Flores Varela, José (Joseph) Isabel, St.
FLORES VARELA, JOSÉ (JOSEPH) ISABEL, ST.
Martyr, priest; b. Nov. 20, 1866, Santa María de La Paz, San Juan Bautista de Teúl, Zacatecas, Archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico; d. June 21, 1927, Zapotlanejo's cemetery, Jalisco, Archdiocese of Guadalajara. Flores was among the most distinguished graduates of the seminary of Guadalajara. After his ordination (1896) he worked in various parishes (Teocaltiche, Zapotlanejo, Tonalá, and Matatlán), where he promoted First Friday devotions and founded Marian associations. A long–time friend denounced him before the municipal authorities at the outbreak of the revolution. He was captured en route to a ranch to celebrate Mass, imprisoned for three days, and offered his freedom in exchange for allegiance to Plutarco Elías Calles. Upon his refusal, he was beheaded. Fr. Flores was both beatified (Nov. 22, 1992) and canonized (May 21, 2000) with Cristobal magallanes [see guadalajara, martyrs of, ss.] by Pope John Paul II.
Feast: May 25 (Mexico).
Bibliography: j. cardoso, Los mártires mexicanos (Mexico City 1953). j. dÍaz estrella, El movimiento cristero: sociedad y conflicto en los Altos de Jalisco (México, D.F. 1979). v. garcÍa juÁrez, Los cristeros (Fresnillo, Zac. 1990).
[k. i. rabenstein]