Born in 1861, in Spain, Ceferino Gimenez Malla was a poorly educated gypsy. He married in 1912 at age 51, and was widowed 10 years later. A successful horse-trader, Malla became a catholic as an adult. He belonged to the Third Order Franciscans, and was noted for his dedication to prayer, the rosary and the sacraments.
During the Spanish Civil War, Catholics were being persecuted, and Malla often his priests from the authorities. He was captured and thrown in prison (a former Capuchin monastery) for defending a priest.
Ceferino Gimenez Malla was shot by a firing squad on August 8, 1936.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw