Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Patron Saint of the Rom and
Zefferino Giménez Malla (1861-1936), known as "El Pelé", was
born of a Catholic gypsy family. He lived like a nomad for forty years and then
settled in Barbastro (Spain). He married but had no children. Although he was
illiterate, he taught the gypsy and non-gypsy children the first elements of
Christianity, using the Bible above all, and he trained them to pray daily.
He made peace among the Kalňs (Spanish nomads) and resolved their disputes with
others. He was honest in his work as an animal trader. In 1926 he became a
member of the Franciscan Third Order. He belonged to Conference of St. Vincent
De Paul. In 1931 he began participating in "Night Adoration".
During the religious persecution, he defended a priest who was being brought to
jail. He too was arrested and then killed in Barbastro together with many
priests, brothers and lay persons. He died shouting, "Long live Christ the
King!", holding a rosary in his hands. His body was thrown into a common
grave and never found again. In 1997 John Paul II proclaimed him Blessed.