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| Blessed Mercedes Molina, Pray for us ! |
⛪ Other Names :
Mercedes of Jesus
⛪ Born :
1828 in Baba, Los RΓos, Ecuador as Mercedes Molina
⛪ Died :
12 June 1883 in Riobamba, Chimborazo, Ecuador of natural causes
⛪ Beatified :
1 February 1985 by Pope John Paul II in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Blessed Mercedes de JesΓΊs Molina (Maria Mercedes de Jesus Molina y Ayala; 24 September 1828 - 12 June 1883) is a Roman Catholic blessed from Baba, Ecuador. She was a missionary who devoted her life to the care of abandoned children and founded the order of the Sisters of Mariana de JesΓΊs. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 1 February 1985.
Mercedes de JesΓΊs Molina was born on 24 September 1828 in Baba, Los RΓos Province, Ecuador. She was the daughter of Miguel Molina y ArbelΓ‘ez and Rosa Ayala y Aguilar. After the death of her father, two years later, Mercedes and her mother moved to Guayaquil. Then at the age of fifteen Mercedes suffered the death of her mother. A bad fall from a horse brought about her conversion to absolute piety and strict penance. From then on she devoted her life to care of abandoned children. She did this first as mother and teacher to orphans in Guayaquil then in Cuenca, where she shared a home with Saint Narcisa de JesΓΊs. Mercedes later volunteered her services to the Jesuits to assist in the conversion of the Jivaroan peoples. After the missionaries had to give up their mission territory, Mercedes settled in Riobamba. There she took vows of poverty, chasity and obedience and founded the Sisters of Mariana de JesΓΊs, named after Saint Mariana de JesΓΊs, on 14 April 1873. This institute provided care orphans, converts, and women who had been released from prison. She died ten years later in Riobamba on 12 June 1883. Mercedes was beautified on 1 February 1985 by Pope John Paul II in Guayaquil.
“ It is a joy for all Christian people of Ecuador, that for now on they can venerate, together with the "Lily of Quito", St. Mariana de Jesus, the "Rose of Baba and Guayaquil", Blessed Mercedes de Jesus
God of infinite goodness, You gave Blessed Maria Mercedes, virgin, the courage to bring to fullness in martyrdom her offering to You and to the Church. Grant us, through her intercession, the grace to be so firmly rooted in the love of Christ that nothing can ever separate us from this love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen..
✠ Prayer :
God of infinite goodness, You gave Blessed Maria Mercedes, virgin, the courage to bring to fullness in martyrdom her offering to You and to the Church. Grant us, through her intercession, the grace to be so firmly rooted in the love of Christ that nothing can ever separate us from this love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen..