Bl. Proceso Ruiz Cascales and Companions

Brother Proceso Ruiz Cascales, of Beniel, Spain, was the superior of a community of Hospitallers of Saint John of God that administered a hospital for epileptic patients at Carabanchel. On July 29, 1936, only days after the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, forces of the anti-Catholic Popular Front raided the hospital. After searching the building for three hours, the militiamen ordered the religious to cease all "worship or religious expression." In defiance of this command, the Hospitallers continued their religious exercises in secret. When on August 29 the hospital was raided a second time, the militiamen took possession of the facility. Three days later, on September 1, Brother Ruiz and eleven other Hospitallers were taken away in automobiles and executed by gunfire. The religious, ranging in age from twenty-three to sixty-seven, shouted, "Long live Christ the King," before dying.