María Antonia París, Pilgrim of Hope

On January 17, we celebrate the feast day of Venerable María Antonia París, a woman whose example of unwavering trust in God and hope “against all hope” continues to inspire us today. Her total surrender to divine providence and her firm commitment to the Gospel invite us to renew our faith and face life’s difficulties with courage. One hundred and forty years after her passing, and in the context of the 2025 Jubilee, her testimony takes on special relevance, reminding us that hope never disappoints and that we can always trust in God’s love, even in the most difficult moments.

María Antonia was an indefatigable pilgrim, convinced that God never abandons those who trust fully in Him. In one of the most challenging moments of her life, she expressed with deep certainty: “God is never short of means to help his children in their necessities”. This absolute trust led her to commit to the most vulnerable, promoting fraternity and solidarity.

Today, her example invites us to be witnesses of a living hope, capable of renewing our bonds and facing challenges with hearts full of trust in the Lord.

May her life inspire us to be leaven of authentic hope in the world, bearing witness that hope in God is the one that never disappoints.