In the 19th century, in a Catalonia marked by social changes and religious tensions, a man was born who would leave a profound mark on the life of the Church. Saint Francis Coll and Guitart came into the world in 1812 in Gombrèn, and from a young age he felt a clear calling to dedicate his life to God. This inner restlessness led him to join the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, where he found his path as a missionary and tireless preacher.
His life became a constant journey through towns and cities, proclaiming the Gospel with a simple and approachable style, capable of reaching the hearts of the most humble people. He did not seek complicated speeches or grand stages, but direct encounter with people, especially those most in need of hope. His message focused on God’s mercy and on the possibility of a renewed life through faith.
In the midst of this itinerant mission, Saint Francis Coll also understood the importance of education as a way to transform society. Driven by this conviction, in 1856 he promoted a work that would mark the future of many generations: the foundation of the congregation we now know as the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation. That new religious family was born with the mission of accompanying the human and Christian formation of girls and young people, offering not only education but also values, faith, and dignity at a time when education was not accessible to everyone.
Over time, the spirit of Saint Francis Coll remained alive in the life of the Sisters of the Annunciation, who expanded their educational and pastoral work to different parts of the world. Their presence in schools and communities became a concrete way of continuing the dream of their founder, keeping alive the Dominican charism of preaching and the search for truth through education.
Today, within this congregation, the Vocational Year is a special time of listening and discernment. It is an experience designed for young people who feel the desire to search for their path and want to discover whether God is calling them to religious life. During this time, participants gradually enter Dominican spirituality, sharing community life, prayer, and service, while trying to understand more deeply their place in God’s plan.
This process is not only understood as a formative stage, but as an inner journey, where daily life becomes a space for listening, reflecting, and maturing important decisions. Inspired by the charism of Saint Francis Coll, the Vocational Year invites people to look at life more deeply, to open their hearts, and to allow themselves to be accompanied in discernment.
Thus, the story that began in the 19th century with a Dominican passionate about preaching continues today in new forms of dedication and service. The legacy of Saint Francis Coll remains alive in every classroom, every community, and every young person who dares to ask about their vocation, keeping alive a flame that unites past and present in a single mission of love and faith.
