Saint Carmen Rendiles
Venezuelan sister who founded the Servants of Jesus in 1965
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Virgin, Founder, Religious
- Life
- 1903 – 1977
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 9 May
- Countries
- Venezuela
Life story
She was born on 11 August 1903 in Caracas, the third of seven children. She joined the Servants of the Eucharist on 25 February 1927, made her novitiate in Toulouse, France, took first vows in 1929 and perpetual vows in 1932, with the religious name Maria Carmen.
In 1945 she became superior of the congregation's houses in Venezuela. On 25 March 1965 she founded the Servants of Jesus. On 14 August 1969 Cardinal José Humberto Quintero Parra gave it diocesan approval, and she served as its first superior general from 1969 until her death.
She died on 9 May 1977 in Caracas, reportedly of influenza.
She was named Servant of God in 1994 and venerable in 2013. She was beatified on 16 June 2018 in Caracas, with Cardinal Angelo Amato presiding. Pope Leo XIV canonised her on 19 October 2025 alongside José Gregorio Hernández, and she is the first female saint of Venezuela.
Works and witness
- Joined the Servants of the Eucharist in 1927
- Novitiate at Toulouse, perpetual vows in 1932
- Superior of the congregation's Venezuelan houses from 1945
- Founded the Servants of Jesus on 25 March 1965
- Canonised on 19 October 2025
Saints from the same country
References
- Decrees of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on Carmen Elena Rendiles Martínez (2018, 2025)
- Holy See Press Office, canonisation Mass of 19 October 2025
- Siervas de Jesús, biographical material
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.