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CHRONOLOGY OF ST. CANDIDA MARIA’S LIFE (1845 – 1912)

1845 May 31:

Juana Josefa Cipitria y Barriola was born in the farmhouse of Berrospe, Andoain, Guipuzcoa, Spain, on the Feast of Our Lady of Fair Love.

She was baptized here a few minutes after birth; She was also confirmed here 1848 November 5.

1852 August 5

The artisan family of Cipitria y Barriola moved its residence to Tolosa, Guipuzcoa, Spain. Fr. Martin Barriola was the chaplain of the House of Mercy and became the first spiritual director of Juana Josefa.

1861

Juana Josefa made the firm decision to consecrate herself to God: She said, “I am for God alone”.

1862

She began working as a domestic servant in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sabater-Becerra in Burgos. It was there that she first sought spiritual direction from priests of the Society of Jesus. Initially, she was guided by Fr. Raymundo Sureda, SJ, Vice-Rector of the Minor Seminary. When he was transferred to another city, she continued her spiritual guidance under Fr. Rafael San Juan, SJ.

1868

After the revolution in September of that year, the Sabater-Becerra family moved to Valladolid, and she accompanied them as a member of their household staff.

She sought spiritual direction from Fr. Miguel San José Herranz, SJ, who had come to Valladolid following the revolution. After being expelled from the Major Seminary of León, he stayed with his family in Valladolid.

1869 April 2

Juana Josefa received an inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary to found a congregation called the Hijas de Jesús, dedicated to the education of children and young people. Before the altar of the Holy Family in El Rosarillo Church, she also received her new spiritual name: Cándida María de Jesús.

1871 December 8:

Foundation of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus in Salamanca. Its specific mission: Christian education of children and youth. M. Candida and her first five companions started living as a community in the house named Casa de José, after St. Joseph, located at 2 Gibraltar St., Salamanca.

They were conferred with this scapular by Fr. Herranz, and then he asked them to accept Mother Foundress as their Mother and lawful Superior.

1872 April 3:

Diocesan approval of the first nucleus of the Constitutions by Msgr. Lluch y Garriga, Bishop of Salamanca.

May 3: First Mass at the St. Joseph’s house oratory.

May 31: Fr. Herranz, SJ officiated at the first clothing ceremony of the Daughters of Jesus.

August 27:

Fr. Herranz, SJ was transferred by order of his superiors to the Jesuit Residence of Vigo, Galicia, Spain. Fr. Juan Bautista Bombardo, SJ, Rector of the Pontifical Seminary of Salamanca, became the spiritual guide for the newly born Congregation.

1873 February:

Casa de la Concordia, 84 San Pablo St. The Sisters moved here as their new residence in February 1873, as well as to accommodate the new school, Colegio de la Purisima

November 26:

Diocesan approval of the Rules on Government and the Ritual for the vows in the Congregation signed by Msr. Lluch y Garriga.

December 8:

First vows taken in the Congregation in the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese.

January 1874:

The educational apostolate of the Daughters of Jesus began. Together with the ordinary school, a Sunday School for servant girls was also opened.

April:

The government of the First Republic expelled the Jesuits from Salamanca and sent them to Portugal. The Bishop of Salamanca assigned Fr. Antonio Garcia y Fernandez, Magistrate of the Cathedral, as the Director of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus.

1875 January 20:

The school in Peñaranda de Bracamonte, Salamanca was opened.

Msgr. Narciso Martínez Izquierdo succeeded Msgr. Lluch y Garriga in the Diocese of Salamanca. Fr. Antonio Almaraz was appointed Director of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus because Fr. Antonio Garcia was appointed Bishop of Zamora.

1877 October 1:

The Palace of Montellano, located at 8 Zamora Street in Salamanca, became the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, serving both as a school and as the Sisters’ residence after their move from La Casa de la Concordia. It later became known as the Colegio de la Inmaculada of Salamanca.

1885 August 12:

Fr. Tomas Camara y Castro, OSA took possession of the See of Salamanca as its new prelate. Fr. Ramon Barbera y Boada, General Procurator of the Diocese of Salamanca, was appointed Director of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus.

1886 September 8: Foundation of a new school in Arevalo, Avila: Colegio de Sta. Teresa

1887 September 29

Foundation of the school in Bernardos, Sevogia.

1888 October 12:

Foundation of a new school, “Colegio de San Jose”, in Tolosa, Guipuzcoa.

1889 May 9:

Inauguration of the School of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Segovia.

1891 January 18:

Inauguration of the school in El Espinar, Segovia.

1892 January 22:

Fr. Tomas Camara y Castro approved the text of the Constitutions which had been amplified and completed.

1893 January 23:

Foundation of the school in Coca, Segovia.

1894 December 20:

The first General Chapter of the Congregation was held in Salamanca. M. Candida Maria de Jesus was elected General Superior.

The school in Medina del Campo, Valladolid was founded.

1896 August 22:

Fr. Miguel San Jose Herranz, SJ died at the Jesuit Residence of Loyola, Azpeitia, Guipuzcoa.

September 7:

Inauguration of the Pre-school in Medina del Campo, Valladolid.

1899 July 18:

Royal Order granting civil recognition to the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus.

September 23:

The Novices moved to the “Mostenses” building in Salamanca.

November 21

The Novitiate was solemnly inaugurated under the name of Novitiate of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

1901 July 30:

Pontifical approval of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII.

1902 August 30:

Candida Maria de Jesus, accompanied by M. Angela Cipitria and Sr. Gabriela Hondet, left for Rome to defend the text of the Constitutions.

September 18:

Leo XIII approved the Constitutions of the Congregation “ad experimentum” (by way of experimentation) for three years.

This experimental phase was prolonged through successive applications until 1911, when definitive approval was requested.

1903 September 24:

First perpetual vows taken in the Congregation.

1905 September 24:

Second General Chapter of the Congregation held at Salamanca. M. Candida Maria de Jesus was re-elected General.

1909 October 24:

Foundation of the school at Pitillas, Navarre.

1911 December 8:

The Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus extends its apostolate to Brazil. The first school in this country was founded in Pireanopolis outside of Spain.

1912 March 12:

Inauguration of the School of the “Imaculada Conceicao” in Mogi Mirim, Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was the last foundation made by Mother Candida.

June:

The second Novitiate of the Congregation was opened in Tolosa, Guipuzcoa.

August 9: M. Candida Maria de Jesus died in Salamanca.

December 3: Definitive approval of the Constitutions by Pope Pius X.

Pictures ( from SuperUser’s Museum Collection, other Biographies of Mother Foundress and Texts from MF Letters Vol. I)

NOVENA PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

Father, through the intercession of St. Candida Maria de Jesus, we ask for the gift of Faith so that we may cling steadfastly to you and commit ourselves to your service. We ask in particular for this grace…

Lord Jesus, Word of the Father, through the intercession of St. Candida Maria de Jesus, we ask for the gift of Hope, to help us overcome joyfully the difficulties of life, We ask in particular for this grace…

Holy Spirit, through the intercession of St. Candida Maria de Jesus, we ask for the gift of Love, so that we may give ourselves wholly to you and lead others to give themselves to your love. We ask in particular for this grace…

Most Holy Trinity, grant what we ask, through the intercession of St. Candida Maria de Jesus, and increase within us your gift of Faith, Hope and Love by which we are united to you.

Amen.

St. Candida Maria de Jesus, pray for us.

Blessed Maria Antonia Bandres, pray for us.

Venerable Vicenta Guilarte, pray for us.