Saint Rafael Arnáiz Barón
Spanish architecture student turned Trappist monk who died of diabetes aged 27
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Religious
- Life
- 1911 – 1938
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 27 April
- Countries
- Spain
Life story
Rafael Arnáiz Barón was born on 9 April 1911 in Burgos, Spain, into a comfortable family. He studied architecture in Madrid and was known for his talent in drawing. After much searching he was drawn to the quiet life of the Trappist monks.
In 1934 he entered the abbey of San Isidro de Dueñas, in Palencia. In the same year he was taken ill with diabetes, a condition for which there was then no effective treatment, and he had to leave the abbey and return home for care. Over the following years he returned several times and was forced to leave again because of his health, and he wrote many letters and notes about this experience.
He eventually returned to the abbey for the last time and remained there until his death. He died on 26 April 1938 at Dueñas of complications of his illness, aged 27.
John Paul II beatified him on 27 September 1992 and Benedict XVI canonised him on 11 October 2009. The miracle used for the canonisation was the healing of a woman in Madrid. His feast day is 27 April.
Works and witness
- Studied architecture in Madrid
- Entered the Trappist abbey of San Isidro de Dueñas in 1934
- Developed diabetes and had to leave and return to the abbey several times
- Died on 26 April 1938 aged 27
- Canonised in 2009
Patron of
Diabetics, World Youth Day
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Vatican decrees of beatification (1992) and canonisation (2009)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.