St. Rafael Arnáiz Barón

Patron Saint of Diabetics

St. Rafael Arnáiz Barón lived in the beginning of the twentieth century in Spain. After completing college in architectural studies, he decided to join the Trappists in Spain. Not long after entering, he developed diabetes—a disease that would impact the rest of his life. His time studying to join the Trappists was frequently interrupted by both his diabetes and the Spanish Civil War, but he persevered in holiness during these challenging times. Having only completed four years in the order, he received his habit just nine days before he died at age twenty-seven from complications caused by his diabetes. Pope John Paul II declared him a role model for adolescents in our world today because of the humble way he lived his faith throughout his daily life.