Atanasio Vidaurreta Labra was a Spanish Catholic seminarian born in 1911 in Adiós, Navarra. A member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he pursued his religious studies in Vic before facing health challenges that interrupted his formation. During the Spanish Civil War, he was staying at a seminary in Barbastro when the facility was searched by militias. Following his arrest, he was executed by firing squad in August 1936, leading the Catholic Church to recognize him as a martyr.
Life and death
After making his first vows in 1930, Atanasio continued his religious training until the outbreak of the civil war. In July 1936, while at the Barbastro seminary, he was caught in a search conducted by anarchist militias. After falling ill due to the stress of the situation, he was moved to a prison. He was killed near the city on August 18, 1936, and his remains were initially placed in a mass grave.
Veneration
The remains of the martyrs were later recovered from mass graves, identified by metal tags sewn into their religious habits. Atanasio was beatified in Rome by Pope John Paul II on October 25, 1992. He is commemorated annually on August 18. His relics are currently preserved in a crypt located beneath the church attached to the museum in Barbastro.