Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas celebrated the Mass in honor of the formal process of beatification and canonization for Mother Joaquina Mercedes Consuelo Barcelo at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.
Barcelo was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain and joined the Beaterio de Matelatas de San Agustin in Spain and, at the age of 26, left her homeland for Manila on Oct. 6, 1883. Her elder sister, Mother Rita, had gone to Manila ahead of her.
Barcelo was one of the nun volunteers for the Mandaluyong orphanage, the Asilyo de Mandaloya, and was asked by the Spanish Augustinian fathers to care for orphans downed by a cholera epidemic.
Barcelo returned to Spain on March 13, 1899. CASOLC superior general said Barcelo is not Filipino by birth, but she dedicated 56 years of her life to God’s service — many of those years were spent serving Filipinos who needed her care.
During the Mass, Villegas said "through the saints, we will remember Jesus. Beatification is not only a reason to see one of us raised to the altar, but we want to contribute to the holiness of the Church, another model, another hero of sanctity."
Of Barcelo, Villegas said, "she was a servant of the Word of God; a woman who witnessed the Lord; and she welcome(d) and (brought) more people to God." Villegas added that Barcelo continues to inspire Augustinians and other Christians alike.
Sister Maria Luz Mejares, CASOLC superior general, has urged the Archdiocese of Manila to establish a tribunal to study the life and works of Barcelo and compile a record that will be further scrutinized by the Theological and Historical Commission.
Mejares said CASOLC, after its founding in the Philippines, has branched out and established motherhouses in Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and Italy. There are now 240 perpetual profess sisters, 32 temporary profess sisters, 10 novices and nine postulates.
Three of the 26 schools they established include the La Consolacion College branches in Manila and Bacolod City, and the University of Regina Carmeli in Malolos, Bulacan.