Francisco Castelló Aleu (+1936)

Biography

His mother then worked in her profession as a teacher to support the family, but when Francisco was studying his fourth year of high school, his mother also died. With great difficulties, Francisco managed to finish his degree and began to work. Since his university days he was known as a happy boy, a good companion and a good Christian. He dedicated a lot of time to his apostolic activities in the “Young Christian Movement of Catalonia”. At this time he began his courtship with María Pelegrí and they soon formalized their marriage commitment. When the civil war began, Francisco entered the army of the Republic as a supplementary soldier, always being a very good performer of his military duties, but without hiding his condition as a committed Christian, which earned him imprisonment. There in prison he tried to encourage and cheer up his companions because of the mistreatment they received from the guards. A testimony says of him that “He wiped away tears, strengthened wills and achieved the recovery of many who, in their tribulation, needed the grace of divine consolation.” Shortly after being sentenced to death, Francisco sat down to write three beautiful letters: to his sisters, to his aunt and to his Jesuit friend who had supported him. When time passed they reached the hands of Pius XI, the Pope, after reading them, moved, began to cry like a child. He saw in Francis the Christian hero of Catholic Action. Francisco was shot in the Lleida cemetery, where he died singing and forgiving his executioners. He was beatified on March 11, 2001, by Pope John Paul II.