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In 2025, the Vatican commemorates the 50th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Vicenta Maria with a special postage stamp and postmark, honoring her enduring legacy of compassion and service. Canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975, Vicenta Maria was the founder of the Religious of Mary Immaculate, a congregation dedicated to supporting young women in vulnerable situations. Her mission was rooted in providing shelter, education, and dignity to working women, especially those facing hardship and abandonment in 19th-century Spain. Her work continues to inspire acts of mercy and social justice around the world.
The commemorative stamp and postmark, issued on May 27, 2025, features a mosaic from the Chapel of Villa Santa Maria in Rome. The artwork depicts the Blessed Virgin and Saint Vicenta Maria triumphing over evil, symbolized by a serpent beneath their feet. Framing the image is a quote from Saint Augustine that encapsulates Vicenta Maria’s character: “Aliis blanda, aliis severa, nulli inimica omnibus mater” (“Gentle with some, stern with others, enemy to none, mother to all”). This phrase reflects her balanced approach to leadership—firm yet nurturing—and her unwavering commitment to being a maternal figure to all in need.
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