Portuguese Founder beatified

(May 21, 2011) The 19^th century Portuguese founder of a religious congregation with the charism of hospitality, was beatified in Lisbon, Saturday. Though coming from a noble family, luxury and entertainment were not as appealing as serving the poor, for Sister María Clara of the Child Jesus (1843-1899). The ceremony of beatification was presided over by that city's archbishop, Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo, and the prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, Cardinal Angelo Amato. With her spiritual director, Sister María Clara helped to found the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, recognized by Pope Pius IX in 1876. At her death, the congregation had extended to Africa, with 101 houses and 995 sisters. At a very early age she lost her mother and before she lost her father, she and her younger sister were sent to the royal boarding school started for orphan children of the nobility. In the boarding school she deepened her relationship with Christ, helped by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Their example made her think about her own vocation. Her younger sister joined a cloistered congregation and soon after she too decided to follow Jesus and serve the needy just as her parents and teachers did. Father Raimundo dos Anjos Beirão, her spiritual guide, was also very sensitive to the poor and needy, hence he was instrumental in helping her fulfill her dream. Mother María Clara was a very loving person, tender-hearted, simple, humble. Her most outstanding virtue was charity. Her charity knew no bounds. In her dealings with those who hurt her, she was always forgiving. She was able to do all these things because of her great faith in God and his divine mercy. Her example motivates us to live more intensely the compassion and care toward those who suffer, through the exercise of merciful hospitality.