Carmelite QuotesMusic credit: Sean Beeson
Our holy mother, Teresa of Jesus, wants us to be crucified with Christ, this is the task of our lives. When I think that Jesus has placed me on the cross with Himself I feel in myself a spiritual motherhood, a tenderness for souls, a great and profound joy that I cannot explain.
How many tribulations on earth there are, how many lamentations, how many sighs and tears! I am far from all, but here I share the pain of every heart. I present to God all the sighs, the tears which water this place of exile. I am living with suffering humanity.
Blessed Mary Josephine of Jesus Crucified
A Journey of Healing and Spiritual Motherhood
Blessed Mary Josephine of Jesus Crucified (Maria Giuseppina di Gesù Crocifisso Catanea) was born on February 18, 1894, in Naples, Italy. Entering the Carmelite Community at St. Maria ai Ponti Rossi in 1918, she devoted herself to a life of deep spirituality and mystical experiences. Despite battling severe illnesses, she transformed her suffering into a source of spiritual strength, offering it for the salvation of souls.
One of the most remarkable events in her life was her miraculous healing from paralysis, attributed to the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. This event drew many to seek her guidance and consolation.
Her profound empathy and spiritual motherhood shine through in her reflections. Blessed Mary Josephine’s words remind us of the connection between suffering and spiritual growth. Embracing our trials, as St. Teresa of Avila taught, is a path to deeper communion with God.
“There is no lack of the cross in this life, however much we may do to escape it, if we belong to the party of the Crucified One” (Letter 194), St. Teresa wrote, underscoring the inevitability and transformative power of suffering for those who follow Christ.
For a more detailed exploration of Blessed Mary Josephine’s life, her miraculous healing, and her spiritual insights, listen to our latest podcast episode above or on your favorite podcast platform. You’ll also find all the prayers for her feast day from the Discalced Carmelite breviary propers here on our blog.
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.
Featured image: This is a detail from a well-known photo of Blessed Maria Giuseppina, who was captured seated outdoors, smiling broadly. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites
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