Candida Maria de Jesus
Encyclopedia
Saint Candida Maria of Jesus, F.I.
, , was a Spanish Religious Sister
and educator. She founded the Congregation
of the Daughters of Jesus
on December 8, 1871 in Salamanca
, Spain
.
, Guipuzcoa, in the Basque region of Spain. Her father was a weaver, and the family was poor. Due to her family's need, she moved to Salamanca while still very young to find work. It was to remain her home for the rest of her life.
While living there, she was effected by the dire poverty she saw around her in that city and felt drawn to be of service to her neighbors in greater need, even at the risk of her employment. She declared at the time that “where there is no room for the poor, neither is there room for me”.
In 1868, when she was 23, she met Jesuit Father Miguel José Herranz, who later helped her in her call to form a congregation.
The congregation spread throughout all of Spain. By 1911, she was able to establish a school in Brazil
, the first foundation outside of Spain. She died on August 9, 1912.
. In July 2009, a meeting took place between Archbishop Angelo Amato
, the Prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints
, and Pope Benedict XVI
. In that meeting, the Pope formally approved a second miracle that the Congregation (first its medical panel, then the theological panel, then the prelate members) had reviewed and voted to approve.
On October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict celebrated a Mass
of canonization
to declare that she and five other men and women were saint
s. In the homily
he gave, Benedict praised her inspiration for other Sisters to dedicate themselves to education and the promotion of women.
She was canonized at St. Peter's Square.
Congregation of the Hijas de Jesús
The Congregation of the Hijas de Jesús is a Roman Catholic Congregation founded on December 8, 1871 in Salamanca by Saint Cándida María de Jesús, together with five other women. They were assisted by Jesuit Father Miguel José Herranz...
, , was a Spanish Religious Sister
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
and educator. She founded the Congregation
Congregation (catholic)
The term "congregation" has three usages specific to the Roman Catholic Church. One concerns the Roman Curia, the other two concern religious institutes.- Roman Curia :...
of the Daughters of Jesus
Congregation of the Hijas de Jesús
The Congregation of the Hijas de Jesús is a Roman Catholic Congregation founded on December 8, 1871 in Salamanca by Saint Cándida María de Jesús, together with five other women. They were assisted by Jesuit Father Miguel José Herranz...
on December 8, 1871 in Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Life
She was born Juana Josefa Cipitria Barriola in Berrospe, AndoainAndoain
Andoain is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the north of Spain. Nowadays it has a population above 13,000 inhabitants, which has been decreasing since 1981....
, Guipuzcoa, in the Basque region of Spain. Her father was a weaver, and the family was poor. Due to her family's need, she moved to Salamanca while still very young to find work. It was to remain her home for the rest of her life.
While living there, she was effected by the dire poverty she saw around her in that city and felt drawn to be of service to her neighbors in greater need, even at the risk of her employment. She declared at the time that “where there is no room for the poor, neither is there room for me”.
In 1868, when she was 23, she met Jesuit Father Miguel José Herranz, who later helped her in her call to form a congregation.
The congregation spread throughout all of Spain. By 1911, she was able to establish a school in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, the first foundation outside of Spain. She died on August 9, 1912.
Canonization
On May 12, 1996, Mother Candida was beatified, together with another member of her congregation, Sister María Antonia Bandrés y Elósegui, by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. In July 2009, a meeting took place between Archbishop Angelo Amato
Angelo Amato
Angelo Amato, S.D.B. is a cardinal of the Catholic Church and currently serves as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He previously served as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2002 to 2008.-Education:He entered the Salesians, after completing...
, the Prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
, and Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. In that meeting, the Pope formally approved a second miracle that the Congregation (first its medical panel, then the theological panel, then the prelate members) had reviewed and voted to approve.
On October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict celebrated a Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
of canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
to declare that she and five other men and women were saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s. In the homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
he gave, Benedict praised her inspiration for other Sisters to dedicate themselves to education and the promotion of women.
She was canonized at St. Peter's Square.