Brave Women Who Answered the Call of God
María Josefa Recio and María Angustias Giménez were inseparable friends whose courage and faith became the **female face of Hospitality**, dedicating their lives to the poor and the sick.
The Journey of Two Inseparable Friends
From their shared home in Granada, María Josefa Recio and María Angustias Giménez embarked on a profound spiritual journey. United in their search for God and guided by the wisdom of Saint Benedict Menni, they answered a call to serve the most vulnerable. This mission led them to Ciempozuelos, Madrid, where their Hospitaller adventure began.
María Josefa Recio
Born in Granada in 1846, María Josefa became the first Superior General of the Sisters Hospitallers, leading with unwavering wisdom and compassion. She inspired others through her example of selfless dedication. Her life was a testimony of heroic charity, tragically cut short on October 30, 1883, when she passed away after being assaulted by a mentally ill woman she was trying to help. Her ultimate sacrifice left an indelible mark on the Congregation. Today, her legacy and writings continue to inspire our charism, and she was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
María Angustias Giménez
Born in Granada on August 21, 1849, Sor María Angustias shared an inseparable friendship and a spiritual journey with María Josefa. In 1880, they left their hometown to join Saint Benedict Menni, establishing the foundations of the Congregation. She took the habit on May 31, 1881, under the name of Sor Corazón de Jesús. Her written testament, “The Report on the Origins of the Congregation,” provides a historical and theological chronicle of the early life and mission of the Sisters Hospitallers. Her deep spirituality and simple life continue to be a source of inspiration for our mission today.
Their Enduring Legacy
– From María Josefa Recio’s Spiritual Testament
Together, in conjunction with the first eight sisters, María Josefa and María Angustias represented the **female face of Hospitality**—women committed through faith to the merciful liberation of women. Their bravery, wisdom, and charity continue to inspire our mission to be a prophetic sign of hope and a testament to God’s closeness to suffering humanity.
Continue Their Work
The legacy of these courageous women is alive in every act of care and compassion we provide. Learn more about how you can be a part of their mission.
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