María Natividad Sánchez Viloria

Under the veil of Saint Clare, Sister María Francisca del Niño Jesús committed herself fully to the path of poverty and humility, desiring to be configured to the poor and crucified Christ following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. During her 68 years of religious life at the Corpus Christi monastery, she assumed various responsibilities within her community with exemplary dedication. She served successively as portress, sacristan, novice mistress, and was also elected abbess of the monastery. Her daily life was characterized by an intense union with God. She spent long hours of the night in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, allowing herself very little rest. Despite her strict enclosure, she exercised significant spiritual influence through what her contemporaries called the 'apostolate of the parlor' (or locutory). There, she welcomed with joy, patience, and discernment the people from outside who came to seek advice, comfort, or prayers from her. She also demonstrated great strength of soul in the face of illnesses and physical trials. She passed away peacefully at the monastery of Salamanca on February 28, 1991.

The reputation for holiness of Sister María Francisca del Niño Jesús was maintained and developed after her death. Due to this popular devotion, the Diocese of Salamanca introduced her cause for beatification and canonization in the early 2000s.

* March 2, 2002: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the nihil obstat decree, officially opening the way for the inquiry. * March 8, 2002 – February 29, 2004: Conduct of the diocesan inquiry into her life, virtues, and reputation for holiness. * May 24, 2008: The Holy See signed the decree of validity for this diocesan inquiry. * 2012: Publication and presentation of the Positio, which gathers the testimonies and documents proving the heroic nature of her virtues. * June 7, 2018: The Particular Congress of theological consultants examined the file and issued a favorable opinion. * September 24, 2019: The ordinary session of cardinals and bishops confirmed these positive conclusions.

On October 2, 2019, Pope Francis received in a private audience Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During this audience, the Sovereign Pontiff authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God María Francisca del Niño Jesús (María Natividad Sánchez Viloria). By this decision, she was officially declared venerable by the Catholic Church.

The cause is currently awaiting the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession to pave the way for her beatification.

The spirituality of the Venerable María Francisca del Niño Jesús is deeply Eucharistic and Marian. She drew her strength from the daily contemplation of the Word of God and the imitation of the Passion of Christ. Her testimony shows that holiness is a simple, joyful path, accessible to all, characterized by humility and fraternal service.

On October 4, 2011, her mortal remains were solemnly transferred to the church of the Corpus Christi monastery in Salamanca, where they now rest. The faithful continue to visit to seek her intercession and entrust their prayer intentions to her.