This Sunday, October 19, 2025, will be etched in Venezuelan history. For the first time, the country will see one of its daughters granted sainthood by the Catholic Church. Carmen-Elena Rendiles, a nun with an exceptional career, will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV alongside six other blesseds. In a country scarred by more than a decade of dictatorship under Nicolás Maduro, this canonization takes on a special dimension, that of a message of hope addressed to Venezuelan Christians and to civil society as a whole.
Carmen-Elena's story is touching in its profound humanity. Born with a visible disability, she experienced rejection and suffering, yet radiated a contagious joy that spoke to all who met her. Her close connection to France, through the religious congregation she joined, also testifies to the spiritual bridges that unite continents and nourish the faith of millions of people.
Who was Carmen-Elena Rendiles?
A life marked by disability
Carmen-Elena Rendiles was born in 1903 into a Venezuelan family. From birth, she bore a physical difference that would mark her entire life: she lacked a left arm. At a time when disability was even less understood and accepted than it is today, this physical characteristic posed a real challenge, both for her and for those around her.
This visible disability is accompanied by other sufferings, less apparent but just as real. The testimonies of those who knew her speak of chronic physical pain and significant psychological hardship. In Venezuela at the beginning of the 20th century, a young woman with such a disability had to face not only the practical limitations of her condition, but also the gaze of others, sometimes tinged with incomprehension or misplaced pity.
Yet Carmen-Elena refuses to be defined by her disability. She cultivates her appearance with care, remains elegant, and takes care with her presentation. This attention to herself is not vanity, but rather a form of affirmed dignity, a way of telling the world that she is much more than her diminished body.
Radiance despite suffering
What is particularly striking in the testimonies about Carmen-Elena is the striking contrast between her suffering and the luminosity that emanated from her. Her smile, often described as radiant, and her gaze described as luminous, created a special atmosphere around her that deeply touched those who met her.
Many of the people who knew her are still alive today, since she only died in 1977, less than fifty years ago. Their testimonies all converge on this impression of a special presence, of an inner joy that transcended physical trials. How can we explain such an ability to shine despite pain? It is precisely in this apparent contradiction that lies part of the mystery of her holiness.
This inner strength was not a matter of stoicism or mere moral courage. Witnesses speak rather of a profound peace, a serenity that seemed to draw its source elsewhere, in an intimate relationship with God that transformed her perception of suffering. Carmen-Elena did not ignore her pain, she did not deny it, but she experienced it in a particular way, as if it became the bearer of a deeper meaning.
Carmen-Elena's spiritual journey
Refusals and Perseverance
At a very young age, Carmen-Elena felt a powerful call to religious life. She longed to dedicate her life to God, to join a community where she could serve prayer and others. But her path to this vocation proved fraught with daunting obstacles.
The religious communities she approached closed their doors to her, one after the other. Her physical disability seemed incompatible, in the eyes of many leaders of the time, with the demands of convent life. There was fear that she would be unable to perform daily tasks, that she would become a burden on the community, and that she would be unable to keep up with the imposed pace of life.
Each rejection is an additional wound for this young woman who simply yearns to live her faith radically. But Carmen-Elena doesn't give up. Her determination testifies to a deep inner certainty: she knows, with unwavering conviction, that God is calling her to this particular path. The closing doors only strengthen her patience and trust.
This period of denial and waiting forged her spiritual character. She learned humility, patience, and surrender to God's will even when it seemed to manifest itself through trials. She discovered that holiness was not only found in the accomplishment of great projects, but also in daily faithfulness despite disappointments.
Entry into religious life
In 1927, after several years of searching and prayer, Carmen-Elena finally found a door that opened: that of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This community, of French origin, agreed to welcome her despite her disability. It was a decisive turning point in her life.
The Servants of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament are a congregation centered on Eucharistic adoration and service to the poorest. For Carmen-Elena, this dual dimension perfectly matches her deepest aspirations: to nourish her interior life through contemplation of the Eucharistic mystery, and to translate this contemplation into concrete service to those who suffer.
Her integration into the community is not without challenges. Certain tasks must be adapted to her physical abilities, and ways of participating in community life must be found that take her limitations into account. But Carmen-Elena gives the community much more than she receives. Her personal experience of suffering and rejection gives her a particular sensitivity to the plight of others, a capacity for empathy and understanding that enriches the entire community.
His work and his action
Once integrated into her congregation, Carmen-Elena fully invested herself in the mission of her community. Her action unfolds on several levels, always marked by this particular alliance between contemplation and action which characterizes her spirituality.
Eucharistic adoration occupies a central place in her life. She spends long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, cultivating this intimate relationship with Christ that is the source of her strength and joy. These moments of contemplation are not an escape from the world, but rather the place where she draws the energy necessary to turn to others with authentic love.
Her service to the poor and the sick takes various forms. Despite her disability, she always finds ways to be useful, to bring comfort, and to alleviate suffering. Her own experience of physical limitations allows her to understand from the inside what those with disabilities or suffering experience. She never looks down on them, never with pity, but always with a deep appreciation of their dignity.
Carmen-Elena also develops a spiritual influence that extends far beyond her congregation. Through her advice, her support, and her simple presence, she becomes a point of reference for many people in spiritual search. She does not present herself as a spiritual teacher, but simply testifies, through her life, to the transformation that God's love can bring about in a human existence.
Links with France
The French congregation
Carmen-Elena's connection to France is not trivial. It begins with the congregation that welcomed her: the Servants of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament were born in France, carrying within their spiritual DNA the French Catholic tradition with its particular riches.
This congregation was founded in a historical context marked by a revival of Eucharistic devotion in France. The cult of the Blessed Sacrament was experiencing significant growth at that time, nurturing many contemplative vocations. The founders of these congregations sought to combine adoration of the Eucharistic mystery with practical service to the most deprived, rejecting a spirituality that would be divorced from social realities.
When this congregation established itself in Venezuela, it brought with it this French spirituality, this particular balance between contemplation and action, this attention to the little ones that is rooted in a long French tradition of Christian charity. Carmen-Elena thus became the heir to a spiritual wealth that crossed the Atlantic to take root in Latin American soil.
The welcome that this French congregation gave Carmen-Elena also testifies to a remarkable open-mindedness for the time. Where other communities saw only the limitations of disability, the Servants of Jesus were able to discern the spiritual gifts and authentic vocation of this young Venezuelan woman. This ability to look beyond appearances, to recognize God's grace even in what appears to be human weakness, is part of the legacy that the congregation passes on to Carmen-Elena.
French spiritual influence
Beyond institutional affiliation, Carmen-Elena is part of a spiritual movement that owes much to France. The Eucharistic spirituality she cultivates is inspired by prominent French figures, from Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque to Saint Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament.
This French influence is also evident in its understanding of the relationship between contemplation and action. The French spiritual tradition, particularly in the 19th century, developed a unique approach that refused to oppose the inner life and commitment to the world. Figures such as Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac showed how God's love must be translated concretely into service to the poor.
Carmen-Elena inherits this balanced vision. She does not see contemplation as an end in itself, but as the source that nourishes charitable action. Conversely, her service to others is never simply social activism, but always remains rooted in a living relationship with the Eucharistic Christ. This harmonious synthesis between the two dimensions of Christian life bears the mark of the French spirituality that her congregation embodies.
Canonization: a historic event
First saint of Venezuela
Venezuela, a country with a strong Catholic tradition, had never before seen one of its daughters or sons receive the honor of canonization. This absence did not reflect a lack of holiness among Venezuelans, but rather the historical contingencies and hazards of ecclesial recognition processes.
With Carmen-Elena Rendiles, Venezuela enters a still-limited club of nations with saints recognized by the universal Church. This is a moment of legitimate national pride, but one that goes far beyond mere patriotic pride. This canonization recognizes the capacity of this Latin American country to produce authentic holiness, rooted in its culture while being universally significant.
For Venezuelan Catholics, Carmen Elena becomes a powerful figure of identification. She is not a saint from elsewhere, artificially transplanted into their context. She was born in their land, raised in their culture, and experienced their joys and trials. Her holiness is not abstract or distant, but embodied in a concrete life that Venezuelans can understand from within.
This canonization also enriches Venezuela's liturgical calendar. From now on, the country's faithful will be able to liturgically celebrate their own saint, invoke her intercession, and meditate on her example. She becomes a spiritual patroness for an entire people, a reference figure for generations to come.
The canonization process
The path to canonization is long and rigorous. For Carmen-Elena, this process began long after her death in 1977. The Church proceeds with caution, meticulously verifying the life, virtues, and spiritual impact of the candidate for sainthood.
The first step is to open a cause for beatification at the diocesan level. Local church authorities collect testimonies, examine Carmen Elena's writings, and study her reputation for holiness. This phase can last for years, requiring the collaboration of numerous witnesses, historians, and theologians.
If the case is deemed admissible, it is forwarded to Rome, where the Congregation for the Causes of Saints continues its examination. Theologians examine the conformity of Carmen Elena's life and teaching with the Catholic faith. Historians verify the authenticity of documents and testimonies.
To be beatified and then canonized, the Church generally requires proof of miracles obtained through the candidate's intercession. These miracles, often medically unexplained healings, are subject to rigorous scientific scrutiny. In Carmen-Elena's case, such miracles were clearly recognized, allowing her to progress toward canonization.
October 19, 2025, marks the culmination of this long process. Through the celebration of canonization, Pope Leo XIV officially inscribes Carmen Elena Rendiles in the catalog of saints of the universal Church, proposing her as a model and intercessor for all the faithful.
A strong sign in the Venezuelan context
Venezuela under dictatorship
For more than a decade, Venezuela has been going through one of the darkest periods in its history. Under the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro, the country has experienced a dramatic deterioration in its political, economic, and social situation.
The dictatorship has gradually stifled democratic freedoms, silenced the opposition, and controlled the media. Elections are systematically manipulated, and results are falsified. Political opponents are imprisoned, forced into exile, or silenced by repression. The judicial system, completely subservient to the authorities, no longer guarantees any protection of fundamental rights.
Economically, the country with the world's largest oil reserves has sunk into dire poverty. Hyperinflation has destroyed Venezuelans' purchasing power. Shortages of basic necessities, medicines, and electricity have become a daily reality for residents. Millions of people have fled the country, creating the largest migration crisis in recent Latin American history.
Civil society, including religious institutions, is under constant pressure from the regime. The Catholic Church, because it sometimes dares to speak out in defense of human rights and call for dialogue, is subject to suspicion and intimidation. Venezuelan Christians, like the entire population, live in fear and uncertainty.
A message of hope for Christians
In this oppressive context, the canonization of Carmen-Elena Rendiles takes on a particular dimension, highlighted by observers. François Bonfils, a specialist in the Hispanic world, notes that "the Church clearly wishes to encourage the Christians of Venezuela." It is no coincidence that this canonization is taking place now.
For Venezuelan Catholics who struggle daily to maintain their faith and hope despite hardships, Carmen-Elena becomes a tangible sign that God does not abandon them. Her very life testifies that suffering and obstacles are not dead ends, but can become paths to holiness.
The message is powerful: a woman marked by disability, rejected repeatedly, who persevered in her vocation despite everything, can become a saint. Likewise, a wounded, oppressed, impoverished people must not lose hope. Holiness remains possible even in the most difficult circumstances, perhaps even particularly in these circumstances.
The universal Church, through this canonization, expresses its solidarity with the Christians of Venezuela. It says to them: "We see you, we know your trials, we offer you one of yours as a model and intercessor." It is a pastoral gesture of great symbolic importance, which reinforces the sense of belonging of Venezuelans to the great global Catholic family.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Carmen-Elena Rendiles perfectly embodies the virtue of resilience so desperately needed by Venezuelans today. Her life teaches that trials, however difficult, can be endured with dignity and even transformed into sources of spiritual growth.
Faced with a regime that seeks to break resistance, to discourage all opposition, to morally exhaust the population, Carmen-Elena's example reminds us that an inner strength exists, capable of resisting the worst adversities. This strength does not come from simple voluntarism, but is rooted in a living relationship with God that transforms the very perception of suffering.
Carmen-Elena's resilience was not passive. She didn't just endure her trials with gritted teeth. She lived them actively, transforming them into opportunities for spiritual growth and service to others. This active resilience offers a valuable model for Venezuelans: not to resign themselves to the dictatorship, but to find ways to resist, to keep hope alive, and to continue building bonds of solidarity.
The Church, by canonizing Carmen Elena at this very moment, thus offers Venezuelan Christians a model of quiet but tenacious courage. Her holiness was not manifested in flamboyant actions, but in daily fidelity, in the ability to smile despite pain, to shine despite limitations. This is exactly the kind of holiness that ordinary Venezuelans need as they seek to remain human and dignified in the inhumane conditions created by the dictatorship.
Carmen-Elena's Spiritual Legacy
His current message
More than forty years after her death, Carmen-Elena Rendiles still speaks powerfully to the men and women of today. Her message, far from being dated or confined to spirituality specialists, resonates with contemporary concerns.
In a society obsessed with appearance, performance, and visible success, Carmen-Elena reminds us that a person's worth is not measured by their physical abilities or outward accomplishments. Her disability, which she never hid but refused to let entirely define her, teaches a valuable lesson about unconditional human dignity.
At a time when suffering is often perceived as an absurd scandal that must be eliminated at all costs, Carmen-Elena offers a different approach. She does not glorify suffering for its own sake, nor does she fall into morbid masochism. But she shows that it is possible to go through suffering without being destroyed by it, even to transform it into an opportunity for growth and testimony.
In a world marked by individualism and the pursuit of immediate pleasure, her life devoted to the service of others and the contemplation of the mystery of God raises questions. It poses a radical question: what truly gives meaning to a human existence? Is it the accumulation of goods, experiences, personal satisfactions? Or is it the capacity to love, to give of oneself, to turn towards something greater than oneself?
Inspiration for today
Carmen-Elena particularly inspires certain groups of people today. People with disabilities find in her a figure who understands them from the inside out. She doesn't speak down to them, from a position of strength, but shares their experience of limitations, the sometimes hurtful gaze of others, and the fatigue of constantly having to justify one's existence.
Her message to them is clear: disability does not close any essential doors. One can be fully oneself, shine, serve, love, even with a diminished body. Holiness is accessible to all, regardless of physical limitations. Carmen-Elena does not minimize the difficulties associated with disability, but she asserts that they do not have the final say over a human life.
People in pain, whatever the source of that pain, also find in Carmen-Elena a companion. She knows chronic pain, psychological challenges, and the fatigue of constantly struggling. She doesn't offer miracle solutions, but she testifies that it is possible to maintain hope, to continue to smile, to find meaning even in seemingly absurd suffering.
For those seeking their vocation in life, who face obstacles and rejections, Carmen-Elena teaches perseverance. She endured many rejections before finding her place, but she never gave up on her inner calling. Her example encourages us not to be discouraged by closing doors, to continue seeking the unique path that God prepares for each of us.
Conclusion
The canonization of Carmen-Elena Rendiles on October 19, 2025, is much more than just another religious event. It is a moment charged with multiple meanings that overlap and enrich one another.
For Venezuela, this is a historic recognition, the accession of a Latin American country to the club of nations that has produced saints recognized by the universal Church. It is also, in the difficult context of the Maduro dictatorship, a powerful message of encouragement addressed to Christians and to all of civil society. The Church tells them: you are not forgotten, your suffering has meaning, and hope remains possible.
For the global Catholic Church, this is an opportunity to offer a deeply embodied model of holiness, rooted in the concrete experience of disability and suffering. Carmen-Elena does not fit conventional images of triumphant holiness. She bears witness to a quiet, everyday holiness, made up of patient fidelity and humble service.
For anyone who discovers her story, Carmen-Elena Rendiles offers a moving testimony of what God's grace can accomplish in a human life. She proves that external limitations do not prevent inner radiance, that suffering accepted with faith can become a source of paradoxical joy, and that authentic love transforms everything.
Her special connection to France, through the congregation that welcomed her, also recalls the spiritual bridges that unite continents and cultures. Catholic holiness is never purely local; it is always part of a universal communion that crosses borders and eras.
While the contemporary world often struggles to make sense of suffering and tends to marginalize people with disabilities, Carmen-Elena challenges us. She invites us to look differently, to discern the presence of God where we least expect it, to recognize the infinite dignity of each human person, regardless of their limitations.
For Venezuelans going through the ordeal of dictatorship, she becomes a particularly appropriate spiritual patroness. She, who experienced rejection, who had to persevere in the face of obstacles, who shone despite suffering, intimately understands what they are going through. Her intercession takes on its full meaning for a people in need of courage, hope, and the active resilience she embodied throughout her life.
The canonization of Carmen-Elena Rendiles ultimately reminds us that holiness remains possible today as it was yesterday, in the most difficult situations as well as in the most favorable. It is not reserved for a spiritual elite, but accessible to all those who agree to allow themselves to be transformed by God's love. This is perhaps the most precious message left to us by this first saint of Venezuela: holiness is for everyone, now, even in circumstances that would seem to exclude it.
