Octavio Ortiz Arrieta

Before his ordination, he participated in the founding of the Salesian vocational school in Piura in 1906, which he directed from 1911 to 1915, founding the weekly La Campanilla there. He then directed the Salesian college in Cusco (1915-1920) and the house in Callao (1920-1921). On November 21, 1921, Pope Benedict XV appointed him Bishop of Chachapoyas. Consecrated on June 11, 1922, by Mgr. Giuseppe Petrelli, he reached his isolated diocese after a month of travel. For 37 years, he traveled thousands of kilometers on foot or on horseback, carrying out eight complete pastoral visits. He organized three synods, founded a seminary, created schools for workers and women, and worked for material development (roads, water, electricity). He twice refused to be appointed Archbishop of Lima. In 1953, Pius XII appointed him Assistant to the Pontifical Throne. He died on March 1, 1958, in Chachapoyas.

The cause for beatification and canonization was officially opened on November 12, 1990, under the pontificate of Saint John Paul II, conferring upon him the title of Servant of God. The diocesan inquiry took place in Chachapoyas between July 8, 1992, and December 22, 2001. The validity of this inquiry was promulgated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on October 3, 2003. The Positio was submitted in Rome on April 16, 2013, by the General Postulator of the Salesian Family. On February 14, 2017, the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation expressed a unanimous positive opinion on the heroic nature of his virtues.

On February 27, 2017, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Octavio Ortiz Arrieta, thereby declaring him Venerable. For his beatification to be pronounced, the Church must now officially recognize a miracle attributed to his intercession.

The spirituality of Monsignor Ortiz Arrieta is based on the Salesian charism and the Preventive System of Saint John Bosco, characterized by gentleness, joy, and trust in Providence. His episcopal motto was "Da mihi animas, caetera tolle" (Give me souls, take away the rest). Affectionately nicknamed "pecadito" (little sin) in his youth in reference to the motto of Saint Dominic Savio, he was careful to avoid any offense to God. His legacy remains alive in Chachapoyas. In October 2022, for the centenary of his episcopal ordination, a sculpted bust was installed in his cathedral and a new official prayer was presented.