A 17th-century noblewoman from Madrid, Marie-Anne de Jésus overcame her family's opposition to dedicate herself to God. She founded the institute of the Discalced Mercedarian nuns, devoting her life to penance for the redemption of captives and the conversion of sinners. She was beatified in 1783.
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BLESSED MARIE-ANNE DE JÉSUS (1624).
Origins and thwarted vocation
Coming from the Madrid nobility, Marie-Anne de Jésus had to face her father's opposition to follow her religious vocation, which she only realized at the age of forty-two.
Blessed Marie-Anne de Jésus belonged to a noble family of Madrid. Her f ather Madrid Place of the foundation of a monastery and of the saint's death. was named Louis Navarr a de Guevara, and her mo Louis Navarra de Guevara Father of Marie-Anne de Jésus, initially opposed to her vocation. ther, Jeanne Romero.
Virtue became so established in her soul that she wished to dedicate her entire life to the service of God in the religious state. She had great difficulty obtaining permission from her father, Louis Nava rra, and even Louis Navarra Father of Marie-Anne de Jésus, initially opposed to her vocation. then, she could only fulfill her design at the age of forty-two.
A life of asceticism and preparation
Refused by convents fearing her family, she led a life of penance at home and then near the convent of Mercy under the direction of Juan Bautista González.
She had presented herself to several convents; but fearing the anger of her family, none had dared to receive her. Condemned to remain against her will in her palace, she led a holy and austere life there until the moment she was able to retire to a small house near the convent of the nuns of Our Lady of Mercy. There, she tested the regular life. She followed all the exercises at the sound of the monastery bell, and continued to devote herself to the exercises of penance, under the direction of one of the Fathers, Juan B autista González, who Jean-Baptiste Genzalès Mercedarian priest and spiritual director of the saint. has since died in the odor of sanctity.
Foundation of the Discalced Mercedarians
In 1614, she founded the institute of the Discalced Nuns of Our Lady of Mercy, dedicating themselves to the redemption of captives and the conversion of sinners.
After eight years of trials, she took the habit of the Ord l'Ordre Religious and military order dedicated to the ransom of Christian captives. er, under the name of Mary Anne of Jesus, and, in 1614, she pronounced her religious vows into the hands of the General. She and a companion thus gave birth to the pious i nstitute of the Discalced Nuns of Our Lady of Mercy, which sub institut des religieuses déchaussées de Notre-Dame de la Merci Reformed branch of the Order of Mercy founded by the saint. sequently spread to various parts of Spain. The goal sh e pursu Espagne Place of mission for Jude Barsabas. ed with her companions in her prayers and her harsh and austere mortifications was the conversion of sinners, the deliverance of souls from purgatory, and the redemption of Christians reduced to slavery by the infidels.
Recognition of the Church
She died in 1624 and was officially beatified by Pope Pius VI at the end of the 18th century.
Her death took place on April 17, 1 624. P Pie VI Pope cited as having approved the cult of Julie in 1821. ius VI beatified her on May 25, 1783.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Austere life in her family palace due to lack of admission to the convent
- Retreat in a small house near the convent of Our Lady of Mercy
- Taking of the habit after eight years of trials
- Profession of religious vows in 1614
- Foundation of the Institute of the Discalced Religious of Our Lady of Mercy
- Beatification by Pius VI on May 25, 1783