Blessed Modestus was born (Modesto Garcia Marti) at Albocacer in the diocese of Tortosa and the Province of Cesellon de la Plana on January 18, 1880. He was the third in a religious family of seven children, his parents being Don Francisco Garcia and Dona Joaquina Marti. He was baptized on January 19, 1880, in the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Albocacer.

As a boy, he entered the Capuchin Seraphic seminary of the Valencia province at Massamagrell, and was clothed in the habit in the same friary on January 1, 1896. He made temporary profession on January 3, 1897 and made perpetual vows on January 6, 1900. He completed his study of philosophy at Orihuela and of theology at Massamagrell, and was ordained priest on December 19, 1903. The major part ofhis apostolic ministry was conducted as a missionary in Colombia in the custody of Bogota. On his return to Valencia, he was appointed guardian and held the post over several years.

Those who knew him speak of him as a priest devoted to preaching, and to giving retreats and spiritual direction. These were among his favorite occupations. In the words of those who lived with him; “his favorite apostolate” says Pilar Bletran, “was preaching spiritual exercises and the direction of souls. I never heard any criticisms about the way he acted”.

He enjoyed a reputation for holiness both inside the friary and among the faithful. “He was peaceful by temperament. His most notable quality,” observes Daniel Garcia, “was his friendliness. He had a good reputation among his fellow friars and among the faithful. He faithfully observed the Franciscan Rule and constitutions.”

At the time of the revolution, he was guardian of the friary at Olleria (Valencia), where “the community was violently dissolved, the friary and the church were destroyed by fire, the pine grove belonging to the friary was cut down, the surrounding walls destroyed so that everything was reduced to nothing”.

When communications were restored, Blessed Modestus went to his village and took refuge in the home of his sister Teresa, together with his brother, Mosen Miguel, parish priest of Torrembesora. For greater safety they find they fled to the “La Masa” farmhouse where he was captured by armed militiamen.

Blessed Modestus “gave himself up meekly and humbly” says Arturo Madell, “and without any protest.” His attitude during this period” says Pilar Beltran, “was one of total abandonment to the Lord and his way of life was exemplary”

He was killed at four in the afternoon on August 13, near the “Valle” basin between Albocacer and the “Masa” farmhouse, about 600 meters from the latter, on the road leading from it to the village.

After the liberation of Albocacer, the remains of Blessed Modestus were exhumed and his skull was found to be pierced through by a large nail. According to the testimony of Felipe Mateu, his remains “were buried in the common pit in the vikllage cemetery, and now rest in a niche in the same cemetery.”

Blessed Modestus of Albocacer of the Franciscan Capuchin Order from Valencia Spain is one of the thousands of Priests and religious martyred during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 for the hatred of the Faith. He and other Capuchin martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II on March 11, 2001 along with 240 other martyrs.