His childhood was marked by active participation in the San Roque parish, where he served as an altar boy, deepening his devotion to the Eucharist and the Church. This early immersion in religious life, combined with the moral and spiritual guidance of his family and the Carmelites, shaped Diego’s character and commitment to serving God. The town of Oliva, with its Mediterranean charm and strong Catholic traditions, provided a fertile ground for his vocation, which he pursued with determination despite the challenges of his time.
In 1910, at the age of 14, Diego participated in a series of Spiritual Exercises led by Jesuit priests in GandΓa, a nearby town. This retreat was a pivotal moment, solidifying his vocational call to the priesthood, though he initially kept this decision private, sharing it only when he was certain of his path. In 1913, he entered the Seminary of Valencia, where he pursued rigorous studies in theology, philosophy, and scripture. His time at the seminary was interrupted by mandatory military service in Figueras, where he served for three years, likely from 1916 to 1919, during the period surrounding World War I. Despite this interruption, Diego remained steadfast in his vocation, resuming his studies upon returning to Valencia.
On June 14, 1925, Diego was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Valencia at the age of 28. His first Mass was celebrated on July 19, 1925, in the San Roque parish in Oliva, a joyful homecoming that marked the beginning of his priestly ministry. His early assignments included serving as a curate in Setla y Mirarrosa, a filial parish of Vergel in Alicante, where he ministered to rural communities with dedication. He later served as a coadjutor (assistant priest) in Benissa, Alicante, followed by a brief stint in Denia, before returning to Benissa at the request of the local priest and community, who valued his pastoral care and fervent preaching.
As a priest, Diego was known for his simplicity, humility, and tireless commitment to his flock. His ministry focused on preaching the Gospel, administering the sacraments, and serving the spiritual and material needs of his parishioners. In Benissa, he earned a reputation for his heartfelt sermons, which resonated deeply with the faithful. In one of his final sermons, sensing the growing tensions in Spain, Diego expressed his willingness to offer his life for the restoration of peace and faith in his country, a prophetic statement that foreshadowed his martyrdom.
His pastoral work extended to education and community building, reflecting his Carmelite-inspired spirituality. Diego’s approach was marked by justice, fidelity, and a deep love for the Eucharist, which he saw as the heart of his ministry. Despite the rising anti-clerical sentiment in Spain during the early 1930s, following the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, Diego continued his work with courage, never shying away from his priestly duties or his visible identity as a priest.
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936 brought unprecedented challenges for the Catholic Church in Spain. In Republican-controlled areas, particularly in Valencia and Alicante, anti-clerical violence surged, with churches desecrated, religious orders suppressed, and clergy targeted for imprisonment or execution. Diego, serving as a coadjutor in Benissa, found himself in a region where hostility toward the Church was intense. Despite the dangers, he continued his ministry, offering spiritual guidance and celebrating the sacraments whenever possible.
On September 5, 1936, Diego was betrayed by someone in the community, likely due to his visible commitment to his priestly duties. He was arrested by Republican militias and taken to his family home in Oliva, possibly for interrogation or as a temporary measure. His arrest came at a time when priests were prime targets, seen as symbols of the Church’s influence, which the Republican forces sought to eradicate. Despite the opportunity to flee or hide, Diego chose to remain faithful to his calling, accepting the risks with trust in God’s providence.
In the early hours of September 6, 1936, Diego was transported from Oliva to Gata de Gorgos, a town in Alicante province, approximately 20 miles from Benissa. There, in the darkness of the night, he was executed by a firing squad, likely along the road to Pedreguer or near a local cemetery. The exact details of his final moments are sparse, but tradition holds that he faced his death with courage, offering forgiveness to his persecutors and maintaining hope in God’s protection. At the age of 40, Diego gave his life for his faith, killed in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith), a hallmark of Christian martyrdom.
His execution was part of a broader wave of persecution that claimed thousands of clergy and religious during the Spanish Civil War. Diego’s steadfastness in the face of death, despite receiving death threats during his ministry, underscored his commitment to Christ and the Church. His martyrdom left a profound impact on the communities he served, particularly in Oliva and Benissa, where his sacrifice was remembered as a testament to his holiness.
Following his execution, Diego’s body was likely buried in a common grave, a common practice for victims of the war. Specific details about his initial burial are not well-documented, but his martyrdom was quickly recognized by the faithful in Valencia and Alicante. His death, occurring on September 6, 1936, became a symbol of the Church’s suffering during the war, and his memory was cherished by those who knew him as a just and faithful priest.
The Church in Spain began to honor Diego and other martyrs of the Civil War in the decades that followed. His hometown of Oliva and the parish of San Roque, where he celebrated his first Mass, became centers of devotion, with local traditions preserving his legacy. His reputation for holiness grew, supported by accounts of his piety, humility, and willingness to sacrifice his life for the faith.
The cause for Diego’s canonization was part of a larger effort to recognize the martyrs of the Spanish Civil War. He was included among the 498 Martyrs of Spain, a group of clergy and lay Catholics killed between 1934 and 1939 for their faith. The process began with the diocesan phase in Valencia, gathering testimonies and documentation about his life and martyrdom. On January 15, 2001, Pope John Paul II signed a decree recognizing Diego’s martyrdom, affirming that he was killed in odium fidei. This paved the way for his beatification.
On March 11, 2001, Blessed Diego Llorca Llopis was beatified in a grand ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, alongside 232 other martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, presided over by Pope John Paul II. This event was one of the largest beatification ceremonies in Church history, highlighting the scale of the persecution faced by Spanish Catholics. Diego’s feast day is celebrated on September 6, the anniversary of his martyrdom, in the Archdiocese of Valencia and among those who honor the Spanish martyrs.
Blessed Diego is venerated as a martyr and a model of priestly fidelity. His legacy is particularly strong in Gata de Gorgos, where he was martyred, and in Oliva, where a street bears his name. The San Roque parish in Oliva and the broader Valencian community continue to honor him through Masses and commemorations, recognizing his sacrifice as a powerful witness to the faith.
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