Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesús - Life, Spirituality & Canonization

ST. MARIA MARAVILLAS DE JESUS

Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesús was a Spanish Carmelite nun, mystic, and founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Holy Face. Born in 1891, she devoted her life to prayer, penance, and silence, seeking union with God. Her deep spirituality and commitment to the contemplative life led to her beatification in 1998 and canonization in 2015. She is remembered for her profound faith, humility, and dedication to the Church.

Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesús was born on November 4, 1891, in Madrid, Spain, into a devout Catholic family. She was baptized María de las Maravillas López y Fernández and had a strong sense of vocation from a young age. At the age of 17, she entered the Carmelite convent in Las Batuecas, a decision that would define the rest of her life. After completing her novitiate, she took the religious name "Maria Maravillas de Jesús," and soon became known for her deep spirituality and commitment to the Carmelite tradition.

Her early years in the convent were marked by a profound desire to live a life of prayer and penance. Maria Maravillas was drawn to the ideals of the Carmelite order, especially the contemplative life, and sought to model her life on the example of Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. Throughout her years in the convent, she maintained a spirit of silence, humility, and complete devotion to God, with a special focus on the Eucharist and prayer. She was known for the mystical experiences she encountered and for the way she embraced suffering as a means of drawing closer to God.

One of her most significant contributions was the foundation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Holy Face, which she established to continue the work of deep contemplation and devotion to the sanctification of souls. The sisters followed her example, focusing on the contemplative life and praying for the Church and the world. Maria Maravillas was also known for her extraordinary spiritual leadership, guiding the sisters with wisdom and compassion.

In addition to her spiritual gifts, she faced numerous challenges throughout her life, particularly during the Spanish Civil War. Despite the tumultuous times, she remained firm in her faith, continuing to lead her community with an unwavering commitment to her religious life. Her health began to decline in her later years, but she continued to serve her community until her death on August 11, 1974. She was 82 years old at the time of her passing.

Following her death, devotion to her grew rapidly, with many recognizing the deep holiness she had lived. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 10, 1998, after a miracle attributed to her intercession was officially recognized. Later, on October 4, 2015, Pope Francis canonized her as a saint. Her feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of her death, August 11.

Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesús is remembered for her extraordinary devotion to God, her role in fostering a deeper prayer life within the Carmelite order, and her mystical experiences that inspired those around her. She serves as a model of contemplative prayer, humility, and faithfulness, showing that even in times of adversity, a deep relationship with God can bring peace and strength.

Feast Day

11-8-1974

Birth Date

4-11-1891

Died Date

11-8-1974

Canonised Date

4-10-2015

Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzas de la Santa Faz, Madrid

Saint Maria Maravillas de Jesus, beloved daughter of the Church, pray for us that we may live with the same faith, humility, and love for Christ that you demonstrated in your life. Help us to be faithful to God's will, to serve others with joy, and to seek holiness in all things. Intercede for us, that we may experience the grace of God's love and mercy in our daily lives. Amen.
ST. MARIA MARAVILLAS DE JESUS

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ST. MARIA MARAVILLAS DE JESUS

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