History of a vocation
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Interview with the historians José Luis González Gullón and Santiago Martínez.
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Priest friends
José Miguel de la Virgen del Carmen
José Miguel de la Virgen del Carmen (Mariano Domínguez Alonso) was a Discalced Carmelite priest born in 1884 in Besande (León). Ordained in 1910, he arrived in Logroño in 1917, where he was prior until 1926, before moving to Burgos. He died in Oviedo in 1942. In Logroño, he played a key role in the life of Josemaría Escrivá, guiding him in his vocational discernment. Although he suggested that he join the Discalced Carmelites, Escriva understood that this was not his path. José Miguel, respecting his discernment, encouraged him to look for a new spiritual director.
Ciriaco Garrido Lazaro
Ciriaco Garrido Lázaro (1872-1949) was a priest from La Rioja recognized in Logroño for his dedication to the sacrament of confession and his unconditional attention to the sick and dying. A confessor to several religious communities, in 1916 he was appointed canon of La Redonda. Josemaría Escrivá met him in 1918 and, although little is known about their relationship, his experience and committee may have influenced the vocational discernment of the young man, who was beginning to see more clearly his call to the priesthood. In honor of his work, Logroño dedicated a street to him after his death.
Gregorio Fernández Anguiano
Gregorio Fernández Anguiano (1878-1963) was a priest from La Rioja who played a core topic role in the Logroño seminar , where he was Prefect of discipline and later Vice President. His work influenced the training of the seminarians, fostering an atmosphere of piety. Josemaría Escrivá had a relationship of trust with him that continued even after his transfer to Saragossa. In the summer before his second year at the seminar in Zaragoza, Escrivá went through a vocational crisis, and Fernández Anguiano helped him to regain peace and security in his calling, facilitating his reinstatement and consolidating his path to the priesthood.
Daniel Alfaro Urriza
Daniel Alfaro Urriza (1886-1927) was a military chaplain who served in Africa before settling in Logroño in 1917, where he was chaplain of the Military Hospital. Close to the Escrivá family, he played a key role at a difficult time for Josemaría Escrivá: he administered the last sacraments to his father, officiated at his funeral and helped with funeral expenses. Hir relationship with Josemaría grew stronger during the summer vacation, when the young seminarian was returned to Logroño from Zaragoza.
Calixto Terés
Calixto Terés (1875-1949) was a priest and professor at the Logroño Institute, where he left a deep mark on the intellectual training of Josemaría Escrivá. Previously, he had been a professor at the seminar, but left that position to become a Chair Years after the Civil War, he resumed contact with Escriva, visiting him in Madrid and receiving him in Logroño when he returned to the city where he had lived as a young man.
Francisco Xavier de Lauzurica y Torralba
Francisco Xavier de Lauzurica y Torralba (1890-1964) was a priest and bishop with an outstanding academic and pastoral career. After obtaining his doctorate in Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law, he was professor and director of discipline at the Logroño seminar . He later held various ecclesiastical positions, becoming bishop of Palencia and archbishop of Oviedo. Nephew of Calixto Terés, he became friends with Josemaría Escrivá in Logroño and was present at his father's wake. They maintained contact in Valencia, where he was auxiliary bishop, and later, during the Civil War, when Lauzurica was apostolic administrator of Vitoria.
Juan Soldevila y Romero
Cardinal Juan Soldevila y Romero (1843-1923) appointed Josemaría Escrivá inspector of the seminar of San Francisco de Paula and, in addition, invited him to visit him at his residence.
Miguel de los Santos Díaz Gómara
Miguel de los Santos Díaz Gómara (1885–1949) was the auxiliary bishop of Cardinal Juan Soldevila and, at the same time, president of the Royal Priestly Seminary of San Carlos. In his pastoral work, he paid special attention to Josemaría Escrivá during his priestly formation. He conferred the major orders on him and preached the spiritual exercises prior to their reception. His guidance and support were fundamental in preparing Escrivá for the priesthood.
