22 May Optional Memorial
Saint Joachina was born on April 16, 1783 in Barcelona, Spain. She wanted to become a Carmelite cloistered nun but was rejected due to her young age. In 1799, at age 16, she married Theodore de Mas but was widowed in 1816. She brought up nine children, three of whom died at an early age, with loving care.
In 1826, guided by the Holy Spirit, she founded the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity which spread throughout Catalonia, opening numerous houses for the care of the sick and to help and look after those who suffered from poverty and a lack of education. She found her inspiration in the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the distinguishing features of her spirituality were her love of prayer, self-denial, detachment, humility and her love for others.
She died at Vich on August 28, 1854. She was beatified on May 19, 1940 by Pope Pius XII and canonized on April 12, 1959 by Pope St. John XXIII.
The liturgy celebration has proper texts which highlight her works of charity and her actions as a foundress. The proper prayer asks that we too by filled with true Christian charity to follow in her example.
The second reading of the Liturgy of the Hours, comprising one of her letters, reveals the intense love of God that filled her life, both during her years of living in Christian matrimony and then as a religious.
