Vatican City – Pope Francis welcomed pilgrims from Argentina for the canonization of Blessed Maria Antonia of Saint Joseph de Paz y Figueroa, also known as Mama Antula. The Pope praised her holiness, faith, and perseverance during the meeting in the Vatican on Friday.
Blessed Maria Antonia of Saint Joseph de Paz y Figueroa, also known as Mama Antula, was an Argentine nun who founded the House for Spiritual Exercises of Buenos Aires. Born in 1730 in Silipica, Santiago del Estero, she died on March 7, 1799, in the Argentinian capital.
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of trust and abandonment in the path of holiness, highlighting how Blessed Maria Antonia placed her security in God, trusting that her apostolate was His work. He also pointed out that her dedication to Ignatian spirituality empowered her to continue her work even when facing aversion and obstacles.
The Pope urged the faithful to imitate Mama Antula’s devotion to Saint Joseph and her great love for the Eucharist. He also encouraged them to remain firmly rooted in the Lord and to see challenges as opportunities to bring the joy of the Gospel to others.
Pope Francis chose the date of her canonization to coincide with the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, demonstrating the significance of Mama Antula’s life and work in the Church. He concluded by inviting the pilgrims to bear witness to what Mama Antula shared with the Argentinean people and the entire Church, asking her to guide them in their pilgrimage towards the house of the Father.