Childhood and education in Madrid
María Isabel Salvat Romero was born on 20 February 1926 in Madrid to a Christian family of good social position. She was baptized on 27 February of the same year. She attended the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary conducted by the Irish Sisters in Madrid, where she received her First Communion on 24 May 1932 after careful preparation. She approached the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist frequently and cultivated a filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying the Rosary daily.
Civil War exile and return
In 1936 the Spanish Civil War forced the family to flee Madrid for San Sebastián to escape persecution. They remained there until 1938. During this period María Isabel continued her studies at the College of the Company of Mary and received the sacrament of Confirmation. After the war the family returned to Madrid and settled again in the Salamanca district. The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary reopened in 1939–1940, and María Isabel completed her secondary studies there in 1943–1944. In recognition of her exemplary conduct she received the Medal of Daughter of Mary on 10 December 1943. With her friends she assisted at the Residence of the Sisters of the Poor by serving meals to the elderly, taught catechism in the parish on Sundays, and visited the homes of the poor to bring them aid and encouragement.
Vocational decision and entry into the Institute
Her love for the poor led her to choose the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, founded by Saint Angela of the Cross in Seville in 1875 to serve the sick and the poorest families in their own homes. On 8 December 1944, at the age of eighteen, she entered the institute in Seville. She began her novitiate on 9 June 1945 and lived the charism with joy, showing herself a model religious. She made temporary vows on 27 June 1947 and perpetual vows on 9 December 1952.
Early assignments and perpetual profession
In the following years she was entrusted with the direction of elementary schools in Lopera, Valladolid, and Estepa. She also served as local superior of the house in Estepa, sub-novice mistress, novice mistress, and provincial. In every community she spread simplicity, joy, and goodness, accepting with a spirit of sacrifice the privations of religious life and the poverty of the houses and the sick she served. She remained faithful to the rule and encouraged the sisters by her example to observe community discipline.
Election and service as Superior General
On 11 February 1977 she was elected Superior General, an office she held until her death, being re-elected in 1983, 1989, and 1995. She consulted her council on all matters, organized programs of ongoing formation, prepared general chapters with care, and conducted canonical visits to foster spiritual renewal. With courage and trust in divine providence she founded seven new houses, one of them in southern Italy. Through 152 circular letters she urged fidelity to Christ, the Gospel, the Virgin Mary as Queen and Mother of the Company, the Church and her magisterium, and the charism of Saint Angela of the Cross, whose beatification she promoted and witnessed in 1982.
Final illness and death
In 1994 she was diagnosed with cancer. She accepted the illness with serenity and continued all her duties as Superior General. In August 1998, though gravely ill, she made a canonical visit to the houses in Argentina. On her return the doctors told her that little time remained. She asked with peace, "How many months?" and then "How many weeks?" Receiving no answer, she exclaimed, "What joy, we are going to the house of the Lord!" She fulfilled her obligations until two days before death, explaining to the community on 29 October the meaning of true poverty of spirit. On 31 October 1998 she died peacefully in Seville.
Recognition by the Church
Her funeral was held on 2 November and was attended by a great multitude who testified to her reputation for holiness. She was beatified in Seville on 18 September 2010 and canonized in Rome on 18 October 2015; her feast was assigned to 18 September.
Chiediamo l'intercessione di María de la Purísima de la Cruz, e imitiamo oggi la santità di questa Vita.
Fonte: Causes of Saints Anche elencato Wikidata Cause dei Santi