Your social work VI

March, 2025

In his later years he devoted his efforts to this not only delicate but even heroic activity: the care of those afflicted by evil. The frequent revolutions of his century, in their attacks on the Church, must have seemed to him a palpable confirmation of his suspicions.

At that time in history, the position of the Church's magisterium was one of vigilance. This was the common doctrine of Catholic writers and circles. They claimed that the devil was the protagonist of everything negative that occurred in the realms of ideas and customs. On the opposite side to the Church, the rationalist movement identified the devil with the idealisation of evil. Satanism was imposed in the sense of traditional magic. Spiritualism and occultism were also gaining influence.

In Catalonia, the common people had deep-rooted beliefs and customs that influenced a kind of cult of the spirits. The devil in particular was associated with health and harvests. As for health, this was accentuated during the strong epidemics of yellow fever and cholera morbus. Both ravaged Catalonia during this season.

In El Ermitaño, the weekly he edited, from the very first issue his concern about the pernicious action of evil, in its various manifestations, is evident: In society, in natural phenomena and in human behaviour. For him it was a reality beyond doubt.

This situation became alarming in Catalonia. The ecclesiastical authorities alerted the faithful and guided them in their conduct. The outskirts of Barcelona, where new population centres were forming, proved to be a favourable environment for the spread of such doctrines. It was there, as we have already noted, that Fr Francisco was active.

To this day, traces of these beliefs still remain in their cultural baggage.

On the margins of society and by society, Fr. Palau laid his hands on the sick and pronounced the exorcisms of the Church on each of them.

They asked for relief from their spiritual sorrows and physical pain, a challenge! What to do? Fr. François was discerning and prayed a lot for them.

On occasion, there was talk of prodigious deeds in his entourage.

In such circumstances our protagonist became the centre of admiration for some. A target of criticism and revulsion for others. Those instigated by the anti-clerical press spoke of his dels penitents They had already done so, to their heart's content, years before, with the well-known School of Virtue. Both situations would haunt him until the end of his days. Palau, as on many other occasions, suffered persecution, mockery and ridicule.

He would then give the bishop an account of what was going on and happening there. And he would submit his ministerial service to the prelate's judgement. This was another example of the generosity that defined him.

The sick asked first. Later, they were grateful. And the Director felt, as we have already mentioned, immense compassion for them.

His dedication to the mentally ill will have two fronts: his ministerial activity and his writings. As an exorcist, of course, for the decision of Fr. Francis, exorcisms were the usual style in the common practice of the Church.

Fr. Francisco did not fail to discern.

As a backdrop to this committed service, we find our protagonist plunged into the night of faith. He perceives himself powerless to cure or relieve various people - the year 1866. This is how the blind faith of this man of the Church comes into play. Expressed in the word of Christ. Or, in other words, in the Church, which repeatedly led him down unknown paths.

The effects of their actions were diverse and even opposed to each other. -We have already noticed that - True! Sometimes the exorcisms did nothing. At other times, the sick were restored to health and henceforth lived normally. In some situations, they were extremely positive.

These are not only his own statements, but statements by eyewitnesses, which strengthened confidence in this man of the Church!

It has not wasted time because its goal remains and grows: the fight against all kinds of evil and the liberation of victims. And both nuances remain.

This great man is also for us, his daughters, an excellent reference as a servant of the sick and neglected.