Maria Josefa Alhama y Valera
Maria Josefa Alhama y Valera, religious name Maria Esperanza of Jesus, (30 September 1893 – 8 February 1983) was a Spanish religious sister. She was the founder of both the Handmaids of Merciful Love in 1930 and the Sons of Merciful Love in 1951.
Valera was cleared for beatification in 2013 after a miracle that had found to have been attributed to her intercession was cleared. She was beatified on in 2014 by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of Pope Francis.
In the Martyrology
- February 8 Blessed Speranza di Gesù (María Josefa Alhama Valera), religious