Residence: San Xavier del Bac

Race or Tribe:  Español

Notes:  Padre Diaz was born 24 October 1794 at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.  He may have immigrated with his family to New Spain during French troubles.  He entered the Franciscan Order in the province of Michoacan, Mexico at the age of twenty-four.  In 1820 he transferred tot he College of Querétaro.  In 1824 he was assigned to San Xavier del Bac and stayed there until expelled in 1828.  He also served as interim chaplain at the Tucson garrison.  In 1825 he was ill and was carried to Tumacácori.  In 1834 the Apache attacks had become very bad and Diaz wanted to leave and go to New Mexico, but that idea failed.  He decided then to stay at Cocóspera.  In 1837 he moved from Cocóspera to San Ignacio.  From 1837 to 1841 he was pastor to the entire northern Pimeria.  Padre Diaz was one of only two Spanish priests who stayed after the rest of the Franciscans left following the expulsion of Spaniards by the Mexican government in 1828.  He was named Father President of the College in 1841 but became ill that summer and died at San Ignacio.