Description

Oil Dedicated to Venerable Juana De La Concepcion Sanchez Garcia (Clara of the Conception)

Prayer:

 Heavenly Father, we come before you seeking the intercession of Venerable Juana de la Concepción Sánchez García, also known as Clara of the Conception. Grant us the grace to emulate her life of humble service and devotion to you. May her example inspire us to deepen our own relationship with you and to live lives of holiness and compassion.

Scripture:

1 Peter 4:10

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Venerable Juana De La Concepcion (born Juana de Maldonado y Paz in 1598 in Santiago de Guatemala; died 1666 in Santiago de Guatemala) was a Guatemalan nun, writer, and poet. She is one of the most interesting and controversial figures in Santiago de Guatemala. The capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala the first half of the 17th century.

Sister Juana’s father was called to serve to the Spanish Crown in Mexico, leaving his daughter in Guatemala in 1636.[16] During this period, Sister Juana experienced economic hardship; she could not pay the dowry to the convent and did not have money to pay for candles for her living quarters and sacristy. After efforts by her father and based on the merits of both her and her father, the Crown decided to award her an annual pension of 500 tostones (silver coins) to cover her expenses.

As an abbess, Sister Juana was responsible for reporting the convent’s activities periodically to the bishop. And for requesting permissions from the bishop.

At the beginning of 1665, before appointed abbess. Sister Juana fell ill and requested permission to sell a slave belonging to her to pay costs she had incurred. Similarly, she pawned a diamond in 1667 to pay money she owed to the convent.