Juan de Jesús López y González

As pro-vicar general of the Diocese of Aguascalientes starting in 1920, Father López y González assumed responsibility for diocesan schools. Faced with the lack of Christian educational structures for the most destitute children, he conceived the project of founding a religious congregation dedicated to popular education.

On December 21, 1925, he submitted an official request to his bishop, Msgr. Ignacio Valdespino y Díaz, to found a pious association called the "Apostolic Workers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus" (Obreras Apostólicas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús). On December 25, 1925, before the Christmas crèche, the first group of young women made their promises to dedicate their lives to the education of the poor and the little ones.

The following years were marked by the Cristero War and the religious persecution led by the Mexican government (Calles Law). Appointed auxiliary bishop of Aguascalientes and titular bishop of Dadima on July 1, 1927, by Pope Pius XI, he had to be consecrated in exile on March 30, 1928, at the Convent of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas (United States). After the death of Msgr. Valdespino, he was appointed bishop in title of Aguascalientes on September 20, 1929, and installed on January 2, 1930.

Despite strict government restrictions, he obtained authorization from the Holy See and canonically erected the congregation under the name of Catholic Teacher Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hermanas Maestras Católicas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) on September 8, 1932, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. During the period of persecution, the sisters initially had to teach clandestinely in private homes.

The mission of the institute is to offer high-quality integral Christian education to poor children, particularly in urban suburbs and rural areas. The sisters also extended their work to orphanages (notably the Ciudad de los Niños), the advancement of women, and parish ministry. Today, the congregation has grown and has about thirty houses in Mexico, as well as in Peru, Venezuela, and the United States. It received the decree of pontifical approval (Decretum Laudis) on April 18, 1972.

Bishop López y González governed the Diocese of Aguascalientes from 1930 to 1950. During his episcopate, he ordained 76 priests, published 15 pastoral letters, and issued 429 circulars. He established the cathedral chapter in 1946 and obtained the title of minor basilica for his cathedral in 1949.

He passed away on November 11, 1950, in Mexico City. His remains were brought back to Aguascalientes and rest in the cathedral, behind the high altar dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption.

Given his reputation for holiness and the insistence of the faithful and the Catholic Ladies, the diocesan inquiry into his life and virtues was officially opened on November 5, 1996, by the Diocese of Aguascalientes. Fifty-eight witnesses were questioned to attest to his heroic virtues. The diocesan inquiry concluded on December 23, 1997.

On June 16, 2017, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues. He was then officially declared Venerable.

For him to be beatified, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required. The current Bishop of Aguascalientes continues to actively promote his cause before the Holy See.

Coming from a humble background, he maintained great simplicity and evangelical poverty throughout his life. He was deeply close to the poor and the workers.

He had an immense devotion to the Virgin of Carmel and affiliated himself with the Third Order of the Discalced Carmelites (today the Secular Carmel). He was also a great admirer of Saint Teresa of Avila, whom he designated as the patroness of his congregation.

His immense paternal kindness left a mark on people's minds. Upon his death, a popular phrase summarized his legacy: "If Bishop López had a sin, it was undoubtedly that of having made himself so loved."

His dwelling house, located at No. 115 Abasolo Street, in the El Encino neighborhood of Aguascalientes, is today preserved by the religious sisters as a "Relic-House" (museum) open to the faithful. The José de Jesús López y González Educational Center, founded in 1998 in a marginalized area of Aguascalientes, perpetuates his dream of offering free, quality education to disadvantaged children.