Valladolid: Another Step Along the Journey

The pilgrimage continued in Valladolid, a city closely connected with decisive moments in Mother Cándida’s life and vocation.

On September 22, the Junior Sisters set out for Valladolid to visit the places where Mother Cándida received the inspiration that gradually illuminated her path toward the foundation of the Congregation.

During this journey, they also visited the place where the Sabater family lived after moving from Burgos. Among the reasons for the move was the desire to find a university for the eldest son of the family, who was about to begin his studies at the university.

The Sabaters’ House

The Junior Sisters also had the opportunity to visit the Parish of San Felipe, where Mother Cándida met Fr. Herranz. Following this encounter, she began studying Spanish with him and later continued her studies at his family home. Being able to see these places brought the Junior Sisters closer to this stage of Mother Cándida’s life and to the concrete circumstances through which God gradually guided her journey.

San Felipe de Penitencia Parish

One of the most significant moments of the day was the visit to the Church of El Rosarillo, where Mother Cándida received the inspiration to found a Congregation through the voice of the Virgin Mary.

It was a particularly moving moment. Being there, in the very place where Mother Cándida received this confirmation, invited the Junior Sisters to contemplate with gratitude how that experience, lived with faith and openness, gave rise to a story that continues to grow to this day. From that moment, the Congregation has continued to spread and to bring Mother Cándida’s charism to many places and to countless people.

Fr. Juan Pablo helped the Junior Sisters gain a deeper understanding of the history of the place, explaining what the church was like during Mother Cándida’s time. Afterwards, they spent some time in prayer before the image of the Holy Family, where Mother Cándida herself used to pray during her stay in Valladolid.

This time of prayer was an opportunity to place before God their own vocations, desires, questions, and personal journeys. As they contemplated Mother Cándida’s experience, the Junior Sisters were reminded that every vocation is discovered step by step, through listening, waiting, trusting, and remaining open to God’s will.

To make this experience more personal and meaningful, the Junior Sisters were accompanied by Sisters Ana, Belén, and Milagros, who helped them discover the places and better understand their significance in Mother Cándida’s life.

With grateful hearts, the Junior Sisters continue this pilgrimage, discovering that visiting the places where our Foundress lived, prayed, sought, and listened to God is not simply a way of approaching history. It is also an invitation to return to our roots, to give thanks for the journey already travelled, and to renew our desire to continue seeking, with faith and openness, the will of God.

Each place they visit thus becomes a living reminder of God’s faithfulness and an invitation to continue walking in the footsteps of Mother Cándida, with hearts open to the Lord and ready to collaborate in His mission.

A Grace-Filled Encounter with the Retablo of the Holy Family

The long-awaited day came on September 23, when the sisters were able to contemplate the retablo of the Holy Family in the chapel recently built on the grounds of the Holy Family School. It was a grace-filled and deeply moving moment as they stood before this beautiful representation. Sister Ana’s explanation helped the sisters to discover and appreciate even more deeply the meaning and spiritual richness of the retablo.

The sisters remained in the chapel for some time in prayer and recollection, allowing the sacred space and all that they had contemplated to speak to their hearts. Afterwards, they shared the experience they had lived, the resonances that had emerged during prayer, and the graces they had received through this encounter.

By Srs. Crystal Bermejo, F.I. and Celina García, F.I.