Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia
Spanish Passionist lay brother, nicknamed the "holy porter" of the monastery of Saints John and Paul in Rome, recognized as Venerable by John Paul II in 1991.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Childhood in Spain and entry into the Passionists under the name Gerardo de San Francisco.
Francisco Sagarduy Salazar was born on February 15, 1881, in Zollo (Biscay, Spain) into a deeply Christian family of seven children. His father, Antonio, was a close friend of the Passionist religious. At the age of 17, Francisco presented himself at the Passionist monastery of Deusto (Bilbao) to be admitted as a lay brother. He received the religious habit there on June 26, 1899, taking the name Gerardo de San Francisco, and pronounced his vows on June 27, 1900, before being sent to the convent of Corella in Navarre.
Life and work
Service in Rome as sacristan and then as porter of the General House for nearly fifty years.
In July 1902, he was sent to Rome to the convent of Saints John and Paul. After serving as sacristan, he became the porter of the General House from 1908 to 1956. Nicknamed the "holy porter," he distinguished himself by his heroic charity during the two World Wars, distributing soup to the poor daily and offering them comfort and spiritual exhortations.
Path to holiness
Illness, death in Rome in 1962, and the transfer of his relics to Spain.
Victim of an accidental fall resulting in a fractured femur in April 1962, he endured his suffering with patience and prayer. He passed away in Rome on May 29, 1962. His remains were transferred in the 1970s to Spain, to the chapel of San Felicísimo in Deusto (Bilbao), where he is the object of great devotion.
Beatification and canonization
Introduction of the cause in 1974 and declaration of the heroic nature of his virtues by John Paul II in 1991.
His cause for beatification began on September 27, 1974. After the validation of the diocesan process in 1984 and the publication of the Positio in 1987, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues on December 21, 1991, conferring upon him the title of Venerable.
Spirituality and legacy
His motto "Serve with love" and his model of ordinary holiness through hospitality.
Guided by his motto "Serve with love," Brother Gerardo embodied the Passionist charism through the contemplation of the Passion, love for the Eucharist, and Marian devotion. He put into practice the maxim of the founder, Saint Paul of the Cross, making the porter's lodge a mirror of the community through his patience, modesty, and benevolent welcome.
Frequently asked questions about Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia
Who was Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia?
Spanish Passionist lay brother, nicknamed the "holy porter" of the monastery of Saints John and Paul in Rome, recognized as Venerable by John Paul II in 1991.
Which saints were contemporaries of Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia die?
Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia died around 1881.
What are the other names of Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia?
Other forms of the name: Francisco Sagarduy Salazar, Francisco Sagarduy de Lasgoitia and Gerardo de San Francisco.
Who are the relatives of Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia?
Relatives of Gerardo Sagarduy de Lasgoitia: Antonio (father).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1881-1962
- Decree of venerability by John Paul II