Balbino Sanchez Mayorga

In October 1888, Father Balbino embarked from Cadiz with eight other confreres bound for Cuba, arriving in Havana on November 14, 1888. During his stay in Cuba, he voluntarily participated in a landmark event in the history of medicine: on November 16, 1888, he had himself inoculated with yellow fever as part of the clinical trials conducted by Dr. Carlos J. Finlay to find a vaccine. In May 1891, the Provincial Chapter appointed him prior of the Havana community, a position he held until 1894. He distinguished himself by his tireless dedication to the ministry of confession and by the balance he maintained between contemplative life and active apostolate. Upon his return to Spain, he assumed numerous responsibilities within his order: in 1898, he was appointed prior of the convent of Toledo; he served four times as master of novices in Segovia (notably from 1909 to 1912); in 1903, he became superior in Toledo again, then master of students in 1906; in April 1912, he was elected provincial of the Carmelite province of Castile; from 1915 to 1918, he was sub-prior and master of novices; in 1921, he was briefly prior of Ávila, then of Toledo (1921-1922); from November 1922 to 1924, he was sub-prior of Alba de Tormes; from 1924 to 1927, he was again provincial definitor and master of novices; between 1927 and 1929, he traveled constantly to care for the Discalced Carmelites; in 1929, he was commissioned by the provincial to carry out a canonical visitation of the convents in Cuba, a mission for which he wrote the report on April 3, 1929; in 1933, he was elected second provincial councilor. He passed away in the odor of sanctity on May 12, 1934, in Ávila, at the convent of La Santa (the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Ávila), where his mortal remains rest.

The reputation for holiness of Father Balbino del Carmelo, already very vivid during his lifetime, was consolidated after his death. The cause for beatification was officially introduced by the Order of Discalced Carmelites. The diocesan informative process was opened in the Diocese of Ávila in 1961 and concluded in 1962. The decree on his writings was promulgated on July 15, 1965. After obtaining the nihil obstat decree on August 23, 1973, the cognitive process was opened in 1974 and closed in 1976. The decree on the validity of the informative and cognitive processes was issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on July 14, 1978. The Positio on his heroic virtues was published in Rome in 1983.

The journey toward the recognition of his virtues passed through several decisive stages at the Vatican: the particular congress of theological consultants was held on February 28, 1989; the ordinary session of cardinals and bishops took place on June 20, 1989; on September 7, 1989, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his theological and cardinal virtues, thus officially conferring upon him the title of Venerable. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required.

The spirituality of the Venerable Balbino del Carmelo is fully inscribed in the tradition of the Theresian Carmel, characterized by an intimate union between mystical contemplation and apostolic zeal. From his childhood, he practiced rigorous mortifications and penances (sometimes sleeping on the floor with a piece of wood for a pillow, wearing a hair shirt, and practicing the discipline), while distinguishing himself by a profound humility and absolute obedience to the rule. As a formator (master of novices and students) and superior, he marked generations of Carmelites with his prudence, gentleness, and spiritual rigor. His legacy remains alive within the Carmelite province of Castile and in Ávila, where his tomb at the convent of the Santa continues to attract the faithful who seek his intercession.