We sadly live in a time when people are again losing their lives for being Catholic. It seems to be happening at greater frequency, more boldly, and it's terrifying thinking about the world our children will be left with.
These photos were taken 80 years ago today (18 Aug 1936). A minute or two later, the man in the photos was shot to death. My grandparents were all alive at this time, though they were but children.
Father Martín Martínez Pascual was 25, and had been a priest for 14 months. He belonged to a community of priests dedicated to promoting vocations and praying for priests, and had recently been appointed as a seminary professor and spiritual director. He was on vacation at his family home when the Spanish Civil War broke out, and the Republican militia took control of the area. They were virulently anti-Catholic and anti-clerical and routinely rounded up priests and religious for execution. Father Martín took the Blessed Sacrament from the parish church and went into hiding on a friend's property, first in a barn and later in a cave.
On the evening of 17 August, the militia seized Father Martín's father and demanded that he tell them where his son was hiding. Mr Martínez sent a message to Father Martín, telling him not to worry about him, and to get as far away as possible. Instead, Father Martín turned himself in. He was thrown into prison with other priests from the area, and spent the little time they had together giving them the Holy Eucharist for the last time.
The priests were loaded on to a truck and taken to a local cemetery outside of town. The German photographer, Hans Gutmann, was documenting the progress of the militia, and took these photos of Father Martín. The militia told him to turn around for his execution; he responded that he wanted to face them because he would be praying for them, that God would forgive the insane thing they were about to do. As they took aim, Father Martín's last words were, "¡Viva Christo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King)
The expression on Father Martín's face --- so full of gentleness, patience and love, without a trace of anger towards his captors or fear of what was about to take place --- is a powerful witness to the working of grace and the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Suppose we could maintain, amid the little trials and inconveniences of daily life, just a portion of the attitude that Father Martín had in the face of his impending death.
Blessed Martín Martínez Pascual, pray for us!
The most striking thing about this photo, is without the background story you would never know this man was facing death. There is such peace and stillness in his face. He looks like a regular guy posing for a regular photograph. Surely Mary and St. Joseph were standing right there with him! He knew he was going home!
ReplyDeleteYes! This is why I was compelled to share this story. I feel almost as if, if you looked hard enough, you could see a glimpse of eternity in his eyes.
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