The Consell de Mallorca has presented, this Tuesday, the commemorative coupon for the 450th anniversary of the death of the only Mallorcan saint
The Consell de Mallorca and ONCE have presented, this Tuesday, the commemorative coupon that will pay tribute to Saint Catalina Tomàs. The presentation took place on Paseo de la Rambla in Palma, where the triumphal arch in honour of the saint has been installed. The coupon will be published on the 29th of July, coinciding with the celebration of the festivities of the saint of Valldemossa.
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The ONCE coupon will remember Santa Catalina Tomàs next 29th of July
The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, explained that this action is in addition to the series of events being held this year to celebrate this event. The aim, he explained, is to ‘disseminate Mallorca’s documentary heritage and to vindicate the role that the island institution has played over the centuries in the process of beatification of the only Mallorcan saint’. Moreover, he stressed, ‘the manifestations towards Saint Catalina Tomàs are part of the island’s intangible heritage, which is why it is necessary to vindicate this event’.
At the event, the president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, and the ONCE delegate in the Balearic Islands, José Antonio Toledo, were accompanied by the bishop of Mallorca, Sebastià Taltavull, who praised all the events held throughout the year to commemorate the anniversary. Also in attendance were the president of the ONCE Territorial Council in the Balearic Islands, Alejandra Luque, and the prioress of the community of Santa Magdalena, Sister Pilar Fernández.
History of Saint Catalina Tomàs
Saint Catalina Tomàs Gallardo was born in Valldemosa on 1 May 1531 and died in Palma on 5 April 1574. Her canonisation process was managed by Bishop Bernardo Cotoner y de Oleza, and she was beatified in 1792 by Pius VI and canonised in 1930 by Pius XI.
She was the sixth of seven children, and her parents died when she was very young. She was fortunate to have the friendship of a wealthy family, which enabled her to have access to studies and to become a person with a good intellectual education. She entered the Order of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine in 1555, and devoted much of her life to prayer, refusing the position of superior when offered. Many people from all walks of life came to her for advice and help.
His childhood and youth were full of extraordinary and supernatural events. In her cloistered life, they increased. She was known as la beata or la beateta, in the municipality of Valldemosa, where festivities are held in her honour on 28th July. Every first Sunday in September, festivities are held in Santa Margalida, and on the third Saturday of every October, festivities in her memory are held in Palma.