Venerable Luis Amigó Ferrer

José María Amigó Ferrer (17 October 1854 – 1 October 1934) was a Spanish Roman Catholic who served as the Bishop of Segorbe. He was also a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor - also known as the Capuchin order — and was also the founder of two religious orders: the Capuchin Tertiary Fathers and Brothers of Our Lady of Sorrows on 12 April 1889, and the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family. He later assumed the name of "Luis from Masamagrell". Ferrer was proclaimed to be Venerable on 13 June 1992 after Pope John Paul II had recognized the fact that he had lived a life of heroic virtue. A miracle attributed to his intercession is now under investigation for his beatification. José María Amigó Ferrer was born on 17 October 1854 in Valencia. He made his First Communion in 1866 at the age of twelve and became a member of several associations that promoted apostolic work among the marginalized. He often visited the sick to cheer them up with his friends. It was doing this that matured within him the vocation to religious life. The death of Ferrer's parents prevented him — albeit for a brief period — from following his vocation. It was later with some friends that he dreamed of becoming a member of the Order of Friars Minor and at the age of 20 began philosophical studies in addition to humanities in Valencia. He assumed the Franciscan habit on 12 April 1874 with the name of "Luis of Masamagrell". He made his solemn profession on 21 April 1878. In 1879 he was transferred to Santander where he was ordained to the priesthood on 29 March 1879. He devoted his time to preaching and hearing confessions. In August 1881 he was sent to a convent where he served as the vice-master of novices and he spent his time focusing on children and the abandoned. On 11 May 1885 he established a Capuchin order for the education and welfare of girls. On 12 April 1889 he established a second Capuchin congregation for males.