Josep Tous Soler

Deeply touched by the material and spiritual distress of children from the working classes, particularly young girls neglected during the era of industrialization, Father Josep Tous Soler conceived the project of a Christian educational work. In March 1850, encouraged by three young women eager to dedicate themselves to teaching (Remei Palos Casanova, Isabel Jubal, and Marta Suñol) and with the authorization of the Bishop of Vic, Msgr. Luciano Casadevall, he founded a new community in Ripoll. For these religious women, he drafted constitutions adapted from the Rule of Saint Clare of Assisi and the writings of Blessed Maria Angela Astorch. The first school opened its doors on May 27, 1850, in Ripoll. The institute took the name of Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd (Hermanas Capuchinas de la Madre del Divino Pastor). On December 22, 1858, the motherhouse was transferred to Capellades. Under the attentive spiritual and administrative guidance of Father Josep, the congregation developed rapidly, founding new schools and communities in Barcelona and Madrid to provide free instruction and Christian education to poor young girls. Father Josep Tous Soler died suddenly on February 27, 1871, in Barcelona, while celebrating Mass in the chapel of the congregation's college.

The reputation for holiness of Father Josep Tous Soler was maintained after his death, carried by the sisters of his congregation and the Catalan faithful. On February 18, 1992, the Holy See granted the nihil obstat decree, marking the official opening of his cause for beatification in Barcelona. On December 22, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, conferring upon him the title of Venerable. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree recognizing the authenticity of a miracle attributed to his intercession (the scientifically inexplicable healing of a sick person), thus paving the way for his beatification.

Father Josep Tous Soler was solemnly beatified on April 25, 2010, at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona (Spain). The ceremony was presided over, in the name of Pope Benedict XVI, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State. His liturgical memorial is set for May 27, the anniversary of the opening of the congregation's first school in 1850. He is also commemorated on February 27 (the day of his death) in the Roman Martyrology.

The spirituality of Blessed Josep Tous Soler is characterized by deep humility, joyful poverty, and absolute trust in Divine Providence, summarized by his motto: "Faith and trust in God." Despite the trials of exile, imprisonment, and the suppression of his order, he never manifested bitterness, embodying an exquisite charity and a great capacity to bear the limitations of others. His devotion was centered on Christ crucified, the Eucharist (he died, in fact, at the altar), and the Virgin Mary, invoked under the title of Mother of the Divine Shepherd (the Divine Shepherdess). He exhorted his sisters to "spread into the tender hearts of children the holy thoughts and devout affections that God communicated to them in prayer." Today, the Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd continue his charism of integral education and assistance to the most destitute in Spain, Latin America, and Africa.