Blessed Vicente Vilar David

Martyr (1898-1937)

His life

+ Vicente was born in Manises, Valencia, Spain. Educated by the Piarist Fathers, he later studied engineering. He was known as a devout Christian and he freely spoke about his faith among his peers and colleagues.

+ In 1922, he married Isabel Rodes Reig (d. 1993) and she was the primary witness of her husband’s faith and martyrdom.

+ Vicente worked as industrial engineer in his family’s ceramics company and also served in a number of civic posts, using his influence in the community as an opportunity to put the Church’s social teachings into practice.

+ When the anti-Catholic movements began to gain influence in the years before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Vicente continued his involvement in Church work and helped to protect persecuted priests and religious.

+ His actions eventually led to his arrest by Republican officials. As he was being taken away on the morning of February 14, 1937, his wife called out to him and said, “See you tomorrow.” Vicente replied, “Until tomorrow or in heaven!” Minutes later he was shot to death.

+ Blessed Vicente Vilar David was beatified in 1995. He has come to be honored as a patron of engineers.

For reflection

“He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. As we have shared much in the suffering of Christ, so through Christ do we share abundantly in his consolation.”—2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Vicente to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.