Biography
Marciano José
About Marciano José
Marciano José was a Spanish religious brother of the Christian Schools, also known as the De La Salle Brothers. Born in El Pedregal, Guadalajara, on November 15, 1900, he was killed at Turón in Asturias on October 9, 1934. His home diocese remembers him on the anniversary of his death.
His birth name was Filomeno López López. As a boy he went with his uncle Benito to the brothers’ school at Bujedo, hoping to prepare for religious life and teaching. An ear infection caused hearing loss, and he returned home, where he tended sheep. He nevertheless persisted in seeking admission to the community.
He was eventually admitted for manual work. Gloria de Lucas’s account describes his service in the clothing room, church cleaning, kitchen and repair of household objects. He later served at Turón as cook at the school of Our Lady of Covadonga, supporting its daily life through practical duties.
His death came during the Asturian uprising of 1934. The school community and a visiting Passionist priest were imprisoned and killed. In his canonization homily, John Paul II remembered the eight brothers and the priest as martyrs, emphasizing their prayer, fellowship and fidelity to their religious calling. He presented their witness through the Church’s understanding of Christian service and faith.
John Paul II canonized Marciano José and his companions on November 21, 1999. His remembrance also took a local form: de Lucas records that a chapel was established in his birthplace and blessed in 2000. She describes visiting it with a group from the Casa de Guadalajara in Madrid and meeting members of his family.
At De La Salle University–Dasmariñas in the Philippines, he is honored as patron of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The university’s announcement invites its community to celebrate his feast. This is a documented patronage of that college; it does not establish a general patronage of every hospitality worker.
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