Paraguayans marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of María Felicia Guggiari Echeverría, also known as “Chiquitunga,” the country’s first blessed, with various celebrations and prayers for her prompt canonization. The Archbishop of Asunción, Cardinal Adalberto Martínez, invited the faithful to pray for Chiquitunga’s canonization, highlighting her life as an example of sanctity and dedication to God. The centenary celebrations included special activities at the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Asunción and a solemn Eucharist in Villarrica, where Chiquitunga was born and where her remains rest.
Chiquitunga’s life was marked by intense prayer and apostolate, particularly through her work in Catholic Action in Paraguay. She later joined the Order of the Discalced Carmelites at the age of 30 and took the name María Felicia de Jesús Sacramentado. Chiquitunga was declared venerable by Benedict XVI in 2010 and beatified by Cardinal Angelo Amato in 2018. A miracle attributed to her intercession, the healing of a baby born in 2002, paved the way for her beatification. As Paraguayans celebrate Chiquitunga’s centenary, they continue to pray for her canonization, recognizing her as a model of holiness and devotion.