Santa Paula Montal

Paula Montal was born on October 11, 1799 in Arenys de Mar. Your life can be divided into three distinct stages, interestingly 30 years each.

The first relates to his childhood and youth and developed entirely in his native town, Arenys de Mar. Paula was the eldest of 9 brothers and the sudden death of her father when she was 10 years brought about a radical change in his life because he had to get to work "puntaire" (with bobbin) to help her mother raise her family.

It was a difficult time: Revolutionary War, the reign of Fernando VII ... in which the woman was always in the background in relation to man, but Paula made good time and not only learned "the work of their sex" but also learned to read, count and write. He also discovered as an urgent need of the Church, the Christian education of girls and the promotion of women, so chose to dedicate his life to that task.

The second time defines its activity as founder of the Piarist. In 1829 in Figueres founded a school for girls. From the beginning its work is recognized by local authorities, civil and ecclesiastical appreciate both the educational progress of students and their apostolic work. In Figueres (1829-1842) Paula and her fellow educators strengthen their Christian vocation.

In 1842 Paula, aware of the situation in his native town, open a second school in Arenys. Result of contact established with the Piarists of Mataro, knows the work of St. Joseph Calasanz. This knowledge is increased when in 1846 founded another school in Sabadell and consolidates its work by adopting as their own constitutions Calasanz.

Gradually begins to establish new schools, usually at the request of local authorities. Schools dedicated to teaching women at that time was cultural and economic well below the man.

Personally founded schools in Igualada (1849), El Vendrell (1850), El Masnou (1852), Olesa of Montserrat (1859) and promotes the opening of schools in Girona (1853), Blanes (1854), Barcelona (1857) and Soller (1857).

The third stage (1859-1889) includes your stay in Olesa de Montserrat, working hard with the girls. Olesa was the last foundation that made Mother Paula personally. In this era were founded, among other schools in Alcira (1877) and Valencia (1886).

One day, when asked what he intended from the beginning?, Said: "Save the family teaching girls the holy love of God"

• Mother Paula died in Olesa of Montserrat on 26 February 1889.
• His beatification process began on May 3, 1957
• It was declared "venerable" on 28 November 1988
• His beatification took place in Rome on April 18, 1993
• She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in Rome on November 25, 2001
• The educational work of Santa Paula Montal continues today in the Church, particularly through more than 800 Pious Schools, distributed in 112 communities that educate about 30,000 students in 19 nations on four continents, for "the promotion of women" and that is really the "civilization of love"