Gentle heroine inspired Peru

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	St. Mariana Mariana de Paredes y Flores When: Oct. 31, 1618-May 26, 1645 Where: Ecuador What: Hermit Feast: May 26 Patron: Bodily ills, loss of parents, sick people

Many saints didn't achieve their status by major deeds that put them constantly in the public eye. Not all converted millions by their preaching, started new orders, reformed existing ones or reformed the church.

Instead, they concentrated on doing well what they did. Instead of going about something half-heartedly, they went about their lives with gusto, pouring their all into service to God and others in whatever way they decided to live.

Such was the case with St. Mariana de Paredes y Flores, also known as Mariana of Quito or "the Lily of Quito."

This 17th century saint was born in Quito, Ecuador, then part of Peru. Her parents, Don Girolamo Flores Zenel de Paredes and Doña Mariana Cranobles de Xaramilo, were part of the Spanish nobility. They died when she was a young child, so Mariana was raised by her elder sister and her husband.

At an early age, Mariana was attracted to religion and devoted to Mary. She made private vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at age 10 and wanted to be a Dominican sister. Instead she lived as a hermit in her sister's home under the direction of a Jesuit confessor.

Mariana's life was quite difficult, because that's the way she insisted that it be. She lived simply with only a few necessities and no luxuries. She ate only an ounce of bread every 8-10 days and, for several years, slept only three hours a night. She had the gift of prophecy and is said to have performed miracles.

Despite the rigorous life she chose for herself, Mariana had a reputation of being gentle with all those who came to her for prayers or advice.

After an earthquake in 1645, Quito was hit by a second calamity when an epidemic swept across the city. After seeing the suffering and deaths, Mariana stood up publicly in the city and offered her life to atone for the sins of the people.

Later, as the epidemic subsided, Mariana was stricken. She died in 1645. She was canonized in 1950 and is often called the national heroine of Ecuador.

While theology has changed so that we no longer believe our kind and loving God metes out dreadful punishments on humanity, the important thing to remember is that Mariana lived a life of unselfish love for others.