Don Baltasar Pardal Vidal, was born in Santa Cristina de Date (A Coruña) on 18.08.1886 and died in A Coruña, 03.03.1963. Founder of the Schools of "La Grande Obra de Atocha" and the Secular Institute "Daughters of the Nativity of Mary." He was born into a humble family of peasants, but firmly based on traditional Christian values, faith lived with a simple, solid, good style godly families of the time. It was the third of four brothers. His father had emigrated to Buenos Aires to support the family.
In the heat of this household was born his priestly vocation. And aided by his family and his pastor, he entered the Seminary of Santiago de Compostela in 1900. The December 17, 1910 he was ordained priest, (his father had just died) and celebrated his first Mass the next day offering it for him.
On June 1, 1912 he was appointed Coadjutor of the parish of St. Mary's Quicksilver Betanzos (A Coruña). There he discovers the value of "teamwork" and "his vocation for the Catechism."
On February 12, 1913, he was appointed Coadjutor of Parroquiade S. Nicolas de A Coruña Capital. There is in this parish, a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Atocha (the "Morenita"), located in the neighborhood of the same name, populous and marginal in that first half of the S. XX. There was the Catechism of girls, and there was this young priest sent.
The Le Grande Obra de Atocha was opened on August 30, 1923.It was officially recognized by the Ministry of Education as a charitable educational institution on 29 December of the same year.
His predilection for the poor, his desire to "dignify women" and eminently Eucharistic and Marian Spirituality are indelible signs of this "divine dreamer." One of his many Top says: "Mary and the Eucharist by Mary and the Eucharist, to save souls. "Another says:" Educating women is to educate people and raise peoples. "And presiding Chapel Living his great work, he wrote:" While there in the tabernacle a hungry, poor and hungry before the tabernacle, there is no time in this work to think, talk, discuss or try other interests other than the Eucharist and the poor. "
For forty-six years he held also the office of Master of the Royal and Illustrious Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Campo de La Coruña.
The Charismatic crowd catechist, was appointed moderator and Visitor Catechism of Christian Doctrine for the Archdiocese of Compostela, on April 5, 1933.
In 1939, He founded the group of consecrated women to work, constitute Community, and stable family life. March 19, 1951, Cardinal Quiroga Palacios, signed the Decree of Erection of the Secular Institute Diocesan Right with the name "Daughters of the Nativity of Mary." The Charisma who left his Institute, is that he lived: Spiritual Childhood.Being "a child" in the spirit of the Gospel style.Intense Marian and Eucharistic life and a family with Jesus in the Eucharist.Deeply Missionary Apostolate.
On September 15, 1940 He cover the first subsidiary of "La Grande Obra de Atocha" in Puentedeume (La Coruña). Later that year, on December 22, founded the Second Subsidiary in Betanzos (A Coruña).And on October 15, 1957, the Third Branch in Arzúa (La Coruña).
Also was taking charge, with its Institute of Care Homes Diocesan exercises and Puentedeume Santiago, Santiago of seminars and Archbishop's Palace.
Tireless in his apostolic longing, he crosses the Atlantic and Latin American Case.In Uruguay, on March 6, 1955, accompanied by seven "Daughters of the Nativity of Mary" sit in the poorest neighborhood of Montevideo.
In that same year, the Foundation started in Venezuela, from four schools in four different states: Caracas-Capital; San Felix Bolivar State, Ejido, Mérida State; Caucagua-Miranda State.
This zealous priest and founder Catechist dies on March 3, 1963, after suffering a stroke.
He is buried in the chancel of the Chapel of his beloved great work, thus fulfilling his wish, expressed years before Cardinal Quiroga Palacios. In lalápida of his burial can read his words: "My desire is to stay among children and to continue to encourage them to visit the Blessed Sacrament."The institute he founded, receives Pontifical Approval Decree, which was issued on November 1, 1977 and signed by Pope Paul VI
The cause of canonization of the Servant of God "Baltasar Pardal Vidal were opened on December 18, 1997, at a grand ceremony held in the Chapel of " La Grande Obra de Atocha "La Coruña (Motherhouse), headed by the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela Don Julián Barrio Barrio. On November 30, 2001 the closing ceremony of the diocesan phase of the process was held.And on July 16, 2005, is signed in Rome, the Positio, with which is open and the Cause of Beatification Adopted at Rome, that is, of the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints.We look forward to a miracle that allows it to be raised to the altars.
PRAYER TO ASK FAVORS THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF VENERABLE BALTASAR PARDAL VIDAL
Almighty God, You have endowed to your servant Baltasar, Priest, special gifts in teaching the Catechism, the Founder of the Le Grande Obra de Atocha, and Secular Institute Daughters of the Nativity of Mary. Glorify your servant who devoted his life to serving the least, and the education of children and youth. Make us, like him, in witnessing an ardent love for the Eucharist, Mary, the Church, the poor, and dedicate joyful in proclaiming the Gospel. Grant us through his intercession the favor we ask. (Here mention your request) Through Christ our Lord. Amen.