Blessed María Romero Meneses, (b. 13 January 1902 - 7 July 1977) was a Salesian Sister and Social Apostle of Costa Rica, beatified by Pope John Paul II on the 14 April 2002.

Early life 

Born in Granada, Nicaragua as one of eight children from an middle-class family. Her father was a government minister. As she was found to have a talent for art and music, her parents so to it that she was trained on the piano and the violin. Later, she went on to become a student at a Salesian Sisters' school although in 1914, when she was 12, she was stricken by a year long bout of paralyzing rheumatic fever. Her recovery was deemed to be miraculous and led to a total confidence in Our Lady, Help of Christians and to the vision of her Salesian vocation.

The Salesian Sisters 

As a result of what she felt a Marian miracle, Maria joined the Marian Association, "Daughters of Mary" on the 8 December 1915. In 1920, at age 18, María joined the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. Her spiritual director Fr Emilio Bottari gave her a prophetic recommendation: "Even though difficult moments will come and you will feel torn to pieces, be faithful and strong in your vocation". For María, these words sustained her for the rest of her religious life. On 6 January 1929 in Nicaragua, María made her final profession. Her writings indicate that she attempted to live the religious life interior life after the example of Don Bosco.

In 1931 she went to San José, Costa Rica, which became her second country and by 1933 she was teacher of music, art, and typing in a school for the daughters of the wealthy. Many of her students were won over to her way of life, and worked with her to help the poor and abandoned.

Charity 

Her ministry became focused on social development, helping the rich to see how they could help the poor. She set up recreational centers in 1945, food distribution centers in 1953, a school for poor girls in 1961, and a clinic in 1966. In 1973, she organized the construction of seven homes, which became the foundation of the village of Centro San Jose, a community where poor families could have decent homes.

She died of a heart attack on 7 July 1977, at age 75, in the Salesian house in Leon, Nicaragua where she had been sent for a rest. Her mortal remains were sent back to San José, Costa Rica, to be buried in the Salesian Chapel.

Veneration

Sr Maria was venerated by Pope John Paul II on the 18 December 2000 which was then followed by her beatification on the 14 April 2002. Sr Maria Romero Meneses is the first blessed from Central America.