BLESSED GIOVANNA MARIA CONDESA LLUCH

Giovanna Maria Condesa Lluch was born in Valencia, Spain on 30 March 1862.   When only 18, she discovered that God’s will for her was to dedicate herself and her life to service for the Kingdom of God, through evangelization and in helping working women.

In 1884, having overcome certain difficulties presented by the Archbishop who thought she was too young to found a Religious Congregation, Giovanna did get permission to open a house where she could welcome, educate and restore dignity to these working ladies.  A few months later, she started a school for the daughters of these workers on the same premises.

She obtained diocesan approval for her Institute in 1892 and made her own Temporary Profession in 1985, followed by her Perpetual Profession in 1911.  On 16 January 1916, God called her to her eternal reward.

The ceremony of her Beatification took place on 23 March 2003.