October 28, 2007

Two Priests who served in our Province are beatified

Bl. Lucas of St. Joseph (Tristany), O.C.D.
Born: December 14, 1872 Lerida, Spain
Ordained priest: May 27, 1899
Parish Assignments: Holy Cross, Morenci, AZ 1914
Assumption of BVM, Florence, AZ 1915
Holy Family (first pastor), Tucson, AZ 1915-1924
Santa Cruz, Tucson, AZ 1919
Martyred: July 20, 1936 Barcelona

Bl. Eduardo of the Child Jesus (Farré), O.C.D.
Born: April 3, 1897 Torms, Lerida, Spain

Ordained priest: June 13, 1920

Parish Assignments: Holy Family, Tucson, AZ 1926-1927,1930-1932
Santa Cruz, Tucson, AZ 1932-1933

Martyred: July 25, 1936 Montcada, Spain

32 Discalced Carmelites Friars were among the 498 Martyrs of Spain who were beatified on October 28, 2008 by Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square. Our Vicar Provincial, Fr. Matthew Williams and Bro. David Guzman (who grew up in our Santa Cruz Parish, Tucson, AZ) joined the four members of our Province who are presently stationed in Rome to attend the beatification ceremony.

In addition to the new Carmelite Friar "Blesseds" (14 Friars from Barcelona, including one seminarian, 1 from Oveda and 16 from Toledo) there were also 5 Carmelite sisters from aggregated communities of the Order (4 Carmelite Missionaries and 1 Carmelite of Charity) who were beatified in the same ceremony.

Their feast day will be celebrated on November 6.