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Feast Day: July 27
Birth: February 24, 1912
Death: July 1, 27
Blessed Modesto Vegas Y Vegas was born on 24 February 1912 in La Serna, Palencia, in the diocese of Leon, Spain. As a teenager, he entered the novitiate of the Friars Minor Conventual at the Franciscan convent in Granollers, Spain, in 1929.
Displaying great dedication and zeal for his faith, Modesto continued his studies at the seminary in Osimo, Italy, where he was ordained as a priest in 1934. After his ordination, he returned to his hometown, Granollers, where he began working as a parish priest. It was here that Modesto's exceptional preaching skills and deep devotion to the sacrament of confession became widely recognized.
Unfortunately, Modesto's promising career was abruptly cut short by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. In the midst of intense religious persecution, he fell victim to arrest, brutal beatings, and ultimately martyrdom solely for the "offense" of being a Catholic priest. On 27 July 1936, Modesto was executed, shot to death in Can Moncada, Llisá de Munt, Barcelona, Spain.
Blessed Modesto Vegas Y Vegas is remembered as one of the Martyred Friars Minor Conventuals of Granollers, and his feast days are celebrated on 27 July and 6 November. His courageous witness to the faith and his ultimate sacrifice gained him the veneration of the faithful. Pope John Paul II officially recognized his martyrdom on 26 March 1999 through a decree, and Modesto was beatified on 11 March 2001, also by Pope John Paul II.
While not much additional information is available about his specific representation, the life of Modesto Vegas Y Vegas stands as a testimony to the strength and dedication of those who faced persecution during the Spanish Civil War. His memory serves as an inspiration to Catholics worldwide, reminding us of the great sacrifices made in defense of the faith.