The Catholic Church celebrates Sister María de San Joséthe first Blessed Catholic native of VenezuelaWhoever it was considered a dedicated religious woman and co-founder of the Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of the Heart of Jesusin addition to its first superior general.
To the present, The Agustina Recollect sisters are dedicated to caring for the elderly in a state of abandonment, people without economic resources, street children and sick people in general. To accomplish this task, They have shelters and hospitals throughout Venezuela.
Laura Alvarado Cardozomore popularly known as Mother Mary of Saint Joseph either mother marywas born April 25, 1875 in Choroní, Venezuela. Was baptized in October of that same yearreceiving there the name of Laura Evangelista.
In 1901, the Father Vicente López founded the congregation of Augustinian Recollect sisterswith the purpose that God’s work would grow. To her María de San José joined, where he adopted this name. Years later, She became the first superior of that congregation.
In subsequent years, The Augustinian Recollects dedicated themselves with effort and tenacity to work for and with the weakest. For that reason, They founded asylums, orphanages, maternity homes, hospitals and schoolsthroughout Venezuela.
The Mother María de San José died on April 2, 1967, in Maracay. His rests They rest in the Chapel of the Augustinian Sisters of the Casa Hogar ‘Inmaculada Concepción’ from his city, where he lived most of his life.
Years later, the miracle by which Mother Mary was beatified was confirmed: the healing of Sister Teresa Silva, who had become an invalid because of an illness. The Mother had prophesied his healing, years before dying. Finally, on May 7, 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II proclaimed Mother Mary ‘blessed’.
Prayer to the blessed mother Mary of Saint Joseph
Almighty and eternal God
what you have given us
in blessed Mary of Saint Joseph
a model of love for orphans
and abandoned old people,
make, following his example,
let’s recognize the poor
and marginalized your son Jesus Christ
and we can serve you
with the same love
with which she served them.
Through Christ Our Lord.
