as a parish priest in Huétor Santillán and San Gabriel de Loja in Granada. He also held the positions of synodal judge, canon of the cathedral of Malaga, visitor of religious orders in his diocese, and spiritual director of seminarians. Additionally, he served as a preacher and royal chaplain to Queen Isabel II.
On 16 March 1878, in Malaga, Blessed Juan founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy. This congregation was dedicated to the spiritual and physical improvement of the poor. The work of the congregation quickly spread throughout Spain, but unfortunately, scandal arose when some of the Sisters accused Blessed Juan of impropriety. As a result, on 7 July 1888, he was ordered to leave the Congregation.
Blessed Juan obediently complied with the order and chose to remain silent during the subsequent lengthy investigation that ensued. Despite the false allegations against him, he retained his faith and loyalty to his superiors. On 15 July 1894, he was finally cleared of all the accusations. Although Blessed Juan voluntarily stayed away from the Congregation, he was once again acknowledged as its founder.
Throughout his life, Blessed Juan Nepomuceno Zegrí Y Moreno dedicated himself to the service of God and the care of the poor. He passed away on 17 March 1905 in Malaga, Spain, from natural causes. Recognizing his virtues and holiness, Pope John Paul II declared him venerable on 21 December 2001. He was later beatified by Pope John Paul II on 9 November 2003.
Blessed Juan's selflessness and unwavering commitment to the Church and the marginalized continue to inspire and serve as a testament to his sanctity.
Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons (Juan nepomuceno Zegrí y Moreno.jpg)
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