On Tuesday the 9th of December, the Holy Father approved several miracles and declarations of heroic virtue, moving nine people closer to canonization. One of the miracles was attributed to the intercession of Blessed Francesco Coll y Guitart O.P.
Francesco was born in Spain in 1812. He received his early education in the Diocesan Seminary of Vic and received the Dominican habit in Genoa in 1830. The Order was expelled from Genoa in 1835 by a hostile government. He was ordained the following year and would spend the next forty years preaching across Catalonia and living a life of exceptional austerity. He was named Director of the Secular Order of Dominican Tertiaries in 1850.
In 1856 he founded the Congregation of the Dominican Nuns of the Annunciation, for the care of the poor and the marginalised. In his final years his health and eyesight began to fail and he was cared for by the nuns of his congregation. He died in 1875 at the age of 62. His remains lie in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the congregation he founded. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1979.
Is it really helpful to have 'saints'?
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to have godzdogz in Spanish. Por favor. Gracias
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the helpfulness of Saints: From the earliest days of the Church; individuals have been identified as examples of true witness to Christ. The forms of this witness range from martyrdom to lives of heroic virtue. These real people should be an inspiration for all us. Our Lord tells us that we can follow him. These people, from all walks of life, show that it is possible to bear the cross and follow Jesus. Saints are also helpful on another level. They can pray and intercede for us and you can never have too many people praying for you!
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