The Blessed Petra of San José, Ana Petra Pérez Florido, founded the Mothers of Desamparados and San José de la Montaña and promoted in Barcelona the sanctuary that preserves its memory. His life was aimed at welcoming orphans, the elderly and people in need. The fact sheet distinguishes the data of his ecclesial process from the expressions of devotion that have grown around the sanctuary.
Where is he?
The marker corresponds to the church of Real Sanctuary of San José de la Montaña, on the Avenida del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya, 25, Barcelona. OpenStreetMap identifies the church of the sanctuary; therefore the accuracy is verified_building. The cult building linked to his work is noted, it is not said that the coordinate is the exact inner point of his remains.
Documented history
Petra de San José was born in the Valley of Abdalajís, Málaga, in 1845. The 1994 beatification homily presents her as a consecrated woman who, after becoming an orphan as a child, took the Virgin as a mother. This experience appears in the pontifical source as part of his spiritual path and does not become an independent Marian apparition here.
His charism was expressed in the reception of children, young people and the elderly who lacked family support. The congregation of Mothers of the Unprotected was born in the 19th century and extended homes and works of service. In Barcelona, Petra's initiative and perseverance were linked to the construction of the Royal Sanctuary of San José de la Montaña, which today is presented as a centre for pilgrimage and devotion to San José.
The Church beatified her on 16 October 1994. Its ecclesial state is that of beata de la Iglesia católica. The sources consulted do not allow it to be called a canonized saint or to be attributed miracles that are not documented in its process.
♪ Cosy of them helpless ♪
The name of his congregation summarizes the orientation of his work: to offer home and care to those who were alone or in a situation of abandonment. The sanctuary recalls this story through its life of prayer, its attention to pilgrims and the memory of the foundress. Charity is presented as a concrete service, not an idealization that conceals the difficulties of the people served.
The tradition of the sanctuary retains letters, celebrations and practices of piety related to St. Joseph and Blessed Petra. They can be counted as expressions of the devotion of the place; they are not presented as a guarantee of healing or as automatic approval of each particular account.
Mary and St. Joseph
Petra's Marian devotion is documented in the homily of beatification through the image of the Virgin as a mother. Mary is venerated and her intercession is requested; worship is reserved only to God. The spirituality of the sanctuary also focuses on St. Joseph as the protector and guide of the congregation, always within the Christian faith oriented towards Christ.
Prayer
Blessed Petra of San José, pray for orphans, the elderly and people who feel abandoned. He asks the Virgin and St. Joseph to help us to welcome, care and serve with perseverance. Amen.