On Sunday, 1 November, the Solemnity of All Saints, the Catholic community of Jerusalem gathered at the Monastery of Sainte Claire to announce and celebrate the conclusion of the Diocesan Inquiry for the Cause of Beatification of Sister Maria of the Trinity.
Born in South Africa in the early years of the twentieth century into a Protestant family, Luisa Jaques, who later became Sister Maria of the Trinity, lost her mother at birth. Following this loss, her father decided to send her to Switzerland, entrusting her to the care of her aunt. During those years, struck by a profound existential crisis, the young woman distanced herself from religion, eventually denying the very existence of God and boldly declaring, "There is no God!"
However, precisely during her moment of greatest despair, on the night between 13 and 14 February 1926, she experienced a luminous presence that dispelled her anguish. This experience marked the beginning of a spiritual journey that first led her to convert to Catholicism and subsequently, in 1938, to enter the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Jerusalem as a nun.
The day began with the liturgy presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was joined in the Eucharistic celebration by Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giacinto Marcuzzo, and several superiors of monasteries within the Diocese.
In his homily, the Patriarch retraced the long and winding journey that led Sister Maria of the Trinity to recognise God's call and mercy in her life. He recalled that, following the example of the Servant of God, we are called to welcome God, mindful that the Holy Trinity is already present in each person's soul.
Following the conclusion of the Mass, the final Session of the Diocesan Inquiry into the life, virtues, and reputation for holiness of Sister Maria of the Trinity was opened. Having assumed the presidency of the Tribunal, the Patriarch supervised the oath taking of its members: the Episcopal Delegate, Archbishop Ilario Antoniazzi, the Promoter of Justice, don Filippo Morlacchi, the Notary, Sister Marina Fischer, and finally the Vice Postulator, Fr. Ulise Zarza.
Finally, after affixing the official seals, the Patriarch entrusted the Acts of the Inquiry to the officially appointed bearer, Fr. Antonino Milazzo, so that he may deliver them to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Holy See, thereby initiating the Roman phase of the Cause.
Riccardo Curti
