Jesús Emilio was born in Santo Domingo, Colombia, in 1916. His parents were craftsman Alberto and Cecilia Monsalve.
He entered seminary at the age of 13 and was ordained a priest in 1940. He joined the Xaverian Missionaries.
While pursuing his Ph.D. in Bogotá, he served as a chaplain in a women’s prison, a spiritual director for seminarians, and novice master for his community. He was consecrated as a bishop in 1971, taking the name Jaramillo.
The people under his care suffered from the ravages of the Colombian civil war where drug trafficking was rampant. Though faced with the threats of powerful drug cartels and rebels, the bishop brought security to his area. He was an outspoken bishop who protected the rights of the poor and fought for justice.
During his parish visit on October 2, 1989, he was kidnapped by the rebels who were angered by his anti-communist teachings. He was tortured for the entire day and was shot twice in the head the following day.
Pope Francis beatified him in 2017 in Colombia.