Blessed Joan Mercer Soler

Joan Mercer i Soler, also known as Joan Mercé i Soler (Albinyana, October 14, 1874 – Sallent, July 25, 1936), was a Catholic clergyman of the Claretians who was executed by firing squad during the Spanish Civil War and beatified in 2016 by Pope Francis. Mercer was born on October 14, 1874 (though other sources indicate October 15) in the village of Albinyana, located in the Baix Penedès region. The following day, he was baptized at the parish church of Sant Bartomeu d'Albinyana, which belonged to the Archdiocese of Barcelona. He was born into a Catholic family of the time, the son of Antoni Mercer, a farmer, and Antònia Soler, a homemaker, and had numerous siblings. On July 30, 1879, he was confirmed by the Bishop of Barcelona, José María de Urquinaona y Bidot. While serving as a Missionary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he was executed by firing squad on July 25, 1936, in the municipality of Sallent after being intercepted while on his way into exile.