Saint Mary of Matthias

Throughout the history of the Church we find great women who dedicated their entire lives to the Lord, serving Him and loving Him with all their hearts: here is Saint Mary of Matthias.

Missionary of the Most Precious Blood of Christ… During one of the popular missions carried out by St. Gaspar, Maria de Matias fixed her gaze on the crucified Christ, who shed his blood out of love. An authentic love for Jesus was born here. And the eyes that dared to read the cross as the book of life discovered a path to fullness, which would draw other women along and found a women's congregation. They believed it was possible to transform blood shed violently into blood of love, of life given entirely for love.

“"Dear Neighbor"”…That was how she treated everyone: her “dear neighbor,” as she called him. First and foremost, she focused on girls: she founded schools so they could receive a proper education and escape poverty and exploitation. The schools were only for the rich, but her neighbor was the poor, loved by Jesus. She practiced boundless charity, saying: “Jesus gave himself entirely for us, and continues to give himself.” She even offered her clothes and shoes. One day she wrote: “Those crucified, who are the most vivid image of Jesus dying on the cross, are the most beloved by God.”.

Woman of prayer…Prayer is the only light capable of dispelling the darkness. Her style of prayer is a constant and intimate colloquy with God. She would say: “Let us accompany Jesus on all paths. When we are alone, let us accompany Him in the solitude of Bethlehem; when we travel, let us accompany Him through the lands of Palestine and on the way to Calvary; when we are scourged by evil tongues, let us accompany Jesus scourged; when we are crucified, let us accompany Jesus crucified… always, always with Jesus.” Before the crucifix, in the stillness of the night, she would repeat: “Son of David, have mercy on me,” and burst into tears.

Woman of the word… Maria de Matias stands out as a woman who “preached in churches and public squares.” A fearless woman within a clerical environment, she was already a prophetic presence. She was so eloquent and surrounded by so many people that she sometimes had to give several sermons a day so that everyone could hear her. Christ, crucified, shedding his blood for love, was the reason for her joy, and in that joy she expressed God's love for all.

Transformation of the world…Through her actions, service, and mission, she had hope and certainty for a moral and social reform of individuals and nations. To this end, she used the ministry of the word, retreats, catechesis, schools… By dedicating herself to women, families, and girls, she helped them understand their dignity and their fundamental role in transforming the world. Scattered throughout the world, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ have also paid the “price of Christ’s blood”: in 1992, five sisters were martyred in Liberia while traveling to help a woman give birth.