A motto and a logo for the same Cause of Beatification

Barcelona, March 1, 2018. – Taking place at the same time as the announcement made by the Holy See on the date of beatification of 16 martyrs of the archdiocese of Barcelona, the three congregations involved have presented a slogan and logo. Both elements will identify from now on the actions that are developed in relation to this same Cause of Beatification.

The motto: “A yes to Love”

It states an alliance of love between God and the martyrs, a pact, a commitment; an alliance that is sealed with blood, with life, with love. It collects and bases all the elements of the logo.

The logotype

The Cross, central element, symbol of love until shedding the blood for Christ; the martyrs have received the gift of resembling the Lord, who shed his blood out of pure love. It is a symbol of the sacrifice of a life given on a daily basis, which prepared them for a greater dedication, the courageous and generous dedication of their lives.

The circle represents, a ring, spousal symbol. Martyrdom is the covenant of love that God wanted to establish between him and these brothers of ours.

The flame symbolizes the fire of the Spirit. The red colour of its centre represents the blood, the passion, the love: offering with which our martyrs wanted to honour the glory of God.

The stylized palm resembles a spike of wheat sign of communion in the Church. In the palm we see represented the victory achieved by the martyrs with their faith that defeats the world (1 Jn 5, 4). In the 16 red grains -16 are the martyrs whose beatification we celebrate- resonate the words of the Lord: “ Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit». (Jn 12, 24).

The warm red and orange colours express how much the logo speaks of fire, love, fidelity, courage, forgiveness.

CONGREGATIONS

Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd

On May 27, 1850, Father José Tous y Soler, trusting in God’s approval, launched a daring undertaking that would yield a rich cultural and spiritual patrimony, by placing the foundations of the Institute in Ripoll.It was in this town that Blessed José Tous, a man both intrepid and modest at the same time, firm and joyful, began his work under the blue mantle of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd.

On March 17, 1850, the Bishop of Vic approved the Institute and the sisters began their life in community under the first Constitutions that Father José Tous drafted following the spirituality of Saint Clare.Mother Remedio Palos became cofounder of the order, inasmuch as the other two sisters who had begun life in community did not persevere.

In the year 1858, the sisters left Ripoll and installed themselves in Capellades, the place which is considered the birthplace of the Institute.As the Institute expanded, there were adversities and difficulties, but the virtuous Father continued on with fidelity, loving and striving for the work that God had entrusted to him.

Presently, the Institute has communities in Catalonia, Murcia, the Basque Country and Madrid.It also has houses in several Latin American countries, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia.The Institute also has a house in Rome.

Following the words of Father José Tous to “go forth carrying peace and goodness with you as you walk,” at present our pastoral work in the education field has as its objective the carrying of the Gospel message of instruction, giving our students the Christian vision of the world and the possibility of establishing a coherent dialogue between faith and culture. In addition to this apostolate, we are integrated into diocesan pastoral work, in catechesis, in formation of catechists, assisting young university students in residences, hosting groups in volunteer and spirituality centers, forming rural teachers and undertaking apostolic work via audiovisual and news media, all of this in accordance with the needs and abilities of the various dioceses in which we are incardinated.

Consequently, the breath of the Spirit that gave impulse to the educator from Igualada, continues to assist the Institute, giving glory to God through each one of its members and through the apostolate to which the Institute is dedicated.

Congregation’s web

Blessed José Tous y Soler’s Biography

He was born in Igualada on March 31, 1811, in the midst of a profoundly Christian family.He was the ninth of twelve children.

At a very early age, he sensed God’s call and he did not recoil.He opted to follow Christ in accordance with the “way of life” of St. Francis of Assisi.He began the postulancy in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin at 15 years of age.Moved by the Spirit, he left a comfortable home life and the social prestige attained by the Tous family, and embraced the life of poverty, penitence and humility of the Capuchins.

In 1827, vested with the Franciscan habit, he began his novitiate as a Friar Minor Capuchin.During his novitiate, he distinguished himself by his exquisite fidelity in his life as a novice, devoting himself generously to his studies and prayer.His Capuchin heart was molded by the Gospels, Mary, Saint Francis and the love of neighbor.In 1828, Friar José de Igualada was already a Capuchin and he began his walk towards the priesthood.He was ordained a priest in Barcelona on May 24, 1834 at 23 years of age, following six years of a hidden life of prayer, silence, committed dedication to study, while living in a Franciscan environment of joy and simplicity of the Capuchin community.Within the year he was assigned to the convent of Saint Madrona.

Hardly two months had elapsed, when on July 25, 1835, he found himself outside the cloister as a result of revolutionary violence. Together with other brothers, and on the advice of his superiors, he exiled himself from Spain.

In the typical Capuchin style of those times, he traveled from town to town, covering the entire Mediterranean coast of France and ending in Gareccio, Italy. Finally, in 1837 he installed himself in Toulouse, France, carrying out his priestly ministry in the monastery of Benedictine nuns of perpetual adoration.There he devoted time to contemplation, to Eucharistic devotion and spiritual direction of young student boarders.

Motivated by his apostolic zeal, he returned to Catalonia in 1843 to work in the local church, as a secular priest inasmuch as convent life was prohibited.He lived with his parents as he developed his priestly ministry in various parishes.Father Tous relied on the Eucharist, his devotion to Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd, and the Association of Maidens of the Child Martyr St. Romana, in order to instill peace and goodness to the youth who sought him for advice and orientation.

The sentiments of compassion toward children and youth that the Good Shepherd instilled in the heart of Father José converged with the pious wishes of several young women, Isabel Jubal, Marta Suñol and Remedio Palos, to “pour into the tender hearts of children holy thoughts and devotional fondness that God communicated to them in prayer.”After allowing the matter to mature in prayer and after consultation, Father Tous agreed to counsel them.

The years that he had left in life, he devoted to charitable and prudent attention to the Sisters, as well as to the communities that were being formed.

Father Tous left the earth for heaven while he celebrated Mass in the convent of Barcelona.It was February 27, 1871.

Saint Peter ad Vincula Congregation

It was founded on 1st August 1839. The priest Carlos José Mª Fissiaux, in care of children and young people affected by cholera in Marseille, considers that to meet them according to their peculiarities, it was convenient to found a religious congregation that welcomed them and accompany the 24 hours a day and the twelve months of the year.

Chapter 12 of the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which tells how Saint Peter is freed from prison by an Angel, is the icon that inspires the mission and patronage: under Saint Peter’s protection, religious will be angels that free from of all type of chains that enslave children and young people.

The date of its foundation is made coincide with the liturgical feast of San Pedro ad Víncula, the 1st August.

The religious, together with the three traditional vows (chastity, poverty and obedience) will issue a fourth one: “consecrating myself by vote to the service and conversion of the prisoners” (Emissión Vows’s Formula from Fr. Carlos).

Either in own centers or in centers of another ownership, the religious of San Pedro ad Víncula will accept the address and/or the service to the young people there interned. Thus the Congregation will provide its services in different centers in the south of France, in Turin (Italy), in Barcelona (​Spain), in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (Spain), in Salamanca (Spain) and in Argentina and Brazil.

The two world wars of the twentieth century greatly affected the members of the Congregation, especially in France. It was also very touched, in Spain, during the religious persecution of the 30s, in which the nine Servants of God who are part of the cause of the 16 were martyred.

In the 1960s the Congregation directed its mission towards the field of education and towards the pastoral mission in Argentina and Brazil.

Congregation’s web

P. Carlos Fissiaux’s biography

He was born on 22th July 1806 in Aix-en-Provence, a city about 30 km from Marseille, in a wealthy family with deep religious roots.

He attended the Jesuit Father’s School and with them he moved to Switzerland when they were expelled from France. In his youth he combines studies, helps in a Home for children and cultivates his religious concerns. He entered the Seminary of Marseille as a seminarian.

After finishing his studies, he was ordained a priest in 1931 and began his apostolate in the parish of Saint Ferreol, next to the seaport.

As a result of cholera, many children and adolescents were without family, in the street, living as they can and ended up in jail or in correction centers.

The Church and the civil authorities plan the attention to these children. The bishop offers Fr. Carlos this function. He turns so much and so well that he is trapped in this service.

He soon discovers that in order to care for these children and young people it was best to have a religious congregation. This leads him to the idea of ​​founding a congregation to care for children, adolescents and young people at social risk. He does so and it will be on August 1, 1839, the liturgical feast of San Pedro ad Víncula. Just as St. Peter was released from prison by an Angel, so his religious would be liberating angels of any kind of slavery. Soon the Congregation spread through southern France, northern Italy and arrived in Spain in 1884, to Barcelona.

His whole life was a service to his inmates, to his children: he researched methods, he sought help, he put his capital at the service of the educational project, he involved entities, distinguished people, etc. He even arrived at the court of Paris, obtaining financial help from the Queen. In attention to the religious and to the mission, he resigned several times to the appointment of bishop.

He died the 3rd December 1867, in Marseille, after a talk-meditation on death. We commemorate his sesquicentennial (150 years). His mortal rest’s remain in the Church of Les Reformés (Marseille) where he was Vicar.

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts

Founded in Antequera, Málaga, Spain, in 1884 by Carmen Carmen del Niño Jesús and the capuchin Friar Bernabé de Astorga. The institute receives pontifical approval in 1902. Since 1886, during the lifetime of its Foundress, the Institute is spread by the Dioceses of Valladolid -Nava del Rey, birthplace of the Venerable Mother Carlota of Visitation Martyr- Barcelona ​​and Seville.

“Our Franciscan charism comes to us through Mother Carmen, who looks at Christ and Mary in the greatness of their hearts and longs to teach men to know and love God.” (C. 2). “We participate in the salvific mission of the Church for our consecration, the testimony of our life and the works to which we are sent by the Church itself: Christian education of childhood and youth, and care and assistance to the sick, with preference to the most needy». (C. 10).

The Institute is present in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Uruguay. The apostolic works carried out are: Schools, day care centers, special education center, university teaching school, nursing homes, houses of spirituality, soup kitchens for poor children, dispensaries, and parish and rural pastoral. Currently there are 29 open houses.

Congregation’s web

Mother Carmen of the Child Jesus González Ramos’s Biography 

Was born in Antequera (Málaga, Spain) on 30 June 1834 to Christian family. From his early years he stood out for his piety and his charity towards the needy. He professed a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

At 22 years of age, certain she was doing the will of God, she married Joaquín Muñoz del Caño. This was the beginning of a long and difficult period in which she proved the magnitude of her heart and her strength, sustained by an intense faith and heroic charity. Four years of “new life” confirmed the authenticity of Joaquím’s conversion and were a fitting preparation for his departure from this earthly life.

Her mission as a wife came to its close. Carmen became a widow at the age of 47. She sought to serve God in the care and education of poor children; On 8 May 1884, under the guidance of the Capuchin Father Bernabé de Astorga, he founded the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts, in which he professed as a religious and to which he conveyed his dedication to God and his apostolic zeal to attend to the education of children and youth and help the sick and needy.

Mother Carmen’s life at the head of the Congregation went through great trials and difficulties, slander and opposition inside and outside the Institute. The mysteries of Bethlehem, Calvary and the Eucharist, in which she cultivated her love for Jesus Christ, encouraged her spirit and led her.

At age 65, on 9 November 1899, he died at Antequera, her birthplace and the city of her earthly pilgrimage. She was proclaimed Blessed in Antequera on 6 May 2007, the third year of the Pontificate of S.S. Benedict XVI.