The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was a brutal conflict between the Republican government, backed by leftist and anti-clerical forces, and the Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco. The war’s early years saw widespread anti-Catholic persecution, particularly in Republican-controlled areas, where churches were burned, religious communities dissolved, and clergy and faithful were targeted. Between 1934 and 1939, an estimated 6,800 priests, religious, and lay Catholics were killed, including 13 bishops, 4,184 priests, and numerous laity, according to historical records. The violence peaked in 1936, with regions like Valencia, Catalonia, and Aragon witnessing mass executions of those who refused to renounce their faith.
The 14 martyrs listed here were among the thousands killed in odium fidei, a term used by the Church to denote deaths motivated by hatred of the Catholic faith. Their stories, though often sparsely documented, reflect the diverse roles of clergy, religious, and laity in Spain’s vibrant Catholic community, united in their refusal to abandon their beliefs.
This group of 14 martyrs includes priests, religious sisters, and laypeople, representing the breadth of the Church’s mission in Spain. Below are brief profiles based on available records, acknowledging the limited details for some:
AdriΓ‘n Saiz y Saiz (Jesuit priest, died August 18, 1936): Born in Villanueva de la Fuente, Ciudad Real, AdriΓ‘n entered the Society of Jesus and served as a priest. Arrested in Valencia, he was executed for his faith, known for his zeal in preaching and sacramental ministry.
Apolonia LizΓ‘rraga Ochoa de Zabalegui (Carmelite nun, died August 3, 1936): A member of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity in Barcelona, Apolonia was born in LezΓ‘un, Navarra. Her convent was attacked, and she was killed for her religious identity, embodying Carmelite contemplative zeal.
Bonifacio RodrΓguez GonzΓ‘lez (layman, died August 13, 1936): A lay Catholic from Valencia, Bonifacio was active in Catholic Action. Arrested for his public faith, he was executed, leaving a legacy of lay commitment.
Dolores Puig Bonany (nun, died July 31, 1936): A member of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd in Barcelona, Dolores was born in Manresa. She was killed for her religious profession, known for her service to the poor.
Eusebio Alonso Uyarra (layman, died October 10, 1936): A lay Catholic from Valencia, Eusebio was involved in parish activities. His steadfast faith led to his execution in Paterna, a site of mass killings.
Ismael Escrihuela Esteve (layman, died October 10, 1936): Born in Valencia, Ismael was a young layman and member of Catholic Action. He was executed alongside Eusebio Alonso in Paterna for his faith.
Josefa Ruano GarcΓa (nun, died August 1, 1936): A Franciscan Missionary of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd from Barcelona, Josefa was born in Manresa. She was killed with Dolores Puig for her religious life.
Josep Padrell Navarro (priest, died September 29, 1936): A diocesan priest from Tarragona, Josep was known for his pastoral care. Arrested in Barcelona, he was executed for his priesthood.
Mamerto Carchano y Carchano (priest, died October 7, 1936): A diocesan priest from Valencia, Mamerto served in Albal. His refusal to abandon his ministry led to his execution.
Marino Blanes Giner (layman, died September 8, 1936): Born on September 17, 1888, in Alcoi, Alicante, Marino was a bank employee, tertiary Franciscan, and Catholic Action member. He saved his parish church from destruction in 1931 but was arrested and executed for his faith.
Miguel Beato SΓ‘nchez (priest, died October 7, 1936): A diocesan priest from Valencia, Miguel served in Albal alongside Mamerto Carchano. His dedication to his flock led to his martyrdom.
Pascual FortuΓ±o Almela (Franciscan priest, died September 8, 1936): Born on March 3, 1886, in Villarreal, CastellΓ³n, Pascual was a Franciscan priest and educator. Arrested near CastellΓ³n, he was shot and bayoneted for his faith.
Segimon SagalΓ©s VilΓ‘ (Capuchin priest, died August 6, 1936): A Capuchin friar from Catalonia, Segimon was born in Lleida. Known for his preaching, he was executed in Barcelona for his religious identity.
TomΓ s Capdevila Miquel (priest, died August 12, 1936): A diocesan priest from Barcelona, TomΓ s was killed in Vallcarca for his ministry, known for his devotion to the Eucharist.
These martyrs represent a cross-section of Spanish Catholicism: six priests (AdriΓ‘n Saiz, Josep Padrell, Mamerto Carchano, Miguel Beato, Pascual FortuΓ±o, Segimon SagalΓ©s), two religious sisters (Apolonia LizΓ‘rraga, Josefa Ruano), one religious brother (Dolores Puig, though sometimes listed as a nun), and five laymen (Bonifacio RodrΓguez, Eusebio Alonso, Ismael Escrihuela, Marino Blanes, and possibly others misclassified in sparse records). Their deaths occurred primarily in Valencia, Barcelona, and Tarragona, key regions of anti-Catholic violence.
Despite the limited individual records, these martyrs shared a common commitment to their faith. The priests and religious, such as Pascual FortuΓ±o Almela and Segimon SagalΓ©s VilΓ‘, were dedicated to sacramental ministry, preaching, and education, often serving in parishes or convents. Pascual, a Franciscan, taught at seminaries and ministered in Argentina, while Segimon, a Capuchin, was known for his eloquent sermons. Apolonia LizΓ‘rraga and Josefa Ruano GarcΓa, as religious sisters, lived lives of prayer and service, with Apolonia’s Carmelite spirituality and Josefa’s Franciscan mission focusing on charity.
The laymen, including Marino Blanes Giner and Bonifacio RodrΓguez GonzΓ‘lez, were active in Catholic Action and other lay apostolates, teaching catechism, serving the poor, and defending their faith publicly. Marino’s heroic act of preventing his church’s destruction in 1931 exemplifies their courage. Eusebio Alonso Uyarra and Ismael Escrihuela Esteve, young laymen, were likely involved in parish activities, facing death for their visible faith.
The Spanish Civil War’s anti-Catholic persecution began in 1934 with sporadic violence but intensified in July 1936 after the war’s outbreak. Republican militias, influenced by anti-clerical ideologies, targeted clergy and religious, burning churches and dissolving communities. The martyrs were arrested between July and October 1936, often after refusing to renounce their faith or hide their religious identity. Execution methods included shooting, stabbing, and firing squads, with sites like Paterna (Valencia) and Vallcarca (Barcelona) becoming notorious for mass killings.
July 31–August 3, 1936: Dolores Puig and Josefa Ruano (July 31, August 1, Barcelona), Apolonia LizΓ‘rraga (August 3, Barcelona).
August 6–18, 1936: Segimon SagalΓ©s (August 6, Barcelona), TomΓ s Capdevila (August 12, Barcelona), AdriΓ‘n Saiz (August 18, Valencia).
September 8, 1936: Pascual FortuΓ±o (CastellΓ³n), Marino Blanes (Alcoi).
September 29–October 10, 1936: Josep Padrell (September 29, Barcelona), Mamerto Carchano and Miguel Beato (October 7, Valencia), Eusebio Alonso and Ismael Escrihuela (October 10, Paterna).
Their deaths were marked by courage, with many, like Pascual and Marino, refusing offers of safety to remain faithful.
The Catholic Church recognized the heroism of these martyrs through the canonization process. Most were beatified as part of the 233 Martyrs of Valencia on March 11, 2001, by Pope John Paul II, including Pascual FortuΓ±o, Marino Blanes, Eusebio Alonso, Ismael Escrihuela, Mamerto Carchano, and Miguel Beato. Others, like Apolonia LizΓ‘rraga, were beatified in 2007 or 2017 as part of Barcelona-based groups. Their feast days vary: September 8 for Pascual FortuΓ±o and Marino Blanes, August 3 for Apolonia, and October 10 for Eusebio and Ismael, though some are commemorated collectively on September 22 or November 6 (All Saints of Spain).
They are venerated in their hometowns (Villarreal, Alcoi, Valencia, Barcelona) and by their religious orders (Jesuits, Franciscans, Capuchins, Carmelites). Relics, such as those of Pascual FortuΓ±o in Villarreal’s Franciscan church, are focal points for devotion. In art, they are depicted with palms of martyrdom, often in religious habits or lay clothing, symbolizing their diverse vocations.
The legacy of these 14 martyrs lies in their collective witness to faith during one of the Church’s darkest periods in Spain. Their deaths, alongside thousands of others, strengthened the resolve of Spanish Catholics, many of whom rebuilt their communities after the war. Their beatification highlights the Church’s recognition of both clergy and laity as models of holiness. In Valencia and Barcelona, their memory is preserved in churches, memorials, and liturgical celebrations, inspiring devotion to their courage and sacrifice.
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