Teresa Jornet Ibars facts for kids

Teresa Jornet Ibars (born January 9, 1843 – died August 26, 1897) was a Spanish Catholic nun. She is also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus. She started a group called the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly.

Teresa was the great-niece of Francisco Palau. She was also a close friend of Saturnino López Novoa. People noticed her strong dedication to helping elderly and sick people. Her sisters' group worked in Spain and then in other countries.

Pope Pius XII declared her "blessed" on April 27, 1958, in Saint Peter's Basilica. Later, Pope Paul VI made her a saint in 1974.

Teresa's Early Life and Calling

Teresa Jornet Ibars was born on January 9, 1843. She grew up in a small town in Lleida, Spain. Her parents, Francisco José Jornet and Antonieta Ibars, were farmers. Teresa had two sisters, María and Josefa. Josefa became a nun in Havana. Her brother, Juan, had three daughters who later joined Teresa's religious group.

Teresa's great-uncle was Blessed Francisco Palau. He was her maternal grandmother's brother. Teresa was baptized on January 10, 1843. She received her Confirmation in 1849.

Even as a child, Teresa cared deeply about poor people. She often took them to her aunt Rosa's home for help. Later, she moved to live with another aunt in Lleida. At age nineteen, she started teaching in Argençola.

Becoming a Nun and Helping the Elderly

Teresa felt a strong desire to become a nun. In 1868, she tried to join the Poor Clares near Burgos. However, laws at that time made it hard to join religious groups. So, in 1870, she became a member of the Secular Carmelites.

After her father died, Teresa became very sick. She had to stay home for a long time. A priest named Pedro Llacera introduced her to Saturnino López i Novoa. He became her spiritual guide. He encouraged her to help the elderly people in the area who needed care.

Founding the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly

On October 11, 1872, Teresa and her sister, Maria, moved to Barbastro. Their friend, Mercedes Calzada i Senan, joined them. They opened their first house there. Teresa started a new religious group. She chose the name "Teresa of Jesus" to honor Teresa of Ávila.

On January 27, 1873, she put on the nun's habit. She was chosen as the first leader of the group. The main house for the group opened in Valencia on May 8, 1873. Teresa was confirmed as the leader in 1875. She made her final promises as a nun on December 8, 1877. In 1887, she became the leader for the entire order.

The group received official approval from the Pope. Pope Pius IX gave his praise on June 14, 1876. Pope Leo XIII gave formal approval on August 24, 1887. In 1896, the sisters met in Valencia. Teresa was re-elected as the leader, even though she asked them not to choose her again.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1897, a serious illness called cholera spread across Spain. Teresa helped care for the sick. She then went to the order's house in Liria. She stayed there for several months. She met her friend Novoa for the last time on July 15, 1897.

Teresa Jornet Ibars died from tuberculosis on August 26, 1897, in Liria. Her body was kept in Liria until June 1, 1904, when it was moved to Valencia. On August 25, 1913, her remains were moved again to the same place.

By 2019, Teresa's group had grown a lot. There were over 2,000 nuns in 204 houses. They were helping people in 21 countries across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Becoming a Saint

The process to declare Teresa "blessed" began in Valencia on April 23, 1945. It finished on March 7, 1946. Church experts checked all of Teresa's writings. They approved them on April 4, 1948. The official investigation was confirmed on June 25, 1954.

On June 27, 1952, the process officially started. Teresa was given the title "Servant of God". On January 22, 1957, Pope Pius XII declared her "Venerable". This meant she had lived a life of great goodness and courage.

Pope Pius XII declared Teresa "blessed" in Saint Peter's Basilica on April 27, 1958. This happened after two miracles were said to have occurred through her prayers. Later, two more miracles were confirmed in 1973. This allowed Pope Paul VI to declare her a saint on January 27, 1974. In 1977, he named her the patron saint of old age in Spain.

See also

In Spanish: Teresa de Jesús Jornet para niños

• Saint Teresa Jornet Ibars, patron saint archive