The Lily of Quito

The first Ecuadorian saint, born on October 31, 1618, in the city of Quito. She was beatified by Pope Pius IX on November 20, 1853, and canonized by Pius XII on July 9, 1950. Her feast day is commemorated on May 26.

Link to Santa Marianita de Jesús Documentary:
https://gloria.tv/post/4PZDcxJT61Bd2kS2TCVc8obcG

Works

Her Christian lifestyle was silent yet eloquent. A laywoman committed to faith and mission; helpful to all, kind to the weakest, merciful, and defender of human dignity, especially those excluded from society. The first educator of the time in Ecuador.

Miracle

In 1645, a great earthquake struck Quito, causing many deaths due to a terrible epidemic that terrified the city.

A Jesuit father said in a sermon, “My God, I offer you my life so that the earthquakes may cease.” But Mariana exclaimed, “No, Lord. The life of this priest is necessary to save many souls. In contrast, I am not necessary. I offer you my life so that these earthquakes may cease.”

People marveled at this event, and that very morning, she began to feel very ill, finally passing away on May 26, 1645. God took her at her word, and the earthquakes did not recur, and no more people died from that calamity. Therefore, the Congress of Ecuador bestowed upon her the title of “Heroine of the Nation” in 1946.

Prayer

Oh God! Our Father, from whom all perfect gifts come, we thank you for the gift you gave us in Mariana, an example of imitation of your incarnate Son and an intercessor for our needs. Grant us, through her intercession, the special graces we ask for. Amen.

Link to Santa de este Pueblo, Santa Marianita – Song

Link to ¿Qué miran tus ojos Mariana? – Song

Link to Testimony about Santa Mariana de Jesús

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9DN2DLyhyk 

Link to Mariana de Jesús, una flor para el mundo – Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFCejug6vDk 

Quotes

– “I ask the patriarchs for faith; the prophets, hope; the apostles, charity.”
– “Oh beloved treasure of mine, You alone for me and I alone for You.”
– “You alone are enough for my desire, and in You alone, I am content.”
– “Make me, Lord, according to your measure.”

A Miracle in Life

Captain Juan Guerrero de Salazar and his wife Doña Juana Caso left Quito for their estates, finding the journey too difficult for their three-year-old daughter. They entrusted her care to her aunt, the venerable virgin Mariana, so that she wouldn’t miss her parents’ care.

The girl was happy to be cared for by her aunt Mariana. One morning, a troop of mules arrived at the house with fruits for sale. The animals were in the courtyard. The girl, only three years old, ignoring the danger, ran among the animals and approached a mule that was branded. The mule kicked her violently in the face, shattering her nose and jaw, leaving her on the ground severely injured also in her feet and hands. The servant Catalina, who served Mariana, saw the girl, picked her up, thinking her dead, and brought her to show her mistress this lamentable misfortune. As if the venerable virgin had already received the news, she went to meet them with the emotion one can imagine upon seeing her niece. Taking the girl in her arms, she exclaimed, “Oh, my God! What will her parents say now? What account will I give of the girl?”

But, though breathless with sorrow, strengthened by divine hope, she ordered them to bring a piece of cow meat, which she immediately applied to the face of the girl, who was thought to be dead due to her unconscious state. Then, taking the girl into her room and closing the door, she put the girl on her bed and began to pray to her divine Spouse for the remedy to her conflict. She prayed with sighs, with faith, with hope of obtaining the comfort she desired. And after an hour of fervent prayer, she emerged with the girl in her arms, healthy and sound, her face without any injury. She called Catalina and the others in the house, showing them the girl with no signs of what had just happened, and said only these words: “What effective medicine cow meat has been! With it, God has healed my niece.” Whether the girl was dead or not is unknown. What is known is that she showed no signs of life, that she was only three years old, and that in an hour, she was as healthy as if this pitiable incident had not occurred. And although Mariana’s humility attributed the healing to the piece of cow meat she applied, she knew well that it served only as a disguise and that it was the divine surgeon who had acted through the merits of his servant. The venerable virgin confessed this in confidence to a friend, but she attributed all the glory to God, acknowledging her unworthiness and few merits. (Pólit Aurelio, Life of Santa Mariana de Jesús, 1955, pp. 469-470)