Brother FRANCISCO JAVIER PALACIOS CABELLO

Born at Torrijo del Campo (Teruel) on 7 December 1859.

Died at Malvarrosa, Valencia, on 15 July 1936 (one month before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War). 

Even before entering the Religious life, Francisco Javier knew how to practise sensitive and holistic hospitality, and his manner of living the faith, and his commitment to the poor and needy were known not only in his home town, but throughout the region. He gathered children together to teach them the and catechism, he supported many needy people with his alms, and nothing ever prevented him from leading a coherent Religious life which demonstrated his devotion to Our Lady and the Eucharistic mysteries.

After the death of his mother, whom he had supported and nursed until her death, he entered the Novitiate on 25 June 1889 and made his simple vows as a Brother of St John of God on 28 June 1890. Convinced of his vocation, but at the same time with a strong desire for humility and simplicity, he delayed his solemn profession until 1919, when the Provincial Superior would not listen to any more excuses, and ordered him to make his solemn vows on 8 December 1919. On 15 December, the Provincial Chapter elected him as Provincial Superior of Valencia.

He served the Order in Valencia, Barcelona and Seville with a variety of occupations, including as the sacristan, which enabled him to meticulously and artistically decorate liturgical objects and vestments. He painted the magnificent cloister of the house in Barcelona, enriching it with various flowering plants. He was such a tireless almoner that he was said to have "bought all the bricks to build the Asylum in Valencia with the alms he had raised". He found open doors and generous hearts everywhere he went.

It was in the chapel that the Servant of God found his "energy source" to perform his work of hospitality. His flawless faith, his indefatigable labours, his friendly treatment of others, his works of charity, his unstinting dedication to his daily work were proof of this.

But his chief occupation was the practice of Hospitality, caring for the sick to which he devoted himself body and soul, loving them as Christ himself, treating treated them with great sensitivity, and he considered his greatest honour and glory was to be with them. He instructed them, counselled them, cared for them, prayed with them, had fun with them and took them out for walks. Serving the sick was his heart’s desire, and nothing and no sacrifice seemed too great for him.

He died a holy death, as he had lived, and at his burial people inside and outside his community exclaimed: "He was a saint in life and now he is with God". In the manner of his Founder, St John of God, Brother Francisco Javier practised serene Poverty, creative Chastity, edifying Obedience and selfless Hospitality.