Saint Candida Maria De Jesus Cipitria Y Barriola

Biography

Saint Candida Maria De Jesus Cipitria Y Barriola, also known as Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola, was born on 31 May 1845 in Andoáin, Guipúzcoa, Spain. She was the oldest of seven children born to Juan Miguel Cipitria and María Jesús Barriola. Juana's family worked as weavers, and she learned the craft from a young age. At the age of 18, Juana left home to work as a maid for a family in Burgos, Spain. It was during this time that she felt a strong call to religious life. On 8 December 1871, she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus with the aim of fostering a Christian upbringing of children and improving the condition of women in Salamanca, Spain. Taking the name Mother Candida Maria de Jesus, Juana dedicated herself to the spiritual and educational mission of the Congregation. The order was committed to providing Christian education to girls and young women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mother Candida based her spirituality on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, utilizing their principles for the spiritual growth and formation of her religious sisters. The Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus received papal approval from Pope Leo XIII on 30 July 1901, affirming the importance of their work and the charism imparted by Mother Candida. Under her guidance, the congregation expanded its mission, establishing schools, orphanages, and vocational training centers, providing opportunities for countless young women to receive an education and build a better future for themselves. Saint Candida Maria De Jesus Cipitria Y Barriola passed away on 9 August 1912 in Salamanca, Spain, at the age of 67, due to natural causes. Her exemplary life of holiness and dedication to serving others attracted the attention of the Catholic Church, which recognized her heroic virtues. Pope John Paul II declared her venerable on 6 July 1993. Mother Candida was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 8 May 1996, acknowledging her as a model of sanctity and an inspiration for others to follow. Finally, on 17 October 2010, she was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, officially recognized as a saint of the Catholic Church. Today, Saint Candida Maria De Jesus Cipitria Y Barriola is venerated as a patron saint of the Daughters of Jesus, the congregation she founded. Her life serves as a reminder of the importance of education, the empowerment of women, and the tireless dedication to serving others with love and compassion.