The Journey Continues in Salamanca

With great joy and enthusiasm, the sisters arrived in Salamanca on the evening of September 23. They were arriving in a city deeply connected to the history of Mother Cándida María de Jesús, where Juana Josefa was no longer “Juanitatxo,” but had become Cándida María de Jesús.

The following day, they visited the Mostenses building, where Mother Cándida lived as a religious sister. Walking through these spaces, filled with memories, allowed the sisters to draw closer to the story of a woman who worked with dedication and passion for God and for the Congregation. Every corner evoked her dedication, her efforts, and her tireless search for God’s will.

Los Mostenses –

One of the most significant moments of the day was the visit to the relics and remains of two figures who are so important in the history of the Congregation: Mother Cándida María de Jesús and Blessed Antonia Bandrés. Contemplating these testimonies of their lives and self-giving was, for the sisters, an experience of deep gratitude and communion with those who had gone before them on the journey of faith.

The Altar of rememains and Reliquary of Bl. Maria Antonia Bandres

In the afternoon, they had the opportunity to spend some time with the sisters in the infirmary. It was a simple yet meaningful encounter in which they were able to experience in a concrete way the fraternity that characterizes the life of the Hijas de Jesus.

September 24 was also a gift. The sisters visited Casa San José, the first house where Mother Cándida and the first sisters lived, as well as Casa Concordia and, in a special way, the Palacio Montellano, the place where Mother Cándida gave her life and finally rested in the loving arms of the Father.

These houses are located very close to one another, and these places witnessed Mother Cándida’s footsteps through the streets of Salamanca. On many occasions, she walked through the city, especially during the time when she was working on for the approval of the Constitutions. Her footsteps, her efforts, and her trust in God have become part of the living history of these places.

Montellano carefully preserves numerous memories of Mother Cándida in the Exhibit. Among these is the room where she completed her earthly pilgrimage. Today, transformed into the community chapel, this place has become a privileged space for prayer. There, the sisters were able to pause, pray together, and share this moment with the sisters of the community, feeling united with the history and spirituality of Mother Cándida.

Palace of El Montellano

As part of this route, the sisters also had the opportunity to visit the convent of Saint Teresa of Jesus in Alba de Tormes. Saint Teresa was a saint for whom Mother Cándida had a special devotion and whom she visited during her stay in Salamanca. Encountering one of the places connected with the life of Saint Teresa added a new spiritual dimension to the pilgrimage.

On the morning of Sunday, September 27, the group of sisters in their last probation visited the “Garden of Mother Cándida,” located a few blocks from Mostenses. There stands a sculpture in her honor, inaugurated on May 31, 2011, which bears witness to the deep gratitude of the people of Salamanca.

During these days, the sisters were accompanied by Sister Carmen Sastre, who, with wisdom and closeness, helped them to understand more deeply Mother Cándida’s experiences in Salamanca. Her explanations made the figure of the Foundress more concrete and closer to the sisters in their last probation, helping them to discover, behind each place, the story of a woman deeply in love with God and wholeheartedly dedicated to her mission.

The days spent in Salamanca helped the sisters to understand more deeply how much Mother Cándida loved the Congregation and the sisters whom God had placed at her side. The route came to an end, leaving a profound mark on the hearts of the sisters who are undergoing their last probation. It was not simply a matter of visiting places, but of drawing closer to the roots of a history of faith, self-giving, and trust in God.

Their bodies could feel the fatigue that naturally comes with such intense days, but their hearts remained deeply alive, a heart that was coming to know, contemplate, and touch the roots of the life of their beloved Foundress and of the Congregation.

The route concluded with a Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving for all the experiences lived during the past days, presided over by Father Luis Salinas, SJ. Some of the sisters from the communities in Salamanca also joined them, together with María del Mar, Provincial Superior of Europe-Africa. Before the Lord, the sisters were able to give thanks for the gift of this journey, for the encounters, the places they had visited, and for all that God had allowed them to discover and experience.

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With hearts filled with gratitude, commitment, and renewed hope, the sisters would continue their experience in Rome, where new experiences, encounters, and surprises await them, experiences that will undoubtedly continue to enrich this journey of grace and deepen their vocation as Daughters of Jesus.

On Monday morning, September 28, they traveled to Rome, to the Curia House, where they will continue their experience of last probation.

Srs. Crystal Bermejo F.I., and Celina Garcia, F.I.