LIFE OF MOTHER CANDIDA

Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola was born on May 31, 1845 in Andoain,  Guipuzcoa Spain.


Juana Josefa is the eldest of seven children. Her father's name is Juan Miguel Cipitria and her mother's name is Maria Jesus Barriola. Her sisters are Ignacia, Jorefa, Francisca, Maria Dominica, Sotera and Angela. They were a family of weavers and Juana learned the craft as a child. Juana was given the nickname, Juanita.


As a young girl, Juanita made sacrifices, even giving her favorite food (omelet) to anonymous beggars. She always visited Jesus in the Church (The Church of Sta. Maria) and brought him flowers. Juanita's uncle, Juan, usually walked with her to the Church.  At an early age, she learned to recite the rosary taught to her by her grandmother, Josefa Antonia. 


Juanita received Jesus in Communion for the first time at age Twelve. When she was Fifteen years old, a young man in Tolosa felt in love with her. And so, he asked for Juanita's hand in marriage but she refused the man's offer and said, "I am for God alone".


At age 17, Juanita left home to work as a house helper to the Sabater family in Burgos. She washed dishes, ironed clothes and took care of the children. Juanita was poor, but she was generous. During her stay with the Sabater family, she gave food to the poor but when Juanita was asked not to do this, she said, "If there is no room for the poor, neither is there room for me".


One afternoon, on April 2, 1969, Juanita visited Jesus in a church in Valladolid. While she was praying, she saw a bright light and heard the voice of Blessed Virgin Mary saying, "Candida Maria de Jesus" and "Hijas de Jesus".


Later in life, Juanita met a Jesuit priest, Fr. Miguel San Jose Herranz, who helped her read and write. 


On December 8, 1871, she founded the Congregation of Hijas de Jesus. She took the name of Mother Candida Maria de Jesus. Mother Candida and five other women stayed at St. Josephs House. The Congregation received papal approval from Pope Leo XIII on July 30, 1901. Mother Candida based her spirituality on the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. 


Mother Candida and her companions opened the first Hijas de Jesus school in Salamanca on January 1874. In 1932, Hijas de Jesus sisters opened their first school in the Philippines at Pototan, Iloilo. 


Mother Candida died on August 9, 1912. She was venerated on July 6, 1993 and was beatified on May 12, 1996, together with Blessed Antonia Bandres.


On February 19, 1912, Pope Benedict announced that Mother Candida's canonization will take place on October 17, 2010. She will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

SAYINGS OF MOTHER CANDIDA

"I AM FOR GOD ALONE"

Reflection:

Juanita was a fifteen year old teenager and was blossoming with beauty. There was this man who was honest and hard-working. He had a bright, promising future. Everyday, he'd watch Juanita as she walked by with her friends.

This man fell deeply in love with her and decided to ask Juanita's parents for her hand in marriage. One night, Juanita's mother told Juanita of the man's intentions; Upon thinking, Juanita answered gently but firmly, "This can't be done mother because I am for God alone."

On Juanita's way to the fountain, a young man asked her hand but again she said, "I am for God alone."

SAYINGS OF MOTHER CANDIDA

"WHEN THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THE POOR, NEITHER IS THERE ROOM FOR THE POOR"

Reflection:

Our dear mother foundress once said, "When there is no room for the poor, neither is there room for me". Hearing and seeing this from the books, from people and even our own school, makes me feel so lucky that I am studying and learning so many things here in Manresa School. I learn the right values that are being taught by the saying of Mother Candida. We are so blessed that we are still studying, eating and living the right way we want our life to be, but we don't realize that there are also people who needs our loving guidance and help. We all want to stop the hunger in this world. In our own little way, we can help them by praying for them, loving and caring for them.

SAYINGS OF MOTHER CANDIDA

"I WOULD GO TO THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE WORLD TO SEARCH FOR SOULS"

Reflection:

Manresa School, for one, proves this saying of Mother Candida. From my perspective, this saying only explains Mother Candida's mission that she won't give up until she finishes her mission to preserve and be successful in spreading the good news of the Lord.

And she did succeed. Now we are all here in our school to continue on Mother Candida's mission to be better servants and followers of God's unending love for all of us.

Mother Candida have proven her mission of feeding hungry souls and filling them with God's nurturance, she have searched souls to teach and preach on how God protects us and loves each and every single one of us.

SAYINGS OF MOTHER CANDIDA

"IN JESUS WE HAVE EVERYTHING, WITHOUT HIM EVERYTHING IS LOST"

Reflection:

This is one well known saying of Mother Candida, especially now that her canonization is nearing. For her canonization has the motto- 'En Jesus Todo lo Tenemos' which translates to 'In Jesus we have everything'.

This saying just really speaks the truth that basically explains that without God, we will be nothing. His love, care and salvation are the only thing that keeps us alive. He gave us Himself, and suffered in the cross, and gave up everything he could have had for all of us, but what do we do? -- We continue to sin and prove ourselves unworthy of His salvation. 

In conclusion, basically, Without God's everything we would be nothing so let us take care of that "everything" while we have time to do so.  

Canonization of Mother Candida: Reflection

Before, Mother Candida was just little Juanita, a little kid-unaware of her surroundings and believes the teachings of elders and imitates their actions, sounds like every child ever born on Earth, right? But not really because by the time I am writhing this, Janitatxo is on her journey to sainthood.

Who would've thought? Our Blessed foundress Candida Maria  de Jesus is on her way becoming a saint-- last February, Pope Benedict XVI said that Blessed Candida's canonization will be on the 17th of October this 2010, She will be canonized with the other five who were once called by God.

I sincerely felt glad about the news that Mother Candida was going to be canonized, because I sincerely sense that it is what she deserves. She did so many good things when she was still living. Wouldn't it make you pause and think for a minute or two-"What about us?", We have all the chances of doing good deeds and we waste those chances to do same insensible activity.

Now the Hijas de Jesus community which includes our school is enthusiastically waiting for the canonization of Blessed Candida.

We should at least try to live by the good examples Mo. Candida have shown us. We should use her life as an inspiration whenever we need one. Our Blessed Foudress is a great role model or perseverance, dedication and sacrifice for all the youth.