Maria Candida of the Eucharist


Maria Candida of the Eucharist

Virgin
BornMaria Barba
(1884-01-16)16 January 1884
Catanzaro, Kingdom of Italy
Died12 June 1949(1949-06-12) (aged 65)
Ragusa, Italy
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified21 March 2004, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Feast
  • 21 March
  • 14 June (Discalced Carmelites)
AttributesChalice and eucharist, convent, Discalced Carmelite's habit

Maria Candida of the Eucharist, OCD (born Maria Barba; 16 January 1884 – 12 June 1949) was an Italian Discalced Carmelite. Barba desired to become a nun in her adolescence but her parents forbade this and she was forced to wait two decades to realize her dream; she entered the order after her parents died, though she alienated her brothers in the process. They refused to ever see her due to their resentment of her decision. Barba became a noted member of her convent in Ragusa and she served as prioress. Her devotion to the Eucharist was a focal point for her spiritual thinking and her own life. Pope John Paul II beatified Barba in Saint Peter's Square on 21 March 2004.