BLESSED LAURA VICUA
His feast is celebrated on January 22
BIOGRAPHY
He was born in Santiago de Chile on April 5, 1891. His father, Don José Domingo Vicua, belonged to a family of the Chilean aristocracy, of great political influence and high social level. His mother, Doa Mercedes del Pino, came from a humble family. This difference causes tension between Mercedes and José Domingo’s family from the beginning.
These are times of revolution in Chile. The family, which supports the overthrown government, is forced to flee the capital and take refuge 500 km away. south of the Chilean capital, in Temuco. Her father dies soon and her mother is left with two girls, Laura (two years old) and Julia, destitute. They emigrate to Argentina. The trip is very difficult and Doa Mercedes has nowhere to live. Her situation of misery makes her live in free union with Manuel Mora, a rich and brutal landowner who offers her a job. he is despotic, authoritarian and corroded by pride and sensuality. In 1900, Laura was admitted to the school of the Salesian Sisters of Mary Help of Christians in Junn de los Andes, thanks to Mora’s financial help. She soon stands out for her devotion and even dreams of being a religious.
When she hears from a teacher that God dislikes those who live together without getting married, the girl faints from fright. In the next class, when the teacher speaks again of consensual union, the girl begins to pale. Laura, at her tender age, hurts a lot when God is offended. She now understands the situation of mortal sin in which her mother finds herself. Far from resenting her, he decides to give her life to God to save her mother’s soul.
Laura communicates her intentions to the confessor, Father Crestanello, a Salesian. he tells her: “Look, this is very serious. God can accept your proposal and death can come to you very soon.” She is resolved in her offering. She receives communion at the age of ten. She that day she offers herself to God and she is admitted as “Daughter of Mary”, consecrating her purity to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At school, the other students admire her as the best classmate, the kindest and most helpful. The superiors are amazed at her obedience and the enormous love she feels for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and for Mary Help of Christians.
When he returns home to spend the holidays, Mora tries to abuse Laura, but she resists, so she is thrown out of the house, to sleep in the open. After this, she Mora doesn’t want to pay for her school, but her sisters accept her for free. One day, when the girl returns home, Mora gives Laura a savage beating.
There is a flood at the school in the middle of winter. Laura spends many hours with her feet in the freezing water, helping to save the little ones. She falls ill with kidneys in great pain. Her mother takes her to her house but she does not recover.
Laura tells her mother: “Mom, death is near, I myself have asked Jesus for it. I have offered my life for you, so that you return to him.” She asks him to abandon Mora and convert. She promises to fulfill her wish. She continues to pray and offer her intense sufferings for her mother. “Lord: may I suffer whatever seems good to You, but may my mother be converted and saved.”
He goes into agony and says: “Mom, two years ago I offered my life to God as a sacrifice to obtain that you no longer live in free union. That you separate from that man and live holy.” Mom: before dying will I have the joy that you repent, and ask God for forgiveness and start living holy?
“Oh, my daughter! Doa Mercedes exclaims crying, then I am the cause of your illness and your death? Poor me, Oh Laurita, what a great love you have had for me! I swear it to you right now. From today on, I will never see you again.” live with that man. God is a witness of my promise. I am sorry. From today I will change my life”.
Laura sends for the Father Confessor. “Father, my mother solemnly promises God to abandon that man today.” Mother and daughter hug each other crying.
From that moment on, Laura’s face becomes serene and cheerful. She has fulfilled her mission on earth. She has been a faithful instrument of Divine Mercy. She has triumphed over love. She receives the anointing of the sick and the viticum. She repeatedly kisses the crucifix. She tells her friend who prays with her: How happy the soul feels at the hour of death, when she loves Jesus Christ and Mary Most Holy! He takes one last look at the image of the Virgin in front of his bed and exclaims: “Thank you Jesus, thank you Mary.” years.
The mother had to change her name and leave that region in disguise to be free of the man who was persecuting her. And the rest of her life she led a holy life.
The mortal remains of Laura Vicua were transferred in 1956 to the Salesian College of Mara Auxiliadora in Baha Blanca (Argentina).
The cause for beatification began in Rome on February 25, 1982. Pope John Paul II declared her Blessed in 1988. Laura continues to grant many miracles today. We devotees hope that one of these miracles will soon allow her canonization.
His party is celebrated on January 22, the day he died.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus: You who granted Laura Vicua the grace to offer her life for the salvation of her own mother’s soul, also grant us all the grace to obtain good works, the conversion and salvation of many sinners. Amen.
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Technical sheet of the film about the life of Laura Vicua
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