Blessed Francisco Castelló

Francisco de Paula Castelló Aleu (19 April 1914 – 29 September 1936) was a Spanish Roman Catholic killed during the Spanish Civil War on false accusations of fascism. Castelló was noted for his devout and outgoing nature in addition for his activism in Christian movements such as the Catholic Action; he had friends from these movements and in one met his fiancée though his death broke their soon-to-be union. He worked as a chemist for a time prior to conscription into the armed services on the eve of the civil war. His beatification was confirmed after Pope John Paul II – who beatified him on 11 March 2001 – acknowledged the fact that Castelló had been killed "in odium fidei" (in hatred of the faith). He was beatified as one of the 233 Spanish Martyrs. Francesc de Paula Castelló Aleu was born in Alicante on 19 April 1914 as the last of three children to José Castelló and Teresa Aleu. His father died not long after his birth in June from pulmonary congestion. His two elder sisters in order were Teresa and María. He was baptized in April at the church of Santa María d'Alacant. His mother decided to relocate to Lleida in July 1914 to assume a teaching position and then in September 1922 to Juneda. He was noted for his passion and spirited nature but also could be stubborn. Castelló made his First Communion on 4 May 1924. He drew strength from the Eucharist to fight against his sometimes difficult temper and aged thirteen experienced a prolonged spiritual crisis that most did not notice. The Marists oversaw his education from 1923 in Lleida before he studied under the Jesuits at the Chemical Institute in Barcelona. During his time at college in Oviedo he began to foster political ideas and was known to collaborate with the Jesuits from time to time. His mother died on 10 March 1929 and he and his two sisters consecrated themselves to the Mother of God. He had learned of the news of his mother's illness while at school and rushed home to be at her bedside.