Four priests who were martyred during the persecution during the Spanish Civil War will be canonized on 30 October. Fr. Aquilino Pastor Cambero, the youngest among the martyrs was ordained a priest a year before the Civil War. He was martyred for not renouncing Christ.
Aquilino was the youngest among the five siblings, born in Spain. From childhood itself, he was ardent to the priesthood. He used to play with his friends performing Mass on small altars he had built himself.
He had entered the Seminary in 1923. As he is from a poor family the parents couldn’t afford all the expenses of the seminary. Then the Vicar of his parish helped him from the third year onwards for further study. His good nature, simplicity, dexterity in demeanor, and admirable speech made him more remarkable among the people. He was a role model for everyone in the seminary. On 15 August 1935, he has ordained a priest in Placentia. Later he became the Prefect.
He had good relations with the youth of the town of Baeiza. He was very keen to deepen their prayer life. The religious persecution began in 1936 and that did not deter him from his work. The seminary was closed due to the attacks. Fr. Aquilino and his spiritual director Fr. Manuel have been at the house of their friend. A few days later they were caught by the soldiers and put in jail. On 28 August 1936 the young priest was killed. He died happily proclaiming the name of Christ.