The convent of Berriz, today the motherhouse of the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz, is located in a remote, mountainous region of the Basque Country in the North of Spain near France. Berriz is nestled in a majestic terrain, having a long history with deep roots to Our Lady of Mercy.
Our Lady of Mercy revealed herself in 1218 to Peter Nolasco, asking him to found the Order of Mercy (Mercedarians) initially a military order for the specific purpose of the redemption of Christian captives in danger of losing their faith.
In 1539 the priest (Abad) of St. John of the Door Parish in Berriz, Don Martin Aguirrezacona, had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Mercy. Rev. Don Martin used to take long strolls over to the brook that pours down a gorge, meditating there on Our Lady of Mercy as he spent hours contemplating the amazing landscape of Berriz. He had great confidence in her intercession, for his own uncle, it is told, had been saved from outlaws in the deep forest of Anboto, a massive limestone mountain of the area, by crying out, “Lady and Mother of Mercy, save me!” All was saved: the friar, his mule, his money, and the chalices he had just purchased for the church.
One morning, after Mass, Don Martin was kneeling at the foot of the image of Our Lady of Mercy at his house and prayed, “Lady, here I am; take care of me.” Our Lady spoke to his heart, saying: “Don Martin, go out to the path on the mountain and build me there a monastery for Mercedarian beatas who will give me perpetual honor. Hurry!”
He left immediately, with hat and walking stick in hand–making his way up the mountain until he heard, “Here has to be the place and no other—begin a monastery of beatas of Mercedarian of Vera Cruz (True Cross) of Berriz.” Don Martin sold his house and property and bought the land pointed out to him.
By 1540 a modest beaterio had been constructed and on August 5th the first beatas to live there, marched in procession behind Rev. Don Martin carrying lighted candles and reciting the Litany of the Saints. Among them was Rev. Don Martin’s own sister, Maria (later- de Santa Ana) Aguirrezacona and Maria (later –de la Vera Cruz) and Magdalena Cendoquiz (later-did not profess vows). The beatas were under Rev. Don Martin, who was Superior of the Community until they made their vows. At that time, two years later, Don Martin’s sister, Sor Maria de Santa Ana, became the Superior.
Before the Council of Trent in 1566, cloistered convents for nuns did not exist. There were, instead, beaterios–houses for women who desired to give their life to God in holiness. After the Council of Trent, convents were only for cloistered nuns. Oftentimes the beatas were not allowed to become cloistered nuns if they were too few in number. Convents of active life/apostolate, as we know them today, are quite a recent development in the history of religious life in the Church.
At first the nuns had to beg alms to survive. In 1569, the nuns received their first Canonical visit. By then, the convent had seven nuns. A year later (1570), their founder Rev. Don Martin died and in his will he left the mandate prohibiting the nuns from ever leaving the Convent of Berriz. If they did so, they would lose everything; house and property, with the exception of the dowry they brought with them to the convent. Don Martin also asked them not to go out often, to speak to lay people as infrequently as possible, and never to go out alone. They were also asked to say the Salve Regina to Our Lady every Saturday evening and the days dedicated to her with as much solemnity as possible. This custom continues in Berriz and in all the houses of the Institute to this day.
In 1599, Sister Ursula was elected Superior, and then was re-elected nine times. In 1623 she was 80 yrs. old and just wanted to retire. So, when the Canonical visit came around, she gave the keys to the visiting priest Father Maldonado, and hid herself. Since no one could find her, Father Maldonado had to name another Superior.
In the 1600’s the number of nuns in the convent of Berriz averaged 10. By 1741, after almost two centuries, the Mercedarian beatas of Berriz, who by now numbered nine, were given permission to make vows of perpetual cloister. These vows included poverty, chastity and obedience as well as a vow to the cloistered life and the promise to be ready to give their lives if necessary, for the salvation of souls. The nuns of Berriz were the last beatas to receive enclosure.
The Mercedarian Sisters of Berriz, survived the French Revolution (1740-1813) and the First Civil War in Spain (1815-1839). During these turbulent times religious orders were targeted and religious persecution was rampant. However, the simple nuns of Berriz, while enduring intense poverty, survived. It seemed that God had great plans for them to grow and flourish, and eventually become a missionary institute that spread the faith around the world.
To be continued. . .
