Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Ezekiel Diaz Moreno, Patron of the Cancer Patients | August 19

Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Ezekiel Diaz Moreno, Patron of the Cancer Patients | August 19   Fr. Ezekiel Moreno worked as a missionary in the Philippines. He was a very zealous priest and lived an exemplary life which led him to the altar of God. Fr. Moreno was born in Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain on April 9, 1848 to devout Catholic parents. As a boy, he was prayerful, obedient, quiet and responsible. Gifted with the priestly vocation he joined the Augustinians Recollect in Navarra, Spain. At that time, the Augustinians were sending many missionaries abroad, and he was chosen to be sent, even though he was just a seminarian. Brother Ezekiel chose the Philippines as his mission territory.  After a long and tedious voyage, he arrived in Manila on February 10, 1870. A few months after his arrival, his superior sent him to Jaro, Iloilo to continue his priestly formation. A year later, he returned to Manila for his priestly ordination. Immediately after ordination, he was assigned as Military Chaplain at Iwahig Penal Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The environment was not favorable and there were great tasks to be accomplished so Fr. Ezekiel got sick. When he recovered, he was sent to the Augustinian mission in Calapan, Mindoro where he became Vicar Forane at the age of 28. From there he was sent to Las Pinas and afterwards to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Then he was called to Manila and wasappointed General Preacher of the Order of the Augustinians Recollect. In addition to this hard task, he was assigned as the parish priest of Sta. Cruz, Manila and was also tasked to manage the Augustinian farms in Imus and Bacoor, Cavite. In 1885, he was called back to Spain, and was elected superior of the seminary in Monteagudo, Navarra. Always available where there was greater need for priests, he was afterwards sent to the Augustinian mission in Colombia. He became Vicar Apostolic at Casanare and three months later he was ordained Bishop of Pasto, Colombia. As a bishop, he had a reputation for holiness. The people admired him for his prayer life, apostolic zeal, openness, simplicity and great charity. Early in 1906, he was diagnosed to be sick with cancer and returned to Spain. On August 19, 1906, he died a happy death at the age of 58. Immediately after his death, people clamored for his glorification. Witnesses came to testify to his exemplary life and the graces they obtained through his intercession. He was beatified on November 1, 1975 by Pope Paul VI and was canonized on October 11, 1992 by Pope John Paul II. His feast day is celebrated on August 19. He is patron of cancer patients. In honor of St. Ezekiel Diaz Moreno, parishes were named after him. There is also in Inagawan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan a spring called “Balon Pari.” It is said to be a spring discovered by St. Ezekiel in 1872 when he was assigned in the place. The water flowing from the spring is said to be miraculous and it cures various diseases of people who have faith. The Recoletos built a small chapel alongside the spring and a healing Mass is being celebrated there once a month. Those who have gone there testified that they were benefitted physically and spiritually. Virtue: piety, obedience, silence, humility, courage, availability, charity, zeal and openness. Prayer: “Lord, we pray to you bring healing and relief to those who are sick of cancer and other illnesses through the intercession of St. Ezekiel.” Amen.