S NAZARIA IGNACIA (1889-1943) - 6th July

 Nazaria was born in Madrid in 1889 to a large Spanish family, quickly developed a strong faith that her family often opposed. Nazaria persisted in her belief and after her family 

    moved to Mexico in 1904, she continued her devotion and decided to join the Institute of Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly at the age of 19. The Institute sent her to work in Oruro, 

    Bolivia, where she supported the elderly, poor, and neglected. After a few years in Bolivia, Sister Nazaria became inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola 

    and began to feel called to establish a new order devoted to missionary work, evangelization, and religious education. In 1925, she founded the Congregation of the Missionary 

    Crusaders of the Church. It was the first Bolivian religious community for women. Their mission supported the catechizing of children and adults, while also supporting priests, 

    conducting missions, and printing religious tracts. As the Superior of the congregation, Mother Nazaria worked diligently through opposition and difficulty, 

    doing whatever she could to see that this new congregation grew. It continued its work in Bolivia while also opening houses and ministries in a number of countries. 

    Led by Mother Nazaria, the Sisters worked to assist many in need. They cared for women, orphans, and soldiers, created a magazine for women in religious life, 

    and even helped form the first female labour union. Beginning in Bolivia, their work spread across South America and into areas like Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Cameroon. 

    Back in Buenos Aires, Mother Nazaria began suffering from pneumonia and died in 1943. Both she and her Congregation continued to be recognized after her death. 

    The Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church received official Vatican recognition in 1947, and Nazaria was beatified by John Paul II in 1992 and canonized 

    by Pope Francis in 2018.




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