Dorotea de Chopitea

Antonia Dorotea de Chopitea de Villota (4 June 1816, Santiago, Chile – 3 April 1891, Barcelona, Spain) was a Chile-born philanthropist and social worker based in Barcelona. She is considered the principal patroness and the most important social work promoter in Barcelona in the 19th century. She was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 9 June 1983.

Life Antonia Dorotea de Chopitea de Villota was born on 4 June 1816 in Santiago, Chile, to Pedro Nicolás de Chopitea and Isabel de Villota. Her father was a royalist and after the proclamation of Independence of Chile his assets were confiscated. In 1819, the family was forced in to move to Spain and settled in Barcelona. The marriage was against the will of Chopitea's parents. Her husband later was among the founders of the Bank of Barcelona and the Maquinista Terrestre y Maritima, One of the daughters died when she was 16. She founded hospitals, residences, schools and asylum rooms, where working mothers could leave their children, and workshops to teach craft to young people. It is estimated that in total around 30 foundations were the result of Chopitea's and her husband's charity. After the death of her husband in 1882, Chopitea donated a half of what she had inherited from him to the poor. Pope John Paul I declared her Venerable on 9 June 1983.

On the occasion of bicentenary of Chopitea's birth a documentary Dorothy de Chopitea, a lady of Barcelona was shot. The objective of the film is to advocate her legacy and reveal her personality to spread information about her contributions.

List of foundations

Temples (5) Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón Iglesia de San José Santuario y Parroquia de María Auxiliadora Basílica y Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón Parroquía de San Eugenio I Papa

Schools (15) Sagrat Cor-Sarrià Sagrat Cor-Aldana Sagrada Família Jesuïtes de Casp Salesians de Sarrià Salesianes de Sarrià Salesians de Rocafort La Salle Barceloneta Sant Joan Baptista Barceloneta Jesuïtes de Sarrià Assumpció Sagrat Cor-Diputació La Salle Gràcia Sant Vicenç de Paül La Salle Les Corts. Avda. Sarrià 8 La Salle Poble-sec. Blay 42

Hospitals (4)

Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu (Germans de Sant Joan de Déu) Hospital Sant Rafael (Hospitalàries del Sagrat Cor de Jesús) Hospital del Sagrat Cor (Hospitalàries del Sagrat Cor de Jesús) Hospital de Nens de Barcelona

Residences (7)

Asilo de San Juan Bautista Asilo de San Rafael Residencia de María Reparadora (Reparadoras) Residencia y Centro Social de María Inmaculada (Religiosas de María Inmaculada) Asilo de la calle de la Luna Asilo del Buen Consejo (Dominicas de la Presentación) Asilo de ancianos (Hermanitas de los Pobres)