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Josep Manyanet i Vives

Josep Manyanet i Vives was a Catalan Roman Catholic priest and founder of the Sons of the Holy Family and the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family. He is remembered for establishing these religious orders to promote devotion to the Holy Family. He was canonized as a saint in 2004.

Country Or Region
Spain

Key Facts

  • Josep Manyanet I Vives was born in Tremp in 1833 and ordained a priest in 1859.
  • He founded the Sons of the Holy Family on June 28, 1864, and a female branch, the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family, on March 19, 1874.
  • He worked with Antoni Gaudí on the construction of a church in Barcelona and founded a school there in 1895.
  • He suffered from prolonged illnesses, including open sores on his side.
  • He died on December 17, 1901, in Barcelona, with his last words being, 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.'
  • He was beatified in 1984 and canonized in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
Birth Year
1833
Death Year
1901
Manner of Death
Venerated In
Religious Order

Sons of the Holy Family, Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family

Canonized By
Pope John Paul II
Canonization Year
2004
Beatified By
Pope John Paul II
Beatification Year
1984
Relics Location
Barcelona

About Josep Manyanet i Vives

Josep Manyanet i Vives (1833–1901) was a Catalan Roman Catholic priest renowned for his profound devotion to the Holy Family. His life's work centered on fostering this devotion and establishing religious communities dedicated to its propagation.

Life and Ministry

Born in Tremp in 1833, Manyanet i Vives experienced early loss with the death of his father in infancy. Guided by his parish priest and educated by the Piarists, he pursued his religious calling through seminaries in Lleida and La Seu d'Urgell. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1859, and served in various pastoral roles, including as an aide to the Bishop of Urgel and a seminary librarian.

His most significant contribution was the founding of religious orders. In 1864, he established the Sons of the Holy Family, a male order, followed by a female branch, the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family, in 1874. These orders were created to spread devotion to the Holy Family. He also collaborated with the architect Antoni Gaudí on a church in Barcelona and founded a school in the city in 1895.

Despite suffering from prolonged illnesses, including open sores that he viewed as "God's mercies," Manyanet i Vives remained dedicated to his mission. He died on December 17, 1901, at the school he founded in Barcelona, with his last words expressing peace with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. His remains are interred in a burial chapel at the same school.

Sainthood

The process for his beatification commenced in Barcelona in 1931. His spiritual writings received theological approval in 1951. Pope Pius XII formally opened his cause in 1956, naming him a Servant of God. Pope John Paul II declared him Venerable in 1982, recognizing his heroic virtue. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Paris on November 25, 1984, following the approval of a miracle involving the cure of Mrs. Francisca Trías Iglesias. The second miracle, necessary for canonization, involved the healing of Sister Manuela Burbano Ortiz. Pope John Paul II canonized Josep Manyanet i Vives as a saint on May 16, 2004, in Saint Peter's Square.

Legacy

Josep Manyanet i Vives is remembered as a zealous priest who dedicated his life to promoting the Holy Family. The religious orders he founded continue to operate worldwide, carrying on his mission of spreading devotion and serving communities.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Josep Manyanet i Vives born and when did he die?

Josep Manyanet i Vives was born in 1833 and died on December 17, 1901.

What religious orders did Josep Manyanet i Vives found?

He founded the Sons of the Holy Family, a male religious order, and the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family, a female branch.

What was Josep Manyanet i Vives' connection to Antoni Gaudí?

Josep Manyanet i Vives worked with the noted architect Antoni Gaudí on the construction of a church in Barcelona.

When was Josep Manyanet i Vives canonized?

He was canonized as a saint in mid-2004 by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square.

Where are the remains of Josep Manyanet i Vives kept?

His remains are kept in a burial chapel at the same school he established in Barcelona where he died.