Sta. Candida Maria De Jesus (Servant Of Jesus)

In a little town of Andoain, Spain,
There lived a girl, Juanita by name;
The eldest among the brood of seven,
Seven angelic gifts from heaven!

Her lone sandwich, she offered one day,
For a hungry beggar who passed her way;
By the fountain she loved to play,
Waiting for Jesus and Mary that might drink and stay.

In Tolosa, at the church of Sta. Maria,
She declared before the statue of the saint, Ignatius of Loyola;
"For the Greater Glory of God," his book so grand,
Fulfilling God's plan began with her small hands.

Fin'lly she saw the dawn of Christ's coming,
Into her life – at ten – she was so full, rejoicing;
Receiving the Holy Communion for the first time,
Had made her life incredibly shine!

Embellished with the sweet scent of faith, love, and simplicity,
Juana Josefa blossomed into a beautiful, young lady;
A young man's heart was captivated by her beauty,
Yet she was firm, "I am for God only."

Washing, Ironing, Toiling so hard for a living,
Sleeping hours she mended for praying, meditating . . . . preaching ;
Caring for her poor was overwhelming,
Her love for Jesus and Mary, fully transcending.

The Blessed Mother loved her so dearly,
Calling her with her new name, so sweetly;
"Candida Maria de Jesus,"
She accepted humbly, still, a servant of Jesus.

Salamanca's snowy afternoon,
Hailed a great jubilation.
1871, December 8. Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Candida Maria de Jesus founded "Hijas de Jesus," a wondrous congregation.

From Blessedness to Sainthood,
Her faith has lingered, her love has withstood
In the hearts of Many,
Treading the path with Jesus and Mary.

Her schools flourish like budding flowers,
Teaching young boys and girls
Across Europe and Asia,
America and Africa.

So glad and grateful to be an alumna,
I, Elena Maria

July 15, 2011

by: Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon copyright 2011

*Special Acknowledgement for the book "Weaver's Daughter" by Maria Isabel Millan for the pictures that I use in the slideshow. As an Hijas De Jesus alumna, I am familiar of this book but it was only recently that I contemplate deeply on the life of Juanita or Juana Josefa. I am inspired to write a poem in her honor. The young girl Juanita was born on May 31, 1845, the Feast of Our Lady of Fair Love. Her parents, Maria Jesus, a simple housewife and Juan Miguel, a weaver.Even at an early age, Juanita's love for God was truly inspiring. She made overwhelming sacrifices and her love for the poor was beyond words.She died on the 9th of August, 1912. She was proclaimed blessed on May 12, 1996 by Pope John Paul II and canonized as Saint on October 17, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. This was the very day my mother died who was so much devoted to her.



The Maranatha! Singers - Make Me A Servant

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