Byzantine Discalced Carmelites - Bl. Francis Palau y Quer

Francis Palau y Quer possessed a true "passion for the Church." Born into a poor family in Lerida, Spain, in 1812, Francis began his seminary training in his hometown at the age of sixteen. He entered the Discalced Carmelite Order and was professed in 1833, and ordained to the priesthood three years later. These were years of growing anticlericalism but Francis was unafraid. Years later he wrote, "on the day of my priestly ordination I was consecrated to your service…I am all yours with all that I do, all that I am and possess."

Religious persecution in Spain, forced Francis into exile. From 1840-1851 he found refuge in France. Upon his return, Francis opened up a school of catechetics, called "the school of virtue." Anticlerical sentiment and false reports concerning the school and its founder were lodged even to aligning the school with political rebellion. Attempts to defend his cause resulted in his being exiled to the island of Ibiza for "insubordination."

Alone and abandoned, Father Francis used his time wisely and found God in the silence and solitude of that island. He even formed a little community. A spiritual renewal and transformation took place on the island and the little chapel of Es Cubello later became the Marian center and shrine of Ibiza.

Returning to Spain, Francis continued his work for the Church and the people. He founded an apostolic community of Carmelite Sisters and of Brothers. Father Francis saw it as an answer to the problems and needs of modern day men and women and labored to make the Order known. He served as a consulter at the First Vatican Council in Rome and died in Tarragon on March 20th, 1872.