Paula de Jesús Gil Cano

The turning point of her life occurred on October 15, 1879, during the terrible flooding of the Segura River, known as the "riada de Santa Teresa." This natural disaster devastated the plain of Murcia, claiming hundreds of victims and leaving many children orphaned and homeless. Faced with this tragedy, an association of ladies from Murcia decided to found a makeshift orphanage to take in the affected young girls, but they lacked the staff to care for them on a daily basis. They requested help from the Casa de Misericordia in Cartagena. Paula responded immediately to this call. On December 8, 1879, she settled in Murcia in a house on Calle Aguadores (now Calle Gómez Cortina) to take care of the first orphans. Her dedication and that of her companions quickly attracted the attention of the inhabitants and ecclesiastical authorities. The Bishop of Cartagena, Msgr. Mariano Alguacil, advised them to structure their action in the form of a religious community and entrusted them to the spiritual direction of the Franciscan father Francisco Manuel Malo (OFM). On January 1, 1880, they received the blue Franciscan habit (symbol of the Immaculate Conception). The institute was officially established on October 15, 1880, under the name Hermanas Franciscanas de la Purísima Concepción (Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception). After the death of Father Malo in 1892, Mother Paula assumed full direction of the institute. Under her leadership, the congregation experienced rapid development and diversified its activities: beyond welcoming orphans, the sisters dedicated themselves to the education of young girls, the care of the sick in hospitals, and the accompaniment of the elderly. Paula founded numerous communities throughout Spain (notably in Murcia, Ondara, Valdepeñas, Almagro, Consuegra, Orihuela, Mora, Herencia, Madrid, and Mazarrón). She distinguished herself particularly by her heroic courage during the cholera epidemic that struck Murcia in 1885, caring for the sick herself at their bedside. The congregation received the decree of approval (Decretum laudis) from Pope Leo XIII on July 6, 1901, becoming an institute of pontifical right. Its Constitutions were definitively approved by Pope Pius X in 1903.

The reputation for holiness of Mother Paula de Jesús Gil Cano has been maintained well after her death. The process for her canonization officially began in the Diocese of Cartagena (Murcia) on November 14, 1995. The diocesan inquiry collected testimonies and examined her writings before being solemnly closed on October 11, 1997. The cause was then transferred to Rome, to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, for the examination of the Positio detailing the heroic nature of her virtues.

On July 7, 2017, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Paula de Jesús Gil Cano, thereby conferring upon her the title of Venerable. For her beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession is required by the Catholic Church.

The spirituality of the Venerable Paula is deeply rooted in the Franciscan and Marian charism. It is characterized by a joyful humility, a rigorous evangelical poverty, and a filial love for the Virgin Mary under the title of the Most Pure Conception. Her action was guided by the principle of active charity, consisting of giving without expecting anything in return, always fading into the background behind the work accomplished. Upon her death, which occurred on January 18, 1913, at the Mother House in Murcia following a long battle with tuberculosis, she left behind a solid and rapidly expanding congregation. Today, the Franciscan Sisters of the Most Pure Conception perpetuate her legacy through schools, orphanages, hospitals, and retirement homes. The congregation is present on three continents: Europe, Africa, and America. The mortal remains of the foundress rest in the chapel of the San Carlos hospital community in Murcia.