Saint Joaquina Vedruna Vidal De Mas

Biography

Saint Joaquina Vedruna Vidal De Mas, also known as Joachina de Vedruna, Joachima de Vedruna, and Joaquima de Vedruna Vidal de Mas, was born on April 16, 1783, in Barcelona, Spain. She was married to the Spanish nobleman Theodore de Mas in 1799 and together they had nine children. However, tragedy struck when Saint Joaquina was widowed in 1816. Following her husband's death, Joaquina felt a strong spiritual calling to serve God and those in need. In 1826, she founded the Institute of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity, dedicating her life to the service of others. The primary mission of the Institute was to care for the sick and teach children, and it quickly spread throughout Catalonia. Throughout her life, Saint Joaquina had a deep devotion to the mystery of the Holy Trinity. She sought to live a life of holiness and virtue, inspiring those around her by her example of love and compassion. Tragically, during the last four years of her life, Saint Joaquina suffered from a slow paralysis. Despite her physical limitations, she continued to carry out her duties and serve others with unwavering dedication. Saint Joaquina Vedruna Vidal De Mas died on August 28, 1854, in Vic, Barcelona, Spain, due to cholera. Her selfless and devoted life attracted attention, and she was venerated on June 16, 1935, by Pope Pius XI, who declared her to have lived a life of heroic virtues. Her cause for beatification was further advanced, and she was beatified on May 19, 1940, by Pope Pius XII. Finally, on April 12, 1959, Saint Joaquina was canonized by Pope John XXIII, recognizing her as a saint of the Catholic Church. Saint Joaquina Vedruna Vidal De Mas is considered the patron saint of abuse victims, the death of children, exiles, and widows. Her legacy lives on through the continued work of the Institute of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity and the countless lives she touched through her tireless love and care for others.