San José (Costa Rica). On 7 July 2021, the liturgical memory is celebrated of the birth into heaven of Blessed Sr. Maria Romero Meneses, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians of Central America, who gave herself entirely to the poorest, living fully the virtue of hope and trusting in Providence.
Born in Granada, Nicaragua, on 13 January 1902 and became a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians in 1923, in 1931 she was sent to San Josè of Costa Rica, which became her second homeland and where she spent herself on “poor and abandoned children” for 46 years.
In her tireless work of charity, which leads her to start thirty-six festive oratories, social works, homes for homeless families, a clinic for medical assistance to the poor, the virtue of hope does not fail to shine. Despite the trials and difficulties encountered, faithful to the charism of the Founder, St. John Bosco, “she hoped against all hope” (cf. Rom 4:18).
In this time of global uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, in Strenna 2021 “Moved by hope:” Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5),” invites us to look at the examples of hope of the Salesian Family. “In Salesian holiness we find precious examples and models of life that encourage us to hope as a virtue and as an attitude of life in God”.
The secret of Blessed Maria Romero was total abandonment to the love of Jesus and Mary, whom she called her ‘King and Queen’, for this reason she lived with such serenity and spread joy. Some witnesses say:
“In the face of difficulties, Sr. Maria never lost hope, she said: ‘My King and my Queen will help me.’ She was a person of hope, that’s why I believe she lived happily; I never saw her sad, she was optimistic. She hoped without limits for what she wanted to achieve ”(Blessed Calvo Brenes de Sánchez).
“Hope kept her serene, she was of an uncompromising fairness of character, with a well-defined smile on her lips and an expression on her face, like someone who is sure that her path is straight and pleasing to the Lord. She trusted against all hope” (Sr. Teresa Rodríguez).
“I can say that Sister Maria lived full of hope which reflected in her serenity and contagious joy. People who approached her sad or almost desperate to ask her for a favor, she comforted, showing them that God loved them and would not disappoint them. Many times we heard her repeat. “I know in whom I have trusted” (Sr. Manuelita Andrade).
Hope is like a magnet that draws us to Heaven, towards eternal joy. Sr. Maria also desired it, “We are pilgrims who are going to Heaven; faith illuminates our destiny. The goal is in the eternal, our homeland is Heaven. Hope guides us and love will make us obtain it. We reach our fullness in love for others” (F XII 75).
On 7 July 2021, on the 44th anniversary of her arrival in the Heaven, Blessed Maria Romero Meneses continues to be a “light of hope” for her poor and the Educating Communities of the world.
At Casa Maria Ausiliatrice “Sister Maria Romero Social Works” in San Josè in Costa Rica, in the Province of Our Lady of the Angels of South Central America (CAR), which she founded, we continue to work for the poorest, offering them Salesian hope and optimism. Many pilgrims come to honor the Blessed at the Mausoleum where her remains rest, renovated in 2020.
On 4 July 2021, on the first day of the Triduum dedicated to her, the first musical recital was held “Fom the heart of Suor Maria Romero”, (From the heart of Sr. Maria Romero) whose songs are part of the musical repertoire arranged by Sr. Maria, some of which she herself composed, she who loved music so much.
On 7 July 2021, on the anniversary of the birth of Blessed Sr. Maria Romero into heaven, the Eucharistic Celebration will be broadcast on the Facebook page of the Social Works of Sr. Maria Romero.
