Mariana de Paredes y Flores was born in Quito (Ecuador) on 31 October 1618 into a noble family of Spanish origin, whose lineage combines Andalusia and Castile.
A prodigy of piety, owing to the precocious maturity of her spirit, she had already bound herself by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at the age of ten. The example of the missionaries captivated her, inflamed her soul and filled it with the loftiest desires, which took shape in fervent prayers, extraordinary contemplations and other mystical gifts, combined with such austerities that even a mere listing of them would provoke deep astonishment.
She did not live in a cloister, for Providence willed her to remain in the midst of the world, yet she aspired to perfection as the most devout religious might. She was not merely a historical figure but is today regarded in Ecuador as a “national heroine”.
She also attempted to go among the indigenous peoples to bring them the faith. Later received into the Third Order of St Francis, she devoted herself with great generosity to the care of the poor and to the spiritual assistance of her fellow citizens.
In 1645 Quito was first struck by an earthquake, which killed about two thousand people, and then by a terrible outbreak of plague. Subsequently, Father Alonso de Rojas, her confessor, publicly offered his life for the salvation of the country; but Mariana, who was seated before the pulpit, rose and declared that she would take his place, judging the priestly ministry to be of greater importance. Shortly afterwards she fell ill, while the disasters came to an end. At only twenty-six years of age, she had given her life for her dearly beloved city.
The news spread with great rapidity, and the priest himself presented her as a heroine. Her holocaust of charity stood as an example to the whole nation.
She was beatified on 20 November 1853 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and canonised by Pope Pius XII on 9 June 1950.
Feast Day: May 26
Source:
https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/maria-anna-di-gesu-de-paredes.html
Image of Santa Mariana de Jesús is from an oil painting (circa 1926) by Víctor Mideros. (Wikipedia universal public domain).