Francisco Esteban Lacal, Cándido Castán San José and 21 fellow martyrs (+1936)

Biography

Twenty-two Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate and the layman Cándido Castán San José were murdered out of hatred for the faith during the Spanish religious persecution. The community of Pozuelo de Alarcón served in parishes, schools and religious congregations. After the assault on their house in July 1936, the religious were arrested; some died immediately and others, temporarily released, continued living their consecration in hiding. Captured again, they were shot in November. Common prayer, forgiveness and fidelity to their vocation prepared them for martyrdom.