Conchita Barrecheguren

Maria Concepción Barrecheguren García (27 November 1905 – 13 May 1927), also known as Conchita Barrecheguren, was a young Spanish Catholic laywoman. She was beatified on 6 May, 2023.

Early life

Maria Concepción Barrecheguren García was born on November 27, 1905, in Granada. She was the only child of the couple Francisco Barrecheguren and Concha García, both from wealthy and religious families. She was baptized on December 8, 1905, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When she was just over a year and a half old, she was diagnosed with acute enterocolitis, so much so that her life was feared. The girl soon recovered, being attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes. From an early age, Barrecheguren had health problems, as a result of which she did not attend school. Her father was responsible for educating her in social and catechetical principles. The quality of the teachings transmitted by her father allowed her to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and the First Communion. In 1917, she was diagnosed with an intestinal infection, which caused her a lot of pain and required a special diet. Barrecheguren patiently accepted her condition, seeing in it an opportunity to better surrender herself to God.

Barrecheguren died on May 13, 1927, aged 22, due to tuberculosis. She was initially buried in her family's tomb in Granada. On May 13, 1978, the remains were transferred to the Carmelo di Conchita, in Alhambra and, since November 29, 2007, she has been buried in the Redemptorist Sanctuary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Beatification Barreguren's beatification process was opened on 15 April 1946, granting her the title of Servant of God. A archdiocesan inquiry into her writings and testimonies about her life was completed in 1956 and sent to Rome for examination by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

On May 6, 2023, she was beatified in the Granada Cathedral. The celebrant chosen to represent Pope Francis was Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who inscribed her on the list of Blesseds of the Catholic Church. Her liturgical memory is celebrated on May 13.