Huercal-Overa: The Church in Spain marked a moment of deep spiritual significance on Saturday as Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presided over the beatification of Father Salvador Valera Parra, a parish priest remembered for a life wholly devoted to the poor, the sick, and the suffering. The beatification Mass was celebrated at the Multipurpose Centre in Huércal-Overa, in the Andalusian region where the new Blessed was born and spent most of his priestly life.
Cardinal Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, led the solemn liturgy, during which he highlighted Father Valeraâs life as a living embodiment of what Saint Paul described as âthe fragrance of Christ.â He said the newly beatified priest left behind not only a testimony of faith, but a concrete model of pastoral charity rooted in humility and closeness to the people.
Father Salvador Valera Parra was born on 27 February 1816 into a poor and modest family in Huércal-Overa. His early years were marked by hardship, including epidemics, famine, and periods of religious hostility experiences that deeply shaped his spiritual outlook and strengthened his trust in Christ. Ordained to the priesthood in 1838 at the age of 24, he quickly became known for his simplicity of life, gentleness, and generosity of heart.
He initially served in the parishes of Alhama de Murcia and Cartagena, where he ministered faithfully until 1868. He then returned to his hometown of Huércal-Overa, remaining there as parish priest for nearly four decades. During these years, Father Valera became a familiar and beloved presence among his people. He frequently shared his own food and clothing with the poor and spent countless nights caring for the sick and dying, offering not only material help but spiritual comfort.
His dedication was especially evident during outbreaks of cholera, when fear and death gripped communities. At great personal risk, Father Valera tended to those afflicted by the disease, refusing to abandon those most in need. His life was marked by tireless pastoral service, a starkly simple lifestyle, and a deep love for his parishioners. Civil authorities also recognised his contribution to society, granting him several honours during his lifetime.
Father Valera died on 15 March 1889. Even before his death, many regarded him as a holy priest, admired for his Christian virtues and priestly integrity. Stories of favours and extraordinary graces attributed to his intercession circulated among the faithful, laying the foundation for his cause for beatification.
Central to the recognition of his sanctity was a miracle attributed to his intercession. On the night of 14 January 2007, Tyquan Hall was born at Rhode Island Memorial Hospital in Providence, United States, in critical condition. The newborn suffered from severe cardiac distress and appeared pale and cyanotic, prompting grave concern among medical staff.
The attending physician, Dr. Juan SĂĄnchez-Esteban himself originally from HuĂ©rcal-Overa found himself facing what appeared to be an irreversible situation. Remembering the faith passed down to him by his parents, he turned to prayer in desperation, invoking Father Valera and saying, âI have done everything I can; now it is your turn.â
As the doctor prepared to inform the parents of their childâs death, a nurse stopped him with unexpected news: the baby was recovering. Shortly after the prayer, the infant began breathing normally, and his heart rate stabilised. Despite fears that the child would suffer permanent brain damage or cerebral palsy, Tyquan Hall showed no lasting effects, making a full recovery that doctors could not explain medically.
The beatification process for Father Valera began in 1991 and advanced following rigorous scientific, medical, and theological investigation into the case. Experts concluded that the childâs recovery had no scientific explanation and could be attributed to Father Valeraâs intercession. On 20 June 2025, Pope Leo XIV formally approved the miracle, clearing the way for the priestâs beatification.
During the ceremony, Cardinal Semeraro read a pastoral letter jointly issued by the bishops of AlmerĂa, Cartagena, and Getafe. Titled âA Life Dedicated to Others,â the letter described Father Valera as a shepherd who kept the doors of his heart permanently open to all those entrusted to his care.
In his homily, the cardinal reflected on how Father Valera radiated what Saint Paul called âthe scent of Christ,â leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. He recalled Pope Francisâ words that every Christian is called, in their own environment, to become the âgood perfume of Christ in the worldâ a calling perfectly reflected in Father Valeraâs life.
Cardinal Semeraro concluded by noting that in Father Valera, the title cura, meaning parish priest, found its deepest and most authentic expression. Rooted in the Latin cura animarum care for souls the term signifies loving people, walking alongside them, understanding their struggles, and easing their suffering. âThis,â the cardinal said, âis exactly how Father Salvador Valera lived his priesthood.â