The natural priest of Banyeres de Mariola dies, D. Antonio M.A.. Belda Martinez, first parish priest of San José de Moncada
Don Antonio Belda Martínez passed away on Friday morning 13 of January of 2023 at the age of 96 years. was born on 11 November 1926 in Banyeres de Mariola, He was ordained priest 29 June 1951, celebrating his first mass in our Parish, the 1 July of that same year. He is a member of the Font Bona Cultural Association (Local Studies Center) and co-author of the publication "Parish Church of Banyeres de Mariola".
His first destination was the Parish of San Jaime Apóstol in Algemesí, there he served as Parochial Vicar. Four years later, the 25 August 1955, he was appointed parish priest, first, of the San José de Moncada Parish and has remained in office until the 92 years, and for three years as emeritus-retired. The motto of the college he founded, Diocesan College of San Jose, reza: “For the study, The science, work and prayer one reaches the fullness of the children of God ".
D. Antonio was the one who got and gave the pipe organ above the gate to our Parish of Our Lady of Mercy. He has always had a great love for his native parish, as well as his two martyred uncles Agustín and Mauricio Martínez Ribera.
Thursday 19 from January, In the parish church of San José de Moncada the funeral mass was celebrated and his burial in front of the steps of the main altar. The celebration was chaired by D. Enrique Benavent Vidal, Sr. Archbishop of Valencia and concelebrated by twenty-four priests.
his nieces, cousins and children of their cousins, they were sitting in the first pews. Our deepest condolences to the family, the parish community of San José de Moncada and the San José Diocesan College of the same town.
Rest in peace.
