Pedro Díez Gil

The life of Father Pedro Díez Gil is characterized by an extraordinary simplicity and an absolute fidelity to his vocation as a teacher and priest. From 1935 to 1980, he specialized in the education of the youngest children (the párvulos, aged five). Aware of the difficulties in learning to read and write, he developed, in collaboration with Father Joaquín Erviti Lazcano, an innovative phono-mimic pedagogical method. Together, they published the Chiquitín reading method (published from 1947 to 1977) and the children's reading book Sonrisas, which enjoyed immense success throughout Spain and Latin America. To support his students, he handcrafted more than ten thousand slides and a system of pedagogical cards.

Alongside his teaching mission, Father Pedro was in charge of the college church (Santo Tomás de Aquino). He displayed tireless pastoral zeal in the historic neighborhood of San Pablo (nicknamed 'El Gancho') and that of Delicias. He visited poor families, the sick, and the dying daily, bringing them spiritual comfort and material aid. He was also appointed advisor (consiliario) of the local section of the Nocturnal Adoration of Zaragoza in 1956 and of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1969. In recognition of his exceptional dedication to education, he received the Silver Medal of Merit at Work (Medalla de Plata al Mérito en el Trabajo) in 1973.

After a life entirely given to children and the poor, Father Pedro Díez Gil passed away holily at the college of Zaragoza on December 14, 1983, at the age of 70. His reputation for holiness, already vivid during his lifetime, spread rapidly after his death.

On May 30, 1997, the diocesan process for his beatification was officially opened in Zaragoza. As part of this procedure, his body was exhumed from the cemetery on December 11, 1997. To the surprise of the witnesses present, his remains were discovered perfectly preserved and mummified (considered incorrupt). His body was then transferred under the altar of the Virgin of the Pillar in the church of Santo Tomás de Aquino in Zaragoza, where it now rests. The diocesan process was closed on February 14, 1998, under the presidency of the auxiliary bishop of Zaragoza, Mgr. Juan José Omella.

The cause was then transmitted to Rome, to the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Causes of Saints. After an in-depth examination of his life and writings, Pope Francis authorized, on May 20, 2023, the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues. By this act, Pedro de la Virgen del Carmen was officially declared Venerable by the Catholic Church.

The spirituality of Father Pedro Díez Gil is deeply rooted in the charism of Saint Joseph Calasanz, founder of the Piarists. He lived in a heroic manner the 'fourth vow' specific to his order, that of the education of children. His implicit spiritual motto consisted of 'becoming small among the small' to transmit to them the light of faith and knowledge. His intimate union with Christ was expressed through an intense Eucharistic devotion (notably via Nocturnal Adoration) and a filial love for the Virgin Mary.

Today, his legacy remains alive in Zaragoza, particularly at the Piarist School college where generations of former students remember his gentleness and his benevolent pedagogy. A public square located behind the college in Zaragoza was inaugurated in his honor under the name 'Plaza del Padre Pedro' in November 2010.