We have done recent Blogs on modern saints devoted to the Eucharist, namely Pope St. John Paul, Bl. Carlos Acutis and St. Charles de Foucauld. Another young man who died saving the Blessed Sacrament is BL. JOAN BROIG DIGGLE who was killed “in odium fidei” during the Spanish Civil War. He was beatified November 7, 2020. Cardinal Juan José Omella y Omella, archbishop of Barcelonacalled the 19-year-old martyr “a witness of tenderness.”
Bl. Joan was born in 1917, in Barcelona. In 1934, due to economic problems, his family made the move to the town of El Masnou, where he joined the Federation of Christian Youth of Cataluña, becoming director of the group.
In spite of his work and studies and poor health, he daily attended Mass. Those who knew him, recalled his intense spiritual life.
In July 1936, the young man’s spiritual director entrusted him with the Eucharist so that he could distribute Communion to the various Christian families. On the day of his assassination, in a visit to a Christian family, he told them, “I’m not afraid of anything. I have the Beloved with me.”
On the night between September 11 and 12, militiamen arrived to Joan’s home. When his mother heard their arrival and the forceful knocking on the door, she distracted them long enough for Joan to consume the Hosts he still had, so they would not be profaned. His last words to his mother, in English, were “God is with me.”
A few hours later, Bl. Joan was taken to the cemetery of Santa Coloma de Gramanet, where he was shot. (Spain). His last words were: “May God forgive you, and I forgive you. Long live Christ the King!”
We can ask why learn of saints who lived in another time, even though closer to ours than martyrs of ancient times. Our Church is today suffering persecution in the burning of churches and the murdering of priests and religious and lay people, throughout the world, even in our own country. We need to pray to the new saints for courage and strength to bear witness as they did.
