Blessed María Antonia De Paz Y Figueroa

Biography

Blessed María Antonia De Paz Y Figueroa, also known as María Antonia of Saint Joseph, Maria Antonia de San Jose, and Mama Antula, was born in 1730 in Silípica, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Raised in a pious family, she felt a strong call to religious life from a young age. However, at that time, there were no cloistered religious congregations in her region, so she decided to pursue her vocation by joining a group of other women who also felt the same calling. She donned a black robe and began living a life of devotion and service.

Under the spiritual direction of Jesuit Father Gaspar Juarez, Maria dedicated herself to teaching children, caring for the sick and poor, and engaging in needlework to support herself. Additionally, she assisted in retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. These retreats provided a spiritual opportunity for individuals seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ.

In 1767, King Charles III of Spain expelled the Jesuit Order, which meant that Father Gaspar Juarez could no longer serve as Maria's spiritual director. Undeterred, Maria began leading the retreats herself, even though she faced some hostility from those who associated the Spiritual Exercises solely with the Jesuits. Despite the challenges, she persevered and continued to bring the message of Christ through the retreats to tens of thousands of people in various cities.

Maria Antonia also received the support of Archbishop Sebastián Malvar y Pinto of Buenos Aires, who recognized the value of her retreats and appreciated her dedication to spreading the teachings of Christ. Inspired by her spiritual work, Maria went on to found the Daughters of the Divine Savior, a religious congregation committed to serving others and living a life of prayer and sacrifice.

In addition to establishing the religious congregation, Maria Antonia also founded a retreat house in Buenos Aires. This retreat house, which continues its good work to this day, offers spiritual retreats and fosters the spiritual growth of numerous individuals.

Blessed María Antonia De Paz Y Figueroa passed away on 6-7 March 1799 in the retreat house in Buenos Aires, Argentina, due to natural causes. She was buried in the Church of Our Lady of Mercy in Buenos Aires.

Recognizing her exemplary life of virtue and holiness, Pope Benedict XVI declared the heroic virtues of Maria Antonia on 1 July 2010. She was then beatified by Pope Francis on 27 August 2016 in a ceremony led by Cardinal Angelo Amato at Francisco de Aguirre Park in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The beatification recognition celebrated at this event highlighted the beatification miracle attributed to her intercession, which involved the healing of Sister Rosa Vanina in 1904.

Blessed María Antonia De Paz Y Figueroa's life serves as an inspiration for all those seeking to follow Christ and spread His message of love and salvation. Her commitment to the Spiritual Exercises and her tireless efforts to bring spiritual renewal to others continue to impact countless lives, making her a beloved figure in Catholic tradition.