The story of Sister Victoria

Victoria Virués was born 95 years ago in Chiclana de la Frontera, a town in Cadiz, in southern Spain. She lived through the Spanish Civil War and World War II, and many, many crises in her country.

She was educated at a Daughters of Charity school, and at the age of 18 she already knew what she wanted to do with her life. At the age of 21, she decided to enter the convent of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. In 1986, she arrived in the city of Jerez.

The roles she carried out at various times included serving as superior of her community, directing the El Salvador soup kitchen for years, and dedicating 70 years of her life to the people most in need. So many years and good deeds, summarised in just a few words!

The COPE Radio reports the words of Sr Teresa Pérez, the current superior of the local community of nuns, who describes Sr Victoria in these terms:

“She was always a very good person, very prudent, very humble, very simple, and a great lover of the poor and of her community. A woman of prayer and of an intense spiritual life, she always was what we call a true Daughter of Charity, an example and reference point for all of us who knew her and had the joy of living with her.”

With her work and attitude, Sr Victoria left an indelible mark on the places where she carried out her mission. That earned her the title of ‘Adopted Daughter of the City of Jerez’ in 2011. Yes, a Daughter of Charity. A nun. A true witness.

For meaningful inspiration, just look at what she said when she earned the title:

“If I have done something right, I thank the Lord. Love for the poor is at work in me and has brought me to this city. From the depths of my heart, I want to express a very great gratitude to God for this vocation, in which I feel very happy.”

She worked in nursing homes, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens; there is even a soccer field named after her. At the age of 64, she was granted total labour disability status due to an ischemic cardiopathy. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop her from continuing to work in some capacity and to help until she passed away.

She was a person who dedicated her life to those who needed her most. She inspired love and affection wherever she went. That’s why today, if you go on the internet and look up Sr Victoria, you’ll get a lot of news about a religious sister, who humbly helped others and made a difference for the better in countless lives.

Sister Victoria Virués died November 3, 2020. (Adapted from Aleteia.org)