Spanish Bishops Propose Youth Day Patron

(Sept.01,2009): The Bishops of Spain are proposing as a patron for World Youth Day 2011, a young Cistercian to be canonized in October. In their recent pastoral letter, the prelates recommended Blessed Mary Raphael Arnaiz Baron, better known as "Brother Raphael," as a co-patron for the international event of the World Youth Day to be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid in August 2011. "We trust that Brother Raphael Arnaiz will accompany us as one of the 'co-patrons' of the meeting, so that all the young people of the world might become aware of God's work in this young man of the 20th century," said the bishops.
The pastoral letter addressed to young people and titled "Seek God's Face,” urged young people to draw near to Brother Raphael and go on pilgrimage to the Trappist monastery of St. Isidore of Duenas to pray at his tomb. It invited youth to read his writings and be witnesses of his life and testimony.
Brother Raphael who was born in 1911 died in 1938. He was beatified by late Pope John Paul II on Sept. 27, 1992. His canonization will be Oct. 11