| CANONIZATIONS
(1993-2007) |
|
Agostina
Livia Pietrantoni |
Juan Grande Roman |
3 June 2007
ST. MARIE EUGENIE
MILLERET (1817-98) Anne-Eugenie Milleret de Brou was born on 25 August 1817 in Metz, France. Her father, a banker, provided the family with a lovely home and many comforts. Her mother ensured the sensitive Anne-Eugenie of a Christian education, which strengthened her character and gave her a strong sense of duty. Family life developed her intellectual curiosity and a romantic spirit, an interest in social questions and a broad worldview. Her seemingly carefree childhood, however, was marked by suffering when two of her siblings died: her elder brother Charles and baby sister Elisabeth. Her own health was damaged by a fall from a horse. At age 12, Anne-Eugenie received a great consolation when she made her First Holy Communion. Upon receiving the Host, she suddenly felt herself lovingly taken up before the very presence of God. During her life she spoke of this mystical experience as what sustained her in times of trial. Falling family fortunes During her early teens Anne-Eugenie witnessed her father's bankruptcy, the selling of their family estate and her parent's marital difficulties that finally ended in separation. The family broke up: Anne-Eugenie went to live with her mother in Paris, while her brother Louis, closest to her in age and her constant companion, lived with their father. Two years later, Anne-Eugenie's mother contracted cholera and died within a few hours, leaving her young daughter alone at age 15, stripped of those dearest to her in a worldly and superficial society. She was then sent by her father to live with Catholic relatives in Paris. He wanted her to take her place in society like the other young women her age by marrying. But Anne-Eugenie found her cousins' piety narrow and stifling, and while she had no real objections to marriage she rejected all her suitors. During Lent of 1836, at 19 years of age, she was invited to attend special Conferences at Notre Dame in Paris, preached by the eloquent Fr. Lacordaire. He understood both the ideals of youth and their ignorance of Christ and his Church. His words touched Anne-Eugenie's heart, and later she wrote to him: "Your words answered all my thoughts... gave me a new generosity, a faith that nothing was to shake.... I was really converted, and I had conceived the desire to give all my strength, or rather all my weakness, to this Church, which alone now had in my eyes the secret and the power of good" (cf. Feu vert... au bout d'un siècle, Marie-Domin-ique Poinsenet, in L'Osservatore Romano English edition, 20 February 1975, p. 6). She discovered that the ideals of justice and liberty, equality and fraternity are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus, the universal and definitive liberator. Gospel service in education Shortly afterwards, Anne-Eugenie met Fr. Marie-Theodore Combalot, who quickly recognized that he had encountered a chosen soul who would, be Foundress of the Congregation he had long dreamed of establishing. He explained his dream of evangelizing minds through education and of making families truly Christian as a means of transforming society. Anne-Eugenie accepted his ideas as God's will for her and followed Fr. Combalot's guidance. She prepared for this work by participating in the Benedictine Sisters' novitiate in Paris and by studying dogmatic and moral theology with the Visitation Sisters. On 30 April 1839, at age 22, she became the Foundress of the Religious of the Assumption. Together with her first companions she went to live in a flat in rue Ferou near the Church of St. Suplice in Paris. In 1841 the Sisters opened their first school dedicated to the education of aristocratic youth. Their number quickly grew to 16 Sisters from four nations. On Christmas Day 1844 the Foundress took her perpetual vows and the name Marie Eugenie of Jesus. Mother Marie Eugenie and her first companions wanted to link the past treasures of the Church's spirituality and wisdom with a type of religious life and education able to satisfy the demands of modern minds, making Gospel values penetrate the rising culture of a new industrial and scientific era. The Congregation's spirituality, centred on Christ and the Incarnation, was both deeply contemplative and dedicated to apostolic works. The Sisters' personal quest for God naturally overflowed in love of and service to others. In the last years of her life, Mother Marie Eugenie experienced a progressive physical weakening, which she lived in silence and humility. After a life spent in the service of God and neighbour, and having seen the number of Sisters grow to over 1,000 in six nations, Mother Marie Eugenie of Jesus died on 10 March 1898 in Auteuil, Paris. She was beatified by Pope Paul VI on 9 February 1975.
Simon was born in Lipnica Murowana, in southern Poland, c. 1435-1440. His parents, Gregory and Anne, gave him a good education inspired by the values of the Christian faith, and despite their modest circumstances also gave him an adequate cultural formation. During his childhood Simon demonstrated a sense of responsibility, a natural predisposition to prayer and a tender love for the Mother of God. He moved to Krakow in 1454 and attended the famous Jagiellonian Academy. There he met St. John of Capestrano, whose preaching attracted a number of young men to the Franciscan vocation. St. John of Capestrano had founded the first convent of the Observance in Krakow on 8 September 1453. The convent was named after the recently canonized St. Bernardine of Siena and the local people commonly referred to these Friars Minor as "Bernardini". In 1457 the young Simon finally joined the Friars and was received along with 10 other students in the convent of Stradom, Krakow. Under the guidance of the Novice Master, Bro. Christopher of Varese, renowned for his teaching and holiness, Simon generously embraced the poor and humble life of the Friars Minor and was ordained a priest around 1460. His first assignment was as Guardian of the convent in Tarnów. He later transferred back to Stradom where his profound union with God and careful study of the Sacred Scriptures were revealed through his untiring dedication to preaching, which radiated his ardour, faith and wisdom. Bless the Holy Name of Jesus Like St. Bernardine of Siena and St. John of Capestrano, Friar Simon spread devotion to the Name of Jesus and obtained a significant number of conversions. In 1463, he was assigned to preach in the Cathedral of Wawel. His dedication to this task earned him the title of "predicator ferventissimus", as ancient sources confirm. In his desire to honour St. Bernardine of Siena, who had been his role model, he went to Aquila, Italy, to participate on 17 May 1472 in the solemn translation of the Saint's body to a Church erected in his honour. He travelled to Italy again in 1478 for the General Chapter in Pavia. On this occasion he accomplished a long-desired pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles in Rome, which he later extended to the Holy Land. Knowing the possibility of being captured by non-believers, he memorized the Rule of the Order before undertaking the journey in order to have it ever present. He lived this experience in a spirit of penance and deep love for the passion of Christ, with the hidden aspiration, if God willed it, of shedding his own blood for the salvation of souls. He emulated St. Francis of Assisi in his love for the Holy Places. Deadly plague hits home Friar Simon's love for others was manifested in an extraordinary way during the last year of his life when a plague broke out in Krakow. The city was under the scourge of the epidemic from July 1482 to 6 January 1483. The Franciscans of the convent of St. Bernardine tirelessly did all they could to care for the sick. He considered it a propitious time to exercise charity and to fulfil it by offering his own life. He went everywhere, comforting, consoling, administering the sacraments and proclaiming God's Word to the dying. He was soon infected. Friar Simon suffered the pain of the disease with extraordinary patience and, near the end, expressed his desire to be buried under the threshold of the church so that all could trample upon him. On his sixth day with the disease, 18 July 1482, without fear of death and with his eyes fixed on the Crucifix, he gave his soul back to God. The cult rendered to Friar Simon, which passed into the history of seraphic sanctity under the title of "Salutis omnium sitibundus", was confirmed by Bl. Innocent XI on 24 February 1685. His Canonization cause, taken up by Pope Pius XII on 25 June 1948, reached its happy ending following the recognition of his heroic virtues and of the miraculous cure attributed to Bl. Simon's intercession which occurred in Krakow in 1943. The respective decrees were promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 December 2005 and 16 December 2006. Simon of Lipnica combined commitment to evangelization and charity, both of which flowed from his great love for God's Word and for the poor and suffering. The Order of Friars Minor, on the vigil of celebrating the eighth centenary of its foundation (1209-2009), hails him as an authentic witness to poverty, humility and simplicity, as well as to the joy of belonging fully to the Lord and to being a gift to the life of the Friars.
John Andrew Houben was born at Munstergeleen, The Netherlands, on 11 December 1821, the fourth of 11 children, and was brought up in a devout Catholic atmosphere. As a child he was quiet yet always cheerful. John enjoyed serving at Holy Mass, and in considering a priestly vocation, he knew that education was an essential element. A slow learner, he persevered in his efforts to study, including the two-mile walk to and from high school every day, although others doubted he would ever complete his education. In 1840, he enlisted as an army reserve but did not prove to be a skilled soldier. In the five years he spent in the army, he saw only three months active service. Until his time as a reservist ended, he worked in his uncle's flour mill and continued his studies in his spare time, now with more success. During his short military career he came to hear about the religious Congregation of Passionists and decided to join them. But family difficulties increased: first with the death of his uncle, who had taken a special interest in the family, and then in 1844 with the death of his mother at 52 years of age. It was therefore not surprising that his father tried to dissuade him from joining the Passionists; but in 1845 he entered their novitiate at Ere, Belgium, and was given the name Charles. His father died in August 1850 and the funeral expenses prohibited his family from travelling to attend his priestly ordination six months later on 21 December. Ministry in England and Ireland In February 1852 Fr. Charles was assigned to England. There he came in contact with many Irish who were unable to go to America to escape the famine and had thus travelled to England. The young priest's heart went out to them, greatly admiring their loyalty to the faith. In 1857, he went to Ireland, to the newly-founded Passionist monastery of Mount Argus, three miles from Dublin. At that time 10 Passionists were living in a reconstructed farmhouse with a temporary chapel. Soon, however, construction began on an 80-room monastery and retreat house for priests and laity, the first of its kind in Ireland. Fr. Charles was charged with the task of travelling throughout Ireland to collect funds for it. He was very successful. Except for an eight-year period in England (1866-74), he spent the remainder of his 36 years there. He became known by all as "Fr. Charles of Mount Argus", and is known as such today. Although a poor preacher — he never fully mastered the English language — his pastoral gifts became manifest in the confessional and in comforting the sick. His daily routine was to walk from the monastery to the church preaching to the people about the love Jesus showed in his passion. Inside the church he would pray privately, ask the people to renew their baptismal promises, bless them with the relic of St. Paul of the Cross (Founder of the Passionist Congregation), and then lay his hands on them in prayer. Healings, trouble, ultimate graces Great graces were attributed to his prayers, not only physical cures but also healing of depressions and psychological disorders. Often people would send carriages to bring him into the country to visit the sick. Trouble began for the holy priest when some physicians complained to the local Cardinal that Fr. Charles was telling people they had no need to go to a doctor. His custom of also blessing holy water with a relic of St. Paul of the Cross led some disrespectful persons to profit from it by selling the holy water they managed to acquire. This led to allegations of simony. Although Fr. Charles was innocent of both charges, Cardinal Cullen and his superiors decided to send him to England to quell the turmoil. There he helped with the novices and worked in various parishes, but no evidence exists that any miraculous cures occurred during that time. In 1874 Fr. Charles returned to Mount Argus and lived there for the last 19 years of his life. He resumed his fundraising for the church and continued his care for the sick. As a result, the crowds returned and the cures began again. His pastoral ministry was brought to a premature close when a small horse-drawn carriage in which he was travelling overturned, causing him a fracture which never healed and a wound which became ulcerated. He also patiently bore a constant toothache. He died on 5 January 1893. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in Dublin, and his tomb has been a place of continuous pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II declared Fr. Charles Venerable in 1979 and beatified
him in 1988.
ST. GEORGE PRECA (1880-1962) George Preca was born in Valletta, Malta, on 12 February 1880 to Vincenzo Preca and Natalina Ceravolo. He was baptized on 17 February. As a young man, he was inspired by the example of Bl. Ignatius Falzon, who established a catechetical movement. Intent on becoming a priest, George entered the seminary at Malta. Between 1905 and 1906, before he was ordained, George began a series of formation meetings for several young men in Hamrun. Their leader, Eugene Borg, would later become the first Superior General of what was called the Society of Christian Doctrine. A new priest, a new society George Preca was ordained a priest on 22 December 1906; for some weeks afterwards, he spent his time absorbed in prayer and contemplation and only went out to celebrate Mass. On 2 February 1907, the group of young men met for a lesson by Fr. George in Ta' Nuzzu Church in Hamrun. On 7 March, they gathered in a small rented room. These two dates mark the beginnings of the Society of Christian Doctrine: today, it has developed into a group of lay people dedicated to the apostolate of catechesis, who lead a simple Gospel lifestyle and commit themselves to a life of prayer. At first, eager to emphasize their fidelity to the Pope, Fr. George called the society "Societas Papiduurn et Papidissarum" (Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pope), but then a new name was chosen, almost in jest about the rundown place where the first members met, which was referred to as a "museum". The name proved popular and Fr. George made it into an acrostic: "Magister utinam sequatur Evangelium universus mundus" (M.U.S.E.U.M.), meaning, "Teacher, that the whole world might follow the Gospel". In 1910, Fr. Preca founded a women's branch with help from Giannina Cutajar, who became its first Superior General. Little by little, the Society's characteristics were defined: members were celibate lay workers, dedicated without reserve to the apostolate of catechesis. Due to growing suspicion about the capacity of its lay members, Fr. George was ordered in 1909 to close all his centres. He obeyed without complaint. Parish priests, however, protested to the Bishops and the order was revoked. From 1914 to 1915 several libellous articles about M.U.S.E.U.M. appeared in certain Maltese newspapers, but Fr. George imposed a vow of non-reaction upon his members and taught them to refuse to be upset by unjust criticism. In 1916 the Bishop of Malta ordered an inquiry into the society's work and the findings were favourable. Although some changes were required, the way was opened for the Society's recognition and development. It was canonically established on 12 April 1932. Evangelization par excellence Fr. George Preca worked tirelessly to spread the values and teachings of the Gospel in Malta. He wrote booklets on dogmatic, moral and ascetic subjects in Maltese, but his influence was felt most through spreading the Word of God, translated into Maltese. His charismatic preaching often referred to parables and stories from Scripture and the lives of the saints. He never shied away from preaching about death, judgment, hell and heaven. Convinced of God's justice, he also proclaimed the Lord's infinite mercy. People flocked to him for advice, comfort or encouragement. He was also endowed with many supernatural gifts, including the knowledge of hearts and of the future. He was nonetheless a humble, good and generous priest, who spread devotion to the mystery of the Incarnation through the words "Verbum Dei caro factum est" (The Word was made flesh), which he chose as the Society's motto. Fr. Preca, a Third Order Carmelite since 1918, greatly loved the Blessed Virgin Mary. From his earliest years he wore the Carmelite scapular, which he asked all Society members to wear. He had a special devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel and spread devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Milestones in the Society's history include: in 1951, the St. Michael Intermediate School was planned; in 1952, five members were sent to open M.U.S.E.U.M. centres in Australia (the Society also exists today in England, Albania, Kenya, Sudan and Peru); in 1954, building of the Society's Generalate and a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal began. In 1955, Fr. George blessed the foundation stone of the Sacred Family Institute in tabbar, Malta, and the Society of Christian Doctrine's "Veritas Press", which is still located there today. After a long life entirely dedicated to the Gospel and Christian formation, the Servant of God died on 26 July 1962. 11 May 2007 ST.
ANTHONY OF SAINT ANNE
GALVÃO
(1739-1822) Anthony Galváo was born in 1739 in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State, Brazil, to a deeply religious family of high social standing. His father, Antonio Galváo de Franca, who was active in the world of commerce, belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis and was known for his generosity. His mother, Izabel Leite de Barros, who bore 11 children before her premature death in 1755 at age 38, was equally known for her generosity. In fact, when she died, none of her clothes could be found because she had given them all to the poor. When Anthony was 13 years old his father sent him to the Jesuit seminary in Belém, but due to a growing anti-Jesuit climate, his father later recommended that he pursue his vocation with the Franciscan Friars instead. At age 21, on 15 April 1760, he entered the novitiate of the St. Bonaventure Friary in Macacu, Rio de Janeiro. During his novitiate he was known for his piety, zeal and exemplary virtues. He made his solemn profession on 16 April 1761 and took the Franciscan vow to defend the Blessed Virgin Mary's title of the "Immaculate"; at that time it was still a controversial doctrine. A year later he was ordained a priest and sent to St. Francis Friary in São Paulo, where he continued his studies in theology and philosophy. In 1768 he was appointed preacher, confessor and porter of the convent, an important post. In 1769-70 he served as confessor to the "Recolhimento", the Recollects of St. Teresa in São Paulo. Here he met Sr. Helena Maria of the Holy Spirit, a prayerful and penitent nun who claimed to have visions where Jesus was asking her to found a new "Recolhimento". Fr. Galvão, her confessor, studied these messages and consulted with others who recognized them as valid and supernatural. He therefore collaborated in the new foundation and Our Lady of the Conception of Divine Providence was established on 2 February 1774. It was modelled on Conceptionists. Following an unexpected call After Sr. Helena's sudden death on 23 February 1775, Fr. Galvão became the new head of this young Institute, a post he assumed with humility and prudence. During this time a change in São Paulo's Government brought an inflexible leader who ordered the closing of the convent. Fr. Anthony accepted the decision with faith, the Sisters obeyed but did not leave the premises, and due to popular pressure and the Bishop's efforts, the convent was soon re-opened. Subsequently, the number of vocations increased and more living space was required. It took Fr. Anthony 28 years to build the convent and church, with the latter being dedicated on 15 August 1802. In addition to the construction work and duties within and outside his Order, Friar Galvão committed himself to the Recollect's formation. The Statutes he wrote for them is a guide for the interior life and religious discipline. In 1929 this convent became a monastery, incorporated into the Order of the Immaculate Conception. Just when things seemed more tranquil, another government intervention brought Fr. Anthony a further trial. The Captain General sentenced a soldier to death for having slightly offended his son, and the priest was sent into exile for having come to the soldier's defence. Again, popular demand succeeded in having the order revoked. In 1781 Fr Galvão was appointed novice master in Macacu. He was later named guardian of St. Francis Friary in São Paulo in 1798, and was re-elected in 1801. But the "Recollects" and the Bishop of São Paulo appealed to the Provincial: "None of the inhabitants of this city will be able to bear the absence of this Religious for a single moment...". As a result, he returned. In 1811 he founded St. Clare Convent in Sorocaba, São Paulo. After 11 months, he returned to São Paulo to St. Francis Friary. In his old age, he obtained permission from the Bishop and the guardian to stay at the Recolhimento da Luz. He died there on 23 December 1822. Fr. Anthony of Saint Anne Galvão was laid to rest in the Recolhimento Church, and his tomb continues to be a destination for pilgrimages of the faithful who obtain graces through the intercession of this "man of peace and charity". 23 October 2005 ST. JOZEF BILCZEWSKI (1860-1923)Archbishop of Lviv for Latins, Ukraine Jozef Bilczewski was born on 26 Apr 1860 in Wilamowice, Krakow, Poland. After he graduated from high school in Wadowice and Kety in 1880, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 6 July 1884 in Krakow by Cardinal Albino Dunajewski. In 1886 Fr. Bilczewski earned a doctorate in theology at the University Vienna, and then went to Rome and to Paris to continue his studies, which he concluded at the Jagiellonian University of Krakow in 1890. A learned man In 1891 he became professor of dogmatic theology at the John Casimir University of Lviv, where he also served a dean of the faculty of theology and a rector of the University. As professor, Fr. Bilczewski was beloved by his students and admired by the other professors. He dedicated more of his time to studies and, although he was relatively young, he earned the reputation of being a scholar. On 17 December 1900 Pope Leo XI appointed Fr. Bilczewski as Archbishop of Lviv for Latins. For 23 years, Archbishop Bilczewski carried out this very demanding service. In his episcopal mission he had to deal with difficulties due to internal problems and the dissensions during the First World War. He often intervened with the civil Authorities on behalf of Poles, Ukrainians and Jews. Time of persecution The Polish-Ukrainian War (1918-19) brought with it a new wave of violence and many priests were killed or imprisoned. Then the Bolshevik Revolution (1919-20) unleashed all its fury against the Catholic Church. Through these and other conflicts, Archbishop Bilczewski stood firm to protect one and all without distinctions of race or religion. From 1918 to 1921 the Archdiocese lost approximately 120 priests. Although seriously ill himself, the Archbishop accepted sickness calmly and courageously. Archbishop Jozef Bilczewski died on 20 March 1923 in Lviv. He was beatified on 26 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II. ST. GAETANO CANTANOSO
(1879-1963) Gaetano Catanoso was born on 14 February 1619 in Chorio di San Lorenzo, Reggio Calabria, Italy. His parents were wealthy landowners and exemplary Christians. Gaetano was ordained a priest in 1902, and from 1904 to 1921 he served in the rural parish of Pentidatttlo. Fr. Catanoso had a great devotion to The Holy Face of Jesus, and began "The Holy Face" bulletin and established the "Confraternity of the Holy Face" in 1920. He once wrote, "The Holy Face is my life. He is my strength". Versatility, openness to God's will On 2 February 1921, he was transferred to the large parish of Santa Maria de la Candelaria. where he remained until 1940. He was very versatile and his ability to peacefully and diligently serve in such contradictory parish realities earned him the reputation of holiness. Because he was not conditioned by exterior factors, positive or negative. Fr. Gaetano worked well in all situations and settings, striving always to deepen his union with Christ and to do God's will for the good of those entrusted to his pastoral care. He desired nothing more than to serve at the country parish of Pentidattilo, and his appointment to Candelaria did not make him "puffed up". As parish priest of Candelaria, he drew people to Christ by reviving Eucharistic and Marian devotions. He opened institutions, promoted catechetical instruction and crusaded against blasphemy and the profanation of feast days. Fr. Gaetano felt it his duty as a priest to help children and youth who lacked role models and risked being corrupted, as well as abandoned older persons and priests who were isolated without support. He even helped restore churches and Tabernacles left to decay. In short, he saw the Face of Christ in all who suffered and would say: "Let us all work to defend and save the orphans, those who are abandoned. There are too many dangers and there is too much misery. With Jesus let us turn our gaze to the abandoned children and youth: today, humanity is more morally sick than ever". Fr. Catanoso often spent hours or entire days in prayer before the Tabernacle, and in the parish and beyond he promoted Eucharistic Adoration. He also set up so-called "flying-squads", teams of priests willing to cooperate in the parishes by giving homilies and hearing confession on these occasions. Spiritual assistance, Founder From 1921 to 1950 he served as confessor at religious institutes and in the Reggio Calabria prison. He was also hospital chaplain and spiritual director of the Archiepiscopal Seminary. In 1934, Fr. Catanoso founded the "Congregation of the Daughters of St. Veronica, Missionaries of the Holy Face"; its mission: constant prayer of reparation, humble service in worship, catechesis, assistance to children, youth, priests and the elderly. The first convent was opened in Riparo, Reggio Calabria. When the Archbishop curtailed the activities of the Congregation. Fr. Catanoso showed great docility in accepting this decision. Finally, however, on 25 March 1958, the Constitutions he had written received diocesan approval. Fr. Celanese died on 4 April 1963, after an exemplary life. He was
beatified by Pope John Paul II on 4 May 1997. ST. ALBERTO HURTADO CRUCHAGA
(1901-1952) Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga was born on 22 January 1201 in Viña del Mar, Chile. When he was 4 years old his father died and his mother was forced to sell their modest family property in order to pay debts. Alberto and his brother soon became accustomed to living with relatives and they were often moved from one relatives' house to another. A scholarship allowed Alberto to attend the Jesuit High School in Santiago, Chile, and it was there that he became a member of the Sodality of Our Lady. In this setting, he became actively interested in the poor, visiting them every Sunday afternoon in the most miserable neighbourhoods. Helping the family and the poor After secondary studies in 1917, he strongly wanted to enter the Jesuit Order, but was advised to postpone this plan so he could take care of his mother and younger brother. Alberto worked in the afternoons and evenings to support his family, while at the same time attending the law faculty of the Catholic University. He also continued visiting the poor on Sundays. To complete his bachelor's degree he wrote a paper on "Regulation of Child Labour", while his master's thesis was on "Work in the Home". His academic pursuits were indicators of his concern for the poor, a concern that would later define his ministry. After completing obligatory military service, he completed his studies in August 1923. That same month he entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Chillán, and in April 1925 he was sent to Córdoba, Argentina, to complete this initial formation. After two years of novitiate and first vows, he remained in Córdoba to complete his education in the humanities. In 1927 he was sent to Barcelona, Spain, for studies in philosophy and theology, but due to the 1931 suppression of the Jesuits in Spain, he had to go to Belgium to complete his four years of theology in Louvain. A Jesuit priest Alberto was ordained a priest in August 1933. He completed his theology studies and tertianship in Europe and then returned to Chile in 1936. In Santiago, Fr. Hurtado taught religion at St. Ignatius High School and pedagogy at the Catholic University. In directing the Spiritual Exercises for young people, he accompanied many young men in their response to the priestly vocation and fostered in lay people a desire to live a consistent life of faith and active charity. He also taught the rich; entrepreneurs and employers that "it is by his work that the worker is sanctified". In 1941 he was appointed Assistant for Catholic Action, first in the Archdiocese of Santiago and later at the national level. The same year, he published his book entitled "Is Chile a Catholic Country?". 'El Hogar de Cristo' In October 1944, while he was leading the Spiritual Exercises, Fr. Hurtado appealed to his retreatants to consider the many who are poor in the city. His appeal evoked a generous response and marked the beginning of an initiative that made him famous: he would provide not only a home for the homeless but also a warm family environment of love. This programme became known as the "Hagar de Cristo", the "Hearth of Christ". Through the contributions of benefactors and the collaboration of committed lay people. Fr. Hurtado opened welcome homes for young people, women and children. In some cases these homes became rehabilitation centres, while others offered vocational training. Every home always inspired and permeated Christian values. Fr. Hurtado said that the purpose of "Hogar de Cristo" was to help those received in them to gradually develop "the knowledge of values which each one has as a person, of his dignity as a citizen, and more so, as a child of God". Fr. Hurtado also wrote three important works on trade unions, social humanism, and the Christian social order. In 1951 he started the journal Mensaje, dedicated to explaining Church teaching. Pancreatic cancer ended his life in a quick few months. In the midst of terrible pain, he was often heard to say, "I am content. Lord". Fr. Hurtado died on 18 August 1952 and was beatified by Pope John Paul
II on 15 October 1994. ZYGMUNT GORAZDOWSKI
(1845-1920) Zygmunt Gorazdowski was born on 1 November 1845 in Ukraine. His family lived their Catholic faith most seriously, and Zygmunt grew up in this deeply religious environment that was not exempt from trials and suffering. As a child, Zygmunt was afflicted with a lung ailment; this, however, did not prevent him from considering the needs of others and offering his help where he could. After finishing high school in Przemyśl he enrolled in the faculty of law Lviv. At the end of his second year of law studies he decided to enter the Latin Catholic Seminary in Lviv, feeling called to the priesthood. All done for the service of the poor He finished his studies there and, considering his poor health, underwent two years of intensive therapy. On 21 July 1871, he was ordained a priest. For the first six years, Fr. Gorazdowski served as parish vicar and administrator at Tartakow, Wojnilow, Bukaczowce, Grod Jagelonski and Zydaczow. He gave of himself totally in carrying out his priestly duties and in works of charity. During an outbreak of cholera in Wojnilow, Fr. Zygmunt heroically did all he could do to help the sick and dying, even laying out the bodies of the dead despite the great risk of contagion. Throughout his priesthood he took great care to protect the spiritual health and growth of his parishioners, for whom he wrote and published a catechism and many other books to help parents, teachers and youth. He also began many apostolic works for the poor and suffering. Beginning in 1877, Fr. Zygmunt started a wonderful spiritual and charitable project in the Parish of St. Nicholas in Lviv. He worked for 40 years there, serving in many schools and also founding the "Bonus Pastor" Association for priests. Founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph Above all else, his charity sparkled, especially for the needy and suffering. He founded a home and soup kitchen for the needy, a health-care centre for the terminally ill and for convalescents, an institute for poor seminarians, a home for single mothers and orphans, and "St. Joseph's Polish-German Catholic School". In order to maintain and continue these works, he founded the Religious "Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph" on 17 February 1884. Fr. Zygmunt Gorazdowski died in Lviv on 1 January 1920. Those who knew him called him the "Father of the poor and priest of the homeless". He was beatified on 26 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II. The Sisters of St Joseph continue in the charism entrusted to them by
their Founder. They currently work in eight countries with the poor, sick
and suffering, and serve in the field of education.
ST. FELIX OF NICOSIA
(1715-1787) Phillip James Amoroso was born on 5 November 1715 in Nicosia, Sicily, Italy, to Philip Amoroso and Carmela Pirro. His father was a shoemaker and died a month before little Philip James was born. Leaving his wife and three children. The family was poor and very religious. Like many other poor Sicilian youth, Phillip James did not go to school as a child but grew up as an apprentice to the local shoemaker. The shop, next door to a convent of Capuchin friars, gave the young boy a chance to visit the community, know the Religious there and admire their lifestyle: joy in austerity, freedom in poverty, penance, prayer, charity and a missionary spirit. Initial rejection, powerful perseverance When he was 20 years old, Phillip James asked the superior of the convent of Nicosia if he could enter the Order; he wished to enter as a simple lay friar, since he was illiterate and could not become a priest, but also because his humble and simple disposition made him feel unworthy of such an honourable vocation. Phillip James was rejected, however, by the Father Provincial, and for the next eight years, with persevering insistence, he continued to apply for admission, but to no avail.. Finally, when the Father Provincial of Messina came to Nicosia on a visit, Phillip James asked for an interview with him in order to express his desire. This time, he was accepted. and on 10 October 1742 at the age of 27, he entered the Capuchin community at Mistretta, taking the name "Fra Felix". As a novice, Bro. Felix was remembered for his spirit of obedience, angelic purity, love of mortification and patience. On 10 October 1744 he made his profession. Immediately following his profession, he was sent back to the convent of Nicosia; it was unusual for a young friar to return to the convent of his hometown, because this could easily be a distraction and temptation considering family ties and bonds of friendship But this was not the case with Bro. Felix, and the interior and exterior detachment that his superiors noted in him made them trust the young friar. Begging 'for the love of God' Bro. Felix was given the assignment of assisting the "questing brother" in his mendicant rounds. Every day he went through the town, knocking at the doors of the rich, asking them to share their wealth, and of the poor, offering them comfort in their daily hardships. He always thanked those who opened the door to him even if they drove him away with angry words. His response was always the same: "So be it, for the love of God". Although Bro. Felix was illiterate, he made up for it by attentive listening to biblical passages and by spiritual works, using his memory and strong will to keep his attention fixed on these holy words, all for the good of his soul. Charity, obedience, Eucharist Bro. Felix was endowed with the gift of healing temporal and spiritual diseases, and gladly tended the sick and bedridden, even though he himself was often ill. He had a special devotion for the Eucharist and contemplated Jesus Crucified every Friday, practicing extreme penance and mortification. He also prayed to the Mother of God with tenderness. As his strength failed, his concentration on God grew, together with his joyful and simple spirit of obedience. At the end of May 1767, while working in the garden, Bro. Felix suddenly felt ill with a high fever; his superior, Fr. Macario, commanded him in obedience to go and rest. When the doctor prescribed medicine for him he said that it was useless, because this was his last illness. Bro. Felix died on 31 May 1787 at the age of 71. He was beatified on 12 February 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. 15-17 May 2004 ST. LUIGI ORIONE (1872-1940) Luigi Orione was born on 23 June 1872 in Pontecurone, Italy. As a young boy, he received a solid human and Christian formation from his mother as well as direction from two priests, Fr Michele Cattaneo and Fr Francesco Milanese. When Luigi was 10 years old he felt called to become a priest. He had to "put off" this desire, however, in order to help with the family income, travelling along the roads of Monferrato as an apprentice to his father, who was a street paver. When Luigi was 13, he was permitted to enter the Franciscan convent of Voghera. An attack of pneumonia that almost sent him to the grave, however, forced his return home a year later. Two saints enter the scene Fr Milanese continued to stay close to the young Luigi and encouraged him to enter the Oratory of Valdocco in Turin, where St John Bosco assumed responsibility for the boy's formation and became his confessor. He recognized Luigi's good qualities and sensed "something more" in him. During this time, Luigi was also influenced by the example of the charitable works of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, whose "Little House of Divine Providence" was near the Oratory. Having completed three years of study in Valdocco, Luigi returned to his native Diocese of Tortona and began philosophy courses at the seminary. To pay his way, he worked as a custodian at the cathedral, and always had complete trust that divine providence would "pull him through": he believed that if it was God's will that he become a priest, everything would fall into place. Founder of 'Divine Providence' When he was 20, Luigi began an Oratory for young boys in Tortona, and the following year, in 1893, he opened a boarding school for poor boys in the St Bernardine estate. As a seminarian, he also dedicated his time to the care of others and was a member of the San Marziano Society for Mutual Help and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Luigi Orione was ordained a priest on 13 April 1895, when the Bishop also bestowed the clerical habit upon six pupils of the boarding school. Many seminarians and priests surrounded this "young founder" and became his core group of the Little Work of Divine Providence. In 1899 he founded the branch of the Hermits of Divine Providence, and with a Decree of 21 March 1903, the Sons of Divine Providence (priests, lay brothers and hermits) were canonically approved. The Congregation aimed "to bring the little ones, the poor and the people to the Church and to the Pope by means of works of charity". Full of missionary zeal, Don Orione sent his first Religious to Brazil in 1913; from that moment on, the "Little Work" was to expand throughout Latin America and beyond. Love for humanity, love for God On two occasions, Don Orione rushed to assist the victims of earthquakes: at Reggio and Messina (1908) and in the Marsica region (1915), true examples of human and religious heroism. On 29 June 1915, 20 years after the foundation of the Sons of Divine Providence, he added to the "single tree of many branches" the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity. He also founded the Blind Sisters, Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament and later, the Contemplative Sisters of Jesus Crucified. Don Orione always gave God first place in his life and understood the absolute necessity of prayer in order to give life and energy to apostolic works. He also fostered devotion to the Blessed Mother and constructed the shrines of Our Lady of Safe Keeping in Tortona and Our Lady of Caravaggio at Fumo, all through the manual labour of his seminarians. In his travels, Don Orione tirelessly opened schools, churches and homes for the poor and needy, and following World War I, their numbers substantially increased. Among his most enterprising works were the "Little Cottolengos", built on the outskirts of large cities to care for the suffering and abandoned. Promoter of the media Known as a gifted preacher and confessor, and a man of great wisdom, Don Orione was also entrusted on more than one occasion with solving and healing confidential social or Church problems. Taking advantage of the media and press, he published magazines and brochures, opened printing presses and spoke on radio. He also set up lay associations, thus adding more "branches" to this "tree of divine providence". The last three years of his life were spent at the Motherhouse in Tortona, while he continued to make weekly visits to the "Little Cottolengos" of Milan and Genoa. On 12 March 1940, following two heart attacks, he died in San Remo, Italy. The body of Don Orione was found intact at its first exhumation in 1965.
He was beatified on 26 October 1980 by Pope John Paul II. ST. HANNIBAL DI FRANCIA
(1851-1927) Hannibal Di Francia was born on 5 July 1851 in Messina, Italy. His father, Francis, was a knight, papal vice-consul and honorary captain of the navy, and his mother, Anna, also belonged to an aristocratic family. Hannibal was only 15 months old when his father died. 'Ask the Lord of the harvest...' Hannibal grew up with a deep love for the Eucharist and was given permission to receive Holy Communion daily, something quite exceptional in those days. He was only 17 when, at prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, he was given the grace to understand fully Jesus' words in the Gospel: "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to gather his harvest" (Mt 9:38). He believed these words were aimed directly at him, and they were to become the fundamental insight that would guide his entire life. Hannibal possessed exceptional intelligence and remarkable literary abilities, and as soon as he understood that God was calling him to become a priest, he decided to place his gifts at the service of the Lord. 'Sheep without a shepherd' On 16 March 1878, a few months before his priestly ordination, Hannibal had a providential encounter with a blind beggar in one of the poorest parts of Messina called the "Avignon Houses". Here he discovered the sad social and moral reality of the ghetto's inhabitants, and it marked the beginning of a long walk in boundless love at the service of the poor and orphans. With the permission and encouragement of his Bishop, Fr Hannibal made the Avignon ghetto his home, dedicating himself to these "sheep without a shepherd". Although the experience was marked by misunderstandings and obstacles of every kind, his faith and love for the people gave him the strength to persevere; he was carrying out what he called the "spirit of a twofold charity: the evangelization of and care for the poor". In 1882 he opened "Anthonian Orphanages" that were placed under the patronage of St Anthony of Padua. His concern here was not only to provide the children with food and housing, but above all to ensure their growth in a "family climate" that would help integrate the moral and religious aspects of their lives. The secret to salvation: 'rogate' With his genuine missionary spirit, Fr Hannibal wanted to reach out to orphans and the poor worldwide. He wrote: "What are these few orphans we attend to, these few people we bring the Good News to, compared to the millions who are lost and abandoned as sheep without a shepherd?... I looked for an answer and I found a complete one in the words of Jesus: 'Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to gather his harvest'. I concluded then that I had found the secret key to all good works and to the salvation of all souls". Fr Hannibal felt that the "ask" ("rogate") was the real answer. To carry out his apostolic ideal, he founded two religious congregations: the Daughter's of Divine Zeal in 1887 and the Rogationist Fathers in 1897. He wanted both institutions to live the "Rogate" as a fourth vow. They were both canonicaily approved on 6 August 1926. Risk of 'artificial priests' Fr Hannibal's love for the priesthood was great, and he strongly believed that the world would be redeemed only through the work of many holy priests. He was deeply concerned with the spiritual formation of his seminarians and used to say that without much prayer and solid spiritual training, "all the efforts of bishops and seminary educators would only result in artificial priests". To spread prayer for vocations he promoted several initiatives: he had personal epistolary contacts with the Popes of his time, and instituted a "Sacred Alliance" or prayer movement for vocations intended for the clergy and the "Pious Union of Evangelical Rogation" for all the faithful. He also published the periodical "God and Neighbour" to involve everyone in this work. A crucial event in his life was the catastrophic earthquake of 1908 in Messina, which left 80,000 dead, including 13 of his nuns. With his usual unshakeable faith, he did not despair but joined solidarity and spirituality to help the victims "start again from nothing". Fr Hannibal Di Francia died on 1 June 1927 in Messina. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 7 October 1990. Today his religious families are present on all the continents. According
to the ideals of their Founder, they dedicate themselves to spreading prayer
for vocations through vocational centres, publishing houses and printing
presses, and running institutions for orphans and abandoned children,
schools for the deaf, nutritional centres, homes for the aged and single
mothers, and professional and vocational schools. ST. GIANNA BERETTA MOLLA
(1922-1962) Gianna Beretta Molla was born on 4 October 1922 in Magenta, Italy, the 10th of 13 children to Alberto and Maria Beretta. Five siblings died when they were young, and three entered the Religious life. The solid Christian education that Gianna received at home (influenced by the Franciscan spirituality lived by her parents) convinced her of the necessity of prayer, gave her a great trust in divine providence and allowed her to understand the meaning of suffering when lived out of love. Gianna experienced life as a marvellous gift from God and had a most positive outlook on everything. 'No' to sin, all for Jesus A spiritual retreat held in Genoa in March 1938 marked a "great leap" in her life, and she received a deeper awareness of the importance of living to the full a life in God's grace. She wrote: "I want to have a fear of mortal sin as if it were a snake; to rather die a thousand times than to offend the Lord". She also made the proposal to "do everything for Jesus. Each one of my works, every misfortune, I offer to Jesus". Gianna was also no stranger to suffering, and four years later, both her parents died: her mother in April 1942, followed by her father in September of that year. Mission as a medical doctor During her years of secondary and university education, she balanced studies with generous service, dedicating her time and attention to the elderly and needy as a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society. In 1950, after earning degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia, she opened a medical clinic in Mesero, near Magenta. She then specialized in paediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952, and thereafter was particularly focused on providing assistance to mothers and babies as well as helping the elderly and poor. Together with her work in the field of medicine, considered from the beginning her "mission", she also offered her time to Catholic Action, working especially with very young children. She even found time to express her love for life through skiing and mountain climbing. Grand vocation to motherhood Gianna often reflected on what God desired of her, and through prayer and spiritual direction she believed the Lord was calling her to "form a Christian family". Following a beautiful and holy engagement to Pietro Molla, also a member of Catholic Action, she was married on 24 September 1955 in St Martin's Basilica in Magenta, preparing for the special day by a triduum of prayer. On 19 November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi; on 11 December 1957 she gave birth to Mariolina; and on 15 July 1959, Laura was born. As all three pregnancies had complications, Gianna was even more thankful to God for these blessed "gifts". With extraordinary simplicity and balance she was able to harmonize the demands of being a mother, wife and doctor. She also continued her volunteer activities. In September 1961, towards the end of the second month of her fourth pregnancy, Gianna was again touched by the mystery of suffering and pain: she had developed a life-threatening tumour in her uterus that required surgery. Before the operation, Gianna pleaded with the surgeon to spare the life of the child she was carrying and entrusted herself totally into God's hands. As a doctor she was well-aware of the gravity of her situation and of the risk of losing her own life or that of the child in continuing the pregnancy, although she confided this awareness to only a few. 'Do not hesitate: choose the child’ The operation was "successful" and the life of the child was spared. Gianna spent the remaining seven months until her baby's birth strong in spirit and unrelenting in dedication to her tasks as mother and doctor, always with the same peaceful smile on her face. A few days before the child was due, Gianna told her husband with a firm voice and an inspired look: "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child, I insist on it. Save the baby". On Good Friday, 20 April 1962, Gianna entered St Gerard's Hospital of Monza; the following day, Holy Saturday, Gianna Emanuela was born. A few hours after her child's birth, Gianna began to experience severe pain due to septic peritonitis. Despite all efforts to ease her suffering and save her life, she died a week later on 28 April 1962. Until her last breath, Gianna repeated: "Jesus, I love you! Jesus, I love you!". She was 39 years old. At the Sunday Angelus of 23 September 1973, Pope Paul VI defined Gianna as "a young mother from the Diocese of Milan who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation". Gianna Beretta Molla was beatified on 24 April 1994 by Pope John Paul II,
during the International Year of the Family. ST. NIMATULLAH YOUSSEF KASSAB
AL-HARDINI (1808-1858) Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini was born in 1808 in Hardin, Lebanon. As a child, he was strongly influenced by the monastic tradition of the Maronite Church. Four of his brothers became priests or monks, and Youssef himself entered the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1828. The young man began religious life at the monastery of St Anthony in Qozhaya, near the Qadisha (Holy Valley), where he remained for two years until he began his novitiate and was given the name "Nimatullah". During the novitiate, he deepened his life of personal and community prayer and dedicated time to manual labour, while also learning to bind books. Love for the Blessed Sacrament Nimatullah was especially noted for his love of the Blessed Sacrament. During his free time — frequently at the sacrifice of sleep — he was often found in the chapel on his knees, arms raised in the form of a cross and eyes fixed on the tabernacle. On 14 November 1830 he made his religious profession and was sent to the monastery of Sts Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan to study philosophy and theology. On 25 December 1833 he was ordained a priest and became director of the scholasticate and a professor. During the two civil wars of 1840 and 1845, he suffered greatly with his people. His brother, Fr Elisha, suggested he withdraw to a hermitage, but he replied: "Those who struggle for virtue in community life will have greater merit". He observed that the ordinary, everyday life is a continuous martyrdom, since the monk must always be a model to his brother monks, guarding himself from becoming a source of scandal; instead, the hermit lives alone, away from all external temptations. It was also a decisive moment in his spiritual life, and he offered himself to God for Lebanon and his Order. His motto was: "The greatest is he that can save his soul", and he would often repeat this to his brother monks. The 'first concern' of a monk Fr Nimatullah was at times also reprimanded by his superiors for being too hard on himself and too merciful and indulgent towards his brothers. He understood holiness in terms of communion and fraternal charity and is said to have remarked: "A monk's first concern, night and day, should be not to hurt or trouble his brother monks". Throughout his life he had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary, his "source of strength". He never tired of repeating her holy name, and carried a special place in his heart for the mystery of the Immaculate Conception (a dogma proclaimed by the Church in 1854). After the Angelus he would often repeat: "Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin". In 1845 the Holy See appointed him Assistant General of the order. A man of culture, Fr Nimatullah asked the Superior General to send monks to further their studies at the new college founded by the Jesuits in Ghazir. A truly humble man of God He served as Assistant General for two more terms, but refused to be appointed Abbot General: "Better death than to be appointed Superior General", he is reported as saying. His reluctance to assume positions of authority in his Order came from his deep humility and his earnest belief that he was far from living in continual contact with God, so necessary to properly serve the monks and the Order. Even when he was Assistant General, he remained humble, refusing to have a special servant accompany him and attend to his personal needs, as was the custom in the Order at the time. 'O Mary, I entrust my soul to you' In December 1858, while teaching at the monastery of Kfifan, he became gravely ill, a result of the bitter cold in that region. His condition worsened, leading to his death on 14 December. He died holding an icon of the Blessed Virgin and saying: "O Mary, to you I entrust my soul". He was 50 years old. When the then Patriarch Boulos Massad heard of Fr Nimatullah's death, he commented: "Congratulations to this monk who knew how to benefit from his monastic life". While still alive, Fr Nimatullah was known as the "Saint of Kfifan", a monk who gave himself completely to his brother monks and neighbours during a time of suffering in his Land and difficulty within his Order. Fr Nimatullah was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 10 May 1998. ST. PAOLA ELISABETTA (COSTANZA
CERIOLI) (1816-1865) Costanza Cerioli was born on 28 January 1816 in Soncino, Italy, the last of 16 children born into the noble family of Francesco Cerioli and Francesca Corniani. She was a frail child plagued by a heart condition throughout her life. Comfort found in God alone Costanza lived at home until she was 11 years old, when she was sent off to school in Bergamo; here she remained for five years, suffering terribly from the loneliness of being away from home. But this experience helped her grow to depend on God, finding her comfort in him alone. At age 19, Costanza returned to Soncino where a planned marriage awaited her; 59-year-old Gaetano Busecchi, widow of a countess, was set to be her husband. Seeing it as God's will, she accepted this proposal and was married on 30 April 1835. Her marriage lasted 19 years and was marked by suffering on all sides: her husband's difficult character and poor health weighed on her, and three of the four children that Costanza gave birth to died prematurely; Carlo, her greatest "consolation", lived to be 16. Before his death due to serious illness in January 1854, Carlo spoke these prophetic words to his mother: "Mama, do not cry... the Lord will give you other children". At the end of that same year, on 25 December, Gaetano also died. This marked a dark period for Costanza, causing a profound existential crisis. Never had she found herself so alone and abandoned, her life so seemingly senseless, it was during this time that the words spoken by her son became a constant echo in her soul and sustained her, becoming her "guiding light". She sought spiritual direction and entrusted her tragedies and entire life into the hands of God, asking constantly for the grace to live her life with eyes of faith. Spiritual maternity Costanza continued to feel the need to express her "maternity" and to "give of herself" to others, as she had done with Carlo. She was now 38 years old and, inspired by the Gospel, understood that charity was the only truly meaningful road. She thus began to visit and assist the sick and share her belongings with the poor and orphans. Looking into the searching and frightened eyes of the orphaned children who begged along the streets inspired her to make even more courageous decisions. She began to give all her wealth and belongings to the poor and opened her home to welcome orphans. Her family and neighbours would remark: "The anguish that this devout woman passed through must have driven her crazy... she does not realize what she is doing". The money she received once she sold her jewellry was used to purchase materials for the orphanage. Even before giving away all her goods, she had made the most important decision: to give her entire self to God, making a perpetual vow of chastity on 25 December 1856. And with her confessor's approval, she made vows of poverty and obedience on 8 February 1857. It was not long before other young women desired to join Costanza and "follow" in her works of charity. God's plan was unfolding before her eyes with greater clarity; in silence, prayer and recollection she began to draw up the Rule for her "work". Sisters of the Holy Family On 8 December 1857, Costanza, "mother of many orphans", founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Comonte, Italy. She took the name "Sr Paola Elisabetta", and summarized the charism of the Congregation in this way: "The humility, simplicity, poverty and love of work found in the Holy Family of Nazareth is what makes up the specific spirituality of this Institute. The Sisters that belong to it must strive to model themselves on this life, full of the recollection, hiddenness and same spirit of humble labour that Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived in this blessed home". From that day, Mother Paola dedicated herself to the growth and development of the religious community. On 4 November 1863, in Villacampagna, a male branch was also founded by her, the Religious of the Holy Family. Under the protection of St Joseph With the House of Nazareth as the model of both branches, Mother Paola entrusted her "work" to the special protection of St Joseph and willed that the orphans under their care be known as the "sons and daughters of St Joseph". She was very attentive to the education of these parentless children and to the problem of poverty. Her motherly spirit was limitless and she understood the importance of carefully and properly forming her religious sons and daughters, so that they would be able to love and educate well the children God placed under their care, these "neglected and lost ones". Mother Paola Elisabetta died unexpectedly in her home in Comonte on 24 December 1865. She was 49 years old. She was beatified by Pope Pius XII on 19 March 1950, the Solemnity of St
Joseph. ST. JOSÉ MANYANET Y
VIVES (1833-1901) José Manyanet y Vives was born on 7 January 1833 in Tremp, Northeastern Spain, the ninth and last child of Antonio Manyanet and Bonaventura Vives. When he was almost 2 years old, his father died. A priest, Fr Vaientino Lledos, became his "guardian" and later, his spiritual director. When he was 5, young José was offered to Our Lady by his mother, who instilled in him from the beginning a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. Called to the priesthood As a young boy, José felt called to the priesthood, and in order to pursue his vocation he had to leave Tremp. To pay the cost of his schooling with the Piarist Fathers in Barbastro and formation at the Seminaries of Lleida and Urgell, he earned money by privately tutoring the children of well-to-do families. During these years he cultivated his Christian life in an exemplary way and strengthened his priestly vocation. The Bishop of Urgell had made him a part of his staff during his years of theological studies, and José's commitment and fidelity were so great that the prelate kept him with him, directed him spiritually and in his studies, and ordained him a priest on 9 April 1859. He then appointed him as librarian of the seminary, administrator of the curia and secretary of pastoral visits. After 12 years of intense work in the Diocese of Urgell, Fr Manyanet refused other charges and honours, preferring to dedicate himself to families and to their Christian formation, while at the same time strongly feeling God's call to found a religious institute with this scope. For the good of families With the approval of the Bishop, he founded in 1864 the religious Congregations of the Sons of the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and in 1874, the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Their mission: to imitate, honour and propagate the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Christian formation of families, especially through the Catholic education of youth and through the priestly ministry. The two Congregations began their work by opening schools and other apostolic centres in various parts of Spain. For almost 40 years, through constant prayer, an exemplary life full of virtues and loving dedication for souls, Fr Manyanet was the guide and propelling force in the spread of the two Institutes, in no way sparing himself. Spirituality of the Holy Family Called by God to present to the world the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth, he wrote several books and pamphlets on subjects such as devotion to the Holy Family, the formation of Religious and families, and the direction of colleges and professional schools. He founded the magazine "La Sagrada Familia", which is still published today. Fr Manyanet made pilgrimages to Lourdes, Rome and Loreto in order to reaffirm his Marian devotion, express his ecclesial communion and better understand the spirit of the house of the Holy Family: this was always his home, his school and the theme of his life, and he wanted it to be the same for his sons and daughters. Bearing 'God's mercies' The labours of Fr Manyanet flourished even among many difficulties, and he himself was not spared from certain physical infirmities that tested him throughout his life. Indeed, for 16 years his health was compromised by open wounds on his side, which he called "God's mercies". But his indomitable constancy and strength, nourished by a profound adherence and obedience to God's will, helped him overcome all types of obstacles. On 17 December 1901 Fr Manyanet died in Barcelona, centre of his work. His last words were the short prayer which he had repeated so many times throughout his life; "Jesus, Joseph and Mary, may my soul pass away in peace with you". He was beatified on 25 November 1984 by Pope John Paul II. Today both Institutes are present in several European countries, in North and South America and in Africa. 5 October 2003
ST. DANIEL COMBONI (1831-1881)
Daniel Comboni was born on 15 March 1831 in Limone on Lake Garda, Italy, the fourth of eight children. His parents worked for a rich landowner in the area and although they were materially poor, they were rich in faith and values. Because they could not afford to pay for Daniel's schooling, the boy was sent to an institute for poor children in Verona, founded and directed by Fr Mazza. While in Verona, already feeling called to the priesthood and strongly influenced by the example and missionary zeal of Fr Mazza (affectionately known as "Fr Congo" because his love for the African people), Daniel decided that his future would be dedicated to the evangelization of Africa. With this ideal strongly impressed in his heart, he began in 1849 his studies in languages, medicine and theology. In 1854 he was ordained a priest and three years later, under the direction of Fr Mazza, set out for Africa with five other missionaries. After a four-month journey, the expedition reached Khartoum, capital of Sudan. Fr Comboni understood upon his arrival that the mission would be far from easy, especially since the African people generally did not trust the "white men", whom they associated with their worst enemies, the slave traders. However, despite fatigue, the oppressive climate, sickness and the death of some of his companions, Fr Comboni did not lose heart. He wrote to his parents; "We are called to labour, to sweat, even to die, but the thought that we labour and die for love of Jesus Christ and for the salvation of the most abandoned souls, is too sweet for us to falter in this great commitment". Fr Comboni resolved not to give up the mission to which he felt so strongly called: "Africa or death!", he used to exclaim. In 1859, however, he was forced to return to Italy because of poor health, ending his missionary experience after only two years. Three of his missionary partners died, and the mission was termed a "failure" and had to be closed. After regaining his health, Fr Comboni served as vice-rector at the Institute founded by Fr Mazza, helping him with the young men and women who had been rescued from slavery and welcomed into the Institute. While the African mission seemed an apparent loss, Fr Comboni did not give up; driven by the ideal of evangelizing Africa and wishing to give voice to a people oppressed by slavery and hardship, he continued to hope. In 1864, praying at the tomb of St Peter, Fr Comboni was inspired to draft a "plan for the rebirth of Africa", a missionary blueprint to "save Africa through Africans". Fr Daniel was so firmly convinced of the human and religious capacity and dignity of the African peoples that he began to travel all over Europe in search of funds for the mission, approaching kings, bishops and ordinary people alike. Although some thought his idea a fantasy or "Utopia", Fr Comboni continued to dedicate all his energy to the project. He also began publishing the first missionary magazine in Italy, the Annals of the Good Shepherd Association. In 1867, Fr Comboni founded a missionary institute for men, known today as the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus or Verona Fathers, and one for women in 1872, known as the Comboni Missionary Sisters or Missionary Sisters of Verona. Both Congregations were intended primarily for work in Africa. Together with some of the African men and women rescued from slavery and educated by Fr Mazza, the first missionaries included formed Religious from other Institutes, eager to help Fr Comboni with the new mission and foundation. After the initial years of growth and expansion of missionary foundations in Africa, on 2 July 1877, Fr Comboni was appointed as Vicar Apostolic of Central Africa and consecrated Bishop a month later. Besides travelling widely in his vicariate and establishing missions, he sought to end the widespread slave trade and its abuses, and pioneered superior methods of evangelization. He was also a linguist, geographer and ethnologist, and contributed extensively to scientific journals. He compiled a dictionary of the Nubian language and published studies on the Dinka and Bari tongues. In 1877, a two-year drought and famine of unprecedented severity killed half the local population and exhausted the missionaries. In 1880, for the eighth and last time, Bishop Comboni returned to Africa to take his place beside his missionary sons and daughters, working to combat the scourge of slavery and to consolidate the missionary activity of the Africans themselves. A year later he fell ill and died at the age of 50 on 10 October 1881, in Khartoum, Sudan, among the people he had served and loved. Bishop Comboni was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 17 March 1996.
Arnold Janssen was born on 5 November 1837 in Goch, Germany, the second of 11 children to Gerhard and Anna Katharina Janssen. Arnold learned early on how to work on the family farm and to put God first in his life. When he was 10 years old, Arnold began high school in Goch, and then transferred to the diocesan minor seminary. After completing his studies in 1855, he went to Muenster to study mathematics, natural sciences and philosophy, and then transferred to the major seminary in Muenster to study theology; his intention was to become a priest and a high school teacher. On 15 August 1861, he was ordained a priest and assigned to a secondary school in Bocholt. Fr Janssen was also named diocesan director for the Apostleship of Prayer; this apostolate encouraged him to interact with Christians of other denominations, and he dedicated his time to promoting the Apostleship in the Diocese of Muenster. These activities turned Fr Arnold Janssen into a "travelling apostle" and as soon as school holidays began, he was constantly on the road, often by foot, to visit the dioceses. Little by little the desire grew within him to dedicate all his energies to making the German Church aware of its missionary responsibility. With this in mind, he resigned from his teaching post in 1873. Soon after, he founded the mission magazine titled "The Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart". Its purpose, Fr Janssen said, was "to inform people about the Catholic missions at home and abroad in a readable and interesting manner". During this time, the Catholic Church in Germany was undergoing persecution and all aspects of Church life were put under the authority of the civil power: anti-Catholic laws were passed, priests and Religious were expelled, bishops were imprisoned. In this chaotic situation, Fr Janssen proposed that some of the expelled priests could go to the foreign missions or help with the preparation of missionaries; he strongly wanted to establish a house in Germany for the preparation of overseas missionaries and used his magazine for fundraising. But outside interest in the development of a German mission seminary did not exist, and following a visit of the Apostolic Vicar of Hong Kong to Germany, Fr Janssen was encouraged to begin this difficult task on his own. Many people said he was not fit for the job and that the time was not right in the Church for such a project. His reply was that "the Lord challenges our faith to do something new, precisely when so many things are collapsing in the Church". With the support of some Bishops, Fr Janssen started to gather funds and look for an appropriate formation house. The political situation in Germany forced him to buy a house in Steyl, the Netherlands, across the border from Germany. On 8 September 1875 the house was inaugurated; this date is considered the foundation of the "Divine Word Missionaries". On 2 March 1879 the first two missionaries set out for China: Fr Joseph Freinademetz and Fr John Baptist Anzer. The constant increase in the number of students required almost continuous construction work on the house, and some men worked as volunteers, in this way dedicating their lives to the missions, but not as priests. The new congregation quickly developed into a community of priests and brothers, though Fr Janssen never expected this. In 1885, at its first General Chapter, the community was established as a religious congregation, taking the name Societatis Verbi Divini (SVD), "Society of the Divine Word". Fr Arnold Janssen was elected as the first Superior General. Women also volunteered and helped with work in the kitchen and around the house, but their real desire was to serve the mission as religious Sisters. Thus, on 8 December 1889, the Congregation of the "Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters" was founded; the first Sisters left for Argentina in 1895. In 1898, Fr Janssen selected some of the Sisters to form a cloistered branch, known as the "Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual Adoration". Their mission was intercessory prayer for the Church and especially for the other two missionary congregations. Fr Arnold Janssen died on 15 January 1909 in Steyl at the age of 71. Today there are more than 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries in 65 countries, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters number more than 3,800 in 35 countries, and the Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have more than 400 members in 10 countries. Fr Arnold Janssen was beatified by Pope Paul VI on 19 October 1975.
Joseph Freinademetz was born on 15 April 1852 in Oies in the Dolomite Alps of Northern Italy. He was the fourth of 13 children, four of whom died soon after birth. The Freinademetz family had a small farm; it was there and from his parents that Joseph inherited a very simple but tenacious faith and a great capacity for work. After four years of elementary school, young Joseph was sent to school in Brixen, an 11 hour walk on foot. Here, only German was spoken and he knew very little of the language, but learned it quickly; after two years of German elementary school he was able to transfer to high school, where he showed an excellent talent for languages. In 1872 he entered the diocesan seminary and felt called to the missions. In 1875 he was ordained a priest and was appointed as curate to St Martin's in his home area. Two years later, he met Fr Arnold Janssen, founder of a Mission House, which was soon to become known as the "Society of the Divine Word". In August 1878, with the Bishop's permission, Fr Joseph left for the Mission House in Steyl, the Netherlands. On 2 March 1879 he received his mission cross from the Papal Nuncio and departed for China together with Fr John Baptist Anzer, another Divine Word Missionary priest. On 20 April they arrived in Hong Kong. Under the guidance of another Italian missionary, Fr Joseph began a two-year "mission novitiate" in Saikung, a small station in a remote region of Hong Kong. The next two years were difficult ones and proved essential to Fr Joseph's spiritual "inner transformation" and human and cultural growth. Externally he became Chinese: his black European cassock was exchanged for a blue Chinese robe and his leather shoes for cloth ones; his reddish-blond hair was cut short except for a crop in the back to which a black ponytail was fastened. Even his name became "Fu Shenfu" — "Lucky Priest". There remained, however, his "European mentality", and he soon became frustrated and disillusioned. For Fr Joseph, to be a missionary meant to win souls for the Catholic faith, but he soon learned that trying to form Christian communities was far from easy. Much of the time, too, the priest was on his own for weeks at a time, since his Italian missionary companion took advantage of his presence to visit the outstations. Furthermore, Fr Joseph did not understand the Chinese mindset, and trying to arouse interest among the people in the faith was a distinct challenge; many came to Fr Joseph, not to listen to his message but to see his "exotic European" presence. This was definitely a time in which the young priest was put face-to-face with his own prejudices and presumptions and felt betrayed by the illusions to which he was clinging, Personal disappointments, difficulties of physical adjustment and the frustrating lack of success forced Fr Joseph to face the basic existential questions and reflect on his vocation, freeing him from his narrow way of thinking. He also began to realize that it was crucial to study the Chinese thought, customs, character and disposition. But it was during these initial years that he also found the spiritual foundation on which to build his life in China. Fr Joseph dedicated much energy to the formation of catechists and prepared a catechetical manual in Chinese. He put great effort into the preparation, spiritual formation and ongoing education of Chinese priests and other missionaries. At different times he served as administrator for the mission, rector of the seminary, spiritual director for the first group of Chinese priests and as provincial superior. He was respected for the brotherly manner in which he exercised his authority and especially for his life of prayer. Even when he had to work until late at night, he still made time for prayer and spiritual reading. Fr Joseph was also appointed to take the place of the Bishop whenever he would travel outside of China, and at the end of 1907, while he was serving as diocesan administrator for the sixth time, there was an outbreak of typhus. Without concern for the risk to his own health, he continued visiting the communities until he himself became infected with the disease; he died on 28 January 1908 in Taikia, seat of the Diocese. Fr Joseph Freinademetz learned to discover the greatness and beauty of Chinese culture and to love deeply the people to whom he had been sent. He once wrote: "I love China and the Chinese; I want to die among them and be laid to rest among them". He did and he was. Fr Joseph Freinademetz was beatified by Pope Paul VI on 19 October 1975. 4 May 2003 ST. PEDRO POVEDA CASTROVERDE (1874-1936) Pedro Poveda was born on 3 December 1874 in Linares, Spain, to a solidly Christian family. From early childhood he felt called to become a priest, and in 1889 he entered the diocesan seminary in Jaén. Because of financial difficulties, he transferred to the Diocese of Guadix, Grenada, where the Bishop had offered him a scholarship. He was ordained a priest on 17 April 1897. After ordination Fr Poveda taught in the seminary and served the diocese in many other ways. In 1900 he completed a licentiate in theology at Seville and later began an apostolate among the "cavedwellers", those who lived in dugouts in the hills outside of Guadix. Here he built a school for children and workshops for adults that provided professional training and Christian formation. He was misunderstood, however, and had to leave this special ministry. So Fr Poveda headed for the solitude of Covadonga, in the mountains of northern Spain, where, in 1906, he was appointed canon of the Basilica of Covadonga in Asturias, where the Blessed Virgin is venerated under this title. In Covadonga, he devoted much time to prayer and reflected particularly on the problem of education in Spain. He understood that the Lord was inviting him to open new paths in the Church and in the society of his time. He began to published articles and pamphlets on the question of the professional formation of teachers and was also in contact with other persons who felt the need for the presence and action of Christians in society. The opposition between faith and science was becoming more and more evident in the culture of his day, which carried with it a de-Christianization of the public education system. Fr Poveda, after his apostolic experience in Guadix and his years of reflection and prayer in Covadonga, understood better the need to provide Christian formation for teachers who work in the State school system. He believed that a solid faith and professional qualifications were both needed to keep the Gospel message alive. In 1911 he opened the St Teresa of Avila Academy as a residence for students and the starting point of the Teresian Association, dedicated to the spiritual and pastoral formation of teachers. The following year he joined the Apostolic Union of Secular Priests and started new pedagogical centres and some periodicals. To further his work Fr Poveda moved to Jaén, where he taught in the seminary, served as spiritual director of Los Operarios Catechetical Centre, and worked at the Teacher Training College. In 1914 he opened Spain's first university residence for women in Madrid. Meanwhile, the Teresian Association continued to develop, spreading to various groups and areas, and leading to its ecclesiastical and civil approval in Jaén. Fr Poveda offered the Teresian Association as a new path of Christian life and evangelization created with and for lay persons, forming them to be witnesses of the Gospel, according to his expression: "To believe firmly and to keep silent is not possible". He wanted the adherents to be ready to give their lives for the faith and in fact, expressed the same desire himself. In 1921 Fr Poveda moved to Madrid and was appointed a chaplain of the Royal Palace. A year later he was named a member of the Central Board against illiteracy, but most of his time was devoted to the Teresian Association, which received papal approval in 1924. Although he did not direct the Association, as its founder he worked to consolidate and promote the various dimensions of its mission as it spread to Chile and later to Italy (1934). It was during the religious persecution in Spain that Fr Poveda would be called to the martyrdom he so desired. At dawn on 28 July 1936, when told by his persecutors to identify himself, he said, "I am a priest of Christ". He died a martyr for the faith, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 10 October 1993.
Born on 30 January 1846 in Seville, Spain, and given the baptismal name "Maria of the Angels" Guerrero Gonzalez, the future saint was affectionately known as "Angelita". Her father worked as a cook in the convent of the Trinitarian Fathers, where her mother also worked in the laundry. They had 14 children, with only six reaching adulthood. Angelita was greatly influenced by the teaching and example of her pious parents, and was taught from an early age how to pray the Rosary. She could often be found in the parish church praying before the image of "Our Lady of Good Health", while her mother prepared a nearby altar. In their own home, a simple altar was erected in honour of the Virgin Mary during the month of May, where the family would recite the Rosary and give special honour to Our Lady. Angelita made her First Communion when she was eight, and her Confirmation when she was nine. She had little formal education, beginning work as a young girl in a shoeshop. Her boss and teacher of shoe repair, Antonia Maldonado, was a holy woman; every day the employees prayed the Rosary together and read the lives of the saints. Canon Jose Torres Padilla of Seville was Antonia's spiritual director and had a reputation of "forming saints". Angelita was 16 years old when she met Fr Torres and was put under his direction. Angelita's desire to enter religious life was growing, and when she was 19, she asked to enter the Discalced Carmelites in Santa Cruz but was refused admission because of her poor health. Instead, following the advice of Fr Torres, she began caring for destitute cholera patients, because a cholera epidemic was quickly spreading among the poor. In 1868 Angelita tried once again to enter the convent, this time the Daughters of Charity of Seville. Although her health was still frail, she was admitted. The sisters tried to improve her health and sent her to Cuenca and Valencia, but to no avail. She left the Daughters of Charity during the novitiate and returned home to continue working in the shoeshop. Fr Torres believed that God had a plan for Angelita, but this plan was still a mystery. On 1 November 1871, at the foot of the Cross, she made a private vow to live the evangelical counsels, and in 1873 she received the call from God that would mark the beginning of her "new mission". During prayer, Angelita saw an empty cross standing directly in front of the one upon which Jesus was hanging. She understood immediately that God was asking her to hang from the empty cross, to be "poor with the poor in order to bring them to Christ". Angelita continued to work in the shoeshop, but under obedience to Fr Torres she dedicated her free time to writing a detailed spiritual diary that revealed the style and ideal of life she was being called to live. On 2 August 1875 three other women joined Angelita, beginning community life together in a room they rented in Seville. From that day on, they began their visits and gave assistance to the poor, day and night, These Sisters of the Company of the Cross, under the guidance of Angelita, named "Mother Angela of the Cross", lived an authentically recluse contemplative life when they were not among the poor. Once they returned to their home, they dedicated themselves to prayer and silence, but were always ready when needed to go out and serve the poor and dying. Mother Angela saw the sisters as "angels", called to help and love the poor and sick in their homes who otherwise would have been abandoned. In 1877 a second community was founded in Utrera, in the province of Seville, and a year later one in Ayamonte. Fr Torres died that same year, and Fr José María Alvarez was appointed as the second director of the Institute. While Mother Angela was alive, another 23 convents were established, with the sisters edifying everyone they served by their example of charity, poverty and humility. In fact, Mother Angela herself was known by all as "Mother of the Poor". Mother Angela of the Cross died on 2 March 1932 in Seville. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 5 November 1982. With her characteristic humility, she once wrote these words: "The nothing keeps silent, the nothing does not want to be, the nothing suffers all.... The nothing does not impose itself, the nothing does not command with authority, and finally, the nothing in the creature is practical humility".
Genoveva Torres Morales was born on 3 January 1870 in Almenara, Castille, Spain, the youngest of six children. By the age of eight, both her parents and four of her siblings had died, leaving Genoveva to care for the home and her brother, José. Although he treated her with respect, José was very demanding and taciturn. Being deprived of affection and companionship from her early years, Genoveva became accustomed to solitude. When she was 10, she took a special interest in reading spiritual books. Through this pursuit she came to understand that true happiness is doing God's will, and it was for this reason that each one of us is created. This became her rule of life. At the age of 13, Genoveva's left leg had to be amputated in order to stop the gangrene that was spreading there. The amputation was done in her home, and since the anaesthesia was not sufficient, the pain was excruciating. Throughout her life her leg caused her pain and sickness, and she was forced to use crutches. From 1885 to 1894 she lived at the Mercy Home run by the Carmelites of Charity. In the nine years she lived with the sisters and with other children, the young Genoveva deepened her life of piety and perfected her sewing skills. It was also in these years that Fr Carlos Ferrís, a diocesan priest and future Jesuit and founder of a leprosarium in Fontilles, would guide the "beginnings" of her spiritual and apostolic life. God also gave Genoveva the gift of "spiritual liberty", and this was something she would endeavour to practise throughout her life. Reflecting on this period at the Mercy Home, she later would write: "I loved freedom of heart very much, and worked and am working to achieve it fully.... It does the soul so much good that every effort is nothing compared with this free condition of the heart". Genoveva intended to join the Carmelites of Charity, but it seems she was not accepted due to her physical condition. She longed to be consecrated to God and, being of a decided and resolute nature, she continued to be open to his guidance. In 1894 Genoveva left the Carmelites of Charity's home and went to live briefly with two women who supported themselves by their own work. Together they "shared" the solitude and poverty. In 1911, Canon Barbarrós suggested that Genoveva begin a new religious community, pointing out that there were many poor women who could not afford to live on their own and thus suffered much hardship. For years, Genoveva had thought of starting a religious congregation that would be solely concerned with meeting the needs of such women, since she knew of no one engaged in this work. With the help of Canon Barbarrós and Fr Martín Sánchez, S.J., the first community was established in Valencia. Shortly thereafter, other women arrived, wanting to share the same apostolic and spiritual life. It was not long before more communities were established in other parts of Spain, despite many problems and obstacles. A constant source of suffering for Mother Genoveva was her involvement in external activity and the new foundations. She desired to return to her characteristic interior solitude and remain alone with the Lord, but she accepted her calling as God's will and did not let her physical or interior suffering stop her. She would say: "Even if I must suffer greatly, thanks be to God's mercy, I will not lack courage". She was known for her kindness and openness to all, and for her good sense of humour — she would even joke about her physical ailments. In 1953, the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Angels received Pontifical approval. Mother Genoveva died on 5 January 1956. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 29 January 1995.
José María Rubio was born on 22 July 1864 in Dalías, Spain. His parents were farmers and he was one of 12 children, six of whom died at a young age. He was given a Christian upbringing and in 1875, began secondary school in Almería. As José María felt called to become a priest, he transferred to the diocesan seminary in 1876 to continue his academic pursuits. In 1878 he moved to the major seminary of Granada, where over the years he completed studies in philosophy, theology and canon law. On 24 September 1887 he was ordained a priest. At this time, he also felt called to become a Jesuit, but since he was impeded by circumstances — he took care of an elderly priest who needed assistance — he could not fulfil this wish for 19 years. In the years after his ordination, Fr Rubio was also busy as a vice-parish priest in Chinchón and then as parish priest in Estremera. In 1890, the Bishop called him to Madrid, where he was given the responsibility of synodal examiner. He also taught metaphysics, Latin and pastoral theology at the seminary in Madrid and was chaplain to the nuns of St Bernard, In 1906, after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land the previous year, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Granada. On 12 October 1908 he made his religious profession. Fr Rubio was exemplary in his pastoral ministry, sustained and nurtured by his profound spiritual life. The Bishop of Madrid called him "The Apostle of Madrid", and the faithful sought him out from the early morning hours for confession and to receive spiritual direction. He was known for his incisive, simple preaching that moved many to conversion. He also had particular devotion to the poor, always providing them with the material and spiritual assistance they needed. Through his preaching and spiritual direction, Fr Rubio was also able to attract and guide many lay people who wanted to live their Christian faith authentically and assist him in the mission of helping the poor. Under his guidance, they opened tuition-free schools which offered academic formation as well as instruction in various trades. They also assisted the sick and disabled and tried to find work for the unemployed. Fr Rubio was always the heart and soul of all of these works, but he remained in the background, preferring to let his collaborators take centre stage. For this reason, and to help them develop well the gifts that God had given them, he gave the laity the main responsibility and taught them to live and act like the Apostles of the Lord Jesus. Fr Rubio also organized popular missions and spiritual exercises in the poorest zones of the city, because he believed the poor must be helped fully, both spiritually and materially, and that they must be encouraged and loved for who they are — for their own human dignity. The most important aspect of the apostolate for Fr Rubio was prayer; adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was the centre of his entire life. The love of Christ was what Fr Rubio wanted to give to the poor. For him and his collaborators, prayer came first, and it was through this intense prayer life that they received the strength to minister in the poorest and most abbandoned areas of Madrid and to assist the people spiritually. Fr José María Rubio died on 2 May 1929 in Aranjuez. He was beatified by John Paul II on 6 October 1985.
María de las Maravillas was born in Madrid, Spain, on 4 November 1891, the daughter of Luis Pidal y Mon, the Marquis of Pidal, and Cristina Chico de Guzmán y Muñoz. At the time her father was the Spanish Ambassador to the Holy See, and she grew up in a devout Catholic family. María made a vow of chastity at the age of five and devoted herself to charitable work. After coming into contact with the writings of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Jesus, she felt called to become a Discalced Carmelite. Her father, whom she had faithfully assisted when he became ill, died in 1913, and her mother was reluctant to accept her daughter's decision to enter the Carmelite monastery. However, on 12 October 1919, María did enter the Discalced Carmelites of El Escorial in Madrid. She made her simple vows on 7 May 1921. Before her final profession on 30 May 1924, Sr María had already received a special call from God to found the Carmel of Cerro de los ángeles, and the foundation was inaugurated on 31 October 1926 with three other Carmelites. This was the first of the series of Teresian Carmelite Monasteries that she would establish, according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Discalced Carmelites. María was not being called to found a new order or to "branch off" from the Discalced Carmelites — she herself was very careful in pointing this out; she only sought to live deeply and to transmit the spirit and ideals of St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross. On 28 June 1926, the Bishop of the Diocese of Madrid-Alcalá appointed her prioress of the new monastery. In 1933 she established another foundation in Kottayam, India, and from this Carmel other foundations were started in India. Her role as prioress would be permanent in the various monasteries she founded throughout her life, notwithstanding the natural aversion and sense of inadequacy she felt in accepting positions of responsibility. María's spirit of obedience and love for the Church and for her Carmelite sisters, however, gave her the strength and diligence to carry out this duty with love. Mother Maravillas was often criticized for the poverty of the convents she founded; charges were made that they were "not solid", small in size and unfurnished, with bare walls on which hung chosen Bible verses or writings of the Carmelite saints. She would reply, however, that "it is not our concern to plant a seed, since the Discalced Carmelites have already been founded. Even if our convents collapse, nothing will happen". During the Spanish Civil War, the nuns of Cerro de los ángeles lived in an apartment in Madrid. In September 1937 another Carmel in the Batuecas, Salamanca, was founded. In 1939 the monastery of Cerro de los ángeles was restored. Even amid enormous deprivation, Mother Maravillas instilled courage and happiness, always being an admirable example to her daughters. But she also remained a mystery even to the nuns closest to her, since only her spiritual directors knew the "dark night of the soul" that she lived throughout her life, which kept her in profound spiritual aridity and trials, and made total faith and abandonment to the will of God her guide. In the following years, foundations were established in other parts of Spain. Mother Maravillas also restored and sent nuns to her original Carmel of El | |