1. The canonical norms concerning the procedure to be followed in the Causes of Saints are stated in the Apostolic Constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister promulgated by John Paul II on 25 January 1983 (AAS LXXV, 1983, 349-355).

2. To initiate a Cause it is necessary that at least five years pass after the death of the candidate. This is to allow for greater balance and objectivity in the evaluation of the case and to allow the emotions of the moment to decant. There must be a clear conviction among people about his/her sanctity (fama sanctitas) and about the efficacy of his/her intercession with the Lord (fama signorum).

The Servant of God Pura Rose of Carmel Olmos

Professed Religious of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg.)

            Secundina Guadalupe Olmos was born on 26 February 1896 in the locality of La Canada (now Villa Giardino) in the Province of Cordoba, Spain. Her parents were Don Pio Cruz Olmos and Clarinda Campos.  She was baptized that year in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy in the same locality.

            Secundina’s father worked as a farm labourer while her mother looked after their 11 children.  In 1898 the family moved to Las Minas, near Cerro Unitorco, still in the Province of Cordoba.  Secundina lived here until she was 12, helping out with the numerous domestic chores.  These included fetching water from a river, collecting guano and drying it in the sun, feeding the chickens in the yard, manufacturing soap and candles, baking bread and cooking meat, drying fruit and knitting wool, among many other activities.  In 1904 the Servant of God was Confirmed by the Auxiliary Bishop of Cordoba, Mons. Filemon Cabanillas at St. Roque’s Chuch, in the locality of San Jeronimo (now La Cumbre).

            During the first decade of the 20^th century, Secundina changed to the locality of Jesus Maria to finish her obligatory schooling.  She developed exceptional manual abilities, particularly in floral ornamentation.  Owing to this she was sent to the city of Cordoba to study at the Professional School, directed by the famous teacher, Julia Funes de Bonet.

            In 1917 Secundina asked to be accepted as a Postulant in the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg).  She received the habit and was given the name of Pura Rosa of Carmel in December 1918 by Brother Rafael of St. Teresa.  I 1920 she was admitted to First Profession and made her Perpetual Vows in 1926.

            As a Religious, at various different times, Sister Pura Rosa was entrusted with the offices of Mistress of Novices, Teacher, General Councillor, Secretary, Vice-Rector and Rector, Wardrobe Mistress, Bursar and Porter.  She died of pneumonia in the Mother House on 28 July 1965, at the age of 69.

            The Servant of God lived as an heiress of the work and spirit of Brother Jose Antonio of St. Albert, the Founder of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg.).  Her life was marked by generous devotion in a spirit of mercy, tenderness and compassion for everyone. Her gestures, familiarity and kindly spirit were impressed in the memories of everyone that knew her and today provide hope for all those who seek her intercession. At this time of synodality. this humble Servant of God, shines – with her serene evangelical simplicity – walking with others and inspiring our shared journey, as a Church.

            The Diocesan Process of Investigation on “the life, virtues, renown for holiness and of signs” was concluded on 16 August 2024.

The canonical recognition of the mortal remains of St Teresa of Jesus is being carried out this week in Alba de Tormes.

Some photos follow.

Next Friday, 2 August, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints will open the diocesan enquiry into an alleged miracle attributed to Blessed Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus (born Henri Grialou), a professed priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and founder of the Institute Notre-Dame de Vie in Venasque (France).

On Thursday, 27 June, the diocese of Coutances and Avranches (France) will hold the closing session of the diocesan process on an alleged miracle attributed to Blessed Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus (born Henri Grialou), a professed priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and founder of the Institute Notre-Dame de Vie (Venasque, France).

Yesterday, at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the complementary diocesan enquiry on the "life, virtues, reputation for holiness and signs" of the Servant of God Isabella Morfini, Founder of the Carmelite Third Order in Bari, was handed over.

Yesterday, at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the diocesan enquiry on an alleged miracle attributed to the Venerable Maria del Carmine of the Most Holy Trinity (born Carmen Catarina Bueno), a professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and founder of the Associação Religiosa Carmelo da Santa Face e Pio XII in Tremembé (Brazil) was opened.

It is our deep joy to announce that on Sunday 29 September, the ceremony for the Beatification of the Venerable Anne of Jesus (born Anna de Lobera), professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, will be held in the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels. She was born on 25 November 1545 in Medina del Campo (Spain) and died on 4 March 1621 in Brussels (Belgium).

On Tuesday, June 4, at 10 a.m., the final session of the diocesan supplementary inquiry into the “life, virtues, reputation for holiness and signs” of the Servant of God Isabella Morfini, Foundress of the Carmelite Third Secular Order in Bari, will be held at the Diocesan Curia of Bari-Bitonto.