Saint María Soledad Torres Acosta

Life story

Manuela Torres Acosta was born on 2 December 1826 in Madrid into a modest family who ran a small business. From a young age she visited sick people in her neighbourhood and helped at a free school for poor children.

In 1851 Fr Miguel Martínez Sanz, a parish priest in the Chamberí district of Madrid, planned to gather a group of women to nurse the poor sick in their own homes. She was one of the first seven women to join. On 15 August 1851 the group received religious habits and she took the name Maria Soledad.

In 1856 Fr Martínez left the group and she became head of the community. The congregation, the Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, became known for nursing the sick in their homes. In 1875 it opened a house in Havana, and in 1867 it became a congregation of pontifical right.

She died in Madrid on 11 October 1887, aged 60. Pius XII beatified her on 5 February 1950, and Paul VI canonised her on 25 January 1970. Her feast day is 11 October.

Works and witness

• Joined a group nursing the sick at home in Madrid in 1851
• Became head of the community after its initiator left in 1856
• Her congregation became known for nursing the sick in their homes
• The congregation opened a house in Havana in 1875
• Beatified in 1950 and canonised on 25 January 1970

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Wikipedia: 'Sisters, Servants of Mary' (1851 foundation, 1856, Havana 1875, 1867 pontifical right, beatification and canonisation)
• Vatican, Homily of Paul VI for the canonisation Mass, 25 January 1970, vatican.va/content/paul-vi/es/homilies/1970/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19700125.html
• EWTN Español: 'Santa María Soledad Torres Acosta', ewtn.com/es/catolicismo/santos

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.