Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi

Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi, also known as Maria Ascension of the Heart of Jesus, Mother Ascension del Corazon de Jesus, and Mother Ascensión Nicol Goñi, was born on 14 March 1868 in Tafalla, Navarre, Spain. She was the youngest of four children in her family.

At the Saint Rose of Lima Dominican boarding school in Huesca, Spain, Florentina received her education. Inspired by her time at the school, she decided to dedicate her life to God and became a Dominican nun in 1885, taking the name Ascensión. She showed great enthusiasm for teaching and began her career as a teacher in 1886.

In 1913, the Spanish state took control of the Saint Rose of Lima boarding school and expelled the sisters. Undeterred by this setback, Ascensión embraced the opportunity to become a missionary in Peru. Alongside eight other sisters, she arrived in Peru on 30 December 1913. Their primary focus was to educate girls and provide care for the poor and sick.

On 5 October 1918, Ascensión co-founded the Dominican Missionaries of the Rosary, a religious congregation aimed at continuing their missionary work. She served as its first superior and dedicated the rest of her life to the congregation and its mission. Today, the Dominican Missionaries of the Rosary have grown to include 785 missionaries operating in 21 different nations.

Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi passed away on 24 February 1940 in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. She died of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service to others. Her tireless dedication and exemplary virtues led Pope John Paul II to officially recognize her heroic virtues on 2 April 2003, resulting in her being venerated. On 14 May 2005, Pope Benedict XVI beatified her, acknowledging her as Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi. The beatification ceremony was celebrated by Cardinal Saraiva Martins in Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.