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Feast Day: January 7
Birth: October 20, 1953
Death: April 1, 44
Blessed Lindalva Justo de Oliveira, also known as Lindalwa, was born on 20 October 1953 in Sitio Malhada da Areia, Açu, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. She was born into a large family and grew up in a deeply religious environment. Lindalva felt a strong calling to dedicate her life to God and joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1986.
After joining the religious order, Lindalva began her mission of serving the marginalized and vulnerable. On 29 January 1991, she was assigned to work at a homeless center in El Salvador. Lindalva's selflessness and dedication to the service of others quickly became evident, as she went above and beyond to provide love, care, and support to those in need.
Tragically, on 9 April 1993, Lindalva's life was cut short by an act of violence. A man named Augusto da Silva Peixoto became obsessed with her, and when Lindalva rejected his advances, he grew enraged. Fueled by anger and frustration, Peixoto took her life, stabbing her 44 times with a knife in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
The shocking and untimely death of Lindalva revealed her steadfast commitment to her faith and her refusal to abandon her religious vocation. Her martyrdom was a testament to her unwavering dedication to God and her mission to help the less fortunate.
Recognizing her sacrifice, Pope Benedict XVI venerated Lindalva Justo de Oliveira on 16 December 2006, issuing a decree of martyrdom. On 2 December 2007, she was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, earning the title of "Blessed" Lindalva Justo de Oliveira.
Blessed Lindalva Justo de Oliveira's feast days are celebrated on 7 January, based on the date of her baptism, and 9 April on some calendars, commemorating the day of her martyrdom. Her life and unyielding faith continue to inspire countless individuals, and she is regarded as a shining example of selflessness, devotion, and martyrdom within the Catholic community.