Maria Romero Meneses, was one of eight children born to a wealthy family in Nicaragua in 1902. Maria was educated by her family at Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco’s school, where she was found to have a flair for art and music. She was trained in playing piano and violin, and always loved to learn. At a very young age, she was down with rheumatic fever and was extremely sick. Maria’s permanently damaged heart, weakened her health. She was cured by the intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary, in whom she found confidence. During this miraculous recovery, Maria understood her vocation to be a Salesian sister.

The little girl, full of hope, joined the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians and left for El Salvador to complete her period of novitiate. She received her initial habit on 1921. “Even though difficult moments will come and you will feel torn to pieces, be faithful and strong in your vocation,” was the prophetic recommendation given by her spiritual director. These words helped Maria in sustaining the rest of her religious life. She made her final profession as a Salesian sister On 6 January 1929.

In 1931 Maria was transferred to San José in Costa Rica which became her second homeland. She taught in a school for rich girls, but her heart yearned for poor and abandoned. A great number of her students won over to her mode of life and worked with her to help the poor and forsaken.

Her focus was on social development, in helping the rich to apprehend the need of the poor and help them with their wealth. Choosing from amongst her best students she formed the Disciples for the Oratories, an assembly for destitute children. They walked into indigent huts, helped them to clean and brought them food and clothing. Many offerings came her way to support her works. In this manner, Maria succeeded in showing the wealthy, ways to bring their charity to the need of the poor.

With the help of the voluntary work by medical specialists she succeeded in setting up a clinic with various specializations, to ensure medical and pharmaceutical help for the unfortunate. Through the help of Lay Association, she built ‘real’ homes for the homeless. Maria was known for her way of bringing God to people and triumphed in doing good things along with good people. She founded a series of charity projects which were funded by wealthier families to assist the poor. She set up recreational centres as well as food distribution centres. She also set up a school for poor girls and a clinic for ill people. In 1973 she organized the construction of seven homes which became the foundation of the village of Centro San Josè – a place where poor families could have decent living. Maria was declared as an honorary citizen by the government of Costa Rica. Maria died of a fatal heart attack at the age of 75.

Approving her life of heroic virtue, John Paul II beatified Maria on 14 April 2002. Maria Meneses became the first individual to be beatified from Central America.
– Ann Ben