Born in Catalonia, Spain, she was moved by the lack of schooling for poor girls and began opening schools. She founded the Piarist Sisters in the spirit of Joseph Calasanz and devoted her life to educating girls.
Life
Saint Paula Montal was born in 1799 in Arenys de Mar in Catalonia, Spain. She lost her father as a child and began working early to help her family. She was pained by the reality that so many women and girls of her time received no education.
With companions she opened a school for girls, and in 1847 she founded the Daughters of Mary of the Pious Schools, following the educational spirit of Saint Joseph Calasanz. The congregation devoted itself to the faith, character and learning of girls and spread to many places. She died in 1889 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Spirituality
Paula Montal's spirituality is a love that brings people to life through education. She believed that to renew families and society, women and girls must learn faith and knowledge together. All her life she entrusted children to Our Lady and taught them with patience and joy.
Reflection
Saint Paula opened schools for girls who had no chance to learn. How could you support our parish's Sunday school and Korean language school through prayer or service?