Updates: Mother Antonia Sainthood and Key Events

Dear Friends of the Eudist Servants,

We greet you during this Easter season with a Mother Antonia poem:

Dear Beloved Friends,

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which must look out,
Christ’s compassion on the world.
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which He is to Bless men now.

Mother Antonia Sainthood – Eudist Sisters Ann Gertrude and Anne Marie attended a course on the development of Sainthood Causes in Northern California in preparation of working on Mother Antonia’s Cause, once the new Archbishop is named in Tijuana. The course is taught by Postulators and experts based in Rome and other countries and areas of the U.S. (Center for Sainthood Studies). Emanuele Spedicato has accepted to be our postulator and Travis Degheri has accepted to be our vice-postulator. Emanuele and Travis both feel there are steps we can begin to take even before we receive a new Archbishop. We have been extremely blessed by these two people who have agreed to guide us and by everyone who presented the course. Please keep us in your prayers as we proceed with this.

Photo of Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, Waldery Hilgeman, Travis Degheri, Rev. Brian Taylor, Sr. Ann Gertrude Djuidje, and Emanuele Spedicato. Waldery. Center for Sainthood Studies

Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, Waldery Hilgeman, Travis Degheri, Rev. Brian Taylor, Sr. Ann Gertrude Djuidje, and Emanuele Spedicato. Waldery is a Postulator from Rome, Travis is Director of the Center for Sainthood Studies & our Vice-Postulator, Rev. Brian was one of the experts and is from the Archdiocese of New York, Emanuele Spedicato, also from Rome, is Postulator for us also.

ESEH Associate Bob Aroian from Barre, MA, here with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield and Sr. Ann Gertrude Djuidje.

ESEH Associate Bob Aroian from Barre, MA, here with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield and Sr. Ann Gertrude Djuidje, also attended the six day course to assist in Mother Antonia's Cause.

A sample of 2025 Key Events – Mother Antonia’s Mission of mercy to the prisoners, the poor and the sick continues to be accomplished by our Sisters, Associates, Volunteers and those receiving this newsletter. We continue to provide essential necessities, dental care and medications to the prisoners. Our daily activities still are the backbone of achieving Mother Antonia’s Mission. Below are a few other highlights for your information:

  • As highlighted in our November newsletter, the Las Memorias AIDS and TB Home expansion is complete and has been dedicated to Mother Antonia.
  • Holy Week and Traditional Easter events are conducted annually.
  • Joint celebration with our partner Serving Hands to buy and distribute monthly beans, rice, oatmeal, cleaning supplies, and backpacks.
  • December Mother Antonia Special Birthday Mass Celebration.
  • Posada for Brazos Abiertos (Open Arms) – organization started by Mother Antonia to help the widows and orphans of police killed in the line of duty.
  • Monthly Mass and distribution of Rosaries and Las Palabras booklets at El Hongo Prison in Tecate.
  • Annual Vows Renewal for Eudist Servants and Associates. Consists of a retreat for sisters, Mass, and celebration with the Associates.

Blessings,

Eudist Servants & Associate Volunteers
www.eudistservants.org

Photo of Las Memorias AIDS and TB Home
Photo of Las Memorias AIDS and TB Home
Tony Granillo with kids
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Photo of Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, Waldery Hilgeman, Travis Degheri, Rev. Brian Taylor, Sr. Ann Gertrude Djuidje, and Emanuele Spedicato. Waldery. Center for Sainthood Studies

Other Articles

Sainthood effort begins for Mother Antonia, the nun who chose to bring Gospel behind bars

2026 | ,

Antonia Brenner was twice divorced and had raised seven children when she gave up her comfortable life in Southern California to live in a small prison cell in the border city of Tijuana.

The onetime Beverly Hills resident became a nun at age 50, and for more than three decades devoted her life to serving not only those behind bars, but also others on the outside who were poor, sick, and vulnerable.

A Life Transformed: The Story of Tony Granillo

2025 | ,

For ten years, Tony Granillo was incarcerated in El Pueblito de La Mesa prison, where he met Mother Antonia, the “Prison Angel.” Her presence, he recalls, radiated love, peace, and mercy. Even the guards and officers respected her; when she was there, no one dared to harm anyone.

The Beatification Process for Mother Antonia Brenner

2025 | ,

We have officially begun the process toward beatification for our beloved Mother Antonia Brenner. We are working closely with the Center for Sainthood Studies in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to ensure every step honors her extraordinary life and legacy.

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Email: outreach@eudistservants.org

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