María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, also known as Mama Antula, was an Argentine Catholic religious sister and the founder of the Daughters of the Divine Savior. She is recognized for her work in organizing and leading spiritual retreats, particularly the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, in the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. She is celebrated as Argentina's first female saint.
- Century
- 18th century
- Country Or Region
- Argentina
Key Facts
- ›María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa was born in 1730 in the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata.
- ›She founded the Daughters of the Divine Savior (Hijas del Divino Salvador).
- ›She was instrumental in restoring and leading the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.
- ›Her retreats gained significant success and recognition across the viceroyalty and internationally.
- ›She was beatified on August 27, 2016, and canonized on February 11, 2024.
- ›She is recognized as Argentina's first female saint.
María Antonia of Saint Joseph, Mama Antula, María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa
Daughters of the Divine Savior
About María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa (Mama Antula)
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, later known in Santiagueño Quechua as Mama Antula, was a significant figure in the Catholic Church in South America, born in 1730 in the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata, which is now Argentina. Descending from a prominent family, she exhibited a deep devotion from a young age, deciding at fifteen to dedicate her life entirely to God. In an era without active cloistered religious life, she adopted a religious habit and formed a small community with other women.
Life and Ministry
Guided by Jesuit priest Gaspar Juarez, Mama Antula devoted herself to instructing children, assisting the sick, and aiding the poor, alongside her needlework. A pivotal moment in her life came in 1767 with the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain. This event spurred her to revive the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, an initiative met with resistance due to the prevailing anti-Jesuit sentiment. Undeterred, she began organizing retreats across the viceroyalty from 1768 to 1770, reaching places like Salavina and Atamasqui.
Her efforts gained significant traction, leading her to travel to Buenos Aires in September 1779. Despite initial refusal from imperial officials, her retreats commenced in Buenos Aires in 1780 with great success, earning the support of Archbishop Sebastián Malvar y Pinto. Her work gained international recognition, with her letters being translated into English and German and circulated for inspiration in various countries, including France.
Religious Foundation and Death
During this period of intense spiritual activity, Mama Antula also established the Daughters of the Divine Savior (Hij as del Divino Salvador). She died on March 7, 1799, at the age of 69, and was buried in Buenos Aires.
Beatification and Canonization
The process for her beatification began in Buenos Aires in 1905. After extensive review and recognition of her heroic virtue by Pope Benedict XVI, who proclaimed her venerable on July 1, 2010, a miracle attributed to her intercession was approved by Pope Francis on March 3, 2016. This paved the way for her beatification, which took place in Santiago del Estero on August 27, 2016. Mama Antula's journey to sainthood culminated on February 11, 2024, when Pope Francis canonized her in a mass at St. Peter's Basilica, officially recognizing her as Argentina's first female saint.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa?
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, also known as Mama Antula, was a Catholic religious sister from Argentina. She is recognized for her significant role in establishing the Daughters of the Divine Savior and for her extensive work in leading spiritual retreats.
What is Mama Antula best known for?
Mama Antula is best known for her restoration and popularization of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. She organized these retreats across various locations, drawing significant numbers of participants.
When was María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa beatified and canonized?
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa was beatified on August 27, 2016. She was later canonized by Pope Francis on February 11, 2024, making her Argentina's first female saint.
What was the significance of her founding the Daughters of the Divine Savior?
The founding of the Daughters of the Divine Savior marked a significant contribution to religious life and service in the region. This congregation was established by Mama Antula to continue her work and apostolate.
Related Saints
Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero
Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero was an Argentine Catholic priest known for his extensive work with the poor and the sick, particularly his efforts during a cholera epidemic and his contracting of leprosy. He is affectionately remembered as "the Gaucho priest" and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2016.
Artémides Zatti
Artémides Zatti was an Italian Roman Catholic professed religious of the Salesians of Don Bosco and a noted pharmacist who emigrated to Argentina in 1897. He is remembered for his ardent faith and commitment to the sick, serving them diligently throughout his life. Zatti was canonized as a saint on October 9, 2022, in the Catholic Church.
Junípero Serra
Junípero Serra was a Spanish Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Order, primarily active in what is now Mexico and the southwestern United States. He is best known for founding nine of the 21 Spanish missions in California, which form a significant part of the state's historical landscape. Serra's missionary work has been a subject of controversy due to accusations of forced conversions and mistreatment of Native Americans.