About St. Maria
Maria Natividad Venegas de la Torre was born in 1868 in Mexico as the last of twelve children. As a teen she lost both of her parents within a 4 year time, leaving her under the guardianship of a paternal aunt. She was a pious child who spent most of her time giving religious classes to the neighbors and caring for the poor.
This piety eventually led her to entering religious life in 1905 and taking final vows 5 years later. Maria established the Daughters of The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Guadalajara, and in 1921 was selected as the Superior General. Upon establishing the order she assumed the new name “Maria of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”
It was here in her order that she lived out her life of service to the poor as well as catering to the needs of priests and seminarians. Maria died in 1959 at the age of 90. She is celebrated on her feast day of July 30th and is recognized as the first female Mexican Saint. She is the patron of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Guadalajara and of nurses.
