Maria Vicenta Rosal facts for kids

María Vicenta Rosal Vásquez (born October 26, 1820 – died August 24, 1886) was a special nun from Guatemala. In her religious life, she was known as María de la Encarnación del Corazón de Jesús. She was a member of the Bethlemite Sisters, a group of Catholic nuns.

María strongly believed in helping girls and young women get an education and stay safe. This was very important because, at that time, women in her region often had fewer chances and less power. Her work made a big difference for many.

She was declared "Blessed" in Rome in 1997. This means the Catholic Church recognized her holy life. She was the first woman from Guatemala to receive this honor.

Early Life and Calling

María Vicenta Rosal Vásquez was born on October 26, 1820, in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Her parents were Manuel Encarnación Rosal and Leocadia Gertrudis Benitez Vásquez. She had an older sister named Ana and an older brother named Isidro.

María was baptized the day after she was born. Later, she received her confirmation in the same church. As a young girl, María enjoyed social events. Sometimes, her older sister Ana would remind her about her promises from baptism. María accepted this and said she would change when she turned 20.

Finding Her Path

María soon became friends with Manuela Arbizú, a girl from Honduras. They often talked about religious life. Manuela told María about the Bethlemite Sisters. This made María very curious. She started learning more about this religious group. After talking with her parents and her spiritual advisor, she decided to join the convent.

On December 11, 1837, María left her home to go to the convent. Her father, brother Isidro, and friend Manuela went with her. She visited a few other monasteries before deciding. Her father wanted her to make up her mind quickly.

Life as a Nun

María joined the Bethlemite Sisters on January 1, 1838. She took a new religious name: "María de la Encarnación del Corazón de Jesús." She received her nun's habit on July 16, 1838. She made her official vows on January 26, 1840.

Leading and Reforming

At first, María felt frustrated with how the Bethlemite nuns were living. She felt they were not following their original rules strictly enough. Despite this, she was chosen to be the leader, or "prioress," of her convent in 1855.

In this role, she tried to bring back the original strict rules of her order. This caused some disagreements with the older nuns. Because of these challenges, she decided to start a new Bethlemite Sisters convent in Quetzaltenango in 1851.

Facing Challenges and Exile

María's efforts to reform were interrupted when Justo Rufino Barrios became the president of Guatemala. He began to force religious groups to leave the country. As a result, María was forced to leave Guatemala in 1877.

She then traveled to other countries. In Costa Rica, she opened the first schools for women in Carthage and Heredia. But religious persecution also spread to Costa Rica. So, María had to move again.

She went to Colombia, where she started an orphanage and a safe place for women in Pasto. Finally, María settled in Ecuador. There, she established more convents for the Bethlemite Sisters in Tulcán and Otavalo. She worked hard to improve the rules of her order. She also planned new convents and made sure they focused on their main mission.

Death and Legacy

María Vicenta Rosal Vásquez died on August 24, 1886, in Ecuador. She was traveling between religious houses with other nuns when she had a horseback riding accident. She passed away from her injuries.

Her body is buried in Pasto, Colombia. It is said to be "incorrupt," meaning it has not decayed.

Beatification Process

The process to declare María "Blessed" began in Pasto in 1951. Many people were interviewed, including those who knew her. Her writings were checked and approved by religious experts in 1955.

On April 5, 1976, Pope Paul VI officially started her cause for sainthood. She was then called a "Servant of God." Later, on April 6, 1995, Pope John Paul II declared her "Venerable." This meant she had lived a life of great virtue.

The Miracle and Beatification

For someone to be declared "Blessed," a miracle must be approved. A healing that happened in Colombia in 1975 was investigated as her miracle. Medical experts and theologians approved this healing as a miracle.

Pope John Paul II gave his final approval for this miracle on December 17, 1996. He then beatified María Vicenta Rosal Vásquez on May 4, 1997, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

See also

In Spanish: María de la Encarnación Rosal para niños