José María Ruiz Cano
Claretian priest, martyr of the persecution in Spain
Who they were
José María Ruiz Cano was born on 3 September 1906 at Fernan de los Caballeros (Badajoz), made his religious profession on 15 August 1924 and was ordained priest on 29 June 1932; when he was seized he was the master in charge of the Claretian seminary at Siguenza. He could have fled and saved himself, but understood that his duty was to stay with the group of young men entrusted to his care, and he was taken by force and put to death because he was a priest; he was beatified on 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
He could have escaped, but chose to stay with the students in his care, and was put to death because he was a priest.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Claudio López Martínez Blessed“The decree names him among the companions of José María Ruiz Cano of the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary put to death in 1936, and he was beatified on 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis.” — this site's research
- Ángel López Martínez Blessed“The decree names him among the companions of José María Ruiz Cano of the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary put to death in 1936, and he was beatified on 13 October 2013 by Pope Francis.” — this site's research
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 103 (2011), p. 551 - decree on martyrdom
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 13 October 2013
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.