Venezuela will have its first female saint after approval from Pope Francis

Venezuela to Celebrate First Female Saint Following Vatican Approval

CARACAS, Venezuela – The Catholic community in Venezuela is poised to welcome its first female saint after Pope Francis authorized the canonization of Blessed María Carmen Rendiles. This significant development follows the Vatican’s recognition of a miracle attributed to Rendiles, the esteemed founder of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Jesus.

Canonization Process Advances

On Monday, Pope Francis officially cleared the path for the sainthood of María Carmen Rendiles by formally approving a decree acknowledging a miracle linked to her intercession. Rendiles, recognized for her profound dedication to her faith and service, established the Congregation of the Handmaids of Jesus, further cementing her legacy within the Catholic Church. While the formal approval is granted, a specific date for the canonization ceremony is yet to be determined.

Who was María Carmen Rendiles?

Born in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, on August 11, 1903, María Carmen Rendiles lived a life deeply rooted in her faith until her passing on May 9, 1977, in the same city.

Early Life and Calling

From a young age, Rendiles demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and devotion. Following the loss of her father, she played a crucial role in supporting her family alongside her mother and actively contributed to her local parish community.

Founding the Congregation

In 1927, Rendiles joined a French religious order present in Venezuela, commencing her novitiate at the age of 24. Later, in 1961, with the endorsement of the Venezuelan Catholic hierarchy, she established an independent congregation, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to her religious vision.

Overcoming Adversity

According to a press release from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Venezuela on Monday, Rendiles faced the challenge of losing an arm. However, the conference emphasized that this physical limitation “did not impede her from cultivating an exemplary Christian life,” highlighting her resilience and unwavering faith.

Path to Sainthood

Venezuelan Catholic leaders formally petitioned the Vatican for Rendiles’s canonization in 1995. Her cause progressed significantly when she was beatified in 2018, marking a crucial step towards her recognition as a saint.

The Miracle Attributed to Blessed Rendiles

The Vatican has officially recognized a miracle through María Carmen Rendiles’s intercession: the inexplicable healing of a young woman diagnosed with hydrocephalus. This condition involves the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, posing significant health risks.

Details of the Miraculous Healing

The young woman’s condition had reportedly deteriorated significantly. A Mass was then conducted at Rendiles’s burial site, during which loved ones fervently prayed for her recovery. Following this, the afflicted woman touched a portrait of Rendiles, and subsequently experienced a remarkable improvement in her health.

Vatican Confirmation

In a formal written statement, the Holy See affirmed that “the young woman’s recovery was complete, stable and long-lasting, and the event was considered scientifically unexplainable,” thus confirming the miraculous nature of the healing attributed to Blessed María Carmen Rendiles.

Venezuela’s Expanding List of Saints

Earlier this year, Pope Francis also approved the canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, a revered figure born on October 26, 1864, widely known as “the poor’s doctor.” Hernández holds the distinction of being the first Venezuelan layperson to be elevated to beatification, and now sainthood, further enriching Venezuela’s spiritual heritage.