Joaquim Masmitjà i de Puig

Joaquim Masmitjà i de Puig (; December 29, 1808 – August 26, 1886), sometimes given with the Castilianized spelling Joaquin Masmitja, was the founder of the Daughters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1848. This was a Catholic religious teaching institute for women, later renamed Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Joaquim Masmitjà was the fourth child of Francesc and Maria Gracia. He entered the minor seminary for the Diocese of Girona and then went on to get degrees in canon and civil law. Masmitjà, who was greatly devoted to the Blessed Virgin under the titles of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sorrowful Mother, was ordained a priest on February 22, 1834.

Assigned to his hometown parish, Masmitjà became increasingly concerned over the poor education of young girls. He sought to rebuild society through their education in prayer and Christian doctrine. On July 1, 1848, Masmitjà founded the Institute of the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Masmitjà died at the age of 78, on August 26, 1886.