Eladio Mozas Santamera

The priestly ministry of Eladio Mozas Santamera in Plasencia was particularly intense: he served as parish priest of San Nicolás el Real for fifteen years, taught at the diocesan seminary, held the office of penitentiary canon, and provided spiritual direction to many people. Confronted with the social, economic, and religious crises of 19th-century Spain—marked by poverty, illiteracy, and the rise of anticlericalism—he felt the need to morally and socially regenerate society. In 1876, during a pilgrimage to Rome, he obtained a private audience with Pope Pius IX, to whom he presented his project to found a religious institute dedicated to the glory of the Holy Trinity. Encouraged by the Sovereign Pontiff, he brought this work to fruition a few years later. On February 18, 1886, in Plasencia, he officially founded the Congregation of the Josephite Sisters of the Holy Trinity (Hermanas Josefinas de la Santísima Trinidad). On that day, fourteen women received the religious habit. The Bishop of Plasencia, Msgr. Pedro Casas y Souto, approved the institute and its constitutions. The mission of the congregation is to glorify the Trinity through the education of children, the training of young girls in workshops, assistance to families, and charitable service to the most destitute, the sick, and the elderly. Eladio dedicated the last ten years of his life to the spiritual formation of the sisters to pass on his charism to them.

Eladio Mozas Santamera passed away on March 18, 1897, in Plasencia, at the age of 60, on the eve of the feast of Saint Joseph, surrounded by a solid reputation for holiness. His mortal remains rest today alongside those of the co-founder in the chapel of the Mother House of the congregation in Madrid. The cause for beatification and canonization was introduced to examine his life and virtues. After the completion of the diocesan inquiry and the examination of the Positio by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis recognized the heroic nature of his virtues on March 27, 2013, thus conferring upon him the title of Venerable.

Canonical status: Venerable. Decree on heroic virtues: Signed by Pope Francis on March 27, 2013, and promulgated on March 28, 2013. Next step: His beatification requires the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession.

The spirituality of Eladio Mozas Santamera is deeply rooted in the mystery of the Holy Trinity and is inspired by the humility and work of the Holy Family of Nazareth (Josephine-Trinitarian spirituality). He conceived the Christian life as a constant praise to the Trinity through the service of the poorest.

He leaves behind an important spiritual and literary legacy, notably an abundant correspondence. Among his writings are 549 letters of spiritual direction addressed to the Augustinian Recollect nuns of Serradilla, renowned for their theological and mystical depth.

Today, the Josephite Sisters of the Holy Trinity continue his educational and charitable work. In addition to Spain, the congregation has expanded into Latin America, notably in Chile, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru.