Sebastián Elorza Arizmendi

Feeling the call to religious life, in July 1900, Sebastián asked to join the Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinians) at the monastery of Santa María de La Vid, in the province of Burgos, despite his family's reluctance. He was admitted there as a lay brother (non-clerical brother). He began his novitiate on January 7, 1904. He took his simple vows on January 15, 1905, followed by his solemn profession on January 16, 1908. After a brief stay with the Gijón community in November 1914, he returned permanently to the monastery of Santa María de La Vid. For nearly forty years, Brother Sebastián performed various humble tasks in the service of his community, primarily that of porter brother. In this position, he distinguished himself by his patience, his discretion, and his tireless charity toward visitors, pilgrims, and especially the poor who knocked at the convent door. Always smiling despite the monotony of his duties, he also dedicated his free time to serving his brothers: he voluntarily mended the socks of the approximately one hundred religious in the monastery and handcrafted toothpicks for the community and guests.

The reputation of holiness of Brother Sebastián spread rapidly after his death. On July 17, 1968, the diocesan informative process opened in the Archdiocese of Burgos. The diocesan inquiry was closed on October 15, 1971. On October 11, 1991, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints promulgated the decree of validity for the diocesan inquiry. The Positio was published in 1997, and the particular congress of theological consultants issued a favorable opinion on September 21, 2012.

On April 3, 2014, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues. On that date, Sebastián Elorza Arizmendi was officially declared venerable.

The spirituality of the Venerable Sebastián Elorza Arizmendi is based on the pursuit of holiness through the simplicity of daily life and the extraordinary fulfillment of ordinary duties. His life of prayer, intense and constant, is deeply Eucharistic and Marian. Each morning, he serves several Masses with great devotion, and he never fails to recite the Rosary or to greet the Blessed Sacrament and the Virgin Mary at the end of his days. His legacy lies in his testimony of humility, joy in service, and unconditional welcome of his neighbor, perfectly embodying the spirit of the Rule of Saint Augustine.