Ascensión Sacramento Sánchez y Sánchez

The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 tragically disrupted her life. She lost two of her brothers, Claudio and Juan Antonio, both military men, and witnessed the looting and destruction of numerous churches by Republican militiamen. In this climate of violence, she took refuge in Santander with her sister. It was in Santander that she had a decisive encounter: that of Father Doroteo Hernández Vera. Faced with the rise of religious hatred, this priest founded on December 8, 1937, a religious work called the Cruzada Evangélica (Evangelical Crusade), a secular institute whose members dedicated themselves to the evangelization of working-class environments while maintaining their secular state. Ascensión immediately joined this work. She assisted the founder in his apostolate to prisoners and contributed actively to the dissemination of the institute's charism, which received official approval from the Bishop of Santander in 1940. At the end of 1940, Father Doroteo called her to Madrid to establish the work there and to direct a new foundation: the Albergue de la Merced (Mercy Hostel), inaugurated on June 14, 1941. This establishment was intended to welcome and reintegrate needy women upon their release from prison. Appointed the first "Cruzada Mayor" of Madrid and director of the hostel, Ascensión deployed there what she called the "apostolate of forgiveness." She welcomed with generosity and without distinction hundreds of women of all social conditions and political opinions, including those from the camp responsible for the death of her own brothers. Under her benevolent and firm leadership, many residents rediscovered their faith and rebuilt their lives.

For five years, Ascensión gave of herself without measure in the service of the most destitute, living in a constant search for holiness through daily sacrifice. In 1946, she contracted typhoid fever. Feeling her end approaching, she pronounced her perpetual vows within the institute. She died serenely on August 18, 1946, at the Hospital del Rey in Madrid, at the age of 35. Initially buried in the Chamartín de la Rosa cemetery, her remains were transferred in 1956 to the Nuestra Señora de la Almudena cemetery in Madrid. In 2016, as part of her canonization process, her mortal remains were exhumed and transferred to the crypt-oratory of the Obra Social Ascensión Sánchez in Coslada (Madrid), which continues the work of hospitality she had initiated.

The cause for the beatification and canonization of Ascensión Sacramento Sánchez Sánchez was officially opened in the Archdiocese of Madrid. The diocesan inquiry took place from May 10, 2014, to May 8, 2016, and its legal validity was recognized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. On June 20, 2024, during an audience granted to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Ascensión Sacramento Sánchez Sánchez, thereby conferring upon her the title of venerable. For her to be proclaimed blessed, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession is required. To date, no miracle has yet been officially approved.

The spirituality of Ascensión Sacramento Sánchez is deeply marked by the "little way" of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, characterized by the pursuit of Christian perfection in the simplest actions of daily life, "without exhibition or noise." Her commitment within the Cruzada Evangélica illustrates the vocation of secular institutes: to sanctify oneself in the heart of the world and transform society from within. Her legacy continues today through the Secular Institute of the Cruzada Evangélica, present in several countries (Spain, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia), as well as through the Obra Social Ascensión Sánchez in Coslada, which continues to offer concrete support to women and people in vulnerable situations.