Pope approves decree on miracle attributed to Argentine Blessed

By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office communicated that on Tuesday afternoon Pope Francis met with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, when he authorized the promulgation of the decree on the miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Maria Antonia of Saint Joseph (born Antonia de Paz y Figueroa in 1730 in Silipica, Santiago del Estero, Argentina). 

Known as Mama Antula, she founded the House for Spiritual Exercises in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she died on 7 March 1799.

After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the country, she went from town to town in the poor regions of north-eastern Argentina promoting retreats in the Ignatian tradition. In only eight years, she managed to offer provide retreats to 70,000 people.