Isabel Cristina Mrad Campos, a young Brazilian woman, has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for college students around the world. Her remarkable life, cut short by a brutal murder, has been recognized by the Catholic Church, and she was beatified on 10 December 2022.
Born on 29 July 1962, in Barbacena, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Isabel was a devout Catholic who dedicated her life to serving others. She was an exemplary student, known for her kindness, intelligence, and compassion. Her dream was to become a paediatrician and care for underprivileged children, particularly in Africa.
Isabel’s faith was her guiding force, and she spent countless hours in Eucharistic adoration and attending Mass. She was a member of the Young Vincentians, a group that aimed to serve the poor and vulnerable.
Tragically, Isabel’s life was brutally cut short on September 1, 1982, when she was murdered in her apartment by a tradesman who had been hired to install a wardrobe. The attack was a result of her resisting his attempts to rape her.
The investigation into her murder revealed that Isabel had fought bravely to defend herself, and her chastity was preserved. The Church recognized her martyrdom and declared that she had died “in odium fidei” (in hatred of faith).
Isabel’s beatification process began in 2001, and on 27 October 2020, Pope Francis approved the ceremony, acknowledging her martyrdom. Her relics are now enshrined in a chapel in Barbacena, where she is revered as a patron saint for college students.
Isabel’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, chastity, and compassion. Her selfless dedication to serving others and her bravery in the face of adversity make her an inspiration to young people everywhere. As a patron saint for college students, Isabel Cristina Mrad Campos will continue to guide and protect those who seek to follow in her footsteps.