Agustín Ramírez Barba

After his ordination, Father Agustín held various positions at the Guadalajara seminary, notably as sub-prefect for philosophy students, bursar, and teacher. However, Mexico was then going through a period of violent religious persecution. Anti-clerical laws imposed the closure of the seminary, forcing Father Agustín to flee and hide at the home of another priest's relatives to escape the authorities. In 1916, he was appointed vicar at the parish of Tepatitlán. The turning point of his pastoral life occurred in June 1923, when he was appointed chaplain of the Sanctuary of the Lord of Mercy (Santuario del Señor de la Misericordia) in Tepatitlán. He would hold this position for forty-four years, until his death. There, he devoted himself fully to catechesis, the promotion of the Eucharist, and spent very long hours in the confessional and in spiritual direction. He showed particular attention to the poor and children, working tirelessly for their Christian education. In 1924, he discovered the life and writings of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Inspired by her "little way," he founded, with Mother Reynalda Gallegos Franco, the Congregation of the Servants of the Lord of Mercy (Siervas del Señor de la Misericordia). This religious community has the mission of living the spirituality of mercy and of Saint Thérèse through the education of youth and service to the most destitute. The congregation was officially approved in 1968, shortly after his death. In addition to this foundation, the Archbishop of Guadalajara, Msgr. José Rivera Garibi, asked him in April 1952 to supervise the construction of a House of Spiritual Exercises in Tepatitlán. This house opened its doors in May 1955. He also encouraged the construction of the Colegio San Juan XXIII (or Colegio Niños Héroes).

Father Agustín Ramírez Barba lived his priestly ministry as an instrument of divine mercy. Despite a fragile physique, he demonstrated remarkable strength of soul. During the years of religious persecution, he did not hesitate to risk his life to bring the viaticum to the dying and to hear the confessions of the faithful in secret. He distinguished himself by a profound humility. To cultivate this virtue, he had made a private vow asking God to send him opportunities to put his humility to the test. He lived and died in great evangelical poverty, detached from material goods. In April 1967, feeling his strength declining, he received the anointing of the sick. On July 3, 1967, he celebrated his last Mass. The following day, July 4, 1967, while preaching a course of spiritual exercises at the House of Exercises in Tepatitlán, he was seized by a violent pain in his chest (due to cardiac hypertrophy) and passed away suddenly at the age of 85. His funeral gathered an immense crowd, and he was buried, with the authorization of the authorities, near the chapel of the House of Spiritual Exercises of Tepatitlán, under a plaque bearing the inscription "Confío en el Señor" (I trust in the Lord).

The reputation for holiness of Father Agustín spread rapidly after his death, prompting the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos to open his cause for beatification. The diocesan inquiry took place from April 20, 1989, to June 14, 1991, within the ecclesiastical curia of San Juan de los Lagos. On July 16, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing his heroic virtues. Since that date, Agustín Ramírez Barba has been officially declared Venerable. For him to be proclaimed Blessed (beatification), the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required by the Holy See.

The spirituality of the Venerable Agustín Ramírez Barba rests on two major pillars: Divine Mercy and the spiritual childhood of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. He conceived the priesthood above all as a channel of God's mercy, which he tirelessly transmitted through the sacrament of Reconciliation. His legacy is perpetuated today by the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of the Lord of Mercy, who continue their mission of education and charity in Mexico and beyond. Furthermore, a male institute, the Servants of the Lord of Mercy (Siervos del Señor de la Misericordia), was founded in 1992 to follow in his footsteps. Several educational institutions, such as the Colegio Agustín Ramírez Barba, also bear witness to his lasting impact on the education of youth.