Saint María Isabel Salvat Romero

Biography

Saint María Isabel Salvat Romero, also known as María de la Purísima de la Cruz, was born on 20 February 1926 in Madrid, Spain. She was born into a wealthy and deeply religious family, which played a significant role in shaping her faith and devotion to God from an early age. During the turbulent times of the Spanish Civil War, María and her family experienced great persecution due to their devout Catholic beliefs. In an effort to escape the dangers of the war, María and her family sought refuge in Portugal, where they resided from 1936 to 1938. This period proved to be a formative time for María as she witnessed the hardships faced by her family and fellow Catholics. Following the end of the war, María felt a strong calling to dedicate her life to serving God and others. Inspired by the examples of holiness she encountered during her time in Portugal, she decided to become a nun. She joined the Institute of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross on 8 December 1944 and embarked on a lifelong journey of spiritual devotion and service. Throughout her religious life, María demonstrated exceptional dedication to her congregation. Her commitment and unwavering faith led her to make her final vows in 1952 and eventually assume the role of Superior General of her Order in 1977. During her tenure, María worked tirelessly to foster unity and spiritual growth among her fellow sisters, leading them by example through her kindness, humility, and radiant joy. María was widely admired for her profound spirituality, her devotion to prayer, and her contemplative life. She believed that true holiness resided in a deep union with God and sought to live this out in every aspect of her life. In her role as Superior General, she encouraged her sisters to strive for holiness and to prioritize their relationship with God above all else. On 31 October 1998, Saint María Isabel Salvat Romero passed away in Seville, Spain of natural causes. Her death was deeply mourned by all those who had been touched by her compassionate spirit and her unwavering faith. Recognizing the sanctity of her life, Pope Benedict XVI decreed her heroic virtues on 17 January 2009, marking the beginning of her process of beatification. Saint María was beatified on 18 September 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, who recognized a miracle attributed to her intercession. The miracle involved the complete and unexplained recovery of a man from a vegetative state, which was considered to be a miraculous intervention of Saint María. Finally, on 18 October 2015, Saint María Isabel Salvat Romero was canonized by Pope Francis in Rome, Italy. Her canonization celebrated her exemplary life of holiness, her profound love for God and her fellow beings, and her unwavering commitment to serving the Church. Although she does not have a specific patronage assigned, her life continues to inspire and encourage people worldwide to strive for a closer relationship with God and a life dedicated to selfless service.