Growing up in Alcoi, Marino was immersed in a community where Catholicism was integral to daily life. His family’s piety and the town’s religious culture shaped his character, instilling a sense of duty to God and neighbor. As a young man, he pursued a career as a bank employee at the Banco EspaΓ±ol de CrΓ©dito, a position that provided financial stability while allowing him to live out his faith through service.
On September 26, 1913, at the age of 25, Marino married Julia JordΓ‘ Llovet (sometimes spelled Lloret) in the church of San Mauro and San Francisco in Alcoi. The couple welcomed nine children, four of whom—Julia Isabel, MarΓa de los Desamparados, MarΓa del Milagro, and Marino Francisco—later played significant roles in his beatification process. Marino was a devoted husband and father, leading his family in daily prayers, including the Rosary, and modeling Christian values in their home.
Beyond his family, Marino was deeply involved in Catholic life. He joined Catholic Action, an organization promoting Christian values among the laity, and was an active member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, dedicated to serving the poor. He also participated in the Apostleship of Prayer, praying for the Pope’s intentions, and the Nocturnal Adoration Society, where he served as president, spending nights in Eucharistic adoration. As a tertiary Franciscan, he embraced the spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi, living out ideals of poverty, simplicity, and service. Every Sunday, Marino assisted the sisters caring for the sick at the Hospital Oliver in Alcoi, demonstrating his compassion and commitment to charity.
In 1917, Marino founded the Center for Catholic Instruction in Alcoi, where he served as a catechist, teaching children and adults the faith. His generosity extended to financial ruin, as he often provided materials to struggling shoemakers and grocers without expecting repayment, leading to the bankruptcy of two family businesses—a leather tanning operation and a grocery store—set up by his mother. His nephew recounted, “He, all heart, served them, producing the inevitable: closure.”
The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) brought intense anti-Catholic persecution to Alcoi, beginning in March 1936, before the war’s official start in July. Churches were closed, altars destroyed, and religious objects desecrated. On April 14, 1931, during the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic, Marino heroically prevented the fire-bombing of his parish church, Santa Maria, an act that saved the sacred space but marked him as a target for anti-Christian forces. He reportedly told his daughter, “One cannot be considered a good Christian without being persecuted,” reflecting his readiness to suffer for his faith.
As persecution escalated, the Committee of Public Safety, a revolutionary authority, ordered the demolition of churches like Santa Maria and San Mauro to build markets. Priests and lay Catholics faced imprisonment or death, with 15 priests and over 300 laypeople from Alcoi’s parishes executed for their faith. Marino’s prominence as a Catholic leader made him a prime target.
On July 21, 1936, Marino was arrested at his home in Alcoi, alongside his neighbor Juan Torregrosa. While Torregrosa was released, Marino was detained in the municipal jail for seven weeks, enduring harsh conditions. On September 8, 1936, shortly after 9 a.m., he was executed by firing squad in Alcoi, at the age of 47, in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith). The exact location of his remains remains unknown, a tragic consequence of the war’s chaos, but his martyrdom was a powerful witness to his unwavering faith.
Marino’s arrest and execution stemmed directly from his public defense of the Church, particularly his act of saving Santa Maria from destruction. His courage in the face of persecution and his refusal to renounce his faith solidified his reputation as a martyr.
Marino’s heroic life and death were recognized by the Catholic Church. On December 18, 2000, Pope John Paul II issued a decree acknowledging his martyrdom, declaring him Venerable. On March 11, 2001, he was beatified as part of the 233 Martyrs of Valencia, a group of priests, religious, and laity killed during the Spanish Civil War. His feast day is celebrated on September 8, aligning with the date of his martyrdom, though some sources note a collective commemoration on September 22 with other Valencian martyrs.
Blessed Marino Blanes Giner is venerated in Alcoi, particularly at the Basilica of Santa Maria, and by the Franciscan Third Order. His life serves as a model for lay Catholics, demonstrating that holiness is attainable through everyday acts of faith, charity, and courage. In art, he is depicted as a layman with symbols of martyrdom, such as a palm branch, or with attributes of his Catholic involvement, like a Rosary or catechism book. His story resonates in Spain and among those inspired by the martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.
Marino’s legacy endures in Alcoi, where his sacrifice is remembered as a testament to the strength of lay Catholics during a time of persecution. His involvement in Catholic Action, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and the Franciscan Third Order highlights the vital role of the laity in the Church’s mission. His selflessness, even to the point of financial ruin, and his heroic defense of his parish church make him a powerful example of living out the Gospel in the face of adversity.
%20Virgin%20and%20Martyr.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment