The history of the Congregation of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus cannot be told without the figure of María Josefa Recio. And today, as we commemorate her birth, we find the ideal moment to take a journey through her life.
Born in Granada in 1846, her life was marked by a deep vocation of service, which led her to dedicate herself to the care of those who needed it most. Her legacy can be summed up in three words that defined her path: dedication, compassion, and faith.
Dedication (1880)
In 1880, together with María Angustias Giménez and under the guidance of Saint Benito Menni, María Josefa Recio founded, in Ciempozuelos, the Congregation of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From the very beginning, her dedication was absolute, devoting herself wholeheartedly to the care of women with mental illnesses, at a time when mental health was little understood, and people suffering from it were marginalized. Her commitment to this mission made her a cornerstone of the Congregation.
Compassion (1881)
Compassion was a hallmark of her life. In 1881, as the first Superior General of the Congregation, she faced great challenges. Her love and patience even led her to suffer assaults from some patients with severe disorders, an episode that marked her life. However, far from retreating, María Josefa Recio continued her work with the same tenderness and dedication, demonstrating that her compassion had no limits.
Faith (1883)
María Josefa Recio always lived guided by unwavering faith. She faced difficulties, sufferings, and moments of uncertainty, but never lost confidence in God’s providence. On October 30, 1883, she passed away in Ciempozuelos, leaving a legacy of love and service that is still alive today in the Congregation she helped found. Her testimony is an inspiration for those seeking to live their faith through service to others.
A hundred years later, in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI recognized María Josefa as a Venerable person, because she listened to the message of Jesus and made it a reality. María Josefa prayed, cared for, and helped the sick, just as Jesus did.
Today, the Sisters Hospitallers continue the work that María Josefa Recio began with so much love and sacrifice. Her life reminds us that true greatness lies in generous dedication, compassion without limits, and faith that endures even in the most difficult moments. May her example continue to illuminate our path.
Lord, God of love and mercy,
You called Your servant
María Josefa Recio
to live with dedication, serving the most fragile,
to reflect Your compassion in caring for those who suffer,
and to always walk with deep faith in Your providence.
Through her testimony of life and trust in You,
we ask for her intercession in our needs.
That, following her example, we may learn to love without measure,
to serve with generosity, and to always trust in Your will.
Amen.
