• =?UTF-8?Q?31_August_'_Blessed_Pere_=28Peter=29_Tarr=C3=A9s_i_Cl

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sun Aug 30 09:56:53 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    31 August ' Blessed Pere (Peter) Tarr=C3=A9s i Claret

    (1905-1950) aged 45
    =C2 Priest, Medical Doctor, apostle of Eucharistic Adoration and of Mary,
    the Blessed Virgin, apostle of the sick and poor.=C2 Co-Founder, with Dr Gerrado Manresa, of a clinic dedicated to the Blessed Mother for the
    ill but in particular for those who suffered from tuberculosis, he
    also ensured that the clinic would be able to cater to those people
    who could not afford adequate medical treatment.

    Pere (Peter) Tarr=C3=A9s i Claret was born on 30 May 1905 in Manresa,
    province of Barcelona, Spain, to Francesc Tarr=C3=A9s Puigdell=C3=ADvol and Carme Claret Masats. His parents were deeply religious, which was a
    positive influence for himself and his two sisters, Francesca and
    Maria, who both entered the convent.

    Pere had a very joyful and open spirit and loved nature and helping
    others. As a boy, he assisted at the local pharmacy and the shop
    owner, Josep Balaguer, encouraged him to continue his studies in
    medicine. In 1921 Pere transferred to Barcelona to study, he made the
    decision to follow his dream and one day become a doctor to help
    others.

    During these years of study, Pere received spiritual direction from Fr
    Jaume Serra, a priest who encouraged him to enter the =E2=80=9CFederation o=
    f
    Young Christians of Catalonia=E2=80=9D. This organisation, which met regula= rly
    at the Oratory of St Philip Neri, worked for a renewal of the
    Christian spirit within society. Pere was appointed President of the
    Federation and with his openness and enthusiasm, he knew how to give extraordinary =E2=80=9Cvigour=E2=80=9D to the group.=C2 He was a beacon =
    of good example
    for others and his zeal motivated him to travel the roads of Catalonia
    in his little automobile (which he called his =E2=80=9Cinstrument of work= =E2=80=9D) as
    a lay missionary. He spoke openly of God, the Church and Christian
    living to the youth and those who were gathered along the streets, he
    also assisted in the formation of new Federation groups.=C2 Pere
    maintained a written correspondence with many members of the
    Federation (of whose federal council he was later appointed
    vice-president) and wrote articles that were published in the
    Federation's weekly paper.

    In addition to his work within this group, the young man was also
    involved in Catholic Action. In 1935 he was appointed vice-secretary
    of the new diocesan committee, he later became secretary of the
    archdiocesan committee, having received the recommendation of the
    Cardinal, Francesc Vidal y Barraquer of Tarragona.

    A year later, having earned his degree in medicine, Pere began his
    residency in Barcelona. Here, together with Dr Gerardo Manresa, he
    founded a medical clinic for all those who needed assistance but could
    not afford it.

    As a doctor, Pere was exemplary in his charity and life of piety. He
    never lost his habitual joy and was always available to help and speak
    to those who needed him. During the Spanish Civil War (July 1936-April
    1939), Pere lived as a =E2=80=9Crefugee=E2=80=9D in Barcelona because the p= ersecution
    of Christians forced many into hiding, during this time he prayed,
    read and studied.

    In May 1938 he was forced to enter the Republican army to provide
    medical assistance; these were eight long months of suffering for Pere
    and living through the horrors of war probed deep into his soul. Day
    after day he wrote about his life on the battle front in his =E2=80=9CWar Diary=E2=80=9D. The war experience and assistance given to the wounded and dying made Pere understand the necessity for =E2=80=9Cspiritual assistance= =E2=80=9D
    and he felt that God was calling him to be a =E2=80=9Cdoctor of souls=E2=80= =9D by
    entering the priesthood. As a result, he entered the Seminary of
    Barcelona on 29 September 1939 and was ordained a priest on 30 May
    1942.

    Fr Pere began by serving as a parochial vicar at the Parish of St
    Stephen Sesrovile and a year later he was sent to the Pontifical
    University of Salamanca to study theology. After he earned his degree
    in 1944, Fr Pere returned to Barcelona where he dedicated much of his
    time to Catholic Action, as well as providing spiritual assistance to
    religious congregations and material and spiritual help to the sick,
    especially the poorest of the poor. He also served as the diocesan
    delegate for the Protection of Women and as spiritual director of the =E2=80=9CMagdalen Hospital=E2=80=9D for female prostitutes.

    Fr Pere lived his days to the full and had little time for rest;
    nonetheless, he carried out all his activity in peaceful recollection
    and a prayerful spirit. Everyone who came into contact with him was
    left with the impression that he was a very holy priest who truly
    cared, sacrificing himself for the spiritual and physical well-being
    of all, particularly the most desolate.

    At the beginning of 1950, Fr Pere noticed that his health was
    deteriorating. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with lymphatic
    cancer. He accepted his illness and offered it up for the
    sanctification of priests, resolved to die =E2=80=9Cas a good priest=E2=80= =9D.
    Fr Pere said that it was a =E2=80=9Cjoy to have the possibility to be a pri= est
    and to die in a continual act of love and suffering=E2=80=A6 worthy of the Heavenly Father=E2=80=9D.

    His =E2=80=9Csecret=E2=80=9D in the spiritual life was Eucharistic devotion=
    and filial
    love towards the Mother of God.
    Fr Pere died on 31 August 1950 in the clinic that he founded. He was
    45 years old. =E2=80=A6 Vatican.va

    =E2=80=9CYou want something to remember me by.
    I have no memento to give you,
    apart from an invitation to holiness.=E2=80=9D
    Blessed Alfredo's parting words
    to the seminarians at Venegono,
    a few days before his death

    Bible Quote:
    There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all
    sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in
    all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God
    who is working in all of them.=C2 =C2 (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 )


    <><><><>
    Excerpt from The Epistles of Clement

    "Paul, also, having seven times worn chains, and been hunted and
    stoned, received the prize of such endurance. For he was the herald of
    the Gospel in the West as well as in the East, and enjoyed the
    illustrious reputation of the faith in teaching the whole world to be righteous. And after he had been in the extremity of the West, he
    suffered martyrdom before the sovereigns of mankind; and thus
    delivered from this world, he went to his holy place, the most
    brilliant example of steadfastness that we possess." [The Epistles of
    Clement: to the Church in Philippi 4.3].

    The reference in St. Clement's passage to the "extremity of the West"
    is most likely a reference to the Roman Province of Iberium, or Spain.
    "The West" is an expression often used by Roman writers to identify
    Spain.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)