Blessed Barbara Maix
Vienna-born nun who founded the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brazil
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Religious, Founder
- Life
- 1818 – 1873
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 17 March
- Countries
- Austria, Brazil
Life story
Barbara Maix was born in June 1818 in Vienna, in the Austrian Empire. After entering religious life she took the name Maria Barbara of the Most Holy Trinity. Her order had been founded in Vienna in 1843. After the revolutions of 1848 she and twenty-one companions were expelled from Austria, and while waiting at Hamburg for a ship to North America she decided to go to Brazil instead. They reached Rio de Janeiro on 9 November 1848, and on 8 May 1849 she and her companions took vows, which established the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brazil.
The congregation cares for the poor and sick and promotes the dignity of women; it is now present in Brazil and eight other countries.
She died on 17 March 1873 at Catumbi in Rio de Janeiro. After a miracle was recognised (Pope Benedict XVI approved it on 27 March 2010), she was beatified on 6 November 2010 at Porto Alegre, with Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri presiding on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Her feast is 17 March.
Works and witness
- Born in Vienna in 1818; her congregation was established in Brazil on 8 May 1849
- Expelled from Austria with twenty-one companions after the 1848 revolution
- Her congregation cares for the poor and sick and promotes women's dignity
- Died on 17 March 1873
- Beatified on 6 November 2010
Saints from the same country
References
- Wikipedia, Barbara Maix (birth 27 June 1818, arrival in Rio 9 November 1848, vows 8 May 1849, miracle approved 27 March 2010, beatified 6 November 2010 at Porto Alegre)
- Diocese of Blumenau, article on Blessed Barbara Maix (diocesedeblumenau.org.br)
- Benedict XVI, Angelus of 7 November 2010 (vatican.va; beatification at Porto Alegre)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.