Today’s saint, Candida Maria de Jesus, and yesterday’s woman, Maria Josefa of the Heart of Jesus, were Spanish 
contemporaries. Candida Maria was born on May 31, 1845, and died on August 9, 1912. Her feast day is today.
But while Maria Josefa’s ministry was with the sick, Candida Maria’s focus was on education. She was called in a Good Friday vision to found an order and save souls “through the education and instruction of children and youth.”
Within three years of this vision, the congregation was in operation, and its work eventually would spread throughout Spain and to Brazil.
St. Candida Maria de Jesus said: “Where there is not a place for the poor, there is no place for me.”
Humble yourself today. Spend time with the poor, at a food pantry or homeless shelter or simply in conversation with someone on the street who’s down on his or her luck.
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