María de la Purísima Salvat Romero
María de la Purísima Salvat Romero was a Spanish religious sister of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, known for her strong commitment to the Church's magisterium and her leadership in her congregation. She is remembered for her firmness in guiding the Sisters of the Company of the Cross and her tireless work serving the sick and the poor. Beatified in 2010 and canonized in 2015, she is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.
- Feast Day
- September 18
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Spain
Key Facts
- ›She was born María Isabel Salvat Romero on February 20, 1926, in Spain.
- ›She joined the Sisters of the Company of the Cross on December 8, 1944.
- ›She served as Superior General of her congregation from 1977 until her death in 1998.
- ›During her tenure, she focused on updating the constitution while safeguarding the congregation's charism.
- ›She was diagnosed with a tumor in 1994 and faced her illness with docility to the will of God.
- ›She was beatified on September 18, 2010, and canonized on October 18, 2015.
María Isabel Salvat Romero, María de la Purísima of the Cross
About María de la Purísima Salvat Romero
María de la Purísima Salvat Romero, born María Isabel Salvat Romero on February 20, 1926, was a Spanish religious sister of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, having been beatified in 2010 and canonized in 2015. She is remembered for her strong leadership and dedication to her religious congregation and its spiritual mission.
Life and Ministry
Born into a family of eight children in Spain, María de la Purísima Salvat Romero experienced firsthand the upheavals of the Spanish Civil War, during which her family temporarily relocated to Portugal. It was during this period that she discerned her vocation to religious life, a calling she pursued despite initial parental reservations. She entered the Sisters of the Company of the Cross on December 8, 1944, receiving the habit in 1945 and making her temporary vows in 1947 and perpetual vows in 1952.
Romero's leadership qualities became evident as she progressed within the congregation. She was sent to the Mother House in Seville in 1966 and became Provincial of the Mother House in 1968. In 1977, she ascended to the position of Superior General, an office she held until her death, being reelected three times. During her tenure, she was instrumental in updating the congregation's constitution while steadfastly upholding its charism and emphasizing fidelity to the Gospel and the magisterium of the Catholic Church. She also fostered a renewed devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary and was known for her personal service to the sick and poor.
Beatification and Canonization
The process for her canonization began with her declaration as Servant of God in 2004. Following the validation of the local process and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints' review, Pope Benedict XVI declared her venerable on January 17, 2009. A miracle attributed to her intercession, the recovery of a child from a vegetative state, was approved by Pope Benedict XVI on March 27, 2010. Cardinal Angelo Amato presided over her beatification on September 18, 2010. A second miracle was approved by Pope Francis on May 5, 2015, paving the way for her canonization, which took place on October 18, 2015. Her feast day is celebrated on September 18, the date of her beatification.
María de la Purísima Salvat Romero died in Seville on October 31, 1998, after facing a terminal illness with faith and docility.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was María de la Purísima Salvat Romero born and when did she die?
She was born on February 20, 1926, and died on October 31, 1998.
What religious order did María de la Purísima Salvat Romero belong to?
She belonged to the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, a congregation established by Angela of the Cross.
What was María de la Purísima Salvat Romero known for during her time as Superior General?
She was known for her firmness in guiding the congregation, overseeing the updating of its constitution, and defending its charism. She also emphasized renewed fidelity to the Gospel and the magisterium of the Church, with a focus on Marian and Eucharistic devotion.
When was María de la Purísima Salvat Romero beatified and canonized?
She was beatified on September 18, 2010, and canonized on October 18, 2015.
Did María de la Purísima Salvat Romero have any notable charitable work?
Yes, in her role as Mother General, she met with the sick and the poor each morning, tirelessly serving them food and cleaning their clothes.
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