At first glance, blending Carmelite and Vincentian spiritualities seems unusual. But surprisingly, one actually leads to the other. The life of Blessed Josefa Naval Girbés illustrates this beautifully.

Born in 1820 to devout parents, Maria Josefa was the oldest of five children. Living in a small village in Valencia, Spain, her childhood was somewhat idyllic. She lived a quiet life, received a basic education, and learned how to embroider (which would play a significant role in her life). At 13, her mother died, and her life changed drastically when her family moved in with their sick grandmother. As the eldest daughter, Josefa helped her father care for her siblings and ailing grandmother. That’s a heavy burden for a thirteen-year-old.

But she heroically accepted that responsibility for the next fourteen years—throughout which, she went to Mass daily and received ongoing spiritual guidance from her parish priest. At 18, she consecrated herself to Jesus with vows of perpetual chastity.

Her devotion to the Blessed Mother strengthened as she grew older. She always carried her Rosary; prayed the Angelus three times a day and the Hail Mary every hour; dedicated her Saturday morning prayers to Mary; and meditated daily. This fervent prayer life eventually led her to become a Secular Carmelite. And, as authentic prayer always compels us to turn outwards and help others, it seemed natural that she join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

By combining both charisms, Carmelite and Vincentian, she cultivated a deep interior life and diligently helped her parish, the poor, the sick, and the orphaned. She assisted families who were struggling, restored peace where there was discord, and encouraged everyone to live their faith more fully.

She also started an informal embroidery school in her home, where young women of every social class were invited. As they practiced their stitches, Josefa would read the Bible, after which everyone would join in spiritual conversations. They discussed prayer, the sacraments, and scripture. And, of course, they prayed the Rosary.

Her classes became so popular that she eventually needed a larger space. The classes also drew the attention of local priests, who were impressed by what the young women were learning—and becoming. Through Josefa’s instruction, they developed lives of deep prayer, assisted their parishes, discerned different vocations, and approached the Eucharist with more reverence and faith.

Toward the end of her life, Josefa suffered from a heart condition, but continued helping the sick who suffered from Valencia’s cholera epidemic. She died in 1893 and, as she had requested, was buried in the Carmelite habit. When her body was exhumed in 1902, it was incorrupt.

Paradoxically, the remarkable thing about Josefa’s life is the lack of anything remarkable. As the General Promoter of the Faith, Monsignor Petti, stated, “Her entire life proves how one can reach holiness in all states of life in a total consecration to God and in a selfless love for one’s brothers and sisters, even while living in the world. Without extraordinary gifts and without dazzling events in her life, [she] was an exceptional woman in her genuine simplicity as a daughter of the people. She carried out her duties faithfully, in intense union with God, in the midst of the ordinary circumstances of her working day.”

Josefa was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988. Her feast day is celebrated by the Carmelites on November 6.

“Our devotion to God must exclude all mundane customs—that is the attachment to things or people
who do not let us fulfill God’s will.”
~ Blessed Josefa Naval Girbés

Photo Attributions:
BANNER: Bocachete, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
INSET: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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