Fr.
Eduardo of the Child Jesus (Eduardo Farre Masip y Soler) was born April 20,
1897, in Torms in the Province of Lerida. The last-born of three, his mother
died upon giving birth to him. He was known to be a very serious child and was
not as playful as other children his age. It seemed that growing up without a
mother’s love had affected him. This could have contributed to his introverted
personality and character. His intelligence made him apt for studies.
Eduardo
served as an altar boy for two years at the chapel of the Dominican nuns with
Fr. Coll, OP. At the age of ten, he entered the minor seminary to begin his
studies in the Humanities in which he excelled. When he was twelve years old,
he was taken by a priest friend of the family, Fr. Deogracias, to the Carmelite
monastery in Tarragona to continue his studies.
He
entered the novitiate in Tarragona at the age of fifteen and made his first
profession on August 10, 1913, and solemn vows in 1916. As a student, Eduardo
demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for literature. His poems were recognized
by the Academia Mariana of Lerida and won prizes at Juegos Florales of San
Andres-Barcelona.
Completing
his studies in 1919, Eduardo was eight months away from the required age to he
ordained. He was dispensed from this requirement, was ordained by Bishop Jose
Miralles Shert in Lerida on June 13, 1920, and celebrated his first Mass at the
Carmelite nuns’ monastery in Lerida.
That
same year, he was assigned to Durango and remained there for three years.At
this time, religious persecution in Mexico had targeted Fr. Eduardo; and he had
to find refuge urgently. Friends of his were able to help him flee the country
to the United States by disguising him as a newspaper reporter mounted on
horseback.
Through
donations that he received for his preaching and ministry, he was able to pay
for his journey to Tucson.
The Province assigned Fr.
Eduardo prior of the monastery in Washington, DC, which had been inaugurated
and blessed by Bishop Thomas Shanahan in the presence of Fr. José Maria Isasi
and Fr. Pascasio on the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila on October 15, 1916.
As prior in 1927, he faced critical issues regarding the running and operation
of some properties there, which he was able to solve with the help of God.
After
spending nine years in the Americas, Fr. Eduardo returned to Spain for the
Provincial Chapter in 1930 where he was elected to the General Chapter as an
associate.
Although he was elected
superior of the Carmelite monastery in Washington, DC, for a third term, he
declined to take the position offered him and instead went to Guatemala to
investigate the possibilities of establishing a Carmelite presence there. By
the next Provincial Chapter in May 1936, he was elected prior of the monastery
in Tarragona.
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