Blessed Carmen Elena Rendiles: life, foundation, and prayer

Blessed Carmen Elena Rendiles Martinez was  a Venezuelan Catholic nun and founder of the Servants of Jesus of Venezuela. She was beatified on June 16, 2018 in  Caracas. On March 31, 2025, Pope Francis recognized as authentic a second miracle attributed to Carmen Rendiles' intercession and signed a decree for her canonization . The date has yet to be set. The Blessed is celebrated on May 9 .

Biography of Blessed Carmen Elena Rendiles Martinez

Carmen Elena Rendiles Martinez was born on August 11, 1903 in Caracas, Venezuela. She was born without a right arm , and wore a prosthesis all her life (she never complained about it, and never used the handicap as an excuse). She came from a large family, steeped in the Catholic faith. From the age of fifteen, she vowed to become a nun. 

In 1927, she joined the French community of the Servants of the Eucharist, which had come to settle in her native country. She then left for France, where she trained for two years. Carmen then returned to Venezuela and became novice mistress.

In 1944, she was entrusted with the foundation of a new house in Caracas, which she then managed, having been appointed Mother Superior to replace the one who had to return to France. Thanks to Carmen, several colleges and convents were created. She led the congregation with wisdom, generosity and gentleness. She was very devoted to the Eucharist, which she prayed daily.

In 1965, the Venezuelan branch of the Servants of Jesus became an independent, fully-fledged congregation. Until her death, Carmen Elena was systematically re-elected Superior General. Honored by the trust placed in her, the nun strove to set an example for her sisters, and succeeded in extending the congregation as far as Colombia, where she visited several times a year. Generally speaking, she attaches great importance to meeting her sisters in the various houses, supporting the priests in their pastoral missions and teaching catechism to the children at the Caracas secondary school, in the little free time she has left.

Carmen Elena Rendiles Martinez gave up her soul to God on May 9, 1977, at the age of 73, in Caracas. She was immediately hailed as a saint by all who knew her.

On July 5, 2013, Pope Francis conferred on her the title of Venerable , recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues.

Pope Francis' address at the beatification of Mother Carmen Rendiles

"Dear brothers and sisters, Yesterday, in Caracas, María Carmen Rendíles Martínez, foundress of the Siervas de Jesús sisters of Venezuela, was proclaimed blessed. Mother Carmen, who was born and died in Caracas in the last century, served with love with her sisters, in parishes, in schools and alongside those most in need. Let us praise the Lord for this faithful disciple and entrust our prayers for the Venezuelan people to her intercession. And let us greet the new Blessed and the Venezuelan people with a round of applause."

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