Laurentius Iacobus
Brother of the Christian Schools, martyr of the persecution in Spain; in the world Aemilianus Martínez de la Pera y Alava
Who they were
A Brother of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, in the world Aemilianus Martínez de la Pera y Alava, born on 8 August 1913 at Huerta de Arriba in the diocese of Vitoria. He joined the Brothers and bound himself to God by temporary vows in 1930, was sent to Lorca in 1933, and was known for his humility, simplicity and charity.
He was beatified on 28 October 2007 by Benedict XVI.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
The decree on martyrdom names him among the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Lorca killed in 1936.
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.
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 99 (2007), p. 527 - decree on martyrdom
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 28 October 2007
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.