Sister Teresita Barajuen is believed to hold the world record for most years cloistered in a monastery, with 86 under her belt. She died overnight Wednesday at the age of 105 in Spain. Sister Maria Romero, abbess of the Buenafuente del Sistal monastery located north of Madrid announced her death the following morning, the Washington Post reported.
Barajuen entered the Cistercian monastery at the young age of 19. Romero said that she was like many young women at the time who was hesitant of her decision and unsure if being a nun was the right path for her. She joined the monetary largely due to family pressure, the Telegraph reported. She left the monastery for the first time in 40 years in 2011 to meet the now-retired Pope Benedict XVI during a papal visit to Spain. She entered the monastery the same day he was born. The former Pope sent her a birthday letter later that year, Newsmax reported.
"The Pope, who treasures that wonderful moment in his heart, encourages you to remain rooted in the Heart of Christ, in order to continue being an ardent lamp of faith, hope, and charity, and thus to show the world that fullness of life consists in joyfully following the will of God," Msgr. Peter B. Wells, an adviser to the Vatican Secretary of State, wrote on behalf of Benedict.
It is said that Sister Barajuen also received a white rosary from the Pope as a gift. She returned the favor by offering him a copy of a book in which she is featured, entitled "What's a Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?" The book is authored by Jesus Garcia and details 10 testimonies of women who have dedicated their lives to God. Though being a nun was not her first choice, she later wrote that she was pleased to have made the decision.
"Even if I had married a prince, I would not be happier than I am now," she told the Global Catholic Network in January.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
