Pope Francis Approves Canonization of Venezuela's First Saint, Mother Carmen Rendiles
Carmen Rendiles, recognized for her service to the needy, becomes the first Venezuelan to receive sainthood.
CARACAS.
On Monday, Pope Francis approved the canonization of Mother Carmen Rendiles, making her the first Venezuelan to be declared a saint, as announced by the Archdiocese of Caracas.
Born in 1903 in Caracas with a congenital disability (missing her left arm), Rendiles dedicated her life to religious service.
She completed part of her religious formation in France and was known for her outreach to the less fortunate through parishes and schools.
In 1965, she founded the Servants of Jesus Congregation, an organization that continues its social work across Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.
According to Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo, the news of her canonization has been met with widespread joy across Venezuela.
He stated that the Pope had approved the promulgation of the decree concerning the miracle attributed to Mother Carmen Rendiles.
Her canonization follows her beatification on June 16, 2018, when the Vatican recognized a miracle involving a young girl diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 2015. The announcement coincides with Pope Francis’ recent approval of the canonization of another Venezuelan, Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, known as "the doctor of the poor," who had been venerated in the country for decades prior to his sainthood acknowledgement.
At the time of the announcement, Pope Francis was hospitalized and reportedly in "critical" condition, raising further significance to the timing of these canonizations.
On Monday, Pope Francis approved the canonization of Mother Carmen Rendiles, making her the first Venezuelan to be declared a saint, as announced by the Archdiocese of Caracas.
Born in 1903 in Caracas with a congenital disability (missing her left arm), Rendiles dedicated her life to religious service.
She completed part of her religious formation in France and was known for her outreach to the less fortunate through parishes and schools.
In 1965, she founded the Servants of Jesus Congregation, an organization that continues its social work across Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.
According to Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo, the news of her canonization has been met with widespread joy across Venezuela.
He stated that the Pope had approved the promulgation of the decree concerning the miracle attributed to Mother Carmen Rendiles.
Her canonization follows her beatification on June 16, 2018, when the Vatican recognized a miracle involving a young girl diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 2015. The announcement coincides with Pope Francis’ recent approval of the canonization of another Venezuelan, Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, known as "the doctor of the poor," who had been venerated in the country for decades prior to his sainthood acknowledgement.
At the time of the announcement, Pope Francis was hospitalized and reportedly in "critical" condition, raising further significance to the timing of these canonizations.
