![[Saint Mary Ann de Paredes]](saintm67.jpg "18kb jpg holy card of Saint Mary Ann de Paredes; please do not write to ask about the image")
Lily of Quito Mariana de Paredes y Flores Mariana de Paredes Mariana of Jesus Mariana of Quito Mary-Ann de Paredes
Attracted to religious life at an early age, at ten she made vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She initially wanted to be a Dominican nun, but instead became a hermit in home of her sister; her life changed at that point, and except for church, she never left the house again. Given to severe austerities, she slept little, and ate an ounce of dry bread every eight or ten days, surviving solely on the Eucharist which she received during daily Communion. Given to ecstacies; had gifts of prophecy, remote viewing, reading of hearts, healing by making the Sign of the Cross or sprinkling with holy water, and at least once restored a dead person to life.
During the 1645 earthquakes, and inevitable epidemics, in Quito, she publicly offered herself as a victim for the city and died shortly after. Immediately after her death there blossomed a pure white lily from her blood. The Republic of Ecuador has declared her a national heroine.
against sickness Americas bodily ills loss of parents people rejected by religious orders sick people