Background
Her father was a government minister.
Her father was a government minister.
Born in Granada, Nicaragua as one of eight children from a middle-class family. As a result of what she felt a Marian miracle, Maria joined the Marian Association, "Daughters of Mary" on the 8 December 1915. Her spiritual director Fr Emilio Bottari gave her a prophetic recommendation: "Even though difficult moments will come and you will feel torn to pieces, be faithful and strong in your vocation".
Foreign María, these words sustained her for the rest of her religious life.
On 6 January 1929 in Nicaragua, María made her final profession. Her writings indicate that she attempted to live the religious life interior life after the example of Don Bosco.
In 1931 she went to San José, Costa Rica, which became her second country and by 1933 she was teacher of music, art, and typing in a school for the daughters of the wealthy. Her ministry became focused on social development, helping the rich to see how they could help the poor.
She set up recreational centers in 1945, food distribution centers in 1953, a school for poor girls in 1961, and a clinic in 1966.
In 1973, she organized the construction of seven homes, which became the foundation of the village of Centro San Jose, a community where poor families could have decent homes. She died of a heart attack on 7 July 1977, at age 75, in the Salesian house in Leon, Nicaragua where she had been sent for a rest. Her mortal remains were sent back to San José, Costa Rica, to be buried in the Salesian Chapel.
Senior Maria was venerated by Pope John Paul II on the 18 December 2000 which was then followed by her beatification on the 14 April 2002.
Senior Maria Romero Meneses is the first blessed from Central America.