BLESSED LAY WOMAN- MOTHER TO MANY

 

 More and more women, who have raised a family, are seeking religious life.  Most orders do not take women past 40.  My mantra is:  the Church needs holy lay women.  A good example of a new blessed is RAFAELA YBARRA.  She was born in Bilbao in, 1843, of a well-off family who provided her with a broad education.

 She was known to have a lively, sweet and affable character. Her Catholic education and natural kindness fostered the growth of her piety and compassion for the needy

 At the age of 18 she married José Vilallonga, a Catalan engineer who would later become one of the main driving forces behind the Altos Hornos de Vizcaya (a Spanish metallurgy manufacturing company. It was the largest company in Spain for much of the 20th century). 

The couple settled in Bilbao, on a farm called La Cava.

 It was a happy and fruitful marriage. They had seven children, two of whom died at an early age. After the death of one of Rafaela's sisters, they took charge of five nephews whom she loved and raised as her own children.

 In the first years of her marriage, Rafaela lived according to the customs of her social status: walks, dinners, theatres, social relations.  In spite of this, she was able to maintain her prayer life. She soon found the meaning of her life, as the social life became superficial and lacking in interest.

 Rafaela's love for Jesus Christ and her intimate relationship with Him, especially in prayer and the Eucharist, became more and more intense. In 1890, with the approval of her husband, she pronounced vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In order to assist abandoned girls, she founded the Holy Guardian Angels  in1894 with three other women. Although her duties as the mother of seven children prevented her from living in community, Rafaela directed the formation of the first nuns, organized the community, built its first residential school in Bilbao at her own expense and wrote its first Rule. The institute provides moral and economic support for disadvantaged youth.

 She devoted herself to caring for the needs of many people who came to her.  Her patience and concern for the sick was proverbial.

 In her numerous Spiritual Writings, which she began at the request of her Directors, she narrated her experiences of God  expressing how she reconciled this intimacy with her dedication to her large family and to the needs of the poor.

 Her charity was intelligent, not content with remedying immediate needs, but she also promoted numerous social initiatives aimed at alleviating the lack of assistance in her time. She said: “People pass away but the Works remain.”

She the Maternity Hospital in Bilbao, the establishment in the capital of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate to care for young domestic workers, and of the RR. Adoratrices; she participated in the creation of the University of Deusto, and, among other activities, belonged to an Association called Junta de Obras de zeal dedicated to helping young women in need of work and guidance, in which she participated actively. It was in this apostolate and visiting prisons and hospitals, where she observed the hardships and difficulties that poor young women had to safeguard their dignity and get ahead in the harsh industrial society of Bilbao.

 Rafaela developed a special vocation for these young women. She devoted all her efforts and energy to creating the conditions so that those who were at greater risk of social exclusion would always find love, shelter and protection until they settled down or found a decent job. She rented several apartments, set up workshops and organised the young women's lives, alternating work and training. With the help of some volunteers and other employees, she began to guide and accompany these girls.

Her love for young girls, reflected in her natural interest, sweetness and friendliness, won the trust of these girls who were quick to call her “mother” in  recognition of her care, affection and special treatment.

Bl. Rafaela died on February 23, 1900, after a serious illness amid the love of her family, nuns and young people. She was 57 years old. Her death caused great consternation among all those who knew her and was a sad event in the city of Bilbao.

The Foundation continued to move forward with God's help and encouraged by Rafaela's spirit. Many other young women followed in her footsteps and today this Congregation extends throughout Spain and Latin America.

On September 29, 1984, she was proclaimed Blessed by Pope John Paul II.  Her feast day is February 23.