Luis Zambrano Blanco

The major work of Luis Zambrano Blanco is the foundation of the secular institute "Hogar de Nazaret" (Home of Nazareth). The starting point of this foundation dates back to Christmas night, December 25, 1935, in Ribera del Fresno, when María Grajera Vargas-Zúñiga, a young catechist of the parish, made her perpetual offering of virginity to God to dedicate herself to the apostolate in the world. She thus became the first member of this new spiritual family. The institute is designed for consecrated women living in the world (consecrated laywomen) without a distinctive religious habit, in order to sanctify society from within. Their main missions revolve around service to parishes (catechesis, liturgy, care of churches), the education of youth, and assistance to the most destitute. In 1941, the institute opened its first major social work in Ribera del Fresno: "La Casa de la Providencia" (The House of Providence). Initially designed to welcome the elderly and the needy of the post-war period, it quickly specialized in the reception and accompaniment of girls and adolescents suffering from intellectual disabilities. Under the impetus of the founder and María Grajera (who would lead the institute for more than sixty years), the work developed and opened other establishments, notably in Badajoz with the Santa Teresa school and the Nuestra Señora de la Luz center for disabled persons. The institute also extended its action to immigrants, isolated elderly people, and women in vulnerable situations. On the canonical level, the association was first recognized as a "Pious Union" on March 19, 1949, by the Bishop of Badajoz, Msgr. José María Alcaraz y Alenda, with retroactive effect to 1935. It received the status of a secular institute of diocesan right on February 14, 1996, under the episcopate of Msgr. Antonio Montero Moreno.

After his ministry in Ribera del Fresno, Luis Zambrano Blanco was appointed parish priest of Almendral from 1941 to 1945, and then of the Santa María Magdalena parish in Olivenza, where he remained for twenty-four years. He concluded his pastoral journey as parish priest of the San Juan Bautista parish in Badajoz.

Throughout his life, he distinguished himself by an overflowing pastoral charity, a profound humility, and a life of intense prayer. It was during his ministry in Olivenza that a significant event occurred on January 23, 1949: the unexplained multiplication of rice prepared for the poor in the kitchen of the work. This extraordinary fact, attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Macías (whom Luis Zambrano had chosen as the patron of the institute), was subsequently officially recognized by the Holy See as the miracle necessary for the canonization of this Dominican saint.

Exhausted by incessant labor in the service of the poorest and the parishes, Luis Zambrano Blanco passed away holily in Badajoz on February 14, 1983.

The reputation for holiness of Luis Zambrano Blanco led to the opening of his cause for beatification. The Holy See granted its Nihil obstat on July 18, 1998. The diocesan inquiry into his life, virtues, and reputation for holiness took place in the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz from December 29, 1998, to February 15, 2002. The validity of this inquiry was formally decreed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on February 13, 2004. On October 10, 2016, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing his heroic virtues, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable.

The spirituality of Luis Zambrano Blanco is based on the imitation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, characterized by humility, daily work, and selfless service. He also placed his work under the patronage of Saint Teresa of Avila.

His legacy continues today through the secular institute "Hogar de Nazaret," present in several Spanish dioceses (notably in Extremadura and Galicia), which pursues its educational, parochial, and social activities for the disabled and marginalized. His birthplace in Fuente del Maestre has been transformed into a house-museum in order to transmit his message of charity and peace, summarized by his motto: "Ánimo y adelante" (Courage and forward).