Pope Francis on November 26, 2017, saluted the beatification of Mother Catalina de María Rodríguez (November 27, 1823, Cordoba – April 5, 1896), in her homeland, Argentina, in Córdoba, yesterday, Saturday, November 25, 2017 and her passion «for the Heart of Jesus and for humanity «.
His comments came after the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, in the presence of some 30,000 people. He spoke about the founder of the Slaves of the Heart of Jesus, «Hermanas Esclavas del Corazón de Jesús», who was » the first female religious institute of apostolic life in Argentina «.
«Catalina lived in the nineteenth century. and she married first. As a widow, she dedicated herself to God and devoted herself to the spiritual and material care of women of the poorest and most vulnerable, «said the pope.
«Praise the Lord,» he added, for this «woman passionate about the Heart of Jesus and humanity».
She was supported in her task by an Argentinian saint, canonized in October 2016: in 1877, Saint José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero appeals to her to help her with her work of evangelization and for the education of women of her vast parish. He will also create a home of spiritual exercises, known throughout the region, he will entrust to the sisters of Mother Catalina.
The Mass of Beatification was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who said in his homily, «Blessed Catalina has been a living stone of the Church and of society».
The Pope sent a message of encouragement to Hermanas on this occasion.
