Balbino of Carmel was born on March 7, 1865 in Fresno, a province of Avila (Spain) to Lorenzo Sánchez and Balbina Mayorga. Two days after his birth he was baptized with the names of Ildefonso-Thomas. He received the sacrament of Confirmation in his hometown on November 11, 1876. In due course he zealously made his first communion.
At the age of 16 he entered the novitiate of the Discalced Carmelites in Larrea (Vizcaya) on January 29, 1881. From that day he was called by the religious name of Br. Balbino of Carmel.
On January 3, 1882, he made his simple profession. He soon decided to attend the school of philosophy in Burgos. Once he completed his courses in philosophy, he was assigned to the College of Alba de Tormes (Salamanca) to study dogmatic and moral theology..
On the 22nd of February 1885, he professed his solemn vows.
At the tomb of the Holy Mother, he progressed in virtue and science, preparing with trepidation to receive priestly ordination. This occurred on August 14, 1887. The next day, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, he solemnly celebrated his first Mass at the Isabeles Church in Alba de Tormes.
In December 1888 he was sent to Cuba. In the Provincial Chapter of May 1891, he was appointed Prior of that same community until 1894.
He died in Avila on May 12, 1934.
The decree on his heroic virtue was promulgated on September 7, 1989.
