BEATA MADRE ESPERANZA
“A life consecrated to God’s service, to the Priests and the Poorest”
Mother Esperanza of Jesus
Mother Esperanza de Jesús Alhama Valera was born in Santomera (Murcia-Spain) on September 30, 1893.
She consecrated and dedicated her entire life to the Lord and to the mission of making her known to all people as a Father and a tender Mother.
On Christmas Eve 1930, she founded in Madrid what would become the Congregation of the Slaves of Merciful Love. In 1936 he moved to Rome, where he helped and cared for the wounded of World War II. Later, in 1951, in Rome he founded the male branch of the congregation, Sons of Merciful Love.
After a life devoted to the service of God, priests and those most in need, he died in Collevalenza (Italy) on February 8, 1983.
On May 31, 2014 she was Beatified at the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenza.
Awakening of a Life
The intoxicating perfume of the orange blossoms, in the Huerta murciana, perhaps unseasonably filled the air on that 30 September, 1893…
The Quest for Her Vocation
During her youth, the desire to consecrate her entire life to her friend Jesus was growing towards maturity, and she knew the poor and needy well…
Learning to Love
Estos primeros años de su vida religiosa están marcados por una serie de pruebas y sufrimientos físicos y morales por medio de los cuales el Buen Jesús, como…
The Handmaids and the Poor
On Christmas Eve, 1930, in a tiny apartment on Calle de Velazquez, Madrid, with the financial help of the Countess de Fuensalida and the spiritual assistance of Father…
The Terrible Wars
The activity continues even more intensely when, in 1936, the Civil War in Spain breaks out, causing countless tragedies. During this period, she goes to Rome for the first time…
The Sons and the Sanctuary
On 24 February 1951, she writes again, “The Good Jesus has told me … that the moment has come to realize the foundation of the Congregation of the Sons of his Merciful Love…
One Single Family
The first objective of the new Congregation of the Sons of Merciful Love is the union with the priests of the diocesan clergy, in going out with them to meet all forms of human poverty…
The Crucifix
The beautiful Crucifix venerated in the Sanctuary of Collevalenza is the artistic expression, a faithful representation and theological compendium of the Merciful Love. Its origin is surrounded…
With Open Arms
Collevalenza is where Mother Esperanza spent the last thirty years of her life, amidst the construction of the Sanctuary and the adjoining buildings…
A Wounded Pilgrim
On 22 November 1981, Pope John-Paul II comes out of the Vatican for the first time since the aggression on St. Peter’s Square, on 13 May of the same year…
On a Snowy Day
Progressively her body was declining and her mind as well. Through the windows of her eyes, one could see that her heart continued burning until the end…
Novena to Merciful Love
My Jesus, I am deeply sorry when I consider the many times I have offended you. However, with a Father’s heart you have not only forgiven me but with the words “Ask, and you shall receive” you invite me to seek from you whatever I need.
Prayer for the Intercession of the Mother
The process of Canonization is progressing. After a few years, during which a great amount of information was compiled concerning her life, letters, writings and the testimonies…
Mother Esperanza’s Spiritual Testament
In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, I write to my beloved sons and my beloved daughters this Testament…
Beatified on 31st May 2014
In the imposing Sanctuary of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, Todi (Italy), the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, presided over the beatification ceremony of the Spanish nun, Mother Esperanza de Jesús, founder of the congregations of the Slaves and Sons of Merciful Love.
