It is celebrated on August 18
Because he is a saint.
Biography and life of Blessed Francisco Arias Martín
Blessed Francisco Arias Martín was born into a humble and religious family, in the town of Alcalá de los Gazules (Cádiz), on March 13, 1833. He was the firstborn of the marriage formed by Juan Arias and María Martín.
From a very young age he showed great love for God and others, which led him to study to become a priest. In 1855 he was ordained a priest and assigned to the town of Medina Sidonia, where he ministered for five years.
From 1860 he moved to Jerez de la Frontera, where he founded the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as "The Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart". This congregation was dedicated to educating and assisting poor children and youth.
Father Francisco Arias also founded an orphanage for orphaned or abandoned children, as well as a spiritual retreat house for women. In addition, he financially helped many needy families in the town.
His charitable work did not go unnoticed among the inhabitants of Jerez, who considered him a holy man. However, he himself flatly refused to be considered that way: «I am not a saint; I am a sinner like everyone else."
In 1875 he had to leave Jerez due to health problems and moved first to Seville and then to Madrid, where he died on April 5, 1876. His body was later transferred to his home town of Alcalá de los Gazules, where it rests in the chapel of the Franciscan convent that he himself founded there in 1865.
Prayer to Blessed Francisco Arias Martín
Saint Anthony of padua,
that for your love of the Redeemer,
you left the earth and its pleasures,
and you became poor in the cenacle;
second sentence
O holy Francisco Arias Martin,
that in life you were a man of faith,
and now from heaven you guide us,
we ask you to intercede for us.
O holy Francisco Arias Martin,
whose life was an example of charity and dedication,
We ask that you help us to follow your example.
O holy Francisco Arias Martín, whose faith was so strong that even in death it did not abandon you,
We ask you to intercede for us before God.
We want to be better people, follow your example and be faithful to our beliefs.
We ask you to help us overcome our difficulties and have the faith necessary to face the problems of life.
Oh saint Francisco Arias Martín, pray for us and help us to follow the path of virtue to achieve eternal happiness. Amen
important things you did
1. Francisco Arias Martín was one of the founders of the Order of the Brothers of the Cross.
2. Francisco Arias Martín was also one of the founders of the Congregation of Priests of the Blessed Sacrament.
3. Francisco Arias Martín was the first Superior General of the Order of the Brothers of the Cross.
4. Francisco Arias Martín was the main promoter of the Eucharistic movement in Spain and Latin America.
5. Francisco Arias Martín was one of the main promoters of the cult of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament throughout the world.
6. Francisco Arias Martín was the author of numerous books and treatises on religious and spiritual topics.