109 Spanish Claretian Martyrs

(†1936-1937)
BEATIFICATION:
– October 21, 2017
– Pope Francis

RECORRENCE:
– February 1.

 

Matthew Casals, Theophilus Casajús, Fernando Saperas and 106 companions, Members of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, belonging to the communities of Barcelona, Castro Urdiales, Cervera, Lerida, Sabadell, Valencia, Vic and Sallent; martyrs: they were killed in hatred of the faith in the years 1936 and 1937, as part of the persecution in the Spanish Civil War, slaughtered for the sole guilt of being believers and religious

 

“We are not afraid”

In the first half of the 20th century, Spain was strongly affected by an anti-Christian policy that totally restricted the exercise of public worship and, through discriminatory laws and aggressive attitudes, explicitly aimed at the complete destruction of the Church in the Iberian nation.

Numerous were the victims of religious persecution. Especially from 1936 on, a plan for the annihilation of priests and religious was enacted through organized and systematic actions, not infrequently preceded by psychological and physical torture.

These Venerable Servants of God came from different communities: Barcelona, Sabadell, Vic, Lérida, Cervera, Valencia and Santander.

Representatives of this glorious host can be considered the Venerable Servants of God Matteo Casals, Teofilo Casajús and Fernando Saperas: they were, respectively, Superior in Sabadell, student in Cervera and professed friar in the same community.

While the experiences that characterized the lives of these true witnesses to the faith were different, identical was their awareness of going to martyrdom and their desire to offer Christ their blood as well, after offering their lives to him in baptismal, religious and priestly consecration.

BEATO MATEO CASALS MAS, born Sept. 10, 1883, in Bagá near Barcelona, in the diocese of Solsona. He was baptized the following day in his village parish church with the names Mateo (Catalan for Mateu) Lorenzo José. His parents, Mateo Casals and Dolores Mas, had nine children; Mateo was the sixth. He had from childhood a great devotion to the passion of Jesus, which he retained throughout his life: in particular, he was fascinated by the services of Holy Week, which are particularly solemn in Spain. He began his formation toward the priesthood in the diocesan seminary of Solsona. Feeling oriented toward religious life, he entered the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or Claretians: he professed vows on August 15, 1903, and was ordained a priest on June 13, 1911. He was superior in many communities of his congregation, engaging tirelessly in preaching to the people. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War on July 10, 1936, he was superior of the community of Cervera. After a few days in which he took refuge in a safe house, on August 4, 1936, he was captured and taken to prison, where he guided his brethren to continue community life as far as possible. At dawn on September 5, 1936, he and fourteen other Claretians were shot in Sant Quirze del Vallès (San Quirico de Tarrasa). As of Sept. 13, 2006, his cause for beatification and that of seven confreres who were killed in the territory of the diocese of Barcelona were included in a 109-member group. Father Mateo, scholastic (i.e., religious on their way to the priesthood) Teófilo Casajús Alduán and Brother Fernando Saperas Aluja were designated as group leaders, representing the various kinds of consecrated life in the Claretian congregation. All 109 were beatified on Oct. 21, 2017, in Barcelona under the pontificate of Pope Francis. The mortal remains of Blessed Mateo Casals Mas are venerated in the Heart of Mary Church in Sabadell.

Priestly vocation

At the same time, a vocation to the priesthood began to arise in him, but because of the company he kept and his aspiration for greater freedom, it was gradually diminished. Mateo ignored the advice of his mother, who died in 1897, not to forget that desire. He therefore went to work at a loom, but it was there that his aspiration resurfaced. Thus, in September 1898, he entered the Diocesan Seminary in Solsona, on the advice of the vicar of his parish, Fr. Domingo Rafort, and after obtaining permission from his father. Supporting him in his studies was a maternal aunt, María Mas, since his family was extremely poor.

Oriented to religious life.

He attended Humanity courses with profit and to the satisfaction of his superiors. In the meantime, however, he felt a kind of discomfort with the regimen of seminary life, which included four months of vacation in the summer. In the destination of diocesan pastors, mostly sent to isolated parishes, he saw a danger to his vocation. It was in that way, therefore, that he turned to community life in some religious congregation. Precisely, he chose the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, founded by St. Anthony Mary Claret and therefore called Claretians. Don Domingo helped her, once again, to make contact with them.

Between the Claretian Missionaries

Having overcome disagreements on the part of his father and friends, Mateo set out on July 14, 1902, having received the money to pay for it as alms from some good people. He then walked to Ripoll, taking nine hours; then, for the first time in his life, he took the train to Vic, home of the congregation’s Motherhouse. He arrived late in the afternoon, but he considered July 16, which was the day previously set, as the effective date of his entrance. A month later, on August 14, he received the religious habit and began his novitiate. In the Spiritual Exercises of January 1903, he proposed an austere life, especially with regard to diet. A little later, he offered himself totally to the Virgin Mary, begging her to take care of him. In June, he reiterated his intention to advance in virtue and simplicity.

Tonsure and philosophical studies

Gifted with remarkable moral and intellectual qualities, he nevertheless had some health ailments, concerning sleep. He was examined by a specialist in Barcelona, who found no symptoms serious enough to send him home. For him, as he later wrote, it was “a memorable day.” He professed vows in Vic on August 15, 1903, the day he also received his tonsure. He then moved on to the house in Cervera for philosophical studies: in his third year, 1905-1906, he had Father Philip of Jesus Munárriz (beatified in 1992) as prefect. He continued to suffer from insomnia and headaches: this probably affected his profit, which was not high, but not his moral qualities and his observance of religious duties.

Priestly ordination and first assignments

After finishing his Philosophy course, he received Minor Orders on July 15, 1906, then went on to study Dogmatic Theology in Cervera and Moral Theology in Alagón. He was ordained subdeacon on May 21, 1910, in Vic, and deacon on September 24 of the same year. In 1911, having completed his studies in Moral Theology, he was ordained a priest in Zaragoza. He was then sent to Aranda de Duero, for the preparation course for the ministry: he arrived there on September 28, 1911. In 1913 he was sent to Alagón, but stayed only a short time, due to changes in the congregation’s government: on August 18 he moved to Solsona, as minister. Soon after, he was elected sacristan, but in the following three years he left the post and was appointed professor of Mysticism. In 1919 he received the appointment as First Consultor of the same house.

Father Mateo‘s mission.

Throughout this time, Father Mateo was fully committed to the salvation of souls: he preached novenas, septenaries, triduums, missions to the people, Lenten, Spiritual Exercises, sermons and devotions. His apostolic action extended to the most diverse places, near and far, and was aimed at both religious communities and very diverse assemblies. In December 1922 he was appointed superior of the house in Sabadell, where he arrived on January 4, 1923. There, too, he continued the same commitments as before. In 1930 he was assigned to Cervera as superior, but the following year he was already in Solsona with the same assignment.

The risk of martyrdom

On July 24, 1934 he returned to Sabadell, again as superior. There, as he continued his many occupations, he witnessed the events of the “tragic week” that bloodied Barcelona and marked the beginning of a persecution against the Church, including religious.
On September 1, 1935, during a course of Exercises, he recalled those days in these terms, “Remember the dangers you ran on the night of October 6, when you saw death in the face and how God delivered you and yours with an almost visible providence from such critical circumstances. Accordingly, give continuous thanks to God….” The risks he had faced made Father Mateo aware that martyrdom was about to become a reality. In his Exercises notes of 1935 and 1936 he wrote that he was not afraid to die. On other occasions he manifested that he was willing to give his blood for Christ, rejecting the possibility of running away or living in hiding. All members of the community, in general, had the same dispositions.

The beginnings of the Civil War

On the evening of July 19, 1936, when the Civil War broke out, the community dispersed to safe houses assigned in advance. Father Mateo took refuge in the home of Mr. José Vilaseca on Calle San Juan.
The next morning they all returned to their residence, to celebrate Mass and take Communion. Father Mateo lingered because he went to celebrate at the chapel of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly, but he was met with the news that it was not convenient for him to stay there: there had been hostile demonstrations. At that point, he ordered each confrere to return to the previous night’s shelter; he himself headed back to Calle San Juan.

The Capture

He remained there until August 4, when a militia patrol captured him and took him to jail. He found other members of the Sabadell community imprisoned and guided them, as much as possible, to continue community life. They certainly prayed the Rosary and other devotional exercises, but the superior is said to have even preached Spiritual Exercises. The Claretians received help from family members of other prisoners. One of them went so far as to offer them his home when they would be released, but Father Mateo refused: he had a premonition that he would die soon.

The martyrdom

On September 4, 1936, at 11:45 p.m., a number of militiamen arrived at the prison on the orders of the civil authorities and the local Revolutionary Committee: they brought out all the prisoners, in three groups of four and one group of three, since there were fifteen of them, and loaded them into their vehicles. As the prisoners passed through the street, they shouted, “Long live Christ the King! Long live the Sacred Heart of Jesus!” Father Mateo’s death certificate attests that he was shot at kilometer 17 of the Rubí road, at about 5 a.m. on September 5, 1936, in the borders of the municipality of San Quirico de Terrasa. The autopsy reported that he had hardened knees, “typical of someone who has been on his knees a lot in life.” His body was buried in the cemetery of San Quirico de Terrasa (now Sant Quirze del Vallès), but was later moved to the Church of the Heart of Mary in Sabadell.

The cause of beatification

The cause of Father Mateo Casals Mas was included in a list of eight potential Claretian martyrs who were killed in the territory of the diocese of Barcelona. The diocesan information process was opened on November 28, 1949 and concluded on January 29, 1951. The decree on the writings was issued on December 6, 1991. By the decree of September 13, 2006, the cause was included in a larger list that counted a total of 109 potential martyrs, all from the same congregation. Father Mateo was listed as group leader along with Teófilo Casajús Alduán, a scholastic religious (i.e., in formation toward the priesthood) and Fernando Saperas Aluja, a brother religious, representing the three vocations present among the Claretians.

The recognition of martyrdom and beatification

The “Positio super martyrio,” delivered in 2006, was examined by the theological consultants of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints ten years later, on February 8, 2016. The positive assessment was confirmed by the meeting of the cardinals and bishops who were members of the same Congregation.
On December 21, 2016, receiving in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree by which Father Mateo Casals Mas and his 108 companions were recognized as martyrs in hatred to the Catholic faith.
Their beatification was celebrated on October 21, 2017, in the basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Presiding over the rite, as the Holy Father’s envoy, was Cardinal Amato. (Author: Emilia Flocchini)

BLESSED TEÓFILO CASAJÚS ALDUÁN, Claretian seminarian, was born in Murchante, in the province of Navarre and diocese of Tudela, on Nov. 4, 1914. He was baptized in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in the same town the following day. On June 30, 1915, according to the custom of the time, he received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

His father, Jacinto Casajús, was a carpenter, while his mother, Agustina Alduán, took care of the children, who numbered seven in all. Teófilo received a good human and religious education, both in the family and at the school of the Religious of the Consolation, which he began attending at the age of three.He soon showed an alert intelligence and a certain liveliness, as he ended up destroying his sandals within four days. Despite his tender age, he was still very sensible and loved being an altar boy.

Vocation among the Claretians

In that environment, Teófilo matured his religious vocation. He chose the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, called Claretians after the name of the founder, St. Anthony Mary Claret. Two of his maternal uncles, Father Medardo Alduán Fuentes and Father Nicolás Alduán Fuentes, were priests in that congregation. On July 2, 1926, accompanied by his mother, he entered postulancy in Alagón, where he completed his Humanity studies. In the letters he sent to family members he always manifested his satisfaction and determination to pursue his missionary vocation.

In the novitiate

In August 1928 he moved to Cervera, after a journey of more than half a day with a stop in Zaragoza, where he visited the cathedral (“la Seo”) and the basilica of Our Lady of Pilar. He completed his Humanity studies with remarkable profit. On July 29, 1930 he arrived at Vic for his novitiate and completed his religious habit on August 14 of the same year. On August 15, 1931 he professed his vows, while eleven days later he headed to Solsona for theological studies.

Serene despite the dangers

By May, however, the situation in Spain had already become dangerous. In May there had been fires in churches and convents, but Teófilo tried to hearten his people. On July 4, 1931, he wrote to his father, “I and all of us here are willing to do anything; you do not have to worry about me, I already know that my mother has written a letter to Cervera to encourage José [another son studying there]: this is good; you receive very different news from other families full of fear for their children, who almost call them so that they will flee from danger. Whenever I see anything of these I feel myself burning … (as a navarro, they would say here).” In another letter, on November 20, 1931, she reiterates her serenity: “Even in the midst of these circumstances one can rejoice. You see, Carmen, neither fear nor shadow of sadness cause me these persecutions through which we pass.” Indeed, the city itself was peaceful, but it was the environment around it that gave signs of concern.

Towards the priesthood

The steps toward the priesthood that Teófilo dreamed of followed one another: in Solsona he began the course of Theology and on June 12, 1935, in the local cathedral, he received the tonsure, accompanied, the following day, by the two first Minor Orders. The following August 26 he moved to Cervera to finish his studies.

Superiors’ reports on him state that he was gifted with a great talent for music and was a good conductor. His laziness was compensated for by a certain frankness and honesty, which allowed him not to make reckless judgments easily. In the resolutions he noted on November 3, 1935, he spoke of “holocaust, a complete sacrifice, without reservation, in full will. Firmness of speech … religiosity … lofty aims … perseverance,” disposing himself to manifest those feelings outwardly without fear or shame of the truth.

In the persecution of the Spanish Civil War

On July 21, 1936, two days after the start of the Spanish Civil War, the Cervera community was told by telephone by the city’s mayor to leave within an hour the former university building, which had been their home since 1887. Leaving through the garden door, the Claretians split up: 21 took refuge in the hospital or with friendly families, while the others (15 Fathers, 44 Scholastics, 25 Brothers and 38 Postulants) boarded some buses sent by City Hall. They made to head for Solsona, but the revolutionaries in that town did not welcome them. So, by now at night, the vehicles stopped in San Ramon, at whose Mercedari convent the fugitives were received. They spent the night there, then Mass was celebrated the following morning: some renewed their religious vows, while others professed them for the first time. On the morning of July 23, they dispersed again. The Scholastics and some Brothers set out for Mas Claret, a farm seven kilometers from Cervera, already a vacation spot for the Missionaries. When they arrived at their destination, a group, consisting of fourteen professed Scholastics and their Latin teacher, Father Manuel Jové Bonet, headed for Vallbona de les Monges, the latter’s home village. At sunset they arrived in Montornés, where they had a warm welcome and were able to feed themselves.

The arrest
The next morning, passing through Guimerà, they decided to go in pairs, moving ten minutes apart. The precaution was to no avail: the young men were caught while resting. Father Jové, who had gone off to plan with a friend how to accommodate the whole group, turned himself in to the Revolutionary Committee of Ciutadilla, where they had been imprisoned, determined not to abandon them.
The young students and their superior were subjected to physical and psychological torture: some were punched and shoved, others had Rosaries and crucifixes taken from them. Young Luis Plana had the picture of his sister Maria, who was a Sister of Charity of St. Joachim Vedruna, pulled out of his wallet, but the persecutors presented her as his “girlfriend.”

The martyrdom

At eight o’clock in the morning of Sunday, July 26, bound at the wrists in groups of two, they were loaded onto a truck and tied at the feet as well, again two by two. After a couple of hours of travel, spent in prayer and meditation, they were untied at the feet and taken to the cemetery in Lerida.

Father Jové exhorted his fourteen students for the last time, “They will kill us, but we will die for God. Long live Christ the King!” He was the first to be shot, with two other young men. All, as their turn came, were asked in an ironic tone whether they wanted to die for God or for the Republic: “Long live Christ the King!” they invariably replied. It was then the turn of four condemned men, then four more, and finally the last three. Theophilus was part of their list; he was not yet twenty-two years old.

The cause of beatification

His cause and that of his fifteen companions was included in the group called “Jaime Girón and 59 Companions,” united by being members of the Claretian community of Cervera. The informational process was opened in the Diocese of Solsona on February 11, 1948 and concluded on December 26, 1954. The decree on the writings was on June 22, 1966, while the validation of the information process bears the date of June 3, 2000.

By the decree of September 13, 2006, the cause was included in a larger list that counted a total of 109 potential martyrs, all from the same congregation. Teófilo was listed as group leader along with Mateo Casals Mas, a priest religious, and Fernando Saperas Aluja, a brother religious, representing the three vocations present among the Claretians. (Author: Emilia Flocchini)

BLESSED BROTHER FERNANDO SAPERAS

Martyr of Chastity

Fernando Saperas Aluja was born in Alió (Tarragona) on September 8, 1905. When he was seven years old, his father, José Saperas, died and the family was left without the income of the bricklayer who supported them. At the age of 15, Fernando went to Valls (Tarragona) and Barcelona to work as a hotel waiter and clerk.

He did his military service in Barcelona near the Shrine of the Heart of Mary, run by the Claretian Missionaries. Whenever military obligations allowed, Fernando attended that Shrine. At that time he began to feel the desire to enter a religious community, if not to study, because his age no longer allowed it, at least to serve there as a servant. He was accepted into the congregation, not as a servant, but as a missionary Brother. He entered at the end of 1928.

After his formation years, he was assigned to the University community in Cervera. Every day the piety with which he had been graced since childhood grew in him. Besides participating in community prayer, attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion, he made frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, practiced the Stations of the Cross and prayed the three parts of the rosary. Along with piety, Brother Saperas developed a love for his vocation and for the Institute. He said, “We can never thank God for the benefit of our vocation.” However, the most characteristic note of his spirituality was his willingness to work and the missionary zeal with which he did it. He carried out his tasks with diligence, cleanliness, order and an evangelizing stamp.

He took care of the porter when, on July 21, 1936, the 117 Claretians of Cervera had to disperse in a hurry. Brother Fernando went to the Solsona community with the larger group. But they had to disperse along the way. After passing through several hamlets in the region, and working in the house of Mr. Riera de Montpalau, he had to go to the farm of another friend, Mr. Bofarull. He was then arrested on the morning of August 12. Once his religious status was declared, he was subjected to all sorts of provocations and harassment against chastity. Finally, after fifteen hours of suffering, forgiving his executioners, he was shot to death at the gates of the cemetery in Tárrega (Lérida). It was already August 13, 1936.

Blessed Martyrs captured and passed by arms, solely because of their status as believers and religious are:

  1. Matteo Casals Mas, born Sept. 10, 1883, in Bagá (Barcelona), made his religious profession Aug. 15, 1903; was ordained a priest June 13, 1911. He was shot in San Quirce de la Serra on September 5, 1936.
  2. Teofilo Casajús Alduán, born November 3, 1914, in Murchante (Navarre), made temporary profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  3. Fernando Saperas Alluja, born September 8, 1905 in Alió (Tarragona), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1930. He was killed on August 13, 1936, in Tárrega.

Depending on the Community to which they belong, the Blessed are further divided into seven Groups:

Barcelona:

  1. John Capdevila Costa, born in Sovelles (Girona) on November 30, 1883, made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on July 16. He was killed on July 25, 1936, in Barcelona.
  2. Gumersindo Valtierra Alonso, born in San Martín de Humada (Burgos) on January 12, 1876, entered the Congregation in 1896. He made his first profession on August 15, 1894, and was subsequently ordained a priest on September 18, 1908. He was killed on July 26, 1936 in Barcelona.
  3. Candido Casals Sunyer, born August 22, 1889 in Nou de Berguedá (Barcelona), entered the Congregation in 1907 making his first profession on September 8, 1913. Ordained a presbyter on May 20, 1920, he was killed on July 29, 1936 in Barcelona.
  4. Adolfo de Esteban Rada, born Sept. 28, 1912, in Berbinzana (Navarre), made his perpetual profession on Sept. 1, 1828, at the age of 21. While preparing to receive Holy Orders, he was murdered on July 31, 1936, in Barcelona.

    5. .

  5. Antonio Junyent Estruch, born Oct. 25, 1896, in Vacarisas (Barcelona), made his religious profession on Aug. 15, 1913, and was ordained a priest on March 12, 1921. He was killed on August 19, 1936 in Barcelona.
  6. Giacinto Blanch Ferrer, born April 27, 1868, in Vilanova de Saub (Barcelona), made religious profession on September 18, 1885, and was ordained presbyter on March 12, 1982. He was killed on August 21, 1936, in Barcelona.
  7. Tommaso Maria Plana Aguilera, born April 17, 1909 in Barcelona, after making profession August 15, 1926 and receiving priestly ordination on May 26, 1934, was killed in Sabadell on August 27, 1936.
  8. Cirillo Montaner Fabré, born Feb. 16, 1873, in Vilanova y La Geltrú, entered the congregation, professed May 7, 1897, and was ordained a priest June 29, 1902. On November 28, 1936, he was killed in Montcadal.

Sabadell:

  1. Joseph Reixach Reguer, born June 13, 1865, in Santa Maria Vilanova de Sau (Barcelona), made his profession on Nov. 10, 1880, and was ordained a priest on April 6, 1888. He was killed on July 25, 1936, in Sabadell.
  2. Giuseppe Puig Bret, born April 28, 1860, in Cistella (Gerona), made perpetual profession on January 6, 1880, and was ordained presbyter in 1883. He was killed on September 5, 1936, in Terrassa.
  3. Giuseppe Clavería Mas, born August 29, 1875, in Vic. He made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on November 3, 1901. He was killed on September 5, 1936, in Terrasa.
  4. John Rafí Figuerola, born October 31, 1875, in Vilabella (Tarragona), entered the Congregation in 1891 as a coadjutor brother. He made perpetual profession in 1891. He was killed on September 5, 1936 in Terrasa.
  5. Joseph Solé Maimó, born August 21, 1890 in La Guardia Lada (Lerida), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother in 1918. He was killed on September 5, 1936, in Terrasa.
  6. Giuseppe Cardona Dalmases, born March 31, 1916 in Prades (Lérida), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1932. He was killed on September 5, 1936, in Sabadell.
  7. John Baptist Torrents Figueras, born December 8, 1873, in La Secuita (Tarragona), entered the Congregation in 1885: He made his first profession on December 8, 1901, and was ordained a priest in September 1897, pending dispensation for not having attained canonical age. He had made his first profession on December 8, 1901. He died a martyr’s death on March 17, 1937, in Montcada.

Vic:

  1. John Mercer Soler, born October 14, 1874 in Albiñana (Tarragona). He professed in the congregation on September 15, 1895 and was ordained a priest on December 23, 1902. He was killed in Sallent on July 25, 1936.
  2. Marcellin Mur Blanch, born April 1, 1882, in Raguet Riguepeu (Gres-France), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on June 21, 1909. He was killed in Sallent on July 25, 1936.
  3. Jaime Payás Fargas, born August 14, 1907 in Castellterçol (Barcelona), made his religious profession on August 15, 1924. He was then ordained a priest on June 20, 1931. He was killed on July 25, 1936, in Sallent.
  4. Mariano Binefa Alsinella, born June 28, 1906, in Villa Ieridana de Anglesola. He made his profession of religious vows as a coadjutor brother on June 11, 1924. He was killed on July 25, 1936, in Sallent.
  5. Joseph Arner Margalef, born Sept. 3, 1892, in Alcolea de Cinca (Huesca), made his perpetual profession (directly as was the custom then) on Sept. 8, 1908. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1916. He died on August 8, 1936 in San Sadurni d’Osormort.
  6. Casto Navarro Martínez, born July 1, 1905 in Guadalaviar (Teruel), was ordained a priest in the diocese of Teruel on June 9, 1928. In 1935, he entered the Claretian Congregation where he took religious vows on September 8, 1928. He was killed on the night of August 7, 1936, in San Sadurni d’Osormort.
  7. Giulio Aramendía Urquía, born Dec. 5, 1900, in Obanos, took religious vows on Aug. 15, 1917, and was ordained a priest on Sept. 19, 1925. He was killed on August 17, 1936, in Vic.
  8. Joseph Puigdessens Pujol, born July 14, 1877, in Vic, professed religious vows in the Institute on July 27, 1902, and was ordained a priest on Sept. 29, 1901. He was killed on August 17, 1936, in Vic.
  9. John Blanch Badía, was born March 1, 1873, in Puigpelat; and was ordained a priest June 12, 1897, in the diocese of Tarragona. He entered the Claretian Congregation in 1901 and professed religious vows on July 27, 1902. He was killed on August 31, 1936 in Sant Pere dels Arquelles.
  10. Giuseppe Capdevila Portet, born August 2, 1890 in Vic, made perpetual profession on August 15, 1906 and was ordained on August 26, 1914. He was killed on September 25, 1936, in Manlleu.
  11. Giuseppe Casals Badía, born Feb. 8, 1890, in Berga (Barcelona), made his religious profession as a lay brother on Feb. 2, 1910. He was killed on Oct. 12, 1936, in Gurb.
  12. Michele Codina Ventayol, born Nov. 8, 1909, in Villa de Artés (Barcelona), entered the congregation in 1924 and was professed there Aug. 31, 1926. In 1934 he was ordained a priest on May 26, 1934. He was killed on October 12, 1936 in Malla.
  13. John Codinach Espinalt, born May 28, 1872, in Mura (Barcelona). A priest in the diocese of Baecellona, where he was ordained June 12, 1897, he entered the congregation in March 1907 and professed in March 1908. He was killed on Oct. 12, 1936, in Malla.
  14. Isidoro Costa Homs, born Jan. 5, 1909, in Villa de Tarradell (Barcelona). He entered the Congregation where he made profession on May 16, 1931, as a lay coadjutor. He was killed in Cervera on November 11, 1936.
  15. Michele Facerías Garcés, born February 22, 1861, in Perarrua (Huesca), entered the Congregation in 1882 and professed religious vows as a coadjutor brother on March 24, 1882. He was killed on February 22, 1937, in Alboquers.

Lérida:

  1. Federico Codina Picassó, born May 7, 1888 Barcelona, made his religious profession August 15, 1904 and was ordained June 23, 1912. He was killed in Lérida on July 21, 1936.

    2. .

  2. Emanuel Torres Nicolau, born Oct. 4, 1874, in Almacelles (Lérida), made religious profession July 16, 1891, and was ordained priest May 13, 1900. He was killed on July 25, 1936 Lérida.
  3. Michele Baixeras Berenguer, born Feb. 14, 1908, in Castellterçol (Barcelona), made his religious profession Aug. 15, 1924, and was ordained presbyter on May 13, 1899, in 1931. He was killed on July 25, 1936 Lérida.
  4. Arturo Tamarit Piñol, born Aug. 1, 1913, in Solerás (Lérida), took religious vows Aug. 15, 1929, and was ordained a priest June 11, 1936. He was killed on July 25, 1936, in Lérida.
  5. Agostino Lloses Trullols, born Dec. 20, 1906, in Cervera (Lérida), made his religious profession on Aug. 15, 1924, and was ordained a priest on June 21, 1931. He was shot on August 21, 1936 in Lérida.
  6. Luigi Albí Aguilar, born April 1, 1910, in Barcelona; made religious profession Aug. 31, 1926, and was ordained a priest May 26, 1934. He was killed in Lérida on August 21, 1936.

    7. .

  7. Saverio Morell Cabiscol, born Jan. 20, 1910, in Albesa (Lérida); he made his religious profession Aug. 15, 1927, and was ordained a priest April 19, 1936. He was assassinated on August 21, 1936 in Lérida.
  8. Jiovanni Garriga Pagés, born August 31, 1908 in San Martí de Sacalm (Gerona), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on December 8, 1926. He was killed in Lérida on August 21, 1936.
  9. Angelo Dolcet Agustí, born September 5, 1914, in Sosses (Lérida), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on September 24, 1930. He was assassinated on August 21, 1936 in Lérida.
  10. John Busquet Luciá, born Jan. 11, 1868, in Santa Margarida de Montbui (Barcelona), professed religious vows March 25, 1884, and was ordained a priest Aug. 15, 1891. He was killed on August 25, 1936, in Lérida.
  11. Francesco Xavier Surribas Dot, born Nov. 7, 1909, in Sant Feliu de Torelló (Barcelona), made his religious profession Feb. 11, 1926, and was ordained a priest May 21, 1932. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.

Cervera:

  1. Emanuele Jové Bonet, born Sept. 14, 1895, in Vallbona de les Monges (Lérida), made his religious profession on Aug. 15, 1913, and was ordained a priest on May 29, 1920, 1920. He was killed on July 26, 1936 in Lérida.
  2. Onesimo Agorreta Zabaleta, born Feb. 16, 1916, in Ujué (Navarre, Pamplona); made temporary profession Aug. 15, 1932. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  3. Amato Amalrich Rasclosa, born April 28, 1912 in Sant Feliu de Celrá (Girona); made temporary profession on August 15, 1928. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  4. Joseph Amargant Boada, born September 25, 1916 in Sant Feliu de Pallarois (Girona), made temporary profession on September 26, 1932. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  5. Pietro Caball Juncá, born August 1, 1913 in Vilanova de la Muga (Girona), made temporary profession on August 15, 1929. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  6. Joseph Maria Casademont Vila, born March 12, 1915 in Sant Feliu de Pallarols (Girona), made temporary profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  7. Antonio Cerdá Cantavella, born September 25, 1915 in Játiva (Valencia), made temporary profession on September 21, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.

    8. .

  8. Amedeo Costa Prat, born January 4, 1916 in Tona (Barcelona), made temporary profession on September 27, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  9. Giuseppe Elcano Liberal, born March 31, 1914 in Olóriz (Navarre), made temporary profession on August 15, 1935. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  10. Luigi Hortós Tura, born February 8, 1915 in Argelaguer (Girona), made temporary profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  11. Senén López Cots, born February 21, 1915 in Barcelona, made temporary profession on January 6, 1932. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  12. Michele Oscoz Arteta, born Nov. 12, 1910, in Artazo (Navarre), made temporary profession Aug. 15, 1930. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  13. Luigi Plana Rabugent, born July 13, 1914 in La Cellera (Girona), made temporary profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  14. Vincenzo Vázquez, born August 29, 1905 in Villada (Palencia), made his first profession on August 25, 1935. He was killed on July 26, 1936, in Lérida.
  15. Antonio Casany Vilarrasa, born December 4, 1895, in Calldetenes (Barcelona), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1920. He was killed on August 11, 1936, in San Pere dels Arquels.
  16. John Prats Gibert, born October 26, 1903 in La Selva del Camp (Tarragona), made his religious profession on August 15, 1921 1921 and was ordained a priest on December 22, 1928. He was shot on August 17, 1936, in Montmaneu.
  17. Gennaro Piñol Ricart, born September 8, 1914, in Torms (Lérida), made temporary profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on August 27, 1936, in La Foresta.
  18. Remigio Tamarit Pinyol, born February 13, 1911 in Solerás (Lérida), made temporary profession on August 15, 927. He was killed on August 27, 1936, in La Foresta.
  19. Emidio Bover Albareda, born Sept. 1, 1868, in Castellterçol (Barcelona), made his religious profession on Oct. 1, 1889, and was ordained a priest on Jan. 6, 1898. He was killed on August 20, 1936, in Cervera.
  20. Joseph Vidal Basells, born Dec. 5, 1908, in Sant Andrés de la Barca (Barcelona), took his first religious vows on Aug. 15, 1935. He was murdered on August 22, 1936, in Navés.
  21. Enrico Cordadellas Segura, born Nov. 3, 1909, in Olujas (Lérida), made his religious profession Aug. 13, 1926, and was ordained a priest May 22, 1934. He was killed on August 25, 1936, in Cervera.
  22. Ramón Rius Camps, born January 26, 1913, in Santa Fe (Lérida), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 13, 1929. He was killed on September 2, 1936, in Cervera.
  23. Jaime Girón Puitmitjá, born Oct. 11, 1887, in San Cristofoll les Fonts (Girona), made his religious profession Nov. 21, 1916, and was ordained a priest in Maezo 15, 1919. He was shot on Sept. 25, 1936, in the cemetery of Castelfollit de Riubregos (Barcelona).
  24. Giuliano Villanueva Alza, born Sept. 11, 1860 in Villanueva (Navarre), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on April 11, 1898. He was shot in Su (Lérida) on September 1, 1936.
  25. Pietro Sitjes Obiols, born April 17, 1900, in La Cellera (Barcelona), made his profession on August 15, 1916, and was ordained a priest on June 6, 1925. He was killed in San Martì de Tous on September 12, 1936.
  26. John Alsina Ferrer, born Oct. 5, 1874, in Seva (Barcelona), made profession Dec. 8, 1900, and was ordained a priest Dec. 22, 1907. He was killed on September 16, 1936 s Castellbell y Vilar.
  27. Antonio Perich Comas, born June 21, 1911 in Sant Jordi Desvalls (Girona), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1928. He was killed on September 16, 1936, in Castellbell y Vilar.
  28. Ramón Roca Buscallá, born March 15, 1889 in Alpens (Barcelona), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on June 7, 1907. He was shot on September 23, 1936, in Cervera.
  29. Jiovanni Maria Buxó Font, born Oct. 24, 1879, in Montcada (Barcelona), made religious profession Jan. 4, 1915, and was ordained a priest in 1920. He was killed on Oct. 18, 1936, in Cervera.
  30. Luigi Jové Pach, born February 1, 1872, in Lérida, made his religious profession on March 8, 1888, and was ordained a priest on February 29, 1896. He was killed on Oct. 18, 1936, in Cervera.
  31. Heraclio Matute Tobías, born March 11, 1867, in Alesanco (Logroño), made his religious profession on December 23, 1884, and was ordained presbyter on March 14, 1891. He was killed in Cervera on Oct. 18, 1936.
  32. Giuseppe Serrano Pastor, born March 24, 1899, in Corella (Navarre), made his religious profession on August 15, 1915, and was ordained a priest on May 26, 1920. He was killed in Cervera on Oct. 18, 1936.
  33. Francesco Canals Pascual, born December 1, 1891 in Sant’Andrés de la Barca (Barcelona), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on November 21, 1924. He was killed in Cervera on Oct. 18, 1936.
  34. Bonaventura Reixach Vilaro, born April 20, 1860 in Olost (Barcelona), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on March 19, 1908 He was killed in Cervera on October 18, 1936.
  35. Joseph Ros Nadal, born October 11, 1876, in Artesa (Lérida), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on December 18, 1899. He was killed in Cervera on Oct. 18, 1936.
  36. Michele Rovira Font, born May 22, 1863 in Vic, made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on April 2, 1881. He was killed on October 18, 1936, in Cervera.
  37. Giuseppe Ausellé Rigau, born July 5, 1913 in La Cellera (Girona), made temporary religious profession on September 27, 1931. He was killed on October 18, 1936, in Cervera.

    38. .

  38. Evaristo Bueria Biosca, born June 10, 1913 in Montoliu (Lérida), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on Oct. 18, 1936, in Cervera.
  39. Joseph Loncán Campodarve, born April 18 in Azlor (Huesca), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1931. He was murdered on October 18, 1936, in Cervera.
  40. Emanuel Solé Vallespí, born September 19, 1913 in Fayón (Zaragoza), made temporary religious profession on September 24, 1929. He was killed on October 18, 1936, in Cervera.

    41. .

  41. Emanuel Font Font, born June 13, 1878, in Torrebesses (Lérida), made his religious profession on September 15, 1895, and was ordained a priest on July 5, 1903. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  42. Joseph Ribé Coma, born Oct. 28, 1893, in Santa Colon de Centelles (Barcelona), made his religious profession Aug. 15, 1912, and was ordained a priest May 29, 1920. He was murdered on October 19, 1936i in Cervera.
  43. Giulio Laeche Labiano, born Dec. 20, 1908, in Monreal (Pamplona), made his religious profession Aug. 15, 1925, and was ordained a priest May 21, 1932. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  44. Francesco Simón Pérez, born January 29, 1916 in Murchante (Navarre), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1932. He was murdered on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  45. Francisco Solá Peix, born October 21, 1912 in San Joan de les Badeses (Girona), made temporary religious profession August 15, 1931. He was killed Oct. 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  46. Antonio Elizalde Garbisu, born January 4, 1914 in Echauri (Navarre), made temporary religious profession August 15, 1932. He was killed on Oct. 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  47. Eusebio De Las Heras Izquierdo, born December 16, 1913 in Gumiel del Mercado (Burgos), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1931. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  48. Costantino Miguel Moncalvillo, born April 12, 1913 in Quintanarraya (Burgos), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1932. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  49. Emilio Pascual Abad, born December 5, 1914 in Milagros (Segovia), made temporary religious profession on August 15, 1932. He was murdered on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  50. Francisco Milagro Mesa, born December 1869 in Tarazona (Zaragoza), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on June 6, 1887. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  51. Pietro Vives Coll, born September 23, 1874 in Pallejá (Barcelona), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on December 27, 1896. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  52. Joseph Ferrer Escolá, born October 21, 1878 in Alsamora (Lérida), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1897. He was killed on October 19, 1936 in Cervera.
  53. Dionigi Arizaleta Salvador, born February 8, 1911 in Guirguillano (Navarre), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1928. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  54. Jiovanni Senosiain Zugasti, born May 15, 1911 in Guirguillano (Navarre), made his religious profession as a coadjutor brother on February 11, 1929. He was killed on Oct. 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  55. Fernando Castán Mesenguer, born April 5, 1910 in Fonz (Huesca), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on December 7, 1932. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  56. Narciso Simón Sala, born March 9, 1908, in Fornells de la Serra (Girona), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on August 15, 1934. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  57. Francesco Marco Martínez, born February 1, 1917 in Odón (Teruel), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on June 11, 1936. He was killed on October 19, 1936, in Cervera.
  58. Nicolás Campo Jiménez, born March 5, 1920 in Salvatierra (Álava), made religious profession as a coadjutor brother on June 11, 1936. He was killed on October 19, 1936 in Cerver.

Valencia:

  1. Marceliano Alonso Santamaría, born June 18, 1906, in Grañon (Logroño), made his profession on August 15, 1923, and was subsequently ordained a priest on June 21, 1931. He was killed on August 13, 1936, in Alboraya.
  2. Joseph Ignatius Gordon de la Serna, born March 13, 1897, in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), made perpetual profession on May 20, 1923, was ordained presbyter on September 22, 1929. He was killed on August 13, 1936, in Alboraya.
  3. Luigi Francés Toledano, born February 16, 1910, in Madrid, made his religious profession on August 31, 1926, and was ordained a presbyter on May 26, 1934. 1932. He was killed on August 21, 1936, in Olocau.
  4. Tommaso Galipienzo Pelarda, born March 7, 1897, in Cascante (Navarre), made his temporary vows on Aug. 15, 1914, and was subsequently ordained presbyter on May 21, 1921. He was killed on Sept. 1, 1936, in Paterna.

Santander:

  1. Jioacchino Gelada Hugas, born Dec. 5, 1881, in Olot, made his perpetual profession on Sept. 11, 1898, and was ordained a priest on Sept. 30, 1906. He was killed on Oct. 14, 1936, in Castro Urdiales.
  2. Isacco Carrascal Mozo, born April 11, 1896 in Castrillo (Palencia), made his religious profession on August 15, 1915 and was ordained a priest on May 5, 1922. He was killed on Oct. 14, 1936, in Castro Urdiales.
  3. Felice Barrio Barrio, born March 8, 1883 in Villafranca Montes de Oca (Burgos), made profession as a coadjutor brother on March 19, 1899. He was killed on October 14, 1936, in Castro Urdiales.