From Andorra to Peru to collaborate professionally in the human and Christian promotion of the people of the Peruvian Andes
Last April 2, Paco Coll, the first Andorran of Opus Dei, died in Cañete (Peru) at the age of 88.
Francesc (Paco) Coll Canut was born in Escaldes (Andorra) on January 9, 1935. His parents ran the Burgos Bar in this parish for a few years.
On the morning of December 2, 1937, Saint Josemaria Escrivà de Balaguer arrived in Andorra through Mas d’Alins -after crossing rivers and mountains on foot for 100 km- seeking the necessary freedom to continue spreading the message of the call universal to holiness in ordinary life, which God had entrusted to him in 1928, together with the foundation of Opus Dei.
On December 3, the day after arriving in Andorra, Saint Josemaria entered the Bar Burgos. At the edge of the counter, the mistress of the house was holding a two-year-old baby -who was Paco Coll- and who was celebrating his saint that very day. Saint Josemaria greeted them affectionately, held the child for a moment, and gave him a sugar that had been served with the coffee. This mother was well impressed by the affection of this unknown priest at that time.
Over the years, Paco Coll would get to know Opus Dei and in 1954 he would ask for admission. A short time later he would be one of the faithful of Opus Dei who would go to the prelature of Yauyos (Peru) with Mons. Ignacio Orbegozo to support the work of evangelization and social and human promotion in those lands that the Holy See wanted to entrust to Opus Dei in 1957.
Together with other faithful of Opus Dei they would promote Radio ERPA, a basic literacy initiative in that mountainous area of the Andes.
Later, in 1965, he would collaborate in the beginnings of Valle Grande, a technical and professional training center, with the desire to contribute to the well-being of the families of Cañete and Yauyos. It is now a Higher Education Center of recognized prestige throughout Peru.
He will help us from heaven in the work we do to promote this “Andorra Way” which follows in the footsteps that Saint Josemaria started in that distant year in 1937.
Gran exemple !
Gracies per els moments de tertúlies al “Palau”, amb la teva guitarra i el millor somriure.
Molt emocionant!!
Gràcies per la informacio histórica. Precios i santificador el rebre noticias de gent amb esperit de ajuda als altres
Estupendo reportaje. Muchas gracias Paco !!
Quina història tan maca, no la coneixia. Moltes gràcies per compartir-la!
Conocí a Paco, allá por el año 2000, cuando residíamos en Chincha, muy cerca a Cañete. Organizó con su compañero de toda la vida en esta ciudad, don José Alberto. El viaje en peregrinación del año 2002 a Roma, para la canonización de San Josemaria; viajamos 100 Cañetanos, hicimos la romería mariana por Europa y participamos de la canonización, muchas anécdotas y gratos recuerdos. Ya estás en el cielo, Paco, gracias por todo. Pedimos tu intercesión por seguir luchando aquí en todo nuestro apostolado.
He conocido a los tres y me siento afortunado por ello.