Cañada de Caracheo in Cortazar, Guanajuato, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)

Father Elías Nieves

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

1. Father Elías Nieves Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

R. P. Fr. Elias Nieves, O.S.A.
Nacio el 21 de septiembre de 1882
en Yuriria, Gto. y murió el dia
10 de marzo de 1928

Su cuerpo descansa en el
Templo de Cañada de Caracheo
ultimo foco de su actividades
ministeriales
marzo 8 de 1970

English translation:
Father Elías Nieves, OSA
Born on September 21, 1882 in Yuriria, Guanajuato
and died on March 10, 1928

His body rests in the Temple of Cañada de Caracheo,
the last focus of his ministerial activities
March 8, 1970

Erected 1970.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is March 10, 1928.

Location. 20° 22.512′ N, 100° 56.897′ W. Marker is in Cañada de Caracheo, Guanajuato, in Cortazar. Marker is on Avenida Septiembre just east of Calle 2 de Abril, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cañada de Caracheo GTO 38490, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Blessed Friar Elías del Socorro Nieves

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(about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (approx. 12 kilometers away); General Emiliano Zapata (approx. 12 kilometers away); Professor Fulgencio Vargas Ortiz (approx. 12 kilometers away); Benito Juárez (approx. 12.1 kilometers away); Parish Church of San Nicolás de Tolentino (approx. 12.1 kilometers away); The Route of Hidalgo (approx. 12.1 kilometers away); Friar Bernardo Padilla G. (approx. 12.1 kilometers away).

Regarding Father Elías Nieves. Mateo Elías Nieves Castillo (21 September 1882 – 10 March 1928) was a Mexican Catholic priest who was also a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA). During the Mexican federal government repression against the Catholic Church which resulted in the Cristero War (Guerra Cristera), he hid in the nearby caves of Cañada de Caracheo. He secretly met with parishioners at night for mass and other services. Captured by a government patrol, he and two lay church members, Jesús and Dolores Sierra, were assassinated on the side of the road towards Cortazar on March 10, 1928. Witnesses say that he was shot by the patrol's captain as he attempted to

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

2. Father Elías Nieves Marker

The marker can be seen in the atrium of the Catholic Church of Cañada de Caracheo, to the right of the entrance to the church and to the left of the bust of Father Nieves. Further to the right are other dedicatory markers to Father Nieves without historical information.

bless the members of his firing squad. He was beatified in 1997.

The Catholic Churches of Cañada de Caracheo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

3. The Catholic Churches of Cañada de Caracheo

This view shows both the traditional church on the right that Father Nieves finished and also the newer temple to the left. The marker on the outer wall of the older church describes the May 21, 1956 coronation of the Virgin of the Sorrows by the Archbishop of Morelia.

The interior of the Catholic Church of Cañada de Caracheo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

4. The interior of the Catholic Church of Cañada de Caracheo

Note that Father Nieves' remains are in a wooden urn directly below the altar.

The urn of the remains of Father Elías Nieves image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

5. The urn of the remains of Father Elías Nieves

The urn is directly below the altar. The urn's inscription is very light and difficult to read, but is repeated on a nearby dedicatory marker to the right of the altar.

An additional Father Elías Nieves Marker near the altar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

6. An additional Father Elías Nieves Marker near the altar

This additional marker repeats the text found on Father Nieves' urn. It reads:

P. Fray Elias del Socorro Nieves O.S.A.
Atestiguo la fe en cristo resucitado
actualizo la entrega de jesus en su martirio
y acepto ser presencia anonadada del pobre
en el espiritu santo para edificar la iglesia
en alabanza al Padre y salvacion de la humanidad
nacio el 21 de septiembre de 1882
murio fusilado el sabado 10 de marzo de 1928
y fue beatificado el 12 de octubre
por SS Juan Pablo II
año de Cristo 1997
y colocados sus restos en este altar
por el Excmo. Sr. Dr. Don
Jesus Humberto Velazquez Garay
II Obispo de Celaya el 10 de Nov. de mismo año

English translation:
Father Fray Elias del Socorro Nieves, OSA
He was a witness to the faith in the risen Christ,
represented the sacrifice of Jesus in his martyrdom,
and accepted the presence of the poor in the Holy Spirit to build this church in praise of the Father and the salvation of humanity
Born on September 21, 1882, he was shot and killed on Saturday, March 10, 1928, and was beatified on October 12 by His Holiness John Paul II
In the year of Christ of 1997
His remains were placed in this altar
by the Hon. Sr. Dr. Jesús Humberto Velázquez Garay
II Bishop of Celaya on November 10 of the same year

Tomb of Jesús and Dolores Sierra, lay church members murdered with Father Nieves image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 3, 2018

7. Tomb of Jesús and Dolores Sierra, lay church members murdered with Father Nieves

This tombstone is further to the right of the altar of the Catholic Church of Cañada de Caracheo, embedded into the floor of the church. It reads:

J. Jesus y S. Dolores Sierra
7 VIII-1900-y-27-IV-1907-10-III-1928
Hermanos en la sangre y en el espiritu
Hijos fieles en la caridad
Prefieron el sacrificio a la traición.
10 de marzo de 1938

English translation:
J. Jesus y S. Dolores Sierra
August 7, 1900 and April 27, 1907 – March 10, 1928
They shared bonds of both blood and spirit
Faithful children in charity
They preferred martyrdom to treason.
March 10, 1938

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 10, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.