Pope Leo XIV recited a list of saints and blesseds as models of faith in a Mass celebrated in Córdoba, Argentina, on Nov. 10.
In his homily, the pope highlighted more than a dozen figures ranging from St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero and St. María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, known as Mama Antula, to Blessed Cardinal Eduardo Pironio and Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá, presenting them as enduring models of Christian witness.
“Dear brothers and sisters, these saints and blesseds have already fulfilled their mission on earth. Today, it is our turn to follow the radiant example of holiness they have left with us,” Pope Leo said.
“They offer a polyphonic witness to the universal call to holiness of every baptized person: the call to be conformed to Christ,” Leo said. “All of them knew how to rise to the challenges of their time, transforming them into opportunities to proclaim the good news — not theoretically, but by shaping their lives to become credible and effective witnesses to Christ’s love.”
Although some of the saints and blesseds Pope Leo mentioned were born in Spain or Italy, they were closely associated with religious life and ministry in South America, particularly Argentina. Among those he highlighted were:
St. María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa (‘Mama Antula’)
Known as Mama Antula, St. María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa was an 18th-century Argentine laywoman who kept the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises alive after the Jesuits were expelled from Spanish territories. She traveled thousands of miles on foot to help renew Catholic life across the region and became the first Argentine woman to be canonized a saint.
St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero
Known as the “gaucho priest,” St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero served remote communities in the mountains of Córdoba. He crossed difficult terrain on muleback to minister to the poor. He built churches, schools, and roads, and continued serving after contracting leprosy. He eventually became blind and deaf and spent his last few years living with his sisters at home. Brochero died on Jan. 26, 1914. His last words were: “Now I have everything ready for the journey.”
St. Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa
Born in 1889 in Madrid, Spain, St. Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa became a missionary religious sister whose ministry was centered largely in Bolivia and Argentina. She founded the Missionary Crusaders of the Church and dedicated herself to evangelization, education, and assistance to the poor. Her order cared for soldiers on both sides of the 1932-1935 war between Paraguay and Bolivia, and she survived persecutions in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Catalina de María Rodríguez
A native of Córdoba, Blessed Catalina de María Rodríguez founded the Sisters of the Holy Family. She focused on educating young people and fostering the spiritual formation of families, especially in underserved areas. She dedicated herself to promoting the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Prior to entering religious life, in 1852, she married Manuel Antonio de Zavalía, a widower with two children. Zavalia threatened suicide if Saturnina refused him, and her spiritual director declared her responsible for the salvation of his soul, so she took the marriage to be Godʼs will. Saturnina conceived one child, who was stillborn.
After her husbandʼs death, her lifelong desire to enter religious life reemerged as she was adoring the Blessed Sacrament. After seven years of trials and setbacks, she still maintained her spirits because “that idea was embedded in my soul and even if I wanted to I could not do away with it” and in those attempts to pursue her dream said: “I found consolation in God, from whom I hoped for everything, and I never lacked confidence in him.”
Blessed María Ludovica de Angelis
Born in Italy, María Ludovica spent most of her religious life in Argentina, where she worked for decades at a childrenʼs hospital in La Plata. The first miracle attributed to Blessed Maria was that of Antonella Cristelli, a young girl suffering from spinal bifida, which affected her urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys and left her unable to move her arms and legs. She was inexplicably cured after praying to Blessed Maria. John Paul II beatified the religious sister in October 2004.
Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá
The son of a Mapuche chief, Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá was an Indigenous Argentine youth who studied under the Salesians and became known for his deep faith and desire to serve his people. He died of tuberculosis at age 18 and is widely venerated as a model for Indigenous Catholics and young people.
Blessed Cardinal Eduardo Pironio
Blessed Cardinal Eduardo Pironio of Argentina served in senior Vatican roles and was a close collaborator of several popes. He was especially known for promoting hope, evangelization, and youth ministry, helping lay the groundwork for what became World Youth Day.
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