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Francisco Gárate Aranguren was born on February 3, 1857, in Azpeitia, Guipúzcoa, Spain, second of seven brothers to Francisco and Maria Aranguren. His birthplace was not far from the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.
When he was 14, Francisco went to do domestic work in a new Jesuit school in Orduña, Spain, College of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua. Here, Francisco decided that he would like to become a Jesuit Brother.
Because of the Spanish government’s anti-Catholic decrees in those days, young Francisco had to walk to southern France to prepare for the Jesuit Brotherhood. He made his initial vows as a Jesuit Brother on February 2, 1876.
From early 1877, Brother Francisco began has long and distinguished career as a nurse and sacristan. Somewhere along the line, he studied nursing and was skilled in that profession. In his first assignment, he was responsible for the health of 200 young men. Quickly, he became very popular not only with the boys, but for everyone who encountered him. He was noted especially for his kindness, simplicity, and prayer life. He was also famous for carrying around his rosary wherever he went.
In March of 1888, Brother Francisco was assigned to the University of Duesto, that had been founded two years earlier. There, he served as a porter or doorkeeper, sacristan, and nurse/infirmarian. This assignment lasted for 40 years until his death.
In Duesto, Brother Francisco’s kindness was noted by all he met, whether they were students, workers who had brief encounters with him, or fellow Jesuits. In fact, many called him “Brother Kindness.” His simplicity and strong prayer life never wavered.
After serving more than 50 years as a Jesuit and nurse, Brother Francisco died in Duesto, Bilboa, Vizcaya, Spain on the morning of September 9, 1929, feast of another Jesuit, St. Peter Claver. At his funeral, students and others placed rosaries and crucifixes on his coffin.
Pope John Paul II beatified Franciso Gárate on October 6, 1985. He is a patron saint of nurses. Blessed Francisco Gárate’s feast day is September 9.
