Maria Romero Meneses
Maria Romero Meneses (born January 13, 1902 in Granada (Nicaragua) , † July 7, 1977 in Las Peñitas (Nicaragua)) was a Nicaraguan Don Bosco sister who worked for socially disadvantaged girls in Costa Rica .
As one of eight children into a Nicaraguan upper class family - her father was a minister in the Republican government - she went to a school run by the Don Bosco sisters. In 1914, at the age of twelve, she developed a severe rheumatic fever. She traced her healing back to her prayer to Mary, Help of the Christians , in whom she has since gained even greater trust. She decided on December 8, 1915 to become a Don Bosco sister herself, but was only able to join in 1920 at the age of 18. She made perpetual vows on January 6, 1929 . In 1931 she was transferred to San José in Costa Rica, from 1933 she worked at a school as a music and art teacher and developed a great social commitment for disadvantaged girls in the city. Two social institutions go back to her initiative. Out of her continued deep devotion to Mary, she had a church built for Mary, Help of Christians, in the center of San José. From her mystical experiences, she wrote her Escritos Espirituales ( Spiritual Writings ), which were published in several volumes .
She was transferred to Leon in Nicaragua for her retirement home . When she died there of a heart attack at the age of 75, her remains were sent to her place of work in San José, Costa Rica, where her resting place was greatly venerated.
On April 14, 2002, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II . Her feast day was set for July 7th. She was also made an honorary citizen of Costa Rica.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Meneses, Maria Romero |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Nicaraguan Don Bosco Sister, Blessed |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 13, 1902 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Granada (Nicaragua) |
| DATE OF DEATH | 7th July 1977 |
| Place of death | Las Peñitas |