Bl. María Romero Meneses (1902-1977) was one of eight children, born to middle-class parents in Granada, West Nicaragua. Her father was a government minister.
Bl. María was taught at a Salesians Sisters of Don Bosco’s school and, being a bright student, also studied Art and Music, playing the piano and violin. At 12yrs, she suffered a prolonged period of rheumatic fever which caused permanent heart damage. Her miraculous recovery, she attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1915, Bl. María became a member of the Association of the Daughters of Mary and in 1920, she joined the Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice or FMA), becoming a Novice. She made her final vows in 1929.
In 1931, Bl. María moved to San José in Costa Rica where she taught Music and Art to girls from rich neighbourhoods. Her influence on her students was life-changing; they regularly joined her in her work beyond the classroom, helping the poor and marginalised. In 1945 Bl. María set up activity centres for the youth, in 1953 food centres, in 1961 a girls school for poor families, in 1961 a clinic and in 1973 she managed the construction of seven homes for poor families which developed into a larger village.
Bl. María’s Feast Day is the 7th July, the day of her death at the age of 75.
Bl. María Romero Meneses:
Pray for us that we will fully utilise the many gifts our Almighty God has bestowed on us.
Glory be to the…