Blessed Josep Vidal Balsells

Blessed

Post-Congregation

Feast Day

22 August; 1 February as one of the 109 Spanish Claretian Martyrs

Born

5 December 1908 in Sant Coloma de Queralt, Vic, Barcelona, Spain

Died

22 August 1936 in Navés, Lleida, Spain

Beatified

21 October 2017 by Pope; beatification celebrated at the Basilica of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain, presided by Archbishop Angelo Amato

Venerated

21 December 2016 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)

Biography

Blessed Josep Vidal Balsells, also known as Blessed Josep Vidal Balsells i Formiga, was born on 5 December 1908 in Sant Coloma de Queralt, Vic, Barcelona, Spain. He was a devoted member of the Claretians, a religious congregation founded by St. Anthony Mary Claret in 1849. As a Claretian, he dedicated his life to the service of God and the Church.

Cause for Canonization

Beatified

Beatified2017-10-21 by 21 October 2017 by Pope; beatification celebrated at the Basilica of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain, presided by Archbishop Angelo Amato