From his birthplace in Zaragoza, Fray Romualdo Jimeno came to the Philippines on October 12, 1831. He was then a deacon, 23 years of age, six years in religious profession and a student in fourth year theology. After his ordination, he was assigned in the mission territories of the Dominicans in Nueva Vizcaya where he remained for two years in the town of Bagahag. For a short time he was Procurator General of the Province of Santisimo Rosario until in 1835 he was sent to Tong-King. There he suffered persecution against the Christians.
In June 1841 Pope Pius VIII appointed Fray Jimeno Coadjutor Bishop with right of succession to Bishop Hermosilla, Vicar Apostolic of Tong-King Oriental. There he worked for the propagation of the missions in the atmosphere of the peaceful disposition of its new king, Thien-tri, his cabinet ministers and people.
In 1845 he was nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, but on account of the death of Archbishop Segui, he was not installed. Instead in January 19 of the following year, Pope Gregory XVI appointed him Bishop of Cebu. Because of the rough and stormy condition of the ocean Bishop Jimeno and his companions were forced to land in Macao where he officiated at the episcopal ordination of its bishop. Arrived in Manila, he also officiated at the episcopal ordina-tion of Archbishop Jose Aranguren, O.R.S.A. on February 27, 1847. Isabel II decorated Bishop Jimeno with the Cross of Isabel the Catholic in grateful recognition of his services.
The zealous prelate had strongly recommended the creation of the new Diocese of Jaro which Pope Pius IX officially approved in the Bull of May 27, 1865. It was not until October 10, 1867 that the decree was served by Archbishop Meliton Martinez of Manila who acted as executor-delegate. Bishop Jimeno himself was given the task of governing the new diocese as Apostolic Subdelegate until its first bishop, Fray Mariano Cuartero, one time professor of Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos of Cebu, took possession on April 20, 1868. At the request of Bishop Jimeno, the Vincentians arrived in Cebu in 1867 to take charge of the Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos.
Bishop Jimeno pursued his pastoral duties in Cebu with great dedication and commitment, until his serious illness. He himself used to conduct the recollections and retreats of the clergy of C..lbu. Bishop Cuartero, knowing about the prelate’s condition, accompanied him to Manila for treatment. Bishop Jimeno, upon the advise of the doctors, stayed in Jaro in order to recover; his illness nevertheless grew worse. He died in Jaro on March 17, 1872. Five years later, on June 8, 1877, his remains were transferred with great honor to Cebu and was deposited in a place adjoining the altar of St. Philomena at the Epistle side of the Cathedral. The bishop was a devotee of St. Philomena to whom he attributed his safety from the storm at sea.