St. Mariana de Jesús de Paredes [1563-1645]...
is known as the Lily of Quito...
the first Ecuadorian to be canonized.
Born to noble parents, she was orphaned at a young age, and raised by her sister and brother-in-law. She lived a life of seclusion in their home. Though her brother-in-law encouraged her to enter a convent, she refused, preferring to continue as a sort of anchoress [ankerplaats] in the world.
Mariana was intimately connected with the Jesuits in Quito but since there is no Jesuit third order, she chose instead to become a Third Order Franciscan.
Like St. Rose of Lima, she fasted and engaged in severe penances throughout her life, eating only an ounce of bread every 8-10 days and getting 3 hours of sleep a night.
She was known for her ability to read hearts and work miracles, raising the dead at least once. When her city was struck by earthquakes followed by plague, she offered herself as a victim in exchange for the lives of her people. Not long after, the plague abated [afnemen] and St. Mariana died...
a white lily found growing from her blood.
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