María Josefa Segovia Morón

The existence of María Josefa Segovia Morón is inseparable from the foundation, development, and consolidation of the Teresian Association, an international association of laypeople of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization through education and culture. In 1919, she was elected the first Director General of the association. In October 1923, she traveled to Rome to present the work to the Holy See. Pope Pius XI granted pontifical approval to the Teresian Association on January 11, 1924. Under the leadership of Josefa Segovia, the association actively encouraged the presence of women at the university, promoted innovative pedagogical projects, and ensured the human and spiritual formation of its members. The most dramatic turning point occurred in 1936 with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. On July 28, 1936, the founder, Pedro Poveda, died a martyr. Shortly after, Victoria Díez, a young teacher and member of the association, was also martyred. Faced with this tragedy and the dispersion of the members, Josefa Segovia demonstrated exceptional strength of spirit. She wrote a determined letter to the members of the association: "We will continue the Work...". She dedicated the following years to gathering the members dispersed by the conflict, reopening centers and schools, and relaunching educational projects. In 1947, she was appointed Director General for life (perpetual) by the Holy See. Under her impetus, the Teresian Association expanded internationally and established itself in about twenty countries in Europe and America.

After a life entirely given to education and the Church, María Josefa Segovia Morón died on March 29, 1957, in Madrid, following a surgical procedure. Her reputation for holiness, already strong during her lifetime, spread rapidly.

The cause for beatification and canonization was officially opened under the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. The diocesan informative process took place within the Archdiocese of Madrid from October 10, 1966, to July 16, 1973. Her spiritual writings were examined and declared in conformity with the Catholic faith on November 26, 1976. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints formally validated the informative process on January 27, 1995, and the Positio on her heroic virtues was published in 1997.

On December 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues. By this act, María Josefa Segovia Morón was officially declared "Venerable" by the Catholic Church.

Her mortal remains, initially interred at the San Lorenzo and San José cemetery, have rested since 1965 in the crypt of the chapel of the "Santa María" Spirituality Center in Los Negrales (Alpedrete, near Madrid), alongside the founder, Saint Pedro Poveda.

The spirituality of Josefa Segovia Morón is characterized by a deep union between faith and daily life, science and prayer. She embodied a model of lay and professional holiness, showing that engagement in the world of education and culture is a true path of configuration to Christ. Her style of governance and education was imbued with joy, serenity, gentleness, and great intellectual rigor. Saint Pedro Poveda himself wrote to her: "In you is embodied the spirit of the Teresian Association." Her spirituality was also deeply Marian, taking the Virgin Mary as a constant model of fidelity and reconciliation. She leaves behind an important literary and doctrinal legacy, notably through her letters and her collection of spiritual writings titled Spes Nostra (published in 1953). Her testimony continues to inspire members of the Teresian Association throughout the world.