Manuel Martin Sierra was a Spanish Catholic priest and Augustinian monk born in the province of Granada in 1892. Following his theological studies, he was ordained in 1915 and later joined an Augustinian monastery in Motril in 1929. During his time serving the parish of Divine Providence, he focused his ministry on charitable works. He is recognized as one of the martyrs of Motril, having been killed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Life and death
After his ordination, Sierra moved to Motril to serve his community. When the Spanish Civil War began, he chose to remain in his parish despite the dangers posed by the Republican authorities. In July 1936, he was forcibly removed from his monastery and taken into custody. He was executed in the courtyard of his church on July 26, 1936, alongside fellow monk Vicente Pinilla.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognizes him as a blessed martyr. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on March 7, 1999, as part of a group including the other martyrs of Motril. His feast day is observed annually on May 5.