07 July - María Romero Meneses was born on 13 January 1902 into a well-to-do and religious family in Granada, Nicaragua. It was at the College of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians that she discovered the life and work of St. John Bosco. It was in Salesian spirituality that her plan for religious life was born.
In 1923 she entered the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, where she distinguished herself by her dedication. In 1931, she was sent to Costa Rica where she was especially involved in the education of young people. She quickly gained the sympathy of her students and, gradually, of the population. She carried out an important action of service in the social, humanitarian and religious fields of the region. She founded a dispensary for the most needy in San José and, at the same time, a house for catechism and literacy. María Romero Meneses also created the ciudadelas de María Auxiliadora, in order to give a home to the homeless.
In addition to her charitable activities, many people came to her for spiritual guidance, as she was known for her mystical life. She died on July 7, 1977.
On December 18, 2000, Pope John Paul II recognized her heroic virtues, conferring upon her the title of Venerable. On April 14, 2002, Pope John Paul II celebrated her beatification in St. Peter's Square in Rome, after the recognition of a miracle due to her intercession.
