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Feast Day: September 1
Birth: November 9, 1893
Death: September 6, 1936
Blessed Amparo Carbonell Muñoz, also known as Sister Maria del Rifugio, was born on 9 November 1893 in Alboraya, Valencia, Spain. She came from a humble peasant family and received her education at a convent of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians sisters near her home. From a young age, Amparo felt a strong calling to religious life, but persuading her family to agree to her vocation was no easy task.
In 1923, Amparo made her initial profession in the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians congregation, dedicating her life to serving God and others. She continued her formation and spiritual growth, eventually making her final profession in 1929. Amparo's commitment to her religious community was unwavering, and she wholeheartedly embraced the charism of the Salesian Sisters.
During the tumultuous years of the Spanish Civil War, Amparo found herself assigned to the Santa Dorotea convent in Barcelona in 1936. This period was marked by severe persecution of religious communities, and the convent was not exempt from this violence. Tragically, Amparo Carbonell Muñoz, along with her fellow sisters, was martyred for her faith on 6 September 1936 in Barcelona.
Amparo's selfless dedication and her ultimate sacrifice in the face of persecution have made her an example of courage and faith for generations to come. Her unwavering commitment to God, even amidst grave danger, is a testament to the depth of her spirituality and her love for others.
In recognition of her martyrdom, Pope John Paul II declared her venerable on 20 December 1999. By bestowing this honor, the Pope acknowledged Amparo's heroic virtues and the sanctity of her life. While Amparo Carbonell Muñoz has not yet been beatified, her memory and legacy continue to inspire Catholics worldwide.
Blessed Amparo Carbonell Muñoz is venerated on two feast days: 1 September, and 22 September alongside the other Martyred Salesians of Valencia, Catalunya, and Aragón who gave their lives during the Spanish Civil War. Although details regarding her specific representation are not given, it is important to remember that Amparo's representation lies in her virtuous life and her courageous witness as a martyr.