Juan Manuel Martín del Campo

After his ordination, Father Juan Manuel Martín del Campo dedicated himself fully to his priestly ministry within the Diocese of Veracruz (later becoming the Archdiocese of Xalapa). From 1940 to 1947, he served as chaplain of the seminary, professor, spiritual director, and prefect of theologians. In 1947, he was appointed confessor to the religious Sisters of Banderilla, prefect of discipline at the seminary, and spiritual director of the minor seminary.

His pastoral zeal led him to hold numerous diocesan positions: director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1954), chaplain and spiritual director of the Motolinía College (1956), and then substitute vicar of the San José parish in Xalapa. In 1959, he was sent to Coatepec as substitute vicar of the San Jerónimo parish, where he became the parish priest (párroco) from 1960 to 1970. It was during this period that he founded the Colegio México in Coatepec, a major educational work that still perpetuates his memory today.

In 1970, he was appointed canon penitentiary of the Cathedral of Xalapa, a position he held for fifteen years. He then became interim rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart (Beaterio) in 1985, and later rector of the San Isidro Church in Xalapa in 1987.

Alongside these ministries, Father Martín del Campo was appointed official exorcist of the Archdiocese of Xalapa, a ministry he actively exercised from 1987 to 1995. He spent long hours in the confessional, welcoming the faithful with immense patience and profound mercy, which earned him the nickname from some as "the new Padre Pio."

Afflicted with prostate cancer, Father Juan Manuel Martín del Campo passed away on the night of August 13, 1996, in Xalapa, at the age of 78. His death sparked deep popular emotion; a vast crowd gathered at the Cathedral of Xalapa for his funeral, with many faithful touching his coffin with devotional objects. He was initially buried in the Xalapa cemetery (Panteón Xalapeño). On February 5, 2010, at the initiative of the Archbishop of Xalapa, Msgr. Hipólito Reyes Larios, his mortal remains were solemnly transferred to the parish church of San Jerónimo in Coatepec, where he had served as pastor and founder. The cause for beatification and canonization was officially introduced under the pontificate of Benedict XVI. The Nihil obstat decree was granted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on November 27, 2008, conferring upon him the title of Servant of God. The diocesan inquiry into his life and virtues took place in Xalapa from February 5, 2009, to April 23, 2010. The validity of this inquiry was recognized by a Roman decree on July 7, 2011.

After the examination of the Positio by the theological consultants (who issued a favorable opinion on November 25, 2014) and then by the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation (on September 22, 2015), Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree on the heroic nature of his virtues on September 30, 2015. On that date, Juan Manuel Martín del Campo was officially declared Venerable.

For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required. The Archdiocese of Xalapa continues to actively promote his cause and invites the faithful to pray to obtain this grace.

The spirituality of the Venerable Juan Manuel Martín del Campo is deeply Christocentric and Marian, shaped by the example of his mentor, Saint Rafael Guízar y Valencia. His ministry was characterized by tireless pastoral charity, a preferential love for the poor and the sick, and absolute fidelity to the Church despite the trials of persecution.

His living legacy resides not only in the Colegio México of Coatepec, but also in the collective memory of the faithful of Xalapa and Coatepec, who remember him as an "apostle of the confessional," a spiritual advisor of great wisdom, and a priest of peace. His reputation for holiness and power of intercession remains very strong in Mexico.