Blessed Francisco Gárate Aranguren

February 3, 1857 - September 9, 1929

Feast Day: September 9

Brother Francisco was born on February 3, 1857 in the farm "Recarte" in Azpeitia, a municipality in the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque region, in the same Basque region where Ignatius of Loyola grew up.

At the age of fourteen, he left his home for housework in a Catholic college that had just opened. In 1874 he decided to become a Jesuit religious—but not an ordained priest—so he and two companions walked to Poyanne in France to begin their novitiate.

Many people commented on his consistently amiable, patient and tireless demeanor in carrying out his daily tasks. Once the Jesuit Cardinal Boetto asked Brother Francisco how, with such a demanding job, he could maintain such peace and equanimity. He replied, “As far as it is possible for me to do everything right, I do it. Our Lord will do the rest. With his help, everything becomes easy and beautiful because we have a Good Lord.”

His health deteriorated on September 8, 1920 when he developed a sharp stomachache after Mass. He agreed to stay in bed on the condition that he finish the rest of his chores. He asked for the Viaticum that evening, but his discomfort was so bad that a nurse called the doctor who had to operate on his blocked urethra.

He had brief revival but, despite the success of the surgery, continued to deteriorate. Brother Francisco died on September 9, 1929 at 7:00 am after receiving the last rites; coincidentally, it was the feast day of the Jesuit Saint Peter Claver.

The miracle required for beatification was examined in the Diocese of Origin and ratified on April 15, 1983. This allowed the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to launch its own investigation into the alleged miracle in Rome. The Medical Advisory Board approved it on October 4, 1984, with theologians following on January 31, 1985. The C.C.S. approved it on March 26, 1985, while being submitted to the Pope for approval; this was granted on May 9, 1985.

During his beatification on October 6, 1985, Pope John Paul II said: "The message of holiness that Blessed Francisco Garate gives us is simple and clear. His generosity is confirmed by the students, professors, staff and parents of the university who affectionately call him" Brother Kindness' and who saw in him the hospitable and pleasant demeanor of one who keeps his heart anchored in God.