Pascual’s childhood unfolded in a nurturing environment where Christian values were paramount. He attended the local Franciscan school in Villarreal, where he studied his first letters and developed a love for learning and spirituality. His devoutness and desire to serve God became evident early on, setting the stage for his religious vocation.
At the tender age of 12, in 1898, Pascual entered the Franciscan minor seminary in Balaguer, Lérida, part of the Franciscan Province of Catalonia. There, he began studying the humanities, laying the foundation for his theological education. He later transferred to the seminary in Benissa, Alicante, under the Franciscan Province of Valencia, completing his early studies. On January 18, 1905, at the age of 18, he entered the Franciscan novitiate at Santo Espíritu del Monte in Gilet, Valencia, receiving the Franciscan habit. A year later, on January 21, 1906, he made his simple profession, committing himself to the Franciscan way of life.
Pascual pursued philosophy and theology at the Franciscan studium in Onteniente, Valencia, deepening his intellectual and spiritual formation. His dedication culminated in his solemn profession as a Franciscan Friar Minor on January 24, 1909, binding himself permanently to the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. On August 15, 1913, at the age of 27, he was ordained a priest in Teruel, Spain, marking the beginning of his pastoral ministry.
Following his ordination, Pascual was assigned as an educator at the Franciscan minor seminary in Benissa, where he taught young students with dedication and earned their trust through his pedagogical skills and gentle demeanor. Known for his exemplary Franciscan life, he lived what he taught, fostering a love for learning and faith in his students. His four years in Benissa were marked by a deep commitment to forming future Franciscans.
In 1917, Pascual was sent to Argentina to serve in the Custodia de San Antonio, a Franciscan mission dependent on the Province of Valencia. For five years, he ministered as a parish priest in Azul and other regions, earning admiration for his fervent preaching, sacramental devotion, and care for the faithful. His time in Argentina strengthened his missionary zeal, and he returned to Spain in 1922 to resume his educational work at the Benissa seminary.
Pascual’s ministry extended to various Franciscan convents, including Pego and Segorbe, where he continued to inspire through his preaching and spiritual guidance. In 1931, he was appointed vicar of the novitiate at Santo Espíritu del Monte, where he guided novices with wisdom and humility. His reputation as a model Franciscan grew, characterized by fidelity to his religious duties, a devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, and a commitment to the Stations of the Cross and prayerful life. Despite a naturally sanguine temperament, he was known for his kindness, self-control, and welcoming nature, making him a sought-after confessor and spiritual director, particularly for religious communities.
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 brought a wave of anti-Catholic persecution, particularly targeting priests and religious. On July 18, 1936, as violence erupted, Pascual was at the convent of Santo Espíritu del Monte. Forced to flee due to the intensifying persecution, he sought refuge but was arrested on September 7, 1936, near Castellón. The following morning, September 8, 1936, at the age of 50, he was brutally martyred on the road between Castellón and Benicàssim, shot and stabbed in the chest with a bayonet. His death in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith) marked him as one of the many Catholic martyrs of the Spanish Civil War.
Pascual’s martyrdom was a testament to his unwavering faith. Despite the opportunity to escape through family connections, he chose to remain true to his vocation, offering his life for Christ. His body was initially buried in the Castellón cemetery but was later reinterred in his hometown of Villarreal on November 3, 1938. On June 12, 1967, his relics were enshrined in the Franciscan church in Villarreal, becoming a focal point of veneration.
The heroism of Pascual’s life and martyrdom did not go unnoticed. On December 20, 1999, Pope John Paul II declared him Venerable, recognizing his heroic virtue. On March 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified him as part of the 233 Martyrs of Valencia, a group of clergy and laity killed during the Spanish Civil War. His feast day is celebrated on September 8, the date of his martyrdom, though some sources note a collective commemoration with other martyrs on September 22.
Blessed Pascual Fortuño Almela is venerated particularly in Villarreal and by the Franciscan Order, where he is a model of fidelity and sacrifice. His relics in the Franciscan church in Villarreal draw pilgrims, and his story inspires devotion in Spain and beyond. In art, he is depicted in Franciscan robes, often with a palm of martyrdom or symbols of his priestly ministry, such as a chalice or Bible, reflecting his Eucharistic devotion and preaching.
Blessed Pascual’s legacy is deeply rooted in his hometown of Villarreal, where his relics and memory are cherished. His life exemplifies the Franciscan ideals of poverty, humility, and service, particularly in his dedication to education and the poor. As a martyr, he stands among the countless faithful who gave their lives during the Spanish Civil War, a period of intense persecution for the Church. His story of perseverance, prayer, and ultimate sacrifice continues to inspire the faithful to live courageously for Christ.
O God, who strengthened Blessed Pascual Fortuño Almela to bear witness to Your truth through martyrdom, grant us, through his intercession, the grace to remain steadfast in faith and charity. May his example of devotion and sacrifice inspire us to follow Your Son, Jesus Christ, with unwavering love. Amen.
%20Virgin%20and%20Martyr.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment