Matilda of the Sacred Heart

Inspired by Eucharistic adoration, Matilde planned to found a new institute uniting contemplation and action. On March 19, 1875, she began community life in Béjar with a single companion, María Briz, in the "House of Nazareth," where they welcomed orphans. On April 23, 1876, the Bishop of Plasencia authorized the work under the name "Adorers of Jesus and Daughters of Mary Immaculate." In 1884, the institute became of diocesan right under the name "Daughters of Mary, Mother of the Church." After the death of María Briz in 1885 during a cholera epidemic, Mother Matilde continued the expansion of the work to Cáceres, Trujillo, Villanueva de Córdoba, and Don Benito.

Mother Matilde led her congregation according to her motto: "Prayer, action, sacrifice". On December 15, 1902, she was struck by a violent stroke and passed away peacefully on December 17, 1902, in Don Benito, at the age of 61. Her remains rest in the chapel of the motherhouse in Don Benito. Her cause for beatification was introduced in the Diocese of Plasencia, and Pope John Paul II declared her venerable on April 23, 2002, recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues.

The beatification of Matilde of the Sacred Heart was made possible by the recognition of a miracle of unexplained healing, validated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On April 12, 2003, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing this miracle. She was solemnly beatified on March 21, 2004, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican. Her liturgical feast is set for December 17, and she is celebrated locally on May 30.

The spirituality of Blessed Matilde is deeply Eucharistic and Marian, centered on the love of Jesus in the Eucharist and active charity towards orphans, the sick, and the poor. Today, the congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of the Church, continues this mission in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Mozambique.