Paula Montal Fornés facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintPaula Montal Fornés |
|
|---|---|
Photograph.
|
|
| Religious | |
| Born | 11 October 1799 Areyns de Mar, Barcelona, Spain |
| Died | 26 February 1889 (aged 89) Olesa de Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 18 April 1993, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 25 November 2001, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 26 February |
| Attributes | Religious habit |
| Patronage |
|
Paula Montal Fornés (born October 11, 1799 – died February 26, 1889) was a Spanish nun. She was also known as Paula of Saint Joseph Calasanz. She started a group of nuns called the Sisters of the Pious Schools.
Paula spent her life as a teacher in Barcelona, Spain. She opened schools for many people in the area. When she was ten, her father died. This meant she had to help her mother raise her younger brothers and sisters. Once her siblings were grown, she was free to follow her dream of serving God. She and a friend started opening schools. Later, she created a religious group to help run these schools and open more across Spain.
Many years after her death, the process to make Paula Montal Fornés a saint began. In 1988, the Church recognized her great goodness. This meant she was called "Venerable." Pope John Paul II declared her "Blessed" on April 18, 1993. He then made her a saint on November 25, 2001.
Her Early Life and Dream
Paula Montal Fornés was born on October 11, 1799. She was the oldest of five daughters. Her father died when she was only ten years old. Because of this, Paula had to work to help her mother. She made lace and sewed clothes to support her family. She also helped care for other children in her church community.
In 1829, Paula wanted to dedicate her life to God. She and her friend, Inés Busquets, opened a school in Girona. Their goal was to give both a regular education and a spiritual education to children who needed it most.
Opening Schools for Girls
The school in Girona quickly became very successful. Because of this, Paula was able to open another school in her hometown in May 1842. She opened yet another school in Sabadell in 1846.
Paula started her own religious order, the Sisters of the Pious Schools, on February 2, 1847. This was to help staff and manage her growing number of schools. When she officially became a nun, she took the name "Paula of Saint Joseph Calasanz." Her friends Inés Busquets, Felicia Clavell, and Francisca de Domingo also joined her. The Archbishop of Barcelona approved her new order. Later, in 1860, Pope Pius IX also gave his official approval.
Paula continued to work hard to set up her order across Spain. Priests from the Piarist order, Jacinto Felíu and Agustín Casanovas, helped her organize her new group of nuns. Paula founded a total of seven schools. These included schools in Figueras (1829), Blanes (1854), Igualda (1849), and Masnou (1852). She also helped start four more schools, like one in Sóller (1857). On December 15, 1859, she opened a school in Barcelona. She lived and worked there for the rest of her life.
Paula Montal Fornés passed away in 1889 in the Barcelona school she had founded. By 2005, her order had 732 nuns in 108 houses. They were working in many countries, including Guinea-Bissau and Japan.
Becoming a Saint
The journey to sainthood for Paula Montal Fornés began in 1957. All information about her life was collected in Barcelona. People who knew her also shared their stories. This process gave her the title "Servant of God."
Church historians and theologians carefully reviewed her life and writings. In 1988, Pope John Paul II officially recognized her great goodness and strong faith. She was then called "Venerable".
For someone to become "Blessed" (beatified), the Church usually needs to confirm a miracle happened because of their prayers. A miracle linked to Paula was investigated. Medical experts, theologians, and Church officials all agreed it was a miracle. Pope John Paul II approved this miracle in 1992. He then declared her "Blessed" on April 18, 1993, in Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.
To become a full saint (canonized), a second miracle is usually needed. Another miracle was investigated. It was said to have happened in 1993 in Colombia to an eight-year-old girl named Natalia García Mora. This miracle was also carefully reviewed and approved by medical experts and Church officials. Pope John Paul II approved this second miracle in 2000. He officially made Paula Montal Fornés a saint on November 25, 2001, in Saint Peter's Basilica.
See also
In Spanish: Paula Montal para niños
