Recent days have seen the opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many.
Pedro died on 13 January 2018 at the age of 21. Born in Manchester in 1996, he grew up in a Catholic family and was widely known for his warmth, generosity and dedication. In his late teens, he committed his life fully to God as a member of Opus Dei, dedicating himself to its apostolic work.
Shortly after beginning university, Pedro was diagnosed with advanced pelvic cancer. He accepted his illness with remarkable faith, offering his suffering for the Pope, the Church and all souls, and bearing his condition with deep serenity and trust in God.
From 2004 until 2015 Pedro and his family lived in the Diocese of Leeds, initially in Huddersfield and then in Harrogate, where he and his brothers are remembered as devoted and enthusiastic altar servers at St Robert’s Church. Fr Chris Angel, now Parish Priest of St Stephen’s, Skipton, was a curate at St Robert’s at the time and recalls witnessing Pedro “grow into such an impressive and remarkable young man” and says today that this remains “one of the greatest blessings” of his life. With his family’s Spanish background and his upbringing in Yorkshire, it’s said that Pedro had “a Latin sociable character mixed with Northern grit”.
Pedro’s family also became good friends of the then Bishop of Leeds, Cardinal Arthur Roche, and it was the Cardinal who led the celebration of Pedro’s Requiem Mass at the Holy Name church in Manchester in 2018.
As someone who knew him well, Cardinal Roche offers this reflection on Pedro’s life and witness:
“Pedro was an ordinary young man, full of life and energy and brightness and with a likable impishness to his character. He would have loved to have been a priest, and in a sense this call from the Lord came to him but in an unexpected way. Through suffering with one of the most aggressive cancers known at the age of eighteen, he accepted his vocation to cling to Christ in his priestly offering on the Cross. For ever cheerful and fun loving, he remained, nevertheless, the life and soul of every encounter. Often refusing morphine in order to stay awake so that he could meet with his friends and visitors, he never complained but offered everything up to the Lord for the Church and the Pope. His secret was his deep love for and trust in Jesus. He knew that no matter what, he was safe in his hands whatever the circumstance. His sanctity has now been recognised and his cause will make its way to Rome for further examination. Already favours are being received through his intercession. God is showing us that heroic sanctity is possible at any age and in any circumstance. Was he heroic? Yes, but he would never have thought so himself. Was he holy? Yes, in a very manly and loving way. There is much for us to learn from him who was always ready to befriend everyone.”
Over the years since his death, Pedro’s reputation for holiness has grown significantly and the Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev John Arnold, is now inviting members of the faithful to assist the Cause by submitting any information that may help to build a full picture of Pedro’s life, virtues and reputation for holiness. This includes personal testimonies, memories and any writings attributed to him, such as letters or diaries.
The opening of this Cause marks an important step in recognising the life and witness of a young man whose example of faith, especially in the face of suffering, continues to resonate with many people today. To learn more about Pedro’s story please follow this link https://www.pedroballester.org.uk/
How to Contribute to the Cause
You can contribute by:
- Sharing information: Submit accounts, memories, or any knowledge that may help establish Pedro’s reputation for holiness whether positive or otherwise.
- Providing documents: Send any writings attributed to Pedro, including diaries, letters, or other personal materials.
- Offering additional material: If you have already submitted information, further details are welcome.
How to submit:
- Email: tribunal@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
- Post:
Fr Nicholas Paxton
Episcopal Delegate
Cathedral Centre
3 Ford Street
Salford
M3 6DP
All submissions will be carefully considered by the Salford Diocesan Tribunal
Pedro met with Pope Francis in Rome during his treatment for cancer.
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