The Basics: Born January 1, 1809, in Spain; died August 25, 1865, in Spain; canonized March 4, 1934, by Pope Pius XI; feast day, August 25. Woman religious, teacher, social worker.
The Story: Maria Micaela Desmaisieres, or Madre Sacramento as she would come to be known, had a rich and textured life. Born into a noble Spanish family, her parents both died by her teen years, and she spent time with her brother, a Spanish diplomat whose posts included Paris and Brussels. When she was in her thirties, Maria visited a hospital and encountered a young woman from a good family 
who was dying from a venereal disease. She opened a house and school shortly thereafter to minister to the women whose diseases were too advanced to be saved and to educate those who could be cured. Maria drew some criticism for this, but forged onward, founding the Congregation of Adoratrices, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity in 1856. Her spiritual director for some time was Father Anthony Mary Claret, founder of the Claretians, who would be canonized himself. Maria died when she contracted cholera from a patient during an epidemic. Her order was formally approved the following year.
Maria’s faith practice was not limited to social work. As her nickname might indicate, she was also drawn to eucharistic adoration and sometimes would spent entire nights in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
What We Can Learn from Maria Micaela: Sometimes we characterize our spirituality as contemplative or social justice-oriented or some other keyword. Keep in mind that there’s no one right way to the Lord. Consider talking with a friend whose spiritual approach is different from yours. What can you learn?
To Learn More About Maria Micaela: Visit the site for her congregation.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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