Francisco Coll Guitart

Francisco Coll Guitart (1812–1875) was a Spanish Catholic priest of the Order of Preachers, revered today as Saint Francisco Coll Guitart. He is primarily remembered as the founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a congregation dedicated to education and charitable works.

Life and Ministry

Born in Gombrèn, Catalonia, in 1812, Francisco Coll Guitart came from humble origins. He entered the seminary at Vic at the age of ten and later joined the Dominican Order in Girona in 1830. His formation and early ministry were significantly impacted by the suppression of religious orders in Spain in 1835, which disrupted the traditional structures of religious life. Despite these challenges, he was ordained a Dominican priest on March 28, 1836. Coll's pastoral work was characterized by a simple, cordial, and understandable preaching style, with a strong emphasis on devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Rosary. He served in parishes in Artés and Moià, and as a missionary in various dioceses of Catalonia, earning a reputation as an effective preacher. During the Carlist Wars, he established charitable organizations to assist refugees and ministered to those affected by cholera outbreaks.

Founding the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation

In 1856, Coll Guitart founded a congregation of Dominican sisters, known as the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (La Annunciata). This group was established as a teaching congregation, with sisters from humble backgrounds obtaining teaching qualifications. The primary focus was to serve children and adolescents in need, initially working in public schools in rural Catalonia. However, due to socio-political unrest, particularly the revolution of 1868, the nuns were forced to found private schools, often under the protection of textile factories. After establishing centers in Catalonia, the congregation expanded its work to mining areas in Asturias and towns in Castile and La Mancha. By the time of Coll Guitart's death, the congregation had grown to 300 sisters across 50 communities, a significant achievement given the anti-religious climate in Spain at the time. The congregation later established its first overseas base in Argentina in 1908, and by 1955, began missionary activities in Central America, eventually expanding to Peru and Chile, and now operating across multiple continents.

Later Years and Legacy

Coll Guitart divided his later years between his missionary activities and overseeing the organization of his congregation. In 1869, he suffered a stroke that led to his declining health and blindness. He died on April 2, 1875. The suppression of religious orders was lifted in 1872, allowing for their return to Spain. The Dominican Order recognized that Coll Guitart had diligently maintained the structures of the Order during its suppression, enabling its continued pastoral mission. His dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity are considered remarkable aspects of his life. His teachings and legacy continue to flourish through the ongoing work of the Annunciata Sisters.

Veneration

The process for his canonization began in 1928. His spiritual writings were approved by theologians in 1937, and his cause was formally opened in 1941, granting him the title Servant of God. A miraculous healing attributed to his intercession in 1958 paved the way for his beatification, presided over by Pope John Paul II on April 29, 1979. A second miracle was recognized in 2008, leading to his canonization by Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Square on October 11, 2009. His liturgical feast day is observed on May 19, the date of his baptism.