A portrait of St. Mama Antula
St. Mama Antula
March 13, 1730 – March 7, 1799
Feast
March 7 · XVIII c.
Patron of
Argentina · Spiritual exercises · Lay catechists
Order
Laywoman
Argentina's first canonized saint and a tireless promoter of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius after the suppression of the Jesuits in 1767. Walking barefoot across thousands of miles of pampas to organize retreats for laity, she founded the Holy House of Spiritual Exercises in Buenos Aires (the Casa de Ejercicios), which still functions today. She was a personal devotion of Pope Francis, who as Cardinal Bergoglio in Buenos Aires often celebrated her cause.
Life & Times
Also known as: María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa; María Antonia of St. Joseph · Born: March 13, 1730 · Died: March 7, 1799 · From: Santiago del Estero; Buenos Aires, Río de la Plata.
Patronage
St. Mama Antula is invoked as the patron of argentina, spiritual exercises, lay catechists. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Souls cost the Blood of Jesus Christ; how can we waste them?”— Letter recorded in the Argentine Catholic archives; cited at her canonization in 2024
Shop St. Mama Antula Products
Devotional items honoring St. Mama Antula, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
St. Mama Antula Holy Cards
$0.99
St. Mama Antula - Devotional Canvas
$40.58
14K Yellow Mama Bar 7" Bracelet
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Sterling Silver Mama Bar 7" Bracelet
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14K White Mama Bar 7" Bracelet
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14K Rose Mama Bar 7" Bracelet
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14K Rose Mama 6 1/2-7 1/2" Bracelet
$705.00
14K White Mama 6 1/2-7 1/2" Bracelet
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Mama Antula, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.