The archbishop Sergio Fenoy of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz in Argentina, has signed the edict that begins the process prior to the opening of the cause of canonization of Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face, a Carmelite nun from the province of Neuquén who, in 2016, died from cancer at the age of 43.
The edict, dated February 14, bears the signature of the archbishop of Santa Fe because Sister Cecilia lived in the Carmelite monastery located in the archdiocese from 1997 to 2016, the year of her death.
Her testimony of “love and trust in Jesus Christ, even in the midst of the hardest trials, has awakened in many hearts the desire for a greater commitment to Christian life,” per the edict.
Thus “having grown, over the years, her reputation for holiness and for signs,” the beginning of the preliminary process to open the cause for her canonization was approved following a formal request from the postulator, Friar Marco Chiesa.
As part of the process, the archdiocese also requests that anyone who has any writings by Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face to send them in as soon as possible.
The edict will be published for three months in the Santa Fe cathedral, the St. Joseph and the St. Teresa Carmelite monastery, as well as the archdiocesan basilicas and shrines. It will also be published in the official media of the archdiocese as well as in any place with a connection to the late nun.
Who was Sister Cecilia?
Born on December 5, 1973, in San Martín de los Andes in Neuquén province, Argentina, Cecilia María Sánchez Sorondo entered the Discalced Carmelites monastery in the city of Santa Fe, at the age of 24, receiving the name Cecilia María of the Holy Face.
Cecilia was reportedly outgoing, spontaneous, happy, and embodied in her life friendship with Christ and love for one another. She also dedicated herself to prayer and the contemplative life, played the violin, and was very well known for her sweetness and permanent smile.
Sister Cecilia was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and her illness worsened due to lung metastasis, which rendered her hospitalized. However, this did not deter her from praying, and offering the sufferings she endured, certain that her encounter with God was coming soon.
According to reports, her last wish, which she wrote on a piece of paper, read: “I was thinking about what I wanted my funeral to be like. First a little intense prayer, and then a big party for everyone. Don’t forget to pray but don’t forget to celebrate either!”
Sister Cecilia’s testimony, and the photos of her last days went viral around the world, especially because she kept her characteristic smile until the moment of her death, which occurred in Buenos Aires on June 23, 2016.