Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás

The major and lasting work of Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás is the foundation, on August 5, 1869, in Santiago de Cuba, of the religious congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha (initially called Sisters of the Poor Invalids and Poor Children). This foundation was born from his collaboration with four young women whom he directed spiritually. Shocked by the ravages of war and poverty in Cuba, he conceived this institute to offer a home, care, and education to orphans, abandoned children, and invalid elderly people. He wrote constitutions for these religious women inspired by the Rule of Saint Benedict, centered on absolute trust in Divine Providence. After the founder's forced return to Spain, the young community went through severe trials. In 1877, the Spanish colonial government ordered the suppression of the motherhouse in Santiago de Cuba. Despite political pressure and attempts at forced merger with other institutes, a group of religious women resisted and kept the original charism alive. The congregation subsequently expanded into the Dominican Republic, which became a major center for its development, and then into other Latin American countries. The institute received definitive pontifical approval in 1953 under the pontificate of Pius XII. Today, the religious women (nicknamed the Sanchinas) continue their mission of education, assistance to the elderly, and healthcare in many countries, notably in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain, and Italy. Alongside this foundation, Cardinal Sancha supported many other works: - He greatly helped Blessed Dolores Rodríguez Sopeña in the foundation of the Dolores Sopeña Catechist Institute (then called the Catechist Ladies). - As Bishop of Ávila, he founded the first female Trappist monastery in Spain at Tiñosillos (now located in Alloz, Navarre). - He distinguished himself by promoting workers' pastoral care and creating training schools for workers.

The cause for the beatification of Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás was officially opened in the Archdiocese of Toledo on November 22, 1982. After a meticulous examination of his life, his writings, and his virtues, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues on April 28, 2006, thus bestowing upon him the title of Venerable.

On January 17, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI approved the promulgation of the decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the venerable cardinal. This miracle concerns the scientifically unexplained healing of a woman suffering from a malignant tumor in her ear in the Dominican Republic.

The beatification ceremony was celebrated on October 18, 2009, in the Primatial Cathedral of Toledo. It was presided over, in the name of Pope Benedict XVI, by Archbishop Angelo Amato, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Sancha was then proclaimed blessed, and his liturgical memorial was set for February 25, the day of his birth into Heaven.

The spirituality of Blessed Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás is based on an ardent pastoral charity and a heroic evangelical detachment. For him, the poor were the "living sacrament" of the presence of Jesus Christ. His entire life was guided by an absolute trust in Divine Providence, which he transmitted as a rule of life to his religious sisters.

His legacy is twofold: on one hand, he is considered one of the great pioneers of social Catholicism in Spain, having worked tirelessly for the unity of Catholics and social justice for the working class; on the other hand, his work of mercy is perpetuated through the Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha, who continue to serve the most destitute on three continents.

On his bronze tomb, in the Cathedral of Toledo, is engraved this epitaph which summarizes his existence: "He lived poor and died very poor."