Vatican City, Jan 24, 2010 / 10:20 am
After the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI brought attention to the recently beatified Blessed Jose Samso i Elias. On Saturday, the martyred Spanish priest became the first person ever to be beatified in the Archdiocese of Barcelona.
He was "a true witness of Christ, (who) died forgiving his persecutors," said the Pope of the man. "For priests, especially for parish priests, he constitutes a model of dedication to catechesis and charity to the poor."
According to the archdiocese, the priest, known by the Archbishop of Barcelona in the 1920's as "the premier catechist in the diocese," was famous also for his charity and very active and successful in pursuing new vocations as a spiritual director.
He was killed by a firing squad in the cemetery of Mataró, Spain for being a priest. Before he was shot, he attempted to embrace his executioners and forgave them for actions "as Christ forgave those who nailed him to the cross."