MARIANNA OF JESUS, surnamed the LILY OF QUITO, a saint of the Roman Catholic church, born in Quito, Ecuador, 31 October, 1618; died there, 26 May, 1645. The name of her family was Paredes y Flores. She began to practice austerity at a very early age. On the death of her mother she was confided to the care of an aunt, who lived in the suburbs of Quito. At length her friends decided to send her to be educated in the convent of St. Catharine of Sienna, but she declared that she had a revelation that she was to remain with her family. She spent most of her time in prayer, and frequently remained for days without food.

In 1645 the city was afflicted with terrible epidemics and frequently recurring earthquakes. She rose in church on 25 March of that year, and in a few words declared that a victim was required, and offered her life for the salvation of the people. It is said that earthquakes ceased after this act of self-devotion, and that the violence of the plague gradually decreased, until after her death the epidemic disappeared altogether. She was buried with great pomp on 28 May, and it was reported that miracles were wrought at her tomb. A petition for her canonization was presented at Rome, and in 1853 her beatification was decreed by Pope Plus IX, and she was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.

Edited Appleton's Encyclopedia, by John Looby Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM