Born in Demonte (Cuneo) on 12 December 1778, Felice De Andreis entered the Congregation of the Mission following the call to ‘evangelise the poor’. He was a man of deep prayer, gentle spirit and brilliant mind. After teaching theology and training young missionaries, he accepted a mission that would mark history: to bring the Vincentian charism to the United States.
In 1816, he left for the New World together with Giuseppe Rosati, laying the foundations for the Congregation of the Mission in America and the first seminary in St. Louis. His life was short but intense: he died on 15 October 1820, consumed by fatigue and love for souls. He died in the concept of holiness, and in 1918 the Church began his process of beatification, recognising him as a model of a humble and generous missionary who transformed the American frontier into a land of grace.
Almost a century later, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, a young Valencian bore witness to the same Gospel with the power of martyrdom.
Rafael Lluch Garín, born on 18 January 1917, was a simple and generous young man. He ran the family pharmacy in Picasent (Valencia) after his brother-in-law was arrested, showing in his daily life the faith he had received at home. On 12 October 1936, he was arrested for an act of courage: he refused to remove the image of the Virgin from the shop and would not allow blasphemy in his home. Three days later, he was killed in Sella, shouting loudly:
‘I am Catholic, I am Catholic! Long live Christ the King!’
He was just 19 years old.
Rafael is one of those lay martyrs who, without fanfare, show the strength of a pure heart, capable of giving his life for what he believes in. His testimony is that of a youth who is not afraid to stand up for truth and love.
In Fr. Felice and Rafael, two paths of the same Vincentian vocation are intertwined: mission and martyrdom, proclamation and fidelity. The former evangelised new lands with words and charity; the latter evangelised his time with consistency and sacrifice. Both remind us that holiness is not a privilege of the few, but a path open to anyone who welcomes God into their daily life.
Lord Jesus,
you who kindled in your servants Felice De Andreis and Rafael Lluch Garín
the fire of love and fidelity,
grant that we too may serve the poor and defend the faith
with courage, joy and purity of heart.
May their witness make us
instruments of your charity and builders of peace.
Amen.
