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Feast Day: July 29
Birth: August 22, 1897
Death: July 29, 1936
Blessed CÖndid Casals Sunyer, also known as CÖndid Casals, was born on 22 August 1897 in La Nou, Barcelona, Spain. He dedicated his life to serving God and his fellow human beings as a member of the Claretians, a religious congregation founded by Saint Anthony Mary Claret.
CÖndid Casals entered the Claretians and made his religious profession on 8 September 1913 in Cervera, Spain. He continued his studies and was ordained as a priest on 29 May 1920 in Zaragoza, Spain. As a priest, he demonstrated deep devotion, zeal, and a strong commitment to his vocation.
Tragically, during the Spanish Civil War, which raged from 1936 to 1939, CÖndid Casals faced persecution and martyrdom for his unwavering faith. On 29 July 1936, he courageously laid down his life for the sake of the Gospel in Barcelona, Spain.
CÖndid Casals, along with 108 other Claretians who suffered martyrdom during the same period, is commemorated on 1 February as one of the 109 Spanish Claretian Martyrs. His feast day is also celebrated on 29 July.
Recognizing his heroic virtue and sacrifice, on 21 December 2016, Pope Francis decreed CÖndid Casals as venerable. Subsequently, on 21 October 2017, he was beatified by Pope Francis in a ceremony held at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. The beatification was presided over by Archbishop Angelo Amato, who represented the Holy Father.
Blessed CÖndid Casals Sunyer serves as an inspiration and a testament to the unwavering faith and commitment to living out the Gospel even in the most challenging and difficult circumstances.