Six saints that made mess and are key figures in the history of evangelization

The testimony of six “holy who made mess” was the axis of a conversation that took place in the Pastoral Auditorium of the Catholic University of Chile, with the purpose of reflecting on the role of women in the Church and in society.

The activity had two deliveries in the last weeks of March, the month of women, and dedicated himself to explaining, through exemplary lives of six European and Latin American saints that challenged the rules of his time, in what way the “female genius” can be put at the service of God.

The first day was focused on three women who marked the history of Christianity in Europe.

First of all, Santa Hildegarda de BingenBenedictine religious of the twelfth century, theologian, medical and composer, recognized for her wisdom and prophetic vision.

“Bingen Hildegarda was a visionary woman who challenged the rules of her time. She separated from the Benedictine monks to found her own convent of nuns and, without conforming, established a second convent. Her determination and management capacity in the twelfth century were extraordinary, marking a mile Valparaíso, in his dissertation.

The vice -dean of the UC Faculty of Theology, Haddy Bello, then addressed the life of Edith Steinphilosopher and barefoot Carmelite, an intellectual who converted from atheism to Christianity, and one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century.

His work addressed the phenomenology, education and dignity of women. As Carmelita Desalza, he assumed his faith with radicality, denouncing the persecution of the Jewish people to their martyrdom in Auschwitz.

“Edith Stein invites us to follow his example of fidelity to convictions. It was against everything, even against his family and his environment, to be consistent with his call. He denounced discrimination against women and the Hebrew people, even writing to Pope Pi Vice Dean.

Fr. Juan Ignacio Ovalle, pastor of San Luis Beltrán in Pudahuel, for his part, deepened the spirituality of Santa Teresa de Lisieuxbased on the “small way” of trust and abandonment in God, which revolutionized the understanding of holiness.

In his brief years of life, he knew how to give a testimony that today continues to inspire millions in the search for love, simplicity and total delivery to God’s will. Within that framework, the priest highlighted the depth of his mission and his call to live faith with joy and confidence.

The second day of the conversation looked at three key women in Christian spirituality in Latin America: María Antonia de Paz and Figueroa, better known as Mama Antula, born in the territory where Argentina is today; Laura Montoya, the first Colombian Santa; and Sor Teresa de los Andes, the first Chilean Santa.

As to Mother AntulaSofía Brahm, sociologist of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and editor of the magazine cataloged it as a brave woman and advanced to her time, who assumed the mission of continuing the work of the Jesuits after her expulsion, promoting the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.

On the way to holiness, he faced rejection, prejudices and even the accusation of witchcraft, but his determination led her to expand the Ignatian spirituality and be recognized as Santa.

Carmen Elena Villa, journalist and director of the Dialogos Magazine of the UC Pastoral, referred to Santa Laura Montoyatireless missionary, whose greatest yearning was to evangelize the indigenous peoples of Colombia, facing innumerable obstacles and reaching the congregation of the missionary sisters of María Immaculate and Santa Catalina de Siena.

His life was marked by the struggle towards the most forgotten communities of his country, by the defense of the most vulnerable and his humanization, making them see the treasure of Christianity.

The life of Santa Teresa de los Andes It was approached by Alexandrine de la Taille, doctor in history of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and associate professor of the Institute of History, Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities of the University of Los Andes.

The first Chilean saint is a model of devotion and radical delivery to God. From a young age, she experienced a deep crush for Christ, which led her to live her vocation with passion and dedication, through a life of prayer, sacrifice and love for the Blessed Virgin.

In his presentation, De la Taille deepened his ability to share that faith at all times and place, turning it into an example for all: “Her falling in love with Christ led her to give her life completely to Him, sharing her faith at all times and place.”