Vedruna de Mas, Joaquina, St.
VEDRUNA DE MAS, JOAQUINA, ST.
Founder of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity; b. Barcelona, Spain, April 15, 1783; d. Barcelona, Aug. 28, 1854. Although attracted early in life toward the Carmelites, she married Teodoro de Mas (1799). After her husband's death (1816) she supervised the administration of her large inheritance and attended to the education of her nine sons for the next ten years. The Capuchin priest Esteban de Olot then guided her toward the active religious life of teaching and charity. Her congregation was launched when she and nine companions took the habit and vows in the presence of Bishop Corcuera of Vich, near Barcelona (Feb. 26, 1826). Despite many trials and difficulties, the institute soon spread to other areas. In 1850 it received canonical approval. In 1881 Vedruna de Mas's remains were transferred to Vich. She was beatified May 19, 1940, and canonized April 12, 1959.
Feast: May 22 (see carmelite sisters).
Bibliography: b. sanz y forÈs, Vida de la Madre Joaquina de Vedruna y de Mas (2d ed. Vich 1930). e. federici, Santa Gioachino de Vedruna (Rome 1958). j. a. benach, Joaquina de Vedruna de Mas (Barcelona 1959).
[i. bastarrika]