Luisa Aveledo
Luisa Aveledo (Mother Marcelina de San José) was a Venezuelan religious sister, foundress of the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
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Biography
Birth in Caracas, pious childhood, and entry into the Little Sisters of the Poor of Maiquetía under the name of Sister Marcelina de San José.
Luisa Marcelina Aveledo Aveledo was born on June 18, 1874, in Caracas, Venezuela. She was the daughter of José María Aveledo, a captain and hero of independence who died shortly after her birth, and of Francisca Paula Ostos. She was baptized on August 27, 1874. Luisa grew up in a deeply Catholic family environment: her mother, sister, and aunt were members of the Third Order of Saint Francis, while her family also included two Carmelite nuns and an uncle who was a priest, Msgr. Vincenzo López Aveledo. From her childhood, she showed great sensitivity toward the poor and the street children of Caracas, to whom she brought food, clothing, and care after her first communion. In June 1899, at the age of 25, she entered the Little Sisters of the Poor of Maiquetía, a Venezuelan congregation recently founded by Father Santiago Florencio Machado and Emilia Chapellín Istúriz (Mother Emilia de San José). There, she took the religious name of Sister Marcelina de San José (Marcelline of Saint Joseph). She made her first profession on March 25, 1905, and her perpetual vows in 1908.
Life and Work
Mission in Colombia, crisis of the Maiquetía congregation, and foundation of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver.
In 1909, Sister Marcelina de San José was sent to Colombia to assume the position of superior of the home for the elderly (Asilo de San Antonio) in Barranquilla. Between 1911 and 1912, the Maiquetía congregation went through a serious internal crisis that led nearly half of the religious sisters to leave the institute. Sister Marcelina resigned from her position and returned temporarily to her family in Caracas. However, driven by her vocation and concerned about the fate of the sisters who remained in Barranquilla, she decided to return to Colombia on February 11, 1912. Her companions welcomed her with joy and once again entrusted her with the direction of the asylum. With the support of the Archbishop of Cartagena, Msgr. Pietro Adamo Brioschi, she undertook the founding of a new autonomous congregation to continue the work among the most destitute. On November 21, 1913, Pope Pius X authorized the definitive separation of the Barranquilla community from that of Maiquetía. The new congregation took the name Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver (Hermanas de los Pobres de San Pedro Claver), in homage to the Spanish Jesuit saint, apostle of the slaves. The diocesan approval was signed on November 22, 1913. Elected superior general in 1917, Mother Marcelina led the institute with wisdom and humility, extending its work to the assistance of the sick, the elderly, and the Christian education of youth.
Path to Holiness
Death of Mother Marcelina de San José in 1959 and the opening of her cause for beatification.
After a life entirely devoted to the service of the poor and the sick, Mother Marcelina de San José died on November 16, 1959, in Barranquilla, Colombia, at the age of 85, following a painful illness that she endured with great fortitude. She was buried in the crypt of the Asilo San Antonio in Barranquilla. Her reputation for holiness led to the opening of her cause for beatification. The diocesan inquiry took place in Barranquilla from June 18, 1986, to February 11, 1988. The legal validity of this inquiry was recognized by a decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on October 4, 1991.
Beatification and canonization
Recognition of the heroic nature of her virtues by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, declaring her venerable.
The file for the cause was then studied in Rome. On December 20, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her theological (faith, hope, charity) and cardinal virtues. By this act, she was declared venerable. Her cause is currently in the Roman phase, awaiting the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession to allow for her beatification.
Spirituality and legacy
Christocentric and Marian spirituality, and the expansion of the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver.
The spirituality of the Venerable Marcelina de San José is deeply Christocentric, Eucharistic, and Marian. She devoted a special love to the Pierced Heart of Jesus and to the Virgin Mary, whom she affectionately called "the beloved Queen." She insisted to her sisters on the importance of contemplation in active service, silence, humility, and love of the Cross. For her, the poor and the elderly are the true treasure of the Church, representing Christ himself. Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver continue her legacy of charity. The congregation, of pontifical right (decree of praise of February 11, 1958, and definitive approval on June 27, 1964), is active in several Latin American countries (Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama) as well as in Europe (Italy, Spain).
Frequently asked questions about Luisa Aveledo
Who was Luisa Aveledo?
Luisa Aveledo (Mother Marcelina de San José) was a Venezuelan religious sister, foundress of the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver.
Which saints were contemporaries of Luisa Aveledo?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Luisa Aveledo die?
Luisa Aveledo died around 1874.
What are the other names of Luisa Aveledo?
Other forms of the name: Luisa Marcelina Aveledo Aveledo, Marcelina de San José, Marcelline de Saint-Joseph and Marcellina di San Giuseppe.
Who are the relatives of Luisa Aveledo?
Relatives of Luisa Aveledo: José María Aveledo (father), Francisca Paula Ostos (mother) and Mgr Vincenzo López Aveledo (uncle).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1874-1959
- Decree of venerability by Benedict XVI