Venezuela is poised to become the first country in the world to have a female saint, following approval from Pope Francis. María Carmen Rendiles, a Congregation of the Handmaids of Jesus founder, will be recognized as a saint after a miracle attributed to her was recognized by the Vatican.
Born on August 11, 1903, in Caracas, Venezuela, Rendiles struggled with physical limitations due to the loss of an arm. However, she developed an “exemplary Christian life” and went on to found her own autonomous congregation in 1961. Her canonization process was initiated in 1995, with beatification in 2018.
Rendiles is credited with miraculously curing a young woman diagnosed with hydrocephalus after the sick woman touched Rendiles’ portrait during a Mass at the saint’s grave. The Vatican calls this event “scientifically inexplicable.” Pope Francis has now authorized a decree recognizing this miracle, paving the way for Rendiles’ canonization as Venezuela’s first female saint.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuela-female-saint-after-approval-pope-francis-120352052