St. Mariana was born in Quito, Ecuador in 1618, and lost her parents as a child; subsequently she was raised by her older sister and her husband. Under the direction of her Jesuit confessor, she became a solitary in her sister’s home and devoutly fasted and prayed for years. Often called “the lily of Quito,” she is the patron saint of Ecuador, sickness, and those whose parents have passed away. She was canonized in 1950, and her feast day is today (May 26) in honor of the day that she died in 1645.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you deal with grief and loss in your life?
- What can you do to help the people in your life who are dealing with loss of loved ones?
