Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga

Aware of the social upheavals brought about by the rapid industrialization of Bilbao, Rafaela Ybarra observed the distress of young girls from the countryside who flocked to the city in search of work and often found themselves exploited, marginalized, or exposed to serious moral and physical dangers.

She decided to dedicate her influence and personal fortune to their protection and education. She founded or actively supported numerous charitable works in Bilbao: * In 1885, she created the Casa Asilo de la Sagrada Familia (Asylum of the Holy Family) to offer shelter and vocational training to destitute young girls. * She collaborated in the creation of a maternity ward managed by the Daughters of Charity for single mothers. * She supported the Orphanage of La Casilla, the Triano Mining Hospital, the Iturribide Workers' Patronage, and founded the Junta de Obras de Celo, an association of high-society ladies providing aid to the sick, female prisoners, and marginalized individuals.

On December 8, 1894, in a modest apartment on Santa María Street in Bilbao, Rafaela and three companions formally committed themselves to the education and protection of young girls in difficulty. This act marked the foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Guardian Angels (Hermanas de los Santos Ángeles Custodios). On August 2, 1897, the first stone of the Guardian Angels College of Zabalbide (Begoña, Bilbao) was laid. Inaugurated on March 24, 1899, this establishment became the Mother House of the institute.

After the death of Rafaela Ybarra on February 23, 1900, her family and the religious of her institute worked to make her virtues known and to continue her work.\n* The diocesan informative inquiry into her reputation for holiness was opened in 1929 in the diocese of Vitoria/Bilbao and closed in 1931.\n* Her spiritual writings were officially approved by a decree on May 12, 1937.\n* The cause was formally introduced to the Congregation of Rites in Rome on July 11, 1952.\n* On March 16, 1970, Pope Paul VI promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

To allow for her beatification, the examination of a miracle attributed to her intercession was required. * A diocesan inquiry into an alleged miracle was conducted in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 1955 to 1957. * The validity of this inquiry was recognized by a decree on March 15, 1974. * The miracle was approved by the medical board on July 16, 1975, and subsequently by the theological consultants. * Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the miracle, paving the way for beatification. * The beatification ceremony was celebrated by Pope John Paul II on September 30, 1984, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican. * Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga is currently Blessed, with her cause for canonization still ongoing.

The spirituality of Rafaela Ybarra is deeply Christocentric, nourished by prayer, the Eucharist, and the contemplation of the Passion of Jesus. She is strongly influenced by reading the Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales.

Her method of accompaniment and education is based on a pedagogy of love and gentleness, summarized by her own maxims: * "Gentleness in the means, firmness in the ends" (dulzura en los medios y firmeza en los fines). * "What love does not achieve, fear will not achieve" (lo que no alcance el amor, no lo conseguirá el temor). * "Never tire of doing good" (nunca os canséis de hacer el bien). * "People pass, but works remain" (las personas pasan, pero las obras permanecen).

Her legacy is perpetuated through the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Guardian Angels, which developed rapidly in Spain, Italy, and Latin America (notably in Argentina starting in the 1930s and in Chile in 1958). In 1972, the Patronato Beata Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga was created, becoming on February 23, 2001, the Fundación Beata Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga, which continues social solidarity actions and aid to disadvantaged families in the Basque Country. On February 23, 2023, a life-size sculpture of the Blessed was inaugurated in the Cathedral of Santiago in Bilbao to honor her memory.