March 12, 2019

Heroine of Ecuador

St. Mariana de Jesus de Paredes was canonized by Pope Pius XII on June 4, 1950. She lived more than 300 years earlier.

Born on October 31, 1618 in present-day Ecuador, she went to live with her married sister at age 7, when she was orphaned. She lived a life of seclusion in her sister’s house, except for visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the nearby Jesuit church.

She received Holy Communion each morning, and except for only an ounce of food every 8-10 days, she lived on the Eucharist alone.

A number of miracles are accorded to her, including predictions of the future, cures of the sick and, in one case, bringing someone back to life.

In 1645, an earthquake besieged her home of Quito. During a homily, a priest publicly offered his life to God in exchange for an end to the turmoil. She then immediately came forward and said, “No Lord, the life of this priest is necessary to save many souls, but I am not necessary.” She offered her own life instead.

The next day, she began to take ill and, shortly thereafter, on May 26, 1645, she died at the age of 27.

In 1946, Ecuador awarded her the title, Heroine of the Nation, and several years thereafter, she was canonized as related above.

Source: https://aleteia.org/2019/02/10/this-heroine-of-ecuador-lived-on-nothing-but-the-eucharist/.

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