Mariana de Jesús de Paredes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintMariana of Jesus de Paredes, T.O.S.F. |
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18th-century engraving of Mariana de Jesús
by Francisco Sylverio de Sotomayor |
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| Lily of Quito | |
| Born | October 31, 1618 Quito, Royal Audiencia of Quito, Viceroyalty of Peru, Spanish Empire |
| Died | May 26, 1645 (aged 26) Quito, Royal Audiencia of Quito, Viceroyalty of Peru, Spanish Empire |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church (Ecuador & Third Order of St. Francis) |
| Beatified | November 10, 1853, Vatican City by Pope Pius IX |
| Canonized | July 9, 1950, Vatican City by Pope Pius XII |
| Major shrine | Church of the Society of Jesus, Quito, Ecuador |
| Feast | May 26 (May 28 for the Franciscan Order) |
| Attributes | Lily, black cassock embroidered with the Christogram of IHS |
| Patronage | Ecuador; Americas; bodily ills; loss of parents; people rejected by religious orders; sick people; sickness |
Mariana of Jesus de Paredes (Spanish: Mariana or María Ana de Jesús de Paredes; October 31, 1618 – May 26, 1645) is a Catholic saint. She was the first person from what is now Ecuador to be officially declared a saint. She lived a very quiet life, staying mostly at home. People say she offered her own life to save her city from danger.
She was declared "blessed" (a step before sainthood) by Pope Pius IX in 1853. Later, she was made a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Mariana of Jesus is the patron saint of Ecuador. Her special day is celebrated on May 26.
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Her Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Mariana was born in Quito, which was part of the Spanish Empire at the time. Her full name was Maríana de Paredes Flores y Granobles y Jaramillo. She was born on October 31, 1618. Her parents were from important families. Mariana was the youngest of eight children.
When she was only four years old, Mariana became an orphan. Her older sister, Jerónima, and Jerónima's husband, Cosme de Caso, took her in. Mariana felt a strong pull towards a spiritual life. Her sister and brother-in-law let her live a very simple life in their home. She lived almost like a recluse, meaning she stayed mostly by herself. She practiced asceticism, which means living a very strict and disciplined life. She is often compared to Rose of Lima, another saint who lived a similar life.
Mariana chose not to join a monastery (a place where religious people live together). Instead, she focused her spiritual life around the nearby Jesuit church. She joined a group there called the Sodality of Our Lady. This group helped people who wanted to grow closer to God.
Her Strict Fasting
It is said that Mariana ate very little. She would eat only a small piece of dry bread every eight or ten days. Many people who knew her said that the only thing that kept her alive was the Eucharist. This is the special bread and wine received during Mass in the Catholic Church. She received the Eucharist every morning.
Mariana's spiritual life was very connected to the Jesuits. However, her spiritual director (a guide for her religious life) suggested she join the Third Order of St. Francis. This group allowed her to live a religious life while still living at home. She took the religious name Mariana of Jesus. This name showed how important Jesus was to her.
Her Sacrifice and Miracle
Mariana was known for her deep prayer. People believed she could predict the future and see events happening far away. She was also said to be able to heal sick people. She could do this by making the sign of the Cross or by sprinkling them with holy water. There is even a story that she brought a dead person back to life once.
In 1645, Quito suffered from terrible earthquakes and then a sickness spread. Mariana publicly offered herself as a sacrifice for the city. She asked God to take her life instead of the lives of others. She died shortly after this.
It is reported that on the day she died, something amazing happened. A pure white lily flower grew right out of her blood. This miracle gave her the nickname "The Lily of Quito." Because of her life and sacrifice, the country of Ecuador has declared her a national heroine.
Becoming a Saint (Canonization)
Soon after Mariana died, people wanted her to be recognized as a saint. The Bishop of Quito started the first steps towards this. He began to gather information about her holy life, her good deeds, and any miracles linked to her. Even King Charles II of Spain supported her cause. He wanted to show the strong faith of people in the Americas.
The process of making someone a saint is long and careful. The Church studied all the evidence about Mariana. In 1757, Pope Benedict XIV officially started the process. Even after the Jesuits were no longer in charge of the process, the Spanish Crown continued to support it.
The Church looked closely at Mariana's virtues (her good qualities). Pope Pius VI declared that she had "heroic virtues," meaning she lived a very good and holy life. Then, two miracles that happened because of her prayers were officially approved by Pope Pius IX in 1817.
Because of these miracles and her virtues, Mariana was declared "blessed" (beatified) on November 10, 1853. This ceremony took place in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Many people in America said that more miracles happened after they prayed to her. Finally, after another miracle was confirmed, Pope Pius XII approved her sainthood. Mariana of Jesus was officially made a saint in 1950.
How She is Remembered (Veneration)
| Holy Infant Crucified on Mount Pichincha El Niño Jesús en la Cruz en el Volcán Pichincha |
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Image of the Holy Child in a Convent in Quito
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| Location | Quito, Ecuador |
| Date | 17th century |
| Witness | Mariana de Jesús de Paredes |
| Attributes | Red cloak, white robe, crown of thorns, white stole, crucified standing up |
Since Mariana was declared blessed, many churches and schools in Latin America have been named after her. A group of teaching Religious Sisters was also started in her name in 1873 by Mercedes de Jesús Molina.
There is also a special image called the "Christ Child Crucified on Mount Pichincha." This is a Roman Catholic image of the Christ Child on a cross. It is said to have appeared to Mariana de Jesús de Paredes.
See also
In Spanish: Mariana de Jesús de Paredes para niños
