Blessed Blessed Candlemas of San José

Candelaria of Saint Joseph, O.Carm (born Susana Paz-Castillo Ramírez; 11 August 1863 – 31 January 1940) was a Venezuelan Catholic religious sister who founded the Carmelite Sisters of Venezuela, also known as the "Carmelites of Mother Candelaria". The death of her parents in 1870 and 1887 prompted her to assume household responsibilities though in 1900 set her heart on aiding others in her area; this started in 1903 when she served as the director of a new hospital, though she also tended to ill people during epidemics and conflicts that broke out over time. It was in the context of this service that she founded her religious order. Her beatification was celebrated on 27 April 2008 and was the first to be celebrated on her home soil. Cardinal José Saraiva Martins presided over the celebration on the behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Susana Paz-Castillo Ramírez was born on 11 August 1863 in Guárico in Venezuela to Francisco de Paula Paz-Castillo and María del Rosario Ramírez. Her father died on 23 November 1870 when she was seven and her mother died on 24 December 1887; it was upon her mother's death that she assumed the responsibilities of the household. Her baptism was celebrated on 27 February 1864 in the local parish church of Nosta Senora de Altagracia and the priest Juan Pablo presided. Her maternal grandmother was the cousin of Simon Bolívar. Ramírez made her First Communion in 1879 after having received her Confirmation on 13 June 1870. Her father earned the esteem of his neighbors; he knew natural medicine which he used to help those who asked for his help. Her mother was pious and hardworking. Both her parents offered their children the best education that the circumstances of their lives allowed. The girl was instilled with religious values – like her siblings — and in due time learned how to read and write as well as to embroider. The death of her mother saw her tend to her cousins and siblings.