Saint Carmen Elena Rendiles Martínez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, into a devout Catholic family. Despite being born without a left arm, she never saw her physical limitation as a barrier to service. She dedicated her life to God with courage and deep love. In 1927, she joined the Order of the Servants of Jesus and founded a branch in Venezuela. She served as superior general of the congregation from 1969 until her death from influenza in 1977. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to serving the poor, caring for the sick, and providing spiritual direction with humility and perseverance. She was canonized on October 19, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square becoming Venezuela's first female saint.
