Brazilian Carmelite nun Mother Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary was declared venerable last Saturday, May 20th, by the Holy See.

Mother Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary was born on December 24, 1915, in Borda da Mata (MG). Her baptismal name was Maria Luíza.

According to the biography published on the beatification website, she felt "a first touch of the Lord in her heart for the cloistered life of Carmel" during a spiritual retreat. Later, she felt the vocational calling again during a visit to the Blessed Sacrament chapel in the old basilica of Aparecida (SP). Confirmation came with the reading of the Memoirs of Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity.

She entered the Carmelite convent of Mogi das Cruzes on May 29, 1937. Upon receiving the novice's habit, she adopted the name Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary. Life at the Mogi das Cruzes Carmelite convent was characterized by great rigor, penance, silence, and work.

In 1952, the community moved to a new Carmelite monastery built in Aparecida. Some time later, bishops from other places asked the Carmelite monastery in Aparecida to found a new Carmelite monastery in their dioceses.

Sister Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary was chosen to found the Carmelite convent in Três Pontas, in the diocese of Campanha (MG), along with seven other sisters. They arrived in Três Pontas to begin monastic life in the new monastery. The nun served as prioress, sub-prioress, and mistress of novices.

The monastery increasingly became a point of reference for the faithful in the region. Many sought out Mother Teresa for advice, spiritual guidance, and help. Soon, as a sign of veneration and affection, people began to call her "Our Mother.".

Already advanced in age and with failing health, she always struggled to fulfill all her Carmelite commitments. An increasing number of people sought her out for advice and spiritual direction. Her weakness grew, and the first symptoms of the illness that led her to a slow ordeal of suffering until her death manifested themselves.

Mother Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary died on November 14, 2005, surrounded in her bed by priest friends and the community. A large number of people attended her funeral to say goodbye to the nun.

Due to her reputation for holiness and the graces obtained through her intercession, the Bishop of Diamantina, Dom Diamantino Prata de Carvalho, in agreement with the community of the Carmelite convent of São José, requested the opening of the process for the beatification of the nun. The process was opened in March 2012.