Juan Morera Coll, known as Fray Casiano María de Madrid, was born on October 20, 1892, in Madrid, Spain, to parents Juan Morera and María Coll Audini. At around three months of age, his mother moved to Barcelona, where he spent his childhood and youth. Despite a short trip to Cuba with his mother, Juan grew up in a deeply religious household. From an early age, he displayed a strong calling for a convent life and a wholehearted dedication to serving God.
Life in the Convent
As soon as his age allowed, Juan Morera joined the Capuchin Fathers’ Convent in Tarragona. His true essence was revealed there, as he saw his obligations not as sacrifices but as a simple fulfillment of his devotion to God and his vocation.
Before taking his vows, he experienced a spiritual crisis and considered becoming a Carthusian or a Hospitaller. The former seemed suited to his timid and contemplative nature, while the latter aligned with his inclination towards charity and provided an opportunity to practice benevolence. On December 5, 1913, after three years of temporary vows, Juan Morera donned the habit, and on July 7, 1918, he made his perpetual vows.
Upon becoming a friar, he chose the religious name Casiano, in honor of Saint Casiano, a Capuchin martyr. Adding “María de Madrid” to his name honored his origins and devotion to the Virgin Mary. Despite a wealthy relative’s offer to support his move to a Belgian abbey, he declined, feeling unfit for such a responsibility. He worked for years at the Seraphic School and was later transferred to America.
Arrival in Costa Rica
A brief overview of Fray Casiano’s life is essential, along with a historical account of the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi and its role in Costa Rica.
The Order of Saint Francis of Assisi was founded by Francis of Bernardone (1182-1226), known as Saint Francis of Assisi, born in Assisi, Italy. After a series of life-changing events, including a year of imprisonment and an illness during his military service, he renounced his inheritance and worldly possessions. Upon his return, he began preaching and attracted a small following, forming an order in 1209 that would bear his name: the Franciscan Order.
This Order emphasized renunciation of material wealth and a life of simple austerity. The Capuchins, a branch of the Franciscan Order founded by Matteo de Bassi in 1525, aimed to strictly follow Saint Francis’ rule, which had been somewhat diluted since its inception.
The first Franciscans arrived in the Americas with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. The Franciscan friars accompanying Columbus were from the Order of Saint Jerome and the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi, led by Father Boil. These early friars began evangelizing the indigenous population, and by 1500, around three thousand indigenous people had been baptized.
Father Juan Estrada Rávago arrived in America in 1550 and became the first Franciscan missionary in Costa Rica in 1560, along with Father Betanzos. Estrada Rávago initially struggled with his evangelization efforts but later became a significant figure in spreading Christianity in Costa Rica.
In 1565, King Philip II issued royal decrees favoring the establishment of the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi in Costa Rica, with official support from the Spanish crown. These decrees laid the foundation for the Order’s presence in Costa Rica. Franciscan missions continued to be sent to the Americas, including Costa Rica, throughout the colonial period.
Fray Casiano’s Arrival
In 1925, a new Franciscan mission was sent from Spain to America, including Fray Casiano María de Madrid. He arrived in Colón, Panama, in 1925, where he stayed for a few months before being transferred to Cartago, Costa Rica.
On December 24, 1925, Fray Agapito de Olot was sent to Puntarenas as the parish priest, and Fray Casiano was appointed his assistant. They established themselves in Puntarenas in 1926. Fray Casiano, at the age of 34, quickly became popular in the port town and began his work in catechesis, sharing his deep love for the Christian faith with children and their families.
His Literary Pursuits
Aside from his religious duties, Fray Casiano had a passion for literature. His library contained religious, psychological, and contemporary books, reflecting his diverse intellectual interests. He also enjoyed writing, although he did not specialize in any particular genre or literary style. He composed verses of religious and non-religious nature and also wrote prose pieces. His writings included poems like “¿Qué has hecho volcán Irazú?” and “Para servir a la Iglesia que es mi madre,” as well as historical works, such as a short biography of Father Enrique de Tolosa.
His Love for Children
Fray Casiano dedicated his life to serving orphaned and disadvantaged children. He poured all the love in his heart into nurturing and caring for them. He believed in the potential of every child and sought to provide them with a better life. His deep compassion extended to children from broken families and those in need of guidance and support. His devotion to children was evident in his interactions with them, his efforts to provide for their needs, and his commitment to ensuring their well-being.
His Passing
For several years, Fray Casiano struggled with a cardiac condition. Despite his health challenges, he continued to rise early every day to seek support for the children under his care. He often meditated by the seashore, engaging in conversations with God before returning with the serenity of a saint to carry on his daily mission of nurturing and guiding the children. He was always seen in his tattered habit, smiling because he knew the children he cared for had full bellies.
Before his death, Fray Casiano desired to see the Virgin of Montserrat again. To fulfill this wish, he planned a trip to Barcelona, Spain. A fundraising campaign was organized to collect money for his journey. Although his cardiac condition prevented him from traveling by plane, he would travel by ship on June 30, 1965. Tragically, on June 28, 1965, one day before his scheduled departure to San José, he was found dead in his cell at the age of 73. Few knew that he had engaged in acts of self-mortification, flagellating his body with a metal cilice and using sharp objects on his arms.
The Puntarenas community mourned his passing, irrespective of social status. Thousands paid their respects to him, and he was laid to rest at the Hogar Montserrat, surrounded by the affection of those who admired and cherished him. Fray Casiano’s legacy lives on in every corner of the Hogar Montserrat, where he devoted his life to nurturing children and serving those in need.