The Pope authorized the Congregation for Canonizations to issue a decree canonizing Blessed Maria Antonia as a saint. The new saints are the apostles who promote the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
(Vatican News) When Pope Francis met with Cardinal Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Canonizations, on October 24, he authorized the Congregation for Canonizations to issue a decree canonizing Blessed Maria Antonia di San Giuseppe as a saint. . The new saint is an Argentine, a laywoman who lived a consecrated life and founded the House of Spiritual Exercises in Buenos Aires. Miracles performed through her intercession have been recognized by the Church.
Maria Antonia was born in 1730 to a wealthy family in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. She received a good education in faith and culture, and was exposed to Ignatian spirituality at a young age. In 1745, she decided to dedicate herself to the Lord, made a private vow, and began to live in community with other consecrated women.
Under the guidance of the Jesuit Father Gaspar Juárez, Maria Antonia devoted herself to the education of children, caring for the sick, and aiding the poor. In 1767, after the Jesuits were expelled from Argentina and all of Latin America, she came up with the idea of continuing to promote the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and planned to found a House of Spiritual Exercises.
Maria Antonia, with the full approval of her divines and the Bishop of Santiago del Estero, began to carry out her plan. She traveled frequently to promote Ignatian spirituality and found new houses of spiritual exercise. She longed to go “where God has not yet been known” and therefore traveled to Uruguay, Colonia and Montevideo.
Maria Antonia passed away on March 7, 1799, at the age of 69. It is estimated that she led about 80,000 people in spiritual retreats during her lifetime. Her remains are currently preserved in the Sanctuary of Buenos Aires.
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2023-10-26 10:09:37
