María Luisa Josefa
Encyclopedia
Venerable
Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament, also called Mother Luisita (June 21, 1866 – February 11, 1937) was a Mexican
Roman Catholic nun
who founded the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
.
She was born María Luisa de la Peña y Navarro in Atotonilco el Alto
, Jalisco
, the third of fourteen children raised in a devout Catholic family. At fifteen years of age she married medical doctor Pascual Rojas. Together they worked to provide medical care for poor people. Dr. Rojas died when Mother Luisita was twenty nine years old
Mother Luisita founded the order of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart (Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón, also called Carmelitas de Tijuana) on December 24, 1904 in the Mexican state of Jalisco. In the 1920s, during the Mexican Revolution
, Mother Luisita took a group of nuns to the U.S. city of Los Angeles
to protect them from the Catholic persecution unleashed by the authorities. This group of nuns became the basis for the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Mother Luisita herself went back to Mexico in 1930 where she continued her work of providing healthcare for the poor.
Mother Luisita died on February 11, 1937. In 1942 her remains were secretly taken to be buried in Guadalajara, Jalisco
. In 1966 they were brought back to the place of her birth Atotonilco. In 1998 they were placed in a special chapel in that town.
She is a candidate for sainthood and was made venerable on July 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
. Each year on February 11 the Catholic Church celebrates her Feast
.
O Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, King and center of all hearts! Look with merciful love on the petitions we present to You through the intercession of Your servant, Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. (Pause and request your petition). We humbly beseech You to glorify her who was always such a fervent lover of Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.
Written by Mother Margarita María, O.C.D.
Approved by Cardinal Timothy Manning, August 28, 1981
Venerable
The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches. It is also the common English-language translation of a number of Buddhist titles.-Roman Catholic:...
Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament, also called Mother Luisita (June 21, 1866 – February 11, 1937) was a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Roman Catholic nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
who founded the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles is a religious community of the Carmelite Order founded by Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament.-Patrons of the Order:* Saint Teresa of Avila* Saint John of the Cross...
.
She was born María Luisa de la Peña y Navarro in Atotonilco el Alto
Atotonilco El Alto
Atotonilco El Alto is a town and municipality, in Jalisco in central-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 638.15 km².Atotonilco means Atotonilco El Alto means The High for honor Cristero War...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
, the third of fourteen children raised in a devout Catholic family. At fifteen years of age she married medical doctor Pascual Rojas. Together they worked to provide medical care for poor people. Dr. Rojas died when Mother Luisita was twenty nine years old
Mother Luisita founded the order of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart (Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón, also called Carmelitas de Tijuana) on December 24, 1904 in the Mexican state of Jalisco. In the 1920s, during the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
, Mother Luisita took a group of nuns to the U.S. city of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to protect them from the Catholic persecution unleashed by the authorities. This group of nuns became the basis for the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Mother Luisita herself went back to Mexico in 1930 where she continued her work of providing healthcare for the poor.
Mother Luisita died on February 11, 1937. In 1942 her remains were secretly taken to be buried in Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
. In 1966 they were brought back to the place of her birth Atotonilco. In 1998 they were placed in a special chapel in that town.
She is a candidate for sainthood and was made venerable on July 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. Each year on February 11 the Catholic Church celebrates her Feast
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
.
Prayer
Prayer For the Beatification of Venerable Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed SacramentO Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, King and center of all hearts! Look with merciful love on the petitions we present to You through the intercession of Your servant, Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. (Pause and request your petition). We humbly beseech You to glorify her who was always such a fervent lover of Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.
Written by Mother Margarita María, O.C.D.
Approved by Cardinal Timothy Manning, August 28, 1981