BLESSED VÍCTOR CHUMILLAS FERNÁNDEZ (1902-1936)

— Victor was inspired to enter the Franciscans by reading the story of the Martyrs of Japan. He entered the Order of Friars Minor in 1917 and professed his vows the
following year. He was ordained a priest in 1925.

He served as teacher and rector of several Franciscan seminaries and was named Guardian (superior) of the friary of Consuegra in Madrid, where he would also serve in various capacities, in 1931. A noted preacher and catechist, he also served as a choir director, organist, and poet and ministered to Franciscan Tertiaries and
Poor Clare nuns, as well.

Evicted from his community at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, he and other friars were later arrested and imprisoned. Blessed Victor was shot to death with 19 other friars on August 16, 1936. They were beatified in 2007 together with 498 other Spanish martyrs.