Blessed Josefa Naval Girbés

Life story

Josefa Naval Girbés was born on 11 December 1820 in Algemesí, in the province of Valencia, Spain, the eldest child of the family. Her mother died in 1833, when Josefa was twelve, so she left school to run the household and look after her brothers.

She learned needlework at a neighbour's school. Later she opened her home as a place where she taught needlework to girls, and also taught the catechism and helped form the faith and character of many people, children among them. She earned a reputation in the area as an educator and catechist.

She chose the parish priest Gaspar Silvestre as her spiritual guide and made a vow of virginity on 4 December 1838. She belonged to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. In her last years she also nursed cholera patients.

From 1891 she suffered chronic pain from a heart condition. She died on 24 February 1893 in Algemesí, aged 72. John Paul II declared her Venerable on 3 January 1987 and beatified her on 25 September 1988 in St Peter's Basilica. Her feast day is 24 February. She has not been canonised.

Works and witness

• Left school at twelve to run the household after her mother's death
• Opened her home to teach needlework and catechism to girls and children
• Made a vow of virginity on 4 December 1838
• Cared for cholera patients late in life
• Beatified on 25 September 1988

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Discalced Carmelites (carmelite.com): 'Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes' (heroic-virtue decree of 3 January 1987)
• Catholic.net (Spanish): 'Josefa Naval Girbés, beata'
• Vatican, Homily of John Paul II for the beatification of 25 September 1988, vatican.va

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.