As the process of beatification and canonization officially begins for Sister Cecilia María de la Santa Faz, her life continues to inspire through the simple yet profound testimony of those who knew her best. Among them is her uncle, Monsignor Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, a respected Vatican official, who recently shared heartfelt reflections on his niece’s life, vocation, and enduring legacy.
“She was an extraordinary woman,” Sánchez Sorondo said in an interview with AIRE, capturing in one sentence the depth of Sister Cecilia’s spiritual impact. His words now accompany the formal recognition of her life’s sanctity, as the Archdiocese of Santa Fe opens the diocesan investigation into her virtues — a key step in the canonization process.
A joyful life
Born in Argentina, Cecilia María Sánchez Sorondo grew up in a family that nurtured her faith while encouraging her intellectual and personal growth. “Even as a young girl, she showed signs of deep faith,” her uncle recalled. Her vocation wasn’t rushed; it was tested, refined, and confirmed through family guidance and personal discernment.
Her grandmother, recognizing Cecilia’s early sense of calling, encouraged her to explore religious life seriously, even sending her to Europe to visit historic Carmelite convents, including those in Ávila, the very heart of St. Teresa of Ávila’s reform.
Yet before entering the Carmelite monastery in Santa Fe, she honored her father’s request to complete her education, becoming a nurse — a choice that reflected her compassionate heart and readiness to serve.
“She could have chosen another life,” Sánchez Sorondo noted in the interview. “She was charming, beautiful, educated, and well-connected. But she chose this path — a life of joy and simplicity dedicated entirely to God.”
Hope amid suffering
What distinguished Sister Cecilia María was not just her vocation but the way she lived it, especially during her final years marked by illness. Diagnosed with cancer, she faced her suffering not with resignation but with a radiant acceptance that deeply moved those around her.
“God allowed this illness as a trial for her purification,” her uncle told AIRE. “She embraced it as a way to unite herself with Christ’s passion. In her writings, she even thanked God for this purification.”
Her illness became, paradoxically, a testament to life. Despite the physical pain, her face showed an inner joy that couldn’t be dimmed.
“What struck people the most was her expression — beautiful, filled with peace and joy, even in suffering. You could see her relationship with God shining through,” Sánchez Sorondo shared.
This radiant joy earned her the affectionate title “la Carmelita de la sonrisa” (the Smiling Carmelite) as countless people began to seek her prayers, drawn by the authenticity of her witness.
A personal connection to Pope Francis
One of the most moving moments in Sister Cecilia María’s final months was a personal phone call from Pope Francis. “When Cecilia was already battling her illness, the Pope called her,” her uncle recounted. “He told her to have courage and to offer her suffering in union with Christ’s passion. His words were deeply consoling, filled with spiritual depth.”
This gesture not only comforted Sister Cecilia but also affirmed the quiet, hidden sanctity of her life — a life that had touched hearts far beyond the walls of her Carmelite convent.
The path toward beatification
On January 16, 2025, Archbishop Sergio Fenoy of Santa Fe formally opened the cause for Sister Cecilia María’s beatification and canonization. The first session of the diocesan investigation will be held on February 23 at the Discalced Carmelite Convent of St. Joseph and St. Teresa, marking the beginning of an in-depth process that will examine her life, writings, and the impact of her testimony on those who knew her.
Sánchez Sorondo expressed gratitude for the Archbishop’s leadership, noting, “I’m deeply thankful for his courage in advancing this cause. I believe Pope Francis will be pleased, as he has been with other Argentine causes, like Mama Antula and Cardinal Pironio.”
Sister Cecilia María de la Santa Faz passed away on June 23, 2016, at the age of 42.
