Santiago Masarnau Fernández

After his conversion in Paris, Santiago Masarnau joined the Conference of Saint-Louis-d'Antin in June 1839, serving as treasurer. Upon returning to Madrid in May 1843 to teach music at the Masarnau College, he endeavored to introduce this charitable work to Spain. On November 11, 1849, he founded the first Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Spain (Conference of Saint Sebastian) with Vicente de la Fuente and Anselmo Ouradou. Under his presidency of more than thirty years, the association grew considerably, publishing a Bulletin starting in 1856 and receiving the support of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Despite the temporary dissolution of the Society by a government decree in 1868 following the Spanish Revolution, the work was re-established in 1875 under Alfonso XII. Masarnau remained in charge until his resignation due to health reasons in 1882.

The youth of Santiago Masarnau in the artistic circles of Paris and London was marked by a purely formal and philosophical faith. The decisive turning point occurred during Lent in 1838 or 1839 in Paris, when he attended the conferences of Abbé Henri Lacordaire at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Touched by grace, he made a general confession lasting fifteen days and received his general communion on May 19, 1838 or 1839, at the church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. Describing this event as a "second birth," he henceforth renounced worldly honors and artistic glory to dedicate himself to prayer, the sacraments, and the direct service of the poor through the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

After his death on December 14, 1882, in Madrid, his reputation for holiness grew. In 1996, his mortal remains were transferred to the church of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Madrid. The diocesan process for his canonization was opened on June 5, 1999, and closed in 2000. The Positio was validated in 2009 by the experts of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On January 21, 2021, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing his heroic virtues, conferring upon him the title of venerable. The recognition of a miracle is now required for his beatification.

The spirituality of Santiago Masarnau intimately unites faith, musical art, and active charity. He conceived of music as a path to spiritual elevation and put his talent at the service of the education of disadvantaged children by creating choirs in the hospices of Madrid. His charity was characterized by a personal closeness to the poor and the sick, whom he visited and listened to. Living himself in great voluntary poverty, he gave away his own possessions and directly assisted the destitute. His major legacy remains the influence of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Spain, which continues his work among the most needy in the Vincentian spirit.