Fr. Bernat Nicolau Mesquida was born on 6 June 1940 in Porreres, Mallorca. The son of + Miguel Nicolau Maimó and + Micaela Mesquida Picornell, he was the second of three brothers. He was baptized on 10 June1940 and confirmed on 19 May 1942.
He received the Franciscan habit on 6 May 1956 in La Porciúncula and spent his novitiate year in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Cura. He made his temporary profession on 19 July 1957 and professed his solemn vows at La Porciúncula on 18 July 1963. Between 22 December 1962 and 8 June 8 1963, he received the minor orders. On 16 March 1964, he received the order of the Subdiaconate, followed by the Diaconate on 20 January 1965 in Palma. On 20 March 20 1965, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica of San Francisco de Palma by Mons. Francisco Planas, Bishop of Ibiza.
He studied humanities and the first course in philosophy at La Porciúncula, the second in philosophy and four courses in theology in Palma. After his ordination in 1965, he was assigned to La Porciúncula as Professor and Inspector of the Minor Seminary.
In 1970, he was assigned to the United States of America, serving at the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Wichita Falls, Texas, as vicar coadjutor and treasurer of the fraternity. In September 1973, he was appointed local minister and treasurer and, upon closing this fraternity, in 1975, he was assigned to the city of Temple, Texas as local minister and parish priest of the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe of that city. From 1989 to 1993, he continued as pastor of the same parish. Later, he was assigned to the parish of All Saints of Fort Worth, Texas as parish vicar. At the Congregation of 2001, he was assigned to the Fraternity of San Buenaventura de Llucmajor, Mallorca, as parish vicar of the parishes of Sant Miquel de Llucmajor and Sant Jaume de S’Estanyol and treasurer of the fraternity.
At the Congregation of 2005, while continuing as a member of the fraternity of San Buenaventura de Llucmajor, he was appointed parish priest of the parish of San Francisco de Asís del Pil.larí and at the Congregation of 2009 he was appointed administrator of said fraternity and placed in charge of worship at the Conventual Church of San Francisco de Inca.
In July 2015, he was assigned to the Provincial Infirmary of La Porciúncula.
Fr. Bernat was always a person of good heart and fulfilled his obligations. This was manifested in the various destinations that obedience assigned to him. Simplicity was one of his virtues. Naturally, he knew how to relate to his brothers and parishioners with whom he served in different parishes, mainly during his stay of more than twenty years in the United States and, upon his return to Mallorca, in his last ministry in the Parish of the Pil.lari.
When it was required for him to be serious, he was serious, but he also took part, with pleasure, in recreational or fun activities.
He endured the onslaught of his last illness with patience and rigidity until Sister Death called him on Thursday, 23 July 2019.