Oldest man in the world, dead at 114, prayed the Rosary twice daily

Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, a twice-daily prayer of the rosary who at his death was the confirmed oldest man in the world, died on April 2, just weeks before his 115th birthday.

Mora held the title of oldest man in the world for a few short years. He was awarded the distinction by Guinness World Records on Feb. 4, 2022, when he was 112 years and 253 days old.

Born on May 27, 1909, in Venezuela, Mora was the ninth child of 10 born to Eutiquio del Rosario Pérez Mora and Edelmira Mora.

In 1914 the family moved to Los Pajuiles, a village in San José de Bolivar. When Mora was 5 years old, he started to work with his father and siblings in agriculture, specifically coffee harvesting and sugar cane.

At 10, he began school but was only able to attend for five months because his teacher became very ill. However, Mora was able to learn how to read and write thanks to a book his teacher had given him prior to her health declining. 

Mora was also a sheriff in Caricuena from 1948 to 1958.

He was married to Ediofina del Rosario García for 60 years. She passed away in 1997. The couple had six sons and five daughters. The family has now grown to include 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Among his family, Mora was known for his faith. He strived to build a solid relationship with God, his relatives, and he prayed the rosary twice a day.

Mora told Guinness World Records his secret to living a long life was to “work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early, drink a glass of aguardiente [a strong liquor made from sugar cane] every day, love God, and always carry him in your heart.”

He added that he wanted to be remembered “as a hardworking man, faithful to his wife and his religion.”

Francesca Pollio Fenton, CNA staff, Apr 4, 2024 

Adapted from www.catholicnewsagency.com