November 17
Roque González de Santa Cruz (1576–1628)
Jesuit priest and martyr
He was born in Paraguay, of Spanish parents, and was ordained a diocesan priest on March 25, 1599.
Biography
After ten years as parish priest of the Cathedral of Asunción, he was named vicar general of the diocese, but he rejected the position. Instead, he entered the Society of Jesus on May 9, 1609.
He dedicated himself mainly to the founding of "reductions", villages where evangelization was combined with human progress. He demonstrated a great spirit of sacrifice and availability. However, his missionary work and that of his brothers were frowned upon by the indigenous sorcerers, who decided to eliminate them. On November 15, 1628, in Caaró, currently Brazilian territory, Father Roque was murdered while supervising the construction of a new village after celebrating mass.
His brother Alonso Rodríguez died with him; Two days later Father Juan del Castillo was martyred.
Practical advice
Support an evangelizing work today with prayer, time or a concrete contribution.