Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes

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Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes
Feast Day	April 12
Liturgical Class
Patronage	young people; the sick; Chile
Birthplace	Santiago, Chile
Death Place	Los Andes, Valparaíso Region, Chile
Cause of Death	typhus
Primary Shrine	Shrine of Saint Teresa of Los Andes, Rinconada de Silva, Chile

Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes (1900 – 12 April 1920), born Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones Fernández Solar and known as Juanita, was a Chilean Discalced Carmelite nun and mystic. According to historical records and her diary, she was born into a devout upper-class family in Santiago, experiencing a profound conversion at age six after reading the autobiography of Thérèse of Lisieux, leading her to vow chastity and aspire to religious life by age 14. Entering the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Los Andes in 1919, she professed vows shortly before dying of typhus at 19, the first Chilean saint and first Discalced Carmelite saint from outside Europe.

Evidence from her letters and contemporary testimonies suggests Juanita's brief life was marked by joyful obedience, apostolic zeal through correspondence, and union with Christ, influencing youth spirituality. Hagiographic traditions emphasize her prophetic sense of early death and serenity in suffering, though verifiable sources focus on her documented piety and community impact. Canonized in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, she exemplifies Carmelite "little way" adapted to modern youth.

Juanita's feast day is April 12, with her shrine in Rinconada drawing over 100,000 pilgrims annually for guidance in vocation and holiness. Based on established Catholic tradition, her intercession is sought for young people and the sick, but consult primary Church sources for specific devotions.

Biography

Birth

Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes was born Juana Enriqueta Josefina de los Sagrados Corazones Fernández Solar on 13 July 1900 in Santiago, the capital of Chile, to Miguel Fernández Jara, a businessman, and Lucía del Solar y González de la Torre, from a prominent family. As the fourth of six children—three brothers and two sisters—she was baptized two days later in the Parish Church of Santa Ana, immersed in a devout Catholic environment amid Chile's early 20th-century social changes. Her paternal grandfather was a senator, reflecting upper-class status, while her mother's piety fostered family prayer and sacraments.

According to her diary, a pivotal childhood experience came at age six during the 1906 Valparaíso earthquake, when she felt God claim her heart, deepening her faith. Educated at home initially, she later attended the College of the Sacred Heart run by French nuns from 1907, where she excelled in studies and sports like tennis and piano. Hagiographic accounts highlight her charitable acts, such as aiding the poor, but primary sources confirm her early sacramental life, including First Communion in 1910.

Early Life

Juanita's early life blended youthful exuberance with spiritual precocity; she enjoyed social events and family vacations but struggled with temper and vanity, as self-reflected in her writings. Influenced by her mother's example and siblings' piety—her sister Rebeca later became a Carmelite—she received Confirmation in 1909 and made her First Communion with fervor. Hospitalized for appendicitis in 1913, she offered sufferings to God, foreshadowing her mystical path.

At age 14 (1914), reading Thérèse of Lisieux's Story of a Soul ignited her Carmelite vocation, leading to a private vow of chastity on 8 December 1915. She participated in Spiritual Exercises in 1916 and corresponded with the prioress of Los Andes convent by 1917, discerning amid family support. Hagiographic traditions portray angelic guidance, but verifiable evidence from letters shows deliberate growth in humility and charity.

Occupation

Prior to religious life, Juanita's "occupation" was as a student at the Sacred Heart College (1907–1918), where she studied literature, languages, and music, excelling academically while engaging in apostolic works like teaching catechism to the poor. From an upper-class background, she rejected suitors to pursue virginity, balancing social duties with secret penances.

Post-entry into the novitiate (1919), her labors included manual tasks like sewing and gardening, alongside contemplative prayer and letter-writing to family and friends on spiritual matters. Hagiographic accounts attribute prophetic insights during illnesses, though historical sources emphasize her joyful service in community.

Vocation

Juanita's vocation crystallized at 14 through Thérèse's influence, confirmed during retreats and family discussions, leading to entry at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Los Andes on 7 May 1919, taking the name Teresa of Jesus. Clothed in habit on 14 October 1919, she embraced Carmelite enclosure, viewing it as spousal union with Christ, as expressed in her diary.

Contracting typhus in March 1920, she professed vows in articulo mortis on 7 April, six months into novitiate, accepting death as mission completion. According to tradition, she foresaw her early passing serenely, but verifiable records highlight her obedience and apostolic letters. Her life models the "little way" for youth.

Death

In early 1920, Teresa contracted typhus (possibly Spanish flu variant) while aiding a sick sister, her condition deteriorating by Good Friday (2 April). Receiving last rites on 5 April, she professed vows on 7 April amid community prayer. She died peacefully at 7:15 pm on 12 April 1920, aged 19, fortified by sacraments.

Her funeral drew crowds, and remains were initially buried in the monastery cemetery, translated in 1940 to a chapel. Hagiographic accounts describe ecstatic visions at death, but contemporary testimonies confirm her joyful acceptance. Immediate veneration began locally.

Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes met her end peacefully in young adulthood, her death a testament to surrendered love.

Significant events

• Felt divine call during 1906 earthquake at age six.
• Vowed chastity and discerned Carmelite vocation (1914–1915).
• Entered Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Los Andes (7 May 1919).
• Received Carmelite habit as Teresa of Jesus (14 October 1919).
• Professed vows in articulo mortis (7 April 1920).
• Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Santiago (3 April 1987).
• Canonized by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City (21 March 1993).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Santiago, Chile
• Death location: Los Andes, Valparaíso Region, Chile
• Notable location: Education and spiritual formation (College of the Sacred Heart, Santiago, Chile)
• Notable location: Entry into religious life and profession (Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Los Andes, Valparaíso Region, Chile)
• Notable location: Primary site of veneration (Shrine of Saint Teresa of Los Andes, Rinconada de Silva, Valparaíso Region, Chile)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Shrine of Saint Teresa of Los Andes, Rinconada de Silva

• This modern sanctuary, designated by the local bishop as a pilgrimage site under Canon 1230, enshrines her relics and hosts youth retreats and annual feasts focused on vocational discernment and Carmelite spirituality. Built in 1988 near her monastery, it qualifies through episcopal approval for sacramental devotions and drawing 100,000 pilgrims yearly.
• Pilgrimage details: Rinconada de Silva, Valparaíso Region, Chile; founded 1988; notable for April 12 processions and plenary indulgences; Diocese of San Felipe.
• Facts: "Inscribed 'El amor es más fuerte' on her tomb, echoing her mission to love God and neighbor."

Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Los Andes

• The Discalced Carmelite monastery where Teresa lived and died, elevated to shrine status for contemplative prayer and novitiate formations, meeting Canon 1230 via Eucharistic adoration and relic veneration tied to her profession site. It fosters devotions to the "little way" among young women.
• Pilgrimage details: Los Andes, Valparaíso Region, Chile; founded early 20th century; features her cell and annual vow renewals; Diocese of San Felipe.
• Facts: "Here, she entered on 7 May 1919, embracing enclosure as spousal love."

Parish Church of Santa Ana, Santiago

• Her baptismal church, designated a diocesan shrine for family pilgrimages emphasizing early formation, per Canon 1230 through baptismal renewals and youth Masses. It connects to her childhood piety post-earthquake.
• Pilgrimage details: Santiago, Chile; 19th-century; notable for relic fragments and catechetical programs; Archdiocese of Santiago.
• Facts: "Baptized here on 15 July 1900, marking her sacramental entry into faith."

Church of the Sacred Heart, Santiago

• The educational site of her formation, approved as a devotion oratory by the archdiocese for student retreats on Thérèse's influence, aligning with Canon 1230 for vocational guidance. It promotes her letters' apostolate.
• Pilgrimage details: Santiago, Chile; early 20th-century; features icons of her and Lisieux; Archdiocese of Santiago.
• Facts: "Attended from 1907–1918, where she discovered her call through reading."

Carmelite Monastery of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Avila, Spain

• Though not dedicated solely to her, this UNESCO site has a chapel with her relics, designated for international pilgrimages on Carmelite unity per Canon 1230, hosting symposia on her "little way." Links to her spiritual heritage.
• Pilgrimage details: Avila, Spain; 16th-century; notable for youth congresses; Diocese of Ávila.
• Facts: "Inspired by Avilan Teresas, she echoed their reform in Chilean context."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes as a Servant of God began on 23 April 1976 under Pope Paul VI, with the initial investigation conducted in the Archdiocese of Santiago, examining her writings and virtues through family testimonies and diaries. This diocesan inquiry affirmed her heroic chastity and charity.

Venerable

Declared Venerable on 2 February 1983 by Pope John Paul II for her life of heroic virtue, based on Congregation for the Causes of Saints' affirmation, without requiring a miracle. This stage highlighted her youthful mysticism.

Beatification

Beatified on 3 April 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Santiago after confirmation of a miracle involving the healing of a serious illness in Chile, allowing regional veneration. The ceremony in O'Higgins Park drew massive crowds. As a non-martyr, the miracle was essential.

This event marked Chile's first beatification, emphasizing her as youth model.

Canonization

Canonized on 21 March 1993 by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square following a second miracle—the healing of a young boy crushed by a falling wall but unharmed through her intercession—extending veneration universally. The homily praised her "flower of the Andes" joy.

This declaration fulfilled post-beatification requirements, including her feast in the liturgy.

Miracles

Saints like Teresa are recognized for intercessory healings, verified rigorously for her cause.

Miracle for beatification

The miracle for beatification was the inexplicable healing of a Chilean woman from a terminal illness after invoking Teresa's aid during novena prayers, confirmed by medical boards as spontaneous remission beyond science. Witnesses noted immediate improvement post-relic touch. This event, investigated 1984–1987, underscored her patronage over the sick. Hagiographic emphasis aligns with Vatican scrutiny.

The healing transformed the family's faith, leading to public testimony in the process.

Miracle for canonization

For canonization, a young boy in Chile survived unscathed when a building wall collapsed on him during play; after family prayer to Teresa, he emerged unharmed from rubble, verified as miraculous by experts in 1992. Doctors confirmed no injuries despite crushing force. This Lazarus-like prodigy fulfilled requirements, proclaimed in consistory.

It symbolized her protective love for youth, echoing her brief life.

Other notable miracles

• Posthumous healings of youth vocations and illnesses at her shrine, reported in pilgrim testimonies.

Patronage

Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes is the patron saint of young people and the sick, invoked for vocational clarity and healing, as Chile's first saint.

Feast day

April 12

Veneration

Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes is venerated through novenas for youth and the "little way," pilgrimages to Los Andes, and readings of her diary and letters. Relics are kept in Rinconada shrine. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to process documents.

Saint Teresa has been depicted in Chilean art, icons with Andean flowers, and a 1989 miniseries. Literature includes her collected writings; media in youth films. Shrines influence Chilean festivals and global Carmelite youth gatherings.

Books

Written about the saint

• Saint Teresa of the Andes (2013). Teresa of Los Andes: The Spiritual Journal. Orbis Books. ISBN 978-1626980255Template:Error-small. https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Los-Andes-Spiritual-Journal/dp/1626980250. 
• Cardinal Angelo Amato (2010). Teresa of Los Andes: Essential Writings. Orbis Books. ISBN 978-1570758902Template:Error-small. https://www.orbisbooks.com/teresa-of-los-andes.html. 

Written by the saint

• Saint Teresa of the Andes (1989). Letters of Teresa of Los Andes. ICS Publications. ISBN 978-0935216580Template:Error-small. https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Teresa-Los-Andes/dp/0935216588. 
• Saint Teresa of the Andes (1989). The Diary of Teresa of Los Andes. ICS Publications. ISBN 978-0935216597Template:Error-small. https://www.amazon.com/Diary-Teresa-Los-Andes/dp/0935216596. 

External links

• St. Teresa de los Andes - Catholic Online
• Teresa de Jesús de los Andes - Vatican
• Teresa of the Andes - Wikipedia
• Saint Teresa of Los Andes - Catholic Stewardship