Blessed Marino Blanes Giner

Biography

Blessed Marino Blanes Giner, also known as Marino Giner Blanes, was born on September 19, 1888, in Alcoi, Alicante, Spain. He was baptized on the day of his birth and later confirmed on August 8, 1902, in the parish church of Santa Maria in the archdiocese of Valencia.

Throughout his life, Marino remained a dedicated layman and worked at a bank to support his family. He was married to Julia Jordá Llovet on September 26, 1913, and together they had five children. Marino's deep faith and commitment to the Catholic Church extended beyond his family life as he actively served as a catechist and a member of various Catholic organizations.

Marino was an active member of Catholic Action, an organization that aimed to promote Christian values and engage laypeople in the mission of the Church. He also joined the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a charitable society focused on helping the poor and marginalized in society. Additionally, Marino was part of the Apostleship of Prayer, which sought to encourage the faithful to pray for the intentions of the Pope and the Church.

As a sign of his devotion to the Franciscan spirituality, Marino became a tertiary of the Franciscan order. He embraced the ideals of poverty, simplicity, and service to others. Every Sunday afternoon, Marino dedicated his time to assist the sisters caring for the sick at the local hospital, selflessly displaying his compassion and desire to help those in need.

Tragically, during the Spanish Civil War, Marino found himself in the midst of escalating anti-Christian violence. In a courageous act of faith, he prevented the fire-bombing of his parish church, Santa Maria, located in Alcoi. Sadly, this heroic act led to his arrest, imprisonment, and eventual execution by the forces hostile to Christianity.

On September 8, 1936, shortly after 9 am, Marino Blanes Giner was executed by firing squad in Alcoi, Alicante, Spain. Regrettably, the location of his remains has not been identified. However, his martyrdom and unwavering faith in the face of persecution were recognized by the Catholic Church.

Marino Blanes Giner was officially venerated on December 18, 2000, by Pope John Paul II, who issued a decree acknowledging his martyrdom. Later, on March 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified him, bestowing the title of "Blessed" upon Marino in recognition of his exemplary life and death for the sake of the Gospel.

Blessed Marino Blanes Giner's life serves as a powerful example of unwavering faith and selfless dedication to the Church in the face of persecution. His story continues to inspire and encourage believers to remain steadfast in their Christian convictions, even in times of adversity.