Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vicenta of Saint Dorothy Chavez Orozco

The Basics: Born February 6, 1867, in Mexico; died July 30, 1949, in Mexico; beatified November 27, 1997, by John Paul II; feast day, July 30. Woman religious; nurse. The Story: The woman who would become known as Madre Vicentita had a lifelong love affair with Jesus… and nursing. When she was twenty-three, she started helping at… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vicenta of Saint Dorothy Chavez Orozco

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Francisca de Paula de Jesus

The Basics: Born about 1810 in Brazil; died June 14, 1895, in Brazil; beatified May 4, 2013; feast day, June 14; social worker. The Story: To many, Francisca was a nobody, a cipher. Her parents weren’t married, and the child was born into slavery and poverty, joining a half-brother who had a different father. She was… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Francisca de Paula de Jesus

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel

The Basics: Born  September 17, 1830, in Germany; died February 6, 1905, in Germany; beatified November 10, 2013; feast day, February 6; woman religious. The Story: Contemplation vs. faith in action through charity. It’s a choice that many of us face; there never seems to be enough time to do justice to both. Maria Theresia, however, found… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Maria de Jesus Sacramentado

Note: For the past few months, I’ve been featuring women with a connection to the Americas. Starting next week, I’ll be looking at women like Maria de Jesus Sacramentado (born Maria Navidad Venegas de la Torre) who were beatified or canonized in the 20th or 21st centuries. The Basics: Born September 8, 1868, in Mexico; died… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Maria de Jesus Sacramentado