The Servant of God Pura Rose of Carmel Olmos
Professed Religious of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg.)
Secundina Guadalupe Olmos was born on 26 February 1896 in the locality of La Canada (now Villa Giardino) in the Province of Cordoba, Spain. Her parents were Don Pio Cruz Olmos and Clarinda Campos. She was baptized that year in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy in the same locality.
Secundina’s father worked as a farm labourer while her mother looked after their 11 children. In 1898 the family moved to Las Minas, near Cerro Unitorco, still in the Province of Cordoba. Secundina lived here until she was 12, helping out with the numerous domestic chores. These included fetching water from a river, collecting guano and drying it in the sun, feeding the chickens in the yard, manufacturing soap and candles, baking bread and cooking meat, drying fruit and knitting wool, among many other activities. In 1904 the Servant of God was Confirmed by the Auxiliary Bishop of Cordoba, Mons. Filemon Cabanillas at St. Roque’s Chuch, in the locality of San Jeronimo (now La Cumbre).
During the first decade of the 20th century, Secundina changed to the locality of Jesus Maria to finish her obligatory schooling. She developed exceptional manual abilities, particularly in floral ornamentation. Owing to this she was sent to the city of Cordoba to study at the Professional School, directed by the famous teacher, Julia Funes de Bonet.
In 1917 Secundina asked to be accepted as a Postulant in the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg). She received the habit and was given the name of Pura Rosa of Carmel in December 1918 by Brother Rafael of St. Teresa. I 1920 she was admitted to First Profession and made her Perpetual Vows in 1926.
As a Religious, at various different times, Sister Pura Rosa was entrusted with the offices of Mistress of Novices, Teacher, General Councillor, Secretary, Vice-Rector and Rector, Wardrobe Mistress, Bursar and Porter. She died of pneumonia in the Mother House on 28 July 1965, at the age of 69.
The Servant of God lived as an heiress of the work and spirit of Brother Jose Antonio of St. Albert, the Founder of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa of Jesus (Arg.). Her life was marked by generous devotion in a spirit of mercy, tenderness and compassion for everyone. Her gestures, familiarity and kindly spirit were impressed in the memories of everyone that knew her and today provide hope for all those who seek her intercession. At this time of synodality. this humble Servant of God, shines – with her serene evangelical simplicity – walking with others and inspiring our shared journey, as a Church.
The Diocesan Process of Investigation on “the life, virtues, renown for holiness and of signs” was concluded on 16 August 2024.
