Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.

Avelino was born on November 9, 1879, in Santiagomillas, Leon, Spain, into a devout family. From an early age he showed an inclination towards the religious life, which led him to enter the Royal Monastery of El Escorial at the age of 17.

He professed his vows to the Order of Saint Augustine the following year and was ordained a priest at the age of 25. In addition, he obtained a degree in Civil Law from the University of Salamanca. He developed an outstanding career within the order and was a professor of Roman Law at the Royal University Center of El Escorial. There he held the position of Vice-Rector and later became the Director of the Royal Alfonso XII College and then appointed Prior Provincial of the Augustinians.

The local Augustinian community totaled 111 friars, some of which lived in separate houses in Madrid.

The Spanish Civil War began on July 17, 1936, when rebels launched an uprising in the country’s republic. They won out, seized power, and instituted martial law, but still met strong opposition. They sought Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy for aid who in turn provided military support. The rebel’s army also included Moorish troops from Morocco who saw the fight as a crusade. They saw Catholic clergy as obstacles to major reform.

As priests, monks, and nuns were hunted and killed, the Augustinians remained in their monastery living like prisoners. The church and schools had been forced to close.

On August 5, 1936, while at prayer, local officials came and announced they’d be taken to Madrid the following morning. A special final feast was shared and the Superior told them the situation was grave and that they needed to prepare. In defiance, they celebrated Mass the next morning with the community.

They were taken in 4 buses to Madrid and held in a school which had been converted to a prison. Several days later they were joined by more friars from other regions where they remained until the end of November. It was a time of great suffering and privation. The guards cursed and harassed them, but they were filled with the virtue of temperance. None were intimidated nor denied their faith.

During the nights between November 28 and 30, the friars were “tried” and convicted by a sham court. They all affirmed their faith and devotion before the authorities and would not cooperate with the atrocities.

The friars were tied together, loaded onto trucks and taken to Paracuellos de Jarama and killed by a firing squad.

Their feast day is November 8.

For God’s Glory.