Maria Romero Meneses
Encyclopedia
Blessed
María Romero Meneses, (b. 13 January 1902 - 7 July 1977) was a Salesian Sisters
, beatified by Pope John Paul II
on the 14 April 2002.
as one of eight children from an upper class family, she was educated by her family and found to have talent for art and music where she trained on the piano and the violin. Later, she went on to become a student at a Salesian Sisters' school although in 1914, when she was 12, she was stricken by a year long bout of paralyzing rheumatic fever
. Her recovery was deemed to be miraculous and led to a total confidence in Our Lady, Help of Christians and to the vision of her Salesian vocation.
On 6 January 1929 in Nicaragua, María made her final profession. Her interior life unfolded as each day she strived to live joyful union with God as his instrument, after the example of Don Bosco as is apparent from her spiritual writings.
In 1931 she went to San José, Costa Rica
, which became her second country and by 1933 she was teacher of music, art, and typing to girls in the school in which she taught. Many of her students were won over to her way of life, and worked with her to help the poor and abandoned.
On 7 July 1977, in Leon, Nicaragua
in the Salesian house where she had been sent for a good rest, María died of a fatal heart attack at age 75. Her mortal remains were sent back to San José, Costa Rica, to be buried in the Salesian Chapel. In Costa Rica María was a social apostle through a multiplicity of initiatives designed for the needs of the poor starting with teaching catechism and vocational skills and finishing with a medical centre, a school for teaching the social doctrine of the Church and seven villages for poor families.
on the 18 December 2000 which was then followed by her beatification
on the 14 April 2002. The canonization
phase is pending.
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
María Romero Meneses, (b. 13 January 1902 - 7 July 1977) was a Salesian Sisters
Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco
The Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco or Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are the sister order of the Salesians of Don Bosco. They were founded by Saint Maria Mazzarello in 1872 to work alongside Saint John Bosco in his teaching projects in Turin and continue to be a teaching order worldwide.On...
, beatified by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on the 14 April 2002.
Early life
Born in Granada, NicaraguaGranada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
as one of eight children from an upper class family, she was educated by her family and found to have talent for art and music where she trained on the piano and the violin. Later, she went on to become a student at a Salesian Sisters' school although in 1914, when she was 12, she was stricken by a year long bout of paralyzing rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
. Her recovery was deemed to be miraculous and led to a total confidence in Our Lady, Help of Christians and to the vision of her Salesian vocation.
The Salesian Sisters
As a result of what she felt a Marian miracle, Maria joined the "Daughters of Mary" on the 8 December 1915. In 1920, at age 18, María joined the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. Her spiritual director Fr Emilio Bottari gave her a prophetic recommendation: "Even though difficult moments will come and you will feel torn to pieces, be faithful and strong in your vocation". For María, these words sustained her for the rest of her religious life.On 6 January 1929 in Nicaragua, María made her final profession. Her interior life unfolded as each day she strived to live joyful union with God as his instrument, after the example of Don Bosco as is apparent from her spiritual writings.
In 1931 she went to San José, Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
, which became her second country and by 1933 she was teacher of music, art, and typing to girls in the school in which she taught. Many of her students were won over to her way of life, and worked with her to help the poor and abandoned.
Charity
There followed a series of charity projects which were funded by wealthier familys to assist the poor and included the construction of food distribution centres, recreational centres, school for poor girls and many othersOn 7 July 1977, in Leon, Nicaragua
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
in the Salesian house where she had been sent for a good rest, María died of a fatal heart attack at age 75. Her mortal remains were sent back to San José, Costa Rica, to be buried in the Salesian Chapel. In Costa Rica María was a social apostle through a multiplicity of initiatives designed for the needs of the poor starting with teaching catechism and vocational skills and finishing with a medical centre, a school for teaching the social doctrine of the Church and seven villages for poor families.
Veneration
Sr Maria was venerated by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on the 18 December 2000 which was then followed by her beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
on the 14 April 2002. The canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
phase is pending.