St. Maria Maravillas de JesusFeast Day: December 11
Birth: 1891
Death: 1974
Patron
Spain
Maria was born into a family who had a close connection with the pope. Her father was the Spanish ambassador for the Holy See and her family was faithful to the Church teachings. By the time Maria turned five years old. she had already made a personal vow of chastity and was performing works of charity.
Maria wanted to enter into the Carmelite order; however, after her father's death, her mother refused to let her daughter leave. She would not make her final vows until 1924, yet within a year she was being called to found the first of the series of Teresian Carmelite Monasteries that she would establish. These monasteries would reach into India by 1926. The convents were sparse in their needs but were considered a place to further in the vows given as Carmelites. Many criticized this simple life but Maria was humble and told her critics that these establishments would last as long as they were needed.
Maria was known for her courage; however, she spent many days of her life struggling with her prayer life. These times she called her "dark night" were times when she fully abandoned herself to trust God and do his will.
In order to unite the monasteries founded by her and others that had the same finality, she founded the Association of St Teresa, which received official approval from the Holy See in 1972.
On 8 December 1974, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Mother Maravillas was anointed and received Holy Communion. On 11 December, surrounded by her community in Madrid, she died. At the time of her death, her sisters report that Mother Maravillas kept repeating the phrase: "What happiness to die a Carmelite!".
St. Maria Maravillas de Jesus, pray for us!
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