July 7, 2025, is the 48th anniversary of the birth into heaven of Blessed María Romero Meneses (1902-1977), FMA of Central America, who, with a heart full of love, through her writings, her prayers, but above all through tireless catechetical work and a variety of initiatives, managed to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus throughout her life. Her prayer was, “Heart of Jesus, you know all things and can do all things, provide, your holy will be done. I believe and abandon myself to your love!” – Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice – Salesiane di Don Bosco 

At the age of twelve, Maria enters the college run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

Maria Romero Meneses was born in Granada, Nicaragua, on January 13, 1902, to a very wealthy family. Her father, a minister in the Republican government, was very generous with the disinherited. Mary learned from an early age what it means to practice charity in difficult times.  The family dreamed of great things for her: she studied music, piano, and violin.

At the age of twelve, she entered the college run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, where she proved to be available and joyful. It seemed to her that Don Bosco’s charism had been created just for her. In the Novitiate, she taught music and worked in the festive oratory, where she dealt with the poverty of the girls for the first time. Having made perpetual profession, she was sent to San Jose in Costa Rica, which became her second home.

She sought out “poor and abandoned children” above all

She was sent to teach in a college for affluent young girls. But above all, she sought out “poor and abandoned children,” like Don Bosco. She formed young disciples, choosing them from among her best students, to work in the oratories. She called them “las misioneritas” (the young missionaries). They went to poor hovels, helped clean them, brought food and clothes gathered by Sister Mary, and gave catechesis. She then began to found festive oratories for the poorest children, starting thirty-six.

Mary Help of Christians, whom she called her Queen, saw that she received financial help which supported her works. Thanks to the voluntary work of medical specialists, she managed to set up a clinic with various specialties to ensure medical and pharmaceutical assistance; rooms for catechesis and literacy, and a chapel for prayer were also part of the building

The “ciudadellas” of Mary Help of Christians

She built “real” houses for homeless people, the “Ciudadelas de María Auxiliadora”: a project that continues to this day, involving collaboration from a lay Association, the “Asociación Ayuda a los Necesitados”.

To propagate Salesian devotion to Mary Help of Christians, she had a church built in the center of San José. In reality, she achieved great things through faith, and with the collaboration of wealthy people she had won over to her cause after having experienced the effects of Marian devotion. Like Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, she was a contemplative in action. Her union with God made her a sought-after spiritual counsellor. Several volumes of her “Escritos Espirituales” are already in print.

She died of a heart attack on July 7, 1977. The Costa Rican Government declared her an honorary citizen of the nation. Her body lies in San José de Costa Rica, at the great work she founded as the “Casa de la Virgen” and “Obra social”.

John Paul II beatified her on 14 April 2002.

Source: Maria Romero Meneses

Editor: Judy Alvarez