Jaume Catalan in 1972, at the Bell-lloc del Pla agricultural school in Girona.

Jaume Catalan passed away at his home in Girona during the night of September 21–22, 2026. Jaume was one of the first founding members of the Association of Friends of the Pallerols de Rialb to Andorra Trail.

The three attached photos show him on the day the Association was established. It was April 12, 2003.

Jaume in 2003, at the house in Baridà. He is the first person on the left

In 2003, at the Borda de Conorbau. He is the third one from the right

In 2003, at the church of Pallerols. He is the second one from the left

The minutes from that day, preserved in our archives, read as follows:

“Attendees: Jordi Miralbell, Jordi Pérez, Jaume Arnau, Octavio Rico, Ignasi Forcada, Jaume Prenafeta, Ramon Bosch, Jaume Catalan, Josep Antoni Navés, and Jordi Piferrer.

1. We went to the Borda de Conorbau —also known as the *Bordeta «espatllada»* [ruined hut] of Baridà— where Saint Josemaría rested on November 30, 1937. We set out from Noves de Segre at 11:45 a.m. and arrived at the Baridà house at 1:15 p.m. Afterward, we continued to the Borda de Conorbau, arriving at 2:15 p.m. By 4:45 p.m., we were back in Noves de Segre, where we had lunch.

2. Jordi Miralbell discovered the ruins of the Borda de Conorbau —where Saint Josemaría rested on November 30, 1937— so we now have its exact location.

3. According to the brothers Jesús and Francesc Bentanachs —former owners of Baridà who now live in Noves de Segre— the Cortals de Baridà consist basically of three structures: at the lowest point, the Baridà house; slightly higher up, the *Bordeta* of Baridà; and higher still, the *Bordeta «espatllada»* of Baridà, or Borda de Conorbau. From this spot, one can see La Seu d’Urgell and the Conorbau house, which also belonged to the Baridà family.

4. After lunch, we all went to Pallerols, visited the church and the rectory, and the first working group was formed—marking the beginning of the Association of Friends of the Pallerols de Rialb to Andorra Trail.”

That concludes the account of the events that took place on April 12, 2003.

From that moment on, Jaume regularly participated in clearing and marking the trail alongside his friends from Girona: Ramon Bosch, Pep Sarquella, Jesús Domingo, and others who later joined the effort.

Jaume was distinguished above all by his strength and courage in facing challenges, as well as by his optimism.

He loved sports and hiking, though Alzheimer’s disease gradually sapped his strength; for over ten years, he had been unable to participate in trail maintenance work.

His passion for hiking led him to write a series of guidebooks for walking and cycling routes to various shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary within the province of Girona.

Now, from heaven, he will continue to watch over this magnificent trail from Pallerols to Andorra, a path traversed by an ever-growing number of people from all over the world.