Blessed José Pascual Carda Saporta

Biography

Blessed José Pascual Carda Saporta was born on October 29, 1893, in Villareal, Castellón, Spain. He was ordained as a priest on August 12, 1918, and became a member of the Diocesan Laborer Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

After his ordination, Father Carda Saporta served as the prefect of the seminary in Zaragoza, Spain, and later in Tarragona, Spain. He displayed great dedication and commitment in his role, ensuring the proper training and formation of future priests.

In his ministry, Carda Saporta also served as a parish priest in Mexico for two years. Unfortunately, he was expelled from the country during the anti-Catholic revolt. Undeterred by this setback, he returned to Spain and became a spiritual director at seminaries in Valladolid and Valencia, supporting and guiding young men discerning their vocation to the priesthood.

Despite his desire to return to Mexico and continue his pastoral work, the restrictive conditions prevented Carda Saporta from doing so. Instead, he focused on administering seminaries, providing assistance to seminarians, and encouraging vocations. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of priests was remarkable.

Tragically, Blessed José Pascual Carda Saporta became a victim of the Spanish Civil War. He was martyred on September 4, 1936, in Oropesa, Castellón, Spain. His courageous faith and unwavering commitment to his priestly duties in the face of hostility and conflict are emblematic of his martyrdom.

Recognizing his holiness and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his faith, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Carda Saporta venerable on July 6, 1993, through a decree of martyrdom. Later, on October 1, 1995, Pope John Paul II beatified him, acknowledging the exemplary life of Father Carda Saporta.

While no specific representation has been attributed to Blessed José Pascual Carda Saporta, his feast day is celebrated on September 4th. Devotees and faithful Catholics honor his memory and seek his intercession, especially for the protection of priests and the promotion of vocations within the Church.