José Tapies Sirvant
Diocesan priest, martyr of the persecution in Spain
Who they were
José Tapies Sirvant was born on 15 March 1869 at Pons in the diocese of Urgell, province of Lleida, was ordained priest in 1892 and served as organist and master of music in the parish of Salàs de Pallars, known for his charity to other priests, his care of the poor and the sick, and his work as confessor and teacher in the local college of the Sisters of the Holy Family.
On 18 July 1936, though warned of the danger, he chose to return to his parish to hear confessions; he refused to escape, publicly protested that priests were being unjustly held, refused to take off his cassock when arrested and was shot, saying that the Catholic faith would triumph however it was persecuted. He was beatified on 29 October 2005 by Benedict XVI, among José Tapies Sirvant and his six companions, diocesan priests killed in 1936.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
The decree on martyrdom records that he refused escape and death itself rather than give up his priesthood, declaring that the Catholic faith would triumph.
Connected on this site
- Francisco Castells Brenuy Blessed“He was beatified on 29 October 2005 by Benedict XVI, among José Tapies Sirvant and his six companions, diocesan priests killed in 1936.” — this site's research
- Pascual Araguás Guardia Blessed“He was beatified on 29 October 2005 by Benedict XVI, among José Tapies Sirvant and his six companions, diocesan priests killed in 1936.” — this site's research
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 97 (2005), p. 211 - decree on martyrdom
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 29 October 2005
- Wikidata R196101fe — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.