Blessed Maria Clara Of The Child Jesus

Biography

Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, also known as Libânia Do Carmo Galvão Mexia de Moura Telles de Albuquerque, was born on 15 June 1843 in Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal. She was baptized with the name Libânia, but later took the religious name Sister Maria Clara of the Child Jesus when she joined the Capuchin Tertiaries of Our Lady of the Conception in 1869.

Sister Maria Clara was a devout and dedicated woman who felt a deep calling to serve God and others. In 1876, she founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception. Her congregation aimed to provide care for the sick and vulnerable, following the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.

The Vatican officially approved the Congregation on 27 March 1876, recognizing the important work that Sister Maria Clara and her sisters were doing. Through her leadership and spiritual guidance, the Franciscan Hospitallers grew and expanded their ministries to various parts of Portugal.

Blessed Maria Clara led a life of exceptional holiness and selflessness, dedicating herself to the service of God and her fellow human beings. She embraced a life of poverty, obedience, and chastity, reflecting the vows she took as a religious sister. Her deep love for Jesus and her devotion to the Child Jesus inspired her actions and guided her in her mission.

Throughout her life, Blessed Maria Clara showed great compassion and care for the sick, particularly during times of epidemics and cholera outbreaks. She tirelessly served the poor and marginalized, providing them with physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Her exceptional kindness and empathy for others earned her the respect and love of those she encountered.

Blessed Maria Clara lived a life of humility and simplicity, finding joy in serving others and striving to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her devotion to God and her commitment to helping the most vulnerable exemplified her desire to bring Christ's love and mercy to all.

On 1 December 1899, Blessed Maria Clara passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, due to natural causes. Her remains are interred at the General House of the Franciscan Hospitallers in Linda-a-Pastora, near Lisbon. Pope Benedict XVI recognized her exceptional holiness and venerated her on 6 December 2008. Subsequently, on 21 May 2011, Pope Benedict XVI officially beatified Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, recognizing her as a blessed and an inspiration for the faithful.

Today, Blessed Maria Clara is remembered for her unwavering faith, her dedication to serving the sick and poor, and her profound love for the Child Jesus. Her example continues to inspire others to live lives of charity, compassion, and devotion to God. The Congregation she founded, the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception, carries on her legacy, continuing to serve and care for those in need.