Cardinal Semeraro beatifies parish priest 'dedicated to others' in Spain

By Pierfrancesco Loreto

On Saturday, 7 February, a Mass was celebrated for the beatification of Venerable Servant of God, Salvador Valera Perra, at the Multipurpose Centre in Huércal-Overa in the Andalusia region of Spain.

The celebration was presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

Father Valera was born in Huércal-Overa on 27 February 1816 to a poor and humble family. He grew up facing epidemics, famines, and religious persecution - experiences that shaped his strong faith and commitment to Christ.

He was ordained a priest at 24 in 1838, and was known for his humility, simplicity and generosity. Father Valera served in the parishes of Alhama de Murcia and Cartagena until 1868. Then he returned to his hometown, where he served as the parish priest for nearly 40 years.

Often, he shared his food and clothes with those in need and would stay up at night caring for the sick and dying, offering spiritual support to all. Furthermore, the priest bravely cared for people suffering from cholera during the epidemics of his time.

Father Valera was known for his dedication to his ministry, his simple lifestyle, and his deep love for his community. In recognition of his work, he received several civil awards and honours. 

He died on 15 March 1889. When he was still alive, people admired Father Valera for his Christian and priestly virtues, and some even attributed miracles to him.

The miracle

On the night of 14 January 2007, Tyquan Hall was born at Rhode Island Memorial Hospital in Providence, USA. He had a low heart rate and looked pale and cyanotic.

The situation was particularly critical. The attending physician, Dr Juan Sánchez-Esteban, who was also from Huércal-Overa, remembered what his parents had taught him as a child. In his desperation, he prayed for the intercession of his countryman: "Father Valera, I have done everything possible; now it's your turn."

As the doctor walked down the hallway to tell the parents about their son's death, a nurse stopped him to say that the child was recovering. A few minutes after the prayer, the child began breathing and his heart began beating normally.

After this difficult episode, doctors expected the child to have brain damage that could cause cerebral palsy or other disabilities, but he had no lasting effects.

The beatification process for Valera began in 1991 and concluded after the miracle was recognised - Tyquan Hall's recovery, which was viewed as scientifically inexplicable by medical experts and attributed to Valera's intercession.

After thorough medical and theological research by the Dicastery for the Cause of Saints, Pope Leo XIV approved this miracle on 20 June 2025.

The homily

In preparation for Father Valera's beatification ceremony, Cardinal Semeraro read a pastoral letter from the bishops of Almería, Cartagena, and Getafe.

The letter, called "A life dedicated to others", captured the essence of the new Blessed's journey. The bishops described how he always kept the doors of his heart open to all the faithful entrusted to him.

Cardinal Semeraro pointed out how Father Valera embodied what the apostle St. Paul called "the scent of Christ" and left a lasting testimony and model of life.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints noted that Pope Francis once said that each person, in their own environment, has the sublime vocation of being the "good perfume of Christ in the world." This sentiment is reflected in Father Valera's life.

Cardinal Semeraro concluded by saying that "in him, the title of 'cura' (priest in English) found its most authentic meaning. The word 'cura' in Spanish comes from the Latin 'cura animarum', which means to love people, to be close to them, to understand their problems, and to help ease their suffering."